bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Difficulties identifying feelings, alexithymic features and brain responses in social phobia trait: an fMRI study
Authors: Carré A. , Tran E. , Gierski F. , Bera-Potelle C. , Hubsch B. , Portefaix C. , Kaladjian A. , Besche-Richard C. , Pierot L. , Limosin F.
Published: May 2011

Aims

A growing body of research now documents a specific pattern of brain activation during emotional tasks in patients with social phobia. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that non-clinical participants show a similar pattern of responses. Clinical and physiological data from literature highlight that social anxiety is associated with difficulties in emotional managing. However, much less is known about the part of alexithymia in social phobia, as far as clinical and infra-clinical (high shyness) approaches are concerned.

Method

Four hundred undergraduate university students were screened with an anxiety and social phobia questionnaire. Forty participants, with low and high levels of social phobia, were then included according to a dimensional approach. Each participant underwent a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that included a structured clinical interview for current and past psychiatric disorders and psychometric scales, including the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Participants were asked to make gender discrimination choices when viewing faces that showed happiness, fear, anger, sadness, neutral expressions or distractors while in a 3 Tesla fMRI scanner.

Results

As expected, social phobia trait was correlated with TAS-20 scores, and specifically in “difficulties identifying feelings”. Brain activations showed an evolutionary pattern response in correlation with social phobia and alexithymia concerning limbic regions (amygdala and insula). Social phobia trait seems to be particularly receptive to anger faces.

Conclusion

Our findings support the hypothesis that alexithymia play a major role in social anxiety disorder. Identifying feelings could explain alexithymic functioning in social phobia, clinically and physiologically.
Profitability of cranial CT scans in emergency services
Authors: de la Vega D.C. , García Dorado M. , Andrada Meyer J. , Durán Cristóbal I. , Arcenegui Calvo Á. , Chinchilla Moreno A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The request of diagnostic imagining techniques, such as CT, is sometimes necessary when working in the emergency service as a psychiatrist. Common circumstances that need CT are altered level of consciousness, absence of psychiatric history, sudden beginning of the symptoms or visual hallucinations.

Objectives

To study the profitability of the cranial CT for patients with psychiatric symptoms in the Emergency Service.

Methods

Retrospective review of the cranial CT was made to patients who presented psychiatric symptoms in the Emergency Service of our hospital from November 2009 to July 2010 using Hospital Ramon Cajal’s history software.

Results

We collected a total of 94 patients.-Sex: there were no important differences, 45,7% were women and 53,3% were men. -Age: < 18 years (3,2%), 18–30 years (12,8%), 31–40 (7,4%), 41–50 (26,6%), 51–60 (17%), 61–70 (14,9%), >71 (18,1%) Cause of consulting: The most frequent cause of consulting was “behavior disorder” (35,1%) and psychotic symptoms (14,9%). Other causes were altered level of consciousness and neurological symptoms.

Image findings: It stands out that up to a 63,8% of the patients had no significant radiological findings. The most frequent diagnosis (26,6%) was cortical-subcortical atrophy, followed by vascular cerebral illness in 9,6%.

Diagnosis: 20,2% were diagnosticated of psychotic disorder, 11,7% neurological disorder and 10,6% dementia.

Conclusions

-

Only in 6,4% of the cases the image results were indispensable to reach a correct diagnosis.

-

Cranial CT requests should not be made routinely and guides should be followed more strictly.
Study of brain asymmetries in sporadic and familial first episode patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Deng W. , Zou L. , Cui L. , Huang C. , Chen Z. , Li M. , Jiang L. , He Z. , Lui S. , Gong Q. , Li T.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Although the deviations of brain volume deficits in sporadic and familial first-episode schizophrenia patients (FEP) had been presented, the difference of brain asymmetries remained unidentified.

Objectives

To assess the potential differences of volumetric asymmetries of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) between groups.

Aims

To find out the different injury alteration of sporadic FEP and familial FEP.

Methods

42 sporadic and 30 familiar drug-naïve FEP with and 72 matched normal controls (NC) were recruited. Participants were assessed with neuropsychological tests and scanned by a 3.0T MRI to obtain T1-weighted and DTI images. Lateralization distribution maps of GM and WM volume were generated by employing optimized voxel-based morphometry. The asymmetries were analyzed by comparing calculating Laterality Index (LI) voxel by voxel.

Results

All three groups showed similar overall brain torque. Familiar FEP have more regional extensive GM asymmetry brain lesions compared to sporadic FEP. There was no shared regional lesion between two groups. LIGM and LIWM in right superior temporal were negatively correlated. Significant negative correlations were also found between LIGM of left superior parietal lobule and LIWM of right superior parietal lobule, and between LIGM of right inferior parietal lobule and LIWM of left inferior parietal lobule. The asymmetry in distinct brain regions were related to cognitive deficits especially in the domains of language and memory.

Conclusions

The two patient groups had different alteration in injuries of brain asymmetry. Familiar FEP has more GM extensive asymmetry brain region, which may correlate with their high genetic burdens.
Increased visual-ventral prefrontal cortical coupling during facial affect recognition
Authors: Dima D. , Stephan K.E. , Roiser J.P. , Frangou S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Emotional regulation is a crucial aspect of adaptive behaviour and social interaction, and is often disrupted in a range of psychiatric disorders.

