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Calixto C, Taymourtash A, Karimi D, Snoussi H, Velasco-Annis C, Jaimes C, Gholipour A. Advances in Fetal Brain Imaging. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2024; 32:459-478. [PMID: 38944434 PMCID: PMC11216711 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2024.03.004] [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] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, there have been remarkable developments in fetal brain MR imaging analysis methods. This article delves into the specifics of structural imaging, diffusion imaging, functional MR imaging, and spectroscopy, highlighting the latest advancements in motion correction, fetal brain development atlases, and the challenges and innovations. Furthermore, this article explores the clinical applications of these advanced imaging techniques in comprehending and diagnosing fetal brain development and abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Calixto
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Athena Taymourtash
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, Wien 1090, Austria
| | - Davood Karimi
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Haykel Snoussi
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Clemente Velasco-Annis
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Camilo Jaimes
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ali Gholipour
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Wu Y, Vasung L, Calixto C, Gholipour A, Karimi D. Characterizing normal perinatal development of the human brain structural connectivity. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26784. [PMID: 39031955 PMCID: PMC11259574 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26784] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Early brain development is characterized by the formation of a highly organized structural connectome, which underlies brain's cognitive abilities and influences its response to diseases and environmental factors. Hence, quantitative assessment of structural connectivity in the perinatal stage is useful for studying normal and abnormal neurodevelopment. However, estimation of the connectome from diffusion MRI data involves complex computations. For the perinatal period, these computations are further challenged by the rapid brain development, inherently low signal quality, imaging difficulties, and high inter-subject variability. These factors make it difficult to chart the normal development of the structural connectome. As a result, there is a lack of reliable normative baselines of structural connectivity metrics at this critical stage in brain development. In this study, we developed a computational method based on spatio-temporal averaging in the image space for determining such baselines. We used this method to analyze the structural connectivity between 33 and 44 postmenstrual weeks using data from 166 subjects. Our results unveiled clear and strong trends in the development of structural connectivity in the perinatal stage. We observed increases in measures of network integration and segregation, and widespread strengthening of the connections within and across brain lobes and hemispheres. We also observed asymmetry patterns that were consistent between different connection weighting approaches. Connection weighting based on fractional anisotropy and neurite density produced the most consistent results. Our proposed method also showed considerable agreement with an alternative technique based on connectome averaging. The new computational method and results of this study can be useful for assessing normal and abnormal development of the structural connectome early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Wu
- Computational Radiology Laboratory (CRL), Department of RadiologyBoston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Lana Vasung
- Department of Pediatrics at Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Camilo Calixto
- Computational Radiology Laboratory (CRL), Department of RadiologyBoston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Ali Gholipour
- Computational Radiology Laboratory (CRL), Department of RadiologyBoston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Davood Karimi
- Computational Radiology Laboratory (CRL), Department of RadiologyBoston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Cotter DL, Morrel J, Sukumaran K, Cardenas-Iniguez C, Schwartz J, Herting MM. Prenatal and childhood air pollution exposure, cellular immune biomarkers, and brain connectivity in early adolescents. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 38:100799. [PMID: 39021436 PMCID: PMC11252082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ambient air pollution is a neurotoxicant with hypothesized immune-related mechanisms. Adolescent brain structural and functional connectivity may be especially vulnerable to ambient pollution due to the refinement of large-scale brain networks during this period, which vary by sex and have important implications for cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning. In the current study we explored associations between air pollutants, immune markers, and structural and functional connectivity in early adolescence by leveraging cross-sectional sex-stratified data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development℠ Study®. Methods Pollutant concentrations of fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone were assigned to each child's primary residential address during the prenatal period and childhood (9-10 years-old) using an ensemble-based modeling approach. Data collected at 11-13 years-old included resting-state functional connectivity of the default mode, frontoparietal, and salience networks and limbic regions of interest, intracellular directional and isotropic diffusion of available white matter tracts, and markers of cellular immune activation. Using partial least squares correlation, a multivariate data-driven method that identifies important variables within latent dimensions, we investigated associations between 1) pollutants and structural and functional connectivity, 2) pollutants and immune markers, and 3) immune markers and structural and functional connectivity, in each sex separately. Results Air pollution exposure was related to white matter intracellular directional and isotropic diffusion at ages 11-13 years, but the direction of associations varied by sex. There were no associations between pollutants and resting-state functional connectivity at ages 11-13 years. Childhood exposure to nitrogen dioxide was negatively correlated with white blood cell count in males. Immune biomarkers were positively correlated with white matter intracellular directional diffusion in females and both white matter intracellular directional and isotropic diffusion in males. Lastly, there was a reliable negative correlation between lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and default mode network resting-state functional connectivity in females, as well as a compromised immune marker profile associated with lower resting-state functional connectivity between the salience network and the left hippocampus in males. In post-hoc exploratory analyses, we found that the PLSC-identified white matter tracts and resting-state networks related to processing speed and cognitive control performance from the NIH Toolbox. Conclusions We identified novel links between childhood nitrogen dioxide and cellular immune activation in males, and brain network connectivity and immune markers in both sexes. Future research should explore the potentially mediating role of immune activity in how pollutants affect neurological outcomes as well as the potential consequences of immune-related patterns of brain connectivity in service of improved brain health for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devyn L. Cotter
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Morrel
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kirthana Sukumaran
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Kora Y, Simon C. Coarse graining and criticality in the human connectome. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:044303. [PMID: 38755874 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.044303] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
In the face of the stupefying complexity of the human brain, network analysis is a most useful tool that allows one to greatly simplify the problem, typically by approximating the billions of neurons making up the brain by means of a coarse-grained picture with a practicable number of nodes. But even such relatively small and coarse networks, such as the human connectome with its 100-1000 nodes, may present challenges for some computationally demanding analyses that are incapable of handling networks with more than a handful of nodes. With such applications in mind, we set out to study the extent to which dynamical behavior and critical phenomena in the brain may be preserved following a severe coarse-graining procedure. Thus we proceeded to further coarse grain the human connectome by taking a modularity-based approach, the goal being to produce a network of a relatively small number of modules. After finding that the qualitative dynamical behavior of the coarse-grained networks reflected that of the original networks, albeit to a less pronounced extent, we then formulated a hypothesis based on the coarse-grained networks in the context of criticality in the Wilson-Cowan and Ising models, and we verified the hypothesis, which connected a transition value of the former with the critical temperature of the latter, using the original networks. This preservation of dynamical and critical behavior following a severe coarse-graining procedure, in principle, allows for the drawing of similar qualitative conclusions by analyzing much smaller networks, which opens the door for studying the human connectome in contexts typically regarded as computationally intractable, such as Integrated Information Theory and quantum models of the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Kora
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 4N1, Canada
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Haas A, Chung J, Kent C, Mills B, McCoy M. Vertebral Subluxation and Systems Biology: An Integrative Review Exploring the Salutogenic Influence of Chiropractic Care on the Neuroendocrine-Immune System. Cureus 2024; 16:e56223. [PMID: 38618450 PMCID: PMC11016242 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56223] [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] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In this paper we synthesize an expansive body of literature examining the multifaceted influence of chiropractic care on processes within and modulators of the neuroendocrine-immune (NEI) system, for the purpose of generating an inductive hypothesis regarding the potential impacts of chiropractic care on integrated physiology. Taking a broad, interdisciplinary, and integrative view of two decades of research-documented outcomes of chiropractic care, inclusive of reports ranging from systematic and meta-analysis and randomized and observational trials to case and cohort studies, this review encapsulates a rigorous analysis of research and suggests the appropriateness of a more integrative perspective on the impact of chiropractic care on systemic physiology. A novel perspective on the salutogenic, health-promoting effects of chiropractic adjustment is presented, focused on the improvement of physical indicators of well-being and adaptability such as blood pressure, heart rate variability, and sleep, potential benefits that may be facilitated through multiple neurologically mediated pathways. Our findings support the biological plausibility of complex benefits from chiropractic intervention that is not limited to simple neuromusculoskeletal outcomes and open new avenues for future research, specifically the exploration and mapping of the precise neural pathways and networks influenced by chiropractic adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Haas
- Research, Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, Kennesaw, USA
| | - Jonathan Chung
- Research, Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, Kennesaw, USA
| | - Christopher Kent
- Research, Sherman College, Spartanburg, USA
- Research, Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, Kennesaw, USA
| | - Brooke Mills
- Research, Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, Kennesaw, USA
| | - Matthew McCoy
- Research, Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, Kennesaw, USA
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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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Jiang T, Gong H, Yuan J. Whole-brain Optical Imaging: A Powerful Tool for Precise Brain Mapping at the Mesoscopic Level. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1840-1858. [PMID: 37715920 PMCID: PMC10661546 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01112-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian brain is a highly complex network that consists of millions to billions of densely-interconnected neurons. Precise dissection of neural circuits at the mesoscopic level can provide important structural information for understanding the brain. Optical approaches can achieve submicron lateral resolution and achieve "optical sectioning" by a variety of means, which has the natural advantage of allowing the observation of neural circuits at the mesoscopic level. Automated whole-brain optical imaging methods based on tissue clearing or histological sectioning surpass the limitation of optical imaging depth in biological tissues and can provide delicate structural information in a large volume of tissues. Combined with various fluorescent labeling techniques, whole-brain optical imaging methods have shown great potential in the brain-wide quantitative profiling of cells, circuits, and blood vessels. In this review, we summarize the principles and implementations of various whole-brain optical imaging methods and provide some concepts regarding their future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Jiang
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Hui Gong
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute, Suzhou, 215123, China
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute, Suzhou, 215123, China.
