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International Journal of Bipolar... Feb 2024Systemic inflammation-immune dysregulation and brain abnormalities are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the connections... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Systemic inflammation-immune dysregulation and brain abnormalities are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the connections between peripheral inflammation and the brain, especially the interactions between different BD subtypes and episodes, remain to be elucidated. Therefore, we conducted the present study to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex association between peripheral inflammation and neuroimaging findings in patients with bipolar spectrum disorders.
METHODS
This systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (CRD42023447044) and conducted according to the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study Design (PICOS) framework. Online literature databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library) were searched for studies that simultaneously investigated both peripheral inflammation-related factors and magnetic resonance neurography of BD patients up to July 01, 2023. Then, we analysed the correlations between peripheral inflammation and neuroimaging, as well as the variation trends and the shared and specific patterns of these correlations according to different clinical dimensions.
RESULTS
In total, 34 publications ultimately met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review, with 2993 subjects included. Among all patterns of interaction between peripheral inflammation and neuroimaging, the most common pattern was a positive relationship between elevated inflammation levels and decreased neuroimaging measurements. The brain regions most susceptible to inflammatory activation were the anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and posterior cingulate cortex.
LIMITATIONS
The small sample size, insufficiently explicit categorization of BD subtypes and episodes, and heterogeneity of the research methods limited further implementation of quantitative data synthesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Disturbed interactions between peripheral inflammation and the brain play a critical role in BD, and these interactions exhibit certain commonalities and differences across various clinical dimensions of BD. Our study further confirmed that the fronto-limbic-striatal system may be the central neural substrate in BD patients.
PubMed: 38388844
DOI: 10.1186/s40345-024-00327-w -
Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience 2024Brand equity plays a crucial role in a brand's commercial success; however, research on the brain regions associated with brand equity has had mixed results. This study...
INTRODUCTION
Brand equity plays a crucial role in a brand's commercial success; however, research on the brain regions associated with brand equity has had mixed results. This study aimed to investigate key brain regions associated with the decision-making of branded and unbranded foods using quantitative neuroimaging meta-analysis and machine learning.
METHODS
Quantitative neuroimaging meta-analysis was performed using the activation likelihood method. Activation of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) overlapped between branded and unbranded foods. The lingual and parahippocampal gyri (PHG) were activated in the case of branded foods, whereas no brain regions were characteristically activated in response to unbranded foods. We proposed a novel predictive method based on the reported foci data, referencing the multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) results. This approach is referred to as the multi-coordinate pattern analysis (MCPA). We conducted the MCPA, adopting the sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA) to detect unique brain regions associated with branded and unbranded foods based on coordinate data. The sPLS-DA is an extended PLS method that enables the processing of categorical data as outcome variables.
RESULTS
We found that the lingual gyrus is a distinct brain region in branded foods. Thus, the VMPFC might be a core brain region in food categories in consumer behavior, regardless of whether they are branded foods. Moreover, the connection between the PHG and lingual gyrus might be a unique neural mechanism in branded foods.
DISCUSSION
As this mechanism engages in imaging the feature-self based on emotionally subjective contextual associative memories, brand managers should create future-oriented relevancies between brands and consumers to build valuable brands.
PubMed: 38374888
DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2024.1310013 -
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Feb 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor and extra-motor neurodegenerative disease. This systematic review aimed to examine MRI biomarkers and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor and extra-motor neurodegenerative disease. This systematic review aimed to examine MRI biomarkers and neuropsychological assessments of the hippocampal and parahippocampal regions in patients with ALS.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted in the Scopus and PubMed databases for studies published between January 2000 and July 2023. The inclusion criteria were (1) MRI studies to assess hippocampal and parahippocampal regions in ALS patients, and (2) studies reporting neuropsychological data in patients with ALS.
