The ENIGMA‐Epilepsy working group: Mapping disease from large data sets

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common and serious neurological disorder, with many different constituent conditions characterized by their electro clinical, imaging, and genetic features.MRI has been fundamental in advancing our understanding of brain processes in the epilepsies. Smaller-scale studies have identified many interesting imaging phenomena, with implications both for understanding pathophysiology and improving clinical care.

In response to ‘Volume loss and altered neuronal composition in the brainstem reticular zone may not cause sudden unexpected death in epilepsy’

“…We concur with the authors that seizure networks and underlying epilepsy causes (lesional or genetic) influence patterns of cortical and subcortical atrophy, exemplified in the ENIGMA-consortium meta-analysis of MRI data from 2149 epilepsy patients [3], which is now addressing structural alterations specific to SUDEP [4]. Of relevance, few in vivo MRI studies (including ENIGMA and the smaller studies referenced [5][6][7]) have addressed volume changes in the brainstem in epilepsies or the pathological correlates of 'volume loss', an essential element to ascertaining disease process and cellular mechanisms.…”

Network-based atrophy modeling in the common epilepsies: A worldwide ENIGMA study

“…The current work tested the hypothesis that brain network architecture governs whole-brain atrophy in TLE and IGE. Cortical and subcortical gray matter atrophy patterns were mapped across 19 international sites via ENIGMA-Epilepsy ( 27 ). We also leveraged the HCP dataset to derive high-resolution structural and functional normative brain networks.…”

Emerging Trends in Neuroimaging of Epilepsy

“…In this context, Open Science 47 collaborative efforts are expected to catalyze translation of advanced analytic methods. A leading example is the ENIGMA-Epilepsy consortium, 48 which has used meta- and mega-analyses to assess group-level morphology, 49 microstructure, and network models 50 of structural compromise across thousands of patients. Knowledge derived from these large-scale studies is expected to set the basis of novel, clinically applicable individualized disease biomarkers.…”