TMS-EEG as a novel biomarker of epilepsy

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15691
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kodama Satoshi 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (60876788)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脳波 / てんかん

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be a promising diagnostic tool for epilepsy as it reflects the hyperexcitability of neural cells in the brain. A newly developed technique, TMS-EEG (transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalogram), measures EEG activity during TMS and may be superior to conventional TMS-electromyogram because it can directly reflect cerebral activity. Initially, we explored the optimal stimulating and processing conditions for measuring TMS-EEG. Subsequently, we measured TMS-evoked potentials in patients with myoclonus epilepsy and found that the amplitudes of N45, P60, and N100 were higher compared to normal subjects. This may reflect the hyperexcitability of the cerebral cortex in this population.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

TMS-EEGがてんかんの臨床評価指標としての有用性を示せれば、てんかん診療に おいて診断・治療方針決定に有力なツールとなり、患者の予後・生活の質改善につながる。てんかんは全世界に5000万人の患者がおり、与えるインパクトは大きい。本研究では有用性を示す段階までは至らなかったが、現時点でのoptimalな測定方法や、今後に向けての課題が明らかとなり、未来の研究につながりうるものであった。