Brain and Behavior

Journal: Brain and Behavior

Abbreviation

Brain Behav

Publisher

Wiley

ISSN

2162-3279

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Publications 1 - 10 of 10

Moral processing deficit in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia is associated with facial emotion recognition and brain changes in default mode and salience network areas
Van den Stock, Jan; Stam, Daphne; Chauvière, François-Xavier; et al. (2017)
Brain and Behavior
Introduction Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is associated with abnormal emotion recognition and moral processing. Methods We assessed emotion detection, discrimination, matching, selection, and categorization as well as judgments of nonmoral, moral impersonal, moral personal low- and high-conflict scenarios. Results bvFTD patients gave more utilitarian responses on low-conflict personal moral dilemmas. There was a significant correlation between a facial emotion processing measure derived through principal component analysis and utilitarian responses on low-conflict personal scenarios in the bvFTD group (controlling for MMSE-score and syntactic abilities). Voxel-based morphometric multiple regression analysis in the bvFTD group revealed a significant association between the proportion of utilitarian responses on personal low-conflict dilemmas and gray matter volume in ventromedial prefrontal areas (pheight < .0001). In addition, there was a correlation between utilitarian responses on low-conflict personal scenarios in the bvFTD group and resting-state fractional Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuations (fALFF) in the anterior insula (pheight < .005). Conclusions The results underscore the importance of emotions in moral cognition and suggest a common basis for deficits in both abilities, possibly related to reduced experience of emotional sensations. At the neural level abnormal moral cognition in bvFTD is related to structural integrity of the medial prefrontal cortex and functional characteristics of the anterior insula. The present findings provide a common basis for emotion recognition and moral reasoning and link them with areas in the default mode and salience network.
Reduced uptake of [11C]‐ABP688, a PET tracer for metabolic glutamate receptor 5 in hippocampus and amygdala in Alzheimer’s dementia
Treyer, Valerie; Gietl, Anton F.; Suliman, Husam; et al. (2020)
Brain and Behavior
Introduction Metabotropic glutamate receptors play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease due to their involvement in processes of memory formation, neuroplasticity, and synaptotoxity. The objective of the current study was to study mGluR5 availability measured by [11C]‐ABP688 (ABP) in patients with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Methods A bolus‐infusion protocol of [11C]‐ABP688 was applied in 9 subjects with AD and 10 cognitively healthy controls (Controls) to derive distribution volume estimates of mGluR5. Furthermore, we also estimated cerebral perfusion by averaging early frame signal of initial ABP bolus injection. Results Subjects with Alzheimer's dementia (mean age: 77.3/SD 5.7) were older than controls (mean age: 68.5/SD : 9.6) and scored lower on the MMSE (22.1/SD2.7 vs. 29.0/SD0.8). There were no overall differences in ABP signal. However, distribution volume ratio (DVR) for ABP was reduced in the bilateral hippocampus (AD: 1.34/SD : 0.40 vs. Control: 1.84/SD :0.31, p = .007) and the bilateral amygdala (AD:1.86/SD :0.26 vs. Control:2.33/SD :0.37 p = .006) in AD patients compared to controls. Estimate of cerebral blood flow was reduced in the bilateral hippocampus in AD (AD:0.75/SD :0.10 vs. Control:0.86/SD :0.09 p = .02). Conclusion Our findings demonstrate reduced mGluR5 binding in the hippocampus and amygdala in Alzheimer's dementia. Whether this is due to synaptic loss and/or consecutive reduction of potential binding sites or reflects disease inherent mechanisms remains to be elucidated in future studies.
Short‐term Sahaja Yoga meditation training modulates brain structure and spontaneous activity in the executive control network
Dodich, Alessandra; Zollo, Maurizio; Crespi, Chiara; et al. (2019)
Brain and Behavior
