Literature Monitor

Patients with epilepsy seem to have difficulty recognizing certain emotional states, according to a recent study that used video simulations to evaluate patients’ social cognition skills. When researchers administered the Awareness of Social Inference Test to 43 patients with focal epilepsy and 22 controls, using a video format, they found that neither group had trouble identifying positive emotional states like happiness; but patients with epilepsy had difficulty recognizing negative emotions such as anger, fear, and disgust. The study suggests that standard psychometric tools used to measure cognitive abilities in patients with epilepsy may need to be supplemented with a vehicle that evaluates social cognition.

Bujarski KA, Flashman L, Li Z, et al. Investigating social cognition in epilepsy using a naturalistic task. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1515-1520.

Patients with epilepsy seem to have difficulty recognizing certain emotional states, according to a recent study that used video simulations to evaluate patients’ social cognition skills. When researchers administered the Awareness of Social Inference Test to 43 patients with focal epilepsy and 22 controls, using a video format, they found that neither group had trouble identifying positive emotional states like happiness; but patients with epilepsy had difficulty recognizing negative emotions such as anger, fear, and disgust. The study suggests that standard psychometric tools used to measure cognitive abilities in patients with epilepsy may need to be supplemented with a vehicle that evaluates social cognition.

Bujarski KA, Flashman L, Li Z, et al. Investigating social cognition in epilepsy using a naturalistic task. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1515-1520.

Patients with epilepsy seem to have difficulty recognizing certain emotional states, according to a recent study that used video simulations to evaluate patients’ social cognition skills. When researchers administered the Awareness of Social Inference Test to 43 patients with focal epilepsy and 22 controls, using a video format, they found that neither group had trouble identifying positive emotional states like happiness; but patients with epilepsy had difficulty recognizing negative emotions such as anger, fear, and disgust. The study suggests that standard psychometric tools used to measure cognitive abilities in patients with epilepsy may need to be supplemented with a vehicle that evaluates social cognition.

Bujarski KA, Flashman L, Li Z, et al. Investigating social cognition in epilepsy using a naturalistic task. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1515-1520.

The default mode network (DMN), which connects brain regions such as precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and medial, lateral, and inferior parietal cortex, plays an important role in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), according to a recent literature review. Among patients with TLE, the amplitude of the blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signal decreases during the interval between seizures. Investigators have also found that TLE patients have less anterograde connectivity from the anterior to the posterior DMN. Changes in the activity of the DMN in people with epilepsy, as well as several other neurological disorders, suggest that assessment of the network may help improve early detection and treatment, according to the researchers.  

Mohan A, Roberto AJ, Mohan A, et al. The significance of the default mode network (DMN) in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: A review. Yale J Biol Med. 2016;89(1):49-57.

The default mode network (DMN), which connects brain regions such as precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and medial, lateral, and inferior parietal cortex, plays an important role in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), according to a recent literature review. Among patients with TLE, the amplitude of the blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signal decreases during the interval between seizures. Investigators have also found that TLE patients have less anterograde connectivity from the anterior to the posterior DMN. Changes in the activity of the DMN in people with epilepsy, as well as several other neurological disorders, suggest that assessment of the network may help improve early detection and treatment, according to the researchers.  

Mohan A, Roberto AJ, Mohan A, et al. The significance of the default mode network (DMN) in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: A review. Yale J Biol Med. 2016;89(1):49-57.

The default mode network (DMN), which connects brain regions such as precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and medial, lateral, and inferior parietal cortex, plays an important role in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), according to a recent literature review. Among patients with TLE, the amplitude of the blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signal decreases during the interval between seizures. Investigators have also found that TLE patients have less anterograde connectivity from the anterior to the posterior DMN. Changes in the activity of the DMN in people with epilepsy, as well as several other neurological disorders, suggest that assessment of the network may help improve early detection and treatment, according to the researchers.  

Mohan A, Roberto AJ, Mohan A, et al. The significance of the default mode network (DMN) in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: A review. Yale J Biol Med. 2016;89(1):49-57.

To help distinguish patients with Rasmussen encephalitis from patients with epilepsy not suffering from the syndrome, researchers performed quantitative volumetric MR imaging on 42 patients with Rasmussen syndrome and compared the readings to MRIs performed on 42 controls and 42 unaffected patients with epilepsy. Their analysis found that interhemispheric and frontal lobe ratios were the most effective way to differentiate Rasmussen encephalitis from the other 2 groups. They also found that the insula of Rasmussen encephalitis patients was significantly more atrophic, when compared with other cortical regions of the brain.

