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What drives the liking of video advertisements? The authors analyzed neural signals during ad exposure from three functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data sets (113 participants from two countries watching 85 video ads) with automated meta-analytic decoding (Neurosynth). These brain-based measures of psychological processes—including perception and language (information processing), executive function and memory (cognitive functions), and social cognition and emotion (social-affective response)—predicted subsequent self-report ad liking, with emotion and memory being the earliest predictors after the first three seconds. Over the span of ad exposure, while the predictiveness of emotion peaked early and fell, that of social cognition had a peak-and-stable pattern, followed by a late peak of predictiveness in perception and executive function. At the aggregate level, neural signals—especially those associated with social-affective response—improved the prediction of out-of-sample ad liking compared with traditional anatomically based neuroimaging analysis and self-report liking. Finally, early-onset social-affective response predicted population ad liking in a behavioral replication. Overall, this study helps delineate the psychological mechanisms underlying ad processing and ad liking and proposes a novel neuroscience-based approach for generating psychological insights and improving out-of-sample predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is characterized by dynamic neurodevelopment, which poses opportunities for risk and resilience. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) confer additional risk to the developing brain, where ACEs have been associated with alterations in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) BOLD signaling in brain regions underlying inhibitory control. Socioenvironmental factors like the family environment may amplify or buffer against the neurodevelopmental risks associated with ACEs. Using baseline to Year 2 follow-up data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the current study examined how ACEs relate to fMRI BOLD signaling during successful inhibition on the Stop Signal Task in regions associated with inhibitory control and examined whether family conflict levels moderated that relationship. Results showed that greater ACEs were associated with reduced BOLD response in the right opercular region of the inferior frontal gyrus and bilaterally in the pre-supplementary motor area, which are key regions underlying inhibitory control. Further, greater BOLD response was correlated with less impulsivity behaviorally, suggesting reduced activation may not be behaviorally adaptive at this age. No significant two or three-way interactions with family conflict levels or time were found. Findings highlight the continued utility of examining the relationship between ACEs and neurodevelopmental outcomes and the importance of intervention/prevention of ACES.

As consumers are exposed to thousands of advertisements daily, researchers have sought to understand what makes people remember certain brands better than they remember others. Metaphors like Carvana's vending machines and taglines like "Red Bull gives you wings" have increasingly become a powerful way for marketers to communicate brand attributes. In this study, we sought to characterize the memorability of ads across three distinct categories (functional, emotional, and metaphorical) using behavioral and neuroimaging methods. Participants were exposed to 20 ads from each of these categories and underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan while trying to recall details from these ads one week later. We found a significant effect of category on brand recall immediately after exposure and memory recognition for snippets from the ad a week later, with metaphorical and emotional ads outperforming functional ads. Insights from activation in key memory regions like the bilateral hippocampus during retrieval revealed that while people were likely to remember the salient aspects of emotional ads and rate them as highly vivid, they were weaker in recalling additional central details about the brands featured in them relative to metaphorical ads. These findings demonstrate the superiority of metaphorical ads for integrating contents of the ads and the creation of "sticky" brand impressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LITT is a minimally-invasive laser ablation technique used to treat a wide variety of intracranial lesions. Difficulties performing intraoperative mapping have limited its adoption for lesions in/near eloquent regions. In this institutional case series, we demonstrate the utility of fMRI-adjunct planning for LITT near language or motor areas. Six out of 7 patients proceeded with LITT after fMRI-based tractography determined adequate safety margins for ablation. All underwent successful ablation without new or worsening postoperative symptoms requiring adjuvant corticosteroids, including those with preexisting deficits. fMRI is an easily accessible adjunct which may potentially reduce chances of complications in LITT near eloquent structures.

Functional neuroimaging emerged with great promise and has provided fundamental insights into the neurobiology of schizophrenia. However, it has faced challenges and criticisms, most notably a lack of clinical translation. This paper provides a comprehensive review and critical summary of the literature on functional neuroimaging, in particular functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in schizophrenia. We begin by reviewing research on fMRI biomarkers in schizophrenia and the clinical high risk phase through a historical lens, moving from case-control regional brain activation to global connectivity and advanced analytical approaches, and more recent machine learning algorithms to identify predictive neuroimaging features. Findings from fMRI studies of negative symptoms as well as of neurocognitive and social cognitive deficits are then reviewed. Functional neural markers of these symptoms and deficits may represent promising treatment targets in schizophrenia. Next, we summarize fMRI research related to antipsychotic medication, psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions, and neurostimulation, including treatment response and resistance, therapeutic mechanisms, and treatment targeting. We also review the utility of fMRI and data-driven approaches to dissect the heterogeneity of schizophrenia, moving beyond case-control comparisons, as well as methodological considerations and advances, including consortia and precision fMRI. Lastly, limitations and future directions of research in the field are discussed. Our comprehensive review suggests that, in order for fMRI to be clinically useful in the care of patients with schizophrenia, research should address potentially actionable clinical decisions that are routine in schizophrenia treatment, such as which antipsychotic should be prescribed or whether a given patient is likely to have persistent functional impairment. The potential clinical utility of fMRI is influenced by and must be weighed against cost and accessibility factors. Future evaluations of the utility of fMRI in prognostic and treatment response studies may consider including a health economics analysis.

[Display omitted] • Lifelong PE patients show altered resting-state brain network in the left precuneus. • Right supplementary motor area (SMA) also exhibits significant network changes. • DC values correlated with IELT and CIPE in left precuneus, right SMA regions. The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in the resting-state brain functional network characteristics of lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) patients using surface-based degree centrality (DC), and to analyze the correlation between these alterations and clinical symptoms in PE patients. The study included individuals with lifelong PE (patient group, n = 36) and a control group matched by age and education level (control group, n = 22). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed on all participants. Surface-based degree centrality analysis was conducted and the differences between the two groups were compared using t-tests. Further, the DC values of brain regions showing significant differences were correlated with clinical symptoms. Compared to the control group, the patient group exhibited significantly reduced degree centrality (DC) values in the left precuneus and significantly increased DC values in the right supplementary motor area (SMA). Furthermore, intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and Chinese Index of Premature Ejaculation (CIPE) values were positively correlated with left precuneus DC values and negatively correlated with right SMA DC values. Patients with primary lifelong ejaculation demonstrate abnormalities in key brain network nodes and their connections with relevant brain regions, which are strongly associate with clinical symptoms. These findings enhance our understanding of the neuronal pathological changes in PE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) impairs hippocampal microglial efferocytosis, causing cognitive deficits. Previous research found that milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 protein (MFGE8) stimulates efferocytosis, reducing hippocampal inflammation in SAE rats. In this study, we explore MFGE8's role in alleviating cognitive impairment and its impact on neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), CLP+MFGE8, and CLP+MFGE8+CGT (Cilengitide). After CLP, CLP+MFGE8 rats received intracerebroventricular MFGE8 (3.3 µg), while CLP+MFGE8+CGT rats received intraperitoneal Cilengitide (10 mg/kg). We assessed cognitive function with the Morris water maze and open field test over five days. Eight days post-surgery, rats underwent T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting state (rs)-fMRI scans. Brain tissues were collected for western blot, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and immunofluorescence. Statistical analysis employed one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post-test for multiple comparisons. Results: MFGE8 improved neurobehavioral performance in open field task (OFT) and morris water maze (MWM) tests. fMRI indicated a significant reduction in abnormal neural activity in the right hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus of SAE rats following MFGE8 treatment. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis revealed decreased high-signal areas in the hippocampus, along with reduced hippocampal volume due to alleviated neural edema. Western blot analysis demonstrated that MFGE8 enhanced ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) expression in the rat hippocampus, while CGT reduced these protein levels. Behavioral experiments and fMRI results confirmed that CGT reversed the cognitive effects of MFGE8 by inhibiting microglial αVβ3/αVβ5 integrin receptors. Conclusions: Our findings show that MFGE8 reduced amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) values in the right hippocampal CA1, CA3, and the dentate gyrus, mitigating abnormal neural activity and decreasing hippocampal volume. This led to an improvement in cognitive dysfunction in SAE rats. These results suggest that MFGE8 enhances microglial efferocytosis by activating αVβ3 and αVβ5 integrin receptors on microglial surfaces, ultimately improving cognitive function in SAE rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migraine is a common chronic neurological disorder that lacks objective imaging biomarkers, while resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) can be used to extract potential biomarkers. Recently, graph neural networks (GNNs) have gained significant popularity in the classification of brain disorders because of their powerful ability to model brains. Hypergraph neural networks (HGNNs), a branch of GNNs, are particularly effective in capturing high-order neighborhood information. In this paper, we proposed a hypergraph neural network model, incorporating hypergraph dual attention mechanism and hypergraph pooling strategy (APHGNN), for migraine classification derived from the preprocessed rs-fMRI data. First, we constructed hypergraphs from functional connectivity matrices based on the preprocessed rs-fMRI data. Then, we designed three network layers: in the hypergraph dual attention layer, we introduced attention mechanism in both the hyperedge feature aggregation phase and the node feature aggregation phase, making full use of both node and hyperedge information to update node features; in the hypergraph pooling layer, we employed a node selection-based pooling strategy to score and filter nodes, retaining key node features; in the readout layer, we calculated the average and maximum values of the key node features, concatenated and aggregated them, and used the resulting vectors for classification. The experimental results demonstrate that our model outperforms other baseline methods in classification performance and exhibits good generalization. Additionally, the key brain regions extracted through the hypergraph pooling strategy can serve as potential biomarkers for migraine, providing valuable insights for migraine diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting styles encompass negative and positive approaches, potentially affecting adolescents' brain reward and emotion regulation systems. However, the association between parenting style and brain networks remains unknown. This study investigates the link between parenting style and functional connectivity (FC) within the reward and emotion regulation brain networks, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). A total of forty-two middle-aged adolescents (26 males; 16 females) with no neurological or psychiatric symptoms participated in this study. We assessed parenting behaviors and extracted reward/emotion regulation FC from rs-fMRI. We examined the association between FC and parenting style, identified through principal component analysis. Correlation analysis investigated these links while controlling for sex. We delineated both positive (love-autonomy) and negative (hostility-control) parenting styles, accounting for 79 % of the explained variance in parenting behaviors. The negative parenting style displayed connections with FC within the reward system, particularly in the left nucleus accumbens (NAc), showcasing links to multiple frontal regions. Furthermore, it correlated with the social reward network, specifically the insula-NAc FC in bilateral hemispheres. Conversely, the positive parenting style exhibited an association with FC between the hippocampus and right lateral prefrontal cortex. Our findings support negative parenting's association with an immature reward system and suggest positive parenting's potential to enhance emotion regulation in brain function. These observations highlight two distinct parenting styles, including single-parenting behaviors. Thus, we advance understanding of each style's unique contributions to adolescent reward- and emotion regulation-related brain network development. • We identified positive (love-autonomy) and negative (hostility-control) parenting style components. • Negative style component was related to functional connectivity in the reward system during adolescence. • Positive style component was associated with brain network of emotion regulation. • Advanced insights into the differential roles of parenting style in brain functions during adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there are a few first-line treatment options for bipolar depression, none are rapid-acting. A new rTMS protocol, Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT®), has been shown to have a rapid antidepressant effect in major depressive disorder (MDD). We examined the preliminary safety, tolerability, and efficacy of SAINT for the treatment of depression in a small sample of persons with treatment-resistant bipolar I disorder. Participants with treatment-resistant bipolar I disorder currently experiencing moderate to severe depression were treated with open-label SAINT. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) was used to generate individualized treatment targets for each participant based on the region of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex most anticorrelated with the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. Participants were treated with 10 iTBS sessions daily, with 50-min intersession intervals, for up to 5 consecutive days. The primary outcome was change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) from baseline to immediate follow-up after treatment. We treated 10 participants and found a mean reduction of 16.9 in MADRS scores, with a 50 % response rate and 40 % remission rate immediately following treatment. 60 % of participants met remission criteria within the 1-month period following treatment. No serious adverse events, manic episodes, or cognitive side effects were observed. Our study has a limited sample size and larger samples are needed to confirm safety and efficacy. SAINT has shown preliminary feasibility, safety, tolerability, and efficacy in treating treatment-resistant bipolar I depression. Double-blinded sham-controlled trials with larger samples are needed to confirm safety and efficacy. • A novel TMS protocol, SAINT, showed rapid antidepressant effect in bipolar I patients. • Stanford-developed, SAINT, was successfully used at two other academic hospitals. • No signs of mania or negative cognitive side effects were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatives of individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) are at higher risk of developing the disorder. Identifying brain alterations associated with familial vulnerability in BD can help discover endophenotypes, which are quantifiable biological traits more prevalent in unaffected relatives of BD (BD-RELs) than the general population. This review aimed at expanding our knowledge on endophenotypes of BD by providing an overview of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) alterations in BD-RELs. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed to identify all available rs-fMRI studies conducted in BD-RELs up to January 2024. A total of 18 studies were selected. Six included BD-RELs with no history of psychiatric disorders and 10 included BD-RELs that presented psychiatric disorders. Two investigations examined rs-fMRI alterations in BD-RELs with and without subthreshold symptoms for BD. BD-RELs presented rs-fMRI alterations in the cortico-limbic network, fronto-thalamic-striatal circuit, fronto-occipital network, and, to a lesser extent, in the default mode network. This was true both for BD-RELs with no history of psychopathology and for BD-RELs that presented psychiatric disorders. The direct comparison of rs-fMRI alterations in BD-RELs with and without psychiatric symptoms displayed largely non-overlapping patterns of rs-fMRI abnormalities. Small sample sizes and the clinical heterogeneity of BD-RELs limit the generalizability of our findings. The current literature suggests that first-degree BD-RELs exhibit rs-fMRI alterations in brain circuits involved in emotion regulation, cognition, reward processing, and psychosis susceptibility. Future studies are needed to validate these findings and to explore their potential as biomarkers for early detection and intervention. • Brain changes in BD-RELs are not affected by illness-related confounding factors. • This review summarizes resting-state fMRI changes in BD-RELs. • BD-RELs present alterations in cortical, limbic, striatal, and thalamic areas. • RELs of psychotic BD show fronto-occipital and fronto-thalamic-striatal changes. • Results are heterogeneous and need to be replicated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a widespread mental health issue, impacting spatial and temporal aspects of brain activity. The neural mechanisms behind MDD remain unclear. To address this gap, we introduce a novel measure, spatiotemporal topology (SPT), capturing both the hierarchy and dynamic attributes of brain activity in depressive disorder patients. We analyzed fMRI data from 285 MDD inpatients and 141 healthy controls (HC). SPT was assessed by coupling brain gradient measurement and time delay estimation. A nested machine learning process distinguished between MDD and HC using SPT. Person's correlation