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Kang P, Wang AZX. Microbiota-gut-brain axis: the mediator of exercise and brain health. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2024; 4:kkae007. [PMID: 38756477 PMCID: PMC11096970 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The brain controls the nerve system, allowing complex emotional and cognitive activities. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a bidirectional neural, hormonal, and immune signaling pathway that could link the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. Over the past few decades, gut microbiota has been demonstrated to be an essential component of the gastrointestinal tract that plays a crucial role in regulating most functions of various body organs. The effects of the microbiota on the brain occur through the production of neurotransmitters, hormones, and metabolites, regulation of host-produced metabolites, or through the synthesis of metabolites by the microbiota themselves. This affects the host's behavior, mood, attention state, and the brain's food reward system. Meanwhile, there is an intimate association between the gut microbiota and exercise. Exercise can change gut microbiota numerically and qualitatively, which may be partially responsible for the widespread benefits of regular physical activity on human health. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a non-invasive method to show areas of brain activity enabling the delineation of specific brain regions involved in neurocognitive disorders. Through combining exercise tasks and fMRI techniques, researchers can observe the effects of exercise on higher brain functions. However, exercise's effects on brain health via gut microbiota have been little studied. This article reviews and highlights the connections between these three interactions, which will help us to further understand the positive effects of exercise on brain health and provide new strategies and approaches for the prevention and treatment of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piao Kang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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Kamat A, Eastmond C, Gao Y, Nemani A, Yanik E, Cavuoto L, Hackett M, Norfleet J, Schwaitzberg S, De S, Intes X. Assessment of Surgical Tasks Using Neuroimaging Dataset (ASTaUND). Sci Data 2023; 10:699. [PMID: 37838752 PMCID: PMC10576768 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02603-3] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging tool for studying brain activity in mobile subjects. Open-access fNIRS datasets are limited to simple and/or motion-restricted tasks. Here, we report a fNIRS dataset acquired on mobile subjects performing Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) tasks in a laboratory environment. Demonstrating competency in the FLS tasks is a prerequisite for board certification in general surgery in the United States. The ASTaUND data set was acquired over four different studies. We provide the relevant information about the hardware, FLS task execution protocols, and subject demographics to facilitate the use of this open-access data set. We also provide the concurrent FLS scores, a quantitative metric for surgical skill assessment developed by the FLS committee. This data set is expected to support the growing field of assessing surgical skills via neuroimaging data and provide an example of data processing pipeline for use in realistic, non-restrictive environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kamat
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging for Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 12180, USA.
| | - Condell Eastmond
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging for Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 12180, USA.
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Boston University Neurophotonics Center, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
| | - Arun Nemani
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging for Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 12180, USA
| | - Erim Yanik
- Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL, 32310, USA
| | - Lora Cavuoto
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Matthew Hackett
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Jack Norfleet
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Steven Schwaitzberg
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (CCDC SC), Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Suvranu De
- Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL, 32310, USA
| | - Xavier Intes
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging for Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 12180, USA
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Keleş HO, Omurtag A. Video game experience affects performance, cognitive load, and brain activity in laparoscopic surgery training. Turk J Surg 2023; 39:95-101. [PMID: 38026907 PMCID: PMC10681104 DOI: 10.47717/turkjsurg.2023.5674] [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: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Video games can be a valuable tool for surgery training. Individuals who interact or play video games tend to have a better visuospatial ability when compared to non-gamers. Numerous studies suggest that video game experience is associated with faster acquisition, greater sharpening, and longer retention of laparoscopic skills. Given the neurocognitive complexity of surgery skill, multimodal approaches are required to understand how video game playing enhances laparoscopy skill. Material and Methods Twenty-seven students with no laparoscopy experience and varying levels of video game