Wang Z, Krishnan B, Shattuck DW, et al. Automated MRI volumetric analysis in patients with Rasmussen syndrome [published online ahead of print September 8, 2016]. AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol. 2016.

To help distinguish patients with Rasmussen encephalitis from patients with epilepsy not suffering from the syndrome, researchers performed quantitative volumetric MR imaging on 42 patients with Rasmussen syndrome and compared the readings to MRIs performed on 42 controls and 42 unaffected patients with epilepsy. Their analysis found that interhemispheric and frontal lobe ratios were the most effective way to differentiate Rasmussen encephalitis from the other 2 groups. They also found that the insula of Rasmussen encephalitis patients was significantly more atrophic, when compared with other cortical regions of the brain.

Wang Z, Krishnan B, Shattuck DW, et al. Automated MRI volumetric analysis in patients with Rasmussen syndrome [published online ahead of print September 8, 2016]. AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol. 2016.

To help distinguish patients with Rasmussen encephalitis from patients with epilepsy not suffering from the syndrome, researchers performed quantitative volumetric MR imaging on 42 patients with Rasmussen syndrome and compared the readings to MRIs performed on 42 controls and 42 unaffected patients with epilepsy. Their analysis found that interhemispheric and frontal lobe ratios were the most effective way to differentiate Rasmussen encephalitis from the other 2 groups. They also found that the insula of Rasmussen encephalitis patients was significantly more atrophic, when compared with other cortical regions of the brain.

Wang Z, Krishnan B, Shattuck DW, et al. Automated MRI volumetric analysis in patients with Rasmussen syndrome [published online ahead of print September 8, 2016]. AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol. 2016.

Using the NeuroPace RNS system to monitor long-term epileptic-like activity, researchers have confirmed that there is a uniform circadian pattern to this brain activity. Studying 134 subjects, Spencer et al found the epileptiform activity peaked during normal sleeping hours. They also discovered a monophasic, nocturnally dominant rhythm in the neocortical areas of the brain and a more complex pattern, with a diurnal peak, in limbic sections of the brain.  Some volunteers were also found to have a dual oscillator pattern to the brain activity, displaying a circadian and ultradian pattern.

Spencer D, Sun F, Brown S, Jobst, B, Wong V, Mirro E et al. Circadian and ultradian patterns of epileptiform discharges differ by seizure-onset location during long-term ambulatory intracranial monitoring. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1495-1502.

Using the NeuroPace RNS system to monitor long-term epileptic-like activity, researchers have confirmed that there is a uniform circadian pattern to this brain activity. Studying 134 subjects, Spencer et al found the epileptiform activity peaked during normal sleeping hours. They also discovered a monophasic, nocturnally dominant rhythm in the neocortical areas of the brain and a more complex pattern, with a diurnal peak, in limbic sections of the brain.  Some volunteers were also found to have a dual oscillator pattern to the brain activity, displaying a circadian and ultradian pattern.

Spencer D, Sun F, Brown S, Jobst, B, Wong V, Mirro E et al. Circadian and ultradian patterns of epileptiform discharges differ by seizure-onset location during long-term ambulatory intracranial monitoring. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1495-1502.

Using the NeuroPace RNS system to monitor long-term epileptic-like activity, researchers have confirmed that there is a uniform circadian pattern to this brain activity. Studying 134 subjects, Spencer et al found the epileptiform activity peaked during normal sleeping hours. They also discovered a monophasic, nocturnally dominant rhythm in the neocortical areas of the brain and a more complex pattern, with a diurnal peak, in limbic sections of the brain.  Some volunteers were also found to have a dual oscillator pattern to the brain activity, displaying a circadian and ultradian pattern.

Spencer D, Sun F, Brown S, Jobst, B, Wong V, Mirro E et al. Circadian and ultradian patterns of epileptiform discharges differ by seizure-onset location during long-term ambulatory intracranial monitoring. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1495-1502.

Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are at higher than average risk of developing epilepsy if they exhibit several systemic disease manifestations, according to a recent analysis of the TSC Natural History Database. After factoring out confounding variables like age, gender, and TSC mutation, Anna Jeong and Michael Wong of Washington University School of Medicine found that cardiac rhabdomyomas, retinal hamartomas, renal cysts, renal angiomyolipomas, shagreen patches, and facial angiofibromas increased the likelihood of TSC patients developing epilepsy.

