scholarly journals Structural brain network characteristics in patients with episodic and chronic migraine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Michels ◽  
Nabin Koirala ◽  
Sergiu Groppa ◽  
Roger Luechinger ◽  
Andreas R Gantenbein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Primary Headache ◽  
Headache Disorder ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Clustering Coefficient ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Network Measures

Abstract Background: Migraine is a primary headache disorder that can be classified into an episodic (EM) and a chronic form (CM). Network analysis within the graph-theoretical framework based on connectivity patterns provides an approach to observe large-scale structural integrity. We test the hypothesis that migraineurs are characterized by a segregated network. Methods: 19 healthy controls (HC), 17 EM patients and 12 CM patients were included. Cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were computed, and topology was analyzed using a graph theory analytical framework and network-based statistics. We further used support vector machines regression (SVR) to identify whether these network measures were able to predict clinical parameters. Results: Network based statistics revealed significantly lower interregional connectivity strength between anatomical compartments including the fronto-temporal, parietal and visual areas in EM and CM when compared to HC. Higher assortativity was seen in both patients’ group, with higher modularity for CM and higher transitivity for EM compared to HC. For subcortical networks, higher assortativity and transitivity were observed for both patients’ group with higher modularity for CM. SVR revealed that network measures could robustly predict clinical parameters for migraineurs. Conclusion: We found global network disruption for EM and CM indicated by highly segregated network in migraine patients compared to HC. Higher modularity but lower clustering coefficient in CM is suggestive of more segregation in this group compared to EM. The presence of a segregated network could be a sign of maladaptive reorganization of headache related brain circuits, leading to migraine attacks or secondary alterations to pain.

scholarly journals Structural brain network characteristics in patients with episodic and chronic migraine

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Michels ◽  
Nabin Koirala ◽  
Sergiu Groppa ◽  
Roger Luechinger ◽  
Andreas R. Gantenbein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Primary Headache ◽  
Headache Disorder ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Clustering Coefficient ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Network Measures

Abstract Background Migraine is a primary headache disorder that can be classified into an episodic (EM) and a chronic form (CM). Network analysis within the graph-theoretical framework based on connectivity patterns provides an approach to observe large-scale structural integrity. We test the hypothesis that migraineurs are characterized by a segregated network. Methods 19 healthy controls (HC), 17 EM patients and 12 CM patients were included. Cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were computed, and topology was analyzed using a graph theory analytical framework and network-based statistics. We further used support vector machines regression (SVR) to identify whether these network measures were able to predict clinical parameters. Results Network based statistics revealed significantly lower interregional connectivity strength between anatomical compartments including the fronto-temporal, parietal and visual areas in EM and CM when compared to HC. Higher assortativity was seen in both patients’ group, with higher modularity for CM and higher transitivity for EM compared to HC. For subcortical networks, higher assortativity and transitivity were observed for both patients’ group with higher modularity for CM. SVR revealed that network measures could robustly predict clinical parameters for migraineurs. Conclusion We found global network disruption for EM and CM indicated by highly segregated network in migraine patients compared to HC. Higher modularity but lower clustering coefficient in CM is suggestive of more segregation in this group compared to EM. The presence of a segregated network could be a sign of maladaptive reorganization of headache related brain circuits, leading to migraine attacks or secondary alterations to pain.

scholarly journals Structural Brain Network Characteristics in Patients With Episodic and Chronic Migraine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Michels ◽  
Nabin Koirala ◽  
Sergiu Groppa ◽  
Roger Luechinger ◽  
Andreas R Gantenbein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Primary Headache ◽  
Headache Disorder ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Clustering Coefficient ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Network Measures

Abstract Background: Migraine is a primary headache disorder that can be classified into an episodic (EM) and a chronic form (CM). Network analysis within the graph-theoretical framework based on connectivity patterns provides an approach to observe large-scale structural integrity. We test the hypothesis that migraineurs are characterized by a segregated network. Methods: 19 healthy controls (HC), 17 EM patients and 12 CM patients were included. Cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were computed, and topology was analyzed using a graph theory analytical framework and network-based statistics. We further used support vector machines regression (SVR) to identify whether these network measures were able to predict clinical parameters. Results: Network based statistics revealed significantly lower interregional connectivity strength between anatomical compartments including the fronto-temporal, parietal and visual areas in EM and CM when compared to HC. Higher assortativity was seen in both patients’ group, with higher modularity for CM and higher transitivity for EM compared to HC. For subcortical networks, higher assortativity and transitivity were observed for both patients’ group with higher modularity for CM. SVR revealed that network measures could robustly predict clinical parameters for migraineurs. Conclusion: We found global network disruption for EM and CM indicated by highly segregated network in migraine patients compared to HC. Higher modularity but lower clustering coefficient in CM is suggestive of more segregation in this group compared to EM. The presence of a segregated network could be a sign of maladaptive reorganization of headache related brain circuits, leading to migraine attacks or secondary alterations to pain.

scholarly journals Reconfiguration of human evolving large-scale epileptic brain networks prior to seizures: an evaluation with node centralities

