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Aung T, Tenney JR, Bagić AI. Contributions of Magnetoencephalography to Understanding Mechanisms of Generalized Epilepsies: Blurring the Boundary Between Focal and Generalized Epilepsies? Front Neurol 2022; 13:831546. [PMID: 35572923 PMCID: PMC9092024 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.831546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the latest operational 2017 ILAE classification of epileptic seizures, the generalized epileptic seizure is still conceptualized as "originating at some point within and rapidly engaging, bilaterally distributed networks." In contrast, the focal epileptic seizure is defined as "originating within networks limited to one hemisphere." Hence, one of the main concepts of "generalized" and "focal" epilepsy comes from EEG descriptions before the era of source localization, and a presumed simultaneous bilateral onset and bi-synchrony of epileptiform discharges remains a hallmark for generalized seizures. Current literature on the pathophysiology of generalized epilepsy supports the concept of a cortical epileptogenic focus triggering rapidly generalized epileptic discharges involving intact corticothalamic and corticocortical networks, known as the cortical focus theory. Likewise, focal epilepsy with rich connectivity can give rise to generalized spike and wave discharges resulting from widespread bilateral synchronization. Therefore, making this key distinction between generalized and focal epilepsy may be challenging in some cases, and for the first time, a combined generalized and focal epilepsy is categorized in the 2017 ILAE classification. Nevertheless, treatment options, such as the choice of antiseizure medications or surgical treatment, are the reason behind the importance of accurate epilepsy classification. Over the past several decades, plentiful scientific research on the pathophysiology of generalized epilepsy has been conducted using non-invasive neuroimaging and postprocessing of the electromagnetic neural signal by measuring the spatiotemporal and interhemispheric latency of bi-synchronous or generalized epileptiform discharges as well as network analysis to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for accurate diagnosis of the two major types of epilepsy. Among all the advanced techniques, magnetoencephalography (MEG) and multiple other methods provide excellent temporal and spatial resolution, inherently suited to analyzing and visualizing the propagation of generalized EEG activities. This article aims to provide a comprehensive literature review of recent innovations in MEG methodology using source localization and network analysis techniques that contributed to the literature of idiopathic generalized epilepsy in terms of pathophysiology and clinical prognosis, thus further blurring the boundary between focal and generalized epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thandar Aung
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (UPCEC), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey R. Tenney
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Anto I. Bagić
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (UPCEC), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Pretreatment Topological Disruptions of Whole-brain Networks Exist in Childhood Absence Epilepsy: A Resting-state EEG-fMRI Study. Epilepsy Res 2022; 182:106909. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Sun J, Gao Y, Miao A, Yu C, Tang L, Huang S, Wu C, Shi Q, Zhang T, Li Y, Sun Y, Wang X. Multifrequency Dynamics of Cortical Neuromagnetic Activity Underlying Seizure Termination in Absence Epilepsy. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:221. [PMID: 32670039 PMCID: PMC7332835 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to investigate the spectral and spatial signatures of neuromagnetic activity underlying the termination of absence seizures. Methods Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data were recorded from 18 drug-naive patients with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). Accumulated source imaging (ASI) was used to analyze MEG data at the source level in seven frequency ranges: delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (12–30 Hz), gamma (30–80 Hz), ripple (80–250 Hz), and fast ripple (250–500 Hz). Result In the 1–4, 4–8, and 8–12 Hz ranges, the magnetic source during seizure termination appeared to be consistent over the ictal period and was mainly localized in the frontal cortex (FC) and parieto-occipito-temporal junction (POT). In the 12–30 and 30–80 Hz ranges, a significant reduction in source activity was observed in the frontal lobe during seizure termination as well as a decrease in peak source strength. The ictal peak source strength in the 1–4 Hz range was negatively correlated with the ictal duration of the seizure, whereas in the 30–80 Hz range, it was positively correlated with the course of epilepsy. Conclusion The termination of absence seizures is associated with a dynamic neuromagnetic process. Frequency-dependent changes in the FC were observed during seizure termination, which may be involved in the process of neural network interaction. Neuromagnetic activity in different frequency bands may play different roles in the pathophysiological mechanism during absence seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jintao Sun
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ailiang Miao
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuanyong Yu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuyang Huang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Caiyun Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Shi
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yihan Li
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yulei Sun
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoshan Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Gulati P, Jain P, Qashqari H, Bradbury L, Cooper P, Otsubo H, Whitney R. Peri-oral myoclonia with absences with multiple facial and upper body myoclonia: Overlap epilepsy syndrome. J Clin Neurosci 2018; 54:135-137. [PMID: 29907391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
A 17-years old girl presented with an 8-year history of absences with peri-oral twitching, eyelid twitching and head nodding, with poor response to anti-epileptic drugs. Video EEG revealed ictal and inter-ictal generalized spike wave discharges, and absences with peri-oral (predominant), eyelid, neck and shoulder myoclonia. There was also prominent eye closure sensitivity. Conundrums regarding epilepsy syndrome classification and pathophysiology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gulati
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Puneet Jain
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Hebah Qashqari
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Laura Bradbury
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Pamela Cooper
- Community Pediatric Neurologist, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Hiroshi Otsubo
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Robyn Whitney
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Unterberger I, Trinka E, Kaplan PW, Walser G, Luef G, Bauer G. Generalized nonmotor (absence) seizures-What do absence, generalized, and nonmotor mean? Epilepsia 2018; 59:523-529. [PMID: 29327337 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Clinical absences are now classified as "generalized nonmotor (absence) seizures" by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). The aim of this paper is to critically review the concept of absences and to put the accompanying focal and motor symptoms into the context of the emerging pathophysiological knowledge. METHODS For this narrative review we performed an extensive literature search on the term "absence," and analyzed the plethora of symptoms observed in clinical absences. RESULTS Arising from the localization and the involved cortical networks, motor symptoms may include bilateral mild eyelid fluttering and mild myoclonic jerks of extremities. These motor symptoms may also occur unilaterally, analogous to a focal motor seizure with Jacksonian march. Furthermore, electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities may exhibit initial frontal focal spikes and consistent asymmetries. Electroclinical characteristics support the cortical focus theory of absence seizures. Simultaneous EEG/functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measurements document cortical deactivation and thalamic activation. Cortical deactivation is related to slow waves and disturbances of consciousness of varying degrees. Motor symptoms correspond to the spike component of the 3/s spike-and-wave-discharges. Thalamic activation can be interpreted as a response to overcome cortical deactivation. Furthermore, arousal reaction during drowsiness or sleep triggers spikes in an abnormally excitable cortex. An initial disturbance in arousal mechanisms ("dyshormia") might be responsible for the start of this abnormal sequence. SIGNIFICANCE The classification as "generalized nonfocal and nonmotor (absence) seizure" does not covey the complex semiology of a patient's clinical events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Unterberger
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eugen Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Gerald Walser
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerhard Luef
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerhard Bauer
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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