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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Modo M, Sparling K, Novotny J, Perry N, Foley LM, Hitchens TK. Mapping mesoscale connectivity within the human hippocampus. Neuroimage 2023; 282:120406. [PMID: 37827206 PMCID: PMC10623761 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120406] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The connectivity of the hippocampus is essential to its functions. To gain a whole system view of intrahippocampal connectivity, ex vivo mesoscale (100 μm isotropic resolution) multi-shell diffusion MRI (11.7T) and tractography were performed on entire post-mortem human right hippocampi. Volumetric measurements indicated that the head region was largest followed by the body and tail regions. A unique anatomical organization in the head region reflected a complex organization of the granule cell layer (GCL) of the dentate gyrus. Tractography revealed the volumetric distribution of the perforant path, including both the tri-synaptic and temporoammonic pathways, as well as other well-established canonical connections, such as Schaffer collaterals. Visualization of the perforant path provided a means to verify the borders between the pro-subiculum and CA1, as well as between CA1/CA2. A specific angularity of different layers of fibers in the alveus was evident across the whole sample and allowed a separation of afferent and efferent connections based on their origin (i.e. entorhinal cortex) or destination (i.e. fimbria) using a cluster analysis of streamlines. Non-canonical translamellar connections running along the anterior-posterior axis were also discerned in the hilus. In line with "dentations" of the GCL, mossy fibers were bunching together in the sagittal plane revealing a unique lamellar organization and connections between these. In the head region, mossy fibers projected to the origin of the fimbria, which was distinct from the body and tail region. Mesoscale tractography provides an unprecedented systems view of intrahippocampal connections that underpin cognitive and emotional processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Modo
- Department of Radiology; Department of BioEngineering; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine; Centre for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh (CNUP); Centre for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC).
| | | | | | | | | | - T Kevin Hitchens
- Small Animal Imaging Center; Departmnet of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA
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Liu S, Zhong H, Qian Y, Cai H, Jia YB, Zhu J. Neural mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of Theory of Mind psychotherapy on early-onset schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2023; 48:E421-E430. [PMID: 37935475 PMCID: PMC10635708 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.230049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychosocial interventions have emerged as an important component of a comprehensive therapeutic approach in early-onset schizophrenia, typically representing a more severe form of the disorder. Despite the feasibility and efficacy of Theory of Mind (ToM) psychotherapy for schizophrenia, relatively little is known regarding the neural mechanism underlying its effect on early-onset schizophrenia. METHODS We performed a randomized, active controlled trial in patients with early-onset schizophrenia, who were randomly allocated into either an intervention (ToM psychotherapy) or an active control (health education) group. Diffusion tensor imaging data were collected to construct brain structural networks, with both global and regional topological properties measured using graph theory. RESULTS We enrolled 28 patients with early-onset schizophrenia in our study. After 5 weeks of treatment, both the intervention and active control groups showed significant improvement in psychotic symptoms, yet the improvement was greater in the intervention group. Importantly, in contrast with no brain structural network change after treatment in the active control group, the intervention group showed increased nodal centrality of the left insula that was associated with psychotic symptom improvement. LIMITATIONS We did not collect important information concerning the participants' cognitive abilities, particularly ToM performance. CONCLUSION These findings suggest a potential neural mechanism by which ToM psychotherapy exerts a beneficial effect on early-onset schizophrenia via strengthening the coordination capacity of the insula in brain structural networks, which may provide a clinically translatable biomarker for monitoring or predicting responses to ToM psychotherapy.Clinical trial registration: NCT05577338; ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Liu
- From the Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Zhong, Jia); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China (Zhong); and the Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China (Zhong)
| | - Hui Zhong
- From the Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Zhong, Jia); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China (Zhong); and the Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China (Zhong)
| | - Yinfeng Qian
- From the Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Zhong, Jia); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China (Zhong); and the Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China (Zhong)
| | - Huanhuan Cai
- From the Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Zhong, Jia); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China (Zhong); and the Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China (Zhong)
| | - Yan-Bin Jia
- From the Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Zhong, Jia); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China (Zhong); and the Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China (Zhong)
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- From the Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China (Liu, Qian, Cai, Zhu); the Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Zhong, Jia); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China (Zhong); and the Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China (Zhong)
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Ryan M, Glonek G, Tuke J, Humphries M. Capturing functional connectomics using Riemannian partial least squares. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17386. [PMID: 37833370 PMCID: PMC10576060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44687-2] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
For neurological disorders and diseases, functional and anatomical connectomes of the human brain can be used to better inform targeted interventions and treatment strategies. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that captures spatio-temporal brain function through change in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals over time. FMRI can be used to study the functional connectome through the functional connectivity matrix; that is, Pearson's correlation matrix between time series from the regions of interest of an fMRI image. One approach to analysing functional connectivity is using partial least squares (PLS), a multivariate regression technique designed for high-dimensional predictor data. However, analysing functional connectivity with PLS ignores a key property of the functional connectivity matrix; namely, these matrices are positive definite. To account for this, we introduce a generalisation of PLS to Riemannian manifolds, called R-PLS, and apply it to symmetric positive definite matrices with the affine invariant geometry. We apply R-PLS to two functional imaging datasets: COBRE, which investigates functional differences between schizophrenic patients and healthy controls, and; ABIDE, which compares people with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical controls. Using the variable importance in the projection statistic on the results of R-PLS, we identify key functional connections in each dataset that are well represented in the literature. Given the generality of R-PLS, this method has the potential to investigate new functional connectomes in the brain, and with future application to structural data can open up further avenues of research in multi-modal imaging analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Ryan
- School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia.
| | - Gary Glonek
- School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Jono Tuke
- School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Melissa Humphries
- School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
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11
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Milano G, Cultrera A, Boarino L, Callegaro L, Ricciardi C. Tomography of memory engrams in self-organizing nanowire connectomes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5723. [PMID: 37758693 PMCID: PMC10533552 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40939-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-organizing memristive nanowire connectomes have been exploited for physical (in materia) implementation of brain-inspired computing paradigms. Despite having been shown that the emergent behavior relies on weight plasticity at single junction/synapse level and on wiring plasticity involving topological changes, a shift to multiterminal paradigms is needed to unveil dynamics at the network level. Here, we report on tomographical evidence of memory engrams (or memory traces) in nanowire connectomes, i.e., physicochemical changes in biological neural substrates supposed to endow the representation of experience stored in the brain. An experimental/modeling approach shows that spatially correlated short-term plasticity effects can turn into long-lasting engram memory patterns inherently related to network topology inhomogeneities. The ability to exploit both encoding and consolidation of information on the same physical substrate would open radically new perspectives for in materia computing, while offering to neuroscientists an alternative platform to understand the role of memory in learning and knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Milano
- Advanced Materials Metrology and Life Sciences Division, INRiM (Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica), Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135, Torino, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Cultrera
- Quantum Metrology and Nanotechnologies Division, INRiM (Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica), Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Boarino
- Advanced Materials Metrology and Life Sciences Division, INRiM (Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica), Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Callegaro
- Quantum Metrology and Nanotechnologies Division, INRiM (Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica), Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Carlo Ricciardi
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy.
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12
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Wu Y, Vasung L, Calixto C, Gholipour A, Karimi D. Characterizing normal perinatal development of the human brain structural connectivity. ARXIV 2023:arXiv:2308.11836v1. [PMID: 37664406 PMCID: PMC10473780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Early brain development is characterized by the formation of a highly organized structural connectome. The interconnected nature of this connectome underlies the brain's cognitive abilities and influences its response to diseases and environmental factors. Hence, quantitative assessment of structural connectivity in the perinatal stage is useful for studying normal and abnormal neurodevelopment. However, estimation of the connectome from diffusion MRI data involves complex computations. For the perinatal period, these computations are further challenged by the rapid brain development and imaging difficulties. Combined with high inter-subject variability, these factors make it difficult to chart the normal development of the structural connectome. As a result, there is a lack of reliable normative baselines of structural connectivity metrics at this critical stage in brain development. In this study, we developed a computational framework, based on spatio-temporal averaging, for determining such baselines. We used this framework to analyze the structural connectivity between 33 and 44 postmenstrual weeks using data from 166 subjects. Our results unveiled clear and strong trends in the development of structural connectivity in perinatal stage. Connection weighting based on fractional anisotropy and neurite density produced the most consistent results. We observed increases in global and local efficiency, a decrease in characteristic path length, and widespread strengthening of the connections within and across brain lobes and hemispheres. We also observed asymmetry patterns that were consistent between different connection weighting approaches. The new computational method and results are useful for assessing normal and abnormal development of the structural connectome early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Wu
- Computational Radiology Laboratory (CRL), Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Lana Vasung
- Department of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Camilo Calixto
- Computational Radiology Laboratory (CRL), Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Ali Gholipour
- Computational Radiology Laboratory (CRL), Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Davood Karimi
- Computational Radiology Laboratory (CRL), Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, USA
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13
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Kora Y, Salhi S, Davidsen J, Simon C. Global excitability and network structure in the human brain. Phys Rev E 2023; 107:054308. [PMID: 37328981 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.107.054308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We utilize a model of Wilson-Cowan oscillators to investigate structure-function relationships in the human brain by means of simulations of the spontaneous dynamics of brain networks generated through human connectome data. This allows us to establish relationships between the global excitability of such networks and global structural network quantities for connectomes of two different sizes for a number of individual subjects. We compare the qualitative behavior of such correlations between biological networks and shuffled networks, the latter generated by shuffling the pairwise connectivities of the former while preserving their distribution. Our results point towards a remarkable propensity of the brain to achieve a trade-off between low network wiring cost and strong functionality, and highlight the unique capacity of brain network topologies to exhibit a strong transition from an inactive state to a globally excited one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Kora
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, T2N 4N1 Calgary, Canada
| | - Salma Salhi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, T2N 4N1 Calgary, Canada
| | - Jörn Davidsen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, T2N 4N1 Calgary, Canada
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, T2N 4N1 Calgary, Canada
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14
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Wu Y, Gholipour A, Vasung L, Karimi D. A computational framework for characterizing normative development of structural brain connectivity in the perinatal stage. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.10.532142. [PMID: 36945435 PMCID: PMC10029005 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.10.532142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative assessment of the brain's structural connectivity in the perinatal stage is useful for studying normal and abnormal neurodevelopment. However, estimation of the structural connectome from diffusion MRI data involves a series of complex and ill-posed computations. For the perinatal period, this analysis is further challenged by the rapid brain development and difficulties of imaging subjects at this stage. These factors, along with high inter-subject variability, have made it difficult to chart the normative development of the structural connectome. Hence, there is a lack of baseline trends in connectivity metrics that can be used as reliable references for assessing normal and abnormal brain development at this critical stage. In this paper we propose a computational framework, based on spatio-temporal atlases, for determining such baselines. We apply the framework on data from 169 subjects between 33 and 45 postmenstrual weeks. We show that this framework can unveil clear and strong trends in the development of structural connectivity in the perinatal stage. Some of our interesting findings include that connection weighting based on neurite density produces more consistent trends and that the trends in global efficiency, local efficiency, and characteristic path length are more consistent than in other metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Wu
