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Oboza P, Ogarek N, Wójtowicz M, Rhaiem TB, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M, Kocełak P. Relationships between Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Diet Composition, Dietary Patterns and Eating Behaviors. Nutrients 2024; 16:1911. [PMID: 38931266 PMCID: PMC11206370 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121911] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a disorder between gynecology and psychiatry which includes cognitive, affective, and somatic symptoms from mild to severe. The most severe form of PMS is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and it is considered a form of depressive disorder. An association between diet composition and the occurrence of PMS and its severity have been suggested. As such, this manuscript discusses the relationships between diet composition, dietary patterns and eating behaviors, and PMS. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched for related studies up to 18 January 2024. A text search with the following keywords singly or in combination was conducted: "Premenstrual syndrome", "Nutrition", "Diet composition", "Dietary patterns", and "Eating behaviors". Studies published so far showed that low intake of simple carbohydrates, fats, salt, and alcohol, and high of fresh, unprocessed foods rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the onset of PMS and reduce the severity of its symptoms. However, further studies are needed to formulate definitive recommendations for the use of vitamins, micronutrients and other dietary ingredients supplementation in women with PMS to improve functioning, overall well-being, and physical health. Large, randomized, double-blind clinical trials across diverse populations are necessary to formulate clear recommendations for supplementation in women with PMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Oboza
- Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Natalia Ogarek
- Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Mariusz Wójtowicz
- Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Tahar Ben Rhaiem
- Clinical Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology in Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 45-052 Opole, Poland
| | - Magdalena Olszanecka-Glinianowicz
- Health Promotion and Obesity Management Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Piotr Kocełak
- Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
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Zelionkaitė I, Gaižauskaitė R, Uusberg H, Uusberg A, Ambrasė A, Derntl B, Grikšienė R. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device is related to early emotional reactivity: An ERP study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 162:106954. [PMID: 38241970 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106954] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Despite the evidence of altered emotion processing in oral contraceptive (OC) users, the impact of hormonal intrauterine devices (IUD) on emotional processing remains unexplored. Our study aimed to investigate how behavioural performance and event-related potentials (ERPs) linked with emotion reactivity and its regulation are associated with hormonal profiles of women using different types of hormonal contraception and naturally cycling women. Women using OCs (n = 25), hormonal IUDs (n = 33), and naturally cycling women in their early follicular (NCF, n = 33) or mid-luteal (NCL, n = 28) phase of the menstrual cycle were instructed to view emotional pictures (neutral, low and high negativity) and use cognitive reappraisal to up- or down-regulate negative emotions, while their electroencephalogram was recorded. Participants rated perceived negativity after each picture and their emotional arousal throughout the task. Saliva samples were collected to assess levels of 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. As expected, emotional arousal increased throughout the task and correlated positively with perceived negativity. Perceived negativity and the amplitudes of the middle (N2/P3) and later (LPP) latency ERP components increased with increasing stimuli negativity. Emotion regulation modulated perceived negativity and the amplitudes of very late ERP components (parietal and frontal LPP). Moreover, IUD-users showed a higher negative amplitude of the frontal N2 in comparison to all three other groups, with the most consistent differences during up-regulation. Finally, testosterone correlated positively with the N2 peak in IUD-users and NCL women. Overall, our findings suggest that IUD-use and testosterone might be related to altered preconscious processing during the emotion regulation task requiring attention to the stimulus. The study underscores the need for additional research into how different hormonal contraceptives are linked to socio-emotional functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrida Zelionkaitė
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio ave. 7, 10257, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Rimantė Gaižauskaitė
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio ave. 7, 10257, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Helen Uusberg
- Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18, 50090, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andero Uusberg
- Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18, 50090, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Aistė Ambrasė
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Women's Mental Health & Brain Function, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72016, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Women's Mental Health & Brain Function, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72016, Tübingen, Germany; DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ramunė Grikšienė
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio ave. 7, 10257, Vilnius, Lithuania
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3
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Kaltsouni E, Schmidt F, Zsido RG, Eriksson A, Sacher J, Sundström-Poromaa I, Sumner RL, Comasco E. Electroencephalography findings in menstrually-related mood disorders: A critical review. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 72:101120. [PMID: 38176542 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101120] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The female reproductive years are characterized by fluctuations in ovarian hormones across the menstrual cycle, which have the potential to modulate neurophysiological and behavioral dynamics. Menstrually-related mood disorders (MRMDs) comprise cognitive-affective or somatic symptoms that are thought to be triggered by the rapid fluctuations in ovarian hormones in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. MRMDs include premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of other psychiatric disorders. Electroencephalography (EEG) non-invasively records in vivo synchronous activity from populations of neurons with high temporal resolution. The present overview sought to systematically review the current state of task-related and resting-state EEG investigations on MRMDs. Preliminary evidence indicates lower alpha asymmetry at rest being associated with MRMDs, while one study points to the effect being luteal-phase specific. Moreover, higher luteal spontaneous frontal brain activity (slow/fast wave ratio as measured by the delta/beta power ratio) has been observed in persons with MRMDs, while sleep architecture results point to potential circadian rhythm disturbances. In this review, we discuss the quality of study designs as well as future perspectives and challenges of supplementing the diagnostic and scientific toolbox for MRMDs with EEG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisavet Kaltsouni
- Department of Womeńs and Childreńs Health, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Felix Schmidt
- Department of Womeńs and Childreńs Health, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden; Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rachel G Zsido
- Cognitive Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory for Sex Differences in the Brain, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Allison Eriksson
- Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Womeńs and Childreńs Health, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Julia Sacher
- Cognitive Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Germany; Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Womeńs and Childreńs Health, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden.
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Hidalgo-Lopez E, Engman J, Poromaa IS, Gingnell M, Pletzer B. Triple network model of brain connectivity changes related to adverse mood effects in an oral contraceptive placebo-controlled trial. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:209. [PMID: 37328507 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02470-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined oral contraceptives (COC) are among the most commonly used contraceptive methods worldwide, and mood side effects are the major reason for discontinuation of treatment. We here investigate the directed connectivity patterns associated with the mood side effects of an androgenic COC in a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trial in women with a history of affective COC side effects (n = 34). We used spectral dynamic causal modeling on a triple network model consisting of the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN) and executive control network (ECN). Within this framework, we assessed the treatment-related changes in directed connectivity associated with adverse mood side effects. Overall, during COC use, we found a pattern of enhanced connectivity within the DMN and decreased connectivity within the ECN. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (SN) mediates an increased recruitment of the DMN by the ECN during treatment. Mood lability was the most prominent COC-induced symptom and also arose as the side effect most consistently related to connectivity changes. Connections that were related to increased mood lability showed increased connectivity during COC treatment, while connections that were related to decreased mood lability showed decreased connectivity during COC treatment. Among these, the connections with the highest effect size could also predict the participants' treatment group above chance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmeralda Hidalgo-Lopez
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Jonas Engman
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Inger Sundström Poromaa
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Malin Gingnell
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
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5
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Jensen A, Thériault K, Yilmaz E, Pon E, Davidson PSR. Mental rotation, episodic memory, and executive control: Possible effects of biological sex and oral contraceptive use. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 198:107720. [PMID: 36621560 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107720] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are one of the most common forms of hormonal birth control. A small literature suggests that OC use may affect visuospatial ability, episodic memory, and executive control. However, previous studies have been criticized for small sample sizes and the use of different, single cognitive tests. We investigated the degree to which biological sex and OC use might affect individual mental rotation, episodic memory, and executive control in a large sample of healthy, young adults (N = 155, including 52 OC users, 53 naturally cycling females, and 50 males) tested individually over videoconference. To measure cognition, we used a set of neuropsychological tasks inspired by Glisky and colleagues' two-factor episodic memory and executive control battery, from which two composite scores (based on principal component analysis) were derived for each participant. Our pre-registered analysis revealed a clear female advantage in episodic memory, independent of OC use. In an exploratory analysis, gist memory was elevated in OC users. Interestingly, we found no significant sex-related differences nor effects of OC use on mental rotation or executive control. Duration of OC use was also not related to any of our cognitive measures. These results suggest that the use of combined, monophasic OCs does not lead to many significant changes in cognition in young adults, although young females overall may have better episodic memory than young males. Additional studies, including longitudinal designs and looking in more detail at the menstrual cycle and OC use history, will further clarify the effects of different types of OCs and their duration of use on different aspects of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Jensen
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Kim Thériault
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ece Yilmaz
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ethan Pon
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
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6
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Hill SE, Mengelkoch S. Moving beyond the mean: Promising research pathways to support a precision medicine approach to hormonal contraception. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101042. [PMID: 36332783 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101042] [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: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Women's psychological and behavioral responses to hormonal contraceptive (HC) treatment can be highly variable. One of the great challenges to researchers seeking to improve the experiences of women who use HCs is to identify the sources of this variability to minimize unpleasant psychobehavioral side-effects. In the following, we provide recommendations for programs of research aimed at identifying sources of heterogeneity in women's experiences with HC. First, we review research demonstrating person- and prescription- based heterogeneity in women's psychobehavioral responses to HCs. Next, we identify several promising person- and prescription- based sources of this heterogeneity that warrant future research. We close with a discussion of research approaches that are particularly well-suited to address the research questions raised in article. Together, this review provides researchers with several promising research pathways to help support the development of a precision medicine approach to HC treatment.
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7
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Lacasse JM, Gomez-Perales E, Brake WG. Modeling hormonal contraception in female rats: A framework for studies in behavioral neurobiology. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101020. [PMID: 35952797 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Research on hormonal contraceptives (HC) in animal models is lacking, and as a result, so is our understanding of the impact of HC on the brain and behavior. Here, we provide a review of the pharmacology of HC, as well as the methodology and best practices for designing a model of HC in female rats. We outline specific methodological considerations regarding dosing, route of administration, exposure time/timing, and selecting a control group. We also provide a framework outlining important levels of analysis for thinking about the impact of HC on behavioral and neurobiological outcomes. The purpose of this review is to equip researchers with foundational knowledge, and some basic elements of experimental design for future studies investigating the impact of HC on the brain and behavior of female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M Lacasse
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal H4B 1R6, Canada.
| | - Eamonn Gomez-Perales
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Wayne G Brake
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal H4B 1R6, Canada.
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8
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Casto KV, Jordan T, Petersen N. Hormone-based models for comparing menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive effects on human resting-state functional connectivity. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101036. [PMID: 36126748 PMCID: PMC9649880 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101036] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used yet understudied given their potential for public health consequences. Emerging investigations scaling from single-subject, dense-sampling neuroimaging studies to population-level metrics have linked OCs to altered brain structure and function. Modeling the hypogonadal, hypergonadal, or mixed state effects of OCs in terms of their impact on hormone action in the brain is a valuable approach to synthesizing results across neuroimaging studies and comparing OC effects to companion findings from research on menstrual cycle phase effects on brain anatomy and function. Resting-state functional connectivity studies provide a powerful tool to evaluate the role of OCs on the intrinsic network connectivity that underlies multiple behavioral domains. The preponderance (but not consensus) of the current literature indicates that (1) as the menstrual cycle proceeds from a low to high progesterone state, prefrontal connectivity increases and parietal connectivity decreases; (2) OCs tend to mimic this connectivity pattern; therefore (3) OCs may produce a hyperprogestogenic state in the brain, in spite of overall reductions in endogenous steroid hormone levels. Alternative models are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen V Casto
- Social Sciences Division, New College of Florida, 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA
| | - Timothy Jordan
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Nicole Petersen
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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9
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Ballard HK, Jackson TB, Hicks TH, Bernard JA. The association of reproductive stage with lobular cerebellar network connectivity across female adulthood. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 117:139-150. [PMID: 35738086 PMCID: PMC10149146 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Sex-specific differences in the aging cerebellum may be related to hormone changes with menopause. We evaluated the association between reproductive stage and lobular cerebellar network connectivity using data from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience repository. We used raw structural and resting state neuroimaging data and information regarding age, sex, and menopause-related variables. Crus I and II and Lobules V and VI were our cerebellar seeds of interest. We characterized reproductive stage using the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria. Results show that postmenopausal females have lower cerebello-striatal and cerebello-cortical connectivity, particularly in frontal regions, along with lower connectivity within the cerebellum, compared to reproductive females. Postmenopausal females also exhibit greater connectivity in some brain areas as well. Differences begin to emerge across transitional stages of menopause. Further, results reveal sex-specific differences in connectivity between female reproductive groups and age-matched male control groups. This suggests that menopause may be associated with cerebellar network connectivity in aging females, and sex differences in the aging brain may be related to this biological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Ballard
