ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether resting state-fMRI (RS-fMRI) based on local consistency (ReHo), am?plitude low-frequency fluctuate (ALFF) and fALFF can add meaningful information on preoperative localization of epilepto?genic zone in patients with malformations of cortical development (MCD). Methods Ten epilepsy patients with MCD were studied with RS-fMRI using a 3.0 T scanner. The resting state data were preprocessed and analyzed using SPM8 and REST to generate the activation map. Abnormal ReHo, ALFF and fALFF related blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal changes were compared to video EEG (VEEG),PET,MRI findings and the final result of a comprehensive evaluation-de?fined epileptogenic zone. For operated patients, postoperative resection and histology were compared to BOLD responses. Re?sults The results of spike localization of RS-fMRI were consistent with VEEG, PET, MRI findings and final comprehensive evaluation-defined epileptogenic zone in 6, 8, 6, 7 of 10 investigations. Six operated patients (including two negative results of MRI examination) revealed local abnormal changes but not visible on structural MRI, which was confirmed cortical malfor?mations by pathology after operation (2 heterotopia and 4 cortical dysplasia). Conclusion RS-fMRI may help to delineate the epileptic focus in epilepsy patients with MCD.