Objectives

In the past decade, neuroimaging studies have identified key components of the neural networks that underpin emotional processing during facial affect recognition. Although these networks are extremely interconnected, current evidence points to the ventral prefrontal cortex (VPFC) as having a pivotal role in emotional regulation.

Aims

We were particularly interested in specifying the functional interrelationships of VPFC with component network regions and in exploring potential modulation by the valence of the facial affect.

Methods

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were obtained from 40 healthy individuals during a facial affect recognition task involving fearful, sad and angry facial expressions. Within the networks engaged by the task, we used Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) to measure effective connectivity followed by Bayesian Model Selection to identify the model best model fitting our data and Bayesian Model Averaging to analyze the endogenous connections and the modulatory influence of affect.

Results

Processing of all three facial expressions engaged the visual cortex, fusiform gyrus, amygdala and VPFC. DCM analysis showed that the connection between the visual cortex and the VPFC plays a more important role in the recognition of facial emotions than other regions.

Conclusions

We provide evidence for the central role of a valence independent increase in visual cortical and VPFC coupling during the processing of facial affect.
Intrahemispheric EEG coherence in neurotic patients
Authors: Dokukina T.V. , Misuik N.N. , Minser M.F.
Published: May 2011

When studying the structure of intercentral relations reflected in electrical activity of different brain parts, we use calculation of complex function of coherence (Coh). High level of Coh between electrical processes indicates that they originate from the same source or that the sources of these processes are functionally related. The level of Coh between functionally separate parts will be low.

The goal of our study was to examine the level of intrahemispheric Coh in patients suffering from organic pseudoneurotic disorders F06.3–F06.8 and F07.0–F07.8 according to ICD-10 and neuroses (stress-related disorders) F 4.

We examined 100 healthy people, 100 patients with organic pseudoneurotic disorders and 65 patients with stress-related disorders aged 18–50. Pseudoneurotic symptomatology in patients with pseudoneurotic disorders was represented with asthenovegetative, asthenodepressive, emotionally labile and anxiety disorders occurring as a result of cerebral injuries, neuroinfections, and chronic vascular processes. The same symptomatology was observed in patients with neuroses. The study was conducted on 16-channel encephalograph “Mitsar” in spectral and coherent analysis modes.

Coh was detected in left and right hemispheres.

The level of intrahemispheric coherence of all rhythms (especially of beta-rhythm) was Identically increased in both hemispheres, more evidently in electrode pairs: frontopolar and temporal, temporal and occipital, central and occipital in both group of patients. There were no differences revealed in intrahemispheric coherence rates between patients with organic pseudoneurotic disorders and with neuroses.
Brain mapping criteria in diagnostic of brain state in epilepsy
Authors: Dokukina T.V. , Misuik N.N. , Dakukina V.V. , Kozmidiadi A.O.
Published: May 2011

Digital EEG criteria which help to differ EEG of patients with organic brain damage and healthy ones invented by Misiuk N. and coauthors (2003). They are: alpha-rhythm mean and peak frequency ≥9.15 Hz both, slow-wave activity index < 29%, beta- and alpha-activity correct spatial organization. Scientifically proved that appearance of anyone abovementioned characteristic means actuality of brain damage. Their reduction is a sign of brain state rehabilitation.

The aim of the investigation was to study the chance to use abovementioned diagnostic system as criteria of remission/acute condition of epilepsy.

Objectives

182 patients with epilepsy aged 18–55 years observed recurrently for 5–9 years. Etiologically epilepsy was symptomatic (n = 108), idiopathic (n = 26) and cryptogenic (n = 48). Remission for ≥2 year period was set in 67% cases.

Methods

Digital EEG performed on 19 channels and analyzed in spectral and period metric regimen.

Results

Brain mapping (digital EEG) revealed organic brain damage patterns (1–4 Digital EEG signs) in 81.9% of cases: 86.1% for symptomatic, 69.2% for idiopathic, 79.2% for cryptogenic epilepsy among patients with acute phase of disease. When remission achieved EEG patterns exposition decreased dramatically - from 81.9% to 9.8%.

Conclusion

The data obtained fits the hypothesis that activity of epilepsy defined by mean of Digital EEG. These characteristics of the brain’ functional state are very sensible and neurologists have possibility to take into account this information while prescribing or depriving anticonvulsants.
Abnormalities in cool (inhibition response) and hot (reward anticipation) executive functions in medication naïve ADHD adults
Authors: Fernàndez V.R. , Quiroga J.A.R. , Munso R.B. , Brugué M.C.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Current accounts of ADHD postulate the existence of at least two different but not mutually exclusive ADHD endophenotypes: those characterized by cognitive executive function (“cool EF”) abnormalities, presumably produced by dysfunctions in dopaminergic mesocortical branches; and those characterized by abnormalities in reward management processes (also know as “hot EF”), which are thought to result from alterations in dopaminergic mesolimbic circuits.

