Brain Stimulation Measures May Help Test New Seizure Medicines
Researchers tested whether brain stimulation and brain-wave measures could detect the short-term effects of levetiracetam, an anti-seizure medicine, in people with generalized epilepsy.
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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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Pediatrics | Safety & First Aid
Brain Surgery In Babies Can Reduce Seizures
This study looked at hemispheric surgery in infants with early drug-resistant epilepsy caused by hemimegalencephaly (HME) or hemispheric cortical dysplasia (HCD).
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How Brain Targeting for Epilepsy Surgery Has Improved
This paper is a review, not a report of new patient results.
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Faster Seizure Medicine Reduction May Shorten Hospital Stays
This study looked at how quickly antiseizure medicines were reduced during hospital stays in an epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), where video-EEG is used to record seizures for diagnosis and treatment planning.
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Long White Matter Pathways Help Brain Signals Travel Fast
Researchers studied how brain activity spreads from one brain region to another, and whether similar patterns apply to both epilepsy-related activity and physiological spontaneous activity.
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Rare Seizure Pattern Often Linked To Chromosome Changes
This paper was a systematic review, which means the researchers searched published medical reports rather than enrolling new patients.
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Many Children With FCD Epilepsy Do Well After Surgery
This study looked at children with epilepsy related to focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).
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Brain Wave Changes May Help Predict Epilepsy After Malaria
Researchers followed 186 children ages 6 months to 11 years in Chipata, Zambia who had confirmed central nervous system malaria.
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How COL4A1 And COL4A2 Symptoms Differ By Age
This study looked at children and teens with variants in the COL4A1 or COL4A2 genes, which are associated with a disorder that can affect the brain and other organs.
