Gender-Based Cerebral Perfusion Differences in 46,034 Functional Neuroimaging Scans

Interactions between ploidy and resource availability shape clonal interference at initiation and recurrence of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of primary brain tumor. Complete surgical resection of GBM is almost impossible due to the infiltrative nature of the cancer. While no evidence for recent selection events have been found after diagnosis, the selective forces that govern gliomagenesis are strong, shaping the tumor's cell composition during the initial progression to malignancy with late consequences for invasiveness and therapy response. We present a mathematical model that simulates the growth and invasion of a glioma, given its ploidy level and the nature of its brain tissue micro-environment (TME), and use it to make inferences about GBM initiation and response to standard-of-care treatment. We approximate the spatial distribution of resource access in the TME through integration of in-silico modelling, multi-omics data and image analysis of primary and recurrent GBM. In the pre-malignant setting, our in-silico results suggest that low ploidy cancer cells are more resistant to starvation-induced cell death. In the malignant setting, between first and second surgery, simulated tumors with different ploidy compositions progressed at different rates. Whether higher ploidy predicted fast recurrence, however, depended on the TME. Historical data supports this dependence on TME resources, as shown by a significant correlation between the median glucose uptake rates in human tissues and the median ploidy of cancer types that arise in the respective tissues (Spearman r = -0.70; P = 0.026). Taken together our findings suggest that availability of metabolic substrates in the TME drives different cell fate decisions for cancer cells with different ploidy and shapes GBM disease initiation and relapse characteristics.

Clinical Outcomes of Moderately Hypofractionated Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

PURPOSE

Hypofractionated radiotherapy (HypoRT) has recently been implemented in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) receiving concurrent temozolomide. Lymphopenia during treatment (LDT) is considered an important prognostic factor of clinical outcomes for GBM. We aimed to investigate the outcomes of HypoRT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 223 patients with GBM, 145 and 78 were treated with conventionally fractionated RT (ConvRT, 60 Gy in 30 fractions) and HypoRT (58.5 Gy in 25 fractions), respectively. To balance characteristics between the two groups, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed.

RESULTS

Patients in the HypoRT group were older and had smaller tumors than those in the ConvRT group (p<0.05). Furthermore, dose distributions to the brain were significantly lower in HypoRT than in ConvRT (p<0.001). Changes in absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) during treatment were significantly lower after HypoRT than after ConvRT (p=0.018). With a median follow-up of 16.9 months, HypoRT showed comparable progression-free survival (9.9 months vs. 10.5 months) and overall survival (27.2 months vs. 26.6 months) to ConvRT (all p>0.05). Multivariable analysis before PSM revealed that ≥grade 2 LDT at 6 months was associated with inferior outcomes. Subsequent analysis demonstrated that HypoRT significantly reduced the rate of ≥grade 2 LDT at 6 months post-RT before and after PSM.

CONCLUSION

HypoRT with 58.5 Gy in 25 fractions could provide comparable oncologic outcomes and significantly reduce the ALC changes. In addition, HypoRT decreased the LDT. Further investigation should be warranted to suggest the significance of reduced LDT through HypoRT affecting survival outcomes.

Test-retest reliability of arterial spin labelling for cerebral blood flow in older adults with small vessel disease

