Changes in Interictal Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Epilepsy / 대한간질학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cerebral hemodynamic changes during interictal period in patients with epilepsy, we investigated changes in cerebral blood flow velocities by transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). METHODS: Blood flow velocities and pulsatility indecies were measured in both anterior cerebral arteries, middle cerebral arteries, posterior cerebral arteries, internal carotid arteries, and basilar artery using TCD in 21 patients with epilepsy and 21 age and sex matched normal adults. We also evaluated the effects of seizure type, seizure frequency, EEG findings, and anticonvulsant medication on cerebral blood flow velocities. RESULTS: The blood flow velocities of cerebral arteries were decreased in patients, but the pulsatility indecies weren't different. Cerebral blood flow velocities were influenced by seizure type, EEG findings, or anticonvulsant medication. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that cerebral blood flow velocities might be decreased during interictal period in patients with epilepsy, and suggests that TCD is an useful method for the investigation of the cerebral hemodynamic changes in epilepsy.