Impact of Epileptic Discharge on the Structural Connectivity of the Developing Brain: Combination of Intracerebral Stereotactic EEG and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Children With Drug-resistant Focal Epilepsy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying children and adolescents with drug-resistant focal epilepsy to understand how seizures affect brain connections. This research focuses on the impact of epileptic discharges on both local brain areas, especially the seizure onset zone, and global brain structures related to language function. The goal is to explore whether ongoing seizures contribute to brain network changes and whether language areas in the brain show typical or altered organization. The study uses intracerebral stereotactic electroencephalography (EEG) to record seizure activity in children undergoing presurgical evaluation. Before electrode implantation, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is performed to measure white matter fibers and detect loss of connectivity in brain regions. The intensity of epileptic discharges is quantified and correlated with connectivity loss locally. On a global level, white matter fibers in language areas of both brain hemispheres are compared to assess language lateralization. Participants will undergo EEG, DTI scans, and age-appropriate language assessments with a neuropsychological component. Researchers will analyze correlations between seizure activity and structural brain disconnections. The primary outcome is the relationship between cerebral disconnections and the epileptogenicity index. The study monitors language organization and brain connectivity to better understand epilepsy's network effects. Participation duration varies with clinical evaluation needs.

Impact of Epileptic Discharge on the Structural Connectivity of the Developing Brain