Individual-based morphological brain network changes in children with Rolandic epilepsy

To investigate the local cortical morphology and individual-based morphological brain networks (MBNs) changes in children with Rolandic epilepsy (RE).

Based on the structural MRI data of 56 children with RE and 56 healthy controls (HC), we constructed four types of individual-based MBNs using morphological indices (cortical thickness [CT], fractal dimension [FD], gyrification index [GI], and sulcal depth [SD]). The global and nodal properties of the brain networks were analyzed using graph theory. The between-group difference in local morphology and network topology was estimated, and partial correlation analysis was further analyzed.

Compared with the HC, children with RE showed regional GI increases in the right posterior cingulate gyrus and SD increases in the right anterior cingulate gyrus and medial prefrontal cortex. Regarding the network level, RE exhibited increased characteristic path length in CT-based and FD-based networks, while decreased FD-based network node efficiency in the right inferior frontal gyrus. No significant correlation between altered morphological features and clinical variables was found in RE.

These findings indicated that children with RE have disrupted morphological brain network organization beyond local morphology changes.

The present study could provide more theoretical basis for exploring the neuropathological mechanisms in RE.