Keynote Series: Dr. Luis Concha and his road to uncover the mysteries of temporal lobe epilepsy
By Alejandra Lopez-Castro
Epilepsy, a condition affecting millions globally, presents a captivating and intricate puzzle for researchers and medical professionals alike. How does this neurological disorder, characterized by recurrent seizures, impact cognitive abilities and daily life? Let's delve into the world of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) and explore the latest findings shedding light on its effects.
A closer look at the brain
The temporal lobe — a vital region responsible for auditory processing, memory storage, and language comprehension — plays a pivotal role in our cognitive functions. When abnormal electrical activity disrupts this area, seizures can occur, affecting these essential functions. How does TLE differ from other forms of epilepsy, and why is it challenging to treat with conventional medication?
The intricacies of TLE and cognitive impairments
TLE, a prevalent form of epilepsy in adults, can significantly impact cognitive abilities, leading to a spectrum of impairments that vary in severity. How do these impairments manifest in daily life, and what are the implications for individuals living with TLE?
To comprehend the intricate interplay between brain structure and cognitive abilities in TLE, researchers like Mexican neuroscientist Dr. Luis Concha have embarked on groundbreaking studies exploring the multi-dimensional associations between cognitive performance and structural network topology. To better understand the effects of TLE on the brain, they use a variety of imaging techniques, like structural and functional MRI connectivity analysis. MRI allows researchers to visualize the brain's structure and identify any abnormalities, such as changes in the hippocampus and other important brain areas. Connectivity analysis, on the other hand, helps researchers understand how different regions of the brain communicate with each other.
The researchers observed an increasing gradient of abnormalities, with greater cortical and subcortical atrophy and less efficient white matter connectome organization in patients with increasing degrees of cognitive impairments. They also discovered disruptions in the functional networks between and within the default mode network (DMN) and task-positive networks, which were associated with cognitive performance. The DMN is a network of brain regions that are active when a person is not focused on a specific task, such as when they are daydreaming or engaged in introspective thought. Task-positive networks, on the other hand, are brain regions that are active when a person is focused on a specific task, such as working memory or attention.
The study found that during the working memory task, TLE patients showed abnormal activity in the fronto-parietal regions of the brain, which are involved in working memory.
The researchers also found alterations in seed-based connectivity analyses, which are used to identify the functional connections between different regions of the brain. The study showed that as cognitive impairments increased, the brain's structure and function became more abnormal. This included changes in the size and shape of brain regions, as well as disruptions in the connections between them. Finally, they found that the organization of the brain's networks was a better predictor of cognitive performance than the size and shape of individual brain regions. This suggests that the way the brain's networks are organized plays a crucial role in determining cognitive abilities. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the complex relationships between brain structure and function in TLE. By understanding these relationships, researchers can better develop treatments and therapies to improve the lives of individuals with TLE.
So for all these reasons, we invite you to follow Dr. Concha's work. And of course, attend his keynote presentation at OHBM 2024.
Sources
Fajardo-Valdez A, Camacho-Téllez V, Rodríguez-Cruces R, García-Gomar ML, Pasaye EH, Concha L (2024) Functional correlates of cognitive performance and working memory in temporal lobe epilepsy: Insights from task-based and resting-state fMRI. PLoS ONE 19(3): e0295142. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295142
Rodríguez-Cruces R, Bernhardt BC, Concha L. Multidimensional associations between cognition and connectome organization in temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuroimage. 2020 Jun;213:116706. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116706. Epub 2020 Mar 6. PMID: 32151761.
If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Concha’s research, check out our interview with him here.
