Brain Sciences

15 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Argues for the Heterogeneity of Psychological Resilience

by Christopher F. Sharpley, Ian D. Evans, Vicki Bitsika, Wayne M. Arnold, Emmanuel Jesulola and Linda L. Agnew

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091354 - 21 Sep 2023

Viewed by 876

Abstract

Depression is associated with frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) and Psychological Resilience (PR), although in different ways. Only cursory attention has been given to how these three constructs interact despite the possible clinical and research implications of those associations. One limitation of recent research [...] Read more.

Depression is associated with frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) and Psychological Resilience (PR), although in different ways. Only cursory attention has been given to how these three constructs interact despite the possible clinical and research implications of those associations. One limitation of recent research into these associations has been conceptualising PR as a unitary construct, whereas it has been shown to be multi-component. This study investigated the underlying components of PR, their correlations with FAA, and the effect that participants’ depressive status had upon those correlations in a community sample of 54 males and 46 females aged between 18 yr and 75 years. Results confirmed the overall inverse association between total PR and depression for four of the original five PR components and for one of the two components found in this sample. Similarly, there were differences between the ways that FAA and PR components were associated, depending upon the depressive status of participants. Source localisation data indicated that the PR components were not uniformly correlated with alpha activity in the same brain regions. These findings of content, efficacy, and neurophysiological differences between the five components of PR and their associations with FAA argue against consideration of PR as a unitary construct. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Behavioral Neuroscience)

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12 pages, 2090 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between the Healthy Eating Index-2015 and Developmental Disabilities in Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

by Jianxiong Gui, Lingman Wang, Ziyao Han, Ran Ding, Xiaoyue Yang, Jiaxin Yang, Hanyu Luo, Dishu Huang, Jie Liu and Li Jiang

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091353 - 21 Sep 2023

Viewed by 941

Abstract

Few studies have examined the association between dietary quality and the risk of developmental disabilities (DDs). This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary quality and the risk of DDs in US children aged 5 to 15. We employed data from the [...] Read more.

Few studies have examined the association between dietary quality and the risk of developmental disabilities (DDs). This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary quality and the risk of DDs in US children aged 5 to 15. We employed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2018. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between HEI-2015 score, HEI component score, and the likelihood of DDs. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were utilized to investigate nonlinear links between HEI-2015 score and the likelihood of DDs. Interaction analysis was utilized to explore differences between subgroups. HEI-2015 score was negatively linked with the risk of DDs after adjusting covariates [odds ratio (OR) = 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) = (0.98, 1.00)]. HEI-2015 score was separated by quartile into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. Q1 represents the lowest HEI scores, while Q4 represents the highest HEI scores. Children in the fourth quartile of the HEI-2015 exhibited a decreased prevalence of DDs compared to those in the first quartile [(OR = 0.69; 95% CI = (0.53, 0.89)]. The association between HEI-2015 score and the risk of DDs was modified by race/ethnicity. The higher HEI-2015 score was associated with a lower risk of DDs, suggesting that better dietary quality may reduce the risk of DDs in children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutritional Neuroscience)

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20 pages, 387 KiB

Open AccessReview

Precision Concussion Management: Approaches to Quantifying Head Injury Severity and Recovery

by Daniel N. de Souza, Mitchell Jarmol, Carter A. Bell, Christina Marini, Laura J. Balcer, Steven L. Galetta and Scott N. Grossman

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1352; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091352 - 21 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1406

Abstract

Mitigating the substantial public health impact of concussion is a particularly difficult challenge. This is partly because concussion is a highly prevalent condition, and diagnosis is predominantly symptom-based. Much of contemporary concussion management relies on symptom interpretation and accurate reporting by patients. These [...] Read more.

Mitigating the substantial public health impact of concussion is a particularly difficult challenge. This is partly because concussion is a highly prevalent condition, and diagnosis is predominantly symptom-based. Much of contemporary concussion management relies on symptom interpretation and accurate reporting by patients. These types of reports may be influenced by a variety of factors for each individual, such as preexisting mental health conditions, headache disorders, and sleep conditions, among other factors. This can all be contributory to non-specific and potentially misleading clinical manifestations in the aftermath of a concussion. This review aimed to conduct an examination of the existing literature on emerging approaches for objectively evaluating potential concussion, as well as to highlight current gaps in understanding where further research is necessary. Objective assessments of visual and ocular motor concussion symptoms, specialized imaging techniques, and tissue-based concentrations of specific biomarkers have all shown promise for specifically characterizing diffuse brain injuries, and will be important to the future of concussion diagnosis and management. The consolidation of these approaches into a comprehensive examination progression will be the next horizon for increased precision in concussion diagnosis and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluation and Management of Traumatic Brain Injury)

16 pages, 2342 KiB

Open AccessReview

What General Neurologists Should Know about Autoinflammatory Syndromes?

by Marianna Pinheiro Moraes de Moraes, Renan Rodrigues Neves Ribeiro do Nascimento, Fabiano Ferreira Abrantes, José Luiz Pedroso, Sandro Félix Perazzio and Orlando Graziani Povoas Barsottini

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091351 - 21 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3559

Abstract

Autoinflammatory disorders encompass a wide range of conditions with systemic and neurological symptoms, which can be acquired or inherited. These diseases are characterized by an abnormal response of the innate immune system, leading to an excessive inflammatory reaction. On the other hand, autoimmune [...] Read more.

