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Font-Alaminos M, Paraskevoudi N, Costa-Faidella J, SanMiguel I. Do actions structure auditory memory? Action-based event segmentation effects on sensory responses, pupil dilation and sequential memory. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14652. [PMID: 38992865 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Our actions shape our everyday experience: what we experience, how we perceive, and remember it are deeply affected by how we interact with the world. Performing an action to deliver a stimulus engages neurophysiological processes which are reflected in the modulation of sensory and pupil responses. We hypothesized that these processes shape memory encoding, parsing the experience by grouping self- and externally generated stimuli into differentiated events. Participants encoded sound sequences, in which either the first or last few sounds were self-generated and the rest externally generated. We tested recall of the sequential order of sounds that had originated from the same (within event) or different sources (across events). Memory performance was not higher for within-event sounds, suggesting that actions did not structure the memory representation. However, during encoding, we observed the expected electrophysiological response attenuation for self-generated sounds, together with increased pupil dilation triggered by actions. Moreover, at the boundary between events, physiological responses to the first sound from the new source were influenced by the direction of the source switch. Our results suggest that introducing actions creates a stronger contextual shift than removing them, even though actions do not directly contribute to memory performance. This study contributes to our understanding of how interacting with sensory input shapes experiences by exploring the relationships between action effects on sensory responses, pupil dilation, and memory encoding. Importantly, it challenges the notion of a meaningful contribution from low-level neurophysiological mechanisms associated with action execution in the modulation of the self-generation effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Font-Alaminos
- Brainlab-Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Departament de Psicologia Clinica i Psicobiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nadia Paraskevoudi
- Brainlab-Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Departament de Psicologia Clinica i Psicobiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Costa-Faidella
- Brainlab-Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Departament de Psicologia Clinica i Psicobiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Iria SanMiguel
- Brainlab-Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Departament de Psicologia Clinica i Psicobiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
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2
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Tsai LP, Luo DZ, Chan H, Hung WC, Lai WS, Min MY, Wong SB. Implication of locus coeruleus dysfunction in Prader-Willi syndrome: Insights from a mouse model. Exp Neurol 2024; 381:114927. [PMID: 39159912 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multisystemic disorder. Notably, many characteristic symptoms of PWS are correlated with locus coeruleus norepinephrine system (LC-NE) dysfunction, including impairment in arousal, learning, pain modulation, and stress-induced negative affective states. Although electrophysiological experiments in necdin-deficient mice, an established PWS animal model, have revealed decreased spontaneous neuronal firing activity in the LC and impaired excitability, the behavioral phenotypes related to LC-NE dysfunction remain unexplored. In this study, heterozygous necdin-deficient mice (B6.Cg-Ndntm1ky) were bred from wild-type (WT) females to generate WT (+m/+p) and heterozygous (+m/-p) animals. Compared to WT mice, Ndn + m/-p mice demonstrated impaired visual-spatial memory in the Y-maze test, reduced social interaction, impaired sexual recognition, and shorter falling latency on the Rotarod. Using the open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM), we observed similar locomotion activity of Ndn + m/-p and WT mice, but Ndn + m/-p mice were less anxious. After acute restraint, Ndn + m/-p mice exhibited significant impairment in stress-induced anxiety. Additionally, the plasma norepinephrine surge following exposure to acute restraint stress was also impaired. Pretreatment with atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor aimed to enhance LC function, restored Ndn + m/-p mice to exhibit a normal response to acute restraint stress. Furthermore, by employing chemogenetic approaches to facilitate LC neuronal firing, post-stress anxious responses were also partially rescued in Ndn + m/-p mice. These data strongly suggest that LC dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of stress-related neuropsychiatric symptoms in PWS. Manipulation of LC activity may hold therapeutic potential for patients with PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 23142, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97071, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Heping Fuyou Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 100027, Taiwan
| | - Da-Zhong Luo
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hao Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 23142, Taiwan; Department of Life Science, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Hung
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 23142, Taiwan; Department of Life Science, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yuan Min
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Bing Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 23142, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97071, Taiwan.
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Faerman MV, Ehgoetz Martens KA, Meehan SK, Staines WR. Neural correlates of trait anxiety in sensory processing and distractor filtering. Psychophysiology 2024:e14706. [PMID: 39380311 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that trait anxiety relates to cognitive processing and behavior. However, the relationships between trait anxiety and sensory processing, goal-directed performance and sensorimotor function are unclear, particularly in a multimodal context. This study used electroencephalography to evaluate whether trait anxiety influenced visual and tactile event-related potentials (ERPs), as well as behavioral distractor cost, in a bimodal sensorimotor task. Twenty-nine healthy young adults completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Participants were directed to focus on either tactile or visual stimuli while disregarding the other modality, responding to target stimulus amplitude with a proportional grip. Previous research suggests that somatosensory N70 and visual P2 ERPs serve as markers of attentional relevance, with attention also impacting the visual P3 ERP. It was hypothesized that trait anxiety would modulate the ERPs susceptible to attentional modulation (tactile N70, visual P2 and P3) and not affect behavioral performance. Trait anxiety showed a large, significant interaction with attention for visual P3 latency in response to unimodal visual stimuli, with a positive relationship between P3 latencies and trait anxiety when attending toward the stimulus and negative when attending away. A large, positive main effect of trait anxiety on visual N1 amplitude for bimodal stimuli was also detected. As predicted, trait anxiety related to ERPs but not behavioral distractor cost. These findings suggest that trait anxiety modulates visual but not somatosensory processing correlates based on attention. The absence of overt behavioral performance effects suggests compensatory mechanisms may offset underlying differences in sensory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle V Faerman
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Sean K Meehan
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - W Richard Staines
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Morrow E, Clewett D. Distortion of overlapping memories relates to arousal and anxiety. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024:10.3758/s13415-024-01229-1. [PMID: 39379767 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01229-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Everyday experiences often overlap, challenging our ability to maintain distinct episodic memories. One way to resolve such interference is by exaggerating subtle differences between remembered events, a phenomenon known as memory repulsion. Here, we tested whether repulsion is influenced by emotional arousal, when resolving memory interference is perhaps most needed. We adapted an existing paradigm in which participants repeatedly studied object-face associations. Participants studied two different-colored versions of each object: a to-be-tested "target" and its not-to-be-tested "competitor" pair mate. The level of interference between target and competitor pair mates was manipulated by making the object colors either highly similar or less similar, depending on the participant group. To manipulate arousal, the competitor object-face associations were preceded by either a neutral tone or an aversive and arousing burst of white noise. Memory distortion for the color of the target objects was tested after each study round to examine whether memory distortions emerge after learning. We found that participants with greater sound-induced pupil dilations, an index of physiological arousal, showed greater memory attraction of target colors towards highly similar competitor colors. Greater memory attraction was also correlated with greater memory interference in the last round of learning. Additionally, individuals who self-reported higher trait anxiety showed greater memory attraction when one of the overlapping memories was associated with something aversive. Our findings suggest that memories of similar neutral and arousing events may blur together after repeated exposures, especially in individuals who show higher arousal responses and symptoms of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Morrow
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 5558 Pritzker Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - David Clewett
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 5558 Pritzker Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Ohta H, Nozawa T, Nakano T, Morimoto Y, Ishizuka T. Nonlinear age-related differences in probabilistic learning in mice: A 5-armed bandit task study. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 142:8-16. [PMID: 39029360 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
This study explores the impact of aging on reinforcement learning in mice, focusing on changes in learning rates and behavioral strategies. A 5-armed bandit task (5-ABT) and a computational Q-learning model were used to evaluate the positive and negative learning rates and the inverse temperature across three age groups (3, 12, and 18 months). Results showed a significant decline in the negative learning rate of 18-month-old mice, which was not observed for the positive learning rate. This suggests that older mice maintain the ability to learn from successful experiences while decreasing the ability to learn from negative outcomes. We also observed a significant age-dependent variation in inverse temperature, reflecting a shift in action selection policy. Middle-aged mice (12 months) exhibited higher inverse temperature, indicating a higher reliance on previous rewarding experiences and reduced exploratory behaviors, when compared to both younger and older mice. This study provides new insights into aging research by demonstrating that there are age-related differences in specific components of reinforcement learning, which exhibit a non-linear pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Ohta
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Takashi Nozawa
- Mejiro University, 4-31-1 Naka-Ochiai, Shinjuku, Tokyo 161-8539, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakano
- Department of Computational Biology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan; International Center for Brain Science (ICBS), Fujita Health University, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
| | - Yuji Morimoto
- Department of Physiology, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Ishizuka
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
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Torres AS, Robison MK, McClure SM, Brewer GA. The influence of transcranial direct current stimulation to the trigeminal nerve on attention and arousal. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 24:860-880. [PMID: 39107465 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01205-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
One mechanism by which transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proposed to improve attention is by transcutaneous stimulation of cranial nerves, thereby activating the locus coeruleus (LC). Specifically, placement of the electrodes over the frontal bone and mastoid is thought to facilitate current flow across the face as a path of least resistance. The face is innervated by the trigeminal nerve, and the trigeminal nerve is interconnected with the LC. In this study, we tested whether stimulating the trigeminal nerve impacts indices of LC activity and performance on a sustained attention task. We replicated previous research that shows deterioration in task performance, increases in the rate of task-unrelated thoughts, and reduced pupil responses due to time on task irrespective of tDCS condition (sham, anodal, and cathodal stimulation). Importantly, tDCS did not influence pupil dynamics (pretrial or stimulus-evoked), self-reported attention state, nor task performance in active versus sham stimulation conditions. The findings reported here are consistent with theories about arousal centered on a hypothesized link between LC activity indexed by pupil size, task performance, and self-reported attention state but fail to support hypotheses that tDCS over the trigeminal nerve influences indices of LC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis S Torres
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Matthew K Robison
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Samuel M McClure
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Gene A Brewer
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
