Developing a rostral prefrontal cortex fMRI activation task for use in schizophrenia research-a validation study in healthy subjects

AbstractHeightened responding to uncertain threat is associated with anxiety disorder pathology. Here, we sought to determine if individual differences in self-reported intolerance of uncertainty (IU) underlie differential recruitment of neural circuitry during instructed threat of shock (n = 42). During the task, cues signalled uncertain threat of shock (50%) or certain safety from shock. Ratings, skin conductance and functional magnetic resonance imaging was acquired. Overall, participants displayed greater amygdala activation to uncertain threat vs. safe cues, in the absence of an effect of IU. However, we found that high was associated with greater activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and dorsomedial rostral prefrontal cortex to uncertain threat vs safe cues. These findings suggest that, during instructed threat of shock, IU is specifically related, over trait anxiety, to activation in prefrontal cortical regions. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of self-reported IU in identifying mechanisms that may be related to conscious threat appraisal and anxiety disorder pathology.

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Rostral Prefrontal Cortex (Brodmann Area 10)

Principles of Frontal Lobe Function ◽

10.1093/med/9780199837755.003.0037 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 524-544 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Paul W. Burgess ◽

Hsuan-Chen Wu

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Brodmann Area ◽

Rostral Prefrontal Cortex

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Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuromotor Function: A Validation Study in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics10121057 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1057

Author(s):

Rafael Lomas-Vega ◽

Daniel Rodríguez-Almagro ◽

Ana Belén Peinado-Rubia ◽

Noelia Zagalaz-Anula ◽

Francisco Molina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Validation Study ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Screening Tool ◽

Short Form ◽

Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽

Head Movements ◽

Nominal Group ◽

Neuromotor Function ◽

Joint Assessment

Objective: To develop and validate a tool for evaluating balance and neuromotor function in patients with fibromyalgia (FMS). Methods: Brainstorming, the nominal group technique, and pilot-testing were used to select a battery of 20 functional balance tests that were included in a screening tool. A total of 108 subjects (62 with fibromyalgia syndrome, 22 aged over 65 years, and 24 healthy subjects) participated in this validation study. Factor validity, internal consistency, the ability to discriminate between patients and healthy subjects, and concurrent validity with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and other tools for measuring balance, such as the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC-16), the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and posturographic parameters, were evaluated. Results: The factorial analysis extracted four factors that explained 70% of the variance. The Alpha Cronbach value was 0.928. Concurrent validity of the screening tool with respect to other tools was high, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed an AUC value of 0.932 for discriminating between healthy and FMS subjects. Severe balance disorder related to head movements in FMS patients was found. Conclusion: The 20-item JAEN (Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuro-motor Function) screening tool is a valid and reliable tool for assessing balance in patients with FMS.

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P2-163: CHARACTERIZING TAUOPATHY RELATED NEUROPATHOLOGICAL AND CHOLINERGIC DYSFUNCTION IN THE ROSTRAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX

Alzheimer s & Dementia ◽

10.1016/j.jalz.2019.06.2570 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. P638-P638

Author(s):

Selena P. Maxwell ◽

Meghan K. Cash ◽

Sultan Darvesh

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Cholinergic Dysfunction ◽

Rostral Prefrontal Cortex

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Mechanistic link between right prefrontal cortical activity and anxious arousal revealed using transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy subjects

Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1038/s41386-019-0583-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 694-702 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nicholas L. Balderston ◽

Emily M. Beydler ◽

Camille Roberts ◽

Zhi-De Deng ◽

Thomas Radman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Subcortical Structures ◽

Prefrontal Cortical ◽

Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽

Before And After ◽

The Right

AbstractMuch of the mechanistic research on anxiety focuses on subcortical structures such as the amygdala; however, less is known about the distributed cortical circuit that also contributes to anxiety expression. One way to learn about this circuit is to probe candidate regions using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). In this study, we tested the involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), in anxiety expression using 10 Hz repetitive TMS (rTMS). In a within-subject, crossover experiment, the study measured anxiety in healthy subjects before and after a session of 10 Hz rTMS to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). It used threat of predictable and unpredictable shock to induce anxiety and anxiety potentiated startle to assess anxiety. Counter to our hypotheses, results showed an increase in anxiety-potentiated startle following active but not sham rTMS. These results suggest a mechanistic link between right dlPFC activity and physiological anxiety expression. This result supports current models of prefrontal asymmetry in affect, and lays the groundwork for further exploration into the cortical mechanisms mediating anxiety, which may lead to novel anxiety treatments.

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