Converging PET and fMRI evidence for a common area involved in human focal epilepsies.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Experiments in animal models have identified specific subcortical anatomic circuits, which are critically involved in the pathogenesis and control of seizure activity. However, whether such anatomic substrates also exist in human epilepsy is not known.

Methods

We studied 2 separate groups of patients with focal epilepsies arising from any cortical location using either simultaneous EEG-fMRI (n = 19 patients) or [¹¹C]flumazenil PET (n = 18).

Results

Time-locked with the interictal epileptiform discharges, we found significant hemodynamic increases common to all patients near the frontal piriform cortex ipsilateral to the presumed cortical focus. GABA(A) receptor binding in the same area was reduced in patients with more frequent seizures.

Conclusions

SUBMITTER: Laufs H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3162638 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature