Motor mapping by transcranial magnetic stimulation reveals a pathologically preserved immature motor lateralization in patients with intractable focal epilepsy (S46.004)

Conclusions:We demonstrate preserved uncrossed corticospinal connections in the affected hemisphere of children with focal epilepsy. In such patients this pathologically-preserved immature motor lateralization suggests an extension of the critical period for motor development, perhaps resulting from aberrant use-dependent plasticity in local cortical circuits or from use-dependent myelination of the ipsilateral corticospinal tracts. We hypothesize that abnormal development of laterality associated with pediatric epilepsy likely extends beyond the motor system, causing cortical crowding of cortical function and contributing to cognitive dysfunction in epilepsy.Study Supported by:Boston Children’s Hospital Translational Research ProgramNIH NIMH R01 MH100186Disclosure: Dr. Harper has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gersner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boes has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pascual-Leone has received personal compensation for activities with Magstim, Nexstim, Neuronix, Starlab Neuroscience, Neuroelectrics, Axilum Robotics, and Neosync as a member of scientific advisory boards. Dr. Pascual-Leone has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Annals of Neurology and the European Journal of Neuroscience. Dr. Rotenberg has received personal compensation for activities with Cyberonics, NeuroRex, and Neuro'motion as a consultant or advisory board member.
Source: Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Child Neurology: Molecular Biology to Clinical Trials Source Type: research