Graph theoretical characterization and tracking of the effective neural connectivity during episodes of mesial temporal epileptic seizure

Abstract

Via a detailed case study of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, we show that a method of determining the direction of information flow among signals is able to provide focal localization via the simultaneous analysis of multiple EEG channels. This determination is accomplished by representing information flow direction via directed graphs, where focal electrodes are associated with high observed rates of pertinence to strongly connected subgraphs. Further clinical support to this finding is provided by results for an additional 9 cases of focal epilepsy cases. The graph theoretical approach is a tool for describing and analyzing the effective connectivity dynamics behind epileptic seizures and may provide a common language for studying other complex dynamic relationships between neural structures.