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Oh H, Berrington A, Auer DP, Babourina-Brooks B, Faas H, Jung JY. A preliminary study of dynamic neurochemical changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during working memory. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2075-2086. [PMID: 38409515 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is one of the fundamental cognitive functions associated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, the neurochemical mechanisms of WM, including the dynamic changes in neurometabolites such as glutamate and GABA in the DLPFC, remain unclear. Here, we investigated WM-related glutamate and GABA changes, alongside hemodynamic responses in the DLPFC, using a combination of functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During a WM task, we measured Glx (glutamate + glutamine) and GABA levels using GABA editing MEscher-GArwood Point REsolved Spectroscopy (MEGA-PRESS) sequence and blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes. In the DLPFC, we observed elevated Glx levels and increased BOLD signal changes during a 2-back task. Specifically, the Glx levels in the DLPFC were significantly higher during the 2-back task compared with fixation, although this difference was not significant when compared with a 0-back task. However, Glx levels during the 0-back task were higher than during fixation. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between Glx levels in the DLPFC during the 2-back task and the corresponding BOLD signal changes. Notably, higher Glx increases were associated with increased DLPFC activation and lower WM task performance in individuals. No notable changes in DLPFC GABA levels were observed during WM processing. These findings suggest that the modulation of glutamatergic activity in the DLPFC may play a crucial role in both working memory processing and its associated performance outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyerin Oh
- Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Adam Berrington
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dorothee P Auer
- Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ben Babourina-Brooks
- Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Henryk Faas
- Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Je Young Jung
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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2
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Yakovlev A, Gritskova A, Manzhurtsev A, Ublinskiy M, Menshchikov P, Vanin A, Kupriyanov D, Akhadov T, Semenova N. Dynamics of γ-aminobutyric acid concentration in the human brain in response to short visual stimulation. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 37:39-51. [PMID: 37715877 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-023-01118-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To find a possible quantitative relation between activation-induced fast (< 10 s) changes in the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level and the amplitude of a blood oxygen level-dependent contrast (BOLD) response (according to magnetic resonance spectroscopy [MRS] and functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI]). MATERIALS AND METHODS fMRI data and MEGA-PRESS magnetic resonance spectra [echo time (TE)/repetition time (TR) = 68 ms/1500 ms] of an activated area in the visual cortex of 33 subjects were acquired using a 3 T MR scanner. Stimulation was performed by presenting an image of a flickering checkerboard for 3 s, repeated with an interval of 13.5 s. The time course of GABA and creatine (Cr) concentrations and the width and height of resonance lines were obtained with a nominal time resolution of 1.5 s. Changes in the linewidth and height of n-acetylaspartate (NAA) and Cr signals were used to determine the BOLD effect. RESULTS In response to the activation, the BOLD-corrected GABA + /Cr ratio increased by 5.0% (q = 0.027) and 3.8% (q = 0.048) at 1.6 and 3.1 s, respectively, after the start of the stimulus. Time courses of Cr and NAA signal width and height reached a maximum change at the 6th second (~ 1.2-1.5%, q < 0.05). CONCLUSION The quick response of the observed GABA concentration to the short stimulus is most likely due to a release of GABA from vesicles followed by its packaging back into vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Yakovlev
- Clinical and Research Institute of Emergency Paediatric Surgery and Traumatology, Bol'shaya Polyanka St. 22, Moscow, 119180, Russian Federation.
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina St. 4, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation.
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina St. 4, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation.
| | - Alexandra Gritskova
- Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory Str. 1, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Andrei Manzhurtsev
- Clinical and Research Institute of Emergency Paediatric Surgery and Traumatology, Bol'shaya Polyanka St. 22, Moscow, 119180, Russian Federation
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina St. 4, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation
- Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory Str. 1, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Maxim Ublinskiy
- Clinical and Research Institute of Emergency Paediatric Surgery and Traumatology, Bol'shaya Polyanka St. 22, Moscow, 119180, Russian Federation
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina St. 4, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation
- Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory Str. 1, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Petr Menshchikov
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina St. 4, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation
- LLC Philips Healthcare, 13 Sergeya Makeeva Str., Moscow, 123022, Russian Federation
| | - Anatoly Vanin
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina St. 4, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitriy Kupriyanov
- LLC Philips Healthcare, 13 Sergeya Makeeva Str., Moscow, 123022, Russian Federation
| | - Tolib Akhadov
- Clinical and Research Institute of Emergency Paediatric Surgery and Traumatology, Bol'shaya Polyanka St. 22, Moscow, 119180, Russian Federation
- Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory Str. 1, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Natalia Semenova
- Clinical and Research Institute of Emergency Paediatric Surgery and Traumatology, Bol'shaya Polyanka St. 22, Moscow, 119180, Russian Federation
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina St. 4, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina St. 4, Moscow, 119334, Russian Federation
- Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory Str. 1, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
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3
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Fotiadis P, Cieslak M, He X, Caciagli L, Ouellet M, Satterthwaite TD, Shinohara RT, Bassett DS. Myelination and excitation-inhibition balance synergistically shape structure-function coupling across the human cortex. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6115. [PMID: 37777569 PMCID: PMC10542365 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41686-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent work has demonstrated that the relationship between structural and functional connectivity varies regionally across the human brain, with reduced coupling emerging along the sensory-association cortical hierarchy. The biological underpinnings driving this expression, however, remain largely unknown. Here, we postulate that intracortical myelination and excitation-inhibition (EI) balance mediate the heterogeneous expression of structure-function coupling (SFC) and its temporal variance across the cortical hierarchy. We employ atlas- and voxel-based connectivity approaches to analyze neuroimaging data acquired from two groups of healthy participants. Our findings are consistent across six complementary processing pipelines: 1) SFC and its temporal variance respectively decrease and increase across the unimodal-transmodal and granular-agranular gradients; 2) increased myelination and lower EI-ratio are associated with more rigid SFC and restricted moment-to-moment SFC fluctuations; 3) a gradual shift from EI-ratio to myelination as the principal predictor of SFC occurs when traversing from granular to agranular cortical regions. Collectively, our work delivers a framework to conceptualize structure-function relationships in the human brain, paving the way for an improved understanding of how demyelination and/or EI-imbalances induce reorganization in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Fotiadis
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Matthew Cieslak
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Xiaosong He
- Department of Psychology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Lorenzo Caciagli
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Mathieu Ouellet
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Theodore D Satterthwaite
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Russell T Shinohara
- Penn Statistics in Imaging and Visualization Center, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Center for Biomedical Image Computing & Analytics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Dani S Bassett
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA.