RESULTS
A total of 46 studies were included. Structural MRI revealed hippocampal atrophy, especially in ALS-FTD, involving specific subregions (CA1, dentate gyrus). Disease progression and genetic factors impacted atrophy patterns. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) showed increased mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the hippocampal tracts and adjacent regions, indicating loss of neuronal and white matter integrity. Functional MRI (fMRI) revealed reduced functional connectivity (FC) between the hippocampus, parahippocampus, and other regions, suggesting disrupted networks. Perfusion MRI showed hypoperfusion in parahippocampal gyri. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) found changes in the hippocampus, indicating neuronal loss. Neuropsychological tests showed associations between poorer memory and hippocampal atrophy or connectivity changes. CA1-2, dentate gyrus, and fimbria atrophy were correlated with worse memory.
CONCLUSIONS
The hippocampus and the connected regions are involved in ALS. Hippocampal atrophy disrupted connectivity and metabolite changes correlate with cognitive and functional decline. Specific subregions can be particularly affected. The hippocampus is a potential biomarker for disease monitoring and prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Frontotemporal Dementia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Hippocampus; Biomarkers; Neuropsychological Tests; Atrophy
PubMed: 38334254
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14578 -
Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral... Feb 2024All experiences preserved within episodic memory contain information on the space and time of events. The hippocampus is the main brain region involved in processing... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
All experiences preserved within episodic memory contain information on the space and time of events. The hippocampus is the main brain region involved in processing spatial and temporal information for incorporation within episodic memory representations. However, the other brain regions involved in the encoding and retrieval of spatial and temporal information within episodic memory are unclear, because a systematic review of related studies is lacking and the findings are scattered. The present study was designed to integrate the results of functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography studies by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide converging evidence. In particular, we focused on identifying the brain regions involved in the retrieval of spatial and temporal information. We identified a spatial retrieval network consisting of the inferior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, superior parietal lobule, angular gyrus, and precuneus. Temporal context retrieval was supported by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Thus, the retrieval of spatial and temporal information is supported by different brain regions, highlighting their different natures within episodic memory.
Topics: Humans; Memory, Episodic; Brain Mapping; Brain; Temporal Lobe; Parietal Lobe; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mental Recall
PubMed: 38030912
DOI: 10.3758/s13415-023-01140-1 -
Ageing Research Reviews Dec 2023In aging, olfactory deficits have been associated with lower cognition and motor function. Olfactory dysfunction is also one of the earliest features of... (Review)
Review
In aging, olfactory deficits have been associated with lower cognition and motor function. Olfactory dysfunction is also one of the earliest features of neurodegenerative disease. A comprehensive review of the neural correlates of olfactive function may reveal mechanisms underlying the associations among olfaction, cognition, motor function, and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we summarize existing knowledge on the relationship between brain structural and functional measures and olfaction in older adults without and with cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease. We identified 33 eligible studies (30 MRI/DTI,3 fMRI); 31 were cross-sectional, most assessed odor identification, and few examined multiple brain areas. Lower olfactory function was associated with smaller volumes in the temporal lobe (hippocampus,parahippocampal gyrus,fusiform gyrus), olfactory-related regions (piriform cortex,amygdala,entorhinal cortex), pre- and postcentral gyri, and globus pallidus. During aging, olfactory impairment may be associated with pathology in brain areas important for motor function and cognition, especially memory. Future longitudinal studies that include neuroimaging across different brain areas are warranted to determine the neurobiological changes underlying olfactory changes in the aging brain and the progression of neurodegeneration.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Brain; Entorhinal Cortex; Hippocampus; Temporal Lobe; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Cognitive Dysfunction
PubMed: 37913831
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102095 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Primary insomnia (PI) has a high global incidence, and effective treatments with fewer side effects are needed. Acupuncture, a treatment used in traditional Chinese...
IMPORTANCE
Primary insomnia (PI) has a high global incidence, and effective treatments with fewer side effects are needed. Acupuncture, a treatment used in traditional Chinese medicine, has become increasingly established as a treatment method for PI and is recognized by many physicians and patients. Some evidence has suggested that acupuncture was associated with improvements in objective sleep parameters and might induce changes in some brain regions. Individual studies with limited sample size and low detection thresholds may lead to false positives, and no systematic review of the effects of acupuncture has been conducted in PI.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review and coordinate-based meta-analysis was to summarize the literature on fMRI evaluation of patients with PI treated with acupuncture.
