Higher-order interdependencies of the epileptogenic network in presurgical resting-state fMRI

Drug-resistant focal epilepsy, a complex brain network disorder, may benefit from advanced functional connectivity analysis prior to surgical intervention. By utilizing multivariate information theory in retrospective resting-state fMRI, researchers can determine the interdependencies between three or more epileptogenic regions.

This analysis reveals that many networks involve the epileptogenic zone are dominated by redundant information-sharing, which is predicted by stronger structural and functional connections between these regions.

Non-temporal lobe epilepsy patients exhibit greater redundancy and stronger comparative interdependencies compared to their temporal lobe counterparts. This finding aligns with a more intricate network architecture in non-temporal lobe epilepsy. In cases with postoperative follow-up, non-seizure-free patients demonstrate a greater positive O-information deviation score than those who have achieved seizure freedom. This suggests an elevated redundancy in networks associated with poorer surgical outcomes.

The study's findings indicate that S-information and O-information can serve as complementary higher-order descriptors of the epileptogenic network. By incorporating these measures into personalized presurgical assessments, clinicians may gain valuable insights into the complex interdependencies within these patients' brain networks. This could potentially enhance the success of surgical interventions in drug-resistant focal epilepsy.