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is common in older people and is associated with lacunar stroke, white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and vascular cognitive impairment. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is reduced in SVD, particularly within white matter.Here we quantified test-retest reliability in CBF measurements using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labelling (pCASL) in older adults with clinical and radiological evidence of SVD (N=54, mean (SD): 66.9 (8.7) years, 15 females/39 males). We generated whole-brain CBF maps on two visits at least 7 days apart (mean (SD): 20 (19), range 7-117 days).Test-retest reliability for CBF was high in all tissue types, with intra-class correlation coefficient [95%CI]: 0.758 [0.616, 0.852] for whole brain, 0.842 [0.743, 0.905] for total grey matter, 0.771 [0.636, 0.861] for deep grey matter (caudate-putamen and thalamus), 0.872 [0.790, 0.923] for normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and 0.780 [0.650, 0.866] for WMH (all p<0.001). ANCOVA models indicated significant decline in CBF in total grey matter, deep grey matter and NAWM with increasing age and diastolic blood pressure (all p<0.001). CBF was lower in males relative to females (p=0.013 for total grey matter, p=0.004 for NAWM).We conclude that pCASL has high test-retest reliability as a quantitative measure of CBF in older adults with SVD. These findings support the use of pCASL in routine clinical imaging and as a clinical trial endpoint.All data come from the PASTIS trial, prospectively registered at: https://eudract.ema.europa.eu (2015-001235-20, registered 13/05/2015), http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02450253, registered 21/05/2015).

The Legacy of the TTASAAN Report - Premature Conclusions and Forgotten Promises About SPECT Neuroimaging: A Review of Policy and Practice Part II

Brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans were initially developed in 1970s. A key radiopharmaceutical, hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO), was not stabilized until 1993 and most early SPECT scans were performed on single-head gamma cameras. These early scans were of inferior quality. In 1996, the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology (TTASAAN) issued a report regarding the use of SPECT in the evaluation of neurological disorders. This two-part series explores the policies and procedures related to perfusion SPECT functional neuroimaging. In Part I, the comparison between the quality of the SPECT scans and the depth of the data for key neurological and psychiatric indications at the time of the TTASAAN report vs. the intervening 25 years were presented. In Part II, the technical aspects of perfusion SPECT neuroimaging and image processing will be explored. The role of color scales will be reviewed and the process of interpreting a SPECT scan will be presented. Interpretation of a functional brain scans requires not only anatomical knowledge, but also technical understanding on correctly performing a scan, regardless of the scanning modality. Awareness of technical limitations allows the clinician to properly interpret a functional brain scan. With this foundation, four scenarios in which perfusion SPECT neuroimaging, together with other imaging modalities and testing, lead to a narrowing of the differential diagnoses and better treatment. Lastly, recommendations for the revision of current policies and practices are made.

Tipping cancer cells over the edge: the context-dependent cost of high ploidy

Tetraploidy is an aneuploidy-permissive condition that can fuel tumorgenesis. The tip-over hypothesis of cytotoxic therapy-sensitivity proposes that therapy is effective if it pushes a cell's aneuploidy above a viable tipping point. But elevated aneuploidy alone may not account for this tipping point. Tissue micro-environments (TMEs) that lack sufficient resources to support tetraploid cells can explain the fitness cost of aneuploidy. Raw materials needed to generate deoxynucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, are candidate rate-limiting factors for the evolution of high-ploidy cancer cells. Understanding the resource cost of high ploidy is key to uncover its therapeutic vulnerabilities across tissue sites with versatile energy supplies.

Resting State Alpha Electroencephalographic Rhythms Are Affected by Sex in Cognitively Unimpaired Seniors and Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Retrospective and Exploratory Study

In the present retrospective and exploratory study, we tested the hypothesis that sex may affect cortical sources of resting state eyes-closed electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms recorded in normal elderly (Nold) seniors and patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment (ADMCI). Datasets in 69 ADMCI and 57 Nold individuals were taken from an international archive. The rsEEG rhythms were investigated at individual delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands and fixed beta (14-30 Hz) and gamma (30-40 Hz) bands. Each group was stratified into matched females and males. The sex factor affected the magnitude of rsEEG source activities in the Nold seniors. Compared with the males, the females were characterized by greater alpha source activities in all cortical regions. Similarly, the parietal, temporal, and occipital alpha source activities were greater in the ADMCI-females than the males. Notably, the present sex effects did not depend on core genetic (APOE4), neuropathological (Aβ42/phospho-tau ratio in the cerebrospinal fluid), structural neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular (MRI) variables characterizing sporadic AD-related processes in ADMCI seniors. These results suggest the sex factor may significantly affect neurophysiological brain neural oscillatory synchronization mechanisms underpinning the generation of dominant rsEEG alpha rhythms to regulate cortical arousal during quiet vigilance.

