Increased resting-state EEG functional connectivity in benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes

To explore intrahemispheric, cortico-cortical EEG functional connectivity (EEGfC) in benign childhood epilepsy with rolandic spikes (BECTS).

21-channel EEG was recorded in 17 non-medicated BECTS children and 19 healthy controls. 180s of spike- and artifact-free activity was selected for EEGfC analysis. Correlation of Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography- (LORETA-) defined current source density time series were computed between two cortical areas (region of interest, ROI). Analyses were based on broad-band EEGfC results. Groups were compared by statistical parametric network (SPN) method. Statistically significant differences between group EEGfC values were emphasized at p<0.05 corrected for multiple comparison by local false discovery rate (FDR).

(1) Bilaterally increased beta EEGfC occurred in the BECTS group as compared to the controls. Greatest beta abnormality emerged between frontal and frontal, as well as frontal and temporal ROIs. (2) Locally increased EEGfC emerged in all frequency bands in the right parietal area.

Areas of increased EEGfC topographically correspond to cortical areas that, based on relevant literature, are related to speech and attention deficit in BECTS children.