Obesity and brain structure in schizophrenia - ENIGMA study in 3021 individuals

Schizophrenia is frequently associated with obesity, which is linked with neurostructural alterations. Yet, we do not understand how the brain correlates of obesity map onto the brain changes in schizophrenia. We obtained MRI-derived brain cortical and subcortical measures and body mass index (BMI) from 1260 individuals with schizophrenia and 1761 controls from 12 independent research sites within the ENIGMA-Schizophrenia Working Group. We jointly modeled the statistical effects of schizophrenia and BMI using mixed effects. BMI was additively associated with structure of many of the same brain regions as schizophrenia, but the cortical and subcortical alterations in schizophrenia were more widespread and pronounced. Both BMI and schizophrenia were primarily associated with changes in cortical thickness, with fewer correlates in surface area. While, BMI was negatively associated with cortical thickness, the significant associations between BMI and surface area or subcortical volumes were positive. Lastly, the brain correlates of obesity were replicated among large studies and closely resembled neurostructural changes in major depressive disorders. We confirmed widespread associations between BMI and brain structure in individuals with schizophrenia. People with both obesity and schizophrenia showed more pronounced brain alterations than people with only one of these conditions. Obesity appears to be a relevant factor which could account for heterogeneity of brain imaging findings and for differences in brain imaging outcomes among people with schizophrenia

A study of the metabolism of skeletal muscle using the techniques of MR spectroscopy and MR imaging

A study of the metabolism of skeletal muscle using the techniques of MR spectroscopy and MR imaging Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org

Measurement of transverse relaxation using spin echo methods

Title: Measurement of transverse relaxation using spin echo methods Author: MUDr. Antonin Skoch, Ph.D. Department: Department of Low Temperature Physics Supervisor: RNDr. Zdenek ToSner, Ph.D. NMR laboratory, of Faculty of science, Charles University in Prague Supervisor's e-mail address: tosner(o)karlov.mff.cuni.cz Abstract: The study of TI relaxation in systems with homonuclear J-coupling is complicated by modulation in the relaxation curve. This J-modulation can be removed when CPMG sequence is used and the period of repetition of refocusing pulse Tfulfils a condition r « * ( 1 ) Ai' where Av is the frequency difference of coupled nuclei. However, the condition (I) cannot be in practice always fulfilled. The aim of this work was to investigate J-modulation and relaxation behaviour of homonuclear J-coupled system in various parameters of CPMG sequence. Simulations based on numerical solution of Liouville-von Neumann equation and Redfield theory were performed. Relaxation curves of Chh group of citrate were measured on high-resolution NMR spectrometer. It was found that the suppression of J-modulation can be achieved also for T longer than required by the condition (1) providing that the refocusing angle in CPMG for both J-coupling partners 9^180ř. The simulations yielded conditions for T when J-modulation..

FitzHugh–Nagumo oscillators on complex networks mimic epileptic-seizure-related synchronization phenomena

This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. This article appeared in Chaos 30, 123130 (2020) and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0021420We study patterns of partial synchronization in a network of FitzHugh–Nagumo oscillators with empirical structural connectivity measured in human subjects. We report the spontaneous occurrence of synchronization phenomena that closely resemble the ones seen during epileptic seizures in humans. In order to obtain deeper insights into the interplay between dynamics and network topology, we perform long-term simulations of oscillatory dynamics on different paradigmatic network structures: random networks, regular nonlocally coupled ring networks, ring networks with fractal connectivities, and small-world networks with various rewiring probability. Among these networks, a small-world network with intermediate rewiring probability best mimics the findings achieved with the simulations using the empirical structural connectivity. For the other network topologies, either no spontaneously occurring epileptic-seizure-related synchronization phenomena can be observed in the simulated dynamics, or the overall degree of synchronization remains high throughout the simulation. This indicates that a topology with some balance between regularity and randomness favors the self-initiation and self-termination of episodes of seizure-like strong synchronization.DFG, 163436311, SFB 910: Kontrolle selbstorganisierender nichtlinearer Systeme: Theoretische Methoden und AnwendungskonzepteDFG, 440145547, Komplexe dynamische Netzwerke: Effekte von Heterogenität, Adaptivität und Topologie der KopplungenDFG, 411803875, Dynamik gekoppelter Systeme mit Zeitverzögerungen und deren AnwendungenDFG, 308748074, DFG-RSF: Komplexe dynamische Netzwerke: Effekte von heterogenen, adaptiven und zeitverzögerten KopplungenBMBF, 01Q1001B, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin (BCCN

Multimodal-neuroimaging machine-learning analysis of motor disability in multiple sclerosis

Motor disability is a dominant and restricting symptom in multiple sclerosis, yet its neuroimaging correlates are not fully understood. We apply statistical and machine learning techniques on multimodal neuroimaging data to discriminate between multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls and to predict motor disability scores in the patients. We examine the data of sixty-four multiple sclerosis patients and sixty-five controls, who underwent the MRI examination and the evaluation of motor disability scales. The modalities used comprised regional fractional anisotropy, regional grey matter volumes, and functional connectivity. For analysis, we employ two approaches: high-dimensional support vector machines run on features selected by Fisher Score (aiming for maximal classification accuracy), and low-dimensional logistic regression on the principal components of data (aiming for increased interpretability). We apply analogous regression methods to predict symptom severity. While fractional anisotropy provides the classification accuracy of 96.1% and 89.9% with both approaches respectively, including other modalities did not bring further improvement. Concerning the prediction of motor impairment, the low-dimensional approach performed more reliably. The first grey matter volume component was significantly correlated (R = 0.28-0.46, p < 0.05) with most clinical scales. In summary, we identified the relationship between both white and grey matter changes and motor impairment in multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, we were able to achieve the highest classification accuracy based on quantitative MRI measures of tissue integrity between patients and controls yet reported, while also providing a low-dimensional classification approach with comparable results, paving the way to interpretable machine learning models of brain changes in multiple sclerosis

Může dlouhodobé používání GPS navigace v brýlích pro rozšířenou realitu ovlivnit funkční konektivitu hipokampu?

Brýle pro rozšířenou realitu (augmented reality, AR) v kombinaci s GPS navigací představují rychle se vyvíjející technologii, která umožňuje externalizovat navigační doevednosti. S ohledem na očekávané každodenní užívání této technologie by měl být prozkoumán její vliv na neuropolastické změny mozku a navigační dovednosti uživatelů. Tato stuje si bere za cíl zhodnotit možné změny ve funkční konektivitě (functional connectivity, FC) hipokampu a ostatních oblastí mozku, které se podílejí na navigačních dovednostech. Účastníci studie, celkem 33, podstoupili dvě klidová měření funkční konektivity pomocí magnetické rezonance (resting state functional magneticresonance imaging, rsfMRI), první před začátkem studie, druhé po třech mesících. Po dobu těchto tří měsíců požívali učastníci v experimentální skupině, 17 účastníků, AR brýle (Vuzix M100) vybavené GPS navigačním systémem při pěším pohybu v reálném prostředí. Kontrolní skupina, 16 účastníků, žádné podobné zařízení k navigaci při pohybu pěšky během tohoto období nepoužívala. Data z rsfMRI byla analyzována seed-drive přístupem. Model virtuálního města byl použit k otestování navigačních dovedností účasntíků a to před i po používání AR brýlí. Při prvním měření jsme zaznamenali silné provázání pravého a levého hipokampu (p < 0.05, se FDR korekcí). Malé změny ve vzájemné funkční konektivitě obou polovin hipokampu, v jejich konektiviě s temporálními oblastmi mozku a s mozečkem (0.05, bez FRD korekce) byly pozorovány u obou skupin. Experimentální skupina vykazovala znížení funkčníAugmented reality (AR) glasses with GPS navigation represent the rapidly evolving technology which spares (and externalizes) navigational capacities. Regarding the expected everyday usage of this device, its impact on neuroplastic brain changes and navigation abilities should be evaluated. This study aimed to assess possible changes in functional connectivity (FC) of hippocampus and other brain regions involved in spatial navigation. Thirty-three healthy participants completed two resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) measurements at the baseline and after 3 months. For this period, the experimental group (n = 17) has had used AR device (Vuzix M100) with incorporated GPS guidance system during navigation in real world. Participants from the control group (n = 16) have not used any GPS device while navigating during walking. The rsfMRI FC of right and left hippocampi was analyzed using a seed-driven approach. Virtual city task was used to test navigational abilities both before and after the usage of AR device. We identified strong functional coupling of right and left hippocampi at the baseline (p < 0.05, FDR corrected). Mild changes in bilateral hippocampal FC (p < 0.05, FDR uncorrected) were observed in both assessed groups mainly between the bilateral hippocampi and between each hippocampus and temporal regions and cerebellum. However, the experimental group showed FC decrease after three months of using GPS navigation implemented in AR glasses in contrast to FC increase in the control group without such intervention. Importantly, no effect of intervention on navigational abilities was observed. Our observation supports the assumption that externalization of spatial navigation to technological device (GPS in AR glasses) can decrease the functional coupling between hippocampus and associated brain regions. Considering some limitations of the present study, further studies should elucidate the mechanism of the observed changes and their impact on cognitive abilities

Patient-specific network connectivity combined with a next generation neural mass model to test clinical hypothesis of seizure propagation

International audienc

Image_1_The effect of aging, hearing loss, and tinnitus on white matter in the human auditory system revealed with fixel-based analysis.png

