scholarly journals Acupuncture Treatment Compensated the Altered Functional Connectivity in the Pain Modulation System on Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Hao Tu ◽  
Yu-Chen Lee ◽  
Ying-Yu Chen ◽  
Chun-Ming Chen ◽  
Wen-Chi Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Menstrual Pain ◽  
Acupuncture Intervention ◽  
Descending Pain Modulation

Abstract BackgroundPrimary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is the most commonly encountered gynecological problem in reproductive-age women. We previously reported altered functional connectivity between periaqueductal gray matter and other pain-related brain regions in women with PDM, indicating a maladaptation in the descending pain modulation system. Clinically, acupuncture has been suggested as an effective treatment of PDM. Previous animal studies revealed that acupuncture on specific acupoint can produced analgesic effect via descending pain modulation system. In the present study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate possible changes in descending pain modulation after acupuncture treatment in women with PDM. MethodsThirty-four right-handed adult women with PDM participated in this randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled study. Each patient was randomly allocated to an 8-week verum or sham acupuncture intervention on the bilateral acupoint Sanyinjiao (SP6). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted before, during, and after the intervention session to measure the spontaneous activity in brain. The functional connectivity maps between periaqueductal gray matter and other pain-related brain regions were generated to reveal the status of descending pain modulation systems.ResultsAfter 8 weeks, both groups reported decreased menstrual pain. However, the patterns of functional connectivity changes in descending pain modulation system were different after the verum or sham intervention. The effect of the verum acupuncture intervention may be underpinned by compensatory and/or resilience changes in descending pain modulation systems, whereas that of the sham acupuncture intervention may be underpinned by cognitive reappraisal of painConclusionsThe dissimilar pattern of the FC alterations after the verum and sham acupuncture indicating that different brain mechanisms may be responsible for the menstrual pain relief in verum or sham acupuncture intervention. These results may contribute to the discussion of whether acupuncture treatment induces therapeutic physiological alterations or its benefit is attributable to the placebo effect.

scholarly journals The association between pain-induced autonomic reactivity and descending pain control is mediated by the periaqueductal grey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Makovac ◽  
Alessandra Venezia ◽  
David Hohenschurz-Schmidt ◽  
Ottavia Dipasquale ◽  
Jade B Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Autonomic Reactivity ◽  
Pain Mechanisms ◽  
Cold Pain ◽  
Periaqueductal Grey ◽  
Descending Pain Modulation

AbstractThere is a strict interaction between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and pain, which might involve descending pain modulatory mechanisms. The periaqueductal grey (PAG) is involved both in descending pain modulation and ANS, but its role in mediating this relationship has not yet been explored.Here, we sought to determine brain regions mediating ANS and descending pain control associations. 30 participants underwent Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) assessments, in which they rated painful pressure stimuli applied to their thumbnail, either alone or with a painful cold contralateral stimulation. Differences in pain ratings between ‘pressure-only’ and ‘pressure+cold’ stimuli provided a measure of descending pain control. In 18 of the 30 participants, structural scans and two functional MRI assessments, one pain-free and one during cold-pain, were acquired. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was simultaneously recorded.Low frequency HRV (LF-HRV) and the CPM score were negatively correlated; individuals with higher LF-HRV during pain reported reductions in pain during CPM. PAG-frontal medial cortex (FMC) and PAG-rostral ventro-medial medulla (RVM) functional connectivity correlated negatively with the CPM. Importantly, PAG-FMC functional connectivity mediated the strength of HRV-CPM association. CPM response magnitude was also negatively associated with PAG and positively associated with FMC grey matter volumes.Our multi-modal approach, using behavioral, physiological and MRI measures, provides important new evidence of interactions between ANS and descending pain mechanisms. ANS dysregulation and dysfunctional descending pain modulation are characteristics of chronic pain. We suggest that further investigation of body-brain interactions in chronic pain patients may catalyse the development of new treatments.

scholarly journals Functional Connectivity of Nucleus Accumbens and Medial Prefrontal Cortex With Other Brain Regions During Early-Abstinence Is Associated With Alcohol Dependence and Relapse: A Resting-Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Yang ◽  
Ya-jing Meng ◽  
Yu-jie Tao ◽  
Ren-hao Deng ◽  
Hui-yao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Anterior Cortex ◽  
The Right

