medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 26, 2023
Abstract
Clinical
trials
of
pharmacological
approaches
targeting
the
core
features
autism
have
failed.
This
is
despite
evidence
from
preclinical
studies,
genetics,
post-mortem
studies
and
correlational
analyses
linking
peripheral
central
markers
multiple
candidate
neurochemical
systems
to
brain
function
in
autism.
Whilst
this
has
part
been
explained
by
heterogeneity
autistic
population,
field
largely
relied
upon
association
link
chemistry
function.
The
only
way
directly
establish
that
a
neurotransmitter
or
neuromodulator
involved
change
it
observe
shift
experimental
approach
dominates
neuroscience,
but
not
human
studies.
There
very
little
direct
describing
how
modulate
information
processing
living
brain.
As
result,
our
understanding
differences
contribute
neurodiversity
limited
impedes
ability
translate
findings
animal
into
humans.
Here,
we
begin
introducing
“shiftability”
paradigm,
an
bridge
translational
gap
research.
We
then
provide
overview
methodologies
used
explain
most
recent
choice
psilocybin
as
probe
serotonin
system
vivo
.
Finally,
summary
protocol
for
‘PSILAUT’,
exemplar
study
which
uses
test
hypothesis
functions
differently
non-autistic
adults.
Journal of Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
42(3), P. 377 - 389
Published: Nov. 17, 2021
The
functional
connectome
fingerprint
is
a
cluster
of
individualized
brain
connectivity
patterns
that
are
capable
distinguishing
one
individual
from
others.
Although
its
existence
has
been
demonstrated
in
adolescents
and
adults,
whether
such
exist
during
infancy
barely
investigated
despite
importance
identifying
the
origin
intrinsic
potentially
mirror
distinct
behavioral
phenotypes.
To
fill
this
knowledge
gap,
capitalizing
on
longitudinal
high-resolution
structural
resting-state
MRI
dataset
with
104
human
infants
(53
females)
806
scans
(age,
16–876
d)
infant-specific
parcellation
maps,
we
observe
may
since
keeps
stable
over
months
early
development.
Specifically,
achieve
an
∼78%
identification
rate
by
using
∼5%
selected
connections,
compared
best
60%
without
connection
selection.
frontoparietal
networks
recognized
as
most
contributive
adult
fingerprinting
retain
their
superiority
being
widely
acknowledged
rapidly
developing
systems
childhood.
stability
further
validated
adjacent
age
groups.
Moreover,
show
infant
can
reach
similar
accuracy
predicting
learning
composite
scores
whole-brain
connectome,
again
resembling
observations
adults
highlighting
relevance
to
cognitive
performance.
For
first
time,
these
results
suggest
each
unique
marker
SIGNIFICANCE
STATEMENT
Functional
featuring
rapid
development
remains
almost
uninvestigated
even
though
it
essential
for
understanding
individual-level
pattern
organization
relationship
With
infant-tailored
selection
validation
strategy,
strive
provide
delineation
examining
existence,
stability,
We
2
years.
identified
key
connections
also
verified
be
highly
predictive
score
prediction,
which
reveals
association
between
NeuroImage,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
295, P. 120660 - 120660
Published: May 28, 2024
The
topological
organization
of
the
macroscopic
cortical
networks
are
important
for
development
complex
brain
functions.
However,
how
morphometric
develops
during
third
trimester
and
whether
it
demonstrates
sexual
individual
differences
at
this
particular
stage
remain
unclear.
Here,
we
constructed
similarity
network
(MSN)
based
on
morphological
microstructural
features
derived
from
multimodal
MRI
two
independent
cohorts
(cross-sectional
longitudinal)
scanned
30-44
postmenstrual
weeks
(PMW).
Sex
difference
inter-individual
variations
MSN
were
also
examined
these
cohorts.
cross-sectional
analysis
revealed
that
both
integration
segregation
changed
in
a
nonlinear
biphasic
trajectory,
which
was
supported
by
results
obtained
longitudinal
analysis.
community
structure
showed
remarkable
consistency
between
bilateral
hemispheres
maintained
stability
across
PMWs.
Connectivity
within
primary
cortex
strengthened
faster
than
high-order
communities.
Compared
to
females,
male
neonates
significant
reduction
participation
coefficient
prefrontal
parietal
cortices,
while
their
overall
architecture
remained
comparable.
Furthermore,
using
as
features,
achieved
over
65%
accuracy
identifying
an
term-equivalent
age
images
acquired
after
birth,
vice
versa.
These
findings
provide
comprehensive
insights
into
throughout
perinatal
cortex,
enhancing
our
understanding
establishment
neuroanatomical
early
life.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: Sept. 19, 2023
Abstract
White
matter
connectivity
supports
diverse
cognitive
demands
by
efficiently
constraining
dynamic
brain
activity.
This
efficiency
can
be
inferred
from
network
controllability,
which
represents
the
ease
with
moves
between
distinct
mental
states
based
on
white
connectivity.
However,
it
remains
unclear
how
networks
support
functions
at
birth,
a
time
of
rapid
changes
in
Here,
we
investigate
development
controllability
during
perinatal
period
and
effect
preterm
birth
521
neonates.
We
provide
evidence
that
elements
are
exhibited
infant’s
as
early
third
trimester
develop
rapidly
across
period.
Preterm
disrupts
altered
energy
required
to
drive
state
transitions
different
levels.
In
addition,
is
associated
ability
18
months.
Our
results
suggest
develops
but
could
environmental
impacts
like
birth.
PLoS Computational Biology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
21(1), P. e1012743 - e1012743
Published: Jan. 21, 2025
Neurodegenerative
diseases
are
a
group
of
disorders
characterized
by
progressive
degeneration
or
death
neurons.
The
complexity
clinical
symptoms
and
irreversibility
disease
progression
significantly
affects
individual
lives,
leading
to
premature
mortality.
prevalence
neurodegenerative
keeps
increasing,
yet
the
specific
pathogenic
mechanisms
remain
incompletely
understood
effective
treatment
strategies
lacking.
In
recent
years,
convergent
experimental
evidence
supports
“prion-like
transmission”
assumption
that
abnormal
proteins
induce
misfolding
normal
proteins,
these
misfolded
propagate
throughout
neural
networks
cause
neuronal
death.
To
elucidate
this
dynamic
process
in
vivo
from
computational
perspective,
researchers
have
proposed
three
connectome-based
biophysical
models
simulate
spread
pathological
proteins:
Network
Diffusion
Model,
Epidemic
Spreading
agent-based
Susceptible-Infectious-Removed
model.
These
demonstrated
promising
predictive
capabilities.
This
review
focuses
on
explanations
their
fundamental
principles
applications.
Then,
we
compare
strengths
weaknesses
models.
Building
upon
foundation,
introduce
new
directions
for
model
optimization
propose
unified
framework
evaluation
We
expect
could
lower
entry
barrier
field,
accelerate
optimization,
thereby
advance
translation
Human Brain Mapping,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
46(5)
Published: March 18, 2025
Functional
networks
characterized
by
coherent
neural
activity
across
distributed
brain
regions
have
been
observed
to
emerge
early
in
neurodevelopment.
Synchronized
maturation
that
relate
functional
connectivity
(FC)
could
be
partially
reflected
the
developmental
changes
underlying
microstructure.
Nevertheless,
covariation
of
regional
microstructural
properties,
termed
"microstructural
connectivity"
(MC),
and
its
relationship
emergence
specialization
during
neurodevelopmental
period
remain
poorly
understood.
We
investigated
evolution
MC
FC
postnatally
a
set
cortical
subcortical
regions,
focusing
on
45
preterm
infants
scanned
longitudinally,
compared
matched
full-term
neonates
as
part
developing
Human
Connectome
Project
(dHCP)
using
direct
comparisons
grey-matter
strengths
well
network-based
analyses.
Our
findings
revealed
global
strengthening
both
with
age,
connection-specific
variability
influenced
connection
maturational
stage.
