Brain Functional Complexity Using Multiscale Lateralized Brain Entropy

Pierre Manlet^*
*Correspondence: Pierre Manlet, Department of Neurology, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain, Email:

Introduction

Mild Cognitive Impairment represents a transitional stage between normal age-related cognitive decline and more severe conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the progression from MCI to AD is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention. Recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques have allowed researchers to explore brain functional complexity, shedding light on the lateralization patterns in MCI and AD. This review discusses the research focused on the lateralization of brain functional complexity using multiscale lateralized brain entropy, providing valuable insights into the intricate neural processes underlying cognitive impairment and disease progression. Brain functional complexity refers to the intricate patterns of neural activity and connectivity that underlie cognitive processes. In healthy individuals, the brain exhibits a balanced and flexible network organization. However, in cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases like AD, this complexity can become disrupted. Studying the alterations in brain functional complexity provides a unique perspective on the underlying neural mechanisms of MCI and AD. Multiscale brain entropy analysis is a sophisticated method that allows researchers to investigate brain activity patterns across different spatial and temporal scales. Entropy, in this context, measures the irregularity or disorder in neural signals. Higher entropy values indicate more complex and diverse neural activity [1].

Description

By applying entropy analysis at multiple scales, researchers can capture both local and global patterns of brain complexity. Lateralization refers to the localization of specific cognitive functions in one hemisphere of the brain. While some degree of lateralization is normal, disruptions or alterations in lateralization patterns can signify cognitive impairment. Studying lateralization in the context of MCI and AD provides valuable information about how neural networks are affected asymmetrically, potentially offering biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention. Studies have shown that individuals with MCI and AD often exhibit altered complexity patterns in specific brain regions, indicating disrupted neural processing. These alterations are frequently lateralized, indicating that one hemisphere is more affected than the other. Research has demonstrated that lateralization patterns change as MCI progresses to AD. Early MCI stages might exhibit subtle lateralization changes, while advanced AD stages often show significant disruptions, especially in regions crucial for memory and executive functions. Multiscale lateralized brain entropy analysis has shown promise as a predictive biomarker for disease progression. By analyzing lateralization patterns, researchers can identify individuals at higher risk of transitioning from MCI to AD, enabling early interventions and personalized treatment strategies [2].

The altered lateralization patterns observed in MCI and AD likely result from the differential degeneration of neural networks. Factors such as amyloid-beta deposition, tau pathology, and synaptic dysfunction contribute to the disruption of neural communication, leading to altered lateralization. Understanding these underlying mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies and interventions. The ability to detect subtle changes in lateralization patterns using multiscale lateralized brain entropy analysis holds immense potential for early diagnosis and intervention. Early-stage interventions, such as cognitive training and lifestyle modifications, can potentially delay or mitigate the progression of cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the identification of specific lateralization patterns associated with different disease stages could aid in the development of targeted pharmacological interventions. Personalized treatment approaches that address the specific neural networks affected in an individual could significantly improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. While multiscale lateralized brain entropy analysis shows great promise, several challenges need to be addressed [3].

Standardization of analysis methods, larger sample sizes, and longitudinal studies are necessary to validate the findings and establish the clinical utility of this approach. Additionally, the integration of other neuroimaging modalities, such as structural MRI and PET imaging, could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the neural changes associated with altered lateralization patterns. In conclusion, research on the lateralization of brain functional complexity in MCI and AD using multiscale lateralized brain entropy analysis represents a cutting-edge approach in the field of cognitive neuroscience. The insights gained from these studies not only deepen our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment but also offer new avenues for early diagnosis, personalized intervention, and the development of targeted therapies. As this research continues to progress, it holds the potential to revolutionize the way we diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects cognitive functions, memory, and daily living activities. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying AD is crucial for early diagnosis, intervention, and the development of effective treatments. Recent research has increasingly focused on the lateralization of brain function and its role in AD progression [4].

This review explores the concept of lateralized brain entropy, a novel approach to characterizing brain function, and its relevance in studying mild cognitive impairment and AD progression. Alzheimer's disease is a complex condition characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain. These pathological changes result in neuronal dysfunction, synaptic loss, and progressive cognitive decline. AD is often preceded by a transitional stage known as mild cognitive impairment which involves noticeable cognitive deficits but does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of dementia. The early detection and understanding of the progression from MCI to AD are critical for interventions that can slow down or potentially halt the neurodegenerative process. Brain imaging and neuroimaging techniques have been instrumental in unraveling the complexities of AD, and recent advances in functional imaging have shed light on the lateralization of brain function in the context of this disease spectrum. Brain function is not limited to specific regions but emerges from the interactions of various brain networks across hemispheres. Understanding these functional interactions is vital for comprehending cognitive processes and neurodegenerative diseases like AD.

One way to quantify brain function is through the concept of brain entropy. Entropy is a measure of randomness or disorder in a system. In the context of the brain, entropy reflects the complexity and variability of neural activity. Higher entropy indicates greater functional complexity, adaptability, and a more flexible response to external stimuli. Brain entropy can be measured using various neuroimaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography. It provides insights into the brain's intrinsic dynamics, information processing, and functional connectivity patterns. Lateralization of brain function refers to the specialization of certain tasks and processes in one hemisphere over the other. For example, language processing is typically associated with the left hemisphere, while spatial and visuospatial abilities are often linked to the right hemisphere. While lateralization is a fundamental aspect of brain function, it is crucial to recognize that many cognitive processes involve interactions between both hemispheres. The dynamic balance and integration of lateralized functions contribute to overall cognitive abilities. Multiscale lateralized brain entropy is an innovative approach that combines the concepts of brain entropy and lateralization to study AD progression, particularly in individuals with MCI. This approach involves assessing the complexity and variability of neural activity within each hemisphere separately, at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Separating brain activity into left and right hemispheres allows for the investigation of lateralized patterns. It is essential to assess how each hemisphere contributes to cognitive processes and how lateralization changes during disease progression [5].

Conclusion

Neural activity occurs at various temporal and spatial scales. Multiscale analysis involves examining brain entropy across a range of scales, from milliseconds to minutes and from local brain regions to whole-brain networks. This provides a comprehensive view of functional complexity. By studying individuals with MCI and tracking changes in lateralized brain entropy over time, researchers can identify patterns associated with AD progression. This may lead to early diagnostic markers and a better understanding of the disease's underlying mechanisms. Studies have shown that alterations in the lateralization of brain function occur as individuals progress from MCI to AD. These changes may reflect compensatory mechanisms or neural adaptations in response to cognitive decline. There is evidence of hemispheric asymmetry in AD, with some cognitive functions becoming more lateralized to one hemisphere due to disease-related changes. Understanding these shifts in lateralization may help identify cognitive weaknesses and strengths in affected individuals. Multiscale lateralized brain entropy has the potential to serve as an early marker of AD progression, aiding in the identification of individuals at risk of developing the disease. Early intervention and treatment can be initiated to slow cognitive decline. Targeted interventions that aim to modulate lateralized brain activity may be developed based on the specific cognitive deficits observed in MCI and AD. These interventions could potentially enhance cognitive function and quality of life for affected individuals. Multiscale lateralized brain entropy analysis may contribute to personalized medicine approaches in AD treatment. Tailoring interventions to an individual's specific patterns of lateralization could lead to more effective therapeutic strategies.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

1. Nettelbeck, Heidi, George J. Takacs, Michael LF Lerch and Anatoly B. Rosenfeld. "Microbeam radiation therapy: A Monte Carlo study of the influence of the source, multislit collimator and beam divergence on microbeams."Med Phys 36 (2009): 447-456.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

2. Low, Justin M., Nicole JH Lee, Grant Sprow and Alisha Chlebik, et al. "Scalp and Cranium Radiation Therapy Using Modulation (SCRUM) and Bolus."Adv Radiat Oncol5 (2020): 936-942.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

3. Barnes, M. J., J. Paino, L. R. Day and D. Butler, et al. "SyncMRT: A solution to image-guided synchrotron radiotherapy for quality assurance and pre-clinical trials."J Synchrotron Radiat29 (2022): 1074-1084.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

4. Shaw, Edward, Charles Scott, Luis Souhami and Robert Dinapoli, et al. "Single dose radiosurgical treatment of recurrent previously irradiated primary brain tumors and brain metastases: final report of RTOG protocol 90-05."Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys47 (2000): 291-298.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

5. Lai, Zhongmeng, Liangcheng Zhang, Jiansheng Su and Dongmiao Cai, et al. "Sevoflurane postconditioning improves long-term learning and memory of neonatal hypoxia-ischemia brain damage rats via the PI3K/Akt-mPTP pathway."Brain Res 1630 (2016): 25-37.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at