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Shamir I, Assaf Y. Tutorial: a guide to diffusion MRI and structural connectomics. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-01052-5. [PMID: 39232202 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-01052-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is a versatile imaging technique that has gained popularity thanks to its sensitive ability to measure displacement of water molecules within a living tissue on a micrometer scale. Although dMRI has been around since the early 1990s, its applications are constantly evolving, primarily regarding the inference of structural connectomics from nerve fiber trajectories. However, these applications require expertise in image processing and statistics, and it can be difficult for a newcomer to choose an appropriate pipeline to fit their research needs, not least because dMRI is such a flexible methodology that dozens of acquisition and analysis pipelines have been developed over the years. This introductory guide is designed for graduate students and researchers in the neuroscience community who are interested in integrating this new methodology regardless of their background in neuroimaging and computational tools. The guide provides a brief overview of the basic dMRI methodologies but focuses on its applications in neuroplasticity and connectomics. The guide starts with dMRI experimental designs and a complete step-by-step pipeline for structural connectomics. The following section covers the basics of dMRI, including parameters and clinical applications (apparent diffusion coefficient, mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy and microscopic fractional anisotropy), as well as different approaches and models. The final section focuses on structural connectomics, covering subjects from fiber tracking (techniques, evaluation and limitations) to structural networks (constructing, analyzing and visualizing a network).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ittai Shamir
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yaniv Assaf
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Rajesh A, Seider NA, Newbold DJ, Adeyemo B, Marek S, Greene DJ, Snyder AZ, Shimony JS, Laumann TO, Dosenbach NUF, Gordon EM. Structure-function coupling in highly sampled individual brains. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae361. [PMID: 39277800 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Structural connectivity (SC) between distant regions of the brain support synchronized function known as functional connectivity (FC) and give rise to the large-scale brain networks that enable cognition and behavior. Understanding how SC enables FC is important to understand how injuries to SC may alter brain function and cognition. Previous work evaluating whole-brain SC-FC relationships showed that SC explained FC well in unimodal visual and motor areas, but only weakly in association areas, suggesting a unimodal-heteromodal gradient organization of SC-FC coupling. However, this work was conducted in group-averaged SC/FC data. Thus, it could not account for inter-individual variability in the locations of cortical areas and white matter tracts. We evaluated the correspondence of SC and FC within three highly sampled healthy participants. For each participant, we collected 78 min of diffusion-weighted MRI for SC and 360 min of resting state fMRI for FC. We found that FC was best explained by SC in visual and motor systems, as well as in anterior and posterior cingulate regions. A unimodal-to-heteromodal gradient could not fully explain SC-FC coupling. We conclude that the SC-FC coupling of the anterior-posterior cingulate circuit is more similar to unimodal areas than to heteromodal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Rajesh
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nicole A Seider
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Dillan J Newbold
- Department of Neurology, New York Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Babatunde Adeyemo
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave.St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Scott Marek
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Deanna J Greene
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Abraham Z Snyder
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, New York Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Joshua S Shimony
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, 660 S. Euclid Ave.St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Timothy O Laumann
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nico U F Dosenbach
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave.St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave.St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University, 4444 Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Evan M Gordon
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Videtta G, Colli C, Squarcina L, Fagnani C, Medda E, Brambilla P, Delvecchio G. Heritability of white matter in twins: A diffusion neuroimaging review. Phys Life Rev 2024; 50:126-136. [PMID: 39079258 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024]
Abstract
Diffusion neuroimaging has emerged as an essential non-invasive technique to explore in vivo microstructural characteristics of white matter (WM), whose integrity allows complex behaviors and cognitive abilities. Studying the factors contributing to inter-individual variability in WM microstructure can provide valuable insight into structural and functional differences of brain among individuals. Genetic influence on this variation has been largely investigated in twin studies employing different measures derived from diffusion neuroimaging. In this context, we performed a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science of original twin studies focused on the heritability of WM. Overall, our results highlighted a consistent heritability of diffusion indices (i.e., fractional anisotropy, mean, axial and radial diffusivity), and network topology among twins. The genetic influence resulted prominent in frontal and occipital regions, in the limbic system, and in commissural fibers. To enhance the understanding of genetic influence on WM microstructure further studies in less heterogeneous experimental settings, encompassing all diffusion indices, are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Videtta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Colli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Squarcina
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Corrado Fagnani
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Medda
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Delvecchio
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, Milan 20122, Italy.
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Feng Y, Xie L, Wang J, Tian Q, He J, Zeng Q, Gao F. Bundle-specific tractogram distribution estimation using higher-order streamline differential equation. Neuroimage 2024; 298:120766. [PMID: 39142523 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Streamline tractography locally traces peak directions extracted from fiber orientation distribution (FOD) functions, lacking global information about the trend of the whole fiber bundle. Therefore, it is prone to producing erroneous tracks while missing true positive connections. In this work, we propose a new bundle-specific tractography (BST) method based on a bundle-specific tractogram distribution (BTD) function, which directly reconstructs the fiber trajectory from the start region to the termination region by incorporating the global information in the fiber bundle mask. A unified framework for any higher-order streamline differential equation is presented to describe the fiber bundles with disjoint streamlines defined based on the diffusion vectorial field. At the global level, the tractography process is simplified as the estimation of BTD coefficients by minimizing the energy optimization model, and is used to characterize the relations between BTD and diffusion tensor vector under the prior guidance by introducing the tractogram bundle information to provide anatomic priors. Experiments are performed on simulated Hough, Sine, Circle data, ISMRM 2015 Tractography Challenge data, FiberCup data, and in vivo data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) for qualitative and quantitative evaluation. Results demonstrate that our approach reconstructs complex fiber geometry more accurately. BTD reduces the error deviation and accumulation at the local level and shows better results in reconstructing long-range, twisting, and large fanning tracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjing Feng
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for High-end Digital Intelligence Diagnosis and Treatment Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial United Key Laboratory of Embedded Systems, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Lei Xie
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for High-end Digital Intelligence Diagnosis and Treatment Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial United Key Laboratory of Embedded Systems, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingqiang Wang
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiyuan Tian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianzhong He
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for High-end Digital Intelligence Diagnosis and Treatment Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial United Key Laboratory of Embedded Systems, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingrun Zeng
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for High-end Digital Intelligence Diagnosis and Treatment Equipment, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial United Key Laboratory of Embedded Systems, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Gao
- College of Information Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
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Yang L, Peng J, Zhang L, Zhang F, Wu J, Zhang X, Pang J, Jiang Y. Advanced Diffusion Tensor Imaging in White Matter Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. World Neurosurg 2024; 189:77-88. [PMID: 38789033 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.05.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is recognized as an especially severe stroke variant, notorious for its high mortality and long-term disability rates, in addition to a range of both immediate and enduring neurologic impacts. Over half of the SAH survivors experience varying degrees of neurologic disorders, with many enduring chronic neuropsychiatric conditions. Due to the limitations of traditional imaging techniques in depicting subtle changes within brain tissues posthemorrhage, the accurate detection and diagnosis of white matter (WM) injuries are complicated. Against this backdrop, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has emerged as a promising biomarker for structural imaging, renowned for its enhanced sensitivity in identifying axonal damage. This capability positions DTI as an invaluable tool for forming precise and expedient prognoses for SAH survivors. This study synthesizes an assessment of DTI for the diagnosis and prognosis of neurologic dysfunctions in patients with SAH, emphasizing the notable changes observed in DTI metrics and their association with potential pathophysiological processes. Despite challenges associated with scanning technology differences and data processing, DTI demonstrates significant clinical potential for early diagnosis of cognitive impairments following SAH and monitoring therapeutic effects. Future research requires the development of highly standardized imaging paradigms to enhance diagnostic accuracy and devise targeted therapeutic strategies for SAH patients. In sum, DTI technology not only augments our understanding of the impact of SAH but also may offer new avenues for improving patient prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lifang Zhang
- Institute of Brain Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jinpeng Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xianhui Zhang
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jinwei Pang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Laboratory of Neurological Diseases and Brain Function, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Institute of Brain Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
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Damon BM, Guzman RP, Lockard CA, Zhou X. A Comparison of Skeletal Muscle Diffusion Tensor Imaging Tractography Seeding Methods. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.29.610343. [PMID: 39257789 PMCID: PMC11383979 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.29.610343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
The internal arrangement of a muscle's fibers with respect to its mechanical line of action (muscle architecture) is a major determinant of muscle function. Muscle architecture can be quantified using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging-based tractography, which propagates streamlines from a set of seed points by integrating vectors that represent the direction of greatest water diffusion (and by inference, the local fiber orientation). Previous work has demonstrated that tractography outcomes are sensitive to the method for defining seed points, but this sensitivity has not been fully examined. To do so, we developed a realistic simulated muscle architecture and implemented four novel methods for tract seeding: seeding along the muscle-aponeurosis boundary with an updated procedure for rounding seed points prior to lookup in the muscle boundary mask and diffusion tensor matrix (APO-3); voxel-based seeding throughout the muscle volume at a user-specified spatial frequency (VXL-1); voxel-based seeding throughout the muscle volume at a variable spatial frequency (VXL-2), and seeding near external and internal muscle boundaries (VXL-3). We then implemented these methods in an example human dataset. The updated aponeurosis seeding procedures allow more accurate and robust tract propagation from seed points. The voxel-based seeding methods had quantification outcomes that closely matched the updated aponeurosis seeding method. Further, the voxel-based methods can accelerate the overall workflow and may be beneficial in high throughput analysis of multi-muscle datasets. Continued evaluation of these methods in a wider range of muscle architectures is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce M Damon
- Carle Clinical Imaging Research Program, Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute, Carle Health, Urbana IL USA 61801
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA 37232
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA 37232
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL USA 61801
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL USA 61801
| | - Roberto Pineda Guzman
- Carle Clinical Imaging Research Program, Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute, Carle Health, Urbana IL USA 61801
| | - Carly A Lockard
- Carle Clinical Imaging Research Program, Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute, Carle Health, Urbana IL USA 61801
| | - Xingyu Zhou
- Carle Clinical Imaging Research Program, Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute, Carle Health, Urbana IL USA 61801
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA 37232
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Lewis CJ, Vardar Z, Kühn AL, Johnston JM, D'Souza P, Gahl WA, Shazeeb MS, Tifft CJ, Acosta MT. Differential Tractography: A Biomarker for Neuronal Function in Neurodegenerative Disease. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.08.25.24312255. [PMID: 39371116 PMCID: PMC11451749 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.25.24312255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
GM1 gangliosidosis is an ultra-rare inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the GLB1 gene. GM1 is uniformly fatal and has no approved therapies, although clinical trials investigating gene therapy as a potential treatment for this condition are underway. Novel outcome measures or biomarkers demonstrating the longitudinal effects of GM1 and potential recovery due to therapeutic intervention are urgently needed to establish efficacy of potential therapeutics. One promising tool is differential tractography, a novel imaging modality utilizing serial diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) to quantify longitudinal changes in white matter microstructure. In this study, we present the novel use of differential tractography in quantifying the progression of GM1 alongside age-matched neurotypical controls. We analyzed 113 DWI scans from 16 GM1 patients and 32 age-matched neurotypical controls to investigate longitudinal changes in white matter pathology. GM1 patients showed white matter degradation evident by both the number and size of fiber tract loss. In contrast, neurotypical controls showed longitudinal white matter improvements as evident by both the number and size of fiber tract growth. We also corroborated these findings by documenting significant correlations between cognitive global impression (CGI) scores of clinical presentations and our differential tractography derived metrics in our GM1 cohort. Specifically, GM1 patients who lost more neuronal fiber tracts also had a worse clinical presentation. This result demonstrates the importance of differential tractography as an important biomarker for disease progression in GM1 patients with potential extension to other neurodegenerative diseases and therapeutic intervention.
