Resting-State Functional Connectivity Predicts Cochlear-Implant Speech Outcomes.

Objectives: Cochlear implants (CIs) have revolutionized hearing restoration for individuals with severe or profound hearing loss. However, a substantial and unexplained variability persists in CI outcomes, even when considering subject-specific factors such as age and the duration of deafness. In a pioneering study, we use resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy to predict speech-understanding outcomes before and after CI implantation.

Dynamic Reconfiguration of Brain Functional Network in Stroke.

The brain continually reorganizes its functional network to adapt to post-stroke functional impairments. Previous studies using static modularity analysis have presented global-level behavior patterns of this network reorganization. However, it is far from understood how the brain reconfigures its functional network dynamically following a stroke.

Brain Functional Connectivity Networks do not Return to Resting-state During Control Trials in Block Design Experiments.

Many studies on morphology analysis show that if short inter-stimulus intervals separate tasks, the hemodynamic response amplitude will return to the resting-state baseline before the subsequent stimulation onset; hence, responses to successive tasks do not overlap. Accordingly, popular brain imaging analysis techniques assume changes in hemodynamic response amplitude subside after a short time (around 15 seconds). However, whether this assumption holds when studying brain functional connectivity has yet to be investigated.

Evaluation of Module Dynamics in Functional Brain Networks After Stroke.

The brain's functional network can be analyzed as a set of distributed functional modules. Previous studies using the static method suggested the modularity of the brain function network decreased due to stroke; however, how the modular network changes after stroke, particularly over time, is far from understood. This study collected resting-state functional MRI data from 15 stroke patients and 15 age-matched healthy controls.

Virtual reality and motor imagery for early post-stroke rehabilitation.

Background: Motor impairment is a common consequence of stroke causing difficulty in independent movement. The first month of post-stroke rehabilitation is the most effective period for recovery. Movement imagination, known as motor imagery, in combination with virtual reality may provide a way for stroke patients with severe motor disabilities to begin rehabilitation.