Virtual intracranial EEG signals reconstructed from MEG with potential for epilepsy surgery

Dynamic network models offer insight into brain networks affected by epileptic seizures. Here the authors derive ViEEG (virtual intracranial EEG) from non-invasive MEG recordings that show brain areas involved in seizure generation in patients with epilepsy. Modelling the interactions that arise from neural dynamics in seizure genesis is challenging but important in the effort to improve the success of epilepsy surgery. Dynamical network models developed from physiological evidence offer insights into rapidly evolving brain networks in the epileptic seizure. A limitation of previous studies in this field is the dependence on invasive cortical recordings with constrained spatial sampling of brain regions that might be involved in seizure dynamics. Here, we propose virtual intracranial electroencephalography (ViEEG), which combines non-invasive ictal magnetoencephalographic imaging (MEG), dynamical network models and a virtual resection technique. In this proof-of-concept study, we show that ViEEG signals reconstructed from MEG alone preserve critical temporospatial characteristics for dynamical approaches to identify brain areas involved in seizure generation. We show the non-invasive ViEEG approach may have some advantage over intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG). Future work may be designed to test the potential of the virtual iEEG approach for use in surgical management of epilepsy.

Automated summary

Dynamic network models provide insights into brain networks affected by epileptic seizures. In this study, the authors derive ViEEG (virtual intracranial EEG) from non-invasive MEG recordings to identify brain areas involved in seizure generation in patients with epilepsy. The proposed ViEEG approach combines non-invasive MEG, dynamical network models, and a virtual resection technique, and shows promise in preserving critical temporospatial characteristics for identifying brain areas involved in seizure generation. The non-invasive ViEEG approach may have advantages over invasive iEEG and could potentially be used in surgical management of epilepsy.