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

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurosurgery
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Epilepsy surgery requires precise localization of critical brain functions.
• Protecting language function is crucial for maintaining patient quality of life post-surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using Chinese language tasks for safeguarding language function in epilepsy patients.
• To compare surgical outcomes between patients receiving standard care and those benefiting from fMRI-guided surgical planning.

Main Methods:

• 34 native Chinese epilepsy patients underwent BOLD-fMRI with six Chinese tasks.
• Patients were randomized into a control group (intraoperative EEG only) and an experimental group (fMRI + EEG).
• Language ability was assessed using the ABC scale pre- and post-surgery.

Main Results:

• fMRI identified distinct brain regions for Chinese language functions, primarily in temporal and frontal lobes.
• The experimental group showed no significant decline in language ability post-surgery, unlike the control group.
• The experimental group's post-surgery ABC scores were significantly higher than the control group's.

Conclusions:

• Task-state fMRI, combined with intraoperative EEG, allows for personalized surgical plans in epilepsy.
• This approach effectively protects language function and enhances the quality of life for epilepsy surgery patients.