Optimizing FINDERS workflow and refining EEG-fMRI post-processing (RPA Pilot / Seed Project)

30-40% of epileptic patients fail to achieve seizure control with medication. These pharmacoresistant patients may benefit from surgical intervention, the success of which hinges on epileptogenic zone localization. The FINDERS Alliance is a multidisciplinary research team at UK formed in 2019 that has been studying new frontiers for seizure localization, including EEG-fMRI, EEG Source Imaging, and Post-Ictal MRI. The NRPA grant will fund a visit from our international collaborator Dr. Andreas Koupparis, MD-PhD, who has been an alliance member since Alliance formation. As an internationally recognized authority on EEG-fMRI, his expertise will be critical for optimizing workflow, enhancing patient selection, post-processing artifact removal, installing and using Carbon Wire Loops for motion correction, and assistance with coding fMRI correlational analysis. EEG-fMRI is a challenging technology to establish and is only available at elite institutions. The opportunity to invite on-site an international expert and long-time collaborator will help further develop this technology in UK which will allow for advanced data generation and open greater extramural funding opportunities.