Multi-modal and Functional Neuroimaging – Ivan Rektor

• Research of advanced recordings, data analysis and multimodal integration methods (MRI, HD EEG, fMRI/EEG) in brain mapping
• Understanding the role and interactions of cortical and subcortical functions in processing higher level brain activities in health and disease
• Development and implementation of advanced methods for CF MAFIL
• Research on epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, vascular parkinsonism, cognitive functions, writing, music, and stress resilience

• Development of new molecular and functional imaging methods and their translation into clinical neuroscience.
• Usage of the multimodal approach to the advanced study of cognitive and behavioural functions.

Four basic approaches enabling study of the

a. subcortical structures and their interaction with the cortex

b. large scale brain networks in healthy and diseased brain predominantly cortical/ predominantly subcortical diseases (Epilepsy / Parkinson´s disease,  dystonia)

• electrophysiological recording from deep structures (Subthalamic ncl.,  Anterior Nucleus of Thalamus, Pallidum )
• High density electrophysiological recording from cortical structures
• functional, structural and metabolic imaging with MRI techniques
• EEG-fMRI: a combination of simultaneous fMRI recording and electrophysiological recording

Data analysis with advanced mathematical methods are performed in cooperation with ISI AS CR, CERIT MU

Projects

Music Lovers Club

The project consists of two parts. First is intracranial EEG study focused on the impact of music on epilepsy. Second part involves research of the brain connectivity related to music in professional and non-professionals. This part focuses on analysis of functional connectivity and extent of brain cognitivity involvment while listening to classical music by professional players versus passive listeners. The design of the study includes listening to an excerpt of classical music chosen by the subject and listening to subject’s beforehand unknown excerpt. We will test the hypothesis whether professional players connect cognitive component more then passive listeners while listening to classical music. We will particulary focus on networks analysis.

Supported by NPU II.

Modulation of functional connectivity of the large scale cortical networks by STN DBS

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective long-term treatment for motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). The most frequently used target is the subthalamic nucleus (STN). For some patients, the beneficial motor effects may be accompanied by cognitive impairment and other neuropsychiatric disturbances. Thus, we use scalp high-density EEG under on and off conditions and also intracerebral recordings of the STN combined with scalp recording in the subgroup. Advanced analytical methods are used to clarify the STN DBS impact on motor and cognitive cortical networks and correlated with longitudinal clinical examination. The project is intended to identify changes in cortical functional connectivity produced by DBS-STN stimulation in order to optimalize the treatment, and to find a possible predictive marker of cognitive impairment linked with DBS.

Supported by AZV-16-33798A Modulation of functional connectivity of the large scale cortical networks by STN DBS

Data-driven filtering of fMRI data

This project focuses on comparison and evaluation of possible approaches for data-driven filtering of fMRI data. This kind of filtering uses signals from white matter and cerebrospinal fluid. The aim of project is to compare suitability of particular extraction options and also the exact regions from which the signals can be extracted. The criterion for comparison of particular approaches is the ammount of explained noise variability in data (desirable as high as possible) and supression of signals of neural origin (desirable as low as possible).

Supported by GA14-33143S.

Design and optimization of ultra-short echo-time sequence for reliable detection of myelin content in the human brain by magnetic resonance imaging

The aim of the project is to design and optimize an ultra-short echo-time pulse sequence for a direct measurement of the short-T2 signals arising from white matter of the brain. There are two main obstacles to a reliable detection of myelin sheaths: 1) their signal decays to zero in a few tens of microseconds; and 2) their signal is overwhelmed by the predominant long-T2 components from white matter of the brain. The unique feature of the pulse sequence design will be a calibration procedure correcting for eddy-current induced image distortions, based on the measurement of k-space trajectory during the gradient ramp-up. The complete removal of residual long-T2 components will be achieved by optimized dual echo acquisition and subtraction, which will selectively depict signal from the short-T2 components. Following the technical development, a pilot study including healthy and multiple sclerosis volunteers will be performed to demonstrate the capabilities of the newly developed methodology for the direct myelin measurement.

Supported by Czech Science Foundation grant no. GA15-12607S

Neurobiological and psychological markers of stress response and resilience in holocaust survivors and their offspring - a three generation study

The goal of the project "Neurobiological and psychological markers of stress response and resilience in holocaust survivors and their offspring - a three generation study" is to identify the neurobiological, psychological and genetic markers of stress response and resilience in shoa (holocaust) survivors and investigate transmission of trauma in two generations of their offspring as compared to age-, gender- and education- matched control subjects.

Supported by Czech Bioimaging and Foundation for holocaust victims.

Lesion detection in non-lesional epilepsies using multimodal imaging methods

The project is focused on identification of previously unidentified brain structural or functional lesions that are potential seizure onset zones. Advanced functional and structural imaging methods will be combined to detect lesions: high density EEG; simultaneous HD EEG-fMRI; arterial spin labeling; advanced high-resolution structural imaging; diffusion tract and kurtosis imaging. We presume that subtle lesion will be defined by advanced multimodal imaging. The goal is introduction of validated protocols in the routine clinical practice.

Supported by NPU II.