1
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Spyropoulos G, Schneider M, van Kempen J, Gieselmann MA, Thiele A, Vinck M. Distinct feedforward and feedback pathways for cell-type specific attention effects. Neuron 2024; 112:2423-2434.e7. [PMID: 38759641 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.04.020] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Selective attention is thought to depend on enhanced firing activity in extrastriate areas. Theories suggest that this enhancement depends on selective inter-areal communication via gamma (30-80 Hz) phase-locking. To test this, we simultaneously recorded from different cell types and cortical layers of macaque V1 and V4. We find that while V1-V4 gamma phase-locking between local field potentials increases with attention, the V1 gamma rhythm does not engage V4 excitatory-neurons, but only fast-spiking interneurons in L4 of V4. By contrast, attention enhances V4 spike-rates in both excitatory and inhibitory cells, most strongly in L2/3. The rate increase in L2/3 of V4 precedes V1 in time. These findings suggest enhanced signal transmission with attention does not depend on inter-areal gamma phase-locking and show that the endogenous gamma rhythm has cell-type- and layer-specific effects on downstream target areas. Similar findings were made in the mouse visual system, based on opto-tagging of identified interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Spyropoulos
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marius Schneider
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroinformatics, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jochem van Kempen
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | | | - Alexander Thiele
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Martin Vinck
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroinformatics, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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2
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Nakaya M, Sato N, Suzuki F, Maikusa N, Matsuda H, Kimura Y, Shigemoto Y, Chiba E, Ota M, Yamamura T, Sato W, Okamoto T, Abe O. Multimodal imaging analyses in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with or without visual disturbance. J Neurol Sci 2024; 462:123090. [PMID: 38865876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123090] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is a demyelinating and inflammatory affliction that often leads to visual disturbance. Various imaging techniques, including free-water imaging, have been used to determine neuroinflammation and degeneration. Therefore, this study aimed at determining multimodal imaging differences between patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, especially those with visual disturbance, and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-five neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We analyzed adjusted brain-predicted age difference, voxel-based morphometry, and free-water-corrected diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) by tract-based spatial statistics in each patient group (MRI-positive/negative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients with or without a history of visual disturbance) compared with the healthy control group. RESULTS MRI-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients exhibited reduced volumes of the bilateral thalamus. Tract-based spatial statistics showed diffuse white matter abnormalities in all DTI metrics in MRI-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients with a history of visual disturbance. In MRI-negative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients with a history of visual disturbance, voxel-based morphometry showed volume reduction of bilateral thalami and optic radiations, and tract-based spatial statistics revealed significantly lower free-water-corrected fractional anisotropy and higher mean diffusivity in the posterior dominant distributions, including the optic nerve radiation. CONCLUSION Free-water-corrected DTI and voxel-based morphometry analyses may reflect symptoms of visual disturbance in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moto Nakaya
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan; Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Noriko Sato
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan.
| | - Fumio Suzuki
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan; Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Norihide Maikusa
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Matsuda
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan; Department of Biofunctional Imaging, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-Oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yukio Kimura
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Yoko Shigemoto
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Emiko Chiba
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Miho Ota
- Department of Radiology, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan; Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8576, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamura
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Wakiro Sato
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Tomoko Okamoto
- Department of Neurology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Osamu Abe
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
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3
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Thalhammer M, Nimpal M, Schulz J, Meedt V, Menegaux A, Schmitz-Koep B, Daamen M, Boecker H, Zimmer C, Priller J, Wolke D, Bartmann P, Hedderich D, Sorg C. Consistently lower volumes across thalamus nuclei in very premature-born adults. Neuroimage 2024; 297:120732. [PMID: 39004408 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120732] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Lasting thalamus volume reduction after preterm birth is a prominent finding. However, whether thalamic nuclei volumes are affected differentially by preterm birth and whether nuclei aberrations are relevant for cognitive functioning remains unknown. Using T1-weighted MR-images of 83 adults born very preterm (≤ 32 weeks' gestation; VP) and/or with very low body weight (≤ 1,500 g; VLBW) as well as of 92 full-term born (≥ 37 weeks' gestation) controls, we compared thalamic nuclei volumes of six subregions (anterior, lateral, ventral, intralaminar, medial, and pulvinar) across groups at the age of 26 years. To characterize the functional relevance of volume aberrations, cognitive performance was assessed by full-scale intelligence quotient using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and linked to volume reductions using multiple linear regression analyses. Thalamic volumes were significantly lower across all examined nuclei in VP/VLBW adults compared to controls, suggesting an overall rather than focal impairment. Lower nuclei volumes were linked to higher intensity of neonatal treatment, indicating vulnerability to stress exposure after birth. Furthermore, we found that single results for lateral, medial, and pulvinar nuclei volumes were associated with full-scale intelligence quotient in preterm adults, albeit not surviving correction for multiple hypotheses testing. These findings provide evidence that lower thalamic volume in preterm adults is observable across all subregions rather than focused on single nuclei. Data suggest the same mechanisms of aberrant thalamus development across all nuclei after premature birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Thalhammer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany.
| | - Mehul Nimpal
- Faculty of Biology, Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
| | - Julia Schulz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronica Meedt
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
| | - Aurore Menegaux
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Benita Schmitz-Koep
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcel Daamen
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Bonn, Germany; Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Henning Boecker
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Bonn, Germany
| | - Claus Zimmer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Josef Priller
- Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Wolke
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dennis Hedderich
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Sorg
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany
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4
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Wang Y, Yu L, Mao H, Chen X, Hu P, Ge Y, Liu Y, Zhang J, Cheng H. Deep Brain Stimulation Modulates the Visual Pathway to Improve Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease Patients. World Neurosurg 2024; 187:e148-e155. [PMID: 38636635 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.04.055] [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: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the involvement of the visual cortex in improving freezing of gait (FoG) after subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using whole-brain seed-based functional connectivity. METHODS A total of 66 PD patients with FoG who underwent bilateral STN-DBS were included in our study. Patients were divided into a FoG responder group and an FoG nonresponder group according to whether FoG improved 1 year after DBS. We compared the differences in clinical characteristics, brain structural imaging, and seed-based functional connectivity between the 2 groups. The locations of active contacts were further analyzed. RESULTS All PD patients benefited from STN-DBS. No significant differences in the baseline characteristics or brain structures were found between the 2 groups. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis revealed that better connectivity in bilateral primary visual areas was associated with better clinical improvement in FoG (P < 0.05 familywise error corrected). Further analysis revealed that this disparity was associated with the location of the active contacts within the rostral region of the sensorimotor subregion in the FoG responder group, in contrast to the findings in the FoG nonresponder group. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that DBS in the rostral region of the STN sensorimotor subregion may alleviate FoG by strengthening functional connectivity in primary visual areas, which has significant implications for guiding surgical strategies for FoG in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China
| | - Liangchen Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China
| | - Hongliang Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China
| | - Xianwen Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China
| | - Panpan Hu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China
| | - Yue Ge
- Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China
| | - Yue Liu
- First Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China
| | - Jiarui Zhang
- First Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P.R. China.
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Santana NNM, Silva EHA, Santos SFD, Bezerra LLF, da Silva MMO, Cavalcante JS, Fiuza FP, Morais PLADG, Engelberth RC. Neuronal Stability, Volumetric Changes, and Decrease in GFAP Expression of Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) Subcortical Visual Nuclei During Aging. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25649. [PMID: 38967410 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25649] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The physiological aging process is well known for functional decline in visual abilities. Among the components of the visual system, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (DLG) and superior colliculus (SC) provide a good model for aging investigations, as these structures constitute the main visual pathways for retinal inputs reaching the visual cortex. However, there are limited data available on quantitative morphological and neurochemical aspects in DLG and SC across lifespan. Here, we used optical density to determine immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and design-based stereological probes to estimate the neuronal number, total volume, and layer volume of the DLG and SC in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), ranging from 36 to 143 months of age. Our results revealed an age-related increase in total volume and layer volume of the DLG, with an overall stability in SC volume. Furthermore, a stable neuronal number was demonstrated in DLG and superficial layers of SC (SCv). A decrease in GFAP immunoexpression was observed in both visual centers. The results indicate region-specific variability in volumetric parameter, possibly attributed to structural plastic events in response to inflammation and compensatory mechanisms at the cellular and subcellular level. Additionally, the DLG and SCv seem to be less vulnerable to aging effects in terms of neuronal number. The neuropeptidergic data suggest that reduced GFAP expression may reflect morphological atrophy in the astroglial cells. This study contributes to updating the current understanding of aging effects in the visual system and stablishes a crucial foundation for future research on visual perception throughout the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelyane N M Santana
- Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - Eryck H A Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Sâmarah F Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Lyzandro L F Bezerra
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Maria M O da Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jeferson S Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Felipe P Fiuza
- Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - Paulo L A de G Morais
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, College of the Health Sciences, University of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Rovena Clara Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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Griffith EY, ElSayed M, Dura-Bernal S, Neymotin SA, Uhlrich DJ, Lytton WW, Zhu JJ. Mechanism of an Intrinsic Oscillation in Rat Geniculate Interneurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.06.597830. [PMID: 38895250 PMCID: PMC11185623 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.06.597830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Depolarizing current injections produced a rhythmic bursting of action potentials - a bursting oscillation - in a set of local interneurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of rats. The current dynamics underlying this firing pattern have not been determined, though this cell type constitutes an important cellular component of thalamocortical circuitry, and contributes to both pathologic and non-pathologic brain states. We thus investigated the source of the bursting oscillation using pharmacological manipulations in LGN slices in vitro and in silico. 1. Selective blockade of calcium channel subtypes revealed that high-threshold calcium currentsI L andI P contributed strongly to the oscillation. 2. Increased extracellular K+ concentration (decreased K+currents) eliminated the oscillation. 3. Selective blockade of K+ channel subtypes demonstrated that the calcium-sensitive potassium current (I A H P ) was of primary importance. A morphologically simplified, multicompartment model of the thalamic interneuron characterized the oscillation as follows: 1. The low-threshold calcium currentI T provided the strong initial burst characteristic of the oscillation. 2. Alternating fluxes through high-threshold calcium channels andI A H P then provided the continuing oscillation's burst and interburst periods respectively. This interplay betweenI L andI A H P contrasts with the current dynamics underlying oscillations in thalamocortical and reticularis neurons, which primarily involveI T andI H , orI T andI A H P respectively. These findings thus point to a novel electrophysiological mechanism for generating intrinsic oscillations in a major thalamic cell type. Because local interneurons can sculpt the behavior of thalamocortical circuits, these results suggest new targets for the manipulation of ascending thalamocortical network activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Y Griffith
