Onze beursstudenten

Dokter Tom BALFROID

Project

Cerebral glucose metabolism in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Project supervisor

Labo of hospitaal waar het project plaatsvindt

Melbourne Brain Centre, Melbourne, Australia
Royal Children Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

Objectives of research

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) is a severe type of epilepsy which typically begins in childhood and is characterised by difficult to control seizures and intellectual disability. Due to the persistent and treatment-refractory nature of seizures, patients present ongoing management difficulties, and are frequent attendees at Epilepsy clinics. We aim to study the pattern of glucose metabolism in the brain in patients with LGS by analysing pre-existing FDG-PET scans of LGS patients and comparing them to those of controls. This will allow us to identify common areas of altered and abnormal metabolism in LGS patients, which will assist in understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this syndrome. LGS patients who have had PET scans will be identified through the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program database. Only previously acquired scans will be analysed. No new imaging will be performed. Scans will be compared to control data from the PET department.