Evaluation of the thalamus volume and cortical thickness in patients with epilepsy and determining the relationship of these measurements with the clinical variables of the disease

Tugce Guven Ekiz; Ozlem Akdogan; Ece Ates Kus; Aygul Tantik Pak; Ufuk Emre Toprak

doi:10.54029/2025fdh

Authors

Tugce Guven Ekiz Department of Neurology, University of Health Sciences , İstanbul Training and Research Hospital https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7295-3685
Ozlem Akdogan Department of Neurology, University of Health Sciences , İstanbul Training and Research Hospital https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8656-4581
Ece Ates Kus Department of Radiology, University of Health Sciences , İstanbul Training and Research Hospital https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8175-4052
Aygul Tantik Pak Department of Neurology, University of Health Sciences , Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7414-3800
Ufuk Emre Toprak Department of Neurology, University of Health Sciences , İstanbul Training and Research Hospital https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1650-3935

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54029/2025fdh

Keywords:

epilepsy, cortex, thalamus, MRI metrics

Abstract

Background & Objectives: The influence of cortical firing neurons and subcortical structures, especially thalamic networks, has a role in the formation and continuity of epileptic seizure activities. In our study, bilateral thalamus volume and cortex thickness from different regions (frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital) were measured in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients diagnosed with epilepsy (PWE)and compared with the healthy control (HC) group. The relationship between the obtained findings and clinical variables of PWEs is intended to be evaluated.

Methods: Our study was designed as a retrospective cross-sectional study. Between January 2018 and December 2020, 62 PWE were diagnosed by specialist physicians in the neurology outpatient clinic, and 42HC groups were included in the study. Thalamus volume and cortical thickness of frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital regions were measured by an experienced neuroradiologist and neurologist using a 1.5TMRI device from the 3-DT1sequence of brain MRI examinations of all participants. The measurements of MRI metrics in PWE and HC groups were compared.

Results: The mean age of the PWE were35.7±12.162, and the mean age of the HC was35.7±11.0. The two groups were similar in age (p=0.842) and gender (p=0.812) distribution. Bilateral thalamus volumes (p<0.001) and cortical thickness (p<0.001) of PWE were found to be lower compared to the HC group. As the disease duration of PWE increased, there was a significant decrease in bilateral thalamus volüme (p<0.001) and temporal cortical thickness (p<0.001). In the group with high seizure frequency, there was a significant decrease in bilateral thalamus volüme (p<0.001) and a significant reduction in temporal cortical thickness (right temporal p=0.040; left temporal p=0.013). As MRImetrics were compared according to seizure type in the PWE group, right frontal cortex (p=0.043), bilateral parietal cortex (p=0.033, p=0.022), left occipital cortex thickness (p=0.031) were found to be lower in patients with focal seizures compared to patients with generalised seizures.

Conclusions: In this study, bilateral thalamus volume and cortical thickness were significantly lower in PWE than in the HC group.

Evaluation of the thalamus volume and cortical thickness in patients with epilepsy and determining the relationship of these measurements with the clinical variables of the disease

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