Autoinflammatory disorders encompass a wide range of conditions with systemic and neurological symptoms, which can be acquired or inherited. These diseases are characterized by an abnormal response of the innate immune system, leading to an excessive inflammatory reaction. On the other hand, autoimmune diseases result from dysregulation of the adaptive immune response. Disease flares are characterized by systemic inflammation affecting the skin, muscles, joints, serosa, and eyes, accompanied by unexplained fever and elevated acute phase reactants. Autoinflammatory syndromes can present with various neurological manifestations, such as aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, sensorineural hearing loss, and others. Early recognition of these manifestations by general neurologists can have a significant impact on the prognosis of patients. Timely and targeted therapy can prevent long-term disability by reducing chronic inflammation. This review provides an overview of recently reported neuroinflammatory phenotypes, with a specific focus on genetic factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment options. General neurologists should have a good understanding of these important diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenetic Disorders across Human Life: From Infancy to Adulthood)

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15 pages, 1200 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Ponto-Geniculo-Occipital (PGO) Waves in Dreaming: An Overview

by Jin-Xian Gao, Guizhong Yan, Xin-Xuan Li, Jun-Fan Xie, Karen Spruyt, Yu-Feng Shao and Yi-Ping Hou

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091350 - 20 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2467

Abstract

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the main sleep correlate of dreaming. Ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves are a signature of REM sleep. They represent the physiological mechanism of REM sleep that specifically limits the processing of external information. PGO waves look just like a [...] Read more.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the main sleep correlate of dreaming. Ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves are a signature of REM sleep. They represent the physiological mechanism of REM sleep that specifically limits the processing of external information. PGO waves look just like a message sent from the pons to the lateral geniculate nucleus of the visual thalamus, the occipital cortex, and other areas of the brain. The dedicated visual pathway of PGO waves can be interpreted by the brain as visual information, leading to the visual hallucinosis of dreams. PGO waves are considered to be both a reflection of REM sleep brain activity and causal to dreams due to their stimulation of the cortex. In this review, we summarize the role of PGO waves in potential neural circuits of two major theories, i.e., (1) dreams are generated by the activation of neural activity in the brainstem; (2) PGO waves signaling to the cortex. In addition, the potential physiological functions during REM sleep dreams, such as memory consolidation, unlearning, and brain development and plasticity and mood regulation, are discussed. It is hoped that our review will support and encourage research into the phenomenon of human PGO waves and their possible functions in dreaming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seven Decades of REM Sleep Discovery)

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14 pages, 7260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Crosstalk between the EGFR and IFN-γ Pathways and Synergistic Roles in Survival Prediction and Immune Escape in Gliomas

by Xingang Zhou, Tingyu Liang, Yulu Ge, Yu Wang and Wenbin Ma

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091349 - 20 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1349

Abstract

Glioma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. The poor prognosis of gliomas, especially glioblastoma (GBM), is associated with their unique molecular landscape and tumor microenvironment (TME) features. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is one of the frequently altered loci [...] Read more.

Glioma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. The poor prognosis of gliomas, especially glioblastoma (GBM), is associated with their unique molecular landscape and tumor microenvironment (TME) features. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is one of the frequently altered loci in gliomas, leading to the activation of the EGFR signaling pathway and thus, promoting the genesis of gliomas. Whether there exist factors within the TME that can lead to EGFR activation in the context of gliomas is currently unexplored. In total, 702 samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and 325 samples from The Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) were enrolled in this study. Gene signatures related to EGFR signaling and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) response were established via the LASSO-COX algorithm. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis were applied for function exploration. Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves and single sample GSEA (ssGSEA) of immune cell subpopulations were performed to analyze the prognosis and TME characteristics of different subgroups. Moreover, Western blotting (WB) and flow cytometry (FCM) demonstrated the correlation between IFN-γ and EGFR signaling activation and the subsequent induction of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. An EGFR signaling-related risk score was established, and a higher score was correlated with poorer prognosis and a more malignant phenotype in gliomas. Biological function analysis revealed that a higher EGFR-related score was significantly associated with various cytokine response pathways, especially IFN-γ. Long-term (7 days) exposure to IFN-γ (400 ng/mL) induced the activation of EGFR signaling in the u87 cell line. Next, an IFN-γ response-related risk score was established; the combination of these two scores could be used to further reclassify gliomas into subtypes with different clinical features and TME features. Double high-risk samples tended to have a poorer prognosis and more immunosuppressive TME. Additionally, FCM discovered that the activation of EGFR signaling via EGF (100 ng/mL) could trigger PD-L1 protein expression. This research indicates that IFN-γ, an inflammatory cytokine, can activate the EGFR pathway. The combination of EGFR signaling and IFN-γ response pathway can establish a more precise classification of gliomas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuroinflammation)

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15 pages, 1657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Visual Function and Neuropsychological Profiling of Idiopathic Infantile Nystagmus

by Federica Morelli, Guido Catalano, Ilaria Scognamillo, Nicolò Balzarotti, Antonella Luparia, Lucrezia Olivier, Chiara Bertone, Monica Gori and Sabrina Signorini

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091348 - 20 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1148

Abstract

Though considered a benign condition, idiopathic infantile nystagmus (IIN) may be associated with decreased visual acuity and oculo-motor abnormalities, resulting in developmental delays and poor academic performance. Nevertheless, the specific visual function profile of IIN and its possible impact on neuropsychological development have [...] Read more.

Though considered a benign condition, idiopathic infantile nystagmus (IIN) may be associated with decreased visual acuity and oculo-motor abnormalities, resulting in developmental delays and poor academic performance. Nevertheless, the specific visual function profile of IIN and its possible impact on neuropsychological development have been poorly investigated. To fill this gap, we retrospectively collected the clinical data of 60 children presenting with IIN over a 10-year period (43 male; mean age of 7 years, range of 2 months-17 years, 9 months). The majority of the subjects in our cohort presented with reduced visual acuity for far distances and normal visual acuity for near distances, associated with oculo-motor abnormalities. The overall scores of cognitive and visual–cognitive tests were in the normal range, but revealed peculiar cognitive and visual–cognitive profiles, defined by specific frailties in processing speed and visual–motor integration. The same neuropsychological profiles characterize many neurodevelopmental disorders and may express a transnosographic vulnerability of the dorsal stream. As the first study to explore the neuropsychologic competencies in children with IIN, our study unveils the presence of subclinical frailties that need to be addressed to sustain academic and social inclusion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Vision and Cognition)

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17 pages, 2415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Roles of Potassium and Calcium Currents in the Bistable Firing Transition

by Fernando S. Borges, Paulo R. Protachevicz, Diogo L. M. Souza, Conrado F. Bittencourt, Enrique C. Gabrick, Lucas E. Bentivoglio, José D. Szezech, Jr., Antonio M. Batista, Iberê L. Caldas, Salvador Dura-Bernal and Rodrigo F. O. Pena

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091347 - 20 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1324

Abstract

Healthy brains display a wide range of firing patterns, from synchronized oscillations during slow-wave sleep to desynchronized firing during movement. These physiological activities coexist with periods of pathological hyperactivity in the epileptic brain, where neurons can fire in synchronized bursts. Most cortical neurons [...] Read more.

Healthy brains display a wide range of firing patterns, from synchronized oscillations during slow-wave sleep to desynchronized firing during movement. These physiological activities coexist with periods of pathological hyperactivity in the epileptic brain, where neurons can fire in synchronized bursts. Most cortical neurons are pyramidal regular spiking (RS) cells with frequency adaptation and do not exhibit bursts in current-clamp experiments (in vitro). In this work, we investigate the transition mechanism of spike-to-burst patterns due to slow potassium and calcium currents, considering a conductance-based model of a cortical RS cell. The joint influence of potassium and calcium ion channels on high synchronous patterns is investigated for different synaptic couplings (

g_{syn}

) and external current inputs (I). Our results suggest that slow potassium currents play an important role in the emergence of high-synchronous activities, as well as in the spike-to-burst firing pattern transitions. This transition is related to the bistable dynamics of the neuronal network, where physiological asynchronous states coexist with pathological burst synchronization. The hysteresis curve of the coefficient of variation of the inter-spike interval demonstrates that a burst can be initiated by firing states with neuronal synchronization. Furthermore, we notice that high-threshold (

I_{L}

) and low-threshold (

I_{T}

) ion channels play a role in increasing and decreasing the parameter conditions (

g_{syn}

and I) in which bistable dynamics occur, respectively. For high values of

I_{L}

conductance, a synchronous burst appears when neurons are weakly coupled and receive more external input. On the other hand, when the conductance

I_{T}

increases, higher coupling and lower I are necessary to produce burst synchronization. In light of our results, we suggest that channel subtype-specific pharmacological interactions can be useful to induce transitions from pathological high bursting states to healthy states. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neuroinformatics)

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15 pages, 293 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sleep Health, Individual Characteristics, Lifestyle Factors, and Marathon Completion Time in Marathon Runners: A Retrospective Investigation of the 2016 London Marathon

by Jesse D. Cook, Matt K. P. Gratton, Amy M. Bender, Penny Werthner, Doug Lawson, Charles R. Pedlar, Courtney Kipps, Celyne H. Bastien, Charles H. Samuels and Jonathan Charest

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1346; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091346 - 20 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1209

Abstract

Despite sleep health being critically important for athlete performance and well-being, sleep health in marathoners is understudied. This foundational study explored relations between sleep health, individual characteristics, lifestyle factors, and marathon completion time. Data were obtained from the 2016 London Marathon participants. Participants [...] Read more.

Despite sleep health being critically important for athlete performance and well-being, sleep health in marathoners is understudied. This foundational study explored relations between sleep health, individual characteristics, lifestyle factors, and marathon completion time. Data were obtained from the 2016 London Marathon participants. Participants completed the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) along with a brief survey capturing individual characteristics and lifestyle factors. Sleep health focused on the ASSQ sleep difficulty score (SDS) and its components. Linear regression computed relations among sleep, individual, lifestyle, and marathon variables. The analytic sample (N = 943) was mostly male (64.5%) and young adults (66.5%). A total of 23.5% of the sample reported sleep difficulties (SDS ≥ 8) at a severity warranting follow-up with a trained sleep provider. Middle-aged adults generally reported significantly worse sleep health characteristics, relative to young adults, except young adults reported significantly longer sleep onset latency (SOL). Sleep tracker users reported worse sleep satisfaction. Pre-bedtime electronic device use was associated with longer SOL and longer marathon completion time, while increasing SOL was also associated with longer marathon completion. Our results suggest a deleterious influence of pre-bedtime electronic device use and sleep tracker use on sleep health in marathoners. Orthosomnia may be a relevant factor in the relationship between sleep tracking and sleep health for marathoners. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep, Pain and Immune Function)

3 pages, 196 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advances in Understanding the Phenomena and Processing in Audiovisual Speech Perception

by Kaisa Tiippana

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091345 - 20 Sep 2023

Viewed by 668

Abstract

The Special Issue entitled “Advances in Understanding the Phenomena and Processing in Audiovisual Speech Perception” attracted a variety of articles written by prominent authors in the field [...] Full article

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

13 pages, 4895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synchronous Muscle Synergy Evaluation of Jaw Muscle Activities during Chewing at Different Speeds, a Preliminary Study

by Marzieh Allami Sanjani, Ehsan Tahami and Gelareh Veisi

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1344; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091344 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1006

Abstract

Human mastication is a complex and rhythmic biomechanical process regulated by the central nervous system (CNS). Muscle synergies are a group of motor primitives that the CNS may combine to simplify motor control in human movement. This study aimed to apply the non-negative [...] Read more.

