Functional magnetic resonance imaging based on Chinese tasks to protect language function in epileptics

To evaluate the efficacy of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based on Chinese tasks to protect the language function in epileptics.

A total of 34 native Chinese patients with epilepsy were enrolled and examined with BOLD-fMRI scan based on six Chinese tasks. The epileptics were randomly divided into the control group (n = 15) and the experimental group (n = 19). The control group underwent the hollowing and multiple subpial transection operation only based on intraoperative EEG, while the experimental group was under notification of task-state fMRI results in addition. Whereafter, the language ability of patients was evaluated by ABC assessment.

The brain regions related to Chinese function activated by different tasks were remarkably distinct and mainly concentrated in the temporal lobe and frontal lobe. In ontoanalysis, the activation signals of the fusiform gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus, and precentral gyrus were generally low or even could not be detected. Unlike ontoanalysis, group analysis showed that the main effect regions of AN and PN task were in right superior temporal gyrus. The main effect regions of FF and VFC task were in right middle temporal gyrus. The main effect region of SF task was in left superior temporal gyrus. The main effect region of VFL task was in right middle frontal gyrus. The ABC assessment score of the control group 6 months after surgery was significantly lower than that 1 week before surgery (p < .05), while there was no significant difference in the experimental group, and the score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group.

In the surgical treatment of epilepsy, a personalized surgical plan, based on task-state fMRI and intraoperative EEG, can be developed according to the difference of activation areas to protect the language function and improve the quality of life in postoperative patients.