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Gholipour
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lana Vasung
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Davood Karimi
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Bhaskar SMM. An Equity and Justice-Informed Ethical Framework to Guide Incidental Findings in Brain Imaging Research. Clin Pract 2023; 13:116-124. [PMID: 36648851 PMCID: PMC9890311 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract13010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The handling of incidental findings (IFs) in brain imaging studies has been a source of contention among scientists and bioethicists. A conceptual framework informed by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and distributive justice approaches, namely EUSTICE, is proposed for the ethical handling and reporting of IFs in brain imaging research. I argue that EUSTICE provides a systematic and inclusive approach to addressing the ethical conundrum around IF disclosure and managing IFs proportionately and sensitively in brain imaging research. The EUSTICE framework may have implications for the field of neurosciences or human studies broadly in guiding ethics of IFs in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonu M. M. Bhaskar
- Global Health Neurology Lab, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; ; Tel.: +61-(02)-873-89179; Fax: +61-(02)-8738-3648
- Neurovascular Imaging Laboratory, Clinical Sciences Stream, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- Department of Neurology & Neurophysiology, Liverpool Hospital & South West Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- NSW Brain Clot Bank, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- Stroke & Neurology Research Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
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16
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Tanglay O, Dadario NB, Chong EHN, Tang SJ, Young IM, Sughrue ME. Graph Theory Measures and Their Application to Neurosurgical Eloquence. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:556. [PMID: 36672504 PMCID: PMC9857081 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020556] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Improving patient safety and preserving eloquent brain are crucial in neurosurgery. Since there is significant clinical variability in post-operative lesions suffered by patients who undergo surgery in the same areas deemed compensable, there is an unknown degree of inter-individual variability in brain 'eloquence'. Advances in connectomic mapping efforts through diffusion tractography allow for utilization of non-invasive imaging and statistical modeling to graphically represent the brain. Extending the definition of brain eloquence to graph theory measures of hubness and centrality may help to improve our understanding of individual variability in brain eloquence and lesion responses. While functional deficits cannot be immediately determined intra-operatively, there has been potential shown by emerging technologies in mapping of hub nodes as an add-on to existing surgical navigation modalities to improve individual surgical outcomes. This review aims to outline and review current research surrounding novel graph theoretical concepts of hubness, centrality, and eloquence and specifically its relevance to brain mapping for pre-operative planning and intra-operative navigation in neurosurgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Tanglay
- UNSW School of Clinical Medicine, Faulty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Omniscient Neurotechnology, Level 10/580 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Nicholas B. Dadario
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, 125 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Elizabeth H. N. Chong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Si Jie Tang
- School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Isabella M. Young
- Omniscient Neurotechnology, Level 10/580 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Michael E. Sughrue
- Omniscient Neurotechnology, Level 10/580 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
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17
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Shi Z, Jiang B, Liu T, Wang L, Pei G, Suo D, Zhang J, Funahashi S, Wu J, Yan T. Individual-level functional connectomes predict the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:6282-6290. [PMID: 36627247 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in functional connectivity networks are associated with sensorimotor networks in Parkinson's disease (PD) based on group-level mapping studies, but these results are controversial. Using individual-level cortical segmentation to construct individual brain atlases can supplement the individual information covered by group-level cortical segmentation. Functional connectivity analyses at the individual level are helpful for obtaining clinically useful markers and predicting treatment response. Based on the functional connectivity of individualized regions of interest, a support vector regression model was trained to estimate the severity of motor symptoms for each subject, and a correlation analysis between the estimated scores and clinical symptom scores was performed. Forty-six PD patients aged 50-75 years were included from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative database, and 63 PD patients were included from the Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital database. Only patients below Hoehn and Yahr stage III were included. The analysis showed that the severity of motor symptoms could be estimated by the individualized functional connectivity between the visual network and sensorimotor network in early-stage disease. The results reveal individual-level connectivity biomarkers related to motor symptoms and emphasize the importance of individual differences in the prediction of the treatment response of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyan Shi
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tiantian Liu
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Li Wang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Guangying Pei
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Dingjie Suo
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shintaro Funahashi
- Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jinglong Wu
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tianyi Yan
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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18
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Talaei N, Ghaderi A. Integration of structural brain networks is related to openness to experience: A diffusion MRI study with CSD-based tractography. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1040799. [PMID: 36570828 PMCID: PMC9775296 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1040799] [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: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Openness to experience is one of the big five traits of personality which recently has been the subject of several studies in neuroscience due to its importance in understanding various cognitive functions. However, the neural basis of openness to experience is still unclear. Previous studies have found largely heterogeneous results, suggesting that various brain regions may be involved in openness to experience. Here we suggested that performing structural connectome analysis may shed light on the neural underpinnings of openness to experience as it provides a more comprehensive look at the brain regions that are involved in this trait. Hence, we investigated the involvement of brain network structural features in openness to experience which has not yet been explored to date. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data along with the openness to experience trait score from the self-reported NEO Five-Factor Inventory of 100 healthy subjects were evaluated from Human Connectome Project (HCP). CSD-based whole-brain probabilistic tractography was performed using diffusion-weighted images as well as segmented T1-weighted images to create an adjacency matrix for each subject. Using graph theoretical analysis, we computed global efficiency (GE) and clustering coefficient (CC) which are measures of two important aspects of network organization in the brain: functional integration and functional segregation respectively. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between GE and openness to experience which means that the higher capacity of the brain in combining information from different regions may be related to lower openness to experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Talaei
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran,*Correspondence: Nima Talaei,
| | - Amirhossein Ghaderi
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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19
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Simhal AK, Carpenter KLH, Kurtzberg J, Song A, Tannenbaum A, Zhang L, Sapiro G, Dawson G. Changes in the geometry and robustness of diffusion tensor imaging networks: Secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial of young autistic children receiving an umbilical cord blood infusion. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1026279. [PMID: 36353577 PMCID: PMC9637553 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1026279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been used as an outcome measure in clinical trials for several psychiatric disorders but has rarely been explored in autism clinical trials. This is despite a large body of research suggesting altered white matter structure in autistic individuals. The current study is a secondary analysis of changes in white matter connectivity from a double-blind placebo-control trial of a single intravenous cord blood infusion in 2-7-year-old autistic children (1). Both clinical assessments and DTI were collected at baseline and 6 months after infusion. This study used two measures of white matter connectivity: change in node-to-node connectivity as measured through DTI streamlines and a novel measure of feedback network connectivity, Ollivier-Ricci curvature (ORC). ORC is a network measure which considers both local and global connectivity to assess the robustness of any given pathway. Using both the streamline and ORC analyses, we found reorganization of white matter pathways in predominantly frontal and temporal brain networks in autistic children who received umbilical cord blood treatment versus those who received a placebo. By looking at changes in network robustness, this study examined not only the direct, physical changes in connectivity, but changes with respect to the whole brain network. Together, these results suggest the use of DTI and ORC should be further explored as a potential biomarker in future autism clinical trials. These results, however, should not be interpreted as evidence for the efficacy of cord blood for improving clinical outcomes in autism. This paper presents a secondary analysis using data from a clinical trial that was prospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov(NCT02847182).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish K. Simhal
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kimberly L. H. Carpenter
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Joanne Kurtzberg
- Marcus Center for Cellular Cures, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Allen Song
- Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Allen Tannenbaum
- Department of Computer Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Lijia Zhang
- Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Guillermo Sapiro
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Geraldine Dawson
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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20
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Silva AI, Ehrhart F, Ulfarsson MO, Stefansson H, Stefansson K, Wilkinson LS, Hall J, Linden DEJ. Neuroimaging Findings in Neurodevelopmental Copy Number Variants: Identifying Molecular Pathways to Convergent Phenotypes. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:341-361. [PMID: 35659384 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genomic copy number variants (CNVs) are associated with a high risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. A growing body of genetic studies suggests that these high-risk genetic variants converge in common molecular pathways and that common pathways also exist across clinically distinct disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. A key question is how common molecular mechanisms converge into similar clinical outcomes. We review emerging evidence for convergent cognitive and brain phenotypes across distinct CNVs. Multiple CNVs were shown to have similar effects on core sensory, cognitive, and motor traits. Emerging data from multisite neuroimaging studies have provided valuable information on how these CNVs affect brain structure and function. However, most of these studies examined one CNV at a time, making it difficult to fully understand the proportion of shared brain effects. Recent studies have started to combine neuroimaging data from multiple CNV carriers and identified similar brain effects across CNVs. Some early findings also support convergence in CNV animal models. Systems biology, through integration of multilevel data, provides new insights into convergent molecular mechanisms across genetic risk variants (e.g., altered synaptic activity). However, the link between such key molecular mechanisms and convergent psychiatric phenotypes is still unknown. To better understand this link, we need new approaches that integrate human molecular data with neuroimaging, cognitive, and animal model data, while taking into account critical developmental time points. Identifying risk mechanisms across genetic loci can elucidate the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders and identify new therapeutic targets for cross-disorder applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I Silva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
| | - Friederike Ehrhart
- Department of Bioinformatics, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Magnus O Ulfarsson
- deCODE genetics, Amgen, Reykjavik, Iceland; Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Lawrence S Wilkinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - David E J Linden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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21
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Zhang F, Daducci A, He Y, Schiavi S, Seguin C, Smith RE, Yeh CH, Zhao T, O'Donnell LJ. Quantitative mapping of the brain's structural connectivity using diffusion MRI tractography: A review. Neuroimage 2022; 249:118870. [PMID: 34979249 PMCID: PMC9257891 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) tractography is an advanced imaging technique that enables in vivo reconstruction of the brain's white matter connections at macro scale. It provides an important tool for quantitative mapping of the brain's structural connectivity using measures of connectivity or tissue microstructure. Over the last two decades, the study of brain connectivity using dMRI tractography has played a prominent role in the neuroimaging research landscape. In this paper, we provide a high-level overview of how tractography is used to enable quantitative analysis of the brain's structural connectivity in health and disease. We focus on two types of quantitative analyses of tractography, including: 1) tract-specific analysis that refers to research that is typically hypothesis-driven and studies particular anatomical fiber tracts, and 2) connectome-based analysis that refers to research that is more data-driven and generally studies the structural connectivity of the entire brain. We first provide a review of methodology involved in three main processing steps that are common across most approaches for quantitative analysis of tractography, including methods for tractography correction, segmentation and quantification. For each step, we aim to describe methodological choices, their popularity, and potential pros and cons. We then review studies that have used quantitative tractography approaches to study the brain's white matter, focusing on applications in neurodevelopment, aging, neurological disorders, mental disorders, and neurosurgery. We conclude that, while there have been considerable advancements in methodological technologies and breadth of applications, there nevertheless remains no consensus about the "best" methodology in quantitative analysis of tractography, and researchers should remain cautious when interpreting results in research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
| | | | - Yong He
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Simona Schiavi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Caio Seguin
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia; The University of Sydney, School of Biomedical Engineering, Sydney, Australia
| | - Robert E Smith
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chun-Hung Yeh
- Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tengda Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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22
