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Polner B, Jamalabadi H, van Kemenade BM, Billino J, Kircher T, Straube B. Speech-Gesture Matching and Schizotypal Traits: A Network Approach. Schizophr Bull 2024:sbae134. [PMID: 39046822 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Impaired speech-gesture matching has repeatedly been shown in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Here, we tested the hypothesis that schizotypal traits in the general population are related to reduced speech-gesture matching performance and reduced self-reports about gesture perception. We further explored the relationships between facets of schizotypy and gesture processing in a network model. STUDY DESIGN Participants (1094 mainly healthy adults) were presented with concrete or abstract sentences accompanied with videos showing related or unrelated gestures. For each video, participants evaluated the alignment between speech and gesture. They also completed self-rating scales about the perception and production of gestures (Brief Assessment of Gesture scale) and schizotypal traits (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief 22-item version). We analyzed bivariate associations and estimated a non-regularized partial Spearman correlation network. We characterized the network by analyzing bridge centrality and controllability metrics of nodes. STUDY RESULTS We found a negative relationship between both concrete and abstract gesture-speech matching performance and overall schizotypy. In the network, disorganization had the highest average controllability and it was negatively related to abstract speech-gesture matching. Bridge centralities indicated that self-reported production of gestures to enhance communication in social interactions connects self-reported gesture perception, schizotypal traits, and gesture processing task performance. CONCLUSION The association between impaired abstract speech-gesture matching and disorganization supports a continuum between schizophrenia and schizotypy. Using gestures to facilitate communication connects subjective and objective aspects of gesture processing and schizotypal traits. Future interventional studies in patients should test the potential causal pathways implied by this network model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertalan Polner
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hamidreza Jamalabadi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Bianca M van Kemenade
- Center for Psychiatry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany, and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jutta Billino
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany, and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Experimental Psychology, Lifespan Neuropsychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany, and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany, and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Wever MCM, Will GJ, van Houtum LAEM, Janssen LHC, Wentholt WGM, Spruit IM, Tollenaar MS, Elzinga BM. Neural and affective responses to prolonged eye contact with parents in depressed and nondepressed adolescents. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 24:567-581. [PMID: 38388938 PMCID: PMC11078816 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01169-w] [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: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Eye contact improves mood, facilitates connectedness, and is assumed to strengthen the parent-child bond. Adolescent depression is linked to difficulties in social interactions, the parent-child bond included. Our goal was to elucidate adolescents' affective and neural responses to prolonged eye contact with one's parent in nondepressed adolescents (HC) and how these responses are affected in depressed adolescents. While in the scanner, 59 nondepressed and 19 depressed adolescents were asked to make eye contact with their parent, an unfamiliar peer, an unfamiliar adult, and themselves by using videos of prolonged direct and averted gaze, as an approximation of eye contact. After each trial, adolescents reported on their mood and feelings of connectedness, and eye movements and BOLD-responses were assessed. In HCs, eye contact boosted mood and feelings of connectedness and increased activity in inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), temporal pole, and superior frontal gyrus. Unlike HCs, eye contact did not boost the mood of depressed adolescents. While HCs reported increased mood and feelings of connectedness to the sight of their parent versus others, depressed adolescents did not. Depressed adolescents exhibited blunted overall IFG activity. These findings show that adolescents are particularly sensitive to eye contact and respond strongly to the sight of their parents. This sensitivity seems to be blunted in depressed adolescents. For clinical purposes, it is important to gain a better understanding of how the responsivity to eye contact in general and with their parents in particular, can be restored in adolescents with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam C M Wever
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RB, Leiden, the Netherlands.
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Geert-Jan Will
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lisanne A E M van Houtum
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RB, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Loes H C Janssen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RB, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Wilma G M Wentholt
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RB, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Iris M Spruit
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RB, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke S Tollenaar
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RB, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bernet M Elzinga
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RB, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Yue M, Peng X, Chunlei G, Yi L, Shanshan G, Jifei S, Qingyan C, Bai Z, Yong L, Zhangjin Z, Peijing R, Jiliang F. Modulating the default mode network: Antidepressant efficacy of transcutaneous electrical cranial-auricular acupoints stimulation targeting the insula. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2024; 339:111787. [PMID: 38295529 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2024.111787] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcutaneous electrical cranial-auricular acupoint stimulation (TECAS) is a novel non-invasive therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) that stimulates acupoints innervated by the trigeminal and auricular vagus nerves. However, there are few neuroimaging studies involving the TECAS for the treatment of MDD. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the treatment response and neurological effects of TECAS using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHOD A total of 34 patients with mild-to-moderate MDD and 34 demographically matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. After an eight-week treatment the primary outcome was clinical response, defined as a baseline-to-endpoint ≥ 50 % reduction in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). The low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) method were used to investigate the brain abnormalities of MDD patients and HCs, and altered brain networks were analyzed between pre- and post-treatment using seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis. RESULTS We found no significant differences in terms of gender, age, and years of education between the two groups. After treatment, the response rate was 58.82 %. Compared to HCs, MDD patients showed lower ALFF values in the left insula(t = -4.298,P < 0.005), the insula-based FC revealed in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG)/ right superior frontal gyrus, orbital part (ORBsupmed) (t = -5.29,P < 0.005) and the right anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC)were decreased (t = -6.08,P < 0.005). Furthermore, Compared to pre-treatment, abnormal FC values in the ACC /orbital superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (t = 3.42,P < 0.005) and left superior frontal gyrus (SFG)/ supplement motor area (SMA) were enhanced (t = 3.34,P < 0.005). CONCLUSION TECAS exhibits antidepressant efficacy, particularly influencing the insula-based functional connections within the Default Mode Network (DMN) related to emotion processing in individuals with MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Yue
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053, Beijing, China; Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Peng
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053, Beijing, China
| | - Guo Chunlei
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053, Beijing, China; Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Luo Yi
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053, Beijing, China; Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Gao Shanshan
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053, Beijing, China; Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Sun Jifei
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053, Beijing, China; Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Qingyan
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053, Beijing, China; Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenjun Bai
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Service, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, 037009, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Liu Yong
- Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, 646000, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhang Zhangjin
- Department of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China
| | - Rong Peijing
- Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China; Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Jiliang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053, Beijing, China; Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China.
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Xie M, Huang Y, Cai W, Zhang B, Huang H, Li Q, Qin P, Han J. Neurobiological Underpinnings of Hyperarousal in Depression: A Comprehensive Review. Brain Sci 2024; 14:50. [PMID: 38248265 PMCID: PMC10813043 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010050] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit an abnormal physiological arousal pattern known as hyperarousal, which may contribute to their depressive symptoms. However, the neurobiological mechanisms linking this abnormal arousal to depressive symptoms are not yet fully understood. In this review, we summarize the physiological and neural features of arousal, and review the literature indicating abnormal arousal in depressed patients. Evidence suggests that a hyperarousal state in depression is characterized by abnormalities in sleep behavior, physiological (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance, pupil diameter) and electroencephalography (EEG) features, and altered activity in subcortical (e.g., hypothalamus and locus coeruleus) and cortical regions. While recent studies highlight the importance of subcortical-cortical interactions in arousal, few have explored the relationship between subcortical-cortical interactions and hyperarousal in depressed patients. This gap limits our understanding of the neural mechanism through which hyperarousal affects depressive symptoms, which involves various cognitive processes and the cerebral cortex. Based on the current literature, we propose that the hyperconnectivity in the thalamocortical circuit may contribute to both the hyperarousal pattern and depressive symptoms. Future research should investigate the relationship between thalamocortical connections and abnormal arousal in depression, and explore its implications for non-invasive treatments for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musi Xie
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (M.X.); (Y.H.)
| | - Ying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (M.X.); (Y.H.)
| | - Wendan Cai
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (W.C.); (B.Z.); (H.H.)
| | - Bingqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (W.C.); (B.Z.); (H.H.)
| | - Haonan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (W.C.); (B.Z.); (H.H.)
| | - Qingwei Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China;
| | - Pengmin Qin
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (M.X.); (Y.H.)
