Kakuro Aoyagi

Serial changes of prefrontal lobe growth in the patients with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes presenting with cognitive impairments/behavioral problems

Several studies have reported a higher incidence of learning and behavioral difficulties in association with frontal lobe dysfunctions in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS). We studied serial changes in frontal and prefrontal lobe volumes using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging in BCECTS with or without cognitive impairments and behavioral problems and evaluated correlations between prefrontal lobe growth and active seizure period. Serial changes in regional cerebral volumes were measured in two patients with cognitive impairments and behavioral problems (BCECTS(+)) and five patients without neuropsychiatric deficits (BCECTS(-)). Eleven normal subjects (4-13years old) served as controls. Volumes of the frontal and prefrontal lobes were determined using a workstation, and the prefrontal-to-frontal lobe volume ratio was calculated. Frontal and prefrontal lobe volumes revealed growth disturbance in BCECTS(+) compared with BCECTS(-) and control subjects. In addition, prefrontal-to-frontal lobe volume ratio increased serially in BCECTS(-) similarly to controls, but was stagnant or decreased in BCECTS(+). Prefrontal growth also revealed more rapid recovery in a BCECTS(+) patient with shorter active seizure period. These findings suggest that longer active seizure period as frequent spike-waves coupled with the occurrence of frequent seizures may be associated with prefrontal lobe growth disturbance, which relates to neuropsychological problems.

EEG characteristics predict subsequent epilepsy in children with febrile seizure.

The role of electroencephalography (EEG) in the work-up of febrile seizure (FS) remains controversial. We investigated the importance of EEG characteristics, especially the localizations of paroxysmal discharges, as predictors for subsequent epilepsy. Patients were referred from the outpatient department for EEG within 7-20 days after the seizure. EEGs were classified as paroxysmally abnormal based on the presence of spikes, sharp waves, or spike-wave complexes, whether focal or generalized, that were considered abnormal for age and state. Of 119 patients with FS, 26 (21.8%) revealed paroxysmal abnormality on EEG and 9 (7.6%) developed epilepsy. Of nine patients with later epilepsy, 6 (66.7%) revealed paroxysmal EEG abnormality. Of 26 patients with paroxysmal abnormality, 6 (23.1%) developed epilepsy. Of 10 patients with generalized paroxysmal spike and wave activity, one (10%) developed epilepsy. Of seven patients with rolandic discharge (RD), two (28.5%) developed epilepsy. Of four patients with paroxysms in the frontal region, three (75%) developed epilepsy. Of five patients with paroxysms in the occipital region, none developed epilepsy. Compared with generalized EEG foci, the relative risk (RR) for patients with frontal EEG foci was 27.0. Patients with frontal EEG paroxysms had a significantly higher risk of developing epilepsy than those with paroxysms in other regions of EEG foci (p=0.035). These findings suggest that patients with FS presenting with frontal paroxysmal EEG abnormalities may be at risk for epilepsy. In patients with frontal paroxysmal EEG abnormalities, serial EEG should be performed, even though it does not contribute to treatment.

Do sequential EEG changes predict atypical clinical features in rolandic epilepsy

Aim  Although the prognosis for rolandic epilepsy is regarded to be favourable, a small proportion of cases that initially present as rolandic epilepsy evolve into atypical benign partial epilepsy (ABPE) of childhood. The purpose of our study was to determine electroencephalogram (EEG) criteria in relation to atypical seizure manifestations, and cognitive and behavioural problems in rolandic epilepsy.

Developmental changes in frontal lobe function during a verbal fluency task: A multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy study

OBJECTIVE Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is commonly used to investigate continuous changes of brain activation and has excellent time resolution. Verbal fluency task (VFT) is widely used as a neuropsychological test of frontal lobe function. The aim of this study was to investigate normal developmental change in frontal lobe function during VFT performance using multi-channel NIRS, specifically focusing on oxygenation hemoglobin (oxyHb) changes. METHODS The subjects were 9 adults and 37 childrens who were all healthy right-handed volunteers. Children were divided into four age groups (group A, 6-8 years; group B, 9-11 years; group C, 12-14 years; group D, 15-18 years). The [oxyHb] changes were measured with 22 channels of NIRS during VFT. We defined the frontopolar region as the region of interest for analysis, and calculated the Z-score to compare the data between groups. RESULTS The task performance changed with age. There were significant differences between group A and other groups. The Z-score of [oxyHb] also significantly increased with age, when comparing adults to groups A and B. The task performances decreased with time in all groups. In contrast, [oxyHb] only continued to increase in the adult group. CONCLUSION The verbal retrieval functions begin to mature in early adolescence and continue to grow up to adulthood.

Sequential prefrontal lobe volume changes and cognitive dysfunctions in children with Panayiotopoulos syndrome presenting with status epilepticus

Panayiotopoulos syndrome (PS) is usually not associated with neurodevelopmental problems. However, neuropsychological impairments may also be present in at least some of the patients with PS. On the other hand, several degrees of neuronal damage due to status epilepticus (SE) may occur in the cortex. We prospectively measured frontal and prefrontal lobe volumes using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D-MRI)-based volumetry in patients with PS with and without SE. Moreover, the neuropsychological outcome in relation to the presence of SE in children with PS is also discussed. We studied six patients with a final diagnosis of PS, including three cases with SE and cognitive impairments/behavioral problems (SE group) and three cases without SE (non-SE group). Serial 3D-MRI studies were performed five times (at onset of clinical symptoms and 1-4 years after onset) in both the SE and non-SE patients. All patients were studied with a set of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, version III (WISC-III) or Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence tests and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). Growth of the frontal and prefrontal lobes was slightly decreased for some time after SE episodes in the SE patients. Moreover, the prefrontal-to-frontal lobe volume ratio was stagnant for some time after SE in the SE patients. The scores on the neuropsychological tests were decreased in the SE patients. Moreover, the average WISC and K-ABC scores in the SE group remained low and did not reach the levels of the initial examinations. Occurrence of SE in patients with PS at least in some patients may be associated with retarded prefrontal lobe growth, which was related to neuropsychological problems and ultimately, neuropsychological outcomes. Treatment management may be required to prevent SE as much as possible to achieve optimal prognosis in PS at least in some patients.