IntroductionAging negatively influences the structure of the human brain including the white matter. The objective of our study was to identify, using fixel-based morphometry, the age induced changes in the pathways connecting several regions of the central auditory system (inferior colliculus, Heschl's gyrus, planum temporale) and the pathways connecting these structures with parts of the limbic system (anterior insula, hippocampus and amygdala). In addition, we were interested in the extent to which the integrity of these pathways is influenced by hearing loss and tinnitus.MethodsTractographic data were acquired using a 3 T MRI in 79 volunteers. The participants were categorized into multiple groups in accordance with their age, auditory thresholds and tinnitus status. Fixel-based analysis was utilized to identify alterations in the subsequent three parameters: logarithm of fiber cross-section, fiber density, fiber density and cross-section. Two modes of analysis were used: whole brain analysis and targeted analysis using fixel mask, corresponding to the pathways connecting the aforementioned structures.ResultsA significantly negative effect of aging was present for all fixel-based metrics, namely the logarithm of the fiber cross-section, (7 % fixels in whole-brain, 14% fixels in fixel mask), fiber density (5 % fixels in whole-brain, 15% fixels in fixel mask), fiber density and cross section (7 % fixels in whole-brain, 19% fixels in fixel mask). Expressed age-related losses, exceeding 30% fixels, were particularly present in pathways connecting the auditory structures with limbic structures. The effect of hearing loss and/or tinnitus did not reach significance.ConclusionsOur results show that although an age-related reduction of fibers is present in pathways connecting several auditory regions, the connections of these structures with limbic structures are even more reduced. To what extent this fact influences the symptoms of presbycusis, such as decreased speech comprehension, especially in noise conditions, remains to be elucidated.</p

Table_1_The effect of aging, hearing loss, and tinnitus on white matter in the human auditory system revealed with fixel-based analysis.xlsx

IntroductionAging negatively influences the structure of the human brain including the white matter. The objective of our study was to identify, using fixel-based morphometry, the age induced changes in the pathways connecting several regions of the central auditory system (inferior colliculus, Heschl's gyrus, planum temporale) and the pathways connecting these structures with parts of the limbic system (anterior insula, hippocampus and amygdala). In addition, we were interested in the extent to which the integrity of these pathways is influenced by hearing loss and tinnitus.MethodsTractographic data were acquired using a 3 T MRI in 79 volunteers. The participants were categorized into multiple groups in accordance with their age, auditory thresholds and tinnitus status. Fixel-based analysis was utilized to identify alterations in the subsequent three parameters: logarithm of fiber cross-section, fiber density, fiber density and cross-section. Two modes of analysis were used: whole brain analysis and targeted analysis using fixel mask, corresponding to the pathways connecting the aforementioned structures.ResultsA significantly negative effect of aging was present for all fixel-based metrics, namely the logarithm of the fiber cross-section, (7 % fixels in whole-brain, 14% fixels in fixel mask), fiber density (5 % fixels in whole-brain, 15% fixels in fixel mask), fiber density and cross section (7 % fixels in whole-brain, 19% fixels in fixel mask). Expressed age-related losses, exceeding 30% fixels, were particularly present in pathways connecting the auditory structures with limbic structures. The effect of hearing loss and/or tinnitus did not reach significance.ConclusionsOur results show that although an age-related reduction of fibers is present in pathways connecting several auditory regions, the connections of these structures with limbic structures are even more reduced. To what extent this fact influences the symptoms of presbycusis, such as decreased speech comprehension, especially in noise conditions, remains to be elucidated.</p

Time is the enemy: Negative symptoms are related to even slight differences in the duration of untreated psychosis

Background: Negative symptoms (NS) represent a detrimental symptomatic domain in schizophrenia affecting social and occupational outcomes. Aims: We aimed to identify factors from the baseline visit (V1) — with a mean illness duration of 0.47 years (SD = 0.45) — that predict the magnitude of NS at the follow-up visit (V3), occurring 4.4 years later (mean +/− 0.45). Method: Using longitudinal data from 77 first-episode schizophrenia spectrum patients, we analysed eight predictors of NS severity at V3: (1) the age at disease onset, (2) age at V1, (3) sex, (4) diagnosis, (5) NS severity at V1, (6) the dose of antipsychotic medication at V3, (7) hospitalisation days before V1 and; (8) the duration of untreated psychosis /DUP/). Secondly, using a multiple linear regression model, we studied the longitudinal relationship between such identified predictors and NS severity at V3 using a multiple linear regression model. Results: DUP (Pearson's r = 0.37, p = 0.001) and NS severity at V1 (Pearson's r = 0.49, p < 0.001) survived correction for multiple comparisons. The logarithmic-like relationship between DUP and NS was responsible for the initial stunning incremental contribution of DUP to the severity of NS. For DUP < 6 months, with the sharpest DUP/NS correlation, prolonging DUP by five days resulted in a measurable one-point increase in the 6-item negative symptoms PANSS domain assessed 4.9 (+/− 0.6) years after the illness onset. Prolongation of DUP to 14.7 days doubled this NS gain, whereas 39 days longer DUP tripled NS increase. Conclusion: The results suggest the petrification of NS during the early stages of the schizophrenia spectrum and a crucial dependence of this symptom domain on DUP. These findings are clinically significant and highlight the need for primary preventive actions