Serial imaging of the brain

Epilepsy is a heterogeneous condition and it is likely that susceptibility factors and genetic predisposition interact with acquired influences such as seizures, AEDs, cerebral insults, subclinical seizures,and ongoing neurodegenerative processes to render certain individuals selectively vulnerable to cerebral damage. There is currently in substantial evidence to suggest that neuroprotective treatments that rely entirely on their anticonvulsant properties are sufficient to prevent the development of cerebral atrophy. The development of postprocessing techniques in serial imaging studies have allowed the detection of subtle changes, and it is likely that development of more sensitive imaging techniques with higher-strength MR magnets and novel MR contrasts will expand our understanding of the factors that render an individual susceptible to hippocampal and extratemporal atrophy. This will allow a more informed assessment of the role required of neuroprotective agents in arresting the progression of cerebral damage and dysfunction.