Altered resting state networks in epileptic patients with generalized tonic–clonic seizures

Recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have demonstrated that the resting state networks (RSNs) are impaired in various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the changes in the functional architecture of the RSNs in idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients with generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCS). Resting state fMRI data were acquired from 16 GTCS patients and 16 healthy subjects. The data were acquired during interictal without combined EEG confirmation. Functional connectivity among the RSNs was examined using individual-based independent component analysis. Six RSNs were identified in both the GTCS and control groups. Compared with the healthy subjects, decreased functional connectivity in the self-referential, somatosensory, visual, and auditory networks, and both the decreased and increased functional connectivities in the classic default-mode and dorsal attention networks were found in the GTCS patients. Furthermore, the present study revealed a negative correlation between the seizure duration and functional connectivity changes in the medial prefrontal cortex in the GTCS patients. These results indicate that there are impairments in the RSNs and possible reorganization of the default-mode network and dorsal attention network in patients with GTCS. Our findings may also suggest that the medial prefrontal cortex and its associated network play a role in the development of GTCS.