scholarly journals Alterations in Functional Connectivity Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Relationship With Heart Rate Variability in Subjects After Performing Orgasmic Meditation: An Exploratory Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Newberg ◽  
Nancy A. Wintering ◽  
Chloe Hriso ◽  
Faezeh Vedaei ◽  
Marie Stoner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Neutral Condition ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Meditation Practice ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging

Background: We measured changes in resting brain functional connectivity, with blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), associated with a creative meditation practice that is augmented by clitoral stimulation and is designed to not only achieve a spiritual experience but to help individuals manage their most intimate personal relationships. Briefly, the meditative state is attained by both the male and female participants while the male stimulates the woman’s clitoris. The goal of this practice, called orgasmic meditation (OM), according to the practitioners is not sexual, but to use the focus on clitoral stimulation to facilitate a meditative state of connectedness and calm alertness between the two participants.Methods: fMRI was acquired on 20 pairs of subjects shortly following one of two states that were randomized in their order – during the OM practice or during a neutral condition. The practice is performed while the female is lying down on pillows with the clitoris exposed. During the practice, the male performs digital stimulation of the clitoris for 15 min. Resting BOLD image acquisition was performed at completion of the practice to assess changes in functional connectivity associated with the performance of the practice.Results: The results demonstrated significant changes (p < 0.05) in functional connectivity associated with the OM compared to the neutral condition. For the entire group there was altered connectivity following the OM practice involving the left superior temporal lobe, the frontal lobe, anterior cingulate, and insula. In female subjects, there was altered connectivity involving the cerebellum, thalamus, inferior frontal lobe posterior parietal lobe, angular gyrus, amygdala and middle temporal gyrus, and prefrontal cortex. In males, functional connectivity changes involved the supramarginal gyrus, cerebellum, and orbitofrontal gyrus, cerebellum, parahippocampus, inferior temporal gyrus, and anterior cingulate.Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest a complex pattern of functional connectivity changes occurring in both members of the couple pair that result from this unique meditation practice. The changes represent a hybrid of functional connectivity findings with some similarities to meditation based practices and some with sexual stimulation and orgasm. This study has broader implications for understanding the dynamic relationship between sexuality and spirituality.

scholarly journals Application of Structural and Functional Connectome Mismatch for Classification and Individualized Therapy in Alzheimer Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huixia Ren ◽  
Jin Zhu ◽  
Xiaolin Su ◽  
Siyan Chen ◽  
Silin Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Machine Learning ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Subcortical Structures

While machine learning approaches to analyzing Alzheimer disease connectome neuroimaging data have been studied, many have limited ability to provide insight in individual patterns of disease and lack the ability to provide actionable information about where in the brain a specific patient's disease is located. We studied a cohort of patients with Alzheimer disease who underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tractography imaging. These images were processed, and a structural and functional connectivity matrix was generated using the HCP cortical and subcortical atlas. By generating a machine learning model, individual-level structural and functional anomalies detection and characterization were explored in this study. Our study found that structural disease burden in Alzheimer's patients is mainly focused in the subcortical structures and the Default mode network (DMN). Interestingly, functional anomalies were less consistent between individuals and less common in general in these patients. More intriguing was that some structural anomalies were noted in all patients in the study, namely a reduction in fibers involving parcellations in the right anterior cingulate. Alternately, the functional consequences of connectivity loss were cortical and variable. Integrated structural/functional connectomics might provide a useful tool for assessing AD progression, while few concerns have been made for analyzing the mismatch between these two. We performed a preliminary exploration into a set of Alzheimer disease data, intending to improve a personalized approach to understanding individual connectomes in an actionable manner. Specifically, we found that there were consistent patterns of white matter fiber loss, mainly focused around the DMN and deep subcortical structures, which were present in nearly all patients with clinical AD. Functional magnetic resonance imaging shows abnormal functional connectivity different within the patients, which may be used as the individual target for further therapeutic strategies making, like non-invasive stimulation technology.

scholarly journals Altered static and dynamic functional connectivity in subthreshold bulimia nervosa: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Luo ◽  
Yijun Luo ◽  
Ximei Chen ◽  
Mingyue Xiao ◽  
Ziming Bian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Dynamic Functional Connectivity

Abstract Bulimia nervosa (BN) is one of the most serious eating disorders (EDs) associated with long-term significant impairment to both physical and mental quality of life. Subthreshold BN emphasize that individuals reported some extent bulimic symptoms, even those individuals who did not fully meet the diagnostic criteria endure elevated levels of impulsivity and higher likelihood of self-harm. Therefore, the current study aimed to identify potential neurobiological signatures of high-risk individuals with BN symptoms. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the differences between a subthreshold BN group (sub-BN, n = 61) and a control group (n = 51) in terms of degree centrality (DC), with the secondary analysis of the connectivity in these ROIs showing differences in both static functional connectivity (sFC) and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) with age, sex, and framewise displacement (FD) as covariates of no interest (p < 0.05, GRF corrected). The sub-BN group exhibited significantly increased DC in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and the orbital frontal gyrus, increased MFG‒superior occipital gyrus connectivity, MFG‒middle occipital gyrus connectivity and MFG‒triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFGtriang) connectivity, and decreased variability in MFG‒anterior cingulate cortex connectivity. Furthermore, in the sub-BN group, a positive correlation was observed between self-reported BN symptoms and MFG‒IFGtriang connectivity. These findings implicated in reward value processing, cognitive control, and self-referential processing in individuals with BN symptoms, which provided important insights into understanding the pathology of BN.

scholarly journals Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Functional Connectivity Density Mapping in Patients With Optic Neuritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Song ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Mei-Xia Ren ◽  
Jiao Li ◽  
Ting Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Optic Neuritis ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Functional Connectivity Density ◽  
The Right

Background: Using resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), we investigated alternations in spontaneous brain activities reflected by functional connectivity density (FCD) in patients with optic neuritis (ON).Methods: We enrolled 28 patients with ON (18 males, 10 females) and 24 healthy controls (HCs; 16 males, 8 females). All subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a quiet state to determine the values of rsFC, long-range FCD (longFCD), and short-range FCD (IFCD). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to distinguish patients from HCs.Results: The ON group exhibited obviously lower longFCD values in the left inferior frontal gyrus triangle, the right precuneus and the right anterior cingulate, and paracingulate gyri/median cingulate and paracingulate gyri. The left median cingulate and paracingulate gyri and supplementary motor area (SMA) were also significantly lower. Obviously reduced IFCD values were observed in the left middle temporal gyrus/angular gyrus/SMA and right cuneus/SMA compared with HCs.Conclusion: Abnormal neural activities were found in specific brain regions in patients with ON. Specifically, they showed significant changes in rsFC, longFCD, and IFCD values. These may be useful to identify the specific mechanism of change in brain function in ON.

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