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Aristi G, Kamintsky L, Ross M, Bowen C, Calkin C, Friedman A, Hashmi JA. Symptoms reported by Canadians posted in Havana are linked with reduced white matter fibre density. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac053. [PMID: 35505689 PMCID: PMC9050567 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac053] [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: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diplomats representing the USA have reported with unusual neurologic symptoms and MRI changes after being posted in Havana, Cuba between late 2016 and 2018. Here, we examined white matter microstructure and network connectivity of individuals stationed in Havana, using diffusion-weighted MRI, fixel-based analysis and structural connectomics as implemented in MRtrix3. MRI data acquisition and clinical assessments were done in a total of 24 diplomats and their family members and 40 healthy controls. The diplomat data were grouped into an exposed cohort (n = 16) and an unexposed cohort (n = 10), and among these, two individuals were assessed before and after potential exposure. Fixel-based analysis revealed a reduction in fibre density in two specific regions: the fornix and the splenium, in exposed individuals, relative to unexposed individuals and healthy controls. Post hoc analyses showed the effect remained present (P < 0.05) in both regions when comparing exposed and unexposed diplomats; and reduced fibre density was correlated with longer time period stationed in Cuba after age correction. Reduction of fibre density was also found to be linked with clinical symptoms of persistent migraine, tinnitus, sound sensitivity and fatigue. Network statistical comparisons revealed decreased structural connectivity in two distinct networks, comprising subcortical and cortical systems in exposed individuals, relative to unexposed and normative data. While the cause for the differences between the groups remains unknown, our results reveal region-specific white matter injury, that is, significantly correlated with clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Aristi
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Canada, B3H 1V7
| | - Lyna Kamintsky
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, NSHA, Halifax, Canada, B3H 1V7
| | - Margaux Ross
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, NSHA, Halifax, Canada, B3H 1V7
| | - Chris Bowen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Dalhousie University, NSHA, Halifax, Canada, B3H 1V7
| | - Cynthia Calkin
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, NSHA, Halifax, Canada, B3H 1V7
| | - Alon Friedman
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, NSHA, Halifax, Canada, B3H 1V7
| | - Javeria A. Hashmi
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Canada, B3H 1V7
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23
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Guerrero-Gonzalez J, Surgent O, Adluru N, Kirk GR, Dean III DC, Kecskemeti SR, Alexander AL, Travers BG. Improving Imaging of the Brainstem and Cerebellum in Autistic Children: Transformation-Based High-Resolution Diffusion MRI (TiDi-Fused) in the Human Brainstem. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:804743. [PMID: 35310466 PMCID: PMC8928227 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.804743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) of the brainstem is technically challenging, especially in young autistic children as nearby tissue-air interfaces and motion (voluntary and physiological) can lead to artifacts. This limits the availability of high-resolution images, which are desirable for improving the ability to study brainstem structures. Furthermore, inherently low signal-to-noise ratios, geometric distortions, and sensitivity to motion not related to molecular diffusion have resulted in limited techniques for high-resolution data acquisition compared to other modalities such as T1-weighted imaging. Here, we implement a method for achieving increased apparent spatial resolution in pediatric dMRI that hinges on accurate geometric distortion correction and on high fidelity within subject image registration between dMRI and magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MPnRAGE) images. We call this post-processing pipeline T1 weighted-diffusion fused, or "TiDi-Fused". Data used in this work consists of dMRI data (2.4 mm resolution, corrected using FSL's Topup) and T1-weighted (T1w) MPnRAGE anatomical data (1 mm resolution) acquired from 128 autistic and non-autistic children (ages 6-10 years old). Accurate correction of geometric distortion permitted for a further increase in apparent resolution of the dMRI scan via boundary-based registration to the MPnRAGE T1w. Estimation of fiber orientation distributions and further analyses were carried out in the T1w space. Data processed with the TiDi-Fused method were qualitatively and quantitatively compared to data processed with conventional dMRI processing methods. Results show the advantages of the TiDi-Fused pipeline including sharper brainstem gray-white matter tissue contrast, improved inter-subject spatial alignment for group analyses of dMRI based measures, accurate spatial alignment with histology-based imaging of the brainstem, reduced variability in brainstem-cerebellar white matter tracts, and more robust biologically plausible relationships between age and brainstem-cerebellar white matter tracts. Overall, this work identifies a promising pipeline for achieving high-resolution imaging of brainstem structures in pediatric and clinical populations who may not be able to endure long scan times. This pipeline may serve as a gateway for feasibly elucidating brainstem contributions to autism and other conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Guerrero-Gonzalez
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Olivia Surgent
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nagesh Adluru
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Gregory R. Kirk
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Douglas C. Dean III
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - Andrew L. Alexander
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Brittany G. Travers
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Occupational Therapy Program in the Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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24
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Biswas R, Shlizerman E. Statistical Perspective on Functional and Causal Neural Connectomics: A Comparative Study. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:817962. [PMID: 35308566 PMCID: PMC8924489 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.817962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Representation of brain network interactions is fundamental to the translation of neural structure to brain function. As such, methodologies for mapping neural interactions into structural models, i.e., inference of functional connectome from neural recordings, are key for the study of brain networks. While multiple approaches have been proposed for functional connectomics based on statistical associations between neural activity, association does not necessarily incorporate causation. Additional approaches have been proposed to incorporate aspects of causality to turn functional connectomes into causal functional connectomes, however, these methodologies typically focus on specific aspects of causality. This warrants a systematic statistical framework for causal functional connectomics that defines the foundations of common aspects of causality. Such a framework can assist in contrasting existing approaches and to guide development of further causal methodologies. In this work, we develop such a statistical guide. In particular, we consolidate the notions of associations and representations of neural interaction, i.e., types of neural connectomics, and then describe causal modeling in the statistics literature. We particularly focus on the introduction of directed Markov graphical models as a framework through which we define the Directed Markov Property—an essential criterion for examining the causality of proposed functional connectomes. We demonstrate how based on these notions, a comparative study of several existing approaches for finding causal functional connectivity from neural activity can be conducted. We proceed by providing an outlook ahead regarding the additional properties that future approaches could include to thoroughly address causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Biswas
- Department of Statistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Eli Shlizerman
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- *Correspondence: Eli Shlizerman
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25
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Bullock DN, Hayday EA, Grier MD, Tang W, Pestilli F, Heilbronner SR. A taxonomy of the brain's white matter: twenty-one major tracts for the 21st century. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:4524-4548. [PMID: 35169827 PMCID: PMC9574243 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional and computational properties of brain areas are determined, in large part, by their connectivity profiles. Advances in neuroimaging and network neuroscience allow us to characterize the human brain noninvasively, but a comprehensive understanding of the human brain demands an account of the anatomy of brain connections. Long-range anatomical connections are instantiated by white matter, which itself is organized into tracts. These tracts are often disrupted by central nervous system disorders, and they can be targeted by neuromodulatory interventions, such as deep brain stimulation. Here, we characterized the connections, morphology, traversal, and functions of the major white matter tracts in the brain. There are major discrepancies across different accounts of white matter tract anatomy, hindering our attempts to accurately map the connectivity of the human brain. However, we are often able to clarify the source(s) of these discrepancies through careful consideration of both histological tract-tracing and diffusion-weighted tractography studies. In combination, the advantages and disadvantages of each method permit novel insights into brain connectivity. Ultimately, our synthesis provides an essential reference for neuroscientists and clinicians interested in brain connectivity and anatomy, allowing for the study of the association of white matter's properties with behavior, development, and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel N Bullock
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA,Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Elena A Hayday
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Mark D Grier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | | | - Sarah R Heilbronner
- Address correspondence to Sarah R. Heilbronner, Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 2-164 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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26
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Niu H, Li W, Wang G, Hu Q, Hao R, Li T, Zhang F, Cheng T. Performances of whole-brain dynamic and static functional connectivity fingerprinting in machine learning-based classification of major depressive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:973921. [PMID: 35958666 PMCID: PMC9360427 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.973921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in static and dynamic functional connectivity during resting state have been widely reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). The objective of this study was to compare the performances of whole-brain dynamic and static functional connectivity combined with machine learning approach in differentiating MDD patients from healthy controls at the individual subject level. Given the dynamic nature of brain activity, we hypothesized that dynamic connectivity would outperform static connectivity in the classification. METHODS Seventy-one MDD patients and seventy-one well-matched healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. Whole-brain dynamic and static functional connectivity patterns were calculated and utilized as classification features. Linear kernel support vector machine was employed to design the classifier and a leave-one-out cross-validation strategy was used to assess classifier performance. RESULTS Experimental results of dynamic functional connectivity-based classification showed that MDD patients could be discriminated from healthy controls with an excellent accuracy of 100% irrespective of whether or not global signal regression (GSR) was performed (permutation test with P < 0.0002). Brain regions with the most discriminating dynamic connectivity were mainly and reliably located within the default mode network, cerebellum, and subcortical network. In contrast, the static functional connectivity-based classifiers exhibited unstable classification performances, i.e., a low accuracy of 38.0% without GSR (P = 0.9926) while a high accuracy of 96.5% with GSR (P < 0.0002); moreover, there was a considerable variability in the distribution of brain regions with static connectivity most informative for classification. CONCLUSION These findings suggest the superiority of dynamic functional connectivity in machine learning-based classification of depression, which may be helpful for a better understanding of the neural basis of MDD as well as for the development of effective computer-aided diagnosis tools in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Niu
- Department of MRI, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Weirong Li
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Guiquan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qiong Hu
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Rui Hao
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Tianliang Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shanxi Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China
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27
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Wu C, Ferreira F, Fox M, Harel N, Hattangadi-Gluth J, Horn A, Jbabdi S, Kahan J, Oswal A, Sheth SA, Tie Y, Vakharia V, Zrinzo L, Akram H. Clinical applications of magnetic resonance imaging based functional and structural connectivity. Neuroimage 2021; 244:118649. [PMID: 34648960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in computational neuroimaging techniques have expanded the armamentarium of imaging tools available for clinical applications in clinical neuroscience. Non-invasive, in vivo brain MRI structural and functional network mapping has been used to identify therapeutic targets, define eloquent brain regions to preserve, and gain insight into pathological processes and treatments as well as prognostic biomarkers. These tools have the real potential to inform patient-specific treatment strategies. Nevertheless, a realistic appraisal of clinical utility is needed that balances the growing excitement and interest in the field with important limitations associated with these techniques. Quality of the raw data, minutiae of the processing methodology, and the statistical models applied can all impact on the results and their interpretation. A lack of standardization in data acquisition and processing has also resulted in issues with reproducibility. This limitation has had a direct impact on the reliability of these tools and ultimately, confidence in their clinical use. Advances in MRI technology and computational power as well as automation and standardization of processing methods, including machine learning approaches, may help address some of these issues and make these tools more reliable in clinical use. In this review, we will highlight the current clinical uses of MRI connectomics in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders; balancing emerging applications and technologies with limitations of connectivity analytic approaches to present an encompassing and appropriate perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyuan Wu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, 909 Walnut Street, Third Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Jefferson Integrated Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, 909 Walnut Street, First Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Francisca Ferreira
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Michael Fox
- Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Noam Harel
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, 2021 Sixth Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Jona Hattangadi-Gluth
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, Center for Precision Radiation Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Andreas Horn
- Neurology Department, Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation Section, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, D-10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Saad Jbabdi
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - Joshua Kahan
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Ashwini Oswal
- Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Mansfield Rd, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK.
