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Cognitive functions, electroencephalographic and diffusion tensor imaging changes in children with active idiopathic
Imane A Yassine1, Waleed M Eldeeb1, Khaled A Gad2
1Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|May 26, 2018
Summary
Children with epilepsy show differences in white matter integrity, as seen in Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) scans. These microstructural changes correlate with cognitive dysfunction and are linked to earlier onset and poorer seizure control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Idiopathic epilepsy in children frequently co-occurs with neurocognitive impairment.
- Conventional MRI may not detect microstructural abnormalities, necessitating advanced imaging like Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between white matter microstructural changes (DTI), electroencephalographic findings, and cognitive dysfunction in children with active idiopathic epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 60 children with epilepsy, divided into normal cognitive function and cognitive dysfunction groups.
- Data collection included personal interviews for epilepsy history, brain Electroencephalography (EEG), and DTI analysis using FSL.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Stanford-Binet 5th Edition Scores.
Main Results:
- Children with normal cognitive function exhibited significantly higher Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and lower Mean Diffusivity (MD) compared to those with cognitive dysfunction.
- Altered white matter microstructure correlated with cognitive performance, younger age of epilepsy onset, poorer seizure control, and polytherapy.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in white matter integrity, as measured by DTI, exist between children with epilepsy and normal cognitive function versus those with cognitive dysfunction.
- These microstructural white matter alterations have demonstrable consequences on cognitive function in pediatric epilepsy.
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