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Sollmann N, Fuderer M, Crameri F, Weingärtner S, Baeßler B, Gulani V, Keenan KE, Mandija S, Golay X, deSouza NM. Color Maps: Facilitating the Clinical Impact of Quantitative MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024. [PMID: 39180202 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Presenting quantitative data using non-standardized color maps potentially results in unrecognized misinterpretation of data. Clinically meaningful color maps should intuitively and inclusively represent data without misleading interpretation. Uniformity of the color gradient for color maps is critically important. Maximal color and lightness contrast, readability for color vision-impaired individuals, and recognizability of the color scheme are highly desirable features. This article describes the use of color maps in five key quantitative MRI techniques: relaxometry, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI, MR elastography (MRE), and water-fat MRI. Current display practice of color maps is reviewed and shortcomings against desirable features are highlighted. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 5 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Sollmann
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Miha Fuderer
- Radiotherapy, Division Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sebastian Weingärtner
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Bettina Baeßler
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Vikas Gulani
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kathryn E Keenan
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Stefano Mandija
- Radiotherapy, Division Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Xavier Golay
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Gold Standard Phantoms, Sheffield, UK
- Bioxydyn, Manchester, UK
| | - Nandita M deSouza
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Bautin P, Fortier MA, Sean M, Little G, Martel M, Descoteaux M, Léonard G, Tétreault P. What has brain diffusion magnetic resonance imaging taught us about chronic primary pain: a narrative review. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00689. [PMID: 39172945 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chronic pain is a pervasive and debilitating condition with increasing implications for public health, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, the underlying neural mechanisms and pathophysiology remain only partly understood. Since its introduction 35 years ago, brain diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a powerful tool to investigate changes in white matter microstructure and connectivity associated with chronic pain. This review synthesizes findings from 58 articles that constitute the current research landscape, covering methods and key discoveries. We discuss the evidence supporting the role of altered white matter microstructure and connectivity in chronic primary pain conditions, highlighting the importance of studying multiple chronic pain syndromes to identify common neurobiological pathways. We also explore the prospective clinical utility of diffusion MRI, such as its role in identifying diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers. Furthermore, we address shortcomings and challenges associated with brain diffusion MRI in chronic primary pain studies, emphasizing the need for the harmonization of data acquisition and analysis methods. We conclude by highlighting emerging approaches and prospective avenues in the field that may provide new insights into the pathophysiology of chronic pain and potential new therapeutic targets. Because of the limited current body of research and unidentified targeted therapeutic strategies, we are forced to conclude that further research is required. However, we believe that brain diffusion MRI presents a promising opportunity for enhancing our understanding of chronic pain and improving clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Bautin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Marc-Antoine Fortier
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Monica Sean
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Graham Little
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab (SCIL), Computer Science Department, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Marylie Martel
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Maxime Descoteaux
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab (SCIL), Computer Science Department, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Guillaume Léonard
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Research Centre on Aging du Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Estrie-Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Pascal Tétreault
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Asaridou SS, Cler GJ, Wiedemann A, Krishnan S, Smith HJ, Willis HE, Healy MP, Watkins KE. Microstructural Properties of the Cerebellar Peduncles in Children With Developmental Language Disorder. NEUROBIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 5:774-794. [PMID: 39175782 PMCID: PMC11338306 DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) struggle to learn their native language for no apparent reason. While research on the neurobiological underpinnings of the disorder has focused on the role of corticostriatal systems, little is known about the role of the cerebellum in DLD. Corticocerebellar circuits might be involved in the disorder as they contribute to complex sensorimotor skill learning, including the acquisition of spoken language. Here, we used diffusion-weighted imaging data from 77 typically developing and 54 children with DLD and performed probabilistic tractography to identify the cerebellum's white matter tracts: the inferior, middle, and superior cerebellar peduncles. Children with DLD showed lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the inferior cerebellar peduncles (ICP), fiber tracts that carry motor and sensory input via the inferior olive to the cerebellum. Lower FA in DLD was driven by lower axial diffusivity. Probing this further with more sophisticated modeling of diffusion data, we found higher orientation dispersion but no difference in neurite density in the ICP of children with DLD. Reduced FA is therefore unlikely to be reflecting microstructural differences in myelination, rather the organization of axons in these pathways is disrupted. ICP microstructure was not associated with language or motor coordination performance in our sample. We also found no differences in the middle and superior peduncles, the main pathways connecting the cerebellum with the cortex. To conclude, it is not corticocerebellar but atypical olivocerebellar white matter connections that characterize DLD and suggest the involvement of the olivocerebellar system in speech and language acquisition and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salomi S. Asaridou
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gabriel J. Cler
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anna Wiedemann
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Saloni Krishnan
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Surrey, UK
| | - Harriet J. Smith
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hanna E. Willis
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Máiréad P. Healy
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kate E. Watkins
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Verschuur AS, King R, Tax CMW, Boomsma MF, van Wezel-Meijler G, Leemans A, Leijser LM. Methodological considerations on diffusion MRI tractography in infants aged 0-2 years: a scoping review. Pediatr Res 2024:10.1038/s41390-024-03463-2. [PMID: 39143201 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03463-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Diffusion MRI (dMRI) enables studying the complex architectural organization of the brain's white matter (WM) through virtual reconstruction of WM fiber tracts (tractography). Despite the anticipated clinical importance of applying tractography to study structural connectivity and tract development during the critical period of rapid infant brain maturation, detailed descriptions on how to approach tractography in young infants are limited. Over the past two decades, tractography from infant dMRI has mainly been applied in research settings and focused on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Only few studies used techniques superior to DTI in terms of disentangling information on the brain's organizational complexity, including crossing fibers. While more advanced techniques may enhance our understanding of the intricate processes of normal and abnormal brain development and extensive knowledge has been gained from application on adult scans, their applicability in infants has remained underexplored. This may partially be due to the higher technical requirements versus the need to limit scan time in young infants. We review various previously described methodological practices for tractography in the infant brain (0-2 years-of-age) and provide recommendations to optimize advanced tractography approaches to enable more accurate reconstructions of the brain WM's complexity. IMPACT: Diffusion tensor imaging is the technique most frequently used for fiber tracking in the developing infant brain but is limited in capability to disentangle the complex white matter organization. Advanced tractography techniques allow for reconstruction of crossing fiber bundles to better reflect the brain's complex organization. Yet, they pose practical and technical challenges in the fast developing young infant's brain. Methods on how to approach advanced tractography in the young infant's brain have hardly been described. Based on a literature review, recommendations are provided to optimize tractography for the developing infant brain, aiming to advance early diagnosis and neuroprotective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk S Verschuur
- Department of Radiology, Isala Hospital Zwolle, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Newborn Critical Care, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Regan King
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Newborn Critical Care, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Chantal M W Tax
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- CUBRIC, School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Martijn F Boomsma
- Department of Radiology, Isala Hospital Zwolle, Zwolle, The Netherlands
- Division of Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerda van Wezel-Meijler
- Department of Neonatology, Isala Women and Children's Hospital Zwolle, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Leemans
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lara M Leijser
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Newborn Critical Care, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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12
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Georgiadis M, auf der Heiden F, Abbasi H, Ettema L, Nirschl J, Moein Taghavi H, Wakatsuki M, Liu A, Ho WHD, Carlson M, Doukas M, Koppes SA, Keereweer S, Sobel RA, Setsompop K, Liao C, Amunts K, Axer M, Zeineh M, Menzel M. Micron-resolution fiber mapping in histology independent of sample preparation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.26.586745. [PMID: 38585744 PMCID: PMC10996646 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.26.586745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Detailed knowledge of the brain's nerve fiber network is crucial for understanding its function in health and disease. However, mapping fibers with high resolution remains prohibitive in most histological sections because state-of-the-art techniques are incompatible with their preparation. Here, we present a micron-resolution light-scattering-based technique that reveals intricate fiber networks independent of sample preparation for extended fields of view. We uncover fiber structures in both label-free and stained, paraffin-embedded and deparaffinized, newly-prepared and archived, animal and human brain tissues - including whole-brain sections from the BigBrain atlas. We identify altered microstructures in demyelination and hippocampal neurodegeneration, and show key advantages over diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, polarization microscopy, and structure tensor analysis. We also reveal structures in non-brain tissues - including muscle, bone, and blood vessels. Our cost-effective, versatile technique enables studies of intricate fiber networks in any type of histological tissue section, offering a new dimension to neuroscientific and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marios Georgiadis
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Franca auf der Heiden
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Hamed Abbasi
- Department of Imaging Physics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Loes Ettema
- Department of Imaging Physics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey Nirschl
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Moe Wakatsuki
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andy Liu
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Mackenzie Carlson
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michail Doukas
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sjors A. Koppes
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stijn Keereweer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Raymond A. Sobel
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kawin Setsompop
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Congyu Liao
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Katrin Amunts
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- C. and O. Vogt Institute for Brain Research, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus Axer
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Michael Zeineh
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Miriam Menzel
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Imaging Physics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
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13
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Cagol A, Tsagkas C, Granziera C. Advanced Brain Imaging in Central Nervous System Demyelinating Diseases. Neuroimaging Clin N Am 2024; 34:335-357. [PMID: 38942520 DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, advances in neuroimaging have profoundly transformed our comprehension of central nervous system demyelinating diseases. Remarkable technological progress has enabled the integration of cutting-edge acquisition and postprocessing techniques, proving instrumental in characterizing subtle focal changes, diffuse microstructural alterations, and macroscopic pathologic processes. This review delves into state-of-the-art modalities applied to multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Furthermore, it explores how this dynamic landscape holds significant promise for the development of effective and personalized clinical management strategies, encompassing support for differential diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring treatment response, and patient stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cagol
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hegenheimermattweg 167b, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 2, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Via A. Pastore, 1 16132 Genova, Italy. https://twitter.com/CagolAlessandr0
| | - Charidimos Tsagkas
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hegenheimermattweg 167b, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; Translational Neuroradiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Cristina Granziera
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hegenheimermattweg 167b, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 2, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
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14
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Freire IS, Lopes TS, Afonso SG, Pereira DJ. From images to insights: a neuroradiologist's practical guide on white matter fiber tract anatomy and DTI patterns for pre-surgical planning. Neuroradiology 2024; 66:1251-1265. [PMID: 38635028 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-024-03362-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a valuable non-invasive imaging modality for mapping white matter tracts and assessing microstructural integrity, and can be used as a "biomarker" in diagnosis, differentiation, and therapeutic monitoring. Although it has gained clinical importance as a marker of neuropathology, limitations in its interpretation underscore the need for caution. METHODS This review provides an overview of the principles and clinical applicability of DTI. We focus on major white matter fiber bundles, detailing their normal anatomy and pathological DTI patterns, with emphasis on tracts routinely requested in our neurosurgical department in the preoperative context (uncinate fasciculus, arcuate fasciculus, pyramidal pathway, optic radiation, and dentatorubrothalamic tract). RESULTS We guide neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons in defining volumes of interest for mapping individual tracts and demonstrating their 3D reconstructions. The intricate trajectories of white matter tracts pose a challenge for accurate fiber orientation recording, with each bundle exhibiting specific characteristics. Tracts adjacent to brain lesions are categorized as displaced, edematous, infiltrated, or disrupted, illustrated with clinical cases of brain neoplasms. To improve structured reporting, we propose a checklist of topics for inclusion in imaging evaluations and MRI reports. CONCLUSION DTI is emerging as a powerful tool for assessing microstructural changes in brain disorders, despite some challenges in standardization and interpretation. This review serves an educational purpose by providing guidance for fiber monitoring and interpretation of pathological patterns observed in clinical cases, highlighting the importance and potential pitfalls of DTI in neuroradiology and surgical planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês S Freire
- Department of Neuroradiology - Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central (CHULC), Rua José António Serrano, 1150-199, Lisbon, Portugal.
- NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Tânia S Lopes
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sónia G Afonso
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniela J Pereira
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Coimbra, Portugal
- Functional Unit of Neuroradiology - Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
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15
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Sretavan K, Braun H, Liu Z, Bullock D, Palnitkar T, Patriat R, Chandrasekaran J, Brenny S, Johnson MD, Widge AS, Harel N, Heilbronner SR. A reproducible pipeline for parcellation of the anterior limb of the internal capsule. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024:S2451-9022(24)00196-4. [PMID: 39053578 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) is a white matter structure connecting the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to the brainstem, thalamus, and subthalamic nucleus. It is a target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) for obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is strong interest in improving DBS targeting by using diffusion tractography to reconstruct and target specific ALIC fiber pathways, but this methodology is susceptible to errors and lacks validation. To address these limitations, we developed a novel diffusion tractography pipeline that generates reliable and biologically validated ALIC white matter reconstructions. METHODS Following algorithm development and refinement, we analyzed 43 control subjects each with 2 sets of 3T MRI data and a subset of 5 controls with 7T data from the Human Connectome Project. We generated 22 segmented ALIC fiber bundles (11 per hemisphere) based on prefrontal PFC regions of interest, and we analyzed the relationships among bundles. RESULTS We successfully reproduced the topographies established by prior anatomical work using images acquired at both 3T and 7T. Quantitative assessment demonstrated significantly smaller intra-subject variability relative to inter-subject variability for both test and retest groups across all but one PFC region. We examined the overlap between fibers from different PFC regions and a response tract for obsessive-compulsive disorder deep brain stimulation, and we reconstructed the PFC hyperdirect pathway using a modified version of our pipeline. DISCUSSION Our dMRI algorithm reliably generates biologically validated ALIC white matter reconstructions, allowing for more precise modelling of fibers for neuromodulation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karianne Sretavan
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Henry Braun
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Zoe Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Daniel Bullock
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Tara Palnitkar
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Remi Patriat
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jayashree Chandrasekaran
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Samuel Brenny
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Matthew D Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Alik S Widge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Noam Harel
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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16
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Chen R, Zhao R, Li H, Xu X, Li M, Zhao Z, Sun C, Wang G, Wu D. Development of the Fetal Brain Corticocortical Structural Network during the Second-to-Third Trimester Based on Diffusion MRI. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1567232024. [PMID: 38844343 PMCID: PMC11255424 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1567-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
During the second-to-third trimester, the neuronal pathways of the fetal brain experience rapid development, resulting in the complex architecture of the interwired network at birth. While diffusion MRI-based tractography has been employed to study the prenatal development of structural connectivity network (SCN) in preterm neonatal and postmortem fetal brains, the in utero development of SCN in the normal fetal brain remains largely unknown. In this study, we utilized in utero dMRI data from human fetuses of both sexes between 26 and 38 gestational weeks to investigate the developmental trajectories of the fetal brain SCN, focusing on intrahemispheric connections. Our analysis revealed significant increases in global efficiency, mean local efficiency, and clustering coefficient, along with significant decrease in shortest path length, while small-worldness persisted during the studied period, revealing balanced network integration and segregation. Widespread short-ranged connectivity strengthened significantly. The nodal strength developed in a posterior-to-anterior and medial-to-lateral order, reflecting a spatiotemporal gradient in cortical network connectivity development. Moreover, we observed distinct lateralization patterns in the fetal brain SCN. Globally, there was a leftward lateralization in network efficiency, clustering coefficient, and small-worldness. The regional lateralization patterns in most language, motor, and visual-related areas were consistent with prior knowledge, except for Wernicke's area, indicating lateralized brain wiring is an innate property of the human brain starting from the fetal period. Our findings provided a comprehensive view of the development of the fetal brain SCN and its lateralization, as a normative template that may be used to characterize atypical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruike Chen
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Ruoke Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Haotian Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Xu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Mingyang Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyong Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Cong Sun
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, P. R. China
| | - Guangbin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, P. R. China
| | - Dan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
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17
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Movahedian Attar F, Kirilina E, Haenelt D, Trampel R, Pine KJ, Edwards LJ, Weiskopf N. Mapping short association fibre connectivity up to V3 in the human brain in vivo. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae279. [PMID: 39046457 PMCID: PMC11267744 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Short association fibres (SAF) are the most abundant fibre pathways in the human white matter. Until recently, SAF could not be mapped comprehensively in vivo because diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging with sufficiently high spatial resolution needed to map these thin and short pathways was not possible. Recent developments in acquisition hardware and sequences allowed us to create a dedicated in vivo method for mapping the SAF based on sub-millimetre spatial resolution diffusion weighted tractography, which we validated in the human primary (V1) and secondary (V2) visual cortex against the expected SAF retinotopic order. Here, we extended our original study to assess the feasibility of the method to map SAF in higher cortical areas by including SAF up to V3. Our results reproduced the expected retinotopic order of SAF in the V2-V3 and V1-V3 stream, demonstrating greater robustness to the shorter V1-V2 and V2-V3 than the longer V1-V3 connections. The demonstrated ability of the method to map higher-order SAF connectivity patterns in vivo is an important step towards its application across the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fakhereh Movahedian Attar
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Evgeniya Kirilina
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Haenelt
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robert Trampel
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kerrin J Pine
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Luke J Edwards
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Weiskopf
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Felix Bloch Institute for Solid State Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth System Sciences, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3AR, United Kingdom
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18
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Kolluru C, Joseph N, Seckler J, Fereidouni F, Levenson R, Shoffstall A, Jenkins M, Wilson D. NerveTracker: a Python-based software toolkit for visualizing and tracking groups of nerve fibers in serial block-face microscopy with ultraviolet surface excitation images. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2024; 29:076501. [PMID: 38912214 PMCID: PMC11188586 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.29.7.076501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Significance Information about the spatial organization of fibers within a nerve is crucial to our understanding of nerve anatomy and its response to neuromodulation therapies. A serial block-face microscopy method [three-dimensional microscopy with ultraviolet surface excitation (3D-MUSE)] has been developed to image nerves over extended depths ex vivo. To routinely visualize and track nerve fibers in these datasets, a dedicated and customizable software tool is required. Aim Our objective was to develop custom software that includes image processing and visualization methods to perform microscopic tractography along the length of a peripheral nerve sample. Approach We modified common computer vision algorithms (optic flow and structure tensor) to track groups of peripheral nerve fibers along the length of the nerve. Interactive streamline visualization and manual editing tools are provided. Optionally, deep learning segmentation of fascicles (fiber bundles) can be applied to constrain the tracts from inadvertently crossing into the epineurium. As an example, we performed tractography on vagus and tibial nerve datasets and assessed accuracy by comparing the resulting nerve tracts with segmentations of fascicles as they split and merge with each other in the nerve sample stack. Results We found that a normalized Dice overlap (Dice norm ) metric had a mean value above 0.75 across several millimeters along the nerve. We also found that the tractograms were robust to changes in certain image properties (e.g., downsampling in-plane and out-of-plane), which resulted in only a 2% to 9% change to the meanDice norm values. In a vagus nerve sample, tractography allowed us to readily identify that subsets of fibers from four distinct fascicles merge into a single fascicle as we move ∼ 5 mm along the nerve's length. Conclusions Overall, we demonstrated the feasibility of performing automated microscopic tractography on 3D-MUSE datasets of peripheral nerves. The software should be applicable to other imaging approaches. The code is available at https://github.com/ckolluru/NerveTracker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya Kolluru
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Naomi Joseph
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - James Seckler
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Farzad Fereidouni
- UC Davis Medical Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States
| | - Richard Levenson
- UC Davis Medical Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States
| | - Andrew Shoffstall
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Michael Jenkins
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Pediatrics, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - David Wilson
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Radiology, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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19
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Kebiri H, Gholipour A, Lin R, Vasung L, Calixto C, Krsnik Ž, Karimi D, Bach Cuadra M. Deep learning microstructure estimation of developing brains from diffusion MRI: A newborn and fetal study. Med Image Anal 2024; 95:103186. [PMID: 38701657 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2024.103186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is widely used to assess the brain white matter. Fiber orientation distribution functions (FODs) are a common way of representing the orientation and density of white matter fibers. However, with standard FOD computation methods, accurate estimation requires a large number of measurements that usually cannot be acquired for newborns and fetuses. We propose to overcome this limitation by using a deep learning method to map as few as six diffusion-weighted measurements to the target FOD. To train the model, we use the FODs computed using multi-shell high angular resolution measurements as target. Extensive quantitative evaluations show that the new deep learning method, using significantly fewer measurements, achieves comparable or superior results than standard methods such as Constrained Spherical Deconvolution and two state-of-the-art deep learning methods. For voxels with one and two fibers, respectively, our method shows an agreement rate in terms of the number of fibers of 77.5% and 22.2%, which is 3% and 5.4% higher than other deep learning methods, and an angular error of 10° and 20°, which is 6° and 5° lower than other deep learning methods. To determine baselines for assessing the performance of our method, we compute agreement metrics using densely sampled newborn data. Moreover, we demonstrate the generalizability of the new deep learning method across scanners, acquisition protocols, and anatomy on two clinical external datasets of newborns and fetuses. We validate fetal FODs, successfully estimated for the first time with deep learning, using post-mortem histological data. Our results show the advantage of deep learning in computing the fiber orientation density for the developing brain from in-vivo dMRI measurements that are often very limited due to constrained acquisition times. Our findings also highlight the intrinsic limitations of dMRI for probing the developing brain microstructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Kebiri
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Switzerland; Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland; Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ali Gholipour
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rizhong Lin
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland; Signal Processing Laboratory 5 (LTS5), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lana Vasung
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Camilo Calixto
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Željka Krsnik
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davood Karimi
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meritxell Bach Cuadra
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Switzerland; Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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20