tested the link between SPT's and symptom severity, and another machine learning method predicted the gap between patients' chronological and brain age. SPT demonstrated significant differences between patients and healthy controls (F = 2.944, p < 0.001). Machine learning approaches revealed SPT's ability to discriminate between patients and healthy controls (Accuracy = 0.65, Sensitivity = 0.67, Specificity = 0.64). Moreover, SPT correlated with the severity of depression symptom (r = 0.32. p FDR = 0.045) and predicted the gap between patients' chronological age and brain age (r = 0.756, p < 0.001). Evaluation of brain dynamics was constrained by MRI temporal resolution. Our study introduces SPT as a promising metric to characterize the spatiotemporal signature of brain function, providing insights into deviant brain activity associated with depressive disorders and advancing our understanding of their psychopathological mechanisms. • Spatial and temporal brain aberrations linked to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). • SPT integrates spatial and temporal features as a potential MDD biomarker. • SPT effectively discriminates between MDD and healthy populations via machine learning. • SPT correlates with depression severity and predicts differences in brain-age predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood trauma is closely tied to adult depression, but the neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Previous studies suggested associations between depression and large-scale brain networks such as the Ventral Attention Network (VAN) and Somatosensory Motor Network (SMN). This study hypothesized that functional connectivity (FC) within and between these networks mediates the link between childhood trauma and adult depression. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) assessed developmental experiences, and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) gauged depressive symptoms. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analyzed FC within and between the VAN and SMN. Depression group exhibited significantly higher HAMD and CTQ scores, as well as elevated FC within the VAN and between the VAN and SMN (P < 0.05). Positive correlations were found between HAMD total score and FC within the VAN (P < 0.05, r = 0.35) and between the VAN and SMN (P < 0.05, r = 0.34), as well as with CTQ total score (P < 0.05, r = 0.27). Positive correlations were also observed between CTQ total score and FC within the VAN (P < 0.05, r = 0.31) and between the VAN and SMN (P < 0.05, r = 0.29). In the mediation model, FC within and between the VAN and SMN significantly mediated childhood trauma and depression. The cross-sectional design limits causal inference. The sample size for different trauma types is relatively small, urging caution in generalizing findings. The study underscores the association between depression severity, VAN dysfunction, abnormal VAN-SMN FC, and childhood trauma. These findings contribute to understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying childhood trauma and depression. • Ventral attention and sensorimotor network connectivity changes are characteristic of MDD compared to healthy controls. • Childhood trauma affects the ventral attention and sensorimotor network functional connectivity. • The ventral attention and sensorimotor networks mediate the link between childhood trauma and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Catastrophic facial injury with globe loss remains a formidable clinical problem with no previous reports of reconstruction by whole eye or combined whole eye and facial transplant. Objective: To develop a microsurgical strategy for combined whole eye and facial transplant and describe the clinical findings during the first year following transplant. Design, Setting, and Participant: A 46-year-old man who sustained a high-voltage electrical injury with catastrophic tissue loss to his face and left globe underwent combined whole eye and face transplant using personalized surgical devices and a novel microsurgical strategy at a specialized center for vascularized composite allotransplantation. Main Outcomes and Measures: Reperfusion and viability of the whole eye and facial allografts, retinal function, and incidence of acute rejection. Results: The patient underwent a combined whole eye and face transplant from an immunologically compatible donor with primary optic nerve coaptation and conventional postoperative immunosuppression. Globe and retinal perfusion were maintained throughout the immediate postoperative period, evidenced by fluorescein angiography. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated atrophy of inner retinal layers and attenuation and disruption of the ellipsoid zone. Serial electroretinography confirmed retinal responses to light in the transplanted eye. Using structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, the integrity of the transplanted visual pathways and potential occipital cortical response to light stimulation of the transplanted eye was demonstrated. At 1 year post transplant (postoperative day 366), there was no perception of light in the transplanted eye. Conclusions and Relevance: This is the first report of whole eye transplant combined with facial transplant, demonstrating allograft survival including rejection-free graft survival and electroretinographic measurements indicating retinal response to light stimuli. These data highlight the potential for clinical allotransplantation for globe loss. This article describes the development of a microsurgical strategy for combined whole eye and facial transplant and the clinical findings during the first year following transplant. Key Points: Question: Can a combined whole eye and face transplant be safely performed maintaining viability of the allograft and retinal function? Findings: The microsurgical protocol for combined whole eye and face transplant is detailed, including ophthalmic vessel revascularization and transplant. Following transplant, evidence of globe and retinal perfusion, retinal responses to light, and lack of acute rejection were demonstrated. There was no light perception at 1 year post transplant. Meaning: The successful revascularization of the transplanted eye achieved in this study may serve as a step towards the goal of globe transplant for restoration of vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have found that the temporal duration required for males to perceive visual motion direction is significantly shorter than that for females. However, the neural correlates of such shortened duration perception remain yet unclear. Given that motion perception is primarily associated with the neural activity of the middle temporal visual complex (MT+), we here test the novel hypothesis that the neural mechanism of these behavioral sex differences is mainly related to the MT+ region. Methods: We utilized ultra-high field (UHF) MRI to investigate sex differences in the MT+ brain region. A total of 95 subjects (48 females) participated in two separate studies. Cohort 1, consisting of 33 subjects (16 females), completed task-fMRI (drafting grating stimuli) experiment. Cohort 2, comprising 62 subjects (32 females), engaged in a psychophysical experiment measuring motion perception along different temporal thresholds as well as conducting structural and functional MRI scanning of MT+. Results: Our findings show pronounced sex differences in major brain parameters within the left MT+ (but not the right MT+, i.e., laterality). In particular, males demonstrate (i) larger gray matter volume (GMV) and higher brain's spontaneous activity at the fastest infra-slow frequency band in the left MT+; and (ii) stronger functional connectivity between the left MT+ and the left centromedial amygdala (CM). Meanwhile, both female and male participants exhibited comparable correlations between motion perception ability and the multimodal imaging indexes of the MT+ region, i.e., larger GMV, higher brain's spontaneous activity, and faster motion discrimination. Conclusions: Our findings reveal sex differences of imaging indicators of structure and function in the MT+ region, which also relate to the temporal threshold of motion discrimination. Overall, these results show how behavioral sex differences in visual motion perception are generated, and advocate considering sex as a crucial biological variable in both human brain and behavioral research. Plain language summary: There are sex differences in visuospatial abilities between males and females, including the visual perception of motion information. However, the neural mechanism of these sex differences in motion perception remains yet unclear. To explore this question, we employed the joint task probing motion perception and ultra-high field (UHF) MRI. We found that the motion discrimination was faster in males compared to females. The sex differences were also prominent in major brain parameters in the MT+ region (the function brain regions of motion perception). Males demonstrate (i) larger gray matter volume (GMV) and higher brain's spontaneous activity in the left MT+ (but not right MT+, i.e., laterality); (ii) stronger functional connectivity between the left MT+ and the left centromedial amygdala (CM). Additionally, we observed that female and male participants exhibited comparable correlations between motion perception ability and the multimodal imaging indexes in the MT+ region, i.e., the larger GMV, the higher brain's spontaneous activity, and the faster motion discrimination. These results suggest that the sex differences in the structure and function of the MT+ region are the neural mechanism underlying the behavioral-level sex differences in motion perception. We demonstrate sex differences in the healthy human MT+ of the brain, possibly leading to sex differences in visual perception. This strongly support the consideration of sex as a crucial biological variable in both human brain and behavioral research. Highlights: In the left MT+ region, males exhibit larger GMV and higher spontaneous activity at the fastest infra slow frequency band compared to females. The functional connection between left MT+ and left centromedial amygdala in males is stronger than that in females. Female and male participants demonstrated comparable correlations between motion perception ability and the multimodal imaging indexes in the MT+ region (the function brain region of motion perception), i.e., the larger GMV, the higher spontaneous activity in MT+, and the faster motion discrimination. The relationship of motion discrimination and left MT+ GMV is indirect-only and mediated by the spontaneous activity of left MT+ in the fastest infra-slow frequency band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perception is shaped by both incoming sensory input and expectations derived from our prior knowledge. Numerous studies have shown stronger neural activity for surprising inputs, suggestive of predictive processing. However, it is largely unclear what predictions are made across the cortical hierarchy, and therefore what kind of surprise drives this up-regulation of activity. Here, we leveraged fMRI in human volunteers and deep neural network (DNN) models to arbitrate between 2 hypotheses: prediction errors may signal a local mismatch between input and expectation at each level of the cortical hierarchy, or prediction errors may be computed at higher levels and the resulting surprise signal is broadcast to earlier areas in the cortical hierarchy. Our results align with the latter hypothesis. Prediction errors in both low- and high-level visual cortex responded to high-level, but not low-level, visual surprise. This scaling with high-level surprise in early visual cortex strongly diverged from feedforward tuning. Combined, our results suggest that high-level predictions constrain sensory processing in earlier areas, thereby aiding perceptual inference. Surprising sensory input triggers stronger neural activity than expected input, but at which level of the cortical hierarchy are these predictions made? This study shows that prediction errors are computed at higher cortical levels and the resulting surprise signal is broadcast to earlier areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Methods Results Conclusions ‘Neurovascular coupling’ (NVC) alterations, assessing the interplay between local cerebral perfusion and neural activity within a given brain region or network, may reflect neurovascular unit impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim was to explore NVC as a correlation between the functional connectivity and cerebral blood flow within the large‐scale resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging brain networks in a sample of ALS patients compared to healthy controls (HCs).Forty‐eight ALS patients (30 males; mean age 60.64 ± 9.62 years) and 32 HC subjects (14 males; mean age 55.06 ± 16 years) were enrolled and underwent 3 T magnetic resonance imaging. ALS patients were screened by clinical and neuropsychological scales and were retrospectively classified as very fast progressors (VFPs), fast progressors and slow progressors (SPs).Neurovascular coupling reduction within the default mode network (DMN) (p = 0.005) was revealed in ALS patients compared to HCs, observing, for this network, significant NVC differences between VFP and SP groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that impaired NVC in the DMN at baseline best discriminated VFPs and SPs (area under the curve 75%). Significant correlations were found between NVC and the executive (r = 0.40, p = 0.01), memory (r = 0.32, p = 0.04), visuospatial ability (r = 0.40, p = 0.01) and non‐ALS‐specific (r = 0.40, p = 0.01) subscores of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen.The reduction of brain NVC in the DMN may reflect largely distributed abnormalities of the neurovascular unit. NVC alterations in the DMN could play a role in anticipating a faster clinical progression in ALS patients, aiding patient selection and monitoring during clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A RCT study to investigate the efficacy of abdominal acupuncture for MDD patients. • Acupuncture can treat MDD by regulating the integration of functional networks. • It's the first time provided a marker to predict the efficacy of acupuncture. Abdominal acupuncture has definite efficacy for major depressive disorder (MDD). Our study examined how abdominal acupuncture regulates the integration within and between brain networks of MDD patients by neuroimaging and whether this functional integration can predict the efficacy. Forty-six female MDD patients were randomly divided into a fluoxetine + real acupuncture group (n = 22) and a fluoxetine + sham acupuncture group (n = 24). The differences in functional magnetic resonance imaging data in the intra- and inter-network functional connectivity (FC) of the default mode network (DMN), affective network (AN), salience network (SN), and cognitive control network (CCN) between the two groups were analyzed. The FCs in brain regions with the inter-group differences and support vector regression were used to predict the efficacy of abdominal acupuncture. Our results showed: that the intra- and inter-network FCs of DMN, AN, SN, and CCN could be changed by abdominal acupuncture. Using the baseline FCs within AN and DMN or AN–DMN as characteristics, combined with support vector regression, could better predict the efficacy of acupuncture. Our study suggests that abdominal acupuncture could treat MDD by regulating the integration of the functional networks DMN, AN, SN, and CCN. The baseline FCs within the DMN and AN or between them could be used as neural markers for predicting the efficacy of abdominal acupuncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hypothalamus has been recognized as a core structure in the sleep-wake cycle. However, whether the neuroplasticity of the hypothalamus is involved in the acupuncture treatment of insomnia remains elusive. Methods: We recruited 42 patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID) and 23 matched healthy controls (HCs), with CID patients randomly assigned to receive real acupuncture (RA) or sham acupuncture (SA) for four weeks. Insomnia severity was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the hypothalamus was assessed via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: In the cross-sectional investigation, CID patients showed increased rsFC between the medial hypothalamus (MH) and left lateral orbital frontal cortex (LOFC), and bilateral medial orbital frontal cortex (MOFC) compared to HCs. In the longitudinal experiment, PSQI scores significantly decreased in the RA group (p = 0.03) but not in the SA group. Interestingly, the increased MH-LOFC connectivity was found to be reduced following RA treatment. In addition, the altered rsFC of MH-LOFC significantly correlated with clinical improvement in the RA group (r = -0.692, p = 0.006). Conclusion: This randomized neuroimaging study provides preliminary evidence that acupuncture may improve insomnia symptoms by restoring circuits associated with hypothalamic subregions. Trial registration: This trial has been registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (www.chictr.org.cn) with the identifier (ChiCTR1800017092). Registered date: 11/07/2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of diagnostic non-invasive imaging technology for assessing the early structural and functional changes of the kidney in type 2 cardiorenal (CRS) patients. This study aims to explore the value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) for clinical application in type 2 CRS patients, to provide imaging markers for the assessment of kidney damage. Methods: This is a retrospective observational clinical study conducted in Nanjing, China. The clinical characteristics, including age, gender, medical history, laboratory results, and ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging results were collected from the electronic medical record. Thirty-one patients with type 2 CRS, 20 patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and 20 healthy controls were enrolled and divided into type 2 CRS, HF and control groups. All the participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and IVIM-DWI parameters including true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) were obtained. The correlation between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), renal size and imaging parameters was evaluated by Spearman correlation analysis. Results: ADC and D of the renal cortex in patients with type 2 CRS were lower than those in the healthy control group. ADC and f in the HF group were lower than those in the control group. D was positively correlated with the length (r = 0.3752, P = 0.0013) and transverse diameter (r = 0.3258, P = 0.0056) of the kidney. ADC (r = 0.2964, P = 0.0121) and D (r = 0.3051, P = 0.0097) were positively correlated with eGFR. Renal cortical ADC and D values could distinguish type 2 CRS patients from the healthy controls with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.723 and 0.706, respectively. Conclusion: The ADC and D values were not only correlated with renal function, but also had lower levels in type 2 CRS. The IVIM-DWI parameter D was also related to kidney size, but further research is needed to determine whether it can be used as a novel imaging marker for type 2 CRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Temporal interference (TI) stimulation, an innovative non-invasive brain stimulation approach, has the potential to activate neurons in deep brain regions. However, the dynamic mechanisms underlying its neuromodulatory effects are not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the effects of TI stimulation on dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) in the motor cortex. Methods: 40 healthy adults underwent both TI and tDCS in a double-blind, randomized crossover design, with sessions separated by at least 48 h. The total stimulation intensity of TI is 4 mA, with each channel's intensity set at 2 mA and a 20 Hz frequency difference (2 kHz and 2.02 kHz). The tDCS stimulation intensity is 2 mA. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected before, during, and after stimulation. dFC was calculated using the left primary motor cortex (M1) as the region of interest (ROI) and analyzed using a sliding time-window method. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA (group × time) was conducted to evaluate the effects of TI and tDCS on changes in dFC. Results: For CV of dFC, significant main effects of stimulation type (P = 0.004) and time (P < 0.001) were observed. TI showed lower CV of dFC than tDCS in the left postcentral gyrus (P < 0.001). TI-T2 displayed lower CV of dFC than TI-T1 in the left precentral gyrus (P < 0.001). For mean dFC, a significant main effect of time was found (P < 0.001). TI–T2 showed higher mean dFC than tDCS-T2 in the left postcentral gyrus (P = 0.018). Within-group comparisons revealed significant differences between time points in both TI and tDCS groups, primarily in the left precentral and postcentral gyri (all P < 0.001). Results were consistent across different window sizes. Conclusion: 20 Hz TI stimulation altered dFC in the primary motor cortex, leading to a significant decreasing variability and increasing mean connectivity strength in dFC. This outcome indicates that the 20 Hz TI frequency interacted with the motor cortex's natural resonance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) results in aberrant functional connectivity and is significantly linked to cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, the network mechanisms influencing neurocognitive function following DAI remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the characteristics of static and dynamic functional network connectivity (FNC) in patients with DAI. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 26 patients with DAI and 27 healthy controls. Resting-state networks were extracted using independent component analysis. We evaluated the connectivity strength through spatial maps and static FNC, and then further dynamic properties were identified using a sliding time-window approach and k-means clustering, and investigated their associations with clinical variables. Patients with DAI showed stronger intra-network spatial maps in the default mode network and subcortical network than healthy controls, but static inter-network functional connectivity remained stable. Furthermore, three recurring states for dynamic connectivity were identified in all participants, and state 1 occurred most frequently in patients with DAI and exhibited higher fractional time, and as well as longer mean dwell time, which was positively associated with MMSE scores. Meanwhile, patients with DAI exhibited mostly increased functional connectivity strength of dynamic FNC in all states, particularly within the default mode network and visual network. These findings suggest that patients with DAI are characterized by altered dynamic FNC and temporal properties, which provide distinct complementary information different from static functional connectivity, and new insights into the neural pathophysiology of DAI associated with cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Cognitive decline is crucial in disease progression and affect quality of life; however, their underlying mechanisms in PD remain unclear. We explored the relationship between cognitive impairment and functional connectivity (FC) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in 26 patients with sporadic PD, focusing on the changes in FC between on and off states. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. The correlation between MMSE scores and changes in FC values during on and off states was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The correlation between changes in FC during the on and off periods and cognitive function differed for each cognitive function item. MMSE memory scores were positively correlated with FC between the brainstem and the left cerebral hemisphere. MMSE attention scores were positively correlated with FC between the bilateral thalamus and frontal lobes and negatively correlated with FC between the left cerebral hemispheres. These findings may facilitate our understanding of the neural correlates underlying cognitive impairment in PD and help develop treatment strategies to preserve cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior literature has debated whether syntax is separable from semantics in the brain. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging and multi-voxel pattern analysis, our previous studies investigated brain activity during morpho-syntactic versus semantic processing. These studies only detected semantic specialization in activation patterns and no syntactic specialization in 5- to 6-year-old and 7- to 8-year-old children. To examine if older children who have mastered morpho-syntactic skills would show specialization for syntax, the current study examined 64 9- to 10-year-old children using the same design and analyses. We observed that only the left IFG pars opercularis was sensitive to syntactic but not semantic information, supporting the hypothesis that this region serves as a core region for syntax. In addition, the left STG which has been implicated in the integration of semantics and syntax, as well as the left MTG and IFG pars triangularis which have been implicated in semantics, were sensitive to both semantic and syntactic information with no evidence of specialization. These findings suggest a lexicalized view of syntax, which argues that semantically sensitive regions are also critical regions for syntactic processing during language comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) and brain functional connectome (we use ‘brain connectome’ hereafter for simplicity) have advanced our understanding of the ageing brain and age‐related changes in cognitive function. Previous studies have investigated the association among brain connectome and age, global cognition, and memory function separately. However, very few have predicted age, overall cognitive functioning and memory performance in a single study to better understand their complex relationship. In this cross‐sectional study, we applied an exploratory, data‐driven method to investigate the brain connectome markers that could predict ageing, overall cognitive functioning assessed as intelligence quotient (IQ, measured by Wechsler Memory Scale) and memory performance assessed as memory quotient (MQ, measured by Wechsler Memory Scale) in a carefully designed, multicentre, normal ageing cohort (n = 313). Our results showed that brain connectome could predict ageing and IQ, but the association with MQ was weak. We found that the connectivity with orbital frontal cortex was associated with both ageing and IQ. Mediation analysis further showed that the brain connectome mediated the relationship between age and overall cognitive functioning, suggesting a protective brain connectomic mechanism for maintaining normal cognitive functions during healthy ageing. This work may shed light on the potential neural correlates of healthy ageing, overall cognitive functioning and memory performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating the direction of functional connectivity (FC) can help further elucidate complex brain function. However, the estimation of directed FC at the voxel level in fMRI data, and evaluating its performance, has yet to be done. We therefore developed a novel directed seed-based connectivity analysis (SCA) method based on normalized pairwise Granger causality that provides greater detail and accuracy over ROI-based methods. We evaluated its performance against 145 cortical retrograde tracer injections in male and female marmosets that were used as ground truth cellular connectivity on a voxel-by-voxel basis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated for each injection, and we achieved area under the ROC curve of 0.95 for undirected and 0.942 for directed SCA in the case of high cell count threshold. This indicates that SCA can reliably estimate the strong cellular connections between voxels in fMRI data. We then used our directed SCA method to analyze the human default mode network (DMN) and found that dlPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and temporal lobe were separated from other DMN regions, forming part of the languagenetwork that works together with the core DMN regions. We also found that the cerebellum (Crus I-II) was strongly targeted by the posterior parietal cortices and dlPFC, but reciprocal connections were not observed. Thus, the cerebellum may not be a part of, but instead a target of, the DMN and language-network. Summarily, our novel directed SCA method, visualized with a new functional flat mapping technique, opens a new paradigm for whole-brain functional analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different people listening to the same story may converge upon a largely shared interpretation while still developing idiosyncratic experiences atop that shared foundation. What linguistic properties support this individualized experience of natural language? Here, we investigate how the "concrete--abstract" axis--the extent to which a word is grounded in sensory experience--relates to within- and across-subject variability in the neural representations of language. Leveraging a dataset of human participants of both sexes who each listened to four auditory stories while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging, we demonstrate that neural representations of "concreteness" are both reliable across stories and relatively unique to individuals, while neural representations of "abstractness" are variable both within individuals and across the population. Using natural language processing tools, we show that concrete words exhibit similar neural representations despite spanning larger distances within a high-dimensional semantic space, which potentially reflects an underlying representational signature of sensory experience--namely, imageability-- shared by concrete words but absent from abstract words. Our findings situate the concrete--abstract axis as a core dimension that supports both shared and individualized representations of natural language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The neurovascular theory is thought to be one of the main pathological mechanisms of migraine. Locus coeruleus (LC) is a major node in the neurovascular pathway. Exploring the functional network characteristics of LC in migraine without aura (MwoA) patients can help us gain insight into the underlying neural mechanisms in MwoA patients. Methods: In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and a functional connectivity (FC) approach to explore the functional characteristics of LC in MwoA patients. 