[Utility of Presurgical Evaluation Using Stereoelectroencephalography(SEEG)].

Precise localization of the "epileptogenic zone(EZ)" is the goal of presurgical investigations in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Intracranial electroencephalography recordings are required when noninvasive evaluation results are not consistent. Although subdural grid electrodes(SDG)have been widely used in Japan, stereoelectroencephalography(SEEG)has been recently introduced. The principle of SEEG is based on anatomo-electro-clinical correlations to investigate surgical hypotheses that are primarily driven by the analysis of seizure semiology as well as other noninvasive investigations. The most important element of the SEEG methodology is to formulate preimplantation electrode trajectories considering the anatomo-electro-clinical correlations of epileptic seizures. If the preimplantation hypotheses are insufficient or incorrect, SEEG recordings will not identify the EZ. A detailed analysis of seizure semiology with respect to anatomo-electro-clinical correlates, particularly including various deep structures, such as the insular, operculum, and cingulate cortex, forms the basis of the implantation strategy for SEEG. The strategy of implantation is not to map the lobes/lobules but the epileptic networks, which usually involve multiple lobes, indicating that the theory of SEEG is completely different from that of SDG. Herein, we introduce the basics of SEEG, especially presurgical evaluations, with a representative case presentation.

Mesial temporal resection following long-term ambulatory intracranial EEG monitoring with a direct brain-responsive neurostimulation system.

OBJECTIVE: To describe seizure outcomes in patients with medically refractory epilepsy who had evidence of bilateral mesial temporal lobe (MTL) seizure onsets and underwent MTL resection based on chronic ambulatory intracranial EEG (ICEEG) data from a direct brain-responsive neurostimulator (RNS) system. METHODS: We retrospectively identified all patients at 17 epilepsy centers with MTL epilepsy who were treated with the RNS System using bilateral MTL leads, and in whom an MTL resection was subsequently performed. Presumed lateralization based on routine presurgical approaches was compared to lateralization determined by RNS System chronic ambulatory ICEEG recordings. The primary outcome was frequency of disabling seizures at last 3-month follow-up after MTL resection compared to seizure frequency 3 months before MTL resection. RESULTS: We identified 157 patients treated with the RNS System with bilateral MTL leads due to presumed bitemporal epilepsy. Twenty-five patients (16%) subsequently had an MTL resection informed by chronic ambulatory ICEEG (mean = 42 months ICEEG); follow-up was available for 24 patients. After MTL resection, the median reduction in disabling seizures at last follow-up was 100% (mean: 94%; range: 50%-100%). Nine patients (38%) had exclusively unilateral electrographic seizures recorded by chronic ambulatory ICEEG and all were seizure-free at last follow-up after MTL resection; eight of nine continued RNS System treatment. Fifteen patients (62%) had bilateral MTL electrographic seizures, had an MTL resection on the more active side, continued RNS System treatment, and achieved a median clinical seizure reduction of 100% (mean: 90%; range: 50%-100%) at last follow-up, with eight of fifteen seizure-free. For those with more than 1 year of follow-up (N = 21), 15 patients (71%) were seizure-free during the most recent year, including all eight patients with unilateral onsets and 7 of 13 patients (54%) with bilateral onsets. SIGNIFICANCE: Chronic ambulatory ICEEG data provide information about lateralization of MTL seizures and can identify additional patients who may benefit from MTL resection.

Connectivity in ictal single photon emission computed tomography perfusion: a cortico-cortical evoked potential study.

