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Liparoti M, Troisi Lopez E, Sarno L, Rucco R, Minino R, Pesoli M, Perruolo G, Formisano P, Lucidi F, Sorrentino G, Sorrentino P. Functional brain network topology across the menstrual cycle is estradiol dependent and correlates with individual well-being. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:2271-2286. [PMID: 34110041 PMCID: PMC8453714 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The menstrual cycle (MC) is a sex hormone‐related phenomenon that repeats itself cyclically during the woman's reproductive life. In this explorative study, we hypothesized that coordinated variations of multiple sex hormones may affect the large‐scale organization of the brain functional network and that, in turn, such changes might have psychological correlates, even in the absence of overt clinical signs of anxiety and/or depression. To test our hypothesis, we investigated longitudinally, across the MC, the relationship between the sex hormones and both brain network and psychological changes. We enrolled 24 naturally cycling women and, at the early‐follicular, peri‐ovulatory, and mid‐luteal phases of the MC, we performed: (a) sex hormone dosage, (b) magnetoencephalography recording to study the brain network topology, and (c) psychological questionnaires to quantify anxiety, depression, self‐esteem, and well‐being. We showed that during the peri‐ovulatory phase, in the alpha band, the leaf fraction and the tree hierarchy of the brain network were reduced, while the betweenness centrality (BC) of the right posterior cingulate gyrus (rPCG) was increased. Furthermore, the increase in BC was predicted by estradiol levels. Moreover, during the luteal phase, the variation of estradiol correlated positively with the variations of both the topological change and environmental mastery dimension of the well‐being test, which, in turn, was related to the increase in the BC of rPCG. Our results highlight the effects of sex hormones on the large‐scale brain network organization as well as on their possible relationship with the psychological state across the MC. Moreover, the fact that physiological changes in the brain topology occur throughout the MC has widespread implications for neuroimaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Liparoti
- Department of Motor Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy
| | - Emahnuel Troisi Lopez
- Department of Motor Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Sarno
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Rucco
- Department of Motor Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.,Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Roberta Minino
- Department of Motor Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy
| | - Matteo Pesoli
- Department of Motor Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Perruolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,URT "Genomic of Diabetes" of Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Council of Research, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,URT "Genomic of Diabetes" of Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Council of Research, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Lucidi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sorrentino
- Department of Motor Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.,Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Hermitage Capodimonte Clinic, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Sorrentino
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Faculty of Medicine, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
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Kaertner LS, Steinborn MB, Kettner H, Spriggs MJ, Roseman L, Buchborn T, Balaet M, Timmermann C, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris RL. Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1941. [PMID: 33479342 PMCID: PMC7820236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81446-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychedelic microdosing describes the ingestion of near-threshold perceptible doses of classic psychedelic substances. Anecdotal reports and observational studies suggest that microdosing may promote positive mood and well-being, but recent placebo-controlled studies failed to find compelling evidence for this. The present study collected web-based mental health and related data using a prospective (before, during and after) design. Individuals planning a weekly microdosing regimen completed surveys at strategic timepoints, spanning a core four-week test period. Eighty-one participants completed the primary study endpoint. Results revealed increased self-reported psychological well-being, emotional stability and reductions in state anxiety and depressive symptoms at the four-week primary endpoint, plus increases in psychological resilience, social connectedness, agreeableness, nature relatedness and aspects of psychological flexibility. However, positive expectancy scores at baseline predicted subsequent improvements in well-being, suggestive of a significant placebo response. This study highlights a role for positive expectancy in predicting positive outcomes following psychedelic microdosing and cautions against zealous inferences on its putative therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Kaertner
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - M B Steinborn
- Departmant of Psychology, Julius-Maximilans-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - H Kettner
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - M J Spriggs
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - L Roseman
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - T Buchborn
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - M Balaet
- Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C Timmermann
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - D Erritzoe
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - R L Carhart-Harris
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Corno G, Serino S, Cipresso P, Baños RM, Riva G. Assessing the Relationship Between Attitudinal and Perceptual Component of Body Image Disturbance Using Virtual Reality. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2019; 21:679-686. [PMID: 30421995 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2018.0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Body image disturbance (BID) affects quality of life even in the absence of clinically diagnosable eating pathology, and numerous studies have shown its crucial role in the emergence and maintenance of eating disorders. This study aimed at exploring attitudinal and perceptual components of BID using a novel virtual reality (VR)-based paradigm. A community sample of women (N = 27) recreated in VR their perceived body in both an allocentric (third-person view) and egocentric (first-person view) perspective. Specifically, women were able to choose between a wide range of three-dimensional bodies spanning body mass index 12.5-42.5 kg/m2. Attitudinal indexes of BID (body dissatisfaction, body uneasiness, and body image avoidance) were assessed through questionnaires. Attitudinal components predicted the perceptual BID only in the allocentric perspective. Specifically, overestimation was predicted by body image avoidance, while underestimation was predicted by body uneasiness. Furthermore, a common predictor of underestimation and overestimation was body dissatisfaction. In line with the allocentric lock hypothesis, the current results seem to confirm the presence of two different mechanisms underlying BID: one related to real-time perception-driven inputs (egocentric frame) and one related to abstract knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes related to a person's body (allocentric frame). These findings contribute to a better understanding of the nature and mechanisms underlying BID and provide additional evidence about the suitability of using VR for exploring and assessing body image-related components and disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Corno
- 1 Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano , Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Serino
- 1 Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano , Milan, Italy .,2 Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Cipresso
- 1 Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano , Milan, Italy .,2 Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa M Baños
- 3 Departamento Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamientos Psicológicos, Universitat de Valencia , Valencia, Spain .,4 CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CB06/03), Carlos III Institute of Health , Madrid, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- 1 Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano , Milan, Italy .,2 Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Milan, Italy
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