Jeong A, Wong M. Systemic disease manifestations associated with epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1443-1449.

Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are at higher than average risk of developing epilepsy if they exhibit several systemic disease manifestations, according to a recent analysis of the TSC Natural History Database. After factoring out confounding variables like age, gender, and TSC mutation, Anna Jeong and Michael Wong of Washington University School of Medicine found that cardiac rhabdomyomas, retinal hamartomas, renal cysts, renal angiomyolipomas, shagreen patches, and facial angiofibromas increased the likelihood of TSC patients developing epilepsy.

Jeong A, Wong M. Systemic disease manifestations associated with epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1443-1449.

Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are at higher than average risk of developing epilepsy if they exhibit several systemic disease manifestations, according to a recent analysis of the TSC Natural History Database. After factoring out confounding variables like age, gender, and TSC mutation, Anna Jeong and Michael Wong of Washington University School of Medicine found that cardiac rhabdomyomas, retinal hamartomas, renal cysts, renal angiomyolipomas, shagreen patches, and facial angiofibromas increased the likelihood of TSC patients developing epilepsy.

Jeong A, Wong M. Systemic disease manifestations associated with epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1443-1449.

Performing resting state functioning MRIs can help distinguish temporal lobe epilepsy that’s accompanied by mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS) from temporal lobe epilepsy without the sclerosis. That conclusion was dreached by researchers who compared 34 TLE patients to 34 controls who were matched for age and gender and in whom the presence of mesial temporal sclerosis was definitively established by means of histologic examination of surgical tissue. More specifically, the investigators found that the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in the blood oxygen level-dependent resting state fMRI was reduced in the ipsilateral amygdala and hippocampus among TLE patients with mesial temporal sclerosis. By contrast, among TLE patients without sclerosis, there was only marginally reduced fALFF in the ipsilateral amygdala but none in the hippocampus. 

Reyes A, Thesen D, Wang X, Hahn D, Yoo D, Kuzniecky R et al.  Resting-state functional MRI distinguishes temporal lobe epilepsy subtypes. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1475-1484.  

Performing resting state functioning MRIs can help distinguish temporal lobe epilepsy that’s accompanied by mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS) from temporal lobe epilepsy without the sclerosis. That conclusion was dreached by researchers who compared 34 TLE patients to 34 controls who were matched for age and gender and in whom the presence of mesial temporal sclerosis was definitively established by means of histologic examination of surgical tissue. More specifically, the investigators found that the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in the blood oxygen level-dependent resting state fMRI was reduced in the ipsilateral amygdala and hippocampus among TLE patients with mesial temporal sclerosis. By contrast, among TLE patients without sclerosis, there was only marginally reduced fALFF in the ipsilateral amygdala but none in the hippocampus. 

Reyes A, Thesen D, Wang X, Hahn D, Yoo D, Kuzniecky R et al.  Resting-state functional MRI distinguishes temporal lobe epilepsy subtypes. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1475-1484.  

Performing resting state functioning MRIs can help distinguish temporal lobe epilepsy that’s accompanied by mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS) from temporal lobe epilepsy without the sclerosis. That conclusion was dreached by researchers who compared 34 TLE patients to 34 controls who were matched for age and gender and in whom the presence of mesial temporal sclerosis was definitively established by means of histologic examination of surgical tissue. More specifically, the investigators found that the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in the blood oxygen level-dependent resting state fMRI was reduced in the ipsilateral amygdala and hippocampus among TLE patients with mesial temporal sclerosis. By contrast, among TLE patients without sclerosis, there was only marginally reduced fALFF in the ipsilateral amygdala but none in the hippocampus. 

Reyes A, Thesen D, Wang X, Hahn D, Yoo D, Kuzniecky R et al.  Resting-state functional MRI distinguishes temporal lobe epilepsy subtypes. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):1475-1484.  

The annual suicide mortality rate among those with epilepsy is 22% higher than that in the general population, according to a report in the August issue of Epilepsy and Behavior. Researchers estimated that the annual suicide mortality rate in those with epilepsy during the period from 2003 through 2011 was 16.89 per 100,000 persons.

Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta studied the prevalence of suicide among people with epilepsy, compared with that in the population overall. This is the first study to estimate suicide rates among people with epilepsy in a large US general population. The researchers also investigated epilepsy-specific suicide risk factors.

