Ontogenetic Shifts in Brain Organization in the Bluespotted Stingray Neotrygon kuhlii (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Lisney ◽  
Kara E. Yopak ◽  
Victoria Camilieri-Asch ◽  
Shaun P. Collin
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Brain Growth ◽  
Olfactory Bulbs ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Brain Organization ◽  
Ontogenetic Shifts ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

Fishes exhibit lifelong neurogenesis and continual brain growth. One consequence of this continual growth is that the nervous system has the potential to respond with enhanced plasticity to changes in ecological conditions that occur during ontogeny. The life histories of many teleost fishes are composed of a series of distinct stages that are characterized by shifts in diet, habitat, and behavior. In many cases, these shifts correlate with changes in overall brain growth and brain organization, possibly reflecting the relative importance of different senses and locomotor performance imposed by the new ecological niches they encounter throughout life. Chondrichthyan (cartilaginous) fishes also undergo ontogenetic shifts in habitat, movement patterns, diet, and behavior, but very little is known about any corresponding shifts in the size and organization of their brains. Here, we investigated postparturition ontogenetic changes in brain-body size scaling, the allometric scaling of seven major brain areas (olfactory bulbs, telencephalon, diencephalon, optic tectum, tegmentum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata) relative to the rest of the brain, and cerebellar foliation in a chondrichthyan, i.e., the bluespotted stingray Neotrygon kuhlii. We also investigated the unusual morphological asymmetry of the cerebellum in this and other batoids. As in teleosts, the brain continues to grow throughout life, with a period of rapid initial growth relative to body size, before slowing considerably at the onset of sexual maturity. The olfactory bulbs and the cerebellum scale with positive allometry relative to the rest of the brain, whereas the other five brain areas scale with varying degrees of negative allometry. None of the major brain areas showed the stage-specific differences in rates of growth often found in teleosts. Cerebellar foliation also increases at a faster rate than overall brain growth. We speculate that changes in the olfactory bulbs and cerebellum could reflect increased olfactory and locomotor capabilities, which may be associated with ontogenetic shifts in diet, habitat use, and activity patterns, as well as shifts in behavior that occur with the onset of sexual maturity. The frequency distributions of the three cerebellar morphologies exhibited in this species best fit a 2:1:1 (right-sided:left-sided:intermediate) distribution, mirroring previous findings for another stingray species.

Ontogenetic shifts and sexual dimorphism in the brain organization of the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ioannis Roussos ◽  
Persefoni Megalofonou
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Medulla Oblongata ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Brain Growth ◽  
Olfactory Bulbs ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Brain Organization ◽  
Positive Allometry ◽  
Scyliorhinus Canicula ◽  
The Brain

Abstract In this study, we investigated ontogenetic and sexual changes of the brain scaling as well as the scaling and the relative size of six major brain areas in the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula from the Mediterranean Sea. The brain somatic index (0.31–1.25%) did not differ significantly between sexes but was significantly affected by size with smaller specimens exhibiting higher values. Brain growth exhibited negative allometry (allometric coefficient 0.634), not affected by sex or maturity status. The brain growth rate was found to be higher compared with a previous study from the Atlantic Ocean. Regarding the scaling of the brain areas, the olfactory bulbs scaled with positive allometry, the telencephalon and the diencephalon scaled with the same rate of negative allometry, the mesencephalon exhibited even higher negative allometry, while the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata both followed a close-to-isometric growth pattern. Immature S. canicula possessed a larger mesencephalon and diencephalon, highlighting the importance of vision in this life period, while mature specimens had enlarged olfactory bulbs, indicating that olfaction may be more important after the animal attains sexual maturity. In respect of sexual dimorphism, males had a larger cerebellum and medulla oblongata, while females had enlarged telencephalon and olfactory bulbs.