Subtraction ictal and interictal single photon emission computed tomography can demonstrate complex ictal perfusion patterns. Regions with ictal hyperperfusion are suggested to reflect seizure onset and propagation pathways. The significance of ictal hypoperfusion is not well understood. The aim of this study was to verify whether ictal perfusion changes, both hyper- and hypoperfusion, correspond to electrically connected brain networks. A total of 36 subtraction ictal and interictal perfusion studies were analysed in 31 consecutive medically refractory focal epilepsy patients, evaluated by stereo-electroencephalography that demonstrated a single focal onset. Cortico-cortical evoked potential studies were performed after repetitive electrical stimulation of the ictal onset zone. Evoked responses at electrode contacts outside the stimulation site were used as a measure of connectivity. The evoked responses at these electrodes were compared to ictal perfusion values noted at these locations. In 67% of studies, evoked responses were significantly larger in hyperperfused compared to baseline-perfused areas. The majority of hyperperfused contacts also had significantly increased evoked responses relative to pre-stimulus electroencephalogram. In contrast, baseline-perfused and hypoperfused contacts mainly demonstrated non-significant evoked responses. Finally, positive significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found between perfusion scores and evoked responses in 61% of studies. When the stimulated ictal onset area was hyperperfused, 82% of studies demonstrated positive significant correlations. Following stimulation of hyperperfused areas outside seizure onset, positive significant correlations between perfusion changes and evoked responses could be seen, suggesting bidirectional connectivity. We conclude that strong connectivity was demonstrated between the ictal onset zone and hyperperfused regions, while connectivity was weaker in the direction of baseline-perfused or hypoperfused areas. In trying to understand a patient's epilepsy, one should consider the contribution of all hyperperfused regions, as these are likely not random, but represent an electrically connected epileptic network.

Detection of generalized tonic-clonic seizures using surface electromyographic monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective multicenter phase III trial was undertaken to evaluate the performance and tolerability in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) of an investigational wearable surface electromyographic (sEMG) monitoring system for the detection of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCSs). METHODS: One hundred ninety-nine patients with a history of GTCSs who were admitted to the EMU in 11 level IV epilepsy centers for clinically indicated video-electroencephalographic monitoring also received sEMG monitoring with a wearable device that was worn on the arm over the biceps muscle. All recorded sEMG data were processed at a central site using a previously developed detection algorithm. Detected GTCSs were compared to events verified by a majority of three expert reviewers. RESULTS: For all subjects, the detection algorithm detected 35 of 46 (76%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61-0.87) of the GTCSs, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.03 and a mean false alarm rate (FAR) of 2.52 per 24 h. For data recorded while the device was placed over the midline of the biceps muscle, the system detected 29 of 29 GTCSs (100%, 95% CI = 0.88-1.00), with a detection delay averaging 7.70 s, a PPV of 6.2%, and a mean FAR of 1.44 per 24 h. Mild to moderate adverse events were reported in 28% (55 of 199) of subjects and led to study withdrawal in 9% (17 of 199). These adverse events consisted mostly of skin irritation caused by the electrode patch that resolved without treatment. No serious adverse events were reported. SIGNIFICANCE: Detection of GTCSs using an sEMG monitoring device on the biceps is feasible. Proper positioning of this device is important for accuracy, and for some patients, minimizing the number of false positives may be challenging.

Brain-responsive neurostimulation in patients with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the seizure-reduction response and safety of mesial temporal lobe (MTL) brain-responsive stimulation in adults with medically intractable partial-onset seizures of mesial temporal lobe origin. METHODS: Subjects with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) were identified from prospective clinical trials of a brain-responsive neurostimulator (RNS System, NeuroPace). The seizure reduction over years 2-6 postimplantation was calculated by assessing the seizure frequency compared to a preimplantation baseline. Safety was assessed based on reported adverse events. RESULTS: There were 111 subjects with MTLE; 72% of subjects had bilateral MTL onsets and 28% had unilateral onsets. Subjects had one to four leads placed; only two leads could be connected to the device. Seventy-six subjects had depth leads only, 29 had both depth and strip leads, and 6 had only strip leads. The mean follow-up was 6.1 ± (standard deviation) 2.2 years. The median percent seizure reduction was 70% (last observation carried forward). Twenty-nine percent of subjects experienced at least one seizure-free period of 6 months or longer, and 15% experienced at least one seizure-free period of 1 year or longer. There was no difference in seizure reduction in subjects with and without mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), bilateral MTL onsets, prior resection, prior intracranial monitoring, and prior vagus nerve stimulation. In addition, seizure reduction was not dependent on the location of depth leads relative to the hippocampus. The most frequent serious device-related adverse event was soft tissue implant-site infection (overall rate, including events categorized as device-related, uncertain, or not device-related: 0.03 per implant year, which is not greater than with other neurostimulation devices). SIGNIFICANCE: Brain-responsive stimulation represents a safe and effective treatment option for patients with medically intractable epilepsy, including patients with unilateral or bilateral MTLE who are not candidates for temporal lobectomy or who have failed a prior MTL resection.

