人脑边缘区结构及功能磁共振成像研究

Marginal division (MrD) of the neostriatum was demonstrated as a a flat, pan-shaped zone between the putamen and the globus pallidus in the mammal and human brain. MrD was proved to be composed of spindle-shaped neurons associated with learning, memory and nociceptive function.Compared with other parts of the neostriatum, MrD has unique features in cell shape, ultrastructure, and neurotransmitters. Previous studies have shown that MrD may play an important role in cognitive function and pain modulation. By using multimodal MRI techniques, we aim to (1) study MrD in normal human brain and optimize the MR sequence for MrD display, and investigate the structural and functional features of MrD;(2)study the structural and functional features of MrD in patients with migraine, and elucidate the role of MrD in the pain modulation;(3)study the structural and functional features of MrD in patients with Parkinson's disease, and clarify the relationship between MrD and learning and cognitive impairment. In addition, pathological features of MrD in patients with cognitive impairment will be studied and relevant pathological changes will be investigated.

边缘区已被证实是哺乳动物及人脑内位于壳核和苍白球之间的扁平盘状结构，富含多种与学习、记忆相关的神经递质及感受伤害性神经元，其细胞形态、超微结构以及神经递质的含量等都与纹状体其他区域有所不同。研究表明人脑边缘区很可能在认知功能及疼痛调节等方面具有重要意义。本项目组采用多模态磁共振成像技术，拟开展以下三个方面的研究：（1）对正常人脑边缘区进行研究，筛选显示边缘区的最佳序列，初步掌握其结构及功能特点；（2）对偏头痛患者脑部边缘区形态及功能进行研究，初步阐明边缘区在疼痛调节中的作用；（3）对帕金森病患者脑部边缘区形态及功能进行研究，初步阐明边缘区与学习及认知功能损害的关系。此外，对认知功能损害的人脑标本进行病理学研究，以了解边缘区相应的病理学改变。

边缘区是位于壳核与苍白球之间的含有大量梭形细胞的一个扁平盘状结构，可能参与疼痛及认知功能处理，既往研究集中于动物实验研究，关于正常人脑及相关疾病边缘区的磁共振成像研究鲜有报道。本研究主要内容包括：（1）人脑正常边缘区形态、结构及功能磁共振成像研究；（2）偏头痛、帕金森病及三叉神经痛患者边缘区功能磁共振成像研究；（3）尸脑边缘区病理及影像对照研究。本研究首次证实相位图是显示人脑边缘区的最佳磁共振成像序列，得到了正常人脑边缘区的结构及功能参数，并初步证实边缘区参与了偏头痛、三叉神经痛的疼痛环路调节及帕金森病患者认知功能损伤。相关的研究结果证实边缘区是人脑皮层下的疼痛调节中心及认知功能处理中心，为相关疾病的研究提供了思路及方法学的支持。