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
- Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY
| | - Mohamed ElSayed
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, SUNY Downstate School of Graduate Studies, Brooklyn, NY
- Department of Psychiatry, New Hampshire Hospital, Concord, NH
| | - Salvador Dura-Bernal
- Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
| | - Samuel A Neymotin
- Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Daniel J Uhlrich
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - William W Lytton
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
- Department of Neurology, Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
| | - J Julius Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
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7
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Whyte CJ, Redinbaugh MJ, Shine JM, Saalmann YB. Thalamic contributions to the state and contents of consciousness. Neuron 2024; 112:1611-1625. [PMID: 38754373 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.04.019] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Consciousness can be conceptualized as varying along at least two dimensions: the global state of consciousness and the content of conscious experience. Here, we highlight the cellular and systems-level contributions of the thalamus to conscious state and then argue for thalamic contributions to conscious content, including the integrated, segregated, and continuous nature of our experience. We underscore vital, yet distinct roles for core- and matrix-type thalamic neurons. Through reciprocal interactions with deep-layer cortical neurons, matrix neurons support wakefulness and determine perceptual thresholds, whereas the cortical interactions of core neurons maintain content and enable perceptual constancy. We further propose that conscious integration, segregation, and continuity depend on the convergent nature of corticothalamic projections enabling dimensionality reduction, a thalamic reticular nucleus-mediated divisive normalization-like process, and sustained coherent activity in thalamocortical loops, respectively. Overall, we conclude that the thalamus plays a central topological role in brain structures controlling conscious experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Whyte
- Centre for Complex Systems, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - James M Shine
- Centre for Complex Systems, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuri B Saalmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, USA
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8
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Jensen O. Distractor inhibition by alpha oscillations is controlled by an indirect mechanism governed by goal-relevant information. COMMUNICATIONS PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 2:36. [PMID: 38665356 PMCID: PMC11041682 DOI: 10.1038/s44271-024-00081-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The role of alpha oscillations (8-13 Hz) in cognition is intensively investigated. While intracranial animal recordings demonstrate that alpha oscillations are associated with decreased neuronal excitability, it is been questioned whether alpha oscillations are under direct control from frontoparietal areas to suppress visual distractors. We here point to a revised mechanism in which alpha oscillations are controlled by an indirect mechanism governed by the load of goal-relevant information - a view compatible with perceptual load theory. We will outline how this framework can be further tested and discuss the consequences for network dynamics and resource allocation in the working brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Jensen
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B152TT UK
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Pan R, Ye C, Zhang Z, Kwapong WR, Wang R, Lu K, Liao L, Yan Y, Yang T, Cao L, Jiang S, Zhang X, Liu J, Tao W, Wu B. Distinct alterations of retinal structure between thalamic and extra-thalamic subcortical infarction patients: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14543. [PMID: 38018655 PMCID: PMC11017429 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14543] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cerebrovascular lesions in the primary visual cortex, the lateral geniculate nucleus, and the optic tract have been associated with retinal neurodegeneration via the retrograde degeneration (RD) mechanism. We aimed to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the effects of the strategic single subcortical infarction (SSI) location on retinal neurodegeneration and its longitudinal impacts. METHODS Patients with SSI were enrolled and stratified by lesion location on cerebral MRI into the thalamic infarction group and extra-thalamic infarction group. Healthy controls from the native communities were also recruited. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) were quantified using OCT. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used for cross-sectional analyses and linear mixed models for longitudinal analyses. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS We included a total of 283 eyes from 149 SSI patients. Of these, 115 eyes of 60 patients with follow-up were included in the longitudinal analyses. Cross-sectionally, thalamic-infarction patients had reduced retinal thickness compared with extra-thalamic infarction patients after adjustment for age, gender, disease duration, and vascular risk factors (p = 0.026 for RNFL, and p = 0.026 for GCIPL). Longitudinally, SSI patients showed greater retinal thinning compared with healthy controls over time (p = 0.040 for RNFL, and p < 0.001 for GCIPL), and thalamic infarction patients exhibited faster rates of GCIPL thinning in comparison with extra-thalamic infarction patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates a distinct effect of subcortical infarction lesion site on the retina both at the early stage of disease and at the 1-year follow-up time. These results present evidence of significant associations between strategic infarction locations and retinal neurodegeneration. It may provide novel insights for further research on RD in stroke patients and ultimately facilitate individualized recovery therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruosu Pan
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chen Ye
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Zhimeng Zhang
- West China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | | | - Ruilin Wang
- Department of OphthalmologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lanhua Liao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yuying Yan
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Tang Yang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Le Cao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xuening Zhang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Junfeng Liu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Wendan Tao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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Liu C, Peng Y, Yang Y, Li P, Chen D, Nie D, Liu H, Liu P. Structure of brain grey and white matter in infants with spastic cerebral palsy and periventricular white matter injury. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024; 66:514-522. [PMID: 37635344 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the possible covariation of grey matter volume (GMV) and white matter fractional anisotropy in infants with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and periventricular white matter injury. METHOD Thirty-nine infants with spastic CP and 25 typically developing controls underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. Multimodal canonical correlation analysis with joint independent component analysis were used to capture differences in GMV and fractional anisotropy between groups. Correlation analysis was performed between imaging findings and clinical features. RESULTS Infants with spastic CP showed one joint group-discriminating component (i.e. GMV-fractional anisotropy) associated with regions in the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loop and in the corpus callosum compared to typically developing controls and one modality-specific group-discriminating component (i.e. GMV). Significant negative correlations were found between loadings in certain regions and the motor function score in spastic CP. INTERPRETATION In infants with spastic CP, covarying GMV-fractional anisotropy and altered GMV in specific regions were implicated in motor dysfunction, which confirmed that simultaneous GMV and fractional anisotropy changes underly motor deficits, but might also extend to sensory, cognitive, or visual dysfunction. These findings also suggest that multimodal fusion analysis allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the relevance between grey and white matter structures and its crucial role in the neuropathological mechanisms of spastic CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxiang Liu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
| | - Ying Peng
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Medical Imaging Center of Guizhou Province, Zunyi, China
| | - Yanli Yang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Medical Imaging Center of Guizhou Province, Zunyi, China
| | - Pengyu Li
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
| | - Duoli Chen
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
| | - Dingxin Nie
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
| | - Heng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Medical Imaging Center of Guizhou Province, Zunyi, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, China
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11
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Mahoney HL, Schmidt TM. The cognitive impact of light: illuminating ipRGC circuit mechanisms. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:159-175. [PMID: 38279030 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00788-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Ever-present in our environments, light entrains circadian rhythms over long timescales, influencing daily activity patterns, health and performance. Increasing evidence indicates that light also acts independently of the circadian system to directly impact physiology and behaviour, including cognition. Exposure to light stimulates brain areas involved in cognition and appears to improve a broad range of cognitive functions. However, the extent of these effects and their mechanisms are unknown. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) have emerged as the primary conduit through which light impacts non-image-forming behaviours and are a prime candidate for mediating the direct effects of light on cognition. Here, we review the current state of understanding of these effects in humans and mice, and the tools available to uncover circuit-level and photoreceptor-specific mechanisms. We also address current barriers to progress in this area. Current and future efforts to unravel the circuits through which light influences cognitive functions may inform the tailoring of lighting landscapes to optimize health and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Mahoney
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
| | - Tiffany M Schmidt
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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12
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Shi Y, Li Y. The effective connectivity analysis of fMRI based on asymmetric detection of transfer brain entropy. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae070. [PMID: 38466114 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae070] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
It is important to explore causal relationships in functional magnetic resonance imaging study. However, the traditional effective connectivity analysis method is easy to produce false causality, and the detection accuracy needs to be improved. In this paper, we introduce a novel functional magnetic resonance imaging effective connectivity method based on the asymmetry detection of transfer entropy, which quantifies the disparity in predictive information between forward and backward time, subsequently normalizing this disparity to establish a more precise criterion for detecting causal relationships while concurrently reducing computational complexity. Then, we evaluate the effectiveness of this method on the simulated data with different level of nonlinearity, and the results demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms others methods on the detection of both linear and nonlinear causal relationships, including Granger Causality, Partial Granger Causality, Kernel Granger Causality, Copula Granger Causality, and traditional transfer entropy. Furthermore, we applied it to study the effective connectivity of brain functional activities in seafarers. The results showed that there are significantly different causal relationships between different brain regions in seafarers compared with non-seafarers, such as Temporal lobe related to sound and auditory information processing, Hippocampus related to spatial navigation, Precuneus related to emotion processing as well as Supp_Motor_Area associated with motor control and coordination, which reflects the occupational specificity of brain function of seafarers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhu Shi
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yidan Li
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
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13
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Mukherjee A, Halassa MM. The Associative Thalamus: A Switchboard for Cortical Operations and a Promising Target for Schizophrenia. Neuroscientist 2024; 30:132-147. [PMID: 38279699 PMCID: PMC10822032 DOI: 10.1177/10738584221112861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that profoundly perturbs cognitive processing. Despite the success in treating many of its symptoms, the field lacks effective methods to measure and address its impact on reasoning, inference, and decision making. Prefrontal cortical abnormalities have been well documented in schizophrenia, but additional dysfunction in the interactions between the prefrontal cortex and thalamus have recently been described. This dysfunction may be interpreted in light of parallel advances in neural circuit research based on nonhuman animals, which show critical thalamic roles in maintaining and switching prefrontal activity patterns in various cognitive tasks. Here, we review this basic literature and connect it to emerging innovations in clinical research. We highlight the value of focusing on associative thalamic structures not only to better understand the very nature of cognitive processing but also to leverage these circuits for diagnostic and therapeutic development in schizophrenia. We suggest that the time is right for building close bridges between basic thalamic research and its clinical translation, particularly in the domain of cognition and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arghya Mukherjee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael M Halassa
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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14
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Cortes N, Ladret HJ, Abbas-Farishta R, Casanova C. The pulvinar as a hub of visual processing and cortical integration. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:120-134. [PMID: 38143202 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.11.008] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus is a crucial component of the visual system and plays significant roles in sensory processing and cognitive integration. The pulvinar's extensive connectivity with cortical regions allows for bidirectional communication, contributing to the integration of sensory information across the visual hierarchy. Recent findings underscore the pulvinar's involvement in attentional modulation, feature binding, and predictive coding. In this review, we highlight recent advances in clarifying the pulvinar's circuitry and function. We discuss the contributions of the pulvinar to signal modulation across the global cortical network and place these findings within theoretical frameworks of cortical processing, particularly the global neuronal workspace (GNW) theory and predictive coding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Cortes
- Visual Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hugo J Ladret
- Visual Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, UMR 7289, CNRS and Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13005, France
| | - Reza Abbas-Farishta
- Visual Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christian Casanova
- Visual Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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15
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Ye C, Kwapong WR, Tang B, Liu J, Tao W, Lu K, Pan R, Wang A, Liao L, Yang T, Cao L, Wang Y, Jiang S, Zhang X, Liu M, Wu B. Association between functional network connectivity, retina structure and microvasculature, and visual performance in patients after thalamic stroke: An exploratory multi-modality study. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3385. [PMID: 38376035 PMCID: PMC10794127 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3385] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Neuro-ophthalmologic symptoms and retinal changes have been increasingly observed following thalamic stroke, and there is mounting evidence indicating distinct alterations occurring in the vision-related functional network. However, the intrinsic correlations between these changes are not yet fully understood. Our objective was to explore the altered patterns of functional network connectivity and retina parameters, and their correlations with visual performance in patients with thalamic stroke. METHODS We utilized resting-state functional MRI to obtain multi-modular functional connectivity (FC), and optical coherence tomography-angiography to measure various retina parameters, such as the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), superficial vascular complex (SVC), and deep vascular complex. Visual acuity (VA) was used as a metric for visual performance. RESULTS We included 46 patients with first-ever unilateral thalamic stroke (mean age 59.74 ± 10.02 years, 33 males). Significant associations were found between FC of attention-to-default mode and SVC, RNFL, and GCIPL, as well as between FC of attention-to-visual and RNFL (p < .05). Both RNFL and GCIPL exhibited significant associations with FC of visual-to-visual (p < .05). Only GCIPL showed an association with VA (p = .038). Stratified analysis based on a disease duration of 6 months revealed distinct and significant linking patterns in multi-modular FC and specific retina parameters, with varying correlations with VA in each subgroup. CONCLUSION These findings provide valuable insight into the neural basis of the associations between brain network dysfunction and impaired visual performance in patients with thalamic stroke. Our novel findings have the potential to inform future targeted and individualized therapies. However, further comprehensive studies are necessary to validate our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ye
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - William Robert Kwapong
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Biqiu Tang
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Junfeng Liu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Wendan Tao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ruosu Pan
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Anmo Wang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lanhua Liao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Tang Yang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Le Cao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Youjie Wang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xuening Zhang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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16
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Rowe EG, Zhang Y, Garrido MI. Evidence for adaptive myelination of subcortical shortcuts for visual motion perception in healthy adults. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:5641-5654. [PMID: 37608684 PMCID: PMC10619379 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26467] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Conscious visual motion information follows a cortical pathway from the retina to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and on to the primary visual cortex (V1) before arriving at the middle temporal visual area (MT/V5). Alternative subcortical pathways that bypass V1 are thought to convey unconscious visual information. One flows from the retina to the pulvinar (PUL) and on to medial temporal visual area (MT); while the other directly connects the LGN to MT. Evidence for these pathways comes from non-human primates and modest-sized studies in humans with brain lesions. Thus, the aim of the current study was to reconstruct these pathways in a large sample of neurotypical individuals and to determine the degree to which these pathways are myelinated, suggesting information flow is rapid. We used the publicly available 7T (N = 98; 'discovery') and 3T (N = 381; 'validation') diffusion magnetic resonance imaging datasets from the Human Connectome Project to reconstruct the PUL-MT (including all subcompartments of the PUL) and LGN-MT pathways. We found more fibre tracts with greater density in the left hemisphere. Although the left PUL-MT path was denser, the bilateral LGN-MT tracts were more heavily myelinated, suggesting faster signal transduction. We suggest that this apparent discrepancy may be due to 'adaptive myelination' caused by more frequent use of the LGN-MT pathway that leads to greater myelination and faster overall signal transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise G. Rowe
- Melbourne School of Psychological SciencesThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Yubing Zhang
- Melbourne School of Psychological SciencesThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Marta I. Garrido
- Melbourne School of Psychological SciencesThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical EngineeringThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
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17
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Boeken OJ, Cieslik EC, Langner R, Markett S. Characterizing functional modules in the human thalamus: coactivation-based parcellation and systems-level functional decoding. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:1811-1834. [PMID: 36547707 PMCID: PMC10516793 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02603-w] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The human thalamus relays sensory signals to the cortex and facilitates brain-wide communication. The thalamus is also more directly involved in sensorimotor and various cognitive functions but a full characterization of its functional repertoire, particularly in regard to its internal anatomical structure, is still outstanding. As a putative hub in the human connectome, the thalamus might reveal its functional profile only in conjunction with interconnected brain areas. We therefore developed a novel systems-level Bayesian reverse inference decoding that complements the traditional neuroinformatics approach towards a network account of thalamic function. The systems-level decoding considers the functional repertoire (i.e., the terms associated with a brain region) of all regions showing co-activations with a predefined seed region in a brain-wide fashion. Here, we used task-constrained meta-analytic connectivity-based parcellation (MACM-CBP) to identify thalamic subregions as seed regions and applied the systems-level decoding to these subregions in conjunction with functionally connected cortical regions. Our results confirm thalamic structure-function relationships known from animal and clinical studies and revealed further associations with language, memory, and locomotion that have not been detailed in the cognitive neuroscience literature before. The systems-level decoding further uncovered large systems engaged in autobiographical memory and nociception. We propose this novel decoding approach as a useful tool to detect previously unknown structure-function relationships at the brain network level, and to build viable starting points for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole J Boeken
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Molecular Psychology, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Rudower Chaussee 18, 12489, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Edna C Cieslik
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Robert Langner
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Markett
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Molecular Psychology, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Rudower Chaussee 18, 12489, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Schneider L, Dominguez-Vargas AU, Gibson L, Wilke M, Kagan I. Visual, delay, and oculomotor timing and tuning in macaque dorsal pulvinar during instructed and free choice memory saccades. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:10877-10900. [PMID: 37724430 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad333] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Causal perturbations suggest that primate dorsal pulvinar plays a crucial role in target selection and saccade planning, though its basic neuronal properties remain unclear. Some functional aspects of dorsal pulvinar and interconnected frontoparietal areas-e.g. ipsilesional choice bias after inactivation-are similar. But it is unknown if dorsal pulvinar shares oculomotor properties of cortical circuitry, in particular delay and choice-related activity. We investigated such properties in macaque dorsal pulvinar during instructed and free-choice memory saccades. Most recorded units showed visual (12%), saccade-related (30%), or both types of responses (22%). Visual responses were primarily contralateral; diverse saccade-related responses were predominantly post-saccadic with a weak contralateral bias. Memory delay and pre-saccadic enhancement was infrequent (11-9%)-instead, activity was often suppressed during saccade planning (25%) and further during execution (15%). Surprisingly, only few units exhibited classical visuomotor patterns combining cue and continuous delay activity or pre-saccadic ramping; moreover, most spatially-selective neurons did not encode the upcoming decision during free-choice delay. Thus, in absence of a visible goal, the dorsal pulvinar has a limited role in prospective saccade planning, with patterns partially complementing its frontoparietal partners. Conversely, prevalent visual and post-saccadic responses imply its participation in integrating spatial goals with processing across saccades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Schneider
- Decision and Awareness Group, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Department of Cognitive Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, Goettingen 37075, Germany
| | - Adan-Ulises Dominguez-Vargas
- Decision and Awareness Group, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Département de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Lydia Gibson
- Decision and Awareness Group, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Department of Cognitive Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, Goettingen 37075, Germany
| | - Melanie Wilke
- Decision and Awareness Group, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Department of Cognitive Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, Goettingen 37075, Germany
- DFG Center for Nanoscale Microscopy & Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Robert-Koch-Str. 40, Göttingen 37075, Germany
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany
| | - Igor Kagan
- Decision and Awareness Group, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany
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Barone V, Piastra MC, van Dijk JP, Visser GH, Debeij-van Hall MHJA, van Putten MJAM. Neurophysiological signatures reflect differences in visual attention during absence seizures. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 152:34-42. [PMID: 37269771 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.05.007] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Absences affect visual attention and eye movements variably. Here, we explore whether the dissimilarity of these symptoms during absences is reflected in differences in electroencephalographic (EEG) features, functional connectivity, and activation of the frontal eye field. METHODS Pediatric patients with absences performed a computerized choice reaction time task, with simultaneous recording of EEG and eye-tracking. We quantified visual attention and eye movements with reaction times, response correctness, and EEG features. Finally, we studied brain networks involved in the generation and propagation of seizures. RESULTS Ten pediatric patients had absences during the measurement. Five patients had preserved eye movements (preserved group) and five patients showed disrupted eye movements (unpreserved group) during seizures. Source reconstruction showed a stronger involvement of the right frontal eye field during absences in the unpreserved group than in the preserved group (dipole fraction 1.02% and 0.34%, respectively, p < 0.05). Graph analysis revealed different connection fractions of specific channels. CONCLUSIONS The impairment of visual attention varies among patients with absences and is associated with differences in EEG features, network activation, and involvement of the right frontal eye field. SIGNIFICANCE Assessing the visual attention of patients with absences can be usefully employed in clinical practice for tailored advice to the individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Barone
- Clinical Neurophysiology (CNPH), TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | - Maria Carla Piastra
- Clinical Neurophysiology (CNPH), TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | - Johannes P van Dijk
- Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, the Netherlands; Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Gerhard H Visser
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Michel J A M van Putten
- Clinical Neurophysiology (CNPH), TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.
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20
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Watanabe N, Miyoshi K, Jimura K, Shimane D, Keerativittayayut R, Nakahara K, Takeda M. Multimodal deep neural decoding reveals highly resolved spatiotemporal profile of visual object representation in humans. Neuroimage 2023; 275:120164. [PMID: 37169115 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Perception and categorization of objects in a visual scene are essential to grasp the surrounding situation. Recently, neural decoding schemes, such as machine learning in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), has been employed to elucidate the underlying neural mechanisms. However, it remains unclear as to how spatially distributed brain regions temporally represent visual object categories and sub-categories. One promising strategy to address this issue is neural decoding with concurrently obtained neural response data of high spatial and temporal resolution. In this study, we explored the spatial and temporal organization of visual object representations using concurrent fMRI and electroencephalography (EEG), combined with neural decoding using deep neural networks (DNNs). We hypothesized that neural decoding by multimodal neural data with DNN would show high classification performance in visual object categorization (faces or non-face objects) and sub-categorization within faces and objects. Visualization of the fMRI DNN was more sensitive than that in the univariate approach and revealed that visual categorization occurred in brain-wide regions. Interestingly, the EEG DNN valued the earlier phase of neural responses for categorization and the later phase of neural responses for sub-categorization. Combination of the two DNNs improved the classification performance for both categorization and sub-categorization compared with fMRI DNN or EEG DNN alone. These deep learning-based results demonstrate a categorization principle in which visual objects are represented in a spatially organized and coarse-to-fine manner, and provide strong evidence of the ability of multimodal deep learning to uncover spatiotemporal neural machinery in sensory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriya Watanabe
- Research Center for Brain Communication, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan
| | - Kosuke Miyoshi
- Narrative Nights, Inc., Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0011, Japan
| | - Koji Jimura
- Research Center for Brain Communication, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan; Department of Informatics, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8510, Japan
| | - Daisuke Shimane
- Research Center for Brain Communication, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan
| | - Ruedeerat Keerativittayayut
- Research Center for Brain Communication, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan; Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Kiyoshi Nakahara
- Research Center for Brain Communication, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan
| | - Masaki Takeda
- Research Center for Brain Communication, Kochi University of Technology, Kami, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan.
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21
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Günther V, Strukova M, Pecher J, Webelhorst C, Engelmann S, Kersting A, Hoffmann KT, Egloff B, Okon-Singer H, Lobsien D, Suslow T. Cognitive Avoidance Is Associated with Decreased Brain Responsiveness to Threat Distractors under High Perceptual Load. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040618. [PMID: 37190583 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040618] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive coping strategies to deal with anxiety-provoking events have an impact on mental and physical health. Dispositional vigilance is characterized by an increased analysis of the threatening environment, whereas cognitive avoidance comprises strategies to inhibit threat processing. To date, functional neuroimaging studies on the neural underpinnings of these coping styles are scarce and have revealed discrepant findings. In the present study, we examined automatic brain responsiveness as a function of coping styles using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We administered a perceptual load paradigm with contemptuous and fearful faces as distractor stimuli in a sample of N = 43 healthy participants. The Mainz Coping Inventory was used to assess cognitive avoidance and vigilance. An association of cognitive avoidance with reduced contempt and fear processing under high perceptual load was observed in a widespread network including the amygdala, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, insula, and frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital areas. Our findings indicate that the dispositional tendency to divert one's attention away from distressing stimuli is a valuable predictor of diminished automatic neural responses to threat in several cortical and subcortical areas. A reduced processing in brain regions involved in emotion perception and attention might indicate a potential threat resilience associated with cognitive avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Günther
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mariia Strukova
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jonas Pecher
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carolin Webelhorst
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Engelmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karl-Titus Hoffmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Boris Egloff
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hadas Okon-Singer
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3100000, Israel
| | - Donald Lobsien
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Suslow
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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22
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Ziminski JJ, Frangou P, Karlaftis VM, Emir U, Kourtzi Z. Microstructural and neurochemical plasticity mechanisms interact to enhance human perceptual decision-making. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002029. [PMID: 36897881 PMCID: PMC10032544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Experience and training are known to boost our skills and mold the brain's organization and function. Yet, structural plasticity and functional neurotransmission are typically studied at different scales (large-scale networks, local circuits), limiting our understanding of the adaptive interactions that support learning of complex cognitive skills in the adult brain. Here, we employ multimodal brain imaging to investigate the link between microstructural (myelination) and neurochemical (GABAergic) plasticity for decision-making. We test (in males, due to potential confounding menstrual cycle effects on GABA measurements in females) for changes in MRI-measured myelin, GABA, and functional connectivity before versus after training on a perceptual decision task that involves identifying targets in clutter. We demonstrate that training alters subcortical (pulvinar, hippocampus) myelination and its functional connectivity to visual cortex and relates to decreased visual cortex GABAergic inhibition. Modeling interactions between MRI measures of myelin, GABA, and functional connectivity indicates that pulvinar myelin plasticity interacts-through thalamocortical connectivity-with GABAergic inhibition in visual cortex to support learning. Our findings propose a dynamic interplay of adaptive microstructural and neurochemical plasticity in subcortico-cortical circuits that supports learning for optimized decision-making in the adult human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Ziminski
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Polytimi Frangou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilis M Karlaftis
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Uzay Emir
- Purdue University School of Health Sciences, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Zoe Kourtzi
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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23
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Non-conscious processing of fear faces: a function of the implicit self-concept of anxiety. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:12. [PMID: 36740677 PMCID: PMC9901098 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00781-9] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trait anxiety refers to a stable tendency to experience fears and worries across many situations. High trait anxiety is a vulnerability factor for the development of psychopathologies. Self-reported trait anxiety appears to be associated with an automatic processing advantage for threat-related information. Self-report measures assess aspects of the explicit self-concept of anxiety. Indirect measures can tap into the implicit self-concept of anxiety. METHODS We examined automatic brain responsiveness to non-conscious threat as a function of trait anxiety using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Besides a self-report instrument, we administered the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess anxiety. We used a gender-decision paradigm presenting brief (17 ms) and backward-masked facial expressions depicting disgust and fear. RESULTS Explicit trait anxiety was not associated with brain responsiveness to non-conscious threat. However, a relation of the implicit self-concept of anxiety with masked fear processing in the thalamus, precentral gyrus, and lateral prefrontal cortex was observed. CONCLUSIONS We provide evidence that a measure of the implicit self-concept of anxiety is a valuable predictor of automatic neural responses to threat in cortical and subcortical areas. Hence, implicit anxiety measures could be a useful addition to explicit instruments. Our data support the notion that the thalamus may constitute an important neural substrate in biased non-conscious processing in anxiety.
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24
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Xi K, Xiao H, Huang X, Yuan Z, Liu M, Mao H, Liu H, Ma G, Cheng Z, Xie Y, Liu Y, Feng D, Wang W, Guo B, Wu S. Reversal of hyperactive higher-order thalamus attenuates defensiveness in a mouse model of PTSD. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade5987. [PMID: 36735778 PMCID: PMC9897664 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent and debilitating psychiatric disease often accompanied by severe defensive behaviors, preventing individuals from integrating into society. However, the neural mechanisms of defensiveness in PTSD remain largely unknown. Here, we identified that the higher-order thalamus, the posteromedial complex of the thalamus (PoM), was overactivated in a mouse model of PTSD, and suppressing PoM activity alleviated excessive defensive behaviors. Moreover, we found that diminished thalamic inhibition derived from the thalamic reticular nucleus was the major cause of thalamic hyperactivity in PTSD mice. Overloaded thalamic innervation to the downstream cortical area, frontal association cortex, drove abnormal defensiveness. Overall, our study revealed that the malfunction of the higher-order thalamus mediates defensive behaviors and highlighted the thalamocortical circuit as a potential target for treating PTSD-related overreactivity symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiwen Xi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Haoxiang Xiao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Ziduo Yuan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Medical School, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, China
| | - Mingyue Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Medical School, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, China
| | - Honghui Mao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Haiying Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Guaiguai Ma
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Medical School, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, China
| | - Zishuo Cheng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Yuqiao Xie
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Dayun Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Baolin Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
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25
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Santana NNM, Silva EHA, dos Santos SF, Costa MSMO, Nascimento Junior ES, Engelberth RCJG, Cavalcante JS. Retinorecipient areas in the common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus): An image-forming and non-image forming circuitry. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1088686. [PMID: 36817647 PMCID: PMC9932520 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1088686] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian retina captures a multitude of diverse features from the external environment and conveys them via the optic nerve to a myriad of retinorecipient nuclei. Understanding how retinal signals act in distinct brain functions is one of the most central and established goals of neuroscience. Using the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a monkey from Northeastern Brazil, as an animal model for parsing how retinal innervation works in the brain, started decades ago due to their marmoset's small bodies, rapid reproduction rate, and brain features. In the course of that research, a large amount of new and sophisticated neuroanatomical techniques was developed and employed to explain retinal connectivity. As a consequence, image and non-image-forming regions, functions, and pathways, as well as retinal cell types were described. Image-forming circuits give rise directly to vision, while the non-image-forming territories support circadian physiological processes, although part of their functional significance is uncertain. Here, we reviewed the current state of knowledge concerning retinal circuitry in marmosets from neuroanatomical investigations. We have also highlighted the aspects of marmoset retinal circuitry that remain obscure, in addition, to identify what further research is needed to better understand the connections and functions of retinorecipient structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelyane Nayara M. Santana
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Eryck H. A. Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Sâmarah F. dos Santos
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Miriam S. M. O. Costa
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Expedito S. Nascimento Junior
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Rovena Clara J. G. Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jeferson S. Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil,*Correspondence: Jeferson S. Cavalcante,
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26
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Qin Y, Mahdavi A, Bertschy M, Anderson PM, Kulikova S, Pinault D. The psychotomimetic ketamine disrupts the transfer of late sensory information in the corticothalamic network. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:440-455. [PMID: 36226598 PMCID: PMC10092610 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In prodromal and early schizophrenia, disorders of attention and perception are associated with structural and chemical brain abnormalities and with dysfunctional corticothalamic networks exhibiting disturbed brain rhythms. The underlying mechanisms are elusive. The non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine simulates the symptoms of prodromal and early schizophrenia, including disturbances in ongoing and task & sensory-related broadband beta-/gamma-frequency (17-29 Hz/30-80 Hz) oscillations in corticothalamic networks. In normal healthy subjects and rodents, complex integration processes, like sensory perception, induce transient, large-scale synchronised beta/gamma oscillations in a time window of a few hundred ms (200-700 ms) after the presentation of the object of attention (e.g., sensory stimulation). Our goal was to use an electrophysiological multisite network approach to investigate, in lightly anesthetised rats, the effects of a single psychotomimetic dose (2.5 mg/kg, subcutaneous) of ketamine on sensory stimulus-induced oscillations. Ketamine transiently increased the power of baseline beta/gamma oscillations and decreased sensory-induced beta/gamma oscillations. In addition, it disrupted information transferability in both the somatosensory thalamus and the related cortex and decreased the sensory-induced thalamocortical connectivity in the broadband gamma range. The present findings support the hypothesis that NMDA receptor antagonism disrupts the transfer of perceptual information in the somatosensory cortico-thalamo-cortical system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qin
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- INSERM U1114, Neuropsychologie cognitive et physiopathologie de la schizophrénie, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Faculté de médecine, Strasbourg, France
- Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg (CRBS), Strasbourg, France
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, The Netherlands
| | - Ali Mahdavi
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- INSERM U1114, Neuropsychologie cognitive et physiopathologie de la schizophrénie, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Faculté de médecine, Strasbourg, France
- Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg (CRBS), Strasbourg, France
- The University of Freiburg, Bernstein Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marine Bertschy
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- INSERM U1114, Neuropsychologie cognitive et physiopathologie de la schizophrénie, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Faculté de médecine, Strasbourg, France
- Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg (CRBS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Paul M Anderson
- Dept. Cognitive Neurobiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Sofya Kulikova
- National Research University Higher School of Economics, Perm, Russia
| | - Didier Pinault
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- INSERM U1114, Neuropsychologie cognitive et physiopathologie de la schizophrénie, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Faculté de médecine, Strasbourg, France
- Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg (CRBS), Strasbourg, France
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27
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Pulvinar Response Profiles and Connectivity Patterns to Object Domains. J Neurosci 2023; 43:812-826. [PMID: 36596697 PMCID: PMC9899088 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0613-22.2022] [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: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Distributed cortical regions show differential responses to visual objects belonging to different domains varying by animacy (e.g., animals vs tools), yet it remains unclear whether this is an organization principle also applying to the subcortical structures. Combining multiple fMRI activation experiments (two main experiments and six validation datasets; 12 females and 9 males in the main Experiment 1; 10 females and 10 males in the main Experiment 2), resting-state functional connectivity, and task-based dynamic causal modeling analysis in human subjects, we found that visual processing of images of animals and tools elicited different patterns of response in the pulvinar, with robust left lateralization for tools, and distinct, bilateral (with rightward tendency) clusters for animals. Such domain-preferring activity distribution in the pulvinar was associated with the magnitude with which the voxels were intrinsically connected with the corresponding domain-preferring regions in the cortex. The pulvinar-to-right-amygdala path showed a one-way shortcut supporting the perception of animals, and the modulation connection from pulvinar to parietal showed an advantage to the perception of tools. These results incorporate the subcortical regions into the object processing network and highlight that domain organization appears to be an overarching principle across various processing stages in the brain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Viewing objects belonging to different domains elicited different cortical regions, but whether the domain organization applied to the subcortical structures (e.g., pulvinar) was unknown. Multiple fMRI activation experiments revealed that object pictures belonging to different domains elicited differential patterns of response in the pulvinar, with robust left lateralization for tool pictures, and distinct, bilateral (with rightward tendency) clusters for animals. Combining the resting-state functional connectivity and dynamic causal modeling analysis on task-based fMRI data, we found domain-preferring activity distribution in the pulvinar aligned with that in cortical regions. These results highlight the need for coherent visual theories that explain the mechanisms underlying the domain organization across various processing stages.
