Localisation of Epileptic Seizures by - A Novel Technique Topographical Brain Electric Activity Mapping

Epileptic seizures are a principal brain dysfunction with important public health implications as they affect 0.8% of humans. Different methods of neuro imaging may be employed for investigation of epileptic seizures. An interesting question is to localize the region of epileptiform for a more precise diagnosis of brain dysfunction. The localization of cortical functions by non-invasive technique is rapidly becoming a useful tool in pre-operative assessment of neurosurgical procedures for epilepsy, vascular malformations and brain tumor resections. The conventional method is to interpret EEG records by visual inspection, which depends upon recognizing common patterns and their association with normal or pathological conditions. A new novel technique has been developed for diagnosing the exact region and localization of the seizures by computing brain electrical activity mapping (BEAM) on a computer. The recorded EEG is stored as a data file. Color-coded maps are generated using software developed in Visual C++ and displayed on the screen. When computerized topographic maps were applied, the epileptogenic zones were identified. In the present study of 6 subjects the variation were found in the frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital regions for generalized epileptic seizures. This study provides results in interpreting and localizing the epileptic seizures. This can be implemented in all neurological laboratories when better investigation and interpretation of normal and abnormal patient brain activities with BEAM technique is concerned.