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Canna A, Cantone E, Roefs A, Franssen S, Prinster A, Formisano E, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Functional MRI activation of the nucleus tractus solitarius after taste stimuli at ultra-high field: a proof-of-concept single-subject study. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1173316. [PMID: 37955018 PMCID: PMC10637550 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1173316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Using ultra-high field (7 Tesla) functional MRI (fMRI), we conducted the first in-vivo functional neuroimaging study of the normal human brainstem specifically designed to examine neural signals in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (NTS) in response to all basic taste stimuli. NTS represents the first relay station along the mammalian taste processing pathway which originates at the taste buds in the oral cavity and passes through the thalamus before reaching the primary taste cortex in the brain. In our proof-of-concept study, we acquired data from one adult volunteer using fMRI at 1.2 mm isotropic resolution and performed a univariate general linear model analysis. During fMRI acquisition, three shuffled injections of sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami solutions were administered following an event-related design. We observed a statistically significant blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response in the anatomically predicted location of the NTS for all five basic tastes. The results of this study appear statistically robust, even though they were obtained from a single volunteer. The information derived from a similar experimental strategy may inspire novel research aimed at clarifying important details of central nervous system involvement in eating disorders, at designing and monitoring tailored therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Canna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Elena Cantone
- Section of ENT, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, "Federico II" University, Napoli, Italy
| | - Anne Roefs
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Sieske Franssen
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Anna Prinster
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Napoli, Italy
| | - Elia Formisano
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli, Italy
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Cuoco S, Ponticorvo S, Bisogno R, Manara R, Esposito F, Di Salle G, Di Salle F, Amboni M, Erro R, Picillo M, Barone P, Pellecchia MT. Magnetic Resonance T1w/T2w Ratio in the Putamen and Cerebellum as a Marker of Cognitive Impairment in MSA: a Longitudinal Study. Cerebellum 2023; 22:810-817. [PMID: 35982370 PMCID: PMC10485110 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01455-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The exact pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in multiple system atrophy (MSA) is unclear. In our longitudinal study, we aimed to analyze (I) the relationships between cognitive functions and some subcortical structures, such as putamen and cerebellum assessed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio, and (II) the neuroimaging predictors of the progression of cognitive deficits. Twenty-six patients with MSA underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, motor examination, and brain MRI at baseline (T0) and 1-year follow-up (T1). Patients were then divided according to cognitive status into MSA with normal cognition (MSA-NC) and MSA with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). At T1, we divided the sample according to worsening/non worsening of cognitive status compared to baseline evaluation. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (β = - 9.45, p = .02) and T1w/T2w value in the left putamen (β = 230.64, p = .01) were significant predictors of global cognitive status at T0, explaining 65% of the variance. Logistic regression analysis showed that ∆-values of WM density in the cerebellum/brainstem (β = 2188.70, p = .02) significantly predicted cognitive worsening at T1, explaining 64% of the variance. Our results suggest a role for the putamen and cerebellum in the cognitive changes of MSA, probably due to their connections with the cortex. The putaminal T1w/T2w ratio may deserve further studies as a marker of cognitive impairment in MSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Cuoco
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Sara Ponticorvo
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Rossella Bisogno
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Di Salle
- Scuola Superiore Di Studi Universitari E Perfezionamento Sant'Anna, Classe Di Scienze Sperimentali, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marianna Amboni
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberto Erro
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marina Picillo
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Paolo Barone
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84131, Salerno, Italy.
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Cuoco S, Ponticorvo S, Abate F, Tepedino MF, Erro R, Manara R, Di Salle G, Di Salle F, Pellecchia MT, Esposito F, Barone P, Picillo M. Frequency and imaging correlates of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:1259-1267. [PMID: 37535119 PMCID: PMC10480260 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02676-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric symptoms are intrinsic to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and a spoonful of studies investigated their imaging correlates. Describe (I) the frequency and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms in PSP and (II) their structural imaging correlates. Twenty-six PSP patients underwent Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and brain 3D T1-weighted MRI. Spearman's rho with Bonferroni correction was used to investigate correlations between NPI scores and volumes of gray matter regions. More than 80% of patients presented at least one behavioral symptom of any severity. The most frequent and severe were depression/dysphoria, apathy, and irritability/lability. Significant relationships were found between the severity of irritability and right pars opercularis volume (p < 0.001) as well as between the frequency of agitation/aggression and left lateral occipital volume (p < 0.001). Depression, apathy, and irritability are the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms in PSP. Moreover, we found a relationship between specific positive symptoms as irritability and agitation/aggression and greater volume of the right pars opercularis cortex and lower volume of the left occipital cortex, respectively, which deserve further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Cuoco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), University of Salerno, Neuroscience Section, Via Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Sara Ponticorvo
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, 2021 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Filomena Abate
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), University of Salerno, Neuroscience Section, Via Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Tepedino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), University of Salerno, Neuroscience Section, Via Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Roberto Erro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), University of Salerno, Neuroscience Section, Via Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuroradiology Unit, University of Padua, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Di Salle
- Scuola Superiore Di Studi Universitari E Perfezionamento Sant'Anna, Classe Di Scienze Sperimentali, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), University of Salerno, Neuroscience Section, Via Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), University of Salerno, Neuroscience Section, Via Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Barone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), University of Salerno, Neuroscience Section, Via Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Marina Picillo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), University of Salerno, Neuroscience Section, Via Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy.
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Cascino G, Canna A, Russo AG, Monaco F, Monteleone AM, Ceres R, Carfagno M, Di Salle F, Monteleone P. Association between childhood maltreatment and cortical folding in women with eating disorders. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:2868-2873. [PMID: 37369968 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with distinct clinical and biological characteristics in people with eating disorders (EDs). The measurement of local gyrification index (lGI) may help to better characterize the impact of CM on cortical structure. Thus, the present study investigated the association of CM with lGI in women with EDs. Twenty-six women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 24 with bulimia nervosa (BN) underwent a 3T MRI scan. All participants filled in the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. All neuroimaging data were processed by FreeSurfer. LGI maps underwent a general linear model to evaluate differences between groups with or without CM. People with AN and BN were merged together. Based on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire cutoff scores, 24 participants were identified as maltreated and 26 as non-maltreated. Maltreated people with EDs showed a significantly lower lGI in the left middle temporal gyrus compared with non-maltreated people, whereas no differences emerged in the right hemisphere between groups. The present study showed that in people with EDs, CM is associated with reduced cortical folding in the left middle temporal gyrus, an area that could be involved in ED psychopathology. This finding corroborates the hypothesis of a 'maltreated ecophenotype', which argues that CM may allow to biologically, other than clinically, distinguish individuals with the same psychiatric disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giammarco Cascino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Antonietta Canna
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrea Gerardo Russo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Rossella Ceres
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Carfagno
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Palmiero Monteleone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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Diana F, Romoli M, Toccaceli G, Rouchaud A, Mounayer C, Romano DG, Di Salle F, Missori P, Zini A, Aguiar de Sousa D, Peschillo S. Emergent carotid stenting versus no stenting for acute ischemic stroke due to tandem occlusion: a meta-analysis. J Neurointerv Surg 2023; 15:428-432. [PMID: 35428740 DOI: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2022-018683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergent carotid artery stenting (eCAS) is performed during mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke due to tandem occlusion. However, the optimal management strategy in this setting is still unclear. OBJECTIVE To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the safety and efficacy of eCAS in patients with tandem occlusion. METHODS Systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched from January 1, 2004 to March 7, 2022 for studies evaluating eCAS and no-stenting approach in patients with stroke with tandem occlusion. Primary endpoint was the 90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0-2; secondary outcomes were (1) symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), (2) recurrent stroke, (3) successful recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b-3), (4) embolization in new territories, and (5) restenosis rate. Meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel method and random-effects modeling. RESULTS Forty-six studies reached synthesis. eCAS was associated with higher good functional outcome compared with the no-stenting approach (OR=1.52, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.95), despite a significantly increased risk of sICH (OR=1.97, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.15), and higher successful recanalization rate (OR=1.91, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.85). Restenosis rate was lower in the eCAS group than in the no-stenting group (2% vs 9%, p=0.001). Recanalization rate was higher in retrograde than antegrade eCAS (OR=0.51, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.93). Intraprocedural antiplatelets during eCAS were associated with higher rate of good functional outcome (60% vs 46%, p=0.016) and lower rate of sICH (7% vs 11%; p=0.08) compared with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS In observational studies, eCAS seems to be associated with higher good functional outcome than no-stenting in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to tandem occlusion, despite the higher risk of sICH. Dedicated trials are needed to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Diana
- Neuroradiology, University Hospital 'San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona', Salerno, Italy
| | - Michele Romoli
- Neurology and Stroke Unit, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy
| | - Giada Toccaceli
- Emergency Neurosurgery, Ospedale Civile 'Santo Spirito', Pescara, Italy
| | - Aymeric Rouchaud
- Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Centre of Limoges, Limoges, France
- BioEMXLim, University of Limoges Medical Faculty, Limoges, France
| | - Charbel Mounayer
- Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Centre of Limoges, Limoges, France
- BioEMXLim, University of Limoges Medical Faculty, Limoges, France
| | | | - Francesco Di Salle
- Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Paolo Missori
- Human Neurosciences, Neurosurgery, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Zini
- Neurology and Stroke Center, IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Diana Aguiar de Sousa
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, Neurology Service, Hospital de Santa Maria/CHULN, University of Lisbon, Santa Maria, Portugal
| | - Simone Peschillo
- Surgical Medical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia" - Endovascular Neurosurgery, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Neurosurgery, Pia Fondazione Cardinale G Panico Hospital, Tricase, Italy
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Ponticorvo S, Manara R, Russillo MC, Andreozzi V, Forino L, Erro R, Picillo M, Amboni M, Cuoco S, Di Salle G, Di Salle F, Barone P, Esposito F, Pellecchia MT. Combined regional T1w/T2w ratio and voxel-based morphometry in multiple system atrophy: A follow-up study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1017311. [PMID: 36341112 PMCID: PMC9626981 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1017311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several MRI techniques have become available to support the early diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA), but few longitudinal studies on both MSA variants have been performed, and there are no established MRI markers of disease progression. We aimed to characterize longitudinal brain changes in 26 patients with MSA (14 MSA-P and 12 MSA-C) over a 1-year follow-up period in terms of local tissue density and T1w/T2w ratio in a-priori regions, namely, bilateral putamen, cerebellar gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and substantia nigra (SN). A significant GM density decrease was found in cerebellum and left putamen in the entire group (10.7 and 33.1% variation, respectively) and both MSA subtypes (MSA-C: 15.4 and 33.0% variation; MSA-P: 7.7 and 33.2%) and in right putamen in the entire group (19.8% variation) and patients with MSA-C (20.9% variation). A WM density decrease was found in the entire group (9.3% variation) and both subtypes in cerebellum-brainstem (MSA-C: 18.0% variation; MSA-P: 5% variation). The T1w/T2w ratio increase was found in the cerebellar and left putamen GM (6.6 and 24.9% variation), while a significant T1w/T2w ratio decrease was detected in SN in the entire MSA group (31% variation). We found a more progressive atrophy of the cerebellum in MSA-C with a similar progression of putaminal atrophy in the two variants. T1w/T2w ratio can be further studied as a potential marker of disease progression, possibly reflecting decreased neuronal density or iron accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ponticorvo
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sara Ponticorvo ;
| | - Renzo Manara
- Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Claudia Russillo
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Andreozzi
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Forino
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberto Erro
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marina Picillo
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marianna Amboni
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Sofia Cuoco
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Di Salle
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Paolo Barone
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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Russo AG, De Martino M, Elia A, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Negative correlation between word-level surprisal and intersubject neural synchronization during narrative listening. Cortex 2022; 155:132-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Cascino G, Canna A, Russo AG, Monaco F, Esposito F, Di Salle F, Monteleone P, Monteleone AM. Childhood maltreatment is associated with cortical thinning in people with eating disorders. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 273:459-466. [PMID: 35852616 PMCID: PMC10070200 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01456-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a non-specific risk factor for eating disorders (ED) and is associated with a greater severity in their clinical presentation and poorer treatment outcome. These data suggest that maltreated people with ED may be biologically other than clinically different from non-maltreated people. The aim of the present study was to investigate cortical thickness (CT), a possible biomarker of neurodevelopment, in people with ED with or without history of CM and in healthy women. Twenty-four healthy women, 26 with anorexia nervosa and 24 with bulimia nervosa underwent a 3T MRI scan. All participants filled in the childhood trauma questionnaire. All neuroimaging data were processed by FreeSurfer. Twenty-four participants with ED were identified as maltreated and 26 participants with ED as non-maltreated. All healthy women were non-maltreated. Compared to healthy women, maltreated people with ED showed lower CT in the left rostral anterior cingulate gyrus, while compared to people with ED without history of CM showed lower CT values in the left superior frontal and in right caudal middle frontal and superior parietal gyri. No significant differences emerged in CT measures between healthy women and people with ED without history of CM. The present findings show for the first time that in adult people with ED childhood maltreatment is associated with cortical thinning in areas implicated in the modulation of brain processes that are acknowledged to play a role in the psychopathology of ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giammarco Cascino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Via Allende 1, Baronissi, 84081, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Antonietta Canna
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Gerardo Russo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Via Allende 1, Baronissi, 84081, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Via Allende 1, Baronissi, 84081, Salerno, Italy
| | - Palmiero Monteleone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Via Allende 1, Baronissi, 84081, Salerno, Italy
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Picillo M, Tepedino MF, Abate F, Ponticorvo S, Erro R, Cuoco S, Oksuz N, Di Salle G, Di Salle F, Esposito F, Pellecchia MT, Manara R, Barone P. Uncovering clinical and radiological asymmetry in progressive supranuclear palsy-Richardson's syndrome. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:3677-3682. [PMID: 35106692 PMCID: PMC9119874 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-05919-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Richardson's syndrome (RS) is considered the most symmetric phenotype of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) as opposed to PSP with predominant corticobasal syndrome (PSP-CBS) or parkinsonism (PSP-P). OBJECTIVES Evaluate asymmetrical motor and higher cortical features in probable PSP-RS and compare the degree of asymmetry of cortical lobes and hemispheres between PSP-RS, PSP-CBS, PSP-P, and age-matched healthy controls (HC). METHODS Asymmetry of motor and higher cortical features evaluated with an extensive videotaped neurologic examination was investigated in 28 PSP-RS, 8 PSP-CBS, and 14 PSP-P. Brain MRI to compute the laterality index (LI) was performed in 36 patients as well as in 56 HC. RESULTS In PSP-RS, parkinsonism was the most common asymmetric motor feature (53.6%), followed by dystonia and myoclonus (21.4% and 17.9%, respectively). Among higher cortical features, limb apraxia was found asymmetric in about one-third of patients. PSP-RS disclosed higher LI for hemispheres compared to HC, indicating a greater degree of asymmetry (p = 0.003). The degree of asymmetry of clinical features was not different between PSP-RS and those qualifying for PSP-CBS or PSP-P. As for imaging, LI was not different between PSP-RS, PSP-CBS, and PSP-P in any cortical region. CONCLUSIONS Motor and higher cortical features are asymmetric in up to 50% of PSP-RS who also present a greater degree of asymmetry in hemispheres compared to age-matched HC. Lateralization of clinical features should be annotated in PSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Picillo
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy.
| | - Maria Francesca Tepedino
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Filomena Abate
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, (SA), Italy
| | - Roberto Erro
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Sofia Cuoco
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Nevra Oksuz
- Department of Neurology, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey
| | | | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, (SA), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, (SA), Italy
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital A.O.U. OO.RR. San Giovanni Di Dio E Ruggi D'Aragona, Scuola Medica Salernitana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Barone
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
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10
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Ciarlo A, Russo AG, Ponticorvo S, Di Salle F, Lührs M, Goebel R, Esposito F. Semantic fMRI neurofeedback: A Multi-Subject Study at 3 Tesla. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35561669 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac6f81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Real-time fMRI neurofeedback is a non-invasive procedure allowing the self-regulation of brain functions via enhanced self-control of fMRI based neural activation. In semantic real-time fMRI neurofeedback, an estimated relation between multivariate fMRI activation patterns and abstract mental states is exploited for a multi-dimensional feedback stimulus via real-time representational similarity analysis (rt-RSA). Here, we assessed the performances of this framework in a multi-subject multi-session study on a 3T MRI clinical scanner. APPROACH Eighteen healthy volunteers underwent two semantic real-time fMRI neurofeedback sessions on two different days. In each session, participants were first requested to engage in specific mental states while local fMRI patterns of brain activity were recorded during stimulated mental imagery of concrete objects (pattern generation). The obtained neural representations were to be replicated and modulated by the participants in subsequent runs of the same session under the guidance of a rt-RSA generated visual feedback (pattern modulation). Performance indicators were derived from the rt-RSA output to assess individual abilities in replicating (and maintaining over time) a target pattern. Simulations were carried out to assess the impact of the geometric distortions implied by the low-dimensional representation of patterns' dissimilarities in the visual feedback. MAIN RESULTS Sixteen subjects successfully completed both semantic real-time fMRI neurofeedback sessions. Considering some performance indicators, a significant improvement between the first and the second runs, and within run increasing modulation performances were observed, whereas no improvements were found between sessions. Simulations confirmed that in a small percentage of cases visual feedback could be affected by metric distortions due to dimensionality reduction implicit to the rt-RSA approach. SIGNIFICANCE Our results proved the feasibility of the semantic real-time fMRI neurofeedback at 3T, showing that subjects can successfully modulate and maintain a target mental state, guided by rt-RSA derived feedback. Further development is needed to encourage future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Ciarlo
- University of Salerno - Baronissi Campus, Via S. Allende, Baronissi, Campania, 84081, ITALY
| | | | - Sara Ponticorvo
- University of Salerno - Baronissi Campus, Via S. Allende, Baronissi, Campania, 84081, ITALY
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno - Baronissi Campus, Via S. Allende, Baronissi, Campania, 84081, ITALY
| | - Michael Lührs
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, Limburg, 6200 MD, NETHERLANDS
| | - Rainer Goebel
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Maastricht, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands, Maastricht, 6200 MD, NETHERLANDS
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli School of Medicine and Surgery, Piazza L. Miraglia, Napoli, 80138, ITALY
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11
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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12
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Ponticorvo S, Manara R, Cassandro E, Canna A, Scarpa A, Troisi D, Cassandro C, Cuoco S, Cappiello A, Pellecchia MT, Salle FD, Esposito F. Cross-modal connectivity effects in age-related hearing loss. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 111:1-13. [PMID: 34915240 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Age-related sensorineural hearing loss (HL) leads to localized brain changes in the primary auditory cortex, long-range functional alterations, and is considered a risk factor for dementia. Nonhuman studies have repeatedly highlighted cross-modal brain plasticity in sensorial brain networks other than those primarily involved in the peripheral damage, thus in this study, the possible cortical alterations associated with HL have been analyzed using a whole-brain multimodal connectomic approach. Fifty-two HL and 30 normal hearing participants were examined in a 3T MRI study along with audiological and neurological assessments. Between-regions functional connectivity and whole-brain probabilistic tractography were calculated in a connectome-based manner and graph theory was used to obtain low-dimensional features for the analysis of brain connectivity at global and local levels. The HL condition was associated with a different functional organization of the visual subnetwork as revealed by a significant increase in global efficiency, density, and clustering coefficient. These functional effects were mirrored by similar (but more subtle) structural effects suggesting that a functional repurposing of visual cortical centers occurs to compensate for age-related loss of hearing abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ettore Cassandro
- 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
| | - Antonietta Canna
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Alfonso Scarpa
- 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
| | - Donato Troisi
- 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
| | - Claudia Cassandro
- University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Scuola Medica Salernitana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Sofia Cuoco
- 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
| | - Arianna Cappiello
- 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
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- 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
| | - 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.
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13
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Francese R, Risi M, Tortora G, Di Salle F. Thea: empowering the therapeutic alliance of children with ASD by multimedia interaction. Multimed Tools Appl 2021; 80:34875-34907. [PMID: 34744483 PMCID: PMC8557110 DOI: 10.1007/s11042-021-11520-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Therapeutic Alliance (TA) between patient and health provider (therapist or clinician) is one of the most relevant factors for the success of a therapy. In the case of people suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the alliance is extended to all the people involved in their care (i.e., teachers, therapists, clinicians, relatives). In this paper, we propose a multimedia application named Thea for empowering the TA of children with ASD by improving the communication among the TA members, sharing guidelines, multimedia contents, and strategies to comply with challenging behaviors and progress with particular attention towards end-users who are occasional smart-users. A detailed process for empowering the TA members by enhancing the informed interaction among all of them is proposed and implemented. A vocal assistant also supports patients/caregivers and therapists in documenting their activity with the person with ASD by recording videos in a free-hand modality. After a contextual analysis based on Thematic Analysis Template, Thea has been implemented using a user-centered development approach. We performed three iterations involving the end-users. A user study is performed at the third iteration. Results of the user study revealed a positive attitude towards the application. In particular, the perception of empowerment of participants increased after the tool had been used. We also highlighted the guidelines and tools that may be adopted for empowering different kinds of patients. The first results seem to suggest that the use of Thea may increase the belief of the caregivers of a person with ASD to be able to better take care of her, in a more controlled and informed way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Francese
- Department of Computer Science, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Michele Risi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Genoveffa Tortora
- Department of Computer Science, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
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14
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Ponticorvo S, Manara R, Pfeuffer J, Cappiello A, Cuoco S, Pellecchia MT, Troisi D, Scarpa A, Cassandro E, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Long-Range Auditory Functional Connectivity in Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation. Brain Connect 2021; 11:483-492. [PMID: 33478362 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2020.0814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients with age-related sensorineural hearing loss (HL) may benefit from auditory input amplification by using hearing aids (HAs). However, the impact of both HL- and HA-based rehabilitation on central auditory functional connectivity (FC) is not clear. Methodology: Sixty-two HL (22 females, aged 64.4 ± 7.6 years, pure-tone average 50.9 ± 14.7 dB right ear, 50.7 ± 12.9 dB left ear) and 32 normal hearing (NH) subjects (22 females, aged 59.3 ± 7.3 years) were examined in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. HL patients were analyzed cross-sectionally at baseline (vs. NH subjects) and longitudinally at 6-month follow-up. Between the 2 scans, 31/62 patients used the HA 9.5 ± 3.8 h a day. Arterial spin labeling and blood oxygen level-dependent resting-state functional MRI were performed to measure regional perfusion in the primary auditory cortex and, from here to the whole brain, seed-based FC was performed. Before each scan, HL patients underwent audiological and neurological assessments. Results: At baseline, the HL condition was associated with regional hypoperfusion in right Heschl's gyrus (seed) and negative seed-based FC (anticorrelation) in posterior brain regions. Long-range FC in the precuneus correlated negatively with pure-tone and speech reception average thresholds. At 6-month follow-up, HA usage was associated with seed-based FC increase in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and seed-based FC reduction in the right middle temporal gyrus. Long-range FC changes in the SFG correlated positively with executive function improvements. Conclusions: These findings suggest that HA-based rehabilitation may not reverse HL-related neural effects and yet carry neurological benefits by retuning long-range FC of the auditory system. Impact statement Age-related sensorineural hearing loss (HL) affects 40% to 60% of the worldwide population and a common, viable rehabilitation strategy is to provide auditory input amplification through hearing aids (HAs). By targeting metabolically depressed, auditory cortical centers, our work reveals a possible neural link between peripheral and central vulnerability in HL patients in the form of aberrant, long-range, functional connectivity effects. Similarly, we unveil how wearing HAs for 6 months may induce neuroplastic changes that positively correlate with improved neuropsychological performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Josef Pfeuffer
- MR Application Development, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arianna Cappiello
- 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
| | - Sofia Cuoco
- 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
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- 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
| | - Donato Troisi
- 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
| | - Alfonso Scarpa
- 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
| | - Ettore Cassandro
- 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
| | - 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 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
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15
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Russo AG, Lührs M, Di Salle F, Esposito F, Goebel R. Towards semantic fMRI neurofeedback: navigating among mental states using real-time representational similarity analysis. J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 33684900 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/abecc3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective. Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rt-fMRI-NF) is a non-invasive MRI procedure allowing examined participants to learn to self-regulate brain activity by performing mental tasks. A novel two-step rt-fMRI-NF procedure is proposed whereby the feedback display is updated in real-time based on high-level representations of experimental stimuli (e.g. objects to imagine) via real-time representational similarity analysis of multi-voxel patterns of brain activity.Approach. In a localizer session, the stimuli become associated with anchored points on a two-dimensional representational space where distances approximate between-pattern (dis)similarities. In the NF session, participants modulate their brain response, displayed as a movable point, to engage in a specific neural representation. The developed method pipeline is verified in a proof-of-concept rt-fMRI-NF study at 7 T involving a single healthy participant imagining concrete objects. Based on this data and artificial data sets with similar (simulated) spatio-temporal structure and variable (injected) signal and noise, the dependence on noise is systematically assessed.Main results. The participant in the proof-of-concept study exhibited robust activation patterns in the localizer session and managed to control the neural representation of a stimulus towards the selected target in the NF session. The offline analyses validated the rt-fMRI-NF results, showing that the rapid convergence to the target representation is noise-dependent.Significance. Our proof-of-concept study introduces a new NF method allowing the participant to navigate among different mental states. Compared to traditional NF designs (e.g. using a thermometer display to set the level of the neural signal), the proposed approach provides content-specific feedback to the participant and extra degrees of freedom to the experimenter enabling real-time control of the neural activity towards a target brain state without suggesting a specific mental strategy to the subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea G Russo
- Department of Political and Communication Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano (Salerno), Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Michael Lührs
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Brain Innovation B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy.,Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences,University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Napoli,Italy
| | - Rainer Goebel
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Brain Innovation B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
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16
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Viggiano A, Ponticorvo S, Canna A, Secondulfo C, Sbordone L, Russo A, Monda M, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Vitamin C Acutely Affects Brain Perfusion and Mastication-Induced Perfusion Asymmetry in the Principal Trigeminal Nucleus. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 15:641121. [PMID: 33716681 PMCID: PMC7953051 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.641121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged mastication may induce an asymmetric modification of the local perfusion of the trigeminal principal nucleus. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible influence of vitamin C (vit. C) on such effect. Four groups of healthy volunteers underwent arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) to evaluate the local perfusion of the trigeminal nuclei after a vit. C-enriched lunch or a control lunch. Two ASL-MRI scans were acquired, respectively, before and after a 1 h-long masticating exercise or a 1 h long resting period. The results showed (i) an increased global perfusion of the brain in the vit. C-enriched lunch groups, (ii) an increased local perfusion of the right principal trigeminal nucleus (Vp) due to mastication, and (iii) a reduction of the rightward asymmetry of the Vp perfusion, due to mastication, after the vit C-enriched meal compared to the control meal. These results confirmed a long-lasting effect of prolonged mastication on Vp perfusion and also suggest a possible effect of vit. C on cerebral vascular tone regulation. Moreover, the data strongly draw attention on the side-to-side relation in Vp perfusion as a possible physiological parameter to be considered to understand the origin of pathological conditions like migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Viggiano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Antonietta Canna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Carmine Secondulfo
- University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Ludovico Sbordone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Antonio Russo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Marcellino Monda
- Section of Human Physiology, Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 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", Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy.,Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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17
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Siano MA, Mandato C, Nazzaro L, Iannicelli G, Ciccarelli GP, Barretta F, Mazzaccara C, Ruoppolo M, Frisso G, Baldi C, Tartaglione S, Di Salle F, Melis D, Vajro P. Hepatic Presentation of Late-Onset Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD): Case Report and Systematic Review. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:672004. [PMID: 34041209 PMCID: PMC8143529 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.672004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of pediatric steatohepatitis is a challenging issue due to a vast number of established and novel causes. Here, we report a child with Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD) presenting with an underrated muscle weakness, exercise intolerance and an atypically severe steatotic liver involvement. A systematic literature review of liver involvement in MADD was performed as well. Our patient is a 11-year-old otherwise healthy, non-obese, male child admitted for some weakness/asthenia, vomiting and recurrent severe hypertransaminasemia (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases up to ×20 times upper limit of normal). Hepatic ultrasound showed a bright liver. MRI detected mild lipid storage of thighs muscles. A liver biopsy showed a micro-macrovacuolar steatohepatitis with minimal fibrosis. Main causes of hypertransaminasemia were ruled out. Serum aminoacids (increased proline), acylcarnitines (increased C4-C18) and a large excretion of urinary glutaric acid, ethylmalonic, butyric, isobutyric, 2-methyl-butyric and isovaleric acids suggested a diagnosis of MADD. Serum acylcarnitines and urinary organic acids fluctuated overtime paralleling serum transaminases during periods of illness/catabolic stress, confirming their recurrent nature. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis [homozygous c.1658A > G (p.Tyr553Cys) in exon 12 of the ETFDH gene]. Lipid-restricted diet and riboflavin treatment rapidly ameliorated symptoms, hepatic ultrasonography/enzymes, and metabolic profiles. Literature review (37 retrieved eligible studies, 283 patients) showed that liver is an extramuscular organ rarely involved in late-onset MADD (70 patients), and that amongst 45 patients who had fatty liver only nine had severe presentation. Conclusion: MADD is a disorder with a clinically heterogeneous phenotype. Our study suggests that MADD warrants consideration in the work-up of obesity-unrelated severe steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Anna Siano
- Postgraduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Claudia Mandato
- Unit of Pediatrics 1, AORN Santobono-Pausilipon, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Nazzaro
- Pediatric Clinic, AOU "S. Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Gennaro Iannicelli
- Pediatric Clinic, AOU "S. Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Ciccarelli
- Postgraduate School of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Barretta
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Mazzaccara
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Margherita Ruoppolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Frisso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Baldi
- Pathology Unit, AOU "S. Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Daniela Melis
- Postgraduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Pediatric Clinic, AOU "S. Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Pietro Vajro
- Postgraduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Pediatric Clinic, AOU "S. Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d'Aragona", Salerno, Italy.,Postgraduate School of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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18
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Picillo M, Abate F, Ponticorvo S, Tepedino MF, Erro R, Frosini D, Del Prete E, Cecchi P, Cosottini M, Ceravolo R, Salle GD, Salle FD, Esposito F, Pellecchia MT, Manara R, Barone P. Association of MRI Measures With Disease Severity and Progression in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Front Neurol 2020; 11:603161. [PMID: 33281738 PMCID: PMC7688910 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.603161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To verify the association of midbrain-based MRI measures as well as cortical volumes with disease core features and progression in patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Methods: Sixty-seven patients (52.2% with Richardson's syndrome) were included in the present analysis. Available midbrain-based MRI morphometric assessments as well as cortical lobar volumes were computed. Ocular, gait and postural involvement at the time of MRI was evaluated with the PSP rating scale. Specific milestones or death were used to estimate disease progression up to 72 months follow up. Hierarchical regression models and survival analysis were used for analyzing cross-sectional and longitudinal data, respectively. Results: Multivariate models showed vertical supranuclear gaze palsy was associated with smaller midbrain area (OR: 0.02, 95% CI 0.00-0.175, p = 0.006). Cox regression adjusted for age, disease duration, and phenotype demonstrated that lower midbrain area (HR: 0.122, 95% CI 0.030-0.493, p = 0.003) and diameter (HR: 0.313, 95% CI 0.112-0.878, p = 0.027), higher MR Parkinsonism Index (HR: 6.162, 95% CI 1.790-21.209, p = 0.004) and larger third ventricle width (HR: 2.755, 95% CI 1.068-7.108, p = 0.036) were associated with higher risk of dependency on wheelchair. Conclusions: Irrespective of disease features and other MRI parameters, reduced midbrain size is significantly associated with greater ocular motor dysfunction at the time of MRI and more rapid disease progression over follow up. This is the first comprehensive study to systematically assess the association of available midbrain-based MRI measures and cortical volumes with disease severity and progression in a large cohort of patients with PSP in a real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Picillo
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Filomena Abate
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery & Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Tepedino
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Roberto Erro
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Daniela Frosini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Del Prete
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Cecchi
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mirco Cosottini
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Ceravolo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery & Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery & Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital A.O.U. OO.RR. San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona, Scuola Medica Salernitana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Barone
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
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19
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Russo AG, De Martino M, Mancuso A, Iaconetta G, Manara R, Elia A, Laudanna A, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Semantics-weighted lexical surprisal modeling of naturalistic functional MRI time-series during spoken narrative listening. Neuroimage 2020; 222:117281. [PMID: 32828929 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Probabilistic language models are increasingly used to provide neural representations of linguistic features under naturalistic settings. Word surprisal models can be applied to continuous fMRI recordings during task-free listening of narratives, to detect regions linked to language prediction and comprehension. Here, to this purpose, a novel semantics-weighted lexical surprisal is applied to naturalistic fMRI data. FMRI was performed at 3 Tesla in 31 subjects during task-free listening to a 12-minute audiobook played in both original and word-reversed (control) version. Lexical-only and semantics-weighted lexical surprisal models were estimated for the original and control word series. The two series were alternatively chosen to build the predictor of interest in the first-level general linear model and were compared in the second-level (group) analysis. The addition of the surprisal predictor to the stimulus-related predictors significantly improved the fitting of the neural signal. In average, the semantics-weighted model yielded lower surprisal values and, in some areas, better fitting of the fMRI data compared to the lexical-only model. The two models produced both overlapping and distinct activations: while lexical-only surprisal activated secondary auditory areas in the superior temporal gyri and the cerebellum, semantics-weighted surprisal additionally activated the left inferior frontal gyrus. These results confirm the usefulness of surprisal models in the naturalistic fMRI analysis of linguistic processes and suggest that the use of semantic information may increase the sensitivity of a probabilistic language model in higher-order language-related areas, with possible implications for future naturalistic fMRI studies of language under normal and (clinically or pharmacologically) modified conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea G Russo
- Department of Political and Communication Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Maria De Martino
- Department of Political and Communication Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Azzurra Mancuso
- Department of Political and Communication Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giorgio Iaconetta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Annibale Elia
- Department of Political and Communication Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Alessandro Laudanna
- Department of Political and Communication Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
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20
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Cascino G, Canna A, Monteleone AM, Russo AG, Prinster A, Aiello M, Esposito F, Salle FD, Monteleone P. Cortical thickness, local gyrification index and fractal dimensionality in people with acute and recovered Anorexia Nervosa and in people with Bulimia Nervosa. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2020; 299:111069. [PMID: 32203897 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2020.111069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) have a possible neurodevelopmental pathogenesis. Our study aim was to assess regional cortical thickness (CT), local gyrification index (lGI) and fractal dimensionality (FD), as specific markers of cortical neurodevelopment in ED females. Twenty-two women with acute anorexia nervosa (acuAN), 10 with recovered anorexia nervosa (recAN), 24 with bulimia nervosa (BN) and 35 female healthy controls (HC) underwent a 3T MRI scan. All data were processed by FreeSurfer. Compared to recAN group women with acuAN showed a lower CT in multiple areas, while compared to HC they showed lower CT in temporal regions. BN group showed higher CT values in temporal and paracentral areas compared to HC. In multiple cortical areas, AcuAN group showed greater values of lGI compared to recAN group and lower values of lGI compared to HC. The BN group showed lower lGI in left medial orbitofrontal cortex compared to HC. No significant differences were found in FD among the groups. Present results provide evidence of CT and lGI alterations in patients with AN and, for the first time, in those with BN. Although these alterations could be state-dependent phenomena, they may underlie psychopathological aspects of EDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giammarco Cascino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy.
| | - Antonietta Canna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Gerardo Russo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Anna Prinster
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Palmiero Monteleone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
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21
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Canna A, Prinster A, Cantone E, Ponticorvo S, Russo AG, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Intensity-related distribution of sweet and bitter taste fMRI responses in the insular cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:3631-3646. [PMID: 31066980 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human gustatory cortex analyzes the chemosensory properties of tastants, particularly the quality, intensity, and affective valence, to determine whether a perceived substance should be ingested or rejected. Among previous studies, the spatial distribution of taste intensity-related activations within the human insula has been scarcely addressed. To spatially characterize a specialized or distributed nature of the cortical responses to taste intensities, a functional magnetic resonance imaging study was performed at 3 T in 44 healthy subjects where sweet and bitter tastants were administered at five increasing concentrations and cortex-based factorial and parametric analyses were performed. Two clusters in the right middle-posterior and left middle insula were found specialized for taste intensity processing, exhibiting a highly nonlinear profile across concentrations. Multiple clusters were found activated by sweet and bitter taste stimuli at most concentrations, in the anterior, middle-posterior, and inferior portion of the bilateral insula. Across these clusters, respectively, for the right and left insula, a superior-to-inferior and an anterior-to-posterior spatial gradient for high-to-low concentrations were observed for the most responsive intensity of both tastes. These findings may gather new insights regarding how the gustatory cortex is spatially organized during the perceptual processing of taste intensity for two basic tastants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Canna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, 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
| | - Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Andrea Gerardo Russo
- Department of Political, Social and Communication Sciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona, Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona, Salerno, Italy
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22
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Monteleone AM, Monteleone P, Esposito F, Prinster A, Ruzzi V, Canna A, Aiello M, Di Salle F, Maj M. The effects of childhood maltreatment on brain structure in adults with eating disorders. World J Biol Psychiatry 2019; 20:301-309. [PMID: 29057711 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2017.1395071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Childhood maltreatment is a non-specific risk factor for eating disorders (EDs). However, so far, no study has assessed the impact of childhood maltreatment on brain structure of adults with EDs. Therefore, we investigated brain area volumes and fibre tract integrity of childhood maltreated (Mal) and non-maltreated (noMal) patients with EDs. Methods: Thirty-six ED women and 16 healthy women underwent an MRI scan, including acquisition of a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequence and a high-resolution T1-weighted scan. ED participants were classified as Mal (18 patients) or noMal (18 patients) according to their childhood exposure to traumatic events assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Results: Significantly reduced grey matter volume was detected in the right paracentral lobule and in the left inferior temporal gyrus of Mal patients. DTI analyses revealed reduced white matter integrity in the corpus callosum, internal capsule, posterior thalamic radiation, longitudinal fasciculus and corona radiata of Mal patients. Negative correlations emerged between white/grey matter changes and CTQ emotional and physical neglect scores. Conclusions: These results show that childhood trauma affects the integrity of brain structures modulating brain processes, such as reward, taste and body image perception, which play a fundamental role in the psychopathology of EDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Palmiero Monteleone
- a Department of Psychiatry , University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' , Naples , Italy.,b Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neuroscience , University of Salerno , Salerno , Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- b Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neuroscience , University of Salerno , Salerno , Italy
| | - Anna Prinster
- c Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute , National Research Council , Naples , Italy
| | - Valeria Ruzzi
- a Department of Psychiatry , University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' , Naples , Italy
| | - Antonietta Canna
- b Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neuroscience , University of Salerno , Salerno , Italy
| | - Marco Aiello
- d IRCCS SDN Istituto di Ricerca , Naples , Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- b Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', Section of Neuroscience , University of Salerno , Salerno , Italy
| | - Mario Maj
- a Department of Psychiatry , University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' , Naples , Italy
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23
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Ponticorvo S, Manara R, Pfeuffer J, Cappiello A, Cuoco S, Pellecchia MT, Saponiero R, Troisi D, Cassandro C, John M, Scarpa A, Cassandro E, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Cortical pattern of reduced perfusion in hearing loss revealed by ASL-MRI. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:2475-2487. [PMID: 30715769 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related hearing loss (HL) can be related to brain dysfunction or structural damage and may result in cerebral metabolic/perfusion abnormalities. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows investigating noninvasively brain perfusion changes. Pseudocontinuous ASL and T1-weighted MRI (at 3 T) and neuropsychological testing (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) were performed in 31 HL (age range = 47-77 years, mean age ± SD = 63.4 ± 8.4 years, pure-tone average [PTA] HL > 50 dB) and 28 normal hearing (NH; age range = 48-78 years, mean age ± SD = 59.7 ± 7.4 years) subjects. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and gray matter volume (GMV) were analyzed in the cortical volume to assess perfusion and structural group differences. Two HL subjects showing cognitive impairment were excluded from group comparisons. No significant differences in either global or local atrophy were detected between groups but the HL group exhibited significant regional effects of reduced perfusion within the bilateral primary auditory cortex, with maximal CBF difference (-17.2%) in the right lateral Heschl's gyrus. For the whole sample of HL and NH subjects (n = 59 = 31 HL + 28 NH), the regional CBF was correlated positively to the regional GMV (p = 0.020). In HL subjects (n = 31), the regional CBF was correlated negatively to the audiogram steepness (frequency range: 2-4 kHz, right ear: p = 0.022, left ear: p = 0.015). The observed cortical pattern of perfusion reduction suggests that neuronal metabolism can be related to HL before the recognition of brain structural damage. This also illustrates the potential of ASL-MRI to contribute early functional markers of reduced central processing associated with HL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Josef Pfeuffer
- MR Application Development, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arianna Cappiello
- Department of Neurosciences and Craniofacial Disorders, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Sofia Cuoco
- Department of Neurosciences and Craniofacial Disorders, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences and Craniofacial Disorders, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Renato Saponiero
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Donato Troisi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences and Craniofacial Disorders, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Claudia Cassandro
- Department of Neurosciences and Craniofacial Disorders, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Marta John
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Alfonso Scarpa
- Department of Neurosciences and Craniofacial Disorders, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Ettore Cassandro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences and Craniofacial Disorders, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
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24
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Canna A, Prinster A, Fratello M, Puglia L, Magliulo M, Cantone E, Pirozzi MA, Di Salle F, Esposito F. A low-cost open-architecture taste delivery system for gustatory fMRI and BCI experiments. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 311:1-12. [PMID: 30308211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tasting is a complex process involving chemosensory perception and cognitive evaluation. Different experimental designs and solution delivery approaches may in part explain the variability reported in literature. These technical aspects certainly limit the development of taste-related brain computer interface devices. NEW METHOD We propose a novel modular, scalable and low-cost device for rapid injection of small volumes of taste solutions during fMRI experiments that gathers the possibility to flexibly increase the number of channels, allowing complex multi-dimensional taste experiments. We provide the full description of the hardware and software architecture and illustrate the application of the working prototype in single-subject event-related fMRI experiments by showing the BOLD responses to basic taste qualities and to five intensities of tastes during the course of perception. RESULTS The device is shown to be effective in activating multiple clusters within the gustatory pathway and a precise time-resolved event-related analysis is shown to be possible by the impulsive nature of the induced perception. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) This gustometer represents the first implementation of a low-cost, easily replicable and portable device that is suitable for all kinds of fMRI taste experiments. Its scalability will boost the experimental design of more complex multi-dimensional fMRI studies of the human taste pathway. CONCLUSIONS The gustometer represents a valid open-architecture alternative to other available devices and its spread and development may contribute to an increased standardization of experimental designs in human fMRI studies of taste perception and pave the way to the development of novel taste-related BCIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Canna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Anna Prinster
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Luca Puglia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mario Magliulo
- 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, Salerno, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Salerno, Italy
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Canna A, Ponticorvo S, Russo AG, Manara R, Di Salle F, Saponiero R, Callaghan MF, Weiskopf N, Esposito F. A group-level comparison of volumetric and combined volumetric-surface normalization for whole brain analyses of myelin and iron maps. Magn Reson Imaging 2018; 54:225-240. [PMID: 30176374 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2018.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative MRI (qMRI) provides surrogate brain maps of myelin and iron content. After spatial normalization to a common standard brain space, these may be used to detect altered myelination and iron accumulation in clinical populations. Here, volumetric and combined volumetric and surface-based (CVS) normalization were compared to identify which procedure would afford the greatest sensitivity to inter-regional differences (contrast), and the lowest inter-subject variability (under normal conditions), of myelin- and iron-related qMRI parameters, in whole-brain group-level studies. Ten healthy volunteers were scanned twice at 3 Tesla. Three-dimensional T1-weighted, T2-weighted and multi-parametric mapping sequences for brain qMRI were used to map myelin and iron content over the whole brain. Parameter maps were spatially normalized using volumetric (DARTEL) and CVS procedures. Tissue probability weighting and isotropic Gaussian smoothing were integrated in DARTEL for voxel-based quantification (VBQ). Contrasts, coefficients of variations and sensitivity to detecting differences in the parameters were estimated in standard space for each approach on region of interest (ROI) and voxel-by-voxel bases. The contrast between cortical and subcortical ROIs with respectively different myelin and iron content was higher following CVS, compared to DARTEL-VBQ, normalization. Across cortical voxels, the inter-individual variability of myelin and iron qMRI maps were comparable between CVS (with no smoothing) and DARTEL-VBQ (with smoothing). CVS normalization of qMRI maps preserves higher myelin and iron contrast than DARTEL-VBQ over the entire brain, while exhibiting comparable variability in the cerebral cortex without extra smoothing. Thus, CVS may prove useful for detecting small microstructural differences in whole-brain group-level qMRI studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Canna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Sara Ponticorvo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Andrea G Russo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Scuola Medica Salernitana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Renato Saponiero
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Scuola Medica Salernitana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Martina F Callaghan
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Nikolaus Weiskopf
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D'Aragona", Scuola Medica Salernitana, Salerno, Italy.
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26
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Canna A, Russo AG, Ponticorvo S, Manara R, Pepino A, Sansone M, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Automated search of control points in surface-based morphometry. Neuroimage 2018; 176:56-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Prinster A, Cantone E, Verlezza V, Magliulo M, Sarnelli G, Iengo M, Cuomo R, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Cortical representation of different taste modalities on the gustatory cortex: A pilot study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0190164. [PMID: 29281722 PMCID: PMC5744997 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Right insular cortex is involved in taste discrimination, but its functional organization is still poorly known. In general, sensory cortices represent the spatial prevalence of relevant features for each sensory modality (visual, auditory, somatosensory) in an ordered way across the cortical space. Following this analogy, we hypothesized that primary taste cortex is organized in similar ordered way in response to six tastes with known receptorial mechanisms (sweet, bitter, sour, salt, umami, CO2). Design Ten normal subjects were enrolled in a pilot study. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a high resolution cortical registration method, and specialized procedures of feature prevalence localization, to map fMRI responses within the right insular cortex, to water solutions of quinine hydrochloride (bitter), Acesulfamate K (sweet), sodium chloride (salt), mono potassium glutamate + inosine 5' mono phosphate (Umami), citric acid (sour) and carbonated water (CO2). During an fMRI scan delivery of the solutions was applied in pseudo-random order interleaved with cleaning water. Results Two subjects were discarded due to excessive head movements. In the remaining subjects, statistically significant activations were detected in the fMRI responses to all tastes in the right insular cortex (p<0.05, family-wise corrected for multiple comparisons). Cortical representation of taste prevalence highlighted two spatially segregated clusters, processing two and three tastes coupled together (sweet-bitter and salt-umami-sour), with CO2 in between. Conclusions Cortical representation of taste prevalence within the right primary taste cortex appears to follow the ecological purpose of enhancing the discrimination between safe nutrients and harmful substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Prinster
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Elena Cantone
- Section of ENT, Department of Neuroscience, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Verlezza
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, “Federico II” University, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Magliulo
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sarnelli
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, “Federico II” University, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Iengo
- Section of ENT, Department of Neuroscience, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Cuomo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, “Federico II” University, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
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Manara R, Di Nardo F, Salvalaggio A, Sinisi AA, Bonanni G, Palumbo V, Cantone E, Brunetti A, Di Salle F, D'errico A, Elefante A, Esposito F. Spectral signatures of mirror movements in the sensori-motor connectivity in kallmann syndrome. Hum Brain Mapp 2017; 39:42-53. [PMID: 28963812 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Mirror movements (MM) might be observed in congenital and acquired neurodegenerative conditions but their anatomic-functional underpinnings are still largely elusive. This study investigated the spectral changes of resting-state functional connectivity in Kallmann Syndrome (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with hypo/anosmia with or without congenital MM) searching for insights into the phenomenon of MM. Forty-four Kallmann syndrome patients (21 with MM) and 24 healthy control subjects underwent task (finger tapping) and resting-state functional MRI. The spatial pattern of task-related activations was used to mask regions and select putative motor networks in a spatially independent component analysis of resting-state signals. For each resting-state independent component time-course power spectrum, we extracted the relative contribution of four separate bands: slow-5 (0.01-0.027 Hz), slow-4 (0.027-0.073 Hz), slow-3 (0.073-0.198 Hz), slow-2 (0.198-0.25 Hz), and analyzed the variance between groups. For the sensorimotor network, the analysis revealed a significant group by frequency interaction (P = 0.002) pointing to a frequency shift in the spectral content among subgroups with lower slow-5 band and higher slow-3 band contribution in Kallmann patients with MM versus controls (P = 0.028) and with lower slow-5 band contribution between patients with and without MM (P = 0.057). In specific regions, as obtained from hand motor activation task analysis, spectral analyses demonstrated a lower slow-5 band contribution in Kallmann patients with MM versus both controls and patients without MM (P < 0.05). In Kallmann syndrome, the peculiar phenomenon of bimanual synkinesis is associated at rest with regionally and spectrally selective functional connectivity changes pointing to a distinctive cortical and subcortical functional reorganization. Hum Brain Mapp 39:42-53, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzo Manara
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Federica Di Nardo
- Department of Medical, Surgical, neurological, Metabolic and aging sciences, Second University of Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Agostino Sinisi
- Department of Medical, Surgical, neurological, Metabolic and aging sciences, Second University of Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | - Elena Cantone
- Department of Neuroscience, ENT section, Università Federico II, Italy
| | - Arturo Brunetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Arianna D'errico
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Elefante
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
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Monteleone AM, Monteleone P, Esposito F, Prinster A, Volpe U, Cantone E, Pellegrino F, Canna A, Milano W, Aiello M, Di Salle F, Maj M. Altered processing of rewarding and aversive basic taste stimuli in symptomatic women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: An fMRI study. J Psychiatr Res 2017; 90:94-101. [PMID: 28249187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have displayed a dysregulation in the way in which the brain processes pleasant taste stimuli in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). However, exactly how the brain processes disgusting basic taste stimuli has never been investigated, even though disgust plays a role in food intake modulation and AN and BN patients exhibit high disgust sensitivity. Therefore, we investigated the activation of brain areas following the administration of pleasant and aversive basic taste stimuli in symptomatic AN and BN patients compared to healthy subjects. Twenty underweight AN women, 20 symptomatic BN women and 20 healthy women underwent fMRI while tasting 0.292 M sucrose solution (sweet taste), 0.5 mM quinine hydrochloride solution (bitter taste) and water as a reference taste. In symptomatic AN and BN patients the pleasant sweet stimulus induced a higher activation in several brain areas than that induced by the aversive bitter taste. The opposite occurred in healthy controls. Moreover, compared to healthy controls, AN patients showed a decreased response to the bitter stimulus in the right amygdala and left anterior cingulate cortex, while BN patients showed a decreased response to the bitter stimulus in the right amygdala and left insula. These results show an altered processing of rewarding and aversive taste stimuli in ED patients, which may be relevant for understanding the pathophysiology of AN and BN.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Palmiero Monteleone
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Anna Prinster
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Umberto Volpe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Cantone
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Science, ENT Unit; "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Antonietta Canna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Walter Milano
- Department of Mental Health, A.S.L. NA1, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Section of Neurosciences, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy
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Canna A, Prinster A, Monteleone AM, Cantone E, Monteleone P, Volpe U, Maj M, Di Salle F, Esposito F. Interhemispheric functional connectivity in anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Eur J Neurosci 2017; 45:1129-1140. [PMID: 27992088 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The functional interplay between hemispheres is fundamental for behavioral, cognitive, and emotional control. Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) have been largely studied with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in relation to the functional mechanisms of high-level processing, but not in terms of possible inter-hemispheric functional connectivity anomalies. Using resting-state functional MRI (fMRI), voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) and regional inter-hemispheric spectral coherence (IHSC) were studied in 15 AN and 13 BN patients and 16 healthy controls (HC). Using T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging MRI scans, regional VMHC values were correlated with the left-right asymmetry of corresponding homotopic gray matter volumes and with the white matter callosal fractional anisotropy (FA). Compared to HC, AN patients exhibited reduced VMHC in cerebellum, insula, and precuneus, while BN patients showed reduced VMHC in dorso-lateral prefrontal and orbito-frontal cortices. The regional IHSC analysis highlighted that the inter-hemispheric functional connectivity was higher in the 'Slow-5' band in all regions except the insula. No group differences in left-right structural asymmetries and in VMHC vs. callosal FA correlations were significant in the comparisons between cohorts. These anomalies, not explained by structural changes, indicate that AN and BN, at least in their acute phase, are associated with a loss of inter-hemispheric connectivity in regions implicated in self-referential, cognitive control and reward processing. These findings may thus gather novel functional markers to explore aberrant features of these eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Canna
- Section of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Anna Prinster
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy.,IRCCS SDN, Istituto di Ricerca Diagnostica e Nucleare, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Elena Cantone
- Section of ENT, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Palmiero Monteleone
- Section of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy.,Department of Psychiatry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Umberto Volpe
- Department of Psychiatry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Section of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Section of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
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Raglio A, Galandra C, Sibilla L, Esposito F, Gaeta F, Di Salle F, Moro L, Carne I, Bastianello S, Baldi M, Imbriani M. Effects of active music therapy on the normal brain: fMRI based evidence. Brain Imaging Behav 2016; 10:182-6. [PMID: 25847861 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-015-9380-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the neurophysiological bases of Active Music Therapy (AMT) and its effects on the normal brain. Twelve right-handed, healthy, non-musician volunteers were recruited. The subjects underwent 2 AMT sessions based on the free sonorous-music improvisation using rhythmic and melodic instruments. After these sessions, each subject underwent 2 fMRI scan acquisitions while listening to a Syntonic (SP) and an A-Syntonic (AP) Production from the AMT sessions. A 3 T Discovery MR750 scanner with a 16-channel phased array head coil was used, and the image analysis was performed with Brain Voyager QX 2.8. The listening to SP vs AP excerpts mainly activated: (1) the right middle temporal gyrus and right superior temporal sulcus, (2) the right middle frontal gyrus and in particular the right precentral gyrus, (3) the bilateral precuneus, (4) the left superior temporal sulcus and (5) the left middle temporal gyrus. These results are consistent with the psychological bases of the AMT approach and with the activation of brain areas involved in memory and autobiographical processes, and also in personal or interpersonal significant experiences. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and to explain possible effects of AMT in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Raglio
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Via Boezio 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Caterina Galandra
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation I.R.C.C.S., Pavia, Italy.
| | | | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy.
| | - Francesca Gaeta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy.
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy.
| | - Luca Moro
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation I.R.C.C.S., Pavia, Italy.
| | - Irene Carne
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation I.R.C.C.S., Pavia, Italy.
| | - Stefano Bastianello
- Department of Nervous System and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Maurizia Baldi
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation I.R.C.C.S., Pavia, Italy.
| | - Marcello Imbriani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Via Boezio 24, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Ottaviano G, Cantone E, D'Errico A, Salvalaggio A, Citton V, Scarpa B, Favaro A, Sinisi AA, Liuzzi R, Bonanni G, Di Salle F, Elefante A, Manara R, Staffieri A, Martini A, Brunetti A. Sniffin' Sticks and olfactory system imaging in patients with Kallmann syndrome. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2015; 5:855-61. [PMID: 25951300 DOI: 10.1002/alr.21550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between olfactory function, rhinencephalon and forebrain changes in Kallmann syndrome (KS) have not been adequately investigated. We evaluated a large cohort of male KS patients using Sniffin' Sticks and MRI in order to study olfactory bulb (OB) volume, olfactory sulcus (OS) depth, cortical thickness close to the OS, and olfactory phenotype. METHODS Olfaction was assessed administering Sniffin' Sticks®, in 38 KS patients and 17 controls (by means of Screening 12 test®). All subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study OB volume, sulcus depth, and cortical thickness. RESULTS Compared to controls, KS patients showed smaller OB volume (p<0.0001), reduced sulcus depth (p<0.0001), and thicker cortex in the region close to the OS (p<0.0001). Anosmic KS patients had smaller OB than controls and hyposmic KS patients; there was no difference between hyposmic KS patients and controls. OB volume correlated with Sniffin' Sticks score (r = 0.64; p < 0.001), OS depth (p<0.0001) and, inversely, with cortical thickness changes (p<0.0001). Sniffin' Sticks showed an inverse correlation with cortical thickness (r = -0.5; p<0.0001) and a trend toward a statistically significant correlation with OS depth. CONCLUSION The present study provides further evidence of the strict relationship between olfaction and OB volume. The strong correlation between OB volume and the overlying cortical changes highlights the key role of rhinencephalon in forebrain embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Ottaviano
- Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Cantone
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Science, ENT Unit and Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Napoli, Italy
| | - Arianna D'Errico
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences-Neuroradiology, "Federico II" University, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Citton
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Venezia, Italy
| | - Bruno Scarpa
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Favaro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Raffaele Liuzzi
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University, Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Elefante
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences-Neuroradiology, "Federico II" University, Napoli, Italy
| | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Alberto Staffieri
- Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Arturo Brunetti
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences-Neuroradiology, "Federico II" University, Napoli, Italy
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Manara R, Gabrieli J, Citton V, Ceccato F, Rizzati S, Bommarito G, Briani C, Della Puppa A, Dassie F, Milanese L, Di Salle F, Ermani M, Scaroni C, Martini C, Maffei P. Intracranial internal carotid artery changes in acromegaly: a quantitative magnetic resonance angiography study. Pituitary 2014; 17:414-22. [PMID: 24068454 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-013-0516-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although cerebrovascular mortality is increased up to eightfold in acromegaly, intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) changes have not been well investigated. This is a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) quantitative cross-sectional study of ICA tortuosity, ectasia and intercarotid distance in acromegalic patients with subsequent analysis of concomitant clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings. METHODS One hundred seventy six acromegalic patients (mean-age 55 ± 14 years, age range 21-88, 92 females) and 104 subjects with headache or transient neurological deficits underwent MRA with the same 1.5 T scanner. Clinical data, laboratory and pituitary adenoma imaging findings were recorded. Using a commercially available software, we measured the tortuosity index [(curved/linear ICA length from C3-midpoint to intracranial bifurcation) - 1], ICA ectasia index (intracavernous/petrous ICA diameter) and intercarotid distance at C3 and C4 levels. RESULTS Mean ICA tortuosity and ectasia indices were increased in acromegalic patients compared with controls (1.06 ± 0.29 vs 0.93 ± 0.26, p < 0.001; 1.02 ± 0.10 vs 0.92 ± 0.09, p < 0.001). Mean intercarotid distance was reduced at C3 and increased at C4 in acromegalic patients (16.7 ± 3.4 vs 17.9 ± 2.5 mm, p < 0.001; 16.7 ± 4.6 vs 15.4 ± 4.1 mm, p < 0.05; t test). ICA tortuosity and ectasia correlated neither with laboratory findings nor with previous or current treatment. On multivariate analysis, C3 intercarotid distance was reduced in patients on dopamine agonist treatment (p < 0.01) and increased in patients with GH-deficit (p = 0.01), while C4 intercarotid distance was increased with macroadenoma (p = 0.01) and reduced in patients under dopamine agonist (p < 0.01) or somatostatin analogue (p < 0.05) treatment. CONCLUSIONS Intracranial ICA changes are common findings in acromegaly, and further studies focused on their possible clinical impact are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzo Manara
- Neuroradiology, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, Italy,
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Di Perri C, Bastianello S, Bartsch AJ, Pistarini C, Maggioni G, Magrassi L, Imberti R, Pichiecchio A, Vitali P, Laureys S, Di Salle F. Limbic hyperconnectivity in the vegetative state. Neurology 2013; 81:1417-24. [PMID: 24049132 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3182a43b78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate functional connectivity between the default mode network (DMN) and other networks in disorders of consciousness. METHODS We analyzed MRI data from 11 patients in a vegetative state and 7 patients in a minimally conscious state along with age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. MRI data analysis included nonlinear spatial normalization to compensate for disease-related anatomical distortions. We studied brain connectivity data from resting-state MRI temporal series, combining noninferential (independent component analysis) and inferential (seed-based general linear model) methods. RESULTS In DMN hypoconnectivity conditions, a patient's DMN functional connectivity shifts and paradoxically increases in limbic structures, including the orbitofrontal cortex, insula, hypothalamus, and the ventral tegmental area. CONCLUSIONS Concurrently with DMN hypoconnectivity, we report limbic hyperconnectivity in patients in vegetative and minimally conscious states. This hyperconnectivity may reflect the persistent engagement of residual neural activity in self-reinforcing neural loops, which, in turn, could disrupt normal patterns of connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Di Perri
- From the Department of Neuroradiology (C.D.P., A.P., P.V.), National Neurological Institute C. Mondino, Pavia; Department of Neuroradiology (S.B.), Neurological Institute C. Mondino, University of Pavia, Italy; Coma Science Group (C.D.P., S.L.), Cyclotron Research Centre and Neurology Department, University and University Hospital of Liège, Belgium; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience (C.D.P., F.D.S.), Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroradiology (A.J.B.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Functional MRI of the Brain (A.J.B.), University of Oxford, UK; Neurorehabilitation Unit (C.P., G.M.), IRCCS, S. Maugeri Foundation, Via Maugeri, Pavia, Italy; Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Pavia (L.M.), Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (R.I.), Fondazione IRCCS, Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia; University of Salerno (F.D.S.), Medical Faculty; and Fondazione Eugenio Medea (F.D.S.), Lecco, Italy
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Di Salle F, Cantone E, Savarese MF, Aragri A, Prinster A, Nicolai E, Sarnelli G, Iengo M, Buyckx M, Cuomo R. Effect of carbonation on brain processing of sweet stimuli in humans. Gastroenterology 2013; 145:537-9.e3. [PMID: 23714381 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Revised: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about how CO2 affects neural processing of taste. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the effects of carbonation on brain processing of sweet stimuli, which has relevance to studies of food selection and satiety. The presence of carbonation produced an overall decrease in the neural processing of sweetness-related signals, especially from sucrose. CO2 reduced the neural processing of sucrose more than that of artificial sweeteners. These findings might be relevant to dietary interventions that include noncaloric beverages, whereas the combination of CO2 and sucrose might increase consumption of sucrose.