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Sinakevitch IT, McDermott KE, Gray DT, Barnes CA. A combined MRI, histological and immunohistochemical rendering of the rhesus macaque locus coeruleus (LC) enables the differentiation of three distinct LC subcompartments. J Chem Neuroanat 2024; 140:102449. [PMID: 39084478 PMCID: PMC11392618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2024.102449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Locus coeruleus (LC) neurons send their noradrenergic axons across multiple brain regions, including neocortex, subcortical regions, and spinal cord. Many aspects of cognition are known to be dependent on the noradrenergic system, and it has been suggested that dysfunction in this system may play central roles in cognitive decline associated with both normative aging and neurodegenerative disease. While basic anatomical and biochemical features of the LC have been examined in many species, detailed characterizations of the structure and function of the LC across the lifespan are not currently available. This includes the rhesus macaque, which is an important model of human brain function because of their striking similarities in brain architecture and behavioral capacities. In the present study, we describe a method to combine structural MRI, Nissl, and immunofluorescent histology from individual monkeys to reconstruct, in 3 dimensions, the entire macaque LC nucleus. Using these combined methods, a standardized volume of the LC was determined, and high-resolution confocal images of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons were mapped into this volume. This detailed representation of the LC allows definitions to be proposed for three distinct subnuclei, including a medial region and a lateral region (based on location with respect to the central gray, inside or outside, respectively), and a compact region (defined by densely packed neurons within the medial compartment). This enabled the volume to be estimated and cell density to be calculated independently in each LC subnucleus for the first time. This combination of methods should allow precise characterization of the LC and has the potential to do the same for other nuclei with distinct molecular features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina T Sinakevitch
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
| | - Kelsey E McDermott
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
| | - Daniel T Gray
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
| | - Carol A Barnes
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States; Departments of Psychology, Neurology and Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
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Márquez I, Treviño M. Pupillary responses to directional uncertainty while intercepting a moving target. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240606. [PMID: 39359460 PMCID: PMC11444787 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Pupillary responses serve as sensitive indicators of cognitive processes, attentional shifts and decision-making dynamics. Our study investigates how directional uncertainty and target speed (V T) influence pupillary responses in a foveal tracking task involving the interception of a moving dot. Directional uncertainty, reflecting the unpredictability of the target's direction changes, was manipulated by altering the angular range (AR) from which random directions for the moving dot were extracted. Higher AR values were associated with reduced pupillary diameters, indicating that heightened uncertainty led to smaller pupil sizes. Additionally, an inverse U-shaped relationship between V T and pupillary responses suggested maximal diameters at intermediate speeds. Analysis of saccade-triggered responses showed a negative correlation between pupil diameter and directional uncertainty. Dynamic linear modelling revealed the influence of past successful collisions and other behavioural parameters on pupillary responses, emphasizing the intricate interaction between task variables and cognitive processing. Our results highlight the dynamic interplay between the directional uncertainty of a single moving target, V T and pupillary responses, with implications for understanding attentional mechanisms, decision-making processes and potential applications in emerging technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Márquez
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y de la Vida, Centro Universitario de la Ciénega, Universidad de Guadalajara, Ocotlán, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Conducta Animal, Departamento de Psicología, Centro Universitario de la Ciénega, Universidad de Guadalajara, Ocotlán, Mexico
| | - Mario Treviño
- Laboratorio de Plasticidad Cortical y Aprendizaje Perceptual, Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
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Metha J, Ji Y, Braun C, Nicholson JR, De Lecea L, Murawski C, Hoyer D, Jacobson LH. Hypocretin-1 receptor antagonism improves inhibitory control during the Go/No-Go task in highly motivated, impulsive male mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:2171-2187. [PMID: 38886189 PMCID: PMC11442560 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06628-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Motivation and inhibitory control are dominantly regulated by the dopaminergic (DA) and noradrenergic (NA) systems, respectively. Hypothalamic hypocretin (orexin) neurons provide afferent inputs to DA and NA nuclei and hypocretin-1 receptors (HcrtR1) are implicated in reward and addiction. However, the role of the HcrtR1 in inhibitory control is not well understood. OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of HcrtR1 antagonism and motivational state in inhibitory control using the go/no-go task in mice. METHODS n = 23 male C57Bl/6JArc mice were trained in a go/no-go task. Decision tree dendrogram analysis of training data identified more and less impulsive clusters of animals. A HcrtR1 antagonist (BI001, 12.5 mg/kg, per os) or vehicle were then administered 30 min before go/no-go testing, once daily for 5 days, under high (food-restricted) and low (free-feeding) motivational states in a latin-square crossover design. Compound exposure levels were assessed in a satellite group of animals. RESULTS HcrtR1 antagonism increased go accuracy and decreased no-go accuracy in free-feeding animals overall, whereas it decreased go accuracy and increased no-go accuracy only in more impulsive, food restricted mice. HcrtR1 antagonism also showed differential effects in premature responding, which was increased in response to the antagonist in free-feeding, less impulsive animals, and decreased in food restricted, more impulsive animals. HcrtR1 receptor occupancy by BI001 was estimated at ~ 66% during the task. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that hypocretin signalling plays roles in goal-directed behaviour and inhibitory control in a motivational state-dependant manner. While likely not useful in all settings, HcrtR1 antagonism may be beneficial in improving inhibitory control in impulsive subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Metha
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Finance, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Yijun Ji
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Circadian Misalignment and Shift Work Laboratory, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC, 3162, Australia
| | - Clemens Braun
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach, Germany
| | - Janet R Nicholson
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach, Germany
| | - Luis De Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Carsten Murawski
- Department of Finance, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Daniel Hoyer
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Laura H Jacobson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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10
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Nassar MR. Toward a computational role for locus coeruleus/norepinephrine arousal systems. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2024; 59:101407. [PMID: 39070697 PMCID: PMC11280330 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Brain and behavior undergo measurable changes in their underlying state and neuromodulators are thought to contribute to these fluctuations. Why do we undergo such changes, and what function could the underlying neuromodulatory systems perform? Here we examine theoretical answers to these questions with respect to the locus coeruleus/norepinephrine system focusing on peripheral markers for arousal, such as pupil diameter, that are thought to provide a window into brain wide noradrenergic signaling. We explore a computational role for arousal systems in facilitating internal state transitions that facilitate credit assignment and promote accurate perceptions in non-stationary environments. We summarize recent work that supports this idea and highlight open questions as well as alternative views of how arousal affects cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Nassar
- Brown University, Dept of Neuroscience and Carney Institute for Brain Science
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11
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Nigro M, Tortorelli LS, Garad M, Dinh K, Zlebnik NE, Yang H. Locus coeruleus modulation of prefrontal dynamics and encoding of flexible rule switching. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.13.571356. [PMID: 38168151 PMCID: PMC10760137 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.13.571356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Behavioral flexibility, the ability to adjust behavioral strategies in response to changing environmental contingencies and internal demands, is fundamental to cognitive functions. Despite a large body of pharmacology and lesion studies, the underlying neurophysiological correlates and mechanisms that support flexible rule switching are under active investigation. To address this question, we trained mice to distinguish complex sensory cues comprising different perceptual dimensions (set shifting). Endoscopic calcium imaging revealed that medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons exhibited pronounced dynamic changes during rule switching. Notably, prominent encoding capacity in the mPFC was associated with switching across, but not within perceptual dimensions. We then showed the functional importance of the ascending input from the locus coeruleus (LC), as LC inhibition impaired rule switching behavior and impeded mPFC dynamic processes and encoding. Our results highlight the pivotal role of the mPFC in set shifting processes and demonstrate the profound impact of ascending neuromodulation on shaping prefrontal neural dynamics and behavioral flexibility.
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12
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Yu J, Ji S, Tao H, Shan X, Yan Y, Sun X, Tu X, Li L, Deng C. Cell-specific expression of Cre recombinase in rat noradrenergic neurons via CRISPR-Cas9 system. Neuroscience 2024; 556:31-41. [PMID: 39067682 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Noradrenergic neurons play a crucial role in the functioning of the nervous system. They formed compact small clusters in the central nervous system. To target noradrenergic neurons in combination with viral tracing and achieve cell-type specific functional manipulation using chemogenetic or optogenetic tools, new transgenic animal lines are needed, especially rat models for their advantages in large body size with facilitating easy operation, physiological parameter monitoring, and accommodating complex behavioral and cognitive studies. In this study, we successfully generated a transgenic rat strain capable of expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) gene promoter using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Our validation process included co-immunostaining with Cre and DBH antibodies, confirming the specific expression of Cre recombinase. Furthermore, stereotaxic injection of a fluorescence-labeled AAV-DIO virus illustrated the precise Cre-loxP-mediated recombination activity in noradrenergic neurons within the locus coeruleus (LC). Through crossbreeding with the LSL-fluorescence reporter rat line, DBH-Cre rats proved instrumental in delineating the position and structure of noradrenergic neuron clusters A1, A2, A6 (LC), and A7 in rats. Additionally, our specific activation of the LC noradrenergic neurons showed effective behavioral readout using chemogenetics of this rat line. Our results underscore the effectiveness and specificity of Cre recombinase in noradrenergic neurons, serving as a robust tool for cell-type specific targeting of small-sized noradrenergic nuclei. This approach enhances our understanding of their anatomical, physiological, and pathological roles, contributing to a more profound comprehension of noradrenergic neuron function in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Yu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Shuqin Ji
- Department of Urology and Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Huixin Tao
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaochun Shan
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yu Yan
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Xiangzhou Sun
- Department of Urology and Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiang'an Tu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Lei Li
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Chunhua Deng
- Department of Urology and Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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13
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de Gee JW, Mridha Z, Hudson M, Shi Y, Ramsaywak H, Smith S, Karediya N, Thompson M, Jaspe K, Jiang H, Zhang W, McGinley MJ. Strategic stabilization of arousal boosts sustained attention. Curr Biol 2024; 34:4114-4128.e6. [PMID: 39151432 PMCID: PMC11447271 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Arousal and motivation interact to profoundly influence behavior. For example, experience tells us that we have some capacity to control our arousal when appropriately motivated, such as staying awake while driving a motor vehicle. However, little is known about how arousal and motivation jointly influence decision computations, including if and how animals, such as rodents, adapt their arousal state to their needs. Here, we developed and show results from an auditory, feature-based, sustained-attention task with intermittently shifting task utility. We use pupil size to estimate arousal across a wide range of states and apply tailored signal-detection theoretic, hazard function, and accumulation-to-bound modeling approaches in a large cohort of mice. We find that pupil-linked arousal and task utility both have major impacts on multiple aspects of task performance. Although substantial arousal fluctuations persist across utility conditions, mice partially stabilize their arousal near an intermediate and optimal level when task utility is high. Behavioral analyses show that multiple elements of behavior improve during high task utility and that arousal influences some, but not all, of them. Specifically, arousal influences the likelihood and timescale of sensory evidence accumulation but not the quantity of evidence accumulated per time step while attending. In sum, the results establish specific decision-computational signatures of arousal, motivation, and their interaction in attention. So doing, we provide an experimental and analysis framework for studying arousal self-regulation in neurotypical brains and in diseases such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Willem de Gee
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH, the Netherlands; Research Priority Area Brain and Cognition, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH, the Netherlands.
| | - Zakir Mridha
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marisa Hudson
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanchen Shi
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hannah Ramsaywak
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Spencer Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nishad Karediya
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Matthew Thompson
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kit Jaspe
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wenhao Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Matthew J McGinley
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
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14
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Murphy PR, Krkovic K, Monov G, Kudlek N, Lincoln T, Donner TH. Individual differences in belief updating and phasic arousal are related to psychosis proneness. COMMUNICATIONS PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 2:88. [PMID: 39313542 PMCID: PMC11420346 DOI: 10.1038/s44271-024-00140-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Many decisions entail the updating of beliefs about the state of the environment by accumulating noisy sensory evidence. This form of probabilistic reasoning may go awry in psychosis. Computational theory shows that optimal belief updating in environments subject to hidden changes in their state requires a dynamic modulation of the evidence accumulation process. Recent empirical findings implicate transient responses of pupil-linked central arousal systems to individual evidence samples in this modulation. Here, we analyzed behavior and pupil responses during evidence accumulation in a changing environment in a community sample of human participants. We also assessed their subclinical psychotic experiences (psychosis proneness). Participants most prone to psychosis showed overall less flexible belief updating profiles, with diminished behavioral impact of evidence samples occurring late during decision formation. These same individuals also exhibited overall smaller pupil responses and less reliable pupil encoding of computational variables governing the dynamic belief updating. Our findings provide insights into the cognitive and physiological bases of psychosis proneness and open paths to unraveling the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R Murphy
- Section Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
| | - Katarina Krkovic
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gina Monov
- Section Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Natalia Kudlek
- Section Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tania Lincoln
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias H Donner
- Section Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
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15
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Akcay E, Aydın Ö, Zagvozdkina V, Aycan Z, Caglar E, Oztop DB. Pupillary dilation response to the auditory food words in adolescents with obesity without binge eating disorder. Biol Psychol 2024; 193:108874. [PMID: 39313180 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 09/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Childhood obesity is a growing global public health problem. Studies suggest that environmental cues contribute to developing and maintaining obesity. We aimed to evaluate pupillary changes to auditory food words vs. nonfood words and to conduct a dynamic temporal analysis of pupil size changes in adolescents with obesity without binge eating disorder by comparing healthy-weight adolescents. In this study, a total of 63 adolescents aged 12-18 years (n = 32, obesity group (OG); n = 31, control group (CG)) were included. In an auditory paradigm, participants were presented with a series of high and low-calorie food and nonfood words. A binocular remote eye-tracking device was used to measure pupil diameter. Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) were used for dynamic temporal analysis of pupillometry data. The results of GAMM analysis indicated that CG had larger pupil dilation than the OG while listening to auditory food words. CG had larger pupil dilation in food words than in nonfood words. However, the OG had a similar pupillary response in food and nonfood words. Pupil dilation response to higher-calorie foods was extended over the later stages of the time period (after 2000 ms) in the OG. In summary, our findings indicated that individuals with obesity had lower pupil dilation to auditory food words compared to normal-weight peers. Adolescents with obesity had prolonged pupillary dilation in higher calories of food words. The individual psychological factors affecting the dynamic changes of pupil responses to food cues in adolescents with obesity should be examined in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Akcay
- Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey; University of Health Sciences, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Özgür Aydın
- Ankara University, Department of Linguistics, Ankara, Turkey; Ankara University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, Ankara, Turkey; Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Center of Excellence (NÖROM), Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Veronika Zagvozdkina
- University of Health Sciences, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Zehra Aycan
- Ankara University Medical School, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Elcin Caglar
- Ankara University Medical School, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Didem Behice Oztop
- Ankara University Medical School, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey.
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16
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Mouloua SA, Helton WS, Matthews G, Shaw TH. Self-control enhances vigilance performance in temporally irregular tasks: an fNIRS frontoparietal investigation. FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2024; 5:1415089. [PMID: 39364437 PMCID: PMC11447522 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2024.1415089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
The present study investigated whether trait self-control impacted operators' behavior and associated neural resource strategies during a temporally irregular vigilance task. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) readings of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) from 29 participants were recorded fromthe prefrontal and parietal cortices. Self-control was associated with better perceptual sensitivity (A') in the task with the irregular event schedule. A left-lateralized effect of HbO2 was found for temporal irregularity within the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, in accordance with functional transcranial doppler (fTCD) studies. Self-control increased HbR (decreasing activation) at right superior parietal lobule (rSPL; supporting vigilance utilization) and right inferior parietal lobule (rIPL; supporting resource reallocation). However, only rSPL was associated with the vigilance decrement-where decreases in activation led to better perceptual sensitivity in the temporally irregular task. Additionally, short stress-state measures suggest decreases in task engagement in individuals with higher self-control in the irregular task. The authors suggest a trait-state-brain-behavior relationship for self-control during difficult vigilance tasks. Implications for the study include steps toward rectifying the resource utilization vs. allocation debate in vigilance-as well as validating HbO2 and HbR as effective constructs for predicting operators' mental resources through fNIRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim Adam Mouloua
- Center for Excellence in Neuroergonomics, Technology, & Cognition, Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
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17
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Deng F, Dounavi ME, Plini ERG, Ritchie K, Muniz-Terrera G, Hutchinson S, Malhotra P, Ritchie CW, Lawlor B, Naci L. Cardiovascular risk of dementia is associated with brain-behaviour changes in cognitively healthy, middle-aged individuals. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 144:78-92. [PMID: 39293163 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) neuropathology start decades before clinical manifestations, but whether risk factors are associated with early cognitive and brain changes in midlife remains poorly understood. We examined whether AD risk factors were associated with cognition and functional connectivity (FC) between the Locus Coeruleus (LC) and hippocampus - two key brain structures in AD neuropathology - cross-sectionally and longitudinally in cognitively healthy midlife individuals. Neuropsychological assessments and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging were obtained at baseline (N=210), and two-years follow-up (N=188). Associations of cognition and FC with apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE ε4) genotype, family history of dementia, and the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score were investigated. Cross-sectionally, higher CAIDE scores were associated with worse cognition. Menopausal status interacted with the CAIDE risk on cognition. Furthermore, the CAIDE score significantly moderated the relationship between cognition and LC-Hippocampus FC. Longitudinally, the LC-Hippocampus FC decreased significantly over 2 years. These results suggest that cardiovascular risk of dementia is associated with brain-behaviour changes in cognitively healthy, middle-aged individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Deng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Maria-Eleni Dounavi
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK
| | - Emanuele R G Plini
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Karen Ritchie
- U1061 Neuropsychiatry, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Graciela Muniz-Terrera
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Social medicine, Ohio University, USA
| | | | - Paresh Malhotra
- Department of Brain Science, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, UK
| | - Craig W Ritchie
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brian Lawlor
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lorina Naci
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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18
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Wang X, Li Z, Wang X, Chen J, Guo Z, Qiao B, Qin L. Effects of Phasic Activation of Locus Ceruleus on Cortical Neural Activity and Auditory Discrimination Behavior. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1296232024. [PMID: 39134421 PMCID: PMC11391501 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1296-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the locus ceruleus (LC) is recognized as a crucial modulator for attention and perception by releasing norepinephrine into various cortical regions, the impact of LC-noradrenergic (LC-NE) modulation on auditory discrimination behavior remains elusive. In this study, we firstly recorded local field potential and single-unit activity in multiple cortical regions associated with auditory-motor processing, including the auditory cortex, posterior parietal cortex, secondary motor cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), in response to optogenetic activation (40 Hz and 0.5 s) of the LC-NE neurons in awake mice (male). We found that phasic LC stimulation induced a persistent high gamma oscillation (50-80 Hz) in the OFC. Phasic activation of LC-NE neurons also resulted in a corresponding increase in norepinephrine levels in the OFC, accompanied by a pupillary dilation response. Furthermore, when mice were performing a go/no-go auditory discrimination task, we optogeneticaly activated the neural projections from LC to OFC and revealed a shortened latency in behavioral responses to sound stimuli and an increased false alarm rate. These impulsive behavioral responses may be associated with the gamma neural activity in the OFC. These findings have broadened our understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in the role of LC in auditory-motor processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Wang
- Department of Physiology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Zijie Li
- Department of Physiology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Xueru Wang
- School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Department of Physiology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ziyu Guo