- Pazhou Laboratory, Guangzhou 510330, China
| | - Junrong Han
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (W.C.); (B.Z.); (H.H.)
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Sijtsma M, Marjoram D, Gallagher HL, Grealy MA, Brennan D, Mathias C, Cavanagh J, Pollick FE. Major Depression and the Perception of Affective Instrumental and Expressive Gestures: An fMRI Investigation. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 336:111728. [PMID: 37939431 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111728] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with biased perception of human movement. Gesture is important for communication and in this study we investigated neural correlates of gesture perception in MDD. We hypothesised different neural activity between individuals with MDD and typical individuals when viewing instrumental and expressive gestures that were negatively or positively valenced. Differences were expected in brain areas associated with gesture perception, including superior temporal, frontal, and emotion processing regions. We recruited 12 individuals with MDD and 12 typical controls matched on age, gender, and handedness. They viewed gestures displayed by stick figures while functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed. Results of a random effects three-way mixed ANOVA indicated that individuals with MDD had greater activity in the right claustrum compared to controls, regardless of gesture type or valence. Additionally, we observed main effects of gesture type and valence, regardless of group. Perceiving instrumental compared to expressive gestures was associated with greater activity in the left cuneus and left superior temporal gyrus, while perceiving negative compared to positive gestures was associated with greater activity in the right precuneus and right lingual gyrus. We also observed a two-way interaction between gesture type and valence in various brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Sijtsma
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dominic Marjoram
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Helen L Gallagher
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Madeleine A Grealy
- Department of Psychological Science and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - David Brennan
- Department of MRI Physics, Imaging Centre of Excellence, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Jonathan Cavanagh
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Frank E Pollick
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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Pavlidou A, Gorisse G, Banakou D, Walther S. Using virtual reality to assess gesture performance deficits in schizophrenia patients. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1191601. [PMID: 37363173 PMCID: PMC10288366 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1191601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Gesture performance deficits are prevalent in schizophrenia patients and are strongly associated with poor social communication skills and community functioning, affecting their overall quality of life. Currently, video-recording technology is widely used in clinical settings to assess gesture production deficits in schizophrenia patients. Nevertheless, the subjective evaluation of video-recordings can encumber task assessment. The present study will aim to use virtual reality to examine its potential use as an alternative tool to objectively measure gesture performance accuracy in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Methods Gesture performance in the virtual reality setting will be based on the well-established Test of Upper Limb Apraxia. Participants will be immersed in a virtual environment where they will experience themselves being embodied in a collocated virtual body seen from a first-person perspective. Motion trackers will be placed on participants' hands and elbows to track upper body movements in real-time, and to record gesture movement for later analysis. Participants will see a virtual agent sitting across from them, with a virtual table in between. The agent will perform various types of gestures and the participants' task will be to imitate those gestures as accurately as possible. Measurements from the tracking devices will be stored and analyzed to address gesture performance accuracy across groups. Discussion This study aims to provide objective measurements of gesture performance accuracy in schizophrenia patients. If successful, the results will provide new knowledge to the gesture literature and offer the potential for novel therapeutic interventions using virtual reality technologies. Such interventions can improve gesturing and thus advance social communication skills in schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translation Research Centre, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Domna Banakou
- Arts and Humanities Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sebastian Walther
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translation Research Centre, Bern, Switzerland
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Immediate modulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on the resting state of major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2023; 325:513-521. [PMID: 36642310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have found that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is clinically effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), and its efficacy mechanism is related to modulation of the default mode network (DMN) and cognitive control network (CCN). However, the mechanism of the immediate effect of taVNS for MDD remains to be elucidated. METHODS A total of 58 patients with MDD and 54 healthy controls(HCs) were included in this study. The MDD group was treated with taVNS for 30 min (20 Hz, 4-6 mA) immediately, and we observed amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) abnormalities in the MDD group and changes in ALFF and functional connectivity (FC) before and after immediate treatment. The ALFF brain regions altered by taVNS induction were used as regions of interest to analyze whole-brain FC changes in the MDD group. RESULTS After taVNS treatment, ALFF in the right precuneus was decreased in the MDD group. The FC of the right precuneus with the left middle frontal gyrus, the left posterior cingulate gyrus and the left angular gyrus were decreased in the MDD group. Correlation analysis showed that the FC values between the right precuneus and the left posterior cingulate gyrus in the pre-treatment MDD group was negatively correlated with the 17-item Hamilton depression rating scale scores. CONCLUSION TaVNS has an immediate modulatory effect on DMN and CCN. It would be proposed that these functional networks may be effective targets for the long-term treatment of MDD patients with taVNS.
