Brain Scan Shows Thalamus Changes During Drop Seizures

Source: Brain & development

Summary

This case report looked at brain blood flow during myoclonic-atonic seizures in one child. The patient was a 3-year-old boy who had normal development but later developed frequent seizures that caused sudden jerks and drops. Doctors used a brain scan called SPECT during and between seizures, along with EEG and MRI-based image comparison, to see which brain areas were more or less active.

During seizures, the scans showed increased blood flow in parts of the right side of the brain involved in movement and nearby temporal areas. At the same time, both thalami, deep brain structures that help relay signals, showed decreased blood flow. After treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone, the child’s seizures came under control, and these blood flow differences were no longer seen between seizures.

This matters because it gives a clue that myoclonic-atonic seizures may involve not only the brain’s outer movement areas but also the thalamus. That could help researchers better understand how these seizures happen. But this was only one child, so the findings may not apply to everyone with this type of epilepsy.

Original source