bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AI-based analysis of the shunt treatment in pre- and post-surgery computed tomography brain scans of iNPH patients
Authors: Shailja S. , Nguyen Christopher , Thanigaivelan Krithika , Bhagavatula Vikram , Chen Jefferson W. , Manjunath B. S. 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis study examines whether quantifiable changes can be detected in ventricular volume in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients that undergo ventriculo-peritoneal shunt procedures. There is no known metric that characterizes the change in ventricular volume for iNPH patients after shunt placement.MethodsTwo de-identified and independent datasets are studied:45 brain CT scans (24 diagnosed with iNPH and 21 normal elderly individuals) are used to evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed ventricular volume metric as a diagnostic tool for iNPH. The performance of our deep learning model-based metric is compared to the traditional Evan’s Index using ROC analysis.16 subjects with a total of 50 longitudinal CT scans taken before and after shunt surgery across different imaging centers are studied to quantify the impact of shunt treatment. Clinical symptoms of gait, balance, cognition, and bladder continence are studied with respect to the proposed metric.ResultsOur proposed metric achieves high accuracy (0.95), precision (0.96), and recall (0.96) in distinguishing between normal and iNPH subjects, surpassing the performance of the Evan’s Index. This metric allows us to track changes in ventricular volume before and after shunt surgery for 16 subjects. Notably, the 15 subjects with iNPH demonstrate a decrease in ventricular volume post-surgery and a concurrent clinical improvement in their iNPH symptomatology.ConclusionOur novel metric accurately quantifies changes in ventricular volume before and after shunt surgery for iNPH patients, serving as an effective radiographic marker for a functioning shunt in a patient with iNPH.What is already known on this topic – The diagnosis of iNPH involves both clinical and radiographic stigmata. Radiologists rely largely on visual examination of CT scans and provide qualitative evaluations about ventricular volume.What this study adds – Our study provides quantitative information about the patency and function of the shunt.How this study might affect research, practice, or policy – The validated deep learning-based metric enhances iNPH diagnosis accuracy by tracking radiographic biomarkers. This facilitates decision-making regarding the efficacy of shunt surgery and the effect on brain compliance. We provide a web interface to apply the metric, its reliable performance across multiple institutional scanner types could be adapted to the real-time clinical evaluation of iNPH and improve treatment workflows.
Personalized connectivity-based network targeting model of TMS for treatment of psychiatric disorders: computational feasibility and reproducibility
Authors: Cao Zhengcao , Xiao Xiang , Xie Cong , Wei Lijiang , Yang Yihong , Zhu Chaozhe 
Published: July 2023

AbstractConsider the limited clinical efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) due to heterogeneity in treatment outcomes, the utilization of individual functional connectivity (FC) can enhance the prediction accuracy in the network targeting model. However, the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of FC poses a challenge when utilizing individual resting-state FC (rsFC). To overcome this challenge, proposed solutions include increasing the scan duration and employing clustering approaches to enhance the stability of FC. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the stability of a personalized functional-based network targeting model in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia with auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH). Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP), we assessed the model’s stability and employed longer scan durations (7 minutes, 14 minutes, 21 minutes, 28 minutes) and clustering methodologies to improve the precision of identifying optimal individual sites. Our findings demonstrate that a scan duration of 28 minutes and the utilization of the clustering approach lead to stable identification of individual sites, as evidenced by the intraindividual distance falling below the ∼1cm spatial resolution of TMS. These findings contribute to the understanding of individualized TMS targeting and have implications for improving treatment outcomes in psychiatric disorders.