| | - Sameer A Sheth
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, 7200 Cambridge, Ninth Floor, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Yanmei Tie
- Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Vejay Vakharia
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Ludvic Zrinzo
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Harith Akram
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
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28
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Bu X, Cao M, Huang X, He Y. The structural connectome in ADHD. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2021; 1:257-271. [PMID: 38666220 PMCID: PMC10939332 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been conceptualized as a brain dysconnectivity disorder. In the past decade, noninvasive diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) studies have demonstrated that individuals with ADHD have alterations in the white matter structural connectome, and that these alterations are associated with core symptoms and cognitive deficits in patients. This review aims to summarize recent dMRI-based structural connectome studies in ADHD from voxel-, tractography-, and network-based perspectives. Voxel- and tractography-based studies have demonstrated disrupted microstructural properties predominantly located in the frontostriatal tracts, the corpus callosum, the corticospinal tracts, and the cingulum bundle in patients with ADHD. Network-based studies have suggested abnormal global and local efficiency as well as nodal properties in the prefrontal and parietal regions in the ADHD structural connectomes. The altered structural connectomes in those with ADHD provide significant signatures for prediction of symptoms and diagnostic classification. These studies suggest that abnormalities in the structural connectome may be one of the neural underpinnings of ADHD psychopathology and show potential for establishing imaging biomarkers in clinical evaluation. However, given that there are inconsistent findings across studies due to sample heterogeneity and analysis method variations, these ADHD-related white matter alterations are still far from informing clinical practice. Future studies with larger and more homogeneous samples are needed to validate the consistency of current results; advanced dMRI techniques can help to generate much more precise estimation of white matter pathways and assure specific fiber configurations; and finally, dimensional analysis frameworks can deepen our understanding of the neurobiology underlying ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Miao Cao
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiaoqi Huang
- Huaxi MR Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yong He
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
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29
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Abstract
We describe a collection of T1-, diffusion- and functional T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data from human individuals with albinism and achiasma. This repository can be used as a test-bed to develop and validate tractography methods like diffusion-signal modeling and fiber tracking as well as to investigate the properties of the human visual system in individuals with congenital abnormalities. The MRI data is provided together with tools and files allowing for its preprocessing and analysis, along with the data derivatives such as manually curated masks and regions of interest for performing tractography.
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30
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Moody JF, Adluru N, Alexander AL, Field AS. The Connectomes: Methods of White Matter Tractography and Contributions of Resting State fMRI. Semin Ultrasound CT MR 2021; 42:507-522. [PMID: 34537118 DOI: 10.1053/j.sult.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A comprehensive mapping of the structural and functional circuitry of the brain is a major unresolved problem in contemporary neuroimaging research. Diffusion-weighted and functional MRI have provided investigators with the capability to assess structural and functional connectivity in-vivo, driven primarily by methods of white matter tractography and resting-state fMRI, respectively. These techniques have paved the way for the construction of the functional and structural connectomes, which are quantitative representations of brain architecture as neural networks, comprised of nodes and edges. The connectomes, typically depicted as matrices or graphs, possess topological properties that inherently characterize the strength, efficiency, and organization of the connections between distinct brain regions. Graph theory, a general mathematical framework for analyzing networks, can be implemented to derive metrics from the connectomes that are sensitive to changes in brain connectivity associated with age, sex, cognitive function, and disease. These quantities can be assessed at either the global (whole brain) or local levels, allowing for the identification of distinct regional connectivity hubs and associated localized brain networks, which together serve crucial roles in establishing the structural and functional architecture of the brain. As a result, structural and functional connectomes have each been employed to study the brain circuitry underlying early brain development, neuroplasticity, developmental disorders, psychopathology, epilepsy, aging, neurodegenerative disorders, and traumatic brain injury. While these studies have yielded important insights into brain structure, function, and pathology, a precise description of the innate relationship between functional and structural networks across the brain remains unachieved. To date, connectome research has merely scratched the surface of potential clinical applications and related characterizations of brain-wide connectivity. Continued advances in diffusion and functional MRI acquisition, the delineation of functional and structural networks, and the quantification of neural network properties in specific brain regions, will be invaluable to future progress in neuroimaging science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason F Moody
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Nagesh Adluru
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Andrew L Alexander
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Aaron S Field
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI.
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31
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Abstract
Acute stress has substantial impact on white matter microstructure of people exposed to trauma. Its long-term consequence and how the brain changes from the stress remain unclear. In this study, we address this issue via diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Twenty-two trauma-exposed individuals who did not meet post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic criteria were recruited from the most affected area of Wenchuan earthquake and scanned twice (within twenty-five days and two years after the quake, respectively). Their emotional distress was evaluated with the Self-Rating Anxiety/Depression Scales (SAS/SDS) at both scans. Automatic fiber quantification was used to examine brain microstructure alterations. Correlation analyses were also conducted to investigate relationships between brain microstructure changes and symptom improvement. A group of demographically matched healthy controls (N = 22) from another project were scanned once before the quake using the same imaging protocols as used with trauma-exposed non-PTSD (TENP) participants. Two years after the earthquake, TENP individuals exhibited significantly reduced FA in the parietal portion of left superior longitudinal fasciculus and high FA in the parietal portion of left corticospinal tract. Over the follow-up, increased FA of the left uncinate fasciculus and the left corticospinal tract with parallel reduction of SAS and SDS were observed in TENP. No significant association was found between brain microstructure changes and symptom improvement. These results indicate changes in WM microstructure integrity of TENP brains parallel with symptom improvement over time after acute stress. However, the change would be a long-term process without external intervention.
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32
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Maiti S, Frielinghaus H, Gräßel D, Dulle M, Axer M, Förster S. Distribution and orientation of nerve fibers and myelin assembly in a brain section retrieved by small-angle neutron scattering. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17306. [PMID: 34453063 PMCID: PMC8397781 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92995-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural connectivity of the brain has been addressed by various imaging techniques such as diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) or specific microscopic approaches based on histological staining or label-free using polarized light (e.g., three-dimensional Polarized Light Imaging (3D-PLI), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)). These methods are sensitive to different properties of the fiber enwrapping myelin sheaths i.e. the distribution of myelin basic protein (histology), the apparent diffusion coefficient of water molecules restricted in their movements by the myelin sheath (DWMRI), and the birefringence of the oriented myelin lipid bilayers (3D-PLI, OCT). We show that the orientation and distribution of nerve fibers as well as myelin in thin brain sections can be determined using scanning small angle neutron scattering (sSANS). Neutrons are scattered from the fiber assembly causing anisotropic diffuse small-angle scattering and Bragg peaks related to the highly ordered periodic myelin multilayer structure. The scattering anisotropy, intensity, and angular position of the Bragg peaks can be mapped across the entire brain section. This enables mapping of the fiber and myelin distribution and their orientation in a thin brain section, which was validated by 3D-PLI. The experiments became possible by optimizing the neutron beam collimation to highest flux and enhancing the myelin contrast by deuteration. This method is very sensitive to small microstructures of biological tissue and can directly extract information on the average fiber orientation and even myelin membrane thickness. The present results pave the way toward bio-imaging for detecting structural aberrations causing neurological diseases in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santanu Maiti
- Jülich Centre of Neutron Science (JCNS-1/IBI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Henrich Frielinghaus
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (JCNS-MLZ), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - David Gräßel
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Martin Dulle
- Jülich Centre of Neutron Science (JCNS-1/IBI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Markus Axer
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Stephan Förster
- Jülich Centre of Neutron Science (JCNS-1/IBI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany. .,Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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33
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Cole M, Murray K, St‐Onge E, Risk B, Zhong J, Schifitto G, Descoteaux M, Zhang Z. Surface-Based Connectivity Integration: An atlas-free approach to jointly study functional and structural connectivity. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:3481-3499. [PMID: 33956380 PMCID: PMC8249904 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been increasing interest in jointly studying structural connectivity (SC) and functional connectivity (FC) derived from diffusion and functional MRI. Previous connectome integration studies almost exclusively required predefined atlases. However, there are many potential atlases to choose from and this choice heavily affects all subsequent analyses. To avoid such an arbitrary choice, we propose a novel atlas-free approach, named Surface-Based Connectivity Integration (SBCI), to more accurately study the relationships between SC and FC throughout the intra-cortical gray matter. SBCI represents both SC and FC in a continuous manner on the white surface, avoiding the need for prespecified atlases. The continuous SC is represented as a probability density function and is smoothed for better facilitation of its integration with FC. To infer the relationship between SC and FC, three novel sets of SC-FC coupling (SFC) measures are derived. Using data from the Human Connectome Project, we introduce the high-quality SFC measures produced by SBCI and demonstrate the use of these measures to study sex differences in a cohort of young adults. Compared with atlas-based methods, this atlas-free framework produces more reproducible SFC features and shows greater predictive power in distinguishing biological sex. This opens promising new directions for all connectomics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cole
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Kyle Murray
- Department of Physics and AstronomyUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Etienne St‐Onge
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Laboratory (SCIL)Université de SherbrookeQuébecCanada
| | - Benjamin Risk
- Department of Biostatistics and BioinformaticsEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jianhui Zhong
- Department of Physics and AstronomyUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
- Department of Imaging SciencesUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Giovanni Schifitto
- Department of Imaging SciencesUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Maxime Descoteaux
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Laboratory (SCIL)Université de SherbrookeQuébecCanada
| | - Zhengwu Zhang
- Department of Statistics and Operations ResearchUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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Ijomone OM, Gubert P, Okoh COA, Varão AM, Amara LDO, Aluko OM, Aschner M. Application of Fluorescence Microscopy and Behavioral Assays to Demonstrating Neuronal Connectomes and Neurotransmitter Systems in C. elegans. NEUROMETHODS 2021; 172:399-426. [PMID: 34754139 PMCID: PMC8575032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a prevailing model which is commonly utilized in a variety of biomedical research arenas, including neuroscience. Due to its transparency and simplicity, it is becoming a choice model organism for conducting imaging and behavioral assessment crucial to understanding the intricacies of the nervous system. Here, the methods required for neuronal characterization using fluorescent proteins and behavioral tasks are described. These are simplified protocols using fluorescent microscopy and behavioral assays to examine neuronal connections and associated neurotransmitter systems involved in normal physiology and aberrant pathology of the nervous system. Our aim is to make available to readers some streamlined and replicable procedures using C. elegans models as well as highlighting some of the limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omamuyovwi M. Ijomone
- The Neuro- Lab, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Priscila Gubert
- Department of Biochemistry, Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami, LIKA, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Pure and Applied Chemistry, Federal University of Western of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Comfort O. A. Okoh
- The Neuro- Lab, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Alexandre M. Varão
- Postgraduate Program in Pure and Applied Chemistry, Federal University of Western of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Leandro de O. Amara
- Postgraduate Program in Pure and Applied Chemistry, Federal University of Western of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Oritoke M. Aluko
- The Neuro- Lab, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
- Department of Physiology, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Michael Aschner
- Departments of Molecular Pharmacology and Neurosciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, USA
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Buldyrev SV, Meng X, Reese TG, Mortazavi F, Rosene DL, Stanley HE, Wedeen VJ. Diffusion interactions between crossing fibers of the brain. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:429-441. [PMID: 33619754 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28702] [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: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recent observations of several preferred orientations of diffusion in deep white matter may indicate either (a) that axons in different directions are independently bundled in thick sheets and function noninteractively, or more interestingly, (b) that the axons are closely interwoven and would exhibit branching and sharp turns. This study aims to investigate whether the dependence of dMRI Q-ball signal on the interpulse time Δ can decode the smaller-than-voxel-size brain structure, in particular, to distinguish scenarios (a) and (b). METHODS High-resolution Q-ball images of a healthy brain taken with b = 8000 s/mm2 for 3 different values of Δ were analyzed. The exchange of water molecules between crossing fibers was characterized by the fourth Fourier coefficient f 4 ( Δ ) of the signal profile in the plane of crossing. To interpret the empirical results, a model consisting of differently oriented parallel sheets of cylinders was developed. Diffusion of water molecules inside and outside cylinders was simulated by the Monte Carlo method. RESULTS Simulations predict that f 4 ( Δ ) , agreeing with the empirical results, must increase with Δ for large b-values, but may peak at a typical Δ that depends on the thickness of the cylinder sheets for intermediate b-values. Thus, the thickness of axon layers in voxels with 2 predominant orientations can be detected from empirical f 4 ( Δ ) taken at smaller b-values. CONCLUSION Based on the simulation results, recommendations are made on how to design a dMRI experiment with optimal b-value and range of Δ in order to measure the thickness of axon sheets in the white matter, hence to distinguish (a) and (b).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiangyi Meng
- Center for Polymer Studies, Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Complex Network Research, Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy G Reese
- Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Farzad Mortazavi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas L Rosene
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - H Eugene Stanley
- Center for Polymer Studies, Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Van J Wedeen
- Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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36
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Mak ADP, Leung ONW, Chou IWY, Wong SLY, Chu WCW, Yeung D, So SHW, Ma SL, Lam LCW, Leung CM, Lee S. White matter integrity in young medication-naïve bipolar II depressed adults. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1816. [PMID: 33469064 PMCID: PMC7815920 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81355-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It is unknown if young medication-naïve bipolar II (BPII) depressed patients have increased white matter (WM) disruptions. 27 each of young (average 23 years) and treatment-naïve BPII depressed, unipolar depressed (UD) patients and age–sex–education matched healthy controls (HC) underwent 3 T MRIs with diffusion tensor imaging. Diagnostic ratings included Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID), Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Patients were clinically depressed (MADRS-BPII: 26.15 [SD9.25], UD: 25.56 [5.24], p = 0.86). Compared to UD, BPII had increased family bipolarity (BPII 13.6% vs UD 2.5%, p = 0.01, φc = 0.28), hypomanic symptoms (YMRS-BPII: 4.22 [4.24], UD: 1.33 [2], p = 0.02, d = 0.87), lifetime number of depressive episodes (BPII: 2.37 [1.23], UD: 1.44 [0.75], p = 0.02, d = 0.91), lifetime and current-year number of episodes (lifetime BPII: 50.85 [95.47], UD: 1.7 [1.03]; current-year BPII: 9.93 [16.29], UD: 1.11 [0.32], ps = 0.04, ds = 0.73–0.77) and longer illness duration (BPII: 4.96 years [3.96], UD: 2.99 [3.33], p = 0.15, d = 0.54). BPII showed no increased WM disruptions vs UD or HC in any of the 15 a priori WM tracts. UD had lower right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) (temporal) axial diffusivity (AD) (1.14 vs 1.17 (BPII), 1.16 (HC); F = 6.93, 95% CI of\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$${F}_{B}$$\end{document}FB: 0.00073, 5.22, ηp2 = 0.15). Principal component analysis followed by exploratory linear discriminant analysis showed that increased R-SLF (temporal) AD, YMRS and family bipolarity distinguished BPII from UD (81.5% sensitivity, 85.2% specificity) independent of episode number and frequency. Young, medication-naïve adults with BPII depression did not show the WM disruptions distinguishing more chronically ill BP patients from UD. These WM disruptions may therefore be partly attributable to illness chronicity. Longitudinal studies should examine the trajectory of WM changes in BPII and UD and predictive validity of these baseline clinical and imaging parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Dun Ping Mak
- Department of Psychiatry, G/F Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
| | - Owen Ngo Wang Leung
- Department of Psychiatry, G/F Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Idy Wing Yi Chou
- Department of Psychiatry, G/F Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Sheila Lok Yiu Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, G/F Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - David Yeung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Suzanne Ho-Wai So
- Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Suk Ling Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, G/F Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Linda Chiu Wah Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, G/F Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Chi Ming Leung
- Department of Psychiatry, G/F Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Sing Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, G/F Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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37
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Sun W, Tang Y, Qiao Y, Ge X, Mather M, Ringman JM, Shi Y. A probabilistic atlas of locus coeruleus pathways to transentorhinal cortex for connectome imaging in Alzheimer's disease. Neuroimage 2020; 223:117301. [PMID: 32861791 PMCID: PMC7797167 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the latest Braak staging of Alzheimer's disease (AD), tau pathology occurs earliest in the brain in the locus coeruleus (LC) of the brainstem, then propagates to the transentorhinal cortex (TEC), and later to other neocortical regions. Recent animal and in vivo human brain imaging research also support the trans-axonal propagation of tau pathology. In addition, neurochemical studies link norepinephrine to behavioral symptoms in AD. It is thus critical to examine the integrity of the LC-TEC pathway in studying the early development of the disease, but there has been limited work in this direction. By leveraging the high-resolution and multi-shell diffusion MRI data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP), in this work we develop a novel method for the reconstruction of the LC-TEC pathway in a cohort of 40 HCP subjects carefully selected based on rigorous quality control of the residual distortion artifacts in the brainstem. A probabilistic atlas of the LC-TEC pathway of both hemispheres is then developed in the MNI152 space and distributed publicly on the NITRC website. To apply our atlas on clinical imaging data, we develop an automated approach to calculate the medial core of the LC-TEC pathway for localized analysis of connectivity changes. In a cohort of 138 subjects from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), we demonstrate the detection of the decreased fiber integrity in the LC-TEC pathways with increasing disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave., Los Angeles 90033, CA, USA
| | - Yuchun Tang
- USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave., Los Angeles 90033, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuchuan Qiao
- USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave., Los Angeles 90033, CA, USA
| | - Xinting Ge
- USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave., Los Angeles 90033, CA, USA
| | - Mara Mather
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John M. Ringman
- Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yonggang Shi
- USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave., Los Angeles 90033, CA, USA
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38
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Zhang C, Yang Y, Zhu DM, Zhao W, Zhang Y, Zhang B, Wang Y, Zhu J, Yu Y. Neural correlates of the association between depression and high density lipoprotein cholesterol change. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 130:9-18. [PMID: 32768711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence that major depressive disorder (MDD) is related to serum lipid level alterations. However, the neural correlates underlying this association remain poorly understood. Forty-nine patients with MDD and fifty healthy controls (HCs) underwent structural, resting-state functional and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging scans. Voxel-based morphometry, functional connectivity (FC) and tract-based spatial statistics analyses were performed to assess brain structure and function, respectively. Blood samples were collected to measure serum levels of lipid variables including total cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted to investigate the associations of serum lipid levels with brain imaging measures in MDD patients and HCs, respectively. We found that the serum HDL-C level in MDD patients was lower than that in HCs. The lower serum HDL-C level was associated with lower gray matter volume (GMV) in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), higher within-network FC of the default mode network, and lower micro-structural integrity in multiple white matter regions in MDD patients. Moreover, the within-default mode network FC mediated the relationship between GMV in VMPFC and serum HDL-C level; white matter integrity in genu of corpus callosum mediated the relationship between serum HDL-C level and depressive symptom severity. However, we did not observe any correlations between serum lipids and brain imaging parameters in HCs. These findings help to identify neural correlates underlying the association between depression and serum HDL-C change, which may provide new insight into intervention, treatment and prevention of depression from the perspective of regulating serum lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Dao-Min Zhu
- Department of Sleep Disorders, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China; Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, 230022, China; Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Wenming Zhao
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Sleep Disorders, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China; Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, 230022, China; Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Yongqiang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
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39
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Menzel M, Pereira SF. Coherent Fourier scatterometry reveals nerve fiber crossings in the brain. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 11:4735-4758. [PMID: 32923075 PMCID: PMC7449706 DOI: 10.1364/boe.397604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous simulation studies by Menzel et al. [Phys. Rev. X10, 021002 (2020)] have shown that scattering patterns of light transmitted through artificial nerve fiber constellations contain valuable information about the tissue substructure such as the individual fiber orientations in regions with crossing nerve fibers. Here, we present a method that measures these scattering patterns in monkey and human brain tissue using coherent Fourier scatterometry with normally incident light. By transmitting a non-focused laser beam (λ = 633 nm) through unstained histological brain sections, we measure the scattering patterns for small tissue regions (with diameters of 0.1-1 mm), and show that they are in accordance with the simulated scattering patterns. We reveal the individual fiber orientations for up to three crossing nerve fiber bundles, with crossing angles down to 25°.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Menzel
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine
(INM-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52425
Jülich, Germany
| | - Silvania F. Pereira
- Optics Research Group, Department of
Imaging Physics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of
Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, Netherlands
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40
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Ke J, Foley LM, Hitchens TK, Richardson RM, Modo M. Ex vivo mesoscopic diffusion MRI correlates with seizure frequency in patients with uncontrolled mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:4529-4548. [PMID: 32691978 PMCID: PMC7555080 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of hippocampal connectivity in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) remains poorly understood. The use of ex vivo hippocampal samples excised from patients with mTLE affords mesoscale diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify individual cell layers, such as the pyramidal (PCL) and granule cell layers (GCL), which are thought to be impacted by seizure activity. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of control (n = 3) and mTLE (n = 7) hippocampi on an 11.7 T MRI scanner allowed us to reveal intra‐hippocampal connectivity and evaluate how epilepsy affected mean (MD), axial (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD), as well as fractional anisotropy (FA). Regional measurements indicated a volume loss in the PCL of the cornu ammonis (CA) 1 subfield in mTLE patients compared to controls, which provided anatomical context. Diffusion measurements, as well as streamline density, were generally higher in mTLE patients compared to controls, potentially reflecting differences due to tissue fixation. mTLE measurements were more variable than controls. This variability was associated with disease severity, as indicated by a strong correlation (r = 0.87) between FA in the stratum radiatum and the frequency of seizures in patients. MD and RD of the PCL in subfields CA3 and CA4 also correlated strongly with disease severity. No correlation of MR measures with disease duration was evident. These results reveal the potential of mesoscale diffusion MRI to examine layer‐specific diffusion changes and connectivity to determine how these relate to clinical measures. Improving the visualization of intra‐hippocampal connectivity will advance the development of novel hypotheses about seizure networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Ke
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lesley M Foley
- Animal Imaging Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - T Kevin Hitchens
- Animal Imaging Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - R Mark Richardson
- Centre for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michel Modo
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Centre for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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41
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Benear SL, Ngo CT, Olson IR. Dissecting the Fornix in Basic Memory Processes and Neuropsychiatric Disease: A Review. Brain Connect 2020; 10:331-354. [PMID: 32567331 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2020.0749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The fornix is the primary axonal tract of the hippocampus, connecting it to modulatory subcortical structures. This review reveals that fornix damage causes cognitive deficits that closely mirror those resulting from hippocampal lesions. Methods: We reviewed the literature on the fornix, spanning non-human animal lesion research, clinical case studies of human patients with fornix damage, as well as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) work that evaluates fornix microstructure in vivo. Results: The fornix is essential for memory formation because it serves as the conduit for theta rhythms and acetylcholine, as well as providing mnemonic representations to deep brain structures that guide motivated behavior, such as when and where to eat. In rodents and non-human primates, fornix lesions lead to deficits in conditioning, reversal learning, and navigation. In humans, damage to the fornix manifests as anterograde amnesia. DWI research reveals that the fornix plays a key role in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's Disease, and can potentially predict conversion from the former to the latter. Emerging DWI findings link perturbations in this structure to schizophrenia, mood disorders, and eating disorders. Cutting-edge research has investigated how deep brain stimulation of the fornix can potentially attenuate memory loss, control epileptic seizures, and even improve mood. Conclusions: The fornix is essential to a fully functioning memory system and is implicated in nearly all neurological functions that rely on the hippocampus. Future research needs to use optimized DWI methods to study the fornix in vivo, which we discuss, given the difficult nature of fornix reconstruction. Impact Statement The fornix is a white matter tract that connects the hippocampus to several subcortical brain regions and is pivotal for episodic memory functioning. Functionally, the fornix transmits essential neurotransmitters, as well as theta rhythms, to the hippocampus. In addition, it is the conduit by which memories guide decisions. The fornix is biomedically important because lesions to this tract result in irreversible anterograde amnesia. Research using in vivo imaging methods has linked fornix pathology to cognitive aging, mild cognitive impairment, psychosis, epilepsy, and, importantly, Alzheimer's Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Benear
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chi T Ngo
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ingrid R Olson
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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42
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Woo YJ, Roussos P, Haroutunian V, Katsel P, Gandy S, Schadt EE, Zhu J. Comparison of brain connectomes by MRI and genomics and its implication in Alzheimer's disease. BMC Med 2020; 18:23. [PMID: 32024511 PMCID: PMC7003435 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1488-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human brain is complex and interconnected structurally. Brain connectome change is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Genetics and genomics studies have identified molecular changes in AD; however, the results are often limited to isolated brain regions and are difficult to interpret its findings in respect to brain connectome. The mechanisms of how one brain region impacts the molecular pathways in other regions have not been systematically studied. And how the brain regions susceptible to AD pathology interact with each other at the transcriptome level and how these interactions relate to brain connectome change are unclear. METHODS Here, we compared structural brain connectomes defined by probabilistic tracts using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database and a brain transcriptome dataset covering 17 brain regions. RESULTS We observed that the changes in diffusion measures associated with AD diagnosis status and the associations were replicated in an independent cohort. The result suggests that disease associated white matter changes are focal. Analysis of the brain connectome by genomic data, tissue-tissue transcriptional synchronization between 17 brain regions, indicates that the regions connected by AD-associated tracts were likely connected at the transcriptome level with high number of tissue-to-tissue correlated (TTC) gene pairs (P = 0.03). And genes involved in TTC gene pairs between white matter tract connected brain regions were enriched in signaling pathways (P = 6.08 × 10-9). Further pathway interaction analysis identified ionotropic glutamate receptor pathway and Toll receptor signaling pathways to be important for tissue-tissue synchronization at the transcriptome level. Transcript profile entailing Toll receptor signaling in the blood was significantly associated with diffusion properties of white matter tracts, notable association between fractional anisotropy and bilateral cingulum angular bundles (Ppermutation = 1.0 × 10-2 and 4.9 × 10-4 for left and right respectively). CONCLUSIONS In summary, our study suggests that brain connectomes defined by MRI and transcriptome data overlap with each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Jae Woo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Vahram Haroutunian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Pavel Katsel
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Samuel Gandy
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Eric E Schadt
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Sema4, Stamford, CT, 06902, USA
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Sema4, Stamford, CT, 06902, USA.
