Search Results (362)

Purpose: Our understanding of the influence of preterm birth and related perinatal exposures on early brain development is limited, hampering personalized optimization of neuroprotective strategies. This study assesses the effect of gestational age (GA) at birth on brain volumes at term-equivalent age (TEA) in infants without overt brain injury born across the GA spectrum. Methods: A cohort of infants born across the GA spectrum (25–40 weeks’ gestation) underwent 3T brain MRI around TEA (40–46 weeks postmenstrual age). Eight brain regions, intracranial and total tissue volumes were segmented using MANTiS (morphologically adaptive neonatal tissue segmentation toolbox). Segmentations were visually quality-checked and excluded if segmentation failed. Absolute TEA volume in relation to GA was assessed using univariate and multivariate (correction for postmenstrual age) linear regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Post hoc scatter plots of brain volumes relative to intracranial volumes were created. Results: Fifty infants were included (mean GA = 35.0 [SD = 3.3, range = 25.7–40.1] weeks). A higher GA at birth was significantly related to lower cerebrospinal fluid (p = 0.004) and amygdala (p = 0.02) volumes; no significant relation was found between GA and other volumes. Post hoc analyses showed positive trends between GA and several brain structures, including total brain tissue, cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, hippocampus, cerebellum and brainstem volumes. Conclusions: Our results suggest that GA has an effect on TEA brain volumes that is independent of brain lesions, with lower GA being associated with smaller brain tissue volumes and significantly larger cerebrospinal fluid volume. Preterm birth and related exposures may thus affect early brain growth and contribute to neurodevelopmental challenges encountered by preterm-born children. Full article

Background and Objectives: The objective of this research is to make a comparative evaluation of the correlation between the volumetric examination of subcortical cerebral regions and white matter hyperintensities classified according to the Fazekas scoring system. Materials and Methods: A total of 236 cases with cranial MRI studies were retrospectively analyzed. This study included patients aged over 45 years who had white matter hyperintensities and who did not have a prior stroke diagnosis. White matter hyperintensities were evaluated in axial FLAIR images according to Fazekas’s grading scale. Patients with Fazekas 0 and 1 were grouped in group 1 and the patients with Fazekas 2 and 3 were grouped in group 2. MRI data processing and subcortical volumetric analyses were performed using the volBrain MRI brain volumetry system. Results: There were statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 2 in terms of cerebrospinal fluid total brain white and gray matter (p < 0.001), total brain white and gray matter (p = 0.009), total cerebrum (p < 0.001), accumbens (p < 0.001), thalamus (p < 0.001), frontal lobe (p < 0.001), parietal lobe (p < 0.001), and lateral ventricle (p < 0.001) volumes. Conclusions: Our study finds a strong link between white matter hyperintensity burden and brain atrophy. This includes volume reductions in total brain white and gray matter, frontal and parietal lobe atrophy, increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and atrophy in specific brain regions such as the accumbens and thalamus. Full article

Background: Comorbid personality disorders (PDs) in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) are associated with increased psychopathology, higher suicide risk, and poorer treatment response and outcomes. This study aimed to examine associations between gray matter (GM) volume and PDs in female adolescents with AN before and after short-term psychotherapeutic and nutritional therapy. Methods: Eighteen female adolescents with acute AN, mean age 15.9 years, underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging before and after weight restoration. The average interval between scans was 2.6 months. Structural brain changes were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry. PDs were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders (SCID II) and the Assessment of Identity Development Questionnaire. Results: SCID-II total scores showed significant positive associations with GM volume in the mid-cingulate cortex at both time points and in the left superior parietal–occipital lobule at baseline. The histrionic subscale correlated with GM volume in the thalamus bilaterally and the left superior parietal–occipital lobule in both assessments, as well as with the mid-cingulate cortex at follow-up. Borderline and antisocial subscales were associated with GM volume in the thalamus bilaterally at baseline and in the right mid-cingulate cortex at follow-up. Conclusions: PDs in female adolescent patients with AN may be specifically related to GM alterations in the thalamus, cingulate, and parieto-occipital regions, which are present during acute illness and persist after weight restoration therapy. Full article