Brain-responsive neurostimulation in patients with medically intractable seizures arising from eloquent and other neocortical areas.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the seizure-reduction response and safety of brain-responsive stimulation in adults with medically intractable partial-onset seizures of neocortical origin. METHODS: Patients with partial seizures of neocortical origin were identified from prospective clinical trials of a brain-responsive neurostimulator (RNS System, NeuroPace). The seizure reduction over years 2-6 postimplantation was calculated by assessing the seizure frequency compared to a preimplantation baseline. Safety was assessed based on reported adverse events. Additional analyses considered safety and seizure reduction according to lobe and functional area (e.g., eloquent cortex) of seizure onset. RESULTS: There were 126 patients with seizures of neocortical onset. The average follow-up was 6.1 implant years. The median percent seizure reduction was 70% in patients with frontal and parietal seizure onsets, 58% in those with temporal neocortical onsets, and 51% in those with multilobar onsets (last observation carried forward [LOCF] analysis). Twenty-six percent of patients experienced at least one seizure-free period of 6 months or longer and 14% experienced at least one seizure-free period of 1 year or longer. Patients with lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 77% reduction, LOCF) and those with normal MRI findings (45% reduction, LOCF) benefitted, although the treatment response was more robust in patients with an MRI lesion (p = 0.02, generalized estimating equation [GEE]). There were no differences in the seizure reduction in patients with and without prior epilepsy surgery or vagus nerve stimulation. Stimulation parameters used for treatment did not cause acute or chronic neurologic deficits, even in eloquent cortical areas. The rates of infection (0.017 per patient implant year) and perioperative hemorrhage (0.8%) were not greater than with other neurostimulation devices. SIGNIFICANCE: Brain-responsive stimulation represents a safe and effective treatment option for patients with medically intractable epilepsy, including adults with seizures of neocortical onset, and those with onsets from eloquent cortex.

Lateralization of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with chronic ambulatory electrocorticography.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with suspected mesial temporal lobe (MTL) epilepsy typically undergo inpatient video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring with scalp and/or intracranial electrodes for 1 to 2 weeks to localize and lateralize the seizure focus or foci. Chronic ambulatory electrocorticography (ECoG) in patients with MTL epilepsy may provide additional information about seizure lateralization. This analysis describes data obtained from chronic ambulatory ECoG in patients with suspected bilateral MTL epilepsy in order to assess the time required to determine the seizure lateralization and whether this information could influence treatment decisions. METHODS: Ambulatory ECoG was reviewed in patients with suspected bilateral MTL epilepsy who were among a larger cohort with intractable epilepsy participating in a randomized controlled trial of responsive neurostimulation. Subjects were implanted with bilateral MTL leads and a cranially implanted neurostimulator programmed to detect abnormal interictal and ictal ECoG activity. ECoG data stored by the neurostimulator were reviewed to determine the lateralization of electrographic seizures and the interval of time until independent bilateral MTL electrographic seizures were recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-two subjects were implanted with bilateral MTL leads and followed for 4.7 years on average (median 4.9 years). Independent bilateral MTL electrographic seizures were recorded in 84%. The average time to record bilateral electrographic seizures in the ambulatory setting was 41.6 days (median 13 days, range 0-376 days). Sixteen percent had only unilateral electrographic seizures after an average of 4.6 years of recording. SIGNIFICANCE: About one third of the subjects implanted with bilateral MTL electrodes required >1 month of chronic ambulatory ECoG before the first contralateral MTL electrographic seizure was recorded. Some patients with suspected bilateral MTL seizures had only unilateral electrographic seizures. Chronic ambulatory ECoG in patients with suspected bilateral MTL seizures provides data in a naturalistic setting, may complement data from inpatient video-EEG monitoring, and can contribute to treatment decisions.

