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Updated: May 11, 2026
A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy
Published on: November 13, 2016
Can we develop pathology-specific MRI contrast for "MR-negative" epilepsy?
1School of Biomedical Engineering & Department of Radiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. kirk.feindel@dal.ca
Abstract:
Recent improvements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hardware, software, and analysis routines are helping to put cases of "MR-negative" epilepsy on the decline. However, most standard-of-care MRI relies on careful manipulation and presentation of T1, T2, and diffusion-weighted contrast, which characterize the behavior of water in "bulk" tissue rather than providing pathology-specific contrast. Research efforts in MR physics continue to identify and develop novel theory, and methods such as diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) and temporal diffusion spectroscopy that can better characterize tissue substructure, and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) that can target underlying biochemical processes. The potential role of each technique in targeting pathologies implicated in "MR-negative" epilepsy is outlined herein.
Insights
Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques like diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) offer new ways to detect epilepsy causes missed by standard MRI scans.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Neuroimaging
- Epileptology
Background:
- Standard MRI struggles to identify epilepsy causes due to reliance on bulk tissue properties.
- Improvements in MRI hardware and software are reducing but not eliminating "MR-negative" epilepsy cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel MR physics techniques for improved epilepsy diagnosis.
- To explore the potential of advanced MRI methods in identifying pathologies in "MR-negative" epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of advanced MRI techniques including diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI), temporal diffusion spectroscopy, and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST).
- Focus on how these methods characterize tissue substructure and biochemical processes beyond standard MRI contrasts (T1, T2, diffusion-weighted).
Main Results:
- DKI and temporal diffusion spectroscopy offer insights into tissue microstructure.
- CEST imaging targets specific biochemical processes relevant to epilepsy pathologies.
Conclusions:
- Novel MR physics techniques show promise in improving the detection of epilepsy causes.
- These advanced methods could significantly reduce the burden of "MR-negative" epilepsy by providing pathology-specific contrast.