17 healthy controls (HCs) and 28 MwoA patients were included in the study. FC was calculated based on rsfMRI data collected by a 3T MRI scanner. General linear model were used to compare whether there were differences in LC brain networks between the two groups. We also utilized logistic regression to explore the role of LC functional networks in the clinical diagnosis of MwoA. Results: After general linear analysis, MwoA patients displayed increased FC from right LC to the left lingual and calcarine sulcus, as well as to the right frontal medial gyrus/orbit part, when compared with HCs. The results of the logistic regression showed that the LC FC signals were 81% accurate in distinguishing MwoA from the HCs. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that patients with MwoA exhibited significant LC FC differences in the brain areas associated with visual and cognitive function. Understanding the changes in the LC brain network in MwoA patients can provide us with new ideas to understand the pathological mechanisms of MwoA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preclinical high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems offer a diverse array of MRI techniques, providing rich multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) platforms for studying numerous biological parameters. mpMRI platforms prove particularly indispensable when investigating tumors that exhibit profound intratumoral heterogeneity, such as breast cancer. A thoughtful comprehension of the origins of intratumoral heterogeneity is imperative for the judicious assessment of new targeted therapies and treatment interventions. Furthermore, when data from mpMRI are complemented with data from other in vivo imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET), and correlated with data from ex vivo modalities, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS), the in vivo parameters can be further elucidated at a molecular level and microscopic scale. Nevertheless, extracting meaningful scientific insights from such complex datasets necessitates the utilization of machine learning (ML) approaches to discern region-specific radiomic features. The development of correlative, multimodal imaging (CMI) workflows, such as one incorporating MRI, PET and MALDI IMS, is inherently challenging, given the many technological and methodological challenges related to multimodal data acquisition as well as the physiological limitations of the laboratory mice of the investigation. Standardization efforts in image acquisition and processing are required to increase the reproducibility and translatability of CMI data. To address the challenges of developing standardized CMI workflows and stimulate dialog regarding this area of need, we present a practical workflow to investigate tumor heterogeneity in breast cancer xenografts across various spatial scales. Our workflow entails simultaneous functional MRI and PET acquisitions in living mice, followed by correlation with post-imaging MALDI IMS and histologic data. Additionally, we propose data preprocessing steps for potential ML applications. We illustrate the feasibility of this workflow through two examples, showcasing its effectiveness in comparing in vivo and ex vivo images to evaluate tumor metabolism and hypoxia in mice with breast cancer xenografts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technique of transforming symptom's symbol into emptiness (TSSE) is a new mind–body treatment method proposed by Tianjun Liu in 2008. It integrates Qigong and concrete object‐image thinking rooted in traditional Chinese culture into modern psychotherapy and proposes that mental and physical problems can be alleviated or eliminated in the process of movement. Accordingly, the therapist needs to guide the client with various symptoms to psychological nothingness where the client cannot see or feel these symptoms, and the purpose of healing can be achieved through the experience of emptiness. TSSE is divided into static and dynamic operations and consists of 10 steps. The static operation includes trio relaxation exercises (the body, breath, and mind), identifying the target symptom, visualizing the target symptom as an object‐image, visualizing a symbolic carrier, and filling out record sheet A. The dynamic operation includes trio relaxation exercises again, moving the symbolic object into the carrier, moving the carrier with the symbolic object into psychological nothingness, moving back and assessment, and filling out record sheet B. The effectiveness of TSSE can be evaluated by the therapist's judgment based on the client's performance and by the difference between the symptom impact scores recorded in sheets A and B. TSSE has been proven to be an effective psychosomatic treatment solution by some empirical studies conducted in China. Future research can combine other technologies, such as fMRI and fNIRS, to further explore the potential effective mechanisms of TSSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Significance Anterior temporal lobe resection (ATLR) is an effective treatment for drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), although language deficits may occur after both left and right ATLR. Functional reorganization of the language network has been observed in the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres within 12 months after ATLR, but little is known of longer‐term plasticity effects. Our aim was to examine the plasticity of language functions up to a decade after ATLR, in relation to cognitive profiles.We examined 24 TLE patients (12 left [LTLE]) and 10 controls across four time points: pre‐surgery, 4 months, 12 months, and ~9 years post‐ATLR. Participants underwent standard neuropsychological assessments (naming, phonemic, and categorical fluency tests) and a verbal fluency functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task. Using a flexible factorial design, we analyzed longitudinal fMRI activations from 12 months to ~9 years post‐ATLR, relative to controls, with separate analyses for people with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). Change in cognitive profiles was correlated with the long‐term change in fMRI activations to determine the “efficiency” of reorganized networks.LTLE patients had increased long‐term engagement of the left extra‐temporal and contralateral temporal regions, with better language performance linked to bilateral activation. Those with HS exhibited more widespread bilateral activations. RTLE patients showed plasticity in the left extra‐temporal regions, with better language outcomes associated with these areas. Both groups of patients achieved cognitive stability over 9 years, with more than 50% of LTLE patients improving. Older age, longer epilepsy duration, and lower pre‐operative cognitive reserve negatively affected long‐term language performance.Neuroplasticity continues for up to ~9 years post‐epilepsy surgery in LTLE and RTLE, with effective language recovery linked to bilateral engagement of temporal and extra‐temporal regions. This adaptive reorganization is associated with improved cognitive outcomes, challenging the traditional view of localized surgery effects. These findings emphasize the need for early intervention, tailored pre‐operative counseling, and the potential for continued cognitive gains with extended post‐ATLR rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Abnormalities in the hippocampus have been extensively reported in schizophrenia research. However, inconsistent findings exist, and how structural and functional abnormalities of the hippocampus are associated with clinical symptoms in schizophrenia, especially concerning clozapine treatment, remains uncertain. Methods: We recruited 52 patients with schizophrenia, each with an illness duration of at least 5 years, and categorized them based on clozapine treatment. T1-weighted images and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained and analyzed to perform group comparisons of the structural and functional changes in the hippocampus. Volumes of the hippocampal subregions, as well as resting-state functional connectivity maps from these areas were compared between the groups. Associations with clinical symptoms, including the severity of psychiatric symptoms and cognitive functions, were investigated. Results: The clozapine group (n=23) exhibited smaller volumes in several hippocampal subregions, including the CA1, CA4, granule cell and molecular layers of the dentate gyrus, compared to the non-clozapine group (n=29). Seven clusters with significant group differences in functional connectivity with these hippocampal subregions were identified, with six of these clusters showing increased functional connectivity in the clozapine group. The reduced volumes of the hippocampal subregions were moderately associated with the severity of negative symptoms, general intelligence, and executive function. Discussion: Patients with schizophrenia undergoing clozapine treatment exhibited smaller volumes in the hippocampal subregions, which were moderately associated with negative symptoms and cognitive functions, compared to those without clozapine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study examined resting-state (RS) connectivity in adolescent and adult patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) using symptom provocation paradigms. Differential food reward mechanisms were investigated through separate assessments of responses to food images and low-caloric/high-caloric food consumption. Thirteen young (≤ 21 years) and seventeen adult (> 21 years) patients with AN and age-matched controls underwent two stimulus-driven fMRI sessions involving RS scans before and after the presentation of food-related stimuli and food consumption. Graph theory and machine learning were used for analyzing the fMRI and clinical data. Healthy controls (HCs) showed widespread developmental changes, while young participants with AN exhibited cerebellum differences for high-calorie food. Young individuals with AN displayed increased connectivity during the consumption of potato