- School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Bingqing Qiao
- School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ling Qin
- School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
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19
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Wei J, Xiao C, Zhang GW, Shen L, Tao HW, Zhang LI. A distributed auditory network mediated by pontine central gray underlies ultra-fast awakening in response to alerting sounds. Curr Biol 2024:S0960-9822(24)01132-1. [PMID: 39265569 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Sleeping animals can be woken up rapidly by external threat signals, which is an essential defense mechanism for survival. However, neuronal circuits underlying the fast transmission of sensory signals for this process remain unclear. Here, we report in mice that alerting sound can induce rapid awakening within hundreds of milliseconds and that glutamatergic neurons in the pontine central gray (PCG) play an important role in this process. These neurons exhibit higher sensitivity to auditory stimuli in sleep than wakefulness. Suppressing these neurons results in reduced sound-induced awakening and increased sleep in intrinsic sleep/wake cycles, whereas their activation induces ultra-fast awakening from sleep and accelerates awakening from anesthesia. Additionally, the sound-induced awakening can be attributed to the propagation of auditory signals from the PCG to multiple arousal-related regions, including the mediodorsal thalamus, lateral hypothalamus, and ventral tegmental area. Thus, the PCG serves as an essential distribution center to orchestrate a global auditory network to promote rapid awakening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Wei
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Cuiyu Xiao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Guang-Wei Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Huizhong W Tao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Li I Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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20
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Sheppard M, Rasgado-Toledo J, Duncan N, Elliott R, Garza-Villarreal EA, Muhlert N. Noradrenergic alterations associated with early life stress. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105832. [PMID: 39084582 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Significant stress in childhood or adolescence is linked to both structural and functional changes in the brain in human and analogous animal models. In addition, neuromodulators, such as noradrenaline (NA), show life-long alterations in response to these early life stressors, which may impact upon the sensitivity and time course of key adrenergic activities, such as rapid autonomic stress responses (the 'fight or flight response'). The locus-coeruleus noradrenergic (LC-NA) network, a key stress-responsive network in the brain, displays numerous changes in response to significant early- life stress. Here, we review the relationship between NA and the neurobiological changes associated with early life stress and set out future lines of research that can illuminate how brain circuits and circulating neurotransmitters adapt in response to childhood stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Sheppard
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Jalil Rasgado-Toledo
- Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional de México campus Juriquilla, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Niall Duncan
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Rebecca Elliott
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Nils Muhlert
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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21
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Liu Y, Wu Y, Yang Q. The impact of stress on the risk decision-making process. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14595. [PMID: 38720645 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
The effect of stress on risk-taking or risk-averse behavior in decision-making has been inconclusive in previous research, with few studies revealing the underlying neural mechanisms. This study employed event-related potentials technique and combined a social cold pressor assessment test with a mental arithmetic task to induce stress responses, aiming to investigate the influence of exogenous stress on the risk decision-making process. Stress induction results indicated that, in addition to raising heart rate and blood pressure, stress responses were accompanied by enhanced negative emotions, diminished positive emotions, and alterations in neural activity. The outcomes of risk decision-making showed that stress did not significantly affect risk preference or time of choice but did reduce the feedback-related negativity/reward positivity, with a particularly significant effect observed for large outcomes. Stress also altered the amplitude of the P3 component, with stress decreasing the P3 value for winning outcomes relative to losing outcomes. The study suggests that understanding how stress affects risk preference should consider the emotional valence induced by stress. Contrary to the reward sensitivity hypothesis, stress weakened reward sensitivity. Stress led to changes in the allocation of cognitive resources for outcome evaluation: compared to negative outcomes, stress reduced cognitive resources for positive outcomes, which might be related to the enhanced negative emotions induced by stress. The study highlights the importance of focusing on the subjective emotional experience induced by stress in future research on stress and risk decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisi Liu
- Sichuan Research Center of Applied Psychology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Sichuan Research Center of Applied Psychology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Sichuan Research Center of Applied Psychology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
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22
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Pan J, Fu C, Su P, Guo Q, Li X, Zheng C, Ma X, Yong T. The modulation of temporal predictability on attentional boost effect. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3653. [PMID: 39219236 PMCID: PMC11366775 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The attentional boost effect, characterized by better memory for background scenes coinciding with a detection target than a nontarget, is believed to stem from a temporary increase in attentional capacity at the time of an acute behavior-related event occurring. Sisk and Jiang's study found that the attentional boost effect also occurs when the target's appearance was predictable. Unfortunately, the duration of the predictive interval in Sisk and Jiang's study was fixed. Since different predictive intervals had different weakening degrees to the acuteness of the target, this fixed duration hindered further investigation into the impact of different levels of predictability on the attentional boost effect. METHOD Using the encoding-recognition paradigm and the remembering/knowing paradigm, and setting target stimuli with different predictive interval in target detection tasks, the current study aimed to explore the influence of varying the duration of the predictive interval on the attentional boost effect. RESULTS The attentional boost effect was observed only in the short and medium predictive duration conditions, but not in the long predictive duration condition. Moreover, as the duration of the predictive interval increased, participants' memory performance on target-paired words gradually declined, while their memory performance on distractor-paired and baseline-paired words gradually improved. CONCLUSIONS Predictability may alter the task demands, allowing participants to more effectively allocate attentional resources to the two tasks at hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Pan
- Department of PsychologySchool of EducationQinghai Normal UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
| | - Chao Fu
- Department of PsychologySchool of EducationQinghai Normal UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
- Qinghai Cardio‐Cerebrovascular Specialty HospitalQinghai High Altitude Medical Research InstituteXiningQinghaiP.R. China
| | - Ping Su
- Department of PsychologySchool of EducationQinghai Normal UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
- Academy of Plateau Science and SustainabilityPeople's Government of Qinghai Province & Beijing Normal UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
| | - Qian Guo
- Department of PsychologySchool of EducationQinghai Normal UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
| | - Xinglin Li
- Department of PsychologySchool of EducationQinghai Normal UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
| | - Chun Zheng
- Plateau Medical Research CenterXiningQinghaiChina
- Department of PsychologySchool of EducationQinghai Minzu UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
| | - Xueqin Ma
- Plateau Medical Research CenterXiningQinghaiChina
- Qinghai Cardio‐Cerebrovascular Specialty HospitalQinghai High Altitude Medical Research InstituteXiningQinghaiP.R. China
- Department of GastroenterologyCardio‐cerebrovascular Disease HospitalXiningQinghaiP.R. China
| | - Tingjun Yong
- Department of PsychologySchool of EducationQinghai Normal UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
- Academy of Plateau Science and SustainabilityPeople's Government of Qinghai Province & Beijing Normal UniversityXiningQinghaiP.R. China
- School of EducationShaanxi Normal UniversityXi'anShaanxiP.R. China
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23
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Vora I, Gochyyev P, Engineer N, Wolf SL, Kimberley TJ. Distal Versus Proximal Arm Improvement After Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy After Chronic Stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2024; 105:1709-1717. [PMID: 38815953 PMCID: PMC11374485 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate differences in upper-extremity (UE) segment-specific (proximal or distal segment) recovery after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with UE rehabilitation (Paired-VNS) compared with rehabilitation with sham-VNS (Control). We also assessed whether gains in specific UE segments predicted clinically meaningful improvement. DESIGN This study reports on a secondary analysis of Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for UE motor function after chronic ischemic stroke (VNS-REHAB), a randomized, triple-blinded, sham-controlled pivotal trial. A Rasch latent regression was used to determine differences between Paired-VNS and Controls for distal and proximal UE changes after in-clinic therapy and 3 months later. Subsequently, we ran a random forest model to assess candidate predictors of meaningful improvement. Each item of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) was evaluated as a predictor of response to treatment. SETTING Nineteen stroke rehabilitation centers in the USA and UK. PARTICIPANTS Dataset included 108 participants (N=108) with chronic ischemic stroke and moderate-to-severe UE impairments. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES FMA-UE and WMFT. RESULTS Distal UE improvement was significantly greater in the Paired-VNS group than in Controls immediately after therapy (95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.73; P≤.001) and after 3 months (95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.75; P=.003). Both groups showed similar improvement in proximal UE at both time points. A subset of both distal and proximal items from the FMA-UE and WMFT were predictors of meaningful improvement. CONCLUSIONS Paired-VNS improved distal UE impairment in chronic stroke to a greater degree than intensive rehabilitation alone. Proximal improvements were equally responsive to either treatment. Given that meaningful UE recovery is predicted by improvements across both proximal and distal segments, Paired-VNS may facilitate improvement that is otherwise elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Vora
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA
| | - Perman Gochyyev
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | | | - Steven L Wolf
- Division of Physical Therapy, Center for Physical Therapy and Movement Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Teresa J Kimberley
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA.
