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Life
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New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions
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New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Radiobiology and Nuclear Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 27985

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ming-Chang Chiang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Science, College of Science and Engineering, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan
Interests: neuroscience; translation brain science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chiahui Yen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of International Business, Ming Chuan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Interests: social network; neuromarketing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few decades, neuroimaging has become a powerful tool for studying brain function in basic and clinical research. The ever-changing technologies for brain activity detection and simulation make it possible to study the brain mechanisms of human mental activities. Developing and applying various detection methods can enable researchers to explore brain structure and function, to build understanding of normal mental functioning and neurological diseases. Neurological disease research covers the nervous system's development, functioning, and pathology. Neurological disease encompasses some of the most concerning conditions brought about by aging, dementia, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, depression, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse, and sleep medicine. Brain imaging research enables social neuroscience and neuromarketing related to humanities and social sciences to combine with brain science to explore human behavior. In addition, it enables the development of artificial intelligence for automatic analysis and interpretation of medical images for brain imaging.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of original research articles or review papers on new advances in neuroimaging and brain function in neurological disease research, humanities, and social sciences. We welcome research on the following three aspects: (1) EEG, MRI, and MEG to observe brain activity changes, supplemented by other noninvasive methods including eye-tracking, NIRS, and face readers to analyze human responses; (2) various tools for brain dysfunction and rehabilitation, including new treatments for noninvasive methods, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial electrical stimulation, and focused ultrasound; (3) development of AI deep learning in image recognition and neural signals to evaluate brain structure, connectivity, and neural network function.

Dr. Ming-Chang Chiang
Dr. Chiahui Yen
Guest Editors

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. Life 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 2600 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

  • neuroimaging
  • brain functions
  • neurological diseases
  • humanities and social sciences
  • noninvasive methods
  • AI deep learning

