Optimization of fMRI Processing Parameters for Simutaneous Acquisition of EEG/fMRI in Focal Epilepsy

In the context of focal epilepsy, the simultaneous combination of electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) holds a great promise as a technique by which the hemodynamic correlates of interictal spikes detected on scalp EEG can be identified. The fact that traditional EEG recordings have not been able to overcome the difficulty in correlating the ictal clinical symptoms to the onset in particular areas of the lobes, brings the need of mapping with more precision the epileptogenic cortical regions. On the other hand, fMRI suggested localizations more consistent with the ictal clinical manifestations detected. This study was developed in order to improve the knowledge about the way parameters involved in the physical and mathematical data, produced by the EEG/fMRI technique processing, would influence the final results. The evaluation of the accuracy was made by comparing the BOLD results with: the high resolution EEG maps; the malformative lesions detected in the T1 weighted MR images; and the anatomical localizations of the diagnosed symptomatology of each studied patient. The optimization of the set of parameters used, will provide an important contribution to the diagnosis of epileptogenic focuses, in patients included on an epilepsy surgery evaluation program. The results obtained allowed us to conclude that: by associating the BOLD effect with interictal spikes, the epileptogenic areas are mapped to localizations different from those obtained by the EEG maps representing the electrical potential distribution across the scalp (EEG); there is an important and solid bond between the variation of particular parameters (manipulated during the fMRI data processing) and the optimization of the final results, from which smoothing, deleted volumes, HRF (used to convolve with the activation design), and the shape of the Gamma function can be certainly emphasized

Comparison of Methods and Co-Registration Maps of EEG and fMRI in Occipital Lobe Epilepsy

Clinically childhood occipital lobe epilepsy (OLE) manifests itself with distinct syndromes. The traditional EEG recordings have not been able to overcome the difficulty in correlating the ictal clinical symptoms to the onset in particular areas of the occipital lobes. To understand these syndromes it is important to map with more precision the epileptogenic cortical regions in OLE. Experimentally, we studied three idiopathic childhood OLE patients with EEG source analysis and with the simultaneous acquisition of EEG and fMRI, to map the BOLD effect associated with EEG spikes. The spatial overlap between the EEG and BOLD results was not very good, but the fMRI suggested localizations more consistent with the ictal clinical manifestations of each type of epileptic syndrome. Since our first results show that by associating the BOLD effect with interictal spikes the epileptogenic areas are mapped to localizations different from those calculated from EEG sources and that by using different EEG/fMRI processing methods our results differ to some extent, it is very important to compare the different methods of processing the localization of activation and develop a good methodology for obtaining co-registration maps of high resolution EEG with BOLD localizations

Validation of vertebral metrics: a mechanical instrument to evaluate posture of the spinal column

The purpose of this study is to verify the validity of the instrument Vertebral Metrics, designed to identify X, Y, and Z positions of - each vertebral apophyses, by comparing the results obtained from this instrument with those from an optoelectronic system of Stereophogrammetry, composed of 10 infrared cameras with a sampling frequency of 200 Hz. Methodology: The sample consisted of 11 women aged between 14 and 39 years. After marking the various points in the spinal column, from the 1st cervical vertebra to the 1st sacral vertebra, each woman's backbone was first measured with Vertebral Metrics and then measured with the optoelectronics system. Later, the results obtained with the two instruments were compared. Results: For our analysis we used an ANOVA model with 3 factors (Instrument, Subject and vertebrates) for the intervertebral distance. Conclusion: The Vertebral Metrics proved to be a reliable and valid apparatus when compared with the optoelectronics system.publishe

Biomechanical Measurements in the Spinal Column

In modern society, pain is a relevant problem of the population in general and of pregnant women in particular, being a common symptom and frequently referred to in pregnancies without any pathology associated. Studies indicate that from 35 to 76% of pregnant women experience pain during the gestational period. Most researchers attribute the etiology of the pain to biomechanical alterations of the spinal column throughout pregnancy, however an in-depth analysis has been delayed by the fact that the analytical processes involved are invasive and, as such, cannot be applied to pregnant women. On the other hand, non-invasive diagnostic methods only allow partial analyses of the spinal column, not offering a global vision. In face of the limitations mentioned we built Vertebral Metrics – an instrument that allows us to identify the x, y and z positions of each of the vertices of the spinal apophyses (vertebrae), giving us a global evaluation of the spinal column, in a standing position. The present work has the objective of presenting the first application of this equipment to 49 pregnant women at four different moments of pregnancy (12, 20, 32 e 37 weeks of gestation). Analyzing the results we can conclude that Vertebral Metrics – is an innovative instrument in the global evaluation of the spinal column in a standing position, allowing a quantitative analysis of its shape and temporal variations

Biomechanical Measurements in the Spinal Column of Pregnant Women Using Vertebral Metrics

In modern society, pain is a relevant problem of the population in general and of pregnant women in particular, being a common symptom and frequently referred to in pregnancies without any pathology associated. Studies indicate that from 35 to 76% of pregnant women experience pain during the gestational period. Most researchers attribute the etiology of the pain to biomechanical alterations of the spinal column throughout pregnancy, however an in-depth analysis has been delayed by the fact that the analytical processes involved are invasive and, as such, cannot be applied to pregnant women. On the other hand, non-invasive diagnostic methods only allow partial analyses of the spinal column, not offering a global vision. In face of the limitations mentioned we built Vertebral Metrics – an instrument that allows us to identify the x, y and z positions of each of the vertices of the spinal apophyses (vertebrae), giving us a global evaluation of the spinal column, in a standing position. The present work has the objective of presenting the first application of this equipment to 49 pregnant women at four different moments of pregnancy (12, 20, 32 e 37 weeks of gestation). Analyzing the results we can conclude that Vertebral Metrics – is an innovative instrument in the global evaluation of the spinal column in a standing position, allowing a quantitative analysis of its shape and temporal variations

A framework for advancing sustainable magnetic resonance imaging access in Africa

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology has profoundly transformed current healthcare systems globally, owing to advances in hardware and software research innovations. Despite these advances, MRI remains largely inaccessible to clinicians, patients, and researchers in low-resource areas, such as Africa. The rapidly growing burden of noncommunicable diseases in Africa underscores the importance of improving access to MRI equipment as well as training and research opportunities on the continent. The Consortium for Advancement of MRI Education and Research in Africa (CAMERA) is a network of African biomedical imaging experts and global partners, implementing novel strategies to advance MRI access and research in Africa. Upon its inception in 2019, CAMERA sets out to identify challenges to MRI usage and provide a framework for addressing MRI needs in the region. To this end, CAMERA conducted a needs assessment survey (NAS) and a series of symposia at international MRI society meetings over a 2-year period. The 68-question NAS was distributed to MRI users in Africa and was completed by 157 clinicians and scientists from across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). On average, the number of MRI scanners per million people remained at less than one, of which 39% were obsolete low-field systems but still in use to meet daily clinical needs. The feasibility of coupling stable energy supplies from various sources has contributed to the growing number of higher-field (1.5 T) MRI scanners in the region. However, these systems are underutilized, with only 8% of facilities reporting clinical scans of 15 or more patients per day, per scanner. The most frequently reported MRI scans were neurological and musculoskeletal. The CAMERA NAS combined with the World Health Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency data provides the most up-to-date data on MRI density in Africa and offers a unique insight into Africa\u27s MRI needs. Reported gaps in training, maintenance, and research capacity indicate ongoing challenges in providing sustainable high-value MRI access in SSA. Findings from the NAS and focused discussions at international MRI society meetings provided the basis for the framework presented here for advancing MRI capacity in SSA. While these findings pertain to SSA, the framework provides a model for advancing imaging needs in other low-resource settings

A framework for advancing sustainable magnetic resonance imaging access in Africa

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology has profoundly transformed current healthcare systems globally, owing to advances in hardware and software research innovations. Despite these advances, MRI remains largely inaccessible to clinicians, patients, and researchers in low-resource areas, such as Africa. The rapidly growing burden of noncommunicable diseases in Africa underscores the importance of improving access to MRI equipment as well as training and research opportunities on the continent. The Consortium for Advancement of MRI Education and Research in Africa (CAMERA) is a network of African biomedical imaging experts and global partners, implementing novel strategies to advance MRI access and research in Africa. Upon its inception in 2019, CAMERA sets out to identify challenges to MRI usage and provide a framework for addressing MRI needs in the region. To this end, CAMERA conducted a needs assessment survey (NAS) and a series of symposia at international MRI society meetings over a 2-year period. The 68-question NAS was distributed to MRI users in Africa and was completed by 157 clinicians and scientists from across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). On average, the number of MRI scanners per million people remained at less than one, of which 39% were obsolete low-field systems but still in use to meet daily clinical needs. The feasibility of coupling stable energy supplies from various sources has contributed to the growing number of higher-field (1.5 T) MRI scanners in the region. However, these systems are underutilized, with only 8% of facilities reporting clinical scans of 15 or more patients per day, per scanner. The most frequently reported MRI scans were neurological and musculoskeletal. The CAMERA NAS combined with the World Health Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency data provides the most up-to-date data on MRI density in Africa and offers a unique insight into Africa’s MRI needs. Reported gaps in training, maintenance, and research capacity indicate ongoing challenges in providing sustainable high-value MRI access in SSA. Findings from the NAS and focused discussions at international MRI society meetings provided the basis for the framework presented here for advancing MRI capacity in SSA. While these findings pertain to SSA, the framework provides a model for advancing imaging needs in other low-resource settings.Africa has a massive population with few infrastructural resources and an untapped potential to effect transformative change in healthcare. To advance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) access across all African countries and improve health and well-being in low-resource settings over the next decade, the MRI community is called to partner with the Consortium for Advancement of MRI Education and Research in Africa (CAMERA) to create enabling clinical and research MRI environments that will utilize the rich intellectual resources in Africa to realize lasting and equitable MRI for all Africans and the world at large.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/175918/1/nbm4846_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/175918/2/nbm4846.pd