Epilepsy is a common problem affecting 1 in 200 of the population.  In 20% of patients with focal epilepsy (in which seizures originate from a specific region of the brain) tdrug treatment is not effective.   Surgical treatment is increasingly being used in these patients and can lead to complete or almost complete seizure control in up to 80% of cases.  This demands accurate identification of the seizure focus.  Our research has enabled non-invasive brain imaging methods to be developed.

This picture shows two blood flow scans of an epilepsy patient.  The one on the left shows the pattern of blood flow in the brain between fits and the one on the right during a fit.  The change enables the damaged tissue to be identified and, where appropriate, removed.

Function map showing four sections through the brain when the patient is NOT having a fit.

Function map showing four sections through the brain when the patient is having a fit.