Distress severity in perceptual anomalies moderates the relationship between prefrontal brain structure and psychosis proneness in nonclinical individuals

AbstractIn the general population, psychosis risk phenotypes occur independently of attenuated prodromal syndromes. Neurobiological correlates of vulnerability could help to understand their meaningfulness. Interactions between the occurrence of psychotic-like experiences (PLE) and other psychological factors e.g., distress related to PLE, may distinguish psychosis-prone individuals from those without risk of future psychotic disorder. We aimed to investigate whether (a) correlates of total PLE and distress, and (b) symptom dimension-specific moderation effects exist at the brain structural level in non-help-seeking adults reporting PLE below and above the screening criterion for clinical high-risk (CHR). We obtained T1-weighted whole-brain MRI scans from 104 healthy adults from the community without psychosis CHR states for voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Brain structural associations with PLE and PLE distress were analysed with multiple linear regression models. Moderation of PLE by distress severity of two types of positive symptoms from the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-16) screening inventory was explored in regions-of-interest after VBM. Total PQ-16 score was positively associated with grey matter volume (GMV) in prefrontal regions, occipital fusiform and lingual gyri (p < 0.05, FDR peak-level corrected). Overall distress severity and GMV were not associated. Examination of distress severity on the positive symptom dimensions as moderators showed reduced strength of the association between PLE and rSFG volume with increased distress severity for perceptual PLE. In this study, brain structural variation was related to PLE level, but not distress severity, suggesting specificity. In healthy individuals, positive relationships between PLE and prefrontal volumes may indicate protective features, which supports the insufficiency of PLE for the prediction of CHR. Additional indicators of vulnerability, such as distress associated with perceptual PLE, change the positive brain structure relationship. Brain structural findings may strengthen clinical objectives through disentanglement of innocuous and risk-related PLE.

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The relationship of symptom dimensions and grey matter volume in a transdiagnostic cohort: Results from the DFG FOR2107

10.1055/s-0039-1679161 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

F Stein ◽

G Lemmer ◽

S Schmitt ◽

K Brosch ◽

E Fischer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grey Matter ◽

Grey Matter Volume ◽

Symptom Dimensions ◽

Matter Volume ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

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Brain MRI and cognitive function seven years after surviving an episode of severe acute malnutrition in a cohort of Malawian children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018003282 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 1406-1414 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Natasha Lelijveld ◽

Alhaji A Jalloh ◽

Samuel D Kampondeni ◽

Andrew Seal ◽

Jonathan C Wells ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Structure ◽

Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽

School Achievement ◽

Brain Mri ◽

Well Being ◽

Reference Population ◽

Acute Malnutrition ◽

Lower Grade ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

AbstractObjectiveTo assess differences in cognition functions and gross brain structure in children seven years after an episode of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), compared with other Malawian children.DesignProspective longitudinal cohort assessing school grade achieved and results of five computer-based (CANTAB) tests, covering three cognitive domains. A subset underwent brain MRI scans which were reviewed using a standardized checklist of gross abnormalities and compared with a reference population of Malawian children.SettingBlantyre, Malawi.ParticipantsChildren discharged from SAM treatment in 2006 and 2007 (n 320; median age 9·3 years) were compared with controls: siblings closest in age to the SAM survivors and age/sex-matched community children.ResultsSAM survivors were significantly more likely to be in a lower grade at school than controls (adjusted OR = 0·4; 95 % CI 0·3, 0·6; P < 0·0001) and had consistently poorer scores in all CANTAB cognitive tests. Adjusting for HIV and socio-economic status diminished statistically significant differences. There were no significant differences in odds of brain abnormalities and sinusitis between SAM survivors (n 49) and reference children (OR = 1·11; 95 % CI 0·61, 2·03; P = 0·73).ConclusionsDespite apparent preservation in gross brain structure, persistent impaired school achievement is likely to be detrimental to individual attainment and economic well-being. Understanding the multifactorial causes of lower school achievement is therefore needed to design interventions for SAM survivors to thrive in adulthood. The cognitive and potential economic implications of SAM need further emphasis to better advocate for SAM prevention and early treatment.

