A Novel Model of Focal Neocortical Epileptogenesis to Test Network-Oriented Epilepsy Treatment
Weill Medical College, Cornell University
2024
James Niemeyer, PhD
Epilepsy surgery for focal epilepsy usually focuses on seizure onset zones, areas of the brain where seizures start. However, brain networks outside the seizure onset zones may be involved as well. A major obstacle to improving surgical treatment is the lack of understanding of how focal epilepsy affects widespread brain networks which could be new targets for treatment.Dr. Niemeyer will use a novel epilepsy model and advanced imaging techniques to find out when and how different brain areas are recruited to form a harmful network. The findings will give us new insights into how epilepsy develops and provide a potential platform to test treatments targeting networks in addition to the seizure onset zones.
