ABSTRACT
Using simultaneous EEG-correlated functional MRI (EEG-fMRI), we studied the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals in a juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) patient with interictal epileptiform discharges. Extensive and symmetric activation and deactivation areas were assessed in bilateral hemispheric regions respectively, and these signals decreased gradually from the parieto-occipital region to the frontal region. Activations were found in cuneus, insulae, mesial midfrontal region, midline and bilateral cerebellum and thalamus, while the deactivities were in the bilateral anterior frontal region and parietal region as well as the posterior cingulate gyri. These findings suggest that the synchronized neuronal activities represented by spike and wave complex in EEG be reflected in the activation of BLOD signals in thalamocortical regions. However, those regions of deactivation reflect the suspension of the default state of brain function resulting indirectly from this discharge. There is good correspondence between neuronal activity (EEG) and fMRI. The combination of EEG and fMRI is a powerful tool in studying brain function.