Connectivity gradients on tractography data: Pipeline and example applications.
Guilherme Blazquez FrechesKoen V HaakChristian F BeckmannRogier B MarsPublished in: Human brain mapping (2021)
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.
Keyphrases
- white matter
- multiple sclerosis
- high resolution
- magnetic resonance imaging
- deep learning
- electronic health record
- optical coherence tomography
- resting state
- functional connectivity
- big data
- working memory
- mass spectrometry
- magnetic resonance
- convolutional neural network
- blood brain barrier
- diffusion weighted imaging