Opportunities of connectomic neuromodulation.

Authors: Horn A, Fox MD

The process of altering neural activity - neuromodulation - has long been used to treat patients with brain disorders and answer scientific questions. Deep brain stimulation in particular has provided clinical benefit to over 150,000 patients. However, our understanding of how neuromodulation impacts the brain is evolving. Instead of focusing on the local impact at the stimulation site itself, we are considering the remote impact on brain regions connected to the stimulation site. Brain connectivity information derived from advanced magnetic resonance imaging data can be used to identify these connections and better understand clinical and behavioral effects of neuromodulation. In this article, we review studies combining neuromodulation and brain connectomics, highlighting opportunities where this approach may prove particularly valuable. We focus on deep brain stimulation, but show that the same principles can be applied to other forms of neuromodulation, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and MRI-guided focused ultrasound. We outline future perspectives and provide testable hypotheses for future work.

Introduction

Purpose Other

Study Objective To review how brain connectomics can be used to understand and guide neuromodulation—particularly deep brain stimulation—and to highlight opportunities and testable hypotheses for future research.

MRI or image guidance method MRI-guided focused ultrasound

Outcomes and Safety

Summary of Outcomes Using brain connectomics to guide neuromodulation can explain, predict, and personalize clinical and behavioral effects—particularly for deep brain stimulation—and the approach is extendable to TMS and MRI‑guided focused ultrasound; the paper reports potential for improved outcomes but does not present new experimental parameter testing. No specific focused ultrasound parameters were tested or reported as successful.

Safety-related matter The authors caution that novel imaging methods should be used carefully when incorporated into clinical practice—especially in the operating room; no specific adverse effects or safety events are reported in the paper.

Brain Region

Visualization unavailable

Ultrasound Parameters

Focal Characteristics focal depth: None; focal length: None; aperture size: None

We are open to feedback. If you see a mistake or have a suggestion, please contact us.