Sex and Cardiovascular Function in Relation to Vascular Brain Injury in Patients with Cognitive Complaints

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence shows sex differences in manifestations of vascular brain injury in memory clinic patients. We hypothesize that this is explained by sex differences in cardiovascular function.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relation between sex and manifestations of vascular brain injury in patients with cognitive complaints, in interaction with cardiovascular function.

METHODS

160 outpatient clinic patients (68.8±8.5 years, 38% female) with cognitive complaints and vascular brain injury from the Heart-Brain Connection study underwent a standardized work-up, including heart-brain MRI. We calculated sex differences in vascular brain injury (lacunar infarcts, non-lacunar infarcts, white matter hyperintensities [WMHs], and microbleeds) and cardiovascular function (arterial stiffness, cardiac index, left ventricular [LV] mass index, LV mass-to-volume ratio and cerebral blood flow). In separate regression models, we analyzed the interaction effect between sex and cardiovascular function markers on manifestations of vascular brain injury with interaction terms (sex*cardiovascular function marker).

RESULTS

Males had more infarcts, whereas females tended to have larger WMH-volumes. Males had higher LV mass indexes and LV mass-to-volume ratios and lower CBF values compared to females. Yet, we found no interaction effect between sex and individual cardiovascular function markers in relation to the different manifestations of vascular brain injury (p-values interaction terms > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Manifestations of vascular brain injury in patients with cognitive complaints differed by sex. There was no interaction between sex and cardiovascular function, warranting further studies to explain the observed sex differences in injury patterns.

Patterns of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow as a Function of Obesity in Adults

Background:

While obesity has been shown to be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, the potential mechanisms underlying this risk may be clarified with better understanding of underlying physiology in obese persons.

Objective:

To identify patterns of cerebral perfusion abnormality in adults as a function of body mass index (BMI) defined weight categories, including overweight or obese status.

Methods:

A large psychiatric cohort of 35,442 brain scans across 17,721 adults (mean age 40.8±16.2 years, range 18–94 years) were imaged with SPECT during baseline and concentration scans, the latter done after each participant completed the Connors Continuous Performance Test II. ANOVA was done to identify patterns of perfusion abnormality in this cohort across BMI designations of underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI = 18.5 to 24.9), overweight (BMI 24.9 to 29.9), obesity (BMI≥30), and morbid obesity (BMI≥40). This analysis was done for 128 brain regions quantifying SPECT perfusion using the automated anatomical labeling (AAL) atlas.

Results:

Across adulthood, higher BMI correlated with decreased perfusion on both resting and concentration brain SPECT scans. These are seen in virtually all brain regions, including those influenced by AD pathology such as the hippocampus.

Conclusion:

Greater BMI is associated with cerebral perfusion decreases in both resting and concentration SPECT scans across adulthood.

Proton therapy reduces the likelihood of high-grade radiation-induced lymphopenia in glioblastoma patients: phase II randomized study of protons vs photons

BACKGROUND

We investigated differences in radiation-induced grade 3+ lymphopenia (G3+L), defined as an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) nadir of <500 cells/µL, after proton therapy (PT) or X-ray (photon) therapy (XRT) for patients with glioblastoma (GBM).

