1
|
Alaerts K, Moerkerke M, Daniels N, Zhang Q, Grazia R, Steyaert J, Prinsen J, Boets B. Chronic oxytocin improves neural decoupling at rest in children with autism: an exploratory RCT. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024. [PMID: 38400592 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13966] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shifts in peak frequencies of oscillatory neural rhythms are put forward as a principal mechanism by which cross-frequency coupling/decoupling is implemented in the brain. During active neural processing, functional integration is facilitated through transitory formations of "harmonic" cross-frequency couplings, whereas "nonharmonic" decoupling among neural oscillatory rhythms is postulated to characterize the resting, default state of the brain, minimizing the occurrence of spurious, noisy, background couplings. METHODS Within this exploratory, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed whether the transient occurrence of nonharmonic and harmonic relationships between peak-frequencies in the alpha (8-14 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) bands is impacted by intranasal administration of oxytocin, a neuromodulator implicated in improving homeostasis and reducing stress/anxiety. To do so, resting-state electroencephalography was acquired before and after 4 weeks of oxytocin administration (12 IU twice-daily) in children with autism spectrum disorder (8-12 years, n = 33 oxytocin; n = 34 placebo). At the baseline, neural assessments of children with autism were compared with those of a matched cohort of children without autism (n = 40). RESULTS Compared to nonautistic peers, autistic children displayed a lower incidence of nonharmonic alpha-theta cross-frequency decoupling, indicating a higher incidence of spurious "noisy" coupling in their resting brain (p = .001). Dimensionally, increased neural coupling was associated with more social difficulties (p = .002) and lower activity of the parasympathetic "rest & digest" branch of the autonomic nervous system (p = .018), indexed with high-frequency heart-rate-variability. Notably, after oxytocin administration, the transient formation of nonharmonic cross-frequency configurations was increased in the cohort of autistic children (p < .001), indicating a beneficial effect of oxytocin on reducing spurious cross-frequency-interactions. Furthermore, parallel epigenetics changes of the oxytocin receptor gene indicated that the neural effects were likely mediated by changes in endogenous oxytocinergic signaling (p = .006). CONCLUSIONS Chronic oxytocin induced important homeostatic changes in the resting-state intrinsic neural frequency architecture, reflective of reduced noisy oscillatory couplings and improved signal-to-noise properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Alaerts
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Neuromodulation Laboratory, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthijs Moerkerke
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Neuromodulation Laboratory, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Neuromodulation Laboratory, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ricchiuti Grazia
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Neuromodulation Laboratory, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Neuromodulation Laboratory, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Deferm W, Tang T, Moerkerke M, Daniels N, Steyaert J, Alaerts K, Ortibus E, Naulaers G, Boets B. Subtle microstructural alterations in white matter tracts involved in socio-emotional processing after very preterm birth. Neuroimage Clin 2024; 41:103580. [PMID: 38401459 PMCID: PMC10944182 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103580] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Children born very preterm (VPT, < 32 weeks of gestation) have an increased risk of developing socio-emotional difficulties. Possible neural substrates for these socio-emotional difficulties are alterations in the structural connectivity of the social brain due to premature birth. The objective of the current study was to study microstructural white matter integrity in VPT versus full-term (FT) born school-aged children along twelve white matter tracts involved in socio-emotional processing. Diffusion MRI scans were obtained from a sample of 35 VPT and 38 FT 8-to-12-year-old children. Tractography was performed using TractSeg, a state-of-the-art neural network-based approach, which offers investigation of detailed tract profiles of fractional anisotropy (FA). Group differences in FA along the tracts were investigated using both a traditional and complementary functional data analysis approach. Exploratory correlations were performed between the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2), a parent-report questionnaire assessing difficulties in social functioning, and FA along the tract. Both analyses showed significant reductions in FA for the VPT group along the middle portion of the right SLF I and an anterior portion of the left SLF II. These group differences possibly indicate altered white matter maturation due to premature birth and may contribute to altered functional connectivity in the Theory of Mind network which has been documented in earlier work with VPT samples. Apart from reduced social motivation in the VPT group, there were no significant group differences in reported social functioning, as assessed by SRS-2. We found that in the VPT group higher FA values in segments of the left SLF I and right SLF II were associated with better social functioning. Surprisingly, the opposite was found for segments in the right IFO, where higher FA values were associated with worse reported social functioning. Since no significant correlations were found for the FT group, this relationship may be specific for VPT children. The current study overcomes methodological limitations of previous studies by more accurately segmenting white matter tracts using constrained spherical deconvolution based tractography, by applying complementary tractometry analysis approaches to estimate changes in FA more accurately, and by investigating the FA profile along the three components of the SLF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ward Deferm
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Tiffany Tang
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Nicky Daniels
- Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Belgium; Child Psychiatry, UZ Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Gunnar Naulaers
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Neonatology, UZ Leuven, Belgium; UZ Leuven & Center for Developmental Disorders, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moerkerke M, Daniels N, Tibermont L, Tang T, Evenepoel M, Van der Donck S, Debbaut E, Prinsen J, Chubar V, Claes S, Vanaudenaerde B, Willems L, Steyaert J, Boets B, Alaerts K. Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism. Nat Commun 2024; 15:58. [PMID: 38167302 PMCID: PMC10762037 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44334-4] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical efficacy of intranasal administration of oxytocin is increasingly explored in autism spectrum disorder, but to date, the biological effects of chronic administration regimes on endogenous oxytocinergic function are largely unknown. Here exploratory biological assessments from a completed randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that children with autism (n = 79, 16 females) receiving intranasal oxytocin for four weeks (12 IU, twice daily) displayed significantly higher salivary oxytocin levels 24 hours after the last oxytocin nasal spray administration, but no longer at a four-week follow up session. Regarding salivary oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) epigenetics (DNA-methylation), oxytocin-induced reductions in OXTR DNA-methylation were observed, suggesting a facilitation of oxytocin receptor expression in the oxytocin compared to the placebo group. Notably, heightened oxytocin levels post-treatment were significantly associated with reduced OXTR DNA-methylation and improved feelings of secure attachment. These findings indicate that four weeks of chronic oxytocin administration stimulated the endogenous oxytocinergic system in children with autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthijs Moerkerke
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Tibermont
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tiffany Tang
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Margaux Evenepoel
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Van der Donck
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Edward Debbaut
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Stephan Claes
- University Psychiatric Centre, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Vanaudenaerde
- Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Chronic Illness and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lynn Willems
- Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Chronic Illness and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Moerkerke M, Daniels N, Van der Donck S, Tibermont L, Tang T, Debbaut E, Bamps A, Prinsen J, Steyaert J, Alaerts K, Boets B. Can repeated intranasal oxytocin administration affect reduced neural sensitivity towards expressive faces in autism? A randomized controlled trial. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023; 64:1583-1595. [PMID: 37278339 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction. Crucial for efficient social interaction is the ability to quickly and accurately extract information from a person's face. Frequency-tagging electroencephalography (EEG) is a novel tool to quantify face-processing sensitivity in a robust and implicit manner. In terms of intervention approaches, intranasal administration of oxytocin (OT) is increasingly considered as a potential pharmacological approach for improving socio-communicative difficulties in ASD, through enhancing social salience and/or reducing (social) stress and anxiety. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, mechanistic pharmaco-neuroimaging clinical trial, we implemented frequency-tagging EEG to conduct an exploratory investigation into the impact of repeated OT administration (4 weeks, 12 IU, twice daily) on neural sensitivity towards happy and fearful facial expressions in children with ASD (8-12 years old; OT: n = 29; placebo: n = 32). Neural effects were assessed at baseline, post-nasal spray (24 hr after the last nasal spray) and at a follow-up session, 4 weeks after the OT administration period. At baseline, neural assessments of children with ASD were compared with those of an age- and gender-matched cohort of neurotypical (NT) children (n = 39). RESULTS Children with ASD demonstrated reduced neural sensitivity towards expressive faces, as compared to NT children. Upon nasal spray administration, children with ASD displayed a significant increase in neural sensitivity at the post- and follow-up sessions, but only in the placebo group, likely reflecting an implicit learning effect. Strikingly, in the OT group, neural sensitivity remained unaffected from the baseline to the post-session, likely reflecting a dampening of an otherwise typically occurring implicit learning effect. CONCLUSIONS First, we validated the robustness of the frequency-tagging EEG approach to assess reduced neural sensitivity towards expressive faces in children with ASD. Furthermore, in contrast to social salience effects observed after single-dose administrations, repeated OT administration dampened typically occurring learning effects in neural sensitivity. In line with OT's social anxiolytic account, these observations possibly reflect a predominant (social) stress regulatory effect towards emotionally evocative faces after repeated OT administration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthijs Moerkerke
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Van der Donck
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Tibermont
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tiffany Tang
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Edward Debbaut
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelies Bamps
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Alaerts K, Daniels N, Moerkerke M, Evenepoel M, Tang T, Van der Donck S, Chubar V, Claes S, Steyaert J, Boets B, Prinsen J. At the Head and Heart of Oxytocin's Stress-Regulatory Neural and Cardiac Effects: A Chronic Administration RCT in Children with Autism. Psychother Psychosom 2023; 92:315-328. [PMID: 37820592 DOI: 10.1159/000534114] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intranasal administration of oxytocin presents a promising new approach to reduce disability associated with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Previous investigations have emphasized the amygdala as the neural foundation for oxytocin's acute effects. However, to fully understand oxytocin's therapeutic potential, it is crucial to gain insight into the neuroplastic changes in amygdala circuitry induced from chronic oxytocin administrations, particularly in pediatric populations. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the impact of a 4-week course of intranasal oxytocin on amygdala functional connectivity in children with autism, compared to placebo. Additionally, we investigated whether oxytocin improves cardiac autonomic arousal, as indexed by high-frequency heart rate variability. METHODS Fifty-seven children with autism aged 8-12 years (45 boys, 12 girls) participated in a double-blind, randomized pharmaco-neuroimaging trial involving twice-daily administrations of intranasal oxytocin or placebo. Resting-state fMRI scans and simultaneous, in-scanner heart rate recordings were obtained before, immediately after, and 4 weeks after the nasal spray administration period. RESULTS Significant reductions in intrinsic amygdala-orbitofrontal connectivity were observed, particularly at the 4-week follow-up session. These reductions were correlated with improved social symptoms and lower cardiac autonomic arousal. Further, oxytocin's neural and cardiac autonomic effects were modulated by epigenetic modifications of the oxytocin receptor gene. The effects were more pronounced in children with reduced epigenetic methylation, signifying heightened expression of the oxytocin receptor. CONCLUSION These findings underscore that a 4-week oxytocin administration course decreases amygdala connectivity and improves cardiac autonomic balance. Epigenetic modulators may explain inter-individual variation in responses to oxytocin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Alaerts
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthijs Moerkerke
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Margaux Evenepoel
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tiffany Tang
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Van der Donck
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Stephan Claes
- KU Leuven, University Psychiatric Center, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, University Psychiatric Center, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Evenepoel M, Moerkerke M, Daniels N, Chubar V, Claes S, Turner J, Vanaudenaerde B, Willems L, Verhaeghe J, Prinsen J, Steyaert J, Boets B, Alaerts K. Endogenous oxytocin levels in children with autism: Associations with cortisol levels and oxytocin receptor gene methylation. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:235. [PMID: 37391413 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02524-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the brain's oxytocinergic system have been suggested to play an important role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but insights from pediatric populations are sparse. Here, salivary oxytocin was examined in the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) in school-aged children with (n = 80) and without (n = 40) ASD (boys/girls 4/1), and also characterizations of DNA methylation (DNAm) of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) were obtained. Further, cortisol levels were assessed to examine links between the oxytocinergic system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis signaling. Children with ASD displayed altered (diminished) oxytocin levels in the morning, but not in the afternoon, after a mildly stress-inducing social interaction session. Notably, in the control group, higher oxytocin levels at AM were associated with lower stress-induced cortisol at PM, likely reflective of a protective stress-regulatory mechanism for buffering HPA stress activity. In children with ASD, on the other hand, a significant rise in oxytocin levels from the morning to the afternoon was associated with a higher stress-induced cortisol release in the afternoon, likely reflective of a more reactive stress regulatory release of oxytocin for reactively coping with heightened HPA activity. Regarding epigenetic modifications, no overall pattern of OXTR hypo- or hypermethylation was evident in ASD. In control children, a notable association between OXTR methylation and levels of cortisol at PM was evident, likely indicative of a compensatory downregulation of OXTR methylation (higher oxytocin receptor expression) in children with heightened HPA axis activity. Together, these observations bear important insights into altered oxytocinergic signaling in ASD, which may aid in establishing relevant biomarkers for diagnostic and/or treatment evaluation purposes targeting the oxytocinergic system in ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Evenepoel
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthijs Moerkerke
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Stephan Claes
- University Psychiatric Centre, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Turner
- Luxembourg Institute of Health, Department of Infection and Immunity, Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Bart Vanaudenaerde
- KU Leuven, Department of Chronic Illness and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lynn Willems
- KU Leuven, Department of Chronic Illness and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Verhaeghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Research Group Woman and Child, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium.
