Brain Maturation in Children With Localization Related Epilepsy (DYNAMAT)

This project intends to investigate children with idiopathic and cryptogenic localization related epilepsies, using a longitudinal assessment of structural and functional MRI data, in relation to neuropsychological evaluation. The rationale is primarily based on: 1) the frequent observation of selective cognitive dysfunctions in such children, the pathophysiology of which remains largely uncertain; 2) the recent major advances in the MRI investigation of brain maturation showing striking age and region dependant patterns. The primary hypothesis is that some children with localization related epilepsies suffer from altered maturation in the epileptic brain regions, and that this abnormal maturation affects their cognitive abilities. 100 children with localization related epilepsies and 100 matched controls will be prospectively enrolled during the first two years of the disease (for patients) and benefit from a comprehensive phenotypic and neuropsychological evaluation once a year for 5 years. The brain maturation of these children will be longitudinally assessed using structural and functional MRI, and correlated with neuropsychological data. Investigators hope to demonstrate that children with localization related epilepsies and cognitive dysfunctions suffer from an abnormal brain maturation in regions underlying the epileptic activity and the altered cognitive processes. The finding could partly bridge the gap between these two abnormalities and help better understand their interaction and respective dynamic. Once validated, the study of regional brain maturation in children with epilepsy might be further used as a reliable surrogate marker or predictor of associated cognitive dysfunction.

Benign Childhood Epilepsy With Centro-temporal Spikes (BCECTS), Focal Cryptogenic Epilepsy of Childhood, Cryptogenic Epilepsy of Childhood

Benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes, rolandic epilepsy, brain development, DTI, functional MRI, structural MRI, idiopathic focal epilepsy, cryptogenic epilepsy of childhood

Patients are investigated with the following sequences: High-resolution 3D T1-weighted anatomical MRI. DTI with 48 directions (to examine white matter)

fMRI investigations will be focused on : language: investigation on possible atypical language networks in children with epilepsy. The fMRI task is a silent verb generation. Social cognition: investigations on social cognition skills Memory : Declarative memory: investigations on the pattern of activations in the brain associated with successful memory formation and changes from childhood to adolescence Working memory: A verbal and a spatial working memory task has been chosen, and is an adaptation of two published cross-sectional studies of working memory from Gabrieli and Sowell groups.

Patients undergo a repeated annual neuropsychological assessment over the five years of their participation in the project.

The aim is to evaluate structural brain maturation. All subjects will benefit from a 3D-T1 1,5 Tesla MRI and 48-directions Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). We will calculate parametric maps of individual regional changes of grey/white matter fractions over time. This study aims to detect a significant difference in the rate of grey/white matter volume change over the epileptic region. We will further correlate a number of neuropsychological and clinical variables with the parametric maps of brain maturation. There will be annual measures up to 5 years after inclusion.

The aim is to evaluate functional brain maturation of language. All subjects will benefit from the functional MRI (fMRI) evaluation of the cognitive tasks. Changes in fMRI activation over time will be studied at the group level, taking into account all potentially relevant variables. This outcomme will be assessed at year 1, 3 and 5 after inclusion.

The aim is to evaluate functional Brain Maturation of social cognition. All subjects will benefit from the functional MRI (fMRI) evaluation of the cognitive tasks. Changes in fMRI activation over time will be studied at the group level, taking into account all potentially relevant variables. This outcomme will be assessed at year 1, 3 and 5 after inclusion.

The aim is to evaluate Functional Brain Maturation of Working memory. All subjects will benefit from the functional MRI (fMRI) evaluation of the cognitive tasks. Changes in fMRI activation over time will be studied at the group level, taking into account all potentially relevant variables. This outcomme will be assessed at year 1, 3 and 5 after inclusion.

The aim is to evaluate Functional Brain Maturation of declarative memory. All subjects will benefit from the functional MRI (fMRI) evaluation of the cognitive tasks. Changes in fMRI activation over time will be studied at the group level, taking into account all potentially relevant variables. This outcomme will be assessed at year 1, 3 and 5 after inclusion.

Inclusion Criteria: motivation to participate in the study for 5 years for patients - one of the following diagnostics - BCECTS (benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes), focal cryptogenic epilepsy of childhood, Panayiotopoulos syndrome, diagnosis established according to the current diagnostic criteria (ILAE, 1989) for patients - no anti-epileptic drug for 24 months normal MRI if available before inclusion signed consent by on of the parents Exclusion Criteria: associated neurological and psychiatric diseases other epileptic syndromes other chronic severe disease contra-indication for performing an MRI examination claustrophobia