Title:Voxel-wise Functional Connectivity of the Default Mode Network in
Epilepsies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Author(s): Sisi Jiang, Hechun Li, Linli Liu, Dezhong Yao and Cheng Luo*
Affiliation:
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731,China
- High-Field
Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center for Information in Medicine,
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, P.R. China
- Research Unit of NeuroInformation,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU035, Chengdu, P.R. China
Keywords:
Default mode network, resting state, functional connectivity, idiopathic generalized epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy, functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Abstract: Background: Default Mode Network (DMN) is recognized to be involved in the generation
and propagation of epileptic activities in various epilepsies. Converging evidence has suggested
disturbed Functional Connectivity (FC) in epilepsies, which was inferred to be related to underlying
pathological mechanisms. However, abnormal changes of FC in DMN revealed by different studies
are controversial, which obscures the role of DMN in distinct epilepsies.
Objective: The present work aims to investigate the voxel-wise FC in DMN across epilepsies
Methods: A systematic review was conducted on 22 published articles before October 2020, indexed
in PubMed and Web of Science. A meta-analysis with a random-effect model was performed
using the effect-size signed differential mapping approach. Subgroup analyses were performed in
three groups: Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE), mixed Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE), and
mixed Focal Epilepsy (FE) with different foci.
Results: The meta-analysis suggested commonly decreased FC in mesial prefrontal cortices across
different epilepsies. Additionally decreased FC in posterior DMN was observed in IGE. The TLE
showed decreased FC in temporal lobe regions and increased FC in the dorsal posterior cingulate
cortex. Interestingly, an opposite finding in the ventral and dorsal middle frontal gyrus was observed
in TLE. The FE demonstrated increased FC in the cuneus.
Conclusion: The current findings revealed both common and specific alterations of FC in DMN
across different epilepsies, highlighting the contribution of these dysfunctions to epileptic activities
and cognitive behaviors in patients. Furthermore, the current study provided powerful evidence to
support DMN as a potential candidate for effective intervention in epilepsy.