scholarly journals Cortex-wide neural interfacing via transparent polymer skulls

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Ghanbari ◽  
Russell E. Carter ◽  
Matthew L. Rynes ◽  
Judith Dominguez ◽  
Gang Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Neural Activities ◽  
Neural Computations ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
And Function ◽  
Subcellular Resolution

ABSTRACTNeural computations occurring simultaneously in multiple cerebral cortical regions are critical for mediating cognition, perception and sensorimotor behaviors. Enormous progress has been made in understanding how neural activity in specific cortical regions contributes to behavior. However, there is a lack of tools that allow simultaneous monitoring and perturbing neural activity from multiple cortical regions. To fill this need, we have engineered “See-Shells” – digitally designed, morphologically realistic, transparent polymer skulls that allow long-term (>200 days) optical access to 45 mm2 of the dorsal cerebral cortex in the mouse. We demonstrate the ability to perform mesoscopic imaging, as well as cellular and subcellular resolution two-photon imaging of neural structures up to 600 µm through the See-Shells. See-Shells implanted on transgenic mice expressing genetically encoded calcium (Ca2+) indicators allow tracking of neural activities from multiple, non-contiguous regions spread across millimeters of the cortex. Further, neural probes can access the brain through perforated See-Shells, either for perturbing or recording neural activity from localized brain regions simultaneously with whole cortex imaging. As See-Shells can be constructed using readily available desktop fabrication tools and modified to fit a range of skull geometries, they provide a powerful tool for investigating brain structure and function.

scholarly journals Desikan-Killiany-Tourville Atlas Compatible Version of M-CRIB Neonatal Parcellated Whole Brain Atlas: The M-CRIB 2.0

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Alexander ◽  
Wai Yen Loh ◽  
Lillian G. Matthews ◽  
Andrea L. Murray ◽  
Chris Adamson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Atlas ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
Postmenstrual Age ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Subcortical Regions ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
And Function ◽  
Ventral Diencephalon

AbstractOur recently published M-CRIB atlas comprises 100 neonatal brain regions including 68 compatible with the widely-used Desikan-Killiany adult cortical atlas. A successor to the Desikan-Killiany atlas is the Desikan-Killiany-Tourville atlas, in which some regions with unclear boundaries were removed, and many existing boundaries were revised to conform to clearer landmarks in sulcal fundi. Our first aim here was to modify cortical M-CRIB regions to comply with the Desikan-Killiany-Tourville protocol, in order to offer: a) compatibility with this adult cortical atlas, b) greater labelling accuracy due to clearer landmarks, and c) optimisation of cortical regions for integration with surface-based infant parcellation pipelines. Secondly, we aimed to update subcortical regions in order to offer greater compatibility with subcortical segmentations produced in FreeSurfer. Data utilized were the T2-weighted MRI scans in our M-CRIB atlas, for ten healthy neonates (postmenstrual age at MRI 40-43 weeks, 4 female), and corresponding parcellated images. Edits were performed on the parcellated images in volume space using ITK-SNAP. Cortical updates included deletion of frontal and temporal poles and ‘Banks STS’, and modification of boundaries of many other regions. Changes to subcortical regions included the addition of ‘ventral diencephalon’, and deletion of ‘subcortical matter’ labels. A detailed updated parcellation protocol was produced. The resulting whole-brain M-CRIB 2.0 atlas comprises 94 regions altogether. This atlas provides comparability with adult Desikan-Killiany-Tourville-labelled cortical data and FreeSurfer-labelled subcortical data, and is more readily adaptable for incorporation into surface-based neonatal parcellation pipelines. As such, it offers the ability to help facilitate a broad range of investigations into brain structure and function both at the neonatal time point and developmentally across the lifespan.

scholarly journals Brain structure of perinatally HIV-infected patients on long-term treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malon Van den Hof ◽  
Anne Marleen ter Haar ◽  
Matthan W.A. Caan ◽  
Rene Spijker ◽  
Johanna H. van der Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Structure ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
Hiv Negative

ObjectiveWe aim to give an overview of the available evidence on brain structure and function in PHIV-infected patients (PHIV+) using long-term combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and how differences change over time.MethodsWe conducted an electronic search using MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO. We used the following selection criteria: cohort and cross-sectional studies that reported on brain imaging differences between PHIV+ of all ages who used cART for at least six months before neuroimaging and HIV-negative controls. Two reviewers independently selected studies, performed data extraction, and assessed quality of studies.ResultsAfter screening 1500 abstracts and 343 full-text articles, we identified 19 eligible articles. All included studies had a cross-sectional design and used MRI with different modalities: structural MRI (n = 7), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (n = 6), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (n = 5), arterial spin labeling (n = 1), and resting-state functional neuroimaging (n = 1). Studies showed considerable methodological limitations and heterogeneity, preventing us to perform meta-analyses. DTI data on white matter microstructure suggested poorer directional diffusion in cART-treated PHIV+ compared with controls. Other modalities were inconclusive.ConclusionEvidence may suggest brain structure and function differences in the population of PHIV+ on long-term cART compared with the HIV-negative population. Because of a small study population, and considerable heterogeneity and methodological limitations, the extent of brain structure and function differences on neuroimaging between groups remains unknown.

scholarly journals What We have Learned from Fetal Neurophysiology?

