Study of Biomarkers Predicting Response to SEEG-Guided Thermocoagulation in Patients 12 Years and Older With Drug-Resistant Focal Epilepsy

What this Trial Is About

Drug-resistant focal epilepsy is a serious neurological condition affecting about one-third of epilepsy patients, where surgery is often the only curative option. An important step before surgery is stereo electroencephalography SEEG, which maps the brain areas causing seizures. SEEG-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation SEEG RFTC is a treatment option that can be used when surgery is not possible, sometimes avoiding open surgery. However, the chances of being seizure-free after one year vary greatly, possibly due to unclear criteria for selecting treatment targets and unknown mechanisms beyond direct effects. This study evaluates the changes in brain electrical activity SEEG, brain structure using ultra-high field MRI, and blood markers related to brain damage and inflammation after SEEG RFTC in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Participants will undergo various assessments including SEEG recordings before and after treatment, MRI scans at different time points, blood sample collections, brain tissue sampling during electrode removal, and completion of quality of life and psychiatric questionnaires at multiple visits. Participants will be followed for up to 12 months after treatment with assessments at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Researchers will measure changes in blood-brain barrier permeability, brain connectivity, electrophysiological markers, blood biomarkers, and quality of life scores to understand treatment response. These findings aim to help select treatment targets based on objective criteria and predict therapeutic outcomes in individual patients.

Biomarkers of Response to SEEG Thermocoagulation