Imagine your brain as a bustling city, with its highways connecting different regions. In the case of asymptomatic carotid stenosis (SACS), these communication highways undergo interesting changes. Researchers used an innovative approach to analyze individualized brain networks and discovered that SACS patients had altered connections both within and between brain hemispheres. It’s like finding longer roads between certain regions while some roads become shorter. These changes in the brain’s structural connectivity coincide with cognitive impairments commonly observed in SACS patients. The study also revealed that the network organization in SACS patients is less optimized, affecting memory and white matter integrity. Additionally, they identified specific brain regions that could predict silent lesion load and cognitive performance. This research sheds light on the complex neuroanatomy of SACS and provides valuable insights into identifying individuals at high risk for cognitive decline. If you’re interested in discovering more about these fascinating brain communication pathways and their role in SACS, check out the full article!
Background and purposePatients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis, even without stroke, are at high risk for cognitive impairment, and the neuroanatomical basis remains unclear. Using a novel edge-centric structural connectivity (eSC) analysis from individualized single-subject cortical thickness networks, we aimed to examine eSC and network measures in severe (> 70%) asymptomatic carotid stenosis (SACS).MethodsTwenty-four SACS patients and 24 demographically- and comorbidities-matched controls were included, and structural MRI and multidomain cognitive data were acquired. Individual eSC was estimated via the Manhattan distances of pairwise cortical thickness histograms.ResultsIn the eSC analysis, SACS patients showed longer interhemispheric but shorter intrahemispheric Manhattan distances seeding from left lateral temporal regions; in network analysis the SACS patients had a decreased system segregation paralleling with white matter hyperintensity burden and recall memory. Further network-based statistic analysis identified several eSC and subgraph features centred around the Perisylvian regions that predicted silent lesion load and cognitive tests.ConclusionWe conclude that SACS exhibits abnormal eSC and a less-optimized trade-off between physical cost and network segregation, providing a reference and perspective for identifying high-risk individuals.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.