Posterior cingulate epilepsy: clinical and neurophysiological analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Posterior cingulate epilepsy (PCE) is misleading because the seizure onset is located in an anatomically deep and semiologically silent area. This type of epilepsy is rare and has not been well described yet. Knowledge of the characteristics of PCE is important for the interpretation of presurgical evaluation and better surgical strategy. The purpose of this study was to better characterise the clinical and neurophysiological features of PCE. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included seven intractable PCE patients. Six patients had postcingulate ictal onset identified by stereotactic EEG (SEEG) evaluations. One patient had a postcingulate tumour. We analysed clinical semiology, the scalp EEG/SEEG findings and cortico-cortical evoked potential (CCEP). RESULTS: The classifications of scalp EEG were various, including non-localisible, lateralised to the seizure onset side, regional parieto-occipital, regional frontocentral and regional temporal. Three of seven patients showed motor manifestations, including bilateral asymmetric tonic seizures and hypermotor seizures. In these patients, ictal activities spread to frontal (lateral premotor area, orbitofrontal cortex, supplementary motor area, anteior cingulate gyrus) and parietal (precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, inferior parietal lobule (IPL), postcentral gyrus) areas. Four patients showed dialeptic seizures or automotor seizures, with seizure spread to medial temporal or IPL areas. CCEP was performed in four patients, suggesting electrophysiological connections from the posterior cingulate gyrus to parietal, temporal, mesial occipital and mesial frontal areas. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the network from the posterior cingulate gyrus and the semiology of PCE (motor manifestation vs dialeptic/automotor seizure) varies depending upon the seizure spread patterns.

Two-year seizure reduction in adults with medically intractable partial onset epilepsy treated with responsive neurostimulation: final results of the RNS System Pivotal trial.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of responsive stimulation at the seizure focus as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the frequency of seizures in adults with medically intractable partial onset seizures arising from one or two seizure foci. METHODS: Randomized multicenter double-blinded controlled trial of responsive focal cortical stimulation (RNS System). Subjects with medically intractable partial onset seizures from one or two foci were implanted, and 1 month postimplant were randomized 1:1 to active or sham stimulation. After the fifth postimplant month, all subjects received responsive stimulation in an open label period (OLP) to complete 2 years of postimplant follow-up. RESULTS: All 191 subjects were randomized. The percent change in seizures at the end of the blinded period was -37.9% in the active and -17.3% in the sham stimulation group (p = 0.012, Generalized Estimating Equations). The median percent reduction in seizures in the OLP was 44% at 1 year and 53% at 2 years, which represents a progressive and significant improvement with time (p < 0.0001). The serious adverse event rate was not different between subjects receiving active and sham stimulation. Adverse events were consistent with the known risks of an implanted medical device, seizures, and of other epilepsy treatments. There were no adverse effects on neuropsychological function or mood. SIGNIFICANCE: Responsive stimulation to the seizure focus reduced the frequency of partial-onset seizures acutely, showed improving seizure reduction over time, was well tolerated, and was acceptably safe. The RNS System provides an additional treatment option for patients with medically intractable partial-onset seizures.

Effective connectivity relates seizure outcome to electrode placement in responsive neurostimulation.