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Pavlidou A, Chapellier V, Maderthaner L, von Känel S, Walther S. Using dynamic point light display stimuli to assess gesture deficits in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res Cogn 2022; 28:100240. [PMID: 35242609 PMCID: PMC8866720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Gesture deficits are ubiquitous in schizophrenia patients contributing to poor social communication and functional outcome. Given the dynamic nature of social communications, the current study aimed to explore the underlying socio-cognitive processes associated with point-light-displays (PLDs) of communicative gestures in the absence of any other confounding visual characteristics, and compare them to other well-established stimuli of gestures such as pictures by examining their association with symptom severity and motor-cognitive modalities. Methods We included 39-stable schizophrenia outpatients and 27-age-gender matched controls and assessed gesture processing using two tasks. The first task used static stimuli of pictures of a person performing a gesture. The limbs executing the gesture were missing and participants' task was to choose the correct gesture from three-options provided. The second task included videos of dynamic PLDs interacting with each other. One PLD performed communicative gestures, while the other PLD imitated/followed these performed gestures. Participants had to indicate, which of the two PLDs was imitating/following the other. Additionally, we evaluated symptom severity, as well as, motor and cognitive parameters. Results Patients underperformed in both gesture tasks compared to controls. Task performance for static stimuli was associated with blunted affect, motor coordination and sequencing domains, while PLD performance was associated with expressive gestures and sensory integration processes. Discussion Gesture representations of static and dynamic stimuli are associated with distinct processes contributing to poor social communication in schizophrenia, requiring novel therapeutic interventions. Such stimuli can easily be applied remotely for screening socio-cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- Corresponding author at: Psychiatric Services University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Systems Neuroscience of Psychopathology, Translational Research Center, Bollingerstr. 111, CH-3000 Bern 60, Switzerland.
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Chapellier V, Pavlidou A, Mueller DR, Walther S. Brain Stimulation and Group Therapy to Improve Gesture and Social Skills in Schizophrenia-The Study Protocol of a Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Three-Arm, Double-Blind Trial. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:909703. [PMID: 35873264 PMCID: PMC9301234 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.909703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED An important component of nonverbal communication is gesture performance, which is strongly impaired in 2/3 of patients with schizophrenia. Gesture deficits in schizophrenia are linked to poor social functioning and reduced quality of life. Therefore, interventions that can help alleviate these deficits in schizophrenia are crucial. Here, we describe an ongoing randomized, double-blind 3-arm, sham-controlled trial that combines two interventions to reduce gesture deficits in schizophrenia patients. The combined interventions are continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) and social cognitive remediation therapy (SCRT). We will randomize 72 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in three different groups of 24 patients. The first group will receive real cTBS and real SCRT, the second group will receive sham cTBS and real SCRT, and finally the third group will receive sham SCRT. Here, the sham treatments are, as per definition, inactive interventions that mimic as closely as possible the real treatments (similar to placebo). In addition, 24 age- and gender-matched controls with no interventions will be added for comparison. Measures of nonverbal communication, social cognition, and multimodal brain imaging will be applied at baseline and after intervention. The main research aim of this project will be to test whether the combination of cTBS and SCRT improves gesture performance and social functioning in schizophrenia patients more than standalone cTBS, SCRT or sham psychotherapy. We hypothesize that the patient group receiving the combined interventions will be superior in improving gesture performance. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04106427].
