Researchers in Germany have developed a technique, which allows them to predict the chances of success for a surgical procedure to treat epilepsy. It could prevent unnecessary surgery. Scientists from the Bonn University Hospital and the Max Planck Institute for neurological research in Cologne have come up with a technique which has enabled them to predict the success of the procedure for temporal lobe epilepsy in 9 out of 10 cases.
The system is based on machine learning algorithms, which allow computers to learn from data.
Using a computer program developed by Max Planck mathematician Delia-Lisa Feis, epilepsy specialists compared the MRI images of patients who improved following the surgical procedure and those of patients whose operations failed.
