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Kalyani A, Contier O, Klemm L, Azañon E, Schreiber S, Speck O, Reichert C, Kuehn E. Reduced dimension stimulus decoding and column-based modeling reveal architectural differences of primary somatosensory finger maps between younger and older adults. Neuroimage 2023; 283:120430. [PMID: 37923281 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120430] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary somatosensory cortex (SI) contains fine-grained tactile representations of the body, arranged in an orderly fashion. The use of ultra-high resolution fMRI data to detect group differences, for example between younger and older adults' SI maps, is challenging, because group alignment often does not preserve the high spatial detail of the data. Here, we use robust-shared response modeling (rSRM) that allows group analyses by mapping individual stimulus-driven responses to a lower dimensional shared feature space, to detect age-related differences in tactile representations between younger and older adults using 7T-fMRI data. Using this method, we show that finger representations are more precise in Brodmann-Area (BA) 3b and BA1 compared to BA2 and motor areas, and that this hierarchical processing is preserved across age groups. By combining rSRM with column-based decoding (C-SRM), we further show that the number of columns that optimally describes finger maps in SI is higher in younger compared to older adults in BA1, indicating a greater columnar size in older adults' SI. Taken together, we conclude that rSRM is suitable for finding fine-grained group differences in ultra-high resolution fMRI data, and we provide first evidence that the columnar architecture in SI changes with increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Kalyani
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany.
| | - Oliver Contier
- Vision and Computational Cognition Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, 04103, Germany; Max Planck School of Cognition, Stephanstrasse 1a, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Lisa Klemm
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; Clinic for Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Elena Azañon
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; Clinic for Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schreiber
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; Clinic for Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Oliver Speck
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; Department Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (BMMR), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany; Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Reichert
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Esther Kuehn
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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2
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Doehler J, Northall A, Liu P, Fracasso A, Chrysidou A, Speck O, Lohmann G, Wolbers T, Kuehn E. The 3D Structural Architecture of the Human Hand Area Is Nontopographic. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3456-3476. [PMID: 37001994 PMCID: PMC10184749 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1692-22.2023] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional topography of the human primary somatosensory cortex hand area is a widely studied model system to understand sensory organization and plasticity. It is so far unclear whether the underlying 3D structural architecture also shows a topographic organization. We used 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to quantify layer-specific myelin, iron, and mineralization in relation to population receptive field maps of individual finger representations in Brodman area 3b (BA 3b) of human S1 in female and male younger adults. This 3D description allowed us to identify a characteristic profile of layer-specific myelin and iron deposition in the BA 3b hand area, but revealed an absence of structural differences, an absence of low-myelin borders, and high similarity of 3D microstructure profiles between individual fingers. However, structural differences and borders were detected between the hand and face areas. We conclude that the 3D structural architecture of the human hand area is nontopographic, unlike in some monkey species, which suggests a high degree of flexibility for functional finger organization and a new perspective on human topographic plasticity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Using ultra-high-field MRI, we provide the first comprehensive in vivo description of the 3D structural architecture of the human BA 3b hand area in relation to functional population receptive field maps. High similarity of precise finger-specific 3D profiles, together with an absence of structural differences and an absence of low-myelin borders between individual fingers, reveals the 3D structural architecture of the human hand area to be nontopographic. This suggests reduced structural limitations to cortical plasticity and reorganization and allows for shared representational features across fingers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Doehler
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alicia Northall
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peng Liu
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alessio Fracasso
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Anastasia Chrysidou
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Speck
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Lohmann
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Wolbers
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Esther Kuehn
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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3
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Northall A, Doehler J, Weber M, Vielhaber S, Schreiber S, Kuehn E. Layer-specific vulnerability is a mechanism of topographic map aging. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 128:17-32. [PMID: 37141729 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Topographic maps form a critical feature of cortical organization, yet are poorly described with respect to their microstructure in the living aging brain. We acquired quantitative structural and functional 7T-MRI data from younger and older adults to characterize layer-wise topographic maps of the primary motor cortex (M1). Using parcellation-inspired techniques, we show that quantitative T1 and Quantitative Susceptibility Maps values of the hand, face, and foot areas differ significantly, revealing microstructurally distinct cortical fields in M1. We show that these fields are distinct in older adults and that myelin borders between them do not degenerate. We further show that the output layer 5 of M1 shows a particular vulnerability to age-related increased iron, while layer 5 and the superficial layer show increased diamagnetic substance, likely reflecting calcifications. Taken together, we provide a novel 3D model of M1 microstructure, where body parts form distinct structural units, but layers show specific vulnerability toward increased iron and calcium in older adults. Our findings have implications for understanding sensorimotor organization and aging, in addition to topographic disease spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Northall