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Chapellier
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel R Mueller
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Pavlidou A, Viher PV, Bachofner H, Weiss F, Stegmayer K, Shankman SA, Mittal VA, Walther S. Hand gesture performance is impaired in major depressive disorder: A matter of working memory performance? J Affect Disord 2021; 292:81-88. [PMID: 34107424 PMCID: PMC8797922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.05.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individuals with depression exhibit numerous interpersonal deficits. As effective use of gestures is critical for social communication, it is possible that depressed individuals' interpersonal deficits may be due to deficits in gesture performance. The present study thus compared gesture performance of depressed patients and controls and examined whether these deficits relate to cognitive and other domains of dysfunction. METHODS Gesture performance was evaluated in 30 depressed patients and 30 controls using the Test of Upper Limb Apraxia (TULIA). Clinical rating scales were assessed to determine if gesture deficits were associated with motor, cognitive or functional outcomes. RESULTS Compared to controls, depressed patients exhibited impaired gesture performance with 2/3 of the patients demonstrating gesture deficits. Within depressed patients, gesture performance was highly correlated with working memory abilities. In contrast, no association between gesture performance and gestural knowledge, psychomotor retardation, depression severity, or frontal dysfunction was observed in patients. LIMITATIONS This is a cross-sectional study and a larger size would have allowed for confident detection of more subtle, but potentially relevant effects. CONCLUSION Gesture performance is impaired in depressed patients, and appears to be related to poor working memory abilities, suggesting a disruption in the retrieval of gestural cues indicative of a distinct clinical phenomenon that might be related to social functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Petra V Viher
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hanta Bachofner
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Weiss
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Stegmayer
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stewart A Shankman
- Northwestern University, Department of Psychology, Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Northwestern University, Department of Psychology, Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern University, Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Policy Research, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci), Evanston, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sebastian Walther
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
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Van den Bossche C, Wolf D, Rekittke LM, Mittelberg I, Mathiak K. Judgmental perception of co-speech gestures in MDD. J Affect Disord 2021; 291:46-56. [PMID: 34023747 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive bias in depression may increase sensitivity to judgmental appraisal of communicative cues. Nonverbal communication encompassing co-speech gestures is crucial for social functioning and is perceived differentially by men and women, however, little is known about the effect of depression on the perception of appraisal. We investigate if a cognitive bias influences the perception of appraisal and judgement of nonverbal communication in major depressive disorder (MDD). During watching videos of speakers retelling a story and gesticulating, 22 patients with MDD and 22 matched healthy controls pressed a button when they perceived the speaker as appraising in a positive or negative way. The speakers were presented in four different conditions (with and without speech and with natural speaker or as stick-figures) to evaluate context effects. Inter-subject covariance (ISC) of the button-press time series measured consistency across the groups of the response pattern depending on the factors diagnosis and gender. Significant effects emerged for the factors diagnosis (p = .002), gender (p = .007), and their interaction (p < .001). The female healthy controls perceived the gestures more consistently appraising than male controls, the female patients, and male patients whereas the latter three groups did not differ. Further, the ISC measure for consistency correlated negatively with depression severity. The natural speaker video without audio speech yielded the highest responses consistency. Indeed co-speech gestures may drive these ISC effects because number of gestures but not facial shrugs correlated with ISC amplitude. During co-speech gestures, a cognitive bias led to disturbed perception of appraisal in MDD for females. Social communication is critical for functional outcomes in mental disorders; thus perception of gestural communication is important in rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dhana Wolf
- Dept. Psychiatry, Psychosomatik and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University
| | | | - Irene Mittelberg
- Dept. Linguistics and Cognitive Semiotics, RWTH Aachen University
| | - Klaus Mathiak
- Dept. Psychiatry, Psychosomatik and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University; Translational Brain Research, Jülich Aachen Research Alliance.
