Neuroanatomical and Functional Correlates of Cognitive and Affective Empathy in Young Healthy Adults

Neural substrates of empathy are mainly investigated through task-related functional MRI. However, the functional neural mechanisms at rest underlying the empathic response have been poorly studied. We aimed to investigate neuroanatomical and functional substrates of cognitive and affective empathy. The self-reported empathy questionnaire Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test (TECA), T1 and T2∗-weighted 3-Tesla MRI were obtained from 22 healthy young females (mean age: 19.6 ± 2.4) and 20 males (mean age: 22.5 ± 4.4). Groups of low and high empathy were established for each scale. FreeSurfer v6.0 was used to estimate cortical thickness and to automatically segment the subcortical structures. FSL v5.0.10 was used to compare resting-state connectivity differences between empathy groups in six defined regions: the orbitofrontal, cingulate, and insular cortices, and the amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamus using a non-parametric permutation approach. The high empathy group in the Perspective Taking subscale (cognitive empathy) had greater thickness in the left orbitofrontal and ventrolateral frontal cortices, bilateral anterior cingulate, superior frontal, and occipital regions. Within the affective empathy scales, subjects with high Empathic Distress had higher thalamic volumes than the low-empathy group. Regarding resting-state connectivity analyses, low-empathy individuals in the Empathic Happiness scale had increased connectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate when compared with the high-empathy group. In conclusion, from a structural point of view, there is a clear dissociation between the brain correlates of affective and cognitive factors of empathy. Neocortical correlates were found for the cognitive empathy dimension, whereas affective empathy is related to lower volumes in subcortical structures. Functionally, affective empathy is linked to connectivity between the orbital and cingulate cortices

Brain network interactions in transgender individuals with gender incongruence

Functional brain organization in transgender persons remains unclear. Our aims were to investigate global and regional connectivity differences within functional networks in transwomen and transmen with early-in-life onset gender incongruence; and to test the consistency of two available hypotheses that attempted to explain gender variants: (i) a neurodevelopmental cortical hypothesis that suggests the existence of different brain phenotypes based on structural MRI data and genes polymorphisms of sex hormone receptors; (ii) a functional-based hypothesis in relation to regions involved in the own body perception. T2*-weighted images in a 3-T MRI were obtained from 29 transmen and 17 transwomen as well as 22 cisgender women and 19 cisgender men. Restingstate independent component analysis, seed-to-seed functional network and graph theory analyses were performed. Transmen, transwomen, and cisgender women had decreased connectivity compared with cisgender men in superior parietal regions, as part of the salience (SN) and the executive control (ECN) networks. Transmen also had weaker connectivity compared with cisgender men between intra-SN regions and weaker inter-network connectivity between regions of the SN, the default mode network (DMN), the ECN and the sensorimotor network. Transwomen had lower small-worldness, modularity and clustering coefficient than cisgender men. There were no differences among transmen, transwomen, and ciswomen. Together these results underline the importance of the SN interacting with DMN, ECN, and sensorimotor networks in transmen, involving regions of the entire brain with a frontal predominance. Reduced global connectivity graph-theoretical measures were a characteristic of transwomen. It is proposed that the interaction between networks is a keystone in building a gendered self. Finally, our findings suggest that both proposed hypotheses are complementary in explaining brain differences between gender variants

Data for functional MRI connectivity in transgender people with gender incongruence and cisgender individuals

We provide T2 *-weighted and T1-weighted images acquired on a 3T MRI scanner obtained from 17 transwomen and 29 transmen with gender incongruence; and 22 ciswomen and 19 cismen that identified themselves to the sex assigned at birth. Data from three different techniques that describe global and regional connectivity differences within functional resting-state networks in transwomen and trans men with early-in-life onset gender incongruence are provided: (1) we obtained spatial maps from data-driven independent component analysis using the melodic tool from FSL software; (2) we provide the functional networks interactions of two functional atlases' seeds from a seed to-seed approach; (3) and global graph-theoretical metrics such as the smallworld organization, and the segregation and integration properties of the networks. Interpretations of the present dataset can be found in the original article, doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116613 [1] . The original and pro cessed nifti images are available in Mendeley datasets. In addition, correlation matrices for the seed-to-seed and graph theory analyses as well as the graph-theoretical measures were made available in Matlab files. Finally, we present supplementary information for the original article. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc

Combination of diffusion tensor and functional magnetic resonance imaging during recovery from the vegetative state.

RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are.Abstract Background The rate of recovery from the vegetative state (VS) is low. Currently, little is known of the mechanisms and cerebral changes that accompany those relatively rare cases of good recovery. Here, we combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study the evolution of one VS patient at one month post-ictus and again twelve months later when he had recovered consciousness. Methods fMRI was used to investigate cortical responses to passive language stimulation as well as task-induced deactivations related to the default-mode network. DTI was used to assess the integrity of the global white matter and the arcuate fasciculus. We also performed a neuropsychological assessment at the time of the second MRI examination in order to characterize the profile of cognitive deficits. Results fMRI analysis revealed anatomically appropriate activation to speech in both the first and the second scans but a reduced pattern of task-induced deactivations in the first scan. In the second scan, following the recovery of consciousness, this pattern became more similar to that classically described for the default-mode network. DTI analysis revealed relative preservation of the arcuate fasciculus and of the global normal-appearing white matter at both time points. The neuropsychological assessment revealed recovery of receptive linguistic functioning by 12-months post-ictus. Conclusions These results suggest that the combination of different structural and functional imaging modalities may provide a powerful means for assessing the mechanisms involved in the recovery from the VS.Published versio

Sex differences in brain atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.INTRODUCTION: Sex influences neurodegeneration, but it has been poorly investigated in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We investigated sex differences in brain atrophy in DLB using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We included 436 patients from the European-DLB consortium and the Mayo Clinic. Sex differences and sex-by-age interactions were assessed through visual atrophy rating scales (n = 327; 73 ± 8 years, 62% males) and automated estimations of regional gray matter volume and cortical thickness (n = 165; 69 ± 9 years, 72% males). RESULTS: We found a higher likelihood of frontal atrophy and smaller volumes in six cortical regions in males and thinner olfactory cortices in females. There were significant sex-by-age interactions in volume (six regions) and cortical thickness (seven regions) across the entire cortex. DISCUSSION: We demonstrate that males have more widespread cortical atrophy at younger ages, but differences tend to disappear with increasing age, with males and females converging around the age of 75. Highlights: Male DLB patients had higher odds for frontal atrophy on radiological visual rating scales. Male DLB patients displayed a widespread pattern of cortical gray matter alterations on automated methods. Sex differences in gray matter measures in DLB tended to disappear with increasing age.Peer reviewe

Neurofilament light levels predict clinical progression and death in multiple system atrophy

Disease-modifying treatments are currently being trialed in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Approaches based solely on clinical measures are challenged by heterogeneity of phenotype and pathogenic complexity. Neurofilament light chain protein has been explored as a reliable biomarker in several neurodegenerative disorders but data in multiple system atrophy have been limited. Therefore, neurofilament light chain is not yet routinely used as an outcome measure in MSA. We aimed to comprehensively investigate the role and dynamics of neurofilament light chain in multiple system atrophy combined with cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical and imaging scales and for subject trial selection. In this cohort study we recruited cross-sectional and longitudinal cases in multicentre European set-up. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain concentrations were measured at baseline from 212 multiple system atrophy cases, annually for a mean period of 2 years in 44 multiple system atrophy patients in conjunction with clinical, neuropsychological and MRI brain assessments. Baseline neurofilament light chain characteristics were compared between groups. Cox regression was used to assess survival; ROC analysis to assess the ability of neurofilament light chain to distinguish between multiple system atrophy patients and healthy controls. Multivariate linear mixed effects models were used to analyse longitudinal neurofilament light chain changes and correlated with clinical and imaging parameters. Polynomial models were used to determine the differential trajectories of neurofilament light chain in multiple system atrophy. We estimated sample sizes for trials aiming to decrease NfL levels. We show that in multiple system atrophy, baseline plasma neurofilament light chain levels were better predictors of clinical progression, survival, and degree of brain atrophy than the NfL rate of change. Comparative analysis of multiple system atrophy progression over the course of disease, using plasma neurofilament light chain and clinical rating scales, indicated that neurofilament light chain levels rise as the motor symptoms progress, followed by deceleration in advanced stages. Sample size prediction suggested that significantly lower trial participant numbers would be needed to demonstrate treatment effects when incorporating plasma neurofilament light chain values into multiple system atrophy clinical trials in comparison to clinical measures alone. In conclusion, neurofilament light chain correlates with clinical disease severity, progression, and prognosis in multiple system atrophy. Combined with clinical and imaging analysis, neurofilament light chain can inform patient stratification and serve as a reliable biomarker of treatment response in future multiple system atrophy trials of putative disease-modifying agents.European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programm

Alteració diferencial de llengues i lateralització cerebral en afásics bilingues. 'Alteración diferencial de lenguas y lateralización cerebral en afásicos bilingües'

