Hasil untuk "Neurophysiology and neuropsychology"

Daniel R. Leopold, Hyojeong Kim, Kenneth W. Carlson et al.

This fMRI study of 126 youth explored whether the neural mechanisms underlying the N-back task, commonly used to examine executive control over the contents of working memory, are associated with individual differences in academic achievement in reading and math. Moreover, the study explored whether these relationships occur regardless of the nature of the stimulus being manipulated in working memory (letters, numbers, nonsense shapes) or whether these relationships are specific to achievement domain and stimulus type (i.e., letters for reading and numbers for math). The results indicated that higher academic achievement in each of reading and math was associated with greater activation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the N-back task regardless of stimulus type (i.e., did not differ for letters and numbers), suggesting that at least some aspects of the neural mechanisms underlying these academic domains are executive in nature. In addition, regardless of level of academic achievement, prefrontal regions were engaged to a greater degree for letters than numbers than nonsense shapes. In contrast, nonsense shapes yielded greater hippocampal activation than letters and numbers. Potential reasons for this pattern of findings are discussed.

Ai-Mei Wu, Jing-Ya Zhang, Wei-Zhong Lun et al.

Astrocytes play significant roles in regulating the central stress response. Chronic stress impairs the structure and function of astrocytes in many brain regions such as media prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in multiple neuropsychiatric conditions, but the astrocytic dynamics on the timescale of behavior remains unclear. Here, we recorded mPFC astrocytic activity in freely behaving mice and found that astrocytes are activated immediately by different aversive stimuli. Astrocyte specific GCaMP6s calcium indicator were virally expressed in mPFC astrocytes and fiber photometry experiments revealed that astrocytes are activated by tail-restraint (TRT), foot shock (FS), open arm exploration, stressor of height, predator odor and social defeat (SD) stress. ΔF/F analyses demonstrated that an unpredictable stimulus such as elevated platform stress (EPS) at the initial encounter induced the most intense and rapid changes in astrocytic calcium activity, while a predictable 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT) stimulus resulted in the weakest response with a longer peak latency. In TRT, FS or SD test, a somatic stimulus led to higher average calcium activity level and faster average peak latency in repeated trails. Similar to TMT stimulus, astrocytic calcium activity in elevated plus maze (EPM) test exhibited a smaller average change in amplitude and the longest peak latency during open arm exploration. Moreover, astrocytic calcium activity exhibited different changes across behavioral states in SD tests. Our findings show that mPFC astrocytes exhibit distinct patterns of calcium activity in response to various negative stimuli, indicating that the dynamic activity of astrocytes may reflect the stress-related behavioral state under different stimulus conditions.

Xinyang Liu, Danni He, Miaomiao Zhu et al.

Face processing dominates the right hemisphere. This lateralization can be affected by co-lateralization within the same system and influence between different systems, such as neural competition from reading acquisition. Yet, how the relationship pattern changes through development remains unknown. This study examined the lateralization of core face processing and word processing in different age groups. By comparing fMRI data from 36 school-aged children and 40 young adults, we investigated whether there are age and regional effects on lateralization, and how relationships between lateralization within and between systems change across development. Our results showed significant right hemispheric lateralization in the core face system and left hemispheric lateralization in reading-related areas for both age groups when viewing faces and texts passively. While all participants showed stronger lateralization in brain regions of higher functional hierarchy when viewing faces, only adults exhibited this lateralization when viewing texts. In both age cohorts, there was intra-system co-lateralization for face processing, whereas an inter-system relationship was only found in adults. Specifically, functional lateralization of Broca’s area during reading negatively predicted functional asymmetry in the FFA during face perception. This study initially provides neuroimaging evidence for the reading-induced neural competition theory from a maturational perspective in Chinese cohorts.

Mehrdad Kazem Zadeh Atoofi, Ghasem Naziry, Masood Mohammadi et al.

