Brain activity, regional gray matter loss, and decision-making in multiple sclerosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1163-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Weygandt ◽  
Katharina Wakonig ◽  
Janina Behrens ◽  
Lil Meyer-Arndt ◽  
Eveline Söder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Iowa Gambling Task ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Morphometry Analysis ◽  
Tightly Coupled ◽  
Gray Matter Loss ◽  
Choice Period

Background: Decision-making (DM) abilities deteriorate with multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression which impairs everyday life and is thus clinically important. Objective: To investigate the underlying neurocognitive processes and their relation to regional gray matter (GM) loss induced by MS. Methods: We used a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Iowa Gambling Task to measure DM-related brain activity in 36 MS patients and 21 healthy controls (HC). From this activity, we determined neural parameters of two cognitive stages, a deliberation (“choice”) period preceding a choice and a post-choice (“feedback”) stage reporting decision outcomes. These measures were related to DM separately in intact and damaged GM areas as determined by a voxel-based morphometry analysis. Results: Severely affected patients (with high lesion burden) showed worse DM-learning than HC ( t = −1.75, p = 0.045), moderately affected (low lesion burden) did not. Activity in the choice stage in intact insular ( t = 4.60, pFamily-Wise Error [FWE] corrected = 0.034), anterior cingulate ( t = 4.50, pFWE = 0.044), and dorsolateral prefrontal areas ( t = 4.43, pFWE = 0.049) and in insular areas with GM loss ( t = 3.78, pFWE = 0.011) was positively linked to DM performance across patients with severe tissue damage and HC. Furthermore, activity in intact orbitofrontal areas was positively linked to DM-learning during the feedback stage across these participants ( t = 4.49, pFWE = 0.032). During none of the stages, moderately affected patients showed higher activity than HC, which might have indicated preserved DM due to compensatory activity. Conclusion: We identified dysregulated activity linked to impairment in specific cognitive stages of reward-related DM. The link of brain activity and impaired DM in areas with MS-induced GM loss suggests that this deficit might be tightly coupled to MS neuropathology.

Impaired decision-making and brain shrinkage in alcoholism

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.-P. Le Berre ◽  
G. Rauchs ◽  
R. La Joie ◽  
F. Mézenge ◽  
C. Boudehent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Iowa Gambling Task ◽  
Hippocampal Formation ◽  
Gray Matter Volume ◽  
Cognitive Networks ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Alcohol Dependent

AbstractAlcohol-dependent individuals usually favor instant gratification of alcohol use and ignore its long-term negative consequences, reflecting impaired decision-making. According to the somatic marker hypothesis, decision-making abilities are subtended by an extended brain network. As chronic alcohol consumption is known to be associated with brain shrinkage in this network, the present study investigated relationships between brain shrinkage and decision-making impairments in alcohol-dependent individuals early in abstinence using voxel-based morphometry. Thirty patients performed the Iowa Gambling Task and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging investigation (1.5T). Decision-making performances and brain data were compared with those of age-matched healthy controls. In the alcoholic group, a multiple regression analysis was conducted with two predictors (gray matter [GM] volume and decision-making measure) and two covariates (number of withdrawals and duration of alcoholism). Compared with controls, alcoholics had impaired decision-making and widespread reduced gray matter volume, especially in regions involved in decision-making. The regression analysis revealed links between high GM volume in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and right hippocampal formation, and high decision-making scores (P < 0.001, uncorrected). Decision-making deficits in alcoholism may result from impairment of both emotional and cognitive networks.

scholarly journals Evidence for Acquired Pregenual Anterior Cingulate Gray Matter Loss from a Twin Study of Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 550-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyoto Kasai ◽  
Hidenori Yamasue ◽  
Mark W. Gilbertson ◽  
Martha E. Shenton ◽  
Scott L. Rauch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Twin Study ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Gray Matter Loss

