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Wang G, Wang X, Cheng H, Li H, Qin Z, Zheng F, Ye X, Sun B. Application of electroencephalogram (EEG) in the study of the influence of different contents of alcohol and Baijiu on brain perception. Food Chem 2025; 462:140969. [PMID: 39197245 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140969] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Alcoholic beverages flavour is complex and unique with different alcohol content, and the application of flavour perception could improve the objectivity of flavour evaluation. This study utilized electroencephalogram (EEG) to assess brain reactions to alcohol percentages (5 %-53 %) and Baijiu's complex flavours. The findings demonstrate the brain's proficiency in discerning between alcohol concentrations, evidenced by increasing physiological signal strength in tandem with alcohol content. When contrasted with alcohol solutions of equivalent concentrations, Baijiu prompts a more significant activation of brain signals, underscoring EEG's capability to detect subtleties due to flavour complexity. Additionally, the study reveals notable correlations, with δ and α wave intensities escalating in response to alcohol stimulation, coupled with substantial activation in the frontal, parietal, and right temporal regions. These insights verify the efficacy of EEG in charting the brain's engagement with alcoholic flavours, setting the stage for more detailed exploration into the neural encoding of these sensory experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangnan Wang
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Food Technology and Equipment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314102, China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Food Technology and Equipment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314102, China
| | - Huan Cheng
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Food Technology and Equipment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314102, China
| | - Hehe Li
- Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zihan Qin
- College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Fuping Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Xingqian Ye
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Food Technology and Equipment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Baoguo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
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2
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Nakamura Y, Ishida T. The effect of multiband sequences on statistical outcome measures in functional magnetic resonance imaging using a gustatory stimulus. Neuroimage 2024; 300:120867. [PMID: 39322093 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120867] [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: 07/16/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent technical developments have led to the invention of multiband functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sequences that allow for faster sampling rates. However, some studies have highlighted problems with these sequences, leading to a decreased temporal signal-to-noise ratio (tSNR). In addition, this temporal noise may interfere with detecting reward-related responses in mesolimbic regions. The blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal utilized in the majority of fMRI measurements is relatively slow. Furthermore, the cerebral response to gustatory stimuli would also be relatively slow. Therefore, given the temporal noise issues with multiband sequences, it is unclear whether multiband sequences are necessary for fMRI studies using gustatory stimuli. We thus conducted an fMRI experiment using a gustatory stimulus to investigate the effects of multiband sequences and increased sampling rates on statistical outcome measures. A single-band sequence with a repetition time (TR) of 2 s of phantom fMRI data and gustatory fMRI data from the gustatory regions exhibited the highest tSNR, although the tSNR of this sequence of gustatory fMRI was not statistically different from tSNR of multiband sequences with a TR of 2 s in any of the selected region of interests. Conventional general linear model analysis of fMRI showed that single-band sequences are more advantageous than multiband sequences for detecting brain responses to gustatory stimuli in the primary gustatory cortex. In addition, a Bayesian data comparison showed that data derived from a single-band sequence with a TR of 2 s was optimal for inferring neuronal connectivity in gustatory processing. Therefore, a conventional single-band sequence with a TR of 2 s is more appropriate for fMRI with gustatory stimuli. Image acquisition sequences should be selected aligned with the study objectives and target brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Nakamura
- Center for Evolutionary Cognitive Sciences, Graduate School of Art and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; University of Tokyo Institute for Diversity & Adaptation of Human Mind (UTIDAHM), Tokyo 153-8902, Japan.
