scholarly journals Childhood trauma history is linked to abnormal brain connectivity in major depression

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (17) ◽  
pp. 8582-8590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meichen Yu ◽  
Kristin A. Linn ◽  
Russell T. Shinohara ◽  
Desmond J. Oathes ◽  
Philip A. Cook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Network Architecture ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Attention Network ◽  
Sensorimotor Network ◽  
Frontoparietal Network ◽  
Subcortical Regions

Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) present with heterogeneous symptom profiles, while neurobiological mechanisms are still largely unknown. Brain network studies consistently report disruptions of resting-state networks (RSNs) in patients with MDD, including hypoconnectivity in the frontoparietal network (FPN), hyperconnectivity in the default mode network (DMN), and increased connection between the DMN and FPN. Using a large, multisite fMRI dataset (n= 189 patients with MDD,n= 39 controls), we investigated network connectivity differences within and between RSNs in patients with MDD and healthy controls. We found that MDD could be characterized by a network model with the following abnormalities relative to controls: (i) lower within-network connectivity in three task-positive RSNs [FPN, dorsal attention network (DAN), and cingulo-opercular network (CON)], (ii) higher within-network connectivity in two intrinsic networks [DMN and salience network (SAN)], and (iii) higher within-network connectivity in two sensory networks [sensorimotor network (SMN) and visual network (VIS)]. Furthermore, we found significant alterations in connectivity between a number of these networks. Among patients with MDD, a history of childhood trauma and current symptoms quantified by clinical assessments were associated with a multivariate pattern of seven different within- and between-network connectivities involving the DAN, FPN, CON, subcortical regions, ventral attention network (VAN), auditory network (AUD), VIS, and SMN. Overall, our study showed that traumatic childhood experiences and dimensional symptoms are linked to abnormal network architecture in MDD. Our results suggest that RSN connectivity may explain underlying neurobiological mechanisms of MDD symptoms and has the potential to serve as an effective diagnostic biomarker.

scholarly journals Childhood Trauma Associated With Abnormal Resting-State Brain Network Connectivity in First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangyun Long ◽  
Jiaxin Wu ◽  
Fei Liu ◽  
Ansi Qi ◽  
Nan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Resting State Networks ◽  
Attention Network ◽  
Brain Network Connectivity ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Childhood trauma is a central risk factor for schizophrenia. We explored the correlation between early traumatic experiences and the functional connectivity of resting-state networks. This fMRI study included 28 first-episode schizophrenia patients and 27 healthy controls. In first-episode schizophrenia patients, higher levels of childhood trauma associated with abnormal connections of resting-state networks, and these anomalies distributed among task-positive networks (i.e., ventral attention network, dorsal-ventral attention network and frontal-parietal network), and sensory networks (i.e., visual network and auditory network). These findings mentioned that childhood traumatic experiences may impact resting-state network connectivity in adulthood, mainly involving systems related to attention and execution control.

scholarly journals Synaptic Plasticity Shapes Brain Connectivity: Implications for Network Topology

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Stampanoni Bassi ◽  
Ennio Iezzi ◽  
Luana Gilio ◽  
Diego Centonze ◽  
Fabio Buttari
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Network Architecture ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Homeostatic Plasticity ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Network Organization

Studies of brain network connectivity improved understanding on brain changes and adaptation in response to different pathologies. Synaptic plasticity, the ability of neurons to modify their connections, is involved in brain network remodeling following different types of brain damage (e.g., vascular, neurodegenerative, inflammatory). Although synaptic plasticity mechanisms have been extensively elucidated, how neural plasticity can shape network organization is far from being completely understood. Similarities existing between synaptic plasticity and principles governing brain network organization could be helpful to define brain network properties and reorganization profiles after damage. In this review, we discuss how different forms of synaptic plasticity, including homeostatic and anti-homeostatic mechanisms, could be directly involved in generating specific brain network characteristics. We propose that long-term potentiation could represent the neurophysiological basis for the formation of highly connected nodes (hubs). Conversely, homeostatic plasticity may contribute to stabilize network activity preventing poor and excessive connectivity in the peripheral nodes. In addition, synaptic plasticity dysfunction may drive brain network disruption in neuropsychiatric conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. Optimal network architecture, characterized by efficient information processing and resilience, and reorganization after damage strictly depend on the balance between these forms of plasticity.

scholarly journals Functional Connectivity Network Disruption Underlies Domain-Specific Impairments in Attention for Children Born Very Preterm

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M D Wheelock ◽  
R E Lean ◽  
S Bora ◽  
T R Melzer ◽  
A T Eggebrecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Network Architecture ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Very Preterm ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Attention problems are common in school-age children born very preterm (VPT; < 32 weeks gestational age), but the contribution of aberrant functional brain connectivity to these problems is not known. As part of a prospective longitudinal study, brain functional connectivity (fc) was assessed alongside behavioral measures of selective, sustained, and executive attention in 58 VPT and 65 full-term (FT) born children at corrected-age 12 years. VPT children had poorer sustained, shifting, and divided attention than FT children. Within the VPT group, poorer attention scores were associated with between-network connectivity in ventral attention, visual, and subcortical networks, whereas between-network connectivity in the frontoparietal, cingulo-opercular, dorsal attention, salience and motor networks was associated with attention functioning in FT children. Network-level differences were also evident between VPT and FT children in specific attention domains. Findings contribute to our understanding of fc networks that potentially underlie typical attention development and suggest an alternative network architecture may help support attention in VPT children.

scholarly journals Brain Connectivity Dynamics in Untreated Transmen and Cisgender Individuals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carme Uribe ◽  
Carme Junque ◽  
Esther Gómez-Gil ◽  
María Díez-Cirarda ◽  
Antonio Guillamon
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Functional Explanation ◽  
Salience Network ◽  
Temporal Perspective ◽  
Attention Regulation ◽  
Sensorimotor Network ◽  
Control Networks

Abstract Large-scale brain network interactions have been described between trans- and cis-gender identities. However, a temporal perspective of the brain spontaneous fluctuations is missing. We investigated the functional connectivity dynamics in transmen with gender incongruence and its relationship with interoceptive awareness. We describe four states in native and meta-state spaces: i) one state highly prevalent with sparse overall connections; ii) a second with strong couplings mainly involving components of the salience, default and executive control networks. Two states with global sparse connectivity but positive couplings iii) within the sensorimotor network, and iv) between salience network regions. Transmen had more dynamical fluidity than cismen, while cismen presented less meta-state fluidity and range dynamism than transmen and ciswomen. A positive association between attention regulation and fluidity, and meta-state range dynamism was found in transmen. There exist gender differences in the temporal brain dynamism, characterized by distinct interrelations of the salience network as catalyst interacting with other networks. We provide a functional explanation to the neurodevelopmental hypothesis proposing different brain phenotypes in the construction of the gendered-self.

scholarly journals Electrocorticography and stereo EEG provide distinct measures of brain connectivity: Implications for network models

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Bernabei ◽  
T. Campbell Arnold ◽  
Preya Shah ◽  
Andrew Revell ◽  
Ian Z. Ong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Models ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Network Models ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Depth Electrodes ◽  
Brain Network Connectivity ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy

AbstractBrain network models derived from graph theory have the potential to guide functional neurosurgery, and to improve rates of post-operative seizure freedom for patients with epilepsy. A barrier to applying these models clinically is that intracranial EEG electrode implantation strategies vary by center, region and country, from cortical grid & strip electrodes, to purely stereotactic depth electrodes, to a mixture of both. To determine whether models derived from one type of study are broadly applicable to others, we investigate the differences in brain networks mapped by electrocortiography (ECoG) and stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) in a matched cohort of patients who underwent epilepsy surgery. We show that ECoG and SEEG map broad network structure differently, and demonstrate substantial disparity in the ability of node strength to localize the epileptogenic zone in SEEG compared to ECoG. We demonstrate that eliminating white matter contacts and reducing network nodes to anatomical regions of interest rather than individual contacts improves the ability of these models to distinguish between epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic regions in SEEG. Our findings suggest that effectively applying computational models to localize epileptic networks requires accounting for the effects of spatial sampling, particularly when analyzing both ECoG and SEEG recordings in the same cohort. Finally, we share all code and data in this study, aiming for our findings to accelerate research in brain network connectivity in epilepsy and beyond.