Ontogenetic Shifts in Brain Size and Brain Organization of the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 162-180
Author(s):  
Krista V. Laforest ◽  
Emily E. Peele ◽  
Kara E. Yopak
Keyword(s):  
Medulla Oblongata ◽  
Optic Tectum ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Olfactory Bulbs ◽  
Ontogenetic Shifts ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Throughout an animal’s life, species may occupy different environments and exhibit distinct life stages, known as ontogenetic shifts. The life histories of most sharks (class: Chondrichthyes) are characterized by these ontogenetic shifts, which can be defined by changes in habitat and diet as well as behavioral changes at the onset of sexual maturity. In addition, fishes experience indeterminate growth, whereby the brain and body grow throughout the organism’s life. Despite a presupposed lifelong neurogenesis in sharks, very little work has been done on ontogenetic changes in the brain, which may be informative about functional shifts in sensory and behavioral specializations. This study quantified changes in brain-body scaling and the scaling of six major brain regions (olfactory bulbs, telencephalon, diencephalon, optic tectum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata) throughout ontogeny in the Atlantic sharpnose shark, <i>Rhizoprio­nodon terraenovae</i>. As documented in other fishes, brain size increased significantly with body mass throughout ontogeny in this species, with the steepest period of growth in early life. The telencephalon, diencephalon, optic tectum, and medulla oblongata scaled with negative allometry against the rest of the brain throughout ontogeny. However, notably, the olfactory bulbs and cerebellum scaled hyperallometrically to the rest of the brain, whereby these structures enlarged disproportionately as this species matured. Changes in the relative size of the olfactory bulbs throughout ontogeny may reflect an increased reliance on olfaction at later life history stages in <i>R. terraenovae</i>, while changes in the relative size of the cerebellum throughout ontogeny may be indicative of the ability to capture faster prey or an increase in migratory nature as this species moves to offshore habitats, associated with the onset of sexual maturity.

NEUROBIOLOGICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF LANGUAGE IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 128-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge-Marie Eigsti ◽  
Jillian M. Schuh
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Brain Organization ◽  
Communicative Skills ◽  
Complex Cognitive Task ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

As a neurodevelopmental disorder, autism is characterized by impairments and differences at the levels of both brain and behavior. Communicative impairments in autism are a core feature of the disorder, and a rapidly expanding literature is exploring language in autism using the tools of cognitive neuroscience, particularly electroencephalography and brain imaging. Recent research indicates consistent differences in the degree to which language-specific processes are lateralized in the brain, and it also suggests that language impairments are linked to differences in brain structure that may lead to inefficient coordination of activity between different neural assemblies to achieve a complex cognitive task, defined as functional connectivity. We review findings from current work and suggest that neurobiological data are critical in our ability to understand the mechanisms underlying behavioral differences in communicative skills. Going beyond simple dichotomies between delayed versus deviant development, we can use such data to ask whether behavior reflects processes that are merely inefficient or, instead, whether impairments at the behavioral level reflect fundamental differences in brain organization and the networks involved in various tasks.

A Reconsideration of Aspects of Growth, Reproduction, and Behavior of the White Whale (Delphinapterus leucas), with Reference to the Cumberland Sound, Baffin Island, Population

1971 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1309-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Brodie
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Delphinapterus Leucas ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Baffin Island ◽  
White Whale ◽  
Cumberland Sound ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Commercial Hunting

The beluga or white whale, Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas), was studied in Cumberland Sound, Baffin Island. Layering in teeth and mandibles plus body size were used to determine age. Sexual maturity is attained at 5 years for females and at 8 years for males, with potential life span estimated to be 30 years. Whitening of the skin begins after 6 years.Multiple ovulations and accessory corpora lutea are typical of beluga. The breeding season is in May, and after 14.5 months gestation single births occur in late July or early August. Lactation lasts about 2 years, resulting in a 3-year reproductive cycle. Tooth eruption begins late in the 2nd year with partial eruption by the 3rd. This population appears to have been overexploited by commercial hunting. Productivity estimates for this species are 43% of those implied in previous studies.

scholarly journals Brain Plasticity and Behavior

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Kolb ◽  
Robbin Gibb ◽  
Terry E. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Recovery Of Function ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
Abnormal Behavior ◽  
Brain Organization ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Brain Circuitry ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

Although the brain was once seen as a rather static organ, it is now clear that the organization of brain circuitry is constantly changing as a function of experience. These changes are referred to as brain plasticity, and they are associated with functional changes that include phenomena such as memory, addiction, and recovery of function. Recent research has shown that brain plasticity and behavior can be influenced by a myriad of factors, including both pre- and postnatal experience, drugs, hormones, maturation, aging, diet, disease, and stress. Understanding how these factors influence brain organization and function is important not only for understanding both normal and abnormal behavior, but also for designing treatments for behavioral and psychological disorders ranging from addiction to stroke.

