Localization of normal and abnormal function in patients with band heterotopia

Cortical dysplasia is caused by the failure of migration and development of cortical neurons, resulting in misplacement of neurons or absence of cortical lamination. Band heterotopia (BH) is one of the syndromes involving cortical dysplasia, and is characterized by diffuse subcortical heterotopia with a band-like appearance. Recent advances in molecular biology have revealed that BH probably originates in a mutation of the doublecortin gene. However, the neurophysiological aspects of sensorimotor function and epileptogenesis are not clearly understood. Sensorimotor function and epileptic activities were examined in two patients with BH, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG).