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Introduction: Sleep disorders are prevalent and significant among individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), adversely affecting their quality of life and treatment adherence. While cerebral blood flow (CBF) plays a crucial role in the development of various diseases, its relationship with sleep disorders remains uncertain. This observational study focuses on possible correlations between CBF and poor subjective sleep quality in MMT patients. Methods: A total of 75 participants with a history of MMT were recruited and assessed using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging to determine CBF. A LAASO regression model was employed to identify the region of interest (ROI) most associated with sleep disturbance. The association between the CBF of the ROI and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was examined using regression analyses. Age, gender, BMI, history of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and methadone withdrawal were included as covariates. Results: Among MMT patients with poor subjective sleep quality, significantly higher CBF was observed in the right paracentral lobule (56.1057 ± 11.1624 ml/100 g/min, p=0.044), right cerebelum_3 (56.6723±15.3139ml/100 g/min, p = 0.026), right caudate nucleus (48.9168 ± 6.9910ml/100 g/min, p = 0.009), and left caudate nucleus (47.6207 ± 6.1374 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.006). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between CBF in the right paracentral lobule and the total PSQI score (β = 0.1135, p = 0.0323), with the association remaining significant even after adjustment for covariates (β = 0.1276, p = 0.0405). Conclusion: MMT patients with poor subjective sleep quality exhibited significantly altered CBF in multiple brain regions. The association between increased CBF in the right paracentral lobule and subjective sleep quality in MMT patients could be crucial in understanding sleep disorders in individuals undergoing MMT. Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier: ChiCTR 2100051931. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on structural covariance network (SCN) suggested that patients with insomnia disorder (ID) show abnormal structural connectivity, primarily affecting the somatomotor network (SMN) and default mode network (DMN). However, evaluating a single structural index in SCN can only reveal direct covariance relationship between two brain regions, failing to uncover synergistic changes in multiple structural features. To cover this research gap, the present study utilized novel morphometric similarity networks (MSN) to examine the morphometric similarity between cortical areas in terms of multiple sMRI parameters measured at each area. With seven T1-weighted imaging morphometric features from the Desikan-Killiany atlas, individual MSN was constructed for patients with ID (N = 87) and healthy control groups (HCs, N = 84). Two-sample t-test revealed differences in MSN between patients with ID and HCs. Correlation analyses examined associations between MSNs and sleep quality, insomnia symptom severity, and depressive symptoms severity in patients with ID. The right paracentral lobule (PCL) exhibited decreased morphometric similarity in patients with ID compared to HCs, mainly manifested by its de-differentiation (meaning loss of distinctiveness) with the SMN, DMN, and ventral attention network (VAN), as well as its decoupling with the visual network (VN). Greater PCL-based de-differentiation correlated with less severe insomnia and fewer depressive symptoms in the patients group. Additionally, patients with less depressive symptoms showed greater PCL de-differentiation from the SMN. As an important pilot step in revealing the underlying morphometric similarity alterations in insomnia disorder, the present study identified the right PCL as a hub region that is de-differentiated with other high-order networks. Our study also revealed that MSN has an important potential to capture clinical significance related to insomnia disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Identification of cortical loci for lower limb movements for stroke rehabilitation is crucial for better rehabilitation outcomes via noninvasive brain stimulation by targeting the fine-grained cortical loci of the movements. However, identification of the cortical loci for lower limb movements using functional MRI (fMRI) is challenging due to head motion and difficulty in isolating different types of movement. Therefore, we developed a custom-made MR-compatible footplate and leg cushion to identify the cortical loci for lower limb movements and conducted multivariate analysis on the fMRI data. We evaluated the validity of the identified loci using both fMRI and behavioral data, obtained from healthy participants as well as individuals after stroke. Methods We recruited 33 healthy participants who performed four different lower limb movements (ankle dorsiflexion, ankle rotation, knee extension, and toe flexion) using our custom-built equipment while fMRI data were acquired. A subgroup of these participants (Dataset 1; n = 21) was used to identify the cortical loci associated with each lower limb movement in the paracentral lobule (PCL) using multivoxel pattern analysis and representational similarity analysis. The identified cortical loci were then evaluated using the remaining healthy participants (Dataset 2; n = 11), for whom the laterality index (LI) was calculated for each lower limb movement using the cortical loci identified for the left and right lower limbs. In addition, we acquired a dataset from 15 individuals with chronic stroke for regression analysis using the LI and the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale. Results The cortical loci associated with the lower limb movements were hierarchically organized in the medial wall of the PCL following the cortical homunculus. The LI was clearer using the identified cortical loci than using the PCL. The healthy participants (mean ± standard deviation: 0.12 ± 0.30; range: – 0.63 to 0.91) exhibited a higher contralateral LI than the individuals after stroke (0.07 ± 0.47; – 0.83 to 0.97). The corresponding LI scores for individuals after stroke showed a significant positive correlation with the FMA scale for paretic side movement in ankle dorsiflexion (R2 = 0.33, p = 0.025) and toe flexion (R2 = 0.37, p = 0.016). Conclusions The cortical loci associated with lower limb movements in the PCL identified in healthy participants were validated using independent groups of healthy participants and individuals after stroke. Our findings suggest that these cortical loci may be beneficial for the neurorehabilitation of lower limb movement in individuals after stroke, such as in developing effective rehabilitation interventions guided by the LI scores obtained for neuronal activations calculated from the identified cortical loci across the paretic and non-paretic sides of the brain.