Introduction While cross‐sectional studies have shown neural changes in long‐term meditators, they might be confounded by self‐selection and potential baseline differences between meditators and non meditators. Prospective longitudinal studies of the effects of meditation in naïve subjects are more conclusive with respect to causal inferences, but related evidence is so far limited. Methods Here, we assessed the effects of a 4‐week Sahaja Yoga meditation training on gray matter density and spontaneous resting‐state brain activity in a group of 12 meditation‐naïve healthy adults. Results Compared with 30 control subjects, the participants to meditation training showed increased gray matter density and changes in the coherence of intrinsic brain activity in two adjacent regions of the right inferior frontal gyrus encompassing the anterior component of the executive control network. Both these measures correlated with self‐reported well‐being scores in the meditation group. Conclusions The significant impact of a brief meditation training on brain regions associated with attention, self‐control, and self‐awareness may reflect the engagement of cognitive control skills in searching for a state of mental silence, a distinctive feature of Sahaja Yoga meditation. The manifold implications of these findings involve both managerial and rehabilitative settings concerned with well‐being and emotional state in normal and pathological conditions.
Structural and functional hyperconnectivity within the sensorimotor system in xenomelia
Hänggi, Jürgen; Vitacco, Deborah A.; Hilti, Leonie M.; et al. (2017)
Brain and Behavior
Introduction Xenomelia is a rare condition characterized by the persistent and compulsive desire for the amputation of one or more physically healthy limbs. We highlight the neurological underpinnings of xenomelia by assessing structural and functional connectivity by means of whole‐brain connectome and network analyses of regions previously implicated in empirical research in this condition. Methods We compared structural and functional connectivity between 13 xenomelic men with matched controls using diffusion tensor imaging combined with fiber tractography and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Altered connectivity in xenomelia within the sensorimotor system has been predicted. Results We found subnetworks showing structural and functional hyperconnectivity in xenomelia compared with controls. These subnetworks were lateralized to the right hemisphere and mainly comprised by nodes belonging to the sensorimotor system. In the connectome analyses, the paracentral lobule, supplementary motor area, postcentral gyrus, basal ganglia, and the cerebellum were hyperconnected to each other, whereas in the xenomelia‐specific network analyses, hyperconnected nodes have been found in the superior parietal lobule, primary and secondary somatosensory cortex, premotor cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, and insula. Conclusions Our study provides empirical evidence of structural and functional hyperconnectivity within the sensorimotor system including those regions that are core for the reconstruction of a coherent body image. Aberrant connectivity is a common response to focal neurological damage. As exemplified here, it may affect different brain regions differentially. Due to the small sample size, our findings must be interpreted cautiously and future studies are needed to elucidate potential associations between hyperconnectivity and limb disownership reported in xenomelia.
Preliminary findings on long-term effects of fMRI neurofeedback training on functional networks involved in sustained attention
Pamplona, Gustavo Santo Pedro; Heldner, Jennifer; Langner, Robert; et al. (2023)
Brain and Behavior
IntroductionNeurofeedback based on functional magnetic resonance imaging allows for learning voluntary control over one's own brain activity, aiming to enhance cognition and clinical symptoms. We previously reported improved sustained attention temporarily by training healthy participants to up-regulate the differential activity of the sustained attention network minus the default mode network (DMN). However, the long-term brain and behavioral effects of this training have not yet been studied. In general, despite their relevance, long-term learning effects of neurofeedback training remain under-explored. MethodsHere, we complement our previously reported results by evaluating the neurofeedback training effects on functional networks involved in sustained attention and by assessing behavioral and brain measures before, after, and 2 months after training. The behavioral measures include task as well as questionnaire scores, and the brain measures include activity and connectivity during self-regulation runs without feedback (i.e., transfer runs) and during resting-state runs from 15 healthy individuals. ResultsNeurally, we found that participants maintained their ability to control the differential activity during follow-up sessions. Further, exploratory analyses showed that the training increased the functional connectivity between the DMN and the occipital gyrus, which was maintained during follow-up transfer runs but not during follow-up resting-state runs. Behaviorally, we found that enhanced sustained attention right after training returned to baseline level during follow-up. ConclusionThe discrepancy between lasting regulation-related brain changes but transient behavioral and resting-state effects raises the question of how neural changes induced by neurofeedback training translate to potential behavioral improvements. Since neurofeedback directly targets brain measures to indirectly improve behavior in the long term, a better understanding of the brain-behavior associations during and after neurofeedback training is needed to develop its full potential as a promising scientific and clinical tool.
