Can we predict real-time fMRI neurofeedback learning success from pretraining brain activity?

Neurofeedback training has been shown to influence behavior in healthy participants as well as to alleviate clinical symptoms in neurological, psychosomatic, and psychiatric patient populations. However, many real-time fMRI neurofeedback studies report large inter-individual differences in learning success. The factors that cause this vast variability between participants remain unknown and their identification could enhance treatment success. Thus, here we employed a meta-analytic approach including data from 24 different neurofeedback studies with a total of 401 participants, including 140 patients, to determine whether levels of activity in target brain regions during pretraining functional localizer or no-feedback runs (i.e., self-regulation in the absence of neurofeedback) could predict neurofeedback learning success. We observed a slightly positive correlation between pretraining activity levels during a functional localizer run and neurofeedback learning success, but we were not able to identify common brain-based success predictors across our diverse cohort of studies. Therefore, advances need to be made in finding robust models and measures of general neurofeedback learning, and in increasing the current study database to allow for investigating further factors that might influence neurofeedback learning

Spatiotemporal neural characterization of prediction error valence and surprise during reward learning in humans

Reward learning depends on accurate reward associations with potential choices. These associations can be attained with reinforcement learning mechanisms using a reward prediction error (RPE) signal (the difference between actual and expected rewards) for updating future reward expectations. Despite an extensive body of literature on the influence of RPE on learning, little has been done to investigate the potentially separate contributions of RPE valence (positive or negative) and surprise (absolute degree of deviation from expectations). Here, we coupled single-trial electroencephalography with simultaneously acquired fMRI, during a probabilistic reversal-learning task, to offer evidence of temporally overlapping but largely distinct spatial representations of RPE valence and surprise. Electrophysiological variability in RPE valence correlated with activity in regions of the human reward network promoting approach or avoidance learning. Electrophysiological variability in RPE surprise correlated primarily with activity in regions of the human attentional network controlling the speed of learning. Crucially, despite the largely separate spatial extend of these representations our EEG-informed fMRI approach uniquely revealed a linear superposition of the two RPE components in a smaller network encompassing visuo mnemonic and reward areas. Activity in this network was further predictive of stimulus value updating indicating a comparable contribution of both signals to reward learning

What should an ideal spinal injury classification system consist of? A methodological review and conceptual proposal for future classifications

Since Böhler published the first categorization of spinal injuries based on plain radiographic examinations in 1929, numerous classifications have been proposed. Despite all these efforts, however, only a few have been tested for reliability and validity. This methodological, conceptual review summarizes that a spinal injury classification system should be clinically relevant, reliable and accurate. The clinical relevance of a classification is directly related to its content validity. The ideal content of a spinal injury classification should only include injury characteristics of the vertebral column, is primarily based on the increasingly routinely performed CT imaging, and is clearly distinctive from severity scales and treatment algorithms. Clearly defined observation and conversion criteria are crucial determinants of classification systems’ reliability and accuracy. Ideally, two principle spinal injury characteristics should be easy to discern on diagnostic images: the specific location and morphology of the injured spinal structure. Given the current evidence and diagnostic imaging technology, descriptions of the mechanisms of injury and ligamentous injury should not be included in a spinal injury classification. The presence of concomitant neurologic deficits can be integrated in a spinal injury severity scale, which in turn can be considered in a spinal injury treatment algorithm. Ideally, a validation pathway of a spinal injury classification system should be completed prior to its clinical and scientific implementation. This review provides a methodological concept which might be considered prior to the synthesis of new or modified spinal injury classifications

Electrical fingerprint of the amygdala guides neurofeedback training for stress resilience

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) has revived the translational perspective of neurofeedback (NF)1. Particularly for stress management, targeting deeply located limbic areas involved in stress processing2 has paved new paths for brain-guided interventions. However, the high cost and immobility of fMRI constitute a challenging drawback for the scalability (accessibility and cost-effectiveness) of the approach, particularly for clinical purposes3. The current study aimed to overcome the limited applicability of rt-fMRI by using an electroencephalography (EEG) model endowed with improved spatial resolution, derived from simultaneous EEG–fMRI, to target amygdala activity (termed amygdala electrical fingerprint (Amyg-EFP))4,5,6. Healthy individuals (n = 180) undergoing a stressful military training programme were randomly assigned to six Amyg-EFP-NF sessions or one of two controls (control-EEG-NF or NoNF), taking place at the military training base. The results demonstrated specificity of NF learning to the targeted Amyg-EFP signal, which led to reduced alexithymia and faster emotional Stroop, indicating better stress coping following Amyg-EFP-NF relative to controls. Neural target engagement was demonstrated in a follow-up fMRI-NF, showing greater amygdala blood-oxygen-level-dependent downregulation and amygdala–ventromedial prefrontal cortex functional connectivity following Amyg-EFP-NF relative to NoNF. Together, these results demonstrate limbic specificity and efficacy of Amyg-EFP-NF during a stressful period, pointing to a scalable non-pharmacological yet neuroscience-based training to prevent stress-induced psychopathology

Amygdala electrical-finger-print (AmygEFP) NeuroFeedback guided by individually-tailored Trauma script for post-traumatic stress disorder: Proof-of-concept.

