How Healthy Brain Waves Change As Children Grow
Researchers studied high-frequency oscillations, or HFOs, in brain recordings from 185 children who had intracranial EEG as part of epilepsy care.
Imaging & EEG
This hub covers epilepsy EEG and MRI: how EEGs and brain imaging help doctors understand seizure patterns and possible causes. Clear explanations of common findings and what research suggests.
What you’ll find in this topic:
- Plain-language summaries of new epilepsy studies
- What the research means for real life
- Practical questions to ask your neurologist
- Related topics you can explore next
Imaging & EEG: What Families Usually Want to Know
- What an EEG can (and can’t) tell you
- Why EEGs can be “normal” even when seizures are real
- When MRI/other imaging matters (and what doctors look for)
- What “spikes,” “slowing,” and “epileptiform activity” mean
Common EEG & Imaging Terms in Plain English
- EEG: Measures electrical activity from the scalp (not a brain “scan”)
- Epileptiform discharges: Patterns that suggest seizure risk
- Ictal: Refers to during a seizure
- Interictal: Refers to between seizures
- Focal vs. Generalized: Pertaining to one specific spot on or network on one side of the brain vs. both sides/networks
- MRI Lesion: A structural change that might be related (not always)
Imaging & EEG FAQ
Can you have epilepsy with a normal EEG?
Yes. EEGs are a snapshot. Some people need repeat EEGs, sleep-deprived EEGs, or long-term monitoring.
Does an abnormal EEG mean someone will definitely have seizures?
Not always. It raises suspicion and risk, but diagnosis still depends on the full story.
Why do doctors order an MRI?
To look for structural causes like scars, malformations, tumors, and stroke-related changes, which can guide treatment.
What is video EEG monitoring?
An inpatient or extended study that records EEG and video together to match symptoms to brain activity.
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Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Status Epilepticus
Rare Alcohol-Related Seizure Syndrome Can Become Life-Threatening
This paper looked at a rare condition called Subacute Encephalopathy with Seizures in Alcoholics (SESA).
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Piriform Cortex Removal Did Not Predict Seizure Freedom
Researchers looked at whether the extent of resection of a brain area called the piriform cortex during temporal lobe epilepsy surgery was associated with postoperative seizure freedom.
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Early Seizures May Affect Brain Wiring In Newborns
This study looked at whether the brain’s white matter differs in term newborns with genetic epilepsy in the neonatal period.
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Better Epilepsy Care For Adults With Developmental Disabilities
This paper is a seminar-style review about epilepsy care in adults with intellectual developmental disorders (IDD).
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Sleep Problems Are Common In KCNB1-Related Disorders
This study looked at sleep problems in people with KCNB1-related disorders, a genetic condition that can involve epilepsy, developmental difficulties, or both.
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Brain Scan And EEG Match Linked To Better Outcomes
This paper was a systematic review of studies about epilepsy surgery for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy caused by hippocampal sclerosis, also called mesial temporal sclerosis.
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Home Videos May Help Diagnose Seizures After Unclear EEG
This study looked at whether home or “stand-alone” videos could help after an inpatient EEG-video monitoring stay did not capture the event doctors were trying to diagnose.
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Brain Activity Before Stimulation Helps Predict Responses
Researchers looked at whether the brain’s activity just before an electrical stimulation pulse can help explain why the response to that pulse changes from one trial to the next.