Background: Identification of cortical loci for lower limb movements for stroke rehabilitation is crucial for better rehabilitation outcomes via noninvasive brain stimulation by targeting the fine-grained cortical loci of the movements. However, identification of the cortical loci for lower limb movements using functional MRI (fMRI) is challenging due to head motion and difficulty in isolating different types of movement. Therefore, we developed a custom-made MR-compatible footplate and leg cushion to identify the cortical loci for lower limb movements and conducted multivariate analysis on the fMRI data. We evaluated the validity of the identified loci using both fMRI and behavioral data, obtained from healthy participants as well as individuals after stroke. Methods: We recruited 33 healthy participants who performed four different lower limb movements (ankle dorsiflexion, ankle rotation, knee extension, and toe flexion) using our custom-built equipment while fMRI data were acquired. A subgroup of these participants (Dataset 1; n = 21) was used to identify the cortical loci associated with each lower limb movement in the paracentral lobule (PCL) using multivoxel pattern analysis and representational similarity analysis. The identified cortical loci were then evaluated using the remaining healthy participants (Dataset 2; n = 11), for whom the laterality index (LI) was calculated for each lower limb movement using the cortical loci identified for the left and right lower limbs. In addition, we acquired a dataset from 15 individuals with chronic stroke for regression analysis using the LI and the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale. Results: The cortical loci associated with the lower limb movements were hierarchically organized in the medial wall of the PCL following the cortical homunculus. The LI was clearer using the identified cortical loci than using the PCL. The healthy participants (mean ± standard deviation: 0.12 ± 0.30; range: – 0.63 to 0.91) exhibited a higher contralateral LI than the individuals after stroke (0.07 ± 0.47; – 0.83 to 0.97). The corresponding LI scores for individuals after stroke showed a significant positive correlation with the FMA scale for paretic side movement in ankle dorsiflexion (R2 = 0.33, p = 0.025) and toe flexion (R2 = 0.37, p = 0.016). Conclusions: The cortical loci associated with lower limb movements in the PCL identified in healthy participants were validated using independent groups of healthy participants and individuals after stroke. Our findings suggest that these cortical loci may be beneficial for the neurorehabilitation of lower limb movement in individuals after stroke, such as in developing effective rehabilitation interventions guided by the LI scores obtained for neuronal activations calculated from the identified cortical loci across the paretic and non-paretic sides of the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anatomic studies have suggested that the central insular sulcus (CIS) runs in line with the Rolandic sulcus (RS). The radiographic relationship between the RS and CIS has not been systematically studied. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of using the CIS as a radiologic landmark to identify the RS. We retrospectively reviewed 100 consecutive normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (200 hemispheres) performed at a single institution. MRI scans with any intracranial pathology or finding were excluded. Sagittal and axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences were used in this study. Two evaluators independently evaluated the relationship of the CIS and RS in all MRI scans. A predefined 3-step method was then used to identify the CIS, RS, and hand motor area in sagittal and axial images. The CIS was found to be correlated with the RS in 191 hemispheres (95.5%). In the remaining 9 hemispheres, the postcentral sulcus represented the most correlated sulcus with the CIS (7 hemispheres). The interrater agreement was 0.673 (P < 0.05), indicating a substantial agreement. The hand motor area was identified in the same section as the CIS in 175 hemispheres (87.5%). The CIS is a highly reliable radiographic landmark for the identification of the RS. The hand motor area can also be identified reliably using this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paracentral lobule artery (PLA) is a typically present branch of the distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA), irrigating the homonymous lobule. The PLA origin is either a pericallosal portion of the ACA or a prominent branch of the ACA termed callosomarginal (CMA). In addition to the paracentral lobule, the PLA irrigates the cingulate gyrus in the medial hemispheric surface, and the superior portion of the precentral and postcentral gyri in the lateral hemispheric surface. The present cadaveric case series aimed at establishing previously unreported morphometric estimates of the PLA, including its length according to its site of origin, its supplying branches according to its distribution area, as well as its anastomoses., Methods: Seventeen colored latex-injected cadaveric heads were studied with a surgical microscope and microsurgical instruments., Results: The PLA was invariably present and most commonly originated from the A4 (n = 15 hemispheres, 50%) segment of the ACA. Other PLA origins were the CMA (n = 10, 30%), the A3 (n = 5, 16.7%) and the A5 (n = 1, 3.3%) segments. When the PLA originated from the A4, its mean (SD) overall length was 7.6 (17.9) mm and its mean (SD) diameter was 0.88 (0.26) mm. The PLA supplied the paracentral lobule, cingulate gyrus and post central gyrus with a mean (SD) of 28.07 (13.4), 8.53 (4.27), 5.92 (4.4) branches respectively and the precentral gyrus with a median [IQR] of 2 [0-6] branches. The most common anastomoses of the PLA in the medial and the lateral hemispheric surface involved the ipsilateral posterior internal frontal artery and the branches of the middle cerebral artery, respectively. There were no significant differences between sexes or hemispheric sides for the anatomical features of the artery analyzed., Conclusion: The present study established previously unreported morphometric estimates for the PLA by considering all possible PLA variant origins and morphological variants. Given that variable pathologies have been previously detected in the areas supplied by the PLA, a better understanding of its anatomy can aid surgical planning and approaches., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethical approval: The research was conducted ethically following The Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki). The cadavers belonged to the Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature.)

