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

三铰回是来自三个方向的皮质折叠的结合，是描述大脑折叠模式的一个有前途的指标，并有可能改变大脑结构-功能关系的研究。然而，对其重要性的理解存在几个重大差距，例如，为什么发育中的大脑优先发展3-铰链回模式，而不是许多其他可能的折叠模式；什么基本机制促成了这一复杂的过程；以及3-铰链回是否可以作为大脑网络的枢纽并显示出跨学科的相似性。该项目的目标是探索3-铰链脑回形成的基本机制及其在脑网络中的作用。这项研究将有助于揭示大脑结构的基本原理，并产生一个关于皮质折叠、轴突连接和三铰链回形成之间的统一理论框架。这个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。研究人员将使用一种集成的计算建模和数据挖掘方法来了解大脑皮层中三铰链回模式的形成及其结构与功能的关系。具体目标如下：(1)建立一个计算力学模型来解释三铰回的形成以及几何参数和轴突纤维的具体作用。(2)进行神经成像研究，以考察皮质3铰回作为脑网络中枢的潜在作用。(3)进行成像数据分析，以检验皮质三铰回是否将皮质折叠模式的跨学科相似性与结构脑连接图和脑功能的对应联系起来。通过探索皮质折叠和三铰链回模式提供的补充信息，该项目将提供一个独特的视角，共同处理大脑解剖和连接，并更好地了解它们的关系。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.