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Perceived Help-Seeking Difficulty, Barriers, Delay, and Burden in Carers of People with Suspected Dementia

10.20944/preprints202101.0568.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carmen KM Ng ◽

Dara KY Leung ◽

Xinxin Cai ◽

Gloria HY Wong

Keyword(s):

Help Seeking ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Negative Emotions ◽

Role Strain ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Course Of Illness ◽

Carer Burden ◽

Inadequate Knowledge ◽

Perceived Difficulty ◽

Person With Dementia

Because of an often complicated and difficult-to-access care system, help-seeking for people with suspected dementia can be stressful. Difficulty in help-seeking may contribute to carer burden, in addition to other known stressors in dementia care. This study examined the relationship between perceived help-seeking difficulty and carer burden, and the barriers contributing to perceived difficulty. We interviewed 110 carers accessing a community-based dementia assessment service for suspected dementia of a family member for their perceived difficulty, delays, and barriers in help-seeking, and carers burden in terms of role strain, self-criticism, and negative emotions. Linear regression models showed that perceived help-seeking difficulty is associated with carer self-criticism, while carer role strain and negative emotions are associated with symptom severity of the person with dementia but not help-seeking difficulty. Inadequate knowledge about symptoms, service accessibility, and affordability together explained more than half of the variance in perceived help-seeking difficulty (Nagelkerke R2 = .56). Public awareness about symptoms, support in navigating service, and financial support may reduce perceived difficulty in help-seeking, which in turn may reduce carer self-criticism during the early course of illness.

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Cortical thickness and surface area correlates with cognitive dysfunction among first-episode psychosis patients

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291716000684 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 46 (10) ◽

pp. 2145-2155 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

L. Haring ◽

A. Müürsepp ◽

R. Mõttus ◽

P. Ilves ◽

K. Koch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structure Function ◽

Surface Area ◽

Cortical Thickness ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Brain Mri ◽

Brain Regions ◽

First Episode Psychosis ◽

First Episode ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Episode Psychosis

BackgroundIn studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), some have reported specific brain structure–function relationships among first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients, but findings are inconsistent. We aimed to localize the brain regions where cortical thickness (CTh) and surface area (cortical area; CA) relate to neurocognition, by performing an MRI on participants and measuring their neurocognitive performance using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), in order to investigate any significant differences between FEP patients and control subjects (CS).MethodExploration of potential correlations between specific cognitive functions and brain structure was performed using CANTAB computer-based neurocognitive testing and a vertex-by-vertex whole-brain MRI analysis of 63 FEP patients and 30 CS.ResultsSignificant correlations were found between cortical parameters in the frontal, temporal, cingular and occipital brain regions and performance in set-shifting, working memory manipulation, strategy usage and sustained attention tests. These correlations were significantly dissimilar between FEP patients and CS.ConclusionsSignificant correlations between CTh and CA with neurocognitive performance were localized in brain areas known to be involved in cognition. The results also suggested a disrupted structure–function relationship in FEP patients compared with CS.

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Left atrial diameter and vascular brain injury on MRI

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000006228 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 91 (13) ◽

pp. e1237-e1244 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shadi Yaghi ◽

Traci M. Bartz ◽

Richard Kronmal ◽

Hooman Kamel ◽

John Gottdiener ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Brain Mri ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Health Study ◽

Cardiovascular Health Study ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Left Atrial Diameter ◽

Brain Infarcts

ObjectiveTo determine the association left atrial diameter (LAD) and vascular brain injury on brain MRI.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a prospective cohort of community-dwelling adults ≥65 years old. LAD was measured from 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiograms. Among CHS participants who underwent brain MRI, we examined associations of LAD with brain infarcts and leukoaraiosis. Primary outcomes (number for analysis) were prevalent infarcts (2,327) and degree of leukoaraiosis on initial MRI (2,315). Secondary outcomes were prevalent nonlacunar infarcts (2,327), incident infarcts (939), incident nonlacunar infarcts (1,185), and degree of leukoaraiosis on follow-up MRI adjusted for initial MRI (1,158). Relative risk (RR) and linear regression models were adjusted for demographics, vascular risk factors, and potential confounders.ResultsMean age of the 2,335 participants with initial brain MRI was 72.0 ± 4.8 years; 38.7% were men; and 29.0% participants had prevalent infarcts. In multivariable, fully adjusted models, LAD was associated with prevalent infarcts (RR 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.34) and prevalent nonlacunar infarcts (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.06–1.54) but not with leukoaraiosis (−0.08, 95% CI −0.17 to 0.07), incident infarcts (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.78–1.29), nonlacunar infarcts (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.67–1.42), or worsening leukoaraiosis (−0.04, 95% CI −0.10 to 0.02).ConclusionLAD is independently associated with prevalent brain infarcts, particularly nonlacunar infarcts, but not leukoaraiosis. Larger studies are needed to determine associations with incident infarct risk and whether this risk in patients with left atrial enlargement can be reduced with anticoagulant agents.