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Verschuur AS, Tax CMW, Boomsma MF, Carlson HL, van Wezel-Meijler G, King R, Leemans A, Leijser LM. Feasibility study to unveil the potential: considerations of constrained spherical deconvolution tractography with unsedated neonatal diffusion brain MRI data. FRONTIERS IN RADIOLOGY 2024; 4:1416672. [PMID: 39007078 PMCID: PMC11239519 DOI: 10.3389/fradi.2024.1416672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Purpose The study aimed to (1) assess the feasibility constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) tractography to reconstruct crossing fiber bundles with unsedated neonatal diffusion MRI (dMRI), and (2) demonstrate the impact of spatial and angular resolution and processing settings on tractography and derived quantitative measures. Methods For the purpose of this study, the term-equivalent dMRIs (single-shell b800, and b2000, both 5 b0, and 45 gradient directions) of two moderate-late preterm infants (with and without motion artifacts) from a local cohort [Brain Imaging in Moderate-late Preterm infants (BIMP) study; Calgary, Canada] and one infant from the developing human connectome project with high-quality dMRI (using the b2600 shell, comprising 20 b0 and 128 gradient directions, from the multi-shell dataset) were selected. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and CSD tractography were compared on b800 and b2000 dMRI. Varying image resolution modifications, (pre-)processing and tractography settings were tested to assess their impact on tractography. Each experiment involved visualizing local modeling and tractography for the corpus callosum and corticospinal tracts, and assessment of morphological and diffusion measures. Results Contrary to DTI, CSD enabled reconstruction of crossing fibers. Tractography was susceptible to image resolution, (pre-) processing and tractography settings. In addition to visual variations, settings were found to affect streamline count, length, and diffusion measures (fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity). Diffusion measures exhibited variations of up to 23%. Conclusion Reconstruction of crossing fiber bundles using CSD tractography with unsedated neonatal dMRI data is feasible. Tractography settings affected streamline reconstruction, warranting careful documentation of methods for reproducibility and comparison of cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk S Verschuur
- Department of Radiology, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, Netherlands
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Newborn Critical Care, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Chantal M W Tax
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- CUBRIC, School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Martijn F Boomsma
- Department of Radiology, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, Netherlands
- Division of Imaging and Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Helen L Carlson
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Regan King
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Newborn Critical Care, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Alexander Leemans
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lara M Leijser
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Newborn Critical Care, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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21
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Behroozi M, Graïc JM, Gerussi T. Beyond the surface: how ex-vivo diffusion-weighted imaging reveals large animal brain microstructure and connectivity. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1411982. [PMID: 38988768 PMCID: PMC11233460 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1411982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted Imaging (DWI) is an effective and state-of-the-art neuroimaging method that non-invasively reveals the microstructure and connectivity of tissues. Recently, novel applications of the DWI technique in studying large brains through ex-vivo imaging enabled researchers to gain insights into the complex neural architecture in different species such as those of Perissodactyla (e.g., horses and rhinos), Artiodactyla (e.g., bovids, swines, and cetaceans), and Carnivora (e.g., felids, canids, and pinnipeds). Classical in-vivo tract-tracing methods are usually considered unsuitable for ethical and practical reasons, in large animals or protected species. Ex-vivo DWI-based tractography offers the chance to examine the microstructure and connectivity of formalin-fixed tissues with scan times and precision that is not feasible in-vivo. This paper explores DWI's application to ex-vivo brains of large animals, highlighting the unique insights it offers into the structure of sometimes phylogenetically different neural networks, the connectivity of white matter tracts, and comparative evolutionary adaptations. Here, we also summarize the challenges, concerns, and perspectives of ex-vivo DWI that will shape the future of the field in large brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Behroozi
- Department of Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jean-Marie Graïc
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Tommaso Gerussi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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22
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Al-Sharif NB, Zavaliangos-Petropulu A, Narr KL. A review of diffusion MRI in mood disorders: mechanisms and predictors of treatment response. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01894-3. [PMID: 38902355 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
By measuring the molecular diffusion of water molecules in brain tissue, diffusion MRI (dMRI) provides unique insight into the microstructure and structural connections of the brain in living subjects. Since its inception, the application of dMRI in clinical research has expanded our understanding of the possible biological bases of psychiatric disorders and successful responses to different therapeutic interventions. Here, we review the past decade of diffusion imaging-based investigations with a specific focus on studies examining the mechanisms and predictors of therapeutic response in people with mood disorders. We present a brief overview of the general application of dMRI and key methodological developments in the field that afford increasingly detailed information concerning the macro- and micro-structural properties and connectivity patterns of white matter (WM) pathways and their perturbation over time in patients followed prospectively while undergoing treatment. This is followed by a more in-depth summary of particular studies using dMRI approaches to examine mechanisms and predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with unipolar or bipolar depression receiving pharmacological, neurostimulation, or behavioral treatments. Limitations associated with dMRI research in general and with treatment studies in mood disorders specifically are discussed, as are directions for future research. Despite limitations and the associated discrepancies in findings across individual studies, evolving research strongly indicates that the field is on the precipice of identifying and validating dMRI biomarkers that could lead to more successful personalized treatment approaches and could serve as targets for evaluating the neural effects of novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor B Al-Sharif
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Artemis Zavaliangos-Petropulu
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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23
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Monchi O, Pinilla-Monsalve GD, Almgren H, Ghahremani M, Kibreab M, Maarouf N, Kathol I, Boré A, Rheault F, Descoteaux M, Ismail Z. White Matter Microstructural Underpinnings of Mild Behavioral Impairment in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2024; 39:1026-1036. [PMID: 38661496 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience changes in behavior, personality, and cognition that can manifest even in the initial stages of the disease. Previous studies have suggested that mild behavioral impairment (MBI) should be considered an early marker of cognitive decline. However, the precise neurostructural underpinnings of MBI in early- to mid-stage PD remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE The aim was to explore the changes in white matter microstructure linked to MBI and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in early- to mid-stage PD using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). METHODS A total of 91 PD patients and 36 healthy participants were recruited and underwent anatomical MRI and dMRI, a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and the completion of the Mild Behavioral Impairment-Checklist. Metrics of white matter integrity included tissue fractional anisotropy (FAt) and radial diffusivity (RDt), free water (FW), and fixel-based apparent fiber density (AFD). RESULTS The connection between the left amygdala and the putamen was disrupted when comparing PD patients with MBI (PD-MBI) to PD-non-MBI, as evidenced by increased RDt (η2 = 0.09, P = 0.004) and both decreased AFD (η2 = 0.05, P = 0.048) and FAt (η2 = 0.12, P = 0.014). Compared to controls, PD patients with both MBI and MCI demonstrated increased FW for the connection between the left orbitofrontal gyrus (OrG) and the hippocampus (η2 = 0.22, P = 0.008), augmented RDt between the right OrG and the amygdala (η2 = 0.14, P = 0.008), and increased RDt (η2 = 0.25, P = 0.028) with decreased AFD (η2 = 0.10, P = 0.046) between the right OrG and the caudate nucleus. CONCLUSION MBI is associated with abnormal microstructure of connections involving the orbitofrontal cortex, putamen, and amygdala. To our knowledge, this is the first assessment of the white matter microstructure in PD-MBI using dMRI. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oury Monchi
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Département de radiologie, radio-oncologie et médicine nucléaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gabriel D Pinilla-Monsalve
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Département de radiologie, radio-oncologie et médicine nucléaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hannes Almgren
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maryam Ghahremani
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mekale Kibreab
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nadia Maarouf
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Iris Kathol
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Arnaud Boré
- Département d'informatique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - François Rheault
- Département d'informatique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maxime Descoteaux
- Département d'informatique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zahinoor Ismail
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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24
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Stewart BW, Keaser ML, Lee H, Margerison SM, Cormie MA, Moayedi M, Lindquist MA, Chen S, Mathur BN, Seminowicz DA. Pathological claustrum activity drives aberrant cognitive network processing in human chronic pain. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1953-1966.e6. [PMID: 38614082 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant cognitive network activity and cognitive deficits are established features of chronic pain. However, the nature of cognitive network alterations associated with chronic pain and their underlying mechanisms require elucidation. Here, we report that the claustrum, a subcortical nucleus implicated in cognitive network modulation, is activated by acute painful stimulation and pain-predictive cues in healthy participants. Moreover, we discover pathological activity of the claustrum and a region near the posterior inferior frontal sulcus of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (piDLPFC) in migraine patients during acute pain and cognitive task performance. Dynamic causal modeling suggests a directional influence of the claustrum on activity in this piDLPFC region, and diffusion weighted imaging verifies their structural connectivity. These findings advance understanding of claustrum function during acute pain and provide evidence of a possible circuit mechanism driving cognitive impairments in chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent W Stewart
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, W Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Michael L Keaser
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, W Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Hwiyoung Lee
- Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Wade Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228, USA
| | - Sarah M Margerison
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, W Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Penn Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Matthew A Cormie
- Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Edward Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1E2, Canada
| | - Massieh Moayedi
- Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Edward Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1E2, Canada; Department of Dentistry, Mount Sinai Hospital, University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada; Division of Clinical & Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Nassau Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1M8, Canada
| | - Martin A Lindquist
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University, N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shuo Chen
- Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Wade Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228, USA
| | - Brian N Mathur
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, W Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, W Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - David A Seminowicz
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, W Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
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25
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Liang Q, Ma J, Chen X, Lin Q, Shu N, Dai Z, Lin Y. A Hybrid Routing Pattern in Human Brain Structural Network Revealed By Evolutionary Computation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING 2024; 43:1895-1909. [PMID: 38194401 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2024.3351907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The human brain functional connectivity network (FCN) is constrained and shaped by the communication processes in the structural connectivity network (SCN). The underlying communication mechanism thus becomes a critical issue for understanding the formation and organization of the FCN. A number of communication models supported by different routing strategies have been proposed, with shortest path (SP), random diffusion (DIF), and spatial navigation (NAV) as the most typical, respectively requiring network global knowledge, local knowledge, and both for path seeking. Yet these models all assumed every brain region to use one routing strategy uniformly, ignoring convergent evidence that supports the regional heterogeneity in both terms of biological substrates and functional roles. In this regard, the current study developed a hybrid communication model that allowed each brain region to choose a routing strategy from SP, DIF, and NAV independently. A genetic algorithm was designed to uncover the underlying region-wise hybrid routing strategy (namely HYB). The HYB was found to outperform the three typical routing strategies in predicting FCN and facilitating robust communication. Analyses on HYB further revealed that brain regions in lower-order functional modules inclined to route signals using global knowledge, while those in higher-order functional modules preferred DIF that requires only local knowledge. Compared to regions that used global knowledge for routing, regions using DIF had denser structural connections, participated in more functional modules, but played a less dominant role within modules. Together, our findings further evidenced that hybrid routing underpins efficient SCN communication and locally heterogeneous structure-function coupling.
