Utility of magnetic resonance imaging in anorectal disease

Imaging of both benign and malignant anorectal diseases has traditionally posed a challenge to clinicians, and as a result history and physical exam have been relied on heavily. CT scanning and endorectal ultrasound have become popular in assessment of anatomy and staging of tumors, but have limitations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the capability to fill in the gaps left open by more conventional imaging modalities and continues to be promising as the definitive imaging technique in the pelvis, especially with advancement of emerging technologies in this field. A comprehensive review of this topic has been undertaken. Anorectal disease is divided into three broad categories: cancer, fistula/abscess, and pelvic floor disorders. A review of the literature is performed to evaluate the use of MRI and other imaging modalities in these three areas. Preoperative imaging is useful in the evaluation of all three areas of anorectal disease. MRI is an effective tool in delineating anatomy and, when correlating with the specific clinical scenario, is an effective adjunct in clinical decision-making in order to optimize outcome. MRI continues to be a promising and novel approach to imaging various afflictions of the anorectum and the pelvic floor. Its role is more well-established in some areas than in others, and there are still signif icant limitations. As technology advances, MRI will shed more light on a complex anatomical area.

Connectivity differences between adult male and female patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder according to resting-state functional MRI

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder（ADHD） is a pervasive psychiatric disorder that affects both children and adults. Adult male and female patients with ADHD are differentially affected, but few studies have explored the differences. The purpose of this study was to quantify differences between adult male and female patients with ADHD based on neuroimaging and connectivity analysis. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained and preprocessed in 82 patients. Group-wise differences between male and female patients were quantified using degree centrality for different brain regions. The medial-, middle-, and inferior-frontal gyrus, superior parietal lobule, precuneus, supramarginal gyrus, superior- and middle-temporal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and cuneus were identified as regions with significant group-wise differences. The identified regions were correlated with clinical scores reflecting depression and anxiety and significant correlations were found. Adult ADHD patients exhibit different levels of depression and anxiety depending on sex, and our study provides insight into how changes in brain circuitry might differentially impact male and female ADHD patients.

Structural changes in the gray matter of unmedicated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: a voxel-based morphometric study

The aim of the current study was to use whole brain voxel-based morphometry（VBM）to assess the gray matter（GM）changes in unmedicated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder（OCD）compared with normal controls.We compared the GM volumes in28 patients with 22 matched healthy controls using a1.5T MRI.Three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were obtained from all participants.VBM was performed to detect GM volume differences between the two groups.We detected increased regional GM volumes in the bilateral middle temporal gyri,bilateral middle occipital gyri,bilateral globus pallidus,right inferior parietal gyrus,left superior parietal gyrus,right parahippocampus,right supramarginal gyrus,right medial superior frontal gyrus,and left inferior frontal opercular cortex in the OCD patients relative to controls（P〈0.001,uncorrected,cluster size〉100 voxels）.No decreased GM volume was found in the OCD group compared with normal controls.Our findings suggest that structural changes in the GM are not limited to fronto-striato-thalamic circuits in the pathogenesis of OCD.Temporo-parietal cortex may also play an important role.

Candidate Biomarkers in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of MRI Studies

Searching for effective biomarkers is one of the most challenging tasks in the research ？eld of Autism Spectrum Disorder（ASD）. Magnetic resonance imaging（MRI） provides a non-invasive and powerful tool for investigating changes in the structure, function, maturation,connectivity, and metabolism of the brain of children with ASD. Here, we review the more recent MRI studies in young children with ASD, aiming to provide candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of childhood ASD. The review covers structural imaging methods, diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Future advances in neuroimaging techniques, as well as cross-disciplinary studies and largescale collaborations will be needed for an integrated approach linking neuroimaging, genetics, and phenotypic data to allow the discovery of new, effective biomarkers.

An association study of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R gene polymorphism and the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in major depressive disorder

Objective To explore the influence of a polymorphism of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R(PTPRR)gene rs1513105 on abnormal brain activities in resting-state patients with major depressive disorder(MDD)using the gene-imaging technology.Methods 54MDD and 43 gender-,age-,and education-matched con-