Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Rat Model of Widespread Cerebral Cortical Demyelination Induced by an Intracerebral Injection of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
09:46

Rat Model of Widespread Cerebral Cortical Demyelination Induced by an Intracerebral Injection of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

Published on: September 21, 2021

Extensive cortical inflammation is associated with epilepsy in multiple sclerosis

Massimiliano Calabrese1, Nicola De Stefano, Matteo Atzori

  • 1The Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Veneto Region, First Neurology Clinic, Dept. of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, Italy. calabresem@hotmail.it

Journal of Neurology
|January 30, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Epilepsy is more common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Intracortical lesions (ICLs) detected by double inversion recovery (DIR) MRI are more prevalent in relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) patients with epilepsy, suggesting ICLs cause seizures in MS.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Neuroinflammation

Background:

  • Epilepsy occurs 3-6 times more frequently in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients than the general population.
  • Conventional MRI may not detect pure intracortical lesions (ICLs) linked to seizures in MS.
  • The double inversion recovery (DIR) sequence offers improved detection of ICLs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between intracortical lesions (ICLs) and epileptic seizures in relapsing remitting MS (RRMS).
  • To clarify the role of ICLs in epilepsy development in MS patients.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the DIR MRI sequence to detect ICLs in 20 RRMS patients with epilepsy (RRMS/E).
  • Compared findings with 80 age-, gender-, and disease-matched RRMS patients without a history of seizures.
  • Matched patients based on disease duration, EDSS, and T2 lesion volume.

Main Results:

  • ICLs were detected in 90% of RRMS/E patients versus 48% of RRMS patients (p=0.001).
  • RRMS/E patients exhibited significantly more ICLs (7.2 vs 1.5) and a larger total ICL volume (1.2 cm³ vs 0.2 cm³).
  • No significant differences in juxtacortical lesions or T2-weighted lesion volume were found between groups.

Conclusions:

  • RRMS patients with epilepsy show more extensive cortical inflammation than those without seizures.
  • Inflammatory intracortical lesions are strongly implicated as a cause of epilepsy in MS.

More Related Videos

A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy08:23

A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy

Published on: November 13, 2016

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...