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Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Published on: August 5, 2014
Default mode network abnormalities in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: a study combining fMRI and DTI
Wei Liao1, Zhiqiang Zhang, Zhengyong Pan
1Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
Human Brain Mapping
|June 10, 2010
Summary
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) disrupts default mode network (DMN) connectivity. Both functional and structural connections between key DMN regions and temporal lobes are reduced in mTLE patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Epilepsy Research
- Brain Connectivity
Background:
- Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is linked to reduced connectivity in adjacent brain regions.
- Default mode network (DMN) connectivity in mTLE remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in both functional and structural connectivity within the DMN in patients with mTLE.
- To test the hypothesis that DMN connectivity is disturbed in mTLE.
Main Methods:
- Employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess DMN connectivity.
- Examined 20 mTLE patients and 20 matched healthy controls.
- Analyzed functional connectivity using temporal correlation coefficients and structural connectivity via path length and connection density from DTI tractography.
Main Results:
- Patients with mTLE showed significantly decreased functional and structural connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus (PCUN) and bilateral mesial temporal lobes (mTLs) compared to controls.
- No significant differences were observed in connectivity between the PCC/PCUN and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).
- Functional and structural connectivity were correlated between the PCC/PCUN and bilateral mTLs.
Conclusions:
- Decreased functional connectivity within the DMN in mTLE may result from impaired structural connectivity.
- Findings suggest degeneration of structural connectivity underlies functional deficits in the DMN in mTLE.