Human mastication is a complex and rhythmic biomechanical process regulated by the central nervous system (CNS). Muscle synergies are a group of motor primitives that the CNS may combine to simplify motor control in human movement. This study aimed to apply the non-negative matrix factorization approach to examine the coordination of the masticatory muscles on both sides during chewing. Ten healthy individuals were asked to chew gum at different speeds while their muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography of the right and left masseter and temporalis muscles. Regardless of the chewing speed, two main muscle synergies explained most of the muscle activity variation, accounting for over 98% of the changes in muscle patterns (variance accounted for >98%). The first synergy contained the chewing side masseter muscle information, and the second synergy provided information on bilateral temporalis muscles during the jaw closing. Furthermore, there was robust consistency and high degrees of similarity among the sets of muscle synergy information across different rate conditions and participants. These novel findings in healthy participants supported the hypothesis that all participants in various chewing speed conditions apply the same motor control strategies for chewing. Furthermore, these outcomes can be utilized to design rehabilitation approaches such as biofeedback therapy for mastication disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Craniofacial and Oral Neurosciences)

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16 pages, 1538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lexical Access Restrictions after the Age of 80

by Carlos Rojas, Bernardo Riffo, Marilyn San Martín and Ernesto Guerra

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091343 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1325

Abstract

Background: During the fourth age (80+ years), cognitive difficulties increase. Although language seems to resist the advancement of age, an older person without pathological developments in cognition may exhibit deficits in lexical access. This study examines the restrictions on lexical access in people [...] Read more.

Background: During the fourth age (80+ years), cognitive difficulties increase. Although language seems to resist the advancement of age, an older person without pathological developments in cognition may exhibit deficits in lexical access. This study examines the restrictions on lexical access in people aged 80 and older in word recognition and retrieval modalities through four lexical tasks. Method: The effect of aging on response time and accuracy was measured using recognition (lexical decision/naming/priming) and retrieval (picture naming) tasks. A fourth age group (>80) and two third age groups (60–69/70–79) were compared according to lexical access modality and type of task employed through linear regression models. Results: People aged 80 and older exhibit a strong lexical access constraint, as they are slower and less accurate in recognizing and retrieving words than both third age groups. These restrictions are more profound for the word retrieval modality, especially in the picture naming task. Conclusion: Impaired fluid intelligence and internode transmission deficits during advanced aging could further reduce the ability to recognize and/or retrieve words, having an impact on access speed and accuracy. Furthermore, the idea that crystallized intelligence could strengthen the accuracy of lexical access during aging is supported, specifically in word recognition modality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Behavioral Neuroscience)

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13 pages, 1612 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Daytime Sleepiness, Fatigue and Autonomic Responses during Head-Up Tilt Test in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

by Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska, Łukasz Rzepiński, Mirosława Cieślicka, Jacek J. Klawe and Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1342; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091342 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1012

Abstract

We aimed to assess dynamic changes in hemodynamic and autonomic function in response to the head-up tilt test (HUTT) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to healthy controls (HCs) and evaluate its relationship with the patients’ reported daytime sleepiness and fatigue symptoms. [...] Read more.

We aimed to assess dynamic changes in hemodynamic and autonomic function in response to the head-up tilt test (HUTT) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to healthy controls (HCs) and evaluate its relationship with the patients’ reported daytime sleepiness and fatigue symptoms. A total of 58 MS patients and 30 HCs were included in the analysis. Fatigue and sleepiness were evaluated using the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively. Hemodynamic response, baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) variability (SBPV, DBPV) parameters were calculated at rest, and in response to the HUTT. The MS patients displayed attenuated BP responses coupled with a more pronounced decrease in cardiac index as well as a reduced increase in the low frequency (LFnu) of DBPV (p = 0.021) and the sympathovagal ratio (p = 0.031) in the latter-phase orthostatic challenge compared to HCs. In MS patients, the ESS score showed no correlation with CFQ or clinical disease outcomes, but exhibited a moderate correlation with LFnu of BPV_rest. Fatigue and disease variants predicted blood pressure response to HUTT. These findings underscore the importance of subjective daytime sleepiness and fatigue symptoms and their role in blood pressure regulation in MS patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Management)

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17 pages, 2311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adapting to Altered Sensory Input: Effects of Induced Paresthesia on Goal-Directed Movement Planning and Execution

by Niyousha Mortaza, Steven R. Passmore and Cheryl M. Glazebrook

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091341 - 19 Sep 2023

Viewed by 863

Abstract

The current study investigated how temporarily induced paresthesia in the moving limb affects the performance of a goal-directed target aiming task. Three-dimensional displacement data of 14 neurotypical participants were recorded while they pointed to a target on a computer monitor in four conditions: [...] Read more.

The current study investigated how temporarily induced paresthesia in the moving limb affects the performance of a goal-directed target aiming task. Three-dimensional displacement data of 14 neurotypical participants were recorded while they pointed to a target on a computer monitor in four conditions: (i) paresthesia-full-vision; (ii) paresthesia-without-target vision; (iii) no-paresthesia-full-vision; (iv) no paresthesia-without-target vision. The four conditions were blocked and counterbalanced such that participants performed the paresthesia and no-paresthesia conditions on two separate days. To assess how aiming performance changed in the presence of paresthesia, we compared early versus late performance (first and last 20% of trials). We found that endpoint accuracy and movement speed were reduced in the presence of paresthesia, but only without target vision. With repetition, participants adjusted their movement performance strategy, such that with induced paresthesia, they used a movement strategy that included more pre-planned movements that depended less on online control. Full article

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

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19 pages, 4172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Stress Classification Based on Selected Electroencephalography Channels Using Correlation Coefficient of Hjorth Parameters

by Ala Hag, Fares Al-Shargie, Dini Handayani and Houshyar Asadi

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091340 - 18 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1106

Abstract

Electroencephalography (EEG) signals offer invaluable insights into diverse activities of the human brain, including the intricate physiological and psychological responses associated with mental stress. A major challenge, however, is accurately identifying mental stress while mitigating the limitations associated with a large number of [...] Read more.

