Development and optimization of tools for the study of human brain anatomical connectivity using high angular resolution diffusion MRI

Project Type: FONDECYT Initiation #11121644
Position: Principal Researcher
Award Year: 2012. Ending Year: 2015.

Descripción

This project sought to develop and optimize tools for the study and analysis of brain connectivity, using Difussion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) data.

The studies are based on High Angular Resolution Difussion Imaging (HARDI) images.

These present very high quality, due to the advancement of acquisition technologies, as well as the acquisition itself (long duration, dedicated to research) and the performed post-processing, which seek to provide a solid base for the study of the healthy adult human brain.

The main results of this project contemplate:

  • The analysis of the reproducibility of short association fascicles of the brain, using data clustering tools and cortical parcellations.

  • The optimization of an algorithm for the segmentation of brain fibers, achieving times that allow an interactive segmentation (Principal Researcher: Professor Miguel Figueroa T.).

  • The development of a tool for the optimized visualization and manipulation of brain tracts.

Other interesting results are:

  • Development of a tool for the optimized visualization of tracts for Android devices (iFiber).

  • Creation of an atlas of short brain fascicles.

  • Development of algorithms for the comparison of brain tracts, between subjects and between hemispheres.

Undergraduate Theses related to the project

Student Thesis Defense Date
Ignacio Osorio W. Electronic Civil Engineering Thesis: “Software for the Interactive Visualization and Extraction of Brain Fibers” December 31st, 2015.
Danilo Bonometti B. Electronic Civil Engineering Thesis: “Visualization of Brain Fibers” April 1st, 2015.
Daniel Seguel B. Biomedical Civil Engineering Thesis: “Automatic Algorithm for the Segmentation of Short Association Fibers of the Human Brain” March 17th, 2015.
Claudio Román G. Biomedical Civil Engineering Thesis: “Short Brain Fibers Clustering Calculated from Difussion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Images” January 16th, 2015.
Miguel Guevara O. Biomedical Civil Engineering Thesis: “Algorithm for the Automatic Segmentation of Short Brain Fibers of the Fronto-Parietal Region and the Insular Cortex” January 16th, 2015.
Pablo L. Silva P. Biomedical Civil Engineering Thesis: “Parcellation of the Brain Cortex Based on the Anatomical Connectivity” May 29th, 2014.
Eduardo Venegas A. Electronic Civil Engineering Thesis: “Development of a software for the interactive manipulation of brain fibers” July 18th, 2014.
Nicole A. Labra A. Biomedical Civil Engineering Thesis: “Optimization of Algorithm for the Classification of White Matter Fibers based on the Brain Fascicles Atlas” April 30th, 2013.
Edison Pardo R. Electronic Civil Engineering Thesis: “Study of the Variability of the Connections of Short Association of the Human Brain” April 4th, 2013.
Gabriel E. Varela M. Biomedical Civil Engineering Thesis: “Calculation of Diffusion Tensor Indices from the Westin Algorithm” April 4th, 2013.

Postgraduate Theses related to the project

Student Thesis Defense Date
Claudio Román G. Master of Engineering Sciences w/m in Electrical Engineering.
“Segmentation of brain short brain fibers based on hierarchical Clustering from HARDI database”		 November 30th, 2016.
Miguel Guevara O. Master of Engineering Sciences w/m in Electrical Engineering.
“Parcellation of the brain cortex based on fiber atlas calculated from tractography”		 January 30th, 2016.
Nicole Labra A. Master of Engineering Sciences w/m in Electrical Engineering, (co-director)
“Quick segmentation of white substance brain fibers”		 January 28th, 2015.