Background: Alcohol dependence (AD) is a chronic recurrent brain disease that causes a heavy disease burden worldwide, partly due to high relapse rates after detoxification. Verified biomarkers are not available for AD and its relapse, although the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) may play important roles in the mechanism of addiction. This study investigated AD- and relapse-associated functional connectivity (FC) of the NAc and mPFC with other brain regions during early abstinence.Methods: Sixty-eight hospitalized early-abstinence AD male patients and 68 age- and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-functional magnetic resonance imaging (r-fMRI). Using the NAc and mPFC as seeds, we calculated changes in FC between the seeds and other brain regions. Over a follow-up period of 6 months, patients were measured with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) scale to identify relapse outcomes (AUDIT ≥ 8).Results: Thirty-five (52.24%) of the AD patients relapsed during the follow-up period. AD displayed lower FC of the left fusiform, bilateral temporal superior and right postcentral regions with the NAc and lower FC of the right temporal inferior, bilateral temporal superior, and left cingulate anterior regions with the mPFC compared to controls. Among these FC changes, lower FC between the NAc and left fusiform, lower FC between the mPFC and left cingulate anterior cortex, and smoking status were independently associated with AD. Subjects in relapse exhibited lower FC of the right cingulate anterior cortex with NAc and of the left calcarine sulcus with mPFC compared to non-relapsed subjects; both of these reductions in FC independently predicted relapse. Additionally, FC between the mPFC and right frontal superior gyrus, as well as years of education, independently predicted relapse severity.Conclusion: This study found that values of FC between selected seeds (i.e., the NAc and the mPFC) and some other reward- and/or impulse-control-related brain regions were associated with AD and relapse; these FC values could be potential biomarkers of AD or for prediction of relapse. These findings may help to guide further research on the neurobiology of AD and other addictive disorders.

scholarly journals Altered Functional Connectivity within and between Brain Modules in Absence Epilepsy: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui-Ping Xu ◽  
Shou-Wen Zhang ◽  
Tie Fang ◽  
Ma Manxiu ◽  
Qian Chencan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Absence Epilepsy ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Superior Frontal Gyrus

Functional connectivity has been correlated with a patient’s level of consciousness and has been found to be altered in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Absence epilepsy patients, who experience a loss of consciousness, are assumed to suffer from alterations in thalamocortical networks; however, previous studies have not explored the changes at a functional module level. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the alteration in functional connectivity that occurs in absence epilepsy patients. By parcellating the brain into 90 brain regions/nodes, we uncovered an altered functional connectivity within and between functional modules. Some brain regions had a greater number of altered connections and therefore behaved as key nodes in the changed network pattern; these regions included the superior frontal gyrus, the amygdala, and the putamen. In particular, the superior frontal gyrus demonstrated both an increased value of connections with other nodes of the frontal default mode network and a decreased value of connections with the limbic system. This divergence is positively correlated with epilepsy duration. These findings provide a new perspective and shed light on how functional connectivity and the balance of within/between module connections may contribute to both the state of consciousness and the development of absence epilepsy.

scholarly journals The Precuneus Contributes to Embodied Scene Construction for Singing in an Opera

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoji Tanaka ◽  
Eiji Kirino
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Reward Processing ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Multimodal Information ◽  
Opera Singers

Performing an opera requires singers on stage to process mental imagery and theory of mind tasks in conjunction with singing and action control. Although it is conceivable that the precuneus, as a posterior hub of the default mode network, plays an important role in opera performance, how the precuneus contributes to opera performance has not been elucidated yet. In this study, we aimed to investigate the contribution of the precuneus to singing in an opera. Since the precuneus processes mental scenes, which are multimodal and integrative, we hypothesized that it is involved in opera performance by integrating multimodal information required for performing a character in an opera. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing the functional connectivity of the precuneus during imagined singing and rest. This study included 42 opera singers who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging when performing “imagined operatic singing” with their eyes closed. During imagined singing, the precuneus showed increased functional connectivity with brain regions related to language, mirror neuron, socio-cognitive/emotional, and reward processing. Our findings suggest that, with the aid of its widespread connectivity, the precuneus and its network allow embodiment and multimodal integration of mental scenes. This information processing is necessary for imagined singing as well as performing an opera. We propose a novel role of the precuneus in opera performance.

scholarly journals Altered Functional Connectivity of the Primary Visual Cortex in Subjects with Amblyopia

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Ding ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
Xiaohe Yan ◽  
Xiaoming Lin ◽  
Tianzi Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Visual Area ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Blurred Vision ◽  
Visual Areas ◽  
Connectivity Patterns ◽  
The Brain

Amblyopia, which usually occurs during early childhood and results in poor or blurred vision, is a disorder of the visual system that is characterized by a deficiency in an otherwise physically normal eye or by a deficiency that is out of proportion with the structural or functional abnormalities of the eye. Our previous study demonstrated alterations in the spontaneous activity patterns of some brain regions in individuals with anisometropic amblyopia compared to subjects with normal vision. To date, it remains unknown whether patients with amblyopia show characteristic alterations in the functional connectivity patterns in the visual areas of the brain, particularly the primary visual area. In the present study, we investigated the differences in the functional connectivity of the primary visual area between individuals with amblyopia and normal-sighted subjects using resting functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our findings demonstrated that the cerebellum and the inferior parietal lobule showed altered functional connectivity with the primary visual area in individuals with amblyopia, and this finding provides further evidence for the disruption of the dorsal visual pathway in amblyopic subjects.