| | - Takuya Ishida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 649-7113, Japan
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3
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Khalaf A, Lopez E, Li J, Horn A, Edlow BL, Blumenfeld H. Shared subcortical arousal systems across sensory modalities during transient modulation of attention. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.16.613316. [PMID: 39345640 PMCID: PMC11429725 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.16.613316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Subcortical arousal systems are known to play a key role in controlling sustained changes in attention and conscious awareness. Recent studies indicate that these systems have a major influence on short-term dynamic modulation of visual attention, but their role across sensory modalities is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated shared subcortical arousal systems across sensory modalities during transient changes in attention using block and event-related fMRI paradigms. We analyzed massive publicly available fMRI datasets collected while 1,561 participants performed visual, auditory, tactile, and taste perception tasks. Our analyses revealed a shared circuit of subcortical arousal systems exhibiting early transient increases in activity in midbrain reticular formation and central thalamus across perceptual modalities, as well as less consistent increases in pons, hypothalamus, basal forebrain, and basal ganglia. Identifying these networks is critical for understanding mechanisms of normal attention and consciousness and may help facilitate subcortical targeting for therapeutic neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Khalaf
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Erick Lopez
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jian Li
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Andreas Horn
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Movement Disorders & Neuromodulation Section, Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Brian L Edlow
- Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Hal Blumenfeld
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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4
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Roland AV, Harry Chao TH, Hon OJ, Machinski SN, Sides TR, Lee SI, Ian Shih YY, Kash TL. Acute and chronic alcohol modulation of extended amygdala calcium dynamics. Alcohol 2024; 116:53-64. [PMID: 38423261 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.02.004] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The central amygdala (CeA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) are reciprocally connected nodes of the extended amygdala thought to play an important role in alcohol consumption. Studies of immediate-early genes indicate that BNST and CeA are acutely activated following alcohol drinking and may signal alcohol reward in nondependent drinkers, while stress signaling in the extended amygdala following chronic alcohol exposure drives increased drinking via negative reinforcement. However, the temporal dynamics of neuronal activation in these regions during drinking behavior are poorly understood. In this study, we used fiber photometry and the genetically encoded calcium sensor GCaMP6s to assess acute changes in neuronal activity during alcohol consumption in BNST and CeA before and after a chronic drinking paradigm. Activity was examined in the pan-neuronal population and separately in dynorphinergic neurons. BNST and CeA showed increased pan-neuronal activity during acute consumption of alcohol and other fluid tastants of positive and negative valence, as well as highly palatable chow. Responses were greatest during initial consummatory bouts and decreased in amplitude with repeated consumption of the same tastant, suggesting modulation by stimulus novelty. Dynorphin neurons showed similar consumption-associated calcium increases in both regions. Following three weeks of continuous alcohol access (CA), calcium increases in dynorphin neurons during drinking were maintained, but pan-neuronal activity and BNST-CeA coherence were altered in a sex-specific manner. These results indicate that BNST and CeA, and dynorphin neurons specifically, are engaged during drinking behavior, and activity dynamics are influenced by stimulus novelty and chronic alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison V Roland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tzu-Hao Harry Chao
- Center for Animal MRI, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Olivia J Hon
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Samantha N Machinski
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tori R Sides
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sophia I Lee
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yen-Yu Ian Shih
- Center for Animal MRI, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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5
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Razzaghi-Asl S, Doğan SN, Tekatlı MT, Veldhuizen MG. Distraction suppresses high-fat flavor perception. Appetite 2024; 195:107177. [PMID: 38122869 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107177] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Distraction during eating contributes to overeating, and when habitually eating with distraction, this may contribute to the development of obesity. One of the proposed mediating mechanisms is the suppression of intensity perception in odor and taste. The effect of distraction on fat intensity perception in flavor, the multisensory combination of odor, taste, and other sensory aspects, is still unknown. In this study, 32 participants (22 women) performed a flavor perception task while also performing a distracting working memory task. In each trial, participants were instructed to observe and memorize a string of 3 (low cognitive load) or 7 (high cognitive load) consonants. Then they received a small quantity of a high- or low-fat chocolate drink, and after that, they were asked to select the string they tried to memorize from three answer options. Last, they rated the intensity and fattiness of the flavor. As intended, in the working memory task, we observed that with a high cognitive load (relative to a low cognitive load), accuracy decreased and response times increased. Regarding perception of the flavors, we observed that overall, high-fat drinks were rated as more intense and fattier. Cognitive load and fat content interacted, such that for the low-fat drink, intensity and fattiness ratings were similar under both cognitive loads; however, under the high cognitive load (relative to the low cognitive load), intensity and fattiness ratings for the high-fat drink were lower. Our results show that distraction can impact the perception of fat in high-fat drinks. If distraction primarily reduces perception of high-fat foods, this may pose a particular risk of overeating high-calorie foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Razzaghi-Asl
- Department of Cognitive Science, Informatic Institute, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Türkiye; National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Sümeyra Nur Doğan
- National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Psychology, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | | | - Maria Geraldine Veldhuizen
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye; Biotechnology Research and Applications Center, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye.
