Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Neuromix is a fast, motion robust multi-contrast sequence capable of providing all diagnostic contrasts in ∼3.5 minutes. However, more evaluation is needed across the various contrasts compared to gold standard, optimized sequences routinely used in the clinic. The goal of this study was to prospectively determine how NeuroMix performs in the clinical setting compared to routine clinical MRI. ⋯ Analysis revealed both positives and some pitfalls of NeuroMix. However, these results indicate Neuromix as having the capability to be a backup sequence in case artifacts are present in routine sequences, or potentially a replacement for some contrasts altogether.
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Differentiation between functioning and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas/pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PAs) is clinically relevant. The goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of using time-dependent diffusion MRI (dMRI) for microstructural characterization of PAs. ⋯ The cADC derived from time-dependent dMRI could distinguish between functioning and nonfunctioning PAs, particularly those producing GH.
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Different types of physical training can lead to changes in brain activity and function, and these changes can vary depending on the type of training. However, it remains unclear whether there are commonalities in how different types of training affect brain activity and function. The purpose of this study is to compare the brain activity states of professional athletes with those of ordinary university students and to explore the relationship between training and differences in brain activity states. ⋯ The study results indicate that long-term physical training is associated with changes in brain activity in athletes, providing insights into the neural mechanisms underlying behavioral performance in professional athletes.
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Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) affects the optic nerves and spinal cord but can also cause focal brain inflammation. Subcortical pathology may contribute to the etiology of cognitive deficits in NMOSD. Using myelin water imaging, we investigated cerebral normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and thalamic metrics and their association with cognition in NMOSD participants compared to healthy controls (HC). ⋯ NAWM in NMOSD demonstrates diffuse abnormalities with increased water content and demyelination, suggesting a diffuse disease process overlooked by focal inflammation measures. Increased water content, as a biomarker for diffuse thalamic pathology, may partially explain cognitive impairment in NMOSD.
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Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) resulting from severe head injury or stroke poses a risk of secondary brain injury that requires neurosurgical intervention. However, currently available noninvasive monitoring techniques for predicting ICP are not sufficiently advanced. We aimed to develop a minimally invasive ICP prediction model using simple CT images to prevent secondary brain injury caused by elevated ICP. ⋯ Overall, the outcomes suggest that these newly developed models may be valuable tools for the rapid and accurate detection of elevated ICP in clinical practice. These models can easily be applied to other sites, as a single CT image at the midbrain level can provide a highly accurate diagnosis.