Brain imaging and behavior
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Brain Imaging Behav · Jun 2016
ReviewFunctional connectivity in disorders of consciousness: methodological aspects and clinical relevance.
This is a Quick Guide about the role of the functional connectivity in the Disorders of Consciousness (DOC). Recent studies on resting state (RS) in DOC, by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), showed that functional connectivity is severely impaired above all in the default mode network (DMN). In the vegetative and minimally conscious state, DMN integrity seems to correlate with the level of remaining consciousness, offering the possibility of using this information for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Although the two principal approaches used in the RS analysis showed several methodological difficulties, especially in DOC patients, functional brain imaging is currently being validated as a valuable addition to the standardized clinical assessments that are already in use.
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Brain Imaging Behav · Mar 2016
Functional characteristics of the brain in college students with internet gaming disorder.
Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a subtype of internet addiction disorder (IAD), but its pathogenesis remains unclear. This study investigated brain function in IGD individuals using task-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). It is a prospective study in 19 IGD individuals and 19 matched healthy controls. ⋯ Internet videogame play activates the vision, space, attention, and execution centers located in the occipital, temporal, parietal, and frontal gyri. Abnormal brain function was noted in IGD subjects, with hypofunction of the frontal cortex. IGD subjects showed laterality activation of the right cerebral hemisphere.
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Brain Imaging Behav · Mar 2016
Moderate and late preterm infants exhibit widespread brain white matter microstructure alterations at term-equivalent age relative to term-born controls.
Despite the many studies documenting cerebral white matter microstructural alterations associated with very preterm birth (<32 weeks' gestation), there is a dearth of similar research in moderate and late preterm infants (born 32-36 weeks' gestation), who experience higher rates of neurodevelopmental delays than infants born at term (≥ 37 weeks' gestation). We therefore aimed to determine whether whole brain white matter microstructure differs between moderate and late preterm infants and term-born controls at term-equivalent age, as well as to identify potential perinatal risk factors for white matter microstructural alterations in moderate and late preterm infants. Whole brain white matter microstructure was studied in 193 moderate and late preterm infants and 83 controls at term-equivalent age by performing Tract-Based Spatial Statistics analysis of diffusion tensor imaging data. ⋯ In the moderate and late preterm group, being born small for gestational age and male sex were associated with lower fractional anisotropy, largely within the optic radiation, corpus callosum and corona radiata. In conclusion, moderate and late preterm infants exhibit widespread brain white matter microstructural alterations compared with controls at term-equivalent age, in patterns consistent with delayed or disrupted white matter microstructural development. These findings may underpin some of the neurodevelopmental delays observed in moderate and late preterm children.
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Brain Imaging Behav · Mar 2016
Specific cerebellar and cortical degeneration correlates with ataxia severity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 7.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is accompanied by loss of motor control and macular degeneration. Previous studies have shown cerebellar and pons atrophy as well as functional connectivity changes across the whole brain. Although different MRI modalities have been used to study the degenerative process, little is known about the relationship between the motor symptoms and cerebral atrophy. ⋯ As expected, we found a significant negative correlation between the SARA score and the grey matter volume in distinct regions of the cerebellum in the patient group. Additionally, we found significant correlations between the ataxia degree and the degeneration of specific cortical areas in these patients. These findings provide a better understanding of the relationship between gray matter atrophy and ataxia related symptoms that result from the SCA7 mutation.
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Brain Imaging Behav · Dec 2015
Fiber bundle length and cognition: a length-based tractography MRI study.
Executive function (EF) and cognitive processing speed (CPS) are two cognitive performance domains that decline with advanced age. Reduced EF and CPS are known to correlate with age-related frontal-lobe volume loss. However, it remains unclear whether white matter microstructure in these regions is associated with age-related decline in EF and/or CPS. ⋯ Shorter FBLs were also associated with increased age. Results suggest an age-related FBL shortening in specific brain regions related to poorer EF and CPS performance among older adults. Overall, results support both the frontal aging hypothesis and processing speed theory, suggesting that each mechanism is contributing to age-related cognitive decline.