Open AccessAlterations of the intrinsic amygdala‐hippocampal network in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Author(s) -
Lee Dong Ah,
Ko Junghae,
Lee HoJoon,
Kim Hyung Chan,
Park Bong Soo,
Park Sihyung,
Kim Il Hwan,
Park Jin Han,
Lee Yoo Jin,
Park Kang Min
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.2274
Subject(s) - hippocampal formation , amygdala , juvenile myoclonic epilepsy , neuroscience , hippocampus , psychology , epilepsy , hippocampal sclerosis , medicine , temporal lobe
Several lines of evidence suggest that the amygdala–hippocampus is involved in the epileptogenic network of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations in the individual nuclei of the amygdala and hippocampal subfields, and the intrinsic amygdala‐hippocampal network of patients with JME compared to healthy controls. Methods This retrospective study conducted at a single tertiary hospital involved 35 patients with newly diagnosed JME, and 34 healthy subjects. We calculated the individual structural volumes of 18 nuclei in the amygdala, and 38 hippocampal subfields using three‐dimensional volumetric T1‐weighted imaging and FreeSurfer program. We also performed an analysis of the intrinsic amygdala‐hippocampal global and local network based on these volumes using a graph theory and Brain Analysis using Graph Theory (BRAPH) program. We investigated the differences in these volumes and network measures between patients with JME and healthy controls. Results There were no significant volume differences in the nuclei of the amygdala and hippocampal subfields between patients with JME and healthy controls. However, we found significant differences in the global network between patients with JME and healthy controls. The mean clustering coefficient was significantly decreased in patients with JME compared to healthy controls (0.473 vs. 0.653, p = .047). In addition, specific regions in the hippocampal subfields showed significant differences in the local network between the two groups. The betweenness centrality of the right CA1‐head, right hippocampus–amygdala‐transition area, left hippocampal fissure, left fimbria, and left CA3‐head, was increased in patients with JME compared to healthy controls. Conclusion The intrinsic amygdala‐hippocampal global and local networks differed in patients with JME compared to healthy controls, which may be related to the pathogenesis of JME, and memory dysfunction in patients with JME.