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Background: Cosmos caudatus (CC) is traditional Asian vegetable, commonly consumed among the Southeast Asian population. It has been reported to be high in flavonoids and might potentially improve brain activity among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The effect of CC in brain activation improvement using neuroimaging is yet to be discovered. Purpose: To investigate the effects of CC supplement on brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) among older adults with MCI. Study type: Prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Population/subjects: Twenty older adults with mild cognitive impairment (60–75 years old), 14 of them (70%) were female subjects. Field strength/sequence: A 3.0‐T, T1‐weighted anatomical images, T2*‐weighted imaging data, A single shot, gradient echo‐echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence. Assessment: All subjects were asked to consume two 500 mg capsules of either CC supplement or placebo (maltodextrin) daily for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was measured using validated neuropsychological tests (i.e. Mini‐mental State Examination and Digit Span) and task‐based fMRI (N‐back and Stroop Color Word Test) at baseline and 12th week. Brodmann's area 9, 46 and anterior cingulate cortex were selected as the regions of interest to define dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in fMRI analysis. Statistical tests: Normality test was performed with the Shapiro–Wilk test. Two‐way repeated ANOVA determined the intervention effects of the CC supplementation on brain activity after adjustments for covariates. Significance level at P < 0.05 for independent‐t test and Chi square test; adjusted P < 0.0042 for two‐way repeated ANOVA after Bonferroni correction. Results: Findings showed significant improvements in digit span (partial η2 = 0.559), increment in right DLPFC activation while performing 1‐back task (partial η2 = 0.586) and left DLPFC activation while performing Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT) (congruent) task (partial η2 = 0.432) at 12th week of CC supplementation. Conclusion: CC supplementation might have the ability to improve DLPFC activation, potentially leading to improved working memory among older adults with MCI after 12 weeks of administration. Level of evidence: 1 Technical efficacy: Stage 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is compelling evidence that neurochemical changes measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) occur at different phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the extent to which these neurochemical changes are associated with validated AD biomarkers and/or apolipoprotein (APOE) ε4 is yet to be established.Objective: This systematic review analyzed the available evidence on (1) neurochemical changes; and (2) the relations between brain metabolite and validated cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and/or APOE in AD.Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and gray literature were systematically screened for studies deemed fit for the purpose of the current systematic review.Results: Twenty four articles met the inclusion criteria. Decreased levels of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), NAA/(creatine) Cr, and NAA/(myo-inositol) ml, and increased ml, ml/Cr, Cho (choline)/Cr, and ml/NAA were found in the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus. Increased ml is associated with increased tau levels, reduced NAA/Cr is associated with increased tau. ml/Cr is negatively correlated with Aβ42, and ml/Cr is positively correlated with t-tau. NAA and glutathione levels are reduced in APOE ε4 carriers. APOE ε4 exerts no modulatory effect on NAA/Cr. There is interaction between APOE ε4, Aβ42, and ml/Cr.Conclusion: NAA, ml, NAA/Cr, NAA/ml and ml/Cr may be potentially useful biomarkers that may highlight functional changes in the clinical stages of AD. The combinations of ml and tau, NAA/Cr and Aβ42, and NAA/Cr and tau may support the diagnostic process of differentiating MCI/AD from healthy individuals. Large, longitudinal studies are required to clarify the effect of APOE ε4 on brain metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gaming can be very entertaining and through it, gamers are able to develop skills. However, it also may result in one’s getting too obsessed with video games regardless of any circumstances. Unnoticed, it may develop an Internet gaming disorder (IGD). This study aimed to investigate the neural activation involved in cognitive flexibility using fMRI that being triggered by the Stroop color task among Malaysian youngsters and its correlation with designated psychological disorders. Methods: A total of 37 participants (IGD = 19, Control = 18) were recruited to partake in this study. The division of participants according to the cut-off point of IAT and IGDS9-SF. Data were analyzed using MATLAB 8.5 (R2015a) and Statistical Parametric Mapping 12 (SPM 12) to evaluate brain activation. Results: This study found that IGD groups experience hyperactivation in the occipital and parietal lobes especially in the inferior occipital gyrus IOG and inferior parietal gyrus (IPG) but a hypoactivation on the frontal lobe. There a significant mean difference for the right IOG and left supplementary motor area (SMA) between the IGD and control groups at p <0.025 after, Bonferroni correction. A significant correlation was found (p < 0.006; Bonferroni correction) between cerebellum 45 right and stress behavior, r = 0.65. Conclusion: These results indicated that individuals with IGD tend to have the rampant yet favorable ability in attention and recognition regulation but deterioration in reward processing. These findings provide a deeper understanding in developing appropriate guidelines and interventions to treat the Internet gaming addicts community, especially in the Malaysian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The auditory and prefrontal cortex supports auditory working memory processing. Many neuroimaging studies have shown hemispheric lateralization of auditory working memory brain regions in the presence of background noise, but few studies have focused on the lateralization of these regions during stochastic resonance.Purpose: To investigate the effects of stochastic resonance on lateralization of auditory working memory regions, and also to examine the brain-behavior relationship during stochastic resonance.Study Type: Cross-sectional.Population/subjects: Forty healthy young adults (18-24 years old).Field Strength/sequence: 3.0T, T1 , and T2 *-weighted imaging.Assessment: The auditory working memory performance was assessed using a backward recall task. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure brain activity during task performance. Functional MRI data were analyzed using SPM12 and WFU PickAtlas.Statistical Tests: One-way independent analyses of variance (ANOVA) were conducted on the behavioral and functional data to examine the main effect of noise level on performance (P < 0.01) and brain activity (P < 0.0042). Hemispheric lateralization was determined by calculating the laterality index. A paired samples t-test was performed to compare brain activity between hemispheres (P < 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis and simple linear regression (P < 0.0042) were used to examine the relationship between brain activity and behavioral performance.Results: Performance was significantly enhanced during the 50 and 55 dB sound pressure level (SPL) conditions via the stochastic resonance mechanism [F(1,195) = 49.17, P < 0.001]. Activity of the right superior frontal gyrus in the 55 dB SPL condition was significantly positively correlated with performance (R2 = 0.681, P < 0.001).Data Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate changes in the lateralization of auditory working memory regions during stochastic resonance and suggest that the right superior frontal gyrus may be a strategic structure involved in the enhancement of auditory working memory performance.Level Of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 4 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1821-1828. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Working memory and cognitive flexibility are supported by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Aging adults from low-income households are individuals with a high risk of cognitive decline who incorporate ulam in their daily diet.Purpose: To examine relationship between ulam consumption and the working memory and cognitive flexibility among aging adults from low-income households who are more susceptible to cognitive decline.Study Type: Cross-sectional.Population/subjects: Thirty-two aging adults (45-75 years old).Field Strength/sequence: Task-based fMRI, 3.0T, T1 -weighted anatomical images, T2 *-weighted imaging data.Assessment: The dietary and ulam consumption were assessed using the respective validated Dietary History and semiquantitative Food Frequency questionnaires. Working memory and cognitive flexibility were evaluated by using neuropsychological batteries (ie, mini-mental state examination [MMSE], Digit Span, and Rey auditory verbal learning test [RAVLT]) and task-based fMRI (N-back and Stroop Color Word Test [SCWT]). Brodmann's areas 9 and 46 were the regions of interest (ROIs) of DLPFC activation.Statistical Tests: Multiple linear regression used to understand the relationship between ulam consumption and the working memory and cognitive flexibility, while analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the difference of working memory and cognitive flexibility among four percentiles of ulam consumption, after age, gender, and education years adjustments. Significance was decided by two-sided, P < 0.0042 and P < 0.05.Results: The multiple linear regression revealed that ulam consumption was positively associated with the Digit Span (R2 = 0.51, β = 0.702, P < 0.001), right DLPFC activation (1-back) (R2 = 0.34, β = 0.591, P = 0.001), left DLPFC activation (SCWT-1) (R2 = 0.33, β = 0.553, P = 0.002), and left DLPFC activation (SCWT-2) (R2 = 0.34, β = 0.497, P = 0.004). The ulam consumption at the 75th and 100th percentile from the ANCOVA analysis had shown a better working memory and cognitive flexibility as compared with those of the 25th and 50th percentiles (P < 0.05).Data Conclusion: This study found that high ulam consumption was related to a high intensity of brain activation in DLPFC; however, the elucidation of the neuroprotective properties of ulam have yet to be established from clinical trial studies.Level Of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 4 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1142-1153. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a key node in the cognitive control network that supports working memory. DLPFC dysfunction is related to cognitive impairment. It has been suggested that dietary components and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) play a vital role in brain health and cognitive function. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between dietary nutrient intake and lipid levels with functional MRI (fMRI) brain activation in DLPFC among older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Participants and methods: A total of 15 community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment, aged ≥60 years, participated in this cross-sectional study at selected senior citizen clubs in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The 7-day recall Diet History Questionnaire was used to assess participants’ dietary nutrient intake. Fasting blood samples were also collected for lipid profile assessment. All participants performed N-back (0- and 1-back) working memory tasks during fMRI scanning. DLPFC (Brodmann’s areas 9 and 46, and inferior, middle, and superior frontal gyrus) was identified as a region of interest for analysis. Results: Positive associations were observed between dietary intake of energy, protein, cholesterol, vitamins B6 and B12, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and HDL-C with DLPFC activation (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that vitamin B6 intake, β=0.505, t (14)=3.29, P=0.023, and Digit Symbol score, β=0.413, t (14)=2.89, P=0.045; R2=0.748, were positively related to DLPFC activation. Conclusion: Increased vitamin B6 intake and cognitive processing speed were related to greater activation in the DLPFC region, which was responsible for working memory, executive function, attention, planning, and decision making. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment for patient with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation (DDPC) during the inter-stage intervals before first stage palliation commonly includes imaging of the heart with multiple imaging modalities. Recently, three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) was found with the ability to delineate cardiac structure that is able to do 360o rotation. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying the accuracy of 3DE colour flow in measuring PDA size compared to computer tomography angiography (CTA). This study involves randomly selected 26 patients with DDPC undergoing CTA for palliation treatment in one year. The mean patient age is 1.6 ± 0.261 months with mean weight of 3.65 ± 0.82 kg. The full-volume 3DE colour flow acquisition was performed and analysed offline using Q-lab software. The PDA diameters at the origin as well as the insertion site were measured. The data obtained by 3DE colour flow data were compared to the CTA, which was taken as the gold standard. Results showed that the offline analysis of PDA size was feasible in all patients (100%) with the mean diameter of PDA at the origin on 3DE colour flow and CTA of 0.51 mm ± 0.14 and 0.52 mm ± 0.11, respectively (p = 0.92) . The PDA diameter at insertion site on 3DE colour flow and CTA was 0.29 mm ± 0.08 and 0.27 mm ± 0.97 respectively (p = 0.5). Meanwhile, the measurement of 3DE colour flow is comparable to CTA in measurement PDA size. However, the use of 3DE colour flow in infants with rapid heart rate is yet challenging to 3DE colour flow acquisitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]