1.Abnormal Functional Brain Network Connectivity Associated with Alzheimer's Disease

Authors:Yongcheng Yao

Abstract: The study's objective is to explore the distinctions in the functional brain network connectivity between Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients and normal controls using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). The study included 590 individuals, with 175 having AD dementia and 415 age-, gender-, and handedness-matched normal controls. The connectivity of functional brain networks was measured using ROI-to-ROI and ROI-to-Voxel connectivity analyses. The findings reveal a general decrease in functional connectivity among the AD group in comparison to the normal control group. These results advance our comprehension of AD pathophysiology and could assist in identifying AD biomarkers.

2.Understanding visual processing of motion: Completing the picture using experimentally driven computational models of MT

Authors:Parvin Zarei Eskikand, David B Grayden, Tatiana Kameneva, Anthony N Burkitt, Michael R Ibbotson

Abstract: Computational modeling helps neuroscientists to integrate and explain experimental data obtained through neurophysiological and anatomical studies, thus providing a mechanism by which we can better understand and predict the principles of neural computation. Computational modeling of the neuronal pathways of the visual cortex has been successful in developing theories of biological motion processing. This review describes a range of computational models that have been inspired by neurophysiological experiments. Theories of local motion integration and pattern motion processing are presented, together with suggested neurophysiological experiments designed to test those hypotheses.