Network signatures define consciousness state during focal seizures.

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder affecting 1% of the global population. Loss of consciousness in focal impaired awareness seizures (FIASs) and focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCSs) can be devastating, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Although ictal activity and interictal connectivity changes have been noted, the network states of focal aware seizures (FASs), FIASs, and FBTCSs have not been thoroughly evaluated with network measures ictally. METHODS: We obtained electrographic data from 74 patients with stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). Sliding window band power, functional connectivity, and segregation were computed on preictal, ictal, and postictal data. Five-minute epochs of wake, rapid eye movement sleep, and deep sleep were also extracted. Connectivity of subcortical arousal structures was analyzed in a cohort of patients with both SEEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Given that custom neuromodulation of seizures is predicated on detection of seizure type, a convolutional neural network was used to classify seizure types. RESULTS: We found that in the frontoparietal association cortex, an area associated with consciousness, both consciousness-impairing seizures (FIASs and FBTCSs) and deep sleep had increases in slow wave delta (1-4 Hz) band power. However, when network measures were employed, we found that only FIASs and deep sleep exhibited an increase in delta segregation and a decrease in gamma segregation. Furthermore, we found that only patients with FIASs had reduced subcortical-to-neocortical functional connectivity with fMRI versus controls. Finally, our deep learning network demonstrated an area under the curve of .75 for detecting consciousness-impairing seizures. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides novel insights into ictal network measures in FASs, FIASs, and FBTCSs. Importantly, although both FIASs and FBTCSs result in loss of consciousness, our results suggest that ictal network changes in FIASs uniquely resemble those that occur during deep sleep. Our results may inform novel neuromodulation strategies for preservation of consciousness in epilepsy.

Disparities in Access to Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease and Proposed Interventions: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), but disparities exist in access to DBS along gender, racial, and socioeconomic lines. SUMMARY: Women are underrepresented in clinical trials and less likely to undergo DBS compared to their male counterparts. Racial and ethnic minorities are also less likely to undergo DBS procedures, even when controlling for disease severity and other demographic factors. These disparities can have significant impacts on patients' access to care, quality of life, and ability to manage their debilitating movement disorders. KEY MESSAGES: Addressing these disparities requires increasing patient awareness and education, minimizing barriers to equitable access, and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives within the healthcare system. In this systematic review, we first review literature discussing gender, racial, and socioeconomic disparities in DBS access and then propose several patient, provider, community, and national-level interventions to improve DBS access for all populations.

Benefits of stereotactic radiosurgical anterior capsulotomy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior capsulotomy (AC) is a therapeutic option for patients with severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The procedure can be performed via multiple techniques, with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) gaining popularity because of its minimally invasive nature. The risk-benefit profile of AC performed specifically with SRS has not been well characterized. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to characterize outcomes following stereotactic radiosurgical AC in OCD patients. METHODS: Studies assessing mean Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores before and after stereotactic radiosurgical AC for OCD were included in this analysis. Inverse-variance fixed-effect modeling was used for pooling, and random-effects estimate of the ratio of means and standard mean differences were calculated at 6 months, 12 months, and the last follow-up for Y-BOCS scores, as well as the last follow-up for the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)/BDI-II scores. A generalized linear mixed model was used to generate fixed- and random-effects models for categorical outcomes. Univariate random-effects meta-regression was used to evaluate associations between postoperative Y-BOCS scores and study covariates. Adverse events were summed across studies. Publication bias was assessed with Begg's test. RESULTS: Eleven studies with 180 patients were eligible for inclusion. The mean Y-BOCS score decreased from 33.28 to 17.45 at the last-follow up (p < 0.001). Sixty percent of patients were classified as responders and 10% as partial responders, 18% experienced remission, and 4% had worsened Y-BOCS scores. The degree of improvement in the Y-BOCS score correlated with time since surgery (p = 0.046). In the random-effects model, the mean BDI at the last follow-up was not significantly different from that preoperatively. However, in an analysis performed with available paired pre- and postoperative BDI/BDI-II scores, there was significant improvement in the BDI/BDI-II scores postoperatively. Adverse events numbered 235, with headaches, weight change, mood changes, worsened depression/anxiety, and apathy occurring most commonly. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic radiosurgical AC is an effective technique for treating OCD. Its efficacy is similar to that of AC performed via other lesioning techniques.

