Contribution of Genetics, Non-invasive Methods and Neuropsychology in Focal Cryptogenic Epilepsies

"Enrollment of patients afferent to our Center with cryptogenic drug-resistant epilepsy with onset in pediatric age, subject to informed consent;~* acquisition and updating of Electroencephalogram polygraphic data of wakefulness and sleep and neuroradiological data (previous negative brain magnetic resonance imaging);~* execution of a complete neuropsychological assessment for the classification of cognitive aspects and evaluation of executive functions;~* execution of genetic tests through Next generation sequencing epilepsies panel or exome sequencing"

"A functional brain magnetic resonance imaging is executed analysing blood oxygenation level dependent signal.~During the functional recording, a contemporary electroencephalogram is registered in order to analyse the space-time relationship between the epileptic discharges and the bold abnormalities."

"In the event that neither the cause nor the epileptogenic area has been identified, we will evaluate the execution of further tests, such as:~* execution of High Density-electroencephalogram recording at IRCCS Medea di Conegliano (TV, Italy) (approximately 3 patients / year) for a further electrophysiological definition;~* 7 Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging performed at IRCCS Stella Maris in Calambrone (PI, italy) (approximately 3 patients / year expected), to obtain greater spatial resolution and better neuroradiological definition."