Responsive neurostimulation is a closed-loop neuromodulation therapy for drug resistant focal epilepsy. Responsive neurostimulation electrodes are placed near ictal onset zones so as to enable detection of epileptiform activity and deliver electrical stimulation. There is no standard approach for determining the optimal placement of responsive neurostimulation electrodes. Clinicians make this determination based on presurgical tests, such as MRI, EEG, magnetoencephalography, ictal single-photon emission computed tomography and intracranial EEG. Currently functional connectivity measures are not being used in determining the placement of responsive neurostimulation electrodes. Cortico-cortical evoked potentials are a measure of effective functional connectivity. Cortico-cortical evoked potentials are generated by direct single-pulse electrical stimulation and can be used to investigate cortico-cortical connections in vivo. We hypothesized that the presence of high amplitude cortico-cortical evoked potentials, recorded during intracranial EEG monitoring, near the eventual responsive neurostimulation contact sites is predictive of better outcomes from its therapy. We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients in whom cortico-cortical evoked potentials were obtained during stereoelectroencephalography evaluation and subsequently underwent responsive neurostimulation therapy. We studied the relationship between cortico-cortical evoked potentials, the eventual responsive neurostimulation electrode locations and seizure reduction. Directional connectivity indicated by cortico-cortical evoked potentials can categorize stereoelectroencephalography electrodes as either receiver nodes/in-degree (an area of greater inward connectivity) or projection nodes/out-degree (greater outward connectivity). The follow-up period for seizure reduction ranged from 1.3-4.8 years (median 2.7) after responsive neurostimulation therapy started. Stereoelectroencephalography electrodes closest to the eventual responsive neurostimulation contact site tended to show larger in-degree cortico-cortical evoked potentials, especially for the early latency cortico-cortical evoked potentials period (10-60 ms period) in six out of 12 patients. Stereoelectroencephalography electrodes closest to the responsive neurostimulation contacts (≤5 mm) also had greater significant out-degree in the early cortico-cortical evoked potentials latency period than those further away (≥10 mm) (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant correlation was noted between in-degree cortico-cortical evoked potentials and greater seizure reduction with responsive neurostimulation therapy at its most effective period (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that functional connectivity determined by cortico-cortical evoked potentials may provide additional information that could help guide the optimal placement of responsive neurostimulation electrodes.

Multilayer brain networks can identify the epileptogenic zone and seizure dynamics.

Seizure generation, propagation, and termination occur through spatiotemporal brain networks. In this paper, we demonstrate the significance of large-scale brain interactions in high-frequency (80-200Hz) for the identification of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) and seizure evolution. To incorporate the continuity of neural dynamics, here we have modeled brain connectivity constructed from stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) data during seizures using multilayer networks. After introducing a new measure of brain connectivity for temporal networks, named multilayer eigenvector centrality (mlEVC), we applied a consensus hierarchical clustering on the developed model to identify the EZ as a cluster of nodes with distinctive brain connectivity in the ictal period. Our algorithm could successfully predict electrodes inside the resected volume as EZ for 88% of participants, who all were seizure-free for at least 12 months after surgery. Our findings illustrated significant and unique desynchronization between EZ and the rest of the brain in the early to mid-seizure. We showed that aging and the duration of epilepsy intensify this desynchronization, which can be the outcome of abnormal neuroplasticity. Additionally, we illustrated that seizures evolve with various network topologies, confirming the existence of different epileptogenic networks in each patient. Our findings suggest not only the importance of early intervention in epilepsy but possible factors that correlate with disease severity. Moreover, by analyzing the propagation patterns of different seizures, we demonstrate the necessity of collecting sufficient data for identifying epileptogenic networks.

Parieto-frontal network in humans studied by cortico-cortical evoked potential.