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6
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Carreiras M, Quiñones I, Chen HA, Vázquez‐Araujo L, Small D, Frost R. Sniffing out meaning: Chemosensory and semantic neural network changes in sommeliers. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26564. [PMID: 38339911 PMCID: PMC10823763 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26564] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Wine tasting is a very complex process that integrates a combination of sensation, language, and memory. Taste and smell provide perceptual information that, together with the semantic narrative that converts flavor into words, seem to be processed differently between sommeliers and naïve wine consumers. We investigate whether sommeliers' wine experience shapes only chemosensory processing, as has been previously demonstrated, or if it also modulates the way in which the taste and olfactory circuits interact with the semantic network. Combining diffusion-weighted images and fMRI (activation and connectivity) we investigated whether brain response to tasting wine differs between sommeliers and nonexperts (1) in the sensory neural circuits representing flavor and/or (2) in the neural circuits for language and memory. We demonstrate that training in wine tasting shapes the microstructure of the left and right superior longitudinal fasciculus. Using mediation analysis, we showed that the experience modulates the relationship between fractional anisotropy and behavior: the higher the fractional anisotropy the higher the capacity to recognize wine complexity. In addition, we found functional differences between sommeliers and naïve consumers affecting the flavor sensory circuit, but also regions involved in semantic operations. The former reflects a capacity for differential sensory processing, while the latter reflects sommeliers' ability to attend to relevant sensory inputs and translate them into complex verbal descriptions. The enhanced synchronization between these apparently independent circuits suggests that sommeliers integrated these descriptions with previous semantic knowledge to optimize their capacity to distinguish between subtle differences in the qualitative character of the wine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Carreiras
- BCBL, Basque center of Cognition, Brain and LanguageDonostia‐San SebastianSpain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for ScienceBilbaoSpain
- Department of Basque Language and CommunicationUniversity of the Basque Country EHU/UPVBilbaoSpain
| | - Ileana Quiñones
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for ScienceBilbaoSpain
- Biodonostia Health Research InstituteDonostia‐San SebastianSpain
| | - H. Alexander Chen
- Yale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- The Modern Diet and Physiology Research CenterNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | | | - Dana Small
- Yale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- The Modern Diet and Physiology Research CenterNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Ram Frost
- BCBL, Basque center of Cognition, Brain and LanguageDonostia‐San SebastianSpain
- The Hebrew UniversityJerusalemIsrael
- Haskins LaboratoriesNew HavenConnecticutUSA
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7
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Maddern XJ, Letherby B, Ch'ng SS, Pearl A, Gogos A, Lawrence AJ, Walker LC. Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) mediates sex differences in binge drinking through central taste circuits. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:541-550. [PMID: 37608219 PMCID: PMC10789734 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01712-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) has been implicated in alcohol consumption and reward behaviours, yet mechanisms mediating these effects have yet to be identified. Using a transgenic CART knockout (KO) mouse line we uncovered a sexually dimorphic effect of CART in binge drinking, with male CART KO mice increasing intake, whilst female CART KO mice decreased their alcohol intake compared to controls. Female CART KO mice show greater sensitivity to bitter solutions that can be overshadowed through addition of a sweetener, implicating taste as a factor. Further we identify that this is not driven through peripherally circulating sex hormones, but the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a locus where CART contributes to the regulation of alcohol consumption, with CeA CART neutralisation specifically reducing plain alcohol, but not sweetened alcohol consumption in female mice. These findings may have implications for the development of sex-specific treatment options for alcohol use disorders through targeting the CART system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier J Maddern
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Bethany Letherby
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah S Ch'ng
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Amy Pearl
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Andrea Gogos
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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8
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Roland AV, Harry Chao TH, Hon OJ, Machinski SN, Sides TR, Lee SI, Ian Shih YY, Kash TL. Acute and chronic alcohol modulation of extended amygdala calcium dynamics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.10.561741. [PMID: 37873188 PMCID: PMC10592781 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.10.561741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The central amygdala (CeA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) are reciprocally connected nodes of the extended amygdala thought to play an important role in alcohol consumption. Studies of immediate-early genes indicate that BNST and CeA are acutely activated following alcohol drinking and may signal alcohol reward in nondependent drinkers, while increased stress signaling in the extended amygdala following chronic alcohol exposure drives increased drinking via negative reinforcement. However, the temporal dynamics of neuronal activation in these regions during drinking behavior are poorly understood. In this study, we used fiber photometry and the genetically encoded calcium sensor GCaMP6s to assess acute changes in neuronal activity during alcohol consumption in BNST and CeA before and after a chronic drinking paradigm. Activity was examined in the pan-neuronal population and separately in dynorphinergic neurons. BNST and CeA showed increased pan-neuronal activity during acute consumption of alcohol and other fluid tastants of positive and negative valence, as well as highly palatable chow. Responses were greatest during initial consummatory bouts and decreased in amplitude with repeated consumption of the same tastant, suggesting modulation by stimulus novelty. Dynorphin neurons showed similar consumption-associated calcium increases in both regions. Following three weeks of continuous alcohol access (CA), calcium increases in dynorphin neurons during drinking were maintained, but pan-neuronal activity and BNST-CeA coherence were altered in a sex-specific manner. These results indicate that BNST and CeA, and dynorphin neurons specifically, are engaged during drinking behavior, and activity dynamics are influenced by stimulus novelty and chronic alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison V Roland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tzu-Hao Harry Chao
- Center for Animal MRI, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Olivia J Hon
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Samantha N Machinski
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tori R Sides
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sophia I Lee
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yen-Yu Ian Shih
- Center for Animal MRI, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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9
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Rodriguez M, Kross E. Sensory emotion regulation. Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:379-390. [PMID: 36805103 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Decades of evidence reveal intimate links between sensation and emotion. Yet, discussion of sensory experiences as tools that promote emotion regulation is largely absent from current theorizing on this topic. Here, we address this gap by integrating evidence from social-personality, clinical, cognitive-neuroscience, and animal research to highlight the role of sensation as a tool that can be harnessed to up- or downregulate emotion. Further, we review evidence implicating sensation as a rapid and relatively effortless emotion regulation modality and highlight future research directions. Notably, we emphasize the need to examine the duration of sensory emotion regulation effects, the moderating role of individual and cultural differences, and how sensory strategies interact with other strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Rodriguez
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Ethan Kross
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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10
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Schwerdtfeger J, Krause A, Kalbe C, Mazzuoli-Weber G, Eggert A, Puppe B, Kuhla B, Röttgen V. Endocannabinoid administration affects taste preference and the expression of cannabinoid and opioid receptors in the amygdala of early lactating cows. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4967. [PMID: 36973308 PMCID: PMC10042870 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31724-3] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of intraperitoneal N-arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) on taste preference for feed and water, tongue taste receptor signalling (TAS1R2, GNAT3), and endocannabinoid (CNR1, CNR2, GPR55) and opioid (OPRD1, OPRK1, OPRM1, OPRL1) receptors in the amygdala and nucleus accumbens in periparturient cows. We conducted taste preference tests using unaltered, umami-tasting, and sweet-tasting water and feed, before and after calving. After calving, eight cows received AEA injections (3 µg/(kg bodyweight × day), 25 days), whereas eight control (CON) cows received saline injections. Tissue was sampled 30 days after calving. Before calving, both cow groups preferred sweet-tasting feed and umami-tasting water. After calving, only the AEA-treated group preferred sweet-tasting feed, whereas the CON group showed no clear taste preference. In the amygdala, the mRNA expression of CNR1, OPRD1 (left hemisphere) and OPRK1 (right hemisphere) was lower in AEA animals than in CON animals, whereas no differences were found in the nucleus accumbens and tongue taste receptor expression. In conclusion, AEA administration enhanced existing taste preferences and reduced the expression of specific endocannabinoid and opioid receptors in the amygdala. The results support endocannabinoid-opioid interactions in the control of taste-dependent feed preference in early lactating cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Schwerdtfeger
- Institute of Nutritional Physiology 'Oskar Kellner', Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Annika Krause
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Claudia Kalbe
- Institute of Muscle Biology and Growth, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Gemma Mazzuoli-Weber
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anja Eggert
- Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Birger Puppe
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
- Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-Von-Liebig-Weg 6B, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - Björn Kuhla
- Institute of Nutritional Physiology 'Oskar Kellner', Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Volker Röttgen
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany.
