Quantifying the contribution of video in combined video-magnetoencephalographic ictal recordings of epilepsy patients

Epilepsy Res. 2013 Aug;105(3):405-9. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2013.02.017. Epub 2013 Mar 25.

Abstract

Introduction: Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures magnetic fields generated by neuronal currents. MEG is complementary to EEG. Considerable body of evidence indicates that ictal MEG recordings can provide useful information for pre-surgical evaluation of epilepsy patients alongside the more established long-term ictal video-EEG. Ictal MEG is recorded in some epilepsy surgery centers. However, a wider adoption of ictal MEG is hampered by lack of tools for synchronized video-MEG recording similar to those of video-EEG.

Methods: We have augmented MEG with a synchronized behavioral video-recording system. To estimate its additional value in ictal recordings, we retrospectively analyzed recordings of 10 epilepsy patients with and without the video.

Results: In six patients out of ten, adding the video substantially changed the resulting interpretations. In all six cases the effect was considerable: the number of detected seizures changed by more than 50%.

Conclusions: Synchronized video and audio recording capabilities are important for effective ictal MEG recordings of epilepsy patients.

Keywords: EEG; Epilepsy; MEG; Video.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Brain Waves / physiology
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography* / instrumentation
  • Male
  • Video Recording*