Resting-State Network Transitions in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Insights From MEG-Based Dynamic Functional Connectivity

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE), a common form of focal epilepsy, is associated with recurrent seizures originating in the temporal lobe, often leading to cognitive and psychological impairments. This study explores dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) patterns in TLE patients compared to Healthy Controls (HC) using resting-state Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data. dFC, which captures the temporal variability of brain networks, was analyzed across eight frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, low gamma, mid gamma, high gamma, and broadband) in 21 TLE patients and 21 HC. Nine dFC metrics, including state transitions, connectivity strength, network stability, and overall network movement, were derived using amplitude envelope correlations between 68 brain regions mapped to resting-state networks. Results reveal heightened variability in beta band transitions and increased entropy in delta band transitions, indicating unstable and diverse network configurations. TLE patients showed reduced dwell time in visual networks and increased dwell time in the dorsal attention network, suggesting compensatory mechanisms. Reduced connectivity in alpha and beta bands, coupled with increased variability in theta and low gamma bands, highlights widespread network instability. These findings emphasize dFC metrics as potential biomarkers for TLE, offering insights for targeted therapeutic interventions to stabilize brain dynamics.