Thalamic activation and cortical deactivation during typical absence status monitored using [18F]FDG-PET: A case report

Received 23 August 2009; received in revised form 12 January 2010; accepted 15 January 2010. published online 18 February 2010.

Abstract

We describe the ictal [18F]FDG-PET study of a case of absence status showing bilateral thalamic hypermetabolism and frontal cortex hypometabolism. This is the first ictal assessment of absence status by [18F]FDG-PET reporting this particular cortical and subcortical involvement. Our findings support the theory of corticothalamic circuitry involvement in the pathophysiology of absence seizures and stress the similarities of the clinical and metabolic pattern observed during absences with the pattern of task-induced interruption of the default state of brain function.

Keywords: Epilepsy, Absence status epilepticus, FDG-PET study, Default state

a Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurological Sciences, “Federico II” University, Naples, Italy

b Neurology Outpatients Service, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 1, Naples, Italy

c Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR and Department of Biomorphological Sciences, “Federico II” University, Naples, Italy

Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 0817464249; fax: +39 0817464249.

PII: S1059-1311(10)00010-5

doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2010.01.009

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