experience performed standard laparoscopic training tasks. Their performance, subjective cognitive loading, and prefrontal cortical activity were recorded and analyzed. As a reference point to use in comparing the two novice groups, we also included data from 13 surgeons with varying levels of laparoscopy experience and no video game experience. Results Results indicated that video game experience was correlated with higher performance (R2 = 0.22, p <0.01) and lower cognitive load (R2 = 0.21, p <0.001), and the prefrontal cortical activation of students with gaming experience was relatively lower than those without gaming experience. In terms of these variables, gaming experience in novices tended to produce effects similar to those of laparoscopy experience in surgeons. Conclusion Our results suggest that along the dimensions of performance, cognitive load, and brain activity, the effects of video gaming experience on novice laparoscopy trainees are similar to those of real-world laparoscopy experience on surgeons. We believe that the neural underpinnings of surgery skill and its links with gaming experience need to be investigated further using wearable functional brain imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Onur Keleş
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Omurtag
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Goble M, Caddick V, Patel R, Modi H, Darzi A, Orihuela-Espina F, Leff DR. Optical neuroimaging and neurostimulation in surgical training and assessment: A state-of-the-art review. FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2023; 4:1142182. [PMID: 38234498 PMCID: PMC10790870 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2023.1142182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive optical neuroimaging technique used to assess surgeons' brain function. The aim of this narrative review is to outline the effect of expertise, stress, surgical technology, and neurostimulation on surgeons' neural activation patterns, and highlight key progress areas required in surgical neuroergonomics to modulate training and performance. Methods A literature search of PubMed and Embase was conducted to identify neuroimaging studies using fNIRS and neurostimulation in surgeons performing simulated tasks. Results Novice surgeons exhibit greater haemodynamic responses across the pre-frontal cortex than experts during simple surgical tasks, whilst expert surgical performance is characterized by relative prefrontal attenuation and upregulation of activation foci across other regions such as the supplementary motor area. The association between PFC activation and mental workload follows an inverted-U shaped curve, activation increasing then attenuating past a critical inflection point at which demands outstrip cognitive capacity Neuroimages are sensitive to the impact of laparoscopic and robotic tools on cognitive workload, helping inform the development of training programs which target neural learning curves. FNIRS differs in comparison to current tools to assess proficiency by depicting a cognitive state during surgery, enabling the development of cognitive benchmarks of expertise. Finally, neurostimulation using transcranial direct-current-stimulation may accelerate skill acquisition and enhance technical performance. Conclusion FNIRS can inform the development of surgical training programs which modulate stress responses, cognitive learning curves, and motor skill performance. Improved data processing with machine learning offers the possibility of live feedback regarding surgeons' cognitive states during operative procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Goble
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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D'Ambrosia C, Aronoff-Spencer E, Huang EY, Goldhaber NH, Christensen HI, Broderick RC, Appelbaum LG. The neurophysiology of intraoperative error: An EEG study of trainee surgeons during robotic-assisted surgery simulations. FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2023; 3:1052411. [PMID: 38235463 PMCID: PMC10790934 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2022.1052411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Surgeons operate in mentally and physically demanding workspaces where the impact of error is highly consequential. Accurately characterizing the neurophysiology of surgeons during intraoperative error will help guide more accurate performance assessment and precision training for surgeons and other teleoperators. To better understand the neurophysiology of intraoperative error, we build and deploy a system for intraoperative error detection and electroencephalography (EEG) signal synchronization during robot-assisted surgery (RAS). We then examine the association between EEG data and detected errors. Our results suggest that there are significant EEG changes during intraoperative error that are detectable irrespective of surgical experience level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D'Ambrosia
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Cognitive Robotics Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Contextual Robotics Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Eliah Aronoff-Spencer
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Estella Y. Huang
- Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nicole H. Goldhaber
- Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Henrik I. Christensen
- Cognitive Robotics Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Contextual Robotics Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Ryan C. Broderick
- Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Lawrence G. Appelbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Toy S, Huh DD, Materi J, Nanavati J, Schwengel DA. Use of neuroimaging to measure neurocognitive engagement in health professions education: a scoping review. MEDICAL EDUCATION ONLINE 2022; 27:2016357. [PMID: 35012424 PMCID: PMC8757598 DOI: 10.1080/10872981.2021.2016357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To map the current literature on functional neuroimaging use in medical education research as a novel measurement modality for neurocognitive engagement, learning, and expertise development. METHOD We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, ERIC, and Web of Science, and hand-searched reference lists of relevant articles on April 4, 2019, and updated the search on July 7, 2020. Two authors screened the abstracts and then full-text articles for eligibility based on inclusion criteria. The data were then charted, synthesized, and analyzed descriptively. RESULTS Sixty-seven articles published between 2007 and 2020 were included in this scoping review. These studies used three main neuroimaging modalities: functional magnetic resonance imaging, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and electroencephalography. Most of the publications (90%, n = 60) were from the last 10 years (2011-2020). Although these studies were conducted in 16 countries, 68.7% (n = 46) were from three countries: the USA (n = 21), UK (n = 15), and Canada (n = 10). These studies were mainly non-experimental (74.6%, n = 50). Most used neuroimaging techniques to examine psychomotor skill development (57%, n = 38), but several investigated neurocognitive correlates of clinical reasoning skills (22%, n = 15). CONCLUSION This scoping review maps the available literature on functional neuroimaging use in medical education. Despite the heterogeneity in research questions, study designs, and outcome measures, we identified a few common themes. Included studies are encouraging of the potential for neuroimaging to complement commonly used measures in education research and may help validate/challenge established theoretical assumptions and provide insight into training methods. This review highlighted several areas for further research. The use of these emerging technologies appears ripe for developing precision education, establishing viable study protocols for realistic operational settings, examining team dynamics, and exploring applications for real-time monitoring/intervention during critical clinical tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Toy
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dana D Huh
- The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joshua Materi
- The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie Nanavati
- Welch Medical Library, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Deborah A. Schwengel
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Walia P, Fu Y, Schwaitzberg SD, Intes X, De S, Dutta A, Cavuoto L. Portable neuroimaging differentiates novices from those with experience for the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) suturing with intracorporeal knot tying task. Surg Endosc 2022:10.1007/s00464-022-09727-4. [DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09727-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Patel R, Suwa Y, Kinross J, von Roon A, Woods AJ, Darzi A, Singh H, Leff DR. Neuroenhancement of surgeons during robotic suturing. Surg Endosc 2022; 36:4803-4814. [PMID: 34724587 PMCID: PMC9160107 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-021-08823-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The initial phases of robotic surgical skills acquisition are associated with poor technical performance, such as low knot-tensile strength (KTS). Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) can improve force and accuracy in motor tasks but research in surgery is limited to open and laparoscopic tasks in students. More recently, robotic surgery has gained traction and is now the most common approach for certain procedures (e.g. prostatectomy). Early-phase robotic suturing performance is dependent on prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation, and this study aimed to determine whether performance can be improved with prefrontal tDCS. METHODS Fifteen surgical residents were randomized to either active then sham tDCS or sham then active tDCS, in two counterbalanced sessions in a double-blind crossover study. Within each session, participants performed a robotic suturing task repeated in three blocks: pre-, intra- and post-tDCS. During the intra-tDCS block, participants were randomized to either active tDCS (2 mA for 15 min) to the PFC or sham tDCS. Primary outcome measures of technical quality included KTS and error scores. RESULTS Significantly faster completion times were observed longitudinally, regardless of active (p < 0.001) or sham stimulation (p < 0.001). KTS was greater following active compared to sham stimulation (median: active = 44.35 N vs. sham = 27.12 N, p < 0.001). A significant reduction in error scores from "pre-" to "post-" (p = 0.029) were only observed in the active group. CONCLUSION tDCS could reduce error and enhance KTS during robotic suturing and warrants further exploration as an adjunct to robotic surgical training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronak Patel
- Deparment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Yusuke Suwa
- Deparment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - James Kinross
- Deparment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Adam J Woods
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ara Darzi
- Deparment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Harsimrat Singh
