One such trial involves the introduction of a gene for thymidine kinase. A number of analogous manipulations are being tested both vitro and in rats. Intraoperative Monitoring and Imaging A major area of clinical research concerns surgery for epilepsy. Candidates for epilepsy surgery are intensively studied by electrophysiological and imaging techniques. Electrophysiologically, implanted electrodes are used to monitor seizure activity in awake patients.
PET imaging is used to localize motor and language areas.
New technology allows superimposition of the PET images with MRI scans, providing sharply defined landmarks during surgery. A further area of exploration is the use of virtual imaging in the operating room. Cellular Neurobiology Within the Department of Neurosurgery there are also laboratories of fundamental neurobiology. These are concerned with various aspects of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. One area of focus is the cell biology of the retina.