scholarly journals Altered Connectivity of the Frontoparietal Network During Attention Processing in Prolactinomas

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenglong Cao ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Aobo Chen ◽  
Jinjiang Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Frontoparietal Network ◽  
The Right

Prolactinomas have been reported for the failure of cognitive functions. However, the electrophysiological mechanisms of attention processing in prolactinomas remain unclear. In a visual mission, we monitored the scalp electroencephalography (EEG) of the participants. Compared with the healthy controls (HCs), larger frontoparietal theta and alpha coherence were found in the patients, especially in the right-lateralized hemisphere, which indicated a deficit in attention processing. Moreover, the frontoparietal coherence was positively correlated with altered prolactin (PRL) levels, implying the significance of PRL for adaptive brain compensation in prolactinomas. Taken together, this research showed the variations in attention processing between the HCs and prolactinomas. The coherence between frontal and parietal regions may be one of the possible electrophysiological biomarkers for detecting deficient attention processing in prolactinomas.

CMR markers for early right ventricular dysfunction in precapillary pulmonary hypertension

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Vos ◽  
T Leiner ◽  
A.P.J Van Dijk ◽  
F.J Meijboom ◽  
G.T Sieswerda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Right Ventricle ◽  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Circumferential Strain ◽  
Peak Strain ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Free Wall ◽  
Global Circumferential Strain ◽  
The Right ◽  
Rv Function

Abstract Introduction Precapillary pulmonary hypertension (pPH) causes right ventricular (RV) pressure overload inducing RV remodeling, often resulting in dysfunction and dilatation, heart failure, and ultimately death. The ability of the right ventricle to adequately adapt to increased pressure loading is key for patients' prognosis. RV ejection fraction (RVEF) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is related to outcome in pPH patients, but this global measurement is not ideal for detecting early changes in RV function. Strain analysis on CMR using feature tracking (FT) software provides a more detailed assessment, and might therefore detect early changes in RV function. Aim 1) To compare RV strain parameters in pPH patients and healthy controls, and 2) to compare strain parameters in a subgroup of pPH patients with preserved RVEF (pRVEF) and healthy controls. Methods In this prospective study, a CMR was performed in pPH patients and healthy controls. Using FT-software on standard cine images, the following RV strain parameters were analyzed: global, septal, and free wall longitudinal strain (GLS, sept-LS, free wall-LS), time to peak strain (TTP, as a % of the whole cardiac cycle), the fractional area change (FAC), global circumferential strain (GCS), global longitudinal and global circumferential strain rate (GLSR and GCSR, respectively). A pRVEF is defined as a RVEF >50%. To compare RV strain parameters in pPH patients to healthy controls, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Results 33 pPH-patients (55 [45–63] yrs; 10 (30%) male) and 22 healthy controls (40 [36–48] yrs; 15 (68%) male) were included. All RV strain parameters were significantly reduced in pPH patients compared to healthy controls (see table), except for GCS and GCSR. Most importantly, in pPH patients with pRVEF (n=8) GLS (−26.6% [−22.6 to −27.3] vs. −28.1% [−26.2 to −30.6], p=0.04), sept-LS (−21.2% [−19.8 to −23.2] vs. −26.0% [−24.0 to −27.9], p=0.005), and FAC (39% [35–44] vs. 44% [42–47], p=0.02) were still significantly impaired compared to healthy controls. The RV TTP was significantly increased in pPH patients compared to healthy controls (47% [44–57] vs. 40% [33–43], p≤0.001). Conclusions Several CMR-FT strain parameters of the right ventricle are impaired in pPH patients when compared to healthy controls. Moreover, even in pPH patients with a preserved RVEF multiple RV strain parameters (GLS, sept-LS, and FAC) remained significantly impaired, and TTP significantly prolonged, in comparison to healthy controls. This suggests that RV strain parameters may be used as an early marker of RV dysfunction in pPH patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

The Relationship Between Cognitive Abilities and Trait Clinical Features in Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 730-749
Author(s):  
Martino Belvederi Murri ◽  
Federica Folesani ◽  
Silvia Costa ◽  
Bruno Biancosino ◽  
Luigi Zerbinati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Structure Questionnaire ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Personality Dysfunction ◽  
The Relationship

Very few studies have focused on the relationship between cognitive functions and clinical features in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Subjects with BPD and healthy controls were administered the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Trail Making Test A and B, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-53) was used to assess the severity of current symptoms. Attachment style was assessed with the Experiences in Close Relationship Questionnaire, identity integration with the Personality Structure Questionnaire, and other domains of personality dysfunction with the RUDE Scale for Personality Dysfunction. Patients with BPD performed significantly worse than healthy controls in all cognitive domains. Cognitive functions, particularly delayed memory and visuospatial abilities, displayed meaningful associations with trait-like clinical features, above the effect of global cognition and state psychopathology. These findings highlight the need to evaluate effects of cognitive rehabilitation on trait features among individuals with BPD.

The Effect of a Probiotic Complex on the Gut-Brain Axis: A Translational Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Nobile ◽  
Silvana Giardina ◽  
Francesco Puoci
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Translational Study ◽  
Salivary Cortisol Level ◽  
Valid Solution ◽  
The Right

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The gut-brain axis refers to the network of connections that involve multiple biologic systems, allowing bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. This communication is mainly mediated by gut microbiota, thanks to its ability to modulate several processes like the production of neurotransmitters. As such, keeping a balanced gut microbiota through probiotic intake could be a valid solution in supporting the right gut-brain communications. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A two-step in vitro screening of five different probiotic strains was carried out to select the best performers in the modulation of stress markers. A first selection on SK-N-DZ neuronal cell lines was performed to evaluate the inhibition of the epigenetic enzyme LSD1, promotion of GABA, and expression of serotonin. Three out of five strains were tested for their ability to promote serotonin synthesis in the Caco2 cell line. As a result, <i>Limosilactobacillus reuteri</i> PBS072 and <i>Bifidobacterium breve</i> BB077 were selected as the best performing strains. To confirm their effects in humans, a proof-of-concept trial was carried out to evaluate stress-related parameters for 28 days of product intake in a group of 30 stressed students. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A significant improvement of cognitive functions, in terms of short-term memory, attention, and executive performance, as well as of psychophysiological markers, such as salivary cortisol level, skin conductance, sleep quality, and anxiety, were observed. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> According to the results, <i>L. reuteri</i> PBS072 and <i>B. breve</i> BB077 are potential probiotic candidates for improving stress resilience, cognitive functions, and sleep quality.

scholarly journals The appropriacy of fluency tests in assessing epileptic seizure lateralization in children with partial epilepsy

Psihologija ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-211
Author(s):  
Jasmina Vuksanovic ◽  
Milena Djuric
Keyword(s):  
Left Hemisphere ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Partial Epilepsy ◽  
Quantitative Comparison ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Seizure Focus ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Right

Fluency tests are frequently used in clinical practice to asses executive functions. The literature data are not unequivocal although in a great number of papers is pointed out the importance of the left hemisphere, specially of the left frontal lobes in the mediation of phonological fluency and the right hemisphere in the mediation of nonverbal fluency. This paper considers the suitability of fluency tests for the detection of left versus right seizure laterality. The sample consisted of thirty-two epilepsy patients divided into two groups: LHF-participants with the seizure focus in the left hemisphere (n=16), and DHF-participants with the seizure focus in the right hemisphere (n=16), and K-the control group of t age-matched healthy children (n=50) aged 7-11 years. The qualitative and quantitative comparison of the phonological and nonverbal fluency performance was carried out in consideration of the seizure laterality as well as compared to the healthy controls. The results of phonological fluency performance revealed that the performance of the LHF group was significantly reduced as compared to both DHF and K group. The analysis of nonverbal fluency performance revealed that the performance of the DHF group was significantly reduced as compared to both LHF and K group The qualitative analysis obtained valuable data, which could additionally contribute to the neuropsychological evaluation of the left versus right seizure laterality.

scholarly journals Hypoconnectivity networks in schizophrenia patients: a voxelwise meta-analysis of rs-fMRI

