Altered Attentional Network Dynamics in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A MEG-Based Analysis

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is associated with widespread disruptions in brain network dynamics, affecting both cognitive and sensory processing. This study investigates the dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of eight resting-state networks in TLE patients and Healthy Controls (HC). Network counts and dwell time, were analyzed across frequency bands to identify network-specific alterations. Results revealed that the DAN exhibited the most pronounced disruptions in TLE, with significantly higher network counts and prolonged dwell times across multiple frequency bands, reflecting compensatory mechanisms for attentional control deficits. In contrast, the VN showed reduced engagement and shorter dwell times in lower frequency bands, suggesting impaired visual processing. Other networks, such as the DMN and SMN, displayed selective alterations, highlighting their differential roles in cognitive and sensorimotor integration. These findings underscore the importance of frequency-specific dFC analyses in understanding the neural mechanisms underlying TLE- related impairments. The study highlights the potential of dFC metrics as biomarkers for identifying network disruptions and guiding targeted therapeutic interventions in epilepsy.