Amygdala activity dysregulation plays a central role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Hence learning to self-regulate one's amygdala activity may facilitate recovery. PTSD is further characterized by abnormal contextual processing related to the traumatic memory. Therefore, provoking the personal traumatic narrative while training amygdala down-regulation could enhance clinical efficacy. We report the results of a randomized controlled trial (NCT02544971) of a novel self-neuromodulation procedure (i.e. NeuroFeedback) for PTSD, aimed at down-regulating limbic activity while receiving feedback from an auditory script of a personal traumatic narrative. To scale-up applicability, neural activity was probed by an fMRI-informed EEG model of amygdala activity, termed Amygdala Electrical Finger-Print (AmygEFP).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Estudio comparativo del tratamiento ortésico en las fracturas toraco-lumbosacras según la gravedad del trauma Estudo comparativo do tratamento ortótico nas fraturas toraco-lombosacro segundo a gravidade do trauma Comparative study on orthotic treatment of thoraco-lumbo-sacral fractures according to severity of trauma

OBJETIVO: Determinar si la gravedad del trauma en lesiones toracolumbosacras mayores estables permite decidir la selección del tipo de ortesis en un tratamiento ortopédico. MÉTODOS: Estudio Retrospectivo de casos 12/1990 - 12/2006 (16 años). Criterios de Selección: 1) Seguimiento mínimo: 2 años. 2) Estudios radiológicos convencionales completos. 3) Ausencia de Litigio. 4) Tratamiento ortésico con TLSO a medida para los traumas de alta energía cinética y con ortesis prefabricadas para los de baja energía. 5) Tratamiento efectuado o supervisado por el autor Sénior. Evaluación por observadores independientes de Parámetros Geométricos (ángulo de Cobb sagital, cifosis vertebral, grado de colapso vertebral) pretratamiento y seguimiento en Rx simple, y Parámetros Funcionales (Dolor según SRS, Índice de Oswestry, Retorno a la Actividad Previa). Subdivisión de los diferentes tipos de fracturas (según AO y Denis) en Alta (Grupo A) y Baja Energía [Grupo B] de acuerdo con la energía cinética del trauma. Comparación de Parámetros Geométricos con Grupo Control. Análisis Estadístico: chi cuadrado y t-test de Student. RESULTADOS: 41 pacientes (44 fracturas] tratados (23 mujeres/18 varones), con 25 fracturas Grupo "A", y 19 Grupo "B". Edad promedio: 46 años (12 - 83). Seguimiento promedio: 4,5 años (2.2 - 15.5). Localización predominante: T11 - L2. Tipos Predominantes: tipo A (AO) o por compresión y por estallido. No hubo diferencias significativas en las mediciones efectuadas en cada grupo pretratamiento y al seguimiento. La única diferencia significativa entre grupos fue en la cifosis vertebral inicial tanto en general como según la clasificación AO entre los tipos A de alta y baja energía. La comparación al seguimiento de los parámetros geométricos entre grupo control y grupos A y B así como entre grupo control y cada tipo (AO/Denis) subdivididos en alta o baja energía, arrojó siempre diferencias significativas. Los parámetros funcionales al seguimiento mostraron siempre puntuaciones promedio buenas, con variaciones significativas entre grupos A y B. El retorno a la actividad previa fue del 90,6%, sin diferencias entre trabajadores de esfuerzo físico y de escritorio. CONCLUSIONES: Es posible lograr un Resultado Clínico Funcional satisfactorio a mediano plazo en las lesiones toracolumbosacras mayores estables seleccionando el tipo de ortesis según que el trauma sea de alta o baja energía cinética. Los resultados clínicos funcionales parecen ser mejores en los casos de Trauma de Alta Energía. Sin embargo, este tratamiento no mejora ni empeora los parámetros radiológicos sagitales.<br>OBJETIVO: Determinar se a gravidade do trauma toraco-lombo-sacro estável permite decidir o tipo de órteses na seleção do tratamento ortopédico. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo (16 anos). Critérios de inclusão: 1) Seguimento mínimo: 2 anos. 2) Estudos radiológicos convencionais completos. 3) Ausência de litígio. 4) Tratamento com TLSO feito à medida para trauma de alta energia cinética e órteses pré-fabricadas para trauma de baixa energia. 5) Tratamentos realizados ou supervisionados pelo autor sênior. Avaliação por observadores independentes de parâmetros geométricos (Cobb sagital, cifose da vértebra, grau de colapso vertebral anterior) iniciais e ao seguimento, e parâmetros funcionais (dor de acordo com a SRS, índice de Oswestry, retorno à atividade anterior). Subdivisão de diferentes tipos de fraturas (AO e Denis) proporcional à energia cinética do trauma, em (grupo A) alta energia e (grupo B) baixa energia. Comparação com o grupo de controle. Análise estatística: qui quadrado e teste tStudent. RESULTADOS: Estudos até 41 pacientes (44 fraturas, 23 mulheres/18 homens), 25 fraturas grupo "A" e 19 grupo "B". Média de idade: 46 anos (12-83). Seguimento médio: 4,5 anos (2,2 -15,5). Localização predominante: T11 - L2. Tipos predominantes: Tipo A (AO) ou por compressão e estalido. Não houve nenhuma diferença significativa entre medições iniciais e seguimento. A única diferença significativa entre os grupos foi a cifose inicial da coluna vertebral. Sempre houve dife renças na comparação dos parâmetros geométricos do grupo controle e os grupos A e B, e entre o grupo controle e cada tipo (AO/Denis) subdividido em alta ou baixa energia. As pontuações dos parâmetros funcionais finais sempre foram boas, com variações significativas entre os grupos A e B. CONCLUSÕES: É possível um bom resultado funcional em lesões toraco-lombo-sacrais estáveis, selecionando o tipo de órteses de acordo com a energia cinética do trauma. Esses resultados parecem ser melhores em traumas de alta energia tratados com dispositivos ortopédicos feitos à medida. No entanto, o tratamento ortésico diferenciado de acordo com a energia do trauma não altera os parâmetros radiológicos sagitais.<br>OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the severity of stable thoraco-lumbo-sacral trauma is useful for deciding the selection of brace type in orthopedic treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study (16 years length). Inclusion criteria: 1) Minimum follow-up: 2 years. 2) Complete conventional radiologic studies. 3) no litigation. 4) TLSO custom-made treatment for high kinetic energy trauma and pre-fabricated orthoses for low energy one. 5) Treatment performed or supervised by the senior author. Evaluation by independent observers of geometric Parameters (sagittal Cobb, vertebral kyphosis, anterior vertebral collapse) initially and at follow-up, and Functional Parameters (SRS pain scale, Oswestry Index, Return to Previous Activity). Subdivision of different fractures types (of AO and Denis classifications) in High (group A) and Low Energy (group b) according to the amount of kinetic energy of trauma. Comparison with a control group. Statistical analysis: chi square and Student t-test. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were studied (44 fractures, 23 females/18 males), 25 fractures group A and 19 group b. Average age: 46 years (12 - 83). Average follow-up: 4.5 years (2.2 - 15.5). Predominant location: T11 - L2. Predominant types: Type A (AO) or compression and burst. There were no significant differences between initial and follow-up measurements. The only significant difference between groups was in the initial vertebral kyphosis. However, there were always differences when comparing the geometric Parameters between control group and groups A and b, and between control group and each type (AO/Denis) subdivided into high or low energy. The final functional parameters scores were always good, with significant variations between groups A and b. CONCLUSIONS: A satisfactory functional result in stable thoraco-lumbo-sacral injuries is possible by selecting the type of brace according to the kinetic energy involved. Results appear to be better in High Energy Trauma treated with custom-made orthosis. However, the orthotic treatment according to trauma energy does not change the sagittal radiographic parameters

