White Matter Volume Changes in Older Patients with Epilepsy
Abstract number :
3.52
Submission category :
5. Neuro Imaging / 5A. Structural Imaging
Year :
2024
Submission ID :
1605
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/9/2024 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Authors :
Rebecca O'Dwyer, MD – Rush University Medical Center
Mandy Yu, BS – Rush University Medical Center
Jessica Joyce, BS – Rush University Medical Center
Molly Parker-Brigham, BS – Rush University Medical Center
Presenting Author: Travis Stoub, PhD – Rush University Medical Center
Rationale: Several studies have assessed white matter changes using structural MRI in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Little is known, however, regarding structural brain changes that take place in older patients who with epilepsy. This study aims to assess if white matter changes occur in older patients with epilepsy.
Methods: The study individuals consisted of 11 older patients (5 female, mean age = 71 ± 6 years) with epilepsy. All patients were diagnosed with epilepsy based on their clinical evaluation and scalp video-EEG performed at the Rush University Medical Center Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. In addition, 8 healthy control participants (4 female, mean age = 70 ± 5 years) were included, who had no lesions on their MRI and no history of neurologic, psychiatric or systemic conditions that could affect mesial temporal lobe structures. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and review of patient data was done in accordance with the rules of the Institutional Review Board of Rush University Medical Center. T1 structural scans were performed on all participants. Right and left white matter Freesurfer derived volumes of the temporal lobe were performed including entorhinal, middle temporal, and parahippocampal white matter. Finally, differences in mean values between the two groups were assessed using individual t-tests.
Results: Older patients with epilepsy had significantly smaller left middle temporal lobe white matter and parahippocampal white matter volumes when compared to healthy controls (p=0.017 and p=0.034 respectively). There was no other significant right or left white matter volume differences.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that temporal lobe white matter changes are present in older patients with epilepsy. These regions may serve as a marker of disease pathology in this patient population.
Funding: The Shapiro Foundation
Neuro Imaging