NeuroMeasure: A Software Package for Quantification of Cortical Motor Maps Using Frameless Stereotaxic Transcranial
Michael B Gerber1, Alasdair C McLean1, Samuel J Stephen1
1Biomedical Engineering Department, The City College of New York, New York, NY, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroinformatics
|May 21, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed NeuroMeasure, an open-source software for analyzing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor cortex maps. This tool enhances the quantification and comparison of motor evoked potential (MEP) data for brain plasticity studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Sophistication in MRI-guided Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for motor cortex mapping has outpaced methods for analyzing motor evoked potential (MEP) data.
- Understanding cortical reorganization in skill learning and motor recovery after injury is crucial but hindered by variable mapping techniques.
- A lack of readily available software for TMS-MEP map quantification and comparison limits research progress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce NeuroMeasure, an open-source software application designed for analyzing TMS motor cortex mapping data.
- To provide researchers and clinicians with an advanced, user-friendly tool for quantifying and comparing motor maps.
- To facilitate the study of brain plasticity in both healthy individuals and those with neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Developed NeuroMeasure, an interactive software application compatible with Nexstim® and BrainSight® neuronavigation platforms.
- Implemented key innovations: de-dimensionalization of mapping data, predictive model fitting, map characterization reporting, and inter-dataset comparison.
- Created a comprehensive workflow for analyzing TMS-MEP data from human motor cortex mapping.
Main Results:
- NeuroMeasure offers an improved workflow for characterizing and comparing motor maps derived from neuronavigated TMS.
- The software enables quantitative analysis of motor cortex maps, advancing the field beyond current capabilities.
- Provides a freely available resource to standardize and enhance TMS-MEP data analysis.
Conclusions:
- NeuroMeasure addresses the need for standardized, advanced software in TMS motor cortex mapping.
- The application facilitates deeper insights into brain plasticity by improving the analysis of motor maps.
- This open-source tool is expected to benefit scientists and clinicians studying motor control and recovery.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Motor Unit Stimulation
3.6K
When the neuron of a motor unit fires an action potential, it triggers a series of events, leading to a twitch contraction in the muscle fibers. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is crucial in relaying the action potential to the muscle fibers.
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
3.6K
00:58DNA Packaging
112.2K
Overview
112.2K
01:32Chromatin Packaging
19.0K
Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base pairs of DNA. Each base pair is 0.34 nm long, meaning each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. This long DNA strand is packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10-20 microns in diameter with the help of specialized DNA-binding proteins called histones. Together they form a compact DNA-protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin is further compacted into higher-order structures. The highest level of compaction is achieved during...
19.0K
02:21Chromatin Packaging
21.9K
Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter?
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order...
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order...
21.9K
02:21Chromatin Packaging
9.6K
9.6K
03:02Colors and Magnetism
14.0K
Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
14.0K