Brain activity dynamics in human parietal regions during spontaneous switches in bistable perception.

The neural mechanisms underlying conscious visual perception have been extensively investigated using bistable perception paradigms. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies suggest that the right anterior superior parietal (r-aSPL) and the right posterior superior parietal lobule (r-pSPL) have opposite roles in triggering perceptual reversals. It has been proposed that these two areas are part of a hierarchical network whose dynamics determine perceptual switches. However, how these two parietal regions interact with each other and with the rest of the brain during bistable perception is not known. Here, we investigated such a model by recording brain activity using fMRI while participants viewed a bistable structure-from-motion stimulus. Using dynamic causal modeling (DCM), we found that resolving such perceptual ambiguity was specifically associated with reciprocal interactions between these parietal regions and V5/MT. Strikingly, the strength of bottom-up coupling between V5/MT to r-pSPL and from r-pSPL to r-aSPL predicted individual mean dominance duration. Our findings are consistent with a hierarchical predictive coding model of parietal involvement in bistable perception and suggest that visual information processing underlying spontaneous perceptual switches can be described as changes in connectivity strength between parietal and visual cortical regions

Energy landscape and dynamics of brain activity during human bistable perception.

Individual differences in the structure of parietal and prefrontal cortex predict the stability of bistable visual perception. However, the mechanisms linking such individual differences in brain structures to behaviour remain elusive. Here we demonstrate a systematic relationship between the dynamics of brain activity, cortical structure and behaviour underpinning bistable perception. Using fMRI in humans, we find that the activity dynamics during bistable perception are well described as fluctuating between three spatially distributed energy minimums: visual-area-dominant, frontal-area-dominant and intermediate states. Transitions between these energy minimums predicted behaviour, with participants whose brain activity tend to reflect the visual-area-dominant state exhibiting more stable perception and those whose activity transits to frontal-area-dominant states reporting more frequent perceptual switches. Critically, these brain activity dynamics are correlated with individual differences in grey matter volume of the corresponding brain areas. Thus, individual differences in the large-scale dynamics of brain activity link focal brain structure with bistable perception

Genome‐wide SNP genotyping reveals hidden population structure of an acroporid species at a subtropical coral island: Implications for coral restoration

1. It is essential to consider genetic composition for both conventional coral restoration management and for initiating new interventions to counter the significant global decline in living corals. Population genetic structure at a fine spatial scale should be carefully evaluated before implementing strategies to achieve self-sustaining ecosystems via coral restoration. 2. This study investigated the population genetic structure of two acroporid species at Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan. There were 140 colonies of Acropora digitifera collected from seven study sites, and 81 colonies of Acropora tenuis from six sites. In total, 384 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci for A. digitifera and 470 SNPs for A. tenuis were obtained using a comparatively economical technique, Multiplexed ISSR Genotyping by sequencing. 3. Observed heterozygosity was significantly lower than expected heterozygosity at all SNP sites in both acroporid species, suggesting deficient genetic diversity possibly caused by past massive coral bleaching. Even though both species are broadcast spawners, the population structure was different in the two species. No detectable structure was evident in A. digitifera, but two distinct clades were found in A. tenuis. The genetic homogeneity of A. digitifera at Kume Island suggests that this species could be used as a focal species for active restoration in terms of genetic differentiation at this island. By contrast, A. tenuis unexpectedly included two distinct clades with little or no admixture within a small study area, possibly representing two reproductively isolated cryptic species. Thus, when using A. tenuis, it would be prudent to avoid disturbing the genetic composition of wild populations until this question is answered.journal articl

Fractionation of parietal function in bistable perception probed with concurrent TMS-EEG

When visual input has conflicting interpretations, conscious perception can alternate spontaneously between these possible interpretations. This is called bistable perception. Previous neuroimaging studies have indicated the involvement of two right parietal areas in resolving perceptual ambiguity (ant-SPLr and post-SPLr). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies that selectively interfered with the normal function of these regions suggest that they play opposing roles in this type of perceptual switch. In the present study, we investigated this fractionation of parietal function by use of combined TMS with electroencephalography (EEG). Specifically, while participants viewed either a bistable stimulus, a replay stimulus, or resting-state fixation, we applied single pulse TMS to either location independently while simultaneously recording EEG. Combined with participant’s individual structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, this dataset allows for complex analyses of the effect of TMS on neural time series data, which may further elucidate the causal role of the parietal cortex in ambiguous perception