chips compared to zucchini, with no differences in adults with AN. Multiparametric machine learning accurately distinguished young individuals with AN from healthy controls based on RS connectivity following food visual stimulation ("anticipatory") and consumption ("consummatory"). This study highlights the differential food reward mechanisms and minimal developmental changes in RS connectivity from youth to adulthood in individuals with AN compared to healthy controls. Young individuals with AN demonstrated heightened reactivity to high-caloric foods, while adults showed decreased responsiveness, potentially due to desensitization. These findings shed light on aberrant eating behaviors in individuals with AN and contribute to our understanding of the chronicity of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is widely used to depict neural activity and understand human brain function. Studies show that functional networks in gray matter undergo complex transformations from neonatal age to childhood, supporting rapid cognitive development. However, white matter functional networks, given the much weaker fMRI signal, have not been characterized until recently, and changes in white matter functional networks in the developing brain remain unclear. Purpose: Aims to examine and compare white matter functional networks in neonates and 8-year-old children. Methods: We acquired resting-state fMRI data on 69 full-term healthy neonates and 38 healthy 8-year-old children using a same imaging protocol and studied their brain white matter functional networks using a similar pipeline. First, we utilized the ICA method to extract white matter functional networks. Next, we analyzed the characteristics of the white matter functional networks from both time-domain and frequency-domain perspectives, specifically, intra-network functional connectivity (intra-network FC), inter-network functional connectivity (inter-network FC), and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF). Finally, the differences in the above functional networks' characteristics between the two groups were evaluated. As a supplemental measure and to confirm with literature findings on gray matter functional network changes in the developing brain, we also studied and reported functional networks in gray matter. Results: White matter functional networks in the developing brain can be depicted for both the neonates and the 8-year-old children. White matter intra-network FC within the optic radiations, corticospinal tract, and anterior corona radiata was lower in 8-year-old children compared to neonates (p < 0.05). Inter-network FC between cerebral peduncle (CP) and anterior corona radiation (ACR) was higher in 8-year-olds (p < 0.05). Additionally, 8-year-olds showed a greater distribution of brain activity energy in the high-frequency range of 0.01–0.15 Hz. Significant developmental differences in brain white matter functional networks exist between the two group, characterized by increased inter-network FC, decreased intra-network FC, and higher high-frequency energy distribution. Similar findings were also observed in gray matter functional networks. Conclusion: White matter functional networks can be reliably measured in the developing brain, and the differences in these networks reflect functional differentiation and integration in brain development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging has been used in many studies to explore the neural mechanism of acupuncture in patients with post-stroke motor dysfunction. Inconsistent results have been found in these studies, however. This activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis was designed to quantitatively integrate changes in brain activity and the neurological effects of acupuncture on patients with motor dysfunction after stroke. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China Science and Technology Journal Database, the China Biology Medicine, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform for literature from the establishment of the database until March 21, 2024. Research papers were selected, data extracted, and quality assessment was done independently by two researchers. The GingerALE software was used for meta-analysis, and Jackknife sensitivity analysis was employed to assess result robustness. Results: We ended up analyzing 14 studies that included 235 patients and 100 healthy people. ALE meta-analysis showed that Compared with healthy people, the enhanced brain region in poststroke patients with motor dysfunction was located in the left posterior lobe of the cerebellum, the left inferior frontal gyrus, and the left precuneus (p < 0.001). After acupuncture, the activated regions were mainly located in the left posterior lobe of the cerebellum, the right lentiform nucleus putamen, the right medial frontal gyrus, the right inferior frontal gyrus, the left precuneus, the right middle temporal gyrus, the left claustrum, the left cerebellar tonsil, the right superior marginal gyrus, the inactivated area is located in the right medial frontal gyrus the left precentral gyrus and the right precuneus (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Acupuncture can reestablish motor function by causing extensive changes in the brain function of patients with stroke, which may be the neurological effect of acupuncture therapy on stroke patients. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024526263. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) reveals diverse neural activity patterns in cervical spondylosis (CS) patients. However, the reported results are inconsistent. Therefore, our objective was to conduct a meta-analysis to synthesize the findings from existing rs-fMRI studies and identify consistent patterns of neural brain activity alterations in patients with CS. Materials and methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Embase, Google Scholar, and CNKI for rs-fMRI studies that compared CS patients with healthy controls (HCs), up to January 28, 2024. Significant cluster coordinates were extracted for comprehensive analysis. Results: We included 16 studies involving 554 CS patients and 488 HCs. CS patients demonstrated decreased brain function in the right superior temporal gyrus and left postcentral gyrus, and increased function in the left superior frontal gyrus. Jackknife sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of these findings, and Egger's test confirmed the absence of significant publication bias (p > 0.05). Meta-regression showed no significant impact of age or disease duration differences on the results. Conclusion: This meta-analysis confirms consistent alterations in specific brain regions in CS patients, highlighting the potential of rs-fMRI to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ , identifier CRD42024496263. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies demonstrated the existence of hand and tool areas in lateral and ventral occipitotemporal cortex (OTC), as well as an overlap between them. We reinvestigated this organization using 7T fMRI, benefiting from a higher signal-to-noise ratio than 3T. This enabled us to include a wider array of categories to achieve a more holistic perspective, and to omit certain spatial preprocessing steps. Despite these improvements, univariate analysis confirmed the existence of hand-tool overlap across OTC, which is striking given the omission of the spatial preprocessing steps that can influence overlap. There was significantly more overlap between hands and tools, compared to other overlap types in the left hemisphere of OTC. The overlap was also larger in the left lateral OTC as compared to the right lateral OTC. We found in all hand areas a differentiation between tools and other types of objects, although they still responded more to bodies than to tools. Regarding the tool areas, we observed a differentiation between hands and other categories such as faces and non-tool objects. Left hemisphere tool areas also differentiated between hands and bodies. When excluding the overlapping voxels from the hand and tool areas, they still showed a significant response to tools or hands (compared to objects or faces) respectively. Multi-voxel pattern analysis indicated that neural representations in the hand areas showed greater similarity between hands and tools than between hands and other objects. In the tool areas, the neural representations between tools and hands and between tools and other type of objects were all equally similar. To summarize, capitalizing on the benefits of 7T fMRI, we further substantiate the evidence in favor of hand-tool overlap in several regions of occipitotemporal cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) enables indirect detection of brain activity changes via the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal. Conventional analysis methods mainly rely on the real-valued magnitude of these signals. In contrast, research suggests that analyzing both real and imaginary components of the complex-valued fMRI (cv-fMRI) signal provides a more holistic approach that can increase power to detect neuronal activation. We propose a fully Bayesian model for brain activity mapping with cv-fMRI data. Our model accommodates temporal and spatial dynamics. Additionally, we propose a computationally efficient sampling algorithm, which enhances processing speed through image partitioning. Our approach is shown to be computationally efficient via image partitioning and parallel computation while being competitive with state-of-the-art methods. We support these claims with both simulated numerical studies and an application to real cv-fMRI data obtained from a finger-tapping experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is substantial evidence to suggest that preference for visual curvature is a reliable phenomenon. Yet, little is known about the ways in which the encoding of curvature in the brain contributes to hedonic evaluation while participants are actively engaged in making choices about objects varying in curvature. To address this question, we reanalyzed fMRI data collected while participants made aesthetic judgments (beautiful vs. not beautiful) and approach-avoidance decisions (enter vs. exit) in relation to measures of (a) computational