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Daniels N, Moerkerke M, Steyaert J, Bamps A, Debbaut E, Prinsen J, Tang T, Van der Donck S, Boets B, Alaerts K. Effects of multiple-dose intranasal oxytocin administration on social responsiveness in children with autism: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Mol Autism 2023; 14:16. [PMID: 37081454 PMCID: PMC10117268 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00546-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intranasal administration of oxytocin is increasingly explored as a new approach to facilitate social development and reduce disability associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The efficacy of multiple-dose oxytocin administration in children with ASD is, however, not well established. METHODS A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with parallel design explored the effects of a 4-week intranasal oxytocin administration (12 IU, twice daily) on parent-rated social responsiveness (Social Responsiveness Scale: SRS-2) in pre-pubertal school-aged children (aged 8-12 years, 61 boys, 16 girls). Secondary outcomes included a questionnaire-based assessment of repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and attachment. Effects of oxytocin were assessed immediately after the administration period and at a follow-up, 4 weeks after the last administration. The double-blind phase was followed by a 4-week single-blind phase during which all participants received intranasal oxytocin. RESULTS In the double-blind phase, both the oxytocin and placebo group displayed significant pre-to-post-improvements in social responsiveness and secondary questionnaires, but improvements were not specific to the intranasal oxytocin. Notably, in the single-blind phase, participants who were first allocated to intranasal placebo and later changed to intranasal oxytocin displayed a significant improvement in social responsiveness, over and above the placebo-induced improvements noted in the first phase. Participants receiving oxytocin in the first phase also showed a significant further improvement upon receiving a second course of oxytocin, but only at the 4-week follow-up. Further, exploratory moderator analyses indicated that children who received psychosocial trainings (3 or more sessions per month) along with oxytocin administration displayed a more pronounced improvement in social responsiveness. LIMITATIONS Future studies using larger cohorts and more explicitly controlled concurrent psychosocial trainings are warranted to further explore the preliminary moderator effects, also including understudied populations within the autism spectrum, such as children with co-occurring intellectual disabilities. CONCLUSIONS Four weeks of oxytocin administration did not induce treatment-specific improvements in social responsiveness in school-aged children with ASD. Future studies are warranted to further explore the clinical efficacy of oxytocin administration paired with targeted psychosocial trainings that stimulate socio-communicative behaviors. Trial registration The trial was registered with the European Clinical Trial Registry (EudraCT 2018-000769-35) on June 7th, 2018 ( https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2018-000769-35/BE ).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Daniels
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Box 1501, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthijs Moerkerke
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelies Bamps
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Edward Debbaut
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Box 1501, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tiffany Tang
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Van der Donck
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Box 1501, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ataman LM, Laronda MM, Gowett M, Trotter K, Anvari H, Fei F, Ingram A, Minette M, Suebthawinkul C, Taghvaei Z, Torres-Vélez M, Velez K, Adiga SK, Anazodo A, Appiah L, Bourlon MT, Daniels N, Dolmans MM, Finlayson C, Gilchrist RB, Gomez-Lobo V, Greenblatt E, Halpern JA, Hutt K, Johnson EK, Kawamura K, Khrouf M, Kimelman D, Kristensen S, Mitchell RT, Moravek MB, Nahata L, Orwig KE, Pavone ME, Pépin D, Pesce R, Quinn GP, Rosen MP, Rowell E, Smith K, Venter C, Whiteside S, Xiao S, Zelinski M, Goldman KN, Woodruff TK, Duncan FE. A synopsis of global frontiers in fertility preservation. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:1693-1712. [PMID: 35870095 PMCID: PMC9307970 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02570-5] [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: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 2007, the Oncofertility Consortium Annual Conference has brought together a diverse network of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and professional levels to disseminate emerging basic and clinical research findings in fertility preservation. This network also developed enduring educational materials to accelerate the pace and quality of field-wide scientific communication. Between 2007 and 2019, the Oncofertility Consortium Annual Conference was held as an in-person event in Chicago, IL. The conference attracted approximately 250 attendees each year representing 20 countries around the world. In 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this paradigm and precluded an in-person meeting. Nevertheless, there remained an undeniable demand for the oncofertility community to convene. To maintain the momentum of the field, the Oncofertility Consortium hosted a day-long virtual meeting on March 5, 2021, with the theme of "Oncofertility Around the Globe" to highlight the diversity of clinical care and translational research that is ongoing around the world in this discipline. This virtual meeting was hosted using the vFairs ® conference platform and allowed over 700 people to participate, many of whom were first-time conference attendees. The agenda featured concurrent sessions from presenters in six continents which provided attendees a complete overview of the field and furthered our mission to create a global community of oncofertility practice. This paper provides a synopsis of talks delivered at this event and highlights the new advances and frontiers in the fields of oncofertility and fertility preservation around the globe from clinical practice and patient-centered efforts to translational research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L M Ataman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - M M Laronda
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M Gowett
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - K Trotter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - H Anvari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - F Fei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - A Ingram
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - M Minette
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - C Suebthawinkul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Z Taghvaei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - M Torres-Vélez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - K Velez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - S K Adiga
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - A Anazodo
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Sydney, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - L Appiah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - M T Bourlon
- Hemato-Oncology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas Y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - N Daniels
- The Oncology and Fertility Centres of Ekocorp, Eko Hospitals, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - M M Dolmans
- Gynecology Research Unit, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale Et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Av. Mounier 52, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gynecology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Av. Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Finlayson
- Department of Pediatrics (Endocrinology), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - R B Gilchrist
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - V Gomez-Lobo
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - J A Halpern
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Hutt
- Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - E K Johnson
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Kawamura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Khrouf
- FERTILLIA, Clinique la Rose, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - D Kimelman
- Centro de Esterilidad Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - S Kristensen
- Department of Fertility, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R T Mitchell
- Department of Developmental Endocrinology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - M B Moravek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - L Nahata
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Endocrinology and Center for Biobehavioral Health, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - K E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M E Pavone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - D Pépin
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R Pesce
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G P Quinn
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Medical Ethics, Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - M P Rosen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Rowell
- Department of Surgery (Pediatric Surgery), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - C Venter
- Vitalab, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - S Whiteside
- Fertility & Reproductive Health Program, Department of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - S Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - M Zelinski
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - K N Goldman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - T K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - F E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7-117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ataman LM, Laronda MM, Gowett M, Trotter K, Anvari H, Fei F, Ingram A, Minette M, Suebthawinkul C, Taghvaei Z, Torres-Vélez M, Velez K, Adiga SK, Anazodo A, Appiah L, Bourlon MT, Daniels N, Dolmans MM, Finlayson C, Gilchrist RB, Gomez-Lobo V, Greenblatt E, Halpern JA, Hutt K, Johnson EK, Kawamura K, Khrouf M, Kimelman D, Kristensen S, Mitchell RT, Moravek MB, Nahata L, Orwig KE, Pavone ME, Pépin D, Pesce R, Quinn GP, Rosen MP, Rowell E, Smith K, Venter C, Whiteside S, Xiao S, Zelinski M, Goldman KN, Woodruff TK, Duncan FE. Correction to: A synopsis of global frontiers in fertility preservation. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:1713-1714. [PMID: 35920992 PMCID: PMC9428069 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02586-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L M Ataman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - M M Laronda
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M Gowett
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - K Trotter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - H Anvari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - F Fei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - A Ingram
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - M Minette
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - C Suebthawinkul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Z Taghvaei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - M Torres-Vélez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - K Velez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - S K Adiga
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - A Anazodo
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Sydney, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - L Appiah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - M T Bourlon
- Hemato‑Oncology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas Y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - N Daniels
- The Oncology and Fertility Centres of Ekocorp, Eko Hospitals, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - M M Dolmans
- Gynecology Research Unit, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale Et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Av. Mounier 52, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gynecology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Av. Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Finlayson
- Department of Pediatrics (Endocrinology), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - R B Gilchrist
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - V Gomez-Lobo
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - J A Halpern
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Hutt
- Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - E K Johnson
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Kawamura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Khrouf
- FERTILLIA, Clinique la Rose, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - D Kimelman
- Centro de Esterilidad Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - S Kristensen
- Department of Fertility, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R T Mitchell
- Department of Developmental Endocrinology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - M B Moravek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - L Nahata
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Endocrinology and Center for Biobehavioral Health, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - K E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M E Pavone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - D Pépin
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R Pesce
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G P Quinn
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Medical Ethics, Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - M P Rosen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Rowell
- Department of Surgery (Pediatric Surgery), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - C Venter
- Vitalab, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - S Whiteside
- Fertility & Reproductive Health Program, Department of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - S Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - M Zelinski
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - K N Goldman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - T K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - F E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 7‑117, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Summers S, Daniels N, Thahir A, Krkovic M. 121 A Novel Technique for Infected Metalwork Salvage: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Copious Saline Irrigation and Direct Wound Closure Over Dressing. Br J Surg 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac039.066] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Aim
Metalwork infection is a challenging complication, often requiring surgical removal. The senior author devised a novel technique consisting of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with high-flow rate saline irrigation and direct skin closure over the standard NPWT dressing. This study aims to evaluate the utility of this modified technique in resolving metalwork infection to allow fracture union without metalwork removal.
