Clinical, functional, and neurophysiologic assessment of dysplastic cortical networks: Implications for cortical functioning and surgical management.

Full Abstract

Cortical malformations are highly epileptogenic lesions associated with complex, unanticipated, and often aberrant electrophysiologic and functional relationships. These relationships are inextricably linked to widespread cortical networks subserving eloquent functions, particularly language and motor ability. Cytomegalic neurons but not balloon cells in Palmini type 2 dysplastic cortex are intrinsically hyperexcitable and contribute to local epileptogenesis and functional responsiveness. However, there is much evidence that focal cortical dysplasia is rarely a localized or even regional process, and is a functionally, electrophysiologically, and ultimately clinically integrated neural network disorder. Not surprisingly, malformed cortex is implicated in cognitive dysfunction, particularly disturbances of linguistic processing. An understanding of these relationships is critical for successful epilepsy surgery. Gains in surgical prognosis rely on multiple diagnostic modalities to delineate complex anatomic, electrophysiologic, and functional relationships in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative patients with rates of seizure-freedom roughly comparable to lesional patients.

Author information

Author/s: Duchowny, Michael (M);

Affiliation: Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and Brain Institute, Miami Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA. michael.duchowny(-atsign-)mch.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Epilepsia (Epilepsia), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 50 Suppl 9 (issue ) : pp 19-27

Dates: Created 2009/09/18; Completed 2009/09/29;

PMID: 19761450, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/29/2009, IMS Date: )

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