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4
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Frank SM, Becker M, Malloni WM, Sasaki Y, Greenlee MW, Watanabe T. Protocol to conduct functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy in different age groups of human participants. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102493. [PMID: 37572324 PMCID: PMC10448431 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102493] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a protocol to conduct functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) in human participants before, during, and after training on a visual task. We describe steps for participant setup, volume-of-interest placement, fMRS measurement, and post-scan tests. We discuss the design, analysis, and interpretation of fMRS experiments. This protocol can be adapted to investigate the dynamics of chief excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters (glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid, GABA, respectively) while participants perform or learn perceptual, motor, or cognitive tasks. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Frank et al. (2022).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian M Frank
- University of Regensburg, Institute for Experimental Psychology, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Markus Becker
- University of Regensburg, Institute for Experimental Psychology, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wilhelm M Malloni
- University of Regensburg, Institute for Experimental Psychology, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Yuka Sasaki
- Brown University, Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, 190 Thayer St., Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Mark W Greenlee
- University of Regensburg, Institute for Experimental Psychology, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Takeo Watanabe
- Brown University, Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, 190 Thayer St., Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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5
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Elsaid S, Truong P, Sailasuta N, Le Foll B. Evaluating Back-to-Back and Day-to-Day Reproducibility of Cortical GABA+ Measurements Using Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ( 1H MRS). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097713. [PMID: 37175420 PMCID: PMC10178500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. The best method for quantifying GABA is proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). Considering that accurate measurements of GABA are affected by slight methodological alterations, demonstrating GABA reproducibility in healthy volunteers is essential before implementing the changes in vivo. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the back-to-back (B2B) and day-to-day (D2D) reproducibility of GABA+ macromolecules (GABA+) using a 3 Tesla MRI scanner, the new 32-channel head coil (CHC), and Mescher-Garwood Point Resolved Spectroscopy (MEGA-PRESS) technique with the scan time (approximately 10 min), adequate for psychiatric patients. The dorsomedial pre-frontal cortex/anterior cingulate cortex (dmPFC/ACC) was scanned in 29 and the dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex (dlPFC) in 28 healthy volunteers on two separate days. Gannet 3.1 was used to quantify GABA+. The reproducibility was evaluated by Pearson's r correlation, the interclass-correlation coefficient (ICC), and the coefficient of variation (CV%) (r/ICC/CV%). For Day 1, B2B reproducibility was 0.59/0.60/5.02% in the dmPFC/ACC and 0.74/0.73/5.15% for dlPFC. For Day 2, it was 0.60/0.59/6.26% for the dmPFC/ACC and 0.54/0.54/6.89 for dlPFC. D2D reproducibility of averaged GABA+ was 0.62/0.61/4.95% for the dmPFC/ACC and 0.58/0.58/5.85% for dlPFC. Our study found excellent GABA+ repeatability and reliability in the dmPFC/ACC and dlPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Elsaid
- Translation Addiction Research Laboratory (TARL), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science (IMS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre (BHIC), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Peter Truong
- Brain Health Imaging Centre (BHIC), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Napapon Sailasuta
- Brain Health Imaging Centre (BHIC), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Departments of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translation Addiction Research Laboratory (TARL), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science (IMS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre (BHIC), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
- Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada
- Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Waypoint Research Institute, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1G3, Canada
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6
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Lin SHN, Lien YR, Shibata K, Sasaki Y, Watanabe T, Lin CP, Chang LH. The phase of plasticity-induced neurochemical changes of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation are different from visual perceptual learning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5720. [PMID: 37029245 PMCID: PMC10082079 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32985-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have found that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) modulates plasticity. rTMS has often been used to change neural networks underlying learning, often under the assumption that the mechanism of rTMS-induced plasticity should be highly similar to that associated with learning. The presence of visual perceptual learning (VPL) reveals the plasticity of early visual systems, which is formed through multiple phases. Hence, we tested how high-frequency (HF) rTMS and VPL modulate the effect of visual plasticity by investigating neurometabolic changes in early visual areas. We employed an excitatory-to-inhibitory (E/I) ratio, which refers to glutamate concentration divided by GABA+ concentration, as an index of the degree of plasticity. We compared neurotransmitter concentration changes after applying HF rTMS to the visual cortex with those after training in a visual task, in otherwise identical procedures. Both the time courses of the E/I ratios and neurotransmitter contributions to the E/I ratio significantly differed between HF rTMS and training conditions. The peak E/I ratio occurred 3.5 h after HF rTMS with decreased GABA+, whereas the peak E/I ratio occurred 0.5 h after visual training with increased glutamate. Furthermore, HF rTMS temporally decreased the thresholds for detecting phosphene and perceiving low-contrast stimuli, indicating increased visual plasticity. These results suggest that plasticity in early visual areas induced by HF rTMS is not as involved in the early phase of development of VPL that occurs during and immediately after training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Hua N Lin
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun R Lien
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Yuka Sasaki
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistics, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Takeo Watanabe
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistics, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Ching-Po Lin
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Hung Chang
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Institute of Philosophy of Mind and Cognition, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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7
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Chen Y, Gao Y, He Z, Sun Z, Mao Y, Hess RF, Zhang P, Zhou J. Internal neural states influence the short-term effect of monocular deprivation in human adults. eLife 2023; 12:83815. [PMID: 36705563 PMCID: PMC9910827 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The adult human visual system maintains the ability to be altered by sensory deprivation. What has not been considered is whether the internal neural states modulate visual sensitivity to short-term monocular deprivation. In this study we manipulated the internal neural state and reported changes in intrinsic neural oscillations with a patched eye open or closed. We investigated the influence of eye open/eye closure on the unpatched eye's contrast sensitivity and ocular dominance (OD) shifts induced by short-term monocular deprivation. The results demonstrate that internal neural states influence not only baseline contrast sensitivity but also the extent to which the adult visual system can undergo changes in ocular dominance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiya Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Yige Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhifen He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Zhouyuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yu Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Robert F Hess
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science CenterHefeiChina
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
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8
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Pasanta D, He JL, Ford T, Oeltzschner G, Lythgoe DJ, Puts NA. Functional MRS studies of GABA and glutamate/Glx - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104940. [PMID: 36332780 PMCID: PMC9846867 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) can be used to investigate neurometabolic responses to external stimuli in-vivo, but findings are inconsistent. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on fMRS studies of the primary neurotransmitters Glutamate (Glu), Glx (Glutamate + Glutamine), and GABA. Data were extracted, grouped by metabolite, stimulus domain, and brain region, and analysed by determining standardized effect sizes. The quality of individual studies was rated. When results were analysed by metabolite type small to moderate effect sizes of 0.29-0.47 (p < 0.05) were observed for changes in Glu and Glx regardless of stimulus domain and brain region, but no significant effects were observed for GABA. Further analysis suggests that Glu, Glx and GABA responses differ by stimulus domain or task and vary depending on the time course of stimulation and data acquisition. Here, we establish effect sizes and directionality of GABA, Glu and Glx response in fMRS. This work highlights the importance of standardised reporting and minimal best practice for fMRS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duanghathai Pasanta
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom,Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Jason L. He
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
| | - Talitha Ford
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia,Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 700. N. Broadway, 21207, Baltimore, United States,Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 N. Wolfe Street, 21205, Baltimore, United States
| | - David J. Lythgoe
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolaas A. Puts
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom,MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Perceptual decision-making in autism as assessed by “spot the difference” visual cognition tasks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15458. [PMID: 36104435 PMCID: PMC9474452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19640-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractDiscriminating between similar figures proves to be a remarkably demanding task due to the limited capacity of our visual cognitive processes. Here we examine how perceptual inference and decision-making are modulated by differences arising from neurodiversity. A large sample of autistic (n = 140) and typical (n = 147) participants completed two forced choice similarity judgement tasks online. Each task consisted of “match” (identical figures) and “mismatch” (subtle differences between figures) conditions. Signal detection theory analyses indicated a response bias by the autism group during conditions of uncertainty. More specifically, autistic participants were more likely to choose the “mismatch” option, thus leading to more hits on the “mismatch” condition, but also more false alarms on the “match” condition. These results suggest differences in response strategies during perceptual decision-making in autism.
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10
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Mukerji A, Byrne KN, Yang E, Levi DM, Silver MA. Visual cortical γ-aminobutyric acid and perceptual suppression in amblyopia. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:949395. [PMID: 36118971 PMCID: PMC9479630 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.949395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In amblyopia, abnormal visual experience during development leads to an enduring loss of visual acuity in adulthood. Physiological studies in animal models suggest that intracortical GABAergic inhibition may mediate visual deficits in amblyopia. To better understand the relationship between visual cortical γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and perceptual suppression in persons with amblyopia (PWA), we employed magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify GABA levels in both PWA and normally-sighted persons (NSP). In the same individuals, we obtained psychophysical measures of perceptual suppression for a variety of ocular configurations. In PWA, we found a robust negative correlation between the depth of amblyopia (the difference in visual acuity between the amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes) and GABA concentration that was specific to visual cortex and was not observed in a sensorimotor cortical control region. Moreover, lower levels of visual cortical GABA were associated with weaker perceptual suppression of the fellow eye by the amblyopic eye and stronger suppression of the amblyopic eye by the fellow eye. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that intracortical GABAergic inhibition is an important component of the pathology of human amblyopia and suggest possible therapeutic interventions to restore vision in the amblyopic eye through enhancement of visual cortical GABAergic signaling in PWA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Mukerji
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Kelly N. Byrne
- Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Vision Science Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Eunice Yang
- Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Dennis M. Levi
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Vision Science Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Michael A. Silver
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Vision Science Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Michael A. Silver,
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11
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Slater C, Liu Y, Weiss E, Yu K, Wang Q. The Neuromodulatory Role of the Noradrenergic and Cholinergic Systems and Their Interplay in Cognitive Functions: A Focused Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:890. [PMID: 35884697 PMCID: PMC9320657 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12070890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The noradrenergic and cholinergic modulation of functionally distinct regions of the brain has become one of the primary organizational principles behind understanding the contribution of each system to the diversity of neural computation in the central nervous system. Decades of work has shown that a diverse family of receptors, stratified across different brain regions, and circuit-specific afferent and efferent projections play a critical role in helping such widespread neuromodulatory systems obtain substantial heterogeneity in neural information processing. This review briefly discusses the anatomical layout of both the noradrenergic and cholinergic systems, as well as the types and distributions of relevant receptors for each system. Previous work characterizing the direct and indirect interaction between these two systems is discussed, especially in the context of higher order cognitive functions such as attention, learning, and the decision-making process. Though a substantial amount of work has been done to characterize the role of each neuromodulator, a cohesive understanding of the region-specific cooperation of these two systems is not yet fully realized. For the field to progress, new experiments will need to be conducted that capitalize on the modular subdivisions of the brain and systematically explore the role of norepinephrine and acetylcholine in each of these subunits and across the full range of receptors expressed in different cell types in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, ET 351, 500 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA; (C.S.); (Y.L.); (E.W.); (K.Y.)
