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Brain Sciences
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Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood
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Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 17106

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ardalan Aarabi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neuroscience & Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of Picardie-Jules Verne, Amiens, France
Interests: brain imaging; computational modelling of brain dynamics; functional and structural connectivity analysis of brain networks; epilepsy; ADHD; stroke; Alzheimers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the past decade, neuroimaging studies have shifted from examining individual brain regions towards examining the whole brain as an integrative complex network of functionally segregated regions linked together to give rise to coherent perception, cognition and action. Analysis of the human connectome has gained special interests among neuroscientists studying brain network function and development. In a wide variety of neurological and neuropsychological disorders, network disruption has been shown to better provide deeper insights into the topological patterns underlying neurocognitive dysfunctions. This special issue aims at presenting the latest findings on brain functions, structure and cognition with a particular emphasis on functional and structural connectivity in neurodevelopmental and aging groups.

Submissions are welcome for our upcoming special issue on “Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood” aiming at offering the scientific community a unique opportunity to gain better insights into the cross link between the results of neuroimaging and brain network analyses in typically developping childrean and healthy aging subjects as well as in a variety of neurological/neuropsychological disorders. This special issue will accept original researchs, methods, short reports and review papers that are not substantially similar to works published elsewhere. All articles will be peer-reviewed to international journal standard.

Our topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

  • Invasive/non-invasive brain imaging;
  • Clinico-anatomical correlation studies;
  • Multimodal imaging;
  • Task-based/resting state functional connectivity (EEG, MEG, fMRI, fNIRS);
  • Structural connectivity (DWI);
  • Multimodal/multiscale brain connectivity analysis;
  • Data-driven and model based brain connectivity analysis;
  • Application of machine learning to structural and functional connectome mapping.

Study populations (but are not limited to):

  • Typically developing children and healthy aging populations;
  • Patients with neurological/neuropsylogical diorders such as epilepsy, stroke and Alzheimers;
  • Children with neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD and Autism.

Dr. Ardalan Aarabi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Brain Imaging
  • Brain Network Analysis
  • Neurological and Neuropsychological Disorders
  • Neurodevelopment and Aging Brain
  • Task-Based
  • Resting-State
  • Cognitive Performance

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 157 KiB  
Editorial
Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adolescence
by Ardalan Aarabi
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(3), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030395 - 15 Mar 2022
Viewed by 1628
Abstract
The human brain as a complex dynamic system undergoes significant structural and functional changes from birth to adulthood to engender neurocognitive functions [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 2109 KiB  
Article
Regional Topological Aberrances of White Matter- and Gray Matter-Based Functional Networks for Attention Processing May Foster Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Attention Deficits in Adults
by Ziyan Wu, Meng Cao, Xin Di, Kai Wu, Yu Gao and Xiaobo Li
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12010016 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2633
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent in adults. TBI-related functional brain alterations have been linked with common post-TBI neurobehavioral sequelae, with unknown neural substrates. This study examined the systems-level functional brain alterations in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) for visual [...] Read more.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent in adults. TBI-related functional brain alterations have been linked with common post-TBI neurobehavioral sequelae, with unknown neural substrates. This study examined the systems-level functional brain alterations in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) for visual sustained-attention processing, and their interactions and contributions to post-TBI attention deficits. Task-based functional MRI data were collected from 42 adults with TBI and 43 group-matched normal controls (NCs), and analyzed using the graph theoretic technique. Global and nodal topological properties were calculated and compared between the two groups. Correlation analyses were conducted between the neuroimaging measures that showed significant between-group differences and the behavioral symptom measures in attention domain in the groups of TBI and NCs, respectively. Significantly altered nodal efficiencies and/or degrees in several WM and GM nodes were reported in the TBI group, including the posterior corona radiata (PCR), posterior thalamic radiation (PTR), postcentral gyrus (PoG), and superior temporal sulcus (STS). Subjects with TBI also demonstrated abnormal systems-level functional synchronization between the PTR and STS in the right hemisphere, hypo-interaction between the PCR and PoG in the left hemisphere, as well as the involvement of systems-level functional aberrances in the PCR in TBI-related behavioral impairments in the attention domain. The findings of the current study suggest that TBI-related systems-level functional alterations associated with these two major-association WM tracts, and their anatomically connected GM regions may play critical role in TBI-related behavioral deficits in attention domains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood)
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16 pages, 2382 KiB  
Article
Abnormal Functional Network Topology and Its Dynamics during Sustained Attention Processing Significantly Implicate Post-TBI Attention Deficits in Children
by Meng Cao, Jeffery M. Halperin and Xiaobo Li
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(10), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11101348 - 13 Oct 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1942
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent in children. Attention deficits are among the most common and persistent post-TBI cognitive and behavioral sequalae that can contribute to adverse outcomes. This study investigated the topological properties of the functional brain network for sustained attention [...] Read more.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent in children. Attention deficits are among the most common and persistent post-TBI cognitive and behavioral sequalae that can contribute to adverse outcomes. This study investigated the topological properties of the functional brain network for sustained attention processing and their dynamics in 42 children with severe post-TBI attention deficits (TBI-A) and 47 matched healthy controls. Functional MRI data during a block-designed sustained attention task was collected for each subject, with each full task block further divided into the pre-, early, late-, and post-stimulation stages. The task-related functional brain network was constructed using the graph theoretic technique. Then, the sliding-window-based method was utilized to assess the dynamics of the topological properties in each stimulation stage. Relative to the controls, the TBI-A group had significantly reduced nodal efficiency and/or degree of left postcentral, inferior parietal, inferior temporal, and fusiform gyri and their decreased stability during the early and late-stimulation stages. The left postcentral inferior parietal network anomalies were found to be significantly associated with elevated inattentive symptoms in children with TBI-A. These results suggest that abnormal functional network characteristics and their dynamics associated with the left parietal lobe may significantly link to the onset of the severe post-TBI attention deficits in children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood)
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20 pages, 2270 KiB  
Article
Functional Hyperconnectivity during a Stories Listening Task in Magnetoencephalography Is Associated with Language Gains for Children Born Extremely Preterm
by Maria E. Barnes-Davis, Hisako Fujiwara, Georgina Drury, Stephanie L. Merhar, Nehal A. Parikh and Darren S. Kadis
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(10), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11101271 - 26 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1967
Abstract
Extreme prematurity (EPT, <28 weeks gestation) is associated with language problems. We previously reported hyperconnectivity in EPT children versus term children (TC) using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Here, we aim to ascertain whether functional hyperconnectivity is a marker of language resiliency for EPT children, validating [...] Read more.
Extreme prematurity (EPT, <28 weeks gestation) is associated with language problems. We previously reported hyperconnectivity in EPT children versus term children (TC) using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Here, we aim to ascertain whether functional hyperconnectivity is a marker of language resiliency for EPT children, validating our earlier work with a distinct sample of contemporary well-performing EPT and preterm children with history of language delay (EPT-HLD). A total of 58 children (17 EPT, 9 EPT-HLD, and 32 TC) participated in stories listening during MEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 4–6 years. We compared connectivity in EPT and EPT-HLD, investigating relationships with language over time. We measured fMRI activation during stories listening and parcellated the activation map to obtain “nodes” for MEG connectivity analysis. There were no significant group differences in age, sex, race, ethnicity, parental education, income, language scores, or language representation on fMRI. MEG functional connectivity (weighted phase lag index) was significantly different between groups. Preterm children had increased connectivity, replicating our earlier work. EPT and EPT-HLD had hyperconnectivity versus TC at 24–26 Hz, with EPT-HLD exhibiting greatest connectivity. Network strength correlated with change in standardized scores from 2 years to 4–6 years of age, suggesting hyperconnectivity is a marker of advancing language development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood)