The study, coauthored by Dale Hesdorffer, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health, was based on data from the US National Violent Death Reporting System, a multistate, population-based surveillance system that collects information on violent deaths, including suicide. From 2003 through 2011, the researchers identified, among people age 10 and older, 972 suicide cases with epilepsy and 81,529 suicide cases without epilepsy in 17 states. The investigators estimated suicide rates, evaluated suicide risk among people with epilepsy, and investigated suicide risk factors specific to epilepsy by comparing people with and without epilepsy. In 16 of the 17 states providing continual data from 2005 through 2011, they also compared suicide trends in people with and without epilepsy.

Compared with the non-epilepsy population, those with epilepsy were more likely to have died from suicide in houses, apartments, or residential institutions (81% vs 76%) and were more than twice as likely to poison themselves (38% vs 17%). More people with epilepsy ages 40 to 49 died from suicide than persons without epilepsy in the same age group (29% vs 22%). The proportion of suicides among those with epilepsy increased steadily from 2005 through 2010.

“Of particular significance is what we learned about those 40 to 49 years old,” said Dr. Hesdorffer. “Efforts for suicide prevention should target people with epilepsy in this age category specifically. Additional preventive efforts should include reducing the availability or exposure to poisons, especially at home, and supporting other evidence-based programs to reduce mental illness comorbidity associated with suicide.”

Suggested Reading

Tian N, Cui W, Zack M, et al. Suicide among people with epilepsy: a population-based analysis of data from the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 states, 2003-2011. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;61:210-217.

Mula M, McGonigal A, Micoulaud-Franchi JA, et al. Validation of rapid suicidality screening in epilepsy using the NDDIE. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):949-955.

The annual suicide mortality rate among those with epilepsy is 22% higher than that in the general population, according to a report in the August issue of Epilepsy and Behavior. Researchers estimated that the annual suicide mortality rate in those with epilepsy during the period from 2003 through 2011 was 16.89 per 100,000 persons.

Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta studied the prevalence of suicide among people with epilepsy, compared with that in the population overall. This is the first study to estimate suicide rates among people with epilepsy in a large US general population. The researchers also investigated epilepsy-specific suicide risk factors.

The study, coauthored by Dale Hesdorffer, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health, was based on data from the US National Violent Death Reporting System, a multistate, population-based surveillance system that collects information on violent deaths, including suicide. From 2003 through 2011, the researchers identified, among people age 10 and older, 972 suicide cases with epilepsy and 81,529 suicide cases without epilepsy in 17 states. The investigators estimated suicide rates, evaluated suicide risk among people with epilepsy, and investigated suicide risk factors specific to epilepsy by comparing people with and without epilepsy. In 16 of the 17 states providing continual data from 2005 through 2011, they also compared suicide trends in people with and without epilepsy.

Compared with the non-epilepsy population, those with epilepsy were more likely to have died from suicide in houses, apartments, or residential institutions (81% vs 76%) and were more than twice as likely to poison themselves (38% vs 17%). More people with epilepsy ages 40 to 49 died from suicide than persons without epilepsy in the same age group (29% vs 22%). The proportion of suicides among those with epilepsy increased steadily from 2005 through 2010.

“Of particular significance is what we learned about those 40 to 49 years old,” said Dr. Hesdorffer. “Efforts for suicide prevention should target people with epilepsy in this age category specifically. Additional preventive efforts should include reducing the availability or exposure to poisons, especially at home, and supporting other evidence-based programs to reduce mental illness comorbidity associated with suicide.”

Suggested Reading

Tian N, Cui W, Zack M, et al. Suicide among people with epilepsy: a population-based analysis of data from the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 states, 2003-2011. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;61:210-217.

Mula M, McGonigal A, Micoulaud-Franchi JA, et al. Validation of rapid suicidality screening in epilepsy using the NDDIE. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):949-955.

The annual suicide mortality rate among those with epilepsy is 22% higher than that in the general population, according to a report in the August issue of Epilepsy and Behavior. Researchers estimated that the annual suicide mortality rate in those with epilepsy during the period from 2003 through 2011 was 16.89 per 100,000 persons.

Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta studied the prevalence of suicide among people with epilepsy, compared with that in the population overall. This is the first study to estimate suicide rates among people with epilepsy in a large US general population. The researchers also investigated epilepsy-specific suicide risk factors.

