First observation in a human of real-time BOLD-fMRI response to epileptic seizure

Motivation: While the potential of fMRI to localize the seizure onset zone (SOZ) and epileptic networks has been widely described, BOLD response to an epileptic seizure has not been previously reported. Goal(s): To provide the first description of the real-time BOLD response to an epileptic seizure and characterize its evolution with respect to the timeseries of the SOZ. Approach: We applied independent component analysis and cross-correlation on resting-state fMRI data acquired during a seizure in a patient with temporal epilepsy. Results: The SOZ BOLD peaked after ~19s from seizure onset. A simultaneous propagation network was identified. Other brain networks had anti-correlated and delayed evolution. Impact: This is the first description of real-time BOLD response to an in-scanner epileptic seizure in a human and improves our knowledge on the mechanisms of brain function following such events.