Brain Sciences

21 pages, 4461 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrophysiological Comparison of Cumulative Area and Non-Symbolic Number Judgments

by Justin W. Bonny and Stella F. Lourenco

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060975 - 20 Jun 2023

Viewed by 972

Despite the importance of representing different magnitudes (i.e., number and cumulative area) for action planning and formal mathematics, there is much debate about the nature of these representations, particularly the extent to which magnitudes interact in the mind and brain. Early interaction views [...] Read more.

Despite the importance of representing different magnitudes (i.e., number and cumulative area) for action planning and formal mathematics, there is much debate about the nature of these representations, particularly the extent to which magnitudes interact in the mind and brain. Early interaction views suggest that there are shared perceptual processes that form overlapping magnitude representations. However, late interaction views hold that representations of different magnitudes remain distinct, interacting only when preparing a motor response. The present study sheds light on this debate by examining the temporal onset of ratio and congruity effects as participants made ordinal judgments about number and cumulative area. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded to identify whether the onset of such effects aligned with early versus late views. Ratio effects for both magnitudes were observed starting in the P100. Moreover, a congruity effect emerged within the P100. That interactions were observed early in processing, at the same time that initial ratio effects occurred, suggests that number and cumulative area processes interacted when magnitude representations were being formed, prior to preparing a decision response. Our findings are consistent with an early interaction view of magnitude processing, in which number and cumulative area may rely on shared perceptual mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Behavioral Neuroscience)

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25 pages, 556 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Subjunctive as a Model of Grammatical Complexity: An Integrative Review of Issues Based on Combined Evidence from Mental Chronometry and Neurosciences

by Daniel Grégoire Grevisse, Marzena Watorek and Frédéric Isel

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060974 - 20 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1321

Abstract

The acquisition of a second language requires the construction or reconstruction of linguistic knowledge about the new language system. Learners of a second language have to acquire the linguistic structures of the second language by constructing or reassessing their own knowledge in the [...] Read more.

The acquisition of a second language requires the construction or reconstruction of linguistic knowledge about the new language system. Learners of a second language have to acquire the linguistic structures of the second language by constructing or reassessing their own knowledge in the light of the new one. Some of these new linguistic structures may be more or less complex to process and/or difficult to acquire. In this review, we focus on an example of linguistic complexity in French, namely, the subjunctive. Through a discussion of some selected studies on the second language acquisition of the French subjunctive, our purpose is to argue that these findings, considered from a psycholinguistic perspective, could be fruitful for further research employing neuroscience techniques, such as electroencephalography or neuroimaging in order to better understand the neurocognitive processing of this complex structure both in French native speakers and in learners of French. Hence, we aim to contribute to exploring the question of linguistic transfer in the field of second language acquisition, the typological distance/relation between L1–L2, the syntactic acquisition of complex structures in adult second language learners, and the potential contributions of electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging to the processing of the subjunctive, selected as an example of linguistic complexity that has not yet received much attention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Collection on Neurobiology of Language)

10 pages, 516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heat-Killed L. helveticus Enhances Positive Mood States: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

by Natsumi Mutoh, Izumi Kakiuchi, Kumiko Kato, Chendong Xu, Noriyuki Iwabuchi, Masayo Ayukawa, Kyoko Kiyosawa, Kazumi Igarashi, Miyuki Tanaka, Masahiko Nakamura and Mitsunaga Miyasaka

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 973; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060973 - 20 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1180

Abstract

When mood states are impaired, daily life is severely disrupted. To maintain a specific mood state, both positive and negative moods must be controlled; however, methods to maintain a positive mood have not been fully established. Previous studies have suggested that heat-killed L. [...] Read more.

When mood states are impaired, daily life is severely disrupted. To maintain a specific mood state, both positive and negative moods must be controlled; however, methods to maintain a positive mood have not been fully established. Previous studies have suggested that heat-killed L. helveticus MCC1848 has the potential to improve positive moods. This study aimed to test the efficacy of heat-killed L. helveticus MCC1848 in maintaining and improving a positive mood with PANAS, a questionnaire specifically designed to assess positive and negative mood, as the primary endpoint. Healthy Japanese nursing students (n = 46) were randomized to receive heat-killed L. helveticus MCC1848 (5 billion/day) or placebo powder for four weeks. Mood state was assessed before and two and four weeks after the intervention began; ingestion of heat-killed L. helveticus MCC1848 significantly improved PANAS ‘Positive Affect’ compared to the placebo. These results indicate that heat-killed L. helveticus MCC1848 is effective in enhancing positive mood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health)

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14 pages, 1396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Potential Role of ADAM 17 and ADAM 22 in the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders

by Sarah H. Al-Mazidi, Afaf El-Ansary, Amani Abualnaja, Abdullah AlZarroug, Turki Alharbi and Laila Y. Al-Ayadhi

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060972 - 20 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1220

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a group of disorders characterized by difficulties with social interaction and repetitive behavior. The condition is supposed to originate from early shifts in brain development, while the underlying processes are unknown. Moreover, a considerable number of patients [...] Read more.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a group of disorders characterized by difficulties with social interaction and repetitive behavior. The condition is supposed to originate from early shifts in brain development, while the underlying processes are unknown. Moreover, a considerable number of patients with ASD experience digestive difficulties. Metalloproteases (ADAMs) are a class of enzymes capable of cleaving membrane-bound proteins. Members of this family, ADAM17 and ADAM22, have the ability to cleave proteins like the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-ά and glutamate synaptic molecules, which are both engaged in neuro-inflammation and glutamate excitotoxicity as crucial etiological mechanisms in ASD. ADAM17 and ADAM22 may also have a role in ASD microbiota–gut–brain axis connections by regulating immunological and inflammatory responses in the intestinal tract. Subjects and Methods: Using ELISA kits, the plasma levels of ADAM17 and ADAM22 were compared in 40 children with ASD and 40 typically developing children. All of the autistic participants’ childhood autism rating scores (CARS), social responsiveness scales (SRS), and short sensory profiles (SSP) were evaluated as indicators of ASD severity. Results: Our results showed that plasma levels of ADAM17 were significantly lower in ASD children than in control children, while ADAM22 demonstrated non-significantly lower levels. Our data also indicate that while ADAM17 correlates significantly with age, ADAM22 correlates significantly with CARS as a marker of ASD severity. Conclusions: Our interpreted data showed that alteration in ADAM17 and ADAM22 might be associated with glutamate excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and altered gut microbiota as etiological mechanisms of ASD and could be an indicator of the severity of the disorder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Psychiatric Diseases)

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14 pages, 2696 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Protective Effect of Galantamine against Doxorubicin-Induced Neurotoxicity

by Rawan S. Alsikhan, Maha A. Aldubayan, Ibtesam S. Almami and Ahmad H. Alhowail

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060971 - 20 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1605

Abstract

Background and aims: Doxorubicin (DOX) causes cognitive impairment (chemobrain) in patients with cancer. While DOX damages the cholinergic system, few studies have focused on the protective effects of cholinergic function on chemobrain. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor galantamine (GAL) demonstrates neuroprotective properties. We investigated the [...] Read more.

