Lateralization of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Using Resting FMRI Connectivity Mapping

Victoria L. Morgan¹, Hasan H. Sonmezturk², John C. Gore¹, Bassel Abou-Khalil²

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common form of epilepsy in which seizures originate from the hippocampus and adjacent structures. Resection of these structures can effectively reduce or eliminate seizures when onset is accurately lateralized. We investigated resting fMRI connectivity from each hippocampus in controls and TLE patients who were seizure free after surgery. A network between the right hippocampus and the ventral lateral nucleus of the thalamus was detected that potentially distinguishes between patients with left and right hippocampal seizure onset with high sensitivity and specificity. If validated, this technique may be practical to include in MRI presurgical examinations.