METHODS

Patients enrolled in a randomized phase II trial received PT (n = 28) or XRT (n = 56) concomitantly with temozolomide. ALC was measured before, weekly during, and within 1 month after radiotherapy. Whole-brain mean dose (WBMD) and brain dose-volume indices were extracted from planned dose distributions. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictive variables. The resulting model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

Rates of G3+L were lower in men (7/47 [15%]) versus women (19/37 [51%]) (P < 0.001), and for PT (4/28 [14%]) versus XRT (22/56 [39%]) (P = 0.024). G3+L was significantly associated with baseline ALC, WBMD, and brain volumes receiving 5‒40 Gy(relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) or higher (ie, V5 through V40). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis identified being female (odds ratio [OR] 6.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95‒22.4, P = 0.003), baseline ALC (OR 0.18, 95% CI: 0.05‒0.51, P = 0.003), and whole-brain V20 (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03‒1.13, P = 0.002) as the strongest predictors. ROC analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.79-0.94) for the final G3+L prediction model.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex, baseline ALC, and whole-brain V20 were the strongest predictors of G3+L for patients with GBM treated with radiation and temozolomide. PT reduced brain volumes receiving low and intermediate doses and, consequently, reduced G3+L.

Altered cerebral perfusion in response to chronic mild hypercapnia and head-down tilt Bed rest as an analog for Spaceflight

PURPOSE

Following prolonged stays on the International Space Station (ISS), some astronauts exhibit visual acuity changes, ophthalmological findings, and mildly elevated intracranial pressures as part of a novel process called spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). To determine the pathophysiology of SANS, NASA conducted a multi-investigator study in which 11 healthy participants underwent head-down tilt bed rest, mimicking microgravity-induced cephalad fluid shifts, combined with elevated ambient CO₂ levels similar to those on the ISS (HDT+CO₂). As part of that study, we examined the effects of HDT+CO₂ on cerebral perfusion.

METHODS

Using arterial spin labeling, we compared cerebral perfusion before, during, and after HDT+CO₂ in participants who developed SANS (n = 5) with those who did not (n = 6).

RESULTS

All participants demonstrated a decrease in perfusion during HDT+CO2 (mean decrease of 25.1% at HDT7 and 16.2% at HDT29); however, the timing and degree of change varied between the groups. At day 7 of HDT+CO₂, the SANS group experienced a greater reduction in perfusion than the non-SANS group (p =.05, 95% CI:-0.19 to 16.11, d=.94, large effect). Conversely, by day 29 of HDT+CO₂, the SANS group had significantly higher perfusion (approaching their baseline) than the non-SANS group (p = .04, 95% CI:0.33 to 13.07, d=1.01, large effect).

CONCLUSION

Compared with baseline and recovery, HDT+CO₂ resulted in reduced cerebral perfusion which varied based on SANS status. Further studies are needed to unravel the relative role of HDT vs hypercapnia, to determine if these perfusion changes are clinically relevant, and whether perfusion changes contribute to the development of SANS during spaceflight.

Neurovascular and cortical responses to hyperoxia: enhanced cognition and electroencephalographic activity despite reduced perfusion

KEY POINTS

Extreme aviation is accompanied by ever-present risks of hypobaric hypoxia and decompression sickness. Neuroprotection against those hazards is conferred through fractional inspired oxygen ( F I , O 2 ) concentrations of 60-100% (hyperoxia). Hyperoxia reduces global cerebral perfusion (gCBF), increases reactive oxygen species within the brain and leads to cell death within the hippocampus. However, an understanding of hyperoxia's effect on cortical activity and concomitant levels of cognitive performance is lacking. This limits our understanding of whether hyperoxia could lower the brain's threshold of tolerance to physiological stressors inherent to extreme aviation, such as high gravitational forces. This study aimed to quantify the impact of hyperoxia upon global cerebral perfusion (gCBF), cognitive performance and cortical electroencephalography (EEG). Hyperoxia evoked a rapid reduction in gCBF, yet cognitive performance and vigilance were enhanced. EEG measurements revealed enhanced alpha power, suggesting less desynchrony, within the cortical temporal regions. Collectively, this work suggests hyperoxia-induced brain hypoperfusion is accompanied by enhanced cognitive processing and cortical arousal.

