Altered brain structural and functional network in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy

Motivation: Epilepsy is widely regarded as a brain network disorder. However, few studies have investigated the interaction between brain structural networks and functional networks in epilepsy. Goal(s): To investigate the topological alterations of brain networks in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy. Approach: Global graph theoretic network measures of global properties, nodal properties and rich club organizational properties were computed. Results: Aberrant topological attributes and connectivity patterns have been found in DRE. Rich-club connectivity was lower in patients with DRE than that in controls. Impact: Altered Dc in the left pallidum may provide a new theoretical basis for clinical treatment of DRE. The present findings enhanced our understanding of the neurophysiologic mechanisms associated with DRE.