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28
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Aussel A, Fiebelkorn IC, Kastner S, Kopell NJ, Pittman-Polletta BR. Interacting rhythms enhance sensitivity of target detection in a fronto-parietal computational model of visual attention. eLife 2023; 12:e67684. [PMID: 36718998 PMCID: PMC10129332 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67684] [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: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Even during sustained attention, enhanced processing of attended stimuli waxes and wanes rhythmically, with periods of enhanced and relatively diminished visual processing (and subsequent target detection) alternating at 4 or 8 Hz in a sustained visual attention task. These alternating attentional states occur alongside alternating dynamical states, in which lateral intraparietal cortex (LIP), the frontal eye field (FEF), and the mediodorsal pulvinar (mdPul) exhibit different activity and functional connectivity at α, β, and γ frequencies-rhythms associated with visual processing, working memory, and motor suppression. To assess whether and how these multiple interacting rhythms contribute to periodicity in attention, we propose a detailed computational model of FEF and LIP. When driven by θ-rhythmic inputs simulating experimentally-observed mdPul activity, this model reproduced the rhythmic dynamics and behavioral consequences of observed attentional states, revealing that the frequencies and mechanisms of the observed rhythms allow for peak sensitivity in visual target detection while maintaining functional flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Aussel
- Cognitive Rhythms Collaborative, Boston UniversityBostonUnited States
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Boston UniversityRochesterUnited States
| | - Ian C Fiebelkorn
- Department of Neuroscience and Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
| | - Sabine Kastner
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
- Department of Psychology, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
| | - Nancy J Kopell
- Cognitive Rhythms Collaborative, Boston UniversityBostonUnited States
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Boston UniversityRochesterUnited States
| | - Benjamin Rafael Pittman-Polletta
- Cognitive Rhythms Collaborative, Boston UniversityBostonUnited States
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Boston UniversityRochesterUnited States
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29
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Alves PN, Forkel SJ, Corbetta M, Thiebaut de Schotten M. The subcortical and neurochemical organization of the ventral and dorsal attention networks. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1343. [PMID: 36477440 PMCID: PMC9729227 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04281-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention is a core cognitive function that filters and selects behaviourally relevant information in the environment. The cortical mapping of attentional systems identified two segregated networks that mediate stimulus-driven and goal-driven processes, the Ventral and the Dorsal Attention Networks (VAN, DAN). Deep brain electrophysiological recordings, behavioral data from phylogenetic distant species, and observations from human brain pathologies challenge purely corticocentric models. Here, we used advanced methods of functional alignment applied to resting-state functional connectivity analyses to map the subcortical architecture of the Ventral and Dorsal Attention Networks. Our investigations revealed the involvement of the pulvinar, the superior colliculi, the head of caudate nuclei, and a cluster of brainstem nuclei relevant to both networks. These nuclei are densely connected structural network hubs, as revealed by diffusion-weighted imaging tractography. Their projections establish interrelations with the acetylcholine nicotinic receptor as well as dopamine and serotonin transporters, as demonstrated in a spatial correlation analysis with a normative atlas of neurotransmitter systems. This convergence of functional, structural, and neurochemical evidence provides a comprehensive framework to understand the neural basis of attention across different species and brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Nascimento Alves
- grid.9983.b0000 0001 2181 4263Laboratório de Estudos de Linguagem, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal ,grid.411265.50000 0001 2295 9747Serviço de Neurologia, Departmento de Neurociências e Saúde Mental, Hospital de Santa Maria, CHULN, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Stephanie J. Forkel
- grid.462844.80000 0001 2308 1657Brain Connectivity and Behaviour Laboratory, Sorbonne University, Paris, France ,grid.5590.90000000122931605Donders Institute for Brain Cognition Behaviour, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525GD Nijmegen, the Netherlands ,grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Departments of Neurosurgery, Technical University of Munich School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Maurizio Corbetta
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Clinica Neurologica, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy ,grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, Padova, Italy ,grid.428736.cVenetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, VIMM, Padova, Italy ,grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Department of Neurology, Radiology, Neuroscience Washington University School of Medicine, St.Louis, MO USA
| | - Michel Thiebaut de Schotten
- grid.462844.80000 0001 2308 1657Brain Connectivity and Behaviour Laboratory, Sorbonne University, Paris, France ,grid.412041.20000 0001 2106 639XGroupe d’Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives-UMR 5293, CNRS, CEA, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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30
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Hebert JR, Filley CM. Multisensory integration and white matter pathology: Contributions to cognitive dysfunction. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1051538. [PMID: 36408503 PMCID: PMC9668060 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1051538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to simultaneously process and integrate multiple sensory stimuli is paramount to effective daily function and essential for normal cognition. Multisensory management depends critically on the interplay between bottom-up and top-down processing of sensory information, with white matter (WM) tracts acting as the conduit between cortical and subcortical gray matter (GM) regions. White matter tracts and GM structures operate in concert to manage both multisensory signals and cognition. Altered sensory processing leads to difficulties in reweighting and modulating multisensory input during various routine environmental challenges, and thus contributes to cognitive dysfunction. To examine the specific role of WM in altered sensory processing and cognitive dysfunction, this review focuses on two neurologic disorders with diffuse WM pathology, multiple sclerosis and mild traumatic brain injury, in which persistently altered sensory processing and cognitive impairment are common. In these disorders, cognitive dysfunction in association with altered sensory processing may develop initially from slowed signaling in WM tracts and, in some cases, GM pathology secondary to WM disruption, but also because of interference with cognitive function by the added burden of managing concurrent multimodal primary sensory signals. These insights promise to inform research in the neuroimaging, clinical assessment, and treatment of WM disorders, and the investigation of WM-behavior relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R. Hebert
- Physical Performance Laboratory, Marcus Institute for Brain Health, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States,*Correspondence: Jeffrey R. Hebert
| | - Christopher M. Filley
- Behavorial Neurology Section, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Marcus Institute for Brain Health, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
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31
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Akagi R, Sato H, Hirayama T, Hirata K, Kokubu M, Ando S. Effects of three-dimension movie visual fatigue on cognitive performance and brain activity. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:974406. [PMID: 36337858 PMCID: PMC9626648 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.974406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To further develop three-dimensional (3D) applications, it is important to elucidate the negative effects of 3D applications on the human body and mind. Thus, this study investigated differences in the effects of visual fatigue on cognition and brain activity using visual and auditory tasks induced by watching a 1-h movie in two dimensions (2D) and 3D. Eighteen young men participated in this study. Two conditions were randomly performed for each participant on different days, namely, watching the 1-h movie on television in 2D (control condition) and 3D (3D condition). Before and after watching the 1-h movie on television, critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF: an index of visual fatigue), and response accuracy and reaction time for the cognitive tasks were determined. Brain activity during the cognitive tasks was evaluated using a multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy system. In contrast to the control condition, the decreased CFF, and the lengthened reaction time and the decreased activity around the right primary somatosensory cortex during Go/NoGo blocks in the visual task at post-viewing in the 3D condition were significant, with significant repeated measures correlations among them. Meanwhile, in the auditory task, the changes in cognitive performance and brain activity during the Go/NoGo blocks were not significant in the 3D condition. These results suggest that the failure or delay in the transmission of visual information to the primary somatosensory cortex due to visual fatigue induced by watching a 3D movie reduced the brain activity around the primary somatosensory cortex, resulting in poor cognitive performance for the visual task. This suggests that performing tasks that require visual information, such as running in the dark or driving a car, immediately after using a 3D application, may create unexpected risks in our lives. Thus, the findings of this study will help outlining precautions for the use of 3D applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Akagi
- College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
- *Correspondence: Ryota Akagi,
| | - Hiroki Sato
- College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hirayama
- College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kosuke Hirata
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kokubu
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Soichi Ando
- Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, Chofu, Japan
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Gärtner M, de Rover M, Václavů L, Scheidegger M, van Osch MJP, Grimm S. Increase in thalamic cerebral blood flow is associated with antidepressant effects of ketamine in major depressive disorder. World J Biol Psychiatry 2022; 23:643-652. [PMID: 34985394 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2021.2020900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Ketamine is a promising treatment option for patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and has become an important research tool to investigate antidepressant mechanisms of action. However, imaging studies attempting to characterise ketamine's mechanism of action using blood oxygen level-dependent signal (BOLD) imaging have yielded inconsistent results- at least partly due to intrinsic properties of the BOLD contrast, which measures a complex signal related to neural activity. To circumvent the limitations associated with the BOLD signal, we used arterial spin labelling (ASL) as an unambiguous marker of neuronal activity-related changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF). We measured CBF in 21 MDD patients at baseline and 24 h after receiving a single intravenous infusion of subanesthetic ketamine and examined relationships with clinical outcomes. Our findings demonstrate that increase in thalamus perfusion 24 h after ketamine administration is associated with greater improvement of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, lower thalamus perfusion at baseline is associated both with larger increases in perfusion 24 h after ketamine administration and with stronger reduction of depressive symptoms. These findings indicate that ASL is not only a useful tool to broaden our understanding of ketamine's mechanism of action but might also have the potential to inform treatment decisions based on CBF-defined regional disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti Gärtner
