-
Molecular Psychiatry Mar 2022There is growing evidence that placebo effects can meaningfully modulate the brain. However, there has been little consideration of whether these changes may overlap... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
There is growing evidence that placebo effects can meaningfully modulate the brain. However, there has been little consideration of whether these changes may overlap with regions/circuits targeted by depression treatments and what the implications of this overlap would be on measuring efficacy in placebo-controlled clinical trials. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar for functional MRI and PET neuroimaging studies of placebo effects. Studies recruiting both healthy subjects and patient populations were included. Neuroimaging coordinates were extracted and included for Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) meta-analysis. We then searched for interventional studies of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) for depression and extracted target coordinates for comparative spatial analysis with the placebo effects maps. Of 1169 articles identified, 34 neuroimaging studies of placebo effects were included. There were three significant clusters of activation: left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (x = -41, y = 16, z = 34), left sub-genual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC)/ventral striatum (x = -8, y = 18, z = -15) and the right rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) (x = 4, y = 42, z = 10). There were two significant deactivation clusters: right basal ganglia (x = 20, y = 2, z = 7) and right dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) (x = 1, y = -5, z = 45). TMS and DBS targets for depression treatment overlapped with the left DLPFC cluster and sgACC cluster, respectively. Our findings identify a common set of brain regions implicated in placebo effects across healthy individuals and patient populations, and provide evidence that these regions overlap with depression treatment targets. We model the statistical impacts of this overlap and demonstrate critical implications on measurements of clinical trial efficacy for this field.
Topics: Depression; Gyrus Cinguli; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroimaging; Placebo Effect; Prefrontal Cortex; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
PubMed: 34903861
DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01397-3 -
Revista de Psiquiatria Y Salud Mental Sep 2020The neural correlates of the cognitive dysfunction in first-episode psychosis (FEP) are still unclear. The present review and meta-analysis provide an update of the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The neural correlates of the cognitive dysfunction in first-episode psychosis (FEP) are still unclear. The present review and meta-analysis provide an update of the location of the abnormalities in the fMRI-measured brain response to cognitive processes in individuals with FEP.
METHODS
Systematic review and voxel-based meta-analysis of cross-sectional fMRI studies comparing neural responses to cognitive tasks between individuals with FEP and healthy controls (HC) according to PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies were included, comprising 598 individuals with FEP and 567 HC. Individual studies reported statistically significant hypoactivation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (6 studies), frontal lobe (8 studies), cingulate (6 studies) and insula (5 studies). The meta-analysis showed statistically significant hypoactivation in the left anterior insula, precuneus and bilateral striatum.
CONCLUSIONS
While the studies tend to highlight frontal hypoactivation during cognitive tasks in FEP, our meta-analytic results show that the left precuneus and insula primarily display aberrant activation in FEP that may be associated with salience attribution to external stimuli and related to deficits in perception and regulation.
PubMed: 32988773
DOI: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2020.08.001 -
Social Cognitive and Affective... Oct 2023In recent decades, a substantial volume of work has examined the neural mechanisms of cognitive reappraisal. Distancing and reinterpretation are two frequently used... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
In recent decades, a substantial volume of work has examined the neural mechanisms of cognitive reappraisal. Distancing and reinterpretation are two frequently used tactics through which reappraisal can be implemented. Theoretical frameworks and prior evidence have suggested that the specific tactic through which one employs reappraisal entails differential neural and psychological mechanisms. Thus, we were motivated to assess the neural mechanisms of this distinction by examining the overlap and differentiation exhibited by the neural correlates of distancing (specifically via objective appraisal) and reinterpretation. We analyzed 32 published functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in healthy adults using multilevel kernel density analysis. Results showed that distancing relative to reinterpretation uniquely recruited right bilateral dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) and left posterior parietal cortex, previously associated with mentalizing, selective attention and working memory. Reinterpretation relative to distancing uniquely recruited left bilateral ventrolateral PFC (VLPFC), previously associated with response selection and inhibition. Further, distancing relative to reinterpretation was associated with greater prevalence of bilateral amygdala attenuation during reappraisal. Finally, a behavioral meta-analysis showed efficacy for both reappraisal tactics. These results are consistent with prior theoretical models for the functional neural architecture of reappraisal via distancing and reinterpretation and suggest potential future applications in region-of-interest specification and neural network analysis in studies focusing on specific reappraisal tactics.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Emotions; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Parietal Lobe; Amygdala; Attention; Brain Mapping; Cognition
PubMed: 37757486
DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsad050 -
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Aug 2018There are different ways of dealing with pain and cognitive and meditative therapies (CMT) are alternative ways to regulate the emotions associated with pain. Current... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There are different ways of dealing with pain and cognitive and meditative therapies (CMT) are alternative ways to regulate the emotions associated with pain. Current studies apply neuroimaging techniques trying to elucidate the neural mechanisms of cognitive strategies for pain. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence on brain activity changes after CMT, which include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and/or meditation, for pain management as well as to evaluate clinical pain outcomes.
