Enhanced EEG connectivity in children with febrile seizures

Epilepsy is currently conceptualized as a disturbance of neuronal networks with altered connectivity that persists into the interictal phase. Febrile seizures are sometimes a precursor in childhood of lifelong epilepsy. We investigated whether studying functional connectivity in children with febrile seizures could help understand the mechanisms underlying their long-term seizure susceptibility.

EEG was recorded during rest and intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) in 12 FS patients, 5 siblings and 15 control children between 6 and 36 months of age. Original EEG data were transformed into source space using a multiple regional source model. Source coherence values were calculated for the interfrontal, interoccipital and occipito-frontal connections for the delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma frequency bands.

Our results suggest enhanced delta and theta frequency EEG source coherence in patients with FSs compared to siblings and control children, both under resting conditions and during IPS, more consistent for the theta band and the occipito-frontal connections.

Enhanced connectivity in patients with FSs could indicate a seizure-prone state and interfere with the maturation of cerebral networks. Further prospective studies are needed to assess whether hyperconnectivity is a risk factor for epileptogenesis and neurodevelopmental disorders.