Systematically altered connectome gradient in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes: Potential effect...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is known to affect brain network hierarchy and cognitive function.
• The precise relationship between hierarchical network changes and cognitive outcomes in BECTS remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in the macro-network function hierarchy in children with BECTS.
• To determine the contribution of these hierarchical changes to cognitive function in BECTS.

Main Methods:

• Utilized connectome gradient analysis in 50 children with BECTS and 69 healthy controls.
• Assessed whole-brain voxel-level and network hierarchy by comparing gradient scores.
• Employed functional connectivity analysis to detect epilepsy-related functional reorganization and explored relationships with clinical variables and cognitive function.

Main Results:

• Observed extended gradient patterns at network and voxel levels in children with BECTS.
• Found increased gradient scores in the frontoparietal network, left precentral gyrus (PCG), and right angular gyrus.
• Demonstrated disrupted functional connectivity in areas with abnormal gradients, correlating with cognitive function, particularly verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ).

Conclusions:

• Connectome gradient disruption is evident in children with BECTS.
• These disruptions are linked to impaired cognitive function.
• Findings suggest potential biomarkers for cognitive function in BECTS.