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Wang Y, Li Y, Yang L, Huang W. Altered topological organization of resting-state functional networks in children with infantile spasms. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:952940. [PMID: 36248635 PMCID: PMC9562010 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.952940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Covering neuroimaging evidence has demonstrated that epileptic symptoms are associated with the disrupted topological architecture of the brain network. Infantile spasms (IS) as an age-specific epileptic encephalopathy also showed abnormal structural or functional connectivity in specific brain regions or specific networks. However, little is known about the topological alterations of whole-brain functional networks in patients with IS. To fill this gap, we used the graph theoretical analysis to investigate the topological properties (whole-brain small-world property and modular interaction) in 17 patients with IS and 34 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The functional networks in both groups showed efficient small-world architecture over the sparsity range from 0.05 to 0.4. While patients with IS showed abnormal global properties characterized by significantly decreased normalized clustering coefficient, normalized path length, small-worldness, local efficiency, and significantly increased global efficiency, implying a shift toward a randomized network. Modular analysis revealed decreased intra-modular connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) and fronto-parietal network but increased inter-modular connectivity between the cingulo-opercular network and occipital network. Moreover, the decreased intra-modular connectivity in DMN was significantly negatively correlated with seizure frequency. The inter-modular connectivity between the cingulo-opercular and occipital network also showed a significant correlation with epilepsy frequency. Together, the current study revealed the disrupted topological organization of the whole-brain functional network, which greatly advances our understanding of neuronal architecture in IS and may contribute to predict the prognosis of IS as disease biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Engineering Research Center for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Medicine and Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongxin Li
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yongxin Li,
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Engineering Research Center for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Medicine and Biomechanics, National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Wenhua Huang,
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Shi W, He L, Lv B, Li L, Wu T. Evaluating the Acute Effect of Stereoscopic Recovery by Dichoptic Stimulation Using Electroencephalogram. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2020; 2020:9497369. [PMID: 32351615 PMCID: PMC7174909 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9497369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Amblyopia is a common developmental disorder in adolescents and children. Stereoscopic loss is a symptom of amblyopia that can seriously affect the quality of patient's life. Recent studies have shown that the push-pull perceptual learning protocol had a positive effect on stereoscopic recovery. In this study, we developed a stereoscopic training method using a polarized visualization system according to the push-pull protocol. Dichoptic stimulation for 36 anisometropic and amblyopic subjects and 33 children with normal visual acuity (VA) has been conducted. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was used to evaluate the neurophysiological changes before, during, and after stimulation. For the anisometropic and amblyopic subjects, the statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences (p < 0.01) in the beta rhythm at the middle temporal and occipital lobes, while the EEG from the normal VA subjects indicated no significant changes when comparing the results before and after training. We concluded that the dichoptic training in our study can activate the middle temporal visual area and visual cortex. The EEG changes can be used to evaluate the training effects. This study also found that the beta band EEG acquired during visual stimulation at the dorsal visual stream can be potentially used for predicting acute training effect. The results facilitated the optimization of the individual training plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Luyang He
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Lv
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tongning Wu
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Beijing, China
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Yang D, Du Q, Huang Z, Li L, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Zhao X, Zhao X, Li T, Lin Y, Wang Y. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Patients With Pharmacoresistant Epileptic Spasms: A Pilot Study. Front Neurol 2019; 10:50. [PMID: 30804872 PMCID: PMC6370643 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Epileptic spasms (ES) is a severe seizure type and lack of adequate methods for controlling of clinical attacks. Previous studies have indicated that cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) reduces seizure frequency for patients with epilepsy. ES are proposed to have a focal cortical origin. We hypothesized that patients with ES exhibit hyperactive network hubs in the parietal lobe, and that cathodal tDCS targeting the bilateral parietal region can reduce seizure frequency in patients with pharmacoresistant ES. Materials and Methods: The present study consisted of three basic phases: (a) a pre-treatment monitoring period for 14 days; (b) a consecutive 14-day treatment period during which patients were treated with 1 or 2 mA cathode tDCS for 40 min once per day; (c) and a follow-up period for at least 28 days. During the first 20 min of treatment, the cathode was placed over the right parietal lobe (P4) with the reference electrode over the contralateral supra-orbital area. In the second 20 min, the cathode was placed over the left parietal lobe (P3), with the reference electrode over the contralateral supra-orbital area. All patients received active tDCS treatment, and some patients underwent more than one treatment block. Patients maintained a seizure diary throughout the study. Antiepileptic drug therapy remained unchanged throughout the study. K-related samples Friedman tests and two-related samples tests were used to analyze data from all patients. Results: Seven patients with pharmacoresistant ES were included, receiving a total of eighteen 14-day blocks of tDCS treatment. We observed a significant difference in seizure frequency at the second month (p = 0.028, unadjusted), as well as a trend toward decreased seizure frequency at the fourth month (p = 0.068, unadjusted) of the first follow-up, relative to baseline. Three of seven patients (42.9%) exhibited sustained seizure reduction, while one (14.3%) experienced a short-term reduction in seizure frequency following cathodal tDCS treatment. Treatment was well tolerated in all patients. Conclusions: Repeated tDCS with the cathode placed over the bilateral parietal region is safe and may be effective for reducing seizure frequency in a subgroup of patients with pharmacoresistant ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongju Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoyi Du