The aim of the present study is to assess brain activity during “cool EF” and “hot EF” in adults with ADHD and to identify the neurobiological and behavioral interrelation between the each of the processes.

Methods

Sample: 19 control subjects and 19 ADHD adults, naïve.

In order to assess “cool EF”, we employed a paradigm assessing inhibition response, the Go-noGo task. A reward paradigm was used to assess hot EF functions.

Results

Preliminary results are in line with previous functional magnetic resonance imaging showing reduced ventro-striatal activation during reward anticipation in ADHD. In addition, results derived form the inhibition response paradigm are also in agreement with neuroimaging and lesion studies, appointing the right inferior frontal cortex as a key region for inhibition processing.

Conclusions

Our results indicate the existence of alterations in cool EF and hot EF as reflected by abnormal activity in dopaminergic mesocortical and dopaminergic mesolimbic circuits. These findings underline the importance of taking into account both “cool EF” and “hot EF” in order to understand the neurobiology of ADHD.
Multimodal imaging of an astrocytoma affecting the amygdalar region
Authors: Fink M. , Moser U. , Pezawas L. , Savli M. , Stein P. , Hahn A. , Spindelegger C. , Wadsak W. , Windischberger C. , Mitterhauser M. , Kasper S. , Lanzenberger R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Regional alterations of serotonergic neurotransmission and functional activation in the amygdalar region of patients with major depression are underpinning its important role in affective disorders. In this study we used fMRI and PET to describe functional and molecular alterations associtated with an astrocytoma in the left amygdalar region in a patient with organic depressive disorder compared to control subjects.

Methods

The serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor binding (BPND) was quantified with PET (30 frames, 90 min, 4.4 mm FWHM) in 36 subjects using the radioligand [carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635, and a reference tissue model (MRTM2). In fMRI (3T, EPI inplane resolution 1.6*2.7 mm, 10 AC-PC orientated slices, ST = 3 mm, TE/TR = 31/1000 ms), 32 participants performed emotion discrimination and sensorimotor control tasks. Statistical analysis with SPM5 and unpaired t-tests were performed on molecular and functional data separately.

Results

The astrocytoma was delineated in the serotonin-1A receptor distribution showing (p < 0.01, uncorrected) regional BPND decrease. The ipsilateral thalamus and bilateral habenula regions displayed (p < 0.001; uncorrected) BPND increase. The fMRI data showed significantly (p < 0.05; uncorrected) reduced activation in the affected amygdalar region, ipsilateral fusiform gyrus, bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and temporal regions and increased activation in the contralateral temporal pole.

Conclusions

Lower serotonin-1A receptor binding in the left amydala region reflects the glial provenance of the tumor. The increased receptor binding in the habenulae might be associated with altered monoaminergic neurotransmission and depressive symptoms according to the influence of the habenulae on monoaminergic nuclei. The functional data demonstrate neuroplastic changes beyond affected areas and might indicate compensatory mechanisms.
Commonalties and differences of two psychotic phenotypes using connectivity fMRI
Authors: Foucher J.R. , Pham B.-T. , Gounot D. , Stöber G.
Published: May 2011

The ICD/DSM schizophrenia diagnosis is a ill-defined phenotype. The Wernicke-Kleist-Leonhard school distinguish 35 major phenotypes in the psychotic spectrum. Among them, the cycloid psychoses (CP, remitting forms) and affect laden paraphrenia (ALP, the core of paranoid schizophrenia) appear promising. We used a resting state functional connectivity analysis to find commonalities and differences between these 2 groups.

Seventeen patients with CP and 17 with ALP all fulfilling DSM-IV defined schizophrenia were recruited together with 57 controls. Participants took part to a 20 min resting state fMRI scan keeping eyes closed but remaining awake. The signal from the 78 Brodman areas was averaged and a correlation coefficient was the metric for functional connectivity between them. Groups were compared using permutation test corrected for multiple testing.

CP and ALP commonly differed from controls by a disconnection of their temporal regions (internal temporal, the temporal pole, the inferior temporal - in black). But CP had an increase of connectivity between the same temporal regions relative to both ALP and controls. Conversely ALP had a much larger disconnectivity pattern relative to both CP and controls including the cingulate and the orbito-frontal regions as a whole (in white).

CP and ALP share temporal disconnectivity which could be correlated with psychosis proneness. However the reasons for it appear different in the two groups: an excess of intra-temporal connectivity in CP, a more global and widespread decrease of connectivity in ALP which correlate with the type of residual symptoms observed in this group.
Food-cue evoked activation of reward pathways is modulated by the satiety factor leptin: An fMRI study in obese and normal weight subjects
Authors: Grosshans M. , Vollmert C. , Vollstaedt-Klein S. , Leber S. , Bach P. , Buehler M. , von der Goltz C. , Wiedemann K. , Kiefer F.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Mechanisms contributing to the development and maintenance of obesity remain to be elucidated especially regarding the interaction between appetite regulating hormones and mesolimbic reward circuits. Leptin was recently suggested to attenuate dopamine release in mesolimbic reward pathways. We now test the functional relevance assessing whether leptin plasma concentration affects the BOLD-response following the presentation of food cues.

