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Rosada C, Lipka R, Metz S, Otte C, Heekeren H, Wingenfeld K. Effects of stress-related neuromodulators on amygdala and hippocampus resting state functional connectivity. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:604-614. [PMID: 38902928 PMCID: PMC11290027 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241260972] [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] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human stress response is characterized by increases in neuromodulators, including norepinephrine (NE) and cortisol. Both neuromodulators can enter the brain and affect neurofunctional responses. Two brain areas associated with stress are the amygdala and the hippocampus. The precise influence of NE and cortisol on the amygdala and hippocampal resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) is poorly understood. AIMS To investigate the influence of NE and cortisol on the amygdala and hippocampal RSFC. METHODS We recruited 165 participants who received 10 mg yohimbine and/or 10 mg hydrocortisone in a randomized, placebo-controlled design. With seed-based analyses, we compared RSFC of the hippocampus and amygdala separately between the three groups that received medication versus placebo. RESULTS We found no differences between yohimbine and placebo condition or between hydrocortisone and placebo condition regarding amygdala or hippocampal FC. Compared with placebo, the yohimbine/hydrocortisone condition showed increased amygdala and hippocampal RSFC with the cerebellum. Also, they had increased hippocampal RSFC with the amygdala and cerebral white matter. DISCUSSION The group with elevated NE and cortisol showed significantly increased RSFC between the amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum compared to placebo. These three brain areas are involved in associative learning and emotional memory, suggesting a critical role for this network in the human stress response. Our results show that NE and cortisol together may influence the strength of this association. Compared to placebo, we found no differences in the groups receiving only one medication, suggesting that increasing one neuromodulator alone may not induce differences in neurofunctional responses. The study procedure has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT04359147).
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Rosada
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renée Lipka
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Metz
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Otte
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
- DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Katja Wingenfeld
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
- DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Berlin, Germany
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Gan X, Zhou F, Xu T, Liu X, Zhang R, Zheng Z, Yang X, Zhou X, Yu F, Li J, Cui R, Wang L, Yuan J, Yao D, Becker B. A neurofunctional signature of subjective disgust generalizes to oral distaste and socio-moral contexts. Nat Hum Behav 2024; 8:1383-1402. [PMID: 38641635 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-01868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
While disgust originates in the hard-wired mammalian distaste response, the conscious experience of disgust in humans strongly depends on subjective appraisal and may even extend to socio-moral contexts. Here, in a series of studies, we combined functional magnetic resonance imaging with machine-learning-based predictive modelling to establish a comprehensive neurobiological model of subjective disgust. The developed neurofunctional signature accurately predicted momentary self-reported subjective disgust across discovery (n = 78) and pre-registered validation (n = 30) cohorts and generalized across core disgust (n = 34 and n = 26), gustatory distaste (n = 30) and socio-moral (unfair offers; n = 43) contexts. Disgust experience was encoded in distributed cortical and subcortical systems, and exhibited distinct and shared neural representations with subjective fear or negative affect in interoceptive-emotional awareness and conscious appraisal systems, while the signatures most accurately predicted the respective target experience. We provide an accurate functional magnetic resonance imaging signature for disgust with a high potential to resolve ongoing evolutionary debates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianyang Gan
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Xu
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaobo Liu
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ran Zhang
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zihao Zheng
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Xinqi Zhou
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Psychology and Behavior of Discipline Inspection and Supervision, Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangwen Yu
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jialin Li
- Max Planck School of Cognition, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ruifang Cui
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lan Wang
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiajin Yuan
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Psychology and Behavior of Discipline Inspection and Supervision, Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dezhong Yao
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Magalhães TNC, Hicks TH, Jackson TB, Ballard HK, Herrejon IA, Bernard JA. Sex-steroid hormones relate to cerebellar structure and functional connectivity across adulthood. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.24.600454. [PMID: 38979355 PMCID: PMC11230255 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.24.600454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Aging involves complex biological changes that affect disease susceptibility and aging trajectories. Although females typically live longer than males, they have a higher susceptibility to diseases like Alzheimer's, speculated to be influenced by menopause, and reduced ovarian hormone production. Understanding sex-specific differences is crucial for personalized medical interventions and gender equality in health. Our study aims to elucidate sex differences in regional cerebellar structure and connectivity during normal aging by investigating both structural and functional connectivity variations, with a focus on investigating these differences in the context of sex-steroid hormones. The study included 138 participants (mean age = 57(13.3) years, age range = 35-86 years, 54% women). The cohort was divided into three groups: 38 early middle-aged individuals (EMA) (mean age = 41(4.7) years), 48 late middle-aged individuals (LMA) (mean age = 58(4) years), and 42 older adults (OA) (mean age = 72(6.3) years). All participants underwent MRI scans, and saliva samples were collected for sex-steroid hormone quantification (17β-estradiol (E), progesterone (P), and testosterone (T)). We found less connectivity in females between Lobule I-IV and the cuneus, and greater connectivity in females between Crus I, Crus II, and the precuneus with increased age. Higher 17β-estradiol levels were linked to greater connectivity in Crus I and Crus II cerebellar subregions. Analyzing all participants together, testosterone was associated with both higher and lower connectivity in Lobule I-IV and Crus I, respectively, while higher progesterone levels were linked to lower connectivity in females. Structural differences were observed, with EMA males having larger volumes compared to LMA and OA groups, particularly in the right I-IV, right Crus I, right V, and right VI. EMA females showed higher volumes in the right lobules V and VI. These results highlight the significant role of sex hormones in modulating cerebellar connectivity and structure across adulthood, emphasizing the need to consider sex and hormonal status in neuroimaging studies to better understand age-related cognitive decline and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamires N C Magalhães
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Tracey H Hicks
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - T Bryan Jackson
- Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer's Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Hannah K Ballard
- Department of Psychological Sciences, William Marsh Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ivan A Herrejon
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica A Bernard
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Psychological Sciences, William Marsh Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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Zhang B, Guo M, Dong T, Yang H, Zhang Q, Yang Q, Zhou X, Mao C, Zhang M. Disrupted Resting-State Functional Connectivity and Effective Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Pain Res 2024; 17:2133-2146. [PMID: 38915479 PMCID: PMC11194467 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s455239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a recurring and intractable disease that is often accompanied by emotional and cognitive disorders such as depression and anxiety. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays an important role in mediating emotional and cognitive processes and analgesia. This study investigated the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and effective connectivity (EC) of NAc and its subregions in cLBP. Methods Thirty-four cLBP patients and 34 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Seed-based rsFC and Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) were used to examine the alteration of the rsFC and EC of the NAc. Results Our results showed that the cLBP group had increased rsFC of the bilateral NAc-left superior frontal cortex (SFC), orbital frontal cortex (OFC), left angular gyrus, the left NAc-bilateral middle temporal gyrus, as well as decreased rsFC of left NAc-left supramarginal gyrus, right precentral gyrus, left cerebellum, brainstem (medulla oblongata), and right insula pathways compared with the HC; the results of the subregions were largely consistent with the whole NAc. In addition, the rsFC of the left NAc-left SFC was negatively correlated with Hamilton's Depression Scale (HAMD) scores (r = -0.402, p = 0.018), and the rsFC of left NAc-OFC was positively correlated with present pain intensity scores (r = 0.406, p = 0.017) in the cLBP group. DCM showed that the cLBP group showed significantly increased EC from the left cerebellum to the right NAc (p = 0.012) as compared with HC. Conclusion Overall, our findings demonstrate aberrant rsFC and EC between NAc and regions that are associated with emotional regulation and cognitive processing in individuals with cLBP, underscoring the pivotal roles of emotion and cognition in cLBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minmin Guo
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Dong
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huajuan Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiujuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Quanxin Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhou
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Mao
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