Electroencephalography (EEG) signals offer invaluable insights into diverse activities of the human brain, including the intricate physiological and psychological responses associated with mental stress. A major challenge, however, is accurately identifying mental stress while mitigating the limitations associated with a large number of EEG channels. Such limitations encompass computational complexity, potential overfitting, and the prolonged setup time for electrode placement, all of which can hinder practical applications. To address these challenges, this study presents the novel CCHP method, aimed at identifying and ranking commonly optimal EEG channels based on their sensitivity to the mental stress state. This method’s uniqueness lies in its ability not only to find common channels, but also to prioritize them according to their responsiveness to stress, ensuring consistency across subjects and making it potentially transformative for real-world applications. From our rigorous examinations, eight channels emerged as universally optimal in detecting stress variances across participants. Leveraging features from the time, frequency, and time–frequency domains of these channels, and employing machine learning algorithms, notably RLDA, SVM, and KNN, our approach achieved a remarkable accuracy of 81.56% with the SVM algorithm outperforming existing methodologies. The implications of this research are profound, offering a stepping stone toward the development of real-time stress detection devices, and consequently, enabling clinicians to make more informed therapeutic decisions based on comprehensive brain activity monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Stress and Cognitive Deficits Management)

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21 pages, 998 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Dynamic Probabilistic Model for Heterogeneous Data Fusion: A Pilot Case Study from Computer-Aided Detection of Depression

by Federica Vitale, Bruno Carbonaro and Anna Esposito

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091339 - 18 Sep 2023

Viewed by 836

Abstract

The present paper, in the framework of a search for a computer-aided method to detect depression, deals with experimental data of various types, with their correlation, and with the way relevant information about depression delivered by different sets of data can be fused [...] Read more.

The present paper, in the framework of a search for a computer-aided method to detect depression, deals with experimental data of various types, with their correlation, and with the way relevant information about depression delivered by different sets of data can be fused to build a unique body of knowledge about individuals’ mental states facilitating the diagnosis and its accuracy. To this aim, it suggests the use of a recently introduced «limiting form» of the kinetic-theoretic language, at present widely used to describe complex systems of objects of the most diverse nature. In this connection, the paper mainly aims to show how a wide range of experimental procedures can be described as examples of this «limiting case» and possibly rendered by this description more effective as methods of prediction from experience. In particular, the paper contains a simple, preliminary application of the method to the detection of depression, to show how the consideration of statistical parameters connected with the analysis of speech can modify, at least in a stochastic sense, each diagnosis of depression delivered by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neurolinguistics)

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21 pages, 745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Audiology Student Training by Clinical Simulation of Tinnitus: A Glimpse of the Lived Experience of Tinnitus

by Pierre H. Bourez, Guillaume T. Vallet and Philippe Fournier

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091338 - 17 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1318

Abstract

Purpose: Student audiology training in tinnitus evaluation and management is heterogeneous and has been found to be insufficient. We designed a new clinical simulation laboratory for training students on psychoacoustic measurements of tinnitus: one student plays the role of the tinnitus patient, wearing [...] Read more.

Purpose: Student audiology training in tinnitus evaluation and management is heterogeneous and has been found to be insufficient. We designed a new clinical simulation laboratory for training students on psychoacoustic measurements of tinnitus: one student plays the role of the tinnitus patient, wearing a device producing a sound like tinnitus on one ear, while another student plays the role of the audiologist, evaluating their condition. The objective of the study was to test this new clinical simulation laboratory of tinnitus from the perspective of the students. Method: This study reports the findings from twenty-one audiology students (20 female and 1 male, mean age = 29, SD = 7.7) who participated in this laboratory for a mandatory audiology class at the Laval University of Quebec. Three students had hearing loss (one mild, two moderate). All students played the role of both the clinician and the patient, alternately. They also had to fill out a questionnaire about their overall experience of the laboratory. Results: The qualitative analysis revealed three main themes: “Benefits of the laboratory on future practice”, “Barriers and facilitators of the psychoacoustic assessment”, and “Awareness of living with tinnitus”. The participants reported that this experience would have a positive impact on their ability to manage tinnitus patients in their future career. Conclusion: This fast, cheap, and effective clinical simulation method could be used by audiology and other healthcare educators to strengthen students’ skills and confidence in tinnitus evaluation and management. The protocol is made available to all interested parties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Tinnitus and Hearing Disorders)

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19 pages, 2651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuroimmune Support of Neuronal Regeneration and Neuroplasticity following Cerebral Ischemia in Juvenile Mice

by Ricaurte A. Marquez-Ortiz, Vesna Tesic, Daniel R. Hernandez, Bilkis Akhter, Nibedita Aich, Porter M. Boudreaux, Garrett A. Clemons, Celeste Yin-Chieh Wu, Hung Wen Lin and Krista M. Rodgers

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1337; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091337 - 17 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1118

Abstract

Ischemic damage to the brain and loss of neurons contribute to functional disabilities in many stroke survivors. Recovery of neuroplasticity is critical to restoration of function and improved quality of life. Stroke and neurological deficits occur in both adults and children, and yet [...] Read more.