ABSTRACT

Extreme aviators continually inspire hyperoxic gas to mitigate risk of hypoxia and decompression injury. This neuroprotection carries a physiological cost: reduced cerebral perfusion (CBF). As reduced CBF may increase vulnerability to ever-present physiological challenges during extreme aviation, we defined the magnitude and duration of hyperoxia-induced changes in CBF, cortical electrical activity and cognition in 30 healthy males and females. Magnetic resonance imaging with pulsed arterial spin labelling provided serial measurements of global CBF (gCBF), first during exposure to 21% inspired oxygen ( F I , O 2 ) followed by a 30-min exposure to 100% F I , O 2 . High-density EEG facilitated characterization of cortical activity during assessment of cognitive performance, also measured during exposure to 21% and 100% F I , O 2 . Acid-base physiology was measured with arterial blood gases. We found that exposure to 100% F I , O 2 reduced gCBF to 63% of baseline values across all participants. Cognitive performance testing at 21% F I , O 2 was accompanied by increased theta and beta power with decreased alpha power across multiple cortical areas. During cognitive testing at 100% F I , O 2 , alpha activity was less desynchronized within the temporal regions than at 21% F I , O 2 . The collective hyperoxia-induced changes in gCBF, cognitive performance and EEG were similar across observed partial pressures of arterial oxygen ( P a O 2 ), which ranged between 276-548 mmHg, and partial pressures of arterial carbon dioxide ( P aC O 2 ), which ranged between 34-50 mmHg. Sex did not influence gCBF response to 100% F I , O 2 . Our findings suggest hyperoxia-induced reductions in gCBF evoke enhanced levels of cortical arousal and cognitive processing, similar to those occurring during a perceived threat.

Early-phase [18F]PI-2620 tau-PET imaging as a surrogate marker of neuronal injury

Purpose

Second-generation tau radiotracers for use with positron emission tomography (PET) have been developed for visualization of tau deposits in vivo. For several β-amyloid and first-generation tau-PET radiotracers, it has been shown that early-phase images can be used as a surrogate of neuronal injury. Therefore, we investigated the performance of early acquisitions of the novel tau-PET radiotracer [¹⁸F]PI-2620 as a potential substitute for [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([¹⁸F]FDG).

Methods

Twenty-six subjects were referred with suspected tauopathies or overlapping parkinsonian syndromes (Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, multi-system atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, multi-system atrophy, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia) and received a dynamic [¹⁸F]PI-2620 tau-PET (0–60 min p.i.) and static [¹⁸F]FDG-PET (30–50 min p.i.). Regional standardized uptake value ratios of early-phase images (single frame SUVr) and the blood flow estimate (R₁) of [¹⁸F]PI-2620-PET were correlated with corresponding quantification of [¹⁸F]FDG-PET (global mean/cerebellar normalization). Reduced tracer uptake in cortical target regions was also interpreted visually using 3-dimensional stereotactic surface projections by three more and three less experienced readers. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were calculated between early-phase [¹⁸F]PI-2620 tau-PET and [¹⁸F]FDG-PET images for all cortical regions and frequencies of disagreement between images were compared for both more and less experienced readers.

Results

Highest agreement with [¹⁸F]FDG-PET quantification was reached for [¹⁸F]PI-2620-PET acquisition from 0.5 to 2.5 min p.i. for global mean (lowest R = 0.69) and cerebellar scaling (lowest R = 0.63). Correlation coefficients (summed 0.5–2.5 min SUVr & R₁) displayed strong agreement in all cortical target regions for global mean (R_SUVr 0.76, R_R1 = 0.77) and cerebellar normalization (R_SUVr 0.68, R_R1 = 0.68). Visual interpretation revealed high regional correlations between early-phase tau-PET and [¹⁸F]FDG-PET. There were no relevant differences between more and less experienced readers.

