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Properties of functional brain networks correlate frequency of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures

Barzegaran, E ; Sharif University of Technology | 2012

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00335
  3. Publisher: Frontiers Media S. A , 2012
  4. Abstract:
  5. Abnormalities in the topology of brain networks may be an important feature and etiological factor for psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). To explore this possibility, we applied a graph theoretical approach to functional networks based on resting state EEGs from 13 PNES patients and 13 age- and gender-matched controls. The networks were extracted from Laplacian-transformed time-series by a cross-correlation method. PNES patients showed close to normal local and global connectivity and small-world structure, estimated with clustering coefficient, modularity, global efficiency, and small-worldness metrics, respectively. Yet the number of PNES attacks per month correlated with a weakness of local connectedness and a skewed balance between local and global connectedness quantified with small-worldness, all in EEG alpha band. In beta band, patients demonstrated above-normal resiliency, measured with assortativity coefficient, which also correlated with the frequency of PNES attacks. This interictal EEG phenotype may help improve differentiation between PNES and epilepsy. The results also suggest that local connectivity could be a target for therapeutic interventions in PNES. Selective modulation (strengthening) of local connectivity might improve the skewed balance between local and global connectivity and so prevent PNES events
  6. Keywords:
  7. Clustering coefficient ; Cross-correlation analysis ; EEG ; Functional connectivity ; Graph theory ; Modularity ; Resilience ; Alprazolam ; Citalopram ; Clobazam ; Clonazepam ; Clorazepate ; Diazepam ; Lamotrigine ; Lorazepam ; Midazolam ; Olanzapine ; Sertraline ; Venlafaxine ; Zolpidem ; Adult ; Alpha rhythm ; Beta rhythm ; Brain function ; Brain nerve cell ; Clinical article ; Clinical feature ; Cognition ; Controlled study ; Correlation analysis ; Correlation coefficient ; Differential diagnosis ; Disease association ; Electroencephalogram ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Frequency analysis ; Functional assessment ; Human ; Male ; Mathematical computing ; Membrane steady potential ; Nerve cell network ; Psychogenic nonepileptic seizure ; Statistical analysis ; Theoretical model ; Time series analysis
  8. Source: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience ; Issue DEC , 2012 ; 16625161 (ISSN)
  9. URL: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00335/abstract