Childhood trauma (CT) is a non-specific risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the neurobiological mechanisms of MDD with CT remain unclear. In the present study, we sought to determine the specific brain regions associated with CT and MDD etiology. Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) analyses were performed to assess alterations of intrinsic brain activity in MDD with CT, MDD without CT, healthy controls with CT, and healthy controls without CT. Two-by-two factorial analyses were performed to examine the effects of the factors "MDD" and "CT" on fALFF and FC. Moderator analysis was used to explore whether the severity of depression moderated the relationship between CT and aberrant fALFF. We found that the etiological effects of MDD and CT exhibited negative impacts on brain dysfunction including altered fALFF in the left postcentral gyrus, left lingual gyrus, left paracentral lobule (PCL), and left cuneus. Decreased FC was observed in the following regions: (i) the left lingual gyrus seed and the left fusiform gyrus as well as the right calcarine cortex; (ii) the left PCL seed and the left supplementary motor area, left calcarine cortex, left precentral gyrus, and right cuneus; (iii) the left postcentral gyrus seed and left superior parietal lobule, right postcentral gyrus, and left precentral gyrus. Furthermore, the severity of depression acted as a moderator in the relationship between CT and aberrant fALFF in the left PCL. These data indicate that MDD patients with and without trauma exposure are clinically and neurobiologically distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The central sulcus is an important landmark in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the distinctive signal of the paracentral lobule (PL) on T1-weighted images (T1WIs; the white PL sign) and evaluate its usefulness as a new method of identifying the central sulcus. Methods: T1WIs of the brain of 96 participants (age, 58.9 ± 17.9 years; range, 8–87 years) scanned at 3-T MR system were retrospectively reviewed. First, we qualitatively analyzed the signal of the cortex of the PL by comparing it with that of the ipsilateral superior frontal gyrus on a 4-point grading score. Second, we compared the cortical signal intensity and gray/white-matter contrast between the PL and superior frontal gyrus. Third, we evaluated the usefulness of the PL signal for identifying the central sulcus. Results: The PL cortex was either mildly hyperintense (grade 2) or definitely hyperintense (grade 3) in comparison with that of superior frontal cortex in all participants. The signal intensity of the PL cortex was significantly higher than that of the superior frontal cortex (p < 0.001), whereas the gray/white-matter contrast of the PL was weaker than that of the superior frontal gyrus (p < 0.001). The central sulci were identified with 94.3% accuracy (181/192) using the new method. Conclusion: The white PL sign may be helpful in identifying the central sulcus, and this approach can be recognized as a new method for identification of the central sulcus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sleep disorders are prevalent and significant among individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), adversely affecting their quality of life and treatment adherence. While cerebral blood flow (CBF) plays a crucial role in the development of various diseases, its relationship with sleep disorders remains uncertain. This observational study focuses on possible correlations between CBF and poor subjective sleep quality in MMT patients., Methods: A total of 75 participants with a history of MMT were recruited and assessed using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging to determine CBF. A LAASO regression model was employed to identify the region of interest (ROI) most associated with sleep disturbance. The association between the CBF of the ROI and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was examined using regression analyses. Age, gender, BMI, history of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and methadone withdrawal were included as covariates., Results: Among MMT patients with poor subjective sleep quality, significantly higher CBF was observed in the right paracentral lobule (56.1057 ± 11.1624 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.044), right cerebelum&#95;3 (56.6723 ± 15.3139 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.026), right caudate nucleus (48.9168 ± 6.9910 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.009), and left caudate nucleus (47.6207 ± 6.1374 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.006). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between CBF in the right paracentral lobule and the total PSQI score (β = 0.1135, p = 0.0323), with the association remaining significant even after adjustment for covariates (β = 0.1276, p = 0.0405)., Conclusion: MMT patients with poor subjective sleep quality exhibited significantly altered CBF in multiple brain regions. The association between increased CBF in the right paracentral lobule and subjective sleep quality in MMT patients could be crucial in understanding sleep disorders in individuals undergoing MMT., Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier: ChiCTR2100051931., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Sun, Lu, Kong, Lin, Du, Wang, Ma, Li, Wang, Zhu and Xu.)