Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karthikeyan Balasubramanian, Fritzie I. Arce-McShane, Brian M. Dekleva, Jennifer L. Collinger, Nicholas G. Hatsopoulos
Summary: A spatiotemporal pattern of excitability propagates across the primary motor cortex prior to voluntary movements in non-human primates, and this pattern was also observed in a human participant during a wrist extension task. The propagation directions were bimodally distributed across the cortical sheet with opposite orientations, while the propagation speed was unimodally distributed and similar across tasks and species. The results suggest that this propagating pattern is a generic movement initiation signal that is invariant to kinematic or kinetic details.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel J. Gale, Corson N. Areshenkoff, Dominic I. Standage, Joseph Y. Nashed, Ross D. Markello, J. Randall Flanagana, Jonathan Smallwood, Jason P. Gallivan
Summary: Sensorimotor learning is a dynamic process that involves the coordinated action of multiple neural systems in the brain. This study used fMRI to observe changes in cortical activity during a sensorimotor adaptation task and found that cortical regions exhibited contraction and expansion along the cortical manifold during early and late adaptation, respectively. Increased covariance between specialized cortical regions and regions in the association cortex was observed during early adaptation, while reduced covariance and increased intraconnectivity of the visual cortex were observed during late adaptation. Individuals who learned more rapidly showed greater covariance between sensorimotor and association cortices during early adaptation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nikolas L. Jorstad, Janet H. T. Song, David Exposito-Alonso, Hamsini Suresh, Nathan Castro-Pacheco, Fenna M. Krienen, Anna Marie Yanny, Jennie Close, Emily Gelfand, Brian Long, Stephanie C. Seeman, Kyle J. Travaglini, Soumyadeep Basu, Marc Beaudin, Darren Bertagnolli, Megan Crow, Song-Lin Ding, Jeroen Eggermont, Alexandra Glandon, Jeff Goldy, Katelyn Kiick, Thomas Kroes, Delissa Mcmillen, Trangthanh Pham, Christine Rimorin, Kimberly Siletti, Saroja Somasundaram, Michael Tieu, Amy Torkelson, Guoping Feng, William D. Hopkins, Thomas Hollt, C. Dirk Keene, Sten Linnarsson, Steven A. Mccarroll, Boudewijn P. Lelieveldt, Chet C. Sherwood, Kimberly Smith, Christopher A. Walsh, Alexander Dobin, Jesse Gillis, Ed S. Lein, Rebecca D. Hodge, Trygve E. Bakken
Summary: Our study used snRNA-seq to analyze the transcriptome of the cerebral cortex in humans and four nonhuman primate species. We found that cell types in the cerebral cortex are highly conserved among great apes, with marmosets showing some unique cell type proportions. Profiling gorillas allowed us to identify expression differences between humans and chimpanzees that are specialized in humans. We also discovered that neuronal gene expression has evolved faster on the human lineage, while glial expression changes have occurred rapidly in all species. Human-specific DEGs are enriched near adaptive genomic changes and may contribute to specialized cortical function.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kiah Hardcastle
Summary: A new study explores the representation of navigational variables in six prefrontal regions in freely moving macaques, shedding light on how the brain represents space beyond the hippocampal formation.
Article
Neurosciences
Zhenliang Xiong, Chong Tian, Xianchun Zeng, Jie Huang, Rongpin Wang
Summary: The human brain exhibits intrinsic organized functional connectivity networks during rest and task states. Tasks enhance coactivity within common networks, activate only partial intrinsic networks, and recruit additional intrinsic networks to perform the task.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Wei Li, Chong Li, Aixian Liu, Ping-Ju Lin, Linhong Mo, Hongliang Zhao, Quan Xu, Xiangzun Meng, Linhong Ji
Summary: Sensory stimulation can induce lesion-specific activation patterns of S1-M1, which suggests that focal vibration could be applied in a personalized manner based on the lesion-specific activation in stroke patients with different lesion profiles and types. This study contributes to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cortical reorganization.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Florian Noack, Silvia Vangelisti, Nora Ditzer, Faye Chong, Mareike Albert, Boyan Bonev
Summary: The study presents a method called 3DRAM-seq, which allows the simultaneous profiling of genome organization, chromatin accessibility, and DNA methylation at high resolution. It enables the mapping of cell-type-specific epigenetic regulation in human neurogenesis.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clara U. Raithel, Alexander J. Miller, Russell A. Epstein, Thorsten Kahnt, Jay A. Gottfried
Summary: Research shows that humans can navigate olfactory landscapes by learning the spatial relationships among odor cues. fMRI data reveals the existence of a specialized olfactory grid network during olfactory navigation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ewoud R. E. Schmidt, Hanzhi T. Zhao, Jung M. Park, Mario Dipoppa, Mauro M. Monsalve-Mercado, Jacob B. Dahan, Chris C. Rodgers, Amelie Lejeune, Elizabeth M. C. Hillman, Kenneth D. Miller, Randy M. Bruno, Franck Polleux