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida Salihagic-Kadic ◽  
Maja Predojevic
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Obstet Gynecol ◽  
Sensory Development ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
And Function ◽  
Fetal Response

ABSTRACT The nervous system is one of the earliest emerging systems in fetal development. Due to progress of modern imaging technologies, such as ultrasound, a growing pool of information on the development of the central nervous system (CNS) and fetal behavioral patterns has been made available. The major events in the development of the CNS, fetal motor and sensory development as well as fetal response to stress are discussed in this review. The fetus is not entirely protected from harmful influence of the external factors. Postnatal follow-up studies have showed that many environmental influences causing the fetal stress can interfere with the fetal neurodevelopment and leave long-term and profound consequences on brain structure and function. How to cite this article SalihagićKadić A, Predojevic M. What We have Learned from Fetal Neurophysiology? Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(2):179-188.

Olfactory Loss and Regain: Lessons for Neuroplasticity

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna L. Reichert ◽  
Veronika Schöpf
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Trigeminal System ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
Olfactory Sense ◽  
Neuronal Reorganization ◽  
Functional Neuroplasticity ◽  
And Function

For the visual and auditory senses, an array of studies has reported on neuronal reorganization processes after sensory loss. In contrast to this, neuroplasticity has been investigated only scarcely after loss of the olfactory sense. The present review focuses on the current extent of literature on structural and functional neuroplasticity effects after loss, with a focus on magnetic resonance imaging–based studies. We also include findings on the regain of the olfactory sense, for example after successful olfactory training. Existing studies indicate that widespread structural changes beyond the level of the olfactory bulb occur in the brain after loss of the olfactory sense. Moreover, on a functional level, loss of olfactory input not only entails changes in olfaction-related brain regions but also in the trigeminal system. Existing evidence should be strengthened by future longitudinal studies, a more thorough investigation of the neuronal consequences of congenital anosmia, and the application of state-of-the-art neuroimaging methods, such as connectivity analyses and joint analyses of brain structure and function.

scholarly journals Perception and propagation of activity through the cortical hierarchy is determined by neural variability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M Rowland ◽  
Thijs L van der Plas ◽  
Matthias Loidolt ◽  
Robert Michael Lees ◽  
Joshua Keeling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Cortical Function ◽  
Population Activity ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Secondary Somatosensory Cortex ◽  
Cortical Hierarchy ◽  
Robust Transmission ◽  
Neural Variability

The brains of higher organisms are composed of anatomically and functionally distinct regions performing specialised tasks; but regions do not operate in isolation. Orchestration of complex behaviours requires communication between brain regions, but how neural activity dynamics are organised to facilitate reliable transmission is not well understood. We studied this process directly by generating neural activity that propagates between brain regions and drives behaviour, allowing us to assess how populations of neurons in sensory cortex cooperate to transmit information. We achieved this by imaging two hierarchically organised and densely interconnected regions, the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex (S1 and S2) in mice while performing two-photon photostimulation of S1 neurons and assigning behavioural salience to the photostimulation. We found that the probability of perception is determined not only by the strength of the photostimulation signal, but also by the variability of S1 neural activity. Therefore, maximising the signal-to-noise ratio of the stimulus representation in cortex is critical to its continued propagation downstream. Further, we show that propagated, behaviourally salient activity elicits balanced, persistent, and generalised activation of the downstream region. Hence, our work adds to existing understanding of cortical function by identifying how population activity is formatted to ensure robust transmission of information, allowing specialised brain regions to communicate and coordinate behaviour.

scholarly journals Astrocytes dystrophy in ageing brain parallels impaired synaptic plasticity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Popov ◽  
Alexey Brazhe ◽  
Pavel Denisov ◽  
Oksana Sutyagina ◽  
Natalia Lazareva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Two Photon Microscopy ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Little is known about age-dependent changes in structure and function of astrocytes and of the impact of these into the cognitive decline in the senescent brain. The prevalent view on age-dependent increase in reactive astrogliosis and astrocytic hypertrophy requires scrutiny and detailed analysis. Using two-photon microscopy in conjunction with 3D reconstruction, Sholl and volume fraction analysis we demonstrate a significant reduction in the number and the length of astrocytic processes, in astrocytic territorial domains and in astrocyte-to-astrocyte coupling in the aged brain. Probing physiology of astrocytes with patch-clamp and Ca2+ imaging revealed deficits in K+ and glutamate clearance, and spatiotemporal reorganization of Ca2+ events in old astrocytes. These changes paralleled impaired synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal CA1 in old mice. Our findings may explain astroglial mechanisms of age-dependent decline in learning and memory.

