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A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy
Published on: November 13, 2016
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Abnormal functional connectivity density in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
Jurong Ding1, Dongmei An2, Wei Liao3
1Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; Institute of Automation and Electronic Information, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong 643000, PR China.
Epilepsy Research
|June 30, 2014
Summary
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) involve altered brain functional connectivity, particularly in frontal and sensorimotor areas. Occipital cortex changes correlate with disease duration, suggesting adaptations in attention and sensory processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) mimic epileptic seizures but lack abnormal electrical activity.
- Neuroimaging studies suggest altered functional connectivity in specific brain networks in PNES patients.
- Advanced neuroimaging may improve PNES diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain functional connectivity changes in patients with PNES.
- To compare functional connectivity between PNES patients and healthy controls.
- To explore correlations between functional connectivity and clinical variables in PNES.
Main Methods:
- Functional connectivity density mapping (FCDM) was used to analyze brain networks.
- Local and global FCD maps were computed for 18 PNES patients and 20 healthy controls.
- Group analyses and correlation analyses with clinical data were performed.
Main Results:
- Patients with PNES exhibited abnormal functional connectivity in the frontal cortex, sensorimotor cortex, cingulate gyrus, insula, and occipital cortex.
- Disrupted functional connectivity was observed between these regions.
- Functional connectivity in the occipital cortex correlated with the duration of the disease.
Conclusions:
- PNES is associated with altered attention, sensorimotor, and emotion systems.
- Occipital cortex alterations may reflect long-term adaptations to hypervigilance and heightened sensory responses.
- These findings enhance understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PNES.
Keywords:
Long-range FCDPsychogenic non-epileptic seizuresResting-state functional connectivitySensorimotor systemShort-range FCDMore Related Videos
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