Title: Explore “Dark Matter” of the Human Brain - Functional Tensor Imaging and Beyond  Speaker: Prof. Zhaohua Ding, Vanderbilt University, USA  Chair: Prof. Tianzi Jiang, Brainnetome Center, CASIA  Time: 14:30-15:30, July 5, 2018  Venue: The 1st meeting room, 3rd floor, Intelligence Building

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) detects changes in blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD)signals from T2*-sensitive acquisitions, and is most effective in detecting activity in brain cortex. White matter usually appears to be dark under fMRI and is essential a dark matter where BOLD signals are often ignored. Based on our discovery that resting state fMRI signals exhibit anisotropy in temporal correlations along white matter tracts, we have proposed the concept of functional tensors, which may be used to detect and visualize synchronized functional activity along white matter fibers. This offers the potential of gaining entirely new insights into structure-function relations in white matter and thus disentangling complex neural networks in the human brain. This talk will present the historical background of the concept of functional tensors, various supporting evidences, and in vivo validations with human and non-human primates. The talk will be concluded by open discussions on potential issues and controversies in detecting white matter BOLD signals.

Biography