Food-Related Brain Activation Measured by fMRI in Adults with Prader–Willi Syndrome

(1) Background: Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is characterized by hyperphagia, resulting in morbid obesity if not controlled. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether PWS patients show altered activation of brain areas involved in hunger. As a secondary objective, we assessed whether there is an association between these brain areas and several endocrine and metabolic factors in the fasting state. (2) Methods: 12 PWS adults and 14 healthy controls (siblings) performed a food-related experimental task after an overnight fast while brain activation in regions of interest was measured by functional MRI. (3) Results: In controls, significantly more activation was found in the left insula (p = 0.004) and the bilateral fusiform gyrus (p = 0.003 and 0.013) when the individuals were watching food as compared to non-food pictures, which was absent in PWS patients. Moreover, in PWS adults watching food versus non-food pictures a significant negative correlation for glucose and right amygdala activation (p_fwe = 0.007) as well as a positive correlation for leptin and right anterior hippocampus/amygdala activation (p_fwe = 0.028) was demonstrated. No significant associations for the other hormonal and metabolic factors were found. (4) Conclusions: PWS individuals show aberrant food-related brain activation in the fasting state. Leptin is associated with activation within the neural motivation/reward circuitry, while the opposite is true for glucose.

Download Full-text

The impact of modern jazz dance on the electrical brain activity

10.1101/472324 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Johanna Wind ◽

Wolfgang Schöllhorn

Keyword(s):

Brain Activity ◽

Brain Activation ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Gamma Frequency ◽

Electrical Brain Activity ◽

Modern Jazz ◽

Before And After ◽

Eyes Open ◽

The Impact

AbstractDance as one of the earliest cultural assets of mankind is practised in different cultures, mostly for wellbeing or for treating psycho-physiological disorders like Parkinson, depression, autism. However, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are still unclear and only few studies address the effects of particular dance styles. For a first impression, we were interested in the effects of modern jazz dance (MJD) on the brain activation that would contribute to the understanding of these mechanisms. 11 female subjects rehearsed a MJD choreography for three weeks (1h per week) and passed electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements in a crossover-design thereafter. The objectives were to establish the differences between dancing physically and participating just mentally with or without music. Therefore, each subject realized the four following test conditions: dancing physically to and without music, dancing mentally to and without music. Each of the conditions were performed for 15 minutes. Before and after each condition, the EEG activities were recorded under resting conditions (2 min. eyes-open, 2 min. eyes-closed) followed by a subsequent wash-out phase of 10 minutes.The results of the study revealed no time effects for the mental dancing conditions, either to or without music. An increased electrical brain activation was followed by the physical dancing conditions with and without music for the theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta and gamma frequency band across the entire scalp. Especially the higher frequencies (alpha-2, beta, gamma) showed increased brain activation across all brain areas. Higher brain activities for the physical dancing conditions were identified in comparison to the mental dancing condition. No statistically significant differences could be found as to dancing to or without music. Our findings demonstrate evidence for the immediate influence of modern jazz dance and its sweeping effects on all brain areas for all measured frequency bands, when dancing physically. In comparison, dancing just mentally does not result in similar effects.

Download Full-text

40-Hz Blue Light Changes Hippocampal Activation and Functional Connectivity Underlying Recognition Memory

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnhum.2021.739333 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Zhenglong Lin ◽

Gangqiang Hou ◽

Youli Yao ◽

Zhifeng Zhou ◽

Feiqi Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Recognition Memory ◽

Blue Light ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Light Exposure ◽

Brain Activation ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Functional Connection ◽

Seed Point ◽

40 Hz

Research on light modulation has typically examined the wavelength, intensity, and exposure time of light, and measured rhythm, sleep, and cognitive ability to evaluate the regulatory effects of light variables on physiological and cognitive functions. Although the frequency of light is one of the main dimensions of light, few studies have attempted to manipulate it to test the effect on brain activation and performance. Recently, 40-Hz light stimulation has been proven to significantly alleviate deficits in gamma oscillation of the hippocampus caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Although this oscillation is one of the key functional characteristics of performing memory tasks in healthy people, there is no evidence that 40-Hz blue light exposure can effectively regulate brain activities related to complex cognitive tasks. In the current study, we examined the difference in the effects of 40-Hz light or 0-Hz light exposure on brain activation and functional connectivity during a recognition memory task. Through joint augmentation of visual area activation, 40-Hz light enhanced brain areas mostly in the limbic system that are related to memory, such as the hippocampus and thalamus. Conversely, 0-Hz light enhanced brain areas mostly in the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, functional connection analysis, with the hippocampus as the seed point, showed that 40-Hz light enhanced connection with the superior parietal lobe and reduced the connection with the default network. These results indicate that light at a frequency of 40 Hz can change the activity and functional connection of memory-related core brain areas. They also indicate that in the use of light to regulate cognitive functions, its frequency characteristics merit attention.

