We are thrilled to share that Dr. Sandip Pati, a leading neuromodulation clinician-scientist at the University of Minnesota, has been awarded a $125,000 research grant by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education through the Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury (SCI/TBI) Research Grant Program.
The awarded study, titled "Electrophysiological Biomarkers of Epileptogenesis after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury," is a bold step toward transforming how we detect and manage seizures in individuals with severe TBI. The study's mission is to identify early brainwave changes—particularly silent seizures and sleep dysfunctions—that can occur weeks or even months before a clinical seizure becomes apparent.
What makes this project especially exciting is the use of a cutting-edge behind-the-ear subscalp EEG device known as UNEEG. Unlike traditional EEG systems, this wearable technology will continuously record brain activity for up to an entire year (24 to 365 days), offering an unprecedented window into the hidden neurological changes that follow a traumatic brain injury.
“This grant enables us to push the boundaries of neuro-monitoring,” said Dr. Pati. “Our goal is to catch silent seizures before they become clinical, giving us a chance to intervene early and improve outcomes for patients recovering from severe TBI.”
The study will soon begin recruiting adults who have experienced a severe traumatic brain injury. By monitoring brainwave activity over long periods, the team hopes to uncover biomarkers that predict epileptogenesis—the process by which a brain injury evolves into chronic epilepsy.
This research not only aims to improve early detection and prevention strategies but also represents a promising leap forward in personalized neurocare.
Congratulations to Dr. Pati and the research team on this impactful and innovative work!
