Contributions of neuroimaging to understand childhood epileptic encephalopathies

Abstract

Childhood epileptic encephalopathies (CEE) are often characterized by abnormal brain development in which epileptic electrical discharges may contribute to cognitive deficits, behavioral disturbances, or psychomotor dysfunction. Electroencephalography (EEG) is the primary diagnostic imaging tool used by care providers in order to observe the aggressive paroxysmal activity that manifests from CEE. Though EEG is an effective diagnostic tool, it provides limited insight into the etiology and pathophysiology that can be obtained through other imaging techniques. The aim of this paper is to review current neuroimaging techniques, such as intracranial EEG, magnetoencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography and discuss how they complement EEG findings and contribute to our understanding of CEE. In addition, we address the value of imaging techniques in defining and predicting cognitive changes in CEE.