Neuroimaging of genetic generalized epilepsies (GGE): New insights into underlying mechanisms

Abstract

While our knowledge of the causes and mechanisms underlying focal epilepsies has evolved with the development of epilepsy surgery, our understanding of the mechanisms is still lagging. Functional and structural neuroimaging studies of human Genetic Generalized Epilepsies (GGE) from the past two decades has provided important insights into alteration of gray matter volume, microstructural integrity and functional connectivity associated with GGE. However, there is still a need for correlation of neuroimaging with pathology and electrophysiology to corroborate proposed mechanisms, which may be best served by animal models, such as the rodent and baboon models of GGE.