Synchronization of kinetic and kinematic hand tasks with electrocorticography and cortical stimulation during awake craniotomies

et al. 2023

Sensors

Self Cite

Modulating force between the thumb and another digit, or isometric pinch individuation, is critical for daily tasks and can be impaired due to central or peripheral nervous system injury. Because surgical and rehabilitative efforts often focus on regaining this dexterous ability, we need to be able to consistently quantify pinch individuation across time and facilities. Currently, a standardized metric for such an assessment does not exist. Therefore, we tested whether we could use a commercially available flexible pressure sensor grid (Tekscan F-Socket [Tekscan Inc., Norwood, MA, USA]) to repeatedly measure isometric pinch individuation and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) in twenty right-handed healthy volunteers at two visits. We developed a novel equation informed by the prior literature to calculate isometric individuation scores that quantified percentage of force on the grid generated by the indicated digit. MVC intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the left and right hands were 0.86 (p < 0.0001) and 0.88 (p < 0.0001), respectively, suggesting MVC measurements were consistent over time. However, individuation score ICCs, were poorer (left index ICC 0.41, p = 0.28; right index ICC −0.02, p = 0.51), indicating that this protocol did not provide a sufficiently repeatable individuation assessment. These data support the need to develop novel platforms specifically for repeatable and objective isometric hand dexterity assessments.

Section: Clinical and Research Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Clinical and Research Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying Hand Strength and Isometric Pinch Individuation Using a Flexible Pressure Sensor Grid

Conway

Taquet

et al. 2023

Sensors

Self Cite

“…As it stands, merging these modalities has the potential to advance our understanding of communication within and between the intrinsic cortical networks. Moreover, pairing these modalities with task performance ( Conway et al, 2023 ; Taquet et al, 2023 ) can assess the processes of task execution, facilitation, and inhibition. The combinations of DES and task performance have been used by Rossi et al (2021) to aid in motor mapping by having patients manipulate an object while quantifying electromyography.…”

Section: Advancing Neuroscience Through Neurosurgical Oncologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This has been used to define frontal and parietal lobe topographical boundaries of clumsiness, inhibition, and facilitation ( Fornia et al, 2020 , 2022 ; Simone et al, 2020 ; Viganò et al, 2022 ). Within this realm, our lab has ongoing efforts to synchronize multiple recording devices in the operating room to assess networks important for several facets of hand motor control ( Taquet et al, 2023 ).…”

Section: Advancing Neuroscience Through Neurosurgical Oncologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Large-scale brain networks and intra-axial tumor surgery: a narrative review of functional mapping techniques, critical needs, and scientific opportunities

Pahapill

Butts

et al. 2023

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

Self Cite

In recent years, a paradigm shift in neuroscience has been occurring from “localizationism,” or the idea that the brain is organized into separately functioning modules, toward “connectomics,” or the idea that interconnected nodes form networks as the underlying substrates of behavior and thought. Accordingly, our understanding of mechanisms of neurological function, dysfunction, and recovery has evolved to include connections, disconnections, and reconnections. Brain tumors provide a unique opportunity to probe large-scale neural networks with focal and sometimes reversible lesions, allowing neuroscientists the unique opportunity to directly test newly formed hypotheses about underlying brain structural-functional relationships and network properties. Moreover, if a more complete model of neurological dysfunction is to be defined as a “disconnectome,” potential avenues for recovery might be mapped through a “reconnectome.” Such insight may open the door to novel therapeutic approaches where previous attempts have failed. In this review, we briefly delve into the most clinically relevant neural networks and brain mapping techniques, and we examine how they are being applied to modern neurosurgical brain tumor practices. We then explore how brain tumors might teach us more about mechanisms of global brain dysfunction and recovery through pre- and postoperative longitudinal connectomic and behavioral analyses.

Quantitative assessments of finger individuation with an instrumented glove

Conway

Taquet

J NeuroEngineering Rehabil

et al. 2023

Background In clinical and research settings, hand dexterity is often assessed as finger individuation, or the ability to move one finger at a time. Despite its clinical importance, there is currently no standardized, sufficiently sensitive, or fully objective platform for these evaluations. Methods Here we developed two novel individuation scores and tested them against a previously developed score using a commercially available instrumented glove and data collected from 20 healthy adults. Participants performed individuation for each finger of each hand as well as whole hand open-close at two study visits separated by several weeks. Using the three individuation scores, intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimal detectable changes (MDC) were calculated. Individuation scores were further correlated with subjective assessments to assess validity. Results We found that each score emphasized different aspects of individuation performance while generating scores on the same scale (0 [poor] to 1 [ideal]). These scores were repeatable, but the quality of the metrics varied by both equation and finger of interest. For example, index finger intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC’s) were 0.90 (< 0.0001), 0.77 (< 0.001), and 0.83 (p < 0.0001), while pinky finger ICC’s were 0.96 (p < 0.0001), 0.88 (p < 0.0001), and 0.81 (p < 0.001) for each score. Similarly, MDCs also varied by both finger and equation. In particular, thumb MDCs were 0.068, 0.14, and 0.045, while index MDCs were 0.041, 0.066, and 0.078. Furthermore, objective measurements correlated with subjective assessments of finger individuation quality for all three equations (ρ = − 0.45, p < 0.0001; ρ = − 0.53, p < 0.0001; ρ = − 0.40, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Here we provide a set of normative values for three separate finger individuation scores in healthy adults with a commercially available instrumented glove. Each score emphasizes a different aspect of finger individuation performance and may be more uniquely applicable to certain clinical scenarios. We hope for this platform to be used within and across centers wishing to share objective data in the physiological study of hand dexterity. In sum, this work represents the first healthy participant data set for this platform and may inform future translational applications into motor physiology and rehabilitation labs, orthopedic hand and neurosurgery clinics, and even operating rooms.