Case Study 1: Memory and Aging
- Objective: Analyze how resting-state fMRI uncovers changes in functional connectivity linked to aging.
- Example: A longitudinal study involving older adults used resting-state fMRI to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease by observing disruptions in the Default Mode Network (DMN). Researchers identified that decreased connectivity in specific DMN regions correlated with cognitive decline, leading to more accurate predictions of disease progression.
- Outcome: Findings have informed strategies for early Alzheimer’s detection and prompted the development of targeted interventions.
Read the full article here.
Case Study 2: Brain Injury Recovery
- Objective: Utilize functional MRI (fMRI) to monitor and understand neural plasticity during the recovery process in a patient with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Example: A Canadian soldier, Captain Trevor Greene, sustained a severe open-traumatic brain injury during a combat tour in Afghanistan. Over more than six years, twelve longitudinal fMRI examinations were conducted to investigate lower limb activation and neural plasticity changes. The fMRI data revealed significant reorganization within the motor networks, indicating the brain’s capacity to adapt and reorganize following severe injury. This comprehensive longitudinal study provided valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying motor recovery and the potential for neuroplasticity even years after the initial injury.
- Outcome: The findings demonstrated that motor function improvements can occur beyond established limits, emphasizing the importance of long-term rehabilitation strategies and the role of neuroimaging in guiding personalized therapy.
Read the full article here.
Assessment: Hands-On Data Analysis
Participants will be given an fMRI dataset to identify active regions based on a given task. In case study #1, Participants could analyze a resting-state fMRI dataset, focusing on the Default Mode Network (DMN), to identify connectivity disruptions correlated with aging or cognitive decline. In case study #2, Participants could examine task-based fMRI data to map compensatory activation in the contralateral hemisphere during motor tasks, providing insights into neural plasticity.