Nonrapid eye movement sleep and risk for autism spectrum disorder in early development: A topographical electroencephalogram pilot study
Page, Jessica; Lustenberger, Caroline; Frӧhlich, Flavio (2020)
Brain and Behavior
Objective Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that emerges in the beginning years of life (12–48 months). Yet, an early diagnosis of ASD is challenging as it relies on the consistent presence of behavioral symptomatology, and thus, many children are diagnosed later in development, which prevents early interventions that could benefit cognitive and social outcomes. As a result, there is growing interest in detecting early brain markers of ASD, such as in the electroencephalogram (EEG) to elucidate divergence in early development. Here, we examine the EEG of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in the transition from infancy to toddlerhood, a period of rapid development and pronounced changes in early brain function. NREM features exhibit clear developmental trajectories, are related to social and cognitive development, and may be altered in neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet, spectral features of NREM sleep are poorly understood in infants/toddlers with or at high risk for ASD. Methods The present pilot study is the first to examine NREM sleep in 13‐ to 30‐month‐olds with ASD in comparison with age‐matched healthy controls (TD). EEG was recorded during a daytime nap with high‐density array EEG. Results We found topographically distinct decreased fast theta oscillations (5–7.25 Hz), decreased fast sigma (15–16 Hz), and increased beta oscillations (20–25 Hz) in ASD compared to TD. Conclusion These findings suggest a possible functional role of NREM sleep during this important developmental period and provide support for NREM sleep to be a potential early marker for ASD.
Different mechanosensory stimulations of the lower back elicit specific changes in hemodynamics and oxygenation in cortical sensorimotor areas-A fNIRS study
Vrana, Andrea; Meier, Michael L.; Hotz-Boendermaker, Sabina; et al. (2016)
Brain and Behavior
Background and Objectives This study aimed at investigating the feasibility of functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure changes in cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation evoked by painful and nonpainful mechanosensory stimulation on the lower back. The main objectives were to investigate whether cortical activity can be (1) detected using functional fNIRS, and (2) if it is possible to distinguish between painful and nonpainful pressure as well as a tactile brushing stimulus based on relative changes in oxy‐ and deoxyhemoglobin ([O2Hb] and [HHb]). Methods Twenty right‐handed subjects (33.5 ± 10.7 years; range 20–61 years; 8 women) participated in the study. Painful and nonpainful pressure stimulation was exerted with a thumb grip perpendicularly to the spinous process of the lumbar spine. Tactile stimulation was realized by a one‐finger brushing. The supplementary motor area (SMA) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1) were measured bilaterally using a multichannel continuous‐wave fNIRS imaging system. Results Characteristic relative changes in [O2Hb] in the SMA and S1 after both pressure stimulations (corrected for multiple comparison) were observed. [HHb] showed only much weaker changes (uncorrected). The brushing stimulus did not reveal any significant changes in [O2Hb] or [HHb]. Conclusion The results indicate that fNIRS is sensitive enough to detect varying hemodynamic responses to different types of mechanosensory stimulation. The acquired data will serve as a foundation for further investigations in patients with chronic lower back pain. The future aim is to disentangle possible maladaptive neuroplastic changes in sensorimotor areas during painful and nonpainful lower back stimulations based on fNIRS neuroimaging.
Brain reactions to the use of sensorized hand prosthesis in amputees
Granata, Giuseppe; Di Iorio, Riccardo; Miraglia, Francesca; et al. (2020)
Brain and Behavior