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3939 KiB  
Article
Effects of Near-Infrared Pulsed Light on the Attention of Human Beings Using Electroencephalography
by Jih-Huah Wu, Chia-Yen Yang, Yang-Chyuan Chang and Yi-Chia Shan
Life 2023, 13(7), 1490; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13071490 - 30 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1242
Abstract
In our previous studies, photobiomodulation (PBM) stimulation can induce significant brain activation in normal subjects. In an open-eye study, the PBM stimulation was able to increase the power of alpha rhythms and theta waves, as well as decrease the beta activities after PBM [...] Read more.
In our previous studies, photobiomodulation (PBM) stimulation can induce significant brain activation in normal subjects. In an open-eye study, the PBM stimulation was able to increase the power of alpha rhythms and theta waves, as well as decrease the beta activities after PBM stimulation. However, in the closed eyes study, the alpha rhythms in the laser group were reduced. This means the PBM stimulation can induce specific brainwaves under different conditions. Thus, to investigate the effects of PBM stimulation on human’s attention, forty students were recruited in this single-blind randomized trial. A PBM stimulator, with seven pcs laser diodes (LDs), frequency 10 Hz, 30 mW/each LD, and wavelength 830 nm, was used to radiate the palm of the subject. PBM stimulation was found to induce significant variation in beta activity in most of the regions of the brain in the laser group. Compared to the placebo group, the PBM stimulation has a significant change in beta activity on electroencephalography (EEG). Three types of tests, the random number test, the Stroop color-word test, and the Multiple-Dimension Attention Test (MDAT), were used to evaluate the effects of the PBM stimulation. The scores of MDAT in the laser group increased more significantly than those in the placebo group after PBM stimulation (p < 0.01). An improvement in attention was observed in this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions)
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12 pages, 1409 KiB  
Article
Quantitative Evaluation of Oxygen Extraction Fraction Changes in the Monkey Brain during Acute Stroke by Using Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping
by Yuguang Meng, Chun-Xia Li and Xiaodong Zhang
Life 2023, 13(4), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13041008 - 13 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1751
Abstract
Background: The oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) indicates the brain’s oxygen consumption and can be estimated by using the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) MRI technique. Recent studies have suggested that OEF alteration following stroke is associated with the viability of at-risk tissue. In the [...] Read more.
Background: The oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) indicates the brain’s oxygen consumption and can be estimated by using the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) MRI technique. Recent studies have suggested that OEF alteration following stroke is associated with the viability of at-risk tissue. In the present study, the temporal evolution of OEF in the monkey brain during acute stroke was investigated using QSM. Methods: Ischemic stroke was induced in adult rhesus monkeys (n = 8) with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) by using an interventional approach. Diffusion-, T2-, and T2*-weighted images were conducted on day 0, day 2, and day 4 post-stroke using a clinical 3T scanner. Progressive changes in magnetic susceptibility and OEF, along with their correlations with the transverse relaxation rates and diffusion indices, were examined. Results: The magnetic susceptibility and OEF in injured gray matter of the brain significantly increased during the hyperacute phase, and then decreased significantly on day 2 and day 4. Moreover, the temporal changes of OEF in gray matter were moderately correlated with mean diffusivity (MD) (r = 0.52; p = 0.046) from day 0 to day 4. Magnetic susceptibility in white matter progressively increased (from negative values to near zero) during acute stroke, and significant increases were seen on day 2 (p = 0.08) and day 4 (p = 0.003) when white matter was significantly degenerated. However, significant reduction of OEF in white matter was not seen until day 4 post-stroke. Conclusion: The preliminary results demonstrate that QSM-derived OEF is a robust approach to examine the progressive changes of gray matter in the ischemic brain from the hyperacute phase to the subacute phase of stroke. The changes of OEF in gray matter were more prominent than those in white matter following stroke insult. The findings suggest that QSM-derived OEF may provide complementary information for understanding the neuropathology of the brain tissue following stroke and predicting stroke outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions)
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11 pages, 1434 KiB  
Article
Altered Language-Related Effective Connectivity in Patients with Benign Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes
by Fei Yang, Juan Tan, Yue Huang, Ruhui Xiao, Xiaoming Wang and Yanbing Han
Life 2023, 13(2), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020590 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1431
Abstract
Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is one of the most common childhood epilepsy syndromes and may be associated with language deficits. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected from a total of 78 children: 52 patients with BECTS (28 [...] Read more.
Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is one of the most common childhood epilepsy syndromes and may be associated with language deficits. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected from a total of 78 children: 52 patients with BECTS (28 drug-naïve and 24 medicated) and 26 healthy controls (HC). Granger causality analysis (GCA) was used to investigate alterations in effective connectivity (EC) between the language network core node (Broca’s area) and the whole brain. EC from Broca’s area to the left Heschl’s gyrus (HG), right putamen, and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was significantly increased, while EC from the bilateral putamen and left ACC to Broca’s area was significantly decreased in BECTS. Moreover, altered EC of Broca’s area to the right putamen was significantly positively correlated with verbal IQ (VIQ), while altered EC of Broca’s area to the ACC showed significantly negative correlations with the frequency of seizures. Altered EC from the left putamen to Broca’s area was also significantly negatively correlated with performance IQ (PIQ) and full-scale IQ (FSIQ) in the drug-naïve group. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the EC of Broca’s area to the left HG and the number of seizures, as well as between the EC of Broca’s area to the right putamen and the age at onset in the medicated group. These findings suggest abnormal causal effects on the language network related to Broca’s area in children with BECTS. Longitudinal investigation of language network development and further follow-up may be needed to illuminate the changes in organization and rebalancing over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions)
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Review