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - T Bryan Jackson
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tracey H Hicks
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Bernard
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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10
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Jett S, Schelbaum E, Jang G, Boneu Yepez C, Dyke JP, Pahlajani S, Diaz Brinton R, Mosconi L. Ovarian steroid hormones: A long overlooked but critical contributor to brain aging and Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:948219. [PMID: 35928995 PMCID: PMC9344010 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.948219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian hormones, particularly 17β-estradiol, are involved in numerous neurophysiological and neurochemical processes, including those subserving cognitive function. Estradiol plays a key role in the neurobiology of aging, in part due to extensive interconnectivity of the neural and endocrine system. This aspect of aging is fundamental for women's brains as all women experience a drop in circulating estradiol levels in midlife, after menopause. Given the importance of estradiol for brain function, it is not surprising that up to 80% of peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women report neurological symptoms including changes in thermoregulation (vasomotor symptoms), mood, sleep, and cognitive performance. Preclinical evidence for neuroprotective effects of 17β-estradiol also indicate associations between menopause, cognitive aging, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia affecting nearly twice more women than men. Brain imaging studies demonstrated that middle-aged women exhibit increased indicators of AD endophenotype as compared to men of the same age, with onset in perimenopause. Herein, we take a translational approach to illustrate the contribution of ovarian hormones in maintaining cognition in women, with evidence implicating menopause-related declines in 17β-estradiol in cognitive aging and AD risk. We will review research focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure as a key underlying mechanism to neuropathological aging in women, with a focus on whether brain structure, function and neurochemistry respond to hormone treatment. While still in development, this research area offers a new sex-based perspective on brain aging and risk of AD, while also highlighting an urgent need for better integration between neurology, psychiatry, and women's health practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Jett
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eva Schelbaum
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Grace Jang
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Camila Boneu Yepez
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jonathan P. Dyke
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silky Pahlajani
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Roberta Diaz Brinton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Lisa Mosconi
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
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11
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Concas A, Serra M, Porcu P. How hormonal contraceptives shape brain and behavior: A review of preclinical studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:101017. [PMID: 35843303 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones influence different aspects of brain function, including development, neurogenesis, neuronal excitability, and plasticity, thus affecting emotional states, cognition, sociality, and reward. In women, their levels fluctuate across the lifespan and through the reproductive stages but are also altered by exogenous administration of hormonal contraceptives (HC). HC are widely used by women throughout their fertile life both for contraceptive and therapeutic benefits. However, awareness of their effects on brain function and behavior is still poorly appreciated, despite the emerging evidence of their action at the level of the central nervous system. Here, we summarize results obtained in preclinical studies, mostly conducted in intact female rodents, aimed at investigating the neurobiological effects of HC. HC can alter neuroactive hormones, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, as well as emotional states, cognition, social and sexual behaviors. Animal studies provide insights into the neurobiological effects of HC with the aim to improve women's health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Concas
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Serra
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy.
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12
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Jensen KHR, McCulloch DEW, Olsen AS, Bruzzone SEP, Larsen SV, Fisher PM, Frokjaer VG. Effects of an Oral Contraceptive on Dynamic Brain States and Network Modularity in a Serial Single-Subject Study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:855582. [PMID: 35774557 PMCID: PMC9237452 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.855582] [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: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptive drugs are used by adolescent and adult women worldwide. Increasing evidence from human neuroimaging research indicates that oral contraceptives can alter regional functional brain connectivity and brain chemistry. However, questions remain regarding static whole-brain and dynamic network-wise functional connectivity changes. A healthy woman (23 years old) was scanned every day over 30 consecutive days during a naturally occurring menstrual cycle and again a year later while using a combined hormonal contraceptive. Here we calculated graph theory-derived, whole-brain, network-level measures (modularity and system segregation) and global brain connectivity (characteristic path length) as well as dynamic functional brain connectivity using Leading Eigenvector Dynamic Analysis and diametrical clustering. These metrics were calculated for each scan session during the serial sampling periods to compare metrics between the subject’s natural and contraceptive cycles. Modularity, system segregation, and characteristic path length were statistically significantly higher across the natural compared to contraceptive cycle scans. We also observed a shift in the prevalence of two discrete brain states when using the contraceptive. Our results suggest a more network-structured brain connectivity architecture during the natural cycle, whereas oral contraceptive use is associated with a generally increased connectivity structure evidenced by lower characteristic path length. The results of this repeated, single-subject analysis allude to the possible effects of oral contraceptives on brain-wide connectivity, which should be evaluated in a cohort to resolve the extent to which these effects generalize across the population and the possible impact of a year-long period between conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Høj Reveles Jensen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Anders Stevnhoved Olsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, DTU Compute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Silvia Elisabetta Portis Bruzzone
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Vinther Larsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Vibe Gedsoe Frokjaer
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Vibe Gedsoe Frokjaer,
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13
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Menting-Henry S, Hidalgo-Lopez E, Aichhorn M, Kronbichler M, Kerschbaum H, Pletzer B. Oral Contraceptives Modulate the Relationship Between Resting Brain Activity, Amygdala Connectivity and Emotion Recognition – A Resting State fMRI Study. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:775796. [PMID: 35368304 PMCID: PMC8967165 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.775796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research into the effects of hormonal contraceptives on emotion processing and brain function suggests that hormonal contraceptive users show (a) reduced accuracy in recognizing emotions compared to naturally cycling women, and (b) alterations in amygdala volume and connectivity at rest. To date, these observations have not been linked, although the amygdala has certainly been identified as core region activated during emotion recognition. To assess, whether volume, oscillatory activity and connectivity of emotion-related brain areas at rest are predictive of participant’s ability to recognize facial emotional expressions, 72 participants (20 men, 20 naturally cycling women, 16 users of androgenic contraceptives, 16 users of anti-androgenic contraceptives) completed a brain structural and resting state fMRI scan, as well as an emotion recognition task. Our results showed that resting brain characteristics did not mediate oral contraceptive effects on emotion recognition performance. However, sex and oral contraceptive use emerged as a moderator of brain-behavior associations. Sex differences did emerge in the prediction of emotion recognition performance by the left amygdala amplitude of low frequency oscillations (ALFF) for anger, as well as left and right amygdala connectivity for fear. Anti-androgenic oral contraceptive users (OC) users stood out in that they showed strong brain-behavior associations, usually in the opposite direction as naturally cycling women, while androgenic OC-users showed a pattern similar to, but weaker, than naturally cycling women. This result suggests that amygdala ALFF and connectivity have predictive values for facial emotion recognition. The importance of the different connections depends heavily on sex hormones and oral contraceptive use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanice Menting-Henry
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Esmeralda Hidalgo-Lopez
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Aichhorn
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Kronbichler
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Neuroscience Institute, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hubert Kerschbaum
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- *Correspondence: Belinda Pletzer,
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14
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Schmidt NM, Hennig J, Munk AJL. Event-Related Potentials in Women on the Pill: Neural Correlates of Positive and Erotic Stimulus Processing in Oral Contraceptive Users. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:798823. [PMID: 35058744 PMCID: PMC8764149 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.798823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims: Exposure toward positive emotional cues with - and without - reproductive significance plays a crucial role in daily life and regarding well-being as well as mental health. While possible adverse effects of oral contraceptive (OC) use on female mental and sexual health are widely discussed, neural processing of positive emotional stimuli has not been systematically investigated in association with OC use. Considering reported effects on mood, well-being and sexual function, and proposed associations with depression, it was hypothesized that OC users showed reduced neural reactivity toward positive and erotic emotional stimuli during early as well as later stages of emotional processing and also rated these stimuli as less pleasant and less arousing compared to naturally cycling (NC) women. Method: Sixty-two female subjects (29 NC and 33 OC) were assessed at three time points across the natural menstrual cycle and corresponding time points of the OC regimen. Early (early posterior negativity, EPN) and late (late positive potential, LPP) event-related potentials in reaction to positive, erotic and neutral stimuli were collected during an Emotional Picture Stroop Paradigm (EPSP). At each appointment, subjects provided saliva samples for analysis of gonadal steroid concentration. Valence and arousal ratings were collected at the last appointment. Results: Oral contraceptive users had significantly lower endogenous estradiol and progesterone concentrations compared to NC women. No significant group differences in either subjective stimulus evaluations or neural reactivity toward positive and erotic emotional stimuli were observed. For the OC group, LPP amplitudes in reaction to erotic vs. neutral pictures differed significantly between measurement times across the OC regimen. Discussion: In this study, no evidence regarding alterations of neural reactivity toward positive and erotic stimuli in OC users compared to NC was found. Possible confounding factors and lines for future research are elaborated and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norina M. Schmidt
- Department of Differential and Biological Psychology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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15
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Vigil P, Meléndez J, Petkovic G, Del Río JP. The importance of estradiol for body weight regulation in women. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:951186. [PMID: 36419765 PMCID: PMC9677105 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.951186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity in women of reproductive age has a number of adverse metabolic effects, including Type II Diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. It is associated with increased menstrual irregularity, ovulatory dysfunction, development of insulin resistance and infertility. In women, estradiol is not only critical for reproductive function, but they also control food intake and energy expenditure. Food intake is known to change during the menstrual cycle in humans. This change in food intake is largely mediated by estradiol, which acts directly upon anorexigenic and orexigenic neurons, largely in the hypothalamus. Estradiol also acts indirectly with peripheral mediators such as glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Like estradiol, GLP-1 acts on receptors at the hypothalamus. This review describes the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms governing the actions of estradiol during the menstrual cycle on food intake and energy expenditure and how estradiol acts with other weight-controlling molecules such as GLP-1. GLP-1 analogs have proven to be effective both to manage obesity and T2D in women. This review also highlights the relationship between steroid hormones and women's mental health. It explains how a decline or imbalance in estradiol levels affects insulin sensitivity in the brain. This can cause cerebral insulin resistance, which contributes to the development of conditions such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. The proper use of both estradiol and GLP-1 analogs can help to manage obesity and preserve an optimal mental health in women by reducing the mechanisms that trigger neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Vigil
- Reproductive Health Research Institute (RHRI), Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime Meléndez
- Reproductive Health Research Institute (RHRI), Santiago, Chile
| | - Grace Petkovic
- Arrowe Park Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, Wirral CH49 5PE, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Pablo Del Río
- Unidad de Psiquiatría Infantil y del Adolescente, Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus to Improve the Mental Health of Adolescents and Youths, Millennium Science Initiative, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Juan Pablo Del Río,
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16
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Ponticorvo S, Prinster A, Cantone E, Di Salle F, Esposito F, Canna A. Sex differences in the taste-evoked functional connectivity network. Chem Senses 2022; 47:6617558. [PMID: 35749468 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central gustatory pathway encompasses multiple subcortical and cortical regions whose neural functional connectivity can be modulated by taste stimulation. While gustatory perception has been previously linked to sex, whether and how the gustatory network differently responds to basic tastes between men and women is unclear. Here, we defined the regions of the central gustatory network by a meta-analysis of 35 fMRI taste activation studies and then analyzed the taste-evoked functional connectivity between these regions in 44 subjects (19 women) in a separate 3 Tesla activation study where sweet and bitter solutions, at five concentrations each, were administered during scanning. From the meta-analysis, a network model was set up, including bilateral anterior, middle and inferior insula, thalamus, precentral gyrus, left amygdala, caudate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Higher functional connectivity than in women was observed in men between the right middle insula and bilateral thalami for bitter taste. Men exhibited higher connectivity than women at low bitter concentrations and middle-high sweet concentrations between bilateral thalamus and insula. A graph-based analysis expressed similar results in terms of nodal characteristics of strength and centrality. Our findings add new insights into the mechanisms of taste processing by highlighting sex differences in the functional connectivity of the gustatory network as modulated by the perception of sweet and bitter tastes. These results shed more light on the neural origin of sex-related differences in gustatory perception and may guide future research on the pathophysiology of taste perception in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Anna Prinster
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Cantone
- Section of ENT, Department of Neuroscience, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Scuola Medica Salernitana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonietta Canna
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
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17
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Hidalgo-Lopez E, Zeidman P, Harris T, Razi A, Pletzer B. Spectral dynamic causal modelling in healthy women reveals brain connectivity changes along the menstrual cycle. Commun Biol 2021; 4:954. [PMID: 34376799 PMCID: PMC8355156 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02447-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal menstrual cycle studies allow to investigate the effects of ovarian hormones on brain organization. Here, we use spectral dynamic causal modelling (spDCM) in a triple network model to assess effective connectivity changes along the menstrual cycle within and between the default mode, salience and executive control networks (DMN, SN, and ECN). Sixty healthy young women were scanned three times along their menstrual cycle, during early follicular, pre-ovulatory and mid-luteal phase. Related to estradiol, right before ovulation the left insula recruits the ECN, while the right middle frontal gyrus decreases its connectivity to the precuneus and the DMN decouples into anterior/posterior parts. Related to progesterone during the mid-luteal phase, the insulae (SN) engage to each other, while decreasing their connectivity to parietal ECN, which in turn engages the posterior DMN. When including the most confident connections in a leave-one out cross-validation, we find an above-chance prediction of the left-out subjects' cycle phase. These findings corroborate the plasticity of the female brain in response to acute hormone fluctuations and may help to further understand the neuroendocrine interactions underlying cognitive changes along the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmeralda Hidalgo-Lopez
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Peter Zeidman
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - TiAnni Harris
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Adeel Razi
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
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18
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Stanić Ž, Pribisalić A, Bošković M, Bućan Cvitanić J, Boban K, Bašković G, Bartulić A, Demo S, Polašek O, Kolčić I. Does Each Menstrual Cycle Elicit a Distinct Effect on Olfactory and Gustatory Perception? Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13082509. [PMID: 34444669 PMCID: PMC8401541 DOI: 10.3390/nu13082509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The obesity pandemic has brought forth a scientific interest in food intake and sensory perception interactions. Olfactory perception and gustatory perception are very complex and under the influence of many factors, including the menstrual cycle. This study aims to clarify conflicting findings on the influence of the menstrual cycle on olfactory and gustatory perception. Women were assessed during four consecutive phases of one complete cycle (mid-follicular, ovulatory, mid-luteal, and late luteal phases (N = 21)), in contrast to women measured across the same phases belonging to two menstrual cycles (N = 29). Additional control groups were men (N = 17), postmenopausal women (N = 14), oral contraceptive users (N = 10), and women with an anovulatory cycle (N = 8). Olfactory threshold, odor discrimination, and identification were tested using the "Sniffin Sticks" test kit. Suprathreshold intensity and hedonic ratings for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter solutions were assessed. One-way ANOVA and ANOVA for repeated measurements was applied in the analysis, along with linear and trigonometric data fitting and linear mixed models. Linear increases in olfactory discrimination, identification, and overall olfactory performance were observed only in women followed across a complete menstrual cycle. Compared to other groups, these women displayed a cyclic pattern characterized by a predilection for sweet solution; reduced distaste for salty and sour solutions; and increased intensity perception of salty, sour, and bitter solutions towards the end of the cycle. These results suggest that a distinct hormonal milieu of a complete menstrual cycle may be affecting both olfactory and gustatory perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Žana Stanić
- Department of Integrative Gynecology, Obstetrics and Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgery, General Hospital Zabok and Hospital of Croatian Veterans, Bračak 8, 49210 Zabok, Croatia;
| | - Ajka Pribisalić
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia; (A.P.); (O.P.)
| | - Maria Bošković
- Department of Immunology and Medical Genetics, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Jasna Bućan Cvitanić
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care, General Hospital Koprivnica, Zeljka Salingera 1, 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia;
| | - Kristina Boban
- Primary Health Centre Zagreb West, Trsje 19b, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Gabriela Bašković
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital Bjelovar, Ul. Antuna Mihanovića 8, 43000 Bjelovar, Croatia;
| | - Antonija Bartulić
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Suzana Demo
- Primary Health Center of Split-Dalmatia County, Kavanjinova 2, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Ozren Polašek
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia; (A.P.); (O.P.)
| | - Ivana Kolčić
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia; (A.P.); (O.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-91-576-2263
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19
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Gaviria J, Rey G, Bolton T, Ville DVD, Vuilleumier P. Dynamic functional brain networks underlying the temporal inertia of negative emotions. Neuroimage 2021; 240:118377. [PMID: 34256139 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Affective inertia represents the lasting impact of transient emotions at one time point on affective state at a subsequent time point. Here we describe the neural underpinnings of inertia following negative emotions elicited by sad events in movies. Using a co-activation pattern analysis of dynamic functional connectivity, we examined the temporal expression and reciprocal interactions among brain-wide networks during movies and subsequent resting periods in twenty healthy subjects. Our findings revealed distinctive spatiotemporal expression of visual (VIS), default mode (DMN), central executive (CEN), and frontoparietal control (FPCN) networks both in negative movies and in rest periods following these movies. We also identified different reciprocal relationships among these networks, in transitions from movie to rest. While FPCN and DMN expression increased during and after negative movies, respectively, FPCN occurrences during the movie predicted lower DMN and higher CEN expression during subsequent rest after neutral movies, but this relationship was reversed after the elicitation of negative emotions. Changes in FPCN and DMN activity correlated with more negative subjective affect. These findings provide new insights into the transient interactions of intrinsic brain networks underpinning the inertia of negative emotions. More specifically, they describe a major role of FPCN in emotion elicitation processes, with prolonged impact on DMN activity in subsequent rest, presumably involved in emotion regulation and restoration of homeostatic balance after negative events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Gaviria
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gwladys Rey
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Bolton
- Medical Image Processing Lab, Institute of Bioengineering/Center for Neuroprosthetics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland; Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Van De Ville
- Medical Image Processing Lab, Institute of Bioengineering/Center for Neuroprosthetics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Vuilleumier
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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20
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Dubol M, Epperson CN, Sacher J, Pletzer B, Derntl B, Lanzenberger R, Sundström-Poromaa I, Comasco E. Neuroimaging the menstrual cycle: A multimodal systematic review. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 60:100878. [PMID: 33098847 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that ovarian hormones affect brain structure, chemistry and function of women in their reproductive age, potentially shaping their behavior and mental health. Throughout the reproductive years, estrogens and progesterone levels fluctuate across the menstrual cycle and can modulate neural circuits involved in affective and cognitive processes. Here, we review seventy-seven neuroimaging studies and provide a comprehensive and data-driven evaluation of the accumulating evidence on brain plasticity associated with endogenous ovarian hormone fluctuations in naturally cycling women (n = 1304). The results particularly suggest modulatory effects of ovarian hormones fluctuations on the reactivity and structure of cortico-limbic brain regions. These findings highlight the importance of performing multimodal neuroimaging studies on neural correlates of systematic ovarian hormone fluctuations in naturally cycling women based on careful menstrual cycle staging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Dubol
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - C Neill Epperson
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine-Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Julia Sacher
- Emotion Neuroimaging Lab, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Germany
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Austria
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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21
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Yoon S, Kim TD, Kim J, Lyoo IK. Altered functional activity in bipolar disorder: A comprehensive review from a large-scale network perspective. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e01953. [PMID: 33210461 PMCID: PMC7821558 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing literature continues to identify brain regions that are functionally altered in bipolar disorder. However, precise functional network correlates of bipolar disorder have yet to be determined due to inconsistent results. The overview of neurological alterations from a large-scale network perspective may provide more comprehensive results and elucidate the neuropathology of bipolar disorder. Here, we critically review recent neuroimaging research on bipolar disorder using a network-based approach. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on studies published from 2009 through 2019 in PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles that utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging technique to examine altered functional activity of major regions belonging to a large-scale brain network in bipolar disorder were selected. RESULTS A total of 49 studies were reviewed. Within-network hypoconnectivity was reported in bipolar disorder at rest among the default mode, salience, and central executive networks. In contrast, when performing a cognitive task, hyperconnectivity among the central executive network was found. Internetwork functional connectivity in the brain of bipolar disorder was greater between the salience and default mode networks, while reduced between the salience and central executive networks at rest, compared to control. CONCLUSION This systematic review suggests disruption in the functional activity of large-scale brain networks at rest as well as during a task stimuli in bipolar disorder. Disrupted intra- and internetwork functional connectivity that are also associated with clinical symptoms suggest altered functional connectivity of and between large-scale networks plays an important role in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujung Yoon
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tammy D Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungyoon Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In Kyoon Lyoo
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.,The Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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22
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Gaviria J, Rey G, Bolton T, Delgado J, Van De Ville D, Vuilleumier P. Brain functional connectivity dynamics at rest in the aftermath of affective and cognitive challenges. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 42:1054-1069. [PMID: 33231916 PMCID: PMC7856644 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Carry-over effects on brain states have been reported following emotional and cognitive events, persisting even during subsequent rest. Here, we investigated such effects by identifying recurring co-activation patterns (CAPs) in neural networks at rest with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We compared carry-over effects on brain-wide CAPs at rest and their modulation after both affective and cognitive challenges. Healthy participants underwent fMRI scanning during emotional induction with negative valence and performed cognitive control tasks, each followed by resting periods. Several CAPs, overlapping with the default-mode (DMN), salience, dorsal attention, and social cognition networks were impacted by both the preceding events (movie or task) and the emotional valence of the experimental contexts (neutral or negative), with differential dynamic fluctuations over time. Temporal metrics of DMN-related CAPs were altered after exposure to negative emotional content (compared to neutral) and predicted changes in subjective affect on self-reported scores. In parallel, duration rates of another attention-related CAP increased with greater task difficulty during the preceding cognitive control condition, specifically in the negative context. These findings provide new insights on the anatomical organization and temporal inertia of functional brain networks, whose expression is differentially shaped by emotional states, presumably mediating adaptive homeostatic processes subsequent to behaviorally challenging events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Gaviria
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gwladys Rey
- Swiss center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Bolton
- Medical Image Processing Lab, Institute of Bioengineering/Center for Neuroprosthetics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jaime Delgado
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Van De Ville
- Medical Image Processing Lab, Institute of Bioengineering/Center for Neuroprosthetics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Vuilleumier
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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23
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Sharma R, Fang Z, Smith A, Ismail N. Oral contraceptive use, especially during puberty, alters resting state functional connectivity. Horm Behav 2020; 126:104849. [PMID: 32971138 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Millions of women worldwide use oral contraceptives (OCs), often starting during puberty/adolescence. It is, however, unknown how OC use during this critical period of development affects the brain. The objective of the current study was to examine resting state functional connectivity (FC) in the default mode network (DMN), central executive network (CEN), salience network (SN), reward network (RN), and subcortical limbic network of the brain using independent component analysis (ICA) between pubertal- and adult-onset OC users (n = 27) and naturally cycling women (n = 48). It was hypothesized that OC use would result in network-specific increases and decreases in FC and that pubertal-onset OC use would result in differences to the aforementioned networks compared to adult-onset OC use. Pubertal-onset OC use is related to heightened FC in the SN compared to adult-onset OC users. In general, OC use also increases connectivity in the SN, CEN, RN, and subcortical limbic network compared to NC women. No significant differences in connectivity were observed in the DMN between OC users and NC women. These findings provide a mechanistic insight for the altered executive functioning and emotion/reward processing previously seen in OC users, which may then increase their vulnerability to mental health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupali Sharma
- Neuroimmunology, Stress and Endocrinology (NISE) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Zhuo Fang
- Brain Imaging Group (BIG) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, ON, Canada; Brain and Mind Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, K1H 8M5 Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andra Smith
- Brain Imaging Group (BIG) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, ON, Canada; Brain and Mind Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, K1H 8M5 Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- Neuroimmunology, Stress and Endocrinology (NISE) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, ON, Canada; Brain and Mind Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, K1H 8M5 Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Sharma R, Smith SA, Boukina N, Dordari A, Mistry A, Taylor BC, Felix N, Cameron A, Fang Z, Smith A, Ismail N. Use of the birth control pill affects stress reactivity and brain structure and function. Horm Behav 2020; 124:104783. [PMID: 32533958 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Millions of women worldwide use oral contraceptives (i.e., birth control pill; OCs), often starting during puberty/adolescence; however, it is unknown how OC use during this critical period of development affects the brain, especially with regard to emotional working memory. Here, we examined stress reactivity, and brain structure and function in OC users using the Trier Social Stress Test and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our results show that OC use during puberty/adolescence gives rise to a blunted stress response and alters brain activation during working memory processing. OC use, in general, is also linked to increased prefrontal brain activation during working memory processing for negatively arousing stimuli. OC use is also related to significant structural changes in brain regions implicated in memory and emotional processing. Together, these findings highlight that OC use induces changes to brain structure and function and alters stress reactivity. These findings may provide a mechanistic insight for the increased vulnerability to mood-related mental illness in women after OC use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupali Sharma
- Neuroimmunology, Stress and Endocrinology (NISE) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Samantha A Smith
- Neuroimmunology, Stress and Endocrinology (NISE) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Nadia Boukina
- Brain Imaging Group (BIG) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Aisa Dordari
- School of Integrated Science, Faculty of Science, Carleton University, Canada
| | - Alana Mistry
- Neuroimmunology, Stress and Endocrinology (NISE) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Nereah Felix
- Neuroimmunology, Stress and Endocrinology (NISE) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Andrew Cameron
- Brain Imaging Group (BIG) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Zhuo Fang
- Brain Imaging Group (BIG) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Andra Smith
- Brain Imaging Group (BIG) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada; University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- Neuroimmunology, Stress and Endocrinology (NISE) Lab, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ottawa, Canada; University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Canada.
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25
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Bradshaw HK, Mengelkoch S, Hill SE. Hormonal contraceptive use predicts decreased perseverance and therefore performance on some simple and challenging cognitive tasks. Horm Behav 2020; 119:104652. [PMID: 31812533 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of research suggests that hormonal contraceptive (HC) use may be associated with lower self-control, as well as structural and functional differences in women's brains that could contribute to differences in perseverance on tasks requiring cognitive control. Here, we sought to extend this research by examining the relationship between HC use and college-aged women's perseverance (i.e., time spent) and performance on tasks requiring cognitive control. Across two studies, we find that, compared to naturally-cycling women, women using HCs display less perseverance on both simple (i.e., a spot-the-difference game) and challenging (i.e., Graduate Record Examination quantitative problems) tasks. Moreover, these differences in perseverance were found to predict performance decrements across tasks, with women taking HCs performing worse because they spent less time on the tasks. By demonstrating how HC use may influence perseverance and thereby performance, these results contribute to a growing body of research examining the unintended implications of HC use on cognition, learning, and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Bradshaw
- Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, United States of America.