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12 pages, 1155 KiB  
Article
Weaker Connectivity of the Cortical Networks Is Linked with the Uncharacteristic Gait in Youth with Cerebral Palsy
by Gaelle E. Doucet, Sarah Baker, Tony W. Wilson and Max J. Kurz
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(8), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081065 - 13 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2223
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent pediatric neurologic impairment and is associated with major mobility deficiencies. This has led to extensive investigations of the sensorimotor network, with far less research focusing on other major networks. The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent pediatric neurologic impairment and is associated with major mobility deficiencies. This has led to extensive investigations of the sensorimotor network, with far less research focusing on other major networks. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional connectivity (FC) of the main sensory networks (i.e., visual and auditory) and the sensorimotor network, and to link FC to the gait biomechanics of youth with CP. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we first identified the sensorimotor, visual and auditory networks in youth with CP and neurotypical controls. Our analysis revealed reduced FC among the networks in the youth with CP relative to the controls. Notably, the visual network showed lower FC with both the sensorimotor and auditory networks. Furthermore, higher FC between the visual and sensorimotor cortices was associated with larger step length (r = 0.74, pFDR = 0.04) in youth with CP. These results confirm that CP is associated with functional brain abnormalities beyond the sensorimotor network, suggesting abnormal functional integration of the brain’s motor and primary sensory systems. The significant association between abnormal visuo-motor FC and gait could indicate a link with visuomotor disorders in this patient population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood)
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20 pages, 6973 KiB  
Article
Disrupted Functional Rich-Club Organization of the Brain Networks in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, a Resting-State EEG Study
by Maliheh Ahmadi, Kamran Kazemi, Katarzyna Kuc, Anita Cybulska-Klosowicz, Mohammad Sadegh Helfroush and Ardalan Aarabi
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(7), 938; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11070938 - 16 Jul 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3156
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that disruptions in the brain’s functional connectivity play an important role in the pathophysiology of ADHD. The present study investigates alterations in resting-state EEG source connectivity and rich-club organization in children with inattentive (ADHDI) and combined (ADHDC [...] Read more.
Growing evidence indicates that disruptions in the brain’s functional connectivity play an important role in the pathophysiology of ADHD. The present study investigates alterations in resting-state EEG source connectivity and rich-club organization in children with inattentive (ADHDI) and combined (ADHDC) ADHD compared with typically developing children (TD) under the eyes-closed condition. EEG source analysis was performed by eLORETA in different frequency bands. The lagged phase synchronization (LPS) and graph theoretical metrics were then used to examine group differences in the topological properties and rich-club organization of functional networks. Compared with the TD children, the ADHDI children were characterized by a widespread significant decrease in delta and beta LPS, as well as increased theta and alpha LPS in the left frontal and right occipital regions. The ADHDC children displayed significant increases in LPS in the central, temporal and posterior areas. Both ADHD groups showed small-worldness properties with significant increases and decreases in the network degree in the θ and β bands, respectively. Both subtypes also displayed reduced levels of network segregation. Group differences in rich-club distribution were found in the central and posterior areas. Our findings suggest that resting-state EEG source connectivity analysis can better characterize alterations in the rich-club organization of functional brain networks in ADHD patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood)
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19 pages, 3977 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Functional Network Connectivity Changes Associated with fMRI Neurofeedback of Right Premotor Cortex
by Zhiying Long, Zhaoxi Guo, Zhitao Guo, Hang Zhang and Li Yao
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(5), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11050582 - 30 Apr 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2450
Abstract
Neurofeedback of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) can enable people to self-regulate motor-related brain regions and lead to alteration of motor performance and functional connectivity (FC) underlying motor execution tasks. Numerous studies suggest that FCs dynamically fluctuate over time. However, little is [...] Read more.
Neurofeedback of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) can enable people to self-regulate motor-related brain regions and lead to alteration of motor performance and functional connectivity (FC) underlying motor execution tasks. Numerous studies suggest that FCs dynamically fluctuate over time. However, little is known about the impact of neurofeedback training of the motor-related region on the dynamic characteristics of FC underlying motor execution tasks. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of self-regulation of the right premotor area (PMA) on the underlying dynamic functional network connectivity (DFNC) of motor execution (ME) tasks and reveal the relationship between DFNC, training effect, and motor performance. The results indicate that the experimental group spent less time on state 2, with overall weak connections, and more time on state 6, having strong positive connections between motor-related networks than the control group after the training. For the experimental group’s state 2, the mean dwell time after the training showed negative correlation with the tapping frequency and the amount of upregulation of PMA. The findings show that rtfMRI neurofeedback can change the temporal properties of DFNC, and the DFNC changes in state with overall weak connections were associated with the training effect and the improvement in motor performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Dynamics and Connectivity from Birth through Adulthood)
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