Background and aims: Doxorubicin (DOX) causes cognitive impairment (chemobrain) in patients with cancer. While DOX damages the cholinergic system, few studies have focused on the protective effects of cholinergic function on chemobrain. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor galantamine (GAL) demonstrates neuroprotective properties. We investigated the mechanisms associated with DOX-induced cognitive impairments and the potential protective role of GAL in preventing chemobrain. Main methods: Female Wistar rats were divided into control, DOX, GAL, and DOX + GAL groups. The rats in the DOX group were administered DOX (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally twice weekly for two weeks), while those in the GAL group were orally administered GAL (2.5 mg/kg) via oral gavage once daily for 15 days. The combination group (DOX + GAL) received GAL (once daily) and DOX (two times per week) concurrently. The body weights and survival rates were monitored daily. The animals were subjected to behavioral tests to assess the memory function followed by the biochemical estimation of inflammatory markers, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukine-1β (IL-1β), and interleukine-6 (IL-6) in rat brain tissue and RT-qPCR. Key findings: DOX caused a reduction in the body weight and survival rate, which was alleviated by GAL concomitant treatment with DOX (DOX + GAL). These groups had reduced body weights and survival rates. DOX-treated animals exhibited an impairment of short-term spatial working memory, manifested as a behavioral alteration in the Y-maze test, the novel object recognition (NOR) test, and the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. Concurrent treatment with GAL (DOX + GAL) showed improved memory function, as evidenced by an increase in the number of entries and time spent in the novel arm, the time spent exploring the novel object, and the transfer latency in the Y-maze, NOR test, and EPM test, respectively. These findings were also supported by biochemical observations showing the reversal of DOX-induced changes in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as their relative expression of mRNA in brain tissue following concurrent GAL treatment. Conclusion: GAL appeared to be a neuroprotective agent against neuroinflammation caused by DOX by reducing inflammatory markers in the brain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neuropharmacology and Neuropathology)

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13 pages, 1223 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deficient Audiovisual Speech Perception in Schizophrenia: An ERP Study

by Erfan Ghaneirad, Ellyn Saenger, Gregor R. Szycik, Anja Čuš, Laura Möde, Christopher Sinke, Daniel Wiswede, Stefan Bleich and Anna Borgolte

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060970 - 19 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1191

Abstract

In everyday verbal communication, auditory speech perception is often disturbed by background noise. Especially in disadvantageous hearing conditions, additional visual articulatory information (e.g., lip movement) can positively contribute to speech comprehension. Patients with schizophrenia (SZs) demonstrate an aberrant ability to integrate visual and [...] Read more.

In everyday verbal communication, auditory speech perception is often disturbed by background noise. Especially in disadvantageous hearing conditions, additional visual articulatory information (e.g., lip movement) can positively contribute to speech comprehension. Patients with schizophrenia (SZs) demonstrate an aberrant ability to integrate visual and auditory sensory input during speech perception. Current findings about underlying neural mechanisms of this deficit are inconsistent. Particularly and despite the importance of early sensory processing in speech perception, very few studies have addressed these processes in SZs. Thus, in the present study, we examined 20 adult subjects with SZ and 21 healthy controls (HCs) while presenting audiovisual spoken words (disyllabic nouns) either superimposed by white noise (−12 dB signal-to-noise ratio) or not. In addition to behavioral data, event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Our results demonstrate reduced speech comprehension for SZs compared to HCs under noisy conditions. Moreover, we found altered N1 amplitudes in SZ during speech perception, while P2 amplitudes and the N1-P2 complex were similar to HCs, indicating that there may be disturbances in multimodal speech perception at an early stage of processing, which may be due to deficits in auditory speech perception. Moreover, a positive relationship between fronto-central N1 amplitudes and the positive subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) has been observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Understanding the Phenomena and Processing in Audiovisual Speech Perception)

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15 pages, 3128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mu Rhythm Desynchronization while Observing Rubber Hand Movement in the Mirror: The Interaction of Body Representation with Visuo-Tactile Stimulation

by Satoshi Shibuya and Yukari Ohki

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060969 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1123

Abstract

During rubber hand illusion (RHI), participants feel that a rubber (fake) hand is their own (i.e., embodiment of the rubber hand) if the unseen real hand and seen rubber hand are stroked synchronously (i.e., visuo-tactile stimuli). The RHI is also evoked if the [...] Read more.

During rubber hand illusion (RHI), participants feel that a rubber (fake) hand is their own (i.e., embodiment of the rubber hand) if the unseen real hand and seen rubber hand are stroked synchronously (i.e., visuo-tactile stimuli). The RHI is also evoked if the real and rubber hands are placed in the same position (i.e., visual-proprioceptive congruency), which can be performed using a mirror setting. Using electroencephalography (EEG) and mirror settings, we compared μ rhythm (8–13 Hz) event-related desynchronization (ERD; an index of sensorimotor activation) while watching the movements of embodied or non-embodied rubber hands, which was preceded by an observation of the rubber hand with or without synchronous visuo-tactile stimuli. The illusory ownership of the fake hand was manipulated using visual continuity with (RHI) and without (non-RHI) a fake forearm. Resultantly, an ownership-dependent μ rhythm ERD was found when delivering visuo-tactile stimuli; a greater and more persistent μ rhythm ERD during the rubber hand movement was identified in the RHI in comparison to the non-RHI condition. However, no difference was observed between the two when observing the fake hand alone. These findings suggest the possibility that a self-related multisensory interaction between body representation (top-down processing) and visuo-tactile inputs (bottom-up processing) before a fake hand movement produces ownership-dependent sensorimotor activations during subsequent movement observations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body and Motor Awareness: Representation, Perception and Integration in the Human Brain)

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13 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Subtle Auditory Impairments with Multiple Audiological Assessments in Normal Hearing Workers Exposed to Occupational Noise

by Alessandra Giannella Samelli, Clayton Henrique Rocha, Mariana Keiko Kamita, Maria Elisa Pereira Lopes, Camila Quintiliano Andrade and Carla Gentile Matas

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 968; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060968 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 915

Abstract

Recent studies involving guinea pigs have shown that noise can damage the synapses between the inner hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, even with normal hearing thresholds—which makes it important to investigate this kind of impairment in humans. The aim was to investigate, [...] Read more.