| | - Summer Mengelkoch
- Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, United States of America
| | - Sarah E Hill
- Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, United States of America
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26
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Scheuringer A, Lundin C, Derntl B, Pletzer B, Sundström Poromaa I. Use of an estradiol-based combined oral contraceptives has no influence on attentional bias or depressive symptoms in healthy women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 113:104544. [PMID: 31855680 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Combined oral contraceptive (COC) use is associated with small, albeit significant, increases in mental symptom scores, predominantly irritability, depressed mood, and anxiety. Yet, randomized prospective trials are needed to better characterize the women at risk for COC-induced negative mood change. Thus, the primary aim of this sub-study to a placebo-controlled randomized trial was to determine whether COC use influences emotional interference by negative and positive stimuli. Secondly, we wanted to evaluate what factors would predict depressive symptoms at the end of the trial, taking personality factors, history of mental disorders and other demographic factors into account. Sixty-nine women were included, randomized to three cycles of treatment with a COC (1.5 mg estradiol and 2.5 mg nomegestrolacetate) or placebo. An emotional verbal Stroop task was used to measure interference of emotional stimuli, in which participants were asked to only name the color of a presented word, while ignoring the meaning of the word. Four different word categories were used; neutral, positive, depression, and anxiety. For the second aim of the study, rating on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale during the final days of the trial was used as outcome. We found no interaction between emotional verbal Stroop word category and treatment, indicating that COC treatment did not evoke any differences in emotional interference to the three word categories. Significant predictors for depressive symptoms at the end of the trial were trait anxiety at baseline and prior adverse mood effects by hormonal contraceptive use. Treatment (i.e. whether women had been treated with the COC or placebo) did not play a role in predicting depression scores at the end of the trial. In conclusion, we found no evidence that combined oral contraceptive use is associated with impaired cognitive-emotional processing. Instead, the main predictors of self-rated depression at the end of the trial were baseline trait anxiety and previous mental symptoms during hormonal contraceptive use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scheuringer
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Cecilia Lundin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Lead Graduate School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr 34, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria
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27
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Beltz AM, Moser JS. Ovarian hormones: a long overlooked but critical contributor to cognitive brain structures and function. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1464:156-180. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriene M. Beltz
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan
| | - Jason S. Moser
- Department of PsychologyMichigan State University East Lansing Michigan
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28
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Hidalgo-Lopez E, Mueller K, Harris T, Aichhorn M, Sacher J, Pletzer B. Human menstrual cycle variation in subcortical functional brain connectivity: a multimodal analysis approach. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:591-605. [PMID: 31894405 PMCID: PMC7046575 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-02019-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that endogenous sex steroid changes affect human brain functional connectivity, which could be obtained by resting-state fMRI (RS-fMRI). Nevertheless, RS studies on the menstrual cycle (MC) are underrepresented and yield inconsistent results. We attribute these inconsistencies to the use of various methods in exploratory approaches and small sample sizes. Hormonal fluctuations along the MC likely elicit subtle changes that, however, may still have profound impact on network dynamics when affecting key brain nodes. To address these issues, we propose a ROI-based multimodal analysis approach focusing on areas of high functional relevance to adequately capture these changes. To that end, sixty naturally cycling women underwent RS-fMRI in three different cycle phases and we performed the following analyses: (1) group-independent component analyses to identify intrinsic connectivity networks, (2) eigenvector centrality (EC) as a measure of centrality in the global connectivity hierarchy, (3) amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) as a measure of oscillatory activity and (4) seed-based analyses to investigate functional connectivity from the ROIs. For (2)–(4), we applied a hypothesis-driven ROI approach in the hippocampus, caudate and putamen. In the luteal phase, we found (1) decreased intrinsic connectivity of the right angular gyrus with the default mode network, (2) heightened EC for the hippocampus, and (3) increased ALFF for the caudate. Furthermore, we observed (4) stronger putamen–thalamic connectivity during the luteal phase and stronger fronto-striatal connectivity during the pre-ovulatory phase. This hormonal modulation of connectivity dynamics may underlie behavioural, emotional and sensorimotor changes along the MC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmeralda Hidalgo-Lopez
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Karsten Mueller
- Methods and Development Group Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstrasse 1a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - TiAnni Harris
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Aichhorn
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Julia Sacher
- Research Group EGG (Emotions and neuroimaGinG)-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstrasse 1a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 16, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
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29
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The brain as a target of hormonal contraceptives: Evidence from animal studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100799. [PMID: 31614151 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives are frequently prescribed drugs among women, mainly for their reversible contraceptive purposes but also for beneficial effects in some gynecological pathologies. Despite extensive studies aimed at elucidating the physical effects of hormonal contraceptives and ameliorating some unwanted outcomes, little is known yet about the effects of these drugs on brain function and related behavior, which are known to be modulated by endogenous steroid hormones. We describe the current literature on preclinical studies in animals undertaken to investigate effects of hormonal contraceptives on brain function and behavior. These studies suggest that hormonal contraceptives influence neurohormones, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and emotional, cognitive, social and sexual behaviors. Animals allow examination of the basic biological mechanisms of these drugs, devoid of the psychological aspect often associated to hormonal contraceptives' use in women. Understanding the neurobiological effects of these drugs may improve women's health and may help women making informed choices on hormonal contraception.
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30
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Bellucci G, Münte TF, Park SQ. Resting-state dynamics as a neuromarker of dopamine administration in healthy female adults. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:955-964. [PMID: 31246145 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119855983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different neuromarkers of people's emotions, personality traits and behavioural performance have recently been identified. However, not much attention has been devoted to neuromarkers of neural responsiveness to drug administration. AIMS We investigated the predictive neuromarkers of acute dopamine (DA) administration. METHODS In a double-blind, within-subject study, we administrated a DA agonist (pramipexole) or placebo to 27 healthy female subjects. Using multivariate classification and prediction analyses, we examined whether dopaminergic modulations of task-free resting-state brain dynamics predict individual differences in pramipexole's modulation of facial attractiveness evaluations. RESULTS Our results demonstrate that pramipexole's effects on brain dynamics could be successfully discriminated from resting-state functional connectivity (accuracy: 78.9%; p < 0.0001). On the behavioural level, pramipexole increased facial attractiveness evaluations (t(39) = 4.44; p < 0.0001). In particular, pramipexole administration enhanced connectivity strength of the cinguloopercular network (t(23) = 3.29; p = 0.003) and increased brain signal variability in subcortical and prefrontal brain areas (t(13) = 3.05, p = 0.009). Importantly, multivariate predictive models reveal that pramipexole-dependent modulation of resting-state dynamics predicted the increase of facial attractiveness evaluations after pramipexole (connectivity strength: standardized mean squared error, smse = 0.65; p = 0.0007; brain signal variability: smse = 0.94, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that modulations of resting-state brain dynamics induced by a DA agonist predict drug-related effects on evaluation processes, providing a neuromarker of the neural responsiveness of specific brain networks to DA administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Bellucci
- 1 Department of Psychology I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,2 Decision Neuroscience and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Thomas F Münte
- 3 Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany.,4 Department of Psychology II, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Soyoung Q Park