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoyang Huang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Li
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Department of Pediatric, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Zhao
- Department of Pediatric, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Pediatric, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yicong Lin
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China
| | - Yuping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China.,Department of Pediatric, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Wang J, Li Y, Wang Y, Huang W. Multimodal Data and Machine Learning for Detecting Specific Biomarkers in Pediatric Epilepsy Patients With Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures. Front Neurol 2018; 9:1038. [PMID: 30619025 PMCID: PMC6297879 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.01038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous neuroimaging studies of epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) focus mainly on adults. However, the neural mechanisms that underline this type of epilepsy remain unclear, especially for children. The aim of the present study was to detect the effect of epilepsy on brains of children with GTCS and to investigate whether the changes in the brain can be used to discriminate between epileptic children and healthy children at the level of the individual. To achieve this purpose, we measured gray matter (GM) volume and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) differences on multimodel magnetic resonance imaging in 14 children with GTCS and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The patients showed GM volume reduction and a fALFF increase in the thalamus, hippocampus, temporal and other deep nuclei. A significant decrease of fALFF was mainly found in the default mode network (DMN). In addition, epileptic duration was significantly negatively related to the GM volumes and significantly positively related to the fALFF value of right thalamus. A support vector machine (SVM) applied to the GM volume of the right thalamus correctly identified epileptic children with a statistically significant accuracy of 74.42% (P < 0.002). A SVM applied to the fALFF of the right thalamus correctly identified epileptic children with a statistically significant accuracy of 83.72% (P < 0.002). The consistent neuroimaging results indicated that the right thalamus plays an important role in reflecting the chronic damaging effect of GTCS epilepsy in children. The length of time of a child's epileptic history was correlated with greater GM volume reduction and a fALFF increase in the right thalamus. GM volumes and fALFF values in the right thalamus can identify children with GTCS from the healthy controls with high accuracy and at an individual subject level. These results are likely to be valuable in explaining the clinical problems and understanding the brain abnormalities underlying this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongxin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Li Y, Wang Y, Tan Z, Chen Q, Huang W. Longitudinal brain functional and structural connectivity changes after hemispherotomy in two pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR CASE REPORTS 2018; 11:58-66. [PMID: 30723671 PMCID: PMC6350230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebcr.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The main focus of the present study was to explore the longitudinal changes in the brain executive control system and default mode network after hemispherotomy. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were collected in two children with drug-resistnt epilepsy underwent hemispherotomy. Two patients with different curative effects showed different trajectories of brain connectivity after surgery. The failed hemispherotomy might be due to the fact that the synchrony of epileptic neurons in both hemispheres is preserved by residual neural pathways. Loss of interhemispheric correlations with increased intrahemispheric correlations can be considered as neural marker for evaluating the success of hemispherotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Tan
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenhua Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Wang Y, Li Y, Wang H, Chen Y, Huang W. Altered Default Mode Network on Resting-State fMRI in Children with Infantile Spasms. Front Neurol 2017; 8:209. [PMID: 28579971 PMCID: PMC5437852 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Infantile spasms (IS) syndrome is an age-dependent epileptic encephalopathy, which occurs in children characterized by spasms, impaired consciousness, and hypsarrhythmia. Abnormalities in default mode network (DMN) might contribute to the loss of consciousness during seizures and cognitive deficits in children with IS. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in DMN with functional connectivity (FC) and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), the two methods to discover the potential neuronal underpinnings of IS. The consistency of the two calculate methods of DMN abnormalities in IS patients was also our main focus. To avoid the disturbance of interictal epileptic discharge, our testing was performed within the interictal durations without epileptic discharges. Resting-state fMRI data were collected from 13 patients with IS and 35 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. FC analysis with seed in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) was used to compare the differences between two groups. We chose PCC as the seed region because PCC is the only node in the DMN that directly interacts with virtually all other nodes according to previous studies. Furthermore, the ALFF values within the DMN were also calculated and compared between the two groups. The FC results showed that IS patients exhibited markedly reduced connectivity between posterior seed region and other areas within DMN. In addition, part of the brain areas within the DMN showing significant difference of FC had significantly lower ALFF signal in the patient group than that in the healthy controls. The observed disruption in DMN through the two methods showed that the coherence of brain signal fluctuation in DMN during rest was broken in IS children. Neuronal functional impairment or altered integration in DMN would be one neuroimaging characteristic, which might help us to understand the underlying neural mechanism of IS. Further studies are needed to determine whether the disturbed FC and ALFF observed in the DMN are related to cognitive performance in IS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Wang
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongxin Li
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huirong Wang
- Electromechanic Engineering College, Guangdong Engineering Polytechnic, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanjun Chen
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Huang
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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