bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harmonization of the multisite ALPS-index based on DTI-ALPS using the combined association test
Authors: Saito Yuya , Kamagata Koji , Taoka Toshiaki , Andica Christina , Uchida Wataru , Takabayashi Kaito , Owaki Mana , Yoshida Seina , Yamazaki Keigo , Fujita Shohei , Hagiwara Akifumi , Kikuta Junko , Akashi Toshiaki , Wada Akihiko , Shimoji Keigo , Hori Masaaki , Naganawa Shinji , Aoki Shigeki
Published: August 2024

Diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) is a promising noninvasive method for indirectly evaluating the glymphatic system. However, the ALPS-index calculated from diffusion MRI data collected at multiple sites should be harmonized to avoid site-related effects. We applied the combined association test (ComBat), which uses regression of covariates with empirical Bayes, for harmonizing the ALPS-index. ComBat mitigated site-related effects, increased statistical power to differentiate Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive normal, and improved the correlation between the ALPS-index and cognitive function. Thus, ComBat harmonization can be applied to evaluate the glymphatic system using the ALPS-index in large multisite studies.
Diffusion kurtosis imaging with multiple quantitative parameters for predicting microsatellite instability status of endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Song Qingling , Dong Wan , Tian Shifeng , Chen Lihua , Liu Ailian
Published: August 2024

Microsatellite instability (MSI), which results from the failure of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins to fix a DNA replication error, causes insertions, mismatches, or deletions during the DNA replication process, thus having an essential role in maintaining the stability of the genome and regulating gene expression
A CEST Z-spectral learning network from 3T to higher B0 field: a simulation-based preliminary study
Authors: Yan Mengdi , Bie Chongxue , Chen Yibin , He Xiaowei , Song Xiaolei
Published: August 2024

Z-spectrum acquired under ultra-high field (> 3T) features stronger and better isolated CEST peaks than those under 3T. But from imaging aspect, 3T scanners perform better and are clinically accessible. Herein, we built a deep neural network (DNN) for predicting Z-spectrum under higher B0 from the corresponding measurement at 3T. The network was trained by 10 million Z-spectra calculated from Bloch-equation models. Simulations with various B0 shifts and noise suggested that 3T Z-spectra could be rapidly and accurately transformed to those under 7T or 9.4T. This network may help improve signal extraction and interpretation of CEST data acquired at 3T.
HyperCEST Potential of Members of the Cucurbit[n]uril Family: Revised Signal Assignment and Suitable Host Identification with Accelerated MRI
Authors: Schröder Leif , Morik Hen , Schuenke Patrick
Published: August 2024

The full potential of the ultra-sensitive approach of HyperCEST MRI crucially depends on host structures with efficient release of hyperpolarized 129Xe. Cucurbit[n]urils (CB6 and CB7) have been proposed as promising candidates but a quantitative analysis of CEST signatures yet remained an open question. Here, we use MRI-derived z-spectra of multiple samples which provide strong evidence that CB7 is unsuitable as CEST agent and that previously observed signals are solely assigned to CB6 which is also side product in CB7 synthesis. Image acquisition with >20-fold acceleration for the 4-dimensional datasets is possible without compromising a detailed quantitative analysis.
Feasibility of Performing High-Resolution Multi-delay PCASL Imaging with Intravascular Signal Suppression Within 7 Minutes
Authors: Wu Xiaoping , Ugurbil Kamil , Metzger Gregory , Li Xiufeng
Published: August 2024

To ensure satisfactory perfusion signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for ASL imaging, intravascular perfusion signals are typically not suppressed (e.g., high-resolution multi-delay SMS/MB-EPI PCASL imaging for Human Connectome Projects) but can induce significant bias for CBF quantification if not addressed sufficiently. Recently proposed image denoising methods may be able to improve ASL imaging quality and SNR, having the potential to making it practical to perform ASL imaging with intravascular signal suppression. Our preliminary study results suggested that with image denoising, high-resolution multi-delay SMS/MB-EPI PCASL imaging with intravascular suppression could be achieved within 7 minutes.
Identification of Brain Networks Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
Authors: Badea Alexandra , Mahzarnia Ali , Stout Jacques , Anderson Robert , Moon Hae , Han Zay , Beck Kate , Browndyke Jeffrey , Dunson David , Johnson Kim , O'Brien Richard
Published: August 2024

The brain connectome helds promise to detect subtle changes in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. We imaged using high resolution diffusion imaging 72 subjects enriched for the APOE4 genotype to reveal vulnerable networks associated with a composite AD risk factor including age, genotype, and sex. Sparse canonical correlation analysis (CCA) revealed a high weight associated with genotype, and subgraphs involving the cuneus, temporal, cingulate cortex, and cerebellum. Our results have identified structural brain networks and the associated weights for several risk factors for AD in preclinical stages.
Predictive value of baseline functional connectivity to the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation on Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Guo Zhiwei , Mu Qiwen , Zhang Xiaoyong
Published: August 2024

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may lead to a significant improvement in general cognitive function and memory function of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several related functional connectivity may contribute to the effectiveness of rTMS. Besides, the baseline functional connectivity between the left hippocampus and left occipitotemporal cortex, left frontoinsular cortex were significantly positively correlated with the improvement of memory recognition function. The baseline functional connectivity between the left hippocampus and left occipitotemporal cortex was significantly positively correlated with the improvement of delayed recall function of memory.
Network analysis of Alzheimer’s disease using group cohesive parcellation of rsfMRI
Authors: Nemani Ajay , Lowe Mark
Published: August 2024

The search for rsfMRI-based network biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease has yielded inconsistent results. These models are derived from standard anatomical and functional parcellations that may bias downstream analyses. We present a network model of Alzheimer's disease based on cohesive parcellation and compare it to traditional measures of network topology.
Associations between CSF Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease and Subcortical Volume in Healthy Aging
Authors: Lin Qixiang , Huang Shuai , Bisht Aditya , Levey Allan , Lah James , Qiu Deqiang
Published: August 2024

This study aims to evaluate the association between subcortical volumes and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in a large group of healthy aging from a single center. CSF samples were obtained and quantitative levels of amyloid-β and Tau were measured. Subcortical tissue segmentations were performed on T1-weighted MPRAGE scans and the volume of each subcortical structure were calculated. Significant correlations were found between CSF biomarkers of AD and volume of the right and the left caudate. This may indicate that the volume of caudate are associated with CSF AD biomarker in healthy aging participants.
Interrogating the effect of thawing on Fe speciation in human tissue using XANES
Authors: Tran Dean , DiGiacomo Phillip , Georgiadis Marios , Edwards Nicholas , Bone Sharon , Born Donald , Webb Samuel , Zeineh Michael
Published: August 2024

Recent studies suggest that iron and neuroinflammation are key components of AD pathology. Specifically, ferrous Fe2+ can cause oxidative stress, a possible a mechanistic link to disease progression. Correlative ex vivo MRI can detect iron-containing microglia in AD hippocampi, but whether this iron is ferrous is unknown. Synchrotron X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) can quantify iron oxidation state in frozen human brain samples. However, tissue thawing during the long scans might affect the oxidation state. Here, we implement the necessary hardware to interrogate that question and present preliminary evidence that, as specimens thaw, less redox-active ferrous iron is measured.
Impact of early suppression of mutant Huntingtin in LacQ140 mouse model of Huntington’s disease on resting-state dynamics
Authors: Vasilkovska Tamara , Adhikari Mohit , van Rijswijk Joëlle , Van Doninck Eline , Van Audekerke Johan , Pustina Dorian , Cachope Roger , Tang Haiying , Marchionini Deanna , Munoz-Sanjuan Ignacio , Van der Linden Annemie , Verhoye Marleen
Published: August 2024

Dynamic analyses of resting-state (RS) fMRI reveal transient constituents of RS networks such as the quasi-periodic patterns (QPPs), and co-activation patterns (CAPs) that were shown to be sensitive markers of neurodegenerative diseases in rodent models and humans. We investigated the effect of early suppression of mutant huntingtin (mHtt) expression in the LacQ140 mouse model of Huntington’s disease (HD) on QPP and CAP alterations at the manifest state. In both QPPs and CAPs, the observed genotypic changes in local activity were reduced in the mHtt suppressed group. Additionally, a cross-validated, three-class classification using CAP activations successfully predicted the mHtt suppressed group
Bright Light Therapy Alters Brain Functional Connectivity in Subthreshold Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Yang Zibin , Chen Guanmao , Qian Long , Wang Ying
Published: August 2024

The underlying mechanisms of bright light therapy in prevention of individuals with subthreshold symptoms are unclear. This study aimed to assess the midbrain monoamine-producing nuclei treatment–related functional connectivity changes and their correlation to depressive symptom improvements in subthreshold depression. A total of 74 young adults with subthreshold depression were randomly assigned to receive 8-week BLT (N = 38) or placebo (N = 36). The dorsal raphe nucleus, ventral tegmental area, and habenula seed-based whole-brain FC were analyzed. In addition, a multivariate regression model examined whether baseline brain FC was associated with changes in scores on HDRS during BLT treatment.
Alterations of static and dynamic functional connectivity in adolescents with first-episode major depression and suicidal tendencies
Authors: Cheng Xiaofang , Chen Jianshan , Zhang Xiaofei , Wang Ting , Sun Jiaqi , Zhou Yanling , Yang Ruilan , Xiao Yeyu , Chen Amei , Song Ziyi , Chen Pinrui , Yang Chanjuan , Wu Qiuxia , Lin Taifeng , Chen Yingmei , Xu Yongzhou , Cao Liping , Wei Xinhua
Published: August 2024

This study used graph theory-based dynamic and static functional connectivity strength (FCS) approaches to investigate the differences in global brain connectivity patterns in depressed adolescents with and without suicide attempts. Our findings suggest that abnormal connectivity patterns in multiple brain regions involving cognition and emotion control, and self-referential processing are associated with the increasing risk of vulnerability to a suicide attempt in depressed adolescents.
Multimodal structural and functional features underlying cognitive function in first-episode major depressive disorder
Authors: Zhang Qian , Zhao Youjin , Yao Chenyang , Wang Yaxuan , Zhao Ziyuan , Zhang Aoxiang , Gong Qiyong
Published: August 2024

Multimodal joint differences in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral superior and inferior parietal lobules, and bilateral calcarine cortex contributed to identification of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), offering promise in the multimodal psychoradiological characterization for MDD diagnosis. In addition, widespread gray matter alterations across neocortex were associated with cognitive impairments, and partially mediated the age-related cognitive difficulties associated with MDD, deepening the understanding of the relationships between brain alterations and neurocognitive changes in MDD.
Dynamic evolution of the predicated brain age in liver transplantation recipients: a longitudinal study
Authors: Lu Zining , Cheng Yue , Zhang Xianchang , Xu Junhai , Shen Wen
Published: August 2024

To evaluate the dynamic change in overall brain health in liver transplantation (LT) recipients, we constructed a deep learning-based brain age prediction model to measure the longitudinal changes of ‘brain age’ before and one, three, and six months after surgery. The LT recipients’ brain age showed an inverted U-shaped change pattern in the early stages after transplantation. In addition, brain aging was aggravated within one month after surgery, and the patients with a history of overt hepatic encephalopathy were particularly affected. Therefore, the age prediction model can be used to monitor the post-surgical brain function recovery trajectory in LT recipients.
Associations of white matter connections with neurocognitive development in healthy children
Authors: Raja Rajikha , Song Ruitian , Glass John , Reddick Wilburn
Published: August 2024

We investigated the associations between structural connectivity and neurocognitive development in healthy children using MRI and behavioral data from 42 subjects belonging to Lifespan Human Connectome Project Development dataset. Diffusion MRI data were analysed using multi-shell multi-tissue constrained spherical deconvolution model to compute fiber orientation distribution functions before probabilistic fiber tracking was performed to obtain whole brain tractograms. Connectivity matrices were computed based on streamline density using nodes from HCP-MMP1 parcellation. Multiple significant correlations between connectivity and cognitive scores measuring working memory, processing speed and executive functioning were identified in this study.
Integrated Fast High-Resolution MR Fingerprinting and Spectroscopic Imaging for Absolute Quantification of Metabolic Imaging
Authors: Baboli Mehran , Wang Fuyixue , Dong Zijing , Dietrich Jorg , Uhlmann Erik , Batchelor Tracy , Cahill Daniel , Andronesi Ovidiu
Published: August 2024

Quantification of metabolite concentration is the primary concern in clinical MR Spectroscopic Imaging which is valuable to assess disease pathology. Absolute metabolite quantification requires correction of MRSI signal for T1/T2 relaxation and proton density, which due to time limitations are not measured in the subject of interest but assumed to be constant across all voxels based on assumed literature values. Here, we integrated 3D-Echo-Planar Time-resolved Imaging (3D-EPTI) that allows fast MR-fingerprinting of T1, T2 and PD with fast MRSI metabolic imaging in each subject. The metabolite quantification based on voxel-based MRF was compared to literature based relaxations and PD values.
Comparing L1 and L2 Regularizations for Quantitative Transport Mapping of Tumor: an Image Quality Analysis
Authors: Romano Dominick , Zhang Qihao , Kovanlikaya Ilhami , Spincemaille Pascal , Wang Yi
Published: August 2024

This study compared L1 and L2 regularized Quantitative Transport Mapping (QTM1-3) of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI in breast and neck tumor using image quality scoring. Improved consistent soft tissue and lesion characterization was observed when using the L1 norm.
Automating Component Selection in Independent Component Analysis (ICA) in dynamic Oxygen-Enhanced MRI (dOE-MRI)
Authors: Hofmann Annika , Baker Jennifer , Moosvi Firas , Reinsberg Stefan
Published: August 2024

Using Independent Component Analysis (ICA) in dynamic Oxygen-Enhanced MRI has been shown to improve the sensitivity of this technique. However, the ICA component has to be identified manually by an observer. In this work we propose an optimization process that automatically determines the best number of components and extracts the component in best accordance to the target function of the breathing challenge.
Quantification of Spatial Ventilation Defect Distribution in Hyperpolarized Gas MRI of Lungs Using A 3D Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Delgado Gabriela Garcia , Shammi Ummul Afia , Altes Talissa , Mugler John , Thomen Robert
Published: August 2024

Hyperpolarized gas (HPG) MR imaging allows for quantification of a patient’s lung function. The spatial distribution of ventilation defect patterns is often overlooked in quantitative analyses but may be important for further understanding the nature of lung disease. Here we present a method for quantifying the extent to which defect voxels tend to be sparsely distributed or clustered. This technique involves spherical region-growing for each defect voxel to assess the fraction of neighbors which are also part of a defect. A ‘clustering index’ is reported which quantifies the extent to which defect voxels are spatially congregated or scattered.
Stepwise validation of Perfusion MRI Kinetic Modeling using an Extracorporeal Circulation for AIF determination in Mice
Authors: Gierse Florian , Büther Florian , Cufe Juela , Maus Bastian , Claesener Michael , Hermann Sven , Schäfers Klaus , Kronenberg Katharina , Karst Uwe , Schäfers Michael , Faber Cornelius , Backhaus Philipp
Published: August 2024

Calculation of perfusion parameters from DCE-MRI using pharmacokinetic modeling depends on accurate determination of the dynamic tissue concentration and the dynamic arterial blood concentration (AIF). However, precise AIFs are difficult to measure in small animals. We introduce a novel extracorporeal circulation approach from the external carotid artery for feasible AIF determination. DCE derived AIF and tissue contrast agent concentrations corresponded well with radioactive analogs and mass spectrometry. Perfusion parameters derived by different pharmacokinetic models demonstrated variable agreement with simultaneous radiotracer derived calculations of modeling parameters. Overall, we introduce an accurate and precise framework for quantitative perfusion MRI in small animals.
Slice-by-slice Dynamic Shimming Based on a Chemical Shift-Encoded Acquisition to Improve Fat Suppression in DWI
Authors: Tollefson Aidan , Wu Gaohong , Lan Patricia , Guidon Arnaud , Van Der Heijden Rianne , Tamada Daiki , Pirasteh Ali , Hernando Diego
Published: August 2024