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11
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Markowitsch HJ, Staniloiu A, Wahl-Kordon A. Urbach-Wiethe disease in a young patient without apparent amygdala calcification. Neuropsychologia 2023; 183:108505. [PMID: 36775051 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108505] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Urbach-Wiethe disease is an extremely rare genetically-based syndrome which usually leads to dermatological and neurological changes. Neurologically, the amygdaloid region is primarily bilaterally affected. Therefore, several functions modulated by the amygdala are changed in patients with Urbach-Wiethe disease. As the neurological alterations evolve only gradually, it is particularly important to determine the cognitive and brain status of a juvenile. The patient described here was seen briefly at age 9 and tested neuropsychologically at age 19; furthermore, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of his head was done. There were no important abnormalities in the brain, which is unusual in the light of previous data from other patients. On the cognitive level, the patient was generally within normal limits. However, he had mild problems in attention and concentration, and more prominent problems in emotional processing domain, and in personality dimensions. It is concluded that amygdala calcifications in Urbach-Wiethe disease take place progressively-possibly underpinned by genetic and gender variables; this can subsequently allow psychosocial-social factors (such a proper education and socialization) and biological factors (compensatory neuroplasticity) to retard and diminish the development of socio-emotional and cognitive deteriorations, though the outcome of questionnaires indicates that such patients may develop substantial concerns as to their future life and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelica Staniloiu
- University of Bielefeld, Germany; University of Bucharest, Romania; Oberberg Clinic Hornberg, Germany
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12
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Kung PH, Soriano-Mas C, Steward T. The influence of the subcortex and brain stem on overeating: How advances in functional neuroimaging can be applied to expand neurobiological models to beyond the cortex. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:719-731. [PMID: 35380355 PMCID: PMC9307542 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-022-09720-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Functional neuroimaging has become a widely used tool in obesity and eating disorder research to explore the alterations in neurobiology that underlie overeating and binge eating behaviors. Current and traditional neurobiological models underscore the importance of impairments in brain systems supporting reward, cognitive control, attention, and emotion regulation as primary drivers for overeating. Due to the technical limitations of standard field strength functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners, human neuroimaging research to date has focused largely on cortical and basal ganglia effects on appetitive behaviors. The present review draws on animal and human research to highlight how neural signaling encoding energy regulation, reward-learning, and habit formation converge on hypothalamic, brainstem, thalamic, and striatal regions to contribute to overeating in humans. We also consider the role of regions such as the mediodorsal thalamus, ventral striatum, lateral hypothalamus and locus coeruleus in supporting habit formation, inhibitory control of food craving, and attentional biases. Through these discussions, we present proposals on how the neurobiology underlying these processes could be examined using functional neuroimaging and highlight how ultra-high field 7-Tesla (7 T) fMRI may be leveraged to elucidate the potential functional alterations in subcortical networks. Focus is given to how interactions of these regions with peripheral endocannabinoids and neuropeptides, such as orexin, could be explored. Technical and methodological aspects regarding the use of ultra-high field 7 T fMRI to study eating behaviors are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Han Kung
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carles Soriano-Mas
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Neuroscience Program, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Trevor Steward
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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13
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Farruggia MC, Pellegrino R, Scheinost D. Functional Connectivity of the Chemosenses: A Review. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:865929. [PMID: 35813269 PMCID: PMC9257046 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.865929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional connectivity approaches have long been used in cognitive neuroscience to establish pathways of communication between and among brain regions. However, the use of these analyses to better understand how the brain processes chemosensory information remains nascent. In this review, we conduct a literature search of all functional connectivity papers of olfaction, gustation, and chemesthesis, with 103 articles discovered in total. These publications largely use approaches of seed-based functional connectivity and psychophysiological interactions, as well as effective connectivity approaches such as Granger Causality, Dynamic Causal Modeling, and Structural Equation Modeling. Regardless of modality, studies largely focus on elucidating neural correlates of stimulus qualities such as identity, pleasantness, and intensity, with task-based paradigms most frequently implemented. We call for further "model free" or data-driven approaches in predictive modeling to craft brain-behavior relationships that are free from a priori hypotheses and not solely based on potentially irreproducible literature. Moreover, we note a relative dearth of resting-state literature, which could be used to better understand chemosensory networks with less influence from motion artifacts induced via gustatory or olfactory paradigms. Finally, we note a lack of genomics data, which could clarify individual and heritable differences in chemosensory perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Farruggia
