Morphological brain plasticity induced by musical expertise is accompanied by modulation of functional connectivity at rest

AbstractEven though sleep modification is a hallmark of the aging process, age-related changes in functional connectivity using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) during sleep, remain unknown. Here, we combined electroencephalography and fMRI to examine functional connectivity differences between wakefulness and light sleep stages (N1 and N2 stages) in 16 young (23.1 ± 3.3y; 7 women), and 14 older individuals (59.6 ± 5.7y; 8 women). Results revealed extended, distributed (inter-between) and local (intra-within) decreases in network connectivity during sleep both in young and older individuals. However, compared to the young participants, older individuals showed lower decreases in connectivity or even increases in connectivity between thalamus/basal ganglia and several cerebral regions as well as between frontal regions of various networks. These findings reflect a reduced ability of the older brain to disconnect during sleep that may impede optimal disengagement for loss of responsiveness, enhanced lighter and fragmented sleep, and contribute to age effects on sleep-dependent brain plasticity.

Download Full-text

Electronic-Sports Experience Related to Functional Enhancement in Central Executive and Default Mode Areas

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2019/1940123 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Diankun Gong ◽

Weiyi Ma ◽

Tiejun Liu ◽

Yuening Yan ◽

Dezhong Yao

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Video Game ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Functional Integration ◽

Central Executive ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Default Mode ◽

Lower Ranking ◽

Local Functional ◽

The Relationship

Electronic-sports (e-sports) is a form of organized, online, multiplayer video game competition, which requires both action skills and the ability and process of forming and adapting a strategy (referred to as strategization hereafter) to achieve goals. Over the past few decades, research has shown that video gaming experience has an important impact on the plasticity of the sensorimotor, attentional, and executive brain areas. However, little research has examined the relationship between e-sports experience and the plasticity of brain networks that are related to strategization. Using resting-state fMRI data and the local functional connectivity density (lFCD) analysis, this study investigated the relationship between e-sports experience (League of Legends [LOL] in this study) and brain plasticity by comparing between top-ranking LOL players and lower-ranking (yet experienced) LOL players. Results showed that the top-ranking LOL players had superior local functional integration in the executive areas compared to lower-ranking players. Furthermore, the top-ranking players had higher lFCD in the default mode areas, which have been found related to various subprocesses (e.g., memory and planning) essential for strategization. Finally, the top-ranking players’ lFCD was related to their LOL expertise rank level, as indicated by a comprehensive score assigned by the gaming software based on players’ gaming experience and expertise. Thus, the result showed that the local functional connectivity in central executive and default mode brain areas was enhanced in the top-ranking e-sports players, suggesting that e-sports experience is related to the plasticity of the central executive and default mode areas.

Download Full-text

Musical expertise modulates functional connectivity of limbic regions during continuous music listening.

Psychomusicology Music Mind and Brain ◽

10.1037/pmu0000124 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 443-454 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Vinoo Alluri ◽

Elvira Brattico ◽

Petri Toiviainen ◽

Iballa Burunat ◽

Brigitte Bogert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Music Listening ◽

Musical Expertise ◽

Limbic Regions

Download Full-text

Longitudinal Spatial Patterns of Intrinsic Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity in Upper Limb Amputees Patients

10.21203/rs.2.21498/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

bingbo bao ◽

xuyun hua ◽

haifeng wei ◽

pengbo luo ◽

hongyi zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Spatial Patterns ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Resting State Fmri ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Brain Network ◽

Intrinsic Connectivity ◽

Intrinsic Brain Activity

Abstract Background: Amputation in adults is a serious condition and most patients were associated with the remapping of representations in motor and sensory brain network. Methods: The present study includes 8 healthy volunteers and 16 patients with amputation. We use resting-state fMRI to investigate the local and extent brain plasticity in patients suffering from amputation simultaneously. Both the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and degree centrality (DC) were used for the assessment of neuroplasticity in central level. Results: We described changes in spatial patterns of intrinsic brain activity and functional connectivity in amputees in the present study and we found that not only the sensory and motor cortex, but also the related brain regions involved in the functional plasticity after upper extremity deafferentation. Conclusion: Our findings showed local and extensive cortical changes in the sensorimotor and cognitive-related brain regions, which may imply the dysfunction in not only sensory and motor function, but also sensorimotor integration and motor plan. The activation and intrinsic connectivity in the brain changed a lot showed correlation with the deafferentation status.