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
| | - Juliane Doehler
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Miriam Weber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Stefan Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Esther Kuehn
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen, Germany
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4
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Banerjee A, Wang BA, Teutsch J, Helmchen F, Pleger B. Analogous cognitive strategies for tactile learning in the rodent and human brain. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 222:102401. [PMID: 36608783 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102401] [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: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Evolution has molded individual species' sensory capacities and abilities. In rodents, who mostly inhabit dark tunnels and burrows, the whisker-based somatosensory system has developed as the dominant sensory modality, essential for environmental exploration and spatial navigation. In contrast, humans rely more on visual and auditory inputs when collecting information from their surrounding sensory space in everyday life. As a result of such species-specific differences in sensory dominance, cognitive relevance and capacities, the evidence for analogous sensory-cognitive mechanisms across species remains sparse. However, recent research in rodents and humans yielded surprisingly comparable processing rules for detecting tactile stimuli, integrating touch information into percepts, and goal-directed rule learning. Here, we review how the brain, across species, harnesses such processing rules to establish decision-making during tactile learning, following canonical circuits from the thalamus and the primary somatosensory cortex up to the frontal cortex. We discuss concordances between empirical and computational evidence from micro- and mesoscopic circuit studies in rodents to findings from macroscopic imaging in humans. Furthermore, we discuss the relevance and challenges for future cross-species research in addressing mutual context-dependent evaluation processes underpinning perceptual learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Banerjee
- Adaptive Decisions Lab, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, United Kingdom.
| | - Bin A Wang
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany; Collaborative Research Centre 874 "Integration and Representation of Sensory Processes", Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.
| | - Jasper Teutsch
- Adaptive Decisions Lab, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
| | - Fritjof Helmchen
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Dynamics, Brain Research Institute, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Pleger
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany; Collaborative Research Centre 874 "Integration and Representation of Sensory Processes", Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
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5
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Ma S, Huang T, Qu Y, Chen X, Zhang Y, Zhen Z. An fMRI dataset for whole-body somatotopic mapping in humans. Sci Data 2022; 9:515. [PMID: 35999222 PMCID: PMC9399117 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01644-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The somatotopic representation of the body is a well-established organizational principle in the human brain. Classic invasive direct electrical stimulation for somatotopic mapping cannot be used to map the whole-body topographical representation of healthy individuals. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become an indispensable tool for the noninvasive investigation of somatotopic organization of the human brain using voluntary movement tasks. Unfortunately, body movements during fMRI scanning often cause large head motion artifacts. Consequently, there remains a lack of publicly accessible fMRI datasets for whole-body somatotopic mapping. Here, we present public high-resolution fMRI data to map the somatotopic organization based on motor movements in a large cohort of healthy adults (N = 62). In contrast to previous studies that were mostly designed to distinguish few body representations, most body parts are considered, including toe, ankle, leg, finger, wrist, forearm, upper arm, jaw, lip, tongue, and eyes. Moreover, the fMRI data are denoised by combining spatial independent component analysis with manual identification to clean artifacts from head motion associated with body movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Taicheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yukun Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xiayu Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yajie Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Zonglei Zhen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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6
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Wesselink DB, Sanders ZB, Edmondson LR, Dempsey-Jones H, Kieliba P, Kikkert S, Themistocleous AC, Emir U, Diedrichsen J, Saal HP, Makin TR. Malleability of the cortical hand map following a finger nerve block. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk2393. [PMID: 35452294 PMCID: PMC9032959 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk2393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Electrophysiological studies in monkeys show that finger amputation triggers local remapping within the deprived primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Human neuroimaging research, however, shows persistent S1 representation of the missing hand's fingers, even decades after amputation. Here, we explore whether this apparent contradiction stems from underestimating the distributed peripheral and central representation of fingers in the hand map. Using pharmacological single-finger nerve block and 7-tesla neuroimaging, we first replicated previous accounts (electrophysiological and other) of local S1 remapping. Local blocking also triggered activity changes to nonblocked fingers across the entire hand area. Using methods exploiting interfinger representational overlap, however, we also show that the blocked finger representation remained persistent despite input loss. Computational modeling suggests that both local stability and global reorganization are driven by distributed processing underlying the topographic map, combined with homeostatic mechanisms. Our findings reveal complex interfinger representational features that play a key role in brain (re)organization, beyond (re)mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan B. Wesselink
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Zeena-Britt Sanders
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laura R. Edmondson
- Active Touch Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Harriet Dempsey-Jones
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Paulina Kieliba
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sanne Kikkert
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andreas C. Themistocleous
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Brain Function Research Group, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Uzay Emir
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jörn Diedrichsen
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Hannes P. Saal
- Active Touch Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tamar R. Makin
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
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7
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Willems T, Henke K. Imaging human engrams using 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. Hippocampus 2021; 31:1257-1270. [PMID: 34739173 PMCID: PMC9298259 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The investigation of the physical traces of memories (engrams) has made significant progress in the last decade due to optogenetics and fluorescent cell tagging applied in rodents. Engram cells were identified. The ablation of engram cells led to the loss of the associated memory, silent memories were reactivated, and artificial memories were implanted in the brain. Human engram research lags behind engram research in rodents due to methodological and ethical constraints. However, advances in multivariate analysis techniques of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and machine learning algorithms allowed the identification of stable engram patterns in humans. In addition, MRI scanners with an ultrahigh field strength of 7 Tesla (T) have left their prototype state and became more common around the world to assist human engram research. Although most engram research in humans is still being performed with a field strength of 3T, fMRI at 7T will push engram research. Here, we summarize the current state and findings of human engram research and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of applying 7 versus 3T fMRI to image human memory traces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Willems
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Henke
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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8
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Wang L, Zhang Z, Okada T, Li C, Chen D, Funahashi S, Wu J, Yan T. Population Receptive Field Characteristics in the between- and Within-Digit Dimensions of the Undominant Hand in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:4427-4438. [PMID: 33973012 PMCID: PMC8408438 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatotopy is an important guiding principle for sensory fiber organization in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), which reflects tactile information processing and is associated with disease-related reorganization. However, it is difficult to measure the neuronal encoding scheme in S1 in vivo in normal participants. Here, we investigated the somatotopic map of the undominant hand using a Bayesian population receptive field (pRF) model. The model was established in hand space with between- and within-digit dimensions. In the between-digit dimension, orderly representation was found, which had low variability across participants. The pRF shape tended to be elliptical for digits with high spatial acuity, for which the long axis was along the within-digit dimension. In addition, the pRF width showed different change trends in the 2 dimensions across digits. These results provide new insights into the neural mechanisms in S1, allowing for in-depth investigation of somatosensory information processing and disease-related reorganization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Wang
- School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Zhilin Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Okada
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Chunlin Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Duanduan Chen
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shintaro Funahashi
- Advanced research institute of multidisciplinary science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jinglong Wu
- School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tianyi Yan
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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9
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Liu P, Chrysidou A, Doehler J, Hebart MN, Wolbers T, Kuehn E. The organizational principles of de-differentiated topographic maps in somatosensory cortex. eLife 2021; 10:e60090. [PMID: 34003108 PMCID: PMC8186903 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Topographic maps are a fundamental feature of cortex architecture in the mammalian brain. One common theory is that the de-differentiation of topographic maps links to impairments in everyday behavior due to less precise functional map readouts. Here, we tested this theory by characterizing de-differentiated topographic maps in primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of younger and older adults by means of ultra-high resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging together with perceptual finger individuation and hand motor performance. Older adults' SI maps showed similar amplitude and size to younger adults' maps, but presented with less representational similarity between distant fingers. Larger population receptive field sizes in older adults' maps did not correlate with behavior, whereas reduced cortical distances between D2 and D3 related to worse finger individuation but better motor performance. Our data uncover the drawbacks of a simple de-differentiation model of topographic map function, and motivate the introduction of feature-based models of cortical reorganization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)MagdeburgGermany
| | - Anastasia Chrysidou
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)MagdeburgGermany
| | - Juliane Doehler
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)MagdeburgGermany
| | - Martin N Hebart
- Vision and Computational Cognition Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzigGermany
| | - Thomas Wolbers
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)MagdeburgGermany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
| | - Esther Kuehn
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)MagdeburgGermany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
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