Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Currently, no biomarkers are available to reliable measure the risk for seizure recurrence. Our aim is to develop a biomarker to determine a brain state with an increased risk of recurrent seizures. Our methodology is based on a bi-stability brain state model where a seizure is the result of a sudden critical transition from a resting brain state to an epileptic brain state. A brain state that is close to a critical transition might show certain dynamic characteristics in the Electroencephalogram (EEG), which are more easily assessed in the response to an applied perturbation such as with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

In the coming years we aim to optimise the method and to validate the clinical use to measure the effect of medicinal treatment. Effective treatment should reflect in a decreased excitability, or moving away from the proximity of a critical transition point. Using this information, a more rational choice for type and dosage of medication is possible.