scholarly journals Brain connectivity dynamics in cisgender and transmen people with gender incongruence before gender affirmative hormone treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carme Uribe ◽  
Carme Junque ◽  
Esther Gómez-Gil ◽  
María Díez-Cirarda ◽  
Antonio Guillamon
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Hormone Treatment ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Functional Explanation ◽  
Salience Network ◽  
Temporal Perspective ◽  
Attention Regulation ◽  
Sensorimotor Network

AbstractLarge-scale brain network interactions have been described between trans- and cis-gender binary identities. However, a temporal perspective of the brain's spontaneous fluctuations is missing. We investigated the functional connectivity dynamics in transmen with gender incongruence and its relationship with interoceptive awareness. We describe four states in native and meta-state spaces: (i) one state highly prevalent with sparse overall connections; (ii) a second with strong couplings mainly involving components of the salience, default, and executive control networks. Two states with global sparse connectivity but positive couplings (iii) within the sensorimotor network, and (iv) between salience network regions. Transmen had more dynamical fluidity than cismen, while cismen presented less meta-state fluidity and range dynamism than transmen and ciswomen. A positive association between attention regulation and fluidity and meta-state range dynamism was found in transmen. There exist gender differences in the temporal brain dynamism, characterized by distinct interrelations of the salience network as catalyst interacting with other networks. We offer a functional explanation from the neurodevelopmental cortical hypothesis of a gendered-self.

scholarly journals Genetic Influence underlying Brain Connectivity Phenotype: A Study on Two Age-Specific Cohorts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Cong ◽  
Xiaohui Yao ◽  
Linhui Xie ◽  
Jingwen Yan ◽  
Li Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Brain Connectome ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Changes Over Time

AbstractBackgroundHuman brain structural connectivity is an important imaging quantitative trait for brain development and aging. Mapping the network connectivity to the phenotypic variation provides fundamental insights in understanding the relationship between detailed brain topological architecture, function, and dysfunction. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanism from gene to brain connectome, and to phenotypic outcomes, and whether this mechanism changes over time, remain unclear.MethodsThis study analyzes diffusion weighted imaging data from two age-specific neuroimaging cohorts, extracts structural connectome topological network measures, performs genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the measures, and examines the causality of genetic influences on phenotypic outcomes mediated via connectivity measures.ResultsOur empirical study has yielded several significant findings: 1) It identified genetic makeup underlying structural connectivity changes in the human brain connectome for both age groups. Specifically, it revealed a novel association between the minor allele (G) of rs7937515 and the decreased network segregation measures of the left middle temporal gyrus across young and elderly adults, indicating a consistent genetic effect on brain connectivity across the lifespan. 2) It revealed rs7937515 as a genetic marker for body mass index (BMI) in young adults but not in elderly adults. 3) It discovered brain network segregation alterations as a potential neuroimaging biomarker for obesity. 4) It demonstrated the hemispheric asymmetry of structural network organization in genetic association analyses and outcome-relevant studies.DiscussionThese imaging genetic findings underlying brain connectome warrant further investigation for exploring their potential influences on brain-related diseases, given the significant involvement of altered connectivity in neurological, psychiatric and physical disorders.Impact StatementThe genetic architecture underlying brain connectivity, and whether this mechanism changes over time, remain largely unknown. To understand the inter-individual variability at different life stages, this study performed genome-wide association studies of brain network connectivity measures from two age-specific neuroimaging cohorts, and identified a common association between the minor allele (G) of rs7937515 and decreased network segregation measures of the left middle temporal gyrus. The mediation analysis further elucidated neurobiological pathway of brain connectivity mediators linking the genes FAM86C1/FOLR3 with body mass index. This study provided new insights into the genetic mechanism of inter-regional connectivity alteration in the brain.

scholarly journals Functional Connectivity Alterations in Children with Spastic and Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Qin ◽  
Yanan Li ◽  
Bo Sun ◽  
Hui He ◽  
Rui Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Spastic Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Pathophysiological Mechanism ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Sensorimotor Network

