• A Sierra, O Gröhn, and A Pitkänen.
• Department of Neurobiology, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland. Electronic address: alejandra.sierralopez@uef.fi.
• Neuroscience. 2015 Nov 19; 309: 162-72.

AbstractEpileptogenesis refers to the development and extension of tissue capable of generating spontaneous seizures, resulting in the development of an epileptic condition and/or progression of epilepsy after the condition is established. The hippocampus is the seizure-initiating zone in many epilepsy patients as well as in animal models of epilepsy. During epileptogenesis, the hippocampus undergoes structural changes, including mossy fiber sprouting; alterations in dendritic branching, spine density, and shape; and neurogenesis. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques provide insights into the microstructural organization of the hippocampus. An assessment of the structural plasticity of the hippocampus may provide parameters that could be used as biomarkers for epileptogenesis. Here we review conventional and more advanced MRI methods for detecting hippocampal tissue changes related to epileptogenesis. In addition, we summarize how diffusion tensor imaging can reveal cellular damage and plasticity, even at the level of hippocampal subfields. Finally, we discuss challenges and future directions for using novel MRI techniques in the search of biomarkers associated with epileptogenesis after brain injury. Copyright © 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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