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26
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Gerussi T, Graïc JM, Cozzi B, Schlaffke L, Güntürkün O, Behroozi M. Constrained spherical deconvolution on diffusion-weighted images of dolphin brains. Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 108:104-110. [PMID: 38336113 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Invasive neuronal tract-tracing is not permitted in very large or endangered animals. This is especially the case in marine mammals like dolphins. Diffusion-weighted imaging of fiber tracts could be an alternative if feasible even in brains that have been fixed in formalin for a long time. This currently is a problem, especially for detecting crossing fibers. We applied a state-of-the-art algorithm of Diffusion-weighted imaging called Constrained Spherical Deconvolution on diffusion data of three fixed brains of bottlenose dolphins using clinical human MRI parameters and were able to identify complex fiber patterns within a voxel. Our findings indicate that in order to maintain the structural integrity of the tissue, short-term post-mortem fixation is necessary. Furthermore, pre-processing steps are essential to remove the classical Diffusion-weighted imaging artifacts from images: however, the algorithm is still able to resolve fiber tracking in regions with various signal intensities. The described imaging technique reveals complex fiber patterns in cetacean brains that have been preserved in formalin for extended periods of time and thus opens a new window into our understanding of cetacean neuroanatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Gerussi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Jean-Marie Graïc
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Bruno Cozzi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Lara Schlaffke
- Department of Neurology, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany; Heimer Institute for Muscle Research, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany
| | - Onur Güntürkün
- Department of Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; Research Center One Health Ruhr, Research Alliance Ruhr, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mehdi Behroozi
- Department of Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
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27
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Park TY, Franke L, Pieper S, Haehn D, Ning L. A review of algorithms and software for real-time electric field modeling techniques for transcranial magnetic stimulation. Biomed Eng Lett 2024; 14:393-405. [PMID: 38645587 PMCID: PMC11026361 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-024-00373-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a device-based neuromodulation technique increasingly used to treat brain diseases. Electric field (E-field) modeling is an important technique in several TMS clinical applications, including the precision stimulation of brain targets with accurate stimulation density for the treatment of mental disorders and the localization of brain function areas for neurosurgical planning. Classical methods for E-field modeling usually take a long computation time. Fast algorithms are usually developed with significantly lower spatial resolutions that reduce the prediction accuracy and limit their usage in real-time or near real-time TMS applications. This review paper discusses several modern algorithms for real-time or near real-time TMS E-field modeling and their advantages and limitations. The reviewed methods include techniques such as basis representation techniques and deep neural-network-based methods. This paper also provides a review of software tools that can integrate E-field modeling with navigated TMS, including a recent software for real-time navigated E-field mapping based on deep neural-network models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Young Park
- Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792 Republic of Korea
- Division of Biomedical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792 Republic of Korea
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Loraine Franke
- University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125 USA
| | | | - Daniel Haehn
- University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125 USA
| | - Lipeng Ning
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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28
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Falcó-Roget J, Cacciola A, Sambataro F, Crimi A. Functional and structural reorganization in brain tumors: a machine learning approach using desynchronized functional oscillations. Commun Biol 2024; 7:419. [PMID: 38582867 PMCID: PMC10998892 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06119-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies have allowed for non-invasive mapping of brain networks in brain tumors. Although tumor core and edema are easily identifiable using standard MRI acquisitions, imaging studies often neglect signals, structures, and functions within their presence. Therefore, both functional and diffusion signals, as well as their relationship with global patterns of connectivity reorganization, are poorly understood. Here, we explore the functional activity and the structure of white matter fibers considering the contribution of the whole tumor in a surgical context. First, we find intertwined alterations in the frequency domain of local and spatially distributed resting-state functional signals, potentially arising within the tumor. Second, we propose a fiber tracking pipeline capable of using anatomical information while still reconstructing bundles in tumoral and peritumoral tissue. Finally, using machine learning and healthy anatomical information, we predict structural rearrangement after surgery given the preoperative brain network. The generative model also disentangles complex patterns of connectivity reorganization for different types of tumors. Overall, we show the importance of carefully designing studies including MR signals within damaged brain tissues, as they exhibit and relate to non-trivial patterns of both structural and functional (dis-)connections or activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Falcó-Roget
- Brain and More Lab, Computer Vision, Sano Centre for Computational Medicine, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Alberto Cacciola
- Brain Mapping Lab, Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Fabio Sambataro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Crimi
- Brain and More Lab, Computer Vision, Sano Centre for Computational Medicine, Kraków, Poland.
- Faculty of Computer Science, AGH University of Krakow, Kraków, Poland.
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29
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Prieto ML, Maduke M. Towards an ion-channel-centric approach to ultrasound neuromodulation. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2024; 56:101355. [PMID: 38505510 PMCID: PMC10947167 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasound neuromodulation is a promising technology that could revolutionize study and treatment of brain conditions ranging from mood disorders to Alzheimer's disease and stroke. An understanding of how ultrasound directly modulates specific ion channels could provide a roadmap for targeting specific neurological circuits and achieving desired neurophysiological outcomes. Although experimental challenges make it difficult to unambiguously identify which ion channels are sensitive to ultrasound in vivo, recent progress indicates that there are likely several different ion channels involved, including members of the K2P, Piezo, and TRP channel families. A recent result linking TRPM2 channels in the hypothalamus to induction of torpor by ultrasound in rodents demonstrates the feasibility of targeting a specific ion channel in a specific population of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Loynaz Prieto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, 279 Campus Drive West, B151 Beckman Center, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Merritt Maduke
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, 279 Campus Drive West, B155 Beckman Center, Stanford, CA 94305
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30
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Gabusi I, Battocchio M, Bosticardo S, Schiavi S, Daducci A. Blurred streamlines: A novel representation to reduce redundancy in tractography. Med Image Anal 2024; 93:103101. [PMID: 38325156 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2024.103101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Tractography is a powerful tool to study brain connectivity in vivo, but it is well known to suffer from an intrinsic trade-off between sensitivity and specificity. A critical - but usually underrated - parameter to choose that can heavily impact the quality of the estimates is the number of streamlines to be reconstructed for a given data set. In fact, sensitivity can be improved by generating more and more streamlines, as all real anatomical connections are likely reconstructed, but lots of false positives are inevitably introduced, too. Consequently, so-called tractography filtering techniques have become increasingly popular to get rid of these false positives and improve specificity. However, increasing number of streamlines introduces redundancy in tractography reconstructions, which may negatively impact the performance of filtering algorithms, especially those based on linear formulations. To address this problem, we introduce a novel streamlines representation, called "blurred streamlines", which drastically reduces the redundancy among streamlines by (i) clustering similar trajectories and (ii) spatially blurring the corresponding signal contributions. We tested the effectiveness of the blurred streamlines both on synthetic and in vivo data. Our results clearly show that this new representation is as accurate as state-of-the-art methods despite using only 5% of the input streamlines, thus significantly decreasing the computational complexity of filtering algorithms as well as storage requirements of the resulting reconstructions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Gabusi
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Matteo Battocchio
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Laboratory (SCIL), Department of Computer Science, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Sara Bosticardo
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk), Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simona Schiavi
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; ASG Superconductors S.p.A., Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Daducci
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Martins B, Baba MY, Dimateo EM, Costa LF, Camara AS, Lukasova K, Nucci MP. Investigating Dyslexia through Diffusion Tensor Imaging across Ages: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2024; 14:349. [PMID: 38672001 PMCID: PMC11047980 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that presents a deficit in accuracy and/or fluency while reading or spelling that is not expected given the level of cognitive functioning. Research indicates brain structural changes mainly in the left hemisphere, comprising arcuate fasciculus (AF) and corona radiata (CR). The purpose of this systematic review is to better understand the possible methods for analyzing Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data while accounting for the characteristics of dyslexia in the last decade of the literature. Among 124 articles screened from PubMed and Scopus, 49 met inclusion criteria, focusing on dyslexia without neurological or psychiatric comorbidities. Article selection involved paired evaluation, with a third reviewer resolving discrepancies. The selected articles were analyzed using two topics: (1) a demographic and cognitive assessment of the sample and (2) DTI acquisition and analysis. Predominantly, studies centered on English-speaking children with reading difficulties, with preserved non-verbal intelligence, attention, and memory, and deficits in reading tests, rapid automatic naming, and phonological awareness. Structural differences were found mainly in the left AF in all ages and in the bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus for readers-children and adults. A better understanding of structural brain changes of dyslexia and neuroadaptations can be a guide for future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Martins
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Neurorradiologia—LIM44—Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (M.Y.B.); (E.M.D.)
| | - Mariana Yumi Baba
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Neurorradiologia—LIM44—Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (M.Y.B.); (E.M.D.)
| | - Elisa Monteiro Dimateo
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Neurorradiologia—LIM44—Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (M.Y.B.); (E.M.D.)
| | - Leticia Fruchi Costa
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição (CMCC), Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André 09210-580, Brazil; (L.F.C.); (A.S.C.); (K.L.)
| | - Aila Silveira Camara
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição (CMCC), Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André 09210-580, Brazil; (L.F.C.); (A.S.C.); (K.L.)
| | - Katerina Lukasova
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição (CMCC), Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André 09210-580, Brazil; (L.F.C.); (A.S.C.); (K.L.)
| | - Mariana Penteado Nucci
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Neurorradiologia—LIM44—Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (M.Y.B.); (E.M.D.)
