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Discordant Occurrence of Cerebral Unilateral Heterotopia and Epilepsy in Monozygotic Twins
Author(s) -
Kuzniecky Ruben,
Gilliam Frank,
Faught Edward
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1995.tb00476.x
Subject(s) - epilepsy , heterotopia (medicine) , electroencephalography , magnetic resonance imaging , psychology , monozygotic twin , neuronal migration , schizencephaly , medicine , neuroscience , pediatrics , pathology , radiology , genetics , biology
Summary: Cerebral developmental malformations are increasingly recognized as a cause of epilepsy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has advanced our understanding of these disorders and their relation to epilepsy. We report the occurrence of discordant unilateral heterotopia and epilepsy in monozygotic twins. The affected individual developed intractable focal seizures at age 16 years. Mild cognitive difficulties had been present in early life. Evaluation showed right hemisphere EEG epileptogenic abnormalities, and the MRI scan showed massive right hemisphere heterotopia. EEG and MRI examinations in the patient's twin brother were normal. These findings suggest that the development of some developmental brain malformations and epilepsy is strongly influenced by nongenetic factors such as anenvironmental insult.