Methods

21 obese and 23 normal weight subjects were investigated. Visual food cues and neutral stimuli were presented in a block design during fMRI. Blood-samples were collected immediately prior to the scan to assess plasma leptin concentration. Using linear regression analyses, the association between BOLD response to food cues and the body mass index (BMI) as well as plasma leptin concentration was examined.

Results

Food-cues elicited activation of large cortical and subcortical networks, whereas only in obese patients food cues activated the left ventral and right dorsal striatum. Mean plasma concentration of leptin was significantly increased in obese subjects compared to normal weight controls. We found a significant positive correlation between the food cue-induced BOLD signal change in the ventral striatum and leptin plasma concentration. Furthermore, ventral and dorsal striatum BOLD response to food cues was significantly positive associated with the body mass index (BMI).

Conclusions

These findings suggest a physiological role of the satiety factor leptin in modulating responsivity of reward pathways towards food cues. Altered homeostatic feedback regulation of the mesolimbic brain reward circuit might explain the inability of obese patients to adapt their food intake according to physiologically needs.
Neurocognitive predictors of functional outcome in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Hauska S. , Erfurth A. , Lenz G. , Sachs G.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Neurocognitive deficits are known as a core feature in bipolar disorder (BPD). Persisting neurocognitive impairment is associated with low self-reported quality of life and low psychosocial functioning. Current findings indicate the importance of adjunctive psychosocial interventions in the treatment of BPD patients to enhance symptomatic and functional outcome.

Objectives

To assess whether functional outcome in patients with BPD is affected by cognitive psychoeducational therapy, clinical parameters and cognitive impairment.

Aims

To identify potential predictors of functional outcome, global clinical impression and early recurrence in patients with BPD.

Methods

Using a neurocognitive test battery 43 patients with BPD in euthymic state were compared to 40 healthy controls. Patients were assigned to two treatment Conditions cognitive psychoeducational therapy over 14 weeks (n = 19, 12 female, age) and treatment-as-usual (n = 24, 14 female). Predictors for functional disability, global clinical impression and early recurrence including clinical and cognitive variables as well as treatment conditions were examined using logistic regression.

Results

Compared to healthy controls patients with BPD showed lower performance in executive function (p < 0.01) and sustained attention (p < 0.001). Cognitive psychoeducation (p < 0.05) and subthreshold depressive symptoms (p < 0.05) were predictors for occupational functioning. Age (p < 0.05), delayed verbal memory (p < 0.05) and word fluency (p < 0.05) predicted global clinical impression. Recurrence in the follow-up period of 12 months was predicted by delayed verbal memory (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with BPD seem to benefit from cognitive psychoeducational training mainly in areas of working life. The extent of cognitive impairment appears to impact clinical outcome and recurrence rate.
Prediction of steady-state occupancy of the serotonin transporter based on single-dose occupancy: A [11C]DASB pet study
Authors: Höflich A.S. , Philippe C. , Savli M. , Baldinger P. , Kranz G.S. , Müller S. , Häusler D. , Zgud S. , Kraus C. , Wadsak W. , Mitterhauser M. , Lanzenberger R. , Kasper S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Clinical studies point toward a potential role of the serotonin transporter (SERT) binding as a predictor of clinical outcome in the treatment of depression. After long-term treatment with clinical doses of SSRIs the expected SERT occupancy is about 80%. Here, we were interested to investigate the relationship of SERT occupancy values between short- and longterm treatment.

Objectives

To test if the SERT occupancy at steady-state can be predicted based on the single dose occupancy by escitalopram (S-citalopram) or citalopram (racemate of S-citalopram and R-citalopram).

Methods

18 patients with major depressive disorder received either escitalpram (10 mg/d) or citalopram (20 mg/d) in a double-blind, randomized, longitudinal study. They underwent three PET scans using the radioligand [11C]DASB: PET1 baseline, PET2 6 hours after first drug intake and PET3 after three weeks of daily oral treatment. Occupancy of SERT was quantified in six subcortical regions: thalamus, N. caudatus, putamen, mibrain, dorsal raphe and median raphe nuclei. Data was analyzed by means of multiple linear regression models corrected for baseline SERT availability values using SPSS 15.0.

Results

Single dose occupancy of the SERT significantly predicted steady-state occupancy after three weeks in three regions: thalamus (r2 = 0.45, p = 0.009), N. caudatus (r2 = 0.4, p = 0.006) and putamen (r2 = 0.43, p = 0.005). Other regions did not show significant relationships.

Conclusions

In this study we demonstrated that single-dose occupancy in SERT rich regions such as thalamus, N. caudatus and the putamen could serve as reliable predictors for steady-state occupancy. However, a linear model failed to explain the relationship in regions known for serotonergic cell origin.
Hemodynamic brain response to visual sexual stimuli is different between homosexual and heterosexual men
Authors: Hu S.-H. , Wang Q.-D. , Xu Y. , Zhang M.-M.
Published: May 2011

Many studies showed the differences in subjective response to sexual stimuli between heterosexual and homosexual men. However, the underlying neurobiological factors of sexual orientation are largely unknown. We addressed the question what is the major attribution of the expected differences in brain activation, i.e. neural circuits or different cognitive process. Twenty-eight healthy male volunteers, 14 heterosexuals and 14 homosexuals, were scanned by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging while subjects were viewing different types of stimuli, i.e. heterosexual couple stimuli (HCS), gay couple stimuli (GCS), lesbian couple stimuli (LCS) and neutral stimuli (NS). SPM02 was used for data analysis. Rating of sexual attractiveness was assessed. Subjective sexual arousal was induced by HCS and GCS in heterosexual and homosexual men, respectively. And sexual disgust was induced by GCS and LCS in heterosexual and homosexual men, respectively. As compared to viewing NS, viewing sexual stimuli induced significant different brain activations most of which had characteristic for cognitive process. These observations suggested that different cognitive pattern was major attribution of different subjective response to sexual stimuli between heterosexual and homosexual men.
Increased coupling of resting state activity between amygdala and cortical emotion processing regions in remitted major depressive disorder
Authors: Kalcher K. , Pail G. , Huf W. , Scharinger C. , Boubela R. , Hartinger B. , Windischberger C. , Filzmoser P. , Moser E. , Kasper S. , Pezawas L.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

While most neuroimaging studies have investigated acutely depressed patients, neural mechanisms underlying stable remission are rarely examined. Furthermore, the majority of previous functional MRI (fMRI) studies have focused on task-induced neural activity, while resting-state activity may be more reproducible across study centers.

Objectives

To clarify patterns of functional coupling between subcortical structures and cortical resting state activity.

Aims

To determine whether alterations of functional coupling between the amygdala and cortical emotion processing regions characterize patients in the remitted phase of Major Depressive Disorder (rMDD).

Methods

Forty-three remitted depressed patients and thirty-five healthy controls were recruited at Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, and performed a six minute resting-state fMRI scan. The scans were corrected for slice timing and motion, as well as for mean white matter, mean CSF, and median gray matter signals. Seed time series were extracted using individual amygdala masks and correlated with all nodes in a surface based analysis using FreeSurfer, AFNI and SUMA. The resulting correlation coefficients were then Fisher-transformed, group results were determined by comparing group mean smoothed (to 8 mm FWHM) z-scores with a two-sample t-test.

Results

Increased resting-state functional connectivity was revealed between amygdala (seed region) and posterior cingulate cortex as well as orbitofrontal cortex in the rMDD group compared to healthy controls.

Conclusions

Our preliminary results suggest altered functional coupling between amygdala and cortical emotion processing areas during resting state conditions, possibly representing a neural mechanism contributing to the maintenance of stable remission of MDD.
P02-336 Longitudinal voxel - based morphometry to evaluate progressive gray mater changes in first - episode schizophrenia
Authors: Kawasaki Y. , Suzuki M. , Takahashi T. , Nakamura K.
Published: May 2011

Background

Although longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown that various brain regions undergo progressive tissue loss during the early phases of schizophrenia, regional pattern of these changes remain unclear.

Methods

Longitudinal MRI data were obtained from 18 (12 males and 6 females) patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 20 (11 males and 9 females) healthy controls and at baseline and follow-up with mean scan interval of 2.7 years. To compare gray matter changes over time between patients and controls were evaluated with voxel-based morphometry (VBM) using SPM8 following the longitudinal DARTEL protocol.

Results

In both groups of patient and control longitudinal gray mater reduction was observed in various brain regions including lateral and medial frontal regions and superior temporal region. Excessive decrease in gray matter was found in patients as compared to healthy controls in the left superior temporal region and right inferior frontal region.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that there are differing longitudinal gray matter changes in patients with schizophrenia during the early phases of the illness as compared to healthy individuals.
Cortisol plasma levels are associated with serotonin - 1A receptor binding in postmenopausal women
Authors: Kranz G. , Hahn A. , Ungersböck J. , Kaufmann U. , Stein P. , Baldinger P. , Höflich A. , Zgud S. , Mitterhauser M. , Wadsak W. , Kasper S. , Lanzenberger R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Alterations of the serotonin-1A receptor (5-HT1A) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been reported in depression and anxiety disorders. We previously showed a strong negative correlation between cortisol plasma levels and 5-HT1A receptor binding potential (BP) in patients with social anxiety disorder but not in healthy controls using PET [1].

Objectives

To investigate the relationship of cortisol and the 5-HT1A BP in postmenopausal women, a population that is at increased risk of suffering from depressive symptoms.

Methods

Subjects: 19 postmenopausal women, aged 55.26 ± 4.98, medication free, no current substance abuse or hormone replacement therapy.

PET

Dynamic measurements (50 frames, 90 min) were performed using the radioligand [carbonyl-11C]WAY100635 and a GE-Advance scanner. PET data were normalized to a ligand-specific template [2]. Regions-of-interest (ROI) were defined as given in [3]. TACs within ROIs were averaged and the 5-HT1A receptor BP was quantified using Logan-plot and PMOD 3.1. Measurement of total cortisol plasma levels was done using electrochemoluminescence.