scholarly journals Twitches, Blinks, and Fidgets: Important Generators of Ongoing Neural Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 298-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Drew ◽  
Aaron T. Winder ◽  
Qingguang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Motor Actions ◽  
The Brain

Animals and humans continuously engage in small, spontaneous motor actions, such as blinking, whisking, and postural adjustments (“fidgeting”). These movements are accompanied by changes in neural activity in sensory and motor regions of the brain. The frequency of these motions varies in time, is affected by sensory stimuli, arousal levels, and pathology. These fidgeting behaviors can be entrained by sensory stimuli. Fidgeting behaviors will cause distributed, bilateral functional activation in the 0.01 to 0.1 Hz frequency range that will show up in functional magnetic resonance imaging and wide-field calcium neuroimaging studies, and will contribute to the observed functional connectivity among brain regions. However, despite the large potential of these behaviors to drive brain-wide activity, these fidget-like behaviors are rarely monitored. We argue that studies of spontaneous and evoked brain dynamics in awake animals and humans should closely monitor these fidgeting behaviors. Differences in these fidgeting behaviors due to arousal or pathology will “contaminate” ongoing neural activity, and lead to apparent differences in functional connectivity. Monitoring and accounting for the brain-wide activations by these behaviors is essential during experiments to differentiate fidget-driven activity from internally driven neural dynamics.

scholarly journals Neural substrates of propranolol-induced impairments in the reconsolidation of nicotine-associated memories in smokers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Lin ◽  
Jiahui Deng ◽  
Kai Yuan ◽  
Qiandong Wang ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Neural Substrates ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Reward Processing ◽  
Memory Reconsolidation ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Postcentral Gyrus ◽  
Propranolol Group ◽  
Propranolol Administration

AbstractThe majority of smokers relapse even after successfully quitting because of the craving to smoking after unexpectedly re-exposed to smoking-related cues. This conditioned craving is mediated by reward memories that are frequently experienced and stubbornly resistant to treatment. Reconsolidation theory posits that well-consolidated memories are destabilized after retrieval, and this process renders memories labile and vulnerable to amnestic intervention. This study tests the retrieval reconsolidation procedure to decrease nicotine craving among people who smoke. In this study, 52 male smokers received a single dose of propranolol (n = 27) or placebo (n = 25) before the reactivation of nicotine-associated memories to impair the reconsolidation process. Craving for smoking and neural activity in response to smoking-related cues served as primary outcomes. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed during the memory reconsolidation process. The disruption of reconsolidation by propranolol decreased craving for smoking. Reactivity of the postcentral gyrus in response to smoking-related cues also decreased in the propranolol group after the reconsolidation manipulation. Functional connectivity between the hippocampus and striatum was higher during memory reconsolidation in the propranolol group. Furthermore, the increase in coupling between the hippocampus and striatum positively correlated with the decrease in craving after the reconsolidation manipulation in the propranolol group. Propranolol administration before memory reactivation disrupted the reconsolidation of smoking-related memories in smokers by mediating brain regions that are involved in memory and reward processing. These findings demonstrate the noradrenergic regulation of memory reconsolidation in humans and suggest that adjunct propranolol administration can facilitate the treatment of nicotine dependence. The present study was pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (registration no. ChiCTR1900024412).

scholarly journals Cerebral functional networks during sleep in young and older individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Véronique Daneault ◽  
Pierre Orban ◽  
Nicolas Martin ◽  
Christian Dansereau ◽  
Jonathan Godbout ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Sleep Stages ◽  
Functional Networks ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Light Sleep

AbstractEven though sleep modification is a hallmark of the aging process, age-related changes in functional connectivity using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) during sleep, remain unknown. Here, we combined electroencephalography and fMRI to examine functional connectivity differences between wakefulness and light sleep stages (N1 and N2 stages) in 16 young (23.1 ± 3.3y; 7 women), and 14 older individuals (59.6 ± 5.7y; 8 women). Results revealed extended, distributed (inter-between) and local (intra-within) decreases in network connectivity during sleep both in young and older individuals. However, compared to the young participants, older individuals showed lower decreases in connectivity or even increases in connectivity between thalamus/basal ganglia and several cerebral regions as well as between frontal regions of various networks. These findings reflect a reduced ability of the older brain to disconnect during sleep that may impede optimal disengagement for loss of responsiveness, enhanced lighter and fragmented sleep, and contribute to age effects on sleep-dependent brain plasticity.

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