rudyvdbrink/CitationDatabase huggingface dataset:
Volumetric magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging of C58/J mice: neural correlates of repetitive behavior.
Brain imaging and behavior, 2020

Restricted, repetitive behavior (RRB) involves sequences of responding with little variability and no obvious function. RRB is diagnostic for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a significant feature in several neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite its clinical importance, relatively little is known about how RRB is mediated by broader neural circuits. In this study, we employed ultra-high field (17.6 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the C58/J mouse model of RRB. We determined alterations in brain morphology and connectivity of C58/J mice and their relationship to repetitive motor behavior using structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Compared to the genetically similar C57BL/6 control mouse strain, C58/J mice showed evidence of structural alterations in basal ganglia and cerebellar networks. In particular, C58/J mice exhibited reduced volumes of key cortical and basal ganglia regions that have been implicated in repetitive behavior, including motor cortex, striatum, globus pallidus, and subthalamic nucleus, as well as volume differences in the cerebellum. Moreover, DTI revealed differences in fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity in cerebellar white matter of C58/J mice. Importantly, we found that RRB exhibited by C58/J mice was correlated with volume of the striatum, subthalamic nucleus, and crus II of the cerebellum. These regions are key nodes in circuits connecting the basal ganglia and cerebellum and our findings implicate their role in RRB, particularly the indirect pathway.
Biologically Excretable Aggregation-Induced Emission Dots for Visualizing Through the Marmosets Intravitally: Horizons in Future Clinical Nanomedicine.
Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), 2021

Superb reliability and biocompatibility equip aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dots with tremendous potential for fluorescence bioimaging. However, there is still a chronic lack of design instructions of excretable and bright AIE emitters. Here, a kind of PEGylated AIE (OTPA-BBT) dots with strong absorption and extremely high second near-infrared region (NIR-II) PLQY of 13.6% is designed, and a long-aliphatic-chain design blueprint contributing to their excretion from an animal's body is proposed. Assisted by the OTPA-BBT dots with bright fluorescence beyond 1100 nm and even 1500 nm (NIR-IIb), large-depth cerebral vasculature (beyond 600 µm) as well as real-time blood flow are monitored through a thinned skull, and noninvasive NIR-IIb imaging with rich high-spatial-frequency information gives a precise presentation of gastrointestinal tract in marmosets. Importantly, after intravenous or oral administration, the definite excretion of OTPA-BBT dots from the body is demonstrated, which provides influential evidence of biosafety.
[Endophenotypes of the biorhythms and the sleep in depression].
L'Encephale, 2012

Chronobiological markers of depression display a biological desynchronization which participates in the pathogenesis of depression. Mood disorders and clock genes have shown significant associations suggesting a possible pathogenetic link between them, providing a privileged base for exploring biorhythmic endophenotypes. They would be useful indicators of vulnerability mechanisms, giving rise to new therapies and prevention programs. Two ways of research are of interest: the study of the genetic determinants of cholinergic hypersensitivity generating REM sleep pressure in depression, and the analysis of clinical response to sleep deprivation suggesting an exploration of links between genomic function of arousal and mood regulation. To date, the empirical principle of behavioral stimulus control reaches the level of the available eco-instrumental synchronization procedures.
Maternal Separation in ABA Rats Promotes Cell Proliferation in the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampus.
Neuroscience, 2020

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Several studies support the idea that life stressors during the postnatal period could play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AN, underlying the multifactorial etiology of this disease. The activity-based anorexia (ABA) animal model mimics core features of the mental disorder, including severe food restriction, weight loss, and hyperactivity. Previous results obtained in our lab showed that maternal separation (MS) induces behavioral changes in anorexic-like ABA rats in a sexually dimorphic way: in females, the MS promoted hyperactivity and a less anxious-like phenotype in ABA animals; in males, instead, the MS attenuated the anxiolytic effect of the ABA protocol. These results led us to investigate the effect of the MS on brain areas involved in the control of the anxiety-like behavior. We focused our attention on the adult hippocampal neurogenesis, a process involved in the response to environmental stimuli and stressful condition. We analyzed the volume of the whole hippocampus and the proliferation rate in the dentate gyrus (DG) by quantifying Ki67-cells density and characterizing neuronal phenotype (DCX) and glial cells (GFAP) with double-fluorescence technique. The results obtained showed that only in maternally separated anorexic rats there is an increase of proliferation in DG, underlying the presence of a synergic effect of MS and ABA that boost the proliferation of new neurons and glia progenitors in a more evident way in females in comparison to males.
Baseline plasma levels of soluble PD-1, PD-L1, and BTN3A1 predict response to nivolumab treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a step toward a biomarker for therapeutic decisions.
Oncoimmunology, 2020

Despite a proportion of renal cancer patients can experiment marked and durable responses to immune-checkpoint inhibitors, the treatment efficacy is widely variable and identifying the patient who will benefit from immunotherapy remains an issue. We performed a prospective study to investigate if soluble forms of the immune-checkpoints PD-1 (sPD-1), PD-L1 (sPD-L1), pan-BTN3As, BTN3A1, and BTN2A1, could be candidate to predict the response to immune-checkpoint blockade therapy. We evaluated the plasma levels in a learning cohort of metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma (mccRCC) patients treated with the anti-PD-1 agent nivolumab by
The Polycomb group protein Ring1 regulates dorsoventral patterning of the mouse telencephalon.
Nature communications, 2020

Dorsal-ventral patterning of the mammalian telencephalon is fundamental to the formation of distinct functional regions including the neocortex and ganglionic eminence. While Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Wnt, and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling are known to determine regional identity along the dorsoventral axis, how the region-specific expression of these morphogens is established remains unclear. Here we show that the Polycomb group (PcG) protein Ring1 contributes to the ventralization of the mouse telencephalon. Deletion of Ring1b or both Ring1a and Ring1b in neuroepithelial cells induces ectopic expression of dorsal genes, including those for BMP and Wnt ligands, as well as attenuated expression of the gene for Shh, a key morphogen for ventralization, in the ventral telencephalon. We observe PcG protein-mediated trimethylation of histone 3 at lysine-27 and binding of Ring1B at BMP and Wnt ligand genes specifically in the ventral region. Furthermore, forced activation of BMP or Wnt signaling represses Shh expression. Our results thus indicate that PcG proteins suppress BMP and Wnt signaling in a region-specific manner and thereby allow proper Shh expression and development of the ventral telencephalon.
Stance leg and surface stability modulate cortical activity during human single leg stance.
Experimental brain research, 2021

Mobile Electroencephalography (EEG) provides insights into cortical contributions to postural control. Although changes in theta (4-8 Hz) and alpha frequency power (8-12 Hz) were shown to reflect attentional and sensorimotor processing during balance tasks, information about the effect of stance leg on cortical processing related to postural control is lacking. Therefore, the aim was to examine patterns of cortical activity during single-leg stance with varying surface stability. EEG and force plate data from 21 healthy males (22.43 ± 2.23 years) was recorded during unipedal stance (left/right) on a stable and unstable surface. Using source-space analysis, power spectral density was analyzed in the theta, alpha-1 (8-10 Hz) and alpha-2 (10-12 Hz) frequency bands. Repeated measures ANOVA with the factors leg and surface stability revealed significant interaction effects in the left (p = 0.045, η
Biosensor vital sign detects multiple sclerosis progression.
Annals of clinical and translational neurology, 2021

To determine whether a small, wearable multisensor device can discriminate between progressive versus relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and capture limb progression over a short interval, using finger and foot tap data.
Telehealth perceptions in patients with epilepsy and providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has required novel solutions for issues that arise with social distancing. Telehealth has become one of those solutions in many clinics around the U.S. As we look beyond, the pandemic telehealth can be utilized as an important tool for clinics in the future. Patient satisfaction will most likely affect reimbursement, while provider perception will affect implementation. We see this as a valuable tool to many epilepsy clinics. The goal of our survey was to determine the perceptions and satisfaction of patients with intractable epilepsy and providers with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic; we surveyed patient and providers. We evaluated the first 111 patients who participated in our telehealth visits. We conducted telephone surveys with the first 68 patients who agreed to participate. We also conducted surveys by email with our providers who participated in these telehealth visits. We found that 66% of patients and 67% of providers would use a telehealth visit in the future if given the option. Review of our patients' and providers' comments provides valuable insights for building a long-term successful intractable epilepsy telehealth clinic.
Complement peptide C3a receptor 1 promotes optic nerve degeneration in DBA/2J mice.
Journal of neuroinflammation, 2020

The risk of glaucoma increases significantly with age and exposure to elevated intraocular pressure, two factors linked with neuroinflammation. The complement cascade is a complex immune process with many bioactive end-products, including mediators of inflammation. Complement cascade activation has been shown in glaucoma patients and models of glaucoma. However, the function of complement-mediated inflammation in glaucoma is largely untested. Here, the complement peptide C3a receptor 1 was genetically disrupted in DBA/2J mice, an ocular hypertensive model of glaucoma, to test its contribution to neurodegeneration.
Contextual and social cues may dominate natural visual search.
The Behavioral and brain sciences, 2017

