scholarly journals Experience-dependent structural plasticity in the adult brain: How the learning brain grows

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio Schmidt ◽  
Sidra Gull ◽  
Karl-Heinz Herrmann ◽  
Marcus Boehme ◽  
Andrey Irintchev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Monocular Deprivation ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Transient Increase ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Matter Volume

AbstractVolumetric magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that intense learning can be associated with grey matter volume increases in the adult brain. The underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we used monocular deprivation in rats to analyze the mechanisms underlying use-dependent grey matter increases. Optometry for quantification of visual acuity was combined with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging and microscopic techniques in longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. We found an increased spatial vision of the open eye which was associated with a transient increase in the volumes of the contralateral visual and lateral entorhinal cortex. In these brain areas dendrites of neurons elongated, and there was a strong increase in the number of spines, the targets of synapses, which was followed by spine maturation and partial pruning. Astrocytes displayed a transient pronounced swelling and underwent a reorganization of their processes. The use-dependent increase in grey matter corresponded predominantly to the swelling of the astrocytes. Experience-dependent increase in brain grey matter volume indicates a gain of structure plasticity with both synaptic and astrocyte remodeling.HighlightsPerception learning causes a transient increase in brain grey matter volume detectable by MRI.This learning results in pronounced changes of neuronal dendrites and an increase in the number of dendritic spines.Structural neuronal plasticity is associated with a reorganization and transient swelling of astrocytes.Brain volume and astrocyte volume return to baseline post-learning, with a persistent increase in the number of mature spines.

scholarly journals Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry in children with nonlesional epilepsy, does it help?

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehab Ali Abdelgawad ◽  
Samir M. Mounir ◽  
Marah M. Abdelhay ◽  
Mohammed A. Ameen
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Normal Group ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
White Matter Volume ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Matter Volume ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by repeated spontaneous seizures. It affects up to 1% of the population worldwide. Children with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) negative (or “nonlesional”) focal epilepsy constitute the most challenging pharmacoresistant group undergoing pre-neurosurgical evaluation. Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (VMRI) is a non-invasive brain imaging technique done to measure the volume and structure of specific regions of the brain. It is useful for many things, but primarily for discovering atrophy (wasting away of body tissue) and measuring its progression. The aim of this study is to assess role of volumetric magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of nonlesional childhood epilepsy in which no specific findings detected in conventional MRI. Results There were 20 children with normal MRI brain volumetry (33.3%) and 40 children (66.6%) with abnormal MRI brain volumetry. Grey matter volume in the abnormal group was significantly higher (P value was 0.001*) than the normal group (mean ± S.D 934.04 ± 118.12 versus 788.57 ± 57.71 respectively). White matter volume in the abnormal group was significantly smaller (P value was < 0.0001*) than in the normal group (mean ± S.D 217.79 ± 65.22 versus 418.07 ± 103.76 respectively). Right hippocampus CA4-DG volume in the abnormal volume group was found to be significantly smaller (P value < 0.0001*) than that of the normal group volume (mean ± S.D 0.095 ± 0.04 versus 0.32 ± 0.36 respectively). Right hippocampus subiculum volume in the abnormal volume group were found to be significantly smaller (P value was < 0.0001*) than that of the normal group volume (mean ± S.D 0.42 ± 0.11 versus 0.84 ± 0.09 respectively). Thalamus volume in the abnormal group was significantly smaller (P value 0.048*) than in the normal group (mean ± S.D 10.235 ± 3.22 versus 11.82 ± 0.75 respectively). Right thalamus was significantly smaller (P value was 0.028*) than in the normal group (mean ± S.D 5.01 ± 1.62 versus 5.91 ± 0.39 respectively). The sensitivity of the right hippocampus subiculum volume and right hippocampus CA4-DG was 100%. The sensitivity of white matter volume and grey matter volume and thalamus was 85% and 75% and 55% respectively. The specificity of the right hippocampus subiculum volume and right hippocampus CA4-DG was 90% and 90% respectively. The specificity of the right hippocampus subiculum volume and right hippocampus CA4-DG and grey matter volume and white matter volume and total hippocampus and thalamus was 100%. The specificity of brain volume was 60%. The accuracy of the right hippocampus subiculum volume and right hippocampus CA4-DG was 100%. The specificity of white matter volume, grey matter volume, thalamus, total hippocampus, and brain volume was 97%, 87%, 65%, 61%, and 57% respectively. Conclusion Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging is a promising imaging technique that can provide assistance in evaluation of nonlesional pharmacoresistant childhood epilepsy.

scholarly journals Clinically Applicable Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Morphologic Measurements of Grey Matter Changes in the Human Brain

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Tong Fu ◽  
Xenia Kobeleva ◽  
Paul Bronzlik ◽  
Patrick Nösel ◽  
Mete Dadak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Reference Database ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Quantitative Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Als Patients

(1) Purpose: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) measurements can be used to sensitively estimate brain morphological alterations and may support clinical diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases (ND). We aimed to establish a normative reference database for a clinical applicable quantitative MR morphologic measurement on neurodegenerative changes in patients; (2) Methods: Healthy subjects (HCs, n = 120) with an evenly distribution between 21 to 70 years and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients (n = 11, mean age = 52.45 ± 6.80 years), as an example of ND patients, underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations under routine diagnostic conditions. Regional cortical thickness (rCTh) in 68 regions of interest (ROIs) and subcortical grey matter volume (SGMV) in 14 ROIs were determined from all subjects by using Computational Anatomy Toolbox. Those derived from HCs were analyzed to determine age-related differences and subsequently used as reference to estimate ALS-related alterations; (3) Results: In HCs, the rCTh (in 49/68 regions) and the SGMV (in 9/14 regions) in elderly subjects were less than those in younger subjects and exhibited negative linear correlations to age (p < 0.0007 for rCTh and p < 0.004 for SGMV). In comparison to age- and sex-matched HCs, the ALS patients revealed significant decreases of rCTh in eight ROIs, majorly located in frontal and temporal lobes; (4) Conclusion: The present study proves an overall grey matter decline with normal ageing as reported previously. The provided reference may be used for detection of grey matter alterations in neurodegenerative diseases that are not apparent in standard MR scans, indicating the potential of using qMRI as an add-on diagnostic tool in a clinical setting.

scholarly journals Structural magnetic resonance imaging in patients with first-episode schizophrenia, psychotic and severe non-psychotic depression and healthy controls

2002 ◽  
Vol 181 (S43) ◽  
pp. s58-s65 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. R. Salokangas ◽  
T. Cannon ◽  
T. Van Erp ◽  
T. Ilonen ◽  
T. Taiminen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
The Other ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Psychotic Depression ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Matter Volume ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

BackgroundStructural brain abnormalities are prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders.AimsTo study how regional brain volumes and their ratios differ between patients with schizophrenia, psychotic depression, severe non-psychotic depression and healthy controls.MethodMagnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain on first-episode patients and on healthy controls.ResultsPatients with schizophrenia had a smaller left frontal grey matter volume than the other three groups. Patients with psychotic depression had larger ventricular and posterior sulcal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes than controls. Patients with depression had larger white matter volumes than the other patients.ConclusionsLeft frontal lobe, especially its grey matter volume, seems to be specifically reduced in first-episode schizophrenia. Enlarged cerebral ventricles and sulcal CSF volumes are prevalent in psychotic depression. Preserved or expanded white matter is typical of non-psychotic depression.

scholarly journals Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging reveals alterations of sensorimotor circuits in restless legs syndrome

SLEEP ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambra Stefani ◽  
Thomas Mitterling ◽  
Anna Heidbreder ◽  
Ruth Steiger ◽  
Christian Kremser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Gray Matter Volume ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Iron Storage ◽  
Matter Volume ◽  
The Right

Abstract Study Objectives Integrated information on brain microstructural integrity and iron storage and its impact on the morphometric profile is not available in restless legs syndrome (RLS). We applied multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion tensor imaging, the transverse relaxation rate (R2*), a marker for iron storage, as well as gray and white matter volume measures to characterize RLS-related MRI signal distribution patterns and to analyze their associations with clinical parameters. Methods Eighty-seven patients with RLS (mean age 51, range 20–72 years; disease duration, mean 13 years, range 1–46 years, of those untreated n = 30) and 87 healthy control subjects, individually matched for age and gender, were investigated with multimodal 3T MRI. Results Volume of the white matter compartment adjacent to the post- and precentral cortex and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the frontopontine tract were both significantly reduced in RLS compared to healthy controls, and these alterations were associated with disease duration (r = 0.25, p = 0.025 and r = 0.23, p = 0.037, respectively). Corresponding gray matter volume increases of the right primary motor cortex in RLS (p &lt; 0.001) were negatively correlated with the right FA signal of the frontopontine tract (r = −0.22; p &lt; 0.05). Iron content evaluated with R2* was reduced in the putamen as well as in temporal and occipital compartments of the RLS cohort compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.01). Conclusions Multimodal MRI identified progressing white matter decline of key somatosensory circuits that may underlie the perception of sensory leg discomfort. Increases of gray matter volume of the premotor cortex are likely to be a consequence of functional neuronal reorganization.