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12
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Dean DJ, Scott J, Park S. Interpersonal Coordination in Schizophrenia: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Schizophr Bull 2021; 47:1544-1556. [PMID: 34132344 PMCID: PMC8530389 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Interpersonal coordination forms the natural bridge between the self and others. It arises from the dynamic and complex set of embodied processes that involve nonverbal behaviors, perceptions, movement, and emotions that support adaptive interactions. Disembodiment has been implicated in a myriad of core clinical phenomena that manifest in a "praecox feeling" in persons with schizophrenia during interpersonal interactions. To further understand mechanisms underlying aberrant interpersonal interactions in schizophrenia, recent research has focused on mimicry, imitation, and interactional synchrony. In this study, we conducted a Pubmed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo database review of the literature on interpersonal coordination in schizophrenia to evaluate the body of work in mimicry, imitation, and interactional synchrony in relation to schizophrenia-spectrum conditions. The results of the review suggest that the sensory-motor processes underlying interpersonal coordination may result in impaired abilities to mimic and synchronize nonverbal behavior during interactions. Opportunities for future progress lie in studies of interpersonal coordination at different developmental stages of psychosis, potential use of interpersonal coordination to improve treatment adherence and reduce stigma, as well as interventions to improve social functioning in people with a serious mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J Dean
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jason Scott
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sohee Park
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: 615-322-3435, e-mail:
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13
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Steines M, Nagels A, Kircher T, Straube B. The role of the left and right inferior frontal gyrus in processing metaphoric and unrelated co-speech gestures. Neuroimage 2021; 237:118182. [PMID: 34020020 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestures are an integral part of in-person conversations and complement the meaning of the speech they accompany. The neural processing of co-speech gestures is supported by a mostly left-lateralized network of fronto-temporal regions. However, in contrast to iconic gestures, metaphoric as well as unrelated gestures have been found to more strongly engage the left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), respectively. With this study, we conducted the first systematic comparison of all three types of gestures and resulting potential laterality effects. During collection of functional imaging data, 74 subjects were presented with 5 s videos of abstract speech with related metaphoric gestures, concrete speech with related iconic gestures and concrete speech with unrelated gestures. They were asked to judge whether the content of the speech and gesture matched or not. Differential contrasts revealed that both abstract related and concrete unrelated compared to concrete related stimuli elicited stronger activation of the bilateral IFG. Analyses of lateralization indices for IFG activation further showed a left hemispheric dominance for metaphoric gestures and a right hemispheric dominance for unrelated gestures. Our results give support to the hypothesis that the bilateral IFG is activated specifically when processing load for speech-gesture combinations is high. In addition, laterality effects indicate a stronger involvement of the right IFG in mismatch detection and conflict processing, whereas the left IFG performs the actual integration of information from speech and gesture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Steines
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, Marburg 35039, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, Marburg 35032, Germany.
