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Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Published on: August 5, 2014
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Lateralization of FDG-PET Hypometabolism Using Resting-State fMRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Simultaneous PET-MRI
Daniel Uher1,2,3,4, Gerhard S Drenthen1,2, Tineke van de Weijer1,5
1Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) may help locate the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This rs-fMRI method shows potential to mimic fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) findings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Epilepsy Research
- Functional MRI
Background:
- Reduced glucose metabolism in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) indicates the epileptogenic zone (EZ).
- Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a standard method for EZ localization.
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) offers a non-invasive alternative for EZ identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of rs-fMRI metrics for localizing the EZ in TLE.
- To compare rs-fMRI findings with FDG-PET as the ground truth.
- To investigate the utility of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in EZ detection.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous acquisition of rs-fMRI and FDG-PET in 12 drug-resistant TLE patients.
- Identification of hypometabolic regions using FDG-PET with a z-score threshold of < -2.
- Calculation of asymmetry indices (AIs) for rs-fMRI metrics (ReHo, ALFF, fALFF) and FDG-PET hypometabolism.
Main Results:
- Conventional fALFF asymmetry indices were significantly lower in the hypometabolic zone (p < 0.05).
- A significant negative correlation was observed between FDG-PET and slow-3 band fALFF AIs (r = -0.62; p < 0.05).
- These findings suggest fALFF can mirror FDG-PET hypometabolism patterns.
Conclusions:
- Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in both conventional and slow-3 bands shows promise for EZ localization in TLE.
- rs-fMRI fALFF may serve as a complementary tool to FDG-PET for EZ identification.
- Further validation with larger cohorts and histopathological confirmation is necessary to establish clinical utility.
