Detecting scalp high frequency oscillations in patients with epilepsy

Maeike Zijlmans, PhD, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, says that approximately a decade ago several centers recorded high frequency oscillations (HFOs) in the brain of patients with epilepsy for the first time. Originally this was observed in animals via microelectrodes but now macroelectrodes are regularly used. This has brought about the possibility of identifying the epileptogenic tissue in patients based on areas showing HFOs. Another improvement of the field is moving away from the idea that it is impossible to record these events non-invasively. In fact, electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) can detect these HFOs from outside the skull, although weaker. The future challenge is to improve recording and signal analysis in order to better diagnosis and evaluation of treatment. This interview took place at the 14th European Epilepsy Congress (EEC) 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland.