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Measuring macroscopic brain connections in vivo
Saad Jbabdi1, Stamatios N Sotiropoulos1, Suzanne N Haber2
1Oxford Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain (FMRIB), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Nature Neuroscience
|October 28, 2015
Summary
Brain imaging in humans aims to map white matter connections like animal studies. Despite challenges in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), these in vivo techniques offer unique insights into brain connectivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Anatomy
Background:
- Classical neuroanatomy in animals reveals complex brain white matter organization.
- In vivo imaging techniques aim to replicate this detail in humans.
- Current human imaging methods face sensitivity and fidelity limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges and potential of in vivo human brain imaging for connectomics.
- To compare in vivo imaging findings with classical neuroanatomical data from animal models.
- To highlight the unique information provided by current in vivo imaging methods.
Main Methods:
- Focus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.
- Analysis of in vivo human connectomics data.
- Comparison with established neuroanatomical data from non-human animals.
Main Results:
- In vivo imaging faces technical challenges impacting sensitivity and fidelity.
- Interpreting human connectomics data requires careful consideration of animal neuroanatomy.
- Despite limitations, in vivo imaging provides valuable, otherwise unobtainable, connectional information.
Conclusions:
- In vivo human brain imaging, particularly MRI, is advancing connectomics research.
- Bridging the gap between animal neuroanatomy and human imaging is crucial.
- Current in vivo imaging methods are powerful tools for understanding human brain connectivity.