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27 pages, 695 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Frontiers of Neuroimaging: A Review of Recent Advances in Understanding Brain Functioning and Disorders
by Chiahui Yen, Chia-Li Lin and Ming-Chang Chiang
Life 2023, 13(7), 1472; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13071472 - 29 Jun 2023
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 18001
Abstract
Neuroimaging has revolutionized our understanding of brain function and has become an essential tool for researchers studying neurological disorders. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) are two widely used neuroimaging techniques to review changes in brain activity. fMRI is a noninvasive [...] Read more.
Neuroimaging has revolutionized our understanding of brain function and has become an essential tool for researchers studying neurological disorders. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) are two widely used neuroimaging techniques to review changes in brain activity. fMRI is a noninvasive technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed brain images. An EEG is a noninvasive technique that records the brain’s electrical activity through electrodes placed on the scalp. This review overviews recent developments in noninvasive functional neuroimaging methods, including fMRI and EEG. Recent advances in fMRI technology, its application to studying brain function, and the impact of neuroimaging techniques on neuroscience research are discussed. Advances in EEG technology and its applications to analyzing brain function and neural oscillations are also highlighted. In addition, advanced courses in neuroimaging, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), are described, along with their role in studying brain connectivity, white matter tracts, and potential treatments for schizophrenia and chronic pain. Application. The review concludes by examining neuroimaging studies of neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). We also described the role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in ASD, ADHD, AD, and PD. Neuroimaging techniques have significantly advanced our understanding of brain function and provided essential insights into neurological disorders. However, further research into noninvasive treatments such as EEG, MRI, and TES is necessary to continue to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions)
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19 pages, 1081 KiB  
Review
Pre-Operative Functional Mapping in Patients with Brain Tumors by fMRI and MEG: Advantages and Disadvantages in the Use of One Technique over the Other
by Elisa Cargnelutti and Barbara Tomasino
Life 2023, 13(3), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13030609 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1918
Abstract
Pre-operative mapping of brain functions is crucial to plan neurosurgery and investigate potential plasticity processes. Due to its availability, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is widely used for this purpose; on the other hand, the demanding cost and maintenance limit the use of [...] Read more.
Pre-operative mapping of brain functions is crucial to plan neurosurgery and investigate potential plasticity processes. Due to its availability, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is widely used for this purpose; on the other hand, the demanding cost and maintenance limit the use of magnetoencephalography (MEG), despite several studies reporting its accuracy in localizing brain functions of interest in patient populations. In this review paper, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both techniques, from a methodological perspective first; then, we scrutinized and commented on the findings from 16 studies, identified by a database search, that made pre-operative assessments using both techniques in patients with brain tumors. We commented on the results by accounting for study limitations associated with small sample sizes and variability in the used tasks. Overall, we found that, although some studies reported the superiority for MEG, the majority of them underlined the complementary use of these techniques and suggested assessment using both. Indeed, both fMRI and MEG present some disadvantages, although the development of novel devices and processing procedures has enabled ever more accurate assessments. In particular, the development of new, more feasible MEG devices will allow widespread availability of this technique and its routinely combined use with fMRI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions)
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Other

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16 pages, 1850 KiB  
Project Report
Neuromorphological Atlas of Human Prenatal Brain Development: White Paper
by Alexandra Proshchina, Anastasia Kharlamova, Yuliya Krivova, Olga Godovalova, Dmitriy Otlyga, Victoria Gulimova, Ekaterina Otlyga, Olga Junemann, Gleb Sonin and Sergey Saveliev
Life 2023, 13(5), 1182; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051182 - 13 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2755
Abstract
Recent morphological data on human brain development are quite fragmentary. However, they are highly requested for a number of medical practices, educational programs, and fundamental research in the fields of embryology, cytology and histology, neurology, physiology, path anatomy, neonatology, and others. This paper [...] Read more.
Recent morphological data on human brain development are quite fragmentary. However, they are highly requested for a number of medical practices, educational programs, and fundamental research in the fields of embryology, cytology and histology, neurology, physiology, path anatomy, neonatology, and others. This paper provides the initial information on the new online Human Prenatal Brain Development Atlas (HBDA). The Atlas will start with forebrain annotated hemisphere maps, based on human fetal brain serial sections at the different stages of prenatal ontogenesis. Spatiotemporal changes in the regional-specific immunophenotype profiles will also be demonstrated on virtual serial sections. The HBDA can serve as a reference database for the neurological research, which provides opportunity to compare the data obtained by noninvasive techniques, such as neurosonography, X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, 3D high-resolution phase-contrast computed tomography visualization techniques, as well as spatial transcriptomics data. It could also become a database for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of individual variability in the human brain. Systemized data on the mechanisms and pathways of prenatal human glio- and neurogenesis could also contribute to the search for new therapy methods for a large spectrum of neurological pathologies, including neurodegenerative and cancer diseases. The preliminary data are now accessible on the special HBDA website. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions)
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