Background: Congenital anosmia (CA) is a rare condition characterized by a lifelong inability to perceive odors, which significantly affects daily life and may be linked to broader neurodevelopmental alterations. This study aimed to investigate structural brain differences in patients with CA using MRI, focusing on gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) changes and their implications for neurodevelopment. Methods: This retrospective study included 28 patients with CA and 28 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Patients with CA were diagnosed at a single medical center between 1 January 2001 and 30 August 2024. Controls were randomly selected from an imaging database and had no history of olfactory dysfunction. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)was analyzed using volumetric analysis in SPM12.GM and WM volumes were quantified across 11 anatomical brain regions based on theWFU_PickAtlas toolbox, including frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, limbic, sub-lobar, cerebellum (anterior/posterior), midbrain, the pons, and the frontal–temporal junction. Left–right hemispheric comparisons were also conducted. Results: Patients with CA exhibited significantly smaller GM volumes compared to healthy controls (560.6 ± 114.7 cc vs. 693.7 ± 96.3 cc, p < 0.001) but larger WM volumes (554.2 ± 75.4 cc vs. 491.1 ± 79.7 cc, p = 0.015). Regionally, GM reductions were observed in the frontal (131.9 ± 33.7 cc vs. 173.7 ± 27.0 cc, p < 0.001), temporal (81.1 ± 18.4 cc vs. 96.5 ± 14.1 cc, p = 0.001), parietal (52.4 ± 15.2 cc vs. 77.2 ± 12.4 cc, p < 0.001), sub-lobar (57.8 ± 9.7 cc vs. 68.2 ± 10.2 cc, p = 0.001), occipital (39.1 ± 13.0 cc vs. 57.8 ± 8.9 cc, p < 0.001), and midbrain (2.0 ± 0.5 cc vs. 2.3 ± 0.4 cc, p = 0.006) regions. Meanwhile, WM increases were notable in the frontal(152.0 ± 19.9 cc vs. 139.2 ± 24.0 cc, p = 0.027), temporal (71.5 ± 11.5 cc vs. 60.8 ± 9.5 cc, p = 0.001), parietal (75.8 ± 12.4 cc vs. 61.9 ± 11.5 cc, p < 0.001), and occipital (58.7 ± 10.3 cc vs. 41.9 ± 7.9 cc, p < 0.001) lobes. A separate analysis of the left and right hemispheres revealed similar patterns of reduced GM and increased WM volumes in patients with CA across both sides. An exception was noted in the right cerebellum-posterior, where patients with CA showed significantly greater WM volume (5.625 ± 1.667 cc vs. 4.666 ± 1.583 cc, p = 0.026). Conclusions: This study demonstrates widespread structural brain differences in individuals with CA, including reduced GM and increased WM volumes across multiple cortical and sub-lobar regions. These findings suggest that congenital olfactory deprivation may impact brain maturation beyond primary olfactory pathways, potentially reflecting altered synaptic pruning and increased myelination during early neurodevelopment. The involvement of the cerebellum further implies potential adaptations beyond motor functions. These structural differences may serve as potential neuroimaging markers for monitoring CA-associated cognitive or emotional comorbidities. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and ischemic stroke (IS) are prevalent neurological disorders that frequently co-occur in the same individuals. Recent studies have demonstrated that AD and IS share several common risk factors and pathogenic elements, including an overlapping genomic architecture. However, the relationship between IS risk gene polymorphisms and AD has been less extensively studied. We aimed at determining whether IS risk gene polymorphisms were associated with the risk of AD and the severity of AD in AD patients. We utilized data of AD patients and normal controls (NCs) sourced from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort. IS risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified through the most recent and largest IS genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis. Subsequently, we conducted SNP-based association analysis of IS-risk SNPs with the risk of AD, along with amyloid, tau, and neuroimaging for AD. The generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model was used to assess the interactions among IS-risk SNPs and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4. Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) of the IS-risk genes product and APOE were explored using the STRING database. Seven IS-risk SNPs were involved in the study. Five SNPs were found to be associated with at least one measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amyloid-beta 1–42 (Aβ₄₂), total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau₁₈₁), as well as the volumes of the hippocampus, whole brain, entorhinal cortex, and mid-temporal regions. After multiple testing corrections, we found that T allele of rs1487504 contributed to an increased risk of AD in non-ApoE ε4 carriers. The combination of rs1487504 and ApoE ε4 emerged as the optimal two-factor model, and its interaction was significantly related to the risk of AD. Additionally, C allele of rs880315 was significantly associated with elevated levels of CSF Aβ₄₂ in AD patients, and A allele of rs10774625 was significantly related to a reduction in the volume of the entorhinal cortex in AD patients. This study found that IS risk SNPs were associated with both the risk of AD and AD major indicators in the ADNI cohort. These findings elucidated the role of IS in AD from a genetic perspective and provided an innovative approach to predict AD through IS-risk SNPs. Full article

