Abnormal Static and Dynamic Functional Connectivity in Left and Right Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Epilepsy Research
• Network Medicine

Background:

• Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is increasingly viewed as a network disorder.
• Understanding lateralization-specific network characteristics in TLE is crucial but remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate static and dynamic functional connectivity differences between left-side TLE (LTLE) and right-side TLE (RTLE) patients.
• To explore the relationship between network abnormalities and cognitive performance in TLE.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional MRI was used to analyze brain connectivity in 53 TLE patients (22 LTLE, 31 RTLE) and 37 controls.
• Evaluated static connectivity patterns, topological properties, and dynamic connectivity states and variability.
• Correlated aberrant network properties with cognitive assessments.

Main Results:

• Right TLE (RTLE) demonstrated decreased cortical-cortical and increased subcortical-cortical connectivity, with reduced global efficiency.
• RTLE patients showed aberrant dynamic connectivity states and increased variability in subcortical-cortical connections.
• No significant static or dynamic connectivity abnormalities were found in LTLE; altered dynamic properties correlated with poorer cognitive function.

Conclusions:

• TLE exhibits static and dynamic functional connectivity abnormalities.
• RTLE presents more significant aberrant network patterns and topological properties compared to LTLE.
• These findings suggest network reconfiguration mechanisms in RTLE and advance understanding of TLE pathophysiology.