Recent studies involving guinea pigs have shown that noise can damage the synapses between the inner hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, even with normal hearing thresholds—which makes it important to investigate this kind of impairment in humans. The aim was to investigate, with multiple audiological assessments, the auditory function of normal hearing workers exposed to occupational noise. Altogether, 60 workers were assessed (30 in the noise-exposure group [NEG], who were exposed to occupational noise, and 30 in the control group [CG], who were not exposed to occupational noise); the workers were matched according to age. The following procedures were used: complete audiological assessment; speech recognition threshold in noise (SRTN); speech in noise (SN) in an acoustic field; gaps-in-noise (GIN); transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and inhibitory effect of the efferent auditory pathway; auditory brainstem response (ABR); and long-latency auditory evoked potentials (LLAEP). No significant difference was found between the groups in SRTN. In SN, the NEG performed worse than the CG in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) 0 (p-value 0.023). In GIN, the NEG had a significantly lower percentage of correct answers (p-value 0.042). In TEOAE, the NEG had smaller amplitude values bilaterally (RE p-value 0.048; LE p-value 0.045) and a smaller inhibitory effect of the efferent pathway (p-value 0.009). In ABR, the NEG had greater latencies of wave V (p-value 0.017) and interpeak intervals III-V and I-V in the LE (respective p-values: 0.005 and 0.04). In LLAEP, the NEG had a smaller P3 amplitude bilaterally (RE p-value 0.001; LE p-value 0.002). The NEG performed worse than the CG in most of the assessments, suggesting that the auditory function in individuals exposed to occupational noise is impaired, even with normal audiometric thresholds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Systems Neuroscience)

15 pages, 1004 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tools for the Assessment of Risk-Taking Behavior in Older Adults with Mild Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study

by Charline Compagne, Damien Gabriel, Lénaïc Ferrero, Eloi Magnin and Thomas Tannou

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060967 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1376

Abstract

Diseases such as Alzheimer’s cause an alteration of cognitive functions, which can lead to increased daily risk-taking in older adults living at home. The assessment of decision-making abilities is primarily based on clinicians’ global analysis. Usual neuropsychological tests such as the MoCA (Montreal [...] Read more.

Diseases such as Alzheimer’s cause an alteration of cognitive functions, which can lead to increased daily risk-taking in older adults living at home. The assessment of decision-making abilities is primarily based on clinicians’ global analysis. Usual neuropsychological tests such as the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) cover most of the cognitive domains and include mental flexibility tasks. Specific behavioral tasks for risk-taking, such as the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) or the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), have been developed to assess risk-taking behavior, particularly in the field of addictology. Our cross-sectional study aims to determine whether the MoCA global cognitive assessment could be used as a substitute for behavioral tasks in the assessment of risky behavior. In the current study, 24 patients (age: 82.1 ± 5.9) diagnosed with mild dementia completed the cognitive assessment (MoCA and executive function assessment) and two behavioral risk-taking tasks (BART, simplified version of the IGT). Results revealed no relationship between scores obtained in the MoCA and behavioral decision-making tasks. However, the two tasks assessing risk-taking behavior resulted in concordant risk profiles. In addition, patients with a high risk-taking behavior profile on the BART had better Trail Making Test (TMT) scores and thus retained mental flexibility. These findings suggest that MoCA scores are not representative of risk-taking behavioral inclinations. Thus, additional clinical tests should be used to assess risk-taking behavior in geriatric settings. Executive function measures, such as the TMT, and behavioral laboratory measures, such as the BART, are recommended for this purpose. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Behavioral Neuroscience)

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7 pages, 1089 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Perspectives and Implications of Coanda Effect in Aneurysms

by Vicentiu-Mircea Saceleanu, Razvan-Adrian Covache-Busuioc, Luca-Andrei Glavan, Antonio-Daniel Corlatescu and Alexandru Vlad Ciurea

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 966; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060966 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1304

Abstract

It is yet unknown how the formation of an aneurysm inside the human body occurs. Thus, understanding and analyzing the Coanda effect will result in a better overview of the overall fluid mechanics that develop inside such a structure, leading not only to [...] Read more.

It is yet unknown how the formation of an aneurysm inside the human body occurs. Thus, understanding and analyzing the Coanda effect will result in a better overview of the overall fluid mechanics that develop inside such a structure, leading not only to better treatment plans, but also to diminished postoperative risks. This paper presents how the fluid behaves in this situation, and takes into consideration how this physical phenomenon influences the hemodynamics inside numerous anatomical regions, located in the central nervous system, where aneurysms usually develop. Analyzing the three main areas in which cerebral aneurysms form, the Coanda effect can potentially lead to the rupture of the aneurysm by changing the blood flow trajectory; this should be taken into consideration when choosing a treatment plan, especially in postoperative care. In addition, there are other factors that can influence the evolution of an aneurysm, such as its shape, size, localization and the patient’s health condition. Understanding and analyzing the Coanda effect will result in a better overview of the overall fluid mechanics that develop inside such a structure, leading not only to better treatment plans, but also to diminished postoperative risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery)

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22 pages, 5340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Visual Motor Reaction Times Predict Receptive and Expressive Language Development in Early School-Age Children

by Areej A. Alhamdan, Melanie J. Murphy and Sheila G. Crewther

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060965 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1452

Abstract

Proficiency of multisensory processing and motor skill are often associated with early cognitive, social, and language development. However, little research exists regarding the relationship between multisensory motor reaction times (MRTs) to auditory, visual and audiovisual stimuli, and classical measures of receptive language and [...] Read more.

Proficiency of multisensory processing and motor skill are often associated with early cognitive, social, and language development. However, little research exists regarding the relationship between multisensory motor reaction times (MRTs) to auditory, visual and audiovisual stimuli, and classical measures of receptive language and expressive vocabulary development in school-age children. Thus, this study aimed to examine the concurrent development of performance in classical tests of receptive (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; abbreviated as PPVT) and expressive vocabulary (Expressive Vocabulary Test; abbreviated as EVT), nonverbal intelligence (NVIQ) (determined with the aid of Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices; abbreviated as RCPM), speed of visual–verbal processing in the Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN) test, Eye–Hand Co-ordination (EHC) in the SLURP task, and multisensory MRTs, in children (n = 75), aged between 5 and 10 years. Bayesian statistical analysis showed evidence for age group differences in EVT performance, while PPVT was only different for the youngest group of children aged 5–6, supporting different developmental trajectories in vocabulary acquisition. Bayesian correlations revealed evidence for associations between age, NVIQ, and vocabulary measures, with decisive evidence and a higher correlation (r = 0.57 to 0.68) between EVT, MRT tasks, and EHC visuomotor processing. This was further supported by regression analyses indicating that EVT performance was the strongest unique predictor of multisensory MRTs, EHC, and RAN time. Additionally, visual MRTs were found to predict both receptive and expressive vocabulary. The findings of the study have important implications as accessible school-based assessments of the concurrent development of NVIQ, language, and multisensory processing; and hence as rapid and timely measures of developmental and neurodevelopmental status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioral and Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sensory–Motor Integration)

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10 pages, 745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unawareness of Apathy in Parkinson’s Disease: The Role of Executive Dysfunction on Symptom Recognition

by Gianpaolo Maggi, Carmine Vitale, Alessia Delle Curti, Marianna Amboni and Gabriella Santangelo

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060964 - 18 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1008

Abstract

Altered self-awareness or anosognosia may impact patients’ everyday life by interfering with their safe and independent functioning. Symptom awareness has been linked to executive dysfunctions caused by damage to frontal regions. Apathy is a frequent neuropsychiatric manifestation of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is [...] Read more.

