Entire Cortex Research Articles

Complementary Organization of Mouse Driver and Modulator Cortico-Thalamo-Cortical Circuits.

Corticocortical (CC) projections in the visual system facilitate hierarchical processing of sensory information. In addition to direct CC connections, indirect cortico-thalamo-cortical (CTC) pathways through the pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus can relay sensory signals and mediate cortical interactions according to behavioral demands. While the pulvinar connects extensively to the entire visual cortex, it is unknown whether transthalamic pathways link all cortical areas or whether they follow systematic organizational rules. Because mouse pulvinar neurons projecting to different areas are spatially intermingled, their input/output relationships have been difficult to characterize using traditional anatomical methods. To determine the organization of CTC circuits, we mapped the higher visual areas (HVAs) of male and female mice with intrinsic signal imaging and targeted five pulvinar→HVA pathways for projection-specific rabies tracing. We aligned post-mortem cortical tissue to in vivo maps for precise quantification of the areas and cell types projecting to each pulvinar→HVA population. Layer 5 corticothalamic (L5CT) "driver" inputs to the pulvinar originate predominantly from primary visual cortex (V1), consistent with the CC hierarchy. L5CT inputs from lateral HVAs specifically avoid driving reciprocal connections, consistent with the "no-strong-loops" hypothesis. Conversely, layer 6 corticothalamic (L6CT) "modulator" inputs are distributed across areas and are biased toward reciprocal connections. Unlike previous studies in primates, we find that every HVA receives disynaptic input from the superior colliculus. CTC circuits in the pulvinar thus depend on both target HVA and input cell type, such that driving and modulating higher-order pathways follow complementary connection rules similar to those governing first-order CT circuits.Significance statement Understanding the function of the pulvinar will require knowledge of its anatomical connections. Using state-of-the-art rabies tracing, we establish a map of brain-wide and CTC pulvinar connections. While the primate tectopulvinar pathway selectively targets dorsal visual areas, we find ubiquitous SC input in the mouse. This extrageniculate projection supports unconscious visually-guided behavior, suggesting that all visual cortical areas contribute to such functions in mice. Our results also unify longstanding anatomical hypotheses. Namely, "driver" CTC inputs are feedforward relays and adhere to the "no-strong-loops" hypothesis. "Modulator" L6CT inputs are overrepresented in the target HVA, reflecting the reciprocal connectivity described in previous bulk tracing studies. Together, these findings constitute a comprehensive map to guide future experimental and theoretical studies of pulvinar function.

Functional architecture of cerebral cortex during naturalistic movie watching.

Characterizing the functional organization of cerebral cortex is a fundamental step in understanding how different kinds of information are processed in the brain. However, it is still unclear how these areas are organized during naturalistic visual and auditory stimulation. Here, we used high-resolution functional MRI data from 176 human subjects to map the macro-architecture of the entire cerebral cortex based on responses to a 60-min audiovisual movie stimulus. A data-driven clustering approach revealed a map of 24 functional areas/networks, each explicitly linked to a specific aspect of sensory or cognitive processing. Novel features of this map included an extended scene-selective network in the lateral prefrontal cortex, separate clusters responsive to human-object and human-human interaction, and a push-pull interaction between three executive control (domain-general) networks and domain-specific regions of the visual, auditory, and language cortex. Our cortical parcellation provides a comprehensive and unified map of functionally defined areas in the human cerebral cortex.

1550 Nm Optical Coherence Tomography for InVivo Deep Brain Cerebral Blood Flow Imaging.

Employing longer wavelengths in optical microscopic imaging is recognized for its advantage in deep penetration. However, the 1550 nm spectrum band is often overlooked due to water's high absorption coefficient. This study investigates the feasibility of 1550 nm center wavelength-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) for imaging the cerebral vasculature and blood flow in the mouse brain cortex. In comparison to a commercial 1310 nm OCT system, the 1550 nm OCT system exhibits greater attenuation in deeper regions while yielding similar results in blood flow imaging across the entire cortex layers. Given the widespread use of the 1550 nm wavelength band in the communication industry, the associated costs for light sources, linear cameras, and optic components are relatively lower than those of the 1310 and 1700 nm bands. Therefore, the 1550 nm band OCT could be a favorable choice for imaging deep brain cerebral hemodynamics.

Heschl’s gyrus and the temporal pole: The cortical lateralization of language

The left lateralization of language has been attributed to hemispheric specialization for processing rapidly changing information. While interhemispheric differences in auditory cortex organization support this view, the macrostructure of the entire cerebral cortex has not been thoroughly examined from this perspective. This study investigated hemispheric asymmetries in cortical surface area and thickness and their relationship to pronunciation scores from oral reading using the Human Connectome Project Young Adult dataset (N=1113). Heschl’s gyrus had the most left-lateralized surface area, while the temporal pole showed the strongest right-lateralization in thickness. These areas correspond to the core components of speech: sound and meaning. Notably, their structural features were the only ones also yielding a significant correlation with pronunciation scores. Additionally, Broca’s area’s posterior region (pars opercularis), involved in articulatory phonological processing, showed leftward lateralization, contrasting with the right-lateralized anterior portions. Left-hemisphere language areas were largely thinner and more extended than their right-sided homologs with a larger white-to-gray matter ratio. Cortical thickness was inversely related to surface area. The lateralization of auditory-related language areas and their structure’s correlation with pronunciation in oral reading supports a genetically based auditory foundation for language. A thinner, more efficient cortex with larger surface areas and increased myelination likely underlies the left-hemispheric dominance of language. Thinner, more extended brain areas have been linked to more myelination and wider cortical columns and intercolumnar space. This provides the potential for a fast network of interconnected, discrete information units able to support language’s demands of rapid categorical processing.

Enhanced auditory responses in visual cortex of blind rats using intrinsic optical signal imaging

Functional maturation of the visual cortex is induced by visual experiences during critical periods. Blind animals and humans exhibit improved auditory abilities after losing their vision. Here we investigated the response of the visual cortex to white noise stimuli during the progression of photoreceptor degeneration in a rat model of blindness (Royal College of Surgeons [RCS] (rdy/rdy) rats). Optical coherence tomography of RCS (+/+) rats with normal visual function revealed normal photoreceptor cells, whereas 3-month-old RCS (rdy/rdy) rats demonstrated photoreceptor cell degeneration. Visual cortex responses (VCRs) to a single flash stimulus were negligible in 3-month-old photoreceptor-degenerated rats. However, VCRs with white noise stimuli were significantly increased in blind versus RCS rats (+/+). Slight changes in the intrinsic optical signals of the control rats were observed on the ventral side of the visual cortex. In contrast, responses were markedly increased throughout the visual cortex of RCS (rdy/rdy) rats. These results indicate that the visual cortex rapidly acquires auditory system function over the first 3 months of life and that the entire visual cortex, rather than just the portion close to the auditory cortex, responds to white noise.

Behavior can be decoded across the cortex when individual differences are considered

Abstract Group-level analyses have typically linked behavioral signatures to a constrained set of brain areas. Here we show that two behavioral metrics — reaction time (RT) and confidence — can be decoded across the cortex when each individual is considered separately. Subjects (N=50) completed a perceptual decision-making task with confidence. We built models decoding trial-level RT and confidence separately for each subject using the activation patterns in one brain area at a time after splitting the entire cortex into 200 regions of interest (ROIs). First, we developed a simple test to determine the robustness of decoding performance, which showed that several hundred trials per subject are required for robust decoding. We then examined the decoding performance at the group and subject levels. At the group level, we replicated previous results by showing that both RT and confidence could be decoded from a small number of ROIs (12.0% and 3.5%, respectively). Critically, at the subject level, both RT and confidence could be decoded from most brain regions even after Bonferroni correction (90.0% and 72.5%, respectively). Surprisingly, we observed that many brain regions exhibited opposite brain-behavior relationships across individuals, such that, for example, higher activations predicted fast RTs in some subjects but slow RTs in others. All results were replicated in a second dataset. These findings show that behavioral signatures can be decoded from a much broader range of cortical areas than previously recognized and suggest the need to study the brain-behavior relationship at both the group and subject levels.

The role of the claustrum in the acquisition, consolidation and reconsolidation of memories in mice

The claustrum is a brain structure that remains shrouded in mystery due to the limited understanding of its cellular structure, neural pathways, functionality and physiological aspects. Significant research has unveiled connections spanning from the claustrum to the entire cortex as well as subcortical areas. This widespread connectivity has led to speculations of its role in integrating information from different brain regions, possibly contributing to processes such as attention, consciousness, learning and memory. Our working hypothesis posits that claustrum neural activity contributes to the acquisition, consolidation and reconsolidation of long-term memories in mice. We found evidence in CF-1 mice of a decline in behavioral performance in an inhibitory avoidance task due to intra-claustral administration of 2% lidocaine immediately after a training session or memory recall. Nevertheless, this does not seem to be the case for the acquisition or retrieval of this type of memory, although its neural activity is significantly increased after training, evaluated through c-Fos expression. Moreover, inhibition of the claustrum’s synaptic activity appears to impair the consolidation but not acquisition or retrieval of an unconditioned memory formed in a nose-poke habituation task.

Altered Resting-State Electroencephalogram Microstate Characteristics in Stroke Patients.

Stroke remains a leading cause of disability globally and movement impairment is the most common complication in stroke patients. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis is a non-invasive approach of whole-brain imaging based on the spatiotemporal pattern of the entire cerebral cortex. The present study aims to investigate microstate alterations in stroke patients. Resting-state EEG data collected from 24 stroke patients and 19 healthy controls matched by age and gender were subjected to microstate analysis. For four classic microstates labeled as class A, B, C and D, their temporal characteristics (duration, occurrence and coverage) and transition probabilities (TP) were extracted and compared between the two groups. Furthermore, we explored their correlations with clinical outcomes including the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and the action research arm test (ARAT) scores in stroke patients. Finally, we analyzed the relationship between the temporal characteristics and spectral power in frequency bands. False discovery rate (FDR) method was applied for correction of multiple comparisons. Microstate analysis revealed that the stroke group had lower occurrence of microstate A which was regarded as the sensorimotor network (SMN) compared with the control group (p = 0.003, adjusted p = 0.036, t = -2.959). The TP from microstate A to microstate D had a significant positive correlation with the Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity (FMA-LE) scores (p = 0.049, r = 0.406), but this finding did not survive FDR adjustment (adjusted p = 0.432). Additionally, the occurrence and the coverage of microstate B were negatively correlated with the power of delta band in the stroke group, which did not pass adjustment (p = 0.033, adjusted p = 0.790, r = -0.436; p = 0.026, adjusted p = 0.790, r = -0.454, respectively). Our results confirm the abnormal temporal dynamics of brain activity in stroke patients. The study provides further electrophysiological evidence for understanding the mechanism of brain motor functional reorganization after stroke.

Distribution of calbindin-positive neurons across areas and layers of the marmoset cerebral cortex.

The diversity of the mammalian cerebral cortex demands technical approaches to map the spatial distribution of neurons with different biochemical identities. This issue is magnified in the case of the primate cortex, characterized by a large number of areas with distinctive cytoarchitectures. To date, no full map of the distribution of cells expressing a specific protein has been reported for the cortex of any primate. Here we have charted the 3-dimensional distribution of neurons expressing the calcium-binding protein calbindin (CB+ neurons) across the entire marmoset cortex, using a combination of immunohistochemistry, automated cell identification, computerized reconstruction, and cytoarchitecture-aware registration. CB+ neurons formed a heterogeneous population, which together corresponded to 10-20% of the cortical neurons. They occurred in higher proportions in areas corresponding to low hierarchical levels of processing, such as sensory cortices. Although CB+ neurons were concentrated in the supragranular and granular layers, there were clear global trends in their laminar distribution. For example, their relative density in infragranular layers increased with hierarchical level along sensorimotor processing streams, and their density in layer 4 was lower in areas involved in sensorimotor integration, action planning and motor control. These results reveal new quantitative aspects of the cytoarchitectural organization of the primate cortex, and demonstrate an approach to mapping the full distribution of neurochemically distinct cells throughout the brain which is readily applicable to most other mammalian species.

Reliable measurement of auditory-driven gamma synchrony with a single EEG electrode: A simultaneous EEG-MEG study

ObjectiveAuditory-driven gamma synchrony (GS) is linked to the function of a specific cortical circuit based on a parvalbumin+ and pyramidal neuron loop. This circuit is impaired in neuropsychiatric conditions (i.e. schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, stroke etc.) and its relevance in clinical practice is increasingly being recognized. Auditory stimulation at a typical gamma frequency of 40 Hz can be applied as a ‘stress test’ of excitation/inhibition (E/I) of the entire cerebral cortex, to drive GS and record it with magnetoencephalography (MEG) or high-density electroencephalography (EEG). However, these two techniques are costly and not widely available. Therefore, we assessed whether a single EEG electrode is sufficient to provide an accurate estimate of the auditory-driven GS level of the entire cortical surface while expecting the highest correspondence in the auditory and somatosensory cortices. MethodsWe measured simultaneous EEG-MEG in 29 healthy subjects, utilizing 3 EEG electrodes (C4, F4, O2) and a full MEG setup. Recordings were performed during binaural exposure to auditory gamma stimulation and during silence. We compared GS measurement of each of the three EEG electrodes separately against full MEG mapping. Time-resolved phase locking value (PLVt) was computed between EEG signals and cortex reconstructed MEG signals. ResultsDuring auditory stimulation, but not at rest, EEG captures a significant amount of GS, especially from both auditory cortices and motor-premotor regions. This was especially true for frontal (C4) and central electrodes (F4). Discussion and ConclusionsWhile hd-EEG and MEG are necessary for accurate spatial mapping of GS at rest and during auditory stimulation, a single EEG channel is sufficient to detect the global level of GS. These results have great translational potential for mapping GS in standard clinical settings.

Subtyping drug-free first-episode major depressive disorder based on cortical surface area alterations

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is recognized as a complex and heterogeneous metal illness, characterized by diverse clinical symptoms and variable treatment outcomes. Previous studies have repeatedly reported alterations in brain morphology in MDD, but findings vary across sample characteristics. Whether this neurobiological substrate could stratify MDD into more homogeneous clinical subgroups thus improving personalized medicine remains unknown. MethodsWe included 65 drug-free patients with first-episode MDD and 66 healthy controls (HCs) and collected their structural MRI data. We performed the surface reconstruction and calculated cortical surface area using Freesurfer. The surface area of 34 Gy matter regions in each hemisphere based on the Desikan-Killiany atlas were extracted for each participant and subtyping results were obtained with the Louvain community detection algorithm. The demographic and clinical characteristics were then compared between MDD subgroups. ResultsTwo subgroups defined by distinct patterns of cortical surface area were identified in first-episode MDD. Subgroup 1 exhibited a significant reduction in surface area across nearly the entire cortex compared to subgroup 2 and HCs, whereas subgroup 2 demonstrated increased surface area than HCs. Further, subgroup 1 exhibited a higher proportion of females, and higher severity of anxiety symptoms compared to subgroup 2. LimitationsThe relatively small sample size. ConclusionsThis study identified two neurobiologically subgroups with distinct alterations in cortical surface area among drug-free patients with first-episode MDD. Our results highlight the promise of in delineating morphological heterogeneity within MDD, particularly in relation to the severity of anxiety symptoms.

Structural covariation between cerebellum and neocortex intrinsic structural covariation links cerebellum subregions to the cerebral cortex.

The human cerebellum is increasingly recognized to be involved in nonmotor and higher-order cognitive functions. Yet, its ties with the entire cerebral cortex have not been holistically studied in a whole brain exploration with a unified analytical framework. Here, we characterized dissociable cortical-cerebellar structural covariation patterns based on regional gray matter volume (GMV) across the brain in n = 38,527 UK Biobank participants. Our results invigorate previous observations in that important shares of cortical-cerebellar structural covariation are described as 1) a dissociation between the higher-level cognitive system and lower-level sensorimotor system and 2) an anticorrelation between the visual-attention system and advanced associative networks within the cerebellum. We also discovered a novel pattern of ipsilateral, rather than contralateral, cerebral-cerebellar associations. Furthermore, phenome-wide association assays revealed key phenotypes, including cognitive phenotypes, lifestyle, physical properties, and blood assays, associated with each decomposed covariation pattern, helping to understand their real-world implications. This systems neuroscience view paves the way for future studies to explore the implications of these structural covariations, potentially illuminating new pathways in our understanding of neurological and cognitive disorders.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cerebellum's association with the entire cerebral cortex has not been holistically studied in a unified way. Here, we conjointly characterize the population-level cortical-cerebellar structural covariation patterns leveraging ∼40,000 UK Biobank participants whole brain structural scans and ∼1,000 phenotypes. We revitalize the previous hypothesis of an anticorrelation between the visual-attention system and advanced associative networks within the cerebellum. We also discovered a novel ipsilateral cerebral-cerebellar associations. Phenome-wide association (PheWAS) revealed real-world implications of the structural covariation patterns.

Cortical thickness and childhood eating behaviors: differences according to sex and age, and relevance for eating disorders

PurposeThis study investigated the association between childhood eating behaviors and cortical morphology, in relation to sex and age, in a community sample.MethodsNeuroimaging data of 71 children (mean age = 9.9 ± 1.4 years; 39 boys/32 girls) were obtained from the Nathan Kline Institute-Rockland Sample. Emotional overeating, food fussiness, and emotional undereating were assessed using the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Cortical thickness was obtained at 81,924 vertices covering the entire cortex. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used for statistical analysis.ResultsThere was a significant effect of sex in the association between cortical thickness and emotional overeating (localized at the right postcentral and bilateral superior parietal gyri). Boys with more emotional overeating presented cortical thickening, whereas the opposite was observed in girls (p < 0.05). Different patterns of association were identified between food fussiness and cortical thickness (p < 0.05). The left rostral middle frontal gyrus displayed a positive correlation with food fussiness from 6 to 8 years, but a negative correlation from 12 to 14 years. Emotional undereating was associated with cortical thickening at the left precuneus, left middle temporal gyrus, and left insula (p < 0.05) with no effect of sex or age.ConclusionsLeveraging on a community sample, findings support distinct patterns of associations between eating behaviors and cortical thickness, depending on sex and age.

The Role of 3' Regulatory Region Flanking Kinectin 1 Gene in Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is often associated with volumetric reductions in cortices and expansions in basal ganglia, particularly the putamen. Recent genome-wide association studies have highlighted the significance of variants in the 3' regulatory region adjacent to the kinectin 1 gene (KTN1) in regulating gray matter volume (GMV) of the putamen. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the involvement of this region in schizophrenia. We analyzed 1136 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering the entire 3' regulatory region in 4 independent dbGaP samples (4604 schizophrenia patients vs. 4884 healthy subjects) and 3 independent Psychiatric Genomics Consortium samples (107 240 cases vs. 210 203 controls) to identify consistent associations. Additionally, we examined the regulatory effects of schizophrenia-associated alleles on KTN1 mRNA expression in 16 brain areas among 348 subjects, as well as GMVs of 7 subcortical nuclei in 38 258 subjects, and surface areas (SA) and thickness (TH) of the entire cortex and 34 cortical areas in 36 936 subjects. The major alleles (f > 0.5) of 25 variants increased (β > 0) the risk of schizophrenia across 2 to 5 independent samples (8.4 × 10-4 ≤ P ≤ .049). These schizophrenia-associated alleles significantly elevated (β > 0) GMVs of basal ganglia, including the putamen (6.0 × 10-11 ≤ P ≤ 1.1 × 10-4), caudate (8.7 × 10-4 ≤ P ≤ 9.4 × 10-3), pallidum (P = 6.0 × 10-4), and nucleus accumbens (P = 2.7 × 10-5). Moreover, they potentially augmented (β > 0) the SA of posterior cingulate and insular cortices, as well as the TH of frontal (pars triangularis and medial orbitofrontal), parietal (superior, precuneus, and inferior), and temporal (transverse) cortices, but potentially reduced (β < 0) the SA of the whole, frontal (medial orbitofrontal), and temporal (pole, superior, middle, and entorhinal) cortices, as well as the TH of rostral middle frontal and superior frontal cortices (8.9 × 10-4 ≤ P ≤ .050). Our findings identify significant and functionally relevant risk alleles in the 3' regulatory region adjacent to KTN1, implicating their crucial roles in the development of schizophrenia.

Successful pregnancy using immature oocytes retrieved from resected borderline ovarian tumor: a case report and literature review

BackgroundDespite the recent progress of fertility preservation technique, achievement of pregnancy in women with ovarian tumor is still challenging. Here, we report a case of OTO-IVM (ovarian tissue oocyte in-vitro maturation) resulting in a successful delivery.Case presentationThe patient, a 33-year-old woman with a history of left borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) who underwent left salpingo-oophorectomy three years ago, presented with an enlarged right ovary during infertility treatment, indicating the recurrence of BOT. Because the patient disagreed with curative surgery and normal part-preservation surgery, we eventually performed OTO-IVM. A right salpingo-oophorectomy was first performed. Eight immature oocytes were immediately aspirated not only from visible follicles, but also from entire cortex for invisible follicles, of the removed ovary. In addition, IVM procedure generated six mature oocytes, and were subjected to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Accordingly, three embryos were obtained and cryopreserved. Three months after surgery, hormone replacement therapy was initiated, and a frozen-thawed embryo was transferred, resulting in a successful pregnancy. Although a cesarean section was performed at 36 weeks due to maternal ileus, the baby was delivered without complications.ConclusionsThis report indicates this treatment to be an effective approach for fertility preservation in BOT patients, especially, the importance of collecting oocytes from the entire ovarian cortex was suggested.

The cortical neurophysiological signature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The progressive loss of motor function characteristic of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is associated with widespread cortical pathology extending beyond primary motor regions. Increasing muscle weakness reflects a dynamic, variably compensated brain network disorder. In the quest for biomarkers to accelerate therapeutic assessment, the high temporal resolution of magnetoencephalography is uniquely able to non-invasively capture micro-magnetic fields generated by neuronal activity across the entire cortex simultaneously. This study examined task-free magnetoencephalography to characterize the cortical oscillatory signature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for having potential as a pharmacodynamic biomarker. Eight to ten minutes of magnetoencephalography in the task-free, eyes-open state was recorded in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n = 36) and healthy age-matched controls (n = 51), followed by a structural MRI scan for co-registration. Extracted magnetoencephalography metrics from the delta, theta, alpha, beta, low-gamma, high-gamma frequency bands included oscillatory power (regional activity), 1/f exponent (complexity) and amplitude envelope correlation (connectivity). Groups were compared using a permutation-based general linear model with correction for multiple comparisons and confounders. To test whether the extracted metrics could predict disease severity, a random forest regression model was trained and evaluated using nested leave-one-out cross-validation. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was characterized by reduced sensorimotor beta band and increased high-gamma band power. Within the premotor cortex, increased disability was associated with a reduced 1/f exponent. Increased disability was more widely associated with increased global connectivity in the delta, theta and high-gamma bands. Intra-hemispherically, increased disability scores were particularly associated with increases in temporal connectivity and inter-hemispherically with increases in frontal and occipital connectivity. The random forest model achieved a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.24. The combined reduction in cortical sensorimotor beta and rise in gamma power is compatible with the established hypothesis of loss of inhibitory, GABAergic interneuronal circuits in pathogenesis. A lower 1/f exponent potentially reflects a more excitable cortex and a pathology unique to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis when considered with the findings published in other neurodegenerative disorders. Power and complexity changes corroborate with the results from paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. Increased magnetoencephalography connectivity in worsening disability is thought to represent compensatory responses to a failing motor system. Restoration of cortical beta and gamma band power has significant potential to be tested in an experimental medicine setting. Magnetoencephalography-based measures have potential as sensitive outcome measures of therapeutic benefit in drug trials and may have a wider diagnostic value with further study, including as predictive markers in asymptomatic carriers of disease-causing genetic variants.

Age-related trajectories of the development of social cognition.

Age-related trajectories of intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC), which represent the interconnections between discrete regions of the human brain, for processes related to social cognition (SC) provide evidence for social development through neural imaging and can guide clinical interventions when such development is atypical. However, due to the lack of studies investigating brain development over a wide range of ages, the neural mechanisms of SC remain poorly understood, although considerable behavior-related evidence is available. The present study mapped vortex-wise iFC features between SC networks and the entire cerebral cortex by using common functional networks, creating the corresponding age-related trajectories. Three networks [moral cognition, theory of mind (ToM), and empathy] were selected as representative SC networks. The Enhanced Nathan Kline Institute-Rockland Sample (NKI-RS, N = 316, ages 8-83 years old) was employed delineate iFC characteristics and construct trajectories. The results showed that the SC networks display unique and overlapping iFC profiles. The iFC of the empathy network, an age-sensitive network, with dorsal attention network was found to exhibit a linear increasing pattern, that of the ventral attention network was observed to exhibit a linear decreasing pattern, and that of the somatomotor and dorsal attention networks was noted to exhibit a quadric-concave iFC pattern. Additionally, a sex-specific effect was observed for the empathy network as it exhibits linear and quadric sex-based differences in iFC with the frontoparietal and vision networks, respectively. The iFC of the ToM network with the ventral attention network exhibits a pronounced quadric-convex (inverted U-shape) trajectory. No linear or quadratic trajectories were noted in the iFC of the moral cognition network. These findings indicate that SC networks exhibit iFC with both low-level (somatomotor, vision) and high-level (attention and control) networks along specific developmental trajectories. The age-related trajectories determined in this study advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms of SC, providing valuable references for identification and intervention in cases of development of atypical SC.