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Balestrino M, Adriano E, Alì PA, Pardini M. Selective Alteration of the Left Arcuate Fasciculus in Two Patients Affected by Creatine Transporter Deficiency. Brain Sci 2024; 14:337. [PMID: 38671990 PMCID: PMC11048612 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: In hereditary creatine transporter deficiency (CTD), there is an absence of creatine in the brain and neurological symptoms are present, including severe language impairment. However, the pathological changes caused by creatine deficiency that generate neuropsychological symptoms have been poorly studied. (2) Aims: To investigate if the language impairment in CTD is underpinned by possible pathological changes. (3) Methods: We used MRI tractography to investigate the trophism of the left arcuate fasciculus, a white matter bundle connecting Wernicke's and Broca's language areas that is specifically relevant for language establishment and maintenance, in two patients (28 and 18 y.o.). (4) Results: The T1 and T2 MRI imaging results were unremarkable, but the left arcuate fasciculus showed a marked decrease in mean fractional anisotropy (FA) compared to healthy controls. In contrast, the FA values in the corticospinal tract were similar to those of healthy controls. Although white matter atrophy has been reported in CTD, this is the first report to show a selective abnormality of the language-relevant arcuate fasciculus, suggesting a possible region-specific impact of creatine deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Balestrino
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (P.A.A.); (M.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrico Adriano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (P.A.A.); (M.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Alessandro Alì
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (P.A.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Matteo Pardini
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (P.A.A.); (M.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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33
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Joshi A, Li H, Parikh NA, He L. A systematic review of automated methods to perform white matter tract segmentation. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1376570. [PMID: 38567281 PMCID: PMC10985163 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1376570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
White matter tract segmentation is a pivotal research area that leverages diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) for the identification and mapping of individual white matter tracts and their trajectories. This study aims to provide a comprehensive systematic literature review on automated methods for white matter tract segmentation in brain dMRI scans. Articles on PubMed, ScienceDirect [NeuroImage, NeuroImage (Clinical), Medical Image Analysis], Scopus and IEEEXplore databases and Conference proceedings of Medical Imaging Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention Society (MICCAI) and International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI), were searched in the range from January 2013 until September 2023. This systematic search and review identified 619 articles. Adhering to the specified search criteria using the query, "white matter tract segmentation OR fiber tract identification OR fiber bundle segmentation OR tractography dissection OR white matter parcellation OR tract segmentation," 59 published studies were selected. Among these, 27% employed direct voxel-based methods, 25% applied streamline-based clustering methods, 20% used streamline-based classification methods, 14% implemented atlas-based methods, and 14% utilized hybrid approaches. The paper delves into the research gaps and challenges associated with each of these categories. Additionally, this review paper illuminates the most frequently utilized public datasets for tract segmentation along with their specific characteristics. Furthermore, it presents evaluation strategies and their key attributes. The review concludes with a detailed discussion of the challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Joshi
- Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Hailong Li
- Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Nehal A. Parikh
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Lili He
- Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Computer Science, Biomedical Informatics, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Wainberg M, Forde NJ, Mansour S, Kerrebijn I, Medland SE, Hawco C, Tripathy SJ. Genetic architecture of the structural connectome. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1962. [PMID: 38438384 PMCID: PMC10912129 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46023-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Myelinated axons form long-range connections that enable rapid communication between distant brain regions, but how genetics governs the strength and organization of these connections remains unclear. We perform genome-wide association studies of 206 structural connectivity measures derived from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography of 26,333 UK Biobank participants, each representing the density of myelinated connections within or between a pair of cortical networks, subcortical structures or cortical hemispheres. We identify 30 independent genome-wide significant variants after Bonferroni correction for the number of measures studied (126 variants at nominal genome-wide significance) implicating genes involved in myelination (SEMA3A), neurite elongation and guidance (NUAK1, STRN, DPYSL2, EPHA3, SEMA3A, HGF, SHTN1), neural cell proliferation and differentiation (GMNC, CELF4, HGF), neuronal migration (CCDC88C), cytoskeletal organization (CTTNBP2, MAPT, DAAM1, MYO16, PLEC), and brain metal transport (SLC39A8). These variants have four broad patterns of spatial association with structural connectivity: some have disproportionately strong associations with corticothalamic connectivity, interhemispheric connectivity, or both, while others are more spatially diffuse. Structural connectivity measures are highly polygenic, with a median of 9.1 percent of common variants estimated to have non-zero effects on each measure, and exhibited signatures of negative selection. Structural connectivity measures have significant genetic correlations with a variety of neuropsychiatric and cognitive traits, indicating that connectivity-altering variants tend to influence brain health and cognitive function. Heritability is enriched in regions with increased chromatin accessibility in adult oligodendrocytes (as well as microglia, inhibitory neurons and astrocytes) and multiple fetal cell types, suggesting that genetic control of structural connectivity is partially mediated by effects on myelination and early brain development. Our results indicate pervasive, pleiotropic, and spatially structured genetic control of white-matter structural connectivity via diverse neurodevelopmental pathways, and support the relevance of this genetic control to healthy brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Wainberg
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Natalie J Forde
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Salim Mansour
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isabel Kerrebijn
- Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah E Medland
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Colin Hawco
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Shreejoy J Tripathy
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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35
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Zhu Y, Wang Y. Brain fiber structure estimation based on principal component analysis and RINLM filter. Med Biol Eng Comput 2024; 62:751-771. [PMID: 37996628 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-023-02972-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging is a technique for non-invasive detection of microstructure in the white matter of the human brain, which is widely used in neuroscience research of the brain. However, diffusion-weighted images(DWI) are sensitive to noise, which affects the subsequent reconstruction of fiber orientation direction, microstructural parameter estimation and fiber tracking. In order to better eliminate the noise in diffusion-weighted images, this study proposes a noise reduction method combining Marchenko-Pastur principal component analysis(MPPCA) and rotation-invariant non-local means filter(RINLM) to further remove residual noise and preserve the image texture detail information. In this study, the algorithm is applied to the fiber structure and the prevailing microstructural models within the human brain voxels based on simulated and real human brain datasets. Experimental comparisons between the proposed method and the state-of-the-art methods are performed in single-fiber, multi-fiber, crossed and curved-fiber regions as well as in different microstructure estimation models. Results demonstrated the superior performance of the proposed method in denoising DWI data, which can reduce the angular error in fiber orientation reconstruction to obtain more valid fiber structure estimation and enable more complete fiber tracking trajectories with higher coverage. Meanwhile, the method reduces the estimation errors of various white matter microstructural parameters and verifies the performance of the method in white matter microstructure estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuemin Zhu
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanjun Wang
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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36
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Filipiak P, Sajitha TA, Shepherd TM, Clarke K, Goldman H, Placantonakis DG, Zhang J, Chan KC, Boada FE, Baete SH. Improved reconstruction of crossing fibers in the mouse optic pathways with orientation distribution function fingerprinting. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:1075-1086. [PMID: 37927121 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The accuracy of diffusion MRI tractography reconstruction decreases in the white matter regions with crossing fibers. The optic pathways in rodents provide a challenging structure to test new diffusion tractography approaches because of the small crossing volume within the optic chiasm and the unbalanced 9:1 proportion between the contra- and ipsilateral neural projections from the retina to the lateral geniculate nucleus, respectively. METHODS Common approaches based on Orientation Distribution Function (ODF) peak finding or statistical inference were compared qualitatively and quantitatively to ODF Fingerprinting (ODF-FP) for reconstruction of crossing fibers within the optic chiasm using in vivo diffusion MRI (n = 18 $$ n=18 $$ healthy C57BL/6 mice). Manganese-Enhanced MRI (MEMRI) was obtained after intravitreal injection of manganese chloride and used as a reference standard for the optic pathway anatomy. RESULTS ODF-FP outperformed by over 100% all the tested methods in terms of the ratios between the contra- and ipsilateral segments of the reconstructed optic pathways as well as the spatial overlap between tractography and MEMRI. CONCLUSION In this challenging model system, ODF-Fingerprinting reduced uncertainty of diffusion tractography for complex structural formations of fiber bundles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Filipiak
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Timothy M Shepherd
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kamri Clarke
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hannah Goldman
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dimitris G Placantonakis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perlmutter Cancer Center, Neuroscience Institute, Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jiangyang Zhang
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kevin C Chan
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fernando E Boada
- Radiological Sciences Laboratory and Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Steven H Baete
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
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37
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Caznok Silveira AC, Antunes ASLM, Athié MCP, da Silva BF, Ribeiro dos Santos JV, Canateli C, Fontoura MA, Pinto A, Pimentel-Silva LR, Avansini SH, de Carvalho M. Between neurons and networks: investigating mesoscale brain connectivity in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1340345. [PMID: 38445254 PMCID: PMC10912403 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1340345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of brain connectivity has been a cornerstone in understanding the complexities of neurological and psychiatric disorders. It has provided invaluable insights into the functional architecture of the brain and how it is perturbed in disorders. However, a persistent challenge has been achieving the proper spatial resolution, and developing computational algorithms to address biological questions at the multi-cellular level, a scale often referred to as the mesoscale. Historically, neuroimaging studies of brain connectivity have predominantly focused on the macroscale, providing insights into inter-regional brain connections but often falling short of resolving the intricacies of neural circuitry at the cellular or mesoscale level. This limitation has hindered our ability to fully comprehend the underlying mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders and to develop targeted interventions. In light of this issue, our review manuscript seeks to bridge this critical gap by delving into the domain of mesoscale neuroimaging. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of conditions affected by aberrant neural connections, image acquisition techniques, feature extraction, and data analysis methods that are specifically tailored to the mesoscale. We further delineate the potential of brain connectivity research to elucidate complex biological questions, with a particular focus on schizophrenia and epilepsy. This review encompasses topics such as dendritic spine quantification, single neuron morphology, and brain region connectivity. We aim to showcase the applicability and significance of mesoscale neuroimaging techniques in the field of neuroscience, highlighting their potential for gaining insights into the complexities of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara Caznok Silveira
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Carolina Pedro Athié
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Filomena da Silva
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Canateli
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Marina Alves Fontoura
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Allan Pinto
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Simoni Helena Avansini
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Murilo de Carvalho
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
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Young F, Aquilina K, Seunarine KK, Mancini L, Clark CA, Clayden JD. Fibre orientation atlas guided rapid segmentation of white matter tracts. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26578. [PMID: 38339907 PMCID: PMC10826637 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibre tract delineation from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable clinical tool for neurosurgical planning and navigation, as well as in research neuroimaging pipelines. Several popular methods are used for this task, each with different strengths and weaknesses making them more or less suited to different contexts. For neurosurgical imaging, priorities include ease of use, computational efficiency, robustness to pathology and ability to generalise to new tracts of interest. Many existing methods use streamline tractography, which may require expert neuroimaging operators for setting parameters and delineating anatomical regions of interest, or suffer from as a lack of generalisability to clinical scans involving deforming tumours and other pathologies. More recently, data-driven approaches including deep-learning segmentation models and streamline clustering methods have improved reproducibility and automation, although they can require large amounts of training data and/or computationally intensive image processing at the point of application. We describe an atlas-based direct tract mapping technique called 'tractfinder', utilising tract-specific location and orientation priors. Our aim was to develop a clinically practical method avoiding streamline tractography at the point of application while utilising prior anatomical knowledge derived from only 10-20 training samples. Requiring few training samples allows emphasis to be placed on producing high quality, neuro-anatomically accurate training data, and enables rapid adaptation to new tracts of interest. Avoiding streamline tractography at the point of application reduces computational time, false positives and vulnerabilities to pathology such as tumour deformations or oedema. Carefully filtered training streamlines and track orientation distribution mapping are used to construct tract specific orientation and spatial probability atlases in standard space. Atlases are then transformed to target subject space using affine registration and compared with the subject's voxel-wise fibre orientation distribution data using a mathematical measure of distribution overlap, resulting in a map of the tract's likely spatial distribution. This work includes extensive performance evaluation and comparison with benchmark techniques, including streamline tractography and the deep-learning method TractSeg, in two publicly available healthy diffusion MRI datasets (from TractoInferno and the Human Connectome Project) in addition to a clinical dataset comprising paediatric and adult brain tumour scans. Tract segmentation results display high agreement with established techniques while requiring less than 3 min on average when applied to a new subject. Results also display higher robustness than compared methods when faced with clinical scans featuring brain tumours and resections. As well as describing and evaluating a novel proposed tract delineation technique, this work continues the discussion on the challenges surrounding the white matter segmentation task, including issues of anatomical definitions and the use of quantitative segmentation comparison metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Young