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Zhang Y, Tian L, Chen J, Liu X, Li K, Liu H, Lai W, Shi Y, Lin B, Xi Z. Selective bioaccumulation of polystyrene nanoplastics in fetal rat brain and damage to myelin development. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 278:116393. [PMID: 38714083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Micro(nano)plastic, as a new type of environmental pollutant, have become a potential threat to the life and health of various stages of biology. However, it is not yet clear whether they will affect brain development in the fetal stage. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential effects of nanoplastics on the development of fetal rat brains. To assess the allocation of NPs (25 nm and 50 nm) in various regions of the fetal brain, pregnant rats were exposed to concentrations (50, 10, 2.5, and 0.5 mg/kg) of PS-NPs. Our results provided evidence of the transplacental transfer of PS-NPs to the fetal brain, with a prominent presence observed in several cerebral regions, notably the cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, and prefrontal cortex. This distribution bias might be linked to the developmental sequence of each brain region. Additionally, we explored the influence of prenatal exposure on the myelin development of the cerebellum, given its the highest PS-NP accumulation in offspring. Compared with control rats, PS-NPs exposure caused a significant reduction in myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) expression, a decrease in myelin thickness, an increase in cell apoptosis, and a decline in the oligodendrocyte population. These effects gave rise to motor deficits. In conclusion, our results identified the specific distribution of NPs in the fetal brain following prenatal exposure and revealed that prenatal exposure to PS-NPs can suppress myelin formation in the cerebellum of the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China; School of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Lei Tian
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China; School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063200, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Kang Li
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Huanliang Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Wenqing Lai
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Yue Shi
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Bencheng Lin
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Zhuge Xi
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
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Asano Y, Sasaki D, Ikoma Y, Matsui K. Glial tone of aggression. Neurosci Res 2024; 202:39-51. [PMID: 38007191 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Anger transition is often abrupt. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms responsible for switching and modulating aggression levels. The cerebellum is considered a center for motor coordination and learning; however, its connection to social behavior has long been observed. Here, we used the resident-intruder paradigm in male mice and examined local field potential (LFP) changes, glial cytosolic ion fluctuations, and vascular dynamics in the cerebellar vermis throughout various phases of a combat sequence. Notably, we observed the emergence of theta band oscillations in the LFP and sustained elevations in glial Ca2+ levels during combat breakups. When astrocytes, including Bergmann glial cells, were photoactivated using channelrhodopsin-2, the theta band emerged and an early combat breakup occurred. Within a single combat sequence, rapid alteration of offensive (fight) and passive (flight) responses were observed, which roughly correlated with decreases and increases in glial Ca2+, respectively. Neuron-glial interactions in the cerebellar vermis may play a role in adjusting Purkinje cell excitability and setting the tone of aggression. Future anger management strategies and clinical control of excessive aggression and violent behavior may be realized by developing a therapeutic strategy that adjusts glial activity in the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Asano
- Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 Japan
| | - Daichi Sasaki
- Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 Japan
| | - Yoko Ikoma
- Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 Japan
| | - Ko Matsui
- Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 Japan.
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Magalhães TNC, Maldonado T, Jackson TB, Hicks TH, Herrejon IA, Rezende TJR, Symm AC, Bernard JA. Non-invasive neuromodulation of cerebello-hippocampal volume-behavior relationships. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.29.587400. [PMID: 38617367 PMCID: PMC11014496 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.29.587400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The study here explores the link between transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and brain-behavior relationships. We propose that tDCS may indirectly influence the complex relationships between brain volume and behavior. We focused on the dynamics between the hippocampus (HPC) and cerebellum (CB) in cognitive processes, a relationship with significant implications for understanding memory and motor skills. Seventy-four young adults (mean age: 22±0.42 years, mean education: 14.7±0.25 years) were randomly assigned to receive either anodal, cathodal, or sham stimulation. Following stimulation, participants completed computerized tasks assessing working memory and sequence learning in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. We investigated the statistical interaction between CB and HPC volumes. Our findings showed that individuals with larger cerebellar volumes had shorter reaction times (RT) on a high-load working memory task in the sham stimulation group. In contrast, the anodal stimulation group exhibited faster RTs during the low-load working memory condition. These RT differences were associated with the cortical volumetric interaction between CB-HPC. Literature suggests that anodal stimulation down-regulates the CB and here, those with larger volumes perform more quickly, suggesting the potential need for additional cognitive resources to compensate for cerebellar downregulation. This new insight suggests that tDCS can aid in revealing structure-function relationships, due to greater performance variability, especially in young adults. It may also reveal new targets of interest in the study of aging or in diseases where there is also greater behavioral variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamires N. C. Magalhães
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ted Maldonado
- Department of Psychology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, United States of America
| | - T. Bryan Jackson
- Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Tracey H. Hicks
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ivan A. Herrejon
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Thiago J. R. Rezende
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Abigail C. Symm
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Bernard
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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Seitz RJ, Paloutzian RF, Angel H. Manifestations, social impact, and decay of conceptual beliefs: A cultural perspective. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3470. [PMID: 38558538 PMCID: PMC10983810 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Believing comprises multifaceted processes that integrate information from the outside world through meaning-making processes with personal relevance. METHODS Qualitative Review of the current literature in social cognitive neuroscience. RESULTS Although believing develops rapidly outside an individual's conscious awareness, it results in the formation of beliefs that are stored in memory and play an important role in determining an individual's behavior. Primal beliefs reflect an individual's experience of objects and events, whereas conceptual beliefs are based on narratives that are held in social groups. Conceptual beliefs can be about autobiographical, political, religious, and other aspects of life and may be encouraged by participation in group rituals. We hypothesize that assertions of future gains and rewards that transcend but are inherent in these codices provide incentives to follow the norms and rules of social groups. CONCLUSION The power of conceptual beliefs to provide cultural orientation is likely to fade when circumstances and evidence make it clear that what was asserted no longer applies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger J. Seitz
- Department of Neurology, Centre of Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, LVR‐Klinikum Düsseldorf, Medical FacultyHeinrich Heine University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | | | - Hans‐Ferdinand Angel
- Institute of Catechetic and Pedagogic of ReligionKarl Franzens University GrazGrazAustria
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Sharma AA, Nenert R, Goodman AM, Szaflarski JP. Brain temperature and free water increases after mild COVID-19 infection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7450. [PMID: 38548815 PMCID: PMC10978935 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57561-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology underlying the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 remains understudied and poorly understood, particularly in healthy adults with a history of mild infection. Chronic neuroinflammation may underlie these enduring symptoms, but studying neuroinflammatory phenomena in vivo is challenging, especially without a comparable pre-COVID-19 dataset. In this study, we present a unique dataset of 10 otherwise healthy individuals scanned before and after experiencing mild COVID-19. Two emerging MR-based methods were used to map pre- to post-COVID-19 brain temperature and free water changes. Post-COVID-19 brain temperature and free water increases, which are indirect biomarkers of neuroinflammation, were found in structures functionally associated with olfactory, cognitive, and memory processing. The largest pre- to post-COVID brain temperature increase was observed in the left olfactory tubercle (p = 0.007, 95% CI [0.48, 3.01]), with a mean increase of 1.75 °C. Notably, the olfactory tubercle is also the region of the primary olfactory cortex where participants with chronic olfactory dysfunction showed the most pronounced increases as compared to those without lingering olfactory dysfunction (adjusted pFDR = 0.0189, 95% CI [1.42, 5.27]). These preliminary insights suggest a potential link between neuroinflammation and chronic cognitive and olfactory dysfunction following mild COVID-19, although further investigations are needed to improve our understanding of what underlies these phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushe A Sharma
- Department of Neurology, UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0021, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Rodolphe Nenert
- Department of Neurology, UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0021, USA
| | - Adam M Goodman
- Department of Neurology, UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0021, USA
| | - Jerzy P Szaflarski
- Department of Neurology, UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0021, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Epilepsy Center (UABEC), Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Gaiser C, van der Vliet R, de Boer AAA, Donchin O, Berthet P, Devenyi GA, Mallar Chakravarty M, Diedrichsen J, Marquand AF, Frens MA, Muetzel RL. Population-wide cerebellar growth models of children and adolescents. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2351. [PMID: 38499518 PMCID: PMC10948906 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46398-2] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
In the past, the cerebellum has been best known for its crucial role in motor function. However, increasingly more findings highlight the importance of cerebellar contributions in cognitive functions and neurodevelopment. Using a total of 7240 neuroimaging scans from 4862 individuals, we describe and provide detailed, openly available models of cerebellar development in childhood and adolescence (age range: 6-17 years), an important time period for brain development and onset of neuropsychiatric disorders. Next to a traditionally used anatomical parcellation of the cerebellum, we generated growth models based on a recently proposed functional parcellation. In both, we find an anterior-posterior growth gradient mirroring the age-related improvements of underlying behavior and function, which is analogous to cerebral maturation patterns and offers evidence for directly related cerebello-cortical developmental trajectories. Finally, we illustrate how the current approach can be used to detect cerebellar abnormalities in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Gaiser
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rick van der Vliet
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Augustijn A A de Boer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Opher Donchin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Pierre Berthet
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Center for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gabriel A Devenyi
- Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - M Mallar Chakravarty
- Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jörn Diedrichsen
- Western Institute of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andre F Marquand
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten A Frens
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ryan L Muetzel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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11
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Ellmers TJ, Durkin M, Sriranganathan K, Harris DJ, Bronstein AM. The influence of postural threat-induced anxiety on locomotor learning and updating. J Neurophysiol 2024; 131:562-575. [PMID: 38324891 PMCID: PMC11305632 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00364.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to adapt our locomotion in a feedforward (i.e., "predictive") manner is crucial for safe and efficient walking behavior. Equally important is the ability to quickly deadapt and update behavior that is no longer appropriate for the given context. It has been suggested that anxiety induced via postural threat may play a fundamental role in disrupting such deadaptation. We tested this hypothesis, using the "broken escalator" phenomenon: Fifty-six healthy young adults walked onto a stationary walkway ("BEFORE" condition, 5 trials), then onto a moving walkway akin to an airport travelator ("MOVING" condition, 10 trials), and then again onto the stationary walkway ("AFTER" condition, 5 trials). Participants completed all trials while wearing a virtual reality headset, which was used to induce postural threat-related anxiety (raised clifflike drop at the end of the walkway) during different phases of the paradigm. We found that performing the locomotor adaptation phase in a state of increased threat disrupted subsequent deadaptation during AFTER trials: These participants displayed anticipatory muscular activity as if expecting the platform to move and exhibited inappropriate anticipatory forward trunk movement that persisted during multiple AFTER trials. In contrast, postural threat induced during AFTER trials did not affect behavioral or neurophysiological outcomes. These findings highlight that actions learned in the presence of postural threat-induced anxiety are strengthened, leading to difficulties in deadapting these behaviors when no longer appropriate. Given the associations between anxiety and persistent maladaptive gait behaviors (e.g., "overly cautious" gait, functional gait disorders), the findings have implications for the understanding of such conditions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Safe and efficient locomotion frequently requires movements to be adapted in a feedforward (i.e., "predictive") manner. These adaptations are not always correct, and thus inappropriate behavior must be quickly updated. Here we showed that increased threat disrupts this process. We found that locomotor actions learned in the presence of postural threat-induced anxiety are strengthened, subsequently impairing one's ability to update (or "deadapt") these actions when they are no longer appropriate for the current context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby J Ellmers
- Centre for Vestibular Neurology, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Morgan Durkin
- Centre for Vestibular Neurology, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karthigan Sriranganathan
- Centre for Vestibular Neurology, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J Harris
- Public Health and Sport Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Adolfo M Bronstein
- Centre for Vestibular Neurology, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Rudolph S, Badura A, Lutzu S, Pathak SS, Thieme A, Verpeut JL, Wagner MJ, Yang YM, Fioravante D. Cognitive-Affective Functions of the Cerebellum. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7554-7564. [PMID: 37940582 PMCID: PMC10634583 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1451-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum, traditionally associated with motor coordination and balance, also plays a crucial role in various aspects of higher-order function and dysfunction. Emerging research has shed light on the cerebellum's broader contributions to cognitive, emotional, and reward processes. The cerebellum's influence on autonomic function further highlights its significance in regulating motivational and emotional states. Perturbations in cerebellar development and function have been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An increasing appreciation for neuropsychiatric symptoms that arise from cerebellar dysfunction underscores the importance of elucidating the circuit mechanisms that underlie complex interactions between the cerebellum and other brain regions for a comprehensive understanding of complex behavior. By briefly discussing new advances in mapping cerebellar function in affective, cognitive, autonomic, and social processing and reviewing the role of the cerebellum in neuropathology beyond the motor domain, this Mini-Symposium review aims to provide a broad perspective of cerebellar intersections with the limbic brain in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Rudolph
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
| | - Aleksandra Badura
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Stefano Lutzu
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
| | - Salil Saurav Pathak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, Minnesota 55812
| | - Andreas Thieme
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, D-45147, Germany
| | - Jessica L Verpeut
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287
| | - Mark J Wagner
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
| | - Yi-Mei Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, Minnesota 55812
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Diasynou Fioravante
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95618
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95618
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13
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Nishiyama H, Nishiyama N, Zemelman BV. Loss of Purkinje cells in the developing cerebellum strengthens the cerebellothalamic synapses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.01.564864. [PMID: 37961231 PMCID: PMC10635038 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.564864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar damage early in life often causes long-lasting motor, social, and cognitive impairments, suggesting the roles of the cerebellum in developing a broad spectrum of behaviors. This recent finding has promoted research on how cerebellar damage affects the development of the cerebral cortex, the brain region responsible for higher-order control of all behaviors. However, the cerebral cortex is not directly connected to the cerebellum. The thalamus is the direct postsynaptic target of the cerebellum, sending cerebellar outputs to the cerebral cortex. Despite its crucial position in cerebello-cerebral interaction, thalamic susceptibility to cerebellar damage remains largely unclear. Here, we studied the consequences of early cerebellar perturbation on thalamic development. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that the synaptic organization of the cerebellothlamic circuit is similar to that of the primary sensory thalamus, in which aberrant sensory activity alters synaptic circuit formation. The hemizygous deletion of the tuberous sclerosis complex-1 ( Tsc1 ) gene in the Purkinje cell-known to cause Purkinje cell hypoactivity and autistic behaviors-did not alter cerebellothalamic synapses or intrinsic membrane properties of thalamic neurons. However, the ablation of Purkinje cells in the developing cerebellum strengthened the cerebellothalamic synapses and enhanced thalamic suprathreshold activities. These results suggest that the cerebellothalamic circuit is resistant to moderate perturbation in the developing cerebellum, such as the reduced firing rate of Purkinje cells, and that autistic behaviors are not necessarily linked to thalamic abnormality. Still, Purkinje cell loss alters the thalamic circuit, suggesting the vulnerability of the thalamus to substantial disturbance in the developing cerebellum.
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14
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Gil-Paterna P, Furmark T. Imaging the cerebellum in post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders: a mini-review. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1197350. [PMID: 37645454 PMCID: PMC10460913 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1197350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions worldwide sharing many clinical manifestations and, most likely, neural mechanisms as suggested by neuroimaging research. While the so-called fear circuitry and traditional limbic structures of the brain, particularly the amygdala, have been extensively studied in sufferers of these disorders, the cerebellum has been relatively underexplored. The aim of this paper was to present a mini-review of functional (task-activity or resting-state connectivity) and structural (gray matter volume) results on the cerebellum as reported in magnetic resonance imaging studies of patients with PTSD or anxiety disorders (49 selected studies in 1,494 patients). While mixed results were noted overall, e.g., regarding the direction of effects and anatomical localization, cerebellar structures like the vermis seem to be highly involved. Still, the neurofunctional and structural alterations reported for the cerebellum in excessive anxiety and trauma are complex, and in need of further evaluation.
