Neurophysiologic measures of target engagement predict response to auditory-based cognitive training in treatment refractory schizophrenia

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and a strong predictor of psychosocial disability. Auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) aims to enhance verbal learning and other domains of cognitive functioning through "bottom-up" tuning of the neural systems underlying early auditory information processing (EAIP). Although TCT has demonstrated efficacy at the group level, individual response to TCT varies considerably, with nearly half of patients showing little-to-no benefit. EEG measures of EAIP, mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a, are sensitive to the neural systems engaged by TCT exercises and might therefore predict clinical outcomes after a full course of treatment. This study aimed to determine whether initial malleability of MMN and P3a to 1-h of auditory-based TCT predicts improvements in verbal learning and clinical symptom reduction following a full (30-h) course of TCT. Treatment refractory patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 22) or TAU augmented with TCT (n = 23). Results indicated that malleability (i.e., change from baseline after the initial 1-h dose of TCT) of MMN and P3a predicted improvements in verbal learning as well as decreases in the severity of positive symptoms. Examination of MMN and P3a malleability in patients after their first dose of TCT can be used to predict clinical response to a full course of treatment and shows promise for future biomarker-informed treatment assignment

Silver Nanoparticles and Its Polymer Nanocomposites?Synthesis, Optimization, Biomedical Usage, and Its Various Applications

Nanomaterials have emerged as an extremely valuable asset in the world of material science. It’s unique, and substantial properties lurk scientist all over the world into incorporating them in various material synthesis. Composites are yet another powerful tool for the development of specific material according to our needs. Fusion of the above-mentioned two mighty tools results in birth of a whole new domain called nanocomposites. This unit provides details about different aspects of nanomaterials, composites, and their categories. This chapter talks thoroughly about the basics behind the various synthesis process involved along with optimization of various parameters related to fabrication of such nanocomposites. Among the pool of nanocomposites, silver nanoparticles and the composites based on these particles have harnessed much attention because of the striking properties of Ag nanoparticles like high electrical and thermal conductivity, chemical stability, catalytic activities, antimicrobial properties, nonlinear optical behavior, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Synthesis and development of AgNPs in the literature have been mentioned, and techniques have been reviewed. Detailed discussions based on each individual property have also been carried out along with exploring the applications in numerous varied fields.Scopu