- MSB-Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mischa de Rover
- Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lena Václavů
- Department of Radiology, C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Milan Scheidegger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias J P van Osch
- Department of Radiology, C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Simone Grimm
- MSB-Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Sandroff BM, Motl RW, Román CAF, Wylie GR, DeLuca J, Cutter GR, Benedict RHB, Dwyer MG, Zivadinov R. Thalamic atrophy moderates associations among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 2022; 269:5531-5540. [PMID: 35718819 PMCID: PMC9474622 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11205-9] [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: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Thalamic atrophy (TA) represents a biomarker of neurodegeneration and associated dysfunction/decline in physical and cognitive functioning among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Aerobic fitness, as an end point of exercise training, represents a promising target for restoring function in MS, but it is unknown if such effects differ by TA. This cross-sectional study examined whether aerobic fitness was differentially associated with cognitive processing speed and walking endurance in persons with MS who present with and without TA. METHODS 44 fully ambulatory persons with MS completed a graded exercise test for measuring aerobic fitness (VO2peak) and underwent 3T MRI for measuring TA, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and the 6-min walk (6MW). We performed Spearman correlations (rs) among VO2peak, SDMT, and 6MW scores overall, and in persons with and without TA. We applied Fisher's z-test for comparing correlations based on TA status. RESULTS When controlling for age, EDSS score, and global MRI measures of atrophy, VO2peak was strongly associated with SDMT scores (prs = 0.74, p < 0.01) and 6MW performance (prs = 0.77, p < 0.01) in persons with TA, whereas VO2peak was not associated with SDMT scores (prs = - 0.01, p = 0.99) or 6MW performance (prs = 0.25, p = 0.38) in those without TA. The correlations between VO2peak and SDMT (z = 2.86, p < 0.01) and VO2peak and 6MW (z = 2.33, p = 0.02) were significantly stronger in the TA group. DISCUSSION This study provides initial evidence of strong, selective associations among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with TA as a biomarker for MS-related neurodegeneration. Such data support TA as a moderator of the association among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with MS. Future research should carefully consider the role of TA when designing trials of aerobic exercise, cognition, and mobility in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Sandroff
- Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | - Cristina A. F. Román
- Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Glenn R. Wylie
- Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - John DeLuca
- Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Gary R. Cutter
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Vittek AL, Juan C, Nowak LG, Girard P, Cappe C. Multisensory integration in neurons of the medial pulvinar of macaque monkey. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:4202-4215. [PMID: 36068947 PMCID: PMC10110443 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pulvinar is a heterogeneous thalamic nucleus, which is well developed in primates. One of its subdivisions, the medial pulvinar, is connected to many cortical areas, including the visual, auditory, and somatosensory cortices, as well as with multisensory areas and premotor areas. However, except for the visual modality, little is known about its sensory functions. A hypothesis is that, as a region of convergence of information from different sensory modalities, the medial pulvinar plays a role in multisensory integration. To test this hypothesis, 2 macaque monkeys were trained to a fixation task and the responses of single-units to visual, auditory, and auditory-visual stimuli were examined. Analysis revealed auditory, visual, and multisensory neurons in the medial pulvinar. It also revealed multisensory integration in this structure, mainly suppressive (the audiovisual response is less than the strongest unisensory response) and subadditive (the audiovisual response is less than the sum of the auditory and the visual responses). These findings suggest that the medial pulvinar is involved in multisensory integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Vittek
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), CNRS UMR 5549, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Cécile Juan
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), CNRS UMR 5549, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Lionel G Nowak
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), CNRS UMR 5549, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Pascal Girard
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), CNRS UMR 5549, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Toulouse, France.,INSERM, CHU Purpan - BP 3028 - 31024 Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Céline Cappe
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), CNRS UMR 5549, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Toulouse, France
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Knöllner A, Memmert D, von Lehe M, Jungilligens J, Scharfen HE. Specific relations of visual skills and executive functions in elite soccer players. Front Psychol 2022; 13:960092. [PMID: 36092125 PMCID: PMC9454603 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.960092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual and cognitive skills are key to successful functioning in highly demanding settings such as elite sports. However, their mutual influence and interdependencies are not sufficiently understood yet. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between visual skills and executive functions in elite soccer players. Fifty-nine male elite soccer players (age: 18–34 years) performed tests assessing visual clarity (left-, right-, and both eyes), contrast sensitivity, near-far quickness, and hand-eye coordination. Executive function measures included working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, inhibition and selective attention. Overall, visual abilities were largely correlated with executive functions. Near-far quickness performance showed a large correlation with an executive function total score as well as with cognitive flexibility, working memory, and especially selective attention. Visual clarity and contrast sensitivity were moderately correlated with the cognition total score. Most consistent correlations with the visual functions were present for working memory. These findings present an overall vision-cognition relationship but also very specific linkages among subcategories of these functions, especially meaningful relations between near-far quickness, selective attention and cognitive flexibility. Further studies are needed to investigate the neuropsychological mechanisms accounting for the correlations and possible improvements of the executive functions by training specific visual skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Knöllner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brandenburg Medical School, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Neuruppin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Antonia Knöllner,
| | - Daniel Memmert
- Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marec von Lehe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brandenburg Medical School, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Johannes Jungilligens
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hans-Erik Scharfen
- Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Neurocognition and Performance Lab, SV Werder Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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36
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Reproducible protocol to obtain and measure first-order relay human thalamic white-matter tracts. Neuroimage 2022; 262:119558. [PMID: 35973564 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119558] [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: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The "primary" or "first-order relay" nuclei of the thalamus feed the cerebral cortex with information about ongoing activity in the environment or the subcortical motor systems. Because of the small size of these nuclei and the high specificity of their input and output pathways, new imaging protocols are required to investigate thalamocortical interactions in human perception, cognition and language. The goal of the present study was twofold: I) to develop a reconstruction protocol based on in vivo diffusion MRI to extract and measure the axonal fiber tracts that originate or terminate specifically in individual first-order relay nuclei; and, II) to test the reliability of this reconstruction protocol. In left and right hemispheres, we investigated the thalamocortical/corticothalamic axon bundles linking each of the first-order relay nuclei and their main cortical target areas, namely, the lateral geniculate nucleus (optic radiation), the medial geniculate nucleus (acoustic radiation), the ventral posterior nucleus (somatosensory radiation) and the ventral lateral nucleus (motor radiation). In addition, we examined the main subcortical input pathway to the ventral lateral posterior nucleus, which originates in the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum. Our protocol comprised three components: defining regions-of-interest; preprocessing diffusion data; and modeling white-matter tracts and tractometry. We then used computation and test-retest methods to check whether our protocol could reliably reconstruct these tracts of interest and their profiles. Our results demonstrated that the protocol had nearly perfect computational reproducibility and good-to-excellent test-retest reproducibility. This new protocol may be of interest for both basic human brain neuroscience and clinical studies and has been made publicly available to the scientific community.
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The posterior parietal area V6A: an attentionally-modulated visuomotor region involved in the control of reach-toF-grasp action. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104823. [PMID: 35961383 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In the macaque, the posterior parietal area V6A is involved in the control of all phases of reach-to-grasp actions: the transport phase, given that reaching neurons are sensitive to the direction and amplitude of arm movement, and the grasping phase, since reaching neurons are also sensitive to wrist orientation and hand shaping. Reaching and grasping activity are corollary discharges which, together with the somatosensory and visual signals related to the same movement, allow V6A to act as a state estimator that signals discrepancies during the motor act in order to maintain consistency between the ongoing movement and the desired one. Area V6A is also able to encode the target of an action because of gaze-dependent visual neurons and real-position cells. Here, we advance the hypothesis that V6A also uses the spotlight of attention to guide goal-directed movements of the hand, and hosts a priority map that is specific for the guidance of reaching arm movement, combining bottom-up inputs such as visual responses with top-down signals such as reaching plans.
