A subject-specific framework for in vivo myeloarchitectonic analysis using high resolution quantitative MRI

Wähnert, Miriam; Dinse, Juliane; Schäfer, Andreas; Geyer, Stefan; Bazin, Pierre-Louis; Turner, Robert; Tardif, Christine

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.10.001

Cited by 99 publications

(107 citation statements)

References 78 publications

(123 reference statements)

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“…Recent approaches to MRI-based cortical microstructure, that take into account the laminar architecture of the cortical sheet, also reveal additional differentiation between modalities. For example, the distribution of MRI-based myelin across the cortical depth differs between visual and somatomotor regions [58], in line with well-established histological findings [1]. Finally, it has been proposed that a second dimension in the functional domain distinguishes hierarchies originating from different sensory modalities, which are dynamically selected based on the current input [56].…”

Section: An Intrinsic Coordinate System Of the Cerebral Cortexmentioning

confidence: 60%

Large-Scale Gradients in Human Cortical Organization

Huntenburg

Bazin

Margulies

2018

Trends in Cognitive Sciences

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Recent advances in mapping cortical areas in the human brain provide a basis for investigating the significance of their spatial arrangement. Here we describe a dominant gradient in cortical features that spans between sensorimotor and transmodal areas. We propose that this gradient constitutes a core organizing axis of the human cerebral cortex, and describe an intrinsic coordinate system on its basis. Studying the cortex with respect to these intrinsic dimensions can inform our understanding of how the spectrum of cortical function emerges from structural constraints. The Significance of Cortical LocationFor more than a century, neuroscientists have studied the cerebral cortex by delineating individual cortical areas (see Glossary) and mapping their function [1]. This agenda has substantially advanced in recent years, as automated parcellation methods improve and data sets of unprecedented size and quality become available [2][3][4]. Nevertheless, our understanding of how the complex structure of the cerebral cortex emerges and gives rise to its elaborate functions remains fragmentary. To complement the description of individual cortical areas, we propose an inquiry into the significance of their spatial arrangement, asking the basic question: Why are cortical areas located where they are?Early formulations of this question date to theories from classical neuroanatomy [1,[5][6][7]. They state that the spatial layout of cortical areas is not arbitrary, but a consequence of developmental mechanisms, shaped through evolutionary selection. The location of an area among its neighbors thus provides insight into its microstructural characteristics [6], its connections to other parts of the brain [7], and eventually its position in global processing hierarchies [8]. Consider, for example, the well-researched visual system of the macaque monkey [9,10]. Along the visual hierarchy, low-level visual features are increasingly abstracted and integrated with information from other systems. Traditionally, areas are ordered based on their degree of microstructural differentiation, and the classification of their connections as feedforward or feedback [11]. The framework we advocate emphasizes that an area's position in the visual processing hierarchy -and thus many of its microstructural and connectional features -is strongly related to its distance from the primary visual area [12,13].More generally, we propose that the spatial arrangement of areas along a global gradient between sensorimotor and transmodal regions is a key feature of human cortical organization. A gradient is an axis of variance in cortical features, along which areas fall in a spatially continuous order. Areas that resemble each other with respect to the feature of interest occupy similar positions along the gradient. As we will point out, there is a strong relationship between the similarity of two areas -that is, their relative position along the gradient -and their relative position along the cortical surface. This important role of cortical location pro...

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Section: An Intrinsic Coordinate System Of the Cerebral Cortexmentioning

confidence: 60%

Large-Scale Gradients in Human Cortical Organization

Huntenburg

Bazin

Margulies

2018

Trends in Cognitive Sciences

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752

738

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“…Using area-specific models, estimating cyto-architecture in addition to myelo-architecture may be feasible . The potential advantage of individual parcellation of the cortex over standardized atlases is the more accurate definition of brain areas (Lutti et al, 2014;Tardif et al, 2015;Waehnert et al, 2016). The approach can also help to indirectly determine specific functional areas, making lengthy and complicated functional localizer scans unnecessary, e.g., retinotopic mapping of V1 being complemented or replaced by mapping the striate cortex S anchez-Panchuelo et al, 2012;Sereno et al, 2013).…”

Section: Studies Of Lamination Outside V1mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6; Waehnert et al, 2014Waehnert et al, , 2016. In order to mitigate this problem, two main approaches have been proposed: regressing mean curvature linearly from the data sampled at depths measured as the relative distance to the cortical boundaries (Sereno et al, 2013), and modeling the volume-preserving principle (Kok et al, 2016;Leprince et al, 2015;Waehnert et al, 2014).…”

Section: Defining the Laminar Depth Coordinate Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

In-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of laminae in the human cortex

et al. 2019

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The human neocortex is organized radially into six layers which differ in their myelination and the density and arrangement of neuronal cells. This cortical cyto-and myeloarchitecture plays a central role in the anatomical and functional neuroanatomy but is primarily accessible through invasive histology only. To overcome this limitation, several non-invasive MRI approaches have been, and are being, developed to resolve the anatomical cortical layers. As a result, recent studies on large populations and structure-function relationships at the laminar level became possible. Early proof-of-concept studies targeted conspicuous laminar structures such as the stria of Gennari in the primary visual cortex. Recent work characterized the laminar structure outside the visual cortex, investigated the relationship between laminar structure and function, and demonstrated layer-specific maturation effects. This paper reviews the methods and in-vivo MRI studies on the anatomical layers in the human cortex based on conventional and quantitative MRI (excluding diffusion imaging). A focus is on the related challenges, promises and potential future developments. The rapid development of MRI scanners, motion correction techniques, analysis methods and biophysical modeling promise to overcome the challenges of spatial resolution, precision and specificity of systematic imaging of cortical laminae. Need for non-invasive mapping of cortical laminationThe neocortex of the human brain consists of six layers which differ in their pattern of myelination (Nieuwenhuys, 2013;Vogt and Vogt, 1919) and the density and arrangement of neuronal cells (Brodmann, 1909;Zilles and Amunts, 2010). Those differences gave rise to the broad research field of myelo-and cyto-architecture, which is based on invasive histology. To facilitate studies of the human brain in large populations and longitudinally, non-invasive methods are much needed for visualizing intracortical anatomy in-vivo, since histological methods can only be applied ex-vivo. A promising approach is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as it is non-invasive and highly sensitive to the presence of myelin (and iron) in the cortex (Stüber et al., 2014). It is expected to reflect the myeloarchitecture rather than the cyto-architecture, although there is a strong correspondence between the two . Scope of the reviewThis paper reviews the recent in-vivo MRI studies on the anatomical layers in the human neocortex. An additional focus is on the related challenges, promises and potential future developments. Studies using diffusion weighted MRI are excluded from this review, since they are covered by Assaf et al. (2017) in the same special issue on "Prospects for cortical laminar MRI: functional and anatomical imaging of cerebral cortical layers". MRI studies of cortical layers Studies of the stria of GennariAs the cortex is only 2-4 mm thick and convoluted (Fischl and Dale, 2000), mapping cortical layers requires sub-millimeter isotropic resolution. Another challenge is that the differences in myelo-ar...

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“…If multiple layers are activated then the total gradient echo signal will rise towards the cortical surface because of the superposition of the 'tail' signals from each layer. Cortical layers may be followed over extended volumes by applying what has come to be known as the Bok principle (Bok, 1929;Waehnert et al, 2016).…”

Section: High Spatial Resolution Including Cortical Columns and Layersmentioning

confidence: 99%