Altered self-awareness or anosognosia may impact patients’ everyday life by interfering with their safe and independent functioning. Symptom awareness has been linked to executive dysfunctions caused by damage to frontal regions. Apathy is a frequent neuropsychiatric manifestation of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is considered a consequence of altered functioning of cortico-subcortical circuitries connecting the prefrontal cortex (PFC) with the basal ganglia. Thus, apathetic PD patients may be not be fully aware of their condition due to shared neuropathophysiological mechanisms. The present study aimed to explore the awareness of apathy in PD patients by comparing the self-reported evaluations with their caregivers’ ratings. Moreover, we explored the clinical predictors of possible discrepancies and their consequences on patients’ self-reported evaluation of quality of life (QoL). We found a fair agreement between patients’ self-reports and caregivers’ ratings on apathy scores, with patients reporting less severe apathetic symptoms, especially those related to executive and auto-activation processing, compared to their caregivers’ reports. Executive functioning was found to mediate the relationship between disease stage and awareness of the apathetic state. Awareness of executive apathy impacted patients’ self-reported QoL. Therefore, PD patients might be unaware of their apathetic symptoms, especially those with worse executive functioning, which plays a key role in metacognitive processes such as self-monitoring and error detection. Anosognosia for apathy in PD patients may affect their QoL perception and leads to misleading self-report evaluations that delay diagnosis and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mental Health Issues and Quality of Life in Older Individuals)

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16 pages, 742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cortical Structure Differences in Relation to Age, Sexual Attractions, and Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents: An Examination of Mean Diffusivity and T1 Relaxation Time

by Malvina N. Skorska, Lindsey T. Thurston, Jessica M. Biasin, Gabriel A. Devenyi, Kenneth J. Zucker, M. Mallar Chakravarty, Meng-Chuan Lai and Doug P. VanderLaan

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 963; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060963 - 17 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1201

Abstract

Recent research found that the combination of masculine gender identity and gynephilia was associated with cortical T1 relaxation time, which is considered to reflect gray matter density. We hypothesized that mean diffusivity (MD), a diffusion tensor imaging metric that reflects the degree to [...] Read more.

Recent research found that the combination of masculine gender identity and gynephilia was associated with cortical T1 relaxation time, which is considered to reflect gray matter density. We hypothesized that mean diffusivity (MD), a diffusion tensor imaging metric that reflects the degree to which water movement is free versus constrained, in combination with T1 relaxation time would provide further insight regarding cortical tissue characteristics. MD and T1 relaxation time were measured in 76 cortical regions in 15 adolescents assigned female at birth who experience gender dysphoria (GD AFAB) and were not receiving hormone therapy, 17 cisgender girls, and 14 cisgender boys (ages 12–17 years). Sexual orientation was represented by the degree of androphilia–gynephilia and the strength of sexual attraction. In multivariate analyses, cortical T1 relaxation time showed a weak but statistically significant positive association with MD across the cortex, suggesting that macromolecule-rich cortical tissue also tends to show water movement that is somewhat more constrained. In further multivariate analyses, in several left frontal, parietal, and temporal regions, the combination of shorter T1 relaxation time and faster MD was associated with older age and greater gynephilia in GD AFAB individuals and cisgender boys and with stronger attractions in cisgender boys only. Thus, for these cortical regions in these groups, older age, gynephilia, and stronger attractions (cisgender boys only) were associated with macromolecule-rich tissue in which water movement was freer—a pattern that some prior research suggests is associated with greater cell density and size. Overall, this study indicates that investigating T1 relaxation time and MD together can further inform how cortical gray matter tissue characteristics relate to age and psychosexuality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification—Findings and Challenges)

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9 pages, 1328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerosity Comparison in Three Dimensions in the Case of Low Numerical Values

by Saori Aida

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060962 - 17 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1004

Abstract

This study investigated the perception of numbers in humans in 3D stimuli. Recent research has shown that number processing relies on “number sense” for small values, in line with Weber’s law. While previous studies have reported 3D numerosity overestimation mainly in higher numerical [...] Read more.

This study investigated the perception of numbers in humans in 3D stimuli. Recent research has shown that number processing relies on “number sense” for small values, in line with Weber’s law. While previous studies have reported 3D numerosity overestimation mainly in higher numerical values, our experiment examined whether this phenomenon occurs at lower numerical values. We also explored whether the Weber ratio follows Weber’s law when comparing 2D and 3D stimuli in terms of the number of elements. Observers were presented with pairs of stimuli on a monitor and were asked to identify the stimulus with a larger number of elements. Using the constant method, we calculated the point of subjective equality (PSE), just noticeable difference (JND), and Weber ratios from the collected data. As a result, it was confirmed that the phenomenon of over-estimation of 3D numerical values occurs even when the numerical values are small. Additionally, we observed that the Weber fraction adhered to Weber’s law within the measured range. These findings contribute to the existing body of research, supporting the existence of distinct mechanisms for perceiving numerosity and density. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Behavioral Neuroscience)

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18 pages, 1549 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detecting Subtle Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Normal Cognition: A Novel Cognitive Control Challenge Task (C3T)

by Karmen Resnik Robida, Vida Ana Politakis, Aleš Oblak, Anka Slana Ozimič, Helena Burger, Zvezdan Pirtošek and Jurij Bon

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060961 - 16 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1398

Abstract

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often show early deficits in cognitive control, with primary difficulties in flexibility and relatively intact stable representations. The aim of our study was to assess executive function using an ecologically valid approach that combines measures of stability and [...] Read more.