(1) Background: Evidence from non-human animal and spaceflight analog studies have suggested that traveling to outer space could have a significant impact on the structural properties of the hippocampus, a brain region within the medial temporal lobe that is critical for learning and memory. Here, we tested this hypothesis in a group of astronauts who participated in a six-month mission in the International Space Station (ISS). (2) Methods: We collected magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from a sample of 17 (9 males, 8 females) astronauts before and after the ISS mission, and calculated percent gray matter volume changes in the whole hippocampus and its (anterior, body, and posterior) subregions in both hemispheres. (3) Following the six-month mission in the ISS, we found a significantly decreased volume in the whole left hippocampus; in addition, when looking at subregions separately, we detected a significantly decreased volume in the anterior subregion of the left hippocampus and the body subregion of the right hippocampus. We also found a significantly decreased volume in the whole right hippocampus of male astronauts as compared to female astronauts. (4) Conclusions: This study, providing the very first evidence of hippocampal volumetric changes in astronauts following a six-month mission to the ISS, could have significant implications for cognitive performance during future long-duration spaceflights. Full article

The quality of life (QoL) perception has been studied in neurological diseases; however, there is limited information linking brain morphological characteristics, QoL, and cognition. Human behavior and perception are associated with specific brain areas that interact through diffuse electrochemical networking. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyze the brain region volume (BRV) correlation with the scores of Rand’s 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and cognitive domains (memory and dementia status). We analyzed data from 420 adult participants in the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS). Principal component analysis with oblimin axis rotation was used to gather redundant information from brain parcels and SF-36 domains. Canonical correlation was used to analyze the relationships between SF-36 domains and BRV (adjusted for intracranial cavity), as well as sex, age, education, obesity, and hypertension. The average age (±SD) of subjects was 56 ± 11.5 years; 71% were female; 39% were obese; 12% had diabetes, 52% hypertension, and 7% dementia. No sex-related differences were found in memory and orientation scores, but women had lower QoL scores. The 1st and 2nd canonical correlation roots support the association of SF-36 domains (except social functioning and role emotional) and total brain volume, frontal lobe volume, frontal pole, lateral orbital lobe, cerebellar, and entorhinal areas. Other variables, including age, dementia, memory score, and systolic blood pressure, had a significant influence. The results of this study demonstrate significant correlations between BRV and SF-36 components, adjusted for covariates. The frontal lobe and insula were associated with the mental health component; the lateral-orbital frontal lobe and entorhinal area were correlated with the physical component. Full article