scholarly journals Statistical testing and annotation of gene transcriptomic-neuroimaging associations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongbin Wei ◽  
Siemon C. de Lange ◽  
Rory Pijnenburg ◽  
Lianne H. Scholtens ◽  
Dirk Jan Ardesch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Annotation ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Null Models ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Transcriptomic Data ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function

AbstractMultiscale integration of neuroimaging and gene transcriptome is becoming a widely used approach for exploring the molecular pathways of brain structure and function, in health and disease. Statistical testing of associations between spatial patterns of imaging-based phenotypic and transcriptomic data is key in these explorations, in particular establishing that observed associations exceed ‘chance level’ of random, non-specific observations. We discuss options for such statistical evaluations, including commonly applied linear regression, null model based on randomized brain regions that maintain spatial relationships, and null models built upon random effects that occur from other genes. Using examples and simulations of analyses as commonly performed in literature, we explain the caveats of these statistical models and provide guidelines for using proper models to evaluate both spatial and gene specificity. The null models are presented in a web-based application called GAMBA (“Gene Annotation using Macroscale Brain-imaging Association”) that is designed for exploring transcriptomic-neuroimaging associations.

scholarly journals Neural computations underlying strategic social decision-making in groups

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongmin A. Park ◽  
Mariateresa Sestito ◽  
Erie D. Boorman ◽  
Jean-Claude Dreher
Keyword(s):  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Temporoparietal Junction ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Frontopolar Cortex ◽  
Collective Decisions ◽  
Neural Computations ◽  
Social Decision Making ◽  
The Brain

AbstractWhen making decisions in groups, the outcome of one’s decision often depends on the decisions of others, and there is a tradeoff between short-term incentives for an individual and long-term incentives for the groups. Yet, little is known about the neurocomputational mechanisms at play when weighing different utilities during repeated social interactions. Here, using model-based fMRI and Public-good-games, we find that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex encodes immediate expected rewards as individual utility while the lateral frontopolar cortex encodes group utility (i.e., pending rewards of alternative strategies beneficial for the group). When it is required to change one’s strategy, these brain regions exhibited changes in functional interactions with brain regions engaged in switching strategies. Moreover, the anterior cingulate cortex and the temporoparietal junction updated beliefs about the decision of others during interactions. Together, our findings provide a neurocomputational account of how the brain dynamically computes effective strategies to make adaptive collective decisions.

scholarly journals Gradients of structure–function tethering across neocortex

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (42) ◽  
pp. 21219-21227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertha Vázquez-Rodríguez ◽  
Laura E. Suárez ◽  
Ross D. Markello ◽  
Golia Shafiei ◽  
Casey Paquola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structure Function ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Spatial Proximity ◽  
Functional Networks ◽  
Functional Connection ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

The white matter architecture of the brain imparts a distinct signature on neuronal coactivation patterns. Interregional projections promote synchrony among distant neuronal populations, giving rise to richly patterned functional networks. A variety of statistical, communication, and biophysical models have been proposed to study the relationship between brain structure and function, but the link is not yet known. In the present report we seek to relate the structural and functional connection profiles of individual brain areas. We apply a simple multilinear model that incorporates information about spatial proximity, routing, and diffusion between brain regions to predict their functional connectivity. We find that structure–function relationships vary markedly across the neocortex. Structure and function correspond closely in unimodal, primary sensory, and motor regions, but diverge in transmodal cortex, particularly the default mode and salience networks. The divergence between structure and function systematically follows functional and cytoarchitectonic hierarchies. Altogether, the present results demonstrate that structural and functional networks do not align uniformly across the brain, but gradually uncouple in higher-order polysensory areas.

The Application of the Rorschach Inkblot Test in the Study of Neural and Cognitive Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eamonn Arble ◽  
Steven W. Steinert ◽  
Ana M. Daugherty
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Brain Structure And Function ◽  
Rorschach Inkblot Test ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
Inkblot Test ◽  
And Function

Abstract. The Rorschach Inkblot test has been adopted and adapted by many researchers to assess and predict different aspects of human experience and cognitive performance. The present review examines research that incorporates the Rorschach to evaluate neural and cognitive aging as well as decline in age-related disease. Specifically, differences in amygdala and cortical regions, as well as mirror neuron and asymmetrical hemisphere activity that correlate with specific responses to Rorschach stimuli are discussed in the context of typical changes in brain structure and function in the course of aging. In addition, the present review provides a proposed framework for expanding the use of the Rorschach to evaluate other domains of neural and cognitive function. The authors conclude that, despite a need for increased research, the Rorschach is a viable measure to evaluate certain aspects of cognitive function and decline throughout the lifespan.

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