Method
This is a retrospective chart review of 24 patients (3 upper and 21 lower limb cases) with infected orthopaedic metalwork from a single centre over a seven-year period, who were all managed with this modified technique as an adjunct to standard antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement. Demographic data, surgical data and infectious disease data were collected. Patients were followed up for signs of infection recurrence.
Results
23 of 24 (96%) patient had successful metalwork retention with infection resolution to achieve fracture union. No metalwork was removed due to infection. Original metalwork was maintained in 16 of 24 (67%) patients. The average duration of NPWT was 19 days and the average number of visits to the theatre for NPWT change or removal was 2.5 (mode: 2).
Conclusions
This series demonstrates that the modified NPWT technique is an effective adjunct therapy for infected metalwork salvage. This novel technique is safe and reliable with timely resolution of infection to allow fracture union.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. Summers
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - N. Daniels
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - A. Thahir
- Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Addenbrookes Major Trauma Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - M. Krkovic
- Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Addenbrookes Major Trauma Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Moerkerke M, Peeters M, de Vries L, Daniels N, Steyaert J, Alaerts K, Boets B. Endogenous Oxytocin Levels in Autism-A Meta-Analysis. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1545. [PMID: 34827545 PMCID: PMC8615844 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) circuitry plays a major role in the mediation of prosocial behavior. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication and have been suggested to display deficiencies in central OT mechanisms. The current preregistered meta-analysis evaluated potential group differences in endogenous OT levels between individuals with ASD and neurotypical (NT) controls. We included 18 studies comprising a total of 1422 participants. We found that endogenous OT levels are lower in children with ASD as compared to NT controls (n = 1123; g = -0.60; p = 0.006), but this effect seems to disappear in adolescent (n = 152; g = -0.20; p = 0.53) and adult populations (n = 147; g = 0.27; p = 0.45). Secondly, while no significant subgroup differences were found in regard to sex, the group difference in OT levels of individuals with versus without ASD seems to be only present in the studies with male participants (n = 814; g = -0.44; p = 0.08) and not female participants (n = 192; g = 0.11; p = 0.47). More research that employs more homogeneous methods is necessary to investigate potential developmental changes in endogenous OT levels, both in typical and atypical development, and to explore the possible use of OT level measurement as a diagnostic marker of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthijs Moerkerke
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.P.); (L.d.V.); (J.S.); (B.B.)
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (N.D.); (K.A.)
| | - Mathieu Peeters
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.P.); (L.d.V.); (J.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Lyssa de Vries
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.P.); (L.d.V.); (J.S.); (B.B.)
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (N.D.); (K.A.)
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (N.D.); (K.A.)
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.P.); (L.d.V.); (J.S.); (B.B.)
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (N.D.); (K.A.)
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (N.D.); (K.A.)
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.P.); (L.d.V.); (J.S.); (B.B.)
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (N.D.); (K.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Alaerts K, Taillieu A, Prinsen J, Daniels N. Tracking transient changes in the intrinsic neural frequency architecture: Oxytocin facilitates non-harmonic relationships between alpha and theta rhythms in the resting brain. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 133:105397. [PMID: 34481326 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105397] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Shifts in the peak frequencies of oscillatory neural rhythms have been put forward as a principal mechanism by which cross-frequency coupling and decoupling is implemented in the brain. This notion is based on the mathematical reality that neural oscillations can only fully synchronize when their peak frequencies form harmonic 2:1 relationships (e.g., f2=f1/2). Non-harmonic cross-frequency relationships, on the other hand (based on the irrational golden mean 1.618.:1), provide the highest physiologically possible desynchronized state (reducing the occurrence of spurious, noisy, background coupling), and are therefore anticipated to characterize the resting state of the brain, in which no selective information processing takes place. The present study sought to assess whether the transient occurrence of 1.6:1 non-harmonic and 2:1 harmonic relationships between peak frequencies in the alpha (8-14 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) bands - respectively facilitating states of decoupling or coupling between oscillatory rhythms - are impacted by the intranasal administration of a single-dose of oxytocin (OT) or placebo. To do so, continuous resting-state electroencephalography (5 min eyes open, 19 electrodes) was obtained from 96 healthy adult men before and after nasal spray administration. The transient formation of non-harmonic cross-frequency configurations between alpha and theta peak frequencies was significantly increased after OT nasal spray administration, indicating an effect of OT on reducing the intrinsic occurrence of spurious (noisy) background phase synchronizations during resting-state. As a group, the OT group also showed a significant parallel increase in high-frequency and decrease in low-frequency heart rate variability, confirming a homeostatic role of OT in balancing parasympathetic drive. Overall, non-harmonic cross-frequency configurations have been put forward to lay the ground for a healthy neural network allowing the opportunity for an efficient transition from resting state to activity. The observed effects of OT on cross-frequency dynamics are therefore interpreted to reflect a homeostatic role of OT in increasing the signal-to-noise properties of the intrinsic EEG neural frequency architecture, i.e., by precluding the occurrence of 'noisy', unwanted, spurious couplings among neural rhythms in the resting brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Alaerts
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Tervuursevest 101 box 1501, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Aymara Taillieu
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Tervuursevest 101 box 1501, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Tervuursevest 101 box 1501, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Tervuursevest 101 box 1501, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hendriks MHA, Dillen C, Vettori S, Vercammen L, Daniels N, Steyaert J, Op de Beeck H, Boets B. Neural processing of facial identity and expression in adults with and without autism: A multi-method approach. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 29:102520. [PMID: 33338966 PMCID: PMC7750419 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ability to recognize faces and facial expressions is a common human talent. It has, however, been suggested to be impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The goal of this study was to compare the processing of facial identity and emotion between individuals with ASD and neurotypicals (NTs). Behavioural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 46 young adults (aged 17-23 years, NASD = 22, NNT = 24) was analysed. During fMRI data acquisition, participants discriminated between short clips of a face transitioning from a neutral to an emotional expression. Stimuli included four identities and six emotions. We performed behavioural, univariate, multi-voxel, adaptation and functional connectivity analyses to investigate potential group differences. The ASD-group did not differ from the NT-group on behavioural identity and expression processing tasks. At the neural level, we found no differences in average neural activation, neural activation patterns and neural adaptation to faces in face-related brain regions. In terms of functional connectivity, we found that amygdala seems to be more strongly connected to inferior occipital cortex and V1 in individuals with ASD. Overall, the findings indicate that neural representations of facial identity and expression have a similar quality in individuals with and without ASD, but some regions containing these representations are connected differently in the extended face processing network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H A Hendriks
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 - bus 3714, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Claudia Dillen
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 - bus 3714, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Vettori
- Centre for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7 blok h - bus 7001, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vercammen
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 - bus 3714, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 - bus 3714, Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7 blok h - bus 7001, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Centre for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7 blok h - bus 7001, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Op de Beeck