Method to quickly map multifocal Pupillary Response Fields (mPRF) using Frequency Tagging
Authors: Lorenceau Jean 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe present a method for mapping multifocal Pupillary Response Fields in a short amount of time, using a visual stimulus covering 40° of visual angle, divided in 9 contiguous sectors, simultaneously modulated in luminance at specific, incommensurate, temporal frequencies. We tested this multiple Pupillary Frequency Tagging (mPFT) approach with young healthy participants (N=36), and show that the spectral power of the sustained pupillary response elicited by 45 seconds of fixation of this multipartite stimulus reflects the relative contribution of each sector/frequency to the overall pupillary response. We further analyze the phase lag for each temporal frequency as well as several global features related to pupil state. Test retest performed on a subset of participants indicates good repeatability. We also investigate the existence of structural (RNFL)/functional (mPFT) relationships. We then summarize results of clinical studies conducted with mPFT on patients with neuropathies and retinopathies and show that the features derived from pupillary signal analyzes, the distribution of spectral power in particular, allows sorting patients from healthy participants with excellent sensitivity and specificity. This method thus appears a convenient, objective and fast tool for assessing the integrity of retino-pupillary circuits, as well as idiosyncrasies, that permits to objectively detect or follow-up retinopathies or neuropathies in a short amount of time.
Decoding object categories from EEG during free viewing reveals early information evolution compared to passive viewing
Authors: Carmel R. Auerbach-Asch , Gal Vishne , Oded Wertheimer , Leon Y. Deouell 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObject processing is fundamental to visual perception, and understanding its neural substrates informs many cognitive and computational visual processing models. Thus far, most human studies have used passive viewing paradigms, during which self-driven behavior, such as eye movements, is constrained, and brain activity is evoked by abrupt stimuli onsets. This artificial dissociation of perception and action ignores the natural dynamics of visual processing. Thus, conclusions based on such passive viewing paradigms may not apply to active vision. Here, we study the human neural correlates of category representations during active visual processing by time-locking EEG to self-driven fixations during visual search for natural objects. We combine the deconvolution of overlapping responses to consecutive fixations with multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to decode object categories from responses to single fixation. We bridge the active and passive viewing literature by comparing the temporal dynamics of multivariate object representations during free visual search (active viewing) and rapid serial visual presentation (passive viewing), leveraging the high temporal resolution of EEG. We found that categorical information, at different levels of abstraction, can be decoded from single fixations during natural visual processing, and cross-condition decoding revealed that object representations are similar between active and passive viewing conditions. However, representational dynamics emerge significantly earlier in active compared to passive conditions, likely due to the availability of predictive information in free viewing. We highlight methodological considerations for combining MVPA with deconvolution methods.Significance StatementUnderstanding the neural correlates of visual perception is crucial for advancing cognitive and computational models of human vision. This study bridges the gap between passive- and active-vision literature while shedding light on the intricate relationship between perception and action in visual processing. Although eye movements are a fundamental behavior through which visual information is naturally sampled, most neuroimaging studies probe the brain by presenting stimuli abruptly at the center of the screen while participants refrain from moving their eyes. We investigated EEG correlates of visual processing during active visual search and demonstrated that object categories of naturally fixated objects can be decoded from the EEG. We provide novel findings regarding the dynamics of active, compared to passive, visual processing, while contributing to the advancement of EEG analysis methodology.
Reducing tinnitus via inhibitory influence of the sensorimotor system on auditory cortical activity
Authors: Schmitt Anne , Kim Cora , Rampp Stefan , Bergherr Elisabeth , Buchfelder Michael , Schnell Oliver , Müller-Voggel Nadia 
Published: July 2023

AbstractTinnitus is the subjective perception of a sound in absence of corresponding external acoustic stimuli. Research highlights the influence of the sensorimotor system on tinnitus perception. Associated neuronal processes, however, are insufficiently understood and it remains unclear how and at which hierarchical level the sensorimotor system interacts with the tinnitus-processing auditory system. We therefore asked 23 patients suffering from chronic tinnitus (11 males) to perform specific exercises, aimed at relaxing or tensing the jaw area, which temporarily modulated tinnitus perception. Associated neuronal processes were assessed using Magnetencephalography. Results show that chronic tinnitus patients experienced their tinnitus as weaker and less annoying after completion of relaxing compared to tensing exercises. Furthermore, (1) sensorimotor alpha power and alpha-band connectivity directed from the somatosensory to the auditory cortex increased, and (2) gamma power in the auditory cortex, reduced, which (3) related to reduced tinnitus annoyance perception on a trial-by-trial basis in the relaxed state. No effects were revealed for 23 control participants without tinnitus (6 males) performing the same experiment. We conclude that the increase in directed alpha-band connectivity from somatosensory to auditory cortex is most likely reflecting the transmission of inhibition from somatosensory to auditory cortex during relaxation, where concurrently tinnitus-related gamma power reduces. We suggest that revealed neuronal processes are transferable to other tinnitus modulating systems beyond the sensorimotor one that are e.g. involved in attentional or emotional tinnitus modulation and provide deeper mechanistic insights into how and through which channels phantom sound perception might be modulated on a neuronal level.Significance StatementTinnitus describes the perception of auditory phantom sounds. Research suggests that the sensorimotor system impacts on tinnitus perception, associated neuronal mechanisms, however, have remained unclear. Here, chronic tinnitus patients performed exercises with the jaw temporarily reducing (versus increasing) tinnitus perception. Tinnitus reduction was accompanied by an increase of alpha-band connectivity directed from the somatosensory to the auditory cortex and gamma power reduction in the auditory cortex. We suggest that the increase in alpha-band connectivity, when tinnitus is reduced, reflects the transmission of inhibition from somatosensory to auditory cortex, where, in parallel, probably tinnitus related, gamma power reduces. The findings have important implications both for the understanding of phantom sound perception and, more generally, of top-down modulation in healthy and impaired cognition.
Age-dependent decrease in inhibitory drive on the excitatory superficial spinal dorsal horn neurons
Authors: Rayi Prudhvi Raj , Lev Shaya , Binshtok Alexander M 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe excitatory and inhibitory interneurons of superficial laminae I-II of the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) receive and process pain-related information from the primary afferents and transmit it to the brain via the projection neurons. Thus, the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory SDH interneurons is crucial in determining the output from the spinal cord network. Disruption of this interaction in pathological conditions leads to increased SDH output to the higher brain centers, which could underlie pathological pain. Here, we examined whether the changes in the intrinsic SDH connectivity also occur with age, possibly underlying age-related increase in pain sensitivity. UsingVgat;tdTomatotransgenic mouse line, we compared the spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in inhibitory tdTomato+and excitatory tdTomato−interneurons between adult (3-5 m.o.) and aged (12-13 m.o.) mice. We demonstrate that in adult mice, the amplitude and frequency of the sIPSCs in the excitatory interneurons were significantly higher than in inhibitory interneurons. These differences were annulled in aged mice. Further, we show that in aged mice, excitatory neurons receive less inhibition than in adult mice. This could lead to overall disinhibition of the SDH network, which might underlie increased pain perception among the aged population.
Fundamental Sex Differences in Cocaine-Induced Plasticity of D1- and D2-MSNs in the Mouse Nucleus Accumbens Shell
Authors: Chapp Andrew D. , Nwakama Chinonso A. , Jagtap Pramit P. , Phan Chau-Mi H. , Thomas Mark J. , Mermelstein Paul G. 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTCocaine-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens shell of males occurs primarily in D1 dopamine receptor expressing neurons (D1-MSNs), with little if any impact on D2 dopamine receptor neurons (D2-MSNs). Usingex vivowhole cell recordings in male and female mice, we observe alterations in D1-MSN excitability across the estrous cycle similar in magnitude to the actions of cocaine in males. Furthermore, cocaine shifts estrous cycle-dependent plasticity from intrinsic excitability changes in D1-MSNs to D2-MSNs. Overall, while there are similar cocaine-induced disparities regarding the relative excitability of D1-MSN versus D2-MSN between the sexes, in males this is mediated through reduced D1-MSN excitability, whereas in females it is due to heightened D2-MSN excitability.
