Resting-State Functional Connectivity Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Outcome After Acute Stroke.

Background and Purpose- Physiological effects of stroke are best assessed over entire brain networks rather than just focally at the site of structural damage. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging can map functional-anatomic networks by analyzing spontaneously correlated low-frequency activity fluctuations across the brain, but its potential usefulness in predicting functional outcome after acute stroke remains unknown. We assessed the ability of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to predict functional outcome after acute stroke.

The Gut Metagenome Changes in Parallel to Waist Circumference, Brain Iron Deposition, and Cognitive Function.

Context: Microbiota perturbations seem to exert modulatory effects on emotional behavior, stress-, and pain-modulation systems in adult animals; however, limited information is available in humans.

Objective: To study potential relationships among the gut metagenome, brain microstructure, and cognitive performance in middle-aged, apparently healthy, obese and nonobese subjects after weight changes.

Design: This is a longitudinal study over a 2-year period.