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Yang Y, Li Q, Wang J, Liu Y, Xiao M, Luo L, Yi H, Yan Q, Li W, Chen H. The powerful brain: Neural correlates of sense of power and hope. Neuropsychologia 2022; 174:108317. [PMID: 35810881 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108317] [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: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
A sense of power refers to the perception that one can control and influence others' states by providing or withholding valued resources in an asymmetrical way, and which has been associated with greater hope. However, little is known about the neural bases underlying this association. The present study aimed to examine these phenomena in 261 healthy adolescent students by assessing resting-state brain activity (i.e., the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations, ALFF) and connectivity (i.e., resting-state functional connectivity, RSFC). Whole-brain correlation analyses revealed that higher levels of perceived power were linked with reduced ALFF in the left thalamus and increased RSFC between the left thalamus and left superior temporal gyrus. Mediation analyses further showed that perceived power mediated the influence of the left thalamus activity on hope. Our results remained significant even after controlling for the head motion, age, and gender. Our findings contribute to the neurobiological basis of a sense of power and the neural mechanism underlying the relationship between a sense of power and hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Qingqing Li
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Junjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Mingyue Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Lin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Haijing Yi
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Qiaoling Yan
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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Rodenkirch C, Carmel JB, Wang Q. Rapid Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Sensory Processing Through Activation of Neuromodulatory Systems. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:922424. [PMID: 35864985 PMCID: PMC9294458 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.922424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
After sensory information is encoded into neural signals at the periphery, it is processed through multiple brain regions before perception occurs (i.e., sensory processing). Recent work has begun to tease apart how neuromodulatory systems influence sensory processing. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is well-known as an effective and safe method of activating neuromodulatory systems. There is a growing body of studies confirming VNS has immediate effects on sensory processing across multiple sensory modalities. These immediate effects of VNS on sensory processing are distinct from the more well-documented method of inducing lasting neuroplastic changes to the sensory pathways through repeatedly delivering a brief VNS burst paired with a sensory stimulus. Immediate effects occur upon VNS onset, often disappear upon VNS offset, and the modulation is present for all sensory stimuli. Conversely, the neuroplastic effect of pairing sub-second bursts of VNS with a sensory stimulus alters sensory processing only after multiple pairing sessions, this alteration remains after cessation of pairing sessions, and the alteration selectively affects the response properties of neurons encoding the specific paired sensory stimulus. Here, we call attention to the immediate effects VNS has on sensory processing. This review discusses existing studies on this topic, provides an overview of the underlying neuromodulatory systems that likely play a role, and briefly explores the potential translational applications of using VNS to rapidly regulate sensory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Rodenkirch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, Cornell Tech, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Charles Rodenkirch,
| | - Jason B. Carmel
- Department of Neurology and Orthopedics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Qi Wang,
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40
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Yan M, Fu X, Ou Y, Liu F, Li H, Guo W. Multiple-Network Alterations in Major Depressive Disorder With Gastrointestinal Symptoms at Rest Revealed by Global Functional Connectivity Analysis. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:897707. [PMID: 35812223 PMCID: PMC9263397 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.897707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are prominent in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bring patients lots of complaints and troubles. We aimed to explore whether there were some distinctive brain image alterations in MDD with GI symptoms, which could be used to distinguish MDD with GI symptoms from those without GI symptoms and healthy controls (HCs). Methods A total of 35 outpatients with GI symptoms, 17 outpatients without GI symptoms, and 28 HCs were recruited. All the participants were scanned by a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging data were analyzed with the global functional connectivity (GFC) and support vector machine methods. Results MDD with GI symptoms showed decreased GFC in the left superior medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) compared with MDD without GI symptoms. Compared with HCs, MDD with GI symptoms showed decreased GFC in the bilateral middle temporal pole (MTP) and left posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/Pcu), and increased GFC in the right insula and bilateral thalamus. SVM analysis showed that an accuracy was 78.85% in differentiating MDD with GI symptoms from MDD without GI symptoms by using the GFC of the left superior MPFC. A combination of GFC of the left PCC/Pcu and bilateral MTP exhibited the highest accuracy (87.30%) in differentiating patients with MDD with GI symptoms from HCs. Conclusion MDD with GI symptoms showed abnormal GFC in multiple networks, including the default mode network and cortico-limbic mood-regulating circuit. Using abnormal GFC might work well to discriminate MDD with GI symptoms from MDD without GI symptoms and HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Yan
- Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoya Fu
- Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yangpan Ou
- Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huabing Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Wenbin Guo,
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Moyal R, Turker HB, Luh WM, Swallow KM. Auditory Target Detection Enhances Visual Processing and Hippocampal Functional Connectivity. Front Psychol 2022; 13:891682. [PMID: 35769754 PMCID: PMC9234495 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.891682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Though dividing one's attention between two input streams typically impairs performance, detecting a behaviorally relevant stimulus can sometimes enhance the encoding of unrelated information presented at the same time. Previous research has shown that selection of this kind boosts visual cortical activity and memory for concurrent items. An important unanswered question is whether such effects are reflected in processing quality and functional connectivity in visual regions and in the hippocampus. In this fMRI study, participants were asked to memorize a stream of naturalistic images and press a button only when they heard a predefined target tone (400 or 1,200 Hz, counterbalanced). Images could be presented with a target tone, with a distractor tone, or without a tone. Auditory target detection increased activity throughout the ventral visual cortex but lowered it in the hippocampus. Enhancements in functional connectivity between the ventral visual cortex and the hippocampus were also observed following auditory targets. Multi-voxel pattern classification of image category was more accurate on target tone trials than on distractor and no tone trials in the fusiform gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus. This effect was stronger in visual cortical clusters whose activity was more correlated with the hippocampus on target tone than on distractor tone trials. In agreement with accounts suggesting that subcortical noradrenergic influences play a role in the attentional boost effect, auditory target detection also caused an increase in locus coeruleus activity and phasic pupil responses. These findings outline a network of cortical and subcortical regions that are involved in the selection and processing of information presented at behaviorally relevant moments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Moyal
- Cognitive Science Program, Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Hamid B. Turker
- Cognitive Science Program, Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Wen-Ming Luh
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Khena M. Swallow
- Cognitive Science Program, Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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42
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Pietrelli M, Samaha J, Postle BR. Spectral Distribution Dynamics across Different Attentional Priority States. J Neurosci 2022; 42:4026-4041. [PMID: 35387871 PMCID: PMC9097778 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2318-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Anticipatory covert spatial attention improves performance on tests of visual detection and discrimination, and shifts are accompanied by decreases and increases of α band power at electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes corresponding to the attended and unattended location, respectively. Although the increase at the unattended location is often interpreted as an active mechanism (e.g., inhibiting processing at the unattended location), most experiments cannot rule out the alternative possibility that it is a secondary consequence of selection elsewhere. To adjudicate between these accounts, we designed a Posner-style visual cueing task in which male and female human participants made orientation judgments of targets appearing at one of four locations: up, down, right, or left. Critically, trials were blocked such that within a block the locations along one meridian alternated in status between attended and unattended, and targets never appeared at the other two, making them irrelevant. Analyses of the concurrently measured EEG signal were conducted on "traditional" narrowband α (8-14 Hz), as well as on two components resulting from the decomposition of this signal: "periodic" α; and the slope of the aperiodic 1/f-like component. Although data from right-left blocks replicated the familiar pattern of lateralized asymmetry in narrowband α power, with neither α signal could we find evidence for any difference in the time course at unattended versus irrelevant locations, an outcome consistent with the secondary-consequence interpretation of attention-related dynamics in the α band. Additionally, 1/f slope was shallower at attended and unattended locations, relative to irrelevant, suggesting a tonic adjustment of physiological state.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Visual spatial attention, the prioritization of one location in the visual field, is critical for guiding behavior in cluttered environments. Although influential theories posit an important role for α band oscillations in the inhibition of processing at unattended locations, we used a novel procedure to find evidence for an alternative interpretation: selection of one location may simply result in a return to physiological baseline at all others. In addition to determining one way that attention does not work (important for future progress in this field), we also discovered novel evidence for one way that it does work: by modifying the tonic physiological state (indexed by an aperiodic component of the electroencephalography (EEG)] at locations where spatial selection is likely to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Pietrelli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53719
| | - Jason Samaha
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064
| | - Bradley R Postle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53719
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
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Kurzawski JW, Lunghi C, Biagi L, Tosetti M, Morrone MC, Binda P. Short-term plasticity in the human visual thalamus. eLife 2022; 11:74565. [PMID: 35384840 PMCID: PMC9020816 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While there is evidence that the visual cortex retains a potential for plasticity in adulthood, less is known about the subcortical stages of visual processing. Here we asked whether short-term ocular dominance plasticity affects the human visual thalamus. We addressed this question in normally sighted adult humans, using ultra-high field (7T) magnetic resonance imaging combined with the paradigm of short-term monocular deprivation. With this approach, we previously demonstrated transient shifts of perceptual eye dominance and ocular dominance in visual cortex (Binda et al., 2018). Here we report evidence for short-term plasticity in the ventral division of the pulvinar (vPulv), where the deprived eye representation was enhanced over the non-deprived eye. This ventral-pulvinar plasticity was similar as previously seen in visual cortex and it was correlated with the ocular dominance shift measured behaviorally. In contrast, there was no effect of monocular deprivation in two adjacent thalamic regions: dorsal pulvinar (dPulv), and Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN). We conclude that the visual thalamus retains potential for short-term plasticity in adulthood; the plasticity effect differs across thalamic subregions, possibly reflecting differences in their cortico-fugal connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Lunghi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Concetta Morrone
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Binda
- Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Cheron G, Ristori D, Petieau M, Simar C, Zarka D, Cebolla AM. Effects of Pulsed-Wave Chromotherapy and Guided Relaxation on the Theta-Alpha Oscillation During Arrest Reaction. Front Psychol 2022; 13:792872. [PMID: 35310269 PMCID: PMC8929400 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.792872] [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: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for the best wellness practice has promoted the development of devices integrating different technologies and guided meditation. However, the final effects on the electrical activity of the brain remain relatively sparse. Here, we have analyzed of the alpha and theta electroencephalographic oscillations during the realization of the arrest reaction (AR; eyes close/eyes open transition) when a chromotherapy session performed in a dedicated room [Rebalance (RB) device], with an ergonomic bed integrating pulsed-wave light (PWL) stimulation, guided breathing, and body scan exercises. We demonstrated that the PWL induced an evoked-related potential characterized by the N2-P3 components maximally recorded on the fronto-central areas and accompanied by an event-related synchronization (ERS) of the delta–theta–alpha oscillations. The power of the alpha and theta oscillations was analyzed during repeated ARs testing realized along with the whole RB session. We showed that the power of the alpha and theta oscillations was significantly increased during the session in comparison to their values recorded before. Of the 14 participants, 11 and 6 showed a significant power increase of the alpha and theta oscillations, respectively. These increased powers were not observed in two different control groups (n = 28) who stayed passively outside or inside the RB room but without any type of stimulation. These preliminary results suggest that PWL chromotherapy and guided relaxation induce measurable electrical brain changes that could be beneficial under neuropsychiatric perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Cheron
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neuroscience, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Dominique Ristori
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Petieau
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cédric Simar
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Machine Learning Group, Computer Science Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Zarka
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ana-Maria Cebolla