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rieke Fruengel ◽  
Timo Bröhl ◽  
Thorsten Rings ◽  
Klaus Lehnertz
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Functional Connections ◽  
Node Centrality ◽  
Network Mechanism

AbstractPrevious research has indicated that temporal changes of centrality of specific nodes in human evolving large-scale epileptic brain networks carry information predictive of impending seizures. Centrality is a fundamental network-theoretical concept that allows one to assess the role a node plays in a network. This concept allows for various interpretations, which is reflected in a number of centrality indices. Here we aim to achieve a more general understanding of local and global network reconfigurations during the pre-seizure period as indicated by changes of different node centrality indices. To this end, we investigate—in a time-resolved manner—evolving large-scale epileptic brain networks that we derived from multi-day, multi-electrode intracranial electroencephalograpic recordings from a large but inhomogeneous group of subjects with pharmacoresistant epilepsies with different anatomical origins. We estimate multiple centrality indices to assess the various roles the nodes play while the networks transit from the seizure-free to the pre-seizure period. Our findings allow us to formulate several major scenarios for the reconfiguration of an evolving epileptic brain network prior to seizures, which indicate that there is likely not a single network mechanism underlying seizure generation. Rather, local and global aspects of the pre-seizure network reconfiguration affect virtually all network constituents, from the various brain regions to the functional connections between them.

scholarly journals Structural brain network topology underpinning ADHD and response to methylphenidate treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi R. Griffiths ◽  
Taylor A. Braund ◽  
Michael R. Kohn ◽  
Simon Clarke ◽  
Leanne M. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Network ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Structural Topology ◽  
Local Efficiency ◽  
Structural Brain Network ◽  
Structural Architecture ◽  
The Right ◽  
Tractography Data ◽  
Treatment Prognosis

AbstractBehavioural disturbances in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are thought to be due to dysfunction of spatially distributed, interconnected neural systems. While there is a fast-growing literature on functional dysconnectivity in ADHD, far less is known about the structural architecture underpinning these disturbances and how it may contribute to ADHD symptomology and treatment prognosis. We applied graph theoretical analyses on diffusion MRI tractography data to produce quantitative measures of global network organisation and local efficiency of network nodes. Support vector machines (SVMs) were used for comparison of multivariate graph measures of 37 children and adolescents with ADHD relative to 26 age and gender matched typically developing children (TDC). We also explored associations between graph measures and functionally-relevant outcomes such as symptom severity and prediction of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment response. We found that multivariate patterns of reduced local efficiency, predominantly in subcortical regions (SC), were able to distinguish between ADHD and TDC groups with 76% accuracy. For treatment prognosis, higher global efficiency, higher local efficiency of the right supramarginal gyrus and multivariate patterns of increased local efficiency across multiple networks at baseline also predicted greater symptom reduction after 6 weeks of MPH treatment. Our findings demonstrate that graph measures of structural topology provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic markers of ADHD, which may aid in mechanistic understanding of this complex disorder.

scholarly journals BrainNetVis: An Open-Access Tool to Effectively Quantify and Visualize Brain Networks

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni G. Christodoulou ◽  
Vangelis Sakkalis ◽  
Vassilis Tsiaras ◽  
Ioannis G. Tollis
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Network Modelling ◽  
Network Information ◽  
Network Measures ◽  
Graph Metrics ◽  
Network Metrics ◽  
The Brain

This paper presents BrainNetVis, a tool which serves brain network modelling and visualization, by providing both quantitative and qualitative network measures of brain interconnectivity. It emphasizes the needs that led to the creation of this tool by presenting similar works in the field and by describing how our tool contributes to the existing scenery. It also describes the methods used for the calculation of the graph metrics (global network metrics and vertex metrics), which carry the brain network information. To make the methods clear and understandable, we use an exemplar dataset throughout the paper, on which the calculations and the visualizations are performed. This dataset consists of an alcoholic and a control group of subjects.

scholarly journals Borderline personality disorder classification based on brain network measures during emotion regulation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk Cremers ◽  
Linda van Zutphen ◽  
Sascha Duken ◽  
Gregor Domes ◽  
Andreas Sprenger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Classification Analysis ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Network Measures

AbstractBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by an increased emotional sensitivity and dysfunctional capacity to regulate emotions. While amygdala and prefrontal cortex interactions are regarded as the critical neural mechanisms underlying these problems, the empirical evidence hereof is inconsistent. In the current study, we aimed to systematically test different properties of brain connectivity and evaluate the predictive power to detect borderline personality disorder. Patients with borderline personality disorder (n = 51), cluster C personality disorder (n = 26) and non-patient controls (n = 44), performed an fMRI emotion regulation task. Brain network analyses focused on two properties of task-related connectivity: phasic refers to task-event dependent changes in connectivity, while tonic was defined as task-stable background connectivity. Three different network measures were estimated (strength, local efficiency, and participation coefficient) and entered as separate models in a nested cross-validated linear support vector machine classification analysis. Borderline personality disorder vs. non-patient controls classification showed a balanced accuracy of 55%, which was not significant under a permutation null-model, p = 0.23. Exploratory analyses did indicate that the tonic strength model was the highest performing model (balanced accuracy 62%), and the amygdala was one of the most important features. Despite being one of the largest data-sets in the field of BPD fMRI research, the sample size may have been limited for this type of classification analysis. The results and analytic procedures do provide starting points for future research, focusing on network measures of tonic connectivity, and potentially focusing on subgroups of BPD.