Review of Self-regulation of the Brain and Behavior.

1985 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 999-999
Author(s):  
Gerald S. Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Self Regulation ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

Aetiologies and anatomy of confabulation

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armin Schnider
Keyword(s):  
Brain Damage ◽  
Limbic Encephalitis ◽  
Artery Aneurysm ◽  
Anterior Communicating Artery ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Anatomical Basis ◽  
Korsakoff Syndrome ◽  
Hypoxic Brain ◽  
Degenerative Dementia ◽  
The Brain

What diseases cause confabulations and which are the brain areas whose damage is responsible? This chapter reviews the causes, both historic and present, of confabulations and deduces the anatomo-clinical relationships for the four forms of confabulation in the following disorders: alcoholic Korsakoff syndrome, traumatic brain injury, rupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm, posterior circulation stroke, herpes and limbic encephalitis, hypoxic brain damage, degenerative dementia, tumours, schizophrenia, and syphilis. Overall, clinically relevant confabulation is rare. Some aetiologies have become more important over time, others have virtually disappeared. While confabulations seem to be more frequent after anterior brain damage, only one form has a distinct anatomical basis.

Individual Uniqueness in the Neonatal Functional Connectome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiushi Wang ◽  
Yuehua Xu ◽  
Tengda Zhao ◽  
Zhilei Xu ◽  
Yong He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Functional Connectome ◽  
Middle Range ◽  
Human Connectome Project ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Identification Analysis ◽  
The Brain

Abstract The functional connectome is highly distinctive in adults and adolescents, underlying individual differences in cognition and behavior. However, it remains unknown whether the individual uniqueness of the functional connectome is present in neonates, who are far from mature. Here, we utilized the multiband resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 40 healthy neonates from the Developing Human Connectome Project and a split-half analysis approach to characterize the uniqueness of the functional connectome in the neonatal brain. Through functional connectome-based individual identification analysis, we found that all the neonates were correctly identified, with the most discriminative regions predominantly confined to the higher-order cortices (e.g., prefrontal and parietal regions). The connectivities with the highest contributions to individual uniqueness were primarily located between different functional systems, and the short- (0–30 mm) and middle-range (30–60 mm) connectivities were more distinctive than the long-range (&gt;60 mm) connectivities. Interestingly, we found that functional data with a scanning length longer than 3.5 min were able to capture the individual uniqueness in the functional connectome. Our results highlight that individual uniqueness is present in the functional connectome of neonates and provide insights into the brain mechanisms underlying individual differences in cognition and behavior later in life.

scholarly journals Crosstalk between Existential Phenomenological Psychotherapy and Neurological Sciences in Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 340
Author(s):  
Lehel Balogh ◽  
Masaru Tanaka ◽  
Nóra Török ◽  
László Vécsei ◽  
Shigeru Taguchi
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Neurological Damage ◽  
Mood And Anxiety Disorders ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Psychotherapy is a comprehensive biological treatment modifying complex underlying cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and regulatory responses in the brain, leading patients with mental illness to a new interpretation of the sense of self and others. Psychotherapy is an art of science integrated with psychology and/or philosophy. Neurological sciences study the neurological basis of cognition, memory, and behavior as well as the impact of neurological damage and disease on these functions, and their treatment. Both psychotherapy and neurological sciences deal with the brain; nevertheless, they continue to stay polarized. Existential phenomenological psychotherapy (EPP) has been in the forefront of meaning-centered counseling for almost a century. The phenomenological approach in psychotherapy originated in the works of Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Binswanger, Medard Boss, and Viktor Frankl, and it has been committed to accounting for the existential possibilities and limitations of one’s life. EPP provides philosophically rich interpretations and empowers counseling techniques to assist mentally suffering individuals by finding meaning and purpose to life. The approach has proven to be effective in treating mood and anxiety disorders. This narrative review article demonstrates the development of EPP, the therapeutic methodology, evidence-based accounts of its curative techniques, current understanding of mood and anxiety disorders in neurological sciences, and a possible converging path to translate and integrate meaning-centered psychotherapy and neuroscience, concluding that the EPP may potentially play a synergistic role with the currently prevailing medication-based approaches for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.

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