scholarly journals An afferent white matter pathway from the pulvinar to the amygdala facilitates fear recognition

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica McFadyen ◽  
Jason B Mattingley ◽  
Marta I Garrido
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Probabilistic Tractography ◽  
Dynamic Coupling ◽  
Multimodal Neuroimaging ◽  
Diffusion Weighted Images ◽  
Human Connectome Project ◽  
Fearful Face ◽  
Neuroimaging Study ◽  
Subcortical Pathway

Our ability to rapidly detect threats is thought to be subserved by a subcortical pathway that quickly conveys visual information to the amygdala. This neural shortcut has been demonstrated in animals but has rarely been shown in the human brain. Importantly, it remains unclear whether such a pathway might influence neural activity and behaviour. We conducted a multimodal neuroimaging study of 622 participants from the Human Connectome Project. We applied probabilistic tractography to diffusion-weighted images, reconstructing a subcortical pathway to the amygdala from the superior colliculus via the pulvinar. We then computationally modelled the flow of neural activity during a face-viewing task and found evidence for a functionally-afferent pulvinar-amygdala pathway. Critically, individuals with greater fibre density in this pathway also had stronger dynamic coupling and enhanced fearful face recognition. Our findings provide converging evidence for the recruitment of an afferent subcortical pulvinar connection to the amygdala that facilitates fear recognition.

scholarly journals An afferent white matter pathway from the pulvinar to the amygdala facilitates fear recognition

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica McFadyen ◽  
Jason B Mattingley ◽  
Marta I Garrido
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Editorial Note ◽  
Dynamic Coupling ◽  
Diffusion Weighted Images ◽  
Human Connectome Project ◽  
Fearful Face ◽  
Neuroimaging Study ◽  
Haemodynamic Activity ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Subcortical Pathway

Our ability to rapidly detect threats is thought to be subserved by a subcortical pathway that quickly conveys visual information to the amygdala. This neural shortcut has been demonstrated in animals but has rarely been shown in the human brain. Importantly, it remains unclear whether such a pathway might influence neural activity and behavior. We conducted a multimodal neuroimaging study of 622 participants from the Human Connectome Project. We applied probabilistic tractography to diffusion-weighted images, reconstructing a subcortical pathway to the amygdala from the superior colliculus via the pulvinar. We then computationally modeled the flow of haemodynamic activity during a face-viewing task and found evidence for a functionally afferent pulvinar-amygdala pathway. Critically, individuals with greater fibre density in this pathway also had stronger dynamic coupling and enhanced fearful face recognition. Our findings provide converging evidence for the recruitment of an afferent subcortical pulvinar connection to the amygdala that facilitates fear recognition.Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that minor issues remain unresolved (<xref ref-type="decision-letter" rid="SA1">see decision letter</xref>).

scholarly journals In vivo glucose metabolism and glutamate levels in mGluR5 knockout mice: a multimodal neuroimaging study using [18F]FDG microPET and MRS

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yo-Han Joo ◽  
Yun-Kwan Kim ◽  
In-Gyu Choi ◽  
Hyeon-Jin Kim ◽  
Young-Don Son ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Cerebral Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Functional Coupling ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Acute Administration ◽  
Multimodal Neuroimaging ◽  
Mk 801 ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Neuroimaging Study

Abstract Background Perturbed functional coupling between the metabotropic glutamate receptor-5 (mGluR5) and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission may contribute to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. We aimed to establish the functional interaction between mGluR5 and NMDA receptors in brain of mice with genetic ablation of the mGluR5. Methods We first measured the brain glutamate levels with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in mGluR5 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Then, we assessed brain glucose metabolism with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography before and after the acute administration of an NMDA antagonist, MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg), in the same mGluR5 KO and WT mice. Results Between-group comparisons showed no significant differences in [18F]FDG standardized uptake values (SUVs) in brain of mGluR5 KO and WT mice at baseline, but widespread reductions in mGluR5 KO mice compared to WT mice after MK-801 administration (p < 0.05). The baseline glutamate levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, there were significant negative correlations between baseline prefrontal glutamate levels and regional [18F]FDG SUVs in mGluR5 KO mice (p < 0.05), but no such correlations in WT mice. Fisher’s Z-transformation analysis revealed significant between-group differences in these correlations (p < 0.05). Conclusions This is the first multimodal neuroimaging study in mGluR5 KO mice and the first report on the association between cerebral glucose metabolism and glutamate levels in living rodents. The results indicate that mGluR5 KO mice respond to NMDA antagonism with reduced cerebral glucose metabolism, suggesting that mGluR5 transmission normally moderates the net effects of NMDA receptor antagonism on neuronal activity. The negative correlation between glutamate levels and glucose metabolism in mGluR5 KO mice at baseline may suggest an unmasking of an inhibitory component of the glutamatergic regulation of neuronal energy metabolism.

scholarly journals Mirror neurons are modulated by grip force and reward expectation in the sensorimotor cortices (S1, M1, PMd, PMv)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Moin Uddin Atique ◽  
Joseph Thachil Francis
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Grip Force ◽  
Neural Representation ◽  
Virtual Object ◽  
Time Lags ◽  
Subjective Value ◽  
Machine Interface ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractMirror Neurons (MNs) respond similarly when primates make or observe grasping movements. Recent work indicates that reward expectation influences rostral M1 (rM1) during manual, observational, and Brain Machine Interface (BMI) reaching movements. Previous work showed MNs are modulated by subjective value. Here we expand on the above work utilizing two non-human primates (NHPs), one male Macaca Radiata (NHP S) and one female Macaca Mulatta (NHP P), that were trained to perform a cued reward level isometric grip-force task, where the NHPs had to apply visually cued grip-force to move and transport a virtual object. We found a population of (S1 area 1–2, rM1, PMd, PMv) units that significantly represented grip-force during manual and observational trials. We found the neural representation of visually cued force was similar during observational trials and manual trials for the same units; however, the representation was weaker during observational trials. Comparing changes in neural time lags between manual and observational tasks indicated that a subpopulation fit the standard MN definition of observational neural activity lagging the visual information. Neural activity in (S1 areas 1–2, rM1, PMd, PMv) significantly represented force and reward expectation. In summary, we present results indicating that sensorimotor cortices have MNs for visually cued force and value.

Visuospatial processing in early Alzheimer’s disease: A multimodal neuroimaging study

Cortex ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 394-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi I.L. Jacobs ◽  
Ed H.B.M. Gronenschild ◽  
Elisabeth A.T. Evers ◽  
Inez H.G.B. Ramakers ◽  
Paul A.M. Hofman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Multimodal Neuroimaging ◽  
Visuospatial Processing ◽  
Neuroimaging Study ◽  
Early Alzheimer’S Disease

scholarly journals Understanding the neural basis of episodic amnesia in logopenic progressive aphasia: A multimodal neuroimaging study

Cortex ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 272-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siddharth Ramanan ◽  
Lars Marstaller ◽  
John R. Hodges ◽  
Olivier Piguet ◽  
Muireann Irish
Keyword(s):  
Neural Basis ◽  
Multimodal Neuroimaging ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Neuroimaging Study

scholarly journals The visual white matter connecting human area prostriata and the thalamus is retinotopically organized

2020 ◽  
Vol 225 (6) ◽  
pp. 1839-1853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan W. Kurzawski ◽  
Kyriaki Mikellidou ◽  
Maria Concetta Morrone ◽  
Franco Pestilli
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Visual Field ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Peripheral Visual Field ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Central Visual Field ◽  
Field Representation ◽  
Computing Platform ◽  
Human Connectome Project ◽  
Plane Extraction

Abstract The human visual system is capable of processing visual information from fovea to the far peripheral visual field. Recent fMRI studies have shown a full and detailed retinotopic map in area prostriata, located ventro-dorsally and anterior to the calcarine sulcus along the parieto-occipital sulcus with strong preference for peripheral and wide-field stimulation. Here, we report the anatomical pattern of white matter connections between area prostriata and the thalamus encompassing the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). To this end, we developed and utilized an automated pipeline comprising a series of Apps that run openly on the cloud computing platform brainlife.io to analyse 139 subjects of the Human Connectome Project (HCP). We observe a continuous and extended bundle of white matter fibers from which two subcomponents can be extracted: one passing ventrally parallel to the optic radiations (OR) and another passing dorsally circumventing the lateral ventricle. Interestingly, the loop travelling dorsally connects the thalamus with the central visual field representation of prostriata located anteriorly, while the other loop travelling more ventrally connects the LGN with the more peripheral visual field representation located posteriorly. We then analyse an additional cohort of 10 HCP subjects using a manual plane extraction method outside brainlife.io to study the relationship between the two extracted white matter subcomponents and eccentricity, myelin and cortical thickness gradients within prostriata. Our results are consistent with a retinotopic segregation recently demonstrated in the OR, connecting the LGN and V1 in humans and reveal for the first time a retinotopic segregation regarding the trajectory of a fiber bundle between the thalamus and an associative visual area.

scholarly journals Blindsight and Unconscious Vision: What They Teach Us about the Human Visual System

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 529-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Ajina ◽  
Holly Bridge
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Visual System ◽  
Primary Visual Cortex ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Human Visual System ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
The World ◽  
The Brain

Damage to the primary visual cortex removes the major input from the eyes to the brain, causing significant visual loss as patients are unable to perceive the side of the world contralateral to the damage. Some patients, however, retain the ability to detect visual information within this blind region; this is known as blindsight. By studying the visual pathways that underlie this residual vision in patients, we can uncover additional aspects of the human visual system that likely contribute to normal visual function but cannot be revealed under physiological conditions. In this review, we discuss the residual abilities and neural activity that have been described in blindsight and the implications of these findings for understanding the intact system.

scholarly journals Spatial Attention Evokes Similar Activation Patterns for Visual and Auditory Stimuli

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
David V. Smith ◽  
Ben Davis ◽  
Kathy Niu ◽  
Eric W. Healy ◽  
Leonardo Bonilha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Attention ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Auditory Stimuli ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Central Target ◽  
Neuroimaging Study ◽  
Auditory Tasks ◽  
Selection Of

Neuroimaging studies suggest that a fronto-parietal network is activated when we expect visual information to appear at a specific spatial location. Here we examined whether a similar network is involved for auditory stimuli. We used sparse fMRI to infer brain activation while participants performed analogous visual and auditory tasks. On some trials, participants were asked to discriminate the elevation of a peripheral target. On other trials, participants made a nonspatial judgment. We contrasted trials where the participants expected a peripheral spatial target to those where they were cued to expect a central target. Crucially, our statistical analyses were based on trials where stimuli were anticipated but not presented, allowing us to directly infer perceptual orienting independent of perceptual processing. This is the first neuroimaging study to use an orthogonal-cuing paradigm (with cues predicting azimuth and responses involving elevation discrimination). This aspect of our paradigm is important, as behavioral cueing effects in audition are classically only observed when participants are asked to make spatial judgments. We observed similar fronto-parietal activation for both vision and audition. In a second experiment that controlled for stimulus properties and task difficulty, participants made spatial and temporal discriminations about musical instruments. We found that the pattern of brain activation for spatial selection of auditory stimuli was remarkably similar to what we found in our first experiment. Collectively, these results suggest that the neural mechanisms supporting spatial attention are largely similar across both visual and auditory modalities.

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