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15
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Cundari M, Vestberg S, Gustafsson P, Gorcenco S, Rasmussen A. Neurocognitive and cerebellar function in ADHD, autism and spinocerebellar ataxia. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1168666. [PMID: 37415926 PMCID: PMC10321758 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1168666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum plays a major role in balance, motor control and sensorimotor integration, but also in cognition, language, and emotional regulation. Several neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as neurological diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) are associated with differences in cerebellar function. Morphological abnormalities in different cerebellar subregions produce distinct behavioral symptoms related to the functional disruption of specific cerebro-cerebellar circuits. The specific contribution of the cerebellum to typical development may therefore involve the optimization of the structure and function of cerebro-cerebellar circuits underlying skill acquisition in multiple domains. Here, we review cerebellar structural and functional differences between healthy and patients with ADHD, ASD, and SCA3, and explore how disruption of cerebellar networks affects the neurocognitive functions in these conditions. We discuss how cerebellar computations contribute to performance on cognitive and motor tasks and how cerebellar signals are interfaced with signals from other brain regions during normal and dysfunctional behavior. We conclude that the cerebellum plays a role in many cognitive functions. Still, more clinical studies with the support of neuroimaging are needed to clarify the cerebellum's role in normal and dysfunctional behavior and cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Cundari
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Unit of Neuropsychiatry, Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden
- Unit of Neurology, Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden
| | - Susanna Vestberg
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Peik Gustafsson
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Medical Faculty, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sorina Gorcenco
- Department for Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Rasmussen
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Seitz RJ, Angel HF, Paloutzian RF, Taves A. Editorial: Credition-An interdisciplinary approach to the nature of beliefs and believing. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1217648. [PMID: 37288008 PMCID: PMC10242170 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1217648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger J. Seitz
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Centre of Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Ferdinand Angel
- Institute of Catechetics and Religious Education, Karl Franzens University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Ann Taves
- Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
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17
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Ferrari C, Ciricugno A, Arioli M, Cattaneo Z. Functional Segregation of the Human Cerebellum in Social Cognitive Tasks Revealed by TMS. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3708-3717. [PMID: 37037608 PMCID: PMC10198446 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1818-22.2023] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the posterior cerebellum in social cognition is well established; however, it is still unclear whether different cerebellar subregions contribute to different social cognitive processes by exerting specific functions. Here, we employed transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in male and female healthy humans to test the hypothesis of the existence of a medial-to-lateral gradient in the functional organization of the posterior cerebellum, according to which the phylogenetically newer cerebellar hemispheres are involved in tasks requiring higher-level social inferences whereas vermal/medial sectors are involved in basic perceptual emotional mechanisms. We found that interfering via TMS with activity of the medial cerebellum significantly impaired basic emotional recognition/discrimination. In turn, only TMS over the lateral cerebellum affected a task requiring recognizing an emotion considering the social context in which it was experienced. Overall, our data support the existence of a medial-to-lateral gradient in the posterior cerebellum, with medial sectors supporting basic emotion recognition and lateral sectors being recruited when the task taps on higher inferential processing/mentalizing. Interestingly, the contribution of the cerebellum in these different processes seems to be restricted to negative emotional stimuli.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The cerebellum has been recently recognized as a critical component of the social brain, however, the functional topography of this structure in relation to social and emotional processes is still debated. By adopting a causative approach through the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), the present study critically insights into the functional organization of the posterior cerebellum by testing the hypothesis of a medial-to-lateral gradient that reflects increasing complexity of social cognitive processes. Our findings demonstrate that lateral and medial cerebellar regions exert partially distinguishable functions in the social cognitive domain, with the medial cerebellum that mainly mediates basic perceptual emotional mechanisms while the lateral cerebellum, although supporting more basic functions, further subserves higher-level social operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ferrari
- Department of Humanities, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
- IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Mondino Foundation, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciricugno
- IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Mondino Foundation, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Maria Arioli
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo 24129, Italy
| | - Zaira Cattaneo
- IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Mondino Foundation, Pavia 27100, Italy
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo 24129, Italy
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18
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Sonnberger M, Widmann C, Potthoff D, Seitz RJ, Kleiser R. Emotion recognition in evolving facial expressions: A matter of believing. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 16:951974. [PMID: 36710955 PMCID: PMC9875561 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.951974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Carola Widmann
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Kepler-University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Denise Potthoff
- Department of Neurology, Center of Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rüdiger J. Seitz
- Department of Neurology, Center of Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Raimund Kleiser
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Kepler-University Linz, Linz, Austria,*Correspondence: Raimund Kleiser ✉
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19
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King S, Mothersill D, Holleran L, Patlola S, McManus R, Kenyon M, McDonald C, Hallahan B, Corvin A, Morris DW, Kelly JP, McKernan D, Donohoe G. Childhood trauma, IL-6 and weaker suppression of the default mode network (DMN) during theory of mind (ToM) performance in schizophrenia. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 26:100540. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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