Parieto-frontal network is essential for sensorimotor integration in various complex behaviors, and its disruption is associated with pathophysiology of apraxia and visuo-spatial disorders. Despite advances in knowledge regarding specialized cortical areas for various sensorimotor transformations, little is known about the underlying cortico-cortical connectivity in humans. We investigated inter-areal connections of the lateral parieto-frontal network in vivo by means of cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs). Six patients with epilepsy and one with brain tumor were studied. With the use of subdural electrodes implanted for presurgical evaluation, network configuration was investigated by tracking the connections from the parietal stimulus site to the frontal site where the maximum CCEP was recorded. It was characterized by (i) a near-to-near and distant-to-distant, mirror symmetric configuration across the central sulcus, (ii) preserved dorso-ventral organization (the inferior parietal lobule to the ventral premotor area and the superior parietal lobule to the dorsal premotor area), and (iii) projections to more than one frontal cortical sites in 56% of explored connections. These findings were also confirmed by the standardized parieto-frontal CCEP connectivity map constructed in reference to the Jülich cytoarchitectonic atlas in the MNI standard space. The present CCEP study provided an anatomical blueprint underlying the lateral parieto-frontal network and demonstrated a connectivity pattern similar to non-human primates in the newly developed inferior parietal lobule in humans.

Magnetoencephalography's higher sensitivity to epileptic spikes may elucidate the profile of electroencephalographically negative epileptic seizures.

Video electroencephalography (EEG) plays an important role in judging whether a clinical spell is an epileptic seizure or paroxysmal event, but its interpretation is not always straightforward. If clinical events without EEG correlates are strongly suggestive of seizures, we usually regard these spells as epileptic seizures. However, the electric/magnetic physiological profile of EEG-negative epileptic seizures remains unknown. We describe a 19-year-old man known to have epileptic seizures, in which both magnetoencephalography (MEG)-unique and EEG/MEG spikes were seen. Both types of spikes originated from the same source, but the EEG/MEG spikes were of significantly higher magnitude than the MEG-unique spikes. Therefore, some epileptic seizures, even though generated identically to the MEG-positive seizures, could be EEG-negative because of their smaller magnitude.

The Efficacy and Use of a Pocket Card Algorithm in Status Epilepticus Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a pocket card treatment algorithm improves the early treatment of status epilepticus and to assess its utilization and retention in clinical practice. METHODS: Multidisciplinary care teams participated in video-recorded status epilepticus simulation sessions from 2015 to 2019. In this longitudinal cohort study, we examined the sessions recorded before and after introducing an internally developed, guideline-derived pocket card to determine differences in the adequacy or timeliness of rescue benzodiazepine. Simulation participants were queried 9 months later for submission of a differentiating identification number on each card to assess ongoing availability and utilization. RESULTS: Forty-four teams were included (22 before and 22 after the introduction of the pocket card). The time to rescue therapy was shorter for teams with the pocket card available (84 seconds [64-132]) compared with teams before introduction (144 seconds [100-162]) (U = 94; median difference = -46.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -75.9 to -21.9). The adequate dosing did not differ with card availability (odds ratio 1.48, 95% CI: 0.43-5.1). At the 9-month follow-up, 32 participants (65%) completed the survey, with 26 (81%) self-reporting having the pocket card available and 11 (34%) confirming ready access with the identification number. All identification numbers submitted corresponded to the hard copy laminated pocket card, and none to the electronic version. CONCLUSIONS: A pocket card is a feasible, effective, and worthwhile educational tool to improve the implementation of updated guidelines for the treatment of status epilepticus.