Exome-wide evidence of compound heterozygous effects across common phenotypes in the UK Biobank
Authors: Lassen Frederik H. , Venkatesh Samvida S. , Baya Nikolas , Zhou Wei , Bloemendal Alex , Neale Benjamin M. , Kessler Benedikt M. , Whiffin Nicola , Lindgren Cecilia M. , Palmer Duncan S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractExome-sequencing association studies have successfully linked rare protein-coding variation to risk of thousands of diseases. However, the relationship between rare deleterious compound heterozygous (CH) variation and their phenotypic impact has not been fully investigated. Here, we leverage advances in statistical phasing to accurately phase rare variants (MAF ∼ 0.001%) in exome sequencing data from 175,587 UK Biobank (UKBB) participants, which we then systematically annotate to identify putatively deleterious CH coding variation. We show that 6.5% of individuals carry such damaging variants in the CH state, with 90% of variants occurring at MAF < 0.34%. Using a logistic mixed model framework, systematically accounting for relatedness, polygenic risk, nearby common variants, and rare variant burden, we investigate recessive effects in common complex diseases. We find six exome-wide significant (𝑃 < 1.68 × 10−7) and 17 nominally significant (𝑃 < 5.25 × 10−5) gene-trait associations. Among these, only four would have been identified without accounting for CH variation in the gene. We further incorporate age-at-diagnosis information from primary care electronic health records, to show that genetic phase influences lifetime risk of disease across 20 gene-trait combinations (FDR < 5%). Using a permutation approach, we find evidence for genetic phase contributing to disease susceptibility for a collection of gene-trait pairs, includingFLG-asthma (𝑃 = 0.00205) andUSH2A-visual impairment (𝑃 = 0.0084). Taken together, we demonstrate the utility of phasing large-scale genetic sequencing cohorts for robust identification of the phenome-wide consequences of compound heterozygosity.
Unraveling the Decline: Search for Factors Behind the Trend in Parkinson’s Disease Incidence Rates – A Cohort Study of German Health Claims Data
Authors: Anne Fink , Pavlou Maria Angeliki S. , Kirsten Roomp , Gabriele Doblhammer , Schneider Jochen G. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractImportanceSporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in older age. Recent studies have led to a debate regarding trends in incidence and prevalence.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate age-specific incidence rates of PD and possible explanations for the observed trend in Germany.DesignWe studied two randomly selected longitudinal cohorts, each consisting of 250,000 individuals aged 50 and above.SettingWe started observing them at the beginning of 2004 and 2014, and followed them through the end of 2009 and 2019, respectively. We compared age-specific incidence rates for both cohorts and performed Cox regression models to calculate the hazard ratios (HR) of PD in the second period compared with the first period ten years earlier, adjusted for age, sex, and several prodromal factors, comorbidities, and risk factors of PD.Main outcome and MeasuresMain outcome was the age-specific incidence trends of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in two cohorts using routine health claims dataResultsFor each age-group in men and women, we found lower age-specific PD incidence rates in the second period, except for the lowest age-group (50-54) in men. Cox regression analysis demonstrated an overall 20% risk reduction of PD incidence (HR=0.80, 95% confidence interval [0.75-0.86]). Mean age at diagnosis increased in men (+1.98 years) and women (+0,87 years). Stepwise adjustment for prodromal symptoms, comorbidities, and risk factors revealed a 22%-49% risk reduction of PD incidence. Sensitivity analysis considering the competing event of death showed a 48% risk reduction (HR=0.52 [0.48-0.56]), demonstrating the independence of the time trends from changes in death rates.ConclusionOur data show that the risk of PD has decreased over time, and that this decrease is independent of factors such as changes in death rates, age structure, sex, motor and sensory impairments, sleep and psychiatric conditions, comorbidities, and specific risk factors.Key pointsQuestionWhile several studies have reported on the incidence and prevalence of PD, recent data from Germany have sparked a debate regarding the validity and interpretation of these trends. This study aims to investigate the age-specific incidence rates of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and explore possible explanations for the observed reduced trend in Germany.FindingsWe assessed data from a longitudinal cohort from 2004 to 2009 and 2014 to 2019, respectively. By comparing age-specific incidence rates between the two cohorts we reveal a consistent reduction in the age-specific incidence rates of PD in the second period compared to the first period, except for the lowest age-group (50-54)MeaningWhile several studies have reported on the incidence and prevalence of PD, we identified intriguing trends that warrant further investigation.
