Limbic network co-localization predicts pharmacoresistance in dysplasia-related epilepsy

To evaluate the role of focal cortical dysplasia co-localization to cortical functional networks in the development of pharmacoresistance. One hundred thirty-six focal cortical dysplasia patients with 3.0 T or 1.5 T MRI were identified from clinical databases at Children's National Hospital. Clinico-radio-pathologic factors and network co-localization were determined. Using binomial logistic regression, limbic network co-localization (odds ratio 4.164 95% confidence interval 1.02-17.08, p = 0.048), and focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (4.82, 1.30-18.03, p = 0.019) predicted pharmacoresistance. These findings provide clinicians with markers to identify patients with focal cortical dysplasia-related epilepsy at high risk of developing pharmacoresistance and should facilitate earlier epilepsy surgical evaluation.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the role of focal cortical dysplasia co-localization to cortical functional networks in the development of pharmacoresistance. A total of 136 focal cortical dysplasia patients with 3.0 T or 1.5 T MRI were identified from clinical databases at Children's National Hospital. Clinical, radiological, and pathological factors were determined, and it was found that limbic network co-localization and focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures predicted pharmacoresistance. These findings provide important markers for clinicians to identify high-risk patients and facilitate earlier evaluation for epilepsy surgery.