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DeepVolume: Brain Structure and Spatial Connection-Aware Network for Brain MRI Super-Resolution

IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics ◽

10.1109/tcyb.2019.2933633 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zeju Li ◽

Jinhua Yu ◽

Yuanyuan Wang ◽

Hanzhang Zhou ◽

Haowei Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Structure ◽

Brain Mri ◽

Super Resolution

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The Role of MRI Biomarkers and Their Interactions with Cognitive Status and APOE ε4 in Nondemented Elderly Subjects

Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽

10.1159/000495754 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (5-6) ◽

pp. 270-280 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xue Liang ◽

Zhenyu Yin ◽

Renyuan Liu ◽

Hui Zhao ◽

Sichu Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cortical Thickness ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Hippocampal Subfields ◽

Apoe Ε4 ◽

Group 3 ◽

The Brain

Purpose: (1) To investigate atrophy patterns of hippocampal subfield volume and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-signature cortical thickness in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients; (2) to explore the association between the neuropsychological (NP) and the brain structure in the MCI and older normal cognition group; (3) to determine whether these associations were modified by the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 gene and cognitive status. Methods: The FreeSurfer software was used for automated segmentation of hippocampal subfields and AD-signature cortical thickness for 22 MCI patients and 23 cognitive normal controls (NC). The volume, cortical thickness, and the neuropsychological scale were compared with two-sample t tests. Linear regression models were used to determine the association between the NP and the brain structure. Results: Compared with the NC group, MCI patients showed a decreased volume of the left presubiculum, subiculum and right CA2_3 and CA4_DG (p < 0.05, FDR corrected). The volume of these regions was positively correlated with NP scores. Of note, these associations depended on the cognitive status but not on the APOE ε4 status. The left subiculum and presubiculum volume were positively correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores only in the MCI patients. Conclusion: Atrophy of the hippocampal subfields may be a powerful biomarker for MCI in the Chinese population.

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Altered Cortical Brain Structure and Increased Risk for Disease Seen Decades After Perinatal Exposure to Maternal Smoking: A Study of 9000 Adults in the UK Biobank

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhz060 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (12) ◽

pp. 5217-5233 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lauren E Salminen ◽

Rand R Wilcox ◽

Alyssa H Zhu ◽

Brandalyn C Riedel ◽

Christopher R K Ching ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Structure ◽

Brain Mri ◽

Population Based ◽

Smoke Exposure ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Increase Risk ◽

Sensory Cortices ◽

The Uk

Abstract Secondhand smoke exposure is a major public health risk that is especially harmful to the developing brain, but it is unclear if early exposure affects brain structure during middle age and older adulthood. Here we analyzed brain MRI data from the UK Biobank in a population-based sample of individuals (ages 44–80) who were exposed (n = 2510) or unexposed (n = 6079) to smoking around birth. We used robust statistical models, including quantile regressions, to test the effect of perinatal smoke exposure (PSE) on cortical surface area (SA), thickness, and subcortical volumes. We hypothesized that PSE would be associated with cortical disruption in primary sensory areas compared to unexposed (PSE−) adults. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, SA was significantly lower in the pericalcarine (PCAL), inferior parietal (IPL), and regions of the temporal and frontal cortex of PSE+ adults; these abnormalities were associated with increased risk for several diseases, including circulatory and endocrine conditions. Sensitivity analyses conducted in a hold-out group of healthy participants (exposed, n = 109, unexposed, n = 315) replicated the effect of PSE on SA in the PCAL and IPL. Collectively our results show a negative, long term effect of PSE on sensory cortices that may increase risk for disease later in life.

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Is It Cultural Context or Cultural Value? Unpackaging Cultural Influences on Stigma Toward Mental Illness and Barrier to Help-Seeking

Social Psychological and Personality Science ◽

10.1177/1948550619897482 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1022-1031

Author(s):

Sylvia Xiaohua Chen ◽

Winnie W. S. Mak ◽

Ben C. P. Lam

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Cultural Differences ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Cultural Influences ◽

Chinese Americans ◽

Structural Level ◽

European Americans ◽

Face Concern ◽

The Mean

There have been growing interests in sampling underrepresented populations to test whether psychological processes are universal. The present cross-sectional study examined cultural influences on stigma toward mental illness and perceived barrier to help-seeking among Hong Kong Chinese, Chinese Americans, and European Americans ( N = 555 university students). Significant cultural differences were found in the mean levels, with the two Chinese groups reporting higher levels of stigma toward mental illness and perceived barrier to help-seeking than European Americans, and these cultural differences were accounted for by face concern. In addition, the strengths of paths from face concern to stigma toward mental illness and perceived barrier to help-seeking were equivalent across the three cultural groups. These findings tease apart the source of cultural influences and underscore the importance of comparing cultural differences both at the mean level and the structural level, but more importantly, to unpackage the observed differences by testing the mediating role of cultural values.

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