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yuxiang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, ET 351, 500 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA; (C.S.); (Y.L.); (E.W.); (K.Y.)
| | - Evan Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, ET 351, 500 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA; (C.S.); (Y.L.); (E.W.); (K.Y.)
| | - Kunpeng Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, ET 351, 500 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA; (C.S.); (Y.L.); (E.W.); (K.Y.)
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, ET 351, 500 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA; (C.S.); (Y.L.); (E.W.); (K.Y.)
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12
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Koush Y, Rothman DL, Behar KL, de Graaf RA, Hyder F. Human brain functional MRS reveals interplay of metabolites implicated in neurotransmission and neuroenergetics. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:911-934. [PMID: 35078383 PMCID: PMC9125492 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x221076570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
While functional MRI (fMRI) localizes brain activation and deactivation, functional MRS (fMRS) provides insights into the underlying metabolic conditions. There is much interest in measuring task-induced and resting levels of metabolites implicated in neuroenergetics (e.g., lactate, glucose, or β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)) and neurotransmission (e.g., γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or pooled glutamate and glutamine (Glx)). Ultra-high magnetic field (e.g., 7T) has boosted the fMRS quantification precision, reliability, and stability of spectroscopic observations using short echo-time (TE) 1H-MRS techniques. While short TE 1H-MRS lacks sensitivity and specificity for fMRS at lower magnetic fields (e.g., 3T or 4T), most of these metabolites can also be detected by J-difference editing (JDE) 1H-MRS with longer TE to filter overlapping resonances. The 1H-MRS studies show that JDE can detect GABA, Glx, lactate, and BHB at 3T, 4T and 7T. Most recently, it has also been demonstrated that JDE 1H-MRS is capable of reliable detection of metabolic changes in different brain areas at various magnetic fields. Combining fMRS measurements with fMRI is important for understanding normal brain function, but also clinically relevant for mechanisms and/or biomarkers of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. We provide an up-to-date overview of fMRS research in the last three decades, both in terms of applications and technological advances. Overall the emerging fMRS techniques can be expected to contribute substantially to our understanding of metabolism for brain function and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury Koush
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Douglas L Rothman
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kevin L Behar
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robin A de Graaf
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Fahmeed Hyder
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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13
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Mamiya PC, Richards TL, Edden RAE, Lee AKC, Stein MA, Kuhl PK. Reduced Glx and GABA Inductions in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Caudate Nucleus Are Related to Impaired Control of Attention in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094677. [PMID: 35563067 PMCID: PMC9100027 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs the control of attention and behavioral inhibition in affected individuals. Recent genome-wide association findings have revealed an association between glutamate and GABA gene sets and ADHD symptoms. Consistently, people with ADHD show altered glutamate and GABA content in the brain circuitry that is important for attention control function. Yet, it remains unknown how glutamate and GABA content in the attention control circuitry change when people are controlling their attention, and whether these changes can predict impaired attention control in people with ADHD. To study these questions, we recruited 18 adults with ADHD (31-51 years) and 16 adults without ADHD (28-54 years). We studied glutamate + glutamine (Glx) and GABA content in the fronto-striatal circuitry while participants performed attention control tasks. We found that Glx and GABA concentrations at rest did not differ between participants with ADHD or without ADHD. However, while participants were performing the attention control tasks, participants with ADHD showed smaller Glx and GABA increases than participants without ADHD. Notably, smaller GABA increases in participants with ADHD significantly predicted their poor task performance. Together, these findings provide the first demonstration showing that attention control deficits in people with ADHD may be related to insufficient responses of the GABAergic system in the fronto-striatal circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping C. Mamiya
- Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Todd L. Richards
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Richard A. E. Edden
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Adrian K. C. Lee
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Mark A. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Patricia K. Kuhl
- Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
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14
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Yakovlev A, Manzhurtsev A, Menshchikov P, Ublinskiy M, Melnikov I, Kupriyanov D, Akhadov T, Semenova N. Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Total Glutamate and Glutamine in the Human Visual Cortex Activated by a Short Stimulus. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350922020245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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15
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Li H, Heise KF, Chalavi S, Puts NAJ, Edden RAE, Swinnen SP. The role of MRS-assessed GABA in human behavioral performance. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 212:102247. [PMID: 35149113 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms that drive human behavior has been a long-standing focus of cognitive neuroscience. One well-known neuro-metabolite involved in the creation of optimal behavioral repertoires is GABA, the main inhibitory neurochemical in the human brain. Converging evidence from both animal and human studies indicates that individual variations in GABAergic function are associated with behavioral performance. In humans, one increasingly used in vivo approach to measuring GABA levels is through Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). However, the implications of MRS measures of GABA for behavior remain poorly understood. In this respect, it is yet to be determined how GABA levels within distinct task-related brain regions of interest account for differences in behavioral performance. This review summarizes findings from cross-sectional studies that determined baseline MRS-assessed GABA levels and examined their associations with performance on various behaviors representing the perceptual, motor and cognitive domains, with a particular focus on healthy participants across the lifespan. Overall, the results indicate that MRS-assessed GABA levels play a pivotal role in various domains of behavior. Even though some converging patterns emerge, it is challenging to draw comprehensive conclusions due to differences in behavioral task paradigms, targeted brain regions of interest, implemented MRS techniques and reference compounds used. Across all studies, the effects of GABA levels on behavioral performance point to generic and partially independent functions that refer to distinctiveness, interference suppression and cognitive flexibility. On one hand, higher baseline GABA levels may support the distinctiveness of neural representations during task performance and better coping with interference and suppression of preferred response tendencies. On the other hand, lower baseline GABA levels may support a reduction of inhibition, leading to higher cognitive flexibility. These effects are task-dependent and appear to be mediated by age. Nonetheless, additional studies using emerging advanced methods are required to further clarify the role of MRS-assessed GABA in behavioral performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Kirstin-Friederike Heise
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Belgium; Department of Health Sciences and Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Sima Chalavi
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Nicolaas A J Puts
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Belgium.
