Individualized video recommendation modulates functional connectivity between large scale networks

The multiverse of data preprocessing and analysis in graph-based fMRI: A systematic literature review of analytical choices fed into a decision support tool for informed analysis

The large number of different analytical choices used by researchers is partly responsible for the challenge of replication in neuroimaging studies. For an exhaustive robustness analysis, knowledge of the full space of analytical options is essential. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify the analytical decisions in functional neuroimaging data preprocessing and analysis in the emerging field of cognitive network neuroscience. We found 61 different steps, with 17 of them having debatable parameter choices. Scrubbing, global signal regression, and spatial smoothing are among the controversial steps. There is no standardized order in which different steps are applied, and the parameter settings within several steps vary widely across studies. By aggregating the pipelines across studies, we propose three taxonomic levels to categorize analytical choices: 1) inclusion or exclusion of specific steps, 2) parameter tuning within steps, and 3) distinct sequencing of steps. We have developed a decision support application with high educational value called METEOR to facilitate access to the data in order to design well-informed robustness (multiverse) analysis.

Aberrant dynamic functional network connectivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus individuals

An increasing number of recent brain imaging studies are dedicated to understanding the neuro mechanism of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) individuals. In contrast to efforts to date that are limited to static functional connectivity, here we investigate abnormal connectivity in T2DM individuals by characterizing the time-varying properties of brain functional networks. Using group independent component analysis (GICA), sliding-window analysis, and k-means clustering, we extracted thirty-one intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) and estimated four recurring brain states. We observed significant group differences in fraction time (FT) and mean dwell time (MDT), and significant negative correlation between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores and FT/MDT. We found that in the T2DM group the inter- and intra-network connectivity decreases and increases respectively for the default mode network (DMN) and task-positive network (TPN). We also found alteration in the precuneus network (PCUN) and enhanced connectivity between the salience network (SN) and the TPN. Our study provides evidence of alterations of large-scale resting networks in T2DM individuals and shed light on the fundamental mechanisms of neurocognitive deficits in T2DM.

Obstructive sleep apnea and attention deficits: A systematic review of magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers and neuropsychological assessments

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that causes intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, leading to attention impairment and other cognitive deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful modality that can reveal the structural and functional brain alterations associated with attention impairment in OSA patients. The objective of this systematic review is to identify and synthesize the evidence on MRI biomarkers and neuropsychological assessments of attention deficits in OSA patients.

METHODS

We searched the Scopus and PubMed databases for studies that used MRI to measure biomarkers related to attention alteration in OSA patients and reported qualitative and quantitative data on the association between MRI biomarkers and attention outcomes. We also included studies that found an association between neuropsychological assessments and MRI findings in OSA patients with attention deficits.

RESULTS

We included 19 studies that met our inclusion criteria and extracted the relevant data from each study. We categorized the studies into three groups based on the MRI modality and the cognitive domain they used: structural and diffusion tensor imaging MRI findings, functional, perfusion, and metabolic MRI findings, and neuropsychological assessment findings.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that OSA is associated with structural, functional, and metabolic brain alterations in multiple regions and networks that are involved in attention processing. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure can partially reverse some of the brain changes and improve cognitive function in some domains and in some studies. This review suggests that MRI techniques and neuropsychological assessments can be useful tools for monitoring the progression and response to treatment of OSA patients.

A Systematic Review of Structural and Functional MRI Studies Investigating Social Networking Site Use

An understanding of the neurocognitive profile underlying the use of social networking sites (SNSs) can help inform decisions about the classification of problematic SNS use as an addictive disorder and elucidate how/when 'SNS addiction' might develop. The present review aimed to synthesize structural and functional MRI research investigating problematic/compulsive forms of SNS use or regular (non-addicted) SNS use behaviours. We conducted a systematic search for research articles published in English using the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases up to October 2022. Studies meeting our inclusion criteria were assessed for quality and a narrative synthesis of the results was conducted. Twenty-eight relevant articles were identified comprising structural MRI (n = 9), resting-state fMRI (n = 6) and task-based fMRI studies (n = 13). Current evidence suggests that problematic SNS use might be characterised by (1) reduced volume of the ventral striatum, amygdala, subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex and posterior insula; (2) increased ventral striatum and precuneus activity in response to SNS cues; (3) abnormal functional connectivity involving the dorsal attention network; (4) inter-hemispheric communication deficits. Regular SNS use behaviours appear to recruit regions involved in the mentalising network, the self-referential cognition network, the salience network, the reward network and the default mode network. Such findings are at least partially consistent with observations from the substance addiction literature and provide some provisional support for the addictive potential of SNSs. Nonetheless, the present review is limited by the small number of eligible studies and large heterogeneity in the methods employed, and so our conclusions should remain tentative. Moreover, there is a lack of longitudinal evidence suggesting SNSs cause neuroadaptations and thus conclusions that problematic SNS use represents a disease process akin to substance use addictions are premature. More well-powered longitudinal research is needed to establish the neural consequences of excessive and problematic SNS use.

Inflammation Disrupts Cognitive Integrity via Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain Coupling Brain Networks in Alzheimer’s Disease

Objective: Background: Plasma neurofilament light chain (NFL) is a recognized biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and inflammation. Intrinsically organized default mode network core subsystem and frontoparietal network (FPN) and their interactions support complex cognitive function. The present study investigated the inflammatory effect on cognitive integrity via plasma NFL coupling internetwork interactions in AD. Objective: Objective: This study investigates the hypothesis that inflammation-related plasma NFL could affect the interactions of the core subsystem and FPN, which leads to the aggravation of the clinical symptoms of AD-spectrum patients. Objective: Methods: A total of 112 AD-spectrum participants underwent complete resting-state fMRI, neuropsychological tests, and plasma NFL at baseline (n = 112) and after approximately 17 months of follow-up (n = 112). The specific intersystem changes in the core subsystem and FPN were calculated and compared across groups. Then, the classifications of different AD-spectrum groups were analyzed using the association of plasma NFL and the changed intersystem interacting regions. Finally, mediation analysis was applied to investigate the significance of plasma NFL coupling networks on cognitive impairments in these subjects. Objective: Results: Discrimination of disease-related interactions of the core subsystem and FPN was found in AD-spectrum patients, which was the neural circuit fundamental to plasma NFL disrupting cognitive integrity. Furthermore, the clinical significance of plasma NFL coupling networks on AD identification and monitoring cognitive impairments were revealed in these subjects. Conclusion: The characteristic change in inflammation-related plasma NFL coupled with brain internetwork interactions could be used as a potential observation indicator in the progression of AD patients.