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Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Published on: August 5, 2014
Structural brain network analysis of children with localization-related epilepsy
Kanako Takeda1, Hiroshi Matsuda2, Yusaku Miyamoto3
1Division of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Municipal Tama Hospital, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan; Integrative Brain Imaging Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan.
Children with localization-related epilepsy exhibit globally increased structural connectivity and network robustness. Local connectivity abnormalities were found in specific brain regions, suggesting a link to epileptogenicity without morphometric changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Network Science
Background:
- Epilepsy is linked to neural network dysfunction.
- Neuroimaging advances enable investigation of brain connectivity.
- Graph theory offers a mathematical approach to analyze brain networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural connectivity alterations in children with localization-related epilepsy.
- To apply graph theoretical analysis to brain MRI data.
- To compare network properties between epilepsy patients and controls.
Main Methods:
- Acquired 3D T1-weighted brain MRI from 15 children with epilepsy and 23 controls.
- Analyzed segmented gray matter images using statistical parametric mapping and Graph Analysis Toolbox.
- Compared global network metrics (efficiency, clustering, strength) and regional network metrics (betweenness centrality, clustering).
Main Results:
- Epilepsy group showed increased global modularity (p=0.017) and a trend towards increased global efficiency (p=0.081).
- Decreased betweenness centrality and increased clustering were observed in specific brain regions (cingulate gyrus, perisylvian area, precentral gyrus) in the epilepsy group.
- The epilepsy group demonstrated higher network resilience to attacks, with no significant morphometric differences found via voxel-based morphometry.
Conclusions:
- Patients with localization-related epilepsy exhibit globally increased structural connectivity and network robustness.
- Local connectivity abnormalities are concentrated in the cingulate gyrus, perisylvian area, and precentral gyrus.
- Altered structural connectivity, independent of morphometric changes, may underlie epileptogenicity.
