NEUROPHYSIOLOGIE CLINIQUE-CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

Anatomical measurements and field modeling to assess transcranial magnetic stimulation motor and non-motor effects
Houde F, Butler R, St-Onge E, Martel M, Thivierge V, Descoteaux M, Whittingstall K and Leonard G
Explore how anatomical measurements and field modeling can be leveraged to improve investigations of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) effects on both motor and non-motor TMS targets.
Stereo electroencephalography in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Dionisio S, Althubaiti I, Aldosari M, Alsallom F, Alomar N, Babtain F, Alkhotani A, Baeesa S, Najjar A, Sabbagh A, Althani Z, Alotaibi F and Alqadi K
Epilepsy surgery and intracranial monitoring have a long history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, spanning over 30 years. Stereo-EEG however, is a more recent offering. In this short communication, we discuss how Stereo-EEG has grown in the context of the Kingdom's healthcare model and the Vision 2030 model. We discuss the various positives of this technique and methodology as well as the various challenges that the hospitals offering Stereo-EEG have faced.
A novel nomogram for predicting the prognosis of critically ill patients with EEG patterns exhibiting stimulus-induced rhythmic, periodic, or ictal discharges
Wang Y, Yang J, Wang W, Zhou X, Wang X, Luo J and Li F
To explore the factors associated with poor prognosis in critically ill patients with Electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns exhibiting stimulus-induced rhythmic, periodic, or ictal discharges (SIRPIDs), and to construct a prognostic prediction model.
Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on tinnitus modulation: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial: Effect of tDCS on tinnitus modulation: A clinical trial
Martins ML, Galdino MKC, Silva DSF, Valença ECD, Braz Dos Santos M, de Medeiros JF, Machado DGDS and da Rosa MRD
To evaluate the short and long-term effects of anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) targeting the left temporoparietal area (LTA) on tinnitus severity, annoyance, and loudness.
Classical, spaced, or accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation of motor cortex for treating neuropathic pain: A 3-arm parallel non-inferiority study
Mussigmann T, Bardel B, Casarotto S, Senova S, Rosanova M, Vialatte F and Lefaucheur JP
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) at high frequency (HF) is an effective treatment of neuropathic pain. The classical HF-rTMS protocol (CHF-rTMS) includes a daily session for one week as an induction phase of treatment followed by more spaced sessions. Another type of protocol without an induction phase and based solely on spaced sessions of HF-rTMS (SHF-rTMS) has also been shown to produce neuropathic pain relief. However, CHF-rTMS and SHF-rTMS of M1 have never been compared regarding their analgesic potential. Another type of rTMS paradigm, called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (ACC-iTBS), has recently been proposed for the treatment of depression, the other clinical condition for which HF-rTMS is proposed as an effective therapeutic strategy. ACC-iTBS combines a high number of pulses delivered in short sessions grouped into a few days of stimulation. This type of protocol has never been applied to M1 for the treatment of pain.
Multimodal and quantitative analysis of the epileptogenic zone network in the pre-surgical evaluation of drug-resistant focal epilepsy
Karimi-Rouzbahani H, Vogrin S, Cao M, Plummer C and McGonigal A
Surgical resection for epilepsy often fails due to incomplete Epileptogenic Zone Network (EZN) localization from scalp electroencephalography (EEG), stereo-EEG (SEEG), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Subjective interpretation based on interictal, or ictal recordings limits conventional EZN localization. This study employs multimodal analysis using high-density-EEG (HDEEG), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional-MRI (fMRI), and SEEG to overcome these limitations in a patient with drug-resistant MRI-negative focal epilepsy. A 17-year-old with drug-resistant epilepsy underwent evaluation. HDEEG, MEG, fMRI, and SEEG were used, with a novel HDEEG-cap facilitating simultaneous EEG-MEG and EEG-fMRI recordings. Electrical and magnetic source imaging were performed, and fMRI data were analysed for homogenous regions. SEEG analysis involved spike detection, spike timing analysis, ictal fast activity quantification, and Granger-based connectivity analysis. Non-invasive sessions revealed consistent interictal source imaging results identifying the EZN in the right anterior cingulate cortex. EEG-fMRI highlighted broader activation in the right cingulate cortex. SEEG analysis localized spikes and fast activity in the right anterior and posterior cingulate gyri. Multi-modal analysis suggested the EZN in the right frontal lobe, primarily involving the anterior and mid-cingulate cortices. Multi-modal non-invasive analyses can optimise SEEG implantation and surgical decision-making. Invasive analyses corroborated non-invasive findings, emphasising the importance of individual-case quantitative analysis across modalities in complex epilepsy cases.