Download Full-text

The Double Take of Expertise: Neural Expansion Is Associated With Outstanding Performance

Current Directions in Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/0963721418793133 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 462-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Merim Bilalić

Keyword(s):

Pattern Recognition ◽

Human Brain ◽

Brain Activation ◽

Cognitive System ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Opposite Hemisphere ◽

Computational Burden ◽

Complex Skills ◽

Neural Efficiency ◽

The Brain

The performance of experts seems almost effortless. The neural-efficiency hypothesis takes this into account, suggesting that because of practice and automatization of procedures, experts require fewer brain resources. Here, I argue that the way the brain accommodates complex skills does indeed have to do with the nature of experts’ performance. However, instead of exhibiting less brain activation, experts’ performance actually engages more brain areas. Behind the seemingly effortless performance of experts lies a complex cognitive system that relies on knowledge about the domain of expertise. Unlike novices, who need to execute one process at a time, experts are able to recognize an object, retrieve its function, and connect it to another object simultaneously. The expert brain deals with this computational burden by engaging not only specific brain areas in one hemisphere but also the same (homologous) area in the opposite hemisphere. This phenomenon, which I call the double take of expertise, has been observed in a number of expertise domains. I describe it here in object- and pattern-recognition tasks in the domain of chess. I also discuss the importance of the study of expertise for our understanding of the human brain in general.

Download Full-text

The effect of anxiety on brain activation patterns in response to inspiratory occlusions: an fMRI study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-51396-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pei-Ying S. Chan ◽

Yu-Ting Wu ◽

Ai-Ling Hsu ◽

Chia-Wei Li ◽

Changwei W. Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Activation ◽

Face Mask ◽

Cortical Activation ◽

Self Report ◽

Normal Lung ◽

Anxiety State ◽

Cingulate Gyrus ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Activation Patterns ◽

The Right

Abstract Respiratory sensations such as breathlessness are prevalent in many diseases and are amplified by increased levels of anxiety. Cortical activation in response to inspiratory occlusions in high- and low-anxious individuals was found different in previous studies using the respiratory-related evoked potential method. However, specific brain areas showed different activation patterns remained unknown in these studies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare cortical and subcortical neural substrates of respiratory sensation in response to inspiratory mechanical occlusion stimuli between high- and low-anxious individuals using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In addition, associations between brain activation patterns and levels of anxiety, and breathlessness were examined. Thirty-four (17 high- and 17 low-anxious) healthy non-smoking adults with normal lung function completed questionnaires on anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory - State), and participated in a transient inspiratory occlusion fMRI experiment. The participants breathed with a customized face-mask while respiration was repeatedly interrupted by a transient inspiratory occlusion of 150-msec, delivered every 2 to 4 breaths. Breathlessness was assessed by self-report. At least 32 occluded breaths were collected for data analysis. The results showed that compared to the low-anxious group, the high-anxious individuals demonstrated significantly greater neural activations in the hippocampus, insula, and middle cingulate gyrus in response to inspiratory occlusions. Moreover, a significant relationship was found between anxiety levels and activations of the right inferior parietal gyrus, and the right precuneus. Additionally, breathlessness levels were significantly associated with activations of the bilateral thalamus, bilateral insula and bilateral cingulate gyrus. The above evidences support stronger recruitment of emotion-related cortical and subcortical brain areas in higher anxious individuals, and thus these areas play an important role in respiratory mechanosensation mediated by anxiety.