Background: The ability of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) to analyse brain structural patterns in various kinds of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), has drawn a lot of interest recently. One emerging technique in this field is brain age prediction, which estimates biological age to identify ageing patterns that may serve as biomarkers for such disorders. However, a significant problem with most of the GNNs is their depth, which can lead to issues like oversmoothing and diminishing gradients. Methods: In this study, we propose SAGEFusionNet, a GNN architecture specifically designed to enhance brain age prediction and assess PD-related brain ageing patterns using T1-weighted structural MRI (sMRI). SAGEFusionNet learns important ROIs for brain age prediction by incorporating ROI-aware pooling at every layer to overcome the above challenges. Additionally, it incorporates multi-layer feature fusion to capture multi-scale structural information across the network hierarchy and auxiliary supervision to enhance gradient flow and feature learning at multiple depths. The dataset utilised in this study was sourced from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. It included a total of 580 T1-weighted sMRI scans from healthy individuals. The brain sMRI scans were parcellated into 56 regions of interest (ROIs) using the LPBA40 brain atlas in CAT12. The anatomical graph was constructed based on grey matter (GM) volume features. This graph served as input to the GNN models, along with GM and white matter (WM) volume as node features. All models were trained using 5-fold cross-validation to predict brain age and subsequently tested for performance evaluation. Results: The proposed framework achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of $4.24\pm 0.38$ years and a mean Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (PCC) of $0.72\pm 0.03$ during cross-validation. We also used 215 PD patient scans from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database to assess the model’s performance and validate it. The initial findings revealed that out of 215 individuals with Parkinson’s disease, 213 showed higher and 2 showed lower predicted brain ages than their actual ages, with a mean MAE of 13.36 years (95% confidence interval: 12.51–14.28). Conclusions: These results suggest that brain age prediction using the proposed method may provide important insights into neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

Background: SERPINE1, also known as plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), has been proposed as a potential blood biomarker for the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Expanding on previous studies, this research contrasted SERPINE1 levels in CSF and brain tissue of AD patients and those at risk for AD with established AD biomarkers. Methods: Utilizing OLINK and immunoassay methods, CSF SERPINE1 protein levels were quantified across two separate cohorts: PREVENT-AD and ADNI. Microarray and RNAseq were used to measure tissue SERPINE1 mRNA levels in two separate cohorts: the Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank and the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank. Results: At the pre-clinical stage, elevated CSF levels of pTau, tTau and synaptic markers, alongside reduced hippocampal volume, correlate with CSF SERPINE1 levels. Elevated cortical SERPINE1 mRNA levels in autopsy-confirmed AD show weak correlation with regional plaques and tangles densities, but strong correlation with Braak staging. Conclusions: CSF SERPINE1 levels can be used as an early biomarker for the detection of pathological changes associated with AD. Higher SERPINE1 levels correlate more strongly with tau pathology than with amyloid formation or deposition. Full article

Reports of individual differences in vividness of visual mental imagery (VMI) scores raise complex questions: Are Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) score differences actually measuring anything? What functions do these differences serve? What is their neurological foundation? A new analysis examined visual short-term memory (VSTM) and volumes of the hippocampi, primary visual cortices, and other cortical regions among vivid and non-vivid visual imagers. In a sample of 53 volunteers aged 54 to 80 with MRI scans, the performance of ten Low VVIQ scorers was compared to that of ten High VVIQ scorers. The groups included an aphantasic with a minimum VVIQ score and a hyperphantasic with a maximum VVIQ score. The study examined volumes for 12 hippocampal subfields, 11 fields implicated in visual mental imagery including area V1 and the fusiform gyrus, and 7 motor regions. In comparison to the Low VVIQ group, High VVIQ group yielded: (i) significantly more accurate VSTM performance; and (ii) significantly larger volumes of the hippocampi and primary visual cortex. Across 47 brain regions, the average volume for the High VVIQ group exceeded that of the Low VVIQ group by 11 percent. For 47 subfields, the volumes of the hphantasic exceeded those of the aphantasic person by an average of 57 percent. Females had more accurate visual short-term memory than males and younger people were more accurate than older people. The larger visual memory capacity of females was unmatched by larger regional volume differences, which suggests that the sex difference in visual memory is caused by factors other than cortical regional size. The study confirms the existence of robust empirical associations between VMI vividness, short-term memory, regional volume of hippocampal subfields and area V1. Full article

Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD)—including anosmia and hyposmia—is a common and often persistent outcome of viral infections. This systematic review consolidates findings from structural and functional MRI studies to explore how COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2-induced smell loss alters the brain. Considerable heterogeneity was observed across studies, influenced by differences in methodology, population characteristics, imaging timelines, and OD classification. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify MRI-based studies examining COVID-19’s SARS-CoV-2 OD. Twenty-four studies were included and categorized based on imaging focus: (1) olfactory bulb (OB), (2) olfactory sulcus (OS), (3) grey and white matter changes, (4) task-based brain activation, and (5) resting-state functional connectivity. Demographic and imaging data were extracted and analyzed accordingly. Results: Structural imaging revealed consistent reductions in olfactory bulb volume (OBV) and olfactory sulcus depth (OSD), especially among individuals with OD persisting beyond three months, suggestive of inflammation and neurodegeneration in olfactory-associated regions like the orbitofrontal cortex and thalamus. Functional MRI studies showed increased connectivity in early-stage OD within regions such as the piriform and orbitofrontal cortices, possibly reflecting compensatory activity. In contrast, prolonged OD was associated with reduced activation and diminished connectivity, indicating a decline in olfactory processing capacity. Disruptions in the default mode network (DMN) and limbic areas further point to secondary cognitive and emotional effects. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) findings—such as decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD)—highlight white matter microstructural compromise in individuals with long-term OD. Conclusions: COVID-19’s SARS-CoV-2 olfactory dysfunction is associated with a range of cerebral alterations that evolve with the duration and severity of smell loss. Persistent dysfunction correlates with greater neural damage, underscoring the need for longitudinal neuroimaging studies to better understand recovery dynamics and guide therapeutic strategies. Full article

Background: Overactive bladder (OAB) has been linked to abnormal cerebral blood flow (CBF) and functional connectivity (FC). However, findings related to CBF and FC changes in OAB remain inconsistent across the literature. Methods: This feasibility study employed arterial spin labeling (ASL) to investigate abnormal CBF and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) FC in individuals with OAB, both at rest and during bladder filling. ASL images were collected from twenty-two female participants (twelve with OAB and ten healthy controls) at bladder filling volumes of 0, 50, 100, 200, 350, and 500 mL. For OAB participants, scans were obtained both at baseline and following a single-session treatment. ASL images were categorized into low-urge and high-urge conditions based on participants’ subjective urge rating during bladder filling. A flexible factorial design was implemented with three factors: subject, group (control, OAB at baseline, and OAB posttreatment), and urge state (low vs. high). Results: Compared to controls, OAB participants exhibited significant decreases in ΔCBF (high urge minus low urge) in the medial prefrontal cortex and increases in ΔCBF in the supramarginal region. Additionally, ΔPCC FC with the insula was reduced in OAB participants. Posttreatment, OAB participants showed increased ΔPCC FC with the postcentral and parietal (PocP), regions associated with the sensorimotor network. Notably, changes in ΔPCC-PocP FC were associated with improvements in OAB symptoms. Conclusions: These findings support the feasibility of using ASL to probe dysfunctional brain–bladder control mechanisms and treatment-related changes in OAB participants, highlighting the involvement of sensory processing and attention regulation in this condition. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the influence of demographic, behavioral, anthropometric, and comorbid factors on brain atrophy in people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 121 HIV-positive patients, stratified into two groups, those with and without brain atrophy (BA). For each participant, we recorded demographic data, smoking status, physical activity levels, disease and treatment duration, and comorbidities. BA was quantitatively assessed using MRI-derived volumetric measurements of 47 cerebral substructures. Results: Patients with BA exhibited significantly reduced gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes alongside increased cerebrospinal fluid volumes, both in absolute and percentage measurements. WM atrophy was most pronounced in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes, with relative sparing of the occipital lobe. GM atrophy predominantly affected the basal ganglia (notably, the thalamus and putamen) and cortical regions, including the hippocampus, frontal, and parietal lobes. Significant positive correlations were observed between BA and both smoking status (pack–years) and disease duration, while physical activity demonstrated an inverse relationship (higher atrophy risk in those with less than 30 min of daily continuous walking). Non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) was also associated with BA. Among comorbidities, type 2 diabetes and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) showed the strongest associations with BA. Conclusions: Brain atrophy in PWH is correlated with smoking, physical inactivity, and the duration of HIV infection. Comorbid conditions, such as type II diabetes and HAND, amplify the risk for BA. We consider that early lifestyle interventions and optimized ART may mitigate the neurodegeneration process. Full article

