"Quality over quantity:" smaller, targeted lesions optimize quality of life outcomes after MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy for essential tremor.

Introduction: MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy of the nucleus ventralis intermedius (VIM) has emerged as a powerful and safe treatment modality for refractory essential tremor. While the efficacy of this technique has been extensively described, much remains unclear about how to optimize MRgFUS for patient quality of life (QoL), which may depend as much on a patient's adverse effect profile as on the magnitude of tremor suppression. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been used to help guide targeting strategies but can pose certain challenges for scalability.

Impact of pathogenic variants of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway on major white matter tracts in the human brain.

Noonan syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1 are genetic conditions linked to pathogenic variants in genes of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway. Both conditions hyper-activate signalling of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and exhibit a high prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders. Further, animal models of Noonan syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1 and human imaging studies show white matter abnormalities in both conditions.

A Qualitative Study of Aboriginal Peoples' Health Care Experiences With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Aboriginal Australians experience a high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with high rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations. However, little is known about Aboriginal peoples' experiences of living with COPD and how they navigate health care systems. This study used thematic analysis and Aboriginal methodology to explore Aboriginal peoples' lived experiences of COPD, their health care journey from receiving a diagnosis of COPD to the clinical management, and the impact of COPD on their daily lives.

Randomised Controlled Trial of a Customised Text Messaging and Activity Monitor Program for Lifestyle Improvement after Gestational Diabetes.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with a long-term risk of diabetes. We aimed to determine whether a text-messaging-based lifestyle support program would improve diabetes risk factors following GDM. Women with GDM were randomised following delivery to receive four text messages per week supporting a healthy lifestyle and parenting for 6 months, with feedback from an activity monitor (intervention), or to receive the activity monitor only (control).

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Tractography Guides Investigation of the Zona Incerta: A Novel Target for Deep Brain Stimulation.

Background: The zona incerta (ZI) is a subcortical structure primarily investigated in rodents that is implicated in various behaviors, ranging from motor control to survival-associated activities, partly due to its integration in multiple neural circuits. In the current study, we used diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography to segment the ZI and gain insight into its connectivity in various circuits in humans.

Methods: We performed probabilistic tractography in 7T diffusion MRI on 178 participants from the Human Connectome Project to validate the ZI's anatomical subdivisions and their respective tracts.