Cerebral palsy (CP) has long been investigated to be associated with a range of motor and cognitive dysfunction. As the two most common CP subtypes, spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) and dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) may share common and distinct elements in their pathophysiology. However, the common and distinct dysfunctional characteristics between SCP and DCP on the brain network level are less known. This study aims to detect the alteration of brain functional connectivity in children with SCP and DCP based on resting-state functional MRI (fMRI). Resting-state networks (RSNs) were established based on the independent component analysis (ICA), and the functional network connectivity (FNC) was performed on the fMRI data from 16 DCP, 18 bilateral SCP, and 18 healthy children. Compared with healthy controls, altered functional connectivity within the cerebellum network, sensorimotor network (SMN), left frontoparietal network (LFPN), and salience network (SN) were found in DCP and SCP groups. Furthermore, the disconnections of the FNC consistently focused on the visual pathway; covariance of the default mode network (DMN) with other networks was observed both in DCP and SCP groups, while the DCP group had a distinct connectivity abnormality in motor pathway and self-referential processing-related connections. Correlations between the functional disconnection and the motor-related clinical measurement in children with CP were also found. These findings indicate functional connectivity impairment and altered integration widely exist in children with CP, suggesting that the abnormal functional connectivity is a pathophysiological mechanism of motor and cognitive dysfunction of CP.

scholarly journals Scaling principles of white matter brain connectivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Jan Ardesch ◽  
Lianne H. Scholtens ◽  
Siemon C. de Lange ◽  
Lea Roumazeilles ◽  
Alexandre A. Khrapitchev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Corpus Callosum ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Scaling Relationships ◽  
Brain Network Connectivity ◽  
Brain Circuitry

Brains come in many shapes and sizes. Nature has endowed big-brained primate species like humans with a proportionally large cerebral cortex. White matter connectivity - the brain's infrastructure for long-range communication - might not always scale at the same pace as the cortex. We investigated the consequences of this allometric scaling for white matter brain network connectivity. Structural T1 and diffusion MRI data were collated across fourteen primate species, describing a comprehensive 350-fold range in brain volume. We report volumetric scaling relationships that point towards a restriction in macroscale connectivity in larger brains. Building on previous findings, we show cortical surface to outpace white matter volume and the corpus callosum, suggesting the emergence of a white matter 'bottleneck' of lower levels of connectedness through the corpus callosum in larger brains. At the network level, we find a potential consequence of this bottleneck in shaping connectivity patterns, with homologous regions in the left and right hemisphere showing more divergent connectivity in larger brains. Our findings show conserved scaling relationships of major brain components and their consequence for macroscale brain circuitry, providing a comparative framework for expected connectivity architecture in larger brains such as the human brain.

scholarly journals Individual Variation in Brain Network Topography is Linked to Schizophrenia Symptomatology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uzma Nawaz ◽  
Ivy Lee ◽  
Adam Beermann ◽  
Shaun Eack ◽  
Matcheri Keshavan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Negative Symptom ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Brain Organization

AbstractBackgroundResting state fMRI (rsfMRI) demonstrates that the brain is organized into distributed networks. Numerous studies have examined links between psychiatric symptomatology and network functional connectivity. Traditional rsfMRI analyses assume that the spatial organization of networks is invariant between individuals. This dogma has recently been overturned by the demonstration that networks show significant variation between individuals. We tested the hypothesis that previously observed relationships between schizophrenia negative symptom severity and network connectivity are actually due to individual differences in network spatial organization.Methods44 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia underwent rsfMRI scans and clinical assessments. A multivariate pattern analysis determined how whole brain functional connectivity correlates with negative symptom severity at the individual voxel level.ResultsBrain connectivity to a region of the right dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex correlates with negative symptom severity. This finding results from individual differences in the topographic distribution of two networks: the default mode network (DMN) and the task positive network (TPN). Both networks demonstrate strong (r∼0.49) and significant (p<0.001) relationships between topography and symptom severity. For individuals with low symptom severity, this critical region is part of the DMN. In highly symptomatic individuals, this region is part of the TPN.ConclusionPreviously overlooked individual variation in brain organization is tightly linked to differences in schizophrenia symptom severity. Recognizing critical links between network topography and pathological symptomology may identify key circuits that underlie cognitive and behavioral phenotypes. Individual variation in network topography likely guides different responses to clinical interventions that rely on anatomical targeting (e.g. TMS).

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