METHODS
Electronic databases - Pubmed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Science Direct, Scopus - were searched to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining neuroimaging data of CMT for chronic pain patients or healthy individuals with experimental pain. Two reviewers independently selected the relevant trials, rated for quality assessment and extracted all data using a standardized form. Primary outcome was brain activity changes (activation, deactivation or functional connectivity). Secondary outcomes were pain intensity, self-management, pain coping, quality of life, anxiety and depression.
RESULTS
Nine RCTs were included involving 280 adults (18-59 years), 139 chronic pain patients vs. 148 healthy subjects. Three main kinds of intervention were identified: cognitive-behavioral therapy (n = 4), mindfulness meditation (n = 4) and transcendental meditation technique (n = 1). Neuroimaging results revealed distinct patterns of activity, but the main findings were related to increased activation of prefrontal cortex (PFC), specially dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OBF), somatosensory cortices (SSC) and limbic system in chronic pain population; and increased activation of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), anterior insular cortex (AI) and decreased activation of thalamus in healthy individuals following CMT.
CONCLUSION
This result means that regulation of pain by CMT can alter functioning of brain regions in an extensive network including non-nociceptive regions. CMT reduced the affective experience of pain, while reductions of pain intensity ratings were less consistent. Brain changes have been demonstrated as a result of the application of psychological measures and may represent the clinical implications of changes in brain activity or morphology.
Topics: Adult; Brain; Chronic Pain; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Meditation; Middle Aged; Mindfulness; Neuroimaging; Pain Management; Young Adult
PubMed: 30012384
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.06.006 -
Neuroscience Apr 2023Walking is an important function which requires coordinated activity of sensory-motor neural networks. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a safe neuromodulatory... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Walking is an important function which requires coordinated activity of sensory-motor neural networks. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a safe neuromodulatory technique with motor function-improving effects. This study aimed to determine the effect of different types of NIBS interventions explored in randomized controlled trials on gait in healthy young and older adults.
METHODS
Based on the PRISMA approach, we conducted an electronic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro for randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of NIBS on gait in healthy young and older adults and performed a narrative review.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included in this systematic review. According to the outcomes, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the motor cortex and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the cerebellum seem to be promising for improving gait characteristics such as speed, synchronization, and variability. Furthermore, tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) improved gait speed and reduced gait parameter variability under dual-task conditions. Only one repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was available, which showed no effects. No studies were available for transcranial random noise stimulation, and transcranial pulsed current stimulation. Moreover, the intervention parameters of the included studies were heterogeneous, and studies comparing directly specific intervention protocols were missing.
CONCLUSION
NIBS is a promising approach to improve gait in healthy young and older adults. Anodal tDCS over the motor areas and DLPFC, and tACS over the cerebellum have shown positive effects on gait.
Topics: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Gait; Walking; Cerebellum; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36720301
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.01.026 -
Addictive Behaviors Jan 2021Despite intense neuroscience research on the neurobiological underpinnings of Gambling Disorder (GD) and gambling-related decision-making, effective treatments targeting... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Despite intense neuroscience research on the neurobiological underpinnings of Gambling Disorder (GD) and gambling-related decision-making, effective treatments targeting these dysfunctions are still lacking. Non Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) techniques, such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), selectively modulate activity of brain circuits and have the potential to reverse alterations sustaining GD symptoms. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to determine the impact of different NIBS interventions on gambling-related decision processes.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive and translational search in three online databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. We included studies applying neuromodulation (TMS, tDCS) techniques in GD patients or assessing gambling-related decision-making in healthy subjects. In addition, we explored the potential impact of NIBS in drug-induced GD (e.g., Parkinson's Disease).
RESULTS
Twenty-seven studies have been included. We summarized results to detect the impact of different targets and stimulation/inhibition protocols in terms of gambling-related decision-making. The majority of both tDCS and TMS studies targeted the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Although heterogeneous in protocols and parameters, results from tDCS and TMS studies converge in indicating that the stimulation (instead of inhibition) of prefrontal regions could be beneficial to contrast dysfunctional gambling-related decision processes.
CONCLUSION
NIBS interventions show promise to be further tested in controlled clinical settings for the treatment of behavioral addictions. Further studies are also necessary to investigate connectivity changes and laterality issues (unilateral versus bilateral; left versus right) of NIBS application in GD.
Topics: Behavior, Addictive; Gambling; Humans; Prefrontal Cortex; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
PubMed: 32987305
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106657 -
Clinical Neurophysiology : Official... Jan 2024This meta-analysis investigated the therapeutic efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This meta-analysis investigated the therapeutic efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD).
METHODS
Ten articles with 266 patients in rTMS group and 258 patients in control group were included. The primary outcome was performed to examine the efficacy of rTMS for PSD. Secondary outcomes of response rates and remission rates and subgroup analyses were further explored.
RESULTS
Our meta-analysis revealed a significant pooled effect size (the standard mean difference (SMD) was -1.45 points (95% CI, -2.04 to -0.86; p < 0.00001)). The odds ratio (OR) of the response rate and remission rate were 8.41 (95% CI, 2.52-28.12, p = 0.0005) and 6.04 (95% CI, 1.5-24.39, p = 0.01). Moreover, rTMS treatment for PSD patients in subacute phase and targeting the left DLPFC at 5-cm anterior to the left motor hotspot or the midpoint of the middle frontal gyrus showed significant antidepressant effect. In addition, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) was sensitive to detect depressive changes in patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis elucidated that the application of high-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC was an effective treatment alternative for PSD.
SIGNIFICANCE
Our meta-analysis may help to develop more reasonable treatment strategies in clinical practice for PSD patients.
Topics: Humans; Depression; Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex; Frontal Lobe; Prefrontal Cortex; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Treatment Outcome; Stroke
PubMed: 38103393
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.11.019 -
Biological Psychiatry Mar 2024Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) treatments have gained considerable attention as potential therapeutic intervention for psychiatric disorders. The identification of... (Review)
Review
Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) treatments have gained considerable attention as potential therapeutic intervention for psychiatric disorders. The identification of reliable biomarkers for predicting clinical response to NIBS has been a major focus of research in recent years. Neuroimaging techniques, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been used to identify potential biomarkers that could predict response to NIBS. However, identifying clinically actionable brain biomarkers requires robustness. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarize the current state of brain biomarker research for NIBS in depression, focusing only on well-powered studies (N ≥ 88) and/or studies that aimed at independently replicating previous findings, either successfully or unsuccessfully. A total of 220 studies were initially identified, of which 18 MRI studies and 18 EEG studies met the inclusion criteria. All focused on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment in depression. After reviewing the included studies, we found the following MRI and EEG biomarkers to be most robust: 1) functional MRI-based functional connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, 2) functional MRI-based network connectivity, 3) task-induced EEG frontal-midline theta, and 4) EEG individual alpha frequency. Future prospective studies should further investigate the clinical actionability of these specific EEG and MRI biomarkers to bring biomarkers closer to clinical reality.
Topics: Humans; Prefrontal Cortex; Depression; Prospective Studies; Brain; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Electroencephalography
PubMed: 37734515
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.09.009 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Aug 2023To systematically evaluate the impact of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) on activities of daily living (ADLs) of patients with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) impacts activities of daily living of patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically evaluate the impact of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) on activities of daily living (ADLs) of patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).
DATA SOURCES
Relevant studies published as of November 2022 (English and Chinese) were searched in Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, OVID, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Wanfang, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and SinoMed databases.
REVIEW METHODS
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used HF-rTMS for the treatment of ADLs in patients with PSCI were included in this meta-analysis. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted the data, evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and cross-checked.
RESULTS
Forty-one RCTs involving 2855 patients with PSCI were included. In 30 RCTs, the experimental group received HF-rTMS in addition to the interventions used in the control group. In 11 RCTs, the experimental group received HF-rTMS while the control group received sham-rTMS. Barthel Index (BI), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were higher in the HF-rTMS group than in the control group, whereas scores of Blessed Behavior Scale was lower in the HF-rTMS group than in the control group. All P < 0.05. In 36 studies, the stimulation sites were on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
CONCLUSION
HF-rTMS can ameliorate ADLs of patients with PSCI and has a better rehabilitation effect on PSCI.
Topics: Humans; Activities of Daily Living; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Stroke; Cognitive Dysfunction; China
PubMed: 37012519
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06779-9 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Jan 2022Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been widely used to modulate cognition and behavior. However, only a few studies have been probing the brain mechanism... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been widely used to modulate cognition and behavior. However, only a few studies have been probing the brain mechanism underlying the effects of tDCS on cognitive processing, especially throughout electrophysiological markers, such as the P3. This meta-analysis assessed the effects of tDCS in P3 amplitude and latency during an oddball, n-back, and Go/No-Go tasks, as well as during emotional processing. A total of 36 studies were identified, but only 23 were included in the quantitative analysis. The results show that the parietal P3 amplitude increased during oddball and n-back tasks, mostly after anodal stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (p = 0.018, SMD = 0.4) and right inferior frontal gyrus (p < 0.001, SMD = 0.669) respectively. These findings suggest the potential usefulness of the parietal P3 ERP as a marker of tDCS-induced effects during task performance. Nonetheless, this study had a low number of studies and the presence of considerable risk of bias, highlighting issues to be addressed in the future.
Topics: Cognition; Evoked Potentials; Humans; Prefrontal Cortex; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
PubMed: 34742723
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.002