Computational basis of decision-making impairment in multiple sclerosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110593
Author(s):  
Rodrigo S Fernández ◽  
Lucia Crivelli ◽  
María E Pedreira ◽  
Ricardo F Allegri ◽  
Jorge Correale
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Iowa Gambling Task ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
Hierarchical Bayesian Analysis ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Neurocognitive Impairments ◽  
Neurocognitive Evaluation ◽  
Computational Basis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly associated with decision-making, neurocognitive impairments, and mood and motivational symptoms. However, their relationship may be obscured by traditional scoring methods. Objectives: To study the computational basis underlying decision-making impairments in MS and their interaction with neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric measures. Methods: Twenty-nine MS patients and 26 matched control subjects completed a computer version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Participants underwent neurocognitive evaluation using an expanded version of the Brief Repeatable Battery. Hierarchical Bayesian Analysis was used to estimate three established computational models to compare parameters between groups. Results: Patients showed increased learning rate and reduced loss-aversion during decision-making relative to control subjects. These alterations were associated with: (1) reduced net gains in the IGT; (2) processing speed, executive functioning and memory impairments; and (3) higher levels of depression and current apathy. Conclusion: Decision-making deficits in MS patients could be described by the interplay between latent computational processes, neurocognitive impairments, and mood/motivational symptoms.

scholarly journals Roles of Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex and Anterior Cingulate in Subjective Valuation of Prospective Effort

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 4277-4290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick S Hogan ◽  
Joseph K Galaro ◽  
Vikram S Chib
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Effort Level ◽  
Perceived Effort ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Subjective Valuation

Abstract The perceived effort level of an action shapes everyday decisions. Despite the importance of these perceptions for decision-making, the behavioral and neural representations of the subjective cost of effort are not well understood. While a number of studies have implicated anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in decisions about effort/reward trade-offs, none have experimentally isolated effort valuation from reward and choice difficulty, a function that is commonly ascribed to this region. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to monitor brain activity while human participants engaged in uncertain choices for prospective physical effort. Our task was designed to examine effort-based decision-making in the absence of reward and separated from choice difficulty—allowing us to investigate the brain’s role in effort valuation, independent of these other factors. Participants exhibited subjectivity in their decision-making, displaying increased sensitivity to changes in subjective effort as objective effort levels increased. Analysis of blood-oxygenation-level dependent activity revealed that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) encoded the subjective valuation of prospective effort, and ACC activity was best described by choice difficulty. These results provide insight into the processes responsible for decision-making regarding effort, partly dissociating the roles of vmPFC and ACC in prospective valuation of effort and choice difficulty.

Emotion-Based Decision Making in schizophrenia: evidence from the Iowa Gambling Task

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcella Bellani ◽  
Luisa Tomelleri ◽  
Paolo Brambilla
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Iowa Gambling Task ◽  
Neural System ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Social Conduct ◽  
Contextual Stimuli

The decision making can be defined as the mental process in which a “choice is made after reflecting on the consequences of that choice” (Bechara & Van Der Linden, 2005; Bechara et al., 1997). It is a complex process that involves cognitive as well as emotion-based functions. In fact human beings make fast adaptive decisions in daily life, and that is based on the skill to relate emotion to contextual stimuli in order to anticipate outcomes through activation of emotional states (Bechara et al., 2005). In this regard, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) has been widely recognized to play a key role in the emotional decision making process. The VMPFC includes the medial part of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the more ventral sectors of the medial prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex (Bechara et al., 1997). In particular the OFC, within the VMPFC, is part of a neural system underpinning decision-making and reward-related behaviours which are thought to be linked to social conduct (Rolls, 2000).

scholarly journals Progressive decline of decision-making performances during multiple sclerosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
SAMANTA SIMIONI ◽  
CHRISTIANE RUFFIEUX ◽  
JOERG KLEEBERG ◽  
LAURE BRUGGIMANN ◽  
RENAUD A. DU PASQUIER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Iowa Gambling Task ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Perceived Health Status ◽  
Progressive Decline ◽  
Decision Making Capacity ◽  
Disability Status

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate longitudinally, using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the dynamics of decision-making capacity at a two-year interval (median: 2.1 years) in a group of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 70) and minor neurological disability [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 2.5 at baseline]. Cognition (memory, executive functions, attention), behavior, handicap, and perceived health status were also investigated. Standardized change scores [(score at retest-score at baseline)/standard deviation of baseline score] were computed. Results showed that IGT performances decreased from baseline to retest (from 0.3, SD = 0.4 to 0.1, SD = 0.3, p = .005). MS patients who worsened in the IGT were more likely to show a decreased perceived health status and emotional well-being (SEP-59; p = .05 for both). Relapsing rate, disability progression, cognitive, and behavioral changes were not associated with decreased IGT performances. In conclusion, decline in decision making can appear as an isolated deficit in MS. (JINS, 2009, 15, 291–295.)