curvature, (b) perceived curvature, (c) perceived angularity, and (d) aesthetic pleasure in the domain of architecture. Our results show that a region in early visual cortex (BA 17) encompassing largely areas V2-V3 is sensitive to variation in computational curvature across both beauty judgments and approach-avoidance decisions, whereas a region encompassing the fusiform gyrus (BA 37) exhibits sensitivity to perceived curvature only when participants made beauty judgments. These results contribute to our understanding of the neurobiological basis of curvature preference by demonstrating that the sensitivity of the visual cortex to computational curvature is context invariant, whereas the sensitivity of the fusiform gyrus to perceived curvature varies by context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary definition of mental imagery is characterized by two aspects: a sensory representation that resembles, but does not result from, perception, and an associated subjective experience. Neuroimaging demonstrated imagery-related sensory representations in primary visual cortex (V1) that show striking parallels to perception. However, it remains unclear whether these representations always reflect subjective experience or if they can be dissociated from it. We addressed this question by comparing sensory representations and subjective imagery among visualizers and aphantasics, the latter with an impaired ability to experience imagery. Importantly, to test for the presence of sensory representations independently of the ability to generate imagery on demand , we examined both spontaneous and voluntary imagery forms. Using multivariate fMRI, we tested for decodable sensory representations in V1 and subjective visual imagery reports that occurred either spontaneously (during passive listening of evocative sounds) or in response to the instruction to voluntarily generate imagery of the sound content (always while blindfolded inside the scanner). Among aphantasics, V1 decoding of sound content was at chance during voluntary imagery, and lower than in visualizers, but it succeeded during passive listening, despite them reporting no imagery. In contrast, in visualizers, decoding accuracy in V1 was greater in voluntary than spontaneous imagery (while being positively associated with the reported vividness of both imagery types). Finally, for both conditions, decoding in precuneus was successful in visualizers but at chance for aphantasics. Together, our findings show that V1 representations can be dissociated from subjective imagery, while implicating a key role of precuneus in the latter. • A novel paradigm was used to elicit spontaneous and voluntary imagery using sounds • V1 representations of sounds were found in aphantasics despite subjective imagery absence • Aphantasics and visualizers differed in V1 for voluntary but not for spontaneous imagery • Precuneus emerged as higher-level correlate of subjective imagery presence Cabbai et al. test whether sensory representations in primary visual cortex (V1) can be dissociated from subjective mental imagery. They find that V1 representations can occur without subjective experience in aphantasics during a task designed to elicit spontaneous imagery. Their findings also implicate precuneus in conscious imagery experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listening to natural auditory scenes leads to distinct neuronal activity patterns in the early visual cortex (EVC) of blindfolded sighted and congenitally blind participants. 1,2 This pattern of sound decoding is organized by eccentricity, with the accuracy of auditory information increasing from foveal to far peripheral retinotopic regions in the EVC (V1, V2, and V3). This functional organization by eccentricity is predicted by primate anatomical connectivity, 3,4 where cortical feedback projections from auditory and other non-visual areas preferentially target the periphery of early visual areas. In congenitally blind participants, top-down feedback projections to the visual cortex proliferate, 5 which might account for even higher sound-decoding accuracy in the EVC compared with blindfolded sighted participants. 2 In contrast, studies in participants with aphantasia suggest an impairment of feedback projections to early visual areas, leading to a loss of visual imagery experience. 6,7 This raises the question of whether impaired visual feedback pathways in aphantasia also reduce the transmission of auditory information to early visual areas. We presented auditory scenes to 23 blindfolded aphantasic participants. We found overall decreased sound decoding in early visual areas compared to blindfolded sighted ("control") and blind participants. We further explored this difference by modeling eccentricity effects across the blindfolded control, blind, and aphantasia datasets, and with a whole-brain searchlight analysis. Our findings suggest that the feedback of auditory content to the EVC is reduced in aphantasic participants. Reduced top-down projections might lead to both less sound decoding and reduced subjective experience of visual imagery. • Sound decoding is reduced in the early visual cortex of participants with aphantasia • Across 3 datasets, feedback to the early visual cortex is more general than imagery • Reduced connectivity in aphantasia may be specific to the early visual cortex • The trend of higher decoding in the periphery decreases with hierarchy from V1 to V3 Natural sounds can be decoded from the early visual cortex of blindfolded and congenitally blind participants. Montabes de la Cruz et al. replicate the paradigm with aphantasic participants and report decreased sound decoding, consistent with less-informative top-down projections to the early visual cortex in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental time travel (MTT), a cornerstone of human cognition, enables individuals to mentally project themselves into their past or future. It was shown that this self-projection may extend beyond the temporal domain to the spatial and social domains. What about higher cognitive domains? Twenty-eight participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while self-projecting to different political, moral and temporal perspectives. For each domain, participants were asked to judge their relationship to various people (politicians, moral figures, personal acquaintances) from their actual or projected self-location. Findings showed slower, less accurate responses during self-projection across all domains. fMRI analysis revealed self-projection elicited brain activity at the precuneus, medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction and anterior insula, bilaterally and right lateral temporal cortex. Notably, 23.5% of active voxels responded to all three domains and 27% to two domains, suggesting a shared brain system for self-projection. For ordinality judgement (self-reference), 52.5% of active voxels corresponded to the temporal domain specifically. Self-projection activity overlapped mostly with the frontoparietal control network, followed by the default mode network, while self-reference showed a reversed pattern, demonstrating MTT's implication in spontaneous brain activity. MTT may thus be regarded as a 'mental-experiential travel', with self-projection as a domain-general construct and self-reference related mostly to time. This article is part of the theme issue 'Elements of episodic memory: lessons from 40 years of research'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanism underlying the effect of taVNS on PD remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of taVNS in PD patients. Methods: This crossover self-controlled study included 50 PD patients. Each patient underwent three sessions of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) under three conditions: real taVNS, sham taVNS, and no taVNS intervention. We analyzed whole-brain amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) from preprocessed fMRI data across different intervention conditions. ALFF values in altered brain regions were correlated with clinical symptoms in PD patients. Results: Forty-seven participants completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Real taVNS was associated with a widespread decrease in ALFF in the right hemisphere, including the superior parietal lobule, precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and cuneus (voxel p < 0.001, GRF corrected). The ALFF value in the right superior parietal lobule during real taVNS was negatively correlated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (r = −0.417, p = 0.004, Bonferroni corrected). Conclusion: TaVNS could immediately modulate the functional activity of brain regions involved in superior parietal lobule, precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and cuneus. These findings offer preliminary insights into the mechanism of taVNS in treating PD and bolster confidence in its long-term therapeutic potential. TaVNS appears to reduce ALFF values in specific brain regions, suggesting a potential modulation mechanism for treating PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence that using more than one languages has significant effects on brain function. These effects have been observed in the developing, adult and aging brain, and have been suggested to have implications for cognitive and brain decline in bilinguals and multilinguals. Aside from extensive investigations with behavioral methods, such effects are now commonly investigated with functional neuroimaging methods, mostly functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). A relatively underused method in the field is functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), which carries several advantages over more established methods, including being appropriate for use with infants and children, but also with older and diseased samples. This paper provides an overview of the method and an account of how it has been used in the field of bilingual cognition. It concludes with suggestions of how the method can be best utilized in future research, highlighting it as a method with a strong potential for updating existing theories on the effects of bilingualism on brain function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]