Global Economic Evaluation of the Reported Costs of Deep Brain Stimulation.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the known benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS), the cost of the procedure can limit access and can vary widely. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of the reported costs associated with DBS, as well as the variability in reporting cost-associated factors to ultimately increase patient access to this therapy. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature for cost of DBS treatment was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed and Embase databases were queried. Olsen & Associates (OANDA) was used to convert all reported rates to USD. Cost was corrected for inflation using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator, correcting to April 2022. RESULTS: Twenty-six articles on the cost of DBS surgery from 2001 to 2021 were included. The median number of patients across studies was 193, the mean reported age was 60.5 ± 5.6 years, and median female prevalence was 38.9%. The inflation- and currency-adjusted mean cost of the DBS device was USD 21,496.07 ± USD 8,944.16, the cost of surgery alone was USD 14,685.22 ± USD 8,479.66, the total cost of surgery was USD 40,942.85 ± USD 17,987.43, and the total cost of treatment until 1 year of follow-up was USD 47,632.27 ± USD 23,067.08. There were no differences in costs observed across surgical indication or country. CONCLUSION: Our report describes the large variation in DBS costs and the manner of reporting costs. The current lack of standardization impedes productive discourse as comparisons are hindered by both geographic and chronological variations. Emphasis should be put on standardized reporting and analysis of reimbursement costs to better assess the variability of DBS-associated costs in order to make this procedure more cost-effective and address areas for improvement to increase patient access to DBS.

Intraoperative physiology augments atlas-based data in awake deep brain stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is commonly performed with patients awake to perform intraoperative microelectrode recordings and/or macrostimulation testing to guide final electrode placement. Supplemental information from atlas-based databases derived from prior patient data and visualised as efficacy heat maps transformed and overlaid onto preoperative MRIs can be used to guide preoperative target planning and intraoperative final positioning. Our quantitative analysis of intraoperative testing and corresponding changes made to final electrode positioning aims to highlight the value of intraoperative neurophysiological testing paired with image-based data to optimise final electrode positioning in a large patient cohort. METHODS: Data from 451 patients with movement disorders treated with 822 individual DBS leads at a single institution from 2011 to 2021 were included. Atlas-based data was used to guide surgical targeting. Intraoperative testing data and coordinate data were retrospectively obtained from a large patient database. Medical records were reviewed to obtain active contact usage and neurologist-defined outcomes at 1 year. RESULTS: Microelectrode recording firing profiles differ per track, per target and inform the locations where macrostimulation testing is performed. Macrostimulation performance correlates with the final electrode track chosen. Centroids of atlas-based efficacy heat maps per target were close in proximity to and may predict active contact usage at 1 year. Overall, patient outcomes at 1 year were improved for patients with better macrostimulation response. CONCLUSIONS: Atlas-based imaging data is beneficial for target planning and intraoperative guidance, and in conjunction with intraoperative neurophysiological testing during awake DBS can be used to individualize and optimise final electrode positioning, resulting in favourable outcomes.

Corticostriatal beta oscillation changes associated with cognitive function in Parkinson's disease.

