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Ma CC, Lin YY, Chung YA, Park SY, Huang CCY, Chang WC, Chang HA. The two-back task leads to activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms: a fNIRS study and its implication for tDCS. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:585-597. [PMID: 38227007 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06769-5] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has shown some potential as an adjunctive intervention for ameliorating negative symptoms of schizophrenia, but its efficacy requires optimization. Recently, 'functional targeting' of stimulation holds promise for advancing tDCS efficacy by coupling tDCS with a cognitive task where the target brain regions are activated by that task and further specifically polarized by tDCS.The study used 48-channel functional near infra-red spectroscopy (fNIRS) aiming to determine a cognitive task that can effectively induce a cortical activation of the left DLPFC in schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms before running a tDCS trial. Sixty schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms completed measures of clinical and psychosocial functioning characteristics and assessments across cognitive domains. Hemodynamic changes during n-back working memory tasks with different cognitive loads (1-back and 2-back) and verbal fluency test (VFT) were measured using fNIRS. For n-back tasks, greater signal changes were found when the task required elevated cognitive load. One sample t-test revealed that only 2-back task elicited significant activation in left DLPFC (t = 4.23, FDR-corrected p = 0.0007). During VFT, patients failed to show significant task-related activity in left DLPFC (one sample t-test, t = -0.25, FDR-corrected p > 0.05). Our study implies that 2-back task can effectively activate left DLPFC in schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms. This neurophysiologically-validated task is considered highly potential to be executed in conjunction with high-definition tDCS for "functional targeting" of the left DLPFC to treat negative symptoms in a double-blind randomized sham-control trial, registered on ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (ID: NCT05582980).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Chao Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Beitou Branch, National Defense Medical Center, No. 325, Cheng-Kung Road, Sec. 2, Nei-Hu District, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Yue Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yong-An Chung
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sonya Youngju Park
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Wei-Chou Chang
- Department of Radiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Beitou Branch, National Defense Medical Center, No. 325, Cheng-Kung Road, Sec. 2, Nei-Hu District, Taipei, Taiwan.
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de Chiusole D, Spinoso M, Anselmi P, Bacherini A, Balboni G, Mazzoni N, Brancaccio A, Epifania OM, Orsoni M, Giovagnoli S, Garofalo S, Benassi M, Robusto E, Stefanutti L, Pierluigi I. PsycAssist: A Web-Based Artificial Intelligence System Designed for Adaptive Neuropsychological Assessment and Training. Brain Sci 2024; 14:122. [PMID: 38391697 PMCID: PMC10886469 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Assessing executive functions in individuals with disorders or clinical conditions can be challenging, as they may lack the abilities needed for conventional test formats. The use of more personalized test versions, such as adaptive assessments, might be helpful in evaluating individuals with specific needs. This paper introduces PsycAssist, a web-based artificial intelligence system designed for neuropsychological adaptive assessment and training. PsycAssist is a highly flexible and scalable system based on procedural knowledge space theory and may be used potentially with many types of tests. We present the architecture and adaptive assessment engine of PsycAssist and the two currently available tests: Adap-ToL, an adaptive version of the Tower of London-like test to assess planning skills, and MatriKS, a Raven-like test to evaluate fluid intelligence. Finally, we describe the results of an investigation of the usability of Adap-ToL and MatriKS: the evaluators perceived these tools as appropriate and well-suited for their intended purposes, and the test-takers perceived the assessment as a positive experience. To sum up, PsycAssist represents an innovative and promising tool to tailor evaluation and training to the specific characteristics of the individual, useful for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora de Chiusole
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Matilde Spinoso
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Pasquale Anselmi
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Bacherini
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Balboni
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Noemi Mazzoni
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ottavia M Epifania
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Orsoni
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Garofalo
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Benassi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Egidio Robusto
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Stefanutti
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Irene Pierluigi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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Mei X, Zou CJ, Hu J, Liu XL, Zheng CY, Zhou DS. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in elderly patients with four types of dementia. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:203-214. [PMID: 37303929 PMCID: PMC10251357 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i5.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is commonly used to study human brain function by measuring the hemodynamic signals originating from cortical activation and provides a new noninvasive detection method for identifying dementia.
