Skip to main content

Epilepsy Patient Volunteers (Surgical Therapy)

We are recruiting patients for a new study to look at how we can better predict seizure outcome after surgical therapy. To do this we are going to take detailed pictures of the function and structure of your brain before surgery, and maybe after surgery as well. Our ultimate goal is to help physicians predict which surgical treatment has the best chance of success in an individual patient. If you have been evaluated for and plan to undergo temporal lobe surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, we invite you to participate in this study. 

 

To volunteer or for more information, please contact:

 x

Victoria Morgan

(615)-343-5720

morgan_lab@vumc.org

 x

Do I qualify for the study?

We are looking for volunteers who have been diagnosed with epilepsy and are going to undergo temporal lobe surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Volunteers should be between the ages of 18 and 65 years, and have not had a previous brain surgery.

What does the study involve?

The study involves at least one 90 minute Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sessions at Vanderbilt University Medical Center prior to your surgery. There are no medications or injections involved. At the time of the MRI scan, you will fill out a MRI safety survey to make sure your are safe to go into the MRI scanner. You will also complete a very brief survey about your most recent seizures.

We are actually conducting several different investigations, so you may qualify for up to 4 follow up MRI sessions after surgery, or 1 follow up MRI session prior to surgery. Participation in the first MRI session does not require you to do any follow up scans, if you qualify. All sessions are voluntary, but more sessions provide the most information.

Will this help or affect my treatment in any way?

No. This is voluntary and will not affect your treatment in any way. We hope to learn from your MRIs to help patients in the future.

Will my results be shared with anyone?

The images and data from this study may be shared with the National Institutes of Health, the Epilepsy Foundation, the American Epilepsy Society, or other similar researchers. HOWEVER, your name and identifying information will not be associated with the data in any way. In this way, we can maximize the impact of your participation, while completely ensuring your confidentiality.

Will I be compensated for my time?

Yes. You will receive $100 for each MRI session. A check will be mailed to you within 3 weeks after the MRI session.

Will my neurologist be able to see my pictures?

Yes. we will make some of the pictures available to your doctor, if he/she chooses to view them.

Will I get to know the results of this study?

The study is estimated to complete in about 5 years. As we compile information we will be making the results publicly available through published manuscripts and presentations at conferences such as the Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society. These publications will not include personal identifying information of the participants.

Thank you for considering being a part of our research! Please see the rest of our website for more information about this and other studies we are conducting.