Cortex leads the thalamic centromedian nucleus in generalized epileptic discharges in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

Abstract

Objective We aimed to assess the roles of the cortex and thalamus (centromedian nucleus [CM]) during epileptic activity in Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome (LGS) patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery as part of the ESTEL (Electrical Stimulation of the Thalamus for Epilepsy of Lennox‐Gastaut Phenotype) trial. Methods Twelve LGS patients (mean age = 26.8 years) underwent bilateral CM‐DBS implantation. Intraoperatively, simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded (range = 10‐34 minutes) from scalp electrodes and bilateral thalamic DBS electrodes. Temporal onsets of epileptic discharges (generalized paroxysmal fast activity [GPFA] and slow spike‐and‐wave [SSW]) were manually ..