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Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Published on: August 5, 2014
Basal ganglia involvement in temporal lobe epilepsy: a functional and morphologic study.
V Bouilleret1, F Semah, F Chassoux
1Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, I2BM/DSV, CEA, 4, place du Général Leclerc, F-91406 Orsay, France.
Neurology
|January 16, 2008
Summary
Medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) shows reduced dopaminergic neurotransmission in the basal ganglia, independent of glucose metabolism or structural changes. This suggests functional dopaminergic alterations in TLE.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Previous studies indicated reduced [(18)F]fluoro-l-dopa uptake in basal ganglia in medically refractory epilepsy.
- Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common neurological disorder often associated with refractory seizures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dopaminergic neurotransmission in refractory TLE using [(18)F]fluoro-l-dopa PET.
- To examine the relationship between dopaminergic function, glucose metabolism, and structural changes in TLE.
Main Methods:
- Twelve TLE patients and healthy controls underwent [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET, [(18)F]fluoro-l-dopa PET, and MRI.
- Voxel-based morphometry was used to assess cerebral morphologic changes.
- General linear models analyzed functional and morphologic differences.
Main Results:
- TLE patients exhibited reduced [(18)F]fluoro-l-dopa uptake in the caudate, putamen, and substantia nigra (SN) bilaterally.
- These dopaminergic alterations occurred without changes in glucose metabolism in the same regions.
- Mild morphologic abnormalities were observed in striatal regions, but not in the SN.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the involvement of dopaminergic neurotransmission in TLE.
- Basal ganglia involvement in TLE is likely functional rather than due to structural subcortical abnormalities.
- The absence of altered glycolytic metabolism rules out a functional decrease in these areas.