- Deparment of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Studying Brain Activation during Skill Acquisition via Robot-Assisted Surgery Training. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11070937. [PMID: 34356171 PMCID: PMC8303118 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11070937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Robot-assisted surgery systems are a recent breakthrough in minimally invasive surgeries, offering numerous benefits to both patients and surgeons including, but not limited to, greater visualization of the operation site, greater precision during operation and shorter hospitalization times. Training on robot-assisted surgery (RAS) systems begins with the use of high-fidelity simulators. Hence, the increasing demand of employing RAS systems has led to a rise in using RAS simulators to train medical doctors. The aim of this study was to investigate the brain activity changes elicited during the skill acquisition of resident surgeons by measuring hemodynamic changes from the prefrontal cortex area via a neuroimaging sensor, namely, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Twenty-four participants, who are resident medical doctors affiliated with different surgery departments, underwent an RAS simulator training during this study and completed the sponge suturing tasks at three different difficulty levels in two consecutive sessions/blocks. The results reveal that cortical oxygenation changes in the prefrontal cortex were significantly lower during the second training session (Block 2) compared to the initial training session (Block 1) (p < 0.05).
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10
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Gao Y, Yan P, Kruger U, Cavuoto L, Schwaitzberg S, De S, Intes X. Functional Brain Imaging Reliably Predicts Bimanual Motor Skill Performance in a Standardized Surgical Task. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 68:2058-2066. [PMID: 32755850 PMCID: PMC8265734 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2020.3014299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Currently, there is a dearth of objective metrics for assessing bi-manual motor skills, which are critical for high-stakes professions such as surgery. Recently, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been shown to be effective at classifying motor task types, which can be potentially used for assessing motor performance level. In this work, we use fNIRS data for predicting the performance scores in a standardized bi-manual motor task used in surgical certification and propose a deep-learning framework 'Brain-NET' to extract features from the fNIRS data. Our results demonstrate that the Brain-NET is able to predict bi-manual surgical motor skills based on neuroimaging data accurately ( R2=0.73). Furthermore, the classification ability of the Brain-NET model is demonstrated based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.91. Hence, these results establish that fNIRS associated with deep learning analysis is a promising method for a bedside, quick and cost-effective assessment of bi-manual skill levels.
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Nemani A, Kamat A, Gao Y, Yucel M, Gee D, Cooper C, Schwaitzberg S, Intes X, Dutta A, De S. Functional brain connectivity related to surgical skill dexterity in physical and virtual simulation environments. NEUROPHOTONICS 2021; 8:015008. [PMID: 33681406 PMCID: PMC7927423 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.8.1.015008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Surgical simulators, both virtual and physical, are increasingly used as training tools for teaching and assessing surgical technical skills. However, the metrics used for assessment in these simulation environments are often subjective and inconsistent. Aim: We propose functional activation metrics, derived from brain imaging measurements, to objectively assess the correspondence between brain activation with surgical motor skills for subjects with varying degrees of surgical skill. Approach: Cortical activation based on changes in the oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) of 36 subjects was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy at the prefrontal cortex (PFC), primary motor cortex, and supplementary motor area (SMA) due to their association with motor skill learning. Inter-regional functional connectivity metrics, namely, wavelet coherence (WCO) and wavelet phase coherence were derived from HbO changes to correlate brain activity to surgical motor skill levels objectively. Results: One-way multivariate analysis of variance found a statistically significant difference in the inter-regional WCO metrics for physical simulator based on Wilk's Λ for expert versus novice, F ( 10,1 ) = 7495.5 , p < 0.01 . Partial eta squared effect size for the inter-regional WCO metrics was found to be highest between the central prefrontal cortex (CPFC) and SMA, CPFC-SMA ( η 2 = 0.257 ). Two-tailed Mann-Whitney U tests with a 95% confidence interval showed baseline equivalence and a statistically significant ( p < 0.001 ) difference in the CPFC-SMA WPCO metrics for the physical simulator training group ( 0.960 ± 0.045 ) versus the untrained control group ( 0.735 ± 0.177 ) following training for 10 consecutive days in addition to the pretest and posttest days. Conclusion: We show that brain functional connectivity WCO metric corresponds to surgical motor skills in the laparoscopic physical simulators. Functional connectivity between the CPFC and the SMA is lower for subjects that exhibit expert surgical motor skills than untrained subjects in laparoscopic physical simulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Nemani
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Troy, New York, United States
