Altered brain activity in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy with a monotherapy: a resting-state fMRI study

Abstract Background Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common syndrome of idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Although resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) studies have found thalamocortical circuit dysfunction in patients with JME, pathophysiological mechanism JME remains unclear. In this study, we used three complementary parameters rs-fMRI to investigate aberrant brain activity comparison that healthy controls. Methods Rs-fMRI and clinical data were acquired from 49 undergoing monotherapy 44 age- sex-matched After fMRI preprocessing, fractional amplitude low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), degree centrality (DC) calculated compared between two groups. Correlation analysis was conducted explore relationship local abnormalities features patients. Results Compared controls, exhibited significantly decreased fALFF, ReHo DC cerebellum, inferior parietal lobe, visual cortex (including fusiform lingual middle occipital gyri), increased right orbitofrontal cortex. patients, there no regions reduced No significant correlation observed or DC, features. Conclusions We demonstrated a wide range abnormal brains including prefrontal cortex, default mode network, cerebellum. The results suggest dysfunctions cerebello-cerebral circuits, which provide clue on potential pathogenesis JME.