- 1 Department of Psychology I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,2 Decision Neuroscience and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Nuthetal, Germany.,5 Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Neuroscience Research Center, Berlin, Germany
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31
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Andreano JM, Touroutoglou A, Dickerson B, Barrett LF. Hormonal Cycles, Brain Network Connectivity, and Windows of Vulnerability to Affective Disorder. Trends Neurosci 2018; 41:660-676. [PMID: 30274602 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The rate of affective disorder is substantially higher in women than in men, and considerable evidence points to the actions of ovarian hormones in mediating this disparity. In this Opinion, we discuss the hypothesis that cyclic changes in ovarian hormone levels produce cyclic alterations in connectivity between the intrinsic networks of the brain. These alterations produce specific temporal windows within the menstrual cycle when internetwork connectivity is increased, associated with increased stress reactivity and better memory for unpleasant, arousing events, leading to increased negative mood and susceptibility to affective disorder. Our windows of vulnerability model offers insights for both treatment of affective disorder and research on sex differences in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Andreano
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Alexandra Touroutoglou
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown MA 02129, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Brad Dickerson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown MA 02129, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Lisa Feldman Barrett
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
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32
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Almgren H, Van de Steen F, Kühn S, Razi A, Friston K, Marinazzo D. Variability and reliability of effective connectivity within the core default mode network: A multi-site longitudinal spectral DCM study. Neuroimage 2018; 183:757-768. [PMID: 30165254 PMCID: PMC6215332 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic causal modelling (DCM) for resting state fMRI – namely spectral DCM – is a recently developed and widely adopted method for inferring effective connectivity in intrinsic brain networks. Most applications of spectral DCM have focused on group-averaged connectivity within large-scale intrinsic brain networks; however, the consistency of subject- and session-specific estimates of effective connectivity has not been evaluated. Establishing reliability (within subjects) is crucial for its clinical use; e.g., as a neurophysiological phenotype of disease progression. Effective connectivity during rest is likely to vary due to changes in cognitive, and physiological states. Quantifying these variations may help understand functional brain architectures – and inform clinical applications. In the present study, we investigated the consistency of effective connectivity within and between subjects, as well as potential sources of variability (e.g., hemispheric asymmetry). We also addressed the effects on consistency of standard data processing procedures. DCM analyses were applied to four longitudinal resting state fMRI datasets. Our sample comprised 17 subjects with 589 resting state fMRI sessions in total. These data allowed us to quantify the robustness of connectivity estimates for each subject, and to generalise our conclusions beyond specific data features. We found that subjects showed systematic and reliable patterns of hemispheric asymmetry. When asymmetry was taken into account, subjects showed very similar connectivity patterns. We also found that various processing procedures (e.g. global signal regression and ROI size) had little effect on inference and the reliability of connectivity estimates for the majority of subjects. Finally, Bayesian model reduction significantly increased the consistency of connectivity patterns. Across datasets, subjects’ effective connectivity patterns in the core default mode network showed hemispheric asymmetry. Differences in hemispheric asymmetry was found to be a major source of between-subject variability. In contrast, most subjects showed reliable within-subject hemispheric asymmetry. Differences in preprocessing methods had little effect on connectivity estimates. Bayesian model reduction increased the within- and between-subject consistency of connectivity patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Almgren
- Department of Data Analysis, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | - Frederik Van de Steen
- Department of Data Analysis, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Simone Kühn
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany; Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Adeel Razi
- Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK; Department of Electronic Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Karl Friston
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Daniele Marinazzo
- Department of Data Analysis, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
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33
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Engman J, Sundström Poromaa I, Moby L, Wikström J, Fredrikson M, Gingnell M. Hormonal Cycle and Contraceptive Effects on Amygdala and Salience Resting-State Networks in Women with Previous Affective Side Effects on the Pill. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:555-563. [PMID: 28741624 PMCID: PMC5770753 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms linking ovarian hormones to negative affect are poorly characterized, but important clues may come from the examination of the brain's intrinsic organization. Here, we studied the effects of both the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives (OCs) on amygdala and salience network resting-state functional connectivity using a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled design. Hormone levels, depressive symptoms, and resting-state functional connectivity were measured in 35 healthy women (24.9±4.2 years) who had previously experienced OC-related negative affect. All participants were examined in the follicular phase of a baseline cycle and in the third week of the subsequent cycle during treatment with either a combined OC (30 μg ethinyl estradiol/0.15 mg levonorgestrel) or placebo. The latter time point targeted the midluteal phase in placebo users and steady-state ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel concentrations in OC users. Amygdala and salience network connectivity generally increased with both higher endogenous and synthetic hormone levels, although amygdala-parietal cortical connectivity decreased in OC users. When in the luteal phase, the naturally cycling placebo users demonstrated higher connectivity in both networks compared with the women receiving OCs. Our results support a causal link between the exogenous administration of synthetic hormones and amygdala and salience network connectivity. Furthermore, they suggest a similar, potentially stronger, association between the natural hormonal variations across the menstrual cycle and intrinsic network connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Engman
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden,Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Box 1225, SE-751 42 Uppsala, Sweden, Tel: +46 18 471 21 07, Fax: +46 18 471 21 23, E-mail:
| | | | - Lena Moby
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Wikström
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Fredrikson
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Gingnell
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden,Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Brain functional connectivity is associated with visceral sensitivity in women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017. [PMID: 28649489 PMCID: PMC5470568 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Increased perception of visceral stimuli is a key feature of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). While altered resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) has been also reported in IBS, the relationship between visceral hypersensitivity and aberrant rsFC is unknown. We therefore assessed rsFC within the salience, sensorimotor and default mode networks in patients with and without visceral hypersensitivity and in healthy controls (HCs). An exploratory resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study was performed in 41 women with IBS and 20 HCs. Group independent component analysis was used to derive intrinsic brain networks. Rectal thresholds were determined and patients were subdivided into groups with increased (hypersensitive IBS, N = 21) or normal (normosensitive IBS, N = 20) visceral sensitivity. Between-group comparisons of rsFC were carried-out using region-of-interest analyses and peak rsFC values were extracted for correlational analyses. Relative to normosensitive IBS, hypersensitive patients showed increased positive rsFC of pregenual anterior cingulate cortex and thalamus within the salience network and of posterior insula within the sensorimotor network. When compared to both hypersensitive IBS and HCs, normosensitive IBS showed decreased positive rsFC of amygdala and decreased negative rsFC in dorsal anterior insula within the DMN. DMN and sensorimotor network rsFC were associated with rectal perception thresholds, and rsFC in posterior insula was correlated with reported symptom severity in IBS. Our exploratory findings suggest that visceral sensitivity in IBS is related to changes in FC within resting-state networks associated with interoception, salience and sensory processing. These alterations may play an important role in hypervigilance and hyperalgesia in IBS. Functional connectivity (FC) was compared between hyper- and normosensitive IBS. Hypersensitive IBS showed enhanced salience and sensorimotor network FC. Normosensitive IBS had decreased amygdala and anterior insula FC within the DMN. Changes in FC were associated with visceral sensitivity and symptom severity. Altered FC may play a key role in hypervigilance and hyperalgesia in IBS.
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