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 - bus 3714, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Centre for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7 blok h - bus 7001, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Daniels N, Prinsen J, Soriano JR, Alaerts K. Oxytocin enhances the recovery of eye-contact induced autonomic arousal: A treatment mechanism study with placebo-controlled design. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 39:87-98. [PMID: 32868176 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is suggested to exert a pivotal role in a variety of complex human behaviors, including trust, attachment, social perception and fear regulation. Previous studies have demonstrated that intranasal administration of OT reduces subjective and neuroendocrine stress responses and dampens amygdala reactivity. OT has also been proposed to modulate activity of the autonomic nervous system. Here, a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study (with parallel design) was conducted with 56 healthy adult men to investigate whether a single-dose of OT (24 IU) modulates sympathetic autonomic arousal upon live dyadic gaze interactions. To do so, electrodermal recordings of skin conductance were performed during the engagement of eye contact with a live model in a two-person social context. In accordance to prior research, direct eye gaze elicited a significant enhancement in skin conductance responses, but OT did not specifically enhance or dampen the overall magnitude (amplitude) of the skin conductance response. Administration of OT did facilitate the recovery of skin conductance responses back to baseline (reduced recovery time), indicating a role of OT in restoring homeostatic balance. Notably, the treatment-effect on autonomic recovery was most prominent in participants with low self-reported social responsiveness, indicating that person-dependent factors play an important role in determining OT treatment-responses. Exploratory, it was shown that OT also significantly reduced self-reported feelings of tension and (at trend-level) worrying about how one presents oneself. Together, these observations add further evidence to a role of OT in modulating activity of the autonomic nervous system, primarily by facilitating a restoration of homeostatic balance after stimulus-induced increases in sympathetically-driven autonomic arousal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Daniels
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Tervuursevest 101 box 1501, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Tervuursevest 101 box 1501, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Javier R Soriano
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Tervuursevest 101 box 1501, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Tervuursevest 101 box 1501, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Soriano JR, Daniels N, Prinsen J, Alaerts K. Intranasal oxytocin enhances approach-related EEG frontal alpha asymmetry during engagement of direct eye contact. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa093. [PMID: 32954338 PMCID: PMC7475692 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin is suggested to play a major role in a variety of complex human behaviours, including interpersonal bonding, trust and attachment. Recent theories have suggested that the role oxytocin plays in these complex social behaviours involves a modulation of motivational tendencies of approach-/avoidance-related behaviours. However, to date, direct neurophysiological evidence supporting this notion is limited. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with parallel design, we assessed the effects of administered intranasal oxytocin in 40 adult men on gaze behaviour and a neural marker of approach/avoidance motivational tendencies. Specifically, electroencephalography recordings were performed during the engagement of eye contact with a live model in a naturalistic two-person social context and electroencephalographic frontal alpha asymmetry, an established neurophysiological index of motivational tendencies for approach-/avoidance-related behaviours, was assessed. Compared to placebo, a single dose of oxytocin (24 international units) was shown to increase relative left-sided frontal asymmetry upon direct eye contact with a live model, which is indicative of an increase in approach-related motivational tendencies towards the presented eye contact stimulus. Notably, the treatment effect was most prominently observed in participants with lower self-reported social motivation (higher Motivation subscale scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale), indicating that participants with lower social motivation benefitted the most from the administered oxytocin. No treatment-specific changes were identified in terms of gaze behaviour towards the eye region of the live model. Together, these observations add neurophysiological evidence to the hypothesized role of oxytocin in modulating approach-/avoidance-related tendencies and suggest that inter-subject variability in person-dependent factors need to be considered to evaluate the potential benefit of intranasal oxytocin as a treatment. This notion is of particular relevance to the variety of neuropsychiatric populations such as autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety disorder and depression, for which intranasal oxytocin is increasingly considered a potential treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier R Soriano
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Salama M, Ataman-Millhouse L, Braham M, Berjeb K, Khrouf M, Rodrigues JK, Reis FM, Silva TC, Sánchez F, Romero S, Smitz J, Vásquez L, Vega M, Sobral F, Terrado G, Lombardi MG, Scarella A, Bourlon MT, Verduzco-Aguirre H, Sánchez AM, Adiga SK, Tholeti P, Udupa KS, Mahajan N, Patil M, Dalvi R, Venter C, Demetriou G, Geel J, Quintana R, Rodriguez G, Quintana T, Viale L, Fraguglia M, Coirini M, Remolina-Bonilla YA, Noguera JAR, Velásquez JC, Suarez A, Arango GD, Pineda JID, Aldecoa MDC, Javed M, Al Sufyan H, Daniels N, Oranye BC, Ogunmokun AA, Onwuzurigbo KI, Okereke CJ, Whesu TC, Woodruff TK. Installing oncofertility programs for common cancers in limited resource settings (Repro-Can-OPEN Study): An extrapolation during the global crisis of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:1567-1577. [PMID: 32594284 PMCID: PMC7320246 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01821-7] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The state of limited resource settings that Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created globally should be taken seriously into account especially in healthcare sector. In oncofertility, patients should receive their fertility preservation treatments urgently even in limited resource settings before initiation of anticancer therapy. Therefore, it is very crucial to learn more about oncofertility practice in limited resource settings such as in developing countries that suffer often from shortage of healthcare services provided to young patients with cancer. METHODS As an extrapolation during the global crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, we surveyed oncofertility centers from 14 developing countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Brazil, Peru, Panama, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India). Survey questionnaire included questions on the availability and degree of utilization of fertility preservation options in case of childhood cancer, breast cancer, and blood cancer. RESULTS All surveyed centers responded to all questions. Responses and their calculated oncofertility scores showed different domestic standards for oncofertility practice in case of childhood cancer, breast cancer, and blood cancer in the developing countries under limited resource settings. CONCLUSIONS Medical practice in limited resource settings has become a critical topic especially after the global crisis of COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the resources necessary to provide oncofertility treatments is important until the current COVID-19 pandemic resolves. Lessons learned will be valuable to future potential worldwide disruptions due to infectious diseases or other global crises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Salama
- Oncofertility Consortium, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois USA
| | - L. Ataman-Millhouse
- Oncofertility Consortium, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois USA
| | - M. Braham
- Aziza Othmana Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - K. Berjeb
- Aziza Othmana Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - M. Khrouf
- FERTILLA, Clinique la Rose, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - J. K. Rodrigues
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - F. M. Reis
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - T. Cury- Silva
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - F. Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Preservación de la Fertilidad, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - S. Romero
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Preservación de la Fertilidad, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - J. Smitz
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Preservación de la Fertilidad, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - L. Vásquez
- Unidad de Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima, Peru
| | - M. Vega
- Panama Fertility, Sistema Nacional de Investigadores, Panama City, Panama
| | - F. Sobral
- Pregna Medicina Reproductiva, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G. Terrado
- Pregna Medicina Reproductiva, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - A. Scarella
- Centro de Reproduccion Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - M. T. Bourlon
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - H. Verduzco-Aguirre
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A. M. Sánchez
- Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinoza de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - S. K. Adiga
- Fertility Preservation Centre, Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - P. Tholeti
- Fertility Preservation Centre, Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - K. S. Udupa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - N. Mahajan
- Mother and Child Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - M. Patil
- Dr. Patil’s Fertility and Endoscopy Clinic, Bangalore, India
| | - R. Dalvi
- Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences & SRCC children’s Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - C. Venter
- Vitalab Fertility Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - G. Demetriou
- Department Medical Oncology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - J. Geel
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - L. Viale
- Procrearte, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - M. Coirini
- Hospital de Niños Victor J. Vilela. Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - A. Suarez
- Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogota, Colombia
| | | | - J. I. D. Pineda
- Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social (IGSS), Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - M. D. C. Aldecoa
- Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social (IGSS), Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - M. Javed
- Thuriah Medical Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - H. Al Sufyan
- Thuriah Medical Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - N. Daniels
- The Oncology and Fertility Centres of Ekocorp Plc, Eko Hospitals, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - B. C. Oranye
