Towards EPIleptomics – a CONNectome-based perspective on epileptic networks, cognition and clinical outcome
Planned Project Start: 01/2026
Funding: Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft and Bundesministerium für Frauen, Wissenschaft und Forschung (BMFWF)
CIR-ELIA Team: Roxane Licandro, Georg Langs
Head: Dr. Silvia Bonelli
Deputy Heads: Dr. Gilbert Hangel, Dr. techn. Roxane Licandro
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Berger
EPICONN Clinical Research Groups and PIs:
- Multi-Modal Connectomics: Dr. Silvia Bonelli-Nauer, Dr. Gregor Kasprian
- Metabolic Imaging: Dr. Gilbert Hangel, Dr. Tatjana Traub-Weidinger
- EEG Biomarkers: Dr. Ekatarina Pataraia, Dr. Tilmann Kluge (AIT)
- Bridging the genotype-phenotype gap in FE: Dr. Daniela Lötsch-Gojo, Dr. Christian Dorfer
- Computational Modelling: Dr.techn. Roxane Licandro, Dr. techn. Georg Langs
Predictive and personalized treatment for focal epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures. When these seizures originate in specific areas of the brain, it is called focal epilepsy. This can affect both physical and mental health, limit social life and reduce life expectancy. In most patients, the seizures can be controlled with medication. However, around a third of patients do not respond to drug treatment. A new scientific approach assumes that the causes of epilepsy are not limited to individual brain regions, but affect wide networks in the brain. The “EPICONN” research group, led by Silvia Bonelli-Nauer from the Medical University of Vienna, has set itself the goal of identifying these complex changes. To this end, biological characteristics of the brain - so-called biomarkers - are identified. These make it possible to find the best possible individual treatment more quickly. They also provide insights into how epilepsy affects the brain, which factors are connected, how they affect the course of treatment and who suffers particularly from concomitant symptoms. The aim is to provide predictive and personalized treatment that significantly improves the quality of life of people with epilepsy.
In the first four years, 300 people with focal epilepsy will be invited to take part in the study. In a second funding period over a further four years, the findings will be put into practice in several Austrian epilepsy centers.
More Information coming soon!