| | - Anil Kamat
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Troy, New York, United States
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Troy, New York, United States
| | - Meryem Yucel
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Surgery, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Denise Gee
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Surgery, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Clairice Cooper
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York, United States
| | - Steven Schwaitzberg
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York, United States
| | - Xavier Intes
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Troy, New York, United States
| | - Anirban Dutta
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York, United States
| | - Suvranu De
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Troy, New York, United States
- Address all correspondence to Suvranu De,
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Abstract
Yongjun Wang and colleagues discuss the definition of brain health and the opportunities and challenges of future research
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yuesong Pan
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
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13
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Patel R, Ashcroft J, Darzi A, Singh H, Leff DR. Neuroenhancement in surgeons: benefits, risks and ethical dilemmas. Br J Surg 2020; 107:946-950. [DOI: 10.1002/bjs.11601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Surgeons traditionally aim to reduce mistakes in healthcare through repeated training and advancement of surgical technology. Recently, performance-enhancing interventions such as neurostimulation are emerging which may offset errors in surgical practice.
Methods
Use of transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS), a novel neuroenhancement technique that has been applied to surgeons to improve surgical technical performance, was reviewed. Evidence supporting tDCS improvements in motor and cognitive performance outside of the field of surgery was assessed and correlated with emerging research investigating tDCS in the surgical setting and potential applications to wider aspects of healthcare. Ethical considerations and future implications of using tDCS in surgical training and perioperatively are also discussed.
Results
Outside of surgery, tDCS studies demonstrate improved motor performance with regards to reaction time, task completion, strength and fatigue, while also suggesting enhanced cognitive function through multitasking, vigilance and attention assessments. In surgery, current research has demonstrated improved performance in open knot-tying, laparoscopic and robotic skills while also offsetting subjective temporal demands. However, a number of ethical issues arise from the potential application of tDCS in surgery in the form of safety, coercion, distributive justice and fairness, all of which must be considered prior to implementation.
Conclusion
Neuroenhancement may improve motor and cognitive skills in healthcare professions with impact on patient safety. Implementation will require accurate protocols and regulations to balance benefits with the associated ethical dilemmas, and to direct safe use for clinicians and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Patel
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, 10th Floor, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - J Ashcroft
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, 10th Floor, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - A Darzi
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, 10th Floor, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - H Singh
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, 10th Floor, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - D R Leff
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, 10th Floor, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
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14
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Dehais F, Lafont A, Roy R, Fairclough S. A Neuroergonomics Approach to Mental Workload, Engagement and Human Performance. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:268. [PMID: 32317914 PMCID: PMC7154497 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The assessment and prediction of cognitive performance is a key issue for any discipline concerned with human operators in the context of safety-critical behavior. Most of the research has focused on the measurement of mental workload but this construct remains difficult to operationalize despite decades of research on the topic. Recent advances in Neuroergonomics have expanded our understanding of neurocognitive processes across different operational domains. We provide a framework to disentangle those neural mechanisms that underpin the relationship between task demand, arousal, mental workload and human performance. This approach advocates targeting those specific mental states that precede a reduction of performance efficacy. A number of undesirable neurocognitive states (mind wandering, effort withdrawal, perseveration, inattentional phenomena) are identified and mapped within a two-dimensional conceptual space encompassing task engagement and arousal. We argue that monitoring the prefrontal cortex and its deactivation can index a generic shift from a nominal operational state to an impaired one where performance is likely to degrade. Neurophysiological, physiological and behavioral markers that specifically account for these states are identified. We then propose a typology of neuroadaptive countermeasures to mitigate these undesirable mental states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Dehais