Aim and Background: This study examines the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in the treatment of women with orgasmic disorder and compares it with cognitive-behavioral therapy. Although this approach is widely used in psychotherapy, it has recently been introduced in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Methods: Through a randomized clinical trial, 50 married women who received the diagnosis of orgasm disorder were included in the study. After introducing the study and informed consent, 25 women were randomly assigned to the intervention group (mindfulness-based interventions) and 25 women to the control group (cognitive-behavioral therapy). It was explained to the clients that the evaluation of their interventions is done through the research protocol, and finally they were blinded about their intervention. Also, all the data were provided to the researcher and statistical consultant based on blind codes. Findings: With 95% certainty, it can be concluded that compared to the results recorded before the intervention, interventions based on mindfulness improved the symptoms of women suffering from orgasmic disorder during the study period which confirmed a significant interaction between treatment and time. Multivariate analysis of variance between the participant's results of orgasm assessment questionnaire scores confirmed the significant changes over time for each of the two groups. It is also concluded that the effect of the interventions over time was significantly greater in the intervention group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that therapists should consider helping clients develop mindfulness skills during sexual experiences. Sexual mindfulness provides a skill that people can develop without the involvement of their partner and may help people make more efforts to promote sexual health and improve the quality of sex.

Siying Ren, Likun Wang, Guofeng Wu et al.

Objective: To observe the effect of intra-hematoma Rosiglitazone (RSG) infusion therapy in treating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Specifically, to explore the effects of RSG on tight junction associated proteins Occludin and ZO-1 expression within perihematomal brain tissues as well as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability after ICH in rabbits. Methods: A total of 30 rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups including sham control group (NC group, n = 10), hemorrhage model group (HM group, n = 10), and hemorrhage model with RSG treatment group (RSG group, n = 10). ICH was induced in rabbits of HM group and RSG group, involving an injection of autologous non-anticoagulant artery blood (0.3 mL, similar to basal ganglia hematoma 30 mL in humans) into the left basal ganglia of the rabbits’ brains. The NC group was injected with the same amount of saline into the same area. Six hours later after ICH induction or sham surgery, the RSG group received the intra-hematoma RSG (0.5 mg/0.1 mL) infusion, meanwhile the NC group and the HM group were injected with saline (0.1 mL) into the hematoma area. On day seven, the perihematomal brain tissues were obtained to determine the Occludin and ZO-1 expressions by Western Blot and RT-PCR, and the BBB permeability by the Evan’ s Blue (EB) content. Results: Occludin and ZO-1 expressions and mRNA levels were all significantly decreased in the HM group and RSG group compared with the NC group (P < 0.01). Occludin and ZO-1 expressions and mRNA levels were all significantly increased in the RSG group compared with the HM group (P < 0.01). The EB contents were all significantly increased in the HM group and RSG group compared with the NC group (P < 0.01). The EB content was significantly decreased in the RSG group compared with the HM group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Intra-hematoma RSG infusion therapy could increase the expressions of tight junction associated proteins Occludin and ZO-1 in the perihematomal brain tissues and decrease the BBB permeability in rabbits after ICH.

Hannah Rohde, Jet Hoek, Maayan Keshev et al.

Fan XW, Yang Y, Wang S et al.

Xiao-Wei Fan,1– 4,&ast; Yang Yang,2– 5,&ast; Shuo Wang,2– 5 Yi-Jun Zhang,1– 4 An-Xin Wang,1– 4 Xiao-Ling Liao,1– 4 Wei-Guo Ma,6 Ning Zhang,2– 5 Chun-Xue Wang,2– 5,7 Yong-Jun Wang1– 4 1Department of Neurology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Disease, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurology and Clinical Psychology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 6Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 7Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ning Zhang; Chun-Xue Wang, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Beijing, 100070, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-15801203052 ; +86-13701193710, Email 827582777@qq.com; snowsen@126.comPurpose: The impact of poor sleep quality after stroke, especially persistent poor sleep quality, on poststroke anxiety and depression is unclear. We seek to investigate the impact of baseline and persistent poor sleep quality on short-term poststroke anxiety and depression.Patients and Methods: Data were analyzed for 1619 patients with acute ischemic stroke from the Impairment of Cognition and Sleep after Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack in Chinese Patients study (ICONS). The sleep quality was assessed at 2 weeks and 3 months using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale (PSQI). Poor sleep quality was defined as a PSQI score of > 5, and persistent poor sleep quality was defined as a PSQI score of > 5 at each time point. Patients were divided into three groups according to the quality of sleep: good sleep quality, baseline poor sleep quality and persistent poor sleep quality. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7), and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months after stroke were taken as the study outcomes.Results: Persistent poor sleep quality was present in 70.2% of patients after stroke. Compared to those with good sleep quality, patients with baseline poor sleep quality did not show significant differences in disability, anxiety and depression. However, patients with persistent poor sleep were at increased risk of depression (odds ratio, OR 3.04, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.66– 5.57, P < 0.01) and anxiety (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.42– 7.19, P < 0.01) at 3 months after stroke. Persistent poor sleep quality was not identified as a risk factor for functional disability at 3 months.Conclusion: Patients with persistent poor sleep quality are at added risks for depression and anxiety after stroke.Keywords: sleep quality, depression, anxiety, ischemic stroke