B0 inhomogeneities can lead to failures in chemical shift-based fat suppression, particularly in complex susceptibility environments. Conventional volumetric shimming methods are frequently unable to compensate for these B0 inhomogeneities, which leads to residual fat signal and artifacts in various applications. We propose a slice-by-slice shimming method that relies on information (water-only image, fat-only image, B0 fieldmap) derived from a rapid chemical shift-encoded acquisition. This method demonstrated improved fat suppression in diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of the upper leg and may lead to improved reliability in other applications.
Investigating the Impact of Motion and Associated B0 Changes on Oxygenation Sensitive MRI through Realistic Simulations
Authors: Eichhorn Hannah , Hammernik Kerstin , Epp Samira , Karampinos Dimitrios , Schnabel Julia , Preibisch Christine
Published: August 2024

T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging is strongly impacted by subject head motion, amongst others due to motion-related changes in B0 inhomogeneities. Within the oxygenation-sensitive mqBOLD protocol, motion artifacts in T2*-weighted images lead to errors in derived parameter maps. To quantify these errors, we performed realistic motion simulations incorporating rigid body transformations and motion-related field inhomogeneity changes. Our results demonstrate the importance of including B0 inhomogeneities for realistic motion artifact patterns. Even small amounts of simulated motion resulted in substantial errors in derived T2* and R2’ parameter maps, which highlights the relevance of T2* motion correction within the mqBOLD technique.
3D Seiffert spirals for efficient k-space sampling in 23Na-MRI: initial phantom simulations
Authors: Rot Samuel , Clemence Matthew , Solanky Bhavana , Wheeler-Kingshott Claudia Gandini
Published: August 2024

Modern sodium MRI (23Na-MRI) uses efficient, non-Cartesian k-space sampling strategies to acquire 3D volumes in clinically feasible scan times. 3D Seiffert spirals are a novel k-space sampling scheme with improved efficiency to existing methods. 23Na-MRI, and particularly temporally resolved functional 23Na-MRI, could be an ideal application for Seiffert spirals. We present initial, in silico simulations of 3D Seiffert spiral k-space sampling for a highly undersampled 1.8 second functional 23Na-MRI protocol. Seiffert spirals generate images of improved quality and SNR in direct comparison to 3D-cones. Essential further work will involve compressed sensing reconstruction, further trajectory optimisation and in vivo imaging.
Preliminary Application performance of synthetic MRI quantitative imaging in stage I endometrial cancer
Authors: YunJuan Yin , Sujing Chen , Jun Chang , Rongping Guan , Yuxi Ge , Dmytro Pylypenko , Shudong hu
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using synthetic MRI to identify and differentiate stage I endometrial cancer. A total of 51 patients with endometrial carcinoma were recruited. Quantitative MRI, including T1, T2 and PD mapping were used. The endometrial carcinoma had significantly different T1, T2 and PD values compared to normal uterus tissue, therefore quantitative MRI is an effective method for detection of endometrial cancer. There was no statistical difference of synthetic MRI in differentiation grades or risk stratification, which needs to be further verified.
Feasibility of 3D Quantitative Synthetic MRI for Discriminating Immunohistochemical Status in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast
Authors: Amano Maki , Fujita Shohei , Takei Naoyuki , Sano Katsuhiro , Wada Akihiko , Sato Kanako , Kikuta Junko , Kuwatsuru Yoshiki , Tachibana Rina , Sekine Towa , Horimoto Yoshiya , Aoki Shigeki
Published: August 2024

The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of 3D quantitative synthetic MRI for discriminating the immunohistochemical (IHC) status of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. We found that volumetric T1 and T2 values of IDC varied according to IHC status, including those for hormone receptors and Ki-67, indicating the feasibility of this method for discriminating the IHC status of IDC of the breast.
Use of Dixon technique in breast contrast-enhanced T1WI for post-mastectomy patients at 3T
Authors: FU Qing , Liu Jie , Liu Ding-xi , Yin Ting , Sun Peng , Lei Zi-qiao , Yang Fan
Published: August 2024

For patients with breast lesion resection, conventional contrast enhanced T1WI images with SPAIR provides poor fat suppression in the post-mastectomy breasts side due to the uneven skin surface, inhomogeneous tissues environment, and the frequency-selective feature of SPAIR scheme. Our study aimed to investigate the performance of fat suppression with the Dixon method in single side post-mastectomy patients. Subjective and objective evaluation suggested the Dixon method is superior to conventional SPAIR fat suppression in depicting the bilateral breast. Dixon method provided better image uniformity and higher fat suppression efficiency, and showed significant advantages in delineating the anatomical structures, with better axillary and lesion visibilities, especially in the completely removed breast side.
Improved differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions based on Kaiser score descriptors and apparent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Meng Lingsong , Zhao Xin , Guo Jinxia , Lu Lin , Cheng Meiying , Xing Qingna , Shang Honglei , Guo Yafei , Tan Shifang , Zhang Lingjie , Zhang Xiao-an
Published: August 2024

