Classifying heterogeneous presentations of PTSD via the default mode, central executive, and salience networks with machine learning

Abstract BACKGROUND Developing mapping tools that allow identification of traditional or non-traditional eloquent areas is necessary to minimize the risk of postoperative neurologic deficits. The objective of our study is to evaluate the use of a novel cloud-based platform that uses machine learning to identify cerebral networks in patients with brain tumors. METHODS We retrospectively included all adult patients who underwent surgery for brain tumor resection or thermal ablation at our Institution between the 16th of February and the 15th of May of 2021. Pre and postoperative contrast-enhanced MRI with T1-weighted and high-resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) sequences were uploaded into the Quicktome platform. After processing the data, we categorized the integrity of seven large-scale brain networks: sensorimotor, visual, ventral attention, central executive, default mode, dorsal attention and limbic. Affected networks were correlated with pre and postoperative clinical data, including neurologic deficits. RESULTS Thirty-five (35) patients were included in the study. The average age of the sample was 63.2 years, and 51.4% (n=18) were females. The most affected network was the central executive network (40%), followed by the dorsal attention and default mode networks (31.4%), while the least affected were the visual (11%) and ventral attention networks (17%). Patients with preoperative deficits showed a significantly higher number of altered networks before the surgery (p=0.021), compared to patients without deficits. In addition, we found that patients without neurologic deficits had an average of 2.06 large-scale networks affected, with 75% of them not being related to traditional eloquent areas as the sensorimotor, language or visual circuits. CONCLUSIONS The Quicktome platform is a practical tool that allows automatic visualization of large-scale brain networks in patients with brain tumors. Although further studies are needed, it may assist in the surgical management of traditional and non-traditional eloquent areas.

Download Full-text

Causal interactions between fronto-parietal central executive and default-mode networks in humans

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1311772110 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 110 (49) ◽

pp. 19944-19949 ◽

Cited By ~ 241

Author(s):

A. C. Chen ◽

D. J. Oathes ◽

C. Chang ◽

T. Bradley ◽

Z.-W. Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Executive ◽

Default Mode

Download Full-text

Sex Differences in Functional Connectivity of the Salience, Default Mode, and Central Executive Networks in Youth with ASD

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhaa105 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (9) ◽

pp. 5107-5120 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Katherine E Lawrence ◽

Leanna M Hernandez ◽

Hilary C Bowman ◽

Namita T Padgaonkar ◽

Emily Fuster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Central Executive ◽

Neural Mechanisms ◽

Typical Development ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Matched Sample ◽

Biological Factors ◽

Default Mode

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with the altered functional connectivity of 3 neurocognitive networks that are hypothesized to be central to the symptomatology of ASD: the salience network (SN), default mode network (DMN), and central executive network (CEN). Due to the considerably higher prevalence of ASD in males, however, previous studies examining these networks in ASD have used primarily male samples. It is thus unknown how these networks may be differentially impacted among females with ASD compared to males with ASD, and how such differences may compare to those observed in neurotypical individuals. Here, we investigated the functional connectivity of the SN, DMN, and CEN in a large, well-matched sample of girls and boys with and without ASD (169 youth, ages 8–17). Girls with ASD displayed greater functional connectivity between the DMN and CEN than boys with ASD, whereas typically developing girls and boys differed in SN functional connectivity only. Together, these results demonstrate that youth with ASD exhibit altered sex differences in these networks relative to what is observed in typical development, and highlight the importance of considering sex-related biological factors and participant sex when characterizing the neural mechanisms underlying ASD.

Download Full-text

Electronic-Sports Experience Related to Functional Enhancement in Central Executive and Default Mode Areas

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2019/1940123 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Diankun Gong ◽

Weiyi Ma ◽

Tiejun Liu ◽

Yuening Yan ◽

Dezhong Yao

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Video Game ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Functional Integration ◽

Central Executive ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Default Mode ◽

Lower Ranking ◽

Local Functional ◽

The Relationship

Electronic-sports (e-sports) is a form of organized, online, multiplayer video game competition, which requires both action skills and the ability and process of forming and adapting a strategy (referred to as strategization hereafter) to achieve goals. Over the past few decades, research has shown that video gaming experience has an important impact on the plasticity of the sensorimotor, attentional, and executive brain areas. However, little research has examined the relationship between e-sports experience and the plasticity of brain networks that are related to strategization. Using resting-state fMRI data and the local functional connectivity density (lFCD) analysis, this study investigated the relationship between e-sports experience (League of Legends [LOL] in this study) and brain plasticity by comparing between top-ranking LOL players and lower-ranking (yet experienced) LOL players. Results showed that the top-ranking LOL players had superior local functional integration in the executive areas compared to lower-ranking players. Furthermore, the top-ranking players had higher lFCD in the default mode areas, which have been found related to various subprocesses (e.g., memory and planning) essential for strategization. Finally, the top-ranking players’ lFCD was related to their LOL expertise rank level, as indicated by a comprehensive score assigned by the gaming software based on players’ gaming experience and expertise. Thus, the result showed that the local functional connectivity in central executive and default mode brain areas was enhanced in the top-ranking e-sports players, suggesting that e-sports experience is related to the plasticity of the central executive and default mode areas.

Download Full-text

O4.4. REAL TIME FMRI NEUROFEEDBACK TARGETING STG AND DMN REDUCES AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa028.021 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S10-S10

Author(s):

Margaret Niznikiewicz ◽

Kana Okano ◽

Clemens Bauer ◽

Paul Nestor ◽

Elizabetta Del Re ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Real Time ◽

Default Mode Network ◽

Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Central Executive ◽

Auditory Hallucinations ◽

Default Mode ◽

Central Executive Network ◽

Voice Recording

Abstract Background Auditory hallucinations (AH) are one of the core symptoms of schizophrenia (SZ) and constitute a significant source of suffering and disability. One third of SZ patients experience pharmacology-resistant AH, so an alternative/complementary treatment strategy is needed to alleviate this debilitating condition. In this study, real-time functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging neurofeedback (rt-fMRI NFB), a non-invasive technique, was used to help 10 SZ patients modulate their brain activity in key brain regions belonging to the network involved in the experience of auditory hallucinations. In two experiments we selected two different brain targets. 1. the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and 2. default mode network (DMN)-central executive network (CEN) connectivity. STG is a key area in the neurophysiology of AH. Hyperactivation of the default mode network (DMN) and of the superior temporal gyrus (STG) in SZ has been shown in imaging studies. Furthermore, several studies point to reduced anticorrelation between the DMN and the central executive network (CEN). Finally, DMN hyperconnectivity has been associated with positive symptoms such as AHs while reduced DMN anticorrelations have been associated with cognitive impairment. Methods In the STG-focused NFB experiment, subjects were trained to upregulate the STG activity while listening to their own voice recording and downregulate it while ignoring a stranger’s voice recording in the course of 21 min NFB session. Visual feedback was provided to subjects at the end of each run from their own STG activity in the form of a thermometer. AH were assessed with auditory hallucination scale pre-NFB and within a week after the NFB session. The DMN-CEN focused NFB experiment was conducted about 1 month later to minimize the carry over effects from the STG-focused NFB and was designed to help SZ patients modulate their DMN and CEN networks. DMN and CEN networks were defined individually for each subject. The goal of the task was to increase CEN-DMN anti-correlations. To achieve that patients were provided with meditation strategies to guide their performance. Feedback was provided in the form of a ball that traveled up if the modulation of DMN-CEN connectivity was successful and traveled down if it was not successful. AH measures were taken before the NFB session and within a week after the session. Results In the STG-focused NFB task, significant STG activation reduction was found in the comparison of pre- relative to post-NFB in the condition of ignoring another person’s voice (p<0.05), FWE-TFCE corrected. AH were also significantly reduced (p<0.01). Importantly, significant correlation was found between reductions in the STG activation and AH reductions (r=.83). In the DMN-CEN focused NFB task, significant increase in the anti-correlations between medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (p<0.05) was observed as well as significant reduction in the mPFC-PCC connectivity (p <0.05), in the pre-post NFB comparisons. AH were significantly reduced in post- relative to pre-NFB comparison (p<0.02). Finally, there was a significant correlation between individual scores in mPFC-STG connectivity and AH reductions. Discussion These the two experiments suggest that targeting both the STG BOLD activation and DMN-CEN connectivity in NFB tasks aimed at AH reduction result both in brain changes and in AH reductions. Together, these results provide strong preliminary support for the NFB use as a means to impact brain function leading to reductions in AH in SZ. Importantly, these results suggest that AH result from brain abnormalities in a network of brain regions and that targeting a brain region belonging to this network will lead to AH symptom reduction.

Download Full-text