Zuhao Sun, Shuang Zhao, Xinjun Suo et al.

Abstract Background Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) is a recognized longevity gene and has been shown to be associated with aging and its related diseases. Hippocampal volume is considered to be the most sensitive brain imaging phenotype for cognition, but the effect of Sirt1 on hippocampal morphology during aging has not been reported. Results Herein, we investigated the effect of conditional Sirt1 knockdown on hippocampal volume in middle-aged mice, as well as its cognitive function and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated hippocampal Sirt1 knockdown caused hippocampal atrophy in 8-month-old mice. Open field test (OFT) and Morris Water Maze (MWM) test revealed that hippocampal Sirt1 knockdown significantly weakened spatial learning and memory of mice without effect on anxiety and exploratory behavior. Western blotting analysis showed that P-tau levels at serine 396 epitope were significantly increased with slightly decreased T-tau levels, while PSD95 and NMDAR2B levels were obviously reduced, indicating that hippocampal Sirt1 knockdown could activate tau hyperphosphorylation and synaptic damage. Conclusions This work revealed that Sirt1 is an important protective gene against hippocampal atrophy and its induced cognitive impairment during aging, providing potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and intervention of aging-related neuropsychic diseases.

hajar baratian, majid barekatain, jafar mehvari habibabadi et al.

Aim and Background: Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) is associated with cognitive dysfunction that may adversely affect the quality of life (QoL) before and after surgery for epilepsy. This study aimed to find cognitive factors that may predict QoL in patients with FLE whose seizures had been controlled by surgery for epilepsy. Methods and Materials: Twenty-four patients with FLE who underwent epilepsy surgery from June 2014 to June 2019 were recruited. The seizure outcome was assessed with modified Engel classification. All of the patients were assessed by Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Wechsler Memory Scale, Color Trails Test, Tower of London Test, Persian Aphasia Naming Test, and Persian Diagnostic Aphasia Battery. The QoL was evaluated with the QoL in Epilepsy Inventory with 89 items. Repeated measures analysis of variance and Generalized Linear Models (GLM) was used for statistical analysis. Findings: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the scores of working memory (p = 0.01), general intelligence (p <0.001), and functional intelligence (p <0.001) before and after surgery. GLM regression model showed that color errors in part 2 of CTT by -18.43 and higher indexed scores of verbal memory by -1.28, both before surgery, predicted decreased total QOLIE score. Conclusions: Working memory and executive functioning were neuropsychological factors that may predict QoL in after surgery for FLE.

Xyle Ku, Jaewon Ko, Sangwoo Moon

Studies suggest that facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) is positively correlated with performances, especially in males. However, the relationship between fWHR and performance in the military context is relatively unexplored. This study examines whether and how fWHR is associated with objective performances in the military, using a novel and large sample of cadets (n = 912) at the Korea Military Academy. The results indicate that, for male cadets, fWHR is negatively correlated with academic, military, physical, social, and overall performances, whereas for female cadets, fWHR was not significantly correlated with performances, except for physical performance. This study suggests that fWHR correlates with performances, but the direction of the relationship is negative in a sample of male military cadets.

Mahdi Kanjo, Albaraa Najjar, Asmaa Y. Bokhari et al.