| | - Arne Nagels
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, Marburg 35039, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, Marburg 35039, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, Marburg 35032, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, Marburg 35039, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, Marburg 35032, Germany
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14
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Abstract
Individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders exhibit abnormalities in the perception of expressive behaviors, which are linked to symptoms and visual information processing domains. Specifically, literature suggests these groups have difficulties perceiving gestures that accompany speech. While our understanding of gesture perception in psychotic disorders is growing, gesture perception abnormalities and clues about potential causes and consequences among individuals meeting criteria for a clinical high-risk (CHR) syndrome is limited. Presently, 29 individuals with a CHR syndrome and 32 healthy controls completed an eye-tracking gesture perception paradigm. In this task, participants viewed an actor using abstract and literal gestures while presenting a story and eye gaze data (eg, fixation counts and total fixation time) was collected. Furthermore, relationships between fixation variables and both symptoms (positive, negative, anxiety, and depression) and measures of visual information processing (working memory and attention) were examined. Findings revealed that the CHR group gazed at abstract gestures fewer times than the control group. When individuals in the CHR group did gaze at abstract gestures, on average, they spent significantly less time fixating compared to controls. Furthermore, reduced fixation (ie, count and time) was related to depression and slower response time on an attentional task. While a similar pattern of group differences in the same direction appeared for literal gestures, the effect was not significant. These data highlight the importance of integrating gesture perception abnormalities into vulnerability models of psychosis and inform the development of targeted treatments for social communicative deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Gupta
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, US; tel: 847-467-5907, fax: 847-467-5707, e-mail:
| | | | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
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15
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Damme KSF, Schiffman J, Ellman LM, Mittal VA. Sensorimotor and Activity Psychosis-Risk (SMAP-R) Scale: An Exploration of Scale Structure With Replication and Validation. Schizophr Bull 2021; 47:332-343. [PMID: 33047134 PMCID: PMC7965079 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensorimotor abnormalities precede and predict the onset of psychosis. Despite the practical utility of sensorimotor abnormalities for early identification, prediction, and individualized medicine applications, there is currently no dedicated self-report instrument designed to capture these important behaviors. The current study assessed and validated a questionnaire designed for use in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR). METHODS The current study included both exploratory (n = 3009) and validation (n = 439) analytic datasets-that included individuals identified as meeting criteria for a CHR syndrome (n = 84)-who completed the novel Sensorimotor Abnormalities and Psychosis-Risk (SMAP-R) Scale, clinical interviews and a finger-tapping task. The structure of the scale and reliability of items were consistent across 2 analytic datasets. The resulting scales were assessed for discriminant validity across CHR, community sample non-psychiatric volunteer, and clinical groups. RESULTS The scale showed a consistent structure across 2 analytic datasets subscale structure. The resultant subscale structure was consistent with conceptual models of sensorimotor pathology in psychosis (coordination and dyskinesia) in both the exploratory and the validation analytic dataset. Further, these subscales showed discriminant, predictive, and convergent validity. The sensorimotor abnormality scales discriminated CHR from community sample non-psychiatric controls and clinical samples. Finally, these subscales predicted to risk calculator scores and showed convergent validity with sensorimotor performance on a finger-tapping task. CONCLUSION The SMAP-R scale demonstrated good internal, discriminant, predictive, and convergent validity, and subscales mapped on to conceptually relevant sensorimotor circuits. Features of the scale may facilitate widespread incorporation of sensorimotor screening into psychosis-risk research and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S F Damme
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci), Northwestern University, Evanston and Chicago, IL
| | | | - Lauren M Ellman
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci), Northwestern University, Evanston and Chicago, IL
- Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
- Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
- Institute for Policy Research (IPR), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
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16
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Kappa Opioid Receptors in the Pathology and Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 271:493-524. [PMID: 33580854 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is thought to regulate neural systems associated with anhedonia and aversion and mediate negative affective states that are associated with a number of psychiatric disorders, but especially major depressive disorder (MDD). Largely because KOR antagonists mitigate the effects of stress in preclinical studies, KOR antagonists have been recommended as novel drugs for treating MDD. The purpose of this review is to examine the role of KORs and its endogenous ligand dynorphins (DYNs) in the pathology and treatment of MDD derived from different types of clinical studies. Evidence pertaining to the role of KOR and MDD will be reviewed from (1) post mortem mRNA expression patterns in MDD, (2) the utility of KOR neuroimaging agents and serum biomarkers in MDD, and (3) evidence from the recent Fast Fail clinical trial that established KOR antagonism as a potential therapeutic strategy for the alleviation of anhedonia, a core feature of MDD. These findings are compared with a focused evaluation of stress-induced alterations in OPRK and PDYN mRNA expression. Finally, the current status of the effects of KOR antagonists on behavioral phenotypes of stress in preclinical studies related to MDD is summarized.
