Coalescence and Fragmentation of Cortical Networks during Focal Seizures

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.6309-09.2010
• Publication Date: 2010-07-29T01:26:24Z
• Authors: Mark A. Kramer; Uri T. Eden; Eric D. Kolaczyk; Rodrigo Zepeda; Emad N. Eskandar; Sydney S. Cash
• Keywords: Subnetwork

Epileptic seizures reflect a pathological brain state characterized by specific clinical and electrical manifestations. The proposed mechanisms are heterogeneous but united the supposition that epileptic activity is hypersynchronous across multiple scales, yet principled quantitative analyses of seizure dynamics space throughout entire ictal period rare. To more completely explore spatiotemporal interactions during seizures, we examined electrocorticogram data from population male female human patients with epilepsy these constructed dynamic network representations using statistically robust measures. We found networks evolved through distinct topological progression seizure. Surprisingly, overall synchronization changed only weakly, whereas topology dramatically in organization. A large subnetwork dominated architecture at onset preceding termination but, between, fractured into smaller groups. Common characteristics appeared consistently for subjects, and, each subject, similar to These results suggest that, macroscopic spatial scale, not so much manifestation hypersynchrony instead reorganization.