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Beuter A, Balossier A, Vassal F, Hemm S, Volpert V. Cortical stimulation in aphasia following ischemic stroke: toward model-guided electrical neuromodulation. BIOLOGICAL CYBERNETICS 2020; 114:5-21. [PMID: 32020368 DOI: 10.1007/s00422-020-00818-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to integrate different bodies of research including brain traveling waves, brain neuromodulation, neural field modeling and post-stroke language disorders in order to explore the opportunity of implementing model-guided, cortical neuromodulation for the treatment of post-stroke aphasia. Worldwide according to WHO, strokes are the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability. In ischemic stroke, there is not enough blood supply to provide enough oxygen and nutrients to parts of the brain, while in hemorrhagic stroke, there is bleeding within the enclosed cranial cavity. The present paper focuses on ischemic stroke. We first review accumulating observations of traveling waves occurring spontaneously or triggered by external stimuli in healthy subjects as well as in patients with brain disorders. We examine the putative functions of these waves and focus on post-stroke aphasia observed when brain language networks become fragmented and/or partly silent, thus perturbing the progression of traveling waves across perilesional areas. Secondly, we focus on a simplified model based on the current literature in the field and describe cortical traveling wave dynamics and their modulation. This model uses a biophysically realistic integro-differential equation describing spatially distributed and synaptically coupled neural networks producing traveling wave solutions. The model is used to calculate wave parameters (speed, amplitude and/or frequency) and to guide the reconstruction of the perturbed wave. A stimulation term is included in the model to restore wave propagation to a reasonably good level. Thirdly, we examine various issues related to the implementation model-guided neuromodulation in the treatment of post-stroke aphasia given that closed-loop invasive brain stimulation studies have recently produced encouraging results. Finally, we suggest that modulating traveling waves by acting selectively and dynamically across space and time to facilitate wave propagation is a promising therapeutic strategy especially at a time when a new generation of closed-loop cortical stimulation systems is about to arrive on the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Beuter
- Bordeaux INP, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Anne Balossier
- Service de neurochirurgie fonctionnelle et stéréotaxique, AP-HM La Timone, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - François Vassal
- INSERM U1028 Neuropain, UMR 5292, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences, Universités Lyon 1 et Saint-Etienne, Saint-Étienne, France
- Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital Nord, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Simone Hemm
- School of Life Sciences, Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4132, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Vitaly Volpert
- Institut Camille Jordan, UMR 5208 CNRS, University Lyon 1, 69622, Villeurbanne, France
- INRIA Team Dracula, INRIA Lyon La Doua, 69603, Villeurbanne, France
- People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, Russian Federation, 117198
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Abstract
Developmental pathoconnectomics is an emerging field that aims to unravel the events leading to and outcome from disrupted brain connectivity development. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology enables the portrayal of human brain connectivity before birth and has the potential to offer novel insights into normal and pathological human brain development. This review gives an overview of the currently used MRI techniques for connectomic imaging, with a particular focus on recent studies that have successfully translated these to the in utero or postmortem fetal setting. Possible mechanisms of how pathologies, maternal, or environmental factors may interfere with the emergence of the connectome are considered. The review highlights the importance of advanced image post processing and the need for reproducibility studies for connectomic imaging. Further work and novel data-sharing efforts would be required to validate or disprove recent observations from in utero connectomic studies, which are typically limited by low case numbers and high data drop out. Novel knowledge with regard to the ontogenesis, architecture, and temporal dynamics of the human brain connectome would lead to the more precise understanding of the etiological background of neurodevelopmental and mental disorders. To achieve this goal, this review considers the growing evidence from advanced fetal connectomic imaging for the increased vulnerability of the human brain during late gestation for pathologies that might lead to impaired connectome development and subsequently interfere with the development of neural substrates serving higher cognition.
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FOD-based registration for susceptibility distortion correction in brainstem connectome imaging. Neuroimage 2019; 202:116164. [PMID: 31505273 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The high resolution, multi-shell diffusion MRI (dMRI) data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) provides a great opportunity to map fine-grained fiber pathways in human brainstem, but the severe susceptibility-induced distortion around the brainstem poses a significant challenge. While the correction tools used in the HCP Pipeline greatly reduce the distortion artifacts in the preprocessed data, significant residual distortions are still widely present, especially in the brainstem region. One fundamental reason is that the topup tool used in the HCP Pipeline only relies on the B0 images, which lack sufficient contrast about white matter pathways, to estimate the distortion displacement between opposite phase encodings (PEs). To fully utilize the rich information of HCP data that includes dMRI data from two opposite PEs, we compute the fiber orientation distributions (FODs) from the data of each PE and propose a novel method to estimate and correct the residual distortion using FOD-based registration. Using the dMRI data of 94 HCP subjects, we show quantitatively that our method can reduce the misalignment of main fiber direction in the brainstem by 21% as compared to the topup tool used in the HCP Pipeline. Our method is fully compatible with the HCP Pipeline and thus can be readily integrated with it to enhance distortion correction in connectome imaging research.
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Takemura H, Pestilli F, Weiner KS. Comparative neuroanatomy: Integrating classic and modern methods to understand association fibers connecting dorsal and ventral visual cortex. Neurosci Res 2019; 146:1-12. [PMID: 30389574 PMCID: PMC6491271 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Comparative neuroanatomy studies improve understanding of brain structure and function and provide insight regarding brain development, evolution, and also what features of the brain are uniquely human. With modern methods such as diffusion MRI (dMRI) and quantitative MRI (qMRI), we are able to measure structural features of the brain with the same methods across human and non-human primates. In this review article, we discuss how recent dMRI measurements of vertical occipital connections in humans and macaques can be compared with previous findings from invasive anatomical studies that examined connectivity, including relatively forgotten classic strychnine neuronography studies. We then review recent progress in understanding the neuroanatomy of vertical connections within the occipitotemporal cortex by combining modern quantitative MRI and classical histological measurements in human and macaque. Finally, we a) discuss current limitations of dMRI and tractography and b) consider potential paths for future investigations using dMRI and tractography for comparative neuroanatomical studies of white matter tracts between species. While we focus on vertical association connections in visual cortex in the present paper, this same approach can be applied to other white matter tracts. Similar efforts are likely to continue to advance our understanding of the neuroanatomical features of the brain that are shared across species, as well as to distinguish the features that are uniquely human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Takemura
- Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, and Osaka University, Suita, Japan; Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
| | - Franco Pestilli
- Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Computer Science and Intelligent Systems Engineering, Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Kevin S Weiner
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Zhang C, Zhao W, Bai Y, Wang Y, Wang H, Cheng W, Li Z, Zhu J, Yu Y. Differential impairment patterns of the corticospinal tract segments in alcohol dependence. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2019; 23:225-230. [PMID: 30987473 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2019.1588328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding corticospinal tract (CST) changes in alcohol dependence. Here, we aimed to clarify this issue by examining the micro-structural integrity differences of distinct CST segments between alcohol-dependent patients and healthy controls. Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging was performed in a total of 39 male individuals, including 19 alcohol-dependent patients and 20 age-matched healthy controls. CST was reconstructed using tractography and was divided into inferior and superior segments at the level of the lateral sulcus. Multiple diffusion measures of each segment were compared between two groups. Results: For the bilateral whole CSTs, no diffusion measures showed significant between-group differences. However, compared to healthy controls, alcohol-dependent patients exhibited decreased FA and increased RD in the left-superior segment, increased FA and decreased RD/MD in the left-inferior segment, increased AD/MD in the right-superior segment, decreased RD/MD in the right-inferior segment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CST impairments may vary with the fibre arrangement patterns of its segments in alcohol dependence. Keypoints We reconstructed the CST using tractography based on DTI data and divided the CST into different segments in order to explore more detailed micro-structural integrity changes in alcoholisms. Alcohol-dependent patients showed decreased RD and MD for the bilateral inferior segments of the CSTs. The left-superior segment exhibited decreased FA and increased RD while the right one exhibited increased AD and MD. These findings suggest that CST impairments may vary with the fiber arrangement patterns of its segments in alcohol dependence. In future work, more elaborate segmentation schemes and lager samples should be used to test the reproducibility of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
| | - Wenming Zhao
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
| | - Ya Bai
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
| | - Haibao Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
| | - Wenwen Cheng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
| | - Zipeng Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
| | - Yongqiang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
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Cyfip1 haploinsufficient rats show white matter changes, myelin thinning, abnormal oligodendrocytes and behavioural inflexibility. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3455. [PMID: 31371763 PMCID: PMC6671959 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11119-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological basis of the increased risk for psychiatric disorders seen in 15q11.2 copy number deletion is unknown. Previous work has shown disturbances in white matter tracts in human carriers of the deletion. Here, in a novel rat model, we recapitulated low dosage of the candidate risk gene CYFIP1 present within the 15q11.2 interval. Using diffusion tensor imaging, we first showed extensive white matter changes in Cyfip1 mutant rats, which were most pronounced in the corpus callosum and external capsule. Transmission electron microscopy showed that these changes were associated with thinning of the myelin sheath in the corpus callosum. Myelin thinning was independent of changes in axon number or diameter but was associated with effects on mature oligodendrocytes, including aberrant intracellular distribution of myelin basic protein. Finally, we demonstrated effects on cognitive phenotypes sensitive to both disruptions in myelin and callosal circuitry. People with a genetic deletion of the 15q11.2 locus are at increased risk for psychiatric disorders and white matter disturbances, but the gene(s) responsible are unclear. Here, the authors show that low dosage of CYFIP1, present in the human 15q11.2 region, alters white matter structure and cognition in rats.
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Rabinowitch I. What would a synthetic connectome look like? Phys Life Rev 2019; 33:1-15. [PMID: 31296448 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge of contemporary neuroscience is to unravel the structure of the connectome, the ensemble of neural connections that link between different functional units of the brain, and to reveal how this structure relates to brain function. This thriving area of research largely follows the general tradition in biology of reverse-engineering, which consists of first observing and characterizing a biological system or process, and then deconstructing it into its fundamental building blocks in order to infer its modes of operation. However, a complementary form of biology has emerged, synthetic biology, which emphasizes construction-based forward-engineering. The synthetic biology approach comprises the assembly of new biological systems out of elementary biological parts. The rationale is that the act of building a system can be a powerful method for gaining deep understanding of how that system works. As the fields of connectomics and synthetic biology are independently growing, I propose to consider the benefits of combining the two, to create synthetic connectomics, a new form of neuroscience and a new form of synthetic biology. The goal of synthetic connectomics would be to artificially design and construct the connectomes of live behaving organisms. Synthetic connectomics could serve as a unifying platform for unraveling the complexities of brain operation and perhaps also for generating new forms of artificial life, and, in general, could provide a valuable opportunity for empirically exploring theoretical predictions about network function. What would a synthetic connectome look like? What purposes would it serve? How could it be constructed? This review delineates the novel notion of a synthetic connectome and aims to lay out the initial steps towards its implementation, contemplating its impact on science and society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ithai Rabinowitch
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, IMRIC - Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, 9112002, Israel.
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50
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Tournier JD. Diffusion MRI in the brain - Theory and concepts. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2019; 112-113:1-16. [PMID: 31481155 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, diffusion MRI has become an essential tool in neuroimaging investigations. This is due to its sensitivity to the motion of water molecules as they diffuse through the microstructural environment, allowing diffusion MRI to be used as a 'probe' of tissue microstructure. Furthermore, this sensitivity is strongly direction-dependent, notably in brain white matter, due to the alignment of structures that restrict or hinder the motion of water molecules, notably axonal membranes. This provides a means of inferring the orientation of fibres in vivo, and by use of appropriate fibre-tracking algorithms, of delineating the path of white matter tracts in the brain. The ability to perform so-called tractography in humans in vivo non-invasively is unique to diffusion MRI, and is now used in applications such as neurosurgery planning and more broadly within investigations of brain connectomics. This review describes the theory and concepts of diffusion MRI and describes its most important areas of application in the brain, with a strong focus on tractography.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-Donald Tournier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK; Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK.
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