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16
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Stoby KS, Rafique SA, Oeltzschner G, Steeves JKE. Continuous and intermittent theta burst stimulation to the visual cortex do not alter GABA and glutamate concentrations measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2478. [PMID: 35029058 PMCID: PMC8865152 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theta burst stimulation (TBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), uses repeated high-frequency bursts to non-invasively modulate neural processes in the brain. An intermittent TBS (iTBS) protocol is generally considered "excitatory," while continuous TBS (cTBS) is considered "inhibitory." However, the majority of work that has led to these effects being associated with the respective protocols has been done in the motor cortex, and it is well established that TMS can have variable effects across the brain. OBJECTIVES AND METHOD We investigated the effects of iTBS and cTBS to the primary visual cortex (V1) on composite levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid + co-edited macromolecules (GABA+) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) since these are key inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, respectively. Participants received a single session of cTBS, iTBS, or sham TBS to V1. GABA+ and Glx were quantified in vivo at the stimulation site using spectral-edited proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) at 3T. Baseline pre-TBS GABA+ and Glx levels were compared to immediate post-TBS and 1 h post-TBS levels. RESULTS There were no significant changes in GABA+ or Glx following either of the TBS conditions. Visual cortical excitability, measured using phosphene thresholds, remained unchanged following both cTBS and iTBS conditions. There was no relationship between excitability thresholds and GABA+ or Glx levels. However, TBS did alter the relationship between GABA+ and Glx for up to 1 h following stimulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that a single session of TBS to the visual cortex can be used without significant effects on the tonic levels of these key neurotransmitters; and add to our understanding that TBS has differential effects at visual, motor, and frontal cortices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlene S Stoby
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sara A Rafique
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer K E Steeves
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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No effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on visual evoked potential and peak gamma frequency. Cogn Process 2022; 23:235-254. [PMID: 35099659 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-022-01076-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that the visual evoked potential (VEP) and gamma oscillations elicited by visual stimuli reflect the balance of excitatory and inhibitory (E-I) cortical processes. As tDCS has been shown to modulate E-I balance, the current study investigated whether amplitudes of VEP components (N1 and P2) and peak gamma frequency are modulated by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Healthy adults underwent two electroencephalography (EEG) recordings while viewing stimuli designed to elicit a robust visual response. Between the two recordings, participants were randomly assigned to three tDCS conditions (anodal-, cathodal-, and sham-tDCS) or received no-tDCS. tDCS electrodes were placed over the occipital cortex (Oz) and the left cheek with an intensity of 2 mA for 10 min. Data of 39 participants were analysed for VEP amplitudes and peak gamma frequency using mixed-model ANOVAs. The results showed no main effects of tDCS in any metric. Possible explanations for the absence of tDCS effects are discussed.
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18
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Stronger proprioceptive BOLD-responses in the somatosensory cortices reflect worse sensorimotor function in adolescents with and without cerebral palsy. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 32:102795. [PMID: 34474316 PMCID: PMC8411230 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a motor disorder where the motor defects are partly due to impaired proprioception. We studied cortical proprioceptive responses and sensorimotor performance in adolescents with CP and their typically-developed (TD) peers. Passive joint movements were used to stimulate proprioceptors during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) session to quantify the proprioceptive responses whose associations to behavioral sensorimotor performance were also examined. Twenty-three TD (15 females, age: mean ± standard deviation 14.2 ± 2.4 years) and 18 CP (12 females, age: mean ± standard deviation, 13.8 ± 2.3 years; 12 hemiplegic, 6 diplegic) participants were included in this study. Participants' index fingers and ankles were separately stimulated at 3 Hz and 1 Hz respectively with pneumatic movement actuators. Regions-of-interest were used to quantify BOLD-responses from the primary sensorimotor (SM1) and secondary (SII) somatosensory cortices and were compared across the groups. Associations between responses strengths and sensorimotor performance measures were also examined. Proprioceptive responses were stronger for the individuals with CP compared to their TD peers in SM1 (p < 0.001) and SII (p < 0.05) cortices contralateral to their more affected index finger. The ankle responses yielded no significant differences between the groups. The CP group had worse sensorimotor performance for hands and feet (p < 0.001). Stronger responses to finger stimulation in the dominant SM1 (p < 0.001) and both dominant and non-dominant SII (p < 0.01, p < 0.001) cortices were associated with the worse hand sensorimotor performance across all participants. Worse hand function was associated with stronger cortical activation to the proprioceptive stimulation. This association was evident both in adolescents with CP and their typically-developed controls, thus it likely reflects both clinical factors and normal variation in the sensorimotor function. The specific mechanisms need to be clarified in future studies.
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19
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Takado Y, Takuwa H, Sampei K, Urushihata T, Takahashi M, Shimojo M, Uchida S, Nitta N, Shibata S, Nagashima K, Ochi Y, Ono M, Maeda J, Tomita Y, Sahara N, Near J, Aoki I, Shibata K, Higuchi M. MRS-measured glutamate versus GABA reflects excitatory versus inhibitory neural activities in awake mice. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:197-212. [PMID: 34515548 PMCID: PMC8721779 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211045449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
To assess if magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)-measured Glutamate (Glu) and GABA reflect excitatory and inhibitory neural activities, respectively, we conducted MRS measurements along with two-photon mesoscopic imaging of calcium signals in excitatory and inhibitory neurons of living, unanesthetized mice. For monitoring stimulus-driven activations of a brain region, MRS signals and mesoscopic neural activities were measured during two consecutive sessions of 15-min prolonged sensory stimulations. In the first session, putative excitatory neuronal activities were increased, while inhibitory neuronal activities remained at the baseline level. In the second half, while excitatory neuronal activities remained elevated, inhibitory neuronal activities were significantly enhanced. We assessed regional neurochemical statuses by measuring MRS signals, which were overall in accordance with the neural activities, and neuronal activities and neurochemical statuses in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome under resting condition. Mesoscopic assessments showed that activities of inhibitory neurons in the cortex were diminished relative to wild-type mice in contrast to spared activities of excitatory neurons. Consistent with these observations, the Dravet model exhibited lower concentrations of GABA than wild-type controls. Collectively, the current investigations demonstrate that MRS-measured Glu and GABA can reflect spontaneous and stimulated activities of neurons producing and releasing these neurotransmitters in an awake condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Takado
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Yuhei Takado, Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Takuwa
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Hiroyuki Takuwa, Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Kazuaki Sampei
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takuya Urushihata
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Manami Takahashi
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masafumi Shimojo
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shoko Uchida
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nitta
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sayaka Shibata
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nagashima
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ochi
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Maiko Ono
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jun Maeda
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tomita
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naruhiko Sahara
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jamie Near
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ichio Aoki
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Shibata
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Laboratory for Human Cognition and Learning, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama, Japan
| | - Makoto Higuchi
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Makoto Higuchi, Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Quantum Medical Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan.
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20
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Shyu C, Elsaid S, Truong P, Chavez S, Le Foll B. MR Spectroscopy of the Insula: Within- and between-Session Reproducibility of MEGA-PRESS Measurements of GABA+ and Other Metabolites. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11111538. [PMID: 34827537 PMCID: PMC8615582 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The insula plays a critical role in many neuropsychological disorders. Research investigating its neurochemistry with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been limited compared with cortical regions. Here, we investigate the within-session and between-session reproducibility of metabolite measurements in the insula on a 3T scanner. We measure N-acetylaspartate + N-acetylaspartylglutamate (tNAA), creatine + phosphocreatine (tCr), glycerophosphocholine + phosphocholine (tCho), myo-inositol (Ins), glutamate + glutamine (Glx), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in one cohort using a j-edited MEGA-PRESS sequence. We measure tNAA, tCr, tCho, Ins, and Glx in another cohort with a standard short-TE PRESS sequence as a reference for the reproducibility metrics. All participants were scanned 4 times identically: 2 back-to-back scans each day, on 2 days. Preprocessing was done using LCModel and Gannet. Reproducibility was determined using Pearson’s r, intraclass-correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficients of variation (CV%), and Bland–Altman plots. A MEGA-PRESS protocol requiring averaged results over two 6:45-min scans yielded reproducible GABA measurements (CV% = 7.15%). This averaging also yielded reproducibility metrics comparable to those from PRESS for the other metabolites. Voxel placement inconsistencies did not affect reproducibility, and no sex differences were found. The data suggest that MEGA-PRESS can reliably measure standard metabolites and GABA in the insula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Shyu
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (C.S.); (S.E.)
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada; (P.T.); (S.C.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sonja Elsaid
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (C.S.); (S.E.)
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada; (P.T.); (S.C.)
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Peter Truong
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada; (P.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Sofia Chavez
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada; (P.T.); (S.C.)