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumor in women and badly threatens the female's health. Kaiser score (KS) shows excellent and robust performance in evaluating breast lesions. This scoring system doesn’t include quantitative image features and clinical information, however, which may result in false-negative diagnoses, especially for cancers showing atypical morphological characteristics. In this study, we evaluated the importance of five features in KS, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and patient age respectively and combined them to build new models to explore if there will be an improvement in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions compared with KS.
Deep Learning-Based Affine Medical Image Registration - A Review and Comparative Study on Generalizability
Authors: Strittmatter Anika , Schad Lothar , Zöllner Frank
Published: August 2024

In this research we investigated the performance of published neural networks for an affine registration of multimodal medical images and examined the networks' generalizability to new datasets. The neural networks were trained and evaluated using a synthetic multimodal dataset of three-dimensional CT and MRI volumes of the liver. We compared the Normalised Mutual Information, Dice coefficient and the Hausdorff distance across the neural networks described in the papers, using our CNN as a benchmark and the conventional affine registration method as a baseline. Seven networks improved the pre-registration Dice coefficient and are therefore able to generalise to new datasets.
Altered Glx and APT values in hippocampus of patients with aMCI: a novel combined imaging diagnostic marker
Authors: Chen Xin , Gong Tao , Chen Tong , Xu Changyuan , Li Yuchao , Song Qingxu , lin Liangjie , Oeltzschner Georg , Edden Richard , Wang Guangbin , Xia Zhangyong
Published: August 2024

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is considered as a prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that unbalanced excitatory/inhibitory (glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitters and consequent abnormal protein deposition in hippocampus contribute to the pathological process of MCI and AD. We explored the changes of hippocampal Glx/GABA+ levels and APTw in aMCI patients using MEGA-PRESS and APTw imaging. Patients with aMCI exhibited decreased Glx levels (and Glx/GABA+ ratios) and increased APTw values in hippocampus. The combination of Glx and APTw values improved the diagnostic performance for aMCI, suggesting it was a potential imaging diagnostic marker.
Functional connectivity density changes in adolescent contact and non-contact sport athletes
Authors: Cohen Alexander , Brett Benjamin , Patel Milan , Ristow Kelly , McCrea Michael , Wang Yang
Published: August 2024

Repetitive head impact exposure (RHIE) during contact sports (CS) might have potentially long-term neurological effects. We evaluated the effect of sport, time, and their interaction on local and global functional connectivity density (FCD) as measured using an advanced multiband multi-echo EPI sequence in CS and non-contact sport (NCS) middle school and high school athletes. Significant effects of sport and the interaction between sport and time on both local and global FCD were detected, which might suggest functional connections alterations due to contact sport participation.
Risk taking tendency correlate with imbalance functional link between brain networks following 36 hours total sleep deprivation
Authors: Li Jiyuan , Yue Yunlong , Song Yunlong , Jin Yanfang
Published: August 2024

36 hours sleep deprivation produces a significant deficit in vmPFC functional connectivity and default mode networks (DMN), along with the enhanced functional link between vmPFC and executive control networks (ECN). Furthermore, the negative correlation between vmPFC-DMN and vmPFC-ECN coupling during RW were diminished after TSD. We also find that TSD induced the significantly negative correlation between vmPFC-ECN networks and risk-taking behavior. These results demonstrate that an absence of sleep substantially impaired the balance of large scale brain networks and which in turn predicts risk-taking behavior following 36 hours of TSD.
Associations between reading ability and white matter tract integrity in adolescents
Authors: Nedelec Pierre , Lashof-Regas Samuel , Sugrue Leo , Rauschecker Andreas
Published: August 2024

Across a demographically diverse sample of over 7000 US adolescents, the relationship between white matter tracts and reading skills was evaluated using automated tractometry. Fractional Anisotropy (FA) values within several white matter tracts demonstrated strong positive associations with reading ability. Higher FA values were associated with higher reading scores, as assessed by the NIH Toolbox Oral Reading Recognition Test (TORRT). These relationships persisted even after correction for several potential confounding variables.
Differential Radiologic-Pathologic Correspondence of Diffusivity, Restriction and Anisotropy with Plaque and Tangle Cores
Authors: Comrie Courtney , Dieckhaus Laurel , Beach Tom , Serrano Geidy , Hutchinson Elizabeth
Published: August 2024

Alzheimer’s is an irreversible degenerative brain disease. Clinical MRI may visualize severe brain atrophy but fails to recognize earlier biomarkers associated with subtle microstructural changes. Microstructural MRI techniques such as DTI, MAP-MRI, and MSDKI may sensitively detect and distinguish tissue degeneration, tauopathies, and beta amyloid plaques in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. The capability of these techniques was investigated in post-mortem human temporal lobe specimens at high resolution and high image quality. Prominent findings seen were differences between DTI and MAP-MRI anisotropy metrics, and striking differences between the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex for restriction due to plaques.
Nonsusceptibility frequency shift reveals subtypes of multiple sclerosis lesions and predicts 5-year disappearance of paramagnetic rim
Authors: Jochmann Thomas , Reeves Jack , Salman Fahad , Jakimovski Dejan , Hametner Simon , Mohebbi Maryam , Bergsland Niels , Weinstock-Gutman Bianca , Dwyer Michael , Zivadinov Robert , Haueisen Jens , Schweser Ferdinand
Published: August 2024

