Resolving the discrepancy between bold and CBF fMRI to reliably investigate resting-state functional connections

Bibliography: p. 98-109some images are in colou

Co-localization between the BOLD response and epileptiform discharges recorded by simultaneous intracranial EEG-fMRI at 3 T

Objectives: Simultaneous scalp EEG-fMRI can identify hemodynamic changes associated with the generation of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs), and it has the potential of becoming a standard, non-invasive technique for pre-surgical assessment of patients with medically intractable epilepsy. This study was designed to assess the BOLD response to focal IEDs recorded via simultaneous intracranial EEG-functional MRI (iEEG-fMRI). Methods: Twelve consecutive patients undergoing intracranial video EEG monitoring were recruited for iEEG-fMRI studies at 3 T. Depth, subdural strip, or grid electrodes were implanted according to our standard clinical protocol. Subjects underwent 10–60 min of continuous iEEG-fMRI scanning. IEDs were marked, and the most statistically significant clusters of BOLD signal were identified (Z-score 2.3, p value < 0.05). We assessed the concordance between the locations of the BOLD response and the IED. Concordance was defined as a distance <1.0 cm between the IED and BOLD response location. Negative BOLD responses were not studied in this project. Results: Nine patients (7 females) with a mean age of 31 years (range 22–56) had 11 different types of IEDs during fMR scanning. The IEDs were divided based on the location of the active electrode contact into mesial temporal, lateral temporal, and extra-temporal. Seven (5 left) mesial temporal IED types were recorded in 5 patients (110–2092 IEDs per spike location). Six of these IEDs had concordant BOLD response in the ipsilateral mesial temporal structures, <1 cm from the most active contact. One of the two subjects with left lateral temporal IEDs had BOLD responses concordant with the location of the most active contact, as well other ipsilateral and contralateral sites. Notably, the remaining two subjects with extratemporal discharges showed no BOLD signal near the active electrode contact. Conclusions: iEEG-fMRI is a feasible and low-risk method for assessment of hemodynamic changes of very focal IEDs that may not be recorded by scalp EEG. A high concordance rate between the location of the BOLD response and IEDs was seen for mesial temporal (6/7) IEDs. Significant BOLD activation was also seen in areas distant from the active electrode and these sites exhibited maximal BOLD activation in the majority of cases. This implies that iEEG-fMRI may further describe the areas involved in the generation of IEDs beyond the vicinity of the electrode(s)

Postictal behavioural impairments are due to a severe prolonged hypoperfusion/ hypoxia event that is COX-2 dependent

Abstract Seizures are often followed by sensory, cognitive or motor impairments during the postictal phase that show striking similarity to transient hypoxic/ischemic attacks. Here we show that seizures result in a severe hypoxic attack confined to the postictal period. We measured brain oxygenation in localized areas from freely-moving rodents and discovered a severe hypoxic event (pO2 < 10 mmHg) after the termination of seizures. This event lasted over an hour, is mediated by hypoperfusion, generalizes to people with epilepsy, and is attenuated by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 or L-type calcium channels. Using inhibitors of these targets we separated the seizure from the resulting severe hypoxia and show that structure specific postictal memory and behavioral impairments are the consequence of this severe hypoperfusion/hypoxic event. Thus, epilepsy is much more than a disease hallmarked by seizures, since the occurrence of postictal hypoperfusion/hypoxia results in a separate set of neurological consequences that are currently not being treated and are preventable.Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaYe