Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) affects about one-third of epilepsy patients, with generalized-onset seizures such as tonic-clonic, absence, or myoclonic seizures. Despite antiseizure drug treatment, up to 27% of patients continue to experience seizures, highlighting the need for new therapies. IGE is increasingly understood as a brain network disorder, but the exact location and therapeutic relevance of this network remain unclear. While EEG shows generalized spikes, MRI often appears normal, though neuroimaging can reveal subtle abnormalities like gray matter atrophy and increased local brain activity.
To better understand the brain network involved in IGE, this study utilized a method called coordinate network mapping, which combines neuroimaging abnormalities with the human connectome. This approach revealed a generalized epilepsy network connected to regions such as the supplementary motor area, sensorimotor cortex, anterior cingulate, and thalamus. This network was found to align with areas activated during generalized seizures and could help explain the seizure semiology. Furthermore, the network’s peak in the thalamus corresponds to a target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) that has been shown to reduce seizure frequency in IGE patients. These findings suggest that the IGE network can guide the development of more precise brain stimulation therapies and provide insights into the mechanisms of generalized epilepsy.
Reference: Ji GJ, Fox MD, Morton-Dutton M, et al. A generalized epilepsy network derived from brain abnormalities and deep brain stimulation. Nat Commun. 2025 Mar 24;16(1):2783. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-57392-7. PMID: 40128186; PMCID: PMC11933423.