Download Full-text

Home-Based Therapy After Stroke Using the Hand Spring Operated Movement Enhancer (HandSOME II)

Frontiers in Neurorobotics ◽

10.3389/fnbot.2021.773477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Rafael Casas ◽

Melissa Sandison ◽

Diane Nichols ◽

Kaelin Martin ◽

Khue Phan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Real World ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Low Cost ◽

Biomechanical Testing ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Reaching Task ◽

Home Based ◽

Before And After ◽

Task Practice

We have developed a passive and lightweight wearable hand exoskeleton (HandSOME II) that improves range of motion and functional task practice in laboratory testing. For this longitudinal study, we recruited 15 individuals with chronic stroke and asked them to use the device at home for 1.5 h per weekday for 8 weeks. Subjects visited the clinic once per week to report progress and troubleshoot problems. Subjects were then given the HandSOME II for the next 3 months, and asked to continue to use it, but without any scheduled contact with the project team. Clinical evaluations and biomechanical testing was performed before and after the 8 week intervention and at the 3 month followup. EEG measures were taken before and after the 8 weeks of training to examine any recovery associated brain reorganization. Ten subjects completed the study. After 8 weeks of training, functional ability (Action Research Arm Test), flexor tone (Modified Ashworth Test), and real world use of the impaired limb (Motor Activity Log) improved significantly (p < 0.05). Gains in real world use were retained at the 3-month followup (p = 0.005). At both post-training and followup time points, biomechanical testing found significant gains in finger ROM and hand displacement in a reaching task (p < 0.05). Baseline functional connectivity correlated with gains in motor function, while changes in EEG functional connectivity paralleled changes in motor recovery. HandSOME II is a low-cost, home-based intervention that elicits brain plasticity and can improve functional motor outcomes in the chronic stroke population.

Download Full-text

Effects of home-based telerehabilitation in patients with stroke

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000010821 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 95 (17) ◽

pp. e2318-e2330 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jing Chen ◽

Dalong Sun ◽

Shufan Zhang ◽

Yonghui Shi ◽

Fenglei Qiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Motor Function ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Imaging Biomarkers ◽

Motor Training ◽

Neural Function ◽

Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽

Home Based

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of a 12-week home-based motor training telerehabilitation program in patients with subcortical stroke by combining motor function assessments and multimodality MRI analysis methods.MethodsFifty-two patients with stroke and hemiplegia were randomly assigned to either a home-based motor training telerehabilitation (TR) group or a conventional rehabilitation (CR) group for 12 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) for upper and lower extremities and the modified Barthel Index were used as primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes included resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between the bilateral M1 areas, gray matter volumes of the primary motor cortex (M1) areas, and white matter integrity of the corticospinal tract. Analysis of covariance was applied to examine the effects of the home-based motor training TR program on neural function recovery and brain plasticity.ResultsCompared with the CR group, the TR group showed significant improvement in the FMA (p = 0.011) and significantly increased M1-M1 rsFC (p = 0.031) at the end of the rehabilitation. The M1-M1 rsFC change was significantly positively correlated with the FMA change in the TR group (p = 0.018).ConclusionThis study showed a beneficial effect of the home-based motor training telerehabilitation program on motor function in patients with stroke, which was accompanied by enhanced interhemispheric functional connectivity of the M1 areas. We inferred that it is feasible, safe, and efficacious for patients with stroke to receive professional rehabilitation training at home. The combined use of imaging biomarkers should be encouraged in motor training clinical studies in patients with stroke.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that for patients with stroke with hemiplegia, home-based telerehabilitation compared to conventional rehabilitation significantly improves some motor function tests.

