Focal epilepsy seizures linked to three brain regions, found with functional MRI

Focal epilepsy seizures link to abnormalities in three brain regions was found using function MRI (fMRI). The latest study found that the three brain regions found with fMRI are the main areas where focal epilepsy seizures originate. The authors wrote, “These brain areas may represent key regional network properties underlying focal epilepsy.”

The three brain regions where abnormalities were found were the ipsilateral piriform cortex, temporal neocortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

Christopher Pawela, Ph.D., co-editor-in-chief of Brain Connectivity and assistant professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin said, “Focal epilepsy is a diverse neurological condition with seizures emanating from different brain areas depending on the individual patient. Pedersen and colleagues were able to identify common brain regions affected in all focal epilepsy patients. Further, they were able to accurately separate epilepsy patients from healthy controls using pattern matching analysis which may be an important step towards developing a MR biomarker for the condition.”

Focal epilepsy syndrome

Focal epilepsy – also known as partial seizure – is a disruption in electrical signals in the brain. When electrical activity is limited in an area of the brain a seizure occurs. Partial seizures can become general seizures, which mean it affects the entire brain instead of just one specific spot.

There are two classifications of focal epilepsy: simple and complex. In a simple seizure, awareness or memory does not become disrupted. In complex seizures, awareness and memory become affected by events that occur prior to and right after the seizure. Also, a complex seizure can alter behavior.

Causes and symptoms of partial seizures

There are many different causes for partial seizures, including:

• Epilepsy
• Liver or kidney failure
• Very high blood pressure
• Use of illegal drugs
• Brain infection
• Brain and head injury
• Brain defects
• Stroke
• Poison or venomous bites
• Heat stroke
• Low blood sugar
• Withdrawal from drugs or alcohol

Symptoms may include:

• Muscle contractions followed by relaxation
• Contractions on one side of the body
• Unusual head or eye movements
• Numbness, tingling or tight feeling
• Abdominal pain
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Flushed face
• Dilated pupils
• Mood changes
• Blackouts

Focal epilepsy treatment

Focal epilepsy cannot be treated while an episode is occurring, so treatment involves the prevention of a future seizure or recovering from one that just occurred. Depending on the cause of the seizures your doctor can address the issue, for example, treating kidney or liver failure or very high blood pressure.

The best thing to do if someone is having a seizure is to try to keep them safe. Ensure there are no objects in the way that the person can injure themselves on. Additionally, there is nothing that can be done while the seizure is occurring to stop it or slow it down, so ensuring the person is free from injury is your best method of action.

Related Reading:

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Epilepsy and music: How the brain reacts

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Sources:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-11/mali
http://www.healthline.com/health/partial-focal-seizure#Diagnosis
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article