Background: Distinguishing tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis after radiotherapy for brain metastases remains a major diagnostic challenge. Perfusion MRI, particularly the measurement of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), is a commonly used technique to differentiate between these two entities. However, variations in the placement of regions of interest (ROIs) affect diagnostic accuracy. This study compares the diagnostic performance of different cerebral perfusion methods, including a novel volumetric 3D ROI method and automatic thresholding, to differentiate tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 23 patients, including 25 brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiotherapy, who were suspected of local recurrence and had histological confirmation via biopsy or surgical resection. Each patient underwent perfusion MRI before surgery. The diagnostic performance of the different ROI methods (manual and 3D) was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC), as well as sensitivity and specificity measures. An automatic thresholding method was also applied, generating tumor sub-volumes with predefined cut-off values to determine the rCBV threshold most specific for differentiating relapse from necrosis. Results: The 3D ROI method, considering the whole lesion and a healthy ROI in the head of the caudate nucleus, demonstrated superior diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.65), outperforming manual methods (AUC = 0.53). Robustness was moderate, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.60 between Syngo.via and IntelliSpace. Conclusions: The 3D ROI method shows promise in improving diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis. Further studies with standardized protocols and larger populations are needed to validate these results. Full article

Objectives: Although hippocampal-sparing whole-brain irradiation (HS-WBI) offers potential neurocognitive benefits, it poses challenges in treatment planning. This study aimed to compare the dose distributions of biaxially rotational dynamic radiation therapy (BROAD-RT) with a novel O-ring-type linear accelerator (OXRAY) and conventional non-coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning (Conv-VMAT) in HS-WBI treatment plans. Methods: This study included 10 patients with brain metastases from lung cancer at our institution. The hippocampus was contoured using gadolinium-based contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and hippocampal-sparing regions were created using a 5 mm margin around the hippocampus. Two virtual plans (BROAD-RT and Conv-VMAT) with 30 Gy in 10 fractions were created to compare the dose distributions in the planning target volume (PTV), hippocampus, eyes, and lens. All plans were analyzed using a paired t-test. Results: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) hippocampus-Dmax, -Dmean, -D100%, and -V10 were 11.10 (0.61), 7.95 (0.20), 7.01 (0.19), and 0.42 (0.34) for BROAD-RT and 16.10 (0.57), 9.89 (0.75), 8.24 (0.34), and 39.05 (25.89) for Conv-VMAT, respectively. All hippocampal parameters were significantly better with BROAD-RT than with Conv-VMAT (p < 0.01). The PTV-D98, -D50, -D2, -V35, and -homogeneity index did not exhibit significant differences between BROAD-RT and Conv-VMAT. Although lens-Dmax was significantly better in BROAD-RT than in Conv-VMAT (p < 0.01), no significant differences were observed in the eye-Dmax and chiasm-Dmax between BROAD-RT and Conv-VMAT. The mean (SD) BROAD-RT beam delivery time was 313.60 (34.91) s. Conclusions: BROAD-RT improved hippocampal sparing with acceptable PTV coverage and PTV homogeneity in HS-WBI planning. In addition, BROAD-RT has a clinically acceptable treatment duration. Full article