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24
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Delaney J, Nathani S, Tan V, Chavez C, Orr A, Paek J, Faraji M, Setlow B, Urs NM. Enhanced cognitive flexibility and phasic striatal dopamine dynamics in a mouse model of low striatal tonic dopamine. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1600-1608. [PMID: 38698264 PMCID: PMC11319590 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01868-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The catecholamine neuromodulators dopamine and norepinephrine are implicated in motor function, motivation, and cognition. Although roles for striatal dopamine in these aspects of behavior are well established, the specific roles for cortical catecholamines in regulating striatal dopamine dynamics and behavior are less clear. We recently showed that elevating cortical dopamine but not norepinephrine suppresses hyperactivity in dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) mice, which have elevated striatal dopamine levels. In contrast, norepinephrine transporter knockout (NET-KO) mice have a phenotype distinct from DAT-KO mice, as they show elevated extracellular cortical catecholamines but reduced baseline striatal dopamine levels. Here we evaluated the consequences of altered catecholamine levels in NET-KO mice on cognitive flexibility and striatal dopamine dynamics. In a probabilistic reversal learning task, NET-KO mice showed enhanced reversal learning, which was consistent with larger phasic dopamine transients (dLight) in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) during reward delivery and reward omission, compared to WT controls. Selective depletion of dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) norepinephrine in WT mice did not alter performance on the reversal learning task but reduced nestlet shredding. Surprisingly, NET-KO mice did not show altered breakpoints in a progressive ratio task, suggesting intact food motivation. Collectively, these studies show novel roles of cortical catecholamines in the regulation of tonic and phasic striatal dopamine dynamics and cognitive flexibility, updating our current views on dopamine regulation and informing future therapeutic strategies to counter multiple psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jena Delaney
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Sanya Nathani
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Victor Tan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Carson Chavez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Alexander Orr
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Joon Paek
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Mojdeh Faraji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Barry Setlow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Nikhil M Urs
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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25
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Zhao Y, Wan J, Li Y. Genetically encoded sensors for in vivo detection of neurochemicals relevant to depression. J Neurochem 2024; 168:1721-1737. [PMID: 38468468 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Depressive disorders are a common and debilitating form of mental illness with significant impacts on individuals and society. Despite the high prevalence, the underlying causes and mechanisms of depressive disorders are still poorly understood. Neurochemical systems, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, have been implicated in the development and perpetuation of depressive symptoms. Current treatments for depression target these neuromodulator systems, but there is a need for a better understanding of their role in order to develop more effective treatments. Monitoring neurochemical dynamics during depressive symptoms is crucial for gaining a better a understanding of their involvement in depressive disorders. Genetically encoded sensors have emerged recently that offer high spatial-temporal resolution and the ability to monitor neurochemical dynamics in real time. This review explores the neurochemical systems involved in depression and discusses the applications and limitations of current monitoring tools for neurochemical dynamics. It also highlights the potential of genetically encoded sensors for better characterizing neurochemical dynamics in depression-related behaviors. Furthermore, potential improvements to current sensors are discussed in order to meet the requirements of depression research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxia Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
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26
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Hou W, Zhao W, Li J. Intact gesture cueing of attention but attenuated sensitivity to peripheral social targets in autistic children: An eye-tracking and pupillometric study. Biol Psychol 2024; 191:108822. [PMID: 38821466 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered automatic attention cueing has been reported in autistic children. Yet less is known about how autistic children would respond when the social cue that directs attention occurs in an implied social interaction. METHODS By using eye-tracking, the current study examined orienting responses to a socially-relevant target or a nonsocial target cued by a goal-directed social gesture in autistic children. Saccadic reaction time and pupillary responses were employed to measure gaze behavior and physiological arousal of autistic children. RESULTS Both groups of children showed reflexive orienting to the target regardless of its sociality, whereas typically developing (TD) children exhibited faster gaze shift than autistic children when the target was a social stimulus. An increased pupil dilation was observed in autistic children in response to stimuli relative to TD children. Further, autistic children showed larger baseline pupil response. CONCLUSIONS Autistic children show attenuated sensitivity to social targets and atypical pupil responses, which may be due to the dysfunction of locus coeruleus (LC) - norepinephrine (NE) system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Child Language Lab, School of Foreign Languages, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenlu Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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27
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Bömmer T, Schmidt LM, Meier K, Kricheldorff J, Stecher H, Herrmann CS, Thiel CM, Janitzky K, Witt K. Impact of Stimulation Duration in taVNS-Exploring Multiple Physiological and Cognitive Outcomes. Brain Sci 2024; 14:875. [PMID: 39335371 PMCID: PMC11430400 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14090875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that modulates the noradrenergic activity of the locus coeruleus (LC). Yet, there is still uncertainty about the most effective stimulation and reliable outcome parameters. In a double blind, sham-controlled study including a sample of healthy young individuals (N = 29), we compared a shorter (3.4 s) and a longer (30 s) stimulation duration and investigated the effects of taVNS (real vs. sham) on saliva samples (alpha amylase and cortisol concentration), pupil (pupillary light reflex and pupil size at rest) and EEG data (alpha and theta activity at rest, ERPs for No-Go signals), and cognitive tasks (Go/No-Go and Stop Signal Tasks). Salivary alpha amylase concentration was significantly increased in the real as compared to sham stimulation for the 30 s stimulation condition. In the 3.4 s stimulation condition, we found prolonged reaction times and increased error rates in the Go/No-Go task and increased maximum acceleration in the pupillary light reflex. For the other outcomes, no significant differences were found. Our results show that prolonged stimulation increases salivary alpha-amylase, which was expected from the functional properties of the LC. The finding of longer response times to short taVNS stimulation was not expected and cannot be explained by an increase in LC activity. We also discuss the difficulties in assessing pupil size as an expression of taVNS-mediated LC functional changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Bömmer
- Department of Neurology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
- University Clinic for Neurology at the Evangelical Hospital, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Luisa M Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
- University Clinic for Neurology at the Evangelical Hospital, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Meier
- Department of Neurology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Julius Kricheldorff
- Department of Neurology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Heiko Stecher
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christoph S Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christiane M Thiel
- Biological Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Janitzky
- Department of Neurology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
- University Clinic for Neurology at the Evangelical Hospital, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Witt
- Department of Neurology, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
- University Clinic for Neurology at the Evangelical Hospital, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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28
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Kuo CC, McCall JG. Neural circuit-selective, multiplexed pharmacological targeting of prefrontal cortex-projecting locus coeruleus neurons drives antinociception. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.08.598059. [PMID: 38895281 PMCID: PMC11185789 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.08.598059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Selective manipulation of neural circuits using optogenetics and chemogenetics holds great translational potential but requires genetic access to neurons. Here, we demonstrate a general framework for identifying genetic tool-independent, pharmacological strategies for neural circuit-selective modulation. We developed an economically accessible calcium imaging-based approach for large-scale pharmacological scans of endogenous receptor-mediated neural activity. As a testbed for this approach, we used the mouse locus coeruleus due to the combination of its widespread, modular efferent neural circuitry and its wide variety of endogenously expressed GPCRs. Using machine learning-based action potential deconvolution and retrograde tracing, we identified an agonist cocktail that selectively inhibits medial prefrontal cortex-projecting locus coeruleus neurons. In vivo , this cocktail produces synergistic antinociception, consistent with selective pharmacological blunting of this neural circuit. This framework has broad utility for selective targeting of other neural circuits under different physiological and pathological states, facilitating non-genetic translational applications arising from cell type-selective discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Cheng Kuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jordan G. McCall
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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29
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Liu Z, Wang Z, Cao B, Li F. Pupillary response to cognitive control in depression-prone individuals. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 205:112426. [PMID: 39214257 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 08/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Revealing the pupillary correlates of depression-prone individuals is conducive to the early intervention and treatment of depression. This study recruited 31 depression-prone and 31 healthy individuals. They completed an emotional task-switching task combined with a go/no-go task, and task-evoked pupillary responses (TEPR) were recorded. Behavioral results showed no significant differences in behavioral performance in terms of cognitive flexibility and inhibition between the depression-prone group and the healthy control group. The pupillary results revealed that (1) the depression-prone group showed slightly lower TEPRs to positive stimuli than the healthy controls during cue presentation; (2) during target presentation, the depression-prone group did not show an effect of emotional valence on the pupillary response in the task-repeat trials; and (3) compared to the healthy controls, the depression-prone group showed significantly smaller TEPRs to negative no-go stimuli and had a longer latency of the second peak of pupil dilation in no-go trials. These results imply that depression-prone individuals may have slower neural responses in cognitive control tasks and emotion-specific weakened cognitive control than healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Liu
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, China; School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, China
| | - Zhijing Wang
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, China; School of Humanities and Management, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Bihua Cao
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, China
| | - Fuhong Li
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, China.
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30
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Zhou J, Lin M, Xu W. Individual differences in baseline eye movement indices: Examining the relationships between baseline pupil size, inhibitory control, and fixation stability. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024:10.3758/s13415-024-01213-9. [PMID: 39198300 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01213-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
The relationship among baseline pupil size, fixation stability, and inhibitory control were examined in this study. Participants performed a baseline eye measure in which they were instructed to stare at a fixation dot on screen for 2 min. Following the baseline eye measure, participants completed an antisaccade task to measure inhibitory control ability. We found a correlation between baseline pupil size variability and inhibitory control, as well as between fixation stability and inhibitory control. We showed that participants with better inhibitory control exhibited larger variability in pupil size, and those with better fixation stability showed superior inhibitory control ability. Overall, our results indicate that there are significant correlations between inhibitory control and baseline pupil size, as well as between inhibitory control and fixation stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Zhou
- School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Fujian Normal University, 1 Keji Rd., Minhou District, Fuzhou, 350117, Fujian, China
| | - Min Lin
- School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Fujian Normal University, 1 Keji Rd., Minhou District, Fuzhou, 350117, Fujian, China
- Nanxing Middle School, 18 Binxi Rd., Shuitou Town, Nan'an City, Quanzhou, 362342, Fujian, China
| | - Wenxin Xu
- School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Fujian Normal University, 1 Keji Rd., Minhou District, Fuzhou, 350117, Fujian, China.