Duration of recognized fever in febrile seizure predicts later development of epilepsy.

Background:  The current report examines the risk of and predictors for developing epilepsy in children with febrile seizure (FS). The present study addresses two factors that were previously identified as predictors of recurrent FS in previous reports: maximum temperature and duration of fever prior to the initial FS.

Developmental changes in autonomic emotional response during an executive functional task: A pupillometric study during Wisconsin card sorting test

OBJECTIVE The autonomic nervous system has a deep relationship with the cognitive network when performing cognitive tasks. We hypothesize that autonomic emotional responses can affect cognitive function, especially executive function. The aim of this study was to clarify the involvement of the autonomic system during an executive functional task via developmental changes assessed using pupillometry. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Subjects were 16 healthy children and 9 healthy adults. Children were divided into 3 groups (Group A, 7-9years; Group B, 10-14years; Group C, 15-17years). Pupil diameter was recorded using an eye mark recorder during cognitive shift (CS) during the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). The rate of pupil variations was integrated and compared within each group, focusing on performance during CS. RESULTS Categories achieved (CA) in the behavioral results of WCST increased with age, with significant differences between Group A and other groups. The change of pupillary diameter was increased with CS and decreased at the correct answers after CS in adults. Changes of pupillary diameter with CS showed a linear increase with age, and the pattern of the pupillary response at the age of 10-14years was comparable to adults. The integrated rate of pupil diameter with CS increased with age, and there was a significant difference between Group A and adults. In addition, the degree of mydriasis correlated with the number of CA. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that autonomic emotional response play an important role as a part of the process for executive function.

Developmental changes in autonomic responses are associated with future reward/punishment expectations: A study of sympathetic skin responses in the Markov decision task

OBJECTIVE Autonomic nervous system activity is recognized as a major component of emotional responses. Future reward/punishment expectations depend upon the process of decision making in the frontal lobe, which is considered to play an important role in executive function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between autonomic responses and decision making during reinforcement tasks using sympathetic skin responses (SSR). METHODS Nine adult and 9 juvenile (mean age, 10.2years) volunteers were enrolled in this study. SSRs were measured during the Markov decision task (MDT), which is a reinforcement task. In this task, subjects must endure a small immediate loss to ultimately get a large reward. The subjects had to undergo three sets of tests and their scores in these tests were assessed and evaluated. RESULTS All adults showed gradually increasing scores for the MDT from the first to third set. As the trial progressed from the first to second set in adults, SSR appearance ratios remarkably increased for both punishment and reward expectations. In comparison with adults, children showed decreasing scores from the first to second set. There were no significant inter-target differences in the SSR appearance ratio in the first and second set in children. In the third set, the SSR appearance ratio for reward expectations was higher than that in the neutral condition. CONCLUSIONS In reinforcement tasks, such as MDT, autonomic responses play an important role in decision making. We assume that SSRs are elicited during efficient decision making tasks associated with future reward/punishment expectations, which demonstrates the importance of autonomic function. In contrast, in children around the age of 10years, the autonomic system does not react as an organized response specific to reward/punishment expectations. This suggests the immaturity of the future reward/punishment expectations process in children.

57. Developmental changes of oxy-Hb concentration during “rock, paper, scissors” task assessed by multi-channel NIRS

Objectives: Here we to investigate cognitive impairments reflected by partial omission mismatch negativity (MMN) aberration in schizophrenia. Methods: We recorded EEG during event-related functional MRI (fMRI) followed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in 13 healthy volunteers and 12 schizophrenic patients. The fMRI data was analyzed on SPM08 and blood oxygenation level-dependent signals (BOLD) signal changes were calculated in region of interest analysis using MarsBaR software. In DTI analysis, the areas significantly deteriorated in patients compared to controls were detected with tract-based spatial statistics. Fractional anisotropy (FA) in white matter fibers related to each area was compared between groups using tract-specific analysis. The clinical manifestation in the patients was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Results: A significant correlation was founded among data for each recording modality: EEG, fMRI and DTI. In particular, a correlation between FA in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and EEG/fMRI data was significant. The correlation analysis with SPM revealed a significant correlation between FA of the left ACC and BOLD activity in the left Heschl gyrus. Conclusion: Dysfunction of the left ACC and temporal lobe may specifically contribute to the MMN aberration in schizophrenia.

28. The development of mind and the frontal lobe function

The aim of this study was to study interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) after bilateral (bil-task) and right finger extension tasks (rttask). Participants were 16 healthy adults. The IHI was studied before and after the finger extension tasks (bil-task and rt-task) by paired-pulse technique with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). MEPs were recorded with surface electrodes placed over the right extensor digitorum communis (EDC). The intensities of both condition and test stimuli were set at 120% of the resting motor threshold. The condition stimulus was applied to the right M1, and the test stimulus was applied to the left M1.The condition-test interval was set at 10 and 15 ms. The IHI ratio was obtained by mean conditioned MEP amplitude/mean test MEP amplitude. The IHI ratio increased significantly after bil-task and the increment lasted for 30 min. The IHI ratio also increased after rt-task, however, the increment did not last for 30 min. Our results suggest that the IHI is more disinhibited after the bilateral finger movements than the unilateral finger movements.