The relationship between neuromagnetic activity and cognitive function in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

Abstract Purpose Our aim was to explore the pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive function changes in early untreated children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). Methods Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was performed in 33 children with BECTS and 18 healthy children. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, fourth edition (WISC-IV) was used to divide children with BECTS into two groups. Normal cognitive function was defined as a full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) of > 80, while decreased cognitive function was defined as a FSIQ of Results Of the 33 patients with early untreated BECTS, a total of 17 had a FSIQ of  80. The course of epilepsy and number of seizures in the FSIQ  80 group. Our MEG results showed that in the 4–8 Hz frequency band, both patient groups had inactivation of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) region compared with the healthy control group. In the 30–80 Hz frequency band, the FSIQ  80 group. In the 80–250 Hz frequency band, the FSIQ  80 group and the healthy control group. Conclusions The magnetic source inactivation of the MFC and PCC regions during the interictal time may be the reason for cognitive decline in early untreated children with BECTS. Children with BECTS with cognitive decline had a longer course of epilepsy and more seizures. The magnetic source localization in the 4–8 Hz frequency band may be a new imaging marker for the diagnosis of new BECTS.