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often show early deficits in cognitive control, with primary difficulties in flexibility and relatively intact stable representations. The aim of our study was to assess executive function using an ecologically valid approach that combines measures of stability and flexibility. Fourteen patients without cognitive deficits and sixteen comparable control subjects completed a standardized neuropsychological test battery and a newly developed cognitive control challenge task (C3T). We found that the accuracy of C3T performance decreased with age in healthy participants and remained impaired in PD patients regardless of age. In addition, PD patients showed significantly lower overall performance for cognitive control tasks than healthy controls, even when they scored in the normal range on standardized neuropsychological tests. PD Patients responded significantly faster than healthy control subjects regarding flexible cognitive control tasks due to their impulsivity. Correlations showed that the C3T task targets multiple cognitive systems, including working memory, inhibition, and task switching, providing a reliable measure of complex cognitive control. C3T could be a valuable tool for characterizing cognitive deficits associated with PD and appears to be a more sensitive measure than standardized neuropsychological tests. A different assessment approach could potentially detect early signs of the disease and identify opportunities for early intervention with neuroprotective therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease (PD))

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13 pages, 1079 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Altered Spontaneous Brain Activity in Cirrhotic Patients with Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Meta-Analysis of Resting-State Functional Imaging

by Bin Qin, Shuolin Liang, Shiting Tang, Huo Liang, Yunli Zhang and Zhijian Liang

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060960 - 16 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1143

Abstract

(1) Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is an important complication of decompensated cirrhosis. Previous studies have demonstrated spontaneous brain activity alterations in cirrhotic patients with MHE. However, the reported results are inconsistent, which has limited our understanding of the potential neural mechanisms. Thus, [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is an important complication of decompensated cirrhosis. Previous studies have demonstrated spontaneous brain activity alterations in cirrhotic patients with MHE. However, the reported results are inconsistent, which has limited our understanding of the potential neural mechanisms. Thus, we conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of resting-state functional imaging studies to identify the regional activity alterations consistently involved in MHE. (2) Methods: We searched six databases to include resting-state functional imaging studies and compared spontaneous brain activity patterns between MHE patients and healthy controls (HCs), and between cirrhotic patients without minimal hepatic encephalopathy (NMHE) and HCs. Then, a separate whole-brain voxel-wise meta-analysis between MHE or NMHE patients and HCs was conducted using seed-based d mapping with permutation of subject images. We further conducted the conjunction analysis to assess the distinct regional activity alterations between MHE and NMHE patients as compared to HCs. (3) Results: Thirteen studies with twenty datasets were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with HCs, MHE patients showed decreased spontaneous brain activity in the left superior frontal gyrus, left median cingulate/paracingulate gyri, and right precuneus. Compared with NMHE patients, MHE patients indicated decreased spontaneous brain activity in the left superior frontal gyrus, left median cingulate/paracingulate gyri, and right precuneus. (4) Conclusions: MHE is associated with spontaneous brain activity alterations involving the left superior frontal gyrus and median cingulate/paracingulate gyri, which may implicate primarily in spatial working memory and emotional disorders. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the potential neural mechanisms, and guide further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neurotechnology and Neuroimaging)

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19 pages, 1065 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on Smartphone Keystroke Dynamics as a Digital Biomarker for Understanding Neurocognitive Functioning

by Theresa M. Nguyen, Alex D. Leow and Olusola Ajilore

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060959 - 16 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1615

Abstract

Can digital technologies provide a passive unobtrusive means to observe and study cognition outside of the laboratory? Previously, cognitive assessments and monitoring were conducted in a laboratory or clinical setting, allowing for a cross-sectional glimpse of cognitive states. In the last decade, researchers [...] Read more.

Can digital technologies provide a passive unobtrusive means to observe and study cognition outside of the laboratory? Previously, cognitive assessments and monitoring were conducted in a laboratory or clinical setting, allowing for a cross-sectional glimpse of cognitive states. In the last decade, researchers have been utilizing technological advances and devices to explore ways of assessing cognition in the real world. We propose that the virtual keyboard of smartphones, an increasingly ubiquitous digital device, can provide the ideal conduit for passive data collection to study cognition. Passive data collection occurs without the active engagement of a participant and allows for near-continuous, objective data collection. Most importantly, this data collection can occur in the real world, capturing authentic datapoints. This method of data collection and its analyses provide a more comprehensive and potentially more suitable insight into cognitive states, as intra-individual cognitive fluctuations over time have shown to be an early manifestation of cognitive decline. We review different ways passive data, centered around keystroke dynamics, collected from smartphones, have been used to assess and evaluate cognition. We also discuss gaps in the literature where future directions of utilizing passive data can continue to provide inferences into cognition and elaborate on the importance of digital data privacy and consent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Computational Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics)

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17 pages, 15380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal LPS Exposure Enhances the 5-HT Level in the Prefrontal Cortex of Autism-like Young Offspring

by Fang Lin, Xinyuan Wang, Ruifang Luo, Binlin Yuan, Shasha Ye, Ting Yang, Lu Xiao and Jie Chen

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060958 - 15 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1423

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reduced social interactions, impaired communication, and stereotyped behavior. The aim of this research is to investigate the changes in serotonin (5-HT) in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) of autism-like offspring induced by maternal [...] Read more.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reduced social interactions, impaired communication, and stereotyped behavior. The aim of this research is to investigate the changes in serotonin (5-HT) in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) of autism-like offspring induced by maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with LPS to establish an autism-like model in their offspring. Offspring prenatally exposed to LPS showed autism-like behavior. The serotonin level in the mPFC of 2-week-old offspring was noticeably increased after maternal LPS exposure. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in pathways related to tryptophan metabolism and the serotonin system, as shown in RNA-seq findings. Consistently, tryptophan and serotonin metabolisms were altered in 2-week-old LPS-exposed offspring. The mRNA expression levels of 5-HT catabolic enzymes were remarkably reduced or tended to decrease. Moreover, maternal LPS exposure resulted in a higher serotonin 1B receptor (5-HT_1BR) expression level in the mPFC but no difference in tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) or serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT). The concentrations of 5-HT in serum and colon were increased in LPS-exposed offspring. Meanwhile, the expression level of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) in the colon was increased after maternal LPS treatment, whereas SERT was reduced. Furthermore, Golgi-Cox staining showed that neuronal dendritic length and spine density were significantly reduced in the mPFC of LPS-exposed offspring. The current study reveals that maternal LPS treatment resulted in an exaltation of the 5-HT of mPFC in ASD-like young rats, which may partly be caused by the abnormal elevation of 5-HT metabolism in its colon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection New Advances in Autism)

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14 pages, 702 KiB

Open AccessReview

Is It Time for a Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Schizophrenia? The Use of Inflammation-Reducing and Neuroprotective Drugs—A Review

by Antonino Messina, Carmen Concerto, Alessandro Rodolico, Antonino Petralia, Filippo Caraci and Maria Salvina Signorelli

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060957 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2551

Abstract

Comprehending the pathogenesis of schizophrenia represents a challenge for global mental health. To date, although it is evident that alterations in dopaminergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic neurotransmission underlie the clinical expressiveness of the disease, neuronal disconnections represent only an epiphenomenon. In recent years, several [...] Read more.

