Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study Of Correlation Between Alerting Network Function Impairment And Right Uncinate Fasciculus In Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Of Different Courses

[Purpose]:This study aimed to investigate the correlation with uncinate fascicles changes and the characteristic of the alerting network function in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE) by performing the attentional networks test(ANT) and Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).Then we investigated the influence of the course on right uncinate fascicles changes and the alerting network function.[Method]:24 patients with TLE are divided into long course group(> 5 years), short course group (≤5years), and 14 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. The computerize ANT software were performed in the patients and controls, to evaluate intelligence and record the reaction time(RT). Then all the subjects underwent MRI scans for the whole brain DTI. And the DTI data processing software package is provided by DtiStudio-latest-x86 software library. Comparisons among groups of the right uncinate fascicles changes by FA.Then try to find out the correlation with right uncinate fascicles changes and the characteristic of the alerting network function in patients with TLE.All statistical analyzes were using SPSS 16.0, when P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.[Results]:1.Comparison of FA value between normal control group and short course TLE group:p<0.05; Comparison of FA value between normal control group and long course TLE group:p<0.05; Comparison of FA value between short course TLE group and long course TLE group:p<0.05.2.Comparison of ANT index(alerting) between short course TLE group and long course TLE group:p<0.05;Comparison of ANT index(alerting) between long course TLE group and normal control group:p<0.05; Comparison of ANT index(alerting) between short course TLE group and normal control group: p>0.05.3. Whether it is a short course TLE group and long course TLE group, or even to increase the sample size mix two groups of cases analysis, it seems no obvious correlation between FA of uncinate fascicle and ANT index(alerting).[Conclusion]:(1) Compared with the healthy controls, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy show different levels decline on FA values of right uncinate fascicles,means that the uncinate fascicles damages of long course are more serious than the short one.(2) TLE patients may get functional damages on alerting network,and the extent of damage gradually increase with the course possibily. (3) By now there is no evidence to show correlation between right uncinate fascicles changes and the characteristic of the alerting network function in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.