Ischemic damage to the brain and loss of neurons contribute to functional disabilities in many stroke survivors. Recovery of neuroplasticity is critical to restoration of function and improved quality of life. Stroke and neurological deficits occur in both adults and children, and yet it is well documented that the developing brain has remarkable plasticity which promotes increased post-ischemic functional recovery compared with adults. However, the mechanisms underlying post-stroke recovery in the young brain have not been fully explored. We observed opposing responses to experimental cerebral ischemia in juvenile and adult mice, with substantial neural regeneration and enhanced neuroplasticity detected in the juvenile brain that was not found in adults. We demonstrate strikingly different stroke-induced neuroimmune responses that are deleterious in adults and protective in juveniles, supporting neural regeneration and plasticity. Understanding age-related differences in neuronal repair and regeneration, restoration of neural network function, and neuroimmune signaling in the stroke-injured brain may offer new insights for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for stroke rehabilitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroregenerative Plasticity in Health and Disease)

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12 pages, 1548 KiB

Open AccessReview

Inflammatory Mechanisms in a Neurovascular Disease: Cerebral Cavernous Malformation

by Ying Li, Abhinav Srinath, Roberto J. Alcazar-Felix, Stephanie Hage, Akash Bindal, Rhonda Lightle, Robert Shenkar, Changbin Shi, Romuald Girard and Issam A. Awad

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091336 - 17 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1370

Abstract

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a common cerebrovascular malformation causing intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, and focal neurologic deficits. A unique CCM lesional inflammatory microenvironment has been shown to influence the clinical course of the disease. This review addresses the inflammatory cell infiltrate in the [...] Read more.

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a common cerebrovascular malformation causing intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, and focal neurologic deficits. A unique CCM lesional inflammatory microenvironment has been shown to influence the clinical course of the disease. This review addresses the inflammatory cell infiltrate in the CCM lesion and the role of a defined antigen-driven immune response in pathogenicity. We summarize immune mechanisms associated with the loss of the CCM gene and disease progression, including the potential role of immunothrombosis. We also review evidence of circulating inflammatory biomarkers associated with CCM disease and its clinical activity. We articulate future directions for this research, including the role of individual cell type contributions to the immune response in CCM, single cell transcriptomics of inflammatory cells, biomarker development, and therapeutic implications. The concepts are applicable for developing diagnostic and treatment strategies for CCM and for studying other neurovascular diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery)

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12 pages, 1396 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cognitive Effects of rTMS in Caucasian Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

by Christiane Licht, Swetlana Herbrandt, Carmen van Meegen, Hartmut Lehfeld, Thomas Hillemacher and Kneginja Richter

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1335; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091335 - 17 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1401

Abstract

In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has received much attention as a non-invasive, effective treatment modality for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Although several meta-analyses have reported that rTMS can improve cognitive abilities, improvements in individual memory domains (speech, language, concentration, and [...] Read more.

In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has received much attention as a non-invasive, effective treatment modality for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Although several meta-analyses have reported that rTMS can improve cognitive abilities, improvements in individual memory domains (speech, language, concentration, and memory) are poorly understood. In addition, stimulation parameters may be flawed in studies of global populations because of ethnic differences between Caucasians and Asians. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically characterize the efficacy of different combinations of rTMS parameters on different cognitive domains in Caucasian patients with MCI. We conducted a systematic literature search in Medline PubMed, Pubpsych, and Embase on the use of rTMS in MCI patients through November 2022. Randomized, double-blind, and sham-controlled trials (RCTs) from the Caucasian patient population were included. The studies reported outcome measures for different domains of cognition, such as language, concentration, or memory. Possible effects of covariates were examined using meta-regressions. The search yielded five publications. The analyses found that rTMS improved cognitive functions, memory, concentration, and language in patients with MCI and treatment with rTMS compared with the sham stimulation group. The statistical analysis results of the studies showed that rTMS could improve various cognitive functions, such as memory and concentration, in Caucasian MCI patients. A particular effect was found at a frequency of 10 Hz and stimulation of the LDLPFC. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore more effective stimulation protocols and targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Mental Health)

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19 pages, 840 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Peripheral S100B Protein Levels in Five Major Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review

by Tomasz Kozlowski, Weronika Bargiel, Maksymilian Grabarczyk and Maria Skibinska

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091334 - 16 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1415

Abstract

Five major psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, show a shared genetic background and probably share common pathobiological mechanisms. S100B is a calcium-binding protein widely studied in psychiatric disorders as a potential biomarker. Our systematic [...] Read more.

Five major psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, show a shared genetic background and probably share common pathobiological mechanisms. S100B is a calcium-binding protein widely studied in psychiatric disorders as a potential biomarker. Our systematic review aimed to compare studies on peripheral S100B levels in five major psychiatric disorders with shared genetic backgrounds to reveal whether S100B alterations are disease-specific. EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed databases were searched for relevant studies published until the end of July 2023. This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. Overall, 1215 publications were identified, of which 111 full-text articles were included in the systematic review. Study designs are very heterogeneous, performed mostly on small groups of participants at different stages of the disease (first-episode or chronic, drug-free or medicated, in the exacerbation of symptoms or in remission), and various clinical variables are analyzed. Published results are inconsistent; most reported elevated S100B levels across disorders included in the review. Alterations in S100B peripheral levels do not seem to be disease-specific. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Psychiatric Diseases)

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17 pages, 980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Design of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation for Patients with Vestibulopathy and Cerebellar Disorders

by Thanh Tin Nguyen, Seung-Beop Lee, Jin-Ju Kang and Sun-Young Oh

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091333 - 16 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1238

Abstract

Objectives: Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) has shown positive outcomes in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as enhancing postural balance and cognitive functions. In order to expedite the practical application of GVS in clinical settings, our objective was to determine the best GVS [...] Read more.