- ISAE-SUPAERO, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alex Lafont
- ISAE-SUPAERO, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Raphaëlle Roy
- ISAE-SUPAERO, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Stephen Fairclough
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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15
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Aksoy E, Izzetoglu K, Baysoy E, Agrali A, Kitapcioglu D, Onaral B. Performance Monitoring via Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy for Virtual Reality Based Basic Life Support Training. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1336. [PMID: 31920503 PMCID: PMC6920174 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of serious game tools in training of medical professions is steadily growing. However, there is a lack of reliable performance assessment methods to evaluate learner’s outcome. The aim of this study is to determine whether functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can be used as an additional tool for assessing the learning outcome of virtual reality (VR) based learning modules. The hypothesis is that together with an improvement in learning outcome there would be a decrease in the participants’ cerebral oxygenation levels measured from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) region and an increase of participants’ serious gaming results. To test this hypothesis, the subjects were recruited and divided into four groups with different combinations of prior virtual reality experience and prior Basic Life Support (BLS) knowledge levels. A VR based serious gaming module for teaching BLS and 16-Channel fNIRS system were used to collect data from the participants. Results of the participants’ scores acquired from the serious gaming module were compared with fNIRS measures on the initial and final training sessions. Kruskal Wallis test was run to determine any significant statistical difference between the groups and Mann–Whitney U test was utilized to obtain pairwise comparisons. BLS training scores of the participants acquired from VR based serious game’s the learning management system and fNIRS measurements revealed decrease in use of resources from the PFC, but increase in behavioral performance. Importantly, brain-based measures can provide an additional quantitative metric for trainee’s expertise development and can assist the medical simulation instructors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emin Aksoy
- Department of Biomedical Device Technology, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Center of Advanced Simulation and Education, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kurtulus Izzetoglu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Engin Baysoy
- Department of Biomedical Device Technology, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Atahan Agrali
- Department of Biomedical Device Technology, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dilek Kitapcioglu
- Center of Advanced Simulation and Education, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Banu Onaral
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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16
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Sudakou A, Wojtkiewicz S, Lange F, Gerega A, Sawosz P, Tachtsidis I, Liebert A. Depth-resolved assessment of changes in concentration of chromophores using time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy: estimation of cytochrome-c-oxidase uncertainty by Monte Carlo simulations. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 10:4621-4635. [PMID: 31565513 PMCID: PMC6757481 DOI: 10.1364/boe.10.004621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy (TR-NIRS) measurements can be used to recover changes in concentrations of tissue constituents ( Δ C ) by applying the moments method and the Beer-Lambert law. In this work we carried out the error propagation analysis allowing to calculate the standard deviations of uncertainty in estimation of the Δ C . Here, we show the process of choosing wavelengths for the evaluation of hemodynamic (oxy-, deoxyhemoglobin) and metabolic (cytochrome-c-oxidase (CCO)) responses within the brain tissue as measured with an in-house developed TR-NIRS multi-wavelength system, which measures at 16 consecutive wavelengths separated by 12.5 nm and placed between 650 and 950 nm. Data generated with Monte Carlo simulations on three-layered model (scalp, skull, brain) for wavelengths range from 650 to 950 nm were used to carry out the error propagation analysis for varying choices of wavelengths. For a detector with a spectrally uniform responsivity, the minimal standard deviation of the estimated changes in CCO within the brain layer, σ Δ C CCO brain = 0.40 µM, was observed for the 16 consecutive wavelengths from 725 to 912.5 nm. For realistic a detector model, i.e. the spectral responsivity characteristic is considered, the minimum, σ Δ C CCO brain = 0.47 µM, was observed at the 16 consecutive wavelengths from 688 to 875 nm. We introduce the method of applying the error propagation analysis to data as measured with spectral TR-NIRS systems to calculate uncertainty of recovery of tissue constituents concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleh Sudakou
- Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering Polish Academy of Sciences, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stanislaw Wojtkiewicz
- Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering Polish Academy of Sciences, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
