Clinical Trials

Currently, in presurgical evaluation of epilepsy patients, PET and SPECT studies are utilized to evaluate metabolic and perfusion abnormalities respectively to localize seizure onset.  This is especially true in "MRI negative" patients, whose lesion is not visible on standard MRI techniques.  PET and SPECT studies have numerous disadvantages, including radiation exposure, injection of contrast or isotopes, cost, and are often difficult to access for many patients.

     Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI sequences show perfusion related abnormalities without using contrast, in a relatively short amount of time, and can be done during a normal MRI for evaluation of epilepsy. This is of interest because if there is a good correlation, ASL MRI sequences could be used in addition, or in place of, these other studies that require injection of isotopes and radiation from CT scans.