Efficacy of 128-channel EEG Combined With BESA Dipole Localization and Intervention on Brain Waves for Epilepsy

The prevalence of epilepsy is about 0.5% to 1% worldwide, with high disability and mortality rate. The 128-channel electroencephalograph (EEG), combined with BESA dipole localization method, is able to provide more specific information about the brain activity and find out the epileptogenic focus. Based on this novel EEG recording method, cathode transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the epileptogenic focus can be used to decrease the excitability of the cortex, thus reducing the frequency of seizures. A single-center double-blinded randomized controlled and open-label extension trial will be carried out to study the efficacy of 128-channel electroencephalograph combined with BESA dipole localization method and Intervention on brain waves for epilepsy.

Background: The prevalence of epilepsy is about 0.5% to 1% worldwide, with high disability and mortality rate. The 128-channel electroencephalograph (EEG), combined with Brain Electrical Source Analysis (BESA) dipole localization method, is able to provide more specific information about the brain activity and find out the epileptogenic focus. Based on this novel EEG recording method, cathode transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the epileptogenic focus can be used to decrease the excitability of the cortex, thus reducing the frequency of seizures. Methods: A single-center double-blinded randomized controlled and open-label extension trial will be carried out to study the efficacy of 128-channel electroencephalograph combined with BESA dipole localization method and Intervention on brain waves for epilepsy. Adult patients aged 18 to 65 years old with epilepsy will be recruited. The study contains two stages. At the first randomized controlled stage, patients will be randomly assigned to experimental and control group with a 1:1 sqrt allocation and undergo five daily sessions of brain-wave intervention by cathode tDCS （20min, 1mA） targeting the epileptogenic focus, which is confirmed by 128-channel EEG and BESA dipole localization method. Active intervention will be carried out for the experimental group, and sham intervention ( the stimulator will be turned off after 5s) for the control group. The frequency of seizures, the number of epileptiform discharges, the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the cognitive function, the psychology and the life quality will be measured before (baseline), 1 hour, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the last intervention to evaluate the changes after intervention. At the second open-label extension stage, all the patients will undergo five daily sessions of active intervention (20min, 1mA) and be followed up for 12 weeks similar to the first stage.