scholarly journals Grey matter abnormalities in trichotillomania: morphometric magnetic resonance imaging study

2008 ◽  
Vol 193 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel R. Chamberlain ◽  
Lara A. Menzies ◽  
Naomi A. Fineberg ◽  
Natalia del Campo ◽  
John Suckling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Affect Regulation ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Hippocampal Formation ◽  
Imaging Study ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Axis I

BackgroundTrichotillomania (repetitive hair-pulling) is an Axis I psychiatric disorder whose neurobiological basis is incompletely understood. Whole-brain trichotillomania neuroimaging studies are lacking.AimsTo investigate grey and white matter abnormalities over the whole brain in patients with trichotillomania.MethodEighteen patients with DSM–IV trichotillomania and 19 healthy controls undertook structural magnetic resonance imaging after providing written informed consent. Differences in grey and white matter were investigated using computational morphometry.ResultsPatients with trichotillomania showed increased grey matter densities in the left striatum, left amygdalo-hippocampal formation, and multiple (including cingulate, supplementary motor, and frontal) cortical regions bilaterally.ConclusionsTrichotillomania was associated with structural grey matter changes in neural circuitry implicated in habit learning, cognition and affect regulation. These findings inform animal models of the disorder and highlight key regions of interest for future translational research.

scholarly journals Brain atrophy and employment in multiple sclerosis patients: a 10-year follow-up study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521732090248
Author(s):  
Cecilie Jacobsen ◽  
Robert Zivadinov ◽  
Kjell-Morten Myhr ◽  
Turi O Dalaker ◽  
Ingvild Dalen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Cortical Volume ◽  
Deep Grey Matter ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
The Unemployed

Background Multiple sclerosis is often associated with unemployment. The contribution of grey matter atrophy to unemployment is unclear. Objectives To identify magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers of grey matter and clinical symptoms associated with unemployment in multiple sclerosis patients. Methods Demographic, clinical data and 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging scans were collected in 81 patients at the time of inclusion and after 5 and 10 years. Global and tissue-specific volumes were calculated at each time point. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed linear model. Results At baseline 31 (38%) of the patients were unemployed, at 5-year follow-up 44 (59%) and at 10-year follow-up 34 (81%) were unemployed. The unemployed patients had significantly lower subcortical deep grey matter volume ( P < 0.001), specifically thalamus, pallidus, putamen and hippocampal volumes, and cortical volume ( P = 0.011); and significantly greater T1 ( P < 0.001)/T2 ( P < 0.001) lesion volume than the employed patient group at baseline. Subcortical deep grey matter volumes, and to a lesser degree cortical volume, were significantly associated with unemployment throughout the follow-up. Conclusion We found significantly greater atrophy of subcortical deep grey matter and cortical volume at baseline and during follow-up in the unemployed patient group. Atrophy of subcortical deep grey matter showed a stronger association to unemployment than atrophy of cortical volume during the follow-up.

Microglial imaging with positron emission tomography and atrophy measurements with magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis: a correlative study

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Versijpt ◽  
J C Debruyne ◽  
K J Van Laere ◽  
F De Vos ◽  
J Keppens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Normal Appearing White Matter

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to assess brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during different disease stages and to investigate by PET and [11C]PK11195, a marker of microglial activation, the relationship between inflammation, atrophy and clinically relevant measures. Methods: Eight healthy subjects and 22 MS patients were included. Semiquantitative [11C]PK11195 uptake values, with normalization on cortical grey matter, were measured for magnetic resonance imaging T2- and T1-lesions and normal appearing white matter (NAWM). As atrophy index we used the ratio of the amount of white and grey matter divided by the ventricular size, using an optimized a priori based segmentation algorithm (SPM99). Results: Atrophy was significantly greater in MS patients compared to age-matched controls. A significant correlation was found between brain atrophy and both disease duration and disability, as measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale. For NAWM, [11C]PK11195 uptake increased with the amount of atrophy, while T2-lesional [11C]PK11195 uptake values decreased according to increasing brain atrophy. Conclusions: The present study suggests that brain atrophy, correlating with disease duration and disability, is directly related to NAWM and T2-lesional inflammation as measured by microglial activation.

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