Brain Structure & Function最新文献

Reading is a complex cognitive skill that undergoes dynamic age-related changes across the lifespan. We investigated how associations between brain structure and reading fluency vary throughout the lifespan in native Chinese speakers using structural MRI data, alongside word- and sentence-level reading assessments in 145 healthy participants (aged 7-77 years). Our results revealed significant age-related brain-reading relationships, namely cortical thinning in bilateral middle frontal gyrus and inferior and superior parietal areas correlated with better reading in children and young adults, while positive associations emerged in older adults, indicating a shift from neural pruning to compensatory mechanisms. Beyond single morphometric features, morphometric similarity network analyses that capture coordinated variations across multiple cortical features between brain regions, demonstrated that reading fluency was associated with increased network integration in the left superior frontal and rostral middle frontal gyrus and precuneus, and greater specialization in the left caudal middle frontal gyrus. Together, these findings reveal age-related differences in reading-related neural architecture that are consistent with dynamic reorganization in logographic writing systems, highlighting how age-dependent neural plasticity interacts with reading experience to shape structural brain organization throughout the lifespan.

In a digital era defined by an overwhelming abundance of information (both accurate and misleading), the need for accessible, trustworthy scientific information has become increasingly important. To strengthen the dialogue between neuroscientists and the general public, we launched the Brain HelpDesk (BHD), an online platform where non-scientists can submit questions related to the brain and receive clear, accessible, and scientifically grounded answers. This paper offers a practical guide for researchers interested in creating similar initiatives. We position the BHD in the current science communication landscape and describe our workflow design, standardised answer template, and the geographic spread of our audience. The questions we have received and addressed so far highlight the public's interest in fundamental and mechanistic over more pathology-focused topics. Based on our own experience, we recommend (1) using a clear and consistent answer format, (2) starting with a small dedicated team, (3) designing a user-friendly, yet privacy-minded website, (4) having both an online and (5) in-person presence, (6) creating a structured workflow and (7) using institutional support to boost both visibility and credibility. With this paper, we aim to inspire and support fellow scientists in launching their own scientific helpdesks, fostering dialogue and making science more accessible and understandable to everyone.

The DHHC palmitoyltransferase Zdhhc22 is known to play a role in neuronal differentiation, synaptic regulation, and brain development. While transcriptomic data hint at region-specific expression, its exact spatiotemporal and cell-type distribution in the mammalian brain is unclear. For this purpose, we generated a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mouse line that expresses the mCherry fluorescent reporter driven by the Zdhhc22 promoter. We then analyzed Zdhhc22 expression from embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) through adulthood. mCherry fluorescence was detected in many brain regions, including the cortex, thalamus, midbrain, piriform cortex, and brainstem. Interestingly, a dynamic developmental gene expression pattern was observed: Zdhhc22 expression was initially restricted to the cortical marginal zone between E13.5 and E15.5, it then expanded into deeper cortical layers by E17.5, and at postnatal day 0 (P0), it persisted in deep layers while also appearing in a new subset of cortical plate neurons. Through co-immunostaining, mCherry expression was found to be predominantly neuronal, showing strong co-localization with NeuN and minimal overlap with glial cells. In the cortex, Zdhhc22 expression showed no co-localization with CUX1 or CTIP2 but did partially overlap with FOG2, a marker for layer VI pyramidal neurons. A particularly striking finding was that nearly all marginal zone mCherry-positive cells co-expressed RELN, identifying them as Cajal-Retzius cells. This neuronal specificity was maintained in the adult brain. Our findings validate the Zdhhc22-mCherry BAC transgenic line as a faithful model of endogenous Zdhhc22 expression, providing invaluable insight into its cellular specificity and a powerful new tool for future research.

Although motor deficits in developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are well documented, the underlying neurological alterations remain poorly understood. While some studies report reduced grey matter (GM) volume and altered white matter (WM) organisation, others show contradictory results or found no differences at all. These studies focus exclusively on paediatric populations and commonly employ diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This technique is limited in distinguishing crossing fibres, which compromises the reliability of its findings. Therefore, we used the state-of-the-art fixel-based analysis (FBA) technique, providing a more precise measurement that accounts for crossing fibres. Sixteen adults with DCD and thirteen typically developing (TD) peers (18-35y) underwent comprehensive motor assessment (MABC-2) and T1- and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI scans. GM volume was examined in motor-related regions, including the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. WM organization was analysed in key motor tracts such as the corticospinal tract (CST), cerebellar peduncles, and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). No significant differences in GM volume or WM organization were found between adults with DCD and TD controls. Additionally, there was no significant relationship between WM organization and motor performance scores. However, with this relatively small sample, small or moderate effects remain undetected. Furthermore, according to Bayesian analyses the findings only provide anecdotal support for the absence of group differences, except for the left middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP), where moderate evidence supported the null hypothesis. Future studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these conclusions.