HFA analysis using scalp electroencephalograms in two cases of Rasmussen’s syndrome

Abstract

ObjectiveIn recent years, wide-band EEGs have been used to assess brain activity, and their effectiveness in the pathological analysis of epilepsy has been demonstrated. This report describes two cases of Rasmussen’s syndrome (RS) in which high-frequency scalp EEGs were retrospectively analyzed to assess the pathological condition of epilepsy in RS. MethodsThe two RS cases were divided into three periods: incipient, stable, and frequent seizure periods. Using the EEG record of each period, interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) were visually extracted. Subsequently, a time–frequency analysis was performed to calculate the rate of high-frequency activities (HFAs) (IED–HFA rate). Finally, differences between the three periods were examined. ResultsIED–HFA rates significantly increased in the frequent seizure period compared with the stable period in both cases(P < 0.05). Conclusionthere was a significant increase in HFAs superimposed over IEDs during the frequent seizure period compared to the stable period. HFAs are thought to be associated with epileptogenicity. Similarly, HFAs could be a useful biomarker for the pathological condition of epilepsy in RS.