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31
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Blini E, Anobile G, Arrighi R. What pupil size can and cannot tell about math anxiety. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2024:10.1007/s00426-024-02020-0. [PMID: 39180562 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-024-02020-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Math Anxiety (MA) consists of excessive fear and worry about math-related situations. It represents a major barrier to numerical competence and the pursuit of STEM careers. Yet, we currently do not dispose of many tools that can capture its multifaceted nature, e.g. moving beyond the exclusive reliance on self-reports and meta-cognition. Here we sought to probe Pupil Size (PS) as a viable tool in the study of MA by administering arithmetic problems to university students in the humanities (N = 70) with various levels of MA. We found that arithmetic competence and performance are indeed negatively associated with MA, and this is accurately tracked by PS. When performance is accounted for, MA does not further modulate PS (before, during, or after calculation). However, the latency of PS peak dilation can add a significant contribution to predicting MA scores, indicating that high MA may be accompanied by more prolonged cognitive effort. Results show that MA and mathematical competence may be too crystalized in young university students to be discernible. We therefore call for early educational interventions to tackle and mitigate this dysfunctional association early on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvio Blini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Building 26, Florence, 50136, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Anobile
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Building 26, Florence, 50136, Italy
| | - Roberto Arrighi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Building 26, Florence, 50136, Italy
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32
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Luna FG, Lupiáñez J, König S, Garscha U, Fischer R. Can transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation mitigate vigilance loss? Examining the effects of stimulation at individualized versus constant current intensity. Psychophysiology 2024:e14670. [PMID: 39169561 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
According to the arousal model of vigilance, the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system modulates sustained attention over long periods by regulating physiological arousal. Recent research has proposed that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) modulates indirect physiological markers of LC-NE activity, although its effects on vigilance have not yet been examined. Aiming to develop a safe and noninvasive procedure to prevent vigilance failures in prolonged tasks, the present study examined whether taVNS can mitigate vigilance loss while modulating indirect markers of LC-NE activity. Following a preregistered protocol (https://osf.io/tu2xy/), 50 participants completed three repeated sessions in a randomized order, in which either active taVNS at individualized intensity set by participant, active taVNS set at 0.5 mA for all participants, or sham taVNS, was delivered while performing an attentional and vigilance task (i.e., ANTI-Vea). Changes in salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol concentrations were measured as markers of LC-NE activity. Self-reports of feelings associated with stimulation and guessing rate of active/sham conditions supported the efficacy of the single-blind procedure. Contrary to our predictions, the observed vigilance decrement was not modulated by active taVNS. Pairwise comparisons showed a mitigation by active taVNS on cortisol reduction across time. Interestingly, Spearman's correlational analyses showed some interindividual effects of taVNS on indirect markers of LC-NE, evidenced by positive associations between changes in salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol in active but not sham taVNS. We highlight the relevance of replicating and extending the present outcomes, investigating further parameters of stimulation and its effects on other indirect markers of LC-NE activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando G Luna
- Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Juan Lupiáñez
- Department of Experimental Psychology, and Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Stefanie König
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ulrike Garscha
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rico Fischer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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33
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Cole N, Harvey M, Myers-Joseph D, Gilra A, Khan AG. Prediction-error signals in anterior cingulate cortex drive task-switching. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7088. [PMID: 39154045 PMCID: PMC11330528 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51368-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Task-switching is a fundamental cognitive ability that allows animals to update their knowledge of current rules or contexts. Detecting discrepancies between predicted and observed events is essential for this process. However, little is known about how the brain computes cognitive prediction-errors and whether neural prediction-error signals are causally related to task-switching behaviours. Here we trained mice to use a prediction-error to switch, in a single trial, between responding to the same stimuli using two distinct rules. Optogenetic silencing and un-silencing, together with widefield and two-photon calcium imaging revealed that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was specifically required for this rapid task-switching, but only when it exhibited neural prediction-error signals. These prediction-error signals were projection-target dependent and were larger preceding successful behavioural transitions. An all-optical approach revealed a disinhibitory interneuron circuit required for successful prediction-error computation. These results reveal a circuit mechanism for computing prediction-errors and transitioning between distinct cognitive states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Cole
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Harvey
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dylan Myers-Joseph
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Aditya Gilra
- Machine Learning Group, Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Adil G Khan
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK.
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Doll L, Dykstra AR, Gutschalk A. Perceptual awareness of near-threshold tones scales gradually with auditory cortex activity and pupil dilation. iScience 2024; 27:110530. [PMID: 39175766 PMCID: PMC11338958 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Negative-going responses in sensory cortex co-vary with perceptual awareness of sensory stimuli. Given that this awareness negativity has also been observed for undetected stimuli, some have challenged its role for perception. To address this question, we combined magnetoencephalography, electroencephalography, and pupillometry to study how sustained attention and response criterion affect the auditory awareness negativity. Participants first detected distractor sounds and denied hearing task-irrelevant near-threshold tones, which evoked neither awareness negativity nor pupil dilation. These same tones evoked both responses when task-relevant, stronger for hit but also present for miss trials. Participants then rated their perception on a six-point scale to test whether response criterion explains the presence of these responses for miss trials. Decreasing perception ratings were associated with gradually reduced evoked responses, consistent with signal detection theory. These results support the concept of an awareness negativity that is modulated by attention but does not require a non-linear threshold mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Doll
- Department of Neurology, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrew R. Dykstra
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Alexander Gutschalk
- Department of Neurology, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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35
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Zimmer H, Richter F. Electrodermal lability and sensorimotor preparation: effects on reaction time, contingent negative variation, and heart rate. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024:10.3758/s13415-024-01206-8. [PMID: 39143369 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Electrodermal lability is a trait-like measure of spontaneous sympathetic resting activity. In the present study, we addressed whether interindividual differences in this lability have an impact on the reaction time (RT) and on two physiological indicators of a goal-oriented sensorimotor preparation in a long-running, forewarned RT task (S1-S2 paradigm). The two indicators were the brain's contingent negative variation (CNV) and a heart rate deceleration (HRD). The interindividual differences were determined by counting spontaneous skin conductance fluctuations during a 5-min resting phase and dividing the subjects into two groups: individuals below (stable) and above (labile) the median of these fluctuations. In the task, labile individuals had a shorter RT compared with stable individuals and showed in the final phase of preparation in both physiological indicators the stronger response. Thus, lability-dependent effects in forewarned RT tasks cannot be explained by differences in stimulus-driven or passively controlled processes alone. Rather, goal-oriented, deliberately controlled processes that serve to adequately prepare for an imperative stimulus-the S2 in our paradigm-also must be considered to explain them. Labile individuals not only react faster than stable ones but also intentionally prepare themselves more appropriately for the imperative stimulus. A norepinephrine hypothesis focusing on the tonic activity of the locus coeruleus (LC) is proposed as an explanation for these and other lability-dependent effects. The frequency of spontaneous electrodermal fluctuations at rest may represent a peripheral, noninvasive, and easily measurable indicator of the baseline LC activity during wakefulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz Zimmer
- Department of Psychology, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Fabian Richter
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité - Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.
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36
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Carrasco CD, Simmons AM, Kiat JE, Luck SJ. Enhanced Working Memory Representations for Rare Events. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.20.585952. [PMID: 38562686 PMCID: PMC10983956 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.20.585952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Rare events (oddballs) produce a variety of enhanced physiological responses relative to frequent events (standards), including the P3b component of the event-related potential (ERP) waveform. Previous research has suggested that the P3b is related to working memory, which implies that working memory representations will be enhanced for rare stimuli. To test this hypothesis, we devised a modified oddball paradigm in which the target was a disk presented at one of 16 different locations, which were divided into a rare set and a frequent set. Participants made a binary response on each trial to report whether the target appeared in the rare set or the frequent set. As expected, the P3b was much larger for stimuli appearing at a location within the rare set. We also included occasional probe trials in which the subject reported the exact location of the target. We found that these reports were more accurate for locations within the rare set than for locations within the frequent set. Moreover, the mean accuracy of these reports was correlated with the mean amplitude of the P3b. We also applied multivariate pattern analysis to the ERP data to "decode" the remembered location of the target. Decoding accuracy was greater for locations within the rare set than for locations within the frequent set. We then replicated and extended our behavioral findings in a follow-up experiment. These behavioral and electrophysiological results demonstrate that although both frequent and rare events are stored in working memory, the representations are enhanced for rare oddball events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John E Kiat
- Center for Mind & Brain, University of California, Davis
| | - Steven J Luck
- Center for Mind & Brain, University of California, Davis
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37
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Acosta MC, Hussein M, Saltzman W. Effects of acute inhibition of dopamine β-hydroxylase on neural responses to pups in adult virgin male California mice (Peromyscus californicus). Behav Brain Res 2024; 471:115116. [PMID: 38897419 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The neural mechanisms underlying paternal care in biparental mammals are not well understood. The California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) is a biparental rodent in which virtually all fathers are attracted to pups, while virgin males vary widely in their behavior toward unrelated infants, ranging from attacking to avoiding to huddling and grooming pups. We previously showed that pharmacologically inhibiting the synthesis of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) with the dopamine β-hydroxylase inhibitor nepicastat reduced the propensity of virgin male and female California mice to interact with pups. The current study tested the hypothesis that nepicastat would reduce pup-induced c-Fos immunoreactivity, a cellular marker of neural activity, in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), medial amygdala (MeA), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), brain regions implicated in the control of parental behavior and/or anxiety. Virgin males were injected with nepicastat (75 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle 2 hours prior to exposure to either an unrelated pup or novel object for 60 minutes (n = 4-6 mice per group). Immediately following the 60-minute stimulus exposure, mice were euthanized and their brains were collected for c-Fos immunohistochemistry. Nepicastat reduced c-Fos expression in the MeA and MPOA of pup-exposed virgin males compared to vehicle-injected controls. In contrast, nepicastat did not alter c-Fos expression in any of the above brain regions following exposure to a novel object. Overall, these results suggest that the noradrenergic system might influence MeA and MPOA function to promote behavioral interactions with pups in virgin males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina C Acosta