Validation of semi-automated anatomically labeled SEEG contacts in a brain atlas for mapping connectivity in focal epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG) has been widely used to explore the epileptic network and localize the epileptic zone in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. Accurate anatomical labeling of SEEG electrode contacts is critically important for correctly interpreting epileptic activity. We present a method for automatically assigning anatomical labels to SEEG electrode contacts using a 3D-segmented cortex and coregistered postoperative CT images. METHOD: Stereotactic electroencephalography electrode contacts were spatially localized relative to the brain volume using a standard clinical procedure. Each contact was then assigned an anatomical label by clinical epilepsy fellows. Separately, each contact was automatically labeled by coregistering the subject's MRI to the USCBrain atlas using the BrainSuite software and assigning labels from the atlas based on contact locations. The results of both labeling methods were then compared, and a subsequent vetting of the anatomical labels was performed by expert review. RESULTS: Anatomical labeling agreement between the two methods for over 17 000 SEEG contacts was 82%. This agreement was consistent in patients with and without previous surgery (P = .852). Expert review of contacts in disagreement between the two methods resulted in agreement with the atlas based over manual labels in 48% of cases, agreement with manual over atlas-based labels in 36% of cases, and disagreement with both methods in 16% of cases. Labels deemed incorrect by the expert review were then categorized as either in a region directly adjacent to the correct label or as a gross error, revealing a lower likelihood of gross error from the automated method. SIGNIFICANCE: The method for semi-automated atlas-based anatomical labeling we describe here demonstrates potential to assist clinical workflow by reducing both analysis time and the likelihood of gross anatomical error. Additionally, it provides a convenient means of intersubject analysis by standardizing the anatomical labels applied to SEEG contact locations across subjects.

The FAST graph: A novel framework for the anatomically-guided visualization and analysis of cortico-cortical evoked potentials.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral electroencephalography (iEEG) using stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) methodology for epilepsy surgery gives rise to complex data sets. The neurophysiological data obtained during the in-patient period includes categorization of the evoked potentials resulting from direct electrical cortical stimulation such as cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs). These potentials are recorded by hundreds of contacts, making these waveforms difficult to quickly interpret over such high-density arrays that are organized in three dimensional fashion. NEW METHOD: The challenge in analyzing CCEPs data arises not just from the density of the array, but also from the stimulation of a number of different intracerebral sites. A systematic methodology for visualization and analysis of these evoked data is lacking. We describe the process of incorporating anatomical information into the visualizations, which are then compared to more traditional plotting techniques to highlight the usefulness of the new framework. RESULTS: We describe here an innovative framework for sorting, registering, labeling, ordering, and quantifying the functional CCEPs data, using the anatomical labelling of the brain, to provide an informative visualization and summary statistics which we call the "FAST graph" (Functional-Anatomical STacked area graphs). The FAST graph analysis is used to depict the significant CCEPs responses in patient with focal epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: The novel plotting approach shown here allows us to visualize high-density stimulation data in a single summary plot for subsequent detailed analyses. Improving the visual presentation of complex data sets aides in enhancing the clinical utility of the data.

Nine-year prospective efficacy and safety of brain-responsive neurostimulation for focal epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of brain-responsive neurostimulation in adults with medically intractable focal onset seizures (FOS) over 9 years. METHODS: Adults treated with brain-responsive neurostimulation in 2-year feasibility or randomized controlled trials were enrolled in a long-term prospective open label trial (LTT) to assess safety, efficacy, and quality of life (QOL) over an additional 7 years. Safety was assessed as adverse events (AEs), efficacy as median percent change in seizure frequency and responder rate, and QOL with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-89) inventory. RESULTS: Of 256 patients treated in the initial trials, 230 participated in the LTT. At 9 years, the median percent reduction in seizure frequency was 75% (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed rank), responder rate was 73%, and 35% had a ≥90% reduction in seizure frequency. We found that 18.4% (47 of 256) experienced ≥1 year of seizure freedom, with 62% (29 of 47) seizure-free at the last follow-up and an average seizure-free period of 3.2 years (range 1.04-9.6 years). Overall QOL and epilepsy-targeted and cognitive domains of QOLIE-89 remained significantly improved (p < 0.05). There were no serious AEs related to stimulation, and the sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) rate was significantly lower than predefined comparators (p < 0.05, 1-tailed χ2). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive brain-responsive neurostimulation provides significant and sustained reductions in the frequency of FOS with improved QOL. Stimulation was well tolerated; implantation-related AEs were typical of other neurostimulation devices; and SUDEP rates were low. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00572195. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that brain-responsive neurostimulation significantly reduces focal seizures with acceptable safety over 9 years.