Cognitive impairment is the most frequent non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease and is associated with deficits in a number of cognitive functions including working memory. However, the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease cognitive impairment is poorly understood. Beta oscillations have previously been shown to play an important role in cognitive functions including working memory encoding. Decreased dopamine in motor cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuits increases the spectral power of beta oscillations and results in Parkinson's disease motor symptoms. Analogous changes in parallel cognitive CSTC circuits involving the caudate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) may contribute to Parkinson's disease cognitive impairment. The objective of our study is to evaluate whether changes in beta oscillations in the caudate and DLPFC contribute to cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease patients. To investigate this, we used local field potential recordings during deep brain stimulation surgery in 15 patients with Parkinson's disease. Local field potentials were recorded from DLPFC and caudate at rest and during a working memory task. We examined changes in beta oscillatory power during the working memory task as well as the relationship of beta oscillatory activity to preoperative cognitive status, as determined from neuropsychological testing results. We additionally conducted exploratory analyses on the relationship between cognitive impairment and task-based changes in spectral power in additional frequency bands. Spectral power of beta oscillations decreased in both DLPFC and caudate during working memory encoding and increased in these structures during feedback. Subjects with cognitive impairment had smaller decreases in caudate and DLPFC beta oscillatory power during encoding. In our exploratory analysis, we found that similar differences occurred in alpha frequencies in caudate and theta and alpha in DLPFC. Our findings suggest that oscillatory power changes in cognitive CSTC circuits may contribute to cognitive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. These findings may inform the future development of novel neuromodulatory treatments for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Depression Scores following Ventral Intermediate Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Essential tremor (ET) patients present with both motor and non-motor symptoms including depression. Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is used to treat motor symptoms of ET, there is no consensus as to how VIM DBS influences non-motor symptoms, specifically depression. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of available studies investigating change in pre- to postoperative depression scores as measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in ET patients receiving VIM DBS. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were randomized control trials or observational studies of patients undergoing unilateral/bilateral VIM DBS. Non-ET patients, case reports, patients <18 years old, only non-VIM electrode placement, non-English articles, and abstracts were excluded. The primary outcome was change in BDI score from the preoperative time point to the last available follow-up. Pooled estimates of overall effect for BDI standardized mean difference were calculated using random effects models with the inverse variance method. RESULTS: Seven studies divided into eight cohorts for a total of 281 ET patients met inclusion criteria. Pooled preoperative BDI score was 12.44 (95% CI [6.63-18.25]). A statistically significant decrease in depression scores was observed postoperatively (SMD = -0.29, 95% CI [-0.46 to -0.13], p = 0.0006). Pooled postoperative BDI score was 9.18 (95% CI [4.98-13.38]). A supplementary analysis which included an additional study with an estimated standard deviation at last follow-up was conducted. There was also a statistically significant decrease in depression postoperatively (9 cohorts, n = 352, SMD = -0.31, 95% CI [-0.46 to -0.16], p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the existing literature suggest that VIM DBS improves depression postoperatively among ET patients. These results may guide surgical risk-benefit analysis and counseling for ET patients undergoing VIM DBS.

The Interictal Suppression Hypothesis in focal epilepsy: network-level supporting evidence.

Why are people with focal epilepsy not continuously having seizures? Previous neuronal signalling work has implicated gamma-aminobutyric acid balance as integral to seizure generation and termination, but is a high-level distributed brain network involved in suppressing seizures? Recent intracranial electrographic evidence has suggested that seizure-onset zones have increased inward connectivity that could be associated with interictal suppression of seizure activity. Accordingly, we hypothesize that seizure-onset zones are actively suppressed by the rest of the brain network during interictal states. Full testing of this hypothesis would require collaboration across multiple domains of neuroscience. We focused on partially testing this hypothesis at the electrographic network level within 81 individuals with drug-resistant focal epilepsy undergoing presurgical evaluation. We used intracranial electrographic resting-state and neurostimulation recordings to evaluate the network connectivity of seizure onset, early propagation and non-involved zones. We then used diffusion imaging to acquire estimates of white-matter connectivity to evaluate structure-function coupling effects on connectivity findings. Finally, we generated a resting-state classification model to assist clinicians in detecting seizure-onset and propagation zones without the need for multiple ictal recordings. Our findings indicate that seizure onset and early propagation zones demonstrate markedly increased inwards connectivity and decreased outwards connectivity using both resting-state (one-way ANOVA, P-value = 3.13 × 10-13) and neurostimulation analyses to evaluate evoked responses (one-way ANOVA, P-value = 2.5 × 10-3). When controlling for the distance between regions, the difference between inwards and outwards connectivity remained stable up to 80 mm between brain connections (two-way repeated measures ANOVA, group effect P-value of 2.6 × 10-12). Structure-function coupling analyses revealed that seizure-onset zones exhibit abnormally enhanced coupling (hypercoupling) of surrounding regions compared to presumably healthy tissue (two-way repeated measures ANOVA, interaction effect P-value of 9.76 × 10-21). Using these observations, our support vector classification models achieved a maximum held-out testing set accuracy of 92.0 ± 2.2% to classify early propagation and seizure-onset zones. These results suggest that seizure-onset zones are actively segregated and suppressed by a widespread brain network. Furthermore, this electrographically observed functional suppression is disproportionate to any observed structural connectivity alterations of the seizure-onset zones. These findings have implications for the identification of seizure-onset zones using only brief electrographic recordings to reduce patient morbidity and augment the presurgical evaluation of drug-resistant epilepsy. Further testing of the interictal suppression hypothesis can provide insight into potential new resective, ablative and neuromodulation approaches to improve surgical success rates in those suffering from drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