Comprehending the pathogenesis of schizophrenia represents a challenge for global mental health. To date, although it is evident that alterations in dopaminergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic neurotransmission underlie the clinical expressiveness of the disease, neuronal disconnections represent only an epiphenomenon. In recent years, several clinical studies have converged on the hypothesis of microglia hyperactivation and a consequent neuroinflammatory state as a pathogenic substrate of schizophrenia. Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors can cause microglia to switch from M2 anti-inflammatory to M1 pro-inflammatory states. A continuous mild neuroinflammatory state progressively leads to neuronal loss, a reduction in dendritic spines, and myelin degeneration. The augmentation of drugs that reduce neuroinflammation to antipsychotics could be an effective therapeutic modality in managing schizophrenia. This review will consider studies in which drugs with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties have been used in addition to antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Psychiatric Disorder Psychopharmacology)

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33 pages, 2943 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Maternal Separation and Subsequent Stress on Behaviors and Brain Monoamines in Rats

by Polina V. Mavrenkova, Nadezhda N. Khlebnikova, Irina B. Alchinova, Marina S. Demorzhi, Batozhab B. Shoibonov and Mikhail Yu. Karganov

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060956 - 15 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1364

Abstract

Childhood adversity can induce maladaptive behaviors and increase risk for affective disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, and vulnerability to stress in adulthood. Deprivation of maternal care interrupts brain development through the disturbance of various neurotransmitters, however, the details remain unclear. The features [...] Read more.

Childhood adversity can induce maladaptive behaviors and increase risk for affective disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, and vulnerability to stress in adulthood. Deprivation of maternal care interrupts brain development through the disturbance of various neurotransmitters, however, the details remain unclear. The features of the symptoms of disorders are largely determined by early stress protocol, genetic characteristics (line), and the sex of the animals. The purpose of current study was (1) to assess behavioral changes in adult Wistar rats of both sexes after early life stress; (2) to determine the levels of monoamines in brain structures involved in the motor, emotional, and social reactions in rats aged 1 and 2 months; and (3) to determine the level of monoamines after physical or emotional stress in adult rats. The rat pups were separated from their dams and isolated from siblings in tight boxes at a temperature of 22–23 °C for 6 h during postnatal days 2–18. The data were processed predominantly using two-way analysis of variance and the Newman–Keys test as the post hoc analysis. The adult rats demonstrated an increase in motor activity and aggressiveness and a decrease in levels of anxiety and sociability. Behavioral disturbances were accompanied by region-, sex-, and age-dependent changes in the levels of monoamines and their metabolites. The dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems were found to be sensitive to psycho-emotional stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Biomedical Technology and Molecular Biological Approach in Brain Diseases)

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14 pages, 7227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heterogenous Genetic, Clinical, and Imaging Features in Patients with Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease Carrying NOTCH2NLC Repeat Expansion

by Yusran Ady Fitrah, Yo Higuchi, Norikazu Hara, Takayoshi Tokutake, Masato Kanazawa, Kazuhiro Sanpei, Tomone Taneda, Akihiko Nakajima, Shin Koide, Shintaro Tsuboguchi, Midori Watanabe, Junki Fukumoto, Shoichiro Ando, Tomoe Sato, Yohei Iwafuchi, Aki Sato, Hideki Hayashi, Takanobu Ishiguro, Hayato Takeda, Toshiaki Takahashi, Nobuyoshi Fukuhara, Kensaku Kasuga, Akinori Miyashita, Osamu Onodera and Takeshi Ikeuchi Show full author list Hide full author list

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 955; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060955 - 15 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1777

Abstract

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by the abnormal expansion of non-coding trinucleotide GGC repeats in NOTCH2NLC. NIID is clinically characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. To date, the relationship between expanded repeat lengths [...] Read more.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by the abnormal expansion of non-coding trinucleotide GGC repeats in NOTCH2NLC. NIID is clinically characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. To date, the relationship between expanded repeat lengths and clinical phenotype in patients with NIID remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to clarify the genetic and clinical spectrum and their association in patients with NIID. For this purpose, we genetically analyzed Japanese patients with adult-onset NIID with characteristic clinical and neuroimaging findings. Trinucleotide repeat expansions of NOTCH2NLC were examined by repeat-primed and amplicon-length PCR. In addition, long-read sequencing was performed to determine repeat size and sequence. The expanded GGC repeats ranging from 94 to 361 in NOTCH2NLC were found in all 15 patients. Two patients carried biallelic repeat expansions. There were marked heterogenous clinical and imaging features in NIID patients. Patients presenting with cerebellar ataxia or urinary dysfunction had a significantly larger GGC repeat size than those without. This significant association disappeared when these parameters were compared with the total trinucleotide repeat number. ARWMC score was significantly higher in patients who had a non-glycine-type trinucleotide interruption within expanded poly-glycine motifs than in those with a pure poly-glycine expansion. These results suggested that the repeat length and sequence in NOTCH2NLC may partly modify some clinical and imaging features of NIID. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neurodegenerative Diseases)

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10 pages, 496 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Potential Use of Sex Robots in Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Theoretical Framework

by Fabrizia Pasciuto, Antonia Cava and Alessandra Falzone

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060954 - 15 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1529

Abstract

Although the importance of the sexual sphere for the health of all human beings has been recognized at an international level, often this is underestimated when it comes to disabilities and even more to intellectual disabilities. In fact, the idea that subjects with [...] Read more.

Although the importance of the sexual sphere for the health of all human beings has been recognized at an international level, often this is underestimated when it comes to disabilities and even more to intellectual disabilities. In fact, the idea that subjects with intellectual disabilities are not aware of their bodies and of their wishes in the sexual and emotional field is still widespread in our society, in such a way that they are considered as children in need of constant supervision. Moreover, further hints of criticism that can be raised are about the poor level of sexual education that is dedicated to these subjects, both by family members and by therapists. The last decades have been characterized by a considerable growth in the technological sector and many new instruments have been successfully used in the field of healthcare of weak or disabled subjects. A particularly fruitful branch has been robotics which, in subjects with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), has revealed itself as an excellent support to stimulate communication and develop social skills. As in recent years the field of robotics has also been characterized by a strong interest in the sphere of sexuality, building and implementing what we now define as sex robots or sexbots, it could be interesting to start a debate on the potential that these new generation artificial agents could have in the field of care of subjects with ASD. These robots, possessing a technology based on stimulating verbal and nonverbal interaction, could be useful for an education that is not only sexual but also psycho-emotional in subjects with ASD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexuality in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Past, Present and Innovative Perspectives)

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17 pages, 2221 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Clinical, Neuroimaging and Robotic Measures Predict Long-Term Proprioceptive Impairments following Stroke

by Matthew J. Chilvers, Deepthi Rajashekar, Trevor A. Low, Stephen H. Scott and Sean P. Dukelow

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060953 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1270

Abstract

Proprioceptive impairments occur in ~50% of stroke survivors, with 20–40% still impaired six months post-stroke. Early identification of those likely to have persistent impairments is key to personalizing rehabilitation strategies and reducing long-term proprioceptive impairments. In this study, clinical, neuroimaging and robotic measures [...] Read more.