Insular cortex involvement in migraine patients with chronic pain: A volumetric radiological and clinical study

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess abnormalities in the insular cortex of individuals suffering from migraines and examine their associations with pain duration, medication usage, and clinical symptoms. MethodsWe analyzed radiological data from 38 migraine patients who had undergone 3D iso T1-weighted brain MRI at our university hospital between 2019 and 2023. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information on participants' age, migraine type, disease duration, clinical symptoms, and medication use. Volumetric analysis was performed on the insular regions using Volbrain and 3DSlicer. The results were statistically analyzed. ResultsComparing groups with chronic pain to normal groups revealed significant differences in several insular regions, including the posterior insula (p = 0.034), parietal operculum (p = 0.04), and the entire insular cortex (p = 0.023). Further group comparisons (Group 1, 2, and 3) showed significant differences in specific insular regions. For instance, the anterior insula (p = 0.032) was associated with taste changes, the posterior insula (p = 0.010) with smell-related changes, and the central operculum (p = 0.046) with sensations of nausea. Additionally, significant changes were observed in the parietal operculum concerning nausea, photophobia, phonophobia, and changes in smell. ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies investigating the relationship between clinical manifestations and volumetric correlation. This study provides insights into abnormalities in the insular cortex among migraine patients and their potential relevance to pain duration, severity, and migraine type. The results suggest that understanding alterations in insular regions possibly linked to pain could contribute to the development of innovative approaches to managing chronic pain.

Cortical volume reductions in men transitioning to first-time fatherhood reflect both parenting engagement and mental health risk.

Perinatal reductions in gray matter volume have been observed in human mothers transitioning to parenthood, with preliminary evidence for similar changes in fathers. These reductions have been theorized to support adaptation to parenting, but greater investigation is needed. We scanned 38 first-time fathers during their partner's pregnancy and again after 6months postpartum, and collected self-report data prenatally and 3, 6, and 12months postpartum. Significant gray matter volume reductions were observed across the entire cortex but not the subcortex. Fathers who reported stronger prenatal bonding with the unborn infant, and planned to take more time off from work after birth, subsequently showed larger cortical volume decreases. Larger reductions in gray matter volume also emerged among fathers who reported stronger postpartum bonding with the infant, lower parenting stress, and more time spent with their infant. Larger volume reductions predicted more postpartum sleep problems and higher levels of postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, controlling for prenatal sleep and mental health. Volume reductions were smaller among fathers whose infants were older at the postpartum scan, indicating potential rebound. These results suggest that perinatal gray matter volume reductions might reflect not only greater parenting engagement but also increased mental health risk in new fathers.

149 Dynamical Network State Sequences for Human Language Production

INTRODUCTION: Speech requires the selection of a conceptual representation, the construction of a word form, and the execution of a complex articulatory plan. Investigating this global system requires high-resolution recordings with an analytic approach to resolve discrete cognitive states. We integrated autoregressive hidden Markov models to resolve trial-by-trial state transition sequences in distributed networks derived from a large-scale electrocorticographic dataset with complete coverage of language-dominant cortex. METHODS: Intracranial electrodes (n = 25810, 134 patients), including both surface grids and stereotactic depths, were implanted for the evaluation of epilepsy. Patients performed picture naming of common objects and underwent systematic cortical stimulation mapping of language function. We used cross-validated autoregressive hidden Markov models – combining the interpretability of multivariate autoregressive analysis with the nonlinear embedding of the switching Markov characteristic – to distinguish cognitive states defined by causal interactional motifs of distributed cortical substrates and to simulate in silico lesions of dynamical network structures. RESULTS: We created a detailed spatiotemporal atlas of word production spanning the entire language-dominant cortex. From this map, we resolved network dynamics comprising sequences of state space transitions for each word articulated. This identified five essential states for speech production, each defined by a unique pattern of directed interactions within the language network. We then derived a computational lesion model for state dynamics and compared its predictions with causal perturbation by direct cortical stimulation. We assembled a global dynamical state model for language production and resolved the fine-scale interregional dynamics of conceptualization and lexical access. CONCLUSIONS: The distributed network dynamics detailed within this comprehensive interactional map of speech production advance our understanding of how both local and disconnection injuries yield complex neurological deficits, facilitating the development of novel therapeutic approaches for aphasia.