Brain Aging in Epilepsy Study

What is the Study About?

We are conducting a research study to learn more about epilepsy, specifically temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We need volunteers to help us gather important information. By participating, you can help us better understand aging and the brain for people with epilepsy.

What Will You Do?

If you join the study, you will:

  1. Give Consent: We’ll explain the study, and you’ll sign a form to show you understand and agree to participate.
  2. Imaging Tests: You’ll have PET and MR scans to take pictures of your brain.
  3. Memory and Thinking Tests: You’ll do some tests to check your memory, problem-solving, and other thinking skills.
  4. Answer Questions: You’ll fill out surveys about your health, mood, physical activity, and more.
  5. Talk About Your Epilepsy: We’ll ask you questions about your epilepsy experience.
  6. Blood Tests: We’ll take a small blood sample to check things like cholesterol and sugar levels.
  7. Health Measurements: We’ll measure your height, weight, and blood pressure.

Time Commitment

You will visit us twice, with one visit lasting about 2 hours and the other lasting up to 5 hours. We prefer to schedule the visits close together, but we can be flexible if needed. You will be compensated for your time, and we will cover your travel and parking costs.

Who Can Join?

We are looking for:

  • People with TLE:
    • Age 45-75.
    • Diagnosis of TLE confirmed by medical tests.
    • Experience at least one seizure in the past year or controlled seizures with medication.
  • Healthy Controls:
    • Age 45-75.
    • No history of substance abuse or major medical or psychiatric conditions.
    • No significant MRI abnormalities.
    • No history of severe head injuries or learning disorders.

Who Cannot Join?

You cannot participate if:

  • You have conditions that prevent you from having an MRI.
  • You have had a brain injury (for control participants only).
  • You cannot stay still in the scanner for up to 90 minutes.

Privacy and Safety

Your information will be kept confidential and used only for this study. We will assign you a number instead of using your name, and only the main researchers will know your identity.

How to Join?

If you are interested or have questions, please click on the button below. We appreciate your interest!

Click here to express your interest in this study

Main Researchers

The main researchers of this study are Professor Alan McMillan, PhD and Professor Vivek Prabhakaran MD, PhD.