Dynamic brain networks throughout development and their relationship to network abnormalities in paediatric patients with developmental epilepsies (360G-Wellcome-106556_Z_14_Z)

Neuronal networks change throughout development, from neuron physiology to large-scale connectivity. Abnormalities in the dynamic behaviour of networks have been implicated in the pathophysiology of childhood epilepsies. Electroencephalography (EEG) is suited to measuring neuronal dynamics, as it has a good temporal resolution, and is easily tolerated. In this study we are aiming to comprehensively characterise the development of cortical dynamics in childhood. Using both resting state EEGs, and well characterised event related potentials (ERPs), we will evaluate classical EEG and ERP measures (e.g. frequency/power distribution), as well as deriving network wide mathematical models of dynamic cortical function (e.g. dynamic causal models of effective connectivity). We can then empirically test predictions from cellular level physiological changes in normally developing children in terms of their network-wide effects. The same measurements will be performed in children with specific epilepsy syndromes. This will allow us to progress from the phenomenological comparison of EEG features between healthy controls and children with epilepsy, and instead we will be aiming to derive from the EEG neurobiologically relevant parameters that allow inference on the network abnormalities that contribute to the inherent seizure-susceptibility of the neuronal networks in children with epilepsy.