scholarly journals Effects of Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairmentmeasured by Resting State Functional Imaging

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Seungho Kim ◽  
Eunhee Park ◽  
Hyunsil Cha ◽  
Jae-Chang Jung ◽  
Tae-Du Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Function Test ◽  
The Brain

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as an intermediate state of cognitive alteration between normal aging and dementia. In this study, we performed a functional network connectivity analysis using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the association between changes in functional connectivity in the brain and the improvement in cognitive abilities after cognitive training. A computerized cognitive training program was used to improve the abilities of fifteen participants with MCI. The cognitive training program (Comcog), which consists of three weekly sessions totaling 90 min, was conducted with all participants over six weeks. The cognitive abilities before (pre-Comcog) and after (post-Comcog) the cognitive training process were measured using a neurocognitive function test. After the Comcog, the participants enhanced their visual and verbal memories, attention, and visuo-motor coordination. The functional connectivity between cingulo-opercular (CON) and default mode (DMN) showed significant improvements after Comcog training. Therefore, our study suggests that cognitive training may improve the cognitive abilities of participants. This improvement was associated with an increase in the functional connectivity between DMN and CON. The increase in functional connectivity after cognitive training was specifically associated with overall cognitive functions, including executive, memory, decision-making, and motivational functions.

scholarly journals Computerized physical and cognitive training improves the functional architecture of the brain in adults with Down syndrome: A network science EEG study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Alexandra Anagnostopoulou ◽  
Charis Styliadis ◽  
Panagiotis Kartsidis ◽  
Evangelia Romanopoulou ◽  
Vasiliki Zilidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Network Architecture ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Random Network ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Hierarchical Organization ◽  
The Brain

Understanding the neuroplastic capacity of people with Down syndrome (PwDS) can potentially reveal the causal relationship between aberrant brain organization and phenotypic characteristics. We used resting-state EEG recordings to identify how a neuroplasticity-triggering training protocol relates to changes in the functional connectivity of the brain’s intrinsic cortical networks. Brain activity of 12 PwDS before and after a 10-week protocol of combined physical and cognitive training was statistically compared to quantify changes in directed functional connectivity in conjunction with psychosomatometric assessments. PwDS showed increased connectivity within the left hemisphere and from left-to-right hemisphere, as well as increased physical and cognitive performance. Our findings reveal a strong adaptive neuroplastic reorganization as a result of the training that leads to a less-random network with a more pronounced hierarchical organization. Our results go beyond previous findings by indicating a transition to a healthier, more efficient, and flexible network architecture, with improved integration and segregation abilities in the brain of PwDS. Resting-state electrophysiological brain activity is used here for the first time to display meaningful relationships to underlying Down syndrome processes and outcomes of importance in a translational inquiry. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04390321.

scholarly journals Evidence for Bias of Genetic Ancestry in Resting State Functional MRI

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Altmann ◽  
Janaina Mourao-Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Genetic Ancestry ◽  
Connectivity Pattern ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Performance Area ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Very High

ABSTRACTResting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is a popular imaging modality for mapping the functional connectivity of the brain. Rs-fMRI is, just like other neuroimaging modalities, subject to a series of technical and subject level biases that change the inferred connectivity pattern. In this work we predicted genetic ancestry from rs-fMRI connectivity data at very high performance (area under the ROC curve of 0.93). Thereby, we demonstrated that genetic ancestry is encoded in the functional connectivity pattern of the brain at rest. Consequently, genetic ancestry constitutes a bias that should be accounted for in the analysis of rs-fMRI data.

scholarly journals Individual and combined effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on striato-cortical connectivity in the human brain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Wall ◽  
Tom P. Freeman ◽  
Chandni Hindocha ◽  
Lysia Demetriou ◽  
Natalie Ertl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Cortical Connectivity ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
The Brain

AbstractCannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two major constituents of cannabis with contrasting mechanisms of action. THC is the major psychoactive, addiction-promoting, and psychotomimetic compound, while CBD may have somewhat opposite effects. The brain effects of these drugs alone and in combination are poorly understood. In particular the striatum is implicated in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, but it is unclear how THC and CBD influence striato-cortical connectivity. Across two placebo-controlled, double-blind studies, we examine the effects of THC, CBD, and THC+CBD on the functional connectivity of striatal sub-divisions (associative, limbic, and sensorimotor) using resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and seed-based functional connectivity analyses. Study 1 (N=17; inhaled 8mg THC, 8mg THC+10mg CBD, placebo) showed strong disruptive effects of both THC and THC+CBD conditions on connectivity in the associative and sensorimotor networks, but a specific effect of THC in the limbic striatum, which was alleviated in the THC+CBD condition such that it did not differ from placebo. In Study 2 (N=23, oral 600mg CBD, placebo) CBD increased connectivity in the associative network, but relatively minor decreases/disruptions were found in the limbic and sensorimotor. In conclusion, THC strongly disrupts striato-cortical networks, and this effect is selectively mitigated in the limbic striatum when co-administered with CBD. When administered alone, 600mg oral CBD has a more complex effect profile of relative increases and decreases in connectivity. The insula emerges as a key region affected by cannabinoid-induced changes in functional connectivity, with potential implications for understanding cannabis related disorders, and the development of cannabinoid therapeutics.

scholarly journals The Brain Resting-State Functional Connectivity Underlying Violence Proneness: Is It a Reliable Marker for Neurocriminology? A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángel Romero-Martínez ◽  
Macarena González ◽  
Marisol Lila ◽  
Enrique Gracia ◽  
Luis Martí-Bonmatí ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Angular Gyrus ◽  
Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Reliable Marker ◽  
The Brain

Introduction: There is growing scientific interest in understanding the biological mechanisms affecting and/or underlying violent behaviors in order to develop effective treatment and prevention programs. In recent years, neuroscientific research has tried to demonstrate whether the intrinsic activity within the brain at rest in the absence of any external stimulation (resting-state functional connectivity; RSFC) could be employed as a reliable marker for several cognitive abilities and personality traits that are important in behavior regulation, particularly, proneness to violence. Aims: This review aims to highlight the association between the RSFC among specific brain structures and the predisposition to experiencing anger and/or responding to stressful and distressing situations with anger in several populations. Methods: The scientific literature was reviewed following the PRISMA quality criteria for reviews, using the following digital databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Psicodoc, and Dialnet. Results: The identification of 181 abstracts and retrieval of 34 full texts led to the inclusion of 17 papers. The results described in our study offer a better understanding of the brain networks that might explain the tendency to experience anger. The majority of the studies highlighted that diminished RSFC between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala might make people prone to reactive violence, but that it is also necessary to contemplate additional cortical (i.e. insula, gyrus [angular, supramarginal, temporal, fusiform, superior, and middle frontal], anterior and posterior cingulated cortex) and subcortical brain structures (i.e. hippocampus, cerebellum, ventral striatum, and nucleus centralis superior) in order to explain a phenomenon as complex as violence. Moreover, we also described the neural pathways that might underlie proactive violence and feelings of revenge, highlighting the RSFC between the OFC, ventral striatal, angular gyrus, mid-occipital cortex, and cerebellum. Conclusions. The results from this synthesis and critical analysis of RSFC findings in several populations offer guidelines for future research and for developing a more accurate model of proneness to violence, in order to create effective treatment and prevention programs.

scholarly journals Cerebral functional networks during sleep in young and older individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Véronique Daneault ◽  
Pierre Orban ◽  
Nicolas Martin ◽  
Christian Dansereau ◽  
Jonathan Godbout ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Sleep Stages ◽  
Functional Networks ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Light Sleep

AbstractEven though sleep modification is a hallmark of the aging process, age-related changes in functional connectivity using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) during sleep, remain unknown. Here, we combined electroencephalography and fMRI to examine functional connectivity differences between wakefulness and light sleep stages (N1 and N2 stages) in 16 young (23.1 ± 3.3y; 7 women), and 14 older individuals (59.6 ± 5.7y; 8 women). Results revealed extended, distributed (inter-between) and local (intra-within) decreases in network connectivity during sleep both in young and older individuals. However, compared to the young participants, older individuals showed lower decreases in connectivity or even increases in connectivity between thalamus/basal ganglia and several cerebral regions as well as between frontal regions of various networks. These findings reflect a reduced ability of the older brain to disconnect during sleep that may impede optimal disengagement for loss of responsiveness, enhanced lighter and fragmented sleep, and contribute to age effects on sleep-dependent brain plasticity.