Purpose: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, with a national prevalence of 6.54/1000. The majority of the patients are adolescents and at risk of experiencing a seizure in school. Consequently, schoolteachers would be among the first health care providers. Thus, teachers' knowledge and practice are imperative for the students' safety and development. We aimed to assess the knowledge of epilepsy and seizure first aid among teachers at all educational levels in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered validated questionnaire was distributed to teachers to assess their necessary demographic data and their knowledge about epilepsy and seizure first aid by using Chi-square test to find significant associations. Results: Our sample included 822 teachers, 54.1% of the respondents were male, and 45.7% female. The majority of participants had moderate knowledge of epilepsy and lacked first aid training. Most participants recognized epilepsy as a neurological disorder, and 42.2% have witnessed a seizure in school. Our study showed a significant relationship between knowledge score and qualification (P-value = 0.037) as well as knowledge score and witnessing a seizure (P-value = 0.046). Conclusion: The knowledge score shows that teachers in Jeddah have moderate knowledge of epilepsy, and approximately one-tenth have taken first aid training. We recommend educational campaigns on epilepsy and first aid courses targeting students and teachers in schools.

Alyssa Denton, Jose F. Tellez-Zenteno

We report the rare case of a 34-year-old right-handed male who had drug-resistant epilepsy associated with a frontal cavernoma since the age of 13 who was convicted of criminal charges related to seizures. When he was 32 years old, he had a focal seizure with impaired awareness and then he tried to grab a 7-year-old girl who was in a car coming out from a dance class. He was arrested and taken to the police station. Later that day, the patient was being interrogated by a police officer when he had a hypermotor seizure at the end of the interview. He punched the policeman leading to multiple charges laid, including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and assault causing bodily harm. He remained in jail for the next year and a half. During this time, he had epilepsy surgery for resection of the cavernoma. The patient was rendered seizure-free after resection of the cavernoma for one-year. Due to the occurrence of seizures before the alleged “kidnapping” and based upon his interview with the policeman, the patient was acquitted from all legal charges. We review available cases of non-homicidal criminality with a legal outcome in this article. Keywords: Epilepsy surgery, Crime, Aggression, Kidnaping, Legal outcome

Jung-Yong Lee, Chang-Hyun Jin

This study examines the relationships between several sub-factors of gamification (i.e. fun, rewards, competition, and storytelling) and brand app experiences. The study also examines the moderating effects of the so-called 4Rs of brand apps (reflex, reality, real place, and real communication) on brand app experiences. The study was conducted in groups of approximately 450 subjects. The study finds that gamification is positively related to brand app experiences, with fun and storytelling serving as motivating factors and having stronger effects on brand app experiences than other factors. Brand app users are more likely to seek fun and storytelling when using brand apps than other potential gamification sub-factors. The results suggest that companies should develop technologies to interact with customers, attract customers, and provide them with memorable experiences and fun.

Carlo Abbate, Pietro Davide Trimarchi, Laura Manzoni et al.

We describe a patient (CG) suffering from early onset dementia who presented with corticobasal syndrome (CBS). The aims of the study were as follows: (i) a detailed description of the cognitive phenotype; (ii) a comprehensive, longitudinal evaluation of apraxia; (iii) an appraisal of the impact of apraxia and other cognitive impairments on patient functional status; and (iv) an indirect mapping of degeneration spreading. A three-year longitudinal, observational follow-up study of cognitive and functional status was performed. Four main results emerged. First, an unusual CBS phenotype appeared that was characterized by symmetrical presentation, asymmetrical course, and prominent posterior (bi-parietal) cognitive and motor cortical manifestations. Second, some findings of limb apraxia in CBS were replicated and substantiated; moreover, some novel findings of other cognitive impairments emerged. Third, an early, significant functional decline, probably related to apraxia and to visuospatial attention impairments, became apparent. Fourth, CG’s clinical picture was compatible with an underlying dysfunction of the large-scale, dorsal sensory-motor association network, as already suggested in previous CBS cases. This case report confirms the heterogeneity of CBS and suggests the emergence of a possible less common variant, i.e. the posterior CBS (P-CBS).

Kevin G. Bath, Scott J. Russo, Kristen E. Pleil et al.