AIM To investigate the fNIRS imaging technique and its clinical application in differential diagnosis of subtype dementias including frontotemporal lobe dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
METHODS Four patients with different types of dementia were examined with fNIRS during two tasks and a resting state. We adopted the verbal fluency task, working memory task and resting state task. Each patient was compared on the same task. We conducted and analyzed the fNIRS data using a general linear model and Pearson’s correlation analysis.
RESULTS Compared with other types of dementias, fNIRS showed the left frontotemporal and prefrontal lobes to be poorly activated during the verbal fluency task in frontotemporal dementia. In Lewy body dementia, severe asymmetry of prefrontal lobes appeared during both verbal fluency and working memory tasks, and the patient had low functional connectivity during a resting state. In PDD, the patient’s prefrontal cortex showed lower excitability than the temporal lobe during the verbal fluency task, while the prefrontal cortex showed higher excitability during the working memory task. The patient with AD showed poor prefrontal and temporal activation during the working memory task, and more activation of frontopolar instead of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
CONCLUSION Different hemodynamic characteristics of four types of dementia (as seen by fNIRS imaging) provides evidence that fNIRS can serve as a potential tool for the diagnosis between dementia subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Mei
- Key Lab, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chen-Jun Zou
- Department of Geriatric, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Geriatric, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Li Liu
- Key Lab, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Cheng-Ying Zheng
- Department of Geriatric, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Zhou
- Key Lab, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
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Markiewicz-Gospodarek A, Markiewicz R, Borowski B, Dobrowolska B, Łoza B. Self-Regulatory Neuronal Mechanisms and Long-Term Challenges in Schizophrenia Treatment. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040651. [PMID: 37190616 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040651] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic and relapsing disorder that is characterized not only by delusions and hallucinations but also mainly by the progressive development of cognitive and social deficits. These deficits are related to impaired synaptic plasticity and impaired neurotransmission in the nervous system. Currently, technological innovations and medical advances make it possible to use various self-regulatory methods to improve impaired synaptic plasticity. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of various rehabilitation methods, we reviewed methods that modify synaptic plasticity and improve the cognitive and executive processes of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar bibliographic databases were searched with the keywords mentioned below. A total of 555 records were identified. Modern methods of schizophrenia therapy with neuroplastic potential, including neurofeedback, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, virtual reality therapy, and cognitive remediation therapy, were reviewed and analyzed. Since randomized controlled studies of long-term schizophrenia treatment do not exceed 2-3 years, and the pharmacological treatment itself has an incompletely estimated benefit-risk ratio, treatment methods based on other paradigms, including neuronal self-regulatory and neural plasticity mechanisms, should be considered. Methods available for monitoring neuroplastic effects in vivo (e.g., fMRI, neuropeptides in serum), as well as unfavorable parameters (e.g., features of the metabolic syndrome), enable individualized monitoring of the effectiveness of long-term treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renata Markiewicz
- Department of Neurology, Neurological and Psychiatric Nursing, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Bartosz Borowski
- Students Scientific Association at the Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Beata Dobrowolska
- Department of Holistic Care and Management in Nursing, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Bartosz Łoza
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
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Xu H, Wang Y, Wang YM, Cao Y, Li P, Hu Y, Xia G. Insomniacs show greater prefrontal activation during verbal fluency task compared to non-insomniacs: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy investigation of depression in patients. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:217. [PMID: 36997897 PMCID: PMC10064712 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04694-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that insomnia affects human prefrontal function and that there are specific patterns of brain activation to counteract sleep and improve cognition. However, the effects of insomnia on the prefrontal cortex of MDD (major depressive disorder) patients and the patterns of activation to counteract sleep in MDD patients remain unclear. The aim of this study is to examine this using fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy). METHODS Eighty depressed patients and 44 healthy controls were recruited for this study. fNIRS was used to assess changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin ([oxy-Hb]) in the prefrontal cortex of all participants during the VFT (verbal fluency test) and to record the number of words created to assess cognitive ability. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality, and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (24-item) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (14-item) were used to assess the severity of depression and anxiety. RESULTS When comparing patients, the healthy control group had significantly higher [oxy-Hb] values in the bilateral prefrontal cortex during VFT than the MDD group. In the MDD group, the [oxy-Hb] values in all brain regions except the right DLPFC were significantly higher in the group with insomnia than in the group without insomnia, but their VFT performance was significantly lower than in the group without insomnia and the healthy group. PSQI scores were positively correlated with [oxy-Hb] values in some left-brain regions, whereas HAMD and HAMA scores were not correlated with [oxy-Hb] values. CONCLUSION The PFC was significantly less active during VFT in those with MDD than in healthy controls. All brain regions, except the right DLPFC, were significantly more active in MDD patients with insomnia than in those without insomnia, suggesting that sleep quality needs to be an important indicator in fNIRS screening. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the severity of insomnia in the left VLPFC and the level of activation, suggesting a role for the left brain region in the neurophysiology of overcoming sleepiness in MDD patients. these findings may provide new ideas for the treatment of MDD patients in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION Our experiment was registered in the China Clinical Trial Registry (registration number ChiCTR2200065622) on November 10.( The first patient was recruited in 10/11/2022.).
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Affiliation(s)
- HuaSen Xu
- Department of psychiatry, Affliated Hospital to Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - YuXing Wang
- Department of psychiatry, Affliated Hospital to Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Yi Ming Wang
- Department of psychiatry, Affliated Hospital to Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China.
| | - YaQi Cao
- Department of psychiatry, Affliated Hospital to Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - PeiFan Li
- Department of psychiatry, Affliated Hospital to Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - YongXue Hu
- Department of psychiatry, Affliated Hospital to Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - GuangYuan Xia
- Department of psychiatry, Affliated Hospital to Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
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Zhang K, Jin X, He Y, Wu S, Cui X, Gao X, Huang C, Luo X. Atypical frontotemporal cortical activity in first-episode adolescent-onset schizophrenia during verbal fluency task: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1126131. [PMID: 36970264 PMCID: PMC10030837 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1126131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Frontotemporal cortex dysfunction has been found to be associated with cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). In patients with adolescent-onset SCZ, a more serious type of SCZ with poorer functional outcome, cognitive impairment appeared to occur at an early stage of the disease. However, the characteristics of frontotemporal cortex involvement in adolescent patients with cognitive impairment are still unclear. In the present study, we aimed to illustrate the frontotemporal hemodynamic response during a cognitive task in adolescents with first-episode SCZ. Methods Adolescents with first-episode SCZ who were aged 12-17 and demographically matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. We used a 48-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system to record the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in the participants' frontotemporal area during a verbal fluency task (VFT) and analyzed its correlation with clinical characteristics. Results Data from 36 adolescents with SCZ and 38 HCs were included in the analyses. Significant differences were found between patients with SCZ and HCs in 24 channels, mainly covering the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, superior and middle temporal gyrus and frontopolar area. Adolescents with SCZ showed no increase of oxy-Hb concentration in most channels, while the VFT performance was comparable between the two groups. In SCZ, the intensity of activation was not associated with the severity of symptoms. Finally, receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the changes in oxy-Hb concentration could help distinguish the two groups. Conclusion Adolescents with first-episode SCZ showed atypical cortical activity in the frontotemporal area during the VFT, and fNIRS features might be more sensitive indicators in cognitive assessment, indicating that the characteristic hemodynamic response pattern might be potential imaging biomarkers for this population.
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Ye X, Peng L, Sun N, He L, Yang X, Zhou Y, Xiong J, Shen Y, Sun R, Liang F. Hotspots and trends in fNIRS disease research: A bibliometric analysis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1097002. [PMID: 36937686 PMCID: PMC10017540 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1097002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To summarize the general information and hotspots of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based clinical disease research over the past 10 years and provide some references for future research. Methods The related literature published between 1 January 2011 and 31 January 2022 was retrieved from the Web of Science core database (WoS). Bibliometric visualization analysis of countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, keywords and references were conducted by using CiteSpace 6.1.R3. Results A total of 467 articles were included, and the annual number of articles published over nearly a decade showed an upward trend year-by-year. These articles mainly come from 39 countries/regions and 280 institutions. The representative country and institution were the USA and the University of Tubingen. We identified 266 authors, among which Andreas J Fallgatter and Ann-Christine Ehlis were the influential authors. Neuroimage was the most co-cited journal. The major topics in fNIRS disease research included activation, prefrontal cortex, working memory, cortex, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In recent years, the Frontier topics were executive function, functional connectivity, performance, diagnosis, Alzheimer's disease, children, and adolescents. Based on the burst of co-cited references, gait research has received much attention. Conclusion This study conducted a comprehensive, objective, and visual analysis of publications, and revealed the status of relevant studies, hot topics, and trends concerning fNIRS disease research from 2011 to 2022. It is hoped that this work would help researchers to identify new perspectives on potential collaborators, important topics, and research Frontiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyin Ye
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Peng
- Department of Ultrasound, The First People’s Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
| | - Ning Sun
- Rehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lian He
- Department of Ultrasound, The First People’s Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiuqiong Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, The First People’s Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanfang Zhou
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Xiong
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuquan Shen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruirui Sun
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Ruirui Sun,
| | - Fanrong Liang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Fanrong Liang,
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Matsuura Y, Hongo S, Yasuno F, Sakai T. Improvement of prefrontal blood flow in a patient with major depressive disorder after acupuncture evaluated by functional near-infrared spectroscopy: a case report. Acupunct Med 2022; 40:281-283. [DOI: 10.1177/09645284221075355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Matsuura
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiji Hongo
- Himorogi Psychiatric Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiko Yasuno
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Sakai
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
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Huang J, Zhang J, Zhang T, Wang P, Zheng Z. Increased Prefrontal Activation During Verbal Fluency Task After Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment in Depression: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:876136. [PMID: 35444573 PMCID: PMC9013767 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.876136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown the clinical effect of 2 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for depression; however, its underlying neural mechanisms are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of rTMS on the activity of the prefrontal cortex in patients with depression, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). METHODS Forty patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Patients underwent 4 weeks of 2 Hz TMS delivered to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). fNIRS was used to measure the changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin ([oxy-Hb]) in the prefrontal cortex during a verbal fluency task (VFT) in depressed patients before and after rTMS treatment. The severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-24 item (HAMD-24). RESULTS Prior to rTMS, depressed patients exhibited significantly smaller [oxy-Hb] values in the bilateral prefrontal cortex during the VFT compared with the healthy controls. After 4 weeks of 2 Hz right DLPFC rTMS treatment, increased [oxy-Hb] values in the bilateral frontopolar prefrontal cortex (FPPFC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and left DLPFC during the VFT were observed in depressed patients. The increased [oxy-Hb] values from baseline to post-treatment in the right VLPFC in depressed patients were positively related to the reduction of HAMD score following rTMS. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the function of the prefrontal cortex in depressed patients was impaired and could be recovered by 2 Hz rTMS. The fNIRS-measured prefrontal activation during a cognitive task is a potential biomarker for monitoring depressed patients' treatment response to rTMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Huang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tingyu Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pu Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and Translation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Zheng
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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