On Tuesday 23 September at 15:00, Maria Vlachou defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Electro-clinical features in epilepsy: Diagnostic challenges and prognostic insights across seizure types". 

The project comprises three studies based on video-EEG recordings.

Study 1 showed that motor symptoms are common in typical absence seizures, and that certain EEG findings (polyspikes) may indicate a less favourable treatment outcome.

Study 2 demonstrated that focal signs often occur in generalized tonic-clonic seizures but do not seem to affect long-term outcome. A diagnostic flowchart was also validated and showed high accuracy in distinguishing between generalized and focal epilepsy.

Study 3 found that changes in rhythmic jerks toward the end of seizures can predict pronounced EEG flattening, a potential marker of serious complications such as SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy).

Together, the results provide valuable insights into how specific patterns may improve diagnosis, risk assessment and individualized treatment.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place in auditorium (conference room) J116-111 and J116-112,Aarhus University Hospital. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Maria Vlachou
Mail: marvla@clin.au.dk  
Phone: +45 60190787

Read full press release