This study aims to uncover the neuronal bases of epilepsy by recording the activity of single neurons in the brain of patients with epilepsy who are candidates for assessment with intracranial electroencephalography (EEG). A micro-electrode array will be inserted into the brain in addition to the standard intracranial EEG electrodes for up to 4 weeks.
Epilepsy is a disease characterized by the tendency to have seizures, which are thought to be due to excessive activity in the neurons of the brain. However, it is technically difficult to record the activity of neurons, especially in the brain of human patients. Therefore, there are gaps in what scientists know of what exactly goes wrong in neurons during epileptic seizures. In this study, an array of micro-electrodes will be inserted into the brain of patients with epilepsy while they are undergoing a clinically indicated assessment with intracranial electroencephalography (EEG). The micro-electrode array is able to continuously record the activity of neurons in the human brain. In combination with the standard intracranial EEG, the recordings of the micro-electrode array will allow a better understanding of the relationship between epileptic seizures and the activity of neurons.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
3
Implantation of the Blackrock NeuroPort micro-electrode array for up to 29 days in patients who are undergoing evaluation with intracranial EEG electrodes
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
Geneva, Switzerland
Number of participants with study procedure- and investigational device-related serious adverse events, as defined in ISO 14155
Number of patients experiencing any serious adverse event, as defined in ISO 14155 (any untoward medical occurrence that resulted in death or led to a serious deterioration in health), that is possibly, probably or definitely related to study procedures or the investigational device. Participants will be hospitalized throughout the duration of their participation in the study. Serious adverse events will be monitored daily by a physician through history taking, neurological examination, measurements of vital signs as well as every other day with blood testing for markers of inflammation (leucocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein).
Time frame: On average 4 weeks
Correlation between EEG markers of epileptic activity and single-neuron activity recorded by the investigational device
The characteristics of single-neuron activity (recorded by the investigational device) will be studied during epileptic events as identified by the clinical intracranial EEG (interictal epileptic discharges, high-frequency oscillations, epileptic seizures), including (not necessarily limited to) average firing rate, across-neuron firing synchronization, phase-amplitude coupling with slow cortical oscillations. These analyses will be performed using specialized, custom-programmed neural time series data processing software.
Time frame: Up to 4 weeks
Number of single neurons recorded from investigational device
Number of single neurons isolated by the investigational device and stability over time of these recordings. These analyses will be performed using specialized, custom-programmed neural time series data processing software.
Time frame: Up to 4 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.