Fractal dimension analysis of MR images reveals grey matter structure irregularities in schizophrenia

Sandu, Anca-Larisa; Rasmussen, Inge-André; Lundervold, Arvid; Kreuder, Frank; Neckelmann, Gesche; Hugdahl, Kenneth; Specht, Karsten

doi:10.1016/j.compmedimag.2007.10.005

Cited by 75 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Taking into account that a GM pathology is common in MS [5,15], the FD increased in MS detected here could be related to an increase in GM abnormalities, as has been also reported in association with the irregularities of the GM structure in a FD analysis recently carried out in schizophrenia [30]. In addition, GM histological abnormalities increase in MS over time [8], which might account for the significant increase of the FD in the transition from FAMS to RRMS.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 47%

Fractal dimension analysis of grey matter in multiple sclerosis

Esteban

Sepulcre

Miras

et al. 2009

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

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The fractal dimension (FD) is a quantitative parameter that characterizes the morphometric variability of a complex object. Among other applications, FD has been used to identify abnormalities of the human brain in conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including white matter abnormalities in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Extensive grey matter (GM) pathology has been recently identified in MS and it appears to be a key factor in long-term disability. The aim of the present work was to assess whether FD measurement of GM in T1 MRI sequences can identify GM abnormalities in patients with MS in the early phase of the disease. A voxel-based morphometry approach optimized for MS was used to obtain the segmented brain, where we later calculated the three-dimensional FD of the GM in MS patients and healthy controls. We found that patients with MS had a significant increase in the FD of the GM compared to controls. Such differences were present even in patients with short disease durations, including patients with first attacks of MS. In addition, the FD of the GM correlated with T1 and T2 lesion load, but not with GM atrophy or disability. The FD abnormalities of the GM here detected differed from the previously published FD of the white matter in MS, suggesting that different pathological processes were taking place in each structure. These results indicate that GM morphology is abnormal in patients with MS and that this alteration appears early in the course of the disease.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 47%

Fractal dimension analysis of grey matter in multiple sclerosis

Esteban

Sepulcre

Miras

et al. 2009

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

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“…The increase in grey matter fractal dimension seen in MS could be related to an increase in grey matter abnormalities, which has also been reported in grey matter fractal dimension analysis in schizophrenia [47]. In this study, schizophrenic patients had significantly larger fractal dimensions compared to healthy control subjects for whole brain volume and right hemisphere indicating differences in structural anomalies of the cortical folding.…”

Section: Multiple Sclerosissupporting

confidence: 56%

Fractal Structure and Entropy Production within the Central Nervous System

Seely

Newman

Herry

2014

Entropy

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Abstract:Our goal is to explore the relationship between two traditionally unrelated concepts, fractal structure and entropy production, evaluating both within the central nervous system (CNS). Fractals are temporal or spatial structures with self-similarity across scales of measurement; whereas entropy production represents the necessary exportation of entropy to our environment that comes with metabolism and life. Fractals may be measured by their fractal dimension; and human entropy production may be estimated by oxygen and glucose metabolism. In this paper, we observe fractal structures ubiquitously present in the CNS, and explore a hypothetical and unexplored link between fractal structure and entropy production, as measured by oxygen and glucose metabolism. Rapid increase in both fractal structures and metabolism occur with childhood and adolescent growth, followed by slow decrease during aging. Concomitant increases and decreases in fractal structure and metabolism occur with cancer vs. Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis, respectively. In addition to fractals being related to entropy production, we hypothesize that the emergence of fractal structures spontaneously occurs because a fractal is more efficient at dissipating energy gradients, thus maximizing entropy production. Experimental evaluation and further understanding of limitations and necessary conditions are indicated to address broad scientific and clinical implications of this work.

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“…FD analysis can also quantify dynamic changes of the structural or functional complexity of the neural system during the process of brain development or degeneration [10][11][12]. Researchers have also applied FD measurement in many image analyses of central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia [13], tumor detection [14], multiple sclerosis [15], obsessivecompulsive disorder [16], and age-related WM abnormalities [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of fetal cortical complexity from MR images using 3D entropy based information fractal dimension

Shyu

Chen

et al. 2010

Nonlinear Dyn

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The fetal cortical complexity is a significant quantification for assessing the development of fetal brain. This study attempts to quantify the development of fetal cortical complexity using the concept of fractal dimension (FD) analysis. Thirty-two fetal MR images were selected from Taipei Veterans General Hospital at 27-37 weeks of gestational age (GA). To investigate the FD of fetal cortical complexity, the entropy based information fractal dimension method (FD EBI ), which is modified from Box-Counting method, was adopted and extended from 2D to 3D. The FD results from overall whole fetal brains show that the increase of cortical complexity is highly correlated with the gestational age of the fetus. Moreover, the FD values of right hemispheric brain are larger than those of left hemispheric brain, show that the development of right hemispheric fetal cortical complexity earlier than the left. These results are in good agreement with normal fetal brain development and suggest that the FD is an effective means for the quantification of fetal cortical complexity.

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Fractal dimension analysis of MR images reveals grey matter structure irregularities in schizophrenia

Abstract: dimension analysis of MR images reveals grey matter structure irregularities in schizophrenia", Computerized Medical Imaging

Cited by 75 publications

References 42 publications

Fractal dimension analysis of grey matter in multiple sclerosis

Fractal dimension analysis of grey matter in multiple sclerosis

Fractal Structure and Entropy Production within the Central Nervous System

Analysis of fetal cortical complexity from MR images using 3D entropy based information fractal dimension

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