Large-scale brain network associated with creative insight: combined voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional connectivity analyses

Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) can enhance vision in the healthy and diseased brain. Yet, the impact of multi-day tRNS on large-scale cortical networks is still unknown. We investigated the impact of tRNS coupled with behavioral training on resting-state functional connectivity and attention. We trained human subjects for 4 consecutive days on two attention tasks, while receiving tRNS over the intraparietal sulci, the middle temporal areas, or Sham stimulation. We measured resting-state functional connectivity of nodes of the dorsal and ventral attention network (DVAN) before and after training. We found a strong behavioral improvement and increased connectivity within the DVAN after parietal stimulation only. Crucially, behavioral improvement positively correlated with connectivity measures. We conclude changes in connectivity are a marker for the enduring effect of tRNS upon behavior. Our results suggest that tRNS has strong potential to augment cognitive capacity in healthy individuals and promote recovery in the neurological population.

Download Full-text

Structural and functional changes in the somatosensory cortex in euthymic females with bipolar disorder

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867417746001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (11) ◽

pp. 1075-1083 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Luciano Minuzzi ◽

Sabrina K Syan ◽

Mara Smith ◽

Alexander Hall ◽

Geoffrey BC Hall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Somatosensory Cortex ◽

Resting State ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Voxel Based Morphometry ◽

Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Morphometry Analysis ◽

And Function

Objective: Current evidence from neuroimaging data suggests possible dysfunction of the fronto-striatal-limbic circuits in individuals with bipolar disorder. Somatosensory cortical function has been implicated in emotional recognition, risk-taking and affective responses through sensory modalities. This study investigates anatomy and function of the somatosensory cortex in euthymic bipolar women. Methods: In total, 68 right-handed euthymic women (bipolar disorder = 32 and healthy controls = 36) between 16 and 45 years of age underwent high-resolution anatomical and functional magnetic resonance imaging during the mid-follicular menstrual phase. The somatosensory cortex was used as a seed region for resting-state functional connectivity analysis. Voxel-based morphometry was used to evaluate somatosensory cortical gray matter volume between groups. Results: We found increased resting-state functional connectivity between the somatosensory cortex and insular cortex, inferior prefrontal gyrus and frontal orbital cortex in euthymic bipolar disorder subjects compared to healthy controls. Voxel-based morphometry analysis showed decreased gray matter in the left somatosensory cortex in the bipolar disorder group. Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry analysis controlled by age did not reveal any additional significant difference between groups. Conclusion: This study is the first to date to evaluate anatomy and function of the somatosensory cortex in a well-characterized sample of euthymic bipolar disorder females. Anatomical and functional changes in the somatosensory cortex in this population might contribute to the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder.

Download Full-text

Heterogeneity of EEG resting-state brain networks in absolute pitch

10.1101/2020.05.03.063206 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Marielle Greber ◽

Carina Klein ◽

Simon Leipold ◽

Silvano Sele ◽

Lutz Jäncke

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Auditory Cortex ◽

Resting State ◽

Large Scale ◽

Absolute Pitch ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Brain Network ◽

Higher Order ◽

Neural Basis ◽

Whole Brain

AbstractThe neural basis of absolute pitch (AP), the ability to effortlessly identify a musical tone without an external reference, is poorly understood. One of the key questions is whether perceptual or cognitive processes underlie the phenomenon as both sensory and higher-order brain regions have been associated with AP. One approach to elucidate the neural underpinnings of a specific expertise is the examination of resting-state networks.Thus, in this paper, we report a comprehensive functional network analysis of intracranial resting-state EEG data in a large sample of AP musicians (n = 54) and non-AP musicians (n = 51). We adopted two analysis approaches: First, we applied an ROI-based analysis to examine the connectivity between the auditory cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using several established functional connectivity measures. This analysis is a replication of a previous study which reported increased connectivity between these two regions in AP musicians. Second, we performed a whole-brain network-based analysis on the same functional connectivity measures to gain a more complete picture of the brain regions involved in a possibly large-scale network supporting AP ability.In our sample, the ROI-based analysis did not provide evidence for an AP-specific connectivity increase between the auditory cortex and the DLPFC. In contrast, the whole-brain analysis revealed three networks with increased connectivity in AP musicians comprising nodes in frontal, temporal, subcortical, and occipital areas. Commonalities of the networks were found in both sensory and higher-order brain regions of the perisylvian area. Further research will be needed to confirm these exploratory results.

Download Full-text

Resting State Functional Connectivity Biomarkers of Treatment Response in Mood Disorders: A Review

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.565136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph J. Taylor ◽

Hatice Guncu Kurt ◽

Amit Anand

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Treatment Response ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Resting State ◽

Network Models ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Brain Network ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽

Graph Theory Analysis

There are currently no validated treatment biomarkers in psychiatry. Resting State Functional Connectivity (RSFC) is a popular method for investigating the neural correlates of mood disorders, but the breadth of the field makes it difficult to assess progress toward treatment response biomarkers. In this review, we followed general PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the evidence base for mood disorder treatment biomarkers across diagnoses, brain network models, and treatment modalities. We hypothesized that no treatment biomarker would be validated across these domains or with independent datasets. Results are organized, interpreted, and discussed in the context of four popular analytic techniques: (1) reference region (seed-based) analysis, (2) independent component analysis, (3) graph theory analysis, and (4) other methods. Cortico-limbic connectivity is implicated across studies, but there is no single biomarker that spans analyses or that has been replicated in multiple independent datasets. We discuss RSFC limitations and future directions in biomarker development.

Download Full-text

Advanced Meditation Alters Resting-State Brain Network Connectivity Correlating With Improved Mindfulness

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.745344 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Ramana V. Vishnubhotla ◽

Rupa Radhakrishnan ◽

Kestas Kveraga ◽

Rachael Deardorff ◽

Chithra Ram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Resting State ◽

Network Connectivity ◽

Blood Oxygen Level Dependent ◽

Brain Network ◽

Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽

Blood Oxygen Level ◽

Default Mode ◽

Before And After ◽

Brain Network Connectivity

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an intensive 8-day Samyama meditation program on the brain functional connectivity using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI).Methods: Thirteen Samyama program participants (meditators) and 4 controls underwent fMRI brain scans before and after the 8-day residential meditation program. Subjects underwent fMRI with a blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast at rest and during focused breathing. Changes in network connectivity before and after Samyama program were evaluated. In addition, validated psychological metrics were correlated with changes in functional connectivity.Results: Meditators showed significantly increased network connectivity between the salience network (SN) and default mode network (DMN) after the Samyama program (p < 0.01). Increased connectivity within the SN correlated with an improvement in self-reported mindfulness scores (p < 0.01).Conclusion: Samyama, an intensive silent meditation program, favorably increased the resting-state functional connectivity between the salience and default mode networks. During focused breath watching, meditators had lower intra-network connectivity in specific networks. Furthermore, increased intra-network connectivity correlated with improved self-reported mindfulness after Samyama.Clinical Trials Registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov], Identifier: [NCT04366544]. Registered on 4/17/2020.

Download Full-text

Large-scale network dysfunction in the acute state compared to the remitted state of bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis of resting-state functional connectivity

EBioMedicine ◽

10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102742 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 ◽

pp. 102742 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yanlin Wang ◽

Yingxue Gao ◽

Shi Tang ◽

Lu Lu ◽

Lianqing Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Resting State ◽

Large Scale ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽

Large Scale Network ◽

Scale Network

Download Full-text

Sex-specific differences in resting-state functional connectivity of large-scale networks in postconcussion syndrome

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-77137-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Reema Shafi ◽

Adrian P. Crawley ◽

Maria Carmela Tartaglia ◽

Charles H. Tator ◽

Robin E. Green ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Resting State ◽

Large Scale ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Postconcussion Syndrome ◽

Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽

Post Injury ◽

Network Nodes ◽

Specific Impact

AbstractConcussions are associated with a range of cognitive, neuropsychological and behavioral sequelae that, at times, persist beyond typical recovery times and are referred to as postconcussion syndrome (PCS). There is growing support that concussion can disrupt network-based connectivity post-injury. To date, a significant knowledge gap remains regarding the sex-specific impact of concussion on resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC). The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the injury-based rs-FC differences across three large-scale neural networks and (2) explore the sex-specific impact of injury on network-based connectivity. MRI data was collected from a sample of 80 concussed participants who fulfilled the criteria for postconcussion syndrome and 31 control participants who did not have any history of concussion. Connectivity maps between network nodes and brain regions were used to assess connectivity using the Functional Connectivity (CONN) toolbox. Network based statistics showed that concussed participants were significantly different from healthy controls across both salience and fronto-parietal network nodes. More specifically, distinct subnetwork components were identified in the concussed sample, with hyperconnected frontal nodes and hypoconnected posterior nodes across both the salience and fronto-parietal networks, when compared to the healthy controls. Node-to-region analyses showed sex-specific differences across association cortices, however, driven by distinct networks. Sex-specific network-based alterations in rs-FC post concussion need to be examined to better understand the underlying mechanisms and associations to clinical outcomes.

Download Full-text

Reproducing macaque lateral grasping and oculomotor networks using resting state functional connectivity and diffusion tractography

Brain Structure and Function ◽

10.1007/s00429-020-02142-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 225 (8) ◽

pp. 2533-2551 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Henrietta Howells ◽

Luciano Simone ◽

Elena Borra ◽

Luca Fornia ◽

Gabriella Cerri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Control ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Resting State ◽

Large Scale ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Lower Sensitivity ◽

Connectivity Analysis ◽

Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽

Native Space ◽

Functional Connectivity Analysis

Abstract Cortico-cortical networks involved in motor control have been well defined in the macaque using a range of invasive techniques. The advent of neuroimaging has enabled non-invasive study of these large-scale functionally specialized networks in the human brain; however, assessing its accuracy in reproducing genuine anatomy is more challenging. We set out to assess the similarities and differences between connections of macaque motor control networks defined using axonal tracing and those reproduced using structural and functional connectivity techniques. We processed a cohort of macaques scanned in vivo that were made available by the open access PRIME-DE resource, to evaluate connectivity using diffusion imaging tractography and resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC). Sectors of the lateral grasping and exploratory oculomotor networks were defined anatomically on structural images, and connections were reproduced using different structural and functional approaches (probabilistic and deterministic whole-brain and seed-based tractography; group template and native space functional connectivity analysis). The results showed that parieto-frontal connections were best reproduced using both structural and functional connectivity techniques. Tractography showed lower sensitivity but better specificity in reproducing connections identified by tracer data. Functional connectivity analysis performed in native space had higher sensitivity but lower specificity and was better at identifying connections between intrasulcal ROIs than group-level analysis. Connections of AIP were most consistently reproduced, although those connected with prefrontal sectors were not identified. We finally compared diffusion MR modelling with histology based on an injection in AIP and speculate on anatomical bases for the observed false negatives. Our results highlight the utility of precise ex vivo techniques to support the accuracy of neuroimaging in reproducing connections, which is relevant also for human studies.

Download Full-text