Functional imaging of the piriform cortex in focal epilepsy

Experiments in animal models have identified specific brain regions such as the deep anterior piriform cortex as important for controlling the initiation or propagation of both generalized and focal seizure activity. However, there is little experimental evidence to translate these observations to the control of focal seizures in humans. Here, we summarize findings from different hemodynamic and neurotransmitter functional imaging studies in groups of patients with focal epilepsies arising from different cortical locations in support of a common area of brain dysfunction in focal epilepsies.