Z. Z. Major 1, Anca Dana Buzoianu 1, Lăcrămioara Perju-Dumbravă 2, I. Mărginean 2,
Ioana Corina Bocşan 1, Kinga Andrea Major 3
1 Pharmacology Department, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy
2 First Intensive Care Unit, Cluj County Emergency Hospital
3 Neurology Department, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to compare the distribution of spectral power in a heterogeneous idiopathic epilepsy group, under antiepileptic treatment, versus healthy controls. Methods: Relative power values were calculated from EEGs obtained in wakefulness using Fast Fourier Transformation. The patient group was compared to an age-matched group of healthy controls, derivation by derivation, then regarding asymmetry, and considering the influence of epilepsy on the topographic distribution of the main frequency bands. Results: There are highly significant differences between the two groups: the spectral power of the slow frequencies is increased in epileptics versus controls, and for the fast domains there is a reduction of the relative power. No asymmetries were observed between the two hemispheres. Gross topography-dependent power changes did not interfere significantly with the epilepsy-induced power spectrum of the investigated domains, although a tendency was recorded for the delta band. Conclusion: Relative power findings were interpreted as a diffusely increased neuronal synchrony in the theta and delta frequency range, as an effect of the idiopathic epilepsy, influenced also probably by the effect of the concomitant antiepileptic drug therapy. Idiopathic epilepsy produces no asymmetries of the qEEG data. Idiopathic epilepsy shows no interference with the topographic distribution of qEEG markers, excepting such a tendency for the slow activities. Further research is needed to evaluate these changes, also compared with newly diagnosed, untreated epilepsy.