The study, coauthored by Dale Hesdorffer, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health, was based on data from the US National Violent Death Reporting System, a multistate, population-based surveillance system that collects information on violent deaths, including suicide. From 2003 through 2011, the researchers identified, among people age 10 and older, 972 suicide cases with epilepsy and 81,529 suicide cases without epilepsy in 17 states. The investigators estimated suicide rates, evaluated suicide risk among people with epilepsy, and investigated suicide risk factors specific to epilepsy by comparing people with and without epilepsy. In 16 of the 17 states providing continual data from 2005 through 2011, they also compared suicide trends in people with and without epilepsy.

Compared with the non-epilepsy population, those with epilepsy were more likely to have died from suicide in houses, apartments, or residential institutions (81% vs 76%) and were more than twice as likely to poison themselves (38% vs 17%). More people with epilepsy ages 40 to 49 died from suicide than persons without epilepsy in the same age group (29% vs 22%). The proportion of suicides among those with epilepsy increased steadily from 2005 through 2010.

“Of particular significance is what we learned about those 40 to 49 years old,” said Dr. Hesdorffer. “Efforts for suicide prevention should target people with epilepsy in this age category specifically. Additional preventive efforts should include reducing the availability or exposure to poisons, especially at home, and supporting other evidence-based programs to reduce mental illness comorbidity associated with suicide.”

Suggested Reading

Tian N, Cui W, Zack M, et al. Suicide among people with epilepsy: a population-based analysis of data from the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 states, 2003-2011. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;61:210-217.

Mula M, McGonigal A, Micoulaud-Franchi JA, et al. Validation of rapid suicidality screening in epilepsy using the NDDIE. Epilepsia. 2016;57(6):949-955.

An analysis of 27 studies involving over 3000 patients with drug resistant temporal lobe epilepsy has shed light on the value of various type of neuroimaging. Seven studies suggest that clinical outcomes are more favorable when patients have MRI-identified hippocampal atrophy and mesial temporal sclerosis. On the other hand, 5 studies concluded that outcomes were less favorable when patients had unremarkable MIR findings. The value of PET imaging seems less clear. Study findings were inconsistent on the prognostic value of PET-identified focal hypometabolism, for instance.    

Jones AL, Cascino GD. Evidence on Use of Neuroimaging for Surgical Treatment of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Systematic Review. JAMA Neurol. 2016;73(4):464-470.

An analysis of 27 studies involving over 3000 patients with drug resistant temporal lobe epilepsy has shed light on the value of various type of neuroimaging. Seven studies suggest that clinical outcomes are more favorable when patients have MRI-identified hippocampal atrophy and mesial temporal sclerosis. On the other hand, 5 studies concluded that outcomes were less favorable when patients had unremarkable MIR findings. The value of PET imaging seems less clear. Study findings were inconsistent on the prognostic value of PET-identified focal hypometabolism, for instance.    

Jones AL, Cascino GD. Evidence on Use of Neuroimaging for Surgical Treatment of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Systematic Review. JAMA Neurol. 2016;73(4):464-470.

An analysis of 27 studies involving over 3000 patients with drug resistant temporal lobe epilepsy has shed light on the value of various type of neuroimaging. Seven studies suggest that clinical outcomes are more favorable when patients have MRI-identified hippocampal atrophy and mesial temporal sclerosis. On the other hand, 5 studies concluded that outcomes were less favorable when patients had unremarkable MIR findings. The value of PET imaging seems less clear. Study findings were inconsistent on the prognostic value of PET-identified focal hypometabolism, for instance.    

Jones AL, Cascino GD. Evidence on Use of Neuroimaging for Surgical Treatment of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Systematic Review. JAMA Neurol. 2016;73(4):464-470.

In an effort to detect links between seizure clusters and as yet unknown clinical factors among patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, researchers performed a retrospective analysis of 764 patients. They found clustering in 23.6% of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 16.9% of patients with extratemporal seizures. Unfortunately, they failed to detect any clinical factors associated with the clustering. However, they did notice that TLE patients fared better after surgery if they had a history of seizure clusters.

Asadi-Pooya AA, Nei M, Sharan A, Sperling MR. Seizure clusters in drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):e187-e190.

In an effort to detect links between seizure clusters and as yet unknown clinical factors among patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, researchers performed a retrospective analysis of 764 patients. They found clustering in 23.6% of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 16.9% of patients with extratemporal seizures. Unfortunately, they failed to detect any clinical factors associated with the clustering. However, they did notice that TLE patients fared better after surgery if they had a history of seizure clusters.

Asadi-Pooya AA, Nei M, Sharan A, Sperling MR. Seizure clusters in drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):e187-e190.

