Sub-cortical brain morphometry and its relationship with cognition in rolandic epilepsy
Mahsa Shakeri1, Alexandre N Datta2, Domitille Malfait3
1Polytechnique Montréal, Department of Computer and Software Engineering, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Epilepsy Research
|October 22, 2017
Summary
Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) involves sub-cortical shape changes affecting cognition. These alterations in Rolandic epilepsy patients vary based on the epilepsy focus side.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Rolandic epilepsy (RE), or benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), is common in children.
- Cognitive difficulties are associated with RE, impacting quality of life.
- The causes of cognitive impairments in RE remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sub-cortical morphological alterations in children with RE.
- To examine differences based on left, right, or bilateral hemispheric focus.
- To assess the association between these alterations and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 41 children with RE and 38 healthy controls (ages 8-14).
- Quantitative volumetric and morphological analysis of putamen and caudate using T1-weighted MRI.
- Correlations between sub-cortical morphometry and cognitive indices (IQ, VCI, PRI, WMI, PSI).
Main Results:
- Bilateral BECTS showed reduced right caudate volume; no significant putamen volume changes.
- Spectral-based analysis revealed regional shape alterations in putamen and caudate.
- Shape alterations correlated with cognitive indices, with effects varying by epilepsy focus side.
Conclusions:
- Sub-cortical shape alterations in putamen and caudate are confirmed in BECTS.
- These shape variations significantly impact cognitive functions.
- The relationship between shape alterations and cognition is dependent on the epilepsy focus side, suggesting distinct BECTS entities.
