MOVE

Synchronization phenomena in human epileptic brain networks

Epilepsy is a malfunction of the brain that affects over 50 million people worldwide. Epileptic seizures are usually characterized by an overly synchronized firing of neurons involved in the epileptic process. In human epilepsy, however, the exact mechanisms underlying seizure generation are still as uncertain as are mechanisms underlying seizure spreading and termination. There is now growing evidence that an improved understanding of the epileptic process can be achieved through the analysis of properties of epileptic brain networks and through the analysis of interactions in such networks. I will present some synchronization phenomena that can be observed prior to and during seizures of patients suffering from focal drug-resistant epilepsies and will discuss their impact for the development of new therapeutic possibilities.