Download Full-text

Effects of the alpha-1 antagonist prazosin on KOR agonist-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking

The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1093/ijnp/pyz049 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Douglas Funk ◽

Kathleen Coen ◽

Sahar Tamadon ◽

A D Lê

Keyword(s):

Stress Responses ◽

Brain Activation ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Stress Disorders ◽

Kappa Opioid Receptors ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Adrenoceptor Antagonist ◽

Fos Expression ◽

Alcohol Seeking

Abstract Background Stress is associated with relapse to alcohol seeking during abstinence, but the processes underlying this relationship are poorly understood. Noradrenaline is a key transmitter in stress responses and in stress-induced drug seeking. The alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin has been investigated as a treatment for alcoholism and for chronic stress disorders that are frequently comorbid with alcoholism. In rats, we previously showed that prazosin blocks reinstatement of alcohol seeking induced by footshock and yohimbine stressors, and reduces yohimbine-induced brain activation. The role of alpha-1 adrenoceptors in reinstatement induced by other stressors is not known. Our most recent work is on the role of kappa opioid receptors (KOR) in stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking and have reported that the selective KOR agonist U50,488 induces reinstatement and neuronal activation in stress- and relapse-related brain regions. Here we determine the involvement of alpha-1 receptors in reinstatement and brain activation induced by U50,488. Methods We trained male Long-Evans rats to self-administer alcohol (12% w/v), extinguished alcohol-reinforced responding and then determined the effects of prazosin (1 mg/kg) on U50,488 (2.5 mg/kg)-induced reinstatement and regional Fos expression. Results Prazosin blocked U50,488-induced reinstatement and decreased U50,488-induced Fos expression in the OFC, NAC core, ventral BNST, CeA, BLA and VTA. Conclusions These findings suggest that prazosin may reduce U50,488-induced relapse by inhibiting activity in one or more of these brain areas.

Download Full-text

A proof-of-principle study of the effect of combined haloperidol and levodopa administration on working memory-related brain activation in humans

10.1101/219436 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Van Ruitenbeek ◽

Dennis Hernaus ◽

Mitul Ashok Mehta

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Drug Treatment ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Memory Task ◽

Brain Activation ◽

D1 Receptor ◽

D1 Receptors ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Drug Induced ◽

Proof Of Principle

ABSTRACTBackground and PurposeCognitive deficits including impaired working memory are a hallmark feature of schizophrenia. Changes in prefrontal cortex function modulated by dopamine D1 receptors, play a potentially important role in the pathology underlying such deficits. However, pharmacological interventions that selectively engage the D1 receptor are severely restricted for research in humans. The present study is a proof-of-principle for enhancing cognitive performance and associated brain activation via indirect D1 stimulation. Here, we combine the non-selective dopamine agonist L-dopa with the D2-antagonist haloperidol, theoretically producing increased stimulation at the D1 receptor.Experimental ApproachFourteen healthy volunteers received placebo or combined carbidopa (125 mg, 100mg L-dopa) plus haloperidol (2 mg) orally on two separate occasions according to a within-subjects cross-over design. Drug-induced differences in brain activity were assessed during an N-back working memory task in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging environment.Key ResultsDrug treatment was associated with a reduction in activity in a large number of brain areas, most prominently occipital/temporal brain areas during 2-back performance, which may be due to the effects of haloperidol specifically. Drug treatment was also associated with greater functional connectivity within parts of the salience network during all N-back trials.Conclusion and ImplicationsThis preliminary study provides initial evidence for combined L-dopa/haloperidol modulation in cognition-related brain areas and networks, which is relevant for the treatment of cognitive impairments in mental illness.

Download Full-text

Changes in brain activation to food pictures after adjustable gastric banding

Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.soard.2011.07.006 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 602-608 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Jared M. Bruce ◽

Laura Hancock ◽

Amanda Bruce ◽

Rebecca J. Lepping ◽

Laura Martin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Banding ◽

Adjustable Gastric Banding ◽

Brain Activation ◽

Food Pictures

Download Full-text

USE OF UNSAFE TEETHING REMEDIES IN A MID-SIZE CITY: A SURVEY

Paediatrics & Child Health ◽

10.1093/pch/pxy054.135 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. e54-e54 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Farah Abdulsatar ◽

Sepideh Taheri ◽

Michael Miller

Keyword(s):

Parental Education ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Primary Care Providers ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Care Providers ◽