Conclusion

Early-phase imaging of [¹⁸F]PI-2620 can serve as a surrogate biomarker for neuronal injury. Dynamic imaging or a dual time-point protocol for tau-PET imaging could supersede additional [¹⁸F]FDG-PET imaging by indexing both the distribution of tau and the extent of neuronal injury.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00259-020-04788-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Virtual Reality Is Sexist: But It Does Not Have to Be

The aim of this study was to assess what drives gender-based differences in the experience of cybersickness within virtual environments. In general, those who have studied cybersickness (i.e., motion sickness associated with virtual reality [VR] exposure), oftentimes report that females are more susceptible than males. As there are many individual factors that could contribute to gender differences, understanding the biggest drivers could help point to solutions. Two experiments were conducted in which males and females were exposed for 20 min to a virtual rollercoaster. In the first experiment, individual factors that may contribute to cybersickness were assessed via self-report, body measurements, and surveys. Cybersickness was measured via the simulator sickness questionnaire and physiological sensor data. Interpupillary distance (IPD) non-fit was found to be the primary driver of gender differences in cybersickness, with motion sickness susceptibility identified as a secondary driver. Females whose IPD could not be properly fit to the VR headset and had a high motion sickness history suffered the most cybersickness and did not fully recover within 1 h post exposure. A follow-on experiment demonstrated that when females could properly fit their IPD to the VR headset, they experienced cybersickness in a manner similar to males, with high cybersickness immediately upon cessation of VR exposure but recovery within 1 h post exposure. Taken together, the results suggest that gender differences in cybersickness may be largely contingent on whether or not the VR display can be fit to the IPD of the user; with a substantially greater proportion of females unable to achieve a good fit. VR displays may need to be redesigned to have a wider IPD adjustable range in order to reduce cybersickness rates, especially among females.

Microglia and sexual differentiation of the developing brain: A focus on ontogeny and intrinsic factors

Sexual differentiation of the brain during early development likely underlies the strong sex biases prevalent in many neurological conditions. Mounting evidence indicates that microglia, the innate immune cells of the central nervous system, are intricately involved in these sex-specific processes of differentiation. In this review, we synthesize literature demonstrating sex differences in microglial number, morphology, transcriptional state, and functionality throughout spatiotemporal development as well as highlight current literature regarding ontogeny of microglia. Along with vanRyzin et al. in this issue, we explore the idea that differences in microglia imparted by chromosomal or ontogeny-related programming can influence microglial-driven sexual differentiation of the brain, as well as the idea that extrinsic differences in the male and female brain microenvironment may in turn impart sex differences in microglia.

The cerebral angiome: High resolution MicroCT imaging of the whole brain cerebrovasculature in female and male mice

The cerebrovascular system provides crucial functions that maintain metabolic and homeostatic states of the brain. Despite its integral role of supporting cerebral viability, the topological organization of these networks remains largely uncharacterized. This void in our knowledge surmises entirely from current technological limitations that prevent the capturing of data through the entire depth of the brain. We report high-resolution reconstruction and analysis of the complete vascular network of the entire brain at the capillary level in adult female and male mice using a vascular corrosion cast procedure. Vascular network analysis of the whole brain revealed sex-related differences of vessel hierarchy. In addition, region-specific network analysis demonstrated different patterns of angioarchitecture between brain subregions and sex. Furthermore, our group is the first to provide a three-dimensional analysis of the angioarchitecture and network organization in a single reconstructed tomographic data set that encompasses all hierarchy of vessels in the brain of the adult mouse.

Patterns of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow as a Function of Age Throughout the Lifespan

BACKGROUND

Understanding the influence of aging on the brain remains a challenge in determining its role as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE

To identify patterns of aging in a large neuroimaging cohort.

METHODS

A large psychiatric cohort of 31,227 individuals received brain SPECT at rest and during a concentration task for a total of 62,454 scans. ANOVA was done to identify the mean age trends over the course of the age range in this group, 0-105 years. A regression model in which brain SPECT regions of interest was used to predict chronological age (CA) was then utilized to derive brain estimated age (BEA). The difference between CA and BEA was calculated to determine increased brain aging in common disorders in our sample such as depression, dementia, substance use, and anxiety.

