The organization of functional neurocognitive networks in focal epilepsy correlates with domain‐specific cognitive performance. Issue 10 (25th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hatlestad‐Hall, Christoffer; Bruña, Ricardo; Erichsen, Aksel; Andersson, Vebjørn; Syvertsen, Marte Roa; Skogan, Annette Holth; Renvall, Hanna; Marra, Camillo; Maestú, Fernando; Heuser, Kjell; Taubøll, Erik; Solbakk, Anne‐Kristin; Haraldsen, Ira H.
• Other Names: Johnson Elizabeth guestEditor.; Jones Kevin guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuroscience research. Volume 99:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: 2669
• Page End: 2687
• Publication Date: 2021-06-25
• Subjects: cognitive impairment -- focal epilepsy -- functional connectivity -- graph theory -- neurocognitive networks -- RRID:SCR_002510 -- RRID:SCR_003550 -- RRID:SCR_004841 -- RRID:SCR_004849 -- RRID:SCR_007037 -- RRID:SCR_007292 -- RRID:SCR_013202 -- source EEG; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24896
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-4012

Abstract

Abstract: Understanding and diagnosing cognitive impairment in epilepsy remains a prominent challenge. New etiological models suggest that cognitive difficulties might not be directly linked to seizure activity, but are rather a manifestation of a broader brain pathology. Consequently, treating seizures is not sufficient to alleviate cognitive symptoms, highlighting the need for novel diagnostic tools. Here, we investigated whether the organization of three intrinsic, resting‐state functional connectivity networks was correlated with domain‐specific cognitive test performance. Using individualized EEG source reconstruction and graph theory, we examined the association between network small worldness and cognitive test performance in 23 patients with focal epilepsy and 17 healthy controls, who underwent a series of standardized pencil‐and‐paper and digital cognitive tests. We observed that the specific networks robustly correlated with test performance in distinct cognitive domains. Specifically, correlations were evident between the default mode network and memory in patients, the central‐executive network and executive functioning in controls, and the salience network and social cognition in both groups. Interestingly, the correlations were evident in both groups, but in different domains, suggesting an alteration in these functional neurocognitive networks in focal epilepsy. The present findings highlight the potential clinical relevance of functional brain network dysfunction in cognitive impairment. Abstract : In this study, we used source‐space EEG and graph theory to examine the association between network small worldness and cognitive test performance in focal epilepsy patients and healthy controls. Correlations were observed between the default mode network and memory in patients, the central‐executive network and executive functioning in controls, and the salience network and social cognition in both groups