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Kristian Aquilina
- Department of NeurosurgeryGreat Ormond Street Hospital for ChildrenLondonUK
| | - Kiran K. Seunarine
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Department of RadiologyGreat Ormond Street Hospital for ChildrenLondonUK
| | - Laura Mancini
- Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, The National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
- Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Chris A. Clark
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Jonathan D. Clayden
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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Gatto RG, Martin PR, Utianski RL, Duffy JR, Clark HM, Botha H, Machulda MM, Josephs KA, Whitwell JL. Diffusion tensor imaging-based multi-fiber tracking reconstructions can regionally differentiate phonetic versus prosodic subtypes of progressive apraxia of speech. Cortex 2024; 171:272-286. [PMID: 38061209 PMCID: PMC10922200 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Two subtypes of progressive apraxia of speech (PAOS) have been recognized: phonetic PAOS (PAOS_ph) where speech output is dominated by distorted sound substitutions and prosodic PAOS (PAOS_pr) which is dominated by segmented speech. We investigate whether these PAOS subtypes have different white matter microstructural abnormalities measured by diffusion tensor tractography. Thirty-three patients with PAOS (21 PAOS_ph and 12 PAOS_pr) and 19 healthy controls were recruited by the Neurodegenerative Research Group (NRG) and underwent diffusion MRI. Using a whole-brain tractography approach, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were extracted for cortico-cortical, cortico-subcortical, cortical-projection, and cerebello-cortical white matter tracts. A hierarchical linear model was applied to assess tract-level FA and MD across groups. Both PAOS_ph and PAOS_pr showed degeneration of cortico-cortical, cortico-subcortical, cortical-projection, and cerebello-cortical white matter tracts compared to controls. However, degeneration of the body of corpus callosum, superior thalamic radiation, and superior cerebellar peduncle was greater in PAOS_pr compared to PAOS_ph, and degeneration of the inferior segment of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) was greater in PAOS_ph compared to PAOS_pr. Worse parkinsonism correlated with greater degeneration of cortico-cortical and cortico-subcortical tracts in PAOS_ph. Apraxia of speech articulatory error score correlated with degeneration of the superior cerebellar peduncle tracts in PAOS_pr. Phonetic and prosodic PAOS involve the compromise of a similar network of tracts, although there are connectivity differences between types. Whereas clinical parameters are the current gold standard to distinguish PAOS subtypes, our results allege the use of DTI-based tractography as a supplementary method to investigate such variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter R Martin
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Joseph R Duffy
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Hugo Botha
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mary M Machulda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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40
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Bröhl T, Rings T, Pukropski J, von Wrede R, Lehnertz K. The time-evolving epileptic brain network: concepts, definitions, accomplishments, perspectives. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 3:1338864. [PMID: 38293249 PMCID: PMC10825060 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1338864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy is now considered a network disease that affects the brain across multiple levels of spatial and temporal scales. The paradigm shift from an epileptic focus-a discrete cortical area from which seizures originate-to a widespread epileptic network-spanning lobes and hemispheres-considerably advanced our understanding of epilepsy and continues to influence both research and clinical treatment of this multi-faceted high-impact neurological disorder. The epileptic network, however, is not static but evolves in time which requires novel approaches for an in-depth characterization. In this review, we discuss conceptual basics of network theory and critically examine state-of-the-art recording techniques and analysis tools used to assess and characterize a time-evolving human epileptic brain network. We give an account on current shortcomings and highlight potential developments towards an improved clinical management of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Bröhl
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Radiation and Nuclear Physics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thorsten Rings
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Radiation and Nuclear Physics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan Pukropski
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Randi von Wrede
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Klaus Lehnertz
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Radiation and Nuclear Physics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Complex Systems, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Neher P, Hirjak D, Maier-Hein K. Radiomic tractometry reveals tract-specific imaging biomarkers in white matter. Nat Commun 2024; 15:303. [PMID: 38182594 PMCID: PMC10770385 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44591-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Tract-specific microstructural analysis of the brain's white matter (WM) using diffusion MRI has been a driver for neuroscientific discovery with a wide range of applications. Tractometry enables localized tissue analysis along tracts but relies on bare summary statistics and reduces complex image information along a tract to few scalar values, and so may miss valuable information. This hampers the applicability of tractometry for predictive modelling. Radiomics is a promising method based on the analysis of numerous quantitative image features beyond what can be visually perceived, but has not yet been used for tract-specific analysis of white matter. Here we introduce radiomic tractometry (RadTract) and show that introducing rich radiomics-based feature sets into the world of tractometry enables improved predictive modelling while retaining the localization capability of tractometry. We demonstrate its value in a series of clinical populations, showcasing its performance in diagnosing disease subgroups in different datasets, as well as estimation of demographic and clinical parameters. We propose that RadTract could spark the establishment of a new generation of tract-specific imaging biomarkers with benefits for a range of applications from basic neuroscience to medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Neher
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Image Computing, Im Neuenheimer Feld 223, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Pattern Analysis and Learning Group, Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Dusan Hirjak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Klaus Maier-Hein
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Image Computing, Im Neuenheimer Feld 223, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Pattern Analysis and Learning Group, Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, a partnership between DKFZ and the university medical center Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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42
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Bosticardo S, Schiavi S, Schaedelin S, Battocchio M, Barakovic M, Lu PJ, Weigel M, Melie-Garcia L, Granziera C, Daducci A. Evaluation of tractography-based myelin-weighted connectivity across the lifespan. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1228952. [PMID: 38239829 PMCID: PMC10794573 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1228952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recent studies showed that the myelin of the brain changes in the life span, and demyelination contributes to the loss of brain plasticity during normal aging. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) allows studying brain connectivity in vivo by mapping axons in white matter with tractography algorithms. However, dMRI does not provide insight into myelin; thus, combining tractography with myelin-sensitive maps is necessary to investigate myelin-weighted brain connectivity. Tractometry is designated for this purpose, but it suffers from some serious limitations. Our study assessed the effectiveness of the recently proposed Myelin Streamlines Decomposition (MySD) method in estimating myelin-weighted connectomes and its capacity to detect changes in myelin network architecture during the process of normal aging. This approach opens up new possibilities compared to traditional Tractometry. Methods In a group of 85 healthy controls aged between 18 and 68 years, we estimated myelin-weighted connectomes using Tractometry and MySD, and compared their modulation with age by means of three well-known global network metrics. Results Following the literature, our results show that myelin development continues until brain maturation (40 years old), after which degeneration begins. In particular, mean connectivity strength and efficiency show an increasing trend up to 40 years, after which the process reverses. Both Tractometry and MySD are sensitive to these changes, but MySD turned out to be more accurate. Conclusion After regressing the known predictors, MySD results in lower residual error, indicating that MySD provides more accurate estimates of myelin-weighted connectivity than Tractometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bosticardo
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simona Schiavi
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ASG Superconductors S.p.A., Genoa, Italy
| | - Sabine Schaedelin
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Battocchio
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Laboratory (SCIL), Département d’Informatique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Muhamed Barakovic
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Po-Jui Lu
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Weigel
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lester Melie-Garcia
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Granziera
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Daducci
- Diffusion Imaging and Connectivity Estimation (DICE) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Bielanin JP, Metwally SAH, Paruchuri SS, Sun D. An overview of mild traumatic brain injuries and emerging therapeutic targets. Neurochem Int 2024; 172:105655. [PMID: 38072207 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/01/2024]
Abstract
The majority of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), approximately 90%, are classified as mild (mTBIs). Globally, an estimated 4 million injuries occur each year from concussions or mTBIs, highlighting their significance as a public health crisis. TBIs can lead to substantial long-term health consequences, including an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease (PD), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and nearly doubling one's risk of suicide. However, the current management of mTBIs in clinical practice and the available treatment options are limited. There exists an unmet need for effective therapy. This review addresses various aspects of mTBIs based on the most up-to-date literature review, with the goal of stimulating translational research to identify new therapeutic targets and improve our understanding of pathogenic mechanisms. First, we provide a summary of mTBI symptomatology and current diagnostic parameters such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) for classifying mTBIs or concussions, as well as the utility of alternative diagnostic parameters, including imaging techniques like MRI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and serum biomarkers such as S100B, NSE, GFAP, UCH-L1, NFL, and t-tau. Our review highlights several pre-clinical concussion models employed in the study of mTBIs and the underlying cellular mechanisms involved in mTBI-related pathogenesis, including axonal damage, demyelination, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Finally, we examine a selection of new therapeutic targets currently under investigation in pre-clinical models. These targets may hold promise for clinical translation and address the pressing need for more effective treatments for mTBIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Bielanin
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Shamseldin A H Metwally
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Satya S Paruchuri
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Dandan Sun
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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44
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Ruiz-Rizzo AL, Finke K, Archila-Meléndez ME. Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Alzheimer's Studies. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2785:105-113. [PMID: 38427191 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3774-6_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
In this chapter, we describe the use of quantitative metrics of white matter obtained from the diffusion tensor model based on diffusion-weighted imaging in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our description synthesizes insights not only from patient populations with AD dementia but also from participants at risk for AD dementia (e.g., amnestic mild cognitive impairment, subjective cognitive decline, or familial AD mutation carriers). A reference to studies examining correlations with behavioral variables is also included. Our main message is to caution against the overinterpretation of diffusion metrics and to favor analyses that focus on regions of interest or major white matter tracts for biomarker studies in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Kamagata K, Andica C, Uchida W, Takabayashi K, Saito Y, Lukies M, Hagiwara A, Fujita S, Akashi T, Wada A, Hori M, Kamiya K, Zalesky A, Aoki S. Advancements in Diffusion MRI Tractography for Neurosurgery. Invest Radiol 2024; 59:13-25. [PMID: 37707839 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography is a noninvasive technique that enables the visualization and quantification of white matter tracts within the brain. It is extensively used in preoperative planning for brain tumors, epilepsy, and functional neurosurgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation. Over the past 25 years, significant advancements have been made in imaging acquisition, fiber direction estimation, and tracking methods, resulting in considerable improvements in tractography accuracy. The technique enables the mapping of functionally critical pathways around surgical sites to avoid permanent functional disability. When the limitations are adequately acknowledged and considered, tractography can serve as a valuable tool to safeguard critical white matter tracts and provides insight regarding changes in normal white matter and structural connectivity of the whole brain beyond local lesions. In functional neurosurgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation, it plays a significant role in optimizing stimulation sites and parameters to maximize therapeutic efficacy and can be used as a direct target for therapy. These insights can aid in patient risk stratification and prognosis. This article aims to discuss state-of-the-art tractography methodologies and their applications in preoperative planning and highlight the challenges and new prospects for the use of tractography in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Kamagata
- From the Department of Radiology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (K.K., C.A., W.U., K.T., Y.S., A.H., S.F., T.A., A.W., S.A.); Faculty of Health Data Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan (C.A., S.A.); Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (M.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (S.F.); Department of Radiology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan (M.H., K.K.); Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Center, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (A.Z.); and Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (A.Z.)
