Relationship Between Interoception and Autistic Traits: A Resting-State Functional Connectivity Study

Resting-state brain network remodeling after different nerve reconstruction surgeries: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in brachial plexus injury rats

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202505000-00031/figure1/v/2024-07-28T173839Z/r/image-tiff Distinct brain remodeling has been found after different nerve reconstruction strategies, including motor representation of the affected limb. However, differences among reconstruction strategies at the brain network level have not been elucidated. This study aimed to explore intra-network changes related to altered peripheral neural pathways after different nerve reconstruction surgeries, including nerve repair, end-to-end nerve transfer, and end-to-side nerve transfer. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent complete left brachial plexus transection and were divided into four equal groups of eight: no nerve repair, grafted nerve repair, phrenic nerve end-to-end transfer, and end-to-side transfer with a graft sutured to the anterior upper trunk. Resting-state brain functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained 7 months after surgery. The independent component analysis algorithm was utilized to identify group-level network components of interest and extract resting-state functional connectivity values of each voxel within the component. Alterations in intra-network resting-state functional connectivity were compared among the groups. Target muscle reinnervation was assessed by behavioral observation (elbow flexion) and electromyography. The results showed that alterations in the sensorimotor and interoception networks were mostly related to changes in the peripheral neural pathway. Nerve repair was related to enhanced connectivity within the sensorimotor network, while end-to-side nerve transfer might be more beneficial for restoring control over the affected limb by the original motor representation. The thalamic-cortical pathway was enhanced within the interoception network after nerve repair and end-to-end nerve transfer. Brain areas related to cognition and emotion were enhanced after end-to-side nerve transfer. Our study revealed important brain networks related to different nerve reconstructions. These networks may be potential targets for enhancing motor recovery.

Interoceptive awareness in a clinical setting: the need to bring interoceptive perspectives into clinical evaluation

Interoceptive awareness (IA) is crucial to understanding mental health. The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) scale, available in approximately 30 languages, has gained global recognition for its research applicability. This review highlights the critical importance of integrating IA evaluation in clinical settings, advocating for the MAIA scale's potential as a screening tool. Through an examination of academic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and J-STOR, our analysis spans seven mental health domains: eating disorders (ED), depression, stress, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), chronic pain, and suicide ideation (SI). Thirty-eight studies showed links between several dimensions of IA with different disorders. That is, ED was related to Body Trust and Self-Regulation; anxiety to Body Listening, Emotional Awareness, and Self-Regulation; depression to Noticing and Emotional Awareness; ASD to Trusting, Emotional Awareness, and Noticing; chronic pain to Not-Worrying and Self-Regulation; and SI with Trusting. These insights hold profound implications for both clinical practice and mental health research. Integrating IA assessments into standard clinical protocols has the potential to improve our understanding of pathology, enrich patient care, and enhance therapeutic strategies.

PREVALENCE OF BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER AMONG ATTENDANCES SEEKING FACIAL COSMETIC PROCEDURES IN BAGHDAD

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To find out the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among patients seeking facial cosmetic procedures, find out association of social demographic (age, gender, occupation, marital status, friends relationship, and dating status) ampatientsient with body dysmorphic disorder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on a sample of 100 patients from Al-waste Hospital and Ghazy Al-Hariri Hospital for surgical specialties in Baghdad by using a body dysmorphic disorder questionnaire to diagnose a probable case and then a semi-structured questionnaire based on DSM5 criteria to diagnose body dysmorphic disorder during the period extended from beginning of January 2019 to the end of April 2019.

RESULTS

Results: The chi-square test proved the association between female gender and body dysmorphic disorder is significant P=0.026. Significant associations were also noticed between single patients and body dysmorphic disorder 76.8% in comparison with married 37.8, and divorced or widowed 42.9% (P=0.001). It was found that 68.6% of unemployed patients think that they need to correct their body dysmorphic disorder so they attended the hospital while only 40% of employed persons did so P=0.008. The mean age of patients exposed to a second operation was significantly higher than the mean age of other patients P=0.022.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: High prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among patients seeking plastic surgery which is about 60%. Body dysmorphic disorder is more common among single and unemployment and among young adults and gender female. There is no significant association between the mean age of male and female patients of body dysmorphic disorder group.