From Seizures to Recovery: Saoirse’s MRI Journey

Saoirses MRI Journey

The two MRI scans above belong to my daughter, Saoirse and show a journey from fear to hope. Like many children, Saoirse was treated at Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, after years of seizures, behavioural changes and suspected epilepsy.

At one point, doctors believed she had a progressive brain disease. We were told to prepare for the worst. But the images below taken just seven months apart, prove how powerful the right diagnosis and treatment can be.

Saoirses MRI Journey (Before Treatment)

The first MRI (image a) was taken when Saoirse was 11 years old.

• It shows cerebral atrophy (brain tissue loss).
• The orange arrow points to widened axial space, a sign that her brain volume had reduced.
• Clinically, she was suffering from daily seizures, poor concentration and severe behavioural difficulties.

Like many families across Ireland and the UK, we were told these were epilepsy-related symptoms with no real treatment options.

Saoirse’s MRI After 7 Months of Treatment

The second MRI (image b) was carried out seven months later in Dublin. The difference is remarkable:

• The signs of brain atrophy had eased.
• Her brain volume looked healthier.
• At home, this matched her transformation, seizures stopped, behaviour improved, and she was able to return to school.

Doctors eventually discovered the cause: severe MTHFR deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia. Saoirse’s homocysteine level was over 350 μmol/L (normal is under 15). With the right nutritional treatment, active forms of Vitamin B6, B12, and Folate, her health turned around.

What Parents in Ireland, the UK, and Europe Need to Know

Every year, thousands of children are diagnosed with seizures or epilepsy, often alongside behavioural or learning issues. But many are never tested for:

• Homocysteine levels
• MTHFR gene mutations

This is important, because:

• Not all seizures are epilepsy, some are triggered by treatable metabolic conditions.
• Behavioural and psychiatric symptoms (ADHD, anxiety, aggression) may have biological roots.
• Testing for homocysteine is simple and available in hospitals across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

From Temple Street to NeuroThrive

Saoirse’s recovery at Temple Street Hospital in Dublin inspired me to create NeuroThrive, an Irish company dedicated to raising awareness and offering nutritional support for families dealing with seizures, epilepsy, and related conditions.

Our mission is to ensure no parent in Ireland, the UK, or Europe feels as lost as we once did.

Final Thoughts

Saoirse’s MRI scans remind us that there is always hope. If your child is experiencing:

• Unexplained seizures or epilepsy
• Drug-resistant fits
• Sudden behavioural changes
• Neurological regression

…it may be worth speaking to your doctor about homocysteine testing and MTHFR screening.

From Dublin to London, and across Europe, awareness can mean the difference between decline and recovery.

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