Multiple sclerosis lesions have different types and stages that are challenging to distinguish by conventional MRI. We recently presented DEEPOLE QUASAR, a reconstruction technique that yields nonsusceptibility frequency maps as a novel MRI contrast. In this study, we translate the novel contrast into a tool for multiple sclerosis lesion assessment. We discuss the time course of nonsusceptibility frequency throughout different lesion stages. Within different paramagnetic rim lesions that are typically indistinguishable by conventional MRI, the nonsusceptibility frequency contrast showed hypo-, iso-, and hyperintense subtypes. At a 5-year follow-up, paramagnetic rims disappeared at significantly different proportions between these subtypes.
Evaluation of an Image Contrast-Agnostic Brain MRI Segmentation Tool on a Heterogeneous Pediatric Clinical Cohort
Authors: Pilgrim Elias , Xu Wenli , Olsson Hampus , Wendel Eva , El-Naggar Ines , Bertolini Annikki , Rostásy Kevin , Niendorf Thoralf , Waiczies Sonia , Millward Jason
Published: August 2024

We evaluated the performance of the brain segmentation tool SynthSeg on a heterogeneous multi-center cohort of pediatric patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Brain MRI of the patient cohort was acquired at multiple field strengths, with a diverse range of image spatial resolutions, MR sequences, contrasts, and w/wo administration of gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA). SynthSeg performance was generally robust to resolution and contrast differences, especially for larger brain structures. Significant differences in some calculated volumes were detected upon pair-wise comparisons among patients with high- vs. low resolution scans, T1- vs. T2-weighed scans, and w/wo GBCA application, acquired on the same day.
Novel contribution of non-enhanced MRI to neuroradiologists for detecting neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder-associated optic neuritis
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhao Yali
Published: August 2024

The sensitivity of MRI in detecting optic neuritis (ON) including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder-associated ON (NMOSD-ON) is inadequate, and the diagnostic criteria have limitations due to inherent defects in signal intensity. In this study, we quantitatively assessed the role of intrathecal cerebrospinal fluid and diameter and curvature of anterior visual pathway in the diagnosis of NMOSD-ON by nomogram using non-enhanced MRI. The altered MRI parameters showed significant associations with visual functional system scores. Our study elucidates the novel contribution of non-enhanced MRI in the detection of NMOSD-ON, which assists to solve the problem of insufficient sensitivity of MRI for ON.
Biomolecular basis of changes in CEST Z-spectra of rat spinal cord after injury
Authors: Mu Chaoqi , Reed Jamie , Wang Feng , Gore John , Chen Li Min
Published: August 2024

We identified molecular pools of interest using CEST imaging of rats after spinal cord injury (SCI) that correlate with post-SCI behavioral deficits, and which may indicate products of neuroinflammation. Using tissue neurochemical analysis, we isolated analytes of interest and acquired CEST Z-spectra from solutions of the chemicals to elucidate the source of the CEST pool concentration changes. Several candidates present in the tissue samples showed similar (overlapping) Z-spectra around 3.0 ppm. These results suggest that CEST imaging is not specific for identifying concentration changes of individual molecules of interest.
Histogram Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Imaging in Differentiating Glioma Mimicking Encephalitis from Encephalitis
Authors: Zhao Kai , Ma Xiaoyue , Gao Ankang , Gao Eryuan , Qi Jinbo , Wang Peipei , Zhao Guohua , Zhang Huiting , Yang Guang , Bai Jie , Zhang Yong , Cheng Jingliang
Published: August 2024

Glioma Mimicking Encephalitis is difficult to be differentiated from Encephalitis by conventional MRI. In this study, 18 patients with diagnosed glioma and 15 patients with encephalitis were included. Their DWI images were processed to obtain the histogram of the parameter maps of DKI, DTI, NODDI, and MAP. We use lasso regression to fit the diagnostic models, and the diagnostic performance of different models were compared. We find no significant difference in the AUC between the single and combined diffusion lasso models. Any of the models could be individually used for differentiating glioma mimicking encephalitis from encephalitis.
Chasing the Dot: Diffusion-Weighted MR Spectroscopy with Spherical Tensor Encoding
Authors: Döring André , Rösler Frank , Şimşek Kadir , Landheer Karl , Kreis Roland , Bogner Wolfgang , Jones Derek
Published: August 2024

Diffusion-weighted MR spectroscopy (DW-MRS) can measure diffusion properties of cell type-specific and intracellular metabolites. However, for advanced microstructure modeling, diffusion of brain metabolites has to be measured at specific length scales and with specific structural sensitivity. To this end, new diffusion encoding strategies have been developed, but not all have found their ways into DW-MRS. In this work, we fill this gap for spherical-tensor-encoding (STE), providing the first evidence that useful diffusion metrices of human brain metabolites can be quantified by combining DW-MRS, STE, and ultra-strong gradients.
Cerebral Blood Flow quantification in anesthetized macaque using pseudo-continuous Arterial Spin Labeling at 3T
Authors: Garcia-Ruiz Leyre , Córdoba Karol , Jericó Daniel , Aznárez-Sanado Maite , Vidorreta Marta , Fontanellas Antonio , Fernández-Seara Maria
Published: August 2024

A pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) technique was implemented on a Siemens 3T Skyra for quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements in non-human primates (rhesus monkeys). Different regions were manually segmented based on T1 weighted images. ASL images were obtained in 10 min with 2.2-mm isotropic resolution. Whole brain CBF was 32.40±14.61 ml/100g/min (n=8) for female and 44.28±24.61 ml/100 g/min for male (n=4) rhesus monkeys under ketamine and midazolam anesthesia. Gender differences of CBF among brain regions will be address in this study.
OPTICS STUDY: INTRACRANIAL EFFECTS OF STATIC LOWER BODY NEGATIVE PRESSURE WITH HEAD DOWN TILT BED REST: COMPARISON TO UPRIGHT POSTURE
Authors: Kramer Larry , Hasan Khader , Bishop Lindsey , Zhang Xu , Marshall-Goebel Karina , Macias Brandon , Laurie Steven , Martin Bryn
Published: August 2024

Lower body negative pressure applied a total of 6 hours daily during 29 days of head down tilt bed rest shows promise as a countermeasure to spaceflight acquired neuro-ocular syndrome.
Cortical Sulcus Depth Alterations in Patients with Tinnitus Before and After Sound Therapy: A Surface-Based Morphometry Study.
Authors: Wei Xuan
Published: August 2024

In this study, we performed brain surface-based morphometry to evaluate changes in sulcal depth after sound therapy in patients with idiopathic tinnitus. Our results showed thatsulcal depth was signiêcantly reduced in the left medial temporal cortex (MTC) and right somatosensory and motor cortex (SMC) of patients with tinnitus compared to the healthycontrols, but increased signiêcantly at 24 weeks after sound therapy. Therefore, sulcal depth in the auditory sensory regions of the brain is a potential neuroimaging biomarker forevaluating treatment eìcacy in tinnitus patients.
Magnetic Susceptibility Separation Reveals Longitudinal Lesion Changes in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Zhu Ziyan , Esfahani Javad Hamidi , Naji Nashwan , Seres Peter , Emery Derek , Blevins Gregg , Smyth Penelope , Wilman Alan
Published: August 2024

Susceptibility separation may distinguish iron and myelin in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, but little work has been done on longitudinal changes. Twenty MS subjects were followed for 14 months to investigate para and diamagnetic changes independently using susceptibility separation in comparison to transverse relaxation and susceptibility mapping. Susceptibility separation provided distinction between myelin and iron events, offering more insight into MS lesion evolution.
Imaging the myelin in brain deep gray matters during brain development using sub-voxel QSM
Authors: Li Zhenghao , Feng Ruimin , Wei Hongjiang
Published: August 2024

Myelin is a non-neglectable susceptibility source in deep gray matter (DGM) nuclei. Myelination and demyelination processes are essential in DGMs during brain development and aging. However, they have not been investigated by MRI yet. We used a sub-voxel QSM method to independently image and quantify the myelin concentration in brain DGM. We recruited 32 healthy subjects with ages from 4 to 39 years old to describe the DGM myelination and demyelination trajectories. The results suggest that different DGMs display various development trajectories during brain development.
Using Compressed Sensing techniques for QSM on multiple sclerosis patients, to what extent can we accelerate?
Authors: Poirion Émilie , Savatovsky Julien , Guillaume Jessica , Santin Mathieu
Published: August 2024

Despite the characterization of in-vivo biomarkers of MS pathophysiology, there is still a gap between histological knowledges and morphological MRI as it is performed in clinical practice. New MRI advanced techniques, such as quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) might help to better describe the disease, but long acquisition times are limiting their uses. Adding acceleration techniques can reduce this time. However, there is no current evidence about their impact on QSM values. Thus, we added four QSM sequences to our clinical protocol of MS follow-up, varying the acceleration factor from classical SENSE (2*2) to high compressed-sense (6, 9, and 12).
Age-dependent changes of myelin-related feature analysis in gray matter and white matter
Authors: Chen Nan-Hao , Chen Li-Ping , Hsu Chia-Wei , Yang Chin-Hua , Peng Hsu-Hsia
Published: August 2024

The regional characteristics extracted from myelin-related images have been considered the markers of brain degradation. However, a systematic investigation of age-dependent changes in myelin-related images remains deficient. We aimed to investigate the associations between regional features and age in myelin-related images. Our results revealed that ADC, mFLAIR, and T1w/T2w ratio were associated with age while aMWF showed no age-dependency. The increased heterogeneity and decreased uniformity in certain brain regions were observed in the elderly, indicating changes of microstructural tissue integrity in ADC, mFLAIR, and T1w/T2w ratio and the clinical usefulness of aMWF without a confounding factor of age in diagnosis.
Joint Inversion of Multi-Echo Gradient-Echo and Spin-Echo Data for the Estimation of Myelin Water Fraction
Authors: Dega Ségolène , Dadsena Ravi , Paasche Hendrik , Stöcker Tony
Published: August 2024

Myelin water fraction (MWF) mapping using MRI has enabled researchers to directly examine myelination and demyelination in both developing and diseased brains. T2-, and T2*-weighted multi-echo data have been proposed to estimate MWF in the human brain. Even for the simple two pool signal models of myelin and non-myelin associated water, number of dimensions of the parameter space for obtaining MWF estimates remains high, making parameter estimation challenging. The aim of this research is to improve the accuracy of brain myelin mapping using a novel joint inversion imaging method that combines data from multiple contrasts in a single optimization process.
Human brain thalamic nuclei segmentation: compressed-sensing effects on 3D MPRAGE variants
Authors: Hübner Sebastian , Tambalo Stefano , Kober Tobias , Jovicich Jorge
Published: August 2024