Child Injury ◽

New Approach ◽

Canadian City ◽

Secondary Objective

Abstract BACKGROUND Various remedies are available to parents for relieving teething symptoms in their infants and toddlers. Some remedies, such as amber necklaces, have no evidence of their efficacy, yet are being widely marketed and increasingly used across North America. On the contrary, teething necklaces are unsafe, corroborated by recent reports of suffocation accidents and death attributed to their use. There is no published literature on the prevalence of teething remedies and what may determine parents’ choices. OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess the prevalence of unsafe teething remedies, especially teething necklaces. The secondary objective was to determine any association between the use of unsafe teething remedies and (a) socioeconomic status (SES), and (b) maternal education. DESIGN/METHODS Children aged 12–18 months in a mid-sized Canadian city visiting their primary care providers for routine well-baby checks were included. Children aged <12 or >18 months and those with chronic medical conditions were excluded. Parents completed a survey about their child’s teething symptoms and the remedies used to relieve them. Unsafe remedies were based on recommendations published by the Canadian Paediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatrics. They included oral-numbing gels, necklaces (Amber and Hazelwood), and liquid-containing teething rings. RESULTS Out of 130 surveys, 123 were included for statistical analysis due to missing data. Mean (SD) infant age was 14.47 (2.56) months, and mean (SD) age at first tooth was 6.92 (2.00) months. Overall, 98% of families used teething remedies with 67% of them using unsafe remedies. Of these families, 27% used Amber and 5% used Hazelwood necklaces. 28% of families used more than one unsafe remedy. No significant correlations were found between unsafe remedy use and SES or maternal education. However, a significant negative correlation was noted between SES and use of oral-numbing gels (Spearman’s rho = -0.23, p=0.01). CONCLUSION This study showed that a majority of parents are using unsafe teething remedies for their infants including Amber teething necklaces, despite lack of evidence to support their efficacy and recommendations against their use. Use of unsafe teething remedies transcends SES and education level. With recent reports of child injury and death associated with their use, the findings of this survey support the need for a new approach to parental education about the safety of teething remedies.

Download Full-text

Functional neural correlates of mindfulness meditations in comparison with psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and placebo effect. Is there a link?

Acta Neuropsychiatrica ◽

10.1111/j.1601-5215.2010.00460.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 104-117 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Alberto Chiesa ◽

Paolo Brambilla ◽

Alessandro Serretti

Keyword(s):

Placebo Effect ◽

Emotional Regulation ◽

Literature Search ◽

Neural Correlates ◽

Top Down ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Amygdala Activation ◽

Cochrane Database ◽

Review Current

Chiesa A, Brambilla P, Serretti A. Functional neural correlates of mindfulness meditations in comparison with psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and placebo effect. Is there a link?Objective:Mindfulness meditations (MM) are a group of meditation practices which are increasingly receiving attention. The aim of the present work is to review current findings about the neural correlates of MM and compare such findings with other specific and non-specific treatments.Methods:A literature search was undertaken using MEDLINE, ISI web of knowledge, the Cochrane database and references of retrieved articles. Studies which focused on the functional neural correlates of MM, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and placebo published up to August 2009 were screened in order to be considered for the inclusion.Results:Main findings suggest that long-term MM practice allows a more flexible emotional regulation by engaging frontal cortical structures to dampen automatic amygdala activation. A large overlap exists between cerebral areas activated during MM, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and those activated by placebo. However, while MM, psychotherapy and placebo seem to act through a top-down regulation, antidepressants seem to act through a bottom-up process.Conclusion:MM seem to target specific brain areas related to emotions and emotional regulation. Similar mechanisms have been observed also in other interventions, particularly psychotherapy.

Download Full-text

Strength Training and Hypercholesterolemia: An Epidemiologic Study of 8499 Employed Men

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.4278/0890-1171-11.1.35 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 35-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Larry A. Tucker ◽

L. Jay Silvester

Keyword(s):

Strength Training ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Epidemiologic Study ◽

The United States ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Fasting State ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Secondary Objective ◽

Reduced Risk

Purpose. This study was conducted to determine the relation between the quantity of strength training and hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ⩽ 240 mg/dl) in men. A secondary objective was to ascertain the effects of age, smoking, alcohol use, body mass, and participation in physical activities other than strength training on the association between strength training and hypercholesterolemia. Design. A cross-sectional research design was used. Setting. Data were collected at the worksites of subjects throughout the United States. Subjects. The participants were 8499 male employees of more than 50 companies. Measures. Blood was drawn while the subjects were in a fasting state, and a questionnaire was used to collect the demographic and lifestyle information, including the data about strength training. The subjects were divided into five groups according to their self-reported duration and frequency (i.e., quantity) of participation in strength training. Results. Subjects who reported regular involvement in strength training had a reduced risk of hypercholesterolemia. However, after controlling for all the potential confounders, only the high-quantity lifters, those who completed 4 to 7 hours of strength training each week, maintained a reduced risk of hypercholesterolemia. Conclusions. High-quantity strength training is strongly associated with a reduced risk of hypercholesterolemia, even after controlling for numerous, potentially confounding factors (odds ratio = .46; 95% confidence interval = .23 to .91).

Download Full-text