Download Full-text

Large-scale functional brain networks in human non-rapid eye movement sleep: insights from combined electroencephalographic/functional magnetic resonance imaging studies

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences ◽

10.1098/rsta.2011.0078 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 369 (1952) ◽

pp. 3708-3729 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Victor I. Spoormaker ◽

Michael Czisch ◽

Pierre Maquet ◽

Lutz Jäncke

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Eye Movement ◽

Large Scale ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Nrem Sleep ◽

Rapid Eye Movement ◽

Functional Brain ◽

Functional Brain Network ◽

Spontaneous Oscillations

This paper reviews the existing body of knowledge on the neural correlates of spontaneous oscillations, functional connectivity and brain plasticity in human non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. The first section reviews the evidence that specific sleep events as slow waves and spindles are associated with transient increases in regional brain activity. The second section describes the changes in functional connectivity during NREM sleep, with a particular focus on changes within a low-frequency, large-scale functional brain network. The third section will discuss the possibility that spontaneous oscillations and differential functional connectivity are related to brain plasticity and systems consolidation, with a particular focus on motor skill acquisition. Implications for the mode of information processing per sleep stage and future experimental studies are discussed.

Download Full-text

A Pilot Study on Brain Plasticity of Functional Connectivity Modulated by Cognitive Training in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci7050050 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 50 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Francesco Barban ◽

Matteo Mancini ◽

Mara Cercignani ◽

Fulvia Adriano ◽

Roberta Perri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Brain Plasticity

Download Full-text

Observing plasticity of the auditory system: Volumetric decreases along with increased functional connectivity in aspiring professional musicians

Cerebral Cortex Communications ◽

10.1093/texcom/tgab008 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elisabeth Wenger ◽

Eleftheria Papadaki ◽

André Werner ◽

Simone Kühn ◽

Ulman Lindenberger

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Gray Matter Volume ◽

Precentral Gyrus ◽

Professional Musicians ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Amateur Musicians ◽

Brain Structure And Function ◽

Left And Right ◽

And Function

Abstract Playing music relies on several sensory systems and the motor system, and poses strong demands on control processes, hence, offering an excellent model to study how experience can mold brain structure and function. While most studies on neural correlates of music expertise rely on cross-sectional comparisons, here we compared within-person changes over time in aspiring professionals intensely preparing for an entrance exam at a University of the Arts to skilled amateur musicians not preparing for a music exam. In the group of aspiring professionals, we observed gray-matter volume decrements in left planum polare, posterior insula, and left inferior frontal orbital gyrus over a period of about six months that were absent among the amateur musicians. At the same time, the left planum polare, the largest cluster of structural change, showed increasing functional connectivity with left and right auditory cortex, left precentral gyrus, left supplementary motor cortex, left and right postcentral gyrus, and left cingulate cortex, all regions previously identified to relate to music expertise. In line with the expansion–renormalization pattern of brain plasticity (Wenger, Brozzoli, et al. 2017), the aspiring professionals might have been in the selection and refinement period of plastic change.

Download Full-text

Rediscovering the musician’s brain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

10.1101/2021.03.12.434473 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Antonio Criscuolo ◽

Victor Pando-Naude ◽

Leonardo Bonetti ◽

Peter Vuust ◽

Elvira Brattico

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Musical Training ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Functional Anatomy ◽

Likelihood Estimation ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Musical Expertise ◽

Meta Analyses

AbstractMusical expertise is a model of neuroplasticity associated with pervasive, long-lasting training effects. Indeed, decades of cognitive neuroscience widely investigated brain functional and structural changes associated with musical training, providing a widespread and variegated set of findings. However, several controversial results emerged, leading the neuroscientific community to lack a well-defined neuro-functional-anatomy of musical expertise. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of publications investigating brain functional and structural differences between musicians and non-musicians. Eighty-four publications were included in the qualitative synthesis. Coordinate-based meta-analyses were conducted using the anatomic/activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method implemented in GingerALE, with a total of 675 foci, 79 experiments and 2780 participants. Results showed a widespread and complex array of functional and structural changes in musicians’ brains, revealing for the first time a comprehensive picture of the brain plasticity associated with musical training.

Download Full-text