The creativity of the meaning of the dream in PCAGIP Dreamwork : How a horror nightmare turned into a friendship dream

本研究では、夢PCAGIPにおいて夢提供者自身が、夢の体験過程が促進された場面を特定し、そこでの相互作用及び意味の生成過程について検討し考察した。夢PCAGIPは8名のメンバーで行われ、Participant-Observer方式を採用した。すなわち、「被験者」が同時に「実験者」であった。ワークの結果、夢提供者自身の体験が促進された場面は全13場面であり、それらの場面における体験の促進要因は6つにパターン化された。さらに、これら6つのパターンから4つの観点が導き出された。それらは、夢の精緻化、夢の拡張と再構成化、追体験と交差による夢の文脈の変化、現実との交差による夢の意味の創造であった。In this study of the PCAGIP Dreamwork process, the dreamer identified instances where the experiencing of the dream was carried forward. The interaction and generation of meaning in these instances were examined and discussed. PCAGIP Dreamwork was conducted with eight members using a participant-observer methodology, where the subject of the study was also the researcher. As a result of the PCAGIP Dreamwork process, 13 instances were identified where dream experiencing was carried forward. The authors specified 6 patterns of interaction between the dreamer and the group member who was interacting at the moment when each of these 13 instances were observed. Furthermore, 4 observations were derived from the 6 patterns; these include refining the dream, extending and reconstituting the dream, the change in the dream context as a result of re-experiencing and crossing, and creation of the dream\u27s meaning by crossing the dream and reality

Pre-post changes in psychosocial functioning among relatives of patients with depressive disorders after Brief Multifamily Psychoeducation: A pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Depressive disorder is often chronic and recurrent, and results in a heavy psychosocial burden on the families of patients with this disorder. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of brief multifamily psychoeducation designed to alleviate their psychosocial burden.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-two relatives of patients with major depressive disorder participated in an open study testing the effectiveness of brief multifamily psychoeducation. The intervention consisted of four sessions over the course of 6 weeks. Outcome measures focused on emotional distress, care burden and Expressed Emotion (EE).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The emotional distress, care burden and EE of the family all showed statistically significant improvements from baseline to after the family intervention. The proportion of relatives scoring 9 or more on K6, which indicates possible depressive or anxiety disorder, decreased from sixteen relatives (50.0%) at baseline, to only 3 relatives (9.3%) after the intervention.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study suggests that brief multifamily psychoeducation is a useful intervention to reduce the psychosocial burden of the relatives of patients with depressive disorder. Further evaluation of family psychoeducation for relatives of patients with depressive disorder is warranted.</p

大切な人を亡くした人のための遺族会の実践報告

遺族会は，子どもを亡くした家族を対象に同じ経験を持つ家族が思い出を分かち合い，理解し，支え合い，心の癒しの場となることを目的に，1999年12月に立ち上げ，毎月1回の開催を目標に現在も継続して開催してきた。しかし，参加者が少ないことや子ども以外を亡くした人の参加希望もあり，大切な人を亡くした全ての人に対象を拡大してきた。遺族会の活動は主に語り合いで，参加者が中心となりリーフレットやメモリアルキルトの作成も行った。活動記録から，参加者の語りは「みんなと同じ気持ちだと分かってよかった」「あの子のことだけを考える時間・場所だと思っている」などであった。さらに，遺族会を毎月1回の開催とすることで，遺族はタイムリーに参加し，自由に語ることや，参加しなくてもはがきの案内で故人を想う機会となるなどであった。遺族会を毎月開催し続けることは，遺族が故人を想う機会となること，自由に参加しやすいこと，大切な人を亡くしたという同じ経験を共に語らいながら時間を過ごすことができることから，悲嘆からの回復に寄与できていると考える。今後は，遺族ケアが必要な遺族に遺族会の存在が周知されていない可能性が考えられるので，遺族会について積極的に広報活動を行う必要がある

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension