Postoperative axonal changes in the contralateral hemisphere in children with medically refractory epilepsy: A longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging connectome analysis

摘要: To determine brain plasticity changes due to resective epilepsy surgery in children, we performed a longitudinal connectome analysis on the pattern of axonal connectivity contralateral hemisphere. Pre- and postoperative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were acquired from 35 children with intractable focal epilepsy. A total 54 regions interest (ROIs) generated hemisphere resection. Within × matrix, pairwise score was calculated for each connection between two ROIs, based DTI fiber streamline number connection. permuted Spearman's ρ-rank used identify specific inter-regional connections showing significant association change clinical variables. Nineteen showed increases strength connectivity. Postoperative increase insular-inferior frontal operculum as well that superior orbital mid both significantly associated larger surgical resection volume (ρ > +0.40) younger patient age -0.34). These more robust patients those achieving seizure freedom. Neuropsychological evaluation subsets revealed such preserved or improved cognitive functions visual memory planning. Resective may lead increased Our hypothesis be an marker compensate function. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3946-3956, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.