Results

We found negative correlations between cortisol and 5-HT1A BP in the midbrain (Spearman's rs = −0.54, p = 0.02), the median raphe nucleus (rs = −0.47, p = 0.04) and the nucleus accumbens (rs = −0.505, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

In line with our previous findings [1], the observed negative association between cortisol plasma levels and 5-HT1A BP might reflect an increased vulnerability for mood disorders in postmenopausal women.
Serotonin - 1A binding in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex is associated with regional grey matter volume in striatum and temporal areas
Authors: Kraus C. , Savli M. , Hahn A. , Baldinger P. , Höflich A. , Mitterhauser M. , Wadsak W. , Windischberger C. , Kasper S. , Lanzenberger R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The subgenual part of the anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) has been frequently reported to be structurally and cytoarchitectually changed in major depressive disorder (MDD) and is also a promising target in deep brain stimulation in treatment-resistant MDD. Furthermore, substantial evidence demonstrates a high density of serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptors in the sgACC, a key area involved in emotional processing.

Objectives

Here, we investigated the relationship between the 5-HT1A receptor in the sgACC and changes in regional grey matter volume with voxel-based morphometry.

Methods

PET ([carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635) was used to quantify 5-HT1A receptor binding (BPND) together with structural magnetic resonance images from 32 healthy subjects (mean 26.68 ± 5.1 years; 17 women). Regression analysis was performed in SPM8 (p < .001 uncorr.) using sgACC 5-HT1A BPND as regressor, controlling for sex, age and total grey matter volume (GMV).

Results

5-HT1A BPND in the sgACC was positively associated with regional GMV in the medial temporal gyri (T=4.37) and nucleus accumbens bilaterally (T = 4.19). Furthermore, sgACC 5-HT1A binding was negatively correlated with GMV within the inferior temporal gyri (T = 5.22) and putamen bilaterally (T = 5.12).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate structural relationships between sgACC 5-HT1A receptor binding and grey matter volume in the ventral striatum as well as in temporal regions, which both exhibit close neuronal connections with the sgACC. Moreover, the GMV of the ventral striatum has been reported to be decreased in patients with MDD. Conclusively, our results underpin the role of serotonergic neuronal transmission in cytoarchitectural processes within regions involved in the modulation of mood.
Spect imaging of the serotonin transporter using a novel ligand - 123-I mZIENT - in human subjects - a dosimetry and biodisortribution study
Authors: Krishnadas R. , Nicol A. , Champion S. , Pimlott S. , Stehouwer J. , Tamagnan G. , Goodman M. , Hadley D.
Published: May 2011

Levels of serotonin in the body are regulated by the serotonin transporters (SERT), which are predominantly located on the presynaptic terminals of serotonin-containing neurons. Alterations in the density of SERT have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders.

Aim

To evaluate 123-I mZIENT (2(S)-[(S)-2b-carbomethoxy-3b-[3′-((Z)-2-iodoethenyl)phenyl]nortropane), a novel radiopharmaceutical for imaging SERT. The bio-distribution of the radiopharmaceutical in humans was investigated and dosimetry performed.

Methods

The study includes three healthy volunteers and three patients receiving SSRIs. Whole body images obtained on a gamma camera at 10 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours post administration. Dosimetry was performed. ROIs were drawn over the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, salivary glands, spleen, thyroid and intestines. Blood was sampled at 5, 15, & 30 minutes and 1, 2, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours post administration. Urine was collected at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 24 and 48 hours. Brain SPECT images were obtained using a neuroSPECT scanner at 4 hours, evaluated visually and analysed using ROI analysis.

Results

High quality SPECT images can be obtained after 100–150 MBq 123-ImZEINT. Regional brain uptake was observed in midbrain and basal ganglia in healthy volunteers, consistent with the known distribution of SERT. Biodistribution images demonstrated highest uptake in the lungs, brain, liver and intestines. The effective dose was within range of other commonly used ligands and is acceptable for clinical imaging.

Conclusion

123-ImZIENT is a promising agent for imaging SERT in humans with acceptable dosimetry.
Subcortical structural abnormalities of first onset drug naïve major depressive disorder with panic disorder patients
Authors: Lai C.-H.
Published: May 2011

Objective

This study was designed to apply subcortical analysis of first episode drug naïve major depressive disorder with panic disorder patients.

Method

All the participating subjects received scales rating for depression and panic disorder. 15 patients and 15 healthy controls were compared to explore the differences of subcortical structures, such as hippocampus, putamen and thalamus. A new semi-automatic toolbox for computing subcortical areas by a shape and surface model was utilized for the comparison. The volumes of subcortical structures were also compared by using nonparametric t test of SPSS software to support the findings from the FSL FIRST toolbox (FMRIB Software Library, FMRIB's Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool).

Results

The patient group had significantly lower volumes in the left hippocampus, thalamus and putamen. The volumetric differences were also significant in these areas (2 tailed p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). The volumes of thalamus and putamen were also well correlated with clinical rating scales. The relationship between left hippocampal volumes and clinical rating scales was modest. The volumes of right hippocampus were not correlated with clinical rating scales.

