Cortical morphology, epileptiform discharges, and neuropsychological performance in BECTS.

PEOPLE with epilepsy; NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL tests; VISUOMOTOR coordination; NEURAL development; BRAIN diseases; EPILEPTIFORM discharges

Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between cortical morphology, centrotemporal spike (CTS), and neuropsychological functioning in children with BECTS compared to their typically developing peers. Materials and methods: To examine whole‐brain differences in cortical thickness between groups, a general linear model approach was applied to T1‐weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with BECTS and typically developing children. Further region‐of‐interest (ROI) analyses were performed to examine the effects of frequency and lateralization of CTS. In addition, the relationship between Processing Speed Index (PSI) and cortical thickness was investigated. Results: Twenty‐three patients with BECTS and thirty‐two controls were included. There was no statistically significant difference in global cortical thickness between groups. With ROI analyses, we found significantly thinner cortex within right pars opercularis when comparing children with right predominant CTS, and with very frequent right CTS (>10/min) to the control group (P = 0.028 and P = 0.026, respectively). A statistically significant interaction of group (controls vs BECTS) and PSI was seen in bilateral frontal and right superior parietal cortices, indicating a positive relationship between cortical thickness and PSI in healthy controls but not BECTS. Conclusion: A region of cortex where right CTS may originate was thinner in BECTS compared to children without BECTS. Typically developing children with faster processing speed had thicker cortices in regions supporting visuomotor integration, motor, and executive function, but this relationship was not observed in BECTS. These results suggest that BECTS is associated with atypical cortical morphology that may underlie poorer neuropsychological performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Neurologica Scandinavica is the property of Hindawi Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)