A framework where only the size of the functional visual field of fixations can vary is hardly able to explain natural visual-search behavior. In real-world search tasks, context guides eye movements, and task-irrelevant social stimuli may capture the gaze.
Fast micro-iontophoresis of glutamate and GABA: a useful tool to investigate synaptic integration.
Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, 2013

One of the fundamental interests in neuroscience is to understand the integration of excitatory and inhibitory inputs along the very complex structure of the dendritic tree, which eventually leads to neuronal output of action potentials at the axon. The influence of diverse spatial and temporal parameters of specific synaptic input on neuronal output is currently under investigation, e.g. the distance-dependent attenuation of dendritic inputs, the location-dependent interaction of spatially segregated inputs, the influence of GABAergig inhibition on excitatory integration, linear and non-linear integration modes, and many more. With fast micro-iontophoresis of glutamate and GABA it is possible to precisely investigate the spatial and temporal integration of glutamatergic excitation and GABAergic inhibition. Critical technical requirements are either a triggered fluorescent lamp, light-emitting diode (LED), or a two-photon scanning microscope to visualize dendritic branches without introducing significant photo-damage of the tissue. Furthermore, it is very important to have a micro-iontophoresis amplifier that allows for fast capacitance compensation of high resistance pipettes. Another crucial point is that no transmitter is involuntarily released by the pipette during the experiment. Once established, this technique will give reliable and reproducible signals with a high neurotransmitter and location specificity. Compared to glutamate and GABA uncaging, fast iontophoresis allows using both transmitters at the same time but at very distant locations without limitation to the field of view. There are also advantages compared to focal electrical stimulation of axons: with micro-iontophoresis the location of the input site is definitely known and it is sure that only the neurotransmitter of interest is released. However it has to be considered that with micro-iontophoresis only the postsynapse is activated and presynaptic aspects of neurotransmitter release are not resolved. In this article we demonstrate how to set up micro-iontophoresis in brain slice experiments.
Relation of higher-frequency oscillatory activity to white matter changes and to core mechanisms of attention.
Cognitive neuroscience, 2017

Voelker et al. discuss the potentially critical role of white matter changes underlying the effects of training. In regard to the specific types of neural activities and processes related to these changes, the authors focus on theta rhythms and the speed of manual response times. However, white matter changes likely affect brain oscillatory activity at multiple frequencies, and recent findings suggest structural connections may be even more important for higher frequency functional connectivity. Furthermore, activity in the gamma frequency range has been implicated in basic mechanisms of attention, and changes in these core processes could underlie improvements across multiple tasks.
Striatal cholinergic transmission. Focus on nicotinic receptors' influence in striatal circuits.
The European journal of neuroscience, 2021

The critical role of acetylcholine (ACh) in the basal ganglia is evident from the effect of cholinergic agents in patients suffering from several related neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Tourette syndrome, or dystonia. The striatum possesses the highest density of ACh markers in the basal ganglia underlying the importance of ACh in this structure. Striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) are responsible for the bulk of striatal ACh, although extrinsic cholinergic afferents from brainstem structures may also play a role. CINs are tonically active, and synchronized pause in their activity occurs following the presentation of salient stimuli during behavioral conditioning. However, the synaptic mechanisms involved are not fully understood in this physiological response. ACh modulates striatal circuits by acting on muscarinic and nicotinic receptors existing in several combinations both presynaptically and postsynaptically. While the effects of ACh in the striatum through muscarinic receptors have received particular attention, nicotinic receptors function has been less studied. Here, after briefly reviewing relevant results regarding muscarinic receptors expression and function, I will focus on striatal nicotinic receptor expressed presynaptically on glutamatergic and dopaminergic afferents and postsynaptically on diverse striatal interneurons populations. I will also review recent evidence suggesting the involvement of different GABAergic sources in two distinct nicotinic-receptor-mediated striatal circuits: the disynaptic inhibition of striatal projection neurons and the recurrent inhibition among CINs. A better understanding of striatal nicotinic receptors expression and function may help to develop targeted pharmacological interventions to treat brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Tourette syndrome, dystonia, or nicotine addiction.
Rapid Validation of Telepathology by an Academic Neuropathology Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine, 2020

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is placing unparalleled burdens on regional and institutional resources in medical facilities across the globe. This disruption is causing unprecedented downstream effects to traditionally established channels of patient care delivery, including those of essential anatomic pathology services. With Washington state being the initial North American COVID-19 epicenter, the University of Washington in Seattle has been at the forefront of conceptualizing and implementing innovative solutions in order to provide uninterrupted quality patient care amidst this growing crisis.
Exploding head syndrome (a.k.a. episodic cranial sensory shock) responds to single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation.
European journal of neurology, 2021