Electrocorticography and functional mapping.

Brain mapping is often critical to the success of epilepsy and brain tumor surgeries. Mapping the cerebral cortex can be performed either extraoperatively or intraoperatively. When considering the optimal venue for a particular patient, a number of important considerations need to be considered including: the intended goals for the mapping, patient factors, anesthetic effects, stimulation parameters, cortical functions of interest, as well as the mapping modalities being considered. In this chapter, we will cover electrocorticography, cortical somatosensory evoked potentials, and the various neurophysiologic techniques used to map sensorimotor and cognitive functions, including language. One of the main uses of electrocorticography in epilepsy surgery is to map the cortical regions associated with epileptiform activity. This information is used to plan resection boundaries. Electrocorticography can also be used to monitor for afterdischarges (ADs) during direct cortical stimulation as well as for mapping high-frequency activity during various cognitive tasks. Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials can identify the central sulcus by mapping the dipolar activation of the primary somatosensory cortex that results from stimulation of the large fiber somatosensory pathway by peripheral nerve stimulation. Motor, sensory, and language cortex can also be identified by direct electrical cortical stimulation.

Scalable and Robust Tensor Decomposition of Spontaneous Stereotactic EEG Data.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of networks from resting brain signals is an important step in understanding the dynamics of spontaneous brain activity. We approach this problem using a tensor-based model. METHODS: We develop a rank-recursive scalable and robust sequential canonical polyadic decomposition (SRSCPD) framework to decompose a tensor into several rank-1 components. Robustness and scalability are achieved using a warm start for each rank based on the results from the previous rank. RESULTS: In simulations we show that SRSCPD consistently outperforms the multi-start alternating least square (ALS) algorithm over a range of ranks and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), with lower computation cost. When applying SRSCPD to resting in-vivo stereotactic EEG (SEEG) data from two subjects with epilepsy, we found components corresponding to default mode and motor networks in both subjects. These components were also highly consistent within subject between two sessions recorded several hours apart. Similar components were not obtained using the conventional ALS algorithm. CONCLUSION: Consistent brain networks and their dynamic behaviors were identified from resting SEEG data using SRSCPD. SIGNIFICANCE: SRSCPD is scalable to large datasets and therefore a promising tool for identification of brain networks in long recordings from single subjects.

Motor and somatosensory evoked potentials are well maintained in patients given dexmedetomidine during spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Many commonly used anesthetic agents produce a dose-dependent amplitude reduction and latency prolongation of evoked responses, which may impair diagnosis of intraoperative spinal cord injury. Dexmedetomidine is increasingly used as an adjunct for general anesthesia. Therefore, the authors tested the hypothesis that dexmedetomidine does not have a clinically important effect on somatosensory and transcranial motor evoked responses. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were enrolled and underwent spinal surgery with instrumentation during desflurane and remifentanil anesthesia with dexmedetomidine as an anesthetic adjunct. Upper- and lower-extremity transcranial motor evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials were recorded during four defined periods: baseline without dexmedetomidine; two periods with dexmedetomidine (0.3 and 0.6 ng/ml), in a randomly determined order; and a final period 1 h after drug discontinuation. The primary outcomes were amplitude and latency of P37/N20, and amplitude, area under the curve, and voltage threshold for transcranial motor evoked potential stimulation. RESULTS: Of the total, data from 30 patients were evaluated. Use of dexmedetomidine, as an anesthetic adjunct, did not have an effect on the latency or amplitude of sensory evoked potentials greater than was prespecified as clinically relevant, and though the authors were unable to claim equivalence on the amplitude of transcranial motor evoked responses due to variability, recordings were made throughout the study in all patients. CONCLUSION: Use of dexmedetomidine as an anesthetic adjunct at target plasma concentrations up to 0.6 ng/ml does not change somatosensory or motor evoked potential responses during complex spine surgery by any clinically significant amount.