- The Oncology and Fertility Centres of Ekocorp Plc, Eko Hospitals, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - A. A. Ogunmokun
- The Oncology and Fertility Centres of Ekocorp Plc, Eko Hospitals, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | | | - T. C. Whesu
- Kingswill Specialist Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - T. K. Woodruff
- Oncofertility Consortium, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Provenzano J, Verduyn P, Daniels N, Fossati P, Kuppens P. Mood congruency effects are mediated by shifts in salience and central executive network efficiency. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 14:987-995. [PMID: 31506691 PMCID: PMC6917025 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotions are not confined to short momentary states but carry on over time, facilitating the perception and interpretation of the environment in mood-congruent ways. Yet, the (neural) mechanism linking affective stimulation at a certain time-point to such altered, mood-congruent processing of stimuli presented at a subsequent time-point remains unknown. Recent research suggests that such a link could be explained by transient effects of affective stimulation on the organization of intrinsic macro-scale neural networks. It remains, however, unclear whether these changes in network organization are influencing subsequent perception in a mood-congruent way. Addressing this gap the current study investigated whether changes in network organization, measured in terms of network efficiency, mediate the relation between mood induction and mood-congruent processing as measured by reaction times during an emotional Stroop task. The results demonstrated that negative mood induction increased the efficiency of the salience network and decreased the efficiency of the central executive network. This modulation of network efficiency fully mediated the effects of mood induction on reaction times to negative words. These findings indicate that transient shifts in the organization of macro-scale neural networks are an essential part of the emotional response and can help to explain how affect shapes our interaction with the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Provenzano
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Verduyn
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 75013 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Fossati
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013, Paris France.,AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Service de Psychiatrie d'Adultes, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Peter Kuppens
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pegado F, Hendriks MH, Amelynck S, Daniels N, Steyaert J, Boets B, Op de Beeck H. Adults with high functioning autism display idiosyncratic behavioral patterns, neural representations and connectivity of the ‘Voice Area’ while judging the appropriateness of emotional vocal reactions. Cortex 2020; 125:90-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
19
|
Alaerts K, Bernaerts S, Vanaudenaerde B, Daniels N, Wenderoth N. Amygdala-Hippocampal Connectivity Is Associated With Endogenous Levels of Oxytocin and Can Be Altered by Exogenously Administered Oxytocin in Adults With Autism. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging 2019; 4:655-663. [PMID: 30846366 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin (OT) plays a pivotal role in interpersonal bonding, affiliation, and trust, and its intranasal administration is increasingly considered as a potential treatment for autism spectrum disorder. METHODS We explored whether variations in endogenous salivary OT concentration are related to interindividual differences in core autism symptoms and expressions of attachment in 38 male adults with autism spectrum disorder. Further, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was adopted to specifically explore whether interindividual differences are reflected in the intrinsic network organization of key regions of the central oxytocinergic system. RESULTS Positive correlations were identified between peripheral OT and expressions of secure attachment (the State Adult Attachment Measure and the Inventory of Peer Attachment), but no significant relationships were identified with scales assessing core autism symptom domains (the Social Responsiveness Scale and the Repetitive Behavior Scale). At the neural level, higher levels of endogenous OT were associated with lower degrees of interregional functional coupling between the amygdala and hippocampal regions. Interestingly, a single dose of exogenously administered OT induced a further reduction in amygdala-hippocampal connectivity, indicating that a higher availability of OT can alter the degree of amygdala-hippocampal connectivity. CONCLUSIONS The identified associations between the oxytocinergic system, expressions of secure attachment, and amygdala-hippocampal pathways are anticipated to be of relevance for understanding the role of OT in modulating appropriate neural and physiological responses to stress and restoring homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Alaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sylvie Bernaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Vanaudenaerde
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, Group Biomedical Sciences, Pneumology Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Research Group, University of Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neural Control of Movement Lab, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pegado F, Hendriks MHA, Amelynck S, Daniels N, Bulthé J, Masson HL, Boets B, de Beeck HO. Neural Representations Behind 'Social Norm' Inferences In Humans. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12943. [PMID: 30154471 PMCID: PMC6113313 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31260-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are highly skilled in social reasoning, e.g., inferring thoughts of others. This mentalizing ability systematically recruits brain regions such as Temporo-Parietal Junction (TPJ), Precuneus (PC) and medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC). Further, posterior mPFC is associated with allocentric mentalizing and conflict monitoring while anterior mPFC is associated with self-reference (egocentric) processing. Here we extend this work to how we reason not just about what one person thinks but about the abstract shared social norm. We apply functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate neural representations while participants judge the social congruency between emotional auditory utterances in relation to visual scenes according to how ‘most people’ would perceive it. Behaviorally, judging according to a social norm increased the similarity of response patterns among participants. Multivoxel pattern analysis revealed that social congruency information was not represented in visual and auditory areas, but was clear in most parts of the mentalizing network: TPJ, PC and posterior (but not anterior) mPFC. Furthermore, interindividual variability in anterior mPFC representations was inversely related to the behavioral ability to adjust to the social norm. Our results suggest that social norm inferencing is associated with a distributed and partially individually specific representation of social congruency in the mentalizing network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Pegado
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Leuven Autism Research consortium, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Michelle H A Hendriks
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Autism Research consortium, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steffie Amelynck
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jessica Bulthé
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Haemy Lee Masson
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Autism Research consortium, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Op de Beeck
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bulthé J, Prinsen J, Vanderauwera J, Duyck S, Daniels N, Gillebert CR, Mantini D, Op de Beeck HP, De Smedt B. Multi-method brain imaging reveals impaired representations of number as well as altered connectivity in adults with dyscalculia. Neuroimage 2018; 190:289-302. [PMID: 29885484 PMCID: PMC6494208 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Two hypotheses have been proposed about the etiology of neurodevelopmental learning disorders, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia: representation impairments and disrupted access to representations. We implemented a multi-method brain imaging approach to directly investigate these representation and access hypotheses in dyscalculia, a highly prevalent but understudied neurodevelopmental disorder in learning to calculate. We combined several magnetic resonance imaging methods and analyses, including univariate and multivariate analyses, functional and structural connectivity. Our sample comprised 24 adults with dyscalculia and 24 carefully matched controls. Results showed a clear deficit in the non-symbolic magnitude representations in parietal, temporal and frontal regions, as well as hyper-connectivity in visual brain regions in adults with dyscalculia. Dyscalculia in adults was thereby related to both impaired number representations and altered connectivity in the brain. We conclude that dyscalculia is related to impaired number representations as well as altered access to these representations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Bulthé
- Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Jolijn Vanderauwera
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Duyck
- Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium; Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Céline R Gillebert
- Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium; Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3UD, UK
| | - Dante Mantini
- Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3UD, UK; Research Center for Motor Control and Neuroplasticity, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium; Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Hans P Op de Beeck
- Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
| | - Bert De Smedt
