Interictal electroencephalographic functional network topology in drug?resistant and well?controlled idiopathic generalized epilepsy

Objective The study aim was to compare interictal encephalographic (EEG) functional network topology between people with well-controlled idiopathic generalized epilepsy (WC-IGE) and drug-resistant IGE (DR-IGE). Methods Nineteen participants WC-IGE, 18 DR-IGE, 20 controls underwent a resting state, 64-channel EEG. An artifact-free epoch bandpass filtered into the frequency range of high low extended alpha. Weighted connectivity matrices were calculated. Mean degree, degree distribution variance, characteristic path length (L), clustering coefficient, small world index (SWI), betweenness centrality measured. A Kruskal–Wallis H-test assessed effects across groups. Where significant differences found, Bonferroni-corrected Mann–Whitney pairwise comparisons Results In alpha band (6–9 Hz), there difference in L at three-group level (p < .0001). This lower than both WC-IGE DR-IGE .0001 for both), no DR-IGE. = .031), variance .032), SWI .023) differed three groups (10–12 Hz). .029 higher compared .038), other comparisons. Significance is more regular band, potentially reflecting vulnerable structure. different from band. may reflect drug-induced changes that have stabilized by rendering it less likely synchronize. These results are potential importance advancing understanding mechanisms drug resistance as possible basis biomarker