scholarly journals Effective Connectivity within the Default Mode Network: Dynamic Causal Modeling of Resting-State fMRI Data

Author(s):  
Maksim G. Sharaev ◽  
Viktoria V. Zavyalova ◽  
Vadim L. Ushakov ◽  
Sergey I. Kartashov ◽  
Boris M. Velichkovsky
Author(s):  
ST Lang ◽  
B Goodyear ◽  
J Kelly ◽  
P Federico

Background: Resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) provides many advantages to task-based fMRI in neurosurgical populations, foremost of which is the lack of the need to perform a task. Many networks can be identified by rs-fMRI in a single period of scanning. Despite the advantages, there is a paucity of literature on rs-fMRI in neurosurgical populations. Methods: Eight patients with tumours near areas traditionally considered as eloquent cortex participated in a five minute rs-fMRI scan. Resting-state fMRI data underwent Independent Component Analysis (ICA) using the Multivariate Exploratory Linear Optimized Decomposition into Independent Components (MELODIC) toolbox in FSL. Resting state networks (RSNs) were identified on a visual basis. Results: Several RSNs, including language (N=7), sensorimotor (N=7), visual (N=7), default mode network (N=8) and frontoparietal attentional control (n=7) networks were readily identifiable using ICA of rs-fMRI data. Conclusion: These pilot data suggest that ICA applied to rs-fMRI data can be used to identify motor and language networks in patients with brain tumours. We have also shown that RSNs associated with cognitive functioning, including the default mode network and the frontoparietal attentional control network can be identified in individual subjects with brain tumours. While preliminary, this suggests that rs-fMRI may be used pre-operatively to localize areas of cortex important for higher order cognitive functioning.


Author(s):  
Stefan Frässle ◽  
Samuel J. Harrison ◽  
Jakob Heinzle ◽  
Brett A. Clementz ◽  
Carol A. Tamminga ◽  
...  

Abstract“Resting-state” functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is widely used to study brain connectivity. So far, researchers have been restricted to measures of functional connectivity that are computationally efficient but undirected, or to effective connectivity estimates that are directed but limited to small networks.Here, we show that a method recently developed for task-fMRI – regression dynamic causal modeling (rDCM) – extends to rs-fMRI and offers both directional estimates and scalability to whole-brain networks. First, simulations demonstrate that rDCM faithfully recovers parameter values over a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios and repetition times. Second, we test construct validity of rDCM in relation to an established model of effective connectivity, spectral DCM. Using rs-fMRI data from nearly 200 healthy participants, rDCM produces biologically plausible results consistent with estimates by spectral DCM. Importantly, rDCM is computationally highly efficient, reconstructing whole-brain networks (>200 areas) within minutes on standard hardware. This opens promising new avenues for connectomics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117957352110150
Author(s):  
Sahil Bajaj ◽  
Adam C Raikes ◽  
Adeel Razi ◽  
Michael A Miller ◽  
William DS Killgore

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that post concussive symptoms, including mood changes, may be improved through morning blue-wavelength light therapy (BLT). However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown. We hypothesize that BLT may influence the effective brain connectivity (EC) patterns within the default-mode network (DMN), particularly involving the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), which may contribute to improvements in mood. Methods: Resting-state functional MRI data were collected from 41 healthy-controls (HCs) and 28 individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Individuals with mTBI also underwent a diffusion-weighted imaging scan and were randomly assigned to complete either 6 weeks of daily morning BLT (N = 14) or amber light therapy (ALT; N = 14). Advanced spectral dynamic causal modeling (sDCM) and diffusion MRI connectometry were used to estimate EC patterns and structural connectivity strength within the DMN, respectively. Results: The sDCM analysis showed dominant connectivity pattern following mTBI (pre-treatment) within the hemisphere contralateral to the one observed for HCs. BLT, but not ALT, resulted in improved directional information flow (ie, EC) from the left lateral parietal cortex (LLPC) to MPFC within the DMN. The improvement in EC from LLPC to MPFC was accompanied by stronger structural connectivity between the 2 areas. For the BLT group, the observed improvements in function and structure were correlated (at a trend level) with changes in self-reported happiness. Conclusions: The current preliminary findings provide empirical evidence that morning short-wavelength light therapy could be used as a novel alternative rehabilitation technique for mTBI. Trial registry: The research protocols were registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov database (CT Identifiers NCT01747811 and NCT01721356).


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