Publications

1009, 2019

Methods for tractography-based parcellation of the cortical surface

Project Type: Regular FONDECYT #1190701Position: Head ResearcherAward Year: 2019. Ending Year: 2021. The study of the human connectome is an interesting, growing and key research area.  It has led to the creation of initiatives such as the Human Connectome Project (http://www.humanconnectomeproject.org/) and the Human Brain Project (https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/). Their objective is to fully describe the brain's structure and connections, in order to better understand its functioning. This analysis involves different modalities, such as anatomical, functional, and clinical data, among others. This ongoing project focuses on contributing to the decoding of the human brain connectome, via the development of methods for the analysis of brain connectivity based on high-quality diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) databases. It also aims to develop interactive tools for the analysis of WM bundles and structure, specifically regarding the visualization, segmentation, and manipulation of fiber tractography data. The main goal of this project is the development of new tractography-based cortical parcellation methods for a better description of the human brain connectome, using high-quality MRI data. These tools will not only help achieve the goal of describing the human connectome, but will contribute to the development of neuroimaging research in Chile as well. This will be of great interest for neuroscientists, neurologists, and neuroanatomist, as it will allow performing more accurate and detailed clinical studies, and thus also answer fundamental questions about brain structure and function. The specific goals are: The development of a new hybrid cortical parcellation based on the SWM and DWM bundle atlases. The development of a cortical parcellation based on intra- and inter-subject fiber clustering. The development of an interactive tool for the visualization, segmentation, and manipulation of WM fibers. Undergraduate Theses related to the project Student Thesis Defense Date Paulo Olivares Informatics Engineering Thesis (co-advised): "GPGPU implementation of a brain fiber clustering method based on point distribution" May 11th, 2020. Isaías Huerta Informatics Engineering Thesis (co-advised): "Inter-subject clustering of brain fibers calculated from tractography" January 29th, 2020. Felipe Silva V. Biomedical Engineering Thesis: “Cortical parcellation method based on a graph representation of brain connections” April 1st, 2019. Postgraduate Theses related to the project Student Thesis Defense Date Andrea Vásquez V. Master in Computer Sciences. “Efficient brain fiber clustering method based on point distribution” April 16th, 2019. Publications News

2608, 2019

Engineers from the Faculty of Engineering at UdeC obtained funding from the ninth VIU Fondef-Conicyt grants competition

On August 6th 2019 the results of the IX VIU FONDEF-CONICYT grant competition were informed. The objective of this competition is the valorization of research done in Chilean universities, by promoting the formation of entrepreneurship, businesses, or enterprises based on research done by students in the context of their thesis or university graduating activities.In this opportunity, University of Concepción was the national leader, with a total of 14 funded projects. Among them are 7 engineering students: Macarena Araneda, Constanza Ortiz, Sebastián Moyano, Ignacio Espinoza, Rodrigo Osorio, Danaris Salas, y Francisca Guzmán. Their teachers are highlighted as well: Pamela Guevara, Pablo Aqueveque, y Esteban Pino.

2208, 2019

Presentation at CINV-AC3E neuroscience meeting

On August 22nd 2019, the first scientific-academic encounter between the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Center (CINV) (University of Valparaíso) and the Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (AC3E) (Technical University Federico Santa María) took place. The event included the presentation of the lines of research of the Millennium Institute scientists and the AC3E engineers, as well as a poster session from students and researchers. Furthermore, it included the presence of Andrés Couve, minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation. The Electronic Engineer Ignacio Osorio Wallace presented the paper entitled "FiberVis & iFiber: tools for a fast fiber tractography visualization and segmentation", which consists of tools for the visualization and manipulation of tractography data and brain structures. Furthermore, professor Pamela Guevara presented the poster entitled "Analysis Tools for the Study of Brain Connectivity based on Diffusion MRI", consisting of tools for the study of brain connectivity based on diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. More information at the following link.

808, 2019

Scientists from the “1000 Scientists 1000 Classrooms” Program visit “San José” School in the Month of Science

On August 8th, 2019, professor Pamela Guevara visited the "San José" school to present a talk titled "Study of the brain through Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Virtual Reality". After explaining the bases of the acquisition and analysis of brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Electronic Engineering student Francisco Beltrán explained the functioning of a Virtual Reality application for the exploration of the brain, and aided in the testing made by the students of the school. More information in the Colegio San José website.

News

1202, 2021

AC3E celebrates its researchers and students on the Day of Women and Girls in Science

On February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was celebrated, a day which seeks to promote their equitable participation in science, technology, [...]

212, 2020

Brain Connectivity and Medical Imaging in IIT UdeC

On December 2nd 2020, the Institute of Technological Research of University of Concepción (ITT UdeC) published a conversation with professor Pamela Guevara, in which the academic [...]

411, 2020

Sebastián Moyano awarded at INGELECTRA 2020 Congress

Sebastián Moyano, Biomedical Engineer and student of the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering w/m in Electrical Engineering UdeC, who obtained the Award for innovative work [...]

2018-11-10T18:32:47-03:00

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