Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities of patients with epilepsy and reflex seizures

• Grant number: 12/00849-3
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Cendes
• Grantee: Jaqueline Silva de Rezende
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The appropriate recognition of reflex seizures can assist in understanding the pathological mechanisms of epilepsy. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the presence and distribution of structural changes in patients with focal or generalized epilepsies and reflex seizures. Method: Patients with epilepsy followed in the neurology service at the Clinics Hospital at the "Unicamp" submitted to an interview will be included in the study with standardized questionnaire about the presence of reflex seizures. The analysis of the structural changes in gray and white substance in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patients' brain with and without reflex seizures will be performed through the technique of morphometry based on Voxel (VBM) that allows automated analysis of the brain structure as a whole, without the necessity of a previous definition of an interested area. The Statistical analysis of clinical data will be performed with the Systat9 ® program.