Structural connectivity changes in temporal lobe epilepsy: Spatial features contribute more than topological...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Epilepsy Research
• Brain Anatomy

Background:

• Previous studies indicate reduced brain region volumes in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
• Widespread network alterations are also suggested in TLE patients.
• The relationship between regional volume changes and network features in TLE remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between regional brain changes and structural connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
• To determine how regional surface area and white matter streamline characteristics influence connectivity weights in TLE.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to parcellate brains of 22 left TLE patients and 39 controls.
• Surface area, streamline count, and average streamline length between regions of interest (ROIs) were computed.
• Connectivity weights were calculated and analyzed in relation to ROI surface area and streamline properties.

Main Results:

• Significant widespread changes in ROI surface area and position were observed in TLE patients compared to controls.
• Changes in structural connectivity were more subtle than changes in regional surface area.
• Decreased surface area and increased streamline count significantly contributed to altered connectivity weights in TLE.

Conclusions:

• ROI surface area changes serve as reliable biomarkers for TLE, strongly influencing brain network connectivity.
• Structural connectivity alterations via white matter streamlines in TLE are subtle and have a lesser impact on connection weights.