- School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Frédéric Lange
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Gerega
- Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering Polish Academy of Sciences, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Sawosz
- Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering Polish Academy of Sciences, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ilias Tachtsidis
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Liebert
- Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering Polish Academy of Sciences, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
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17
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Nemani A, Kruger U, Cooper CA, Schwaitzberg SD, Intes X, De S. Objective assessment of surgical skill transfer using non-invasive brain imaging. Surg Endosc 2019; 33:2485-2494. [PMID: 30334166 PMCID: PMC10756643 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-018-6535-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical and virtual surgical simulators are increasingly being used in training technical surgical skills. However, metrics such as completion time or subjective performance checklists often show poor correlation to transfer of skills into clinical settings. We hypothesize that non-invasive brain imaging can objectively differentiate and classify surgical skill transfer, with higher accuracy than established metrics, for subjects based on motor skill levels. STUDY DESIGN 18 medical students at University at Buffalo were randomly assigned into control, physical surgical trainer, or virtual trainer groups. Training groups practiced a surgical technical task on respective simulators for 12 consecutive days. To measure skill transfer post-training, all subjects performed the technical task in an ex-vivo environment. Cortical activation was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in the prefrontal cortex, primary motor cortex, and supplementary motor area, due to their direct impact on motor skill learning. RESULTS Classification between simulator trained and untrained subjects based on traditional metrics is poor, where misclassification errors range from 20 to 41%. Conversely, fNIRS metrics can successfully classify physical or virtual trained subjects from untrained subjects with misclassification errors of 2.2% and 8.9%, respectively. More importantly, untrained subjects are successfully classified from physical or virtual simulator trained subjects with misclassification errors of 2.7% and 9.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION fNIRS metrics are significantly more accurate than current established metrics in classifying different levels of surgical motor skill transfer. Our approach brings robustness, objectivity, and accuracy in validating the effectiveness of future surgical trainers in translating surgical skills to clinically relevant environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Nemani
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110, 8th Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Uwe Kruger
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110, 8th Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Clairice A Cooper
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, 14228, USA
| | - Steven D Schwaitzberg
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, 14228, USA
| | - Xavier Intes
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110, 8th Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Suvranu De
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110, 8th Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
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18
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Nemani A, Yücel MA, Kruger U, Gee DW, Cooper C, Schwaitzberg SD, De S, Intes X. Assessing bimanual motor skills with optical neuroimaging. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaat3807. [PMID: 30306130 PMCID: PMC6170034 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat3807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Measuring motor skill proficiency is critical for the certification of highly skilled individuals in numerous fields. However, conventional measures use subjective metrics that often cannot distinguish between expertise levels. We present an advanced optical neuroimaging methodology that can objectively and successfully classify subjects with different expertise levels associated with bimanual motor dexterity. The methodology was tested by assessing laparoscopic surgery skills within the framework of the fundamentals of a laparoscopic surgery program, which is a prerequisite for certification in general surgery. We demonstrate that optical-based metrics outperformed current metrics for surgical certification in classifying subjects with varying surgical expertise. Moreover, we report that optical neuroimaging allows for the successful classification of subjects during the acquisition of these skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Nemani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Meryem A. Yücel
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Uwe Kruger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Denise W. Gee
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Clairice Cooper
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Steven D. Schwaitzberg
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Suvranu De
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
- Corresponding author. (S.D.); (X.I.)
| | - Xavier Intes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
- Corresponding author. (S.D.); (X.I.)
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