We present the case of a patient with a sleep disturbance attributed to the exploding head syndrome, recently redefined as episodic cranial sensory shock. The patient, who suffered with concomitant migraine, was treated for headache prevention with daily single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS). Following treatment, he reported a significant reduction in the episodes of exploding head syndrome, albeit not of his migraine. Neurologists could consider sTMS in the management of patients troubled by episodic cranial sensory shock, as it is a safe and noninvasive treatment that might provide benefit for this benign but occasionally bothersome parasomnia.
Grey-matter abnormalities in clinical high-risk participants for psychosis.
Schizophrenia research, 2020

The current study examined the presence of abnormalities in cortical grey-matter (GM) in a sample of clinical high-risk (CHR) participants and examined relationships with psychosocial functioning and neurocognition. CHR-participants (n = 114), participants who did not fulfil CHR-criteria (CHR-negative) (n = 39) as well as a group of healthy controls (HC) (n = 49) were recruited. CHR-status was assessed using the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State (CAARMS) and the Schizophrenia Proneness Interview, Adult Version (SPI-A). The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia Battery (BACS) as well as tests for emotion recognition, working memory and attention were administered. In addition, role and social functioning as well as premorbid adjustment were assessed. No significant differences in GM-thickness and intensity were observed in CHR-participants compared to CHR-negative and HC. Circumscribed abnormalities in GM-intensity were found in the visual and frontal cortex of CHR-participants. Moreover, small-to-moderate correlations were observed between GM-intensity and neuropsychological deficits in the CHR-group. The current data suggest that CHR-participants may not show comprehensive abnormalities in GM. We discuss the implications of these findings for the pathophysiological theories of early stage-psychosis as well as methodological issues and the impact of different recruitment strategies.
Intelligence and creativity share a common cognitive and neural basis.
Journal of experimental psychology. General, 2021

Are intelligence and creativity distinct abilities, or do they rely on the same cognitive and neural systems? We sought to quantify the extent to which intelligence and creative cognition overlap in brain and behavior by combining machine learning of fMRI data and latent variable modeling of cognitive ability data in a sample of young adults (
New developments in Huntington's disease and other triplet repeat diseases: DNA repair turns to the dark side.
Neuronal signaling, 2020

Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, inherited neurodegenerative disease that causes neuronal death, particularly in medium spiny neurons. HD leads to serious and progressive motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Its genetic basis is an expansion of the CAG triplet repeat in the
Image domain propeller fast spin echo.
Magnetic resonance imaging, 2013

A new pulse sequence for high-resolution T2-weighted (T2-w) imaging is proposed - image domain propeller fast spin echo (iProp-FSE). Similar to the T2-w PROPELLER sequence, iProp-FSE acquires data in a segmented fashion, as blades that are acquired in multiple TRs. However, the iProp-FSE blades are formed in the image domain instead of in the k-space domain. Each iProp-FSE blade resembles a single-shot fast spin echo (SSFSE) sequence with a very narrow phase-encoding field of view (FOV), after which N rotated blade replicas yield the final full circular FOV. Our method of combining the image domain blade data to a full FOV image is detailed, and optimal choices of phase-encoding FOVs and receiver bandwidths were evaluated on phantom and volunteers. The results suggest that a phase FOV of 15-20%, a receiver bandwidth of ±32-63 kHz and a subsequent readout time of about 300 ms provide a good tradeoff between signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) efficiency and T2 blurring. Comparisons between iProp-FSE, Cartesian FSE and PROPELLER were made on single-slice axial brain data, showing similar T2-w tissue contrast and SNR with great anatomical conspicuity at similar scan times - without colored noise or streaks from motion. A new slice interleaving order is also proposed to improve the multislice capabilities of iProp-FSE.
Shared Neural Representations of Cognitive Conflict and Negative Affect in the Medial Frontal Cortex.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 2020

Influential theories of Medial Frontal Cortex (MFC) function suggest that the MFC registers cognitive conflict as an aversive signal, but no study directly tested this idea. Instead, recent studies suggested that nonoverlapping regions in the MFC process conflict and affect. In this preregistered human fMRI study (male and female), we used MVPAs to identify which regions respond similarly to conflict and aversive signals. The results reveal that, of all conflict- and value-related regions, only the ventral pre-supplementary motor area (or dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) showed a shared neural pattern response to different conflict and affect tasks. These findings challenge recent conclusions that conflict and affect are processed independently, and provide support for integrative views of MFC function.