DESIGN
We performed a methodical and comprehensive search of multiple publication databases (from inception to December 2022): Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Wan Fang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database. Bias and quality of studies were evaluated by three researchers. Furthermore, a seed-based D-mapping meta-analysis with permutation of subject images (SDM-PSI) was applied to investigate the central mechanisms behind acupuncture treatment at PI. The International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews received the protocol for this study. (PROSPERO: CRD42023400086).
RESULTS
The analysis included 305 patients with PI and 116 healthy controls from 11 studies. SDM-PSI analysis showed that patients with PI exhibited increased amplitudes of regional homogeneity and low-frequency fluctuations in the left superior frontal gyrus (1352 voxels, = 0.0028), right angular gyrus (14 voxels, = 0.0457), and cerebellum (12 voxels, = 0.0446). Acupuncture improved the function of right superior frontal gyrus (1, 404 voxels, = 0.0123), left inferior frontal gyrus (1068 voxels, = 0.0088), left inferior temporal gyrus (903 voxels, = 0.0074), left supramarginal gyrus (888 voxels, = 0.0113), left precuneus (457 voxels, = 0.0247), right precuneus (302 voxels, = 0.0191), left supplementary motor area (82 voxels, = 0.0354), and right parahippocampal gyrus (28 voxels, = 0.0379). The brain regions affected by non-acupoint acupuncture were all located in the frontal lobe. The Cochrane risk-of bias tool and MINORS5 were used for quality assessment and the included articles had high performance bias and attrition bias.
CONCLUSION
This coordinate-based meta-analysis found that acupuncture in patients with PI had significant effects on the default mode network, particularly on the frontal lobe and precuneus, and that non-acupoint acupuncture may provide some benefit to frontal brain region function.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO: CRD42023400086.
PubMed: 37533466
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1180393 -
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis &... Jul 2023Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive and behavioral impairments and motor symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging... (Review)
Review
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive and behavioral impairments and motor symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers have been investigated as potential tools for detecting and monitoring memory-related impairment in ALS. Our objective was to examine the importance of identifying MRI biomarkers for memory-related impairment in ALS, motor neuron disease (MND), and ALS frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (ALS-FTD) patients. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched. Keywords covering magnetic resonance imaging, ALS, MND, and memory impairments were searched. There were a total of 25 studies included in our work here. The structural MRI (sMRI) studies reported gray matter (GM) atrophy in the regions associated with memory processing, such as the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus (PhG), in ALS patients. The diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies showed white matter (WM) alterations in the corticospinal tract (CST) and other tracts that are related to motor and extra-motor functions, and these alterations were associated with memory and executive function impairments in ALS. The functional MRI (fMRI) studies also demonstrated an altered activation in the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and other brain regions involved in memory and emotional processing in ALS patients. MRI biomarkers show promise in uncovering the neural mechanisms of memory-related impairment in ALS. Nonetheless, addressing challenges such as sample sizes, imaging protocols, and longitudinal studies is crucial for future research. Ultimately, MRI biomarkers have the potential to be a tool for detecting and monitoring memory-related impairments in ALS.
PubMed: 37469125
DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2236651 -
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2023Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) depicts a transitory phase between healthy elderly and the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with worsening cognitive impairment. Some...
BACKGROUND
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) depicts a transitory phase between healthy elderly and the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with worsening cognitive impairment. Some functional MRI (fMRI) research indicated that the frontoparietal network (FPN) could be an essential part of the pathophysiological mechanism of MCI. However, damaged FPN regions were not consistently reported, especially their interactions with other brain networks. We assessed the fMRI-specific anomalies of the FPN in MCI by analyzing brain regions with functional alterations.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to screen neuroimaging studies exploring brain function alterations in the FPN in MCI using fMRI-related indexes, including the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, regional homogeneity, and functional connectivity. We integrated distinctive coordinates by activating likelihood estimation, visualizing abnormal functional regions, and concluding functional alterations of the FPN.