The epileptogenic network concept: Applications in the SEEG exploration of lesional focal epilepsies
Bartolomei F
The advent of advanced brain imaging techniques has significantly enhanced the understanding and treatment of focal epilepsies, with identifiable brain lesions present in 80 % of cases. Despite this, surgical outcomes remain varied, often influenced by lesion type and location. Traditional lesion-centric approaches may overlook the complex organization of the epileptogenic zone (EZ), which often extends beyond the visible lesion, emphasizing the need for comprehensive presurgical evaluations like stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) in some cases. This article delves into the concept of epileptogenic networks, moving beyond the notion of a lesional epileptic focus. Through SEEG, three primary network types have been identified: the Epileptogenic Zone Network (EZN), characterized by regions with heightened epileptogenicity and seizure initiation; the Propagation Zone Network (PZN), involving regions with delayed and less intense epileptic activity; and Non-Involved networks (NI). Quantitative measures, such as the epileptogenicity index (EI), aid in delineating these networks, revealing that EZN can be focal or networked, with the latter being more prevalent. The relationship between epilepsy-associated lesions and network organization is complex. Intrinsically epileptogenic lesions, like focal cortical dysplasia and periventricular nodular heterotopias, often generate epileptiform activities but may still involve broader epileptogenic networks. Non-intrinsically epileptogenic lesions, such as cavernomas and post-stroke lesions, typically lack inherent neuronal activity but can facilitate the development of extensive epileptogenic networks. Understanding the intricacies of these networks is crucial for optimizing surgical interventions. Recognizing that lesions may represent just one node within a broader epileptogenic network underscores the importance of comprehensive SEEG evaluations to achieve better surgical outcomes.
F-waves responses derived from low-intensity electrical stimulation: A method to explore split-hand pathogenesis
Lopes M, Swash M and de Carvalho M
The "split-hand syndrome" is a common clinical sign in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), being characterized by more severe atrophy of the hand muscles on the radial side of the hand compared to the ulnar side. We aimed to investigate possible physiological differences between relevant hand muscles using low-intensity F-wave stimulation to assess spinal motoneuron excitability.
Twenty years of SIRPIDs: What have we learned?
Fong MWK and Hirsch LJ
Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system in gastro-esophageal reflux disease: Consequences for the cardiovascular system
Triki L, Gammoudi N, Chtourou L, Gallas S, Tahri N and Zouari HG
The pathophysiology of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) implicates autonomic dysregulation of the lower esophageal sphincter tone. Our goal is to investigate whether this dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) function observed in isolated GERD cases can affect other systems, such as cardiovascular regulation.
Transcranial MEPs predict clinical outcome during minimally invasive dorsal decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Komboz F, Kück F, Hernández-Durán S, Fiss I, Hautmann X, Mielke D, Rohde V and Abboud T
Motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring is a reliable method for real-time assessment of corticospinal tract integrity. However, the potential benefits of MEP monitoring during degenerative spine surgery remain controversial. This study aims to determine the role of MEP monitoring during surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in prediction of prognosis.
A neural signature for brain compensation in stroke with EEG and TMS: Insights from the DEFINE cohort study
Lacerda GJ, Pacheco-Barrios K, Barbosa SP, Marques LM, Battistella L and Fregni F
This study aimed to explore the relationships between potential neurophysiological biomarkers and upper limb motor function recovery in stroke patients, specifically focusing on combining two neurophysiological markers: electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Qualitative versus quantitative assessment of electroencephalography in cognitive decline: Comparison in a clinical population
Labidi J, Warniez A, Derambure P, Lebouvier T, Pasquier F, Delval A and Betrouni N
This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of visual assessment of electroencephalography (EEG) using the Grand Total EEG (GTE) score and quantitative EEG (QEEG) using spectral analysis in the context of cognitive impairment. This was a retrospective study of patients with mild cognitive impairment, with (MCI+V) or without (MCI) vascular dysfunction, and patients with dementia including Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body Dementia and vascular dementia. The results showed that the GTE is a simple scoring system with some potential applications, but limited ability to distinguish between dementia subtypes, while spectral analysis appeared to be a powerful tool, but its clinical development requires the use of artificial intelligence tools.
Atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation in a patient with vagus nerve stimulation
Benoit J, Squara F, Bourg V and Thomas P
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective neuromodulatory treatment for patients with drug resistant epilepsy who cannot undergo curative surgical resection. Safety information states that the use of radiofrequency ablation devices may damage the VNS generator and leads. However, documented cases are scarce. This 62-year-old patient with bitemporal lobe epilepsy treated with VNS underwent radiofrequency ablation of an atrial fibrillation without any perioperative or postoperative complications.
Exploring the effect of the nerve conduction distance on the MScanFit method ofmotor unit number estimation (MUNE)
Boran HE, Alaydin HC, Arslan I, Kocak OK, Kılınc H and Cengiz B
MScanFit motor unit number estimation (MUNE) is a sensitive method for detecting motor unit loss and has demonstrated high reproducibility in various settings. In this study, our aim was to assess the outputs of this method when the nerve conduction distance is increased.
Effects of home-based EEG neurofeedback training as a non-pharmacological intervention for Parkinson's disease
Cooke A, Hindle J, Lawrence C, Bellomo E, Pritchard AW, MacLeod CA, Martin-Forbes P, Jones S, Bracewell M, Linden DEJ and Mehler DMA
Aberrant movement-related cortical activity has been linked to impaired motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD). Dopaminergic drug treatment can restore these, but dosages and long-term treatment are limited by adverse side-effects. Effective non-pharmacological treatments could help reduce reliance on drugs. This experiment reports the first study of home-based electroencephalographic (EEG) neurofeedback training as a non-pharmacological candidate treatment for PD. Our primary aim was to test the feasibility of our EEG neurofeedback intervention in a home setting.
Posterior insula repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for chronic pain in patients with Parkinson disease - pain type matters: A double-blinded randomized sham-controlled trial
Barboza VR, Kubota GT, da Silva VA, Barbosa LM, Arnaut D, Rodrigues ALL, Galhardoni R, Barbosa ER, Brunoni AR, Teixeira MJ, Cury RG and de Andrade DC
Altered somatosensory processing in the posterior insula may play a role in chronic pain development and contribute to Parkinson disease (PD)-related pain. Posterior-superior insula (PSI) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been demonstrated to have analgesic effects among patients with some chronic pain conditions. This study aimed at assessing the efficacy of PSI-rTMS for treating PD-related pain.
Whole-brain simulation of interictal epileptic discharges for patient-specific interpretation of interictal SEEG data
Köksal-Ersöz E, Makhalova J, Yochum M, Bénar CG, Guye M, Bartolomei F, Wendling F and Merlet I
In patients with refractory epilepsy, the clinical interpretation of stereoelectroencephalographic (SEEG) signals is crucial to delineate the epileptogenic network that should be targeted by surgery. We propose a pipeline of patient-specific computational modeling of interictal epileptic activity to improve the definition of regions of interest. Comparison between the computationally defined regions of interest and the resected region confirmed the efficiency of the pipeline. This result suggests that computational modeling can be used to reconstruct signals and aid clinical interpretation.
Romberg's test revisited: Changes in classical and advanced sway metrics in patients with pure sensory neuropathy
Anagnostou E, Kouvli M, Karagianni E, Gamvroula A, Kalamatianos T, Stranjalis G and Skoularidou M
The Romberg test, undoubtedly a classical and well-established method in physical neurological assessment of patients with sensory ataxia, has long been suspected to be prone to several limitations. Here, we quantified upright stance before and after visual deprivation in a selected cohort of patients with pure sensory neuropathy.
Effects of high frequency rTMS on nociceptive pain in Parkinson's disease - Towards a personalized mechanism-based therapeutic approach
Ayache SS, Chalah MA and Mylius V
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Why does it matter for clinical neurophysiology?
McGonigal A and Tankisi H