RESULTS

Throughout the lifespan, variations in perfusion were observed in childhood, adolescence, and late life. Increased brain aging was seen in alcohol use, cannabis use, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and in men.

CONCLUSION

Brain SPECT can predict chronological age and this feature varies as a function of common psychiatric disorders.

The Relationship Between Self-Control and Self-Efficacy Among Patients With Substance Use Disorders: Resilience and Self-Esteem as Mediators

Background: While substance use disorder is one of the overarching health and social issues that might seriously disrupt individuals' self-control and self-efficacy, most previous studies have been conducted among university students or other groups, and little is known about how the underlying mechanisms between self-control and self-efficacy might impact patients with substance use disorders. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate how resilience and self-esteem mediate the relationships between self-control and self-efficacy among patients with substance use disorders. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 298 patients with substance use disorder from Shifosi rehab in China. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition)-based diagnostic questionnaires were used to collect demographic information and assess addiction severity. The Dual-Modes of Self-Control Scale (DMSC-S) was implemented to measure self-control, while self-esteem was measured using the Self-esteem Scale (SES). The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used to measure resilience, and self-efficacy was measured by the regulatory emotional self-efficacy scale (RESE). Results: The correlations between all the dimensions and total scores on the self-control, resilience, self-esteem, and self-efficacy were significantly positive (p < 0.01), indicating that they could predict patients' self-efficacy. Bootstrap testing indicated that resilience and self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between self-control and self-efficacy, relationships between self-control and self-esteem were partially mediated by resilience, and resilience partially mediated the relationship between self-esteem and self-efficacy. Finally, the multiple-group analysis indicated that the relationships among self-control, resilience, self-esteem, and self-efficiency did not differ with respect to gender. Conclusions: The path from self-control through resilience and self-esteem and on to self-efficacy is significant among patients with substance use disorders, suggesting that increasing self-control, resilience, and self-esteem can improve self-efficacy among patients with substance use disorders.

Hemodynamic effects of sex and handedness on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: the contradiction between neuroimaging and behavioural results

This study investigated the potential role of sex and handedness on the performance of a computerised Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in healthy participants by applying functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) sex-related differences of hemodynamic response in the prefrontal cortex of 70 healthy participants (female, n = 35 and male, n = 35; right-handed, n = 40 and left-handed, n = 30). In contrast, behavioural results of the WCST do not show sex bias, which is consistent with previous literature. Because of this, we compared ours and sparse previous fNIRS studies on the WCST. We propose that, according to recent studies of neurovascular coupling, this contradiction between neuroimaging and behavioural results may be explained by normal variability in neurovascular dynamics.

From swing to cane: Sex differences of EEG resting-state temporal patterns during maturation and aging

While many insights on brain development and aging have been gained by studying resting-state networks with fMRI, relating these changes to cognitive functions is limited by the temporal resolution of fMRI. In order to better grasp short-lasting and dynamically changing mental activities, an increasing number of studies utilize EEG to define resting-state networks, thereby often using the concept of EEG microstates. These are brief (around 100 ms) periods of stable scalp potential fields that are influenced by cognitive states and are sensitive to neuropsychiatric diseases. Despite the rising popularity of the EEG microstate approach, information about age changes is sparse and nothing is known about sex differences. Here we investigated age and sex related changes of the temporal dynamics of EEG microstates in 179 healthy individuals (6-87 years old, 90 females, 204-channel EEG). We show strong sex-specific changes in microstate dynamics during adolescence as well as at older age. In addition, males and females differ in the duration and occurrence of specific microstates. These results are of relevance for the comparison of studies in populations of different age and sex and for the understanding of the changes in neuropsychiatric diseases.