Proprioceptive impairments occur in ~50% of stroke survivors, with 20–40% still impaired six months post-stroke. Early identification of those likely to have persistent impairments is key to personalizing rehabilitation strategies and reducing long-term proprioceptive impairments. In this study, clinical, neuroimaging and robotic measures were used to predict proprioceptive impairments at six months post-stroke on a robotic assessment of proprioception. Clinical assessments, neuroimaging, and a robotic arm position matching (APM) task were performed for 133 stroke participants two weeks post-stroke (12.4 ± 8.4 days). The APM task was also performed six months post-stroke (191.2 ± 18.0 days). Robotics allow more precise measurements of proprioception than clinical assessments. Consequently, an overall APM Task Score was used as ground truth to classify proprioceptive impairments at six months post-stroke. Other APM performance parameters from the two-week assessment were used as predictive features. Clinical assessments included the Thumb Localisation Test (TLT), Behavioural Inattention Test (BIT), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and demographic information (age, sex and affected arm). Logistic regression classifiers were trained to predict proprioceptive impairments at six months post-stroke using data collected two weeks post-stroke. Models containing robotic features, either alone or in conjunction with clinical and neuroimaging features, had a greater area under the curve (AUC) and lower Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) than models which only contained clinical or neuroimaging features. All models performed similarly with regard to accuracy and F1-score (>70% accuracy). Robotic features were also among the most important when all features were combined into a single model. Predicting long-term proprioceptive impairments, using data collected as early as two weeks post-stroke, is feasible. Identifying those at risk of long-term impairments is an important step towards improving proprioceptive rehabilitation after a stroke. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-stroke Rehabilitation)

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9 pages, 608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Twins Therapy on Egocentric and Allocentric Neglect in Stroke Patients: A Feasibility Study

by Woo-Hyuk Jang, Hyeong-Min Hwang and Jae-Yeop Kim

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 952; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060952 - 14 Jun 2023

Viewed by 971

Abstract

(1) Background: Existing treatment methods for neglect are concentrated on egocentric neglect and may lead to various problems such as cost/space constraints and portability. Therefore, this study seeks to determine how a new treatment (also known as twins therapy, TT) for stroke patients [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Existing treatment methods for neglect are concentrated on egocentric neglect and may lead to various problems such as cost/space constraints and portability. Therefore, this study seeks to determine how a new treatment (also known as twins therapy, TT) for stroke patients can improve an existing problem associated with neglect. (2) Method: A pre/post-test control group research design was used and both groups continued to receive existing rehabilitation treatment, whilst TT intervention was only added to the experimental group. TT intervention was conducted for a total of 20 sessions (1 session for 30 min/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks). (3) Result: There was no significant difference in the manual function test (MFT) and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) items (p > 0.05) before and after the TT intervention. However, the score and execution time of the apple cancellation test showed a significant reduction only in the experimental group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusion: TT not only improved egocentric neglect, but also allocentric neglect symptoms in stroke patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Strategies and New Rehabilitation Evaluations to Stroke)

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15 pages, 1895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Potential Biomarker of Brain Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot fNIRS Study in Female Preschoolers

by Elena Scaffei, Raffaele Mazziotti, Eugenia Conti, Valeria Costanzo, Sara Calderoni, Andrea Stoccoro, Claudia Carmassi, Raffaella Tancredi, Laura Baroncelli and Roberta Battini

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 951; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060951 - 14 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1780

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a neurodevelopmental condition whose detection still remains challenging in young females due to the heterogeneity of the behavioral phenotype and the capacity of camouflage. The availability of quantitative biomarkers to assess brain function may support in the [...] Read more.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a neurodevelopmental condition whose detection still remains challenging in young females due to the heterogeneity of the behavioral phenotype and the capacity of camouflage. The availability of quantitative biomarkers to assess brain function may support in the assessment of ASD. Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive and flexible tool that quantifies cortical hemodynamic responses (HDR) that can be easily employed to describe brain activity. Since the study of the visual phenotype is a paradigmatic model to evaluate cerebral processing in many neurodevelopmental conditions, we hypothesized that visually-evoked HDR (vHDR) might represent a potential biomarker in ASD females. We performed a case-control study comparing vHDR in a cohort of high-functioning preschooler females with ASD (fASD) and sex/age matched peers. We demonstrated the feasibility of visual fNIRS measurements in fASD, and the possibility to discriminate between fASD and typical subjects using different signal features, such as the amplitude and lateralization of vHDR. Moreover, the level of response lateralization was correlated to the severity of autistic traits. These results corroborate the cruciality of sensory symptoms in ASD, paving the way for the validation of the fNIRS analytical tool for diagnosis and treatment outcome monitoring in the ASD population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection New Advances in Autism)

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12 pages, 1245 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Roles of Neural Integrity, Physical Activity and Depression in Frailty: Sex-Related Differences

by Sara Isernia, Marta Cazzoli, Gisella Baglio, Monia Cabinio, Federica Rossetto, Fabrizio Giunco, Francesca Baglio and Valeria Blasi

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 950; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060950 - 14 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1338

Abstract

The frailty sex paradox has recently gained attention. At all ages, females are more likely to be frail and show a more severe phenotype but have a higher survival rate compared to males. The main aim was to test sex-specific differences in frailty [...] Read more.

The frailty sex paradox has recently gained attention. At all ages, females are more likely to be frail and show a more severe phenotype but have a higher survival rate compared to males. The main aim was to test sex-specific differences in frailty syndrome using a multimodal evaluation from clinical and imaging data to deepen the understanding of different underlying mechanisms involved in the two sexes, and thus understand the association with different risk factors. Ninety-six community-dwelling older adults were characterized by clinical underpinnings (Fried’s frailty indicators: comorbidity, depression, global cognitive level, physical activity, autonomy), and neural integrity (T1-weighted brain 3T MRI). The frailty × sex interaction in clinical and neural profiles was tested. Additionally, frailty risk factors were identified in the two sexes separately. Results showed that fragility was associated with an increment of depressive symptomatology in females, while a decrement in physical activity was observed already in the pre-frail stage in males. Finally, different risk factors were observed in the two groups: significant frailty predictors were neural integrity and physical activity in males, and age and depression in females. These data support the starting hypothesis of at least partially different mechanisms involved in the frailty phenotype between men and women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sex Differences in Developing Brain)

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14 pages, 7700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reduced Resting-State EEG Power Spectra and Functional Connectivity after 24 and 36 Hours of Sleep Deprivation

by Jie Lian, Lin Xu, Tao Song, Ziyi Peng, Zheyuan Zhang, Xin An, Shufang Chen, Xiao Zhong and Yongcong Shao

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060949 - 14 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1833

Abstract

Total sleep deprivation (TSD) leads to cognitive decline; however, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) changes after TSD remain unclear. In this study, 42 healthy adult participants were subjected to 36 h of sleep deprivation (36 h TSD), and resting-state EEG data [...] Read more.

