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Disturbed integration and (functional) connectivity of several large-scale brain networks, as compared to single areas or individual networks, have been proposed to underly the broad range of symptoms present in schizophrenia (SZ). The recently updated Triple Network Model (TPN) by Menon et al. (2022) picks up on this notion. Herein, it is proposed that aberrant salience processing of internal/external stimuli in combination with dysfunctional engagement of [and switching between] the Default Mode and Central Executive Networks might be the starting point of a faulty cascade resulting in maladaptive behaviors and cognitive deficits. The arising symptomatology can generally be classified in terms of abundance (positive) or impoverishment (negative), i.e., pacing vs. extreme slowing of movement. The Bern Psychopathology Scale (BPS) uses this dimensional approach to group together related individual symptoms into three different domains (language, motivity and affectivity) and tries to directly link these to well established neural circuits (Strik et al., 2010), to provide a system-oriented perspective. So far, however, it remains unknown how this erroneous communication presented in the TPN interplays with the proposed functional imbalance of action-related networks (Language [LAN] and Sensorimotor [SMN]) responsible for behavioral output. To this end, we want to inspect this faulty cascade hierarchically top-down, to gain more insight into possible system-based errors that may explain variance in symptomatology on each level. Therefore, we first want to substantiate the functional connectivity within and between the TPN regions. Second, we want to investigate the functional connectivity between the TPN regions and the action-related networks. Third and final, we want to explore the within functional connectivity of the action-related networks (SMN and LAN).

Aggressive and violent behavior is a threat to society with tremendous negative consequences for health and economic systems. Current prevention and intervention techniques to reduce aggressive and violent behavior remain insufficient. To address these negative consequences, it is pivotal to understand aggression and its origin. Violent crimes are characterized by aggression that can be triggered by a provocative situation. Aggression is associated with deficits in frontal brain areas linked to inhibitory control. Frontal brain regions associated with inhibitory control, such as response inhibition, are considered crucial for successfully inhibiting aggressive actions in inappropriate situations. Brain regions associated with response inhibition have been shown to be altered both structurally and functionally in violent offenders. These alterations are associated with cognitive and behavioral deficits that can result in emotional dysregulation and, thus, aggressive behavior. To address this emotional dysregulation, a variety of treatment methods have been used. The use of non-invasive brain stimulation to enhance response inhibition has received a lot of attention in the past decades. One popular stimulation method is high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS), which is a painless method that uses weak electric currents to stimulate the brain. This weak electrical current serves to modulate cortical excitability by increasing or decreasing neural activity. Using HD-tDCS has been shown to improve a variety of cognitive and behavioral outcomes. For instance, researchers used HD-tDCS to improve memory, attention, or reduce aggression. However, conclusions about the effectiveness of tDCS remain mixed. This project aims to investigate behavioral and neural differences inreactive aggression and impulsivity between violent offenders and non-offenders. In addition, we will investigate whether brain stimulation can increase brain activity and, thus, strengthen impulse control and reduce aggression during provocation. For this project, 50 male violent offenders and 50 male non-criminal participants will be recruited. These 100 participants will engage in two tasks while they are in the fMRI scanner and receive either active or placebo stimulation. During these tasks, namely the Stop signal task and Taylor aggression paradigm, we are interested in how violent offenders will behave compared to non-offenders, what differences in brain activity can be measured, and how both groups react to HD-tDCS. We anticipate that violent offenders will show more aggression and impulsivity but also benefit more from HD-tDCS than non-offenders. Ultimately, we aim to test the clinical value and relevance of HD-tDCS as an additional intervention in forensic groups. The goal is to develop a stimulation protocol as an add-on therapy to psychotherapeutic or pharmacological interventions, with the aim of permanently reducing aggressive behavior.

Supplemental material, Supplemental_material-_PUS for Beyond reporting statistical significance: Identifying informative effect sizes to improve scientific communication by Paul HP Hanel and David MA Mehler in Public Understanding of Science

Poster presented at the‘Real-time functional imaging and neurofeedback conference (rtFIN)’; 29th November -1st December; 2017; Nara; Japan.&nbsp