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Brain and Therapeutics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (C.S.); (S.E.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Brain and Therapeutics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Concurrent Outpatient Medical & Psychosocial Addiction Support Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada
- Acute Care Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M6J 1H3, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-416-535-8501
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21
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β-Elemene Suppresses Obesity-Induced Imbalance in the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070704. [PMID: 34206511 PMCID: PMC8301405 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As a kind of metabolically triggered inflammation, obesity influences the interplay between the central nervous system and the enteral environment. The present study showed that β-elemene, which is contained in various plant substances, had effects on recovering the changes in metabolites occurring in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/6 male mice brains, especially in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HIP). β-elemene also partially reversed HFD-induced changes in the composition and contents of mouse gut bacteria. Furthermore, we evaluated the interaction between cerebral metabolites and intestinal microbiota via Pearson correlations. The prediction results suggested that Firmicutes were possibly controlled by neuron integrity, cerebral inflammation, and neurotransmitters, and Bacteroidetes in mouse intestines might be related to cerebral aerobic respiration and the glucose cycle. Such results also implied that Actinobacteria probably affected cerebral energy metabolism. These findings suggested that β-elemene has regulatory effects on the imbalanced microbiota-gut-brain axis caused by obesity and, therefore, would contribute to the future study in on the interplay between cerebral metabolites from different brain regions and the intestinal microbiota of mice.
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22
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O’Hare L, Asher JM, Hibbard PB. Migraine Visual Aura and Cortical Spreading Depression-Linking Mathematical Models to Empirical Evidence. Vision (Basel) 2021; 5:30. [PMID: 34200625 PMCID: PMC8293461 DOI: 10.3390/vision5020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This review describes the subjective experience of visual aura in migraine, outlines theoretical models of this phenomenon, and explores how these may be linked to neurochemical, electrophysiological, and psychophysical differences in sensory processing that have been reported in migraine with aura. Reaction-diffusion models have been used to model the hallucinations thought to arise from cortical spreading depolarisation and depression in migraine aura. One aim of this review is to make the underlying principles of these models accessible to a general readership. Cortical spreading depolarisation and depression in these models depends on the balance of the diffusion rate between excitation and inhibition and the occurrence of a large spike in activity to initiate spontaneous pattern formation. We review experimental evidence, including recordings of brain activity made during the aura and attack phase, self-reported triggers of migraine, and psychophysical studies of visual processing in migraine with aura, and how these might relate to mechanisms of excitability that make some people susceptible to aura. Increased cortical excitability, increased neural noise, and fluctuations in oscillatory activity across the migraine cycle are all factors that are likely to contribute to the occurrence of migraine aura. There remain many outstanding questions relating to the current limitations of both models and experimental evidence. Nevertheless, reaction-diffusion models, by providing an integrative theoretical framework, support the generation of testable experimental hypotheses to guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise O’Hare
- Division of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Jordi M. Asher
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; (J.M.A.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Paul B. Hibbard
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; (J.M.A.); (P.B.H.)
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23
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Rideaux R. No balance between glutamate+glutamine and GABA+ in visual or motor cortices of the human brain: A magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Neuroimage 2021; 237:118191. [PMID: 34023450 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Theoretical work, supported by electrophysiological evidence, asserts that a balance between excitation and inhibition (E/I) is critical for healthy brain function. In magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies, the ratio of excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (γ-aminobutyric acid, GABA) neurotransmitters is often used as a proxy for this E/I balance. Recent MRS work found a positive correlation between GABA+ and Glx (glutamate+glutamine) in medial parietal cortex, providing validation for this proxy and supporting the link between the E/I balance observed in electrophysiology and that detected with MRS. Here we assess the same relationship, between GABA+ and Glx, in visual and motor cortices of male and female human participants. We find moderate to strong evidence that there is no positive correlation between these neurotransmitters in either location. We show this holds true when controlling for a range of other factors (i.e., demographics, signal quality, tissue composition, other neurochemicals) and regardless of the state of neural activity (i.e., resting/active). These results show that there is no brain-wide balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters and indicates a dissociation between the E/I balance observed in electrophysiological work and the ratio of MRS-detected neurotransmitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben Rideaux
- Department of Psychology, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, UK; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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24
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Koush Y, de Graaf RA, Kupers R, Dricot L, Ptito M, Behar KL, Rothman DL, Hyder F. Metabolic underpinnings of activated and deactivated cortical areas in human brain. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:986-1000. [PMID: 33472521 PMCID: PMC8054719 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x21989186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging with functional MRI (fMRI) identifies activated and deactivated brain regions in task-based paradigms. These patterns of (de)activation are altered in diseases, motivating research to understand their underlying biochemical/biophysical mechanisms. Essentially, it remains unknown how aerobic metabolism of glucose to lactate (aerobic glycolysis) and excitatory-inhibitory balance of glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal activities vary in these areas. In healthy volunteers, we investigated metabolic distinctions of activating visual cortex (VC, a task-positive area) using a visual task and deactivating posterior cingulate cortex (PCC, a task-negative area) using a cognitive task. We used fMRI-guided J-edited functional MRS (fMRS) to measure lactate, glutamate plus glutamine (Glx) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as indicators of aerobic glycolysis and excitatory-inhibitory balance, respectively. Both lactate and Glx increased upon activating VC, but did not change upon deactivating PCC. Basal GABA was negatively correlated with BOLD responses in both brain areas, but during functional tasks GABA decreased in VC upon activation and GABA increased in PCC upon deactivation, suggesting BOLD responses in relation to baseline are impacted oppositely by task-induced inhibition. In summary, opposite relations between BOLD response and GABAergic inhibition, and increases in aerobic glycolysis and glutamatergic activity distinguish the BOLD response in (de)activated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury Koush
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robin A de Graaf
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ron Kupers
- BRAINlab, Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laurence Dricot
- Institute of NeuroScience (IoNS), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium
| | - Maurice Ptito
- School of Optometry, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Kevin L Behar
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Douglas L Rothman
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Fahmeed Hyder
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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25
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Ip IB, Bridge H. Investigating the neurochemistry of the human visual system using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 227:1491-1505. [PMID: 33900453 PMCID: PMC9046312 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Biochemical processes underpin the structure and function of the visual cortex, yet our understanding of the fundamental neurochemistry of the visual brain is incomplete. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a non-invasive brain imaging tool that allows chemical quantification of living tissue by detecting minute differences in the resonant frequency of molecules. Application of MRS in the human brain in vivo has advanced our understanding of how the visual brain consumes energy to support neural function, how its neural substrates change as a result of disease or dysfunction, and how neural populations signal during perception and plasticity. The aim of this review is to provide an entry point to researchers interested in investigating the neurochemistry of the visual system using in vivo measurements. We provide a basic overview of MRS principles, and then discuss recent findings in four topics of vision science: (i) visual perception, plasticity in the (ii) healthy and (iii) dysfunctional visual system, and (iv) during visual stimulation. Taken together, evidence suggests that the neurochemistry of the visual system provides important novel insights into how we perceive the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Betina Ip
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Building, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Holly Bridge
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Building, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
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26
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Mills DJ. The Aging GABAergic System and Its Nutritional Support. J Nutr Metab 2021; 2021:6655064. [PMID: 33986956 PMCID: PMC8093074 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6655064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with a decline in hormones and an associated decline in GABAergic function and calcium and ion current dysregulation. Neurosteroid hormones act as direct calcium channel blockers, or they can act indirectly on calcium channels through their interaction with GABA receptors. The calcium channel dysfunction associated with hormone loss further leads to an excitatory cell state, which can ultimately lead to cell death. The calcium theory of aging posits that cellular mechanisms, which maintain the homeostasis of cytosol Ca2+ concentration, play a key role in brain aging and that sustained changes in Ca2+ homeostasis provide the final common pathway for age-associated brain changes. There is a link between hormone loss and calcium dysregulation. Loss of calcium regulation associated with aging can lead to an excitatory cell state, primarily in the mitochondria and nerve cells, which can ultimately lead to cell death if not kept in check. A decline in GABAergic function can also be specifically tied to declines in progesterone, allopregnanolone, and DHEA levels associated with aging. This decline in GABAergic function associated with hormone loss ultimately affects GABAergic inhibition or excitement and calcium regulation throughout the body. In addition, declines in GABAergic function can also be tied to vitamin status and to toxic chemicals in the food supply. The decline in GABAergic function associated with aging has an effect on just about every body organ system. Nutritional support of the GABAergic system with supportive foods, vitamins, and GABA or similar GABA receptor ligands may address some of the GABAergic dysfunction associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra J. Mills