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Gajwani M, Oldham S, Pang JC, Arnatkevičiūtė A, Tiego J, Bellgrove MA, Fornito A. Can hubs of the human connectome be identified consistently with diffusion MRI? Netw Neurosci 2023; 7:1326-1350. [PMID: 38144690 PMCID: PMC10631793 DOI: 10.1162/netn_a_00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent years have seen a surge in the use of diffusion MRI to map connectomes in humans, paralleled by a similar increase in processing and analysis choices. Yet these different steps and their effects are rarely compared systematically. Here, in a healthy young adult population (n = 294), we characterized the impact of a range of analysis pipelines on one widely studied property of the human connectome: its degree distribution. We evaluated the effects of 40 pipelines (comparing common choices of parcellation, streamline seeding, tractography algorithm, and streamline propagation constraint) and 44 group-representative connectome reconstruction schemes on highly connected hub regions. We found that hub location is highly variable between pipelines. The choice of parcellation has a major influence on hub architecture, and hub connectivity is highly correlated with regional surface area in most of the assessed pipelines (ρ > 0.70 in 69% of the pipelines), particularly when using weighted networks. Overall, our results demonstrate the need for prudent decision-making when processing diffusion MRI data, and for carefully considering how different processing choices can influence connectome organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehul Gajwani
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart Oldham
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James C. Pang
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aurina Arnatkevičiūtė
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeggan Tiego
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A. Bellgrove
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alex Fornito
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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Nelson MC, Royer J, Lu WD, Leppert IR, Campbell JSW, Schiavi S, Jin H, Tavakol S, Vos de Wael R, Rodriguez-Cruces R, Pike GB, Bernhardt BC, Daducci A, Misic B, Tardif CL. The human brain connectome weighted by the myelin content and total intra-axonal cross-sectional area of white matter tracts. Netw Neurosci 2023; 7:1363-1388. [PMID: 38144691 PMCID: PMC10697181 DOI: 10.1162/netn_a_00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A central goal in neuroscience is the development of a comprehensive mapping between structural and functional brain features, which facilitates mechanistic interpretation of brain function. However, the interpretability of structure-function brain models remains limited by a lack of biological detail. Here, we characterize human structural brain networks weighted by multiple white matter microstructural features including total intra-axonal cross-sectional area and myelin content. We report edge-weight-dependent spatial distributions, variance, small-worldness, rich club, hubs, as well as relationships with function, edge length, and myelin. Contrasting networks weighted by the total intra-axonal cross-sectional area and myelin content of white matter tracts, we find opposite relationships with functional connectivity, an edge-length-independent inverse relationship with each other, and the lack of a canonical rich club in myelin-weighted networks. When controlling for edge length, networks weighted by either fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, or neurite density show no relationship with whole-brain functional connectivity. We conclude that the co-utilization of structural networks weighted by total intra-axonal cross-sectional area and myelin content could improve our understanding of the mechanisms mediating the structure-function brain relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C. Nelson
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jessica Royer
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wen Da Lu
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ilana R. Leppert
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jennifer S. W. Campbell
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Simona Schiavi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Hyerang Jin
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shahin Tavakol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Reinder Vos de Wael
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Raul Rodriguez-Cruces
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - G. Bruce Pike
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Departments of Radiology and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Boris C. Bernhardt
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Bratislav Misic
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christine L. Tardif
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Baruzzi V, Lodi M, Sorrentino F, Storace M. Bridging functional and anatomical neural connectivity through cluster synchronization. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22430. [PMID: 38104227 PMCID: PMC10725511 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49746-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamics of the brain results from the complex interplay of several neural populations and is affected by both the individual dynamics of these areas and their connection structure. Hence, a fundamental challenge is to derive models of the brain that reproduce both structural and functional features measured experimentally. Our work combines neuroimaging data, such as dMRI, which provides information on the structure of the anatomical connectomes, and fMRI, which detects patterns of approximate synchronous activity between brain areas. We employ cluster synchronization as a tool to integrate the imaging data of a subject into a coherent model, which reconciles structural and dynamic information. By using data-driven and model-based approaches, we refine the structural connectivity matrix in agreement with experimentally observed clusters of brain areas that display coherent activity. The proposed approach leverages the assumption of homogeneous brain areas; we show the robustness of this approach when heterogeneity between the brain areas is introduced in the form of noise, parameter mismatches, and connection delays. As a proof of concept, we apply this approach to MRI data of a healthy adult at resting state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Lodi
- DITEN, University of Genoa, Via Opera Pia 11a, 16145, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Sorrentino
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Marco Storace
- DITEN, University of Genoa, Via Opera Pia 11a, 16145, Genova, Italy.
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Lippa SM, Yeh PH, Kennedy JE, Bailie JM, Ollinger J, Brickell TA, French LM, Lange RT. Lifetime Blast Exposure Is Not Related to White Matter Integrity in Service Members and Veterans With and Without Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotrauma Rep 2023; 4:827-837. [PMID: 38156076 PMCID: PMC10754347 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2023.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examines the impact of lifetime blast exposure on white matter integrity in service members and veterans (SMVs). Participants were 227 SMVs, including those with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI; n = 124), orthopedic injury controls (n = 58), and non-injured controls (n = 45), prospectively enrolled in a Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)/Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence (TBICoE) study. Participants were divided into three groups based on number of self-reported lifetime blast exposures: none (n = 53); low (i.e., 1-9 blasts; n = 81); and high (i.e., ≥10 blasts; n = 93). All participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at least 11 months post-injury. Tract-of-interest (TOI) analysis was applied to investigate fractional anisotropy and mean, radial, and axial diffusivity (AD) in left and right total cerebral white matter as well as 24 tracts. Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction was used. Regressions investigating blast exposure and mTBI on white matter integrity, controlling for age, revealed that the presence of mTBI history was associated with lower AD in the bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus and arcuate fasciculus and left cingulum (βs = -0.255 to -0.174; ps < 0.01); however, when non-injured controls were removed from the sample (but orthopedic injury controls remained), these relationships were attenuated and did not survive FDR correction. Regression models were rerun with modified post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis added as a predictor. After FDR correction, PTSD was not significantly associated with white matter integrity in any of the models. Overall, there was no relationship between white matter integrity and self-reported lifetime blast exposure or PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Lippa
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ping-Hong Yeh
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jan E. Kennedy
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jason M. Bailie
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- 33 Area Branch Clinic, Camp Pendleton, California, USA
| | - John Ollinger
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Tracey A. Brickell
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Louis M. French
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rael T. Lange
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, USA
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50
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Liu W, Zhuo Z, Liu Y, Ye C. One-shot segmentation of novel white matter tracts via extensive data augmentation and adaptive knowledge transfer. Med Image Anal 2023; 90:102968. [PMID: 37729793 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2023.102968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has allowed accurate white matter (WM) tract segmentation on diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). To train the CNN-based segmentation models, a large number of scans on which WM tracts are annotated need to be collected, and these annotated scans can be accumulated over a long period of time. However, when novel WM tracts that are different from existing annotated WM tracts are of interest, additional annotations are required for their segmentation. Due to the cost of manual annotations, methods have been developed for few-shot segmentation of novel WM tracts, where the segmentation knowledge is transferred from existing WM tracts to novel WM tracts and the amount of annotated data for novel WM tracts is reduced. Despite these developments, it is desirable to further reduce the amount of annotated data to the one-shot setting with a single annotated image. To address this problem, we develop an approach to one-shot segmentation of novel WM tracts. Our method follows the existing pretraining/fine-tuning framework that transfers segmentation knowledge from existing to novel WM tracts. First, as there is extremely scarce annotated data in the one-shot setting, we design several different data augmentation strategies so that extensive data augmentation can be performed to obtain extra synthetic training data. The data augmentation strategies are based on image masking and thus applicable to the one-shot setting. Second, to address overfitting and knowledge forgetting in the fine-tuning stage that can be more severe given limited training data, we propose an adaptive knowledge transfer strategy that selects the network weights to be updated. The data augmentation and adaptive knowledge transfer strategies are combined to train the segmentation model. Considering that the different data augmentation strategies can generate synthetic data that contain potentially conflicting information, we apply the data augmentation strategies separately, each leading to a different segmentation model. The results predicted by the different models are fused to produce the final segmentation. We validated our method on two brain dMRI datasets, including a public dataset and an in-house dataset. Different settings were considered for the validation, and the results show that the proposed method improves the one-shot segmentation of novel WM tracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Liu
- School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhizheng Zhuo
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaou Liu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chuyang Ye
- School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.
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