Objectives: Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) has shown positive outcomes in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as enhancing postural balance and cognitive functions. In order to expedite the practical application of GVS in clinical settings, our objective was to determine the best GVS parameters for patients with vestibulopathy and cerebellar disorders using optimal design calculation. Methods: A total of 31 patients (26 males, mean age 57.03 ± 14.75 years, age range 22–82 years) with either unilateral or bilateral vestibulopathy (n = 18) or cerebellar ataxia (n = 13) were enrolled in the study. The GVS intervention included three parameters, waveform (sinusoidal, direct current [DC], and noisy), amplitude (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 mA), and duration of stimulation (5 and 30 min), resulting in a total of 18 GVS intervention modes as input variables. To evaluate the effectiveness of GVS, clinical vertigo and gait assessments were conducted using the Dizziness Visual Analogue Scale (D-VAS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) as output variables. Optimal design and local sensitivity analysis were employed to determine the most optimal GVS modes. Results: Patients with unilateral vestibulopathy experienced the most favorable results with either noisy or sinusoidal GVS at 0.4 mA amplitude for 30 min, followed by DC GVS at 0.8 mA amplitude for 5 min. Noisy GVS at 0.8 or 0.4 mA amplitude for 30 min demonstrated the most beneficial effects in patients with bilateral vestibulopathy. For patients with cerebellar ataxia, the optimal choices were noisy GVS with 0.8 or 0.4 mA amplitude for 5 or 30 min. Conclusions: This study is the first to utilize design optimization methods to identify the GVS stimulation parameters that are tailored to individual-specific characteristics of dizziness and imbalance. A sensitivity analysis was carried out along with the optimal design to offset the constraints of a limited sample size, resulting in the identification of the most efficient GVS modes for patients suffering from vestibular and cerebellar disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neuro-otology and Neuro-ophthalmology)

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11 pages, 654 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on the Precuneus in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Literature Review

by Bruno Millet, Stéphane Mouchabac, Gabriel Robert, Redwan Maatoug, Thibaut Dondaine, Florian Ferreri and Alexis Bourla

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1332; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091332 - 15 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1132

Abstract

The current literature review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of rTMS on the precuneus as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the number of studies specifically targeting the precuneus is limited, the results from this review suggest the potential benefits of [...] Read more.

The current literature review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of rTMS on the precuneus as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the number of studies specifically targeting the precuneus is limited, the results from this review suggest the potential benefits of this approach. Future studies should focus on exploring the long-term effects of rTMS on the precuneus in Alzheimer’s disease patients, as well as determining the optimal stimulation parameters and protocols for this population. Additionally, investigating the effects of rTMS on the precuneus in combination with other brain regions implicated in AD may provide valuable insights into the development of effective treatment for this debilitating neurodegenerative disorder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue rTMS Research in Cognition: From Mice to Humans)

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19 pages, 3454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Abnormal and Changing Information Interaction in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Based on Network Motifs

by Xubin Wu, Yuxiang Guo, Jiayue Xue, Yanqing Dong, Yumeng Sun, Bin Wang, Jie Xiang and Yi Liu

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1331; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091331 - 15 Sep 2023

Viewed by 945

Abstract

Network motif analysis approaches provide insights into the complexity of the brain’s functional network. In recent years, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been reported to result in abnormal information interactions in macro- and micro-scale functional networks. However, most existing studies remain limited due to [...] Read more.

Network motif analysis approaches provide insights into the complexity of the brain’s functional network. In recent years, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been reported to result in abnormal information interactions in macro- and micro-scale functional networks. However, most existing studies remain limited due to potentially ignoring meso-scale topology information. To address this gap, we aimed to investigate functional motif patterns in ADHD to unravel the underlying information flow and analyze motif-based node roles to characterize the different information interaction methods for identifying the abnormal and changing lesion sites of ADHD. The results showed that the interaction functions of the right hippocampus and the right amygdala were significantly increased, which could lead patients to develop mood disorders. The information interaction of the bilateral thalamus changed, influencing and modifying behavioral results. Notably, the capability of receiving information in the left inferior temporal and the right lingual gyrus decreased, which may cause difficulties for patients in processing visual information in a timely manner, resulting in inattention. This study revealed abnormal and changing information interactions based on network motifs, providing important evidence for understanding information interactions at the meso-scale level in ADHD patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Psychiatric Diseases)

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15 pages, 4225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Risk Decision-Making Behavior among College Students Based on fNIRS Technology

by Xiaolong Liu, Ruoyi Tian, Huafang Liu, Xue Bai and Yi Lei

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091330 - 15 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1838

Abstract

Smartphone Addiction is a social issue caused by excessive smartphone use, affecting decision-making processes. Current research on the risky decision-making abilities of smartphone addicts is limited. This study used the functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain imaging technique and a Sequential Risk-Taking Task experimental [...] Read more.

Smartphone Addiction is a social issue caused by excessive smartphone use, affecting decision-making processes. Current research on the risky decision-making abilities of smartphone addicts is limited. This study used the functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain imaging technique and a Sequential Risk-Taking Task experimental paradigm to investigate the decision-making behavior and brain activity of smartphone addicts under varying risk levels. Using a mixed experimental design, the research assessed decision-making ability and brain activation levels as dependent variables across two groups (addiction and control), two risk amounts (high and low), and two outcomes (gain and loss). The study included 42 participants, with 25 in the addiction group and 17 in the control group. Results indicated that risk level significantly impacted the decision-making ability of smartphone addicts, with high-risk levels leading to weaker decision-making ability and increased risk-taking. However, at low-risk levels, decision-making abilities between addicts and healthy individuals showed no significant difference. Furthermore, brain imaging results using fNIRS revealed stronger brain activation in the dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (dlPFC) region for smartphone addicts under loss outcome conditions, with no significant differences between the two groups in terms of brain activation at varying risk volumes. These findings are critical in promoting healthy smartphone use, guiding clinical treatment, and advancing brain mechanism research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience)

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12 pages, 1921 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Efficient Brain Age Prediction from 3D MRI Volumes Using 2D Projections

by Johan Jönemo, Muhammad Usman Akbar, Robin Kämpe, J. Paul Hamilton and Anders Eklund

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1329; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091329 - 15 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1193

Abstract

Using 3D CNNs on high-resolution medical volumes is very computationally demanding, especially for large datasets like UK Biobank, which aims to scan 100,000 subjects. Here, we demonstrate that using 2D CNNs on a few 2D projections (representing mean and standard deviation across axial, [...] Read more.

