Application of T2 relaxometry on the analysis of damage progression in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with or without signs of hippocampal sclerosis

• Grant number: 12/20603-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2012
• End date: November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Cendes
• Grantee: Bruno Yukio Kubota
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Rationale: Determining possible occurrence of progressive neuronal damage and its relationship to clinical outcome in different subgroups of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is crucial for better understanding of these diseases and for determining prognosis and the most appropriate treatments. Objective: To evaluate the presence and progression of T2 signal change in temporal structures of TLE patients with and without signs of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) through a prospective study of MRI. Methods: Patients with clinical and electroencephalographic ELT, followed up at the UNICAMP Hospital, will undergo sequential magnetic resonance images (MRI). Patients will be divided into: I) ELT with signs suggestive of hippocampal sclerosis (HS), II) ELT no signs suggestive of EH. MR images of each individual will be repeated in intervals of at least 1 year and will be evaluated by relaxometry technique in order to determine changes in signal T2 in both groups. A control group of healthy individuals, will be used to determine the normal variability. (AU)