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17
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He Y, Luell S, Muralikrishnan R, Straube B, Nagels A. Gesture's body orientation modulates the N400 for visual sentences primed by gestures. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:4901-4911. [PMID: 32808721 PMCID: PMC7643362 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Body orientation of gesture entails social-communicative intention, and may thus influence how gestures are perceived and comprehended together with auditory speech during face-to-face communication. To date, despite the emergence of neuroscientific literature on the role of body orientation on hand action perception, limited studies have directly investigated the role of body orientation in the interaction between gesture and language. To address this research question, we carried out an electroencephalography (EEG) experiment presenting to participants (n = 21) videos of frontal and lateral communicative hand gestures of 5 s (e.g., raising a hand), followed by visually presented sentences that are either congruent or incongruent with the gesture (e.g., "the mountain is high/low…"). Participants underwent a semantic probe task, judging whether a target word is related or unrelated to the gesture-sentence event. EEG results suggest that, during the perception phase of handgestures, while both frontal and lateral gestures elicited a power decrease in both the alpha (8-12 Hz) and the beta (16-24 Hz) bands, lateral versus frontal gestures elicited reduced power decrease in the beta band, source-located to the medial prefrontal cortex. For sentence comprehension, at the critical word whose meaning is congruent/incongruent with the gesture prime, frontal gestures elicited an N400 effect for gesture-sentence incongruency. More importantly, this incongruency effect was significantly reduced for lateral gestures. These findings suggest that body orientation plays an important role in gesture perception, and that its inferred social-communicative intention may influence gesture-language interaction at semantic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei He
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Svenja Luell
- Department of General LinguisticsJohannes‐Gutenberg University MainzMainzGermany
| | - R. Muralikrishnan
- Department of NeuroscienceMax Planck Institute for Empirical AestheticsFrankfurtGermany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Arne Nagels
- Department of General LinguisticsJohannes‐Gutenberg University MainzMainzGermany
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18
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Suffel A, Nagels A, Steines M, Kircher T, Straube B. Feeling addressed! The neural processing of social communicative cues in patients with major depression. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:3541-3554. [PMID: 32432387 PMCID: PMC7416026 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The feeling of being addressed is the first step in a complex processing stream enabling successful social communication. Social impairments are a relevant characteristic of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Here, we investigated a mechanism which—if impaired—might contribute to withdrawal or isolation in MDD, namely, the neural processing of social cues such as body orientation and gesture. During funtional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquisition, 33 patients with MDD and 43 healthy control subjects watched video clips of a speaking actor: one version with a gesture accompanying the speech and one without gesture. Videos were filmed simultaneously from two different viewpoints: one with the actor facing the viewer head‐on (frontal) and one side‐view (lateral). After every clip, the participants were instructed to evaluate whether they felt addressed or not. Despite overall comparable addressment ratings and a large overlap in activation patterns in MDD and healthy subjects for gesture processing, the anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral superior/middle frontal cortex, and right angular gyrus were more strongly activated in patients than in healthy subjects for the frontal conditions. Our analyses revealed that patients showed specifically higher activation than healthy subjects for the frontal condition without gesture in regions including the posterior cingulate cortex, left prefrontal cortex, and the left hippocampus. We conclude that MDD patients can recognize and interpret social cues such as gesture or body orientation; however, they seem to require more neural resources. This additional effort might affect successful communication and contribute to social isolation in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Suffel
- Translational Neuroimaging Marburg (TNM), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Arne Nagels
- Department of English and Linguistics, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Miriam Steines
- Translational Neuroimaging Marburg (TNM), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany.,Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Translational Neuroimaging Marburg (TNM), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
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