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,*Correspondence: Michael C. Farruggia,
| | | | - Dustin Scheinost
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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14
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Veldhuizen MG, Cecchetto C, Fjaeldstad AW, Farruggia MC, Hartig R, Nakamura Y, Pellegrino R, Yeung AWK, Fischmeister FPS. Future Directions for Chemosensory Connectomes: Best Practices and Specific Challenges. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:885304. [PMID: 35707745 PMCID: PMC9190244 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.885304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecological chemosensory stimuli almost always evoke responses in more than one sensory system. Moreover, any sensory processing takes place along a hierarchy of brain regions. So far, the field of chemosensory neuroimaging is dominated by studies that examine the role of brain regions in isolation. However, to completely understand neural processing of chemosensation, we must also examine interactions between regions. In general, the use of connectivity methods has increased in the neuroimaging field, providing important insights to physical sensory processing, such as vision, audition, and touch. A similar trend has been observed in chemosensory neuroimaging, however, these established techniques have largely not been rigorously applied to imaging studies on the chemical senses, leaving network insights overlooked. In this article, we first highlight some recent work in chemosensory connectomics and we summarize different connectomics techniques. Then, we outline specific challenges for chemosensory connectome neuroimaging studies. Finally, we review best practices from the general connectomics and neuroimaging fields. We recommend future studies to develop or use the following methods we perceive as key to improve chemosensory connectomics: (1) optimized study designs, (2) reporting guidelines, (3) consensus on brain parcellations, (4) consortium research, and (5) data sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G. Veldhuizen
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Cinzia Cecchetto
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Alexander W. Fjaeldstad
- Flavour Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Regional Hospital West Jutland, Holstebro, Denmark
| | - Michael C. Farruggia
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Renée Hartig
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- Functional and Comparative Neuroanatomy Laboratory, Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yuko Nakamura
- The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Andy W. K. Yeung
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Florian Ph. S. Fischmeister
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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15
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Ai Y, Han P. Neurocognitive mechanisms of odor-induced taste enhancement: A systematic review. Int J Gastron Food Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgfs.2022.100535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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16
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Ouhaz Z, Perry BAL, Nakamura K, Mitchell AS. Mediodorsal Thalamus Is Critical for Updating during Extradimensional Shifts But Not Reversals in the Attentional Set-Shifting Task. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0162-21.2022. [PMID: 35105661 PMCID: PMC8906789 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0162-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive flexibility, attributed to frontal cortex, is vital for navigating the complexities of everyday life. The mediodorsal thalamus (MD), interconnected to frontal cortex, may influence cognitive flexibility. Here, male rats performed an attentional set-shifting task measuring intradimensional (ID) and extradimensional (ED) shifts in sensory discriminations. MD lesion rats needed more trials to learn the rewarded sensory dimension. However, once the choice response strategy was established, learning further two-choice discriminations in the same sensory dimension, and reversals of the reward contingencies in the same dimension, were unimpaired. Critically though, MD lesion rats were impaired during the ED shift, when they must rapidly update the optimal choice response strategy. Behavioral analyses showed MD lesion rats had significantly reduced correct within-trial second choice responses. This evidence shows that transfer of information via the MD is critical when rapid within-trial updates in established choice response strategies are required after a rule change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakaria Ouhaz
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SR, United Kingdom
- Institut Supérieur des Professions Infirmières et Techniques de la Santé, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
| | - Brook A L Perry
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SR, United Kingdom
| | - Kouichi Nakamura
- Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, United Kingdom
| | - Anna S Mitchell
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SR, United Kingdom
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17
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On being a foodie: development of the Foodie Index and association with personality and taste phenotype. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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18