Using 3D CNNs on high-resolution medical volumes is very computationally demanding, especially for large datasets like UK Biobank, which aims to scan 100,000 subjects. Here, we demonstrate that using 2D CNNs on a few 2D projections (representing mean and standard deviation across axial, sagittal and coronal slices) of 3D volumes leads to reasonable test accuracy (mean absolute error of about 3.5 years) when predicting age from brain volumes. Using our approach, one training epoch with 20,324 subjects takes 20–50 s using a single GPU, which is two orders of magnitude faster than a small 3D CNN. This speedup is explained by the fact that 3D brain volumes contain a lot of redundant information, which can be efficiently compressed using 2D projections. These results are important for researchers who do not have access to expensive GPU hardware for 3D CNNs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Machine Learning Algorithms for Biomedical Data and Imaging)

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14 pages, 822 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Standardized DBT—A Program on Identity Development in Adolescents

by Andrea Dixius and Eva Möhler

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091328 - 15 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1149

Abstract

Background: Identity diffusion plays a central role in the onset of borderline personality disorders. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is a treatment program for adolescents with emotional instability and dysregulation. The interest of this study is to examine the potential effects of [...] Read more.

Background: Identity diffusion plays a central role in the onset of borderline personality disorders. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is a treatment program for adolescents with emotional instability and dysregulation. The interest of this study is to examine the potential effects of a standardized and certified DBT-A therapy program on the identity development of adolescents in an inpatient setting. Methods: A total of 138 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with symptoms of severe emotional instability were assessed before and after a certified and standardized 12-week in-patient DBT-A program targeting emotional regulation with the following standardized instruments: the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence (AIDA), Scale of the Experience of Emotions (SEE), and Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). Results: The results indicate a significant change in identity development, emotion regulation, and general symptoms of psychopathology after treatment with DBT-A. Conclusions: In this large sample of adolescents, DBT-A significantly improved identity development and reduced identity diffusion, however, without a treatment-as-usual control group as a limitation. Nevertheless, our results may become clinically relevant for the prevention of chronic impairment in emotionally unstable adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insight into Personality Disorders)

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3 pages, 181 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Focus on Multidisciplinary Aspects of Sleep Medicine

by Alessandro Cicolin and Luigi Ferini-Strambi

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1327; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091327 - 15 Sep 2023

Viewed by 751

Abstract

Sleep is an essential biological requirement for human life, alongside food, water, and air [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multidisciplinary Aspects of Sleep Medicine)

25 pages, 7906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Sensory EEG Emotion Recognition with Filter Bank Riemannian Feature and Adversarial Domain Adaptation

by Chenguang Gao, Hirotaka Uchitomi and Yoshihiro Miyake

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1326; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091326 - 14 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1201

Abstract

Emotion recognition is crucial in understanding human affective states with various applications. Electroencephalography (EEG)—a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that captures brain activity—has gained attention in emotion recognition. However, existing EEG-based emotion recognition systems are limited to specific sensory modalities, hindering their applicability. Our study [...] Read more.

Emotion recognition is crucial in understanding human affective states with various applications. Electroencephalography (EEG)—a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that captures brain activity—has gained attention in emotion recognition. However, existing EEG-based emotion recognition systems are limited to specific sensory modalities, hindering their applicability. Our study innovates EEG emotion recognition, offering a comprehensive framework for overcoming sensory-focused limits and cross-sensory challenges. We collected cross-sensory emotion EEG data using multimodal emotion simulations (three sensory modalities: audio/visual/audio-visual with two emotion states: pleasure or unpleasure). The proposed framework—filter bank adversarial domain adaptation Riemann method (FBADR)—leverages filter bank techniques and Riemannian tangent space methods for feature extraction from cross-sensory EEG data. Compared with Riemannian methods, filter bank and adversarial domain adaptation could improve average accuracy by 13.68% and 8.36%, respectively. Comparative analysis of classification results proved that the proposed FBADR framework achieved a state-of-the-art cross-sensory emotion recognition performance and reached an average accuracy of 89.01% ± 5.06%. Moreover, the robustness of the proposed methods could ensure high cross-sensory recognition performance under a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ≥ 1 dB. Overall, our study contributes to the EEG-based emotion recognition field by providing a comprehensive framework that overcomes limitations of sensory-oriented approaches and successfully tackles the difficulties of cross-sensory situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience)

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9 pages, 1332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sensory Gating during Voluntary Finger Movement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with Sensory Cortex Hyperexcitability

by Toshio Shimizu, Yuki Nakayama, Kota Bokuda and Kazushi Takahashi

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1325; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091325 - 14 Sep 2023

Viewed by 775

Abstract

Cortical responses in somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) are enhanced in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study investigated whether sensory gating is involved in the pathophysiology of sensory cortical hyperactivity in ALS patients. The median nerve SEP was recorded at rest and [...] Read more.

Cortical responses in somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) are enhanced in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study investigated whether sensory gating is involved in the pathophysiology of sensory cortical hyperactivity in ALS patients. The median nerve SEP was recorded at rest and during voluntary finger movements in 14 ALS patients and 13 healthy control subjects. The parietal N20, P25, and frontal N30 were analyzed, and sensory gating was assessed by measuring the amplitude of each component during finger movement. The amplitudes of the N20 onset–peak, N20 peak–P25 peak, and N30 onset–peak were higher in ALS patients than in controls. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in the amplitude reduction ratio of SEPs between patients and controls. There was a significant correlation between the baseline amplitudes of the N20 onset–peak or N20 peak–P25 peak and their gating ratios in patients with ALS. Our findings indicate that the excitability of the primary sensory cortex and secondary motor cortex is enhanced in ALS, while sensory gating is preserved in the early stages of ALS. This result suggests that enhanced SEP is caused by the hyperexcitability of the primary sensory and secondary motor cortices but not by the dysfunction of inhibitory mechanisms during voluntary movements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sensory and Motor Neuroscience)

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