Summary: The study reveals that the human-specific gene expression of SRGAP2C leads to specific changes in cortical neural circuits in mice, including increased synaptic density and connectivity, affecting the activation proportion of sensory stimuli and learning abilities, explaining its role in the evolution of human cortical circuits.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sadegh Ebrahimi, Jerome Lecoq, Oleg Rumyantsev, Tugce Tasci, Yanping Zhang, Cristina Irimia, Jane Li, Surya Ganguli, Mark J. Schnitzer
Summary: This study investigated the process of neocortical sensory processing during visual discrimination tasks in mice. The results showed that the neocortex had a specific functional connectivity pattern at rest, which rearranged after the onset of sensory stimulus. A short-lived state with increased inter-area sensory data transmission and sensory encoding redundancy was observed, followed by a more stable visual representation that was robust to day-to-day variations in individual cell responses. In addition, a global fluctuation mode conveyed the upcoming response of the mouse to every area examined. These findings suggest that the neocortex supports sensory performance through dynamic changes in connectivity and robust population codes.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Thanaphop Threethipthikoon, Zhen Li, Hiroaki Shigemasu
Summary: Orientation processing in the human brain guides grasping actions towards objects. Even without visual input, the visual cortex can still process orientation information using non-visual information and action-related feedback. This study analyzed the blood-oxygenation-level-dependent signals to explore how visual cortices process orientation information in the context of non-visual sensory input and action-related processes. The research findings suggest that tactile feedback and action-related processes influence the processing of orientation information.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Stoeckl
Summary: A recent study has uncovered the neural basis of the exceptional color vision in the Asian swallowtail butterfly, which relies on two circuit motifs: color opponency of photoreceptors and broadband color integration by lamina neurons.
Article
Neurosciences
Gaelle E. Doucet, Sarah Baker, Tony W. Wilson, Max J. Kurz
Summary: The study found that patients with cerebral palsy have functional brain abnormalities beyond the sensorimotor network, with significantly reduced connectivity between the visual network and sensorimotor/auditory networks. Furthermore, higher functional connectivity between the visual and sensorimotor cortices is associated with longer step length in youth with CP.
Article
Neurosciences
Masaya Togo, Riki Matsumoto, Kiyohide Usami, Katsuya Kobayashi, Hirofumi Takeyama, Takuro Nakae, Akihiro Shimotake, Takayuki Kikuchi, Kazumichi Yoshida, Masao Matsuhashi, Takeharu Kunieda, Susumu Miyamoto, Ryosuke Takahashi, Akio Ikeda
Summary: This study used cortico-cortical evoked potential (CCEP) to evaluate the connectivity patterns of the medial parietal cortices in patients with partial epilepsy or brain tumors. The study found differences in connectivity patterns between the precuneus and the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (dPCC), with the precuneus connecting more to the inferior parietal lobule, occipital cortex, superior parietal lobule, and dorsal premotor area, while the dPCC connecting more to the middle cingulate cortex, superior parietal lobule, precuneus, and inferior parietal lobule. These findings suggest a mixture of the default mode network (DMN) and the frontoparietal cognitive network in the connectivity of the medial parietal cortices.
Article
Anesthesiology
David M. Niddam, Shuu-Jiun Wang, Shang-Yueh Tsai
Summary: Individual differences in pain sensitivity are related to resting-state functional connectivity, interhemispheric GABA levels, and gray matter density in sensorimotor cortices. Furthermore, high and low pain sensitivity can be accurately predicted using imaging measures from the primary sensorimotor cortices, as shown in a study involving 48 healthy participants.
Article
Neurosciences
Antoine Lutti, Nadege Corbin, John Ashburner, Gabriel Ziegler, Bogdan Draganski, Christophe Phillips, Ferath Kherif, Martina F. Callaghan, Giulia Di Domenicantonio
Summary: This study introduces a novel solution that uses a data-driven approach to calculate image weights for optimizing MRI data analysis. The proposed method can perform near optimally in various brain regions.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Stephanie Mellor, Tim M. Tierney, George C. OaNeill, Nicholas Alexander, Robert A. Seymour, Niall Holmes, Jose D. Lopez, Ryan M. Hill, Elena Boto, Molly Rea, Gillian Roberts, James Leggett, Richard Bowtell, Matthew J. Brookes, Eleanor A. Maguire, Matthew C. Walker, Gareth R. Barnes
Summary: In this study, we modeled the spatial variation in the magnetic field of optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) and successfully predicted the movement artefacts in the dataset. By applying this model, a significant reduction in movement noise was achieved, allowing for the measurement of low-frequency brain activity during natural participant movement.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Robert A. Seymour, Nicholas Alexander, Stephanie Mellor, George C. O'Neill, Tim M. Tierney, Gareth R. Barnes, Eleanor A. Maguire
Summary: This article discusses the technical challenges facing magnetoencephalography (MEG) and the strategies for interference suppression and signal processing using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs).
