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Updated: May 14, 2026

Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients
Published on: December 18, 2016
Perfusion network shift during seizures in medial temporal lobe epilepsy
Karen M Sequeira1, Ali Tabesh, Rup K Sainju
1Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Background:
Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is associated with limbic atrophy involving the hippocampus, peri-hippocampal and extra-temporal structures. While MTLE is related to static structural limbic compromise, it is unknown whether the limbic system undergoes dynamic regional perfusion network alterations during seizures. In this study, we aimed to investigate state specific (i.e. ictal versus interictal) perfusional limbic networks in patients with MTLE.
Methods:
We studied clinical information and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images obtained with intravenous infusion of the radioactive tracer Technetium- Tc 99 m Hexamethylpropyleneamine Oxime (Tc-99 m HMPAO) during ictal and interictal state confirmed by video-electroencephalography (VEEG) in 20 patients with unilateral MTLE (12 left and 8 right MTLE). Pair-wise voxel-based analyses were used to define global changes in tracer between states. Regional tracer uptake was calculated and state specific adjacency matrices were constructed based on regional correlation of uptake across subjects. Graph theoretical measures were applied to investigate global and regional state specific network reconfigurations.
Results:
A significant increase in tracer uptake was observed during the ictal state in the medial temporal region, cerebellum, thalamus, insula and putamen. From network analyses, we observed a relative decreased correlation between the epileptogenic temporal region and remaining cortex during the interictal state, followed by a surge of cross-correlated perfusion in epileptogenic temporal-limbic structures during a seizure, corresponding to local network integration.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that MTLE is associated with a state specific perfusion and possibly functional organization consisting of a surge of limbic cross-correlated tracer uptake during a seizure, with a relative disconnection of the epileptogenic temporal lobe in the interictal period. This pattern of state specific shift in metabolic networks in MTLE may improve the understanding of epileptogenesis and neuropsychological impairments associated with MTLE.
Insights
Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) shows dynamic brain network changes. During seizures, limbic structures exhibit increased perfusion, while in the interictal state, the epileptogenic temporal lobe becomes relatively disconnected.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Epilepsy Research
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) involves structural limbic compromise.
- Dynamic perfusion network alterations during seizures in MTLE remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate state-specific (ictal vs. interictal) perfusion networks in the limbic system of MTLE patients.
- Understand dynamic functional organization during seizures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Technetium-Tc 99 m Hexamethylpropyleneamine Oxime (Tc-99 m HMPAO) SPECT imaging during ictal and interictal states in 20 MTLE patients.
- Performed voxel-based analyses and constructed state-specific adjacency matrices based on regional tracer uptake correlations.
- Applied graph theoretical measures to analyze network reconfigurations.
Main Results:
- Observed increased tracer uptake in medial temporal regions, cerebellum, thalamus, insula, and putamen during the ictal state.
- Detected decreased correlation between the epileptogenic temporal region and the cortex in the interictal state.
- Found a surge of cross-correlated perfusion in temporal-limbic structures during seizures, indicating local network integration.
Conclusions:
- MTLE exhibits state-specific perfusion and functional organization with increased limbic perfusion during seizures.
- A relative disconnection of the epileptogenic temporal lobe occurs in the interictal period.
- These findings enhance understanding of epileptogenesis and neuropsychological impairments in MTLE.
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Seizures ll: Types
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