A graph theoretical analysis of brain functional network in temporal lobe epilepsy patients
The temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of sympotmatic epilepsies. However, the underlying neural cause of this disorder is not well understood yet. In this study we aimed to investigate functional brain network constructed using resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI) from a graph theoretical approach with specific focus on local network measures. Moreover, we have analazed three network measures of local connectivity asymmetry, local hemispheric connectivity ratio and nodal connectivity distribution skewness in the functional brain network. To this end we recruited 10 TLE patients and 10 healthy controls. Our results showed increased segregation and a shift towards reguralized networks in the TLE patients. Furthermore we detected decreased connectivity in the temporal lobe including, the bilateral Hippocampus and left Parahippocampal gyrus. Finally, we found increased asymmetry between the left and right Inferior Temporal Cortices (FDR corrected), left and right Hippocampus and left and right Heschle gyri.