Combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging-guided neuronavigation and intraoperative cortical brain mapping improves targeting of motor cortex stimulation in neuropathic pain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, regardless of the clinical results, the contribution of combining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with intraoperative cortical brain mapping (iCM) as functional targeting methods for epidural chronic motor cortex stimulation (MCS) in refractory neuropathic pain. METHODS: Eighteen neuropathic pain patients (central stroke in six; trigeminal neuropathy in six; syrinx or amputation in six) who underwent operations for epidural MCS were studied with preoperative fMRI and iCM. fMRI investigated motor tasks of hands (as well as foot and tongue, when painful). fMRI data were analyzed with Statistical Parametric Mapping99 software (University College London, London, England; initial analysis threshold corresponding to P < 0.001), registered in a neuronavigation system, and correlated during surgery with iCM. The primary aim of this study was to improve the topographical precision of MCS. Matching of fMRI and iCM specifically was examined. RESULTS: Correspondence between the contour of the fMRI activation area and iCM in precentral gyrus (mean distance, 3.8 mm) was found in 17 (94%) of 18 patients. Eleven of them showed correspondence for more restrictive values of the analysis threshold (P < 0.0001); in six patients, the quality of the iCM was reduced by somatosensory wave attenuation and general anesthesia. In this group of six patients, a combination of both techniques was used for the final targeting. Correspondence was not found in one patient as the result of image distortion and residual motion artifact. At follow-up (4-60 mo), MCS induced significant pain relief in a total of 11 patients (61%). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the functional accuracy of fMRI guidance in neuropathic pain and illustrates the usefulness of combining fMRI guidance with iCM to improve the functional targeting in MCS. Because appropriate targeting is crucial to obtaining pain relief, this combination may increase the analgesic efficacy of MCS

Ultra-dense 16x56Gb/s NRZ GeSi EAM-PD arrays coupled to multicore fiber for short-reach 896Gb/s optical links

A 16-channel spatial-division multiplexed transceiver is demonstrated using a multicorc fiber coupled to a dense array of co-integrated 56Gb/s GcSi clectro-absorption modulators and photodetectors, realizing 896Gb/s aggregate bi-directional bandwidth in 1.47mm(2) silicon footprint

Comparing Advance Care Planning in Young-Onset Dementia in the USA vs Belgium: Challenges Partly Related to Societal Context

Contains fulltext : 221013.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access)OBJECTIVES: Advance care planning in young-onset dementia largely remains a blind spot within current literature. This study aimed to explore the engagement in and the conceptualization of advance care planning from the perspective of family caregivers of persons with young-onset dementia and to identify potential similarities and differences in this area between American and Belgian persons with young-onset dementia and their family caregivers. DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We purposively sampled adult family caregivers of persons with young-onset dementia; our respondents were 13 American and 15 Belgian caregivers with varying familial relationships to the patient. METHODS: We conducted 28 semi-structured interviews, using the same interview guide for American and Belgian respondents. Verbatim transcripts were analysed through the method of constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: Important similarities between American and Belgian respondents were restricted knowledge of advance care planning, limited communication about advance directives, and their recommendation for professionals to timely initiate advance care planning. Major differences were attention paid to those end-of-life decisions depicted in the legislature of their respective countries, American caregivers placed higher emphasis on financial planning than their Belgian peers, and, in the case of consulting professionals for advance directives, American caregivers turned to lawyers, whereas Belgian caregivers relied on physicians. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Specific nuances and challenges in terms of advance care planning in young-onset dementia arise from a particular societal and legal context on the one hand, and from patients' and caregivers' younger age on the other. Professionals' awareness of and responsiveness to these specificities could facilitate the advance care planning process. Based on our interpretation of results, several recommendations for practice and policy are made

Functional MRI activation of somatosensory and motor cortices in a hand-grafted patient with early clinical sensorimotor recovery

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe