Systematically disrupted functional gradient of the cortical connectome in generalized epilepsy: Initial discovery
Yao Meng1, Siqi Yang1, Huafu Chen1
1The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, P R China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, P R China.
Neuroimage
|February 7, 2021
Summary
Genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE-GTCS) shows altered brain network organization, specifically an extended principal gradient. This finding reveals excessive functional segregation linked to epilepsy duration and age at onset.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE-GTCS) is a network disorder with complex topological relationships.
- Understanding the precise spatial arrangement of brain systems in GGE-GTCS remains challenging.
- Connectome gradients offer a novel framework to represent macroscale brain hierarchy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate functional connectome gradient abnormalities in patients with GGE-GTCS.
- To examine the reproducibility of these findings across different analytical methods and in an independent cohort.
- To correlate gradient alterations with clinical features such as epilepsy duration and age at seizure onset.
Main Methods:
- Utilized connectome gradients to analyze functional connectivity data from GGE-GTCS patients and healthy controls (HC).
- Systematically scrutinized network-level and vertex-level principal gradient abnormalities.
- Validated findings across multiple processing configurations and an independent patient cohort.
Main Results:
- Patients with GGE-GTCS exhibited an extended principal gradient compared to HC.
- Consistent results were observed across different processing parameters and in the validation sample.
- The extended gradient correlated with excessive functional segregation between unimodal and transmodal systems, linked to epilepsy duration and age at onset.
Conclusions:
- Findings reveal alterations in functional system hierarchy within the GGE-GTCS connectome.
- Connectome gradients provide a continuous spatial representation of macroscale networks, enhancing understanding of GGE-GTCS.
- Abnormal principal gradients offer insights into the disrupted functional hierarchy in generalized epilepsy.
