Brain Graph Topology Changes Associated with Anti-Epileptic Drug Use.
- Authors
- Type
- Published Article
- Journal
- Brain connectivity
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2015
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 284–291
- Identifiers
- DOI: 10.1089/brain.2014.0304
- PMID: 25492633
- Source
- Medline
- Keywords
- License
- Unknown
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies of functional connectivity using graph theory have furthered our understanding of the network structure in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Brain network effects of anti-epileptic drugs could influence such studies, but have not been systematically studied. Resting-state functional MRI was analyzed in 25 patients with TLE using graph theory analysis. Patients were divided into two groups based on anti-epileptic medication use: those taking carbamazepine/oxcarbazepine (CBZ/OXC) (n=9) and those not taking CBZ/OXC (n=16) as a part of their medication regimen. The following graph topology metrics were analyzed: global efficiency, betweenness centrality (BC), clustering coefficient, and small-world index. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association of CBZ/OXC with graph topology. The two groups did not differ from each other based on epilepsy characteristics. Use of CBZ/OXC was associated with a lower BC. Longer epilepsy duration was also associated with a lower BC. These findings can inform graph theory-based studies in patients with TLE. The changes observed are discussed in relation to the anti-epileptic mechanism of action and adverse effects of CBZ/OXC.