DCEC Research
At the Duke Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (DCEC), in addition to providing the highest quality of care to our patients, we are committed to world class research to treat and cure epilepsy. Our scientific program spans a wide range of topics in three distinct areas: basic, translational, and clinical sciences.
Basic Science Research
Our basic science research focuses on understanding the origins and mechanisms of epilepsy in the brain. This includes work on the genetic causes of epilepsy as well as understanding the biochemical pathways responsible for epilepsy. We are also using data from patients with epilepsy to improve our basic understanding of how the brain works.
Gregory Cogan, PhD
Director, Research
James McNamara, MD
Professor of Neuroscience
Translational Science Research
Our translational work focuses on developing advanced tools to diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. This includes work on biomarkers in the blood to help with the diagnosis and classification of epilepsy and advanced imaging techniques to help identify parts of the brain responsible for seizures We are also currently developing new electrode technologies to better identify seizure onset zones for surgery and tools to modulate brain activity to prevent seizures
Gregory Cogan, PhD
Director, Research
Iain Bruce, PhD
Medical Instructor
Warren Grill, PhD
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Derek Southwell, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
John Viventi, PhD
Professor of
Bioengineering
Clinical Research
Our clinical work investigates new techniques for the analysis of EEG and other data from patients with epilepsy, new drugs and devices for treatment of epilepsy, as well as quality and process improvements for a better quality of care for patients. The overall goal of the research program of the DCEC is to provide more extensive and better treatment opportunities for patients suffering from epilepsy.
To find information about clinical trials being done at Duke, please go to Clinicaltrials.gov
Recent Events
DCEC Quarterly Research Symposium - Winter
Localizing epilepsy "hotspots" quantitative neuroimaging
Kathryn Adamiak Davis, M.D., M.S.T.R.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
University of Pennsylvania
Using Ultrahigh-Resolution Diffusion MRI to Localize Seizure Foci in Patients with Intractable Epilepsy
Iain P. Bruce, PhD
Medical Instructor Department of Neurology
Duke University