Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026
12:09
Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Published on: August 5, 2014
18.5K
Temporal lobe epilepsy affects spatial organization of entorhinal cortex connectivity
Taylor Kuhn1, Joseph M Gullett2, Angelique E Boutzoukas3
1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|September 23, 2018
Summary
Temporal lobe epilepsy disrupts medial temporal lobe connectivity, showing disorganized brain structures in patients compared to healthy individuals. This study used advanced imaging to reveal these changes in neural circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Epilepsy Research
Background:
- Structural connectivity in the medial temporal lobe is mainly understood through postmortem studies.
- The parahippocampal gyrus (PHg) has distinct subdivisions (parahippocampal cortex - PHc, and perirhinal cortex - PRc) with separate inputs and outputs.
- These pathways project to the entorhinal cortex (ERc) and subsequently to hippocampal (HC) subfields via the perforant pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate in vivo structural connectivity patterns within the medial temporal lobe using diffusion tensor imaging.
- To examine alterations in entorhinal cortex (ERc) gray matter connectivity in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) compared to healthy controls.
- To assess changes in connectivity architecture related to disease processes in TLE.
Main Methods:
- Utilized diffusion tensor imaging algorithms to segment gray matter structures based on probabilistic connectivity.
- Classified ERc gray matter connectivity based on PRc, ERc, and HC connections in 7 TLE patients and 7 healthy controls.
- Employed paired t-tests to compare ERc connectivity between epileptogenic and contralateral hemispheres in TLE patients.
Main Results:
- Healthy controls exhibited well-organized, uniform, and segregated ERc connectivity-defined regions (CDRs).
- TLE patients showed significantly more PRc and HC CDR clusters in the epileptogenic hemisphere compared to the contralateral side.
- TLE patients displayed increased PRc CDR surface area and decreased HC CDR surface area in the epileptogenic hemisphere, with a loss of delineation between medial and lateral ERc connections.
Conclusions:
- Diffusion tensor imaging can visualize in vivo medial temporal lobe connectivity.
- TLE is associated with a breakdown in the spatial organization of parahippocampal-entorhinal cortex-hippocampal connectivity.
- Further research is needed to determine if these connectivity disruptions are a cause or consequence of epileptic activity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
4.7K
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
4.7K
01:23Dietary Connections
62.0K
In biological systems, most metabolic pathways are interconnected. The cellular respiration processes that convert glucose to ATP—such as glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle—tie into those that break down other organic compounds. As a result, various foods—from apples to cheese to guacamole—end up as ATP. In addition to carbohydrates, food also contains proteins and lipids—such as cholesterol and fats. All of these organic compounds are used...
62.0K
01:24Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
1.3K
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
1.3K
01:09Levels of Organization
141.0K
Biological organization is the classification of biological structures, ranging from atoms at the bottom of the hierarchy to the Earth's biosphere. Each level of the hierarchy represents an increase in complexity that builds upon the previous level.
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...
141.0K
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
9.4K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
9.4K
01:11Introduction to Connective Tissues
15.0K
Connective tissues are one of the four main tissue types in humans that are extensively present in the body. They are characterized by cells embedded in an extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of a ground substance and three main types of protein fibers— collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers. The ground substance of connective tissues can range from a watery and jelly-like consistency to mineralized and hard. The wide variety of cells in the connective tissues include fibroblasts,...
15.0K