Network Topology in Brain Tumor Patients: Between Basic Science and Clinical Research

The concept of network topology aims to describe the interconnectedness of different brain areas more precisely. This is of great relevance in physiology as well as in clinical practice. There are already some neurological diseases that can be understood as network diseases, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. However, the therapeutic consequences of this network approach are still under investigation.There are two main scientific approaches to investigating the functional network of the brain: studying intact networks in healthy subjects or investigating (possibly distorted networks) in sick patients. For a new, still developing field, both ways are important, since there are no defined parameters or thresholds thus far, nor standard analysis techniques. Brain tumor patients remain understudied in this field, despite representing a practical model due to an anatomically relatively well-defined focal distortion (of course depending on the type of tumor), that leads to functional deterioration. Studying the brain’s functional network will lead to a better understanding of its neurophysiology - first of all, how information is processed. We aim to further understand which brain areas are involved for which task, at what point, and for what duration. For example, the processing of language is still not fully understood, yet it depends on the brain’s functional network. This can and should also be studied by investigating patients with brain tumors who suffer from aphasia. In that way, we can determine - at least at the individual level - which areas are of upmost importance for a specific task. Moreover, by performing longitudinal studies, we can assess if and how the function restores over time.This Research Topic welcomes contributions across a broad multidisciplinary scope, including Medicine (Neurophysiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Radiotherapy, Radiology, Psychiatry), Psychology, Computer Science, and Physics. We welcome all study designs - randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and longitudinal prospective or retrospective investigations, conducted in pediatric or adult primary brain tumor and brain metastasis populations. Submissions employing EEG, MEG, fMRI, or DTI (among other modalities) are particularly encouraged.We welcome any types of manuscripts supported by the journal, pertaining but not limited to the following themes:• Processing of language, vision, and memory• Demonstration of effects of plasticity• Postoperative effects on functional connectivity and network topology• Therapeutic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on connectivity and network topologyPlease note: Studies that are bioinformatically based and without clinical and/or functional validation will not be consideredTopic Editor, Prof. Eugen Trinka, declares the following potential conflicts of interest: Personal honoraria for lectures and educational activities from EVER Pharma, Marinus, Arvelle, Angelini, Alexion, Argenx, Medtronic, Biocodex, Bial-Portela & Ca, NewBridge, GL Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, LivaNova, Eisai, Epilog, UCB, Biogen, Sanofi, STOKE Therapeutics, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Rapport. Research grants from Biogen, UCB Pharma, Eisai, Red Bull, Merck, Bayer, the European Union, FWF Österreichischer Fond zur Wissenschaftsforderung Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Forschung, and Jubiläumsfond der Österreichischen Nationalbank. Co-founder and CMO of PrevEp Inc., co-Director of the European Consortium for Epilepsy Trials (ECET), and Executive Committee member of the Epilepsy Study Consortium, Inc. (ESCI) Topic editors: Gianpaolo Demarchi, Eugen Trinka, Stefan Rampp, Barbara Ladisich-Michl Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77026/network-topology-in-brain-tumor-patients-between-basic-science-and-clinical-research