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Schicker D, Blankenagel S, Zimmer C, Hauner H, Freiherr J. Less is more: Removing a modality of an expected olfactory-visual stimulation enhances brain activation. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:2567-2581. [PMID: 35142405 PMCID: PMC9057098 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, multisensory integration of visual and olfactory stimuli has extensively been explored resulting in the identification of responsible brain areas. As the experimental designs of previous research often include alternating presentations of unimodal and bimodal stimuli, the conditions cannot be regarded as completely independent. This could lead to effects of an expected but surprisingly missing sensory modality. In our experiment, we used a common functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study design with alternating strong unimodal and bimodal olfactory-visual food stimuli, in addition to a slight overhang of the bimodal stimuli in an effort to examine the effects of removing a visual or olfactory congruent stimulus for older people (41-83 years). Our results suggest that the processing of olfactory and visual stimuli stays intact over a wide age-range and that the utilization of strong stimuli does not lead to superadditive multisensory integration in accordance with the principle of inverse effectiveness. However, our results demonstrate that the removal of a stimulus modality leads to an activation of additional brain areas. For example, when the visual stimulus modality is missing, the right posterior superior temporal gyrus shows higher activation, whereas the removal of the olfactory stimulus modality leads to higher activation in the amygdala/hippocampus and the postcentral gyrus. These brain areas are related to attention, memory, and the search of the missing stimulus. Consequently, careful attention must be paid to the design of a valid, multimodal sensory experiment while also controlling for cognitive expectancy effects that might confound multimodal results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Schicker
- Sensory Analytics & Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Freising, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sonja Blankenagel
- Sensory Analytics & Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Freising, Germany.,Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Claus Zimmer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans Hauner
- ZIEL - Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,Institute for Nutritional Medicine, Else Kröner-Fresenius-Centre for Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jessica Freiherr
- Sensory Analytics & Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Freising, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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19
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Combined influence of TAS2R38 genotype and PROP phenotype on the intensity of basic tastes, astringency and pungency in the Italian taste project. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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20
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Ponticorvo S, Prinster A, Cantone E, Di Salle F, Esposito F, Canna A. Sex differences in the taste-evoked functional connectivity network. Chem Senses 2022; 47:6617558. [PMID: 35749468 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central gustatory pathway encompasses multiple subcortical and cortical regions whose neural functional connectivity can be modulated by taste stimulation. While gustatory perception has been previously linked to sex, whether and how the gustatory network differently responds to basic tastes between men and women is unclear. Here, we defined the regions of the central gustatory network by a meta-analysis of 35 fMRI taste activation studies and then analyzed the taste-evoked functional connectivity between these regions in 44 subjects (19 women) in a separate 3 Tesla activation study where sweet and bitter solutions, at five concentrations each, were administered during scanning. From the meta-analysis, a network model was set up, including bilateral anterior, middle and inferior insula, thalamus, precentral gyrus, left amygdala, caudate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Higher functional connectivity than in women was observed in men between the right middle insula and bilateral thalami for bitter taste. Men exhibited higher connectivity than women at low bitter concentrations and middle-high sweet concentrations between bilateral thalamus and insula. A graph-based analysis expressed similar results in terms of nodal characteristics of strength and centrality. Our findings add new insights into the mechanisms of taste processing by highlighting sex differences in the functional connectivity of the gustatory network as modulated by the perception of sweet and bitter tastes. These results shed more light on the neural origin of sex-related differences in gustatory perception and may guide future research on the pathophysiology of taste perception in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Anna Prinster
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Cantone
- Section of ENT, Department of Neuroscience, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Scuola Medica Salernitana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonietta Canna
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
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21
