CRCNS Research Proposal: Exploring the Mechanism of 3-Hinge Gyral Formation and its Role in Brain Networks

3-hinge gyrus是来自三个方向的皮质折叠的结合，是表征大脑折叠模式的一个有希望的度量，并有可能改变大脑结构-功能关系的研究。然而，在理解其重要性方面存在一些重大差距，例如，为什么生长中的大脑优先发展3-hinge旋转模式，而不是许多其他可能的折叠模式；什么基本机制促成了这个复杂的过程；以及3-hinge脑回是否可以作为大脑网络的枢纽，并表现出跨学科的相似性。这个项目的目标是探索3-铰链旋转形成的基本机制及其在大脑网络中的作用。这项研究将有助于揭示大脑结构的基本原理，并产生一个统一的理论框架，将皮层折叠、轴突连接和3铰回形成联系起来。该项目的长期目标是提供一个新的模型来描述大脑形态、连通性和功能之间的关系。研究人员将采用集成的计算建模和数据挖掘方法来了解大脑皮层中3-hinge旋转模式的形成及其结构-功能关系。具体目标如下：(1)建立计算力学模型来解释3铰旋转的形成以及几何参数和轴突纤维的具体作用。(2)开展神经影像学研究，探讨皮质3铰回在脑网络中作为中枢的潜在作用。(3)通过成像数据分析，验证皮质3铰回是否将皮质折叠模式的跨主体相似性与脑结构接线图和脑功能的对应关系联系起来。通过探索皮质折叠和3-铰回模式提供的互补信息，该项目将提供一个独特的视角来共同对待大脑解剖和连接，并更好地理解它们之间的关系。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

A 3-hinge gyrus, a conjunction of cortical folds coming from three directions, is a promising metric to characterize brain folding patterns and has potential to transform the study of the brain structure-function relationship. However, there are several significant gaps in understanding its significance, for example, why a growing brain preferentially develops 3-hinge gyral patterns as opposed to many other possible folding patterns; what fundamental mechanisms contribute to this complex process; and whether 3-hinge gyri can serve as hubs in brain networks and show cross-subject similarity. The goal of this project is to explore the fundamental mechanism of 3-hinge gyral formations and their role in brain networks. The study will help reveal fundamental principles of brain architecture and produce a unified theoretical framework relating between cortical folding, axonal wiring, and 3-hinge gyral formation. The long-term goal of this project is to offer a novel model to describe the relationships among brain morphology, connectivity, and function. The investigators will employ an integrated computational modeling and data-mining methodology to understand 3-hinge gyral pattern formation and its structure-function relationship in the cerebral cortex. The specific objectives are as follows: (1) Develop a computational mechanical model to explain 3-hinge gyral formation and the specific roles of geometrical parameters and axonal fibers. (2) Conduct neuroimaging studies to examine the potential role of cortical 3-hinge gyri as hubs in brain networks. (3) Perform imaging data analysis to test whether cortical 3-hinge gyri link the cross-subject similarity of cortical folding patterns to the correspondences of structural brain wiring diagrams and brain functions. By exploring the complementary information provided by cortical folding and 3-hinge gyral patterns, this project will offer a unique perspective to treat brain anatomy and connectivity collectively and better understand their relationships.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.