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Pegado F, Hendriks MHA, Amelynck S, Daniels N, Bulthé J, Lee Masson H, Boets B, Op de Beeck H. A Multitude of Neural Representations Behind Multisensory "Social Norm" Processing. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:153. [PMID: 29740297 PMCID: PMC5924771 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00153] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans show a unique capacity to process complex information from multiple sources. Social perception in natural environment provides a good example of such capacity as it typically requires the integration of information from different sensory systems, and also from different levels of sensory processing. Here, instead of studying one isolate system and level of representation, we focused upon a neuroimaging paradigm which allows to capture multiple brain representations simultaneously, i.e., low and high-level processing in two different sensory systems, as well as abstract cognitive processing of congruency. Subjects performed social decisions based on the congruency between auditory and visual processing. Using multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA) of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, we probed a wide variety of representations. Our results confirmed the expected representations at each level and system according to the literature. Further, beyond the hierarchical organization of the visual, auditory and higher order neural systems, we provide a more nuanced picture of the brain functional architecture. Indeed, brain regions of the same neural system show similarity in their representations, but they also share information with regions from other systems. Further, the strength of neural information varied considerably across domains in a way that was not obviously related to task relevance. For instance, selectivity for task-irrelevant animacy of visual input was very strong. The present approach represents a new way to explore the richness of co-activated brain representations underlying the natural complexity in human cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Pegado
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michelle H A Hendriks
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Nicky Daniels
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jessica Bulthé
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Autism Research Consortium, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lee Masson H, Van De Plas S, Daniels N, Op de Beeck H. The multidimensional representational space of observed socio-affective touch experiences. Neuroimage 2018; 175:297-314. [PMID: 29627588 PMCID: PMC5971215 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Observed touch interactions provide useful information on how others communicate with the external world. Previous studies revealed shared neural circuits between the direct experience and the passive observation of simple touch, such as being stroked/slapped. Here, we investigate the complexity of the neural representations underlying the understanding of others' socio-affective touch interactions. Importantly, we use a recently developed touch database that contains a larger range of more complex social and non-social touch interactions. Participants judged affective aspects of each touch event and were scanned while watching the same videos. Using correlational multivariate pattern analysis methods, we obtained neural similarity matrices in 18 regions of interest from five different networks: somatosensory, pain, the theory of mind, visual and motor regions. Among them, four networks except motor cortex represent the social nature of the touch, whereas fine-detailed affective information is reflected in more targeted areas such as social brain regions and somatosensory cortex. Lastly, individual social touch preference at the behavioral level was correlated with the involvement of somatosensory areas on representing affective information, suggesting that individuals with higher social touch preference exhibit stronger vicarious emotional responses to others' social touch experiences. Together, these results highlight the overall complexity and the individual modulation of the distributed neural representations underlying the processing of observed socio-affective touch. ∙Neural bases of observed touch are investigated with touch videos and MVPA. ∙Social touch evokes stronger activation in the theory of mind (ToM) network. ∙The ToM network represents affective meanings of observed social touch events. ∙Affective representations of observed touch are present in somatosensory areas. ∙Affective representations in S1 relate to individual's attitude towards touch.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haemy Lee Masson
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Stien Van De Plas
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Op de Beeck
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Peters L, Bulthé J, Daniels N, Op de Beeck H, De Smedt B. Dyscalculia and dyslexia: Different behavioral, yet similar brain activity profiles during arithmetic. Neuroimage Clin 2018; 18:663-674. [PMID: 29876258 PMCID: PMC5987869 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Brain disorders are often investigated in isolation, but very different conclusions might be reached when studies directly contrast multiple disorders. Here, we illustrate this in the context of specific learning disorders, such as dyscalculia and dyslexia. While children with dyscalculia show deficits in arithmetic, children with dyslexia present with reading difficulties. Furthermore, the comorbidity between dyslexia and dyscalculia is surprisingly high. Different hypotheses have been proposed on the origin of these disorders (number processing deficits in dyscalculia, phonological deficits in dyslexia) but these have never been directly contrasted in one brain imaging study. Therefore, we compared the brain activity of children with dyslexia, children with dyscalculia, children with comorbid dyslexia/dyscalculia and healthy controls during arithmetic in a design that allowed us to disentangle various processes that might be associated with the specific or common neural origins of these learning disorders. Participants were 62 children aged 9 to 12, 39 of whom had been clinically diagnosed with a specific learning disorder (dyscalculia and/or dyslexia). All children underwent fMRI scanning while performing an arithmetic task in different formats (dot arrays, digits and number words). At the behavioral level, children with dyscalculia showed lower accuracy when subtracting dot arrays, and all children with learning disorders were slower in responding compared to typically developing children (especially in symbolic formats). However, at the neural level, analyses pointed towards substantial neural similarity between children with learning disorders: Control children demonstrated higher activation levels in frontal and parietal areas than the three groups of children with learning disorders, regardless of the disorder. A direct comparison between the groups of children with learning disorders revealed similar levels of neural activation throughout the brain across these groups. Multivariate subject generalization analyses were used to statistically test the degree of similarity, and confirmed that the neural activation patterns of children with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyslexia/dyscalculia were highly similar in how they deviated from neural activation patterns in control children. Collectively, these results suggest that, despite differences at the behavioral level, the brain activity profiles of children with different learning disorders during arithmetic may be more similar than initially thought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lien Peters
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Belgium; Brain and Cognition Research Unit, KU Leuven, Belgium; Numerical Cognition Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, Canada.
| | | | - Nicky Daniels
- Brain and Cognition Research Unit, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Bert De Smedt
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Bracci S, Daniels N, Op de Beeck H. Task Context Overrules Object- and Category-Related Representational Content in the Human Parietal Cortex. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:310-321. [PMID: 28108492 PMCID: PMC5939221 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal, parietal visual stream is activated when seeing objects, but the exact nature of parietal object representations is still under discussion. Here we test 2 specific hypotheses. First, parietal cortex is biased to host some representations more than others, with a different bias compared with ventral areas. A prime example would be object action representations. Second, parietal cortex forms a general multiple-demand network with frontal areas, showing similar task effects and representational content compared with frontal areas. To differentiate between these hypotheses, we implemented a human neuroimaging study with a stimulus set that dissociates associated object action from object category while manipulating task context to be either action- or category-related. Representations in parietal as well as prefrontal areas represented task-relevant object properties (action representations in the action task), with no sign of the irrelevant object property (category representations in the action task). In contrast, irrelevant object properties were represented in ventral areas. These findings emphasize that human parietal cortex does not preferentially represent particular object properties irrespective of task, but together with frontal areas is part of a multiple-demand and content-rich cortical network representing task-relevant object properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Bracci
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Op de Beeck
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven3000, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Hendriks MHA, Daniels N, Pegado F, Op de Beeck HP. The Effect of Spatial Smoothing on Representational Similarity in a Simple Motor Paradigm. Front Neurol 2017; 8:222. [PMID: 28611726 PMCID: PMC5446978 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-voxel pattern analyses (MVPA) are often performed on unsmoothed data, which is very different from the general practice of large smoothing extents in standard voxel-based analyses. In this report, we studied the effect of smoothing on MVPA results in a motor paradigm. Subjects pressed four buttons with two different fingers of the two hands in response to auditory commands. Overall, independent of the degree of smoothing, correlational MVPA showed distinctive patterns for the different hands in all studied regions of interest (motor cortex, prefrontal cortex, and auditory cortices). With regard to the effect of smoothing, our findings suggest that results from correlational MVPA show a minor sensitivity to smoothing. Moderate amounts of smoothing (in this case, 1−4 times the voxel size) improved MVPA correlations, from a slight improvement to large improvements depending on the region involved. None of the regions showed signs of a detrimental effect of moderate levels of smoothing. Even higher amounts of smoothing sometimes had a positive effect, most clearly in low-level auditory cortex. We conclude that smoothing seems to have a minor positive effect on MVPA results, thus researchers should be mindful about the choices they make regarding the level of smoothing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H A Hendriks