scholarly journals Distinct structure-function relationships across cortical regions and connectivity scales in the rat brain

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milou Straathof ◽  
Michel R.T. Sinke ◽  
Theresia J.M. Roelofs ◽  
Erwin L.A. Blezer ◽  
R. Angela Sarabdjitsingh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Structure Function ◽  
Rat Brain ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Distinct Structure ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Function Relationship ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Meso Scale

AbstractAn improved understanding of the structure-function relationship in the brain is necessary to know to what degree structural connectivity underpins abnormal functional connectivity seen in many disorders. We integrated high-field resting-state fMRI-based functional connectivity with high-resolution macro-scale diffusion-based and meso-scale neuronal tracer-based structural connectivity, to obtain an accurate depiction of the structure-function relationship in the rat brain. Our main goal was to identify to what extent structural and functional connectivity strengths are correlated, macro- and meso-scopically, across the cortex. Correlation analyses revealed a positive correspondence between functional connectivity and macro-scale diffusion-based structural connectivity, but no correspondence between functional connectivity and meso-scale neuronal tracer-based structural connectivity. Locally, strong functional connectivity was found in two well-known resting-state networks: the sensorimotor and default mode network. Strong functional connectivity within these networks coincided with strong short-range intrahemispheric structural connectivity, but with weak heterotopic interhemispheric and long-range intrahemispheric structural connectivity. Our study indicates the importance of combining measures of connectivity at distinct hierarchical levels to accurately determine connectivity across networks in the healthy and diseased brain. Distinct structure-function relationships across the brain can explain the organization of networks and may underlie variations in the impact of structural damage on functional networks and behavior.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of home-based cognitive training program on a cognitive level, the activity of daily living among elderly persons with mild cognitive impairment in selected community settings of Puducherry

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 5301-5309
Author(s):  
Govindakumari R ◽  
Vijayalakshmi ◽  
Sai Sailesh Kumar Goothy ◽  
Vijay Raghvan
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Daily Life Activities ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Brain

Aging is a physiological process that leads to both biological and psychological changes. The brain undergoes structural changes as a part of aging. According to the investigator's best knowledge and based on the extensive review, no structured study was conducted in India to test the effectiveness of cognitive training program. Hence, the present study was conducted to test the effectiveness of a home-based training program on select outcomes. A total of 314 elderly participants were recruited for the study after obtaining the written informed consent. After recruiting, the participants were randomly grouped into two groups, that is control and intervention groups, with 157 participants in each group. The intervention was administered to the experimental group. The present study results suggest that the home-based cognitive training program is effective in improving cognitive functions and daily life activities. The study recommends further detailed and multi-centered studies in this area to recommend the implementation of the program in the management of the cognitive impairments of the elderly.

scholarly journals Local GABA concentration is related to network-level resting functional connectivity

eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte J Stagg ◽  
Velicia Bachtiar ◽  
Ugwechi Amadi ◽  
Christel A Gudberg ◽  
Andrei S Ilie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Resting State Fmri ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Resting State Networks ◽  
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter ◽  
Motor Network

Anatomically plausible networks of functionally inter-connected regions have been reliably demonstrated at rest, although the neurochemical basis of these ‘resting state networks’ is not well understood. In this study, we combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and resting state fMRI and demonstrated an inverse relationship between levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA within the primary motor cortex (M1) and the strength of functional connectivity across the resting motor network. This relationship was both neurochemically and anatomically specific. We then went on to show that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), an intervention previously shown to decrease GABA levels within M1, increased resting motor network connectivity. We therefore suggest that network-level functional connectivity within the motor system is related to the degree of inhibition in M1, a major node within the motor network, a finding in line with converging evidence from both simulation and empirical studies.

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