Smeijers Steven, Coudyzer Walter, Keirse Elina, Bougou Vasiliki, Decramer Thomas, Theys Tom
Department of Neurosurgery, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Research Group Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Epilepsia Open. 2024 Dec;9(6):2518-2521. doi: 10.1002/epi4.13080. Epub 2024 Nov 2.
Hybrid depth electrodes are increasingly being used for epilepsy monitoring and human neurophysiology research. Microwires extending from the tip of the Behnke-Fried (BF) electrode into (sub)cortical areas allow to isolate single neurons and perform microstimulation. Conventional CT or MRI visualize the entire microwire bundle as an artifact extending from the BF electrode tip with low resolution, without proper identification of individual microwires. We illustrate the first direct visualization method of individual microwires using high-resolution photon-counting CT (PCCT). Coregistration of the PCCT scan with a preoperative MRI can visualize individual wires directly in cortex, which is an advantage as it provides feedback on the accuracy of the implantation method and can guide future implantations. This PCCT technique allows for accurately depicting individual microwires which could be relevant for neuroscientific research through improved visualization and implantation of specific cortical and subcortical brain areas. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Researchers are using hybrid depth electrodes to study epilepsy and brain activity. These electrodes, called Behnke-Fried (BF) electrodes, have microwires at the tip that can record single neurons and stimulate brain areas. Regular CT or MRI scans do not show the individual microwires clearly. The authors use a new high-resolution photon-counting CT (PCCT) technique, which can show each individual microwire in the brain. By combining PCCT with MRI, the authors can precisely see where the microwires are located. This could improve future implantation surgeries and brain research.
混合深度电极越来越多地用于癫痫监测和人类神经生理学研究。从Behnke-Fried（BF）电极尖端延伸至（亚）皮质区域的微丝能够分离单个神经元并进行微刺激。传统的CT或MRI将整个微丝束显示为从BF电极尖端延伸出的伪影，分辨率较低，无法正确识别单根微丝。我们展示了使用高分辨率光子计数CT（PCCT）对单根微丝进行首次直接可视化的方法。将PCCT扫描与术前MRI进行配准，可以直接在皮质中可视化单根微丝，这是一个优势，因为它能提供关于植入方法准确性的反馈，并可指导未来的植入操作。这种PCCT技术能够通过改进特定皮质和皮质下脑区的可视化及植入，准确描绘可能与神经科学研究相关的单根微丝。
研究人员正在使用混合深度电极来研究癫痫和大脑活动。这些电极称为Behnke-Fried（BF）电极，其尖端有微丝，可记录单个神经元并刺激脑区。常规的CT或MRI扫描无法清晰显示单根微丝。作者使用了一种新的高分辨率光子计数CT（PCCT）技术，该技术可以显示大脑中的每根单根微丝。通过将PCCT与MRI相结合，作者能够精确看到微丝的位置。这可能会改善未来的植入手术和大脑研究。