Conclusions

The structural abnormalities of putamen and thalamus might represent a specific pathology for major depressive disorder co-morbid with panic disorder. The limited deficits of hippocampal volumes should represent an intermediate type between major depressive disorder and panic disorder. The co-morbidity might have a different subcortical pathology.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI)-based neurofeedback as a new treatment tool for depression
Authors: Linden D. , Lancaster T.
Published: May 2011

We investigated whether depressed patients who received fMRI-based neurofeedback are able to upregulate the activity in brain areas devoted to positive emotion processing and thereby establish improvements in mood state. Eight medicated patients with major depression participated in four separate fMRI sessions, each of which consisted of an emotion localiser and three neurofeedback runs. Target areas were selected individually with a functional localiser that identified the region most responsive to positive affective images. The target areas were in uni- or bilateral prefrontal cortex, insula or amygdala. During neurofeedback runs, patients received real-time feedback about activation levels in the target area. Each patient learnt to increase target area activity over successive sessions. Depression scores on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale improved significantly. No such improvement was seen in a non-neurofeedback control group (N = 8) that was matched for symptom severity, demographics and medication and used the same cognitive/affective strategies that were employed successfully by the neurofeedback group, but outside the scanner. This group difference in treatment effects was supported by a significant interaction between the factors time (pre/post-intervention) and group (neurofeedback/controls) on the repeated measures ANOVA (F(1,14) = 10.15, p = .007). The neurofeedback group showed increasing activity in the ventral striatum and regions involved in cognitive control as training progressed. Upregulation of brain areas responsive to positive affective cues through fMRI-neurofeedback is thus a promising tool in the treatment of depression. The novelty of the present approach consists in the combination of biological and cognitive factors in the same intervention.
Functional MRI in twins discordant for schizophrenia during a working memory task: Preliminary results from the eutwinss study
Authors: Langbein K. , Dietzek M. , Mingoia G. , Maitra R. , Weisbrod M. , Smesny S. , Reichenbach J.R. , Cichon S. , Nöthen M. , Schlösser R.G.M. , Sauer H. , Nenadic I.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Working memory deficits are considered a core feature of disturbed cognition in schizophrenia. Recent neuropsychological studies in twins suggest that there are shared genetic factors between schizophrenia and executive processes.

Aim

We used a co-twin control design to test the hypothesis that prefrontal activation during a working memory task is seen both in affected as well as unaffected twins discordant for schizophrenia, thus reflecting genetic load on this putative endophenotype.

Methods

As part of EUTwinsS, a multi-centre collaborative study on twins with schizophrenia, we obtained functional MRI scans during a Sternberg working memory task (with one maintenance and one manipulation variations) of twins discordant for schizophrenia (5 monozygotic pairs, 7 dizygotic pairs) and compared them to 10/4 healthy MZ/DZ twins, matched for age and gender.

Results

Comparing the overall task-related effects (p < 0.001, uncorrected), we found stronger activation in control twins compared to either Sz-affected or unaffected twins in the right middle frontal gyrus and medial fronto-orbital cortex, and compared to Sz-affected twins also in the left cerebellum and right inferior occipital cortex. Comparing the manipulation vs. maintenance trials, healthy controls showed stronger activation than Sz-affected twins in the left hippocampus, but smaller in right caudate and anterior cingulate, while unaffected co-twins showed diminished right middle and left superior and middle frontal gyri compared to either group.

Conclusions

While diminished prefrontal activation in unaffected co-twins might indicate compensatory processes during executive control, the overall activation deficits are consistent with a genetic effect on prefrontal cortical efficiency.
31P-MR spectroscopy in monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia / schizoaffective disorders
Authors: Langbein K. , Nenadic I. , Weisbrod M. , Gussew A. , Rzanny R. , Reichenbach J.R. , Sauer H. , Smesny S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) using 2D-chemical shift imaging (CSI) allows the quantification of brain metabolites in vivo across several brain regions. Previous studies using 31Phosphorus MRS have shown alterations of phospholipid compounds and high-energy phosphates like ATP in prefrontal and temporal regions in schizophrenia.

Aim

We used a monozygotic (MZ) co-twin study design to examine whether metabolic alterations are due to genetic effects or the expression of disease phenotype.

Methods

31P-MRS with 2D-CSI was applied at 1.5 T in 8 MZ twin pairs (3 male, 5 female; mean age 33.8, SD 13.1) discordant for a DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnosis of either schizophrenia (4 pairs), acute schizophreniform psychosis (1 pair), or schizoaffective disorder (3 pairs)) and 8 age- and gender-matched healthy control MZ twins (mean age: 32.9, SD 14.3). Metabolic profiles were compared using oneway ANOVAs.

