Abstract
Progressive gray matter volume reductions beyond the epileptogenic area has been described in temporal lobe epilepsy. There is less evidence regarding correlations between gray and white matter volume changepres and multi-domain cognitive performance in this setting. We aimed to investigate correlations between volume changes in parietal structures and visuospatial performance in temporal lobe epilepsy patients. we performed a cross-sectional study comparing global and regional brain volume data from 34 temporal lobe epilepsy patients and 30 healthy controls. 3D T1-weighted sequences were obtained on a 3.0 T magnet, and data were analyzed using age and sex-adjusted linear regression models. Global and regional brain volumes and cortical thickness in patients were correlated with standardized visual memory, visuoperceptual, visuospatial, and visuoconstructive parameters obtained in a per-protocol neuropsychological assessment. temporal lobe epilepsy patients had smaller volume fractions of the deep gray matter structures, putamen and nucleus accumbens, and larger cerebrospinal fluid volume fraction than controls. Correlations were found between: 1) visual memory and precuneus and inferior parietal cortical thickness; 2) visuoperceptual performance and precuneus and supramarginal white matter volumes; 3) visuospatial skills and precuneus, postcentral, and inferior and superior parietal white matter volumes; 4) visuoconstructive performance and inferior parietal white matter volume. Brain volume loss is widespread in temporal lobe epilepsy. Volumetric reductions in parietal lobe structures were associated with visuoperceptual cognitive performance.
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Anonymized data that support the findings of this study are available from the authors on reasonable request.
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The authors thank Celine Cavallo for English language support.
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This study was supported by a predoctoral grant in Neuroscience by Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno. This funding source was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, writing of the report, or submission for publication.
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Author contributions included conception and study design (EF, SS, DP and MT), data collection or acquisition (EF, SS, DP, ES, LA and CT), statistical analysis (EF and MQ), interpretation of results (EF, MQ, SS and DP), drafting the manuscript work or revising it critically for important intellectual content (EF, SS, DP, MT, AR, MT) and approval of final version to be published and agreement to be accountable for the integrity and accuracy of all aspects of the work (all authors).
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E. Fonseca declares research funding and honoraria from UCB Pharma, Esteve laboratorios, Eisai Inc, GW Pharmaceuticals, Angelini Pharma and Sanofi Genzyme. E. Santamarina declares research funding and speaking fees from UCB Pharma, BIAL Pharmaceutical, EISAI Inc. and Esteve laboratorios. L. Abraira declares research funding and speaking fees from UCB Pharma, BIAL Pharmaceutical, EISAI Inc., Sanofi Genzyme and Esteve laboratorios. I. Seijo declares research funding from UCB Pharma, Neuraxpharm and GW pharmaceuticals. M. Toledo declares research funding and speaking fees from UCB Pharma, BIAL Pharmaceutical, EISAI Inc., GW Pharmaceuticals, Arvelle Therapeutics, Angelini Pharma and Esteve laboratorios. S. Sarria, D. Pareto, M. Turon, M. Quintana, C. Tortajada and A. Rovira have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Graphical visualization of some of the most representative correlations between cognitive performance and cortical thickness and WM volume in both left and right TLE patients groups. These graphs show worse cognitive performance in TLE patients with lower cortical thickness and lower WM volume. JLO, Judgement of line orientation test; ROCF-DR, delayed recall of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure; ROCF-IR, immediate recall of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure; TLE, temporal lobe epilepsy; VOT, Hooper visual organization test; WM, white matter (PNG 558 kb)
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Fonseca, E., Sarria-Estrada, S., Pareto, D. et al. Relationship between visuoperceptual functions and parietal structural abnormalities in temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain Imaging and Behavior 17, 35–43 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-022-00738-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-022-00738-2