Scanning for epilepsy answers with a 7 Tesla MRI

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Epilepsy is a condition that affects 1% of U.S. adults, or 3 million people, and is a neurological condition that causes seizures.MU Health Care’s Columbia campus is a Level 4 Epilepsy Center, which means its doctors and nurses can treat even the most complex forms of epilepsy that resist medication or other forms of treatment.One tool MU Health Care patients and their neurologists and epileptologists have access to is a 7 Tesla MRI scanner, in partnership with Siemens Healthineers, the most powerful scanner in North America. Teslas measure the magnetic power of the scanner, similar to megapixels in cameras.For neurologist Dr. Komal Ashraf, the difference in scan detail is like a smartphone camera from today compared to 10 years ago.“The 7 Tesla scanner is a game changer,” Ashraf said. “It gives us incredible detail that we don't necessarily have in other types of scans.”More detailed MRI scans made a big difference for two of Ashraf’s patients: Becky Gooch, of Kirksville, and Dylan Davenport, of Jefferson City. Thanks to team efforts, both were successfully treated for medication-resistant epilepsy after years of searching for answers. Source: krcgtv.com, M U Health Care