title: Children with new-onset epilepsy exhibit diffusion abnormalities in cerebral white matter in the absence of volumetric differences.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the diffusion properties of cerebral white matter in children with recent onset epilepsy (n=19) compared to healthy controls (n=11). Subjects underwent DTI with quantification of mean diffusion (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (D(ax)) and radial diffusivity (D(rad)) for regions of interest including anterior and posterior corpus callosum, fornix, cingulum, and internal and external capsules. Quantitative volumetrics were also performed for the corpus callosum and its subregions (anterior, midbody and posterior) and total lobar white and gray matter for the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. The results demonstrated no group differences in total lobar gray or white matter volumes or volume of the corpus callosum and its subregions, but did show reduced FA and increased D(rad) in the posterior corpus callosum and cingulum. These results provide the earliest indication of microstructural abnormality in cerebral white matter among children with idiopathic epilepsies. This abnormality occurs in the context of normal volumetrics and suggests disruption in myelination processes.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, 7225 Medical Sciences Center, Madison, WI 53706, USA. ehutchinson@wisc.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: Dalin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pulsipher
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dabbs
authors.forename: Adan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Myers y Gutierrez
authors.forename: Raj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seidenberg
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meyerand
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hermann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016880:Anisotropy; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size; D013687:Telencephalon / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*