Objective We investigated for the first time the presence of chronic changes in the functional organization of sensorimotor brain areas induced by prolonged training with a bidirectional hand prosthesis. Methods A multimodal neurophysiological and neuroimaging evaluation of brain functional changes occurring during training in five consecutive amputees participating to experimental trials with robotic hands over a period of 10 years was carried out. In particular, modifications to the functional anatomy of sensorimotor brain areas under resting conditions were explored in order to check for eventual changes with respect to baseline. Results Full evidence is provided to demonstrate brain functional changes, and some of them in both the hemispheres and others restricted to the hemisphere contralateral to the amputation/prosthetic hand. Conclusions The study describes a unique experimental experience showing that brain reactions to the prolonged use of an artificial hand can be tracked for a tailored approach to a fully embedded artificial upper limb for future chronic uses in daily activities.
Evaluation of the role of stress in patients with breast cancer and depression by paykel's life event and adaptive neuro-fuzzy approach
Cvetković, Jovana; Ivanović Kovačevic, Svetlana; Cvetkovic, Milan; et al. (2020)
Brain and Behavior
Introduction The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the stress factors and the level of stress a year preceding the onset of breast cancer and depression in the studied female patients. Methods The research in this work was mostly prospectively (clinical and analytical). During the research, Scale of Life Events‐Paykel was applied. Stressful life events differed significantly between the groups. In the studied group, the following events were significantly more prevalent: partner infidelity (χ2 = 12.663; p < .001), failure at work (χ2 = 44.429; p < .001), and spontaneous abortions or stillbirths (χ2 = 13.818; p < .001). Results According to the results of this study, stressful life events differed significantly between the observed groups. These stressful life events had a significant impact on the increase of risk for breast cancer, as well as on depressivity. Afterward, adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system was used for prediction of the Paykel's Life Event according to Fisher's exact test. Conclusion The obtained results could be of practical usage for improving stress behavior of the patients with breast cancer and depression.
Fiber up-sampling and quality assessment of tractograms - towards quantitative brain connectivity
Sommer, Stefan; Kozerke, Sebastian; Seifritz, Erich; et al. (2017)
Brain and Behavior
Background and Purpose Diffusion MRI tractography enables to investigate white matter pathways noninvasively by reconstructing estimated fiber pathways. However, such tractograms remain biased and nonquantitative. Several techniques have been proposed to reestablish the link between tractography and tissue microstructure by modeling the diffusion signal or fiber orientation distribution (FOD) with the given tractogram and optimizing each fiber or compartment contribution according to the diffusion signal or FOD. Nevertheless, deriving a reliable quantification of connectivity strength between different brain areas is still a challenge. Moreover, evaluating the quality of a tractogram and measuring the possible error sources contained in a specific reconstructed fiber bundle also remains difficult. Lastly, all of these optimization techniques fail if specific fiber populations within a tractogram are underrepresented, for example, due to algorithmic constraints, anatomical properties, fiber geometry or seeding patterns. Methods In this work, we propose an approach which enables the inspection of the quality of a tractogram optimization by evaluating the residual error signal and its FOD representation. The automated fiber quantification (AFQ) is applied, whereby the framework is extended to reflect not only scalar diffusion metrics along a fiber bundle, but also directionally dependent FOD amplitudes along and perpendicular to the fiber direction. Furthermore, we also present an up‐sampling procedure to increase the number of streamlines of a given fiber population. The introduced error metrics and fiber up‐sampling method are tested and evaluated on single‐shell diffusion data sets of 16 healthy volunteers. Results and Conclusion Analyzing the introduced error measures on specific fiber bundles shows a considerable improvement in applying the up‐sampling method. Additionally, the error metrics provide a useful tool to spot and identify potential error sources in tractograms.

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