Review of 21 cases of mycetoma from 1991 to 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Mycetoma is caused by the subcutaneous inoculation of filamentous fungi or aerobic filamentous bacteria that form grains in the tissue. The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiologic, clinic, laboratory, and therapeutic characteristics of patients with mycetoma at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 1991 and 2014. Twenty-one cases of mycetoma were included in the study. There was a predominance of male patients (1.3:1) and the average patient age was 46 years. The majority of the cases were from the Southeast region of Brazil and the feet were the most affected anatomical region (80.95%). Eumycetoma prevailed over actinomycetoma (61.9% and 38.1% respectively). Eumycetoma patients had positive cultures in 8 of 13 cases, with isolation of Scedosporium apiospermum species complex (n = 3), Madurella mycetomatis (n = 2) and Acremonium spp. (n = 1). Two cases presented sterile mycelium and five were negative. Six of 8 actinomycetoma cases had cultures that were identified as Nocardia spp. (n = 3), Nocardia brasiliensis (n = 2), and Nocardia asteroides (n = 1). Imaging tests were performed on all but one patients, and bone destruction was identified in 9 cases (42.68%). All eumycetoma cases were treated with itraconazole monotherapy or combined with fluconazole, terbinafine, or amphotericin B. Actinomycetoma cases were treated with sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim or combined with cycles of amikacin sulphate. Surgical procedures were performed in 9 (69.2%) eumycetoma and in 3 (37.5%) actinomycetoma cases, with one amputation case in each group. Clinical cure occurred in 11 cases (7 for eumycetoma and 4 for actinomycetoma), and recurrence was documented in 4 of 21 cases. No deaths were recorded during the study. Despite of the scarcity of mycetoma in our institution the cases presented reflect the wide clinical spectrum and difficulties to take care of this neglected disease