The current review is meant to synthesize research presented as part of a symposium at the 2016 Neurobiology of Stress workshop in Irvine California. The focus of the symposium was “Stress and the Synapse: New Concepts and Methods” and featured the work of several junior investigators. The presentations focused on the impact of various forms of stress (altered maternal care, binge alcohol drinking, chronic social defeat, and chronic unpredictable stress) on synaptic function, neurodevelopment, and behavioral outcomes. One of the goals of the symposium was to highlight the mechanisms accounting for how the nervous system responds to stress and their impact on outcome measures with converging effects on the development of pathological behavior. Dr. Kevin Bath's presentation focused on the impact of disruptions in early maternal care and its impact on the timing of hippocampus maturation in mice, finding that this form of stress drove accelerated synaptic and behavioral maturation, and contributed to the later emergence of risk for cognitive and emotional disturbance. Dr. Scott Russo highlighted the impact of chronic social defeat stress in adolescent mice on the development and plasticity of reward circuity, with a focus on glutamatergic development in the nucleus accumbens and mesolimbic dopamine system, and the implications of these changes for disruptions in social and hedonic response, key processes disturbed in depressive pathology. Dr. Kristen Pleil described synaptic changes in the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis that underlie the behavioral consequences of allostatic load produced by repeated cycles of alcohol binge drinking and withdrawal. Dr. Eric Wohleb and Dr. Ron Duman provided new data associating decreased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and neurobiological changes in the synapses in response to chronic unpredictable stress, and highlighted the potential for the novel antidepressant ketamine to rescue synaptic and behavioral effects. In aggregate, these presentations showcased how divergent perspectives provide new insights into the ways in which stress impacts circuit development and function, with implications for understanding emergence of affective pathology. Keywords: Early-life stress, Hippocampus, Susceptibility, Resilience, Nucleus accumbens, Bed nuclei of the stria terminalis, Neuropeptide Y, Corticotropin-releasing factor, Prefrtonal cortex, Mammalian target of rapamycin, Major depressive disorder

Lorena Canet Juric, Isabel Introzzi, María Laura Andrés et al.

El termino autorregulación (AR) se ha solapado con conceptos como funciones ejecutivas (FE). Este artículo tiene por objeto establecer una diferenciación conceptual clara entre el término de AR y los constructos asociados a la misma, analizando las relaciones entre la AR y las FE y describiendo la contribución de las mismas en los espacios de actuación de la AR: cognición, comportamiento y emoción. Esto se realizó a través de una revisión de investigaciones que han abordado estas relaciones. Para esto, se efectuó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos, PsycInfo, ScienceDirect y Pubmed con los términos generales en inglés autorregulación (self-regulation), auto-control (self-control), funciones ejecutivas (executive functions), memoria de trabajo (working memory), flexibilidad cognitiva (cognitive flexibility), inhibición (inhibition), regulación emocional (emotion regulation), lectura (Reading), y matemática (math) y niños (children) combinado con el operador boleano “AND”. Los resultados de esta búsqueda permitieron en primer lugar establecer diferenciaciones conceptuales entre los términos enunciados y en segundo lugar, enumerar e identificar algunas de las principales contribuciones de las FE a la autorregulación del comportamiento, cognición y emoción.

Rebecca McCartney

Joo Chan-Gyu, He Julian, Turk Katherine W et al.

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>In vivo </it>proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) studies of HIV-infected humans have demonstrated significant metabolic abnormalities that vary by brain region, but the causes are poorly understood. Metabolic changes in the frontal cortex, basal ganglia and white matter in 18 SIV-infected macaques were investigated using MRS during the first month of infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Changes in the N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), <it>myo</it>-inositol (MI), creatine (Cr) and glutamine/glutamate (Glx) resonances were quantified both in absolute terms and relative to the creatine resonance. Most abnormalities were observed at the time of peak viremia, 2 weeks post infection (wpi). At that time point, significant decreases in NAA and NAA/Cr, reflecting neuronal injury, were observed only in the frontal cortex. Cr was significantly elevated only in the white matter. Changes in Cho and Cho/Cr were similar across the brain regions, increasing at 2 wpi, and falling below baseline levels at 4 wpi. MI and MI/Cr levels were increased across all brain regions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data best support the hypothesis that different brain regions have variable intrinsic vulnerabilities to neuronal injury caused by the AIDS virus.</p>