Imaging Genetics in Epilepsy: Current Knowledge and New Perspectives

Ge Wang; Wenyue Wu; Yuchen Xu; Zhuanyi Yang; Bo Xiao; Lili Long

doi:10.3389/fnmol.2022.891621

Imaging Genetics in Epilepsy: Current Knowledge and New Perspectives

Front Mol Neurosci. 2022 May 30:15:891621. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.891621. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Ge Wang^{1

2

3}, Wenyue Wu^{1

4}, Yuchen Xu^{1

5}, Zhuanyi Yang^{2

3

6}, Bo Xiao^{1

2

3}, Lili Long^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
² National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
³ Clinical Research Center for Epileptic Disease of Hunan Province, Central South University, Changsha, China.
⁴ Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi, China.
⁵ Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
⁶ Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Abstract

Epilepsy is a neurological network disease with genetics playing a much greater role than was previously appreciated. Unfortunately, the relationship between genetic basis and imaging phenotype is by no means simple. Imaging genetics integrates multidimensional datasets within a unified framework, providing a unique opportunity to pursue a global vision for epilepsy. This review delineates the current knowledge of underlying genetic mechanisms for brain networks in different epilepsy syndromes, particularly from a neural developmental perspective. Further, endophenotypes and their potential value are discussed. Finally, we highlight current challenges and provide perspectives for the future development of imaging genetics in epilepsy.

Keywords: development; endophenotype; epilepsy; imaging; imaging genetics; neurogenetics.

Publication types

Review