Open AccessAltered functional connectivity in default mode network in absence epilepsy: A resting‐state fMRI study
Author(s) -
Luo Cheng,
Li Qifu,
Lai Yongxiu,
Xia Yang,
Qin Yun,
Liao Wei,
Li Shasha,
Zhou Dong,
Yao Dezhong,
Gong Qiyong
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.21034
Subject(s) - ictal , default mode network , epilepsy , resting state fmri , neuroscience , posterior cingulate , psychology , temporal lobe , functional connectivity , functional magnetic resonance imaging
Dysfunctional default mode network (DMN) has been observed in various mental disorders, including epilepsy (see review Broyd et al. [2009]: Neurosci Biobehav Rev 33:279–296). Because interictal epileptic discharges may affect DMN, resting‐state fMRI was used in this study to determine DMN functional connectivity in 14 healthy controls and 12 absence epilepsy patients. To avoid interictal epileptic discharge effects, testing was performed within interictal durations when there were no interictal epileptic discharges. Cross‐correlation functional connectivity analysis with seed at posterior cingulate cortex, as well as region‐wise calculation in DMN, revealed decreased integration within DMN in the absence epilepsy patients. Region‐wise functional connectivity among the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobe was significantly decreased in the patient group. Moreover, functional connectivity between the frontal and parietal lobe revealed a significant negative correlation with epilepsy duration. These findings indicated DMN abnormalities in patients with absence epilepsy, even during resting interictal durations without interictal epileptic discharges. Abnormal functional connectivity in absence epilepsy may reflect abnormal anatomo‐functional architectural integration in DMN, as a result of cognitive mental impairment and unconsciousness during absence seizure. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.