Takeaway
The nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) key network structure is markedly perturbed in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and may underlie the broad pathophysiology of TLE.
Why this matters
Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who experience seizures typically demonstrate neurocognitive deficits in domains not related to mesial temporal function. This suggests a common subcortical source of network dysfunction in TLE.
The NBM plays an important role in arousal, influences neurocognition and is anatomically associated with limbic structures, all which may help regulate functional networks.