Accurate segmentation of thalamic nuclei can significantly support clinical decisions, especially in diseases such as Parkinson’s. At the same time, highly accelerated T1w acquisition techniques find wider clinical acceptance as they not only increase radiological efficiency and patient comfort, but also reduce motion artefacts. Here, we study how compressed sensing affects thalamic nuclei volumetry based on MPRAGE or MP2RAGE in healthy subjects with respect to clinical baseline. Segmentation results are promising and agree with expectations: acceleration to about 1 min is possible maintaining overall good image quality, contrast and thalamic segmentations, with acceleration-related biases.
High quality brain segmentation from multi-parameter mapping at Ultra-High Field MRI
Authors: Fortin Marc-Antoine , Völzke Yannik , Stirnberg Rüdiger , Sherif Siya , Lamalle Laurent , Stöcker Tony , Goa Pål Erik
Published: August 2024

Very few segmentation techniques are optimized for 7T images. Due to the lack of approaches and the high level of inhomogeneity observed with Ultra-High Field images, neuroscientists typically limit the analysis to the upper half of the brain. A novel resolution- and contrast-agnostic technique, called SynthSeg, may remedy this limitation. A multi-parameter mapping protocol and MPRAGE images were acquired to test SynthSeg against FreeSurfer on 7T sub-millimeter brain images. Our results showed that SynthSeg can surpass FreeSurfer, especially for the cerebellum and temporal lobes. Moreover, we showed that quantitative maps can be great surrogates to high-resolution T1w images like MPRAGE.
CEREBELLAR SURFACE PARCELLATION BASED ON DEFORMABLE SPHERICAL TRANSFORMER
Authors: Cheng Jiale , Zhao Fenqiang , Wu Zhengwang , Wang Ya , Yuan Xinrui , Lin Weili , Wang Li , Zhang Xin , Li Gang
Published: August 2024

Accurate parcellation of the extremely folded cerebellar cortex is of immense importance for both brain structural and functional studies. Manual parcellation is time-consuming and expertise dependent, which motivates us to propose a novel end-to-end deep learning-based method for cerebellar cortical surface parcellation. Leveraging the spherical topology of the cerebellar surface, we propose the Deformable Spherical Transformer, which combines the advantages of the Spherical Transformer to extract the long-range dependency and the deformable attention mechanism to adaptively focus on the critical regions. Its superior performance has been validated by comparing with advanced algorithms with an average Dice ratio of 86.40%.
Cardiac DTI with spiral readouts with third order k-space correction but without inner volume excitation
Authors: Mueller Lars , Coveney Sam , Afzali Maryam , Teh Irvin , Fasano Fabrizio , Szczepankiewicz Filip , Dall’Armellina Erica , Nguyen Christopher , Jones Derek , Schneider Jurgen
Published: August 2024

Using spiral trajectories instead of EPI can reduce the echo time in diffusion weighted MRI. The feasibility of spiral trajectories for cardiac DTI has recently been demonstrated, but the larger object size (i.e torso vs. for example skull) may require an inner volume excitation to keep the readout at an useable duration. Here we examine the use of an undersampled spiral with SENSE reconstruction and standard slice selective pulses. We show that MD and FA derived from the slice selective and inner volume excitation yield comparable values with the MD being higher than the one measured with EPI.
Feasibility of diffusion imaging using SMS-spiral acquisition with corrections on gradient waveform and field inhomogeneities
Authors: Wu Zhe , Jaffray Alexander , Kasper Lars , Uludag Kamil
Published: August 2024

We propose a short-TE signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhanced diffusion imaging method using simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) accelerated spiral acquisition. The correction of field inhomogeneity and gradient waveforms are introduced in the reconstruction without any assistance of external hardware (e.g. field camera). Results showing the feasibility of this method on both phantom and human subjects, and the corrections of B0 and gradient waveforms are essential to improve the image quality.
A deep learning method for diffusion tensor imaging using spherical harmonic representation
Authors: Chen Yunwei , Zhang Xinyuan
Published: August 2024

Deep learning methods have been demonstrated state-of-the-art performance in Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) denoising and parameter estimation. However, existing deep learning methods for dMRI are limited to the specific acquisition scheme. To solve the limitation, we proposed to use spherical harmonic coefficients as the deep learning network’s input. Our results have shown that the proposed method has a high performance in denoising and parameter estimation for DTI with a strong generalization ability.
The Value of T2 mapping Sequence in Evaluating Renal Damage in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Ju Ye , Wang Yue , Wang Nan , Liu Ailian
Published: August 2024

Patients with liver cirrhosis are easily complicated with renal injury, and it is often difficult to find the symptoms of early renal injury in time, which eventually leads to poor prognosis. T2 mapping, as a quantitative MRI technique, can provide quantitative information about the content and composition of water and collagen fibers [1]. The results of this study show that T2 mapping can effectively evaluate the renal damage of liver cirrhosis, so T2 mapping is expected to be an effective way to quantitatively and non-invasively evaluate the renal damage of liver cirrhosis.
Quantitative MR Images of Renal Parenchymal Disease: An Experimental In Vivo Study Using Rat Chronic Kidney Disease Models
Authors: Kim Sang Youn , Cho Jeong Yeon
Published: August 2024

Quantitative MRI sequences could be a noninvasive assessment modality in the diagnosis and evaluation of CKD. In particular, T1ρ may be a suitable MR sequence parameter to assess renal parenchymal fibrosis in a quantitative manner. Moreover, monitoring the change in common metabolites using MRS may reflect the alteration of osmolality in the renal medulla in CKD.