Voxel-based and surface-based morphometric analyses reveal cortical-subcortical structural abnormalities and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Pediatric Neurology
• Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

• Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS) is a common childhood epilepsy syndrome.
• Despite seizure remission, SeLECTS frequently presents with cognitive difficulties.
• Previous neuroimaging studies in SeLECTS have yielded heterogeneous findings, often confounded by medication or methodology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate multimodal structural brain abnormalities in drug-naïve children with SeLECTS.
• To explore the relationship between neuroanatomical findings and clinical variables, including cognitive function.

Main Methods:

• A multimodal structural MRI study was conducted on 30 drug-naïve children with SeLECTS and 30 healthy controls.
• Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) assessed gray matter volume.
• Surface-based morphometry (SBM) evaluated cortical thickness, gyrification, and sulcal depth.
• Lateralization index and correlation analyses with clinical and cognitive data were performed.

Main Results:

• Increased bilateral pontine gray matter volume was observed in patients.
• Widespread cortical thinning, altered gyrification, and reduced sulcal depth were identified in specific brain regions.
• Atypical leftward lateralization was noted in several cortical areas.
• Pontine volume correlated with disease duration, and frontal gyrification correlated with verbal IQ.

Conclusions:

• Drug-naïve children with SeLECTS exhibit complex cortical dysmaturation and subcortical variations.
• The neuroanatomical signature of SeLECTS extends beyond the Rolandic cortex, involving subcortical structures and developmental pathways.
• These structural markers provide a basis for future longitudinal studies on SeLECTS and cognition.