CURRENT VIEWS ON NEUROPLASTICITY: WHAT IS NEW AND WHAT IS OLD?

The main aim of the paper is to show that many previously forgotten discoveries within the field of neuroscience own their rediscovery and renaissance to the refinement of tools provided by the technological advances. Most spectacular is the advancement of brain imaging techniques, which provide hard data that support for evidence for previously neglected presumptions and ideas. Neuroplasticity is an example of such a long ignored historical discovery. One reason for that neglect is that it stood in contradiction to beliefs and theories prevailing at the first half of the twenties century. The idea of neuronal plasticity is not disputed any longer since it has found confirmation not only in a dramatic development of neuroimaging but also in the advancement of neurobiology. Most authors concentrate upon neuronal plasticity, recent studies, however, have produced a wealth of information regarding neurogenesis, in which astrocytes have proved to play a significant role. The significance of adult neurogenesis for learning and memory and for treatment of depression is outlined. Moreover, it was observed that neuroplasticity benefits patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who undergo effective, evidence-based treatment. Convincing examples of brain plasticity brings also clinical practice, which often unveils the appearance of hitherto hidden artistic abilities in people who have suffered from brain damage. In addition, the possibilities of altering the brain functions by mental force alone are discussed. Thus, the paper reveals that many “controversial” ideas were confirmed by contemporary studies forcing changes in a traditional view on brain works.

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Neurostimulation therapies

Oxford Textbook of Old Age Psychiatry ◽

10.1093/med/9780198807292.003.0014 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 217-232

Author(s):

Daniel W. O’Connor ◽

Christos Plakiotis ◽

Peter Farnbach

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Deep Brain Stimulation ◽

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Side Effects ◽

Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Treatment Of Depression ◽

Electrical Impulses ◽

The Brain

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) all entail the delivery of electrical impulses to the brain with the aim of relieving mental disorders. ECT is an effective treatment of depression, mania and catatonia and, to a lesser extent, of schizophrenia. Its side effects, principally cognitive impairment, are mitigated through the use of individually tailored, unilateral delivery. TMS is more convenient but of lesser effectiveness. DBS, while reversible and thus safer than lesional surgery, is a major undertaking that is reserved at present for profoundly disabling depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Tourette’s syndrome.

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The Microbiota/Microbiome and the Gut–Brain Axis: How Much Do They Matter in Psychiatry?

Life ◽

10.3390/life11080760 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 760

Author(s):

Donatella Marazziti ◽

Beatrice Buccianelli ◽

Stefania Palermo ◽

Elisabetta Parra ◽

Alessandro Arone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Brain Functions ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

The Brain ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

The functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) is the result of the constant integration of bidirectional messages between the brain and peripheral organs, together with their connections with the environment. Despite the anatomical separation, gut microbiota, i.e., the microorganisms colonising the gastrointestinal tract, is highly related to the CNS through the so-called “gut–brain axis”. The aim of this paper was to review and comment on the current literature on the role of the intestinal microbiota and the gut–brain axis in some common neuropsychiatric conditions. The recent literature indicates that the gut microbiota may affect brain functions through endocrine and metabolic pathways, antibody production and the enteric network while supporting its possible role in the onset and maintenance of several neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disorders. Alterations in the gut microbiota composition were observed in mood disorders and autism spectrum disorders and, apparently to a lesser extent, even in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions, as well as in schizophrenia. Therefore, gut microbiota might represent an interesting field of research for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of common neuropsychiatric disorders and possibly as a target for the development of innovative treatments that some authors have already labelled “psychobiotics”.

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Brain stimulation therapies

10.1093/med/9780199644957.003.0014 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel W. O’Connor ◽

Chris Plakiotis

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Deep Brain Stimulation ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Treatment Of Depression ◽

Electrical Impulses ◽

The Brain ◽

Deep Brain

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Proteomic insights into synaptic signaling in the brain: the past, present and future

Molecular Brain ◽

10.1186/s13041-021-00750-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yalan Xu ◽

Xiuyue Song ◽

Dong Wang ◽

Yin Wang ◽

Peifeng Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Protein Complexes ◽

Synaptic Signaling ◽

Brain Functions ◽

The Past ◽

Data Independent Acquisition ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Neural Communication ◽

Chemical Synapses ◽

The Brain

AbstractChemical synapses in the brain connect neurons to form neural circuits, providing the structural and functional bases for neural communication. Disrupted synaptic signaling is closely related to a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. In the past two decades, proteomics has blossomed as a versatile tool in biological and biomedical research, rendering a wealth of information toward decoding the molecular machinery of life. There is enormous interest in employing proteomic approaches for the study of synapses, and substantial progress has been made. Here, we review the findings of proteomic studies of chemical synapses in the brain, with special attention paid to the key players in synaptic signaling, i.e., the synaptic protein complexes and their post-translational modifications. Looking toward the future, we discuss the technological advances in proteomics such as data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS), cross-linking in combination with mass spectrometry (CXMS), and proximity proteomics, along with their potential to untangle the mystery of how the brain functions at the molecular level. Last but not least, we introduce the newly developed synaptomic methods. These methods and their successful applications marked the beginnings of the synaptomics era.

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EEG-source estimates and vigilance regulation in obsessive compulsive disorder in comparison to healthy controls

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)72682-7 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 977-977 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H. Olbrich ◽

S. Olbrich ◽

I. Jahn ◽

U. Hegerl ◽

K. Stengler

Keyword(s):

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Sleep Onset ◽

Biological Marker ◽

Multiple Comparison ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Eeg Power

Neurophysiological hyperactivation of cortical and subcortical brain areas has been reported in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using functional imaging techniques and electroencephalography (EEG). Also sleep disturbances and delayed sleep phases have been associated with OCD symptomatology. However, vigilance regulation in OCD during the transition phase from wakefulness to sleep onset remains unclear. Therefore the aim of this study was to analyze EEG-source estimates and EEG vigilance regulation in OCD patients in comparison to healthy controls.A 15 minute resting EEG was recorded in 30 unmedicated OCD patients and 30 healthy, age and gender matched controls. EEG power source estimates of the whole time series were computed by exact Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA). Each consecutive one second EEG-segment was classified into one out of seven EEG-vigilance stages (0, A1, A2, A3, B1, B2/3, C) using Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig (VIGALL). The eLORETA analysis (log of F-ratios, p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparison) revealed significantly increased delta power in the right superior frontal gyrus for OCD patients in comparison to healthy controls. Vigilance analysis yielded significantly increased amounts of high vigilance stage A2 (Mann-Whitney test, p < 0.001, corrected for multiple comparison) for OCD patients.This study repeated findings of altered EEG-power in frontal areas in OCD patients. Alterations of EEG-vigilance regulation were found with increased amounts of high vigilance stage A2. This is in line with a hypothesis of cortical hyperactivation in OCD. The value of EEG-vigilance as a possible biological marker for e.g. treatment response should be focus of further studies.

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Obsessive Musical Hallucinations in a Schizophrenia Patient: Psychopathological and fMRI Characteristics

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852912000326 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 153-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Maya Bleich-Cohen ◽

Talma Hendler ◽

Artashes Pashinian ◽

Sarit Faragian ◽

Michael Poyurovsky

Keyword(s):

Schizophrenia Patient ◽

Auditory Hallucinations ◽

Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Imaging Characteristics ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

The Brain

AbstractObsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are relatively common and clinically significant phenomena in schizophrenia patients, suggesting the existence of a separate schizo-obsessive subgroup of the disorder. Although a majority of schizo-obsessive patients have typical ego-dystonic OCS, a meaningful proportion exhibits diagnostically challenging psychopathological phenomena, psychotic in content and obsessive in form. We report the clinical and functional magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of a schizophrenia patient who developed auditory hallucinations with musical content and obsessive in form. We suggest that “obsessive musical hallucinations”, that integrate both psychotic and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-related features, may be mediated by the brain networks believed to be involved in OCD and in auditory musical hallucinations.

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The Integration of New Technological Approaches in OCD Care

10.1093/med/9780190228163.003.0065 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Seth Feuerstein

Keyword(s):

Genetic Testing ◽

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

New Technologies ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Software Technology ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Clinical Environments ◽

Support Treatment

This chapter explores topics related to how technology is impacting care for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and providing new resources for their caregivers. It explores what has occurred and is occurring today in clinical environments with the introduction of new technologies. It goes on to describe current research into how to leverage newer technologies, and discusses what we might expect in a few years. Technology can mean many things, including new medications, novel pharmaceutical approaches such as immunotherapeutics, genetic testing to support treatment selection, and potential new diagnostic tools such as fMRI. The emphasis here is on software technology; other areas of clinically relevant technological advances are covered elsewhere in this text.

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Deep brain stimulation and anterior capsulotomy: The question of autonomy

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.249 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S323-S323

Author(s):

S. Raymaekers ◽

Z. Van Duppen ◽

K. Demyttenaere ◽

L. Luyten ◽

L. Gabriels ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Deep Brain Stimulation ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Well Being ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Research Education ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

The Brain ◽

Anterior Capsulotomy ◽

Deep Brain

IntroductionIn carefully selected treatment-refractory patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), deep brain stimulation (DBS) or anterior capsulotomy (AC) might be considered as a possible treatment. However, the direct intervention in the brain can raise questions about autonomy. Do patients still feel like they are in control of their actions when their behavior is changed by a surgical intervention?Objective/aimsTo examine in both AC and DBS patients whether these intervention influenced perception of autonomy. We aimed to discover any differences in these perceptions when comparing AC and DBS patients.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with AC and DBS patients. Interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. We analyzed interviews in an iterative process based on grounded theory principles.ResultsWe interviewed 10 DBS patients and 6 AC patients. Sense of agency (the awareness that one is the author of his/her own actions) did not seem to be diminished by AC or DBS. However, especially DBS patients are aware of their dependency on a device for their well-being. Another important theme is authenticity (in how far patients perceive their actions and thoughts as matching their self-concept). Feelings of authenticity can be disturbed especially in cases of induced hypomania (for DBS) or apathy (for AC). OCD itself also has an impact on autonomy as patients describe a lack of freedom due to their disorder.ConclusionDespite extensive changes in emotions, behavior and even personal identity after DBS or AC surgery, perceived autonomy was not greatly altered in these OCD patients.Disclosure of interestMedtronic provided grants for research, education, and traveling to B. Nuttin and L. Gabriëls, who hold the Medtronic Chair for Stereotactic Neurosurgery in Psychiatric Disorders at KU Leuven. S. Raymaekers is supported by this Chair. B. Nuttin co-owns a patent on DBS in OCD.

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CURRENT AND TRADITIONAL VIEWS ON THE BRAIN WORKS

Acta Neuropsychologica ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0012.2052 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 201-212

Author(s):

Bożydar L.J. Kaczmarek ◽

Katarzyna Markiewicz

Keyword(s):

Brain Imaging ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Brain Disorders ◽

New Techniques ◽

Brain Functioning ◽

Brain Functions ◽

New Methods ◽

New Ideas ◽

Theoretical Considerations ◽

The Brain

The present paper argues that the development of a new methodology in studying the brain has resulted in a change of our views on the way it works, has seen the emergence of new ideas, and a considerable modification of traditionally accepted theories. The most significant are neuroplasticity, negative activity network (NAT), the nature of aphasic disorders, and the approach to the localization of brain functions. New brain imaging techniques have confirmed also the ability to change the neuronal circuits by mental force. Moreover, new techniques have brought about a rise in new methods for both the diagnosis and rehabilitation of individuals with various brain disorders. Most valuable in this respect has proved to be neurofeedback. We have concentrated on the most important contributions of Prof. Pąchalska in the implementation and development of these new ideas on brain functioning. We also emphasize the fact that her theoretical considerations are firmly based upon her extensive (forty years) work with brain damaged patients.

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Effect of amphetamine on behavioral patterns of obsessive-compulsive and addictive gambling in a rat marble test

Reviews on Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Therapy ◽

10.17816/rcf14346-52 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 46-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Petr D. Shabanov ◽

Andrei A. Lebedev ◽

Natalia D. Yakushina ◽

Anna G. Pshenichnaya ◽

Eugenii R. Bychkov

Keyword(s):

Pathological Gambling ◽

Field Evaluation ◽

Anxiety Reduction ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Behavioral Patterns ◽

Compulsive Behavior ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

The Brain

A rodent marble test can be qualified as the most informative test of evaluation of obsessive-compulsive disorder as a neurobiological component of pathological gambling. Several behavioral components of obsession (obsessive and anxious ideas) and compulsions (obsessive actions) directed to anxiety reduction are modeled in this test. The effect of psychostimulant amphetamine on the rat behavior was studied in a marble test, anxiety-phobic model (scale), open field (evaluation of motor and emotional activity) and resident-intruder test (Intraspecies behavior). Amphetamine 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg increased a number of burying bolls and elevated anxiety level in dose dependent manner. This accompanied with reduction of explorative activity, elevation of motor activity and number of individual behavioral patterns. Therefore, dopaminergic system of the brain activated with amphetamine is involved in obsessive-compulsive behavior and pathological gambling.

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