Simultaneous EEG and functional MRI of epileptic activity: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
Attempts to localize the source of epileptic activity by linking electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities to blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal alterations are hampered mainly by EEG distortions during MRI, subject motion, and unknown hemodynamic response characteristics.


METHODS
Using T2*-weighted echo-planar imaging at 2.0 T (2 s temporal resolution, 2 x 2 x 4 mm(3) spatial resolution), this work demonstrates strategies to alleviate some of these problems while studying a patient who had ideopathic generalized epilepsy with poly-spike and slow-wave complexes.


RESULTS
Continuous EEG recordings during dynamic MRI (500 ms scanning, 1500 ms delay) and post-examination derivation of an EEG reference function for MRI analysis revealed positive BOLD MRI responses with temporal characteristics similar to those obtained for functional challenges.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability to map focal epileptic activity and/or associated cognitive processing provides new potential for both epilepsy research and clinical patient management.
Baudewig
J
J
Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH am Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie, 37070 Göttingen, Germany.
Bittermann
H J
HJ
Paulus
W
W
Frahm
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male