scholarly journals Dissociable Roles of Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex and Anterior Cingulate in Subjective Valuation of Prospective Effort

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick S. Hogan ◽  
Joseph K. Galaro ◽  
Vikram S. Chib
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Effort Level ◽  
Perceived Effort ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Subjective Valuation

ABSTRACTThe perceived effort level of an action shapes everyday decisions. Despite the importance of these perceptions for decision-making, the behavioral and neural representations of the subjective cost of effort are not well understood. While a number of studies have implicated anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in decisions about effort/reward trade-offs, none have experimentally isolated effort valuation from reward and choice difficulty, a function that is commonly ascribed to this region. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor brain activity while human participants engaged in uncertain choices for prospective physical effort. Our task was designed to examine effort-based decision making in the absence of reward and separated from choice difficulty – allowing us to investigate the brain’s role in effort valuation, independent of these other factors. Participants exhibited subjectivity in their decision-making, displaying increased sensitivity to changes in subjective effort as objective effort levels increased. Analysis of blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) activity revealed that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) encoded the subjective valuation of prospective effort and ACC encoded choice difficulty. These results provide insight into the processes responsible for decision-making regarding effort, dissociating the roles of vmPFC and ACC in prospective valuation of effort and choice difficulty.

scholarly journals Lower neural value signaling in the prefrontal cortex is related to childhood family income and depressive symptomatology during adolescence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther E. Palacios-Barrios ◽  
Jamie L. Hanson ◽  
Kelly R. Barry ◽  
Dustin Albert ◽  
Stuart F. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Adolescent Depression ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Reward Learning ◽  
The Difference

AbstractLower family income during childhood is related to increased rates of adolescent depression, though the specific mechanisms are poorly understood. Evidence suggests that individuals with depression demonstrate hypoactivation in brain regions involved in reward learning and decision-making processes (e.g., portions of the prefrontal cortex). Separately, lower family income has been associated with neural alterations in similar regions. We examined associations between family income, depression, and brain activity during a reward learning and decision-making fMRI task in a sample of adolescents (full n=94; usable n=78; mean age=15.4 years). We identified neural regions representing 1) expected value (EV), the learned subjective value of an object, and 2) prediction error, the difference between EV and the actual outcome received. Regions of interest related to reward learning were examined in connection to childhood family income and parent-reported adolescent depressive symptoms. As hypothesized, lower activity in the subgenual anterior cingulate (sACC) for EV in response to approach stimuli was associated with lower childhood family income, as well as greater symptoms of depression measured one-year after the neuroimaging session. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that lower early family income leads to disruptions in reward and decision-making brain circuitry, which leads to adolescent depression.

scholarly journals Cholinergic circuit genes in the healthy brain are differentially expressed in regions that exhibit gray matter loss in Parkinson’s disease

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlin Keo ◽  
Oleh Dzyubachyk ◽  
Jeroen van der Grond ◽  
Anne Hafkemeijer ◽  
Wilma D.J. van de Berg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Gray Matter Volume ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Ras Signaling ◽  
Clinical Events ◽  
Gray Matter Loss

AbstractStructural covariance networks are able to identify functionally organized brain regions by gray matter volume covariance. In Parkinson’s disease, the posterior cingulate network and anterior cingulate network showed decreased gray matter and therefore we examined the underlying molecular processes of these anatomical networks in the healthy brain. Whole brain transcriptomics from post-mortem samples from healthy adults, revealed upregulation of genes associated with serotonin, GPCR, GABA, glutamate, and RAS signaling pathways in these PD-related regions. Our results also suggest involvement of the cholinergic circuit, in which genes NPPA, SOSTDC1, and TYRP1 may play a protective role. Furthermore, both networks were associated with memory and neuropsychiatric disorders that overlap with Parkinson’s disease symptoms. The identified genes and pathways contribute to healthy functions of the posterior and anterior cingulate networks and disruptions to these functions may in turn contribute to the pathological and clinical events observed in Parkinson’s disease.

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