Total sleep deprivation (TSD) leads to cognitive decline; however, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) changes after TSD remain unclear. In this study, 42 healthy adult participants were subjected to 36 h of sleep deprivation (36 h TSD), and resting-state EEG data were recorded at baseline, after 24 h of sleep deprivation (24 h TSD), and after 36 h TSD. The analysis of resting-state EEG at baseline, after 24 h TSD, and after 36 h TSD using source localization analysis, power spectrum analysis, and functional connectivity analysis revealed a decrease in alpha-band power and a significant increase in delta-band power after TSD and impaired functional connectivity in the default mode network, precuneus, and inferior parietal lobule. The cortical activities of the precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, and superior parietal lobule were significantly reduced, but no difference was found between the 24 h and 36 h TSD groups. This may indicate that TSD caused some damage to the participants, but this damage temporarily slowed during the 24 h to 36 h TSD period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neurotechnology and Neuroimaging)

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15 pages, 1349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Alerting, Orienting, and Executive Control Attentional Networks in Bilingual and Monolingual Primary School Children: The Role of Socioeconomic Status

by Francesca Federico, Michela Mellone, Ferida Volpi and Margherita Orsolini

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060948 - 14 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1663

Abstract

For decades, researchers have suggested the existence of a bilingual cognitive advantage, especially in tasks involving executive functions such as inhibition, shifting, and updating. Recently, an increasing number of studies have questioned whether bilingualism results in a change in executive functions, highlighting conflicting [...] Read more.

For decades, researchers have suggested the existence of a bilingual cognitive advantage, especially in tasks involving executive functions such as inhibition, shifting, and updating. Recently, an increasing number of studies have questioned whether bilingualism results in a change in executive functions, highlighting conflicting data published in the literature. The present study compared the performance of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade bilingual and monolingual children on attentional and cognitive tasks. The participants were 61 monolingual and 74 bilingual children (M = 114.6 months; SD = 8.48 months) who were tested on two versions of the attention network task (ANT), with and without social stimuli, as well as tests investigating working memory, short-term memory, narrative memory, and receptive vocabulary. Data on families’ socioeconomic status and children’s reasoning abilities were also collected. The results showed that bilingualism and socioeconomic status affected attentional networks in tasks involving social stimuli. In tasks involving non-social stimuli, socioeconomic status only affected the alerting and executive conflict networks. Consistent with the literature, a positive relationship emerged between socioeconomic status and executive control in the context of social stimuli, and a negative relationship emerged between socioeconomic status and the alerting network in the context of non-social stimuli. Interestingly, neither socioeconomic status nor social attentional networks correlated with working memory. Therefore, although more investigations are required, the results suggest that differences in social contexts mainly affect attentional functions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposures, Neurodevelopment, and Mental Health)

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20 pages, 2361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Personality-Based Emotion Recognition Using EEG Signals with a CNN-LSTM Network

by Mohammad Saleh Khajeh Hosseini, Seyed Mohammad Firoozabadi, Kambiz Badie and Parviz Azadfallah

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 947; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060947 - 14 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2228

Abstract

The accurate detection of emotions has significant implications in healthcare, psychology, and human–computer interaction. Integrating personality information into emotion recognition can enhance its utility in various applications. The present study introduces a novel deep learning approach to emotion recognition, which utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) [...] Read more.

The accurate detection of emotions has significant implications in healthcare, psychology, and human–computer interaction. Integrating personality information into emotion recognition can enhance its utility in various applications. The present study introduces a novel deep learning approach to emotion recognition, which utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) signals and the Big Five personality traits. The study recruited 60 participants and recorded their EEG data while they viewed unique sequence stimuli designed to effectively capture the dynamic nature of human emotions and personality traits. A pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) was used to extract emotion-related features from the raw EEG data. Additionally, a long short-term memory (LSTM) network was used to extract features related to the Big Five personality traits. The network was able to accurately predict personality traits from EEG data. The extracted features were subsequently used in a novel network to predict emotional states within the arousal and valence dimensions. The experimental results showed that the proposed classifier outperformed common classifiers, with a high accuracy of 93.97%. The findings suggest that incorporating personality traits as features in the designed network, for emotion recognition, leads to higher accuracy, highlighting the significance of examining these traits in the analysis of emotions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Computational Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics)

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31 pages, 727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Specific Low Back Pain: An Inductive Exploratory Analysis through Factor Analysis and Deep Learning for Better Clustering

by Lucien Robinault, Imran Khan Niazi, Nitika Kumari, Imran Amjad, Vincent Menard and Heidi Haavik

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(6), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060946 - 13 Jun 2023

Viewed by 2317

Abstract

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is a significant and pervasive public health issue in contemporary society. Despite the widespread prevalence of NSLBP, our understanding of its underlying causes, as well as our capacity to provide effective treatments, remains limited due to the high [...] Read more.

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is a significant and pervasive public health issue in contemporary society. Despite the widespread prevalence of NSLBP, our understanding of its underlying causes, as well as our capacity to provide effective treatments, remains limited due to the high diversity in the population that does not respond to generic treatments. Clustering the NSLBP population based on shared characteristics offers a potential solution for developing personalized interventions. However, the complexity of NSLBP and the reliance on subjective categorical data in previous attempts present challenges in achieving reliable and clinically meaningful clusters. This study aims to explore the influence and importance of objective, continuous variables related to NSLBP and how to use these variables effectively to facilitate the clustering of NSLBP patients into meaningful subgroups. Data were acquired from 46 subjects who performed six simple movement tasks (back extension, back flexion, lateral trunk flexion right, lateral trunk flexion left, trunk rotation right, and trunk rotation left) at two different speeds (maximum and preferred). High-density electromyography (HD EMG) data from the lower back region were acquired, jointly with motion capture data, using passive reflective markers on the subject’s body and clusters of markers on the subject’s spine. An exploratory analysis was conducted using a deep neural network and factor analysis. Based on selected variables, various models were trained to classify individuals as healthy or having NSLBP in order to assess the importance of different variables. The models were trained using different subsets of data, including all variables, only anthropometric data (e.g., age, BMI, height, weight, and sex), only biomechanical data (e.g., shoulder and lower back movement), only neuromuscular data (e.g., HD EMG activity), or only balance-related data. The models achieved high accuracy in categorizing individuals as healthy or having NSLBP (full model: 93.30%, anthropometric model: 94.40%, biomechanical model: 84.47%, neuromuscular model: 88.07%, and balance model: 74.73%). Factor analysis revealed that individuals with NSLBP exhibited different movement patterns to healthy individuals, characterized by slower and more rigid movements. Anthropometric variables (age, sex, and BMI) were significantly correlated with NSLBP components. In conclusion, different data types, such as body measurements, movement patterns, and neuromuscular activity, can provide valuable information for identifying individuals with NSLBP. To gain a comprehensive understanding of NSLBP, it is crucial to investigate the main domains influencing its prognosis as a cohesive unit rather than studying them in isolation. Simplifying the conditions for acquiring dynamic data is recommended to reduce data complexity, and using back flexion and trunk rotation as effective options should be further explored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Altered Sensory and Cognitive Processing on Sensorimotor Integration)

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