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Favaro A, Clementi M, Manara R, Bosello R, Forzan M, Bruson A, Tenconi E, Degortes D, Titton F, Di Salle F, Santonastaso P. Catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype modifies executive functioning and prefrontal functional connectivity in women with anorexia nervosa. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2013; 38:241-8. [PMID: 23046831 PMCID: PMC3692721 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.120068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anorexia nervosa is characterized by high levels of perseveration and inflexibility, which interfere with successful treatments. Dopamine (DA) signalling seems to play a key role in modulating the prefrontal cortex, since both DA deficiency and excess nega tively influence the efficiency of cognitive functions. The present study explores the effect of a functional polymorphism (Val158Met) in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene on the set-shifting abilities and prefrontal functional connectivity of patients with anorexia nervosa. METHODS All participants performed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, and a subsample underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS We included 166 patients with DSM-IV lifetime anorexia nervosa and 140 healthy women in our study. Both underweight and weight-recovered patients with anorexia nervosa showed high levels of perseveration, but only in the underweight group did the Val158Met polymorphism affect cognitive performance, showing the U-shaped curve characteristic of increased DA signalling in the prefrontal cortex. Underweight patients with anorexia nervosa who are Met homozygotes had significantly higher levels of perseveration and increased prefrontal functional connectivity than underweight patients in the other genotype groups, indicating abnormal regional cortical processing. LIMITATIONS Although our data show that grey matter reduction in starving patients with anorexia nervosa did not explain our findings, the cross-sectional design of the present study did not allow us to distinguish between the effects of starvation and those of low estrogen levels. CONCLUSION Starvation affects DA release in the prefrontal cortex of patients with anorexia nervosa with different effects on executive functioning and prefrontal functional connectivity according to the COMT genotype. This observation has several therapeutic implications that need to be addressed by future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Favaro
- Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Morelli N, Rota E, Gori S, Guidetti D, Michieletti E, De Simone R, Di Salle F. Brainstem activation in cluster headache: an adaptive behavioural response? Cephalalgia 2013; 33:416-20. [PMID: 23359873 DOI: 10.1177/0333102412474505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The functional neuroimaging of headache patients has revolutionized our understanding of the pathophysiology of primary headaches, providing unique insights into these syndromes. Indeed, functional neuroimaging studies have shown the activation of specific brain structures, the brainstem in migraine and posterior hypothalamus in cluster headache (CH), as well as in other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. We describe the functional neuroimaging findings in a patient suffering from CH headache, investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during typical pain attacks. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two typical, consecutive CH attacks were investigated by two fMRI imaging sessions on the same day. Both fMRI scans were performed at rest, during the CH attacks and the pain-free state induced by subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan. RESULTS Significant activation of the bilateral red nucleus, ventral pons and trigeminal root entry zone ipsilaterally to the pain side was detected during the pain state, in addition to the hypothalamic region ipsilaterally to the pain side. CONCLUSION Being that such structures are mainly involved in motor function and reactive behaviour, their activation, in our hypothesis, may be linked to pain avoidance and may well represent a defence reaction in cluster headache, which is characterised by a "fight-or-flight" type behavioural pattern during pain attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Morelli
- Neurology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy.
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Favaro A, Santonastaso P, Manara R, Bosello R, Bommarito G, Tenconi E, Di Salle F. Disruption of visuospatial and somatosensory functional connectivity in anorexia nervosa. Biol Psychiatry 2012; 72:864-70. [PMID: 22633945 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2012] [Revised: 04/22/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although body image disturbance is considered one of the core characteristics of anorexia nervosa (AN), the exact nature of this complex feature is poorly understood. Task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging studies can only partially explore the multimodal complexity of body consciousness, which is a complex cognition underpinned by aspects of visual perception, proprioception, and touch. The aim of the present study was to explore the functional connectivity of networks involved in visuospatial and somatosensory processing in AN. METHODS Twenty-nine subjects with AN, 16 women who had recovered from it, and 26 healthy women underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan and neuropsychological assessment of their visuospatial abilities using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. RESULTS Both AN groups showed areas of decreased connectivity in the ventral visual network, a network involved in the "what?" pathway of visual perception. Even more interestingly, the AN group, but not the recovered AN group, displayed increased coactivation in the left parietal cortex, encompassing the somatosensory cortex, in an area implicated in long-term multimodal spatial memory and representation, even in the absence of visual information. A neuropsychological assessment of visuospatial abilities revealed that aspects of detail processing and global integration (central coherence) showed correlations with connectivity of this brain area in the AN group. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that AN is associated with double disruption of brain connectivity, which shows a specific association with visuospatial difficulties and may explain the failure of the integration process between visual and somatosensory perceptual information that might sustain body image disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Favaro
- Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Ferraro S, Grazzi L, Mandelli ML, Aquino D, Di Fiore D, Usai S, Bruzzone MG, Di Salle F, Bussone G, Chiapparini L. Pain processing in medication overuse headache: a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. Pain Med 2011; 13:255-62. [PMID: 21749635 DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01183.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary aim was to investigate functional differences between medication overuse headache (MOH) patients and controls with the purpose of evaluating the presence of a global alteration in the processing of noxious stimuli throughout the pain matrix. The secondary aim was to investigate whether activations in MOH patients normalize after medication withdrawal, which would suggest a possible role of the pain matrix in headache chronification. DESIGN Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed during painful mechanical stimulation in nine female patients with MOH immediately and at 6 months after beginning medication withdrawal, and in nine control participants. RESULTS Compared with controls, immediately after beginning withdrawal, the MOH patients showed reduced pain-related activity across the primary somatosensory cortex, inferior parietal lobule, and supramarginal gyrus, as well as in regions of the lateral pathway of the pain matrix. At 6 months, these differences were no longer detectable. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that significant functional changes occur in the lateral pain pathway in MOH patients. These could result from different processes: 1) cortical down-regulation aimed at reducing painful input to the cortex; 2) activity-dependent plasticity induced by excessive painful input during migraine attacks; and 3) direct effect of medication overuse. At 6 months after withdrawal, activity in these regions normalized, suggesting that no irreversible changes occur due to medication overuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Ferraro
- Neuroradiology Department Headache Centre, Carlo Besta Neurological Institute-IRCCS Foundation, Milan, Italy.
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Timmers I, van den Hurk J, Di Salle F, Rubio-Gozalbo ME, Jansma BM. Language production and working memory in classic galactosemia from a cognitive neuroscience perspective: future research directions. J Inherit Metab Dis 2011; 34:367-76. [PMID: 21290187 PMCID: PMC3063545 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9266-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2010] [Revised: 11/26/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Most humans are social beings and we express our thoughts and feelings through language. In contrast to the ease with which we speak, the underlying cognitive and neural processes of language production are fairly complex and still little understood. In the hereditary metabolic disease classic galactosemia, failures in language production processes are among the most reported difficulties. It is unclear, however, what the underlying neural cause of this cognitive problem is. Modern brain imaging techniques allow us to look into the brain of a thinking patient online - while she or he is performing a task, such as speaking. We can measure indirectly neural activity related to the output side of a process (e.g. articulation). But most importantly, we can look into the planning phase prior to an overt response, hence tapping into subcomponents of speech planning. These components include verbal memory, intention to speak, and the planning of meaning, syntax, and phonology. This paper briefly introduces cognitive theories on language production and methods used in cognitive neuroscience. It reviews the possibilities of applying them in experimental paradigms to investigate language production and verbal memory in galactosemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Timmers
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P. O. Box. 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Job van den Hurk
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P. O. Box. 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (M-BIC), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Di Salle
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P. O. Box. 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (M-BIC), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - M. Estela Rubio-Gozalbo
- Department of Paediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bernadette M. Jansma
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P. O. Box. 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (M-BIC), Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Filippi M, Riccitelli G, Falini A, Di Salle F, Vuilleumier P, Comi G, Rocca MA. The brain functional networks associated to human and animal suffering differ among omnivores, vegetarians and vegans. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10847. [PMID: 20520767 PMCID: PMC2877098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/05/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Empathy and affective appraisals for conspecifics are among the hallmarks of social interaction. Using functional MRI, we hypothesized that vegetarians and vegans, who made their feeding choice for ethical reasons, might show brain responses to conditions of suffering involving humans or animals different from omnivores. We recruited 20 omnivore subjects, 19 vegetarians, and 21 vegans. The groups were matched for sex and age. Brain activation was investigated using fMRI and an event-related design during observation of negative affective pictures of human beings and animals (showing mutilations, murdered people, human/animal threat, tortures, wounds, etc.). Participants saw negative-valence scenes related to humans and animals, alternating with natural landscapes. During human negative valence scenes, compared with omnivores, vegetarians and vegans had an increased recruitment of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). More critically, during animal negative valence scenes, they had decreased amygdala activation and increased activation of the lingual gyri, the left cuneus, the posterior cingulate cortex and several areas mainly located in the frontal lobes, including the ACC, the IFG and the middle frontal gyrus. Nonetheless, also substantial differences between vegetarians and vegans have been found responding to negative scenes. Vegetarians showed a selective recruitment of the right inferior parietal lobule during human negative scenes, and a prevailing activation of the ACC during animal negative scenes. Conversely, during animal negative scenes an increased activation of the inferior prefrontal cortex was observed in vegans. These results suggest that empathy toward non conspecifics has different neural representation among individuals with different feeding habits, perhaps reflecting different motivational factors and beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
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Meneghini F, Vatta F, Esposito F, Mininel S, Di Salle F. Comparison between realistic and spherical approaches in EEG forward modelling. BIOMED ENG-BIOMED TE 2010; 55:133-46. [PMID: 20178450 DOI: 10.1515/bmt.2010.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In electroencephalography (EEG) a valid conductor model of the head (forward model) is necessary for predicting measurable scalp voltages from intra-cranial current distributions. All inverse models, capable of inferring the spatial distribution of the neural sources generating measurable electrical and magnetic signals outside the brain are normally formulated in terms of a pre-estimated forward model, which implies considering one (or more) current dipole(s) inside the head and computing the electrical potentials generated at the electrode sites on the scalp surface. Therefore, the accuracy of the forward model strongly affects the reliability of the source reconstruction process independently of the specific inverse model. So far, it is as yet unclear which brain regions are more sensitive to the choice of different model geometry, from both quantitative and qualitative points of view. In this paper, we compare the finite difference method-based realistic model with the four-layers sensor-fitted spherical model using simulated cortical sources in the MNI152 standard space. We focused on the investigation of the spatial variation of the lead fields produced by simulated cortical sources which were placed on the reconstructed mesh of the neocortex along the surface electrodes of a 62-channel configuration. This comparison is carried out by evaluating a point spread function all over the brain cortex, with the aim of finding the lead fields mismatch between realistic and spherical geometry. Realistic geometry turns out to be a relevant factor of improvement which is particularly important when considering sources placed in the temporal or in the occipital cortex. In these situations, using a realistic head model will allow a better spatial discrimination of neural sources when compared to the spherical model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Meneghini
- DEEI, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio 10,Trieste, Italy.
