Connectomics in Brain Malformations: How Is the Malformed Brain Wired?
Avner Meoded1, Thierry A G M Huisman2
1Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, 501 Sixth Avenue South, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA.
Neuroimaging Clinics of North America
|July 2, 2019
Summary
Connectomics, the analysis of brain structure, offers new ways to understand brain networks. This approach can identify abnormalities in brain development and serve as biomarkers for diagnosing and treating pediatric conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Biomarkers
Background:
- The structural connectome maps macroscale white matter connectivity in the human brain.
- Connectomics analyzes brain networks, offering insights into organization and potential abnormalities.
- Aberrant networks are implicated in congenital brain malformations, particularly axonal pathfinding disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of connectomics in studying pediatric brain malformations.
- To discuss the principles and applications of pediatric structural connectome reconstruction and visualization.
- To highlight connectomics' role in developing noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in children.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques for connectome reconstruction.
- Employing advanced postprocessing methods for pediatric connectome analysis.
- Applying network measures derived from connectomics.
Main Results:
- Connectomics provides a powerful framework for analyzing brain network organization.
- Structural connectome analysis can reveal aberrant networks in pediatric brain malformations.
- Network measures show promise as noninvasive biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Connectomics offers a novel dimension in neuroimaging for pediatric research.
- It has significant potential for diagnosing, prognosing, and monitoring treatment response in children with brain malformations.
- Further application of connectomics can advance the study of complex brain disorders.
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