Connectivity Analysis as a Novel Approach to Motor Decoding for Prosthesis Control

The evaluation and manipulation of structural and functional networks, which has been integral to advancing functional neurosurgery, is beginning to transcend classical subspecialty boundaries. Notably, its application in neuro-oncologic surgery has stimulated an exciting paradigm shift from the traditional localizationist approach, which is lacking in nuance and optimization. This manuscript reviews the existing literature and explores how structural and functional connectivity analyses have been leveraged to revolutionize and individualize pre-operative tumor evaluation and surgical planning. We describe how this novel approach may improve cognitive and neurologic preservation after surgery and attenuate tumor spread. Furthermore, we demonstrate how connectivity analysis combined with neuromodulation techniques can be employed to induce post-operative neuroplasticity and personalize neurorehabilitation. While the landscape of functional neuro-oncology is still evolving and requires further study to encourage more widespread adoption, this functional approach can transform the practice of neuro-oncologic surgery and improve the care and outcomes of patients with intra-axial tumors.

Download Full-text

Hierarchical Multivariate Covariance Analysis of Metabolic Connectivity

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism ◽

10.1038/jcbfm.2014.165 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (12) ◽

pp. 1936-1943 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Felix Carbonell ◽

Arnaud Charil ◽

Alex P Zijdenbos ◽

Alan C Evans ◽

Barry J Bedell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Connectivity ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Brain Network ◽

Angular Gyrus ◽

Connectivity Analysis ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Positron Emission ◽

Metabolic Connectivity ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

The Individual

Conventional brain connectivity analysis is typically based on the assessment of interregional correlations. Given that correlation coefficients are derived from both covariance and variance, group differences in covariance may be obscured by differences in the variance terms. To facilitate a comprehensive assessment of connectivity, we propose a unified statistical framework that interrogates the individual terms of the correlation coefficient. We have evaluated the utility of this method for metabolic connectivity analysis using [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study. As an illustrative example of the utility of this approach, we examined metabolic connectivity in angular gyrus and precuneus seed regions of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects with low and high β-amyloid burdens. This new multivariate method allowed us to identify alterations in the metabolic connectome, which would not have been detected using classic seed-based correlation analysis. Ultimately, this novel approach should be extensible to brain network analysis and broadly applicable to other imaging modalities, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Download Full-text

A novel approach of two-dimensional representation of rock fracture network characterization and connectivity analysis

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.petrol.2019.106507 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 184 ◽

pp. 106507 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Wei Li ◽

Huan Zhao ◽

Hongjun Wu ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Wenfeng Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rock Fracture ◽

Fracture Network ◽

Two Dimensional ◽

Connectivity Analysis ◽

Dimensional Representation ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Network Characterization

Download Full-text

Copper-dependent ATP7B up-regulation drives the resistance of TMEM16A-overexpressing head-and-neck cancer models to platinum toxicity

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bcj20190591 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 476 (24) ◽

pp. 3705-3719 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Avani Vyas ◽

Umamaheswar Duvvuri ◽

Kirill Kiselyov

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Transcriptional Activation ◽

Platinum Resistance ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Strong Positive Correlation ◽

Platinum Compounds ◽

Copper Chelation ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Cancer Models

Platinum-containing drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin are routinely used for the treatment of many solid tumors including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, SCCHN resistance to platinum compounds is well documented. The resistance to platinum has been linked to the activity of divalent transporter ATP7B, which pumps platinum from the cytoplasm into lysosomes, decreasing its concentration in the cytoplasm. Several cancer models show increased expression of ATP7B; however, the reason for such an increase is not known. Here we show a strong positive correlation between mRNA levels of TMEM16A and ATP7B in human SCCHN tumors. TMEM16A overexpression and depletion in SCCHN cell lines caused parallel changes in the ATP7B mRNA levels. The ATP7B increase in TMEM16A-overexpressing cells was reversed by suppression of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), by the antioxidant N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) and by copper chelation using cuprizone and bathocuproine sulphonate (BCS). Pretreatment with either chelator significantly increased cisplatin's sensitivity, particularly in the context of TMEM16A overexpression. We propose that increased oxidative stress in TMEM16A-overexpressing cells liberates the chelated copper in the cytoplasm, leading to the transcriptional activation of ATP7B expression. This, in turn, decreases the efficacy of platinum compounds by promoting their vesicular sequestration. We think that such a new explanation of the mechanism of SCCHN tumors’ platinum resistance identifies novel approach to treating these tumors.

Download Full-text

Collecting Words: A Clinical Example of a Morphology-Focused Orthographic Intervention

Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools ◽

10.1044/2020_lshss-19-00050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 544-560 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kimberly A. Murphy ◽

Emily A. Diehm

Keyword(s):

Written Language ◽

Morphological Knowledge ◽

English Orthography ◽

Word Level ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Language Pathology ◽

The One ◽

Critical Intervention ◽

Reading And Spelling ◽

Reading And Spelling Difficulties

Purpose Morphological interventions promote gains in morphological knowledge and in other oral and written language skills (e.g., phonological awareness, vocabulary, reading, and spelling), yet we have a limited understanding of critical intervention features. In this clinical focus article, we describe a relatively novel approach to teaching morphology that considers its role as the key organizing principle of English orthography. We also present a clinical example of such an intervention delivered during a summer camp at a university speech and hearing clinic. Method Graduate speech-language pathology students provided a 6-week morphology-focused orthographic intervention to children in first through fourth grade ( n = 10) who demonstrated word-level reading and spelling difficulties. The intervention focused children's attention on morphological families, teaching how morphology is interrelated with phonology and etymology in English orthography. Results Comparing pre- and posttest scores, children demonstrated improvement in reading and/or spelling abilities, with the largest gains observed in spelling affixes within polymorphemic words. Children and their caregivers reacted positively to the intervention. Therefore, data from the camp offer preliminary support for teaching morphology within the context of written words, and the intervention appears to be a feasible approach for simultaneously increasing morphological knowledge, reading, and spelling. Conclusion Children with word-level reading and spelling difficulties may benefit from a morphology-focused orthographic intervention, such as the one described here. Research on the approach is warranted, and clinicians are encouraged to explore its possible effectiveness in their practice. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12290687

Download Full-text