Brain connectomics: time for a molecular imaging perspective?

Arianna Sala, Aldana Lizarraga, Silvia Paola Caminiti, Vince D. Calhoun, Simon B. Eickhoff, Christian Habeck, Sharna D. Jamadar, Daniela Perani, Joana B. Pereira, Mattia Veronese, Igor Yakushev*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

45 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the past two decades brain connectomics has evolved into a major concept in neuroscience. However, the current perspective on brain connectivity and how it underpins brain function relies mainly on the hemodynamic signal of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Molecular imaging provides unique information inaccessible to MRI-based and electrophysiological techniques. Thus, positron emission tomography (PET) has been successfully applied to measure neural activity, neurotransmission, and proteinopathies in normal and pathological cognition. Here, we position molecular imaging within the brain connectivity framework from the perspective of timeliness, validity, reproducibility, and resolution. We encourage the neuroscientific community to take an integrative approach whereby MRI-based, electrophysiological techniques, and molecular imaging contribute to our understanding of the brain connectome.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)353-366
Number of pages14
JournalTRENDS IN COGNITIVE SCIENCES
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2023

Keywords

  • connectivity
  • electroencephalography
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • networks
  • PET
  • positron emission tomography

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Brain connectomics: time for a molecular imaging perspective?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this