RESULTS
We selected 29 studies and found specific changes in some brain regions of the FPN. These included the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, insula, precuneus cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, inferior parietal lobule, middle temporal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and parahippocampal gyrus. Any abnormal alterations in these regions depicted interactions between the FPN and other networks.
CONCLUSION
The study demonstrates specific fMRI neuroimaging alterations in brain regions of the FPN in MCI patients. This could provide a new perspective on identifying early-stage patients with targeted treatment programs.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023432042, identifier: CRD42023432042.
PubMed: 37448688
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1165908 -
The conscious processing of emotion in depression disorder: a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies.Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023Depression is generally accompanied by a disturbed conscious processing of emotion, which manifests as a negative bias to facial/voice emotion information and a...
BACKGROUND
Depression is generally accompanied by a disturbed conscious processing of emotion, which manifests as a negative bias to facial/voice emotion information and a decreased accuracy in emotion recognition tasks. Several studies have proved that abnormal brain activation was responsible for the deficit function of conscious emotion recognition in depression. However, the altered brain activation related to the conscious processing of emotion in depression was incongruent among studies. Therefore, we conducted an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) analysis to better understand the underlying neurophysiological mechanism of conscious processing of emotion in depression.
METHOD
Electronic databases were searched using the search terms "depression," "emotion recognition," and "neuroimaging" from inceptions to April 10th, 2023. We retrieved trials which explored the neuro-responses of depressive patients to explicit emotion recognition tasks. Two investigators independently performed literature selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. The spatial consistency of brain activation in conscious facial expressions recognition was calculated using ALE. The robustness of the results was examined by Jackknife sensitivity analysis.
RESULTS
We retrieved 11,365 articles in total, 28 of which were included. In the overall analysis, we found increased activity in the middle temporal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, and cuneus, and decreased activity in the superior temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, insula, and superior frontal gyrus. In response to positive stimuli, depressive patients showed hyperactivity in the medial frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and insula (uncorrected < 0.001). When receiving negative stimuli, a higher activation was found in the precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, precuneus, and superior temporal gyrus (uncorrected < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Among depressive patients, a broad spectrum of brain areas was involved in a deficit of conscious emotion processing. The activation of brain regions was different in response to positive or negative stimuli. Due to potential clinical heterogeneity, the findings should be treated with caution.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-11-0057/, identifier: 2022110057.
PubMed: 37448490
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1099426 -
The International Journal of... Apr 2023Aberrant striatal responses to reward anticipation have been observed in schizophrenia. However, it is unclear whether these dysfunctions predate the onset of psychosis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Aberrant striatal responses to reward anticipation have been observed in schizophrenia. However, it is unclear whether these dysfunctions predate the onset of psychosis and whether reward anticipation is impaired in individuals at clinical high risk for schizophrenia (CHR).
METHODS
To examine the neural correlates of monetary anticipation in the prodromal phase of schizophrenia, we performed a whole-brain meta-analysis of 13 functional neuroimaging studies that compared reward anticipation signals between CHR individuals and healthy controls (HC). Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect) were systematically searched from January 1, 2000, to May 1, 2022.
RESULTS
Thirteen whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging studies including 318 CHR individuals and 426 HC were identified through comprehensive literature searches. Relative to HC, CHR individuals showed increased brain responses in the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex and decreased activation in the mesolimbic circuit, including the putamen, parahippocampal gyrus, insula, cerebellum, and supramarginal gyrus, during reward anticipation.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings in the CHR group confirmed the existence of abnormal motivational-related activation during reward anticipation, thus demonstrating the pathophysiological characteristics of the risk populations. These results have the potential to lead to the early identification and more accurate prediction of subsequent psychosis as well as a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of high-risk state of psychotic disorder.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Anticipation, Psychological; Brain; Reward
PubMed: 36893068
DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyad009