Fake Video Detection Using Facial Color

The field of image forgery is widely studied, and with the recent introduction of deep networks based image synthesis, detection of fake image sequences has increased the challenge. Specifically, detecting spoofing attacks is of grave importance. In this study we exploit the minute changes in facial color of human faces in videos to determine real from fake videos. Even when idle, human skin color changes with sub-dermal blood flow, these changes are enhanced under stress and emotion. We show that extracting facial color along a video sequence can serve as a feature for training deep neural networks to successfully determine fake vs real face sequences.

Pain perception in women with menstrually-related migraine

Background Cyclic hormonal fluctuations influence migraine incidence and severity. Previously, we described reduced menstrual cyclicity in estradiol levels and dermal blood flow reaction to capsaicin in female migraineurs. It is unclear whether pain perception in women with migraine is influenced by the menstrual cycle. Methods Women with menstrually-related migraine (n = 14), healthy age-matched controls (n = 10) and postmenopausal women (n = 15) were asked to grade trigeminal and non-trigeminal painful stimuli on a numeric pain rating scale on menstrual cycle day 19–21 (mid-luteal) and day 1–2 (early follicular). Results In women with menstrually-related migraine, trigeminal pain remained low throughout the cycle. Controls showed increased trigeminal pain during the mid-luteal phase compared to the early follicular phase. Changes throughout the cycle were significantly different between women with MRM and controls. Conclusion The compromised menstrual cyclicity of pain perception in women with menstrually-related migraine parallels our earlier findings on estradiol levels and dermal blood flow.

RVCL-S and CADASIL display distinct impaired vascular function

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the role of endothelial-dependent and endothelial-independent vascular reactivity in retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy and systemic manifestations (RVCL-S) and cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), both cerebral small vessel diseases are considered models for stroke, vascular dementia, and migraine.MethodsRVCL-S (n = 18) and CADASIL (n = 23) participants with TREX1 and NOTCH3 mutations, respectively, were compared with controls matched for age, body mass index, and sex (n = 26). Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated vasodilatation, and endothelial-independent vascular reactivity (i.e., vascular smooth muscle cell function) was assessed by dermal blood flow response to capsaicin application.ResultsFlow-mediated vasodilatation was decreased in participants with RVCL-S compared with controls (2.32% ± 3.83% vs 5.76% ± 3.07% change in diameter, p = 0.023) but normal in participants with CADASIL. Vascular smooth muscle cell function was reduced in participants with CADASIL compared with controls (maximal dermal blood flow increase at 40 minutes after capsaicin: 1.38 ± 0.88 vs 2.22 ± 1.20 arbitrary units, p = 0.010) but normal in participants with RVCL-S.ConclusionsWe identified endothelial dysfunction in RVCL-S and confirmed impaired vascular smooth muscle cell relaxation in CADASIL. Our findings may prove to be biomarkers for disease progression in both monogenic cerebral small vessel diseases and improve mechanistic insight in their pathophysiology. This may help in understanding common neurovascular disorders, including stroke, dementia, and migraine.

The influence of migraine and female hormones on capsaicin-induced dermal blood flow

Background Migraine is much more common in females than in males, and occurrence is associated with changes in female sex hormones. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a key role in migraine, and variations in female sex hormones may affect CGRP sensitivity and/or production. Objectives Investigate repeatability, gender differences, influence of the menstrual cycle and of migraine on CGRP-dependent changes in dermal blood flow (DBF). Methods CGRP-dependent increases in DBF were assessed using laser Doppler perfusion imaging after topical application of 300 or 1000 µg capsaicin on the forearm of healthy subjects and migraine patients. Results In healthy males, DBF response did not vary over time and was comparable with DBF in male migraineurs. In healthy females, capsaicin-induced DBF responses to both doses of capsaicin were higher during menstruation compared to the late-secretory phase (p < 0.05); this menstrual cycle dependence was absent in female migraine patients. Compared to healthy subjects, female migraineurs displayed a higher DBF response both during menstruation and during the late-secretory phase (p < 0.05). Conclusions An increased capsaicin-induced, CGRP-mediated DBF response was observed during menstruation in healthy women, but in female migraine patients this increased response was not affected by the menstrual cycle.