RNA-programmable cell type monitoring and manipulation in the human cortex with CellREADR.

Reliable and systematic experimental access to diverse cell types is necessary for understanding the neural circuit organization, function, and pathophysiology of the human brain. Methods for targeting human neural populations are scarce and currently center around identifying and engineering transcriptional enhancers and viral capsids. Here we demonstrate the utility of CellREADR, a programmable RNA sensor-effector technology that couples cellular RNA sensing to effector protein translation, for accessing, monitoring, and manipulating specific neuron types in human cortical tissues.

Augmented reality for epilepsy surgery: Examining usability and efficacy in presurgical planning.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to visualize 3-dimensional (3-D) brain and electrode placement data for epilepsy surgery within an augmented reality (AR) environment using a wearable headset, with the ultimate goal of enhancing presurgical planning for epilepsy surgery and understanding the efficiency and utility of such a program in a clinical setting. The evaluation process for surgical intervention in epilepsy cases involves a series of extensive tests, including EEG, MRI, PET, SPECT, and fMRI. A second phase of assessment incorporates the placement of depth electrodes within the brain to record seizure activity.

Revisiting the Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Success Score using machine learning: can we do better?

Objective: The Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Success Score (ETVSS) is a useful decision-making heuristic when considering the probability of surgical success, defined traditionally as no repeat cerebrospinal fluid diversion surgery needed within 6 months. Nonetheless, the performance of the logistic regression (LR) model in the original 2009 study was modest, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.68.

Multiparameter quantitative analyses of diagnostic cells in brain tissues from tuberous sclerosis complex.

The advent of high-dimensional imaging offers new opportunities to molecularly characterize diagnostic cells in disorders that have previously relied on histopathological definitions. One example case is found in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a developmental disorder characterized by systemic growth of benign tumors. Within resected brain tissues from patients with TSC, detection of abnormally enlarged balloon cells (BCs) is pathognomonic for this disorder.

A Novel Technique for Intraoperative Mapping of the Somatosensory Cortex.

Objective: Intraoperative mapping of the nervous system is used to identify "eloquent" cortical areas. In this technical report, we describe a novel way of mapping the somatosensory cortex so that injury to those critical pathways can be avoided.

Methods: An 8-year-old female with drug resistant epilepsy presented for resection of a right posterior parietal focal cortical dysplasia.