fMRI functional connectivity as an indicator of interictal epileptic discharges.

Objective: To explore the relationship between functional connectivity and presence of interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) in different brain regions in intracranial EEG (iEEG).

Methods: We studied 38 focal epilepsy patients who underwent simultaneous EEG/fMRI scanning and subsequent intracerebral stereo-EEG investigation. In EEG/fMRI analysis, IEDs with different spatial distributions were considered independent studies and IED-related maximal BOLD responses were evaluated. Studies with iEEG electrodes inside the maximal responses were selected and divided into three groups: Studies with 1. distinct maximal BOLD highly concordant with seizure-onset-zone (SOZ); 2. Moderate maximal BOLD concordant with SOZ; 3. maximal BOLD discordant with SOZ. Using maximal BOLD as seed, its functionally connected zone (FCZ) was determined. IED rates in iEEG channels inside and outside the FCZ were compared in the three groups. The effect of laterality and distance between channels and maximal BOLD, and correlation between functional connectivity values and IED rates were analyzed.

Results: Thirty-six studies in 25 patients were included. IED rates of intracranial EEG channels inside the FCZ were significantly higher than outside in Group 1 (p = 2.6×10) and Group 2 (p = 1.2×10) and the inside-outside difference remained after regressing distance and laterality factors. In Group 1, connectivity values were significantly correlated with IED rates in channels inside the FCZ (p < 0.05).

Significance: Our results indicate a higher probability of finding intracranial IEDs in the FCZ of SOZ-concordant maximal BOLD responses than in other regions, regardless of distance and laterality. In studies with distinct maximal BOLD, connectivity values can partially predict IED rates in intracranial EEG. It is thus feasible to non-invasively delineate brain regions that are likely to have high IED rates.