- Patent Trial and Appeal Board Biotechnology, 5232 Capon Hill Pl, Burke, VA 22015, USA
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27
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Mervin LH, Mitricheva E, Logothetis NK, Bifone A, Bender A, Noori HR. Neurochemical underpinning of hemodynamic response to neuropsychiatric drugs: A meta- and cluster analysis of preclinical studies. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:874-885. [PMID: 32281457 PMCID: PMC7983335 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x20916003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an extensively used method for the investigation of normal and pathological brain function. In particular, fMRI has been used to characterize spatiotemporal hemodynamic response to pharmacological challenges as a non-invasive readout of neuronal activity. However, the mechanisms underlying regional signal changes are yet unclear. In this study, we use a meta-analytic approach to converge data from microdialysis experiments with relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) changes following acute administration of neuropsychiatric drugs in adult male rats. At whole-brain level, the functional response patterns show very weak correlation with neurochemical alterations, while for numerous brain areas a strong positive correlation with noradrenaline release exists. At a local scale of individual brain regions, the rCBV response to neurotransmitters is anatomically heterogeneous and, importantly, based on a complex interplay of different neurotransmitters that often exert opposing effects, thus providing a mechanism for regulating and fine tuning hemodynamic responses in specific regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis H Mervin
- Centre for Molecular Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ekaterina Mitricheva
- Department of Physiology of Cognitive Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nikos K Logothetis
- Department of Physiology of Cognitive Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- Imaging Science and Biomedical Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Angelo Bifone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Andreas Bender
- Centre for Molecular Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hamid R Noori
- Department of Physiology of Cognitive Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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28
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Maes C, Cuypers K, Heise KF, Edden RAE, Gooijers J, Swinnen SP. GABA levels are differentially associated with bimanual motor performance in older as compared to young adults. Neuroimage 2021; 231:117871. [PMID: 33607278 PMCID: PMC8275071 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Although gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is of particular importance for efficient motor functioning, very little is known about the relationship between regional GABA levels and motor performance. Some studies suggest this relation to be subject to age-related differences even though literature is scarce. To clarify this matter, we employed a comprehensive approach and investigated GABA levels within young and older adults across multiple motor tasks as well as multiple brain regions. Specifically, 30 young and 30 older adults completed a task battery of three different bimanual tasks. Furthermore, GABA levels were obtained within bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1), bilateral dorsal premotor cortex, the supplementary motor area and bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results indicated that older adults, as compared to their younger counterparts, performed worse on all bimanual tasks and exhibited lower GABA levels in bilateral SM1 only. Moreover, GABA levels across the motor network and DLPFC were differentially associated with performance in young as opposed to older adults on a manual dexterity and bimanual coordination task but not a finger tapping task. Specifically, whereas higher GABA levels related to better manual dexterity within older adults, higher GABA levels predicted poorer bimanual coordination performance in young adults. By determining a task-specific and age-dependent association between GABA levels across the cortical motor network and performance on distinct bimanual tasks, the current study advances insights in the role of GABA for motor performance in the context of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Maes
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium.
| | - Koen Cuypers
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium; REVAL Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Kirstin-Friederike Heise
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium.
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russel H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Jolien Gooijers
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium.
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium.
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29
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Rideaux R. Low- and High-resolution Dynamic Analyses for Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Data. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e3892. [PMID: 33732781 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can be used to measure in vivo concentrations of neurometabolites. This information can be used to identify neurotransmitter involvement in healthy (e.g., perceptual and cognitive processes) and unhealthy brain function (e.g., neurological and psychiatric illnesses). The standard approach for analyzing MRS data is to combine spectral transients acquired over a ~10 min scan to yield a single estimate that reflects the average metabolite concentration during that period. The temporal resolution of metabolite measurements is sacrificed in this manner to achieve a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio to produce a reliable estimate. Here we introduce two analyses that can be used to increase the temporal resolution of neurometabolite estimates produced from MRS measurements. The first analysis uses a sliding window approach to create a smoothed trace of neurometabolite concentration for each MRS scan. The second analysis combines transients across participants, rather than time, producing a single "group trace" with the highest possible temporal resolution achievable with the data. These analyses advance MRS beyond the current "static" application by allowing researchers to measure dynamic changes in neurometabolite concentration and expanding the types of questions that the technique can be used to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben Rideaux
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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30
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Stefanov K, McLean J, Allan B, Cavanagh J, Krishnadas R. Mild inflammation causes a reduction in resting-state amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in healthy adult males. Brain Neurosci Adv 2020; 4:2398212820949353. [PMID: 32954008 PMCID: PMC7479852 DOI: 10.1177/2398212820949353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic inflammation has been associated with negative mood states and human sickness behaviour. Previous studies have shown an association between systemic inflammation and changes in task-related blood-oxygen-level-dependent activity and functional connectivity within large-scale networks. However, no study has examined the effect of inflammation on the magnitude of blood-oxygen-level-dependent low-frequency fluctuations at rest. We used a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design to randomise 20 male subjects (aged 20-50 years) to receive either a Salmonella typhi vaccine or a placebo saline injection at two separate sessions. All participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance scan and a measure of inflammation (interleukin 6) and mood (Profile of Mood States) 3 h after injection. We compared the whole brain amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations between the vaccine and placebo conditions using a repeated measures design. Vaccine condition was associated with greater interleukin 6 levels (p < 0.001). Vaccine condition was also associated with lower amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in the right and left frontal pole, superior frontal gyrus, paracingulate gyrus (Cluster 1) and the right mid and inferior frontal gyrus (Cluster 2) (p < 0.001, false discovery rate corrected). Lower amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations pertaining to first cluster correlated with greater total Profile of Mood States score (worse mood) (r = -0.38; p = 0.04). These results imply possible excitation/inhibition imbalance mechanisms during inflammation that may be a relevant target in psychiatric disease, especially mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Stefanov
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - John McLean
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Becky Allan
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jonathan Cavanagh
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rajeev Krishnadas
- Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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31
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Temporal Dynamics of GABA and Glx in the Visual Cortex. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0082-20.2020. [PMID: 32571964 PMCID: PMC7429906 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0082-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can be used in vivo to quantify neurometabolite concentration and provide evidence for the involvement of different neurotransmitter systems (e.g., inhibitory and excitatory) in sensory and cognitive processes. The relatively low signal-to-noise ratio of MRS measurements has shaped the types of questions that it has been used to address. In particular, temporal resolution is often sacrificed in MRS studies to achieve a signal sufficient to produce a reliable estimate of neurometabolite concentration. Here we apply novel analyses with large datasets from human participants (both sexes) to reveal the dynamics of GABA+ and Glx in visual cortex while participants are at rest (with eyes closed) and compare this with changes in posterior cingulate cortex from a previously collected dataset (under different conditions). We find that the dynamic concentration of GABA+ and Glx in visual cortex drifts in opposite directions; that is, GABA+ decreases while Glx increases over time. Further, we find that in visual, but not posterior cingulate cortex, the concentration of GABA+ predicts that of Glx 120 s later, such that a change in GABA+ is correlated with a subsequent opposite change in Glx. Together, these results expose novel temporal trends and interdependencies of primary neurotransmitters in visual cortex. More broadly, we demonstrate the feasibility of using MRS to investigate in vivo dynamic changes of neurometabolites.