Comparison of ChatGPT vs. Bard to Anesthesia-related Queries
Authors: Patnaik Sourav S. , Hoffmann Ulrike 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe investigated the ability of large language models (LLMs) to answer anesthesia related queries prior to surgery from a patient’s point of view. In the study, we introduced textual data evaluation metrics, investigated “hallucinations” phenomenon, and evaluated feasibility of using LLMs at the patient-clinician interface. ChatGPT was found to be lengthier, intellectual, and effective in its response as compared to Bard. Upon clinical evaluation, no “hallucination” errors were reported from ChatGPT, whereas we observed a 30.3% error in response from Bard. ChatGPT responses were difficult to read (college level difficulty) while Bard responses were more conversational and about 8thgrade level from readability calculations. Linguistic quality of ChatGPT was found to be 19.7% greater for Bard (66.16 ± 13.42 vs. 55.27 ± 11.76;p=0.0037) and was independent of response length. Computational sentiment analysis revelated that polarity scores of on a Bard was significantly greater than ChatGPT (mean 0.16 vs. 0.11 on scale of −1 (negative) to 1 (positive);p=0.0323) and can be classified as “positive”; whereas subjectivity scores were similar across LLM’s (mean 0.54 vs 0.50 on a scale of 0 (objective) to 1 (subjective),p=0.3030). Even though the majority of the LLM responses were appropriate, at this stage these chatbots should be considered as a versatile clinical resource to assist communication between clinicians and patients, and not a replacement of essential pre-anesthesia consultation. Further efforts are needed to incorporate health literacy that will improve patient-clinical communications and ultimately, post-operative patient outcomes.
Allopurinol and Blood Pressure Variability Following Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Secondary Analysis of XILO-FIST
Authors: MacDonald Alexander Stuart , Robertson Michele , Dickie David Alexander , Bath Phillip , Forbes Kirsten , Quinn Terence , Broomfield Niall M , Dani Krishna , Doney Alex , Muir Keith W , Struthers Allan , Walters Matthew , Barber Mark , Bhalla Ajay , Cameron Alan , Dyker Alexander , Guyler Paul , Hassan Ahamad , Kearney Mark , Keegan Breffni , Sekaran Lakshmanan , Macleod Mary Joan , Randall Marc , Shaw Louise , Subramanian Ganesh , Werring David , McConnachie Alex , Dawson Jesse 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundBlood Pressure Variability (BPV) is associated with cardiovascular risk and serum uric acid level. We investigated whether BPV is lowered by allopurinol and whether it is related to markers of cerebral small vessel disease.MethodsWe used data from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of two years allopurinol treatment after recent ischemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Visit-to-visit BPV was assessed using brachial blood pressure (BP) recordings. Short-term BPV was assessed using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) performed at 4 weeks and 2 years. Brain MRI was performed at baseline and 2 years. BPV measures were compared between the allopurinol and placebo groups and with white matter hyperintensity progression.Results409 participants were included (205 allopurinol; 204 placebo) were included in analyses of visit-to-visit BPV and there were no significant differences between groups. 196 participants were included in analyses of short-term BPV at week 4. Two measures were reduced by allopurinol: the standard deviation (SD) of systolic BP (by 1.30mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–2.42, p=0.023)); and the average real variability (ARV) of systolic BP (by 1.31mmHg (95% CI 0.31–2.32, p=0.011)). There were no differences in other measures at week 4 or in any measure at 2 years.ConclusionsAllopurinol treatment did not affect visit-to-visit BPV in people with recent ischemic stroke or TIA. Two BPV measures were reduced at week 4 by allopurinol but not at 2 years. Allopurinol is unlikely to lead to an important reduction in BPV in people with ischemic stroke or TIA.