基于静息态磁共振成像的人脑脊髓功能网络研究以及临床应用

Spinal cord is a key part in the central nerve system, as it is sensory and motor signal pathway between the brain and peripheral system, also it is a key site for the pathology of many neurodegeration diseases. Therefore, the development of new methods for the study of spinal cord function has important biophysiological significance and clinical application prospect. Recently the applicant has been focusing on spinal cord fMRI, a very challenging and novel topic. The applicant for the first time in the world, has discovered biological plausible resting state networks in the human spinal cord, similar to the well-known brain connectome networks. In the current project, we will further the research on the core technology of the spinal cord resting state fMRI, establish standardised imaging sequence and analysis pipeline; by implementing the analysis methods of functional connectivity, network analysis, regional homogeneity and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, combining behaviour data, characterise the spinal cord functional networks comprehensively; test the reliability and reproducibility of the resting state spinal cord networks; establish the standard template of the resting state cervical cord networks; explore the clinical application value of the spinal cord resting state networks using MS, NMO and spinal cord injury as models. The completion of the project will fill the gap in the spinal cord fMRI research in China, which has important neuroscience significance and potential clinical value.

脊髓是中枢神经系统的重要组成部分，是身体与大脑之间传递感知和运动信号的通路，是很多神经疾病的病灶关键部位。因此，开发脊髓功能研究的新方法具有重要的生理意义和医学应用前景。近期申请人致力于运用磁共振成像研究脊髓功能这一极具挑战的创新性科学问题，在国际上首次发现，类似脑功能连接网络，脊髓中也存在符合生理特性分布的静息态功能网络。本项目将深化研究脊髓静息态功能磁共振成像这一核心技术，研究并建立标准化的成像序列参数和分析流程；应用功能连接、网络结构分析、局部一致性和活动强度等图像分析方法，结合被试的行为学指标，全面研究脊髓功能网络的特性；验证脊髓静息态网络的可靠性和可重复性；确定颈髓静息态功能网络的标准模板图谱；并以多发硬化症、视神经脊髓炎和脊髓损伤为疾病模型，探索脊髓静息态功能网络的临床转化应用价值。本项目的完成将填补我国在脊髓功能磁共振成像方向上的空白，具有重要的神经科学意义和潜在的临床价值。

脊髓是中枢神经系统的重要组成部分，是身体与大脑之间传递感知和运动信号的通路，是很多神经疾病的病灶关键部位。因此，开发脊髓功能研究的新方法具有重要的生理意义和医学应用前景。本项目旨在基于脊髓静息态fMRI这一新兴的技术，着力解决脊髓功能成像的技术难点，优化和标准化脊髓静息态fMRI的成像序列；结合功能连接、网络分析和低频活动振幅等几个方法，全面研究脊髓功能网络的特性；验证脊髓静息态网络连接的可靠性以及可重复性；并且进一步探索脊髓静息态网络在慢性疼痛和脊髓损伤等医疗临床中的应用效果。