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Ruiz-Torras ◽  
Oscar Fernández-Vazquez ◽  
Cristina Cañete-Massé ◽  
Maribel Peró-Cebollero ◽  
Joan Guàrdia-Olmos
Keyword(s):  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Interesting Case ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Health States ◽  
The Right ◽  
Work Done

Abstract In the last few years, the field of brain connectivity has focused on identifying biomarkers to describe different health states and to discriminate between patients and healthy controls through the characterization of brain networks. A particularly interesting case, because of the symptoms' severity, is the work done with samples of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. This meta-analysis aims to identify connectivity networks with different activation patterns between people diagnosed with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Therefore, we collected primary studies exploring whole brain connectivity by functional magnetic resonance imaging at rest in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy people. Thus, we identified 25 high-quality studies that included a total of 1285 people with schizophrenia and 1279 healthy controls. The results indicate hypoactivation in the right precentral gyrus and in the left superior temporal gyrus of people with schizophrenia compared with the control group. These regions have been linked to deficits in gesticulation and the experience of auditory hallucinations in people with schizophrenia. A study of heterogeneity demonstrated that the effect size was influenced by the sample size and type of analysis. These results imply new contributions to the knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment of schizophrenia both clinically and in research.

scholarly journals Reduced Ventrolateral fMRI Response during Observation of Emotional Gestures Related to the Degree of Dopaminergic Impairment in Parkinson Disease

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1321-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lotze ◽  
Matthias Reimold ◽  
Ulrike Heymans ◽  
Arto Laihinen ◽  
Marianne Patt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Superior Temporal Sulcus ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Emotional Facial Expressions ◽  
Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Average Decrease ◽  
Fmri Response ◽  
The Right

Recent findings point to a perceptive impairment of emotional facial expressions in patients diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD). In these patients, administration of dopamine can modulate emotional facial recognition. We used fMRI to investigate differences in the functional activation in response to emotional and nonemotional gestures between PD patients and age-matched healthy controls (HC). In addition, we used PET to evaluate the striatal dopamine transporter availability (DAT) with [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate in the patient group. Patients showed an average decrease to 26% in DAT when compared to age-corrected healthy references. Reduction in the DAT of the left putamen correlated not only with motor impairment but also with errors in emotional gesture recognition. In comparison to HC, PD patients showed a specific decrease in activation related to emotional gesture observation in the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and the right superior temporal sulcus. Moreover, the less DAT present in the left putamen, the lower the activation in the left VLPFC. We conclude that a loss of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the putamen results in a reduction of ventrolateral prefrontal access involved in the recognition of emotional gestures.

A-67 Measuring Regional Cerebral Blood Flow with Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1109-1109
Author(s):  
Sophia G Perez ◽  
Bailey McDonald ◽  
Samantha Spagna ◽  
Charles J Golden ◽  
Kristen Willeumier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Limbic System ◽  
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Regional Cerebral Blood ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
The Right

Abstract Objective To identify regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) differences between individuals with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and healthy controls. Mehtods: Healthy controls (n = 81, Mage = 41.9, 53.0% female, 42.0% Caucasian) and persons diagnosed by psychiatric examination with OCD (n = 1020, Mage = 34.8, 33.6% female, 66.3% Caucasian) were selected from a deidentified adult clinical outpatient database. Those with comorbid diagnoses were included. Significant differences (alpha = 0.001) were found for age [t(1099) = −4.4], gender [χ2(2) = 25.7], and race [χ2(12) = 30.1] between groups and therefore were controlled for. Significant rCBF differences were noted in the cerebellum [left:F(1,1096) = 21.6; right:F(1,1096) = 18.3], limbic system [left:F(1,1096) = 12.2; right:F(1,1096) = 10.4], and basal ganglia [left:F(1,1096) = 18.6; right:F(1,1096) = 18.3]. Results Group means comparisons indicated higher perfusion in the cerebellum for the OCD group. Lower perfusion was found in the limbic system and basal ganglia in the OCD group. This study found higher perfusion in the cerebellum among the OCD group. Previous research found increased rCBF in the left cerebellum in OCD before pharmacotherapy. In the right cerebellum, increased rCBF was found among participants with early-onset OCD. Conclusion Overall, there is limited research on the cerebellum because of its use as a reference point. No research was found regarding the limbic system in OCD using SPECT; however, other neuroimaging found increased amygdala reactivity to emotional face stimuli. This study found lower perfusion in the basal ganglia among the OCD group. Previous research found hypoperfusion in the right; however, hypoperfusion in the left was not significant. Updated OCD and rCBF research with SPECT are needed. Limitations included the inclusion of comorbidities and use of DSM-IV-TR rather than DSM-5 diagnosis criteria.

scholarly journals Brain Volumetric Changes and Cognitive Functions in Epileptic Patients

QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A A Ashour ◽  
A M A Nassef ◽  
E M Awad ◽  
A M Hazzou ◽  
M A Nada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Epileptic Patients ◽  
Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Epilepsy is a serious common neurological disorder that can affect any age. Cognitive functions are highly prevalent in patients with epilepsy and is more likely to occur in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Associations were found between cognitive functions and brain volume loss in patients with epilepsy. Objective This work was carried out to assess the volumetric changes in brain of epileptic patients to use it as a biomarker for cognitive dysfunction in adult and adolescent patients with epilepsy. Patients and Methods A case control study was conducted to include 61 patients, 20 of which diagnosed with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), 21 with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 20 with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) who were selected from the epilepsy outpatient clinic in Ain Shams university hospitals along with 23 age and sex matched healthy controls. Both cases and control groups were subjected to Magnetic resonance imaging MRI brain volumetry and detailed cognitive testing. An informed consent was taken from each adult patient, guardian of adolescent patient and healthy control. Results Statistically significant difference in comprehension subcategory of the Wechsler adult intelligence scale (WAIS) between patients with IGE and healthy controls denoting poorer social judgment in the IGE group. The IGE group also showed poorer performance in digit symbol subcategory of the same test denoting worse psychomotor speed and sustained attention. Also, significant difference in similarities subcategory was found between TLE group and control group denoting poorer abstract thinking among the TLE group. The IGE and TLE groups also showed lower attention and concentration than control group in the mental control subcategory of the Wechsler memory scale (WMS) yet failed to show superiority over each other. No statistically significant difference was found on comparing the whole brain volume between cases and control groups. A statistically significant direct relationship was found between the arithmetic subcategory of WAIS and the whole brain volume of the patients among the patients of the FLE group. Conclusion Patients with IGE had worse psychomotor speed, sustained attention and concentration than healthy controls in addition to poorer social judgment. Also, patients with TLE showed lower attention and concentration together with poorer abstract thinking despite normal IQ. The study also concluded that increased whole brain volume in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy is associated with better mathematical problem solving.

Altered brain network centrality in patients with trigeminal neuralgia: a resting-state fMRI study

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Wen Zhu ◽  
You Chen ◽  
Ying-Xin Gong ◽  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Wen-Feng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Degree Centrality ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Postcentral Gyrus ◽  
The Right

Background Neuroimaging studies revealed that trigeminal neuralgia was related to alternations in brain anatomical function and regional function. However, the functional characteristics of network organization in the whole brain is unknown. Purpose The aim of the present study was to analyze potential functional network brain-activity changes and their relationships with clinical features in patients with trigeminal neuralgia via the voxel-wise degree centrality method. Material and Methods This study involved a total of 28 trigeminal neuralgia patients (12 men, 16 women) and 28 healthy controls matched in sex, age, and education. Spontaneous brain activity was evaluated by degree centrality. Correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations between behavioral performance and average degree centrality values in several brain regions. Results Compared with healthy controls, trigeminal neuralgia patients had significantly higher degree centrality values in the right lingual gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, left paracentral lobule, and bilateral inferior cerebellum. Receiver operative characteristic curve analysis of each brain region confirmed excellent accuracy of the areas under the curve. There was a positive correlation between the mean degree centrality value of the right postcentral gyrus and VAS score (r = 0.885, P < 0.001). Conclusions Trigeminal neuralgia causes abnormal brain network activity in multiple brain regions, which may be related to underlying disease mechanisms.

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