Abnormal functional connectivity of the posterior hypothalamus and other arousal regions in surgical temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to characterize resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) connectivity patterns of the posterior hypothalamus (pHTH) and the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) in surgical patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), and to investigate potential correlations between functional connectivity of these arousal regions and neurocognitive performance. METHODS: The study evaluated resting-state fMRI in 60 patients with preoperative mTLE and in 95 healthy controls. The authors first conducted voxel-wise connectivity analyses seeded from the pHTH, combined anterior and tuberal hypothalamus (atHTH; i.e., the rest of the hypothalamus), and the NBM ipsilateral (ipsiNBM) and contralateral (contraNBM) to the epileptogenic zone. Based on these results, the authors included the pHTH, ipsiNBM, and frontoparietal neocortex in a network-based statistic (NBS) analysis to elucidate a network that best distinguishes patients from controls. The connections involving the pHTH and ipsiNBM from this network were included in age-corrected pairwise region of interest (ROI) analysis, along with connections between arousal structures, including the pHTH, ipsiNBM, and brainstem arousal regions. Finally, patient functional connectivity was correlated with clinical neurocognitive testing scores for IQ as well as attention and concentration tests. RESULTS: The voxel-wise analysis demonstrated that the pHTH, when compared with the atHTH, showed more widespread functional connectivity decreases in surgical mTLE patients when compared with controls. It was also observed that the ipsiNBM, but not the contraNBM, showed decreased functional connectivity in mTLE. The NBS analysis uncovered a perturbed network of frontoparietal regions, the pHTH, and ipsiNBM that distinguishes patients from controls. Age-corrected ROI analysis revealed functional connectivity decreases between the pHTH and bilateral superior frontal gyri, medial orbitofrontal cortices, rostral anterior cingulate cortices, and inferior parietal cortices in mTLE when compared with controls. For the ipsiNBM, there was reduced connectivity with bilateral medial orbitofrontal and rostral anterior cingulate cortices. Age-corrected ROI analysis also demonstrated upstream connectivity decreases from controls between the pHTH and the brainstem arousal regions, cuneiform/subcuneiform (CSC) nuclei, and ventral tegmental area, as well as the ipsiNBM and CSC nuclei. Reduced functional connectivity was also detected between the pHTH and ipsiNBM. Lastly, neurocognitive test scores for attention and concentration were found to be positively correlated with the functional connectivity between the pHTH and ipsiNBM, suggesting worse performance associated with connectivity perturbations. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated perturbed resting-state functional connectivity of arousal regions in surgical mTLE and is one of the first investigations to demonstrate decreased functional connectivity of the pHTH with frontoparietal regions and other arousal regions. Connectivity disturbances in arousal regions may contribute to neurocognitive deficits in surgical mTLE patients.

Arousal and salience network connectivity alterations in surgical temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: It is poorly understood why patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have cognitive deficits and brain network changes that extend beyond the temporal lobe, including altered extratemporal intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs). However, subcortical arousal structures project broadly to the neocortex, are affected by TLE, and thus may contribute to these widespread network effects. The authors' objective was to examine functional connectivity (FC) patterns between subcortical arousal structures and neocortical ICNs, possible neurocognitive relationships, and FC changes after epilepsy surgery. METHODS: The authors obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 50 adults with TLE and 50 controls. They compared nondirected FC (correlation) and directed FC (Granger causality laterality index) within the salience network, default mode network, and central executive network, as well as between subcortical arousal structures; these 3 ICNs were also compared between patients and controls. They also used an fMRI-based vigilance index to relate alertness to arousal center FC. Finally, fMRI was repeated in 29 patients > 12 months after temporal lobe resection. RESULTS: Nondirected FC within the salience (p = 0.042) and default mode (p = 0.0008) networks, but not the central executive network (p = 0.79), was decreased in patients in comparison with controls (t-tests, corrected). Nondirected FC between the salience network and subcortical arousal structures (nucleus basalis of Meynert, thalamic centromedian nucleus, and brainstem pedunculopontine nucleus) was reduced in patients in comparison with controls (p = 0.0028-0.015, t-tests, corrected), and some of these connectivity abnormalities were associated with lower processing speed index, verbal comprehension, and full-scale IQ. Interestingly, directed connectivity measures suggested a loss of top-down influence from the salience network to the arousal nuclei in patients. After resection, certain FC patterns between the arousal nuclei and salience network moved toward control values in the patients, suggesting that some postoperative recovery may be possible. Although an fMRI-based vigilance measure suggested that patients exhibited reduced alertness over time, FC abnormalities between the salience network and arousal structures were not influenced by the alertness levels during the scans. CONCLUSIONS: FC abnormalities between subcortical arousal structures and ICNs, such as the salience network, may be related to certain neurocognitive deficits in TLE patients. Although TLE patients demonstrated vigilance abnormalities, baseline FC perturbations between the arousal and salience networks are unlikely to be driven solely by alertness level, and some may improve after surgery. Examination of the arousal network and ICN disturbances may improve our understanding of the downstream clinical effects of TLE.

