| Objective:To investigate the characteristic and neural basis of the alerting network function in patient with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) by performing the attentional networks test (ANT) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).Methods:12 patients with TLE and 8 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the computerize ANT software were performed in the patient and controls, to evaluate intelligence and record the reaction time (RT). Block design fMRI was used to acquire resource data by an adapted ANT alerting network test used as target stimulus. Image analysis was performed using statistical parameter mapping 2 (SPM2).Results:The alerting network reaction time was no significant difference between the TLE group(50.5±37.1ms) and the healthy control group (53.0±18.7ms, t=-0.25, P>0.05). The fMRI shows the controls had evident activation of right occipital lobe, cerebellum, right frontal lobe, limbic lobe,temporal lobe and brain stem when the controls performed the alerting network task. Compared with the controls, the patients had less activation in the above encephalic region (P<0.01). Conclusions:The alerting network function of the controls maybe correlated with the encephalic region of right occipital lobe, cerebellum, right frontal lobe, brain stem and temporal lobe. The TLE patients have alerting network deficiency. The decreased activation of right occipital lobe, cerebellum, right frontal lobe, brain stem and temporal lobe is the neural basis of alerting network impairment of TLE patients. |
