Willem M. Otte1,2, Rick M. Dijkhuizen2,
Cornelis J. Stam3, Kajo van der Marel2, Maurits P.A.
van Meer1,2, Max A. Viergever2, Kees P.J. Braun1
1Rudolf Magnus Institute of
Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; 2Image
Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; 3Department
of Clinical Neurophysiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam,
Netherlands
There
is increasing evidence that the topology of brain networks may be changed in
epilepsy. In particular, a random topology has been suggested as an
explanation for lower seizure thresholds. To test this hypothesis, we
assessed focal epileptic and healthy networks over time using resting state
functional MRI and weighted graph theoretical analysis in a rat model. Brain networks
in focal epilepsy were globally affected, toward a more ordered network
topology. Networks largely normalized at ten weeks after epilepsy induction.
Graph analysis provides a promising method to explore dynamical network
alterations in epilepsy.