Localizing seizure onset zones in surgical epilepsy with neurostimulation deep learning.

OBJECTIVE: In drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, automated tools for seizure onset zone (SOZ) localization that use brief interictal recordings could supplement presurgical evaluations and improve care. Thus, the authors sought to localize SOZs by training a multichannel convolutional neural network on stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) cortico-cortical evoked potentials. METHODS: The authors performed single-pulse electrical stimulation in 10 drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy patients implanted with SEEG. Using 500,000 unique poststimulation SEEG epochs, the authors trained a multichannel 1-dimensional convolutional neural network to determine whether an SOZ had been stimulated. RESULTS: SOZs were classified with mean sensitivity of 78.1% and specificity of 74.6% according to leave-one-patient-out testing. To achieve maximum accuracy, the model required a 0- to 350-msec poststimulation time period. Post hoc analysis revealed that the model accurately classified unilateral versus bilateral mesial temporal lobe seizure onset, as well as neocortical SOZs. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first demonstration, to the authors' knowledge, that a deep learning framework can be used to accurately classify SOZs with single-pulse electrical stimulation-evoked responses. These findings suggest that accurate classification of SOZs relies on a complex temporal evolution of evoked responses within 350 msec of stimulation. Validation in a larger data set could provide a practical clinical tool for the presurgical evaluation of drug-resistant epilepsy.

Emerging Technologies for Epilepsy Surgery.

Patients with medically refractory epilepsy, as defined by failure to achieve seizure freedom after adequate trials of 2 antiseizure medications, should be considered for early surgical evaluation. Achieving seizure freedom or meaningful seizure reduction, the goals of surgical treatment, can significantly improve quality of life while decreasing disease-related morbidity and mortality. Preoperative work up and imaging modalities aid in localization of epileptogenic zones that can be targeted in surgery. Resection of a seizure focus yields highest chances of seizure freedom; however, many promising minimally invasive or noninvasive treatment options have been developed in recent years that are closely intertwined with technological advancements and serve as viable alternatives to resection, particularly neuromodulation and ablation procedures. There are also new treatment options being developed and new neuromodulation targets being studied. Surgical treatment options should be thoughtfully selected based on each patient's individual disease process and preferences.

Functional connectivity between mesial temporal and default mode structures may help lateralize surgical temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: The most common surgically treatable epilepsy syndrome is mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE). Preoperative noninvasive lateralization of mTLE is challenging in part due to rapid contralateral seizure spread. Abnormal connections in both the mesial temporal lobe and resting-state networks have been described in mTLE, but it is unclear if connectivity between these networks may aid in lateralization. METHODS: In 52 patients with left mTLE (LmTLE) or right mTLE (RmTLE) and 52 matched control subjects, the authors acquired 20 minutes of resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) and evaluated functional connectivity of bilateral hippocampi and amygdalae with selected resting-state networks. They used Pearson correlation, network-based statistic, and dynamic causal modeling. Also, to evaluate the clinical utility of a resting-state connectivity model in lateralizing unilateral presurgical mTLE patients, they used receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: RmTLE patients demonstrated decreased nondirected connectivity between the right hippocampus and default mode network compared with LmTLE patients and control subjects. Network-based statistic analysis revealed that the network with most decreased connectivity that distinguished LmTLE from RmTLE patients included the right hippocampus and amygdala, right lateral orbitofrontal cortices, and bilateral inferior parietal lobules, precuneus, and medial orbitofrontal cortices. Dynamic causal modeling analysis revealed that cross-hemispheric connectivity between hippocampi and amygdalae was predominantly inward toward the epileptogenic side. A regression model incorporating these connectivity patterns was used to accurately lateralize mTLE patients with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.87. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating fMRI connectivity between mesial temporal structures and default mode network may aid in mTLE lateralization, reduce need for intracranial monitoring, and guide surgical planning.

