EEG⁃fMRI study of resting⁃state networks in childhood absence epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To observe the alterations of resting ⁃ state brain functional networks in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) using resting ⁃ state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis, and to explore the cognitive disorders of children in epileptic seizures. Methods According to case selection criteria, 12 children with absence seizure were selected, from whom 17 fMRI data with generalized slow⁃wave discharges (GSWD) and the matched data without discharges were collected by using electroencephalogram (EEG) ⁃ fMRI synchronization. Independent component analysis was used to investigate the alterations in different states of 7 resting⁃state networks including the thalamus, default⁃mode network, dorsal attention network, central execution network and perceptive networks. Results Paired t ⁃ test and correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. The thalamus showed increased coherence of brain activity in GSWD state, and the increased coherence was positively correlated with the durations of GSWD (r = 0.890, P = 0.000). The default⁃mode network (r = ⁃ 0.706, P = 0.000), dorsal attention network (r = ⁃ 0.829, P = 0.000) and central execution network (r = ⁃ 0.905, P = 0.000), which dealt with high ⁃ grade cognitive functions, showed decreased coherence, and the brain activity coherence in these networks were negatively correlated with GSWD durations. However, none of low⁃grade perceptive networks was found to have significant alteration in GSWD state. Conclusion The increased coherence of brain activity in the thalamus may be associated with the generation of GSWD in childhood absence epilepsy. Besides the default brain function, the processes of attention and cognitive execution may also be impaired in childhood absence epilepsy, while low ⁃ grade perceptive functions may not be greatly impacted. This study may contribute to the understanding of pathophysiological mechanism of impaired consciousness in childhood absence epilepsy.

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2012.05.011