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Manal Hussein
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Wendy Saltzman
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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38
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Lee JP, Chang YH, Tseng YL, Chou TL, Chien YL. Pupillary response during social emotion tasks in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2024. [PMID: 39096024 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Autistic individuals encounter challenges in recognizing emotional expressions of others. Pupillary response has been proposed as an indicator of arousal dysregulation or cognitive load. The pupillary response of autistic individuals during socio-affective tasks remains unclear. This study investigated pupillary response in autistic adults when viewing emotional faces/eyes and recognizing emotions during the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and watching interpersonal touch scenes in the social touch task. The study included 98 participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and 37 typically developing controls (TD). Pupil size was measured using the Tobii X2-30 Eye Tracker. The results showed that autistic adults had larger maximal pupil sizes, smaller minimal pupil sizes, and greater change rates of pupil size, particularly during the RMET Eyes task. Clinical correlations revealed that attention switching difficulty positively correlated with mean pupil size in TD participants, while social communication deficits positively correlated with mean pupil size in autistic participants. In conclusion, our findings suggest atypical pupillary responses in autistic adults during socio-affective tasks, indicating heightened cognitive demand. Further investigation is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms and their association with autistic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juei-Po Lee
- Department of Medical Education, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Chang
- College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Li Tseng
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Li Chou
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Chien
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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39
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Li T, Decety J, Hua Z, Li G, Yi L. Empathy in autistic children: Emotional overarousal in response to others' physical pain. Autism Res 2024; 17:1640-1650. [PMID: 39087850 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Different empathic responses are often reported in autism but remain controversial. To investigate which component of empathy is most affected by autism, we examined the affective, cognitive, and motivational components of empathy in 25 5- to 8-year-old autistic and 27 neurotypical children. Participants were presented with visual stimuli depicting people's limbs in painful or nonpainful situations while their eye movements, pupillary responses, and verbal ratings of pain intensity and empathic concern were recorded. The results indicate an emotional overarousal and reduced empathic concern to others' pain in autism. Compared with neurotypical children, autistic children displayed larger pupil dilation accompanied by attentional avoidance to others' pain. Moreover, even though autistic children rated others in painful situations as painful, they felt less sorry than neurotypical children. Interestingly, autistic children felt more sorry in nonpainful situations compared with neurotypical children. These findings demonstrated an emotional overarousal in response to others' pain in autistic children, and provide important implications for clinical practice aiming to promote socio-emotional understanding in autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbi Li
- Department of Psychology, Normal College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences & Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jean Decety
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Zihui Hua
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences & Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Guoxiang Li
- Qingdao Autism Research Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Li Yi
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences & Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at PKU, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Campbell I, Beckers E, Sharifpour R, Berger A, Paparella I, Aizpurua JFB, Koshmanova E, Mortazavi N, Sherif S, Vandewalle G. Impact of light on task-evoked pupil responses during cognitive tasks. J Sleep Res 2024; 33:e14101. [PMID: 37974557 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Light has many non-image-forming functions including modulation of pupil size and stimulation of alertness and cognition. Part of these non-image-forming effects may be mediated by the brainstem locus coeruleus. The processing of sensory inputs can be associated with a transient pupil dilation that is likely driven in part by the phasic activity of the locus coeruleus. In the present study, we aimed to characterise the task-evoked pupil response associated with auditory inputs under different light levels and across two cognitive tasks. We continuously monitored the pupil of 20 young healthy participants (mean [SD] 24.05 [4.0] years; 14 women) whilst they completed an attentional and an emotional auditory task whilst exposed to repeated 30-40-s blocks of light interleaved with darkness periods. Blocks could either consist of monochromatic orange light (0.16 melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (EDI) lux) or blue-enriched white light of three different levels [37, 92, 190 melanopic EDI lux; 6500 K]. For the analysis, 15 and then 14 participants were included in the attentional and emotional tasks, respectively. Generalised linear mixed models showed a significant main effect of light level on the task-evoked pupil responses triggered by the attentional and emotional tasks (p ≤ 0.0001). The impact of light was different for the target versus non-target stimulus of the attentional task but was not different for the emotional and neutral stimulus of the emotional task. There is a smaller sustained pupil size during brighter light blocks but, a higher light level triggers a stronger task-evoked pupil response to auditory stimulation, presumably through the recruitment of the locus coeruleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islay Campbell
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Elise Beckers
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Roya Sharifpour
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Alexandre Berger
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
- Synergia Medical SA, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
| | - Ilenia Paparella
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Ekaterina Koshmanova
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nasrin Mortazavi
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Siya Sherif
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Gilles Vandewalle
- GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre-In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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41
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Gao Y, Roessner V, Stock AK, Mückschel M, Colzato L, Hommel B, Beste C. Catecholaminergic Modulation of Metacontrol Is Reflected by Changes in Aperiodic EEG Activity. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 27:pyae033. [PMID: 39096235 PMCID: PMC11348007 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND "Metacontrol" describes the ability to maintain an optimal balance between cognitive control styles that are either more persistent or more flexible. Recent studies have shown a link between metacontrol and aperiodic EEG patterns. The present study aimed to gain more insight into the neurobiological underpinnings of metacontrol by using methylphenidate (MPH), a compound known to increase postsynaptic catecholamine levels and modulate cortical noise. METHODS In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study design, we investigated the effect of MPH (0.5 mg/kg) on aperiodic EEG activity during a flanker task in a sample of n = 25 neurotypical adults. To quantify cortical noise, we employed the fitting oscillations and one over f algorithm. RESULTS Compared with placebo, MPH increased the aperiodic exponent, suggesting that it reduces cortical noise in 2 ways. First, it did so in a state-like fashion, as the main effect of the drug was visible and significant in both pre-trial and within-trial periods. Second, the electrode-specific analyses showed that the drug also affects specific processes by dampening the downregulation of noise in conditions requiring more control. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the aperiodic exponent provides a neural marker of metacontrol states and changes therein. Further, we propose that the effectiveness of medications targeting catecholaminergic signaling can be evaluated by studying changes of cortical noise, fostering the idea of using the quantification of cortical noise as an indicator in pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Veit Roessner
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Stock
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Moritz Mückschel
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lorenza Colzato
- School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Bernhard Hommel
- School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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42
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Kabanova A, Fedorov L, Eschenko O. The Projection-Specific Noradrenergic Modulation of Perseverative Spatial Behavior in Adult Male Rats. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0063-24.2024. [PMID: 39160074 PMCID: PMC11334950 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0063-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Adaptive behavior relies on efficient cognitive control. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a key node within the executive prefrontal network. The reciprocal connectivity between the locus ceruleus (LC) and ACC is thought to support behavioral reorganization triggered by the detection of an unexpected change. We transduced LC neurons with either excitatory or inhibitory chemogenetic receptors in adult male rats and trained rats on a spatial task. Subsequently, we altered LC activity and confronted rats with an unexpected change of reward locations. In a new spatial context, rats with decreased noradrenaline (NA) in the ACC entered unbaited maze arms more persistently which was indicative of perseveration. In contrast, the suppression of the global NA transmission reduced perseveration. Neither chemogenetic manipulation nor inactivation of the ACC by muscimol affected the rate of learning, possibly due to partial virus transduction of the LC neurons and/or the compensatory engagement of other prefrontal regions. Importantly, we observed behavioral deficits in rats with LC damage caused by virus injection. The latter finding highlights the importance of careful histological assessment of virus-transduced brain tissue as inadvertent damage of the targeted cell population due to virus neurotoxicity or other factors might cause unwanted side effects. Although the specific role of ACC in the flexibility of spatial behavior has not been convincingly demonstrated, our results support the beneficial role of noradrenergic transmission for an optimal function of the ACC. Overall, our findings suggest the LC exerts the projection-specific modulation of neural circuits mediating the flexibility of spatial behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kabanova
- Department of Physiology of Cognitive Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Leonid Fedorov
- Department of Physiology of Cognitive Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oxana Eschenko
- Department of Physiology of Cognitive Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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43
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Lum JAG, Barham MP, Hill AT. Pupillometry reveals resting state alpha power correlates with individual differences in adult auditory language comprehension. Cortex 2024; 177:1-14. [PMID: 38821014 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Although individual differences in adult language processing are well-documented, the neural basis of this variability remains largely unexplored. The current study addressed this gap in the literature by examining the relationship between resting state alpha activity and individual differences in auditory language comprehension. Alpha oscillations modulate cortical excitability, facilitating efficient information processing in the brain. While resting state alpha oscillations have been tied to individual differences in cognitive performance, their association with auditory language comprehension is less clear. Participants in the study were 80 healthy adults with a mean age of 25.8 years (SD = 7.2 years). Resting state alpha activity was acquired using electroencephalography while participants looked at a benign stimulus for 3 min. Participants then completed a language comprehension task that involved listening to 'syntactically simple' subject-relative clause sentences and 'syntactically complex' object-relative clause sentences. Pupillometry measured real-time processing demand changes, with larger pupil dilation indicating increased processing loads. Replicating past research, comprehending object relative clauses, compared to subject relative clauses, was associated with lower accuracy, slower reaction times, and larger pupil dilation. Resting state alpha power was found to be positively correlated with the pupillometry data. That is, participants with higher resting state alpha activity evidenced larger dilation during sentence comprehension. This effect was more pronounced for the 'complex' object sentences compared to the 'simple' subject sentences. These findings suggest the brain's capacity to generate a robust resting alpha rhythm contributes to variability in processing demands associated with auditory language comprehension, especially when faced with challenging syntactic structures. More generally, the study demonstrates that the intrinsic functional architecture of the brain likely influences individual differences in language comprehension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrad A G Lum
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia.