Prematurity
at
term-equivalent
age
was
associated
significant
disruptions,
particularly
FC.
During
period,
strength
showed
positive
linear
relationship,
which
seemed
weaken
development.
On
other
hand,
overlaps
between
MC-
FC-derived
(estimated
Mutual
Information)
increased
suggesting
potential
convergence
towards
shared
network
structure
may
support
co-evolution
systems.
study
offers
novel
insights
into
dynamic
interplay
development
highlights
complementary
descriptor
for
characterizing
alterations
due
perinatal
insults
such
premature
birth.
Recent
advances
in
functional
magnetic
resonance
imaging
(fMRI)
have
helped
elucidate
previously
inaccessible
trajectories
of
early-life
prenatal
and
neonatal
brain
development.
To
date,
the
interpretation
fetal–neonatal
fMRI
data
has
relied
on
linear
analytic
models,
akin
to
adult
neuroimaging
data.
However,
unlike
brain,
fetal
newborn
develops
extraordinarily
rapidly,
far
outpacing
any
other
development
period
across
life
span.
Consequently,
conventional
computational
models
may
not
adequately
capture
these
accelerated
complex
neurodevelopmental
during
this
critical
along
prenatal-neonatal
continuum.
obtain
a
nuanced
understanding
development,
including
nonlinear
growth,
for
first
time,
we
developed
quantitative,
systems-wide
representations
activity
large
sample
(>500)
fetuses,
preterm,
full-term
neonates
using
an
unsupervised
deep
generative
model
called
variational
autoencoder
(VAE),
shown
be
superior
representing
resting-state
healthy
adults.
Here,
demonstrated
that
features,
is,
latent
variables,
derived
with
VAE
pretrained
rsfMRI
human
adults,
carried
important
individual
neural
signatures,
leading
improved
representation
maturational
patterns
more
accurate
stable
age
prediction
neonate
cohort
compared
models.
Using
decoder,
also
revealed
distinct
networks
spanning
sensory
default
mode
networks.
VAE,
are
able
reliably
quantify
complex,
connectivity.
This
will
lay
foundation
detailed
mapping
aberrant
signatures
their
origins
life.
NeuroImage,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
299, P. 120806 - 120806
Published: Aug. 23, 2024
Recent
studies
indicate
that
differences
in
cognition
among
individuals
may
be
partially
attributed
to
unique
brain
wiring
patterns.
While
functional
connectivity
(FC)-based
fingerprinting
has
demonstrated
high
accuracy
identifying
adults,
early
on
neonates
suggest
individualized
FC
signatures
are
absent.
We
posit
individual
uniqueness
is
present
neonatal
data
and
conventional
linear
models
fail
capture
the
rapid
developmental
trajectories
characteristic
of
newborn
brains.
To
explore
this
hypothesis,
we
employed
a
deep
generative
model,
known
as
variational
autoencoder
(VAE),
leveraging
two
extensive
public
datasets:
one
comprising
resting-state
MRI
(rs-fMRI)
scans
from
100
adults
other
464
neonates.
VAE
trained
rs-fMRI
both
newborns
produced
superior
age
prediction
performance
(with
r
between
predicted-
actual
∼
0.7)
identification
(∼45
%)
compared
solely
adult
or
data.
The
model
also
showed
significantly
higher
than
(=10∼30
%).
Importantly,
differentiated
connections
reflecting
age-related
changes
those
indicative
uniqueness,
distinction
not
possible
with
models.
Moreover,
derived
20
latent
variables,
each
corresponding
distinct
patterns
cortical
network
(CFNs).
These
CFNs
varied
their
representation
maturation
signatures;
notably,
certain
failed
neurodevelopmental
traits,
fact,
exhibited
signatures.
associated
neurodevelopment
predominantly
encompassed
unimodal
regions
such
visual
sensorimotor
areas,
whereas
linked
spanned
multimodal
transmodal
regions.
VAE's
capacity
extract
features
beyond
capabilities
positions
it
valuable
tool
for
delineating
cognitive
traits
inherent
exploring
imaging
phenotypes.