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32
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Bruining H, Hardstone R, Juarez-Martinez EL, Sprengers J, Avramiea AE, Simpraga S, Houtman SJ, Poil SS, Dallares E, Palva S, Oranje B, Matias Palva J, Mansvelder HD, Linkenkaer-Hansen K. Measurement of excitation-inhibition ratio in autism spectrum disorder using critical brain dynamics. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9195. [PMID: 32513931 PMCID: PMC7280527 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65500-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Balance between excitation (E) and inhibition (I) is a key principle for neuronal network organization and information processing. Consistent with this notion, excitation-inhibition imbalances are considered a pathophysiological mechanism in many brain disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, methods to measure E/I ratios in human brain networks are lacking. Here, we present a method to quantify a functional E/I ratio (fE/I) from neuronal oscillations, and validate it in healthy subjects and children with ASD. We define structural E/I ratio in an in silico neuronal network, investigate how it relates to power and long-range temporal correlations (LRTC) of the network's activity, and use these relationships to design the fE/I algorithm. Application of this algorithm to the EEGs of healthy adults showed that fE/I is balanced at the population level and is decreased through GABAergic enforcement. In children with ASD, we observed larger fE/I variability and stronger LRTC compared to typically developing children (TDC). Interestingly, visual grading for EEG abnormalities that are thought to reflect E/I imbalances revealed elevated fE/I and LRTC in ASD children with normal EEG compared to TDC or ASD with abnormal EEG. We speculate that our approach will help understand physiological heterogeneity also in other brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Hardstone
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Erika L Juarez-Martinez
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Sprengers
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur-Ervin Avramiea
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sonja Simpraga
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- NBT Analytics BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon J Houtman
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Eva Dallares
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Satu Palva
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute for Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bob Oranje
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J Matias Palva
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute for Life Sciences, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland
- BioMag Laboratory, HUS Medical Imaging Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00029, Hus, Finland
| | - Huibert D Mansvelder
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Klaus Linkenkaer-Hansen
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Kolodny T, Schallmo MP, Gerdts J, Edden RAE, Bernier RA, Murray SO. Concentrations of Cortical GABA and Glutamate in Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 13:1111-1129. [PMID: 32297709 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The balance of excitation and inhibition in neural circuits is hypothesized to be increased in autism spectrum disorder, possibly mediated by altered signaling of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), yet empirical evidence in humans is inconsistent. We used edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify signals associated with both GABA and the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in multiple regions of the sensory and sensorimotor cortex, including primary visual, auditory, and motor areas in adult individuals with autism and in neurotypical controls. Despite the strong a priori hypothesis of reduced GABA in autism spectrum disorder, we found no group differences in neurometabolite concentrations in any of the examined regions and no correlations of MRS measure with psychophysical visual sensitivity or autism symptomatology. We demonstrate high data quality that is comparable across groups, with a relatively large sample of well-characterized participants, and use Bayesian statistics to corroborate the lack of any group differences. We conclude that levels of GABA and Glx (glutamate, glutamine, and glutathione) in the sensory and sensorimotor cortex, as measured with MRS at 3T, are comparable in adults with autism and neurotypical individuals. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1111-1129. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate are the main inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the human brain, respectively, and their balanced interaction is necessary for neural function. Previous research suggests that the GABA and glutamate systems might be altered in autism. In this study, we used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure concentrations of these neurotransmitters in the sensory areas in the brains of young adults with autism. In contradiction to the common hypothesis of reduced GABA in autism, we demonstrate that concentrations of both GABA and glutamate, in all the brain regions examined, are comparable in individuals with autism and in neurotypical adults. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Kolodny
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael-Paul Schallmo
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jennifer Gerdts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Raphael A Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Scott O Murray
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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34
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Weidacker K, Johnston SJ, Mullins PG, Boy F, Dymond S. Impulsive decision-making and gambling severity: The influence of γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate-glutamine (Glx). Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 32:36-46. [PMID: 31901336 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.12.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Discounting larger, delayed rewards for smaller, immediate rewards is a stable psychological trait known to be impaired in gambling disorder (GD). Neuroimaging with non-GD populations indicates involvement of anterior cingulate (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) in delay discounting. However, little is known about the role of intrinsic properties of brain functioning, such as neurotransmitter action, in impaired discounting in GD. Here, we used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess glutamate-glutamine (Glx) and γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA+) concentrations in the dorsal ACC (dACC), dlPFC and occipital cortex of human males with and without GD. Gambling symptom severity correlated negatively with Glx levels in the dACC and occipital voxels. Discounting of small and medium delayed rewards was negatively associated with GABA+ in the dACC, while the discounting of large delayed rewards was negatively associated with GABA+/Glx ratios in the dlPFC. Additionally, in GD, discounting of large delayed rewards was negatively correlated with occipital GABA+ levels. Overall, these findings show that high gambling symptom severity is associated with low levels of Glx and that dACC (GABA+), right dlPFC (GABA+/Glx), and occipital areas (GABA+) track the magnitude of delayed rewards during discounting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Weidacker
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Box 189, Level E4, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J Johnston
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Paul G Mullins
- School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2AS, United Kingdom
| | - Fred Boy
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom; School of Management, Swansea University, Bay Campus, Swansea SA1 8EN, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Dymond
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, Reykjavík University, Menntavegur 1, Nauthólsvík, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.
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35
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DeSouza DD, Stimpson KH, Baltusis L, Sacchet MD, Gu M, Hurd R, Wu H, Yeomans DC, Willliams N, Spiegel D. Association between Anterior Cingulate Neurochemical Concentration and Individual Differences in Hypnotizability. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:3644-3654. [PMID: 32108220 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypnosis is the oldest form of Western psychotherapy and a powerful evidence-based treatment for numerous disorders. Hypnotizability is variable between individuals; however, it is a stable trait throughout adulthood, suggesting that neurophysiological factors may underlie hypnotic responsiveness. One brain region of particular interest in functional neuroimaging studies of hypnotizability is the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Here, we examined the relationships between the neurochemicals, GABA, and glutamate, in the ACC and hypnotizability in healthy individuals. Participants underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session, whereby T1-weighted anatomical and MEGA-PRESS spectroscopy scans were acquired. Voxel placement over the ACC was guided by a quantitative meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies of hypnosis. Hypnotizability was assessed using the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP), and self-report questionnaires to assess absorption (TAS), dissociation (DES), and negative affect were completed. ACC GABA concentration was positively associated with HIP scores such that the higher the GABA concentration, the more hypnotizable an individual. An exploratory analysis of questionnaire subscales revealed a negative relationship between glutamate and the absorption and imaginative involvement subscale of the DES. These results provide a putative neurobiological basis for individual differences in hypnotizability and can inform our understanding of treatment response to this growing psychotherapeutic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle D DeSouza
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Katy H Stimpson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Laima Baltusis
- Center for Cognitive and Neurobiological Imaging, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Matthew D Sacchet
- Center for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont MA, USA
| | - Meng Gu
- Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ralph Hurd
- Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Hua Wu
- Center for Cognitive and Neurobiological Imaging, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - David C Yeomans
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Nolan Willliams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - David Spiegel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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36
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Yakovlev A, Manzhurtsev A, Menshchikov P, Ublinskiy M, Bozhko O, Akhadov T, Semenova N. The Effect of Visual Stimulation on GABA and Macromolecule Levels in the Human Brain in vivo. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350920010248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Shen J, Shenkar D, An L, Tomar JS. Local and Interregional Neurochemical Associations Measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Studying Brain Functions and Psychiatric Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:802. [PMID: 32848957 PMCID: PMC7432119 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies have found significant correlations among neurometabolites (e.g., between glutamate and GABA) across individual subjects and altered correlations in neuropsychiatric disorders. In this article, we discuss neurochemical associations among several major neurometabolites which underpin these observations by MRS. We also illustrate the role of spectral editing in eliminating unwanted correlations caused by spectral overlapping. Finally, we describe the prospects of mapping macroscopic neurochemical associations across the brain and characterizing excitation-inhibition balance of neural networks using glutamate- and GABA-editing MRS imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Shen