| | - Michael P Barham
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia
| | - Aron T Hill
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia
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44
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Ludwig M, Pereira C, Keute M, Düzel E, Betts MJ, Hämmerer D. Evaluating phasic transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) with pupil dilation: the importance of stimulation intensity and sensory perception. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.27.605407. [PMID: 39131302 PMCID: PMC11312456 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.27.605407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) as a non-invasive method to modulate physiological markers of noradrenergic activity of the Locus Coeruleus (LC), such as pupil dilation, is increasingly more discussed. However, taVNS studies show high heterogeneity of stimulation effects. Therefore, a taVNS setup was established here to test different frequencies (10 Hz and 25 Hz) and intensities (3 mA and 5 mA) during phasic stimulation (3 s) with time-synchronous recording of pupil dilation in younger adults. Specifically, phasic real taVNS and higher intensity led to increased pupil dilation, which is consistent with phasic invasive VNS studies in animals. The results also suggest that the influence of intensity on pupil dilation may be stronger than that of frequency. However, there was an attenuation of taVNS-induced pupil dilation when differences in perception of sensations were considered. Specifically, pupil dilation during phasic stimulation increased with perceived stimulation intensity. The extent to which the effect of taVNS induces pupil dilation and the involvement of sensory perception in the stimulation process are discussed here and require more extensive research. Additionally, it is crucial to strive for comparable stimulation sensations during systematic parameter testing in order to investigate possible effects of phasic taVNS on pupil dilation in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Ludwig
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Calida Pereira
- Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marius Keute
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University Hospital and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Emrah Düzel
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew J. Betts
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dorothea Hämmerer
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck
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45
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Lamba A, Frank MJ, FeldmanHall O. Keeping an Eye Out for Change: Anxiety Disrupts Adaptive Resolution of Policy Uncertainty. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024:S2451-9022(24)00203-9. [PMID: 39069235 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human learning unfolds under uncertainty. Uncertainty is heterogeneous with different forms exerting distinct influences on learning. While one can be uncertain about what to do to maximize rewarding outcomes, known as policy uncertainty, one can also be uncertain about general world knowledge, known as epistemic uncertainty (EU). In complex and naturalistic environments such as the social world, adaptive learning may hinge on striking a balance between attending to and resolving each type of uncertainty. Prior work illustrates that people with anxiety-those with increased threat and uncertainty sensitivity-learn less from aversive outcomes, particularly as outcomes become more uncertain. How does a learner adaptively trade-off between attending to these distinct sources of uncertainty to successfully learn about their social environment? METHODS We developed a novel eye-tracking method to capture highly granular estimates of policy uncertainty and EU based on gaze patterns and pupil diameter (a physiological estimate of arousal). RESULTS These empirically derived uncertainty measures revealed that humans (N = 94) flexibly switched between resolving policy uncertainty and EU to adaptively learn about which individuals can be trusted and which should be avoided. However, those with increased anxiety (n = 49) did not flexibly switch between resolving policy uncertainty and EU and instead expressed less uncertainty overall. CONCLUSIONS Combining modeling and eye-tracking techniques, we show that altered learning in people with anxiety emerged from an insensitivity to policy uncertainty and rigid choice policies, leading to maladaptive behaviors with untrustworthy people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Lamba
- Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J Frank
- Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Carney Institute of Brain Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Oriel FeldmanHall
- Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Carney Institute of Brain Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
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Miranda-Barrientos J, Adiraju S, Rehg JJ, Hallock HL, Li Y, Carr GV, Martinowich K. Patterns of neural activity in prelimbic cortex neurons correlate with attentional behavior in the rodent continuous performance test. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.26.605300. [PMID: 39091763 PMCID: PMC11291163 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.26.605300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Sustained attention, the ability to focus on a stimulus or task over extended periods, is crucial for higher level cognition, and is impaired in individuals diagnosed with neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. Translational tasks like the rodent continuous performance test (rCPT) can be used to study the cellular mechanisms underlying sustained attention. Accumulating evidence points to a role for the prelimbic cortex (PrL) in sustained attention, as electrophysiological single unit and local field (LFPs) recordings reflect changes in neural activity in the PrL in mice performing sustained attention tasks. While the evidence correlating PrL electrical activity with sustained attention is compelling, limitations inherent to electrophysiological recording techniques, including low sampling in single unit recordings and source ambivalence for LFPs, impede the ability to fully resolve the cellular mechanisms in the PrL that contribute to sustained attention. In vivo endoscopic calcium imaging using genetically encoded calcium sensors in behaving animals can address these questions by simultaneously recording up to hundreds of neurons at single cell resolution. Here, we used in vivo endoscopic calcium imaging to record patterns of neuronal activity in PrL neurons using the genetically encoded calcium sensor GCaMP6f in mice performing the rCPT at three timepoints requiring differing levels of cognitive demand and task proficiency. A higher proportion of PrL neurons were recruited during correct responses in sessions requiring high cognitive demand and task proficiency, and mice intercalated non-responsive-disengaged periods with responsive-engaged periods that resemble attention lapses. During disengaged periods, the correlation of calcium activity between PrL neurons was higher compared to engaged periods, suggesting a neuronal network state change during attention lapses in the PrL. Overall, these findings illustrate that cognitive demand, task proficiency, and task engagement differentially recruit activity in a subset of PrL neurons during sustained attention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suhaas Adiraju
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jason J. Rehg
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | - Ye Li
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gregory V. Carr
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Keri Martinowich
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Wass SV, Mirza FU, Smith C. Understanding allostasis: Early-life self-regulation involves both up- and down-regulation of arousal. Child Dev 2024. [PMID: 39056636 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Optimal performance lies at intermediate autonomic arousal, but no previous research has examined whether the emergence of endogenous control associates with changes in children's up-regulation from hypo-arousal, as well as down-regulation from hyper-arousal. We used wearables to take day-long recordings from N = 58, 12-month-olds (60% white/58% female); and, in the same infants, we measured self-regulation in the lab with a still-face paradigm. Overall, our findings suggest that infants who showed more self-regulatory behaviors in the lab were more likely to actively change their behaviors in home settings moment-by-moment "on the fly" following changes in autonomic arousal, and that these changes result in up- as well as down-regulation. Implications for the role of atypical self-regulation in later psychopathology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S V Wass
- Department of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
| | - F U Mirza
- Department of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
| | - C Smith
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Giraudier M, Ventura-Bort C, Weymar M. Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on the P300: Do Stimulation Duration and Stimulation Type Matter? Brain Sci 2024; 14:690. [PMID: 39061430 PMCID: PMC11274684 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has attracted increasing interest as a neurostimulation tool with potential applications in modulating cognitive processes such as attention and memory, possibly through the modulation of the locus-coeruleus noradrenaline system. Studies examining the P300 brain-related component as a correlate of noradrenergic activity, however, have yielded inconsistent findings, possibly due to differences in stimulation parameters, thus necessitating further investigation. In this event-related potential study involving 61 participants, therefore, we examined how changes in taVNS parameters, specifically stimulation type (interval vs. continuous stimulation) and duration, influence P300 amplitudes during a visual novelty oddball task. Although no effects of stimulation were found over the whole cluster and time window of the P300, cluster-based permutation tests revealed a distinct impact of taVNS on the P300 response for a small electrode cluster, characterized by larger amplitudes observed for easy targets (i.e., stimuli that are easily discernible from standards) following taVNS compared to sham stimulation. Notably, our findings suggested that the type of stimulation significantly modulated taVNS effects on the P300, with continuous stimulation showing larger P300 differences (taVNS vs. sham) for hard targets and standards compared to interval stimulation. We observed no interaction effects of stimulation duration on the target-related P300. While our findings align with previous research, further investigation is warranted to fully elucidate the influence of taVNS on the P300 component and its potential utility as a reliable marker for neuromodulation in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Giraudier
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Campus Golm, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; (C.V.-B.); (M.W.)
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Xu S, Zhang H, Fan J, Jiang X, Zhang M, Guan J, Ding H, Zhang Y. Auditory Challenges and Listening Effort in School-Age Children With Autism: Insights From Pupillary Dynamics During Speech-in-Noise Perception. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2024; 67:2410-2453. [PMID: 38861391 DOI: 10.1044/2024_jslhr-23-00553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate challenges in speech-in-noise (SiN) processing faced by school-age children with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and their impact on listening effort. METHOD Participants, including 23 Mandarin-speaking children with ASCs and 19 age-matched neurotypical (NT) peers, underwent sentence recognition tests in both quiet and noisy conditions, with a speech-shaped steady-state noise masker presented at 0-dB signal-to-noise ratio in the noisy condition. Recognition accuracy rates and task-evoked pupil responses were compared to assess behavioral performance and listening effort during auditory tasks. RESULTS No main effect of group was found on accuracy rates. Instead, significant effects emerged for autistic trait scores, listening conditions, and their interaction, indicating that higher trait scores were associated with poorer performance in noise. Pupillometric data revealed significantly larger and earlier peak dilations, along with more varied pupillary dynamics in the ASC group relative to the NT group, especially under noisy conditions. Importantly, the ASC group's peak dilation in quiet mirrored that of the NT group in noise. However, the ASC group consistently exhibited reduced mean dilations than the NT group. CONCLUSIONS Pupillary responses suggest a different resource allocation pattern in ASCs: An initial sharper and larger dilation may signal an intense, narrowed resource allocation, likely linked to heightened arousal, engagement, and cognitive load, whereas a subsequent faster tail-off may indicate a greater decrease in resource availability and engagement, or a quicker release of arousal and cognitive load. The presence of noise further accentuates this pattern. This highlights the unique SiN processing challenges children with ASCs may face, underscoring the importance of a nuanced, individual-centric approach for interventions and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyun Xu
- Speech-Language-Hearing Center, School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
- National Research Centre for Language and Well-Being, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Juan Fan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Xiaoming Jiang
- Institute of Linguistics, Shanghai International Studies University, China
| | - Minyue Zhang
- Speech-Language-Hearing Center, School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
- National Research Centre for Language and Well-Being, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Hongwei Ding
- Speech-Language-Hearing Center, School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
- National Research Centre for Language and Well-Being, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
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50
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Ghosh S, Maunsell JHR. Locus coeruleus norepinephrine contributes to visual-spatial attention by selectively enhancing perceptual sensitivity. Neuron 2024; 112:2231-2240.e5. [PMID: 38701788 PMCID: PMC11223979 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Selectively focusing on a behaviorally relevant stimulus while ignoring irrelevant stimuli improves perception. Enhanced neuronal response gain is thought to support attention-related improvements in detection and discrimination. However, understanding of the neuronal pathways regulating perceptual sensitivity remains limited. Here, we report that responses of norepinephrine (NE) neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) of non-human primates to behaviorally relevant sensory stimuli promote visual discrimination in a spatially selective way. LC-NE neurons spike in response to a visual stimulus appearing in the contralateral hemifield only when that stimulus is attended. This spiking is associated with enhanced behavioral sensitivity, is independent of motor control, and is absent on error trials. Furthermore, optogenetically activating LC-NE neurons selectively improves monkeys' contralateral stimulus detection without affecting motor criteria, supporting NE's causal role in granular cognitive control of selective attention at a cellular level, beyond its known diffuse and non-selective functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Ghosh
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - John H R Maunsell
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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