The Relationship Between Cognition And Interictal Discharges: Language Organization And Spike Localisation In BECTS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,500.00
Summary
Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy) is a common cause of seizures in primary school children. Despite this it is poorly understood. Although seizures are infrequent, brainwave recordings (electroencephalography, EEG) reveal striking abnormalities present much of the time. Large, sharply contoured brain waves (spikes) are seen frequently, increasing during sleep. The pattern of the spikes, and the characteristic nature of seizures have suggested the epilepsy ari ....Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy) is a common cause of seizures in primary school children. Despite this it is poorly understood. Although seizures are infrequent, brainwave recordings (electroencephalography, EEG) reveal striking abnormalities present much of the time. Large, sharply contoured brain waves (spikes) are seen frequently, increasing during sleep. The pattern of the spikes, and the characteristic nature of seizures have suggested the epilepsy arises near the face area of the motor cortex, but this remains unproven. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a safe and non-invasive way of imaging cerebral function, to reveal the brain at work . The technology is contributing to major advances in understanding of basic human functions such as language. Recent developments at the Brain Research Institute in Melbourne mean it is now possible to record EEG during fMRI. This has permitted visualisation of spike activity in the brain. The BRI is the only centre in Australia, and one of only a handful in the world that is able to perform such studies. One purpose of this study is reveal the location of spikes in BECTS. Recent studies have revealed subtle language and learning difficulties in BECTS children. Our preliminary EEG-fMRI studies have suggested spikes arise from brain regions adjacent to important language areas. It is possible that the frequent spikes of BECTS are interfering with adjacent cognitive processes. In addition to spike mapping, we will perform functional imaging of language to look for interactions between spike and language areas, and compare with patterns of language activation seen in normal children. The demonstration of spike related affects on cognition may lead to a reassessment of current epilepsy management strategies, which focus predominately on seizure control. This study, with researchers in Cairns and Melbourne, shares the benefits of world class research with regional Australia.Read moreRead less
Frontal-striatal-parietal Activation In Children With ADHD, Combined Type: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,750.00
Summary
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, combined type (ADHD-CT) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that has serious consequences for affected children's educational and social development and success in later life. Despite a large investment in research investigating aetiology and therapeutic strategies that arise from these aetiological investigations, ADHD-CT remains poorly understood and it is often viewed with therapeutic pessimism. Understanding the neurobiological basis of ADHD-CT is ....Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, combined type (ADHD-CT) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that has serious consequences for affected children's educational and social development and success in later life. Despite a large investment in research investigating aetiology and therapeutic strategies that arise from these aetiological investigations, ADHD-CT remains poorly understood and it is often viewed with therapeutic pessimism. Understanding the neurobiological basis of ADHD-CT is of tremendous importance for the development of more specific and targeted medication and-or psychological treatments and, ultimately, to obtain the best clinical outcome for individual children with ADHD-CT. We have previously examined the function of frontal-striatal-parietal brain networks in adolescent boys with ADHD-CT, showing dysfunction of brain systems important for the control of visuospatial attention. In this project, we aim to examine whether these changes in frontal-striatal-parietal brain function also occur in pre-pubertal 8-12 year-old boys with ADHD-CT. This is important for two major reasons: Firstly, adolescents and young adults examined in previous brain imaging studies of ADHD-CT, including our own, are not truly representative of the core of the disorder, as ADHD-CT has its peak prevalence from 8 to 12 years of age. Secondly, by now comparing pre-pubertal ADHD-CT and healthy control children we can determine whether the changes in brain function we have previously identified represent developmental stage independent brain dysfunction that is characteristic of ADHD-CT.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Trial Of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy And Botulinum Toxin A In Children With Congenital Hemiplegia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,995.00
Summary
Congenital hemiplegia occurs in over 1 million children under 21 years of age in the industrialized world. It is the most common type of cerebral palsy, accounting for 36 percent of children diagnosed with this lifelong condition. We intend to determine if a promising new treatment approach is effective in providing a superior and lasting benefit, compared to conventional techniques. Children with hemiplegia usually have the intellectual capacity to attend normal school; however the impaired arm ....Congenital hemiplegia occurs in over 1 million children under 21 years of age in the industrialized world. It is the most common type of cerebral palsy, accounting for 36 percent of children diagnosed with this lifelong condition. We intend to determine if a promising new treatment approach is effective in providing a superior and lasting benefit, compared to conventional techniques. Children with hemiplegia usually have the intellectual capacity to attend normal school; however the impaired arm reduces independence in activities of daily living and can compromise their ability to participate in educational, leisure and vocational roles. Previously we have shown that a program of upper limb rehabilitation in children with spasticity was effective in improving participation and quality of life. We have also shown that rehabilitation combined with Botulinum toxin A (Botox) can further improve functional activity. We believe that a new method of therapy, that has been used effectively in Adults with stroke, called Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) may also be beneficial in the treatment of children with congenital hemiplegia. In CIMT, the unimpaired arm is constrained in a glove to promote use of the impaired arm (hemiplegic arm). We predict that, combined with the Botox treatment, CIMT will provide a superior and longer lasting benefit compared to standard rehabilitation combined with Botox. The primary aim of our study is to test this hypothesis in a controlled trial. A secondary aim is to further our understanding of the central neurovascular mechanisms underlying changes in upper limb function. To achieve this, we will use Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to measure central activation in the parts of the brain controlling movement. Improving our understanding of the mechanisms involved in this condition is an essential next step towards providing a more effective and long lasting treatment.Read moreRead less