scholarly journals Stabilization of Brain Network Dynamics during Childhood and Adolescence is Associated with Gene Expressions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianyuan Lei ◽  
Xuhong Liao ◽  
Xiaodan Chen ◽  
Tengda Zhao ◽  
Yuehua Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Network Dynamics ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Association Cortex ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Age Related

AbstractFunctional brain networks require dynamic reconfiguration to support flexible cognitive function. However, the developmental principles shaping brain network dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, we report the longitudinal development of large-scale brain network dynamics during childhood and adolescence, and its connection with gene expression profiles. Using a multilayer network model, we show the temporally varying modular architecture of child brain networks, with higher network switching primarily in the association cortex and lower switching in the primary regions. This topographical profile exhibits progressive maturation, which manifests as reduced modular dynamics, particularly in the transmodal (e.g., default-mode and frontoparietal) and sensorimotor regions. These developmental refinements mediate age-related enhancements of global network segregation and are linked with the expression profiles of genes associated with the enrichment of ion transport and nucleobase-containing compound transport. These results highlight a progressive stabilization of brain dynamics, which expand our understanding of the neural mechanisms that underlie cognitive development.

scholarly journals A study of brain functional network and alertness changes in temporal lobe epilepsy with and without focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures

BMC Neurology ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liluo Nie ◽  
Yanchun Jiang ◽  
Zongxia Lv ◽  
Xiaomin Pang ◽  
Xiulin Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Information Integration ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Clustering Coefficient ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Seizure Type ◽  
Topological Properties ◽  
Clonic Seizures

Abstract Background Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is commonly refractory. Epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment strategy for refractory epilepsy, but patients with a history of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS) have poor outcomes. Previous network studies on epilepsy have found that TLE and idiopathic generalized epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (IGE-GTCS) showed altered global and nodal topological properties. Alertness deficits also were found in TLE. However, FBTCS is a common type of seizure in TLE, and the implications for alertness as well as the topological rearrangements associated with this seizure type are not well understood. Methods We obtained rs-fMRI data and collected the neuropsychological assessment data from 21 TLE patients with FBTCS (TLE- FBTCS), 18 TLE patients without FBTCS (TLE-non- FBTCS) and 22 controls, and constructed their respective functional brain networks. The topological properties were analyzed using the graph theoretical approach and correlations between altered topological properties and alertness were analyzed. Results We found that TLE-FBTCS patients showed more serious impairment in alertness effect, intrinsic alertness and phasic alertness than the patients with TLE-non-FBTCS. They also showed significantly higher small-worldness, normalized clustering coefficient (γ) and a trend of higher global network efficiency (gE) compared to TLE-non-FBTCS patients. The gE showed a significant negative correlation with intrinsic alertness for TLE-non-FBTCS patients. Conclusion Our findings show different impairments in brain network information integration, segregation and alertness between the patients with TLE-FBTCS and TLE-non-FBTCS, demonstrating that impairments of the brain network may underlie the disruptions in alertness functions.

scholarly journals Influence of number of individuals and observations per individual on a model of community structure

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252471
Author(s):  
Julia Sunga ◽  
Quinn M. R. Webber ◽  
Hugh G. Broders
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Clustering Coefficient ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Missing Information ◽  
Network Measures ◽  
Graph Density ◽  
Density Clustering ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Social network analysis is increasingly applied to understand animal groups. However, it is rarely feasible to observe every interaction among all individuals in natural populations. Studies have assessed how missing information affects estimates of individual network positions, but less attention has been paid to metrics that characterize overall network structure such as modularity, clustering coefficient, and density. In cases such as groups displaying fission-fusion dynamics, where subgroups break apart and rejoin in changing conformations, missing information may affect estimates of global network structure differently than in groups with distinctly separated communities due to the influence single individuals can have on the connectivity of the network. Using a bat maternity group showing fission-fusion dynamics, we quantify the effect of missing data on global network measures including community detection. In our system, estimating the number of communities was less reliable than detecting community structure. Further, reliably assorting individual bats into communities required fewer individuals and fewer observations per individual than to estimate the number of communities. Specifically, our metrics of global network structure (i.e., graph density, clustering coefficient, Rcom) approached the ‘real’ values with increasing numbers of observations per individual and, as the number of individuals included increased, the variance in these estimates decreased. Similar to previous studies, we recommend that more observations per individual should be prioritized over including more individuals when resources are limited. We recommend caution when making conclusions about animal social networks when a substantial number of individuals or observations are missing, and when possible, suggest subsampling large datasets to observe how estimates are influenced by sampling intensity. Our study serves as an example of the reliability, or lack thereof, of global network measures with missing information, but further work is needed to determine how estimates will vary with different data collection methods, network structures, and sampling periods.

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