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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La Terra D, Rosier M, Bjerre AS, Masuda R, Ryan TJ, Palmer LM. The role of higher order thalamus during learning and correct performance in goal-directed behavior. eLife 2022; 11:77177. [PMID: 35259091 PMCID: PMC8937217 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The thalamus is a gateway to the cortex. Cortical encoding of complex behavior can therefore only be understood by considering the thalamic processing of sensory and internally generated information. Here, we use two-photon Ca2+ imaging and optogenetics to investigate the role of axonal projections from the posteromedial nucleus of the thalamus (POm) to the forepaw area of the mouse primary somatosensory cortex (forepaw S1). By recording the activity of POm axonal projections within forepaw S1 during expert and chance performance in two tactile goal-directed tasks, we demonstrate that POm axons increase activity in the response and, to a lesser extent, reward epochs specifically during correct HIT performance. When performing at chance level during learning of a new behavior, POm axonal activity was decreased to naive rates and did not correlate with task performance. However, once evoked, the Ca2+ transients were larger than during expert performance, suggesting POm input to S1 differentially encodes chance and expert performance. Furthermore, the POm influences goal-directed behavior, as photoinactivation of archaerhodopsin-expressing neurons in the POm decreased the learning rate and overall success in the behavioral task. Taken together, these findings expand the known roles of the higher-thalamic nuclei, illustrating the POm encodes and influences correct action during learning and performance in a sensory-based goal-directed behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo La Terra
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marius Rosier
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ann-Sofie Bjerre
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rei Masuda
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Lucy Maree Palmer
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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46
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Miao G, Rao B, Wang S, Fang P, Chen Z, Chen L, Zhang X, Zheng J, Xu H, Liao W. Decreased Functional Connectivities of Low-Degree Level Rich Club Organization and Caudate in Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment Based on Resting-State fMRI and Radiomics Features. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:796530. [PMID: 35250435 PMCID: PMC8890030 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.796530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundStroke is an important cause of cognitive impairment. Rich club organization, a highly interconnected network brain core region, is closely related to cognition. We hypothesized that the disturbance of rich club organization exists in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).MethodsWe collected data on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) with 21 healthy controls (HC), 16 hemorrhagic stroke (hPSCI), and 21 infarct stroke (iPSCI). 3D shape features and first-order statistics of stroke lesions were extracted using 3D slicer software. Additionally, we assessed cognitive function using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).ResultsNormalized rich club coefficients were higher in hPSCI and iPSCI than HC at low-degree k-levels (k = 1–8 in iPSCI, k = 2–8 in hPSCI). Feeder and local connections were significantly decreased in PSCI patients versus HC, mainly distributed in salience network (SN), default-mode network (DMN), cerebellum network (CN), and orbitofrontal cortex (ORB), especially involving the right and left caudate with changed nodal efficiency. The feeder and local connections of significantly between-group difference were positively related to MMSE and MoCA scores, primarily distributed in the sensorimotor network (SMN) and visual network (VN) in hPSCI, SN, and DMN in iPSCI. Additionally, decreased local connections and low-degree ϕnorm(k) were correlated to 3D shape features and first-order statistics of stroke lesions.ConclusionThis study reveals the disrupted low-degree level rich club organization and relatively preserved functional core network in PSCI patients. Decreased feeder and local connections in cognition-related networks (DMN, SN, CN, and ORB), particularly involving the caudate nucleus, may offer insight into pathological mechanism of PSCI patients. The shape and signal features of stroke lesions may provide an essential clue for the damage of functional connectivity and the whole brain networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofu Miao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Rao
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sirui Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Pinyan Fang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Radiology, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Linglong Chen
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Zheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haibo Xu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Haibo Xu,
| | - Weijing Liao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Weijing Liao,
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47
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Mijalkov M, Volpe G, Pereira JB. Directed Brain Connectivity Identifies Widespread Functional Network Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:593-607. [PMID: 34331060 PMCID: PMC8805861 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by topological abnormalities in large-scale functional brain networks, which are commonly analyzed using undirected correlations in the activation signals between brain regions. This approach assumes simultaneous activation of brain regions, despite previous evidence showing that brain activation entails causality, with signals being typically generated in one region and then propagated to other ones. To address this limitation, here, we developed a new method to assess whole-brain directed functional connectivity in participants with PD and healthy controls using antisymmetric delayed correlations, which capture better this underlying causality. Our results show that whole-brain directed connectivity, computed on functional magnetic resonance imaging data, identifies widespread differences in the functional networks of PD participants compared with controls, in contrast to undirected methods. These differences are characterized by increased global efficiency, clustering, and transitivity combined with lower modularity. Moreover, directed connectivity patterns in the precuneus, thalamus, and cerebellum were associated with motor, executive, and memory deficits in PD participants. Altogether, these findings suggest that directional brain connectivity is more sensitive to functional network differences occurring in PD compared with standard methods, opening new opportunities for brain connectivity analysis and development of new markers to track PD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mite Mijalkov
- Address correspondence to Mite Mijalkov and Joana B. Pereira, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Neo 7th floor, Blickagången 16, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden. (M.M.); (J.B.P.)
| | | | - Joana B Pereira
- Address correspondence to Mite Mijalkov and Joana B. Pereira, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Neo 7th floor, Blickagången 16, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden. (M.M.); (J.B.P.)
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48
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Zhang X, Suo X, Yang X, Lai H, Pan N, He M, Li Q, Kuang W, Wang S, Gong Q. Structural and functional deficits and couplings in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cerebellar circuitry in social anxiety disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:26. [PMID: 35064097 PMCID: PMC8782859 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01791-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although functional and structural abnormalities in brain regions involved in the neurobiology of fear and anxiety have been observed in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD), the findings have been heterogeneous due to small sample sizes, demographic confounders, and methodological differences. Besides, multimodal neuroimaging studies on structural-functional deficits and couplings are rather scarce. Herein, we aimed to explore functional network anomalies in brain regions with structural deficits and the effects of structure-function couplings on the SAD diagnosis. High-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI images were obtained from 49 non-comorbid patients with SAD and 53 demography-matched healthy controls. Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry analysis was conducted to investigate structural alterations, which were subsequently used as seeds for the resting-state functional connectivity analysis. In addition, correlation and mediation analyses were performed to probe the potential roles of structural-functional deficits in SAD diagnosis. SAD patients had significant gray matter volume reductions in the bilateral putamen, right thalamus, and left parahippocampus. Besides, patients with SAD demonstrated widespread resting-state dysconnectivity in cortico-striato-thalamo-cerebellar circuitry. Moreover, dysconnectivity of the putamen with the cerebellum and the right thalamus with the middle temporal gyrus/supplementary motor area partially mediated the effects of putamen/thalamus atrophy on the SAD diagnosis. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for the involvement of structural and functional deficits in cortico-striato-thalamo-cerebellar circuitry in SAD, and may contribute to clarifying the underlying mechanisms of structure-function couplings for SAD. Therefore, they could offer insights into the neurobiological substrates of SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xueling Suo
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Public Affairs, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Han Lai
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Nanfang Pan
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Min He
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qingyuan Li
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Weihong Kuang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, 361000, China.
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Yacou MA, Chowdury A, Easter P, Hanna GL, Rosenberg DR, Diwadkar VA. Sustained attention induces altered effective connectivity of the ascending thalamo-cortical relay in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:869106. [PMID: 36032258 PMCID: PMC9402224 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.869106] [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: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal function of the thalamo-cortical relay is considered a hallmark of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and aberrant network interactions may underpin many of the clinical and cognitive symptoms that characterize the disorder. Several statistical approaches have been applied to in vivo fMRI data to support the general loss of thalamo-cortical connectivity in OCD. However, (a) few studies have assessed the contextual constraints under which abnormal network interactions arise or (b) have used methods of effective connectivity to understand abnormal network interactions. Effective connectivity is a particularly valuable method as it describes the putative causal influences that brain regions exert over each other, as opposed to the largely statistical consistencies captured in functional connectivity techniques. Here, using dynamic causal modeling (DCM), we evaluated how attention demand induced inter-group differences (HC ≠ OCD) in effective connectivity within a motivated thalamo-cortical network. Of interest was whether these effects were observed on the ascending thalamo-cortical relay, essential for the sensory innervation of the cortex. fMRI time series data from sixty-two participants (OCD, 30; HC, 32) collected using an established sustained attention task were submitted to a space of 162 competing models. Across the space, models distinguished between competing hypotheses of thalamo-cortical interactions. Bayesian model selection (BMS) identified marginally differing likely generative model architectures in OCD and HC groups. Bayesian model averaging (BMA), was used to weight connectivity parameter estimates across all models, with each parameter weighted by each model's posterior probability, thus providing more stable estimates of effective connectivity. Inferential statistical analyses of estimated parameters revealed two principal results: (1) Significantly reduced intrinsic connectivity of the V1 → SPC pathway in OCD, suggested connective weakness in the early constituents of the dorsal visual pathway; (2) More pertinent with the discovery possibilities afforded by DCM, sustained attention in OCD patients induced significantly reduced contextual modulation of the ascending relay from the thalamus to the prefrontal cortex. These results form an important complement to our understanding of the contextual bases of thalamo-cortical network deficits in OCD, emphasizing vulnerability of the ascending relay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario A Yacou
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Asadur Chowdury
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Philip Easter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Gregory L Hanna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - David R Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Vaibhav A Diwadkar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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50
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Günther V, Jahn S, Webelhorst C, Bodenschatz CM, Bujanow A, Mucha S, Kersting A, Hoffmann KT, Egloff B, Lobsien D, Suslow T. Coping With Anxiety: Brain Structural Correlates of Vigilance and Cognitive Avoidance. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:869367. [PMID: 35463500 PMCID: PMC9021612 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.869367] [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: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals differ in their dispositional coping behavior when they are confronted with anxiety-provoking situations. Cognitive avoidance is characterized by a withdrawal from threatening information, whereas vigilance denotes the intensive search for threat-related information. Functional neuroimaging studies indicate alterations in brain responsivity to emotional stimuli as a function of cognitive avoidant and vigilant coping, but findings are partially discrepant. Studies on structural correlates of coping styles are scarce. MATERIALS AND METHODS By using structural magnetic resonance imaging, the present study examined the relationship between brain gray matter volume and coping strategies in 114 healthy individuals. Individual differences in vigilance and cognitive avoidance were measured by the Mainz Coping Inventory. RESULTS Exploratory whole-brain analyses were conducted. Cognitive avoidant coping significantly predicted reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral thalamus, whereas vigilant coping was associated with volumetric increases in the bilateral thalamus. These relationships remained significant when controlling for a potential influence of age, sex, depressive symptoms, and trait anxiety. DISCUSSION Our findings indicate that dispositional strategies to deal with anxiety-provoking situations are related to volumetric alterations in the thalamus, a brain structure that has been implicated in the mediation of attentional processes and alertness, and the anticipation of harm. The dispositional tendency to monitor the environment for potential threats (i.e., vigilance), appears to be associated with volumetric increases in the thalamus, whereas the dispositional inclination to divert one's attention away from distressing stimuli (i.e., cognitive avoidance) seems to go along with reductions in thalamic gray matter density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Günther
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Salome Jahn
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carolin Webelhorst
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Charlott Maria Bodenschatz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anna Bujanow
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Mucha
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karl-Titus Hoffmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Boris Egloff
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Donald Lobsien
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Suslow
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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