What would PET studies in a patient with left temporal lobe epilepsy most likely show?

In patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) studies typically reveal a decrease in glucose uptake. This is primarily due to the presence of dysfunctional brain activity in the affected temporal lobe, where seizures originate. The reduced glucose metabolism is associated with the underlying neurological changes caused by repeated seizures, brain injury, or pathologies such as mesial temporal sclerosis.

During hyperactive seizure states, there may be localized hypometabolism, meaning that areas of the brain are not using glucose efficiently. This can be contrasted with regions of the brain that remain metabolically active. In most cases of epilepsy, especially in established conditions like temporal lobe epilepsy, it's common to observe a significant reduction in glucose metabolism relative to normal brain activity.