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Published on: September 20, 2024
Imaging insights into temporal lobe epilepsy: an AES-SDM meta-analysis and retrospective cohort study
Wenhao Li1, Xiang Huang1, Kailing Huang1
1Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Summary
This study reveals consistent gray matter volume reductions in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) across multiple brain regions. Distinct atrophy patterns were identified in TLE subtypes, including hippocampal sclerosis and MRI-negative TLE.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Epilepsy Research
- Brain Anatomy
Background:
- Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common focal epilepsy characterized by recurrent seizures originating in the temporal lobe.
- Understanding gray matter volume (GMV) alterations is crucial for diagnosing and managing TLE.
- Distinct patterns of brain atrophy may exist across different TLE subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify convergent patterns of gray matter volume (GMV) alterations in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
- To characterize distinct gray matter atrophy patterns across TLE subtypes, including hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and MRI-negative TLE (TLE-no).
Main Methods:
- A coordinate-based meta-analysis using anisotropic effect size-based signed differential mapping (AES-SDM).
- A complementary single-center observational cross-sectional voxel-based morphometry (VBM) cohort analysis.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis showed consistent GMV reductions in the ipsilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, insula, lenticular nucleus, cerebellum, and bilateral thalamus in TLE patients compared to healthy controls (HCs).
- Observational analysis revealed GMV reductions in the ipsilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, temporal gyrus, temporal pole, and thalamus in patients with unilateral HS compared to HCs.
- Right-sided HS showed greater GMV atrophy in the right amygdala and cerebellum compared to left-sided HS, with longer disease duration.
- GMV increases in the unilateral amygdala and parahippocampal gyrus were observed in TLE-no patients.
Conclusions:
- The meta-analysis identified significant morphometric alterations in extrahippocampal regions in TLE.
- Distinct GMV alteration patterns were described across different TLE subgroups.
- Observational data partially overlapped with meta-analysis findings, highlighting specific patterns in HS and TLE-no subgroups.