Estudiar: comparativamente la pérdida y recuperación de las lenguas en aquellos pacientes que, después de una lesión cerebral, presentan un cuadro afásico. Las relaciones entre bilingües y funciones cerebrales. 2 muestras: selección de 50 pacientes afásicos adultos bilingües Catalán-Castellano, procedentes de la sección de Neuropsicología del Servicio de Neurología del Hospital de Santa Creu i Sant Pau de Barcelona. Selección de 40 sujetos procedentes del anterior hospital repartidos en grupos de diez personas: afásicos bilingües, afásicos monolingües, lesiones derechas bilingües y normales. El grupo de control normal se formó con voluntarios del personal de dicho dispensario. Dos planteamientos: el clínico y el experimental, tanto a nivel teórico como práctico. Revisión de la literatura sobre la afasia políglota en el bloque teórico clínico y, sobre el bilingüe normal en el bloque teórico experimental. La práctica clínica se orienta al estudio de diferencias de rendimiento entre lenguas y su relación con las variables personales, lingüísticas y neurológicas. La práctica experimental consiste en la aplicación de una técnica del estudio de la lateralidad del lenguaje a tres grupos de lesionados cerebrales. Pruebas de denominación y designación de la colección 'Amaya' y de traducción de 'Rosa Sensat'. Cuestionario de bilingüismo 'ad hoc'. Test de inteligencia no verbal: RCPM (Raven, 1947). Técnica de la escucha dicótica. Tecnologías: imágenes radiológicas, microordenador, osciloscopio, filtro dinámico, aparato de dos pistas, auriculares. Análisis de la covarianza. Programa SPSS y PEN-VER 1-83. Estadística no paramétrica. Primer trabajo que investiga la organización cerebral del bilingüe. Se abordan aspectos nuevos dentro de la literatura internacional: comparación del rendimiento de lenguas en grupo de afásicos bilingües y aplicación de la técnica de la escucha dicótica en lesionados cerebrales bilingües. Ampliación en el estudio experimental con otra muestra de afásicos y en el estudio clínico introducción de medidas de tiempo de reacción.CataluñaES

L'aplicació de proves d'operativitat i d'abstracció en afàsics. ' La aplicación de pruebas de operatividad y de abstracción en afásicos'

Intentar un refinamiento del diagnóstico clínico en neuropsicología y hacer un análisis cuantitativo de los problemas intelectivos del lesionado cerebral para estudiar las posibilidades de reestructuración de las funciones alteradas.. 36 afásicos que acuden a la sección de neuropsicología de Hospital de San Pablo de Barcelona.. El autor presenta la base teórica donde se basa la investigación: definiciones relacionadas con la afasia, pruebas de rendimiento intelectivo, la inteligencia según Piaget, pensamiento y lenguaje, lesiones cerebrales e inteligencia, diferencias interhemisféricas en rendimientos en pruebas intelectivas y funciones intelectivas en el afásico. Selecciona tres pruebas de lógica elemental ideadas por Piaget para el estudio de la génesis de la inteligencia.. Pruebas de operatividad de Piaget e Inhelder (1972). Pruebas de la bateria del test de Goldstein-Scheerer (1945). Prueba de formación de conceptos de Hanffmann-Kasanin (1952).. Análisis cualitativo.. En el afásico se muestra una afectación de la lógica elemental, que aumenta con la complejidad de las pruebas. La prueba de la doble seriación y la de análisis combinatorio son útiles para la exploración de la lógica de los afásicos. La mayoría de los afásicos tienen la abstracción alterada. Las dificultades máximas están en pruebas de clasificaciones activas que impliquen un criterio conceptual previo.. Los resultados evidencian alteraciones intelectuales en la afasia. Las variables clínicas colaterales: edad, nivel sociocultural y tiempo transcurrido desde el AVC, influyen en el rendimiento intelectivo. Los resultados han sido semejantes para todo tipo de afasias. Las tres pruebas piagetianas están gerarquizadas y se muestran afectadas en orden inverso a la evolución del niño. Se propone la utilización de las pruebas de lógica y abstracción para suplir las importantes limitaciones de la psicometria clásica en el campo de la neuropsicología..CataluñaES

Revista de logopedia, foniatría y audiología

La publicación recoge resumen en InglésLas personas afectadas por traumatismo craneoencefálico pueden presentar una amplia variedad de alteraciones a nivel físico, cognitivo, emocional y de comportamiento que son específicos para cada paciente y que pueden llegar a ser altamente discapacitantes, tanto para la persona afectada como para sus familiares. Entre las alteraciones neuropsicológicas que pueden aparecer tras un traumatismo craneoencefálico destaca la presencia de transtornos de memoria, atención y concentración, alteraciones perceptivas, en las funciones frontales , enlentecimiento en el procesamiento de la información, así como alteraciones del lenguaje y de la comunicación. Las alteraciones en la comunicación son consecuencia de afectaciones tanto en las funciones lingüísticas y habilidades metalingüísticas, como en las funciones cognitivas. Los transtornos en la comunicación varían considerablemente en función de la gravedad del traumatismo y del tipo de lesiones que presenta el paciente. Entre las afectaciones más habituales destacan la presencia de dificultades en la denominación, parafasias verbales, reducción de la fluencia verbal, presencia de afasia según la localización de la lesión, dificultades en las habilidades pragmáticas o bien problemas motores del habla. La amplia variedad de transtornos neoropsicológicos que pueden aparecer tras un traumatismo craneoencefálico, juntamente con las alteraciones del lenguaje y la comunicación, afectarán a cada persona de forma específica, lo cual requerirá una evaluación y un abordaje terapéutico adaptado individualmente. Además será preciso que todos los profesionales del equipo de rehabilitación que asisten al paciente trabajen coordinadamente, en base a los transtornos que presente cada individuo con la finalidad de optimizar el proceso de recuperación, ofreciendo a su vez información y orientación a los familiares de la persona afectada.CataluñaES