TRICS: Thalamic Recordings in Children Undergoing Stereoelectroencephalograph

A 3-year PhD Studentship in paediatric epilepsy and stereoelectroencephalography funded by the Oakgrove Foundation is available within the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. The studentship will commence from May 2025 (start date negotiable), under the supervision of Martin Tisdall, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital & Honorary Associate Professor at UCL's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.

Background

Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) forms a key part of the pre-surgical evaluation in children who may be candidates for epilepsy surgery. . It can help delineate the location of the putative epileptogenic zone, but less than 35% of children undergoing SEEG end up becoming seizure free following further treatment.

Neuromodulation in the form of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamus is an emerging treatment for epilepsy but there are a number of different nuclei which are putative targets. In this prospective study, we will record bilaterally from three thalamic nuclei in children undergoing SEEG, with the aim of establishing patterns of neurophysiological involvement of the thalamus in epilepsy.

Hypothesis/Aims

Our hypothesis is that there may be specific signatures of ictal and interictal thalamic neurophysiological involvement within and between patients. This would include the timing and location of activity during and between seizures and differences in thalamocortical connectivity as evidenced by stimulation experiments. We aim to use this data to guide neuromodulation treatments such as DBS in the future.

Research and policy outputs

We hope the student will produce a number of peer-reviewed publications from the data from the study and be able to use the results to design personalised DBS treatments for children with drug-resistant epilepsy, which will be tested in future clinical trials.

References

• Gadot R, Korst G, Shofty B, Gavvala JR, Sheth SA. Thalamic stereoelectroencephalography in epilepsy surgery: a scoping literature review. J Neurosurg. 2022 Mar 11;137(5):1210-1225. doi: 10.3171/2022.1.JNS212613. PMID: 35276641.
• Piper RJ, Richardson RM, Worrell G, Carmichael DW, Baldeweg T, Litt B, Denison T, Tisdall MM. Towards network-guided neuromodulation for epilepsy. Brain. 2022 Oct 21;145(10):3347-3362. doi: 10.1093/brain/awac234. PMID: 35771657; PMCID: PMC9586548.
• Pati S, Agashe S, Kheder A, Riley K, Gavvala J, McGovern R, Suresh S, Chaitanya G, Thompson S. Stereoelectroencephalography of the Deep Brain: Basal Ganglia and Thalami. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2024 Jul 1;41(5):423-429. doi: 10.1097/WNP.0000000000001097. PMID: 38935656.
• Wu TQ, Kaboodvand N, McGinn RJ, Veit M, Davey Z, Datta A, Graber KD, Meador KJ, Fisher R, Buch V, Parvizi J. Multisite thalamic recordings to characterize seizure propagation in the human brain. Brain. 2023 Jul 3;146(7):2792-2802. doi: 10.1093/brain/awad121. PMID: 37137813; PMCID: PMC10316776.

About you

This PhD position is available to clinicians, who are expected to have GMC registration. It would be suitable for those interested in or specialising in neurosurgery, neurology or neurophysiology. Prior experience in neuroimaging or signal analysis would be desirable but is not essential.

There would be scope to pursue clinical work alongside the PhD studentship, although this is subject to discussions with the relevant departments.

What we offer

This studentship provides a stipend to match the NHS clinical pay scale of the applicant and covers the cost of tuition fees based on the UK (Home) rate.

Non-UK students can apply but if they are not eligible for UK/Home fees status, will have to personally fund the difference between the UK (Home) rate and the Overseas rate.

NB: You will be asked about your likely fee status at the interview so we would advise you to contact the UCL Graduate Admissions Office for advice, should you be unsure whether or not you meet the eligibility criteria for Home fee status. EU nationals should see this Student fee status page for information about eligibility for Home fees. See also the UKCISA website.

How to Apply 

Please do not click the 'Apply Now' button next to the advert.

Enquiries regarding the post can be made to Martin Tisdall (martin.tisdall@gosh.nhs.uk) and/or Aswin Chari (aswin.chari.18@ucl.ac.uk).

To apply, please send a current CV including the contact details of two professional referees as well as a 1 sided A4 cover letter to Aswin Chari (aswin.chari.18@ucl.ac.uk)

Closing date for applications: 23:59 on Friday 31st Jan 2025

Interview date/s: Week commencing 24th Feb 2025

Applications that are submitted without following the correct application process will not be considered. The successful applicant will then be required to apply to and register on the Child Health research degree to take up the studentship.

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