In an effort to detect links between seizure clusters and as yet unknown clinical factors among patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, researchers performed a retrospective analysis of 764 patients. They found clustering in 23.6% of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 16.9% of patients with extratemporal seizures. Unfortunately, they failed to detect any clinical factors associated with the clustering. However, they did notice that TLE patients fared better after surgery if they had a history of seizure clusters.

Asadi-Pooya AA, Nei M, Sharan A, Sperling MR. Seizure clusters in drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2016;57(9):e187-e190.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), volumetric MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging are providing new insights into the epileptic brain, according to a recent review of the research literature from Balter et al. fMRI, for instance, is improving clinicians’ understanding of how patients with epilepsy organize and reorganize the complexities of language before and after surgery. Volumetric MRI and diffusion tensor imaging are giving investigators insights into how patients with various epilepsy syndromes cope with language dysfunction by allowing the researchers to visualize structural and microsctructural changes associated with these syndromes. The literature review also discusses the value of new analytic techniques like graph theory to better understand abnormal brain connectivity in this patient population.Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), volumetric MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging are providing new insights into the epileptic brain, according to a recent review of the research literature from Balter et al. fMRI, for instance, is improving clinicians’ understanding of how patients with epilepsy organize and reorganize the complexities of language before and after surgery. Volumetric MRI and diffusion tensor imaging are giving investigators insights into how patients with various epilepsy syndromes cope with language dysfunction by allowing the researchers to visualize structural and microsctructural changes associated with these syndromes. The literature review also discusses the value of new analytic techniques like graph theory to better understand abnormal brain connectivity in this patient population.

Balter S, Lin G, Leyden KM, Paul BM, McDonald CR. Neuroimaging correlates of language network impairment and reorganization in temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain Lang. 2016:pii S0093-934X(15)30127-9.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), volumetric MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging are providing new insights into the epileptic brain, according to a recent review of the research literature from Balter et al. fMRI, for instance, is improving clinicians’ understanding of how patients with epilepsy organize and reorganize the complexities of language before and after surgery. Volumetric MRI and diffusion tensor imaging are giving investigators insights into how patients with various epilepsy syndromes cope with language dysfunction by allowing the researchers to visualize structural and microsctructural changes associated with these syndromes. The literature review also discusses the value of new analytic techniques like graph theory to better understand abnormal brain connectivity in this patient population.Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), volumetric MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging are providing new insights into the epileptic brain, according to a recent review of the research literature from Balter et al. fMRI, for instance, is improving clinicians’ understanding of how patients with epilepsy organize and reorganize the complexities of language before and after surgery. Volumetric MRI and diffusion tensor imaging are giving investigators insights into how patients with various epilepsy syndromes cope with language dysfunction by allowing the researchers to visualize structural and microsctructural changes associated with these syndromes. The literature review also discusses the value of new analytic techniques like graph theory to better understand abnormal brain connectivity in this patient population.

Balter S, Lin G, Leyden KM, Paul BM, McDonald CR. Neuroimaging correlates of language network impairment and reorganization in temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain Lang. 2016:pii S0093-934X(15)30127-9.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), volumetric MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging are providing new insights into the epileptic brain, according to a recent review of the research literature from Balter et al. fMRI, for instance, is improving clinicians’ understanding of how patients with epilepsy organize and reorganize the complexities of language before and after surgery. Volumetric MRI and diffusion tensor imaging are giving investigators insights into how patients with various epilepsy syndromes cope with language dysfunction by allowing the researchers to visualize structural and microsctructural changes associated with these syndromes. The literature review also discusses the value of new analytic techniques like graph theory to better understand abnormal brain connectivity in this patient population.Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), volumetric MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging are providing new insights into the epileptic brain, according to a recent review of the research literature from Balter et al. fMRI, for instance, is improving clinicians’ understanding of how patients with epilepsy organize and reorganize the complexities of language before and after surgery. Volumetric MRI and diffusion tensor imaging are giving investigators insights into how patients with various epilepsy syndromes cope with language dysfunction by allowing the researchers to visualize structural and microsctructural changes associated with these syndromes. The literature review also discusses the value of new analytic techniques like graph theory to better understand abnormal brain connectivity in this patient population.

Balter S, Lin G, Leyden KM, Paul BM, McDonald CR. Neuroimaging correlates of language network impairment and reorganization in temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain Lang. 2016:pii S0093-934X(15)30127-9.