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Intrusive Thoughts Elicited by Direct Electrical Stimulation during Stereo-Electroencephalography
Irina Popa1, Cristian Donos2, Andrei Barborica3
1Department of Neurology, University Emergency Hospital , Bucharest , Romania.
Frontiers in Neurology
|August 4, 2016
Summary
Direct electrical stimulation (DES) of the frontal cortex can induce intrusive thoughts, also known as forced thinking (FT). This study reports three cases of FT during DES, analyzing brain connectivity to understand this phenomenon in epilepsy patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurosurgery
- Epileptology
Background:
- Cortical direct electrical stimulation (DES) is crucial for presurgical epilepsy evaluation.
- Intrusive thoughts, or forced thinking (FT), are linked to frontal lobe seizures.
- Limited research exists on FT induced by DES in the frontal cortex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report cases of intrusive thoughts induced by DES in the frontal cortex.
- To investigate the effective connectivity underlying FT during DES.
- To enhance understanding of frontal lobe function in epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Direct electrical stimulation (DES) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and prefrontal white matter.
- Recording of patient-reported intrusive thoughts (forced thinking).
- Analysis of cortico-cortical evoked potentials via single pulse electrical stimulation.
Main Results:
- Three cases successfully elicited intrusive thoughts (FT) during DES of the frontal cortex.
- Stimulation targeted the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and adjacent white matter.
- Evoked potentials suggest altered cortico-cortical connectivity.
Conclusions:
- DES can induce specific cognitive symptoms like FT in the frontal lobe.
- Effective connectivity analysis provides insights into the neural basis of FT.
- Findings contribute to understanding frontal lobe networks in epilepsy.
