Diffusion tensor imaging identifies changes in normal-appearing white matter within the epileptogenic zone in tuberous sclerosis complex

Elysa Widjaja*, Gustavo Simao, Sina Zarei Mahmoodabadi, Ayako Ochi, O. Carter Snead, James Rutka, Hiroshi Otsubo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) indices of (i) cortical tubers and (ii) normal-appearing subcortical white matter adjacent to cortical tubers within the epileptogenic zone and non-epileptogenic zone. Methods: Twelve children with tuberous sclerosis complex underwent MRI, DTI and magnetoencephalography (MEG). Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed within cortical tubers and normal-appearing subcortical white matter adjacent to cortical tubers within MEG identified epileptogenic zone and non-epileptogenic zone. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (λ{norm of matrix}{norm of matrix}) and radial diffusivity (λ) were calculated. Results: 26 out of 104 cortical tubers were in the epileptogenic zone. FA of cortical tubers in the epileptogenic zone was significantly lower than non-epileptogenic zone (p=0.015). There were no significant differences between MD (p=0.896), λ{norm of matrix}{norm of matrix} (p=0.672) and λ (p=0.651) of cortical tubers in the epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic zone. In normal-appearing subcortical white matter within the epileptogenic zone, FA was lower (p=0.001) and λ (p=0.011) was higher than non-epileptogenic zone. There were no significant differences between MD (p=0.110) and λ{norm of matrix}{norm of matrix} (p=0.735) of normal-appearing subcortical white matter within the epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic zone. Conclusion: DTI changes in normal-appearing white matter within the epileptogenic zone could represent abnormal white matter related to MRI-occult dysplastic cortex or ictal/interictal activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)246-253
Number of pages8
JournalEpilepsy Research
Volume89
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2010

Keywords

  • Diffusion tensor imaging
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Tuberous sclerosis complex

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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