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Noto T, Zhou G, Yang Q, Lane G, Zelano C. Human Primary Olfactory Amygdala Subregions Form Distinct Functional Networks, Suggesting Distinct Olfactory Functions. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 15:752320. [PMID: 34955769 PMCID: PMC8695617 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.752320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Three subregions of the amygdala receive monosynaptic projections from the olfactory bulb, making them part of the primary olfactory cortex. These primary olfactory areas are located at the anterior-medial aspect of the amygdala and include the medial amygdala (MeA), cortical amygdala (CoA), and the periamygdaloid complex (PAC). The vast majority of research on the amygdala has focused on the larger basolateral and basomedial subregions, which are known to be involved in implicit learning, threat responses, and emotion. Fewer studies have focused on the MeA, CoA, and PAC, with most conducted in rodents. Therefore, our understanding of the functions of these amygdala subregions is limited, particularly in humans. Here, we first conducted a review of existing literature on the MeA, CoA, and PAC. We then used resting-state fMRI and unbiased k-means clustering techniques to show that the anatomical boundaries of human MeA, CoA, and PAC accurately parcellate based on their whole-brain resting connectivity patterns alone, suggesting that their functional networks are distinct, relative both to each other and to the amygdala subregions that do not receive input from the olfactory bulb. Finally, considering that distinct functional networks are suggestive of distinct functions, we examined the whole-brain resting network of each subregion and speculated on potential roles that each region may play in olfactory processing. Based on these analyses, we speculate that the MeA could potentially be involved in the generation of rapid motor responses to olfactory stimuli (including fight/flight), particularly in approach/avoid contexts. The CoA could potentially be involved in olfactory-related reward processing, including learning and memory of approach/avoid responses. The PAC could potentially be involved in the multisensory integration of olfactory information with other sensory systems. These speculations can be used to form the basis of future studies aimed at clarifying the olfactory functions of these under-studied primary olfactory areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Noto
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Guangyu Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Qiaohan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Gregory Lane
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Christina Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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22
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Petrovich GD. The Function of Paraventricular Thalamic Circuitry in Adaptive Control of Feeding Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:671096. [PMID: 33986649 PMCID: PMC8110711 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.671096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a complex area that is uniquely embedded across the core feeding, reward, arousal, and stress circuits. The PVT role in the control of feeding behavior is discussed here within a framework of adaptive behavioral guidance based on the body’s energy state and competing drives. The survival of an organism depends on bodily energy resources and promotion of feeding over other behaviors is adaptive except when in danger or sated. The PVT is structurally set up to respond to homeostatic and hedonic needs to feed, and to integrate those signals with physiological and environmental stress, as well as anticipatory needs and other cognitive inputs. It can regulate both food foraging (seeking) and consumption and may balance their expression. The PVT is proposed to accomplish these functions through a network of connections with the brainstem, hypothalamic, striatal, and cortical areas. The connectivity of the PVT further indicates that it could broadcast the information about energy use/gain and behavioral choice to impact cognitive processes—learning, memory, and decision-making—through connections with the medial and lateral prefrontal cortical areas, the hippocampal formation, and the amygdala. The PVT is structurally complex and recent evidence for specific PVT pathways in different aspects of feeding behavior will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorica D Petrovich
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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23
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Ohla K. Flexible and dynamic representations of gustatory information. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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24
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Abstract
To understand human taste requires not only physiological studies ranging from receptor mechanisms to brain circuitry, but also psychophysical studies that quantitatively describe the perceptual output of the system. As obvious as this requirement is, differences in research approaches, methodologies, and objectives complicate the ability to meet it. Discussed here is an example of how the discovery two decades ago of a perceptual taste illusion (thermal taste) has led to physiological and psychophysical research on both peripheral and central mechanisms of taste, including most recently a psychophysical study of the heat sensitivity of the human sweet taste receptor TAS1R2/T1R3, and an fMRI study of a possible central gain mechanism that may underlie, in part, differences in human taste sensitivity. In addition to the new data and hypotheses these studies have generated, they illustrate instances of research on taste motivated by evidence derived from different approaches and levels of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry G Green
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, 290 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT, USA 06519
- Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, USA 06511
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25
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Inhibitory Central Amygdala Outputs to Thalamus Control the Gain of Taste Perception. J Neurosci 2021; 40:9166-9168. [PMID: 33239436 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1833-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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