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Connectivity gradients on tractography data: Pipeline and example applications.

ABSTRACT: Gray matter connectivity can be described in terms of its topographical organization, but the differential role of white matter connections underlying that organization is often unknown. In this study, we propose a method for unveiling principles of organization of both gray and white matter based on white matter connectivity as assessed using diffusion magnetic ressonance imaging (MRI) tractography with spectral embedding gradient mapping. A key feature of the proposed approach is its capacity to project the individual connectivity gradients it reveals back onto its input data in the form of projection images, allowing one to assess the contributions of specific white matter tracts to the observed gradients. We demonstrate the ability of our proposed pipeline to identify connectivity gradients in prefrontal and occipital gray matter. Finally, leveraging the use of tractography, we demonstrate that it is possible to observe gradients within the white matter bundles themselves. Together, the proposed framework presents a generalized way to assess both the topographical organization of structural brain connectivity and the anatomical features driving it.

SUBMITTER: Blazquez Freches G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8596970 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Background:Optic radiation (OR) tractography may help predict and reduce post-neurosurgical visual field deficits. OR tractography methods currently lack pediatric and surgical focus. Purpose:We propose a clinically feasible OR tractography strategy in a pediatric neurosurgery setting and examine its intra-rater and inter-rater reliability/agreements. Methods:Preoperative and intraoperative MRI data were obtained from six epilepsy and two brain tumor patients on 3 Tesla MRI scanners. Four raters with different clinical experience followed the proposed strategy to perform probabilistic OR tractography with manually drawing anatomical landmarks to reconstruct the OR pathway, based on fiber orientation distributions estimated from high angular resolution diffusion imaging data. Intra- and inter-rater reliabilities/agreements of tractography results were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and dice similarity coefficient (DSC) across various tractography and OR morphological metrics, including the lateral geniculate body positions, tract volumes, and Meyer's loop position from temporal anatomical landmarks. Results:Good to excellent intra- and inter-rater reproducibility was demonstrated for the majority of OR reconstructions (ICC = 0.70-0.99; DSC = 0.84-0.89). ICC was higher for non-lesional (0.82-0.99) than lesional OR (0.70-0.99). The non-lesional OR's mean volume was 22.66 cm3; the mean Meyer's loop position was 29.4 mm from the temporal pole, 5.89 mm behind of and 10.26 mm in front of the temporal ventricular horn. The greatest variations (± 1.00-3.00 mm) were observed near pathology, at the tract edges or at cortical endpoints. The OR tractography were used to assist surgical planning and guide lesion resection in all cases, no patient had new visual field deficits postoperatively. Conclusion:The proposed tractography strategy generates reliable and reproducible OR tractography images that can be reliably implemented in the routine, non-emergency pediatric neurosurgical setting.

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Connectivity gradients on tractography data: Pipeline and example applications.

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