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dina Shenkar
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Li An
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jyoti Singh Tomar
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Song Y, Gong T, Edden RAE, Wang G. Feasibility of Measuring GABA Levels in the Upper Brainstem in Healthy Volunteers Using Edited MRS. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:813. [PMID: 32922319 PMCID: PMC7456914 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the feasibility of small-voxel MEGA-PRESS in detecting gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels of the upper brainstem in healthy volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-two healthy volunteers, aged between 20 and 76 years were enrolled in this study, and underwent a 3.0T MRI scan using an eight-channel phased-array head coil. The MEGA-PRESS sequence was used to edit GABA signal from a 10x25x30 mm3 voxel in the upper brain stem. The detected signal includes contributions from macromolecules (MM) and homocarnosine and is therefore referred to as GABA+. All the data were processed using Gannet. RESULTS Thirty-four cases were successful in measuring GABA in the upper brainstem and 8 cases failed (based on poor modeling of spectra). The GABA+ levels were 2.66 ± 0.75 i.u. in the upper brainstem of healthy volunteers, ranging from 1.50 to 4.40 i.u. The normalized fitting residual (FitErr in Gannet) was 12.1 ± 2.8%, ranging from 7.4% to 19.1%; it was below 15.5% in 30 cases (71%). CONCLUSIONS It is possible to measure GABA levels in the upper brainstem using MEGA-PRESS with a relatively small ROI, with a moderate between-subject variance of under 30%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Song
- Department of Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinn, China
| | - Tao Gong
- Department of Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinn, China
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,FM Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Guangbin Wang
- Department of Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinn, China
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BinDawood A, Dickinson A, Aytemur A, Howarth C, Milne E, Jones M. Investigating the effects of tDCS on Visual Orientation Discrimination Task Performance: 'The possible influence of placebo'. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT 2019; 4:235-249. [PMID: 32747876 DOI: 10.1007/s41465-019-00154-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The non-invasive neuromodulation technique tDCS offers the promise of a low cost tool for both research and clinical applications in psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience. However, findings regarding its efficacy are often equivocal. A key issue is that the clinical and cognitive applications studied are often complex and thus effects of tDCS are difficult to predict given its known effects on the basic underlying neurophysiology, namely alterations in cortical inhibition-excitation balance. As such, it may be beneficial to assess the effects of tDCS in tasks whose performance has a clear link to cortical inhibition-excitation balance such as the visual orientation discrimination task (ODT). In prior studies in our laboratory no practise effects were found during 2 consecutive runs of the ODT, thus in the current investigation, to examine the effects of tDCS, subjects received 10 minutes of 2mA occipital tDCS (sham, anode, cathode) between a first and second run of ODT. Surprisingly, subjects' performance significantly improved in the second run of ODT compared to the first one regardless of the tDCS stimulation type they received (anodal, cathodal, or sham-tDCS). Possible causes for such an improvement could have been due to either a generic 'placebo' effect of tDCS (as all subjects received some form of tDCS) or an increased delay period between the two runs of ODT of the current study compared to our previous work (10 minutes duration required to administer tDCS as opposed to ~2 minutes in previous studies as a 'break'). As such, we tested these two possibilities with a subsequent experiment in which subjects received 2 minutes or 10 minutes delay between the 2 runs (with no tDCS) or 10 minutes of sham-tDCS. Only sham-tDCS resulted in improved performance thus these data add to a growing literature suggesting that tDCS has powerful placebo effect that may occur even in the absence of active cortical modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A BinDawood
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Cathedral Court, 1 Vicar Lane, Sheffield UK, S1 2LT.,Department of Psychology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - A Dickinson
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, University of California, Semel Institute for Neuroscience, 760 Westwood Plaza, Suite A7-448, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States of America
| | - A Aytemur
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Cathedral Court, 1 Vicar Lane, Sheffield UK, S1 2LT
| | - C Howarth
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Cathedral Court, 1 Vicar Lane, Sheffield UK, S1 2LT
| | - E Milne
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Cathedral Court, 1 Vicar Lane, Sheffield UK, S1 2LT
| | - M Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Cathedral Court, 1 Vicar Lane, Sheffield UK, S1 2LT
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40
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Comparison of Neurochemical and BOLD Signal Contrast Response Functions in the Human Visual Cortex. J Neurosci 2019; 39:7968-7975. [PMID: 31358655 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3021-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between neurochemical and hemodynamic responses as a function of image contrast in the human primary visual cortex (V1). Simultaneously acquired BOLD-fMRI and single voxel proton MR spectroscopy signals were measured in V1 of 24 healthy human participants of either sex at 7 tesla field strength, in response to presentations (64 s blocks) of different levels of image contrast (3%, 12.5%, 50%, 100%). Our results suggest that complementary measures of neurotransmission and energy metabolism are in partial agreement: BOLD and glutamate signals were linear with image contrast; however, a significant increase in glutamate concentration was evident only at the highest intensity level. In contrast, GABA signals were steady across all intensity levels. These results suggest that neurochemical concentrations are maintained at lower ranges of contrast levels, which match the statistics of natural vision, and that high stimulus intensity may be critical to increase sensitivity to visually modulated glutamate signals in the early visual cortex using MR spectroscopy.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Glutamate and GABA are the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters of the brain. To better understand the relationship between MRS-visible neurochemicals, the BOLD signal change, and stimulus intensity, we measured combined neurochemical and BOLD signals (combined fMRI-MRS) to different image contrasts in human V1 at 7 tesla. While a linear change to contrast was present for both signals, the increase in glutamate was significant only at the highest stimulus intensity. These results suggest that hemodynamic and neurochemical signals reflect common metabolic markers of neural activity, whereas the mismatch at lower contrast levels may indicate a sensitivity threshold for detecting neurochemical changes during visual processing. Our results highlight the challenge and importance of reconciling cellular and metabolic measures of neural activity in the human brain.
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41
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Aksenov DP, Li L, Miller MJ, Wyrwicz AM. Role of the inhibitory system in shaping the BOLD fMRI response. Neuroimage 2019; 201:116034. [PMID: 31326573 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The shape of the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal can vary considerably even across structures of the same sensory pathway. Here, we characterized the temporal behavior of the stimulus-evoked BOLD response in the primary cortical and subcortical regions of the visual and somatosensory whisker systems in awake rabbits. Despite similar BOLD responses in the thalamic nuclei, considerable differences in shape and duration emerged between the sensory cortices. Whereas the BOLD response in the whisker barrel cortex (WBC) was non-adaptive, BOLD in the visual cortex (V1) showed adaptation similar to simultaneously-recorded LFP and single unit activity. Analysis of baseline neuronal activity revealed significantly lower firing rates in V1 vs. WBC. We hypothesized that these changes point to region-dependent differences in the inhibitory systems which shape the hemodynamic response in each structure. To test the effect of neuronal baseline level inhibition on the BOLD signal shape, we locally injected the GABAA agonist muscimol in WBC. Adaptation emerged in the BOLD response after injection, along with an overall decrease in baseline firing rate. These findings point to the importance of region-specific inhibitory shaping in determining the temporal behavior of the BOLD response in different brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Limin Li
- NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
| | | | - Alice M Wyrwicz
- NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA.
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42
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Rideaux R, Goncalves NR, Welchman AE. Mixed-polarity random-dot stereograms alter GABA and Glx concentration in the early visual cortex. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:888-896. [PMID: 31291136 PMCID: PMC6734395 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00208.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The offset between images projected onto the left and right retina (binocular disparity) provides a powerful cue to the three-dimensional structure of the environment. It was previously shown that depth judgements are better when images comprise both light and dark features, rather than only light or only dark elements. Since Harris and Parker (Nature 374: 808-811, 1995) discovered the "mixed-polarity benefit," there has been limited evidence supporting their hypothesis that the benefit is due to separate bright and dark channels. Goncalves and Welchman (Curr Biol 27: 1403-1412, 2017) observed that single- and mixed-polarity stereograms evoke different levels of positive and negative activity in a deep neural network trained on natural images to make depth judgements, which also showed the mixed-polarity benefit. Motivated by this discovery, we seek to test the potential for changes in the balance of excitation and inhibition that are produced by viewing these stimuli. In particular, we use magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure Glx and GABA concentrations in the early visual cortex of adult humans during viewing of single- and mixed-polarity random-dot stereograms (RDS). We find that participants' Glx concentration is significantly higher, whereas GABA concentration is significantly lower, when mixed-polarity RDS are viewed than when single-polarity RDS are viewed. These results indicate that excitation and inhibition facilitate processing of single- and mixed-polarity stereograms in the early visual cortex to different extents, consistent with recent theoretical work (Goncalves NR, Welchman AE. Curr Biol 27: 1403-1412, 2017).NEW & NOTEWORTHY Depth judgements are better when images comprise both light and dark features, rather than only light or only dark elements. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we show that adult human participants' Glx concentration is significantly higher whereas GABA concentration is significantly lower in the early visual cortex when participants view mixed-polarity random-dot stereograms (RDS) compared with single-polarity RDS. These results indicate that excitation and inhibition facilitate processing of single- and mixed-polarity stereograms in the early visual cortex to different extents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben Rideaux
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nuno R Goncalves
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew E Welchman
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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