Real-time motion monitoring improves functional MRI data quality in infants

Imaging the infant brain with MRI has improved our understanding of early neurodevelopment. However, head motion during MRI acquisition is detrimental to both functional and structural MRI scan quality. Though infants are typically scanned while asleep, they commonly exhibit motion during scanning causing data loss. Our group has shown that providing MRI technicians with real-time motion estimates via Framewise Integrated Real-Time MRI Monitoring (FIRMM) software helps obtain high-quality, low motion fMRI data. By estimating head motion in real time and displaying motion metrics to the MR technician during an fMRI scan, FIRMM can improve scanning efficiency. Here, we compared average framewise displacement (FD), a proxy for head motion, and the amount of usable fMRI data (FD ≤ 0.2 mm) in infants scanned with (n = 407) and without FIRMM (n = 295). Using a mixed-effects model, we found that the addition of FIRMM to current state-of-the-art infant scanning protocols significantly increased the amount of usable fMRI data acquired per infant, demonstrating its value for research and clinical infant neuroimaging.     

Functional MRI Studies of Animal Models in Epilepsy

Summary:  Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become a widely used imaging modality in the past decade in both human studies and animal models. Epilepsy presents unique challenges for neuroimaging due to subject movement during seizures, and the need to correlate the timing of often unpredictable seizure events with fMRI data acquisition. These challenges can readily be overcome in animal models of epilepsy. Animal models also provide an opportunity to investigate the fundamental relationships between fMRI signals and brain electrical activity through invasive studies not possible in humans. fMRI studies in animal models of epilepsy can enable us to correctly interpret fMRI signal increases and decreases in human studies, ultimately elucidating specific networks that will be targeted for improved treatment of epilepsy.     

The neuroimaging evidence for chronic brain damage due to boxing

A number of imaging techniques have been used to investigate changes produced in the brain by boxing. Most morphological studies have failed to show significant correlations between putative abnormalities on imaging and clinical evidence of brain damage. Fenestration of the septum pellucidum, with formation of a cavum, one of the most frequent observations, does not appear to correlate with neurological or physiological evidence of brain damage. Serial studies on large groups may be more informative. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cerebral blood flow studies have been reported in only small numbers of boxers; serial studies are not available to date. Received: 5 August 1991/Accepted: 5 August 1999     

基于磁共振技术的功能性胃肠病中枢病理变化研究现状＊

目的 通过对基于磁共振技术的功能性胃肠病（Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders，FGIDs）中枢病理变化相关文献进行回顾，分析该领域研究现状，以期为今后研究提供参考与借鉴。方法 以Web of Science收录1993年-2019年相关文献为对象，应用CiteSpace软件对文献的基本情况、研究的病种及重点脑区等进行共现分析，并绘制相关可视化图谱。结果 ①共获得文献151篇，发文量总体呈上升趋势，2017年文献发表数达到最高；②发表论文数量排名前3的国家分别是美国、中国、德国；③发文频次位于前3位的作者分别是Emeran A Mayer、K Tillisch、Fang Zeng；④主要是胃肠疾病类与影像学类相关杂志发文，核心期刊为Gastroenterology，Gut，Neurogastroenty and Molity；⑤对关键词进行聚类分析后，形成10个聚类群，分别为functional dyspepsia、brain response、endoanal ultrasound、prefrontal cortex、image cytometry、colonic function、functional constipation、acupuncture、resting-state、diffusion tensor imaging、default mode network。结论 ①基于神经影像技术，对FGIDs相关中枢机制的研究日益受到关注；②研究的主要病种是肠易激综合征、功能性消化不良和功能性便秘；③大脑前额叶皮质，前扣带回皮质，默认网络是FGIDs神经影像领域中备受关注的区域；④针灸是基于磁共振技术的FGIDs中枢机制研究中最常见的干预治疗方式。     

Applicability of automated tractography during acute care stroke rehabilitation

[Purpose] To assess the clinical applicability of a novel automated tractography tool named XTRACT during acute stroke rehabilitation. [Participants and Methods] Three patients with left hemisphere stroke were sampled. Diffusion tensor images were acquired on the second week, and automated tractography was then applied. Tractography images and fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the corticospinal tract (CST) and arcuate fasciculus (AF) were assessed in relation to hemiparesis and aphasia. [Results] Patient 1 was nearly asymptomatic; FA in the left CST was 0.610 and that in the AF was 0.509. Patient 2 had severe hemiparesis and mild motor aphasia. Tractography images of the CST and AF were blurred; FA in the left CST was 0.295 and that in the AF was 0.304. Patient 3 showed no hemiparesis or aphasia at initial assessment. Tractography image of the CST was intact but that of the AF was less clear; FA in the left CST was 0.586 and that in the AF was 0.338. Considering the less clear images of the AF and lower FA value in Patients 2 and 3, further examinations for aphasia were performed, which revealed agraphia. [Conclusion] Visualization and quantification of neural fibers using automated tractography promoted planning acute care rehabilitative treatment in patients with stroke.     

从中枢重塑阐述原发性耳鸣发病及治疗机制

原发性耳鸣的发病机制与多个脑网络中不同脑区的神经可塑性改变密切相关.由于长期异常信号的输入,细胞膜发生变化,突触活动发生改变,造成神经敏感性改变,逐渐引起中枢神经元的重塑.视觉网络、听觉网络、默认网络的各个脑区的中枢可塑性改变可能是耳鸣形成和维持的原因.西医、中医、中西医结合治疗均可改变各脑网络中不同脑区的神经兴奋性与...     

The peripartum human brain: Current understanding and future perspectives

The peripartum period offers a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of how dramatic fluctuations in endogenous ovarian hormones affect the human brain and behavior. This notwithstanding, peripartum depression remains an underdiagnosed and undertreated disorder. Here, we review recent neuroimaging findings with respect to the neuroplastic changes in the maternal brain during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We seek to provide an overview of multimodal neuroimaging designs of current peripartum depression models of hormone withdrawal, changes in monoaminergic signaling, and maladaptive neuroplasticity, which likely lead to the development of a condition that puts the lives of mother and infant at risk. We discuss the need to effectively integrate the available information on psychosocial and neurobiological risk factors contributing to individual vulnerability. Finally, we propose a systematic approach to neuroimaging the peripartum brain that acknowledges important co-morbidities and variation in disease onset.