Article
Neurosciences
Tim M. Tierney, Stephanie Mellor, George C. O'Neill, Ryan C. Timms, Gareth R. Barnes
Summary: This study investigates the interference rejection and spatial sampling properties of multi-axis Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM) data, finding that triaxial OPMs have excellent noise rejection properties and can adequately sample the neural space while minimizing cost, weight, and cross-talk.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Giorgia Milotta, Nadege Corbin, Christian Lambert, Antoine Lutti, Siawoosh Mohammadi, Martina F. Callaghan
Summary: This study investigated how the multi-compartment nature of tissue microstructure affects single compartment R2*$$ {\mathrm{R}}_2<^>{\ast } $$ estimates. By using 2-pool simulations and introducing a linear model, R2*$$ {\mathrm{R}}_2<^>{\ast } $$ was successfully partitioned into alpha-dependent and alpha-independent components, with good agreement between numeric and empirical results. The proposed linear model demonstrated robustness to flip angle choice and reduced dependence on fiber orientation in in vivo experiments.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arjan Hillebrand, Niall Holmes, Ndedi Sijsma, George C. C. O'Neill, Tim M. M. Tierney, Niels Liberton, Anine H. H. Stam, Nicole van Klink, Cornelis J. J. Stam, Richard Bowtell, Matthew J. J. Brookes, Gareth R. R. Barnes
Summary: Magneto- and electroencephalography (MEG/EEG) are important techniques for the diagnosis and pre-surgical evaluation of epilepsy. However, current cryogen-based MEG systems have limitations, which can be overcome by using Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) directly on the scalp. OPM-based MEG shows promise in improving signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity to deep sources, and wearability, making it a potential alternative for epilepsy evaluation and diagnosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Catharina Zich, Andrew J. Quinn, James J. Bonaiuto, George O'Neill, Lydia C. Mardell, Nick S. Ward, Sven Bestmann
Summary: Beta oscillations in the human sensorimotor cortex exhibit burst activity in intermittent periods of high-power, and these bursts are associated with various sensory and motor processes. The precise spatiotemporal structure of beta burst activity remains unclear, but it is suggested that they play a role in information coding and communication. In this study, using magnetoencephalography recordings, we observed that burst activity in the sensorimotor cortex occurs in planar spatiotemporal wave-like patterns along specific anatomical gradients. Furthermore, we found distinct anatomical, spectral, and spatiotemporal characteristics for the two directions of propagation.
Article
Clinical Neurology
James J. Sermon, Maria Olaru, Juan Anso, Stephanie Cernera, Simon Little, Maria Shcherbakova, Rafal Bogacz, Philip A. Starr, Timothy Denison, Benoit Duchet
Summary: This study develops and tests a theoretical framework to predict cortical rhythms' entrainment to deep brain stimulation (DBS) across various stimulation parameters. The results show that continuous, constant frequency DBS may lead to nonlinear patterns of neuronal entrainment, which can be predicted by modeling.
Article
Neurosciences
Vahid Malekian, Nadine N. Graedel, Alice Hickling, Ali Aghaeifar, Barbara Dymerska, Nadege Corbin, Oliver Josephs, Eleanor A. Maguire, Martina F. Callaghan
Summary: This study investigates distortion compensation in the context of sub-millimeter 3DEPI data at 7T. B0 field-mapping and reversed-PE distortion correction techniques were applied and compared, and the results show that both techniques improve cortical alignment, with the reversed-PE approach achieving more substantial improvements.
Article
Neurosciences
Michela Azzarito, Tim M. Emmenegger, Gabriel Ziegler, Eveline Huber, Patrick Grabher, Martina F. Callaghan, Alan Thompson, Karl Friston, Nikolaus Weiskopf, Tim Killeen, Patrick Freund
Summary: Motor skill learning involves neural plasticity in the motor and limbic systems. This study used a computer-based motion game training to examine the temporal and spatial characteristics of microstructural changes in the brain during skill acquisition. The results showed performance improvements and distributed grey and white matter plasticity across a sensorimotor network.
Review
Neurosciences
Lucia Ricciardi, Matthew Apps, Simon Little
Summary: Neuropsychiatric mood and motivation symptoms in Parkinson's disease are highly disabling and difficult to treat. High-resolution intracranial recording techniques can uncover network dysfunction and cognitive processes underlying these symptoms, potentially leading to principled therapy development.
NPJ PARKINSONS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arjan Hillebrand, Niall Holmes, Ndedi Sijsma, George C. O'Neill, Tim M. Tierney, Niels Liberton, Anine H. Stam, Nicole van Klink, Cornelis J. Stam, Richard Bowtell, Matthew J. Brookes, Gareth R. Barnes
Summary: Magneto- and electroencephalography (MEG/EEG) are important techniques for the diagnosis and pre-surgical evaluation of epilepsy. Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) placed on the scalp improve signal-to-noise ratio and enable recordings during seizures. OPM-based MEG could be a more affordable alternative to current MEG systems, with increased sensitivity to deep sources.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
L. Tedesco Triccas, S. Sporn, M. Coll I. Omana, S. Bestmann, N. Ward
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
L. Mardell, S. Bestmann, N. Ward
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
J. S. A. Lee, B. Hordacre, D. Austin, J. Rothwell, S. Bestmann
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE
(2023)