SEEG Functional Connectivity Measures to Identify Epileptogenic Zones: Stability, Medication Influence, and Recording Condition.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Functional connectivity (FC) measures can be used to differentiate epileptogenic zones (EZs) from non-EZs in patients with medically refractory epilepsy. Little work has been done to evaluate the stability of stereo-EEG (SEEG) FC measures over time and their relationship with antiseizure medication (ASM) use, a critical confounder in epilepsy FC studies. We aimed to answer the following questions: Are SEEG FC measures stable over time? Are they influenced by ASMs? Are they affected by patient data collection state? METHODS: In 32 patients with medically refractory focal epilepsy, we collected a single 2-minute prospective SEEG resting-state (awake, eyes closed) data set and consecutive 2-minute retrospective pseudo-rest (awake, eyes open) data sets for days 1-7 postimplantation. ASM dosages were recorded for days 1-7 postimplantation and drug load score (DLS) per day was calculated to standardize and compare across patients. FC was evaluated using directed and nondirected measures. Standard clinical interpretation of ictal SEEG was used to classify brain regions as EZs and non-EZs. RESULTS: Over 7 days, presumed EZs consistently had higher FC than non-EZs when using between imaginary coherence (ImCoh) and partial directed coherence (PDC) inward strength, without accounting for DLS. These measures were demonstrated to be stable over a short-term period of 3 consecutive days with the same DLS. Between ImCoh FC differences between EZs and non-EZs were reduced with DLS decreases, whereas other measures were not affected by DLS. FC differences between EZs and non-EZs were seen during both resting-state and pseudo-rest conditions; ImCoh values were strongly correlated between the 2 conditions, whereas PDC values were not. DISCUSSION: Inward and nondirected SEEG FC is higher in presumed EZs vs non-EZs and measures are stable over time. However, certain measures may be affected by ASM dose, as between ImCoh differences between EZs and non-EZs are less pronounced with lower doses, and other measures such as PDC are poorly correlated across recording conditions. These findings allow novel insight into how SEEG FC measures may aid surgical localization and how they are influenced by ASMs and other factors.

Advanced Imaging in Psychiatric Neurosurgery: Toward Personalized Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to review several recent landmark studies discussing the application of advanced neuroimaging to guide target selection in deep brain stimulation (DBS) for psychiatric disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a PubMed literature search of articles related to psychiatric neurosurgery, DBS, diffusion tensor imaging, probabilistic tractography, functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and blood oxygen level-dependent activation. Relevant articles were included in the review. RESULTS: Recent advances in neuroimaging, namely the use of diffusion tensor imaging, probabilistic tractography, functional MRI, and positron emission tomography have provided higher resolution depictions of structural and functional connectivity between regions of interest. Applying these imaging modalities to DBS has increased understanding of the mechanism of action of DBS from the single structure to network level, allowed for new DBS targets to be discovered, and allowed for individualized DBS targeting for psychiatric indications. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced neuroimaging techniques may be especially important to guide personalized DBS targeting in psychiatric disorders such as treatment-resistant depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder where symptom profiles and underlying disordered circuitry are more heterogeneous. These articles suggest that advanced imaging can help to further individualize and optimize DBS, a promising next step in improving its efficacy.

Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Predictors of Treatment Success.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is highly effective in managing the neuropathic facial pain of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Its utility in patients with TN and concurrent multiple sclerosis (MS) has been a subject of debate. The goal of this study was to identify demographic and perioperative variables associated with favorable outcome after MVD over the past 20 years in patients from our institution. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of our cohort of 33 patients diagnosed with MS and TN who underwent MVD between 1997 and 2017 to treat neuropathic facial pain was performed. Perioperative variables included MS disease burden, findings on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), TN pain severity, and the presence of intraoperative neurovascular compression. MS disease burden was quantified using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Preoperative and postoperative pain severity was quantified using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain severity scale. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients with TN and MS were treated with MVD at our institution (out of the 632 total MVDs performed) between 1997 and 2017. Twenty-two patients (67%) maintained a reduction in pain at a mean follow-up of 53.5 months. Higher preoperative BNI pain intensity score was associated with unfavorable outcome after MVD (P = 0.006). No associations were identified between MS disease burden, presence of neurovascular compression or pontine demyelinating plaques on MRI, or intraoperative findings of neurovascular compression and treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: MVD is a reasonable treatment option for patients with TN and MS, although the rate of freedom from pain is lower than that for the general TN population. Preoperative pain severity may be a predictor of treatment success.

Novel method for stepwise reduction of traumatic thoracic spondyloptosis.

BACKGROUND: Spondyloptosis involving complete subluxation of spinal vertebrae resulting in permanent spinal cord damage is rarely caused by high-force trauma. Rapid re-stabilization of the spine is crucial for maximizing chances of neural recovery and can significantly improve the patient's quality of life. In this case study, we describe the challenges associated with the surgical management of traumatic thoracic spondyloptosis, and propose a novel, safe, step-wise, spinal reduction method employing an inflatable beanbag. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 17-year-old male fell 25 feet from a tree, resulting in anterior spondyloptosis at the T11/12 level. He presented with para plegia and a T11 sensory level to pin below the umbilicus. Surgical management involved a posterior-anterior-posterior approach with initial posterior decompression, then T12 corpectomy and reconstruction and finally pedicle screw fixation. We utilized an inflatable beanbag to realign the spinal column in a stepwise fashion, thereby minimizing the risk of damage to the surrounding structures, including the thecal sac and great vessels. Postoperatively, the patient regained some sensory function below his injury level of T11 but remained plegic. X-ray imaging confirmed successful spinal fusion. CONCLUSION: Early spinal realignment and stabilization following spondyloptosis at the T11/T12 level resulted in some improvement in sensory function without resolution of motor plegia. Here, we described how to utilize a novel beanbag reduction method to safely achieve stepwise spinal realignment.

History of Hemostasis in Neurosurgery.

Control of bleeding in the confined area of the skull is imperative for successful neurosurgery and the prevention of devastating complications such as postoperative hemorrhage. This paper reviews the historical evolution of methods to achieve successful hemostasis in neurosurgery from the early1800s to today. The major categories of hemostatic agents (mechanical, chemical and thermal) are delineated and discussed in chronological order. The significance of this article is in its detailed history of the kinds of hemostatic methods that have evolved with our accumulating medical and surgical knowledge, which may inform future innovations and improvements.

Surgical Management of Lumbosacral Giant Invasive Spinal Schwannoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Giant invasive spinal schwannomas (GISSs) comprise a rare, specific subtype of schwannomas that extend >2 spinal levels, erode vertebral bodies, and invade extraspinal tissues. Optimal surgical management of resulting spinal instability has yet to be determined, and overall there is limited published literature on GISS. We report an innovative method used to treat a rare case of lumbosacral GISS using a triangular frame reconstruction to reconnect the spinal column to the pelvis after tumor debulking. This method of using femur allograft in lieu of metal rods can promote stronger bony fusion of the construct. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 19-year-old woman presented with worsening lower back pain, which was due to a giant invasive spinal schwannoma that invaded the L4-S1 vertebral bodies and extended intrathecally from T10-S2, compromising the stability of her spine. The primary resection of the tumor was completed in 3 stages and was followed by a multilevel fusion involving a triangular construct made of femur allograft to reconnect the unstable spinal column with the pelvis. Maximal resection of the tumor was achieved with early rehabilitation. Pseudoarthrosis occurred, which was successfully fused after revision with the addition of an implanted bone stimulator. Seven years later, she remains in stable neurological condition. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the use of femur allograft in triangular frame constructs for lumbosacral GISS to foster more stable, physiologic spinopelvic fusion.