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Felipe Pegado
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans P Op de Beeck
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Van Meel C, Daniels N, Op de Beeck H, Baeck A. The effect of tDCS on task relevant and irrelevant perceptual learning of complex objects. J Vis 2016. [DOI: 10.1167/16.12.1098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
28
|
Van Meel C, Daniels N, de Beeck HO, Baeck A. Effect of tDCS on task relevant and irrelevant perceptual learning of complex objects. J Vis 2016; 16:13. [DOI: 10.1167/16.6.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
29
|
Abstract
This paper responds to discussion and criticism contained in a mini-symposium on Just health: meeting health needs fairly. The replies clarify existing positions and modify or develop others, specifically in response to the following: Thomas Schramme criticises the claim that health is of special importance because of its impact on opportunity, and James Wilson argues that healthcare is not of special importance if social determinants of health have a major causal impact on population health. Annette Rid is concerned that the relevance condition in accountability for reasonableness is unclear and does little work. Harald Schmidt aims to flesh out where an account of responsibility for health should go since one is under-developed in Just health. Michael Schefczyk and Susanne Brauer challenge aspects of the prudential lifespan account. Samia Hurst asks what impact a population view should have on clinician obligations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Daniels
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Room 1210D, Bldg 1, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Affiliation(s)
- J E Sabin
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, 133 Brookline Avenue, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Affiliation(s)
- N Daniels
- Department of Philosophy, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Affiliation(s)
- J E Sabin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
|
34
|
Indar-Harrinauth L, Daniels N, Prabhakar P, Brown C, Baccus-Taylor G, Comissiong E, Hospedales J. Emergence of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 in the Caribbean: case-control study in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Clin Infect Dis 2001; 32:890-6. [PMID: 11247713 DOI: 10.1086/319344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2000] [Revised: 08/07/2000] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A prospective case-control study involving 46 case patients and 92 age- and neighborhood-matched control subjects was conducted in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) between March 1998 and May 1999 to determine the etiology, sources, and risk factors for Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection. SE infection in T&T was found to be associated with the consumption of shell eggs, and in particular raw or undercooked eggs. SE isolates from 30 (88%) of 34 patients and from 9 implicated egg or egg-containing food samples were phage type 4. Homemade eggnog and ice cream, cake batter, and egg-containing beverages were the main raw egg-containing foods, reflecting the cultural practices of the people of T&T. Public health education on the risks of eating raw or undercooked eggs, thorough cooking of all egg dishes, and refrigeration of shell eggs and egg dishes; studies tracing infected eggs to their sources; and testing of flocks of layer chickens for SE are needed to reduce the incidence of this infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Indar-Harrinauth
- Caribbean Epidemiology Centre, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
|
36
|
Abstract
Healthcare (including public health) is special because it protects normal functioning, which in turn protects the range of opportunities open to individuals. I extend this account in two ways. First, since the distribution of goods other than healthcare affect population health and its distribution, I claim that Rawls's principles of justice describe a fair distribution of the social determinants of health, giving a partial account of when health inequalities are unjust. Second, I supplement a principled account of justice for health and healthcare with an account of fair process for setting limits of rationing care. This account is provided by three conditions that comprise "accountability for reasonableness."
Collapse
|
37
|
|
38
|
Affiliation(s)
- J E Sabin
- Teaching Programs, HPHC, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
The treatment-enhancement distinction draws a line
between services or interventions meant to prevent or cure
(or otherwise ameliorate) conditions that we view as diseases
or disabilities and interventions that improve a condition
that we view as a normal function or feature of members
of our species. The line drawn here is widely appealed
to in medical practice and medical insurance contexts,
as well as in our everyday thinking about the medical
services we do and should assist people in obtaining.
Collapse
|
40
|
|
41
|
Affiliation(s)
- J E Sabin
- Teaching Programs, HPHC, 126 Brookline Avenue, Suite 200, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Daniels N, Bryant J, Castano RA, Dantes OG, Khan KS, Pannarunothai S. Benchmarks of fairness for health care reform: a policy tool for developing countries. Bull World Health Organ 2000; 78:740-50. [PMID: 10916911 PMCID: PMC2560780] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Teams of collaborators from Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan, and Thailand have adapted a policy tool originally developed for evaluating health insurance reforms in the United States into "benchmarks of fairness" for assessing health system reform in developing countries. We describe briefly the history of the benchmark approach, the tool itself, and the uses to which it may be put. Fairness is a wide term that includes exposure to risk factors, access to all forms of care, and to financing. It also includes efficiency of management and resource allocation, accountability, and patient and provider autonomy. The benchmarks standardize the criteria for fairness. Reforms are then evaluated by scoring according to the degree to which they improve the situation, i.e. on a scale of -5 to 5, with zero representing the status quo. The object is to promote discussion about fairness across the disciplinary divisions that keep policy analysts and the public from understanding how trade-offs between different effects of reforms can affect the overall fairness of the reform. The benchmarks can be used at both national and provincial or district levels, and we describe plans for such uses in the collaborating sites. A striking feature of the adaptation process is that there was wide agreement on this ethical framework among the collaborating sites despite their large historical, political and cultural differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Daniels
- Department of Philosophy, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02468, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
The health care systems of most advanced industrialized countries are currently undergoing extensive reforms. In Europe, in addition to economic and political issues, issues of "equity" and "solidarity" are very much on the minds of some health care reformers. Elsewhere in Europe, economics and politics dominate health care reform, and concerns about fairness are either absent or of secondary importance. Similarly, the recent health care debates in the United States were largely carried out in terms of payment schemes, cost-containment and outcome measures, campaign strategies, and political concessions. Issues of fairness were either hidden in the many features of the competing proposals and the debates about them, or totally ignored. In both cases, there has been no practical way to gauge how a given change would alter the equity or fairness of existing health care services. This article addresses that void by presenting ten scorable benchmarks of fairness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R L Caplan
- Division of Professional Studies, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona 08240-0195, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Sabin JE, Daniels N. Managed care: public-sector managed behavioral health care: IV. Integrated versus "carve-out" care. Psychiatr Serv 1999; 50:1267-8, 1280. [PMID: 10506292 DOI: 10.1176/ps.50.10.1267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J E Sabin
- Teaching Programs, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Affiliation(s)
- J E Sabin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Insurers make decisions that directly limit access to care (e.g., when deciding about coverage for new technologies or formulary design) and that indirectly limit access (e.g., by adopting incentives to induce physicians to provide fewer or different services). These decisions raise questions about legitimacy and fairness. By holding health plans accountable for the reasonableness of their decisions, it is possible to address these questions. Accountability for reasonableness involves providing publicly accessible rationales for decisions and limiting rationales to those that all "fair-minded" persons can agree are relevant to meeting patient needs fairly under resource constraints. This form of accountability is illustrated by examining its implications for the three examples of direct and indirect limit setting noted here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Daniels
- Department of Philosophy, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Affiliation(s)
- J E Sabin
- Harvard Medical School, Center for Ethics in Managed Care, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Two notions of accountability embodied in proposals to reform managed care have different ethical implications. Market accountability requires plans to inform purchasers and consumers about performance and options, in theory legitimizing limits to care through consumer choice. Recognizing the limits of consumer choice, accountability for reasonableness requires that the rationales for limits to services be public and be based on reasons or rules that "fair-minded" people can agree are relevant to pursuing appropriate patient care under necessary resource constraints. Accountability for reasonableness educates clinicians and patients about the need for limits and empowers a more focused public deliberation in which ultimate authority for limiting care rests with democratic processes.
Collapse
|
49
|
|
50
|
Affiliation(s)
- N Daniels
- Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|