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Vatta F, Meneghini F, Esposito F, Mininel S, Di Salle F. Realistic and spherical head modeling for EEG forward problem solution: a comparative cortex-based analysis. Comput Intell Neurosci 2010; 2010:972060. [PMID: 20169107 PMCID: PMC2821797 DOI: 10.1155/2010/972060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2009] [Revised: 08/20/2009] [Accepted: 11/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The accuracy of forward models for electroencephalography (EEG) partly depends on head tissues geometry and strongly affects the reliability of the source reconstruction process, but it is not yet clear which brain regions are more sensitive to the choice of different model geometry. In this paper we compare different spherical and realistic head modeling techniques in estimating EEG forward solutions from current dipole sources distributed on a standard cortical space reconstructed from Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) MRI data. Computer simulations are presented for three different four-shell head models, two with realistic geometry, either surface-based (BEM) or volume-based (FDM), and the corresponding sensor-fitted spherical-shaped model. Point Spread Function (PSF) and Lead Field (LF) cross-correlation analyses were performed for 26 symmetric dipole sources to quantitatively assess models' accuracy in EEG source reconstruction. Realistic geometry turns out to be a relevant factor of improvement, particularly important when considering sources placed in the temporal or in the occipital cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Vatta
- DEEI, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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Esposito F, Aragri A, Piccoli T, Tedeschi G, Goebel R, Di Salle F. Distributed analysis of simultaneous EEG-fMRI time-series: modeling and interpretation issues. Magn Reson Imaging 2009; 27:1120-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2009.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2008] [Revised: 11/28/2008] [Accepted: 01/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Mangia S, Giove F, Tkác I, Logothetis NK, Henry PG, Olman CA, Maraviglia B, Di Salle F, Uğurbil K. Metabolic and hemodynamic events after changes in neuronal activity: current hypotheses, theoretical predictions and in vivo NMR experimental findings. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2009; 29:441-63. [PMID: 19002199 PMCID: PMC2743443 DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2008.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Unraveling the energy metabolism and the hemodynamic outcomes of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity is critical not only for our basic understanding of overall brain function, but also for the understanding of many brain disorders. Methodologies of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are powerful tools for the noninvasive investigation of brain metabolism and physiology. However, the temporal and spatial resolution of in vivo MRS and MRI is not suitable to provide direct evidence for hypotheses that involve metabolic compartmentalization between different cell types, or to untangle the complex neuronal microcircuitry, which results in changes of electrical activity. This review aims at describing how the current models of brain metabolism, mainly built on the basis of in vitro evidence, relate to experimental findings recently obtained in vivo by (1)H MRS, (13)C MRS, and MRI. The hypotheses related to the role of different metabolic substrates, the metabolic neuron-glia interactions, along with the available theoretical predictions of the energy budget of neurotransmission will be discussed. In addition, the cellular and network mechanisms that characterize different types of increased and suppressed neuronal activity will be considered within the sensitivity-constraints of MRS and MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mangia
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
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van de Ven V, Bledowski C, Prvulovic D, Goebel R, Formisano E, Di Salle F, Linden DEJ, Esposito F. Visual target modulation of functional connectivity networks revealed by self-organizing group ICA. Hum Brain Mapp 2009; 29:1450-61. [PMID: 17990304 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.20479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We applied a data-driven analysis based on self-organizing group independent component analysis (sogICA) to fMRI data from a three-stimulus visual oddball task. SogICA is particularly suited to the investigation of the underlying functional connectivity and does not rely on a predefined model of the experiment, which overcomes some of the limitations of hypothesis-driven analysis. Unlike most previous applications of ICA in functional imaging, our approach allows the analysis of the data at the group level, which is of particular interest in high order cognitive studies. SogICA is based on the hierarchical clustering of spatially similar independent components, derived from single subject decompositions. We identified four main clusters of components, centered on the posterior cingulate, bilateral insula, bilateral prefrontal cortex, and right posterior parietal and prefrontal cortex, consistently across all participants. Post hoc comparison of time courses revealed that insula, prefrontal cortex and right fronto-parietal components showed higher activity for targets than for distractors. Activation for distractors was higher in the posterior cingulate cortex, where deactivation was observed for targets. While our results conform to previous neuroimaging studies, they also complement conventional results by showing functional connectivity networks with unique contributions to the task that were consistent across subjects. SogICA can thus be used to probe functional networks of active cognitive tasks at the group-level and can provide additional insights to generate new hypotheses for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent van de Ven
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, University Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
An overview is given of magnetic resonance (MR) techniques sensitized to diffusion, flow, magnetization transfer effect, and local field inhomogeneities induced by physiological changes, that can be viewed, in the clinical practice, as advanced because of their challenging implementation and interpretation. These techniques are known as diffusion-weighted, perfusion, magnetization transfer, functional MRI and MR spectroscopy. An important issue is that they can provide quantitative estimates of structural and functional characteristics that are below the voxel resolution. This review does not deal with the basic concepts of the MR physics and the description of the available acquisition and postprocessing methods, but hopefully provides an adequate background to readers and hence facilitate the understanding of the following clinical contributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Pagani
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60 20132, Milan, Italy
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Morelli N, Pesaresi I, Cafforio G, Maluccio MR, Gori S, Di Salle F, Murri L. Functional magnetic resonance imaging in episodic cluster headache. J Headache Pain 2009; 10:11-4. [PMID: 19083151 PMCID: PMC3451754 DOI: 10.1007/s10194-008-0085-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 11/26/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the cerebral activation centre in four patients with episodic cluster headache (CH) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (f-MRI). The patients underwent MRI scans for anatomical and functional data acquisition in the asymptomatic state, during a headache attack and after subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan. Anatomical images were acquired by means of 3D-MPRAGE sequences and f-MRI images were obtained by means of echo-planar imaging. Data was analysed using the BrainVoyager QX version 1.7.81 software package. In all patients, the data showed significant hypothalamic activation of the hypothalamus ipsilateral to the pain side, attributable to a headache attack. Overall, we have demonstrated the anatomical location of central nervous system activation by means the first f-MRI study in CH patients. f-MRI offers a good balance of spatial and temporal resolution, and this method of study appears appropriate for investigating the pathogenetic aspects of primary headaches. Positron emission tomography and f-MRI may be regarded as little or no importance in a clinical context, they do, however, offer great potential for the exploration of headache physiopathology and the effects of pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Morelli
- University Centre for Adaptive Disorders and Headache (UCADH), Institute of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Vatta F, Mininel S, Colafati SG, D'Errico L, Malena S, Di Salle F. A novel tool for the morphometric analysis of corpus callosum: applications to the diagnosis of autism - biomed 2009. Biomed Sci Instrum 2009; 45:442-448. [PMID: 19369803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by social deficits, impaired communication, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour. Emerging theories indicate interregional functional and anatomical brain connectivity as a likely key feature in autism pathophysiology. Corpus callosum (CC) represents a natural target of autism connectivity research, being the expression of interhemispheric communication. In this paper, a novel method for a robust morphometric analysis of CC data is presented. The standard morphometric approach is based on the analysis of the size and shape of the CC midsagittal cross-section. As there are no gross anatomical landmarks that clearly delimit anatomically or functionally distinct CC regions, several geometric partitioning schemes have been proposed in the literature for morphometric analysis, subdividing CC into subregions whose fiber topography is expected to target different hemispheric cortical regions. A novel tool of morphometric analysis, based on the automated subdivision of a high number of partitions from a CC centroid and on the consequent determination of the CC anatomical landmarks is presented, allowing an automated analysis of CC volumes, shapes and curvatures, suitable for an automated application in clinical environment. Moreover the proposed tool can be used for original post-processing and visualization techniques that may help in the analysis of possible alterations of CC and in the correlations with autism-related diseases. The proposed morphometric tool has been validated and applied for clinical investigation on brain morphometry in children (age 3-11 years) with autism or with other autism spectrum disorders (DSA) and on healthy control subjects who underwent volumetric MRI T1 weighted acquisitions.
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