Results

Voxel-wise comparisons between affected twins and healthy control twins revealed increased PDE concentrations in right cerebellum and increased ATP concentrations in right frontal cortex, insular cortex and bilateral cerebellum. Alterations in energy metabolism were shown in healthy co-twins compared to healthy control twins with an increase in PDE concentrations in right posterior lateral cerebellum, an increase in ATP concentration in left lateral prefrontal cortex as well as left anterior/ lateral temporal cortex and an increase in PCr in left lateral prefrontal cortex.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that metabolic alterations in schizophrenia result from a combination of both genetic effects and disease manifestation, which can be further explored in larger twin samples.
Assessment of white matter abnormalities in paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar mania patients from Chengdu, China
Authors: Cui L. , Chen Z. , Deng W. , Huang X. , Li M. , Ma X. , Huang C. , Jiang L. , Collier D.A. , Gong Q. , Li T.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

White matter abnormalities have been repeatedly reported in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD) diseases from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies respectively, while the empirical evidences about the diagnostic specificity of white matter abnormalities in these disorders are still limited.

Objectives

25 patients with paranoid schizophrenia and 18 patients with bipolar mania were recruited from the in-patient unit of the Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, China.

Patients were diagnosed according to the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Version IV (DSM- IV). 30 healthy controls were recruited from the community by means of leaflets distributed throughout Chengdu city.

Aims

This study sought to investigate the alterations in fractional anisotropy (FA) in white matter throughout the entire brain of patients from Chengdu, China with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar mania.

Methods

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to assess white matter integrity in patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar mania, as well as in normal controls. The differences in FA were measured by use of voxel-based analysis.

Results

Reduced FA was found in the left posterior corona radiate (PCR) in patients with bipolar mania and paranoid schizophrenia compared to the controls. Patients with bipolar mania also showed a significant reduction in FA in right posterior corona radiate and in right anterior thalamic radiation (ATR).

Conclusions

Common abnormalities in the left PCR might imply an overlap in white matter pathology of both diseases and might be related to the shared risk factors for both disorders.
CT features of atrophy of the brain temporal lobes characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease with different stages of dementia
Authors: Maksimovich I.V.
Published: May 2011

Background

While diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, there appear certain difficulties in the correlation of cerebral atrophy and the patient's clinical status.

Methods

93 patients were examined.

Study group - 42 patients aged 34-79 with preclinical and clinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease:

(1)

- patients with high risk of acquiring the disease (those suffering from impaired memory, without any manifestations of dementia, whose 2 or more immediate relatives suffered from Alzheimer’s disease) 6 patients

(2)

- patients with mild dementia 14

(3)

- patients with moderate dementia 15

(4)

- patients with severe dementia 7

Control group - 51 patients aged 28–78 with various kinds of brain lesions accompanied by dementia but not suffering from Alzheimer’s disease:

-

chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency 21 patients

-

severe vascular dementia 6

-

atherosclerotic parkinsonism 14

-

Binswanger’s disease 6

-

Parkinson’s disease 4

Results

In Study group 1, 4 (66.6%) patients showed decrease of 4–8% in the size of the brain temporal lobes.

In Study group 2, 14 (100%) patients showed decrease of 9–18%.

In Study group 3, 15 (100%) patients showed decrease of 19–32%.

In Study group 4, 7 (100%) patients showed decrease of 33–62%.

Control group patients had no similar changes in the temporal lobes.

Conclusions

Structural and morphological changes of the brain characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease are atrophy of the temporal lobes and hippocampus which makes 4–8% in pre-clinical stages of the disease, 9–18% in mild, 19–32% in moderate and 33–62% in severe dementia.
Findings of Spectrum Funcional MRI (SF-MRI) in Schizophrenia
Authors: Martínez de Velasco Soriano R. , Pando Velasco F. , Serrano Díaz de Otálora M. , Gómez-Arnau Ramírez J. , Riaza Bermudo-Soriano C.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

N-acetil-aspartate (NAA) is located inside the soma and dendrites. Its believed to be an indirect indicator of the metabolic activity of these cells. Phosphomonoesters (PME) are involved in synthesis of neuronal membranes and phosphodiesters (PDE) in its degradation. Glutamine, an aminoacid produced by glial cells, is transported into the neurone for its transformation into glutamate and gamma aminobutyric acid.

Methods

Review clinical trials performed on schizophrenic patients with SF-MRI, with 31P y 1H, to measure concentration of NAA, PME, PDE and glutamine.

Objectives

Detecting chemichal alterations that could be used as indicators in schizophrenia.

Results

NAA concentration in temporal and frontal cortex of schizophrenic patients, are significantly lower than in healthy controls. In other trials, differences in NAA concentration (measured in prefrontal cortex) have not been found, comparing patients during their first psychotic episode and healthy controls. Lowered concentrations of PME and increased ones of PDE in prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients have been found. Glutamine levels are increased in schizophrenic patients, being directely correlated with the duration of the process. These levels are reduced when antipsychotic drugs are used.

Conclusions

The decrease on NAA levels at schizophrenia onset and on healthy relatives remark its value as an endophenotypical indicator, but not as an illness indicator. Changes on PME and PDE concentrations cannot be used as illness indicators. The increase on glutamine synthesis could be due to glutamatergic hypofunction in schizophrenic patients, but there are other factors that may cause it, so it cannot be used as an indicator.