Improving the characterization of activity in white matter systems: links within distributed neural networks

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Understanding how the brain works is a rapidly advancing area of science and technology. The growing scientific and public interest in brain imaging advances makes perfect sense when considering that our most prized higher-level mental functions, like language and memory, rely on finely tuned, complex processing of brain circuits. These brain circuits exist as distributed networks that are dynamically activated as information is processed. In recent years, there have been major technological advances in our ability to non-invasively peer inside the brain and watch aspects of these networks process information - to visualize our brain at work as "activation." But, what does this activation mean?***My prior work was focused on seeking a better understanding of the concept of "activation" in distributed brain networks - a fundamental step towards learning more about higher mental functions. In the process, a missing link was identified. The brain is divided into two, approximately equal, types of tissues (gray matter and white matter); when considering distributed networks, gray matter can be thought of as the dots, with white matter as the lines connecting the dots. The missing link: brain imaging of "activation" sees only the dots, which effectively represents only 50% of the picture. Without being able to isolate the active lines that connect the dots, it is difficult, if not impossible, to identify these vital distributed networks.***The key objective of this proposal is to identify active connections (the lines) in white matter in order to better understand these dynamic networks. My research will capitalize on advancements in brain imaging, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and related MRI-based techniques. To date, our group has led in the use of fMRI to detect white matter activation in the brain. Through a series of experiments, we have demonstrated white matter activation in specific brain connections (primarily the corpus callosum). The next step will be to discover and characterize the optimal measurement of, and explore the underlying biological basis for, white matter activation. Ultimately, the goal is to help better identify brain networks, at work and at rest, that support vital higher-level mental functions. This fundamental research is then hoped to bring real-world applications in the neurological evaluation of brain dysfunction (e.g., multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease).***The anticipated outcome of this work is to improve our understanding of brain activation during high-level function and dysfunction. By improving our ability to visualize distributed brain networks, this research will lay the foundation for a host of future advances to help the one-third of all Canadians who are affected by brain-related conditions during their lives. ********