scholarly journals Parent–child intervention decreases stress and increases maternal brain activity and connectivity during own baby-cry: An exploratory study

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 535-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Swain ◽  
S. Shaun Ho ◽  
Katherine L. Rosenblum ◽  
Diana Morelen ◽  
Carolyn J. Dayton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Parenting Stress ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Brain Scans ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Maternal Brain ◽  
Maternal Responses

AbstractParental responses to their children are crucially influenced by stress. However, brain-based mechanistic understanding of the adverse effects of parenting stress and benefits of therapeutic interventions is lacking. We studied maternal brain responses to salient child signals as a function of Mom Power (MP), an attachment-based parenting intervention established to decrease maternal distress. Twenty-nine mothers underwent two functional magnetic resonance imaging brain scans during a baby-cry task designed to solicit maternal responses to child's or self's distress signals. Between scans, mothers were pseudorandomly assigned to either MP (n = 14) or control (n = 15) with groups balanced for depression. Compared to control, MP decreased parenting stress and increased child-focused responses in social brain areas highlighted by the precuneus and its functional connectivity with subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, which are key components of reflective self-awareness and decision-making neurocircuitry. Furthermore, over 13 weeks, reduction in parenting stress was related to increasing child- versus self-focused baby-cry responses in amygdala–temporal pole functional connectivity, which may mediate maternal ability to take her child's perspective. Although replication in larger samples is needed, the results of this first parental-brain intervention study demonstrate robust stress-related brain circuits for maternal care that can be modulated by psychotherapy.

scholarly journals Impact of prenatal maternal cytokine exposure on sex differences in brain circuitry regulating stress in offspring 45 years later

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (15) ◽  
pp. e2014464118
Author(s):  
Jill M. Goldstein ◽  
Justine E. Cohen ◽  
Klara Mareckova ◽  
Laura Holsen ◽  
Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Hippocampal Activity ◽  
Brain Circuitry ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
In Utero Development

Stress is associated with numerous chronic diseases, beginning in fetal development with in utero exposures (prenatal stress) impacting offspring’s risk for disorders later in life. In previous studies, we demonstrated adverse maternal in utero immune activity on sex differences in offspring neurodevelopment at age seven and adult risk for major depression and psychoses. Here, we hypothesized that in utero exposure to maternal proinflammatory cytokines has sex-dependent effects on specific brain circuitry regulating stress and immune function in the offspring that are retained across the lifespan. Using a unique prenatal cohort, we tested this hypothesis in 80 adult offspring, equally divided by sex, followed from in utero development to midlife. Functional MRI results showed that exposure to proinflammatory cytokines in utero was significantly associated with sex differences in brain activity and connectivity during response to negative stressful stimuli 45 y later. Lower maternal TNF-α levels were significantly associated with higher hypothalamic activity in both sexes and higher functional connectivity between hypothalamus and anterior cingulate only in men. Higher prenatal levels of IL-6 were significantly associated with higher hippocampal activity in women alone. When examined in relation to the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-10, the ratio TNF-α:IL-10 was associated with sex-dependent effects on hippocampal activity and functional connectivity with the hypothalamus. Collectively, results suggested that adverse levels of maternal in utero proinflammatory cytokines and the balance of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines impact brain development of offspring in a sexually dimorphic manner that persists across the lifespan.

scholarly journals Retrieval Search and Strength Evoke Dissociable Brain Activity during Episodic Memory Recall

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie T. Reas ◽  
James B. Brewer
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Memory Search ◽  
Cued Recall ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Memory Strength ◽  
Medial Temporal Lobes ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Highly Correlated

Neuroimaging studies of episodic memory retrieval have revealed activations in the human frontal, parietal, and medial-temporal lobes that are associated with memory strength. However, it remains unclear whether these brain responses are veritable signals of memory strength or are instead regulated by concomitant subcomponents of retrieval such as retrieval effort or mental search. This study used event-related fMRI during cued recall of previously memorized word-pair associates to dissociate brain responses modulated by memory search from those modulated by the strength of a recalled memory. Search-related deactivations, dissociated from activity due to memory strength, were observed in regions of the default network, whereas distinctly strength-dependent activations were present in superior and inferior parietal and dorsolateral PFC. Both search and strength regulated activity in dorsal anterior cingulate and anterior insula. These findings suggest that, although highly correlated and partially subserved by overlapping cognitive control mechanisms, search and memory strength engage dissociable regions of frontoparietal attention and default networks.

scholarly journals Sex-Specific Brain Responses to Imaginary Dance but Not Physical Dance: An Electroencephalography Study of Functional Connectivity and Electrical Brain Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Wind ◽  
Fabian Horst ◽  
Nikolas Rizzi ◽  
Alexander John ◽  
Tamara Kurti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Electrical Brain Activity ◽  
Test Conditions ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Modern Jazz ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Specific Contact ◽  
Independent Effects

To date, most neurophysiological dance research has been conducted exclusively with female participants in observational studies (i.e., participants observe or imagine a dance choreography). In this regard, the sex-specific acute neurophysiological effect of physically executed dance can be considered a widely unexplored field of research. This study examines the acute impact of a modern jazz dance choreography on brain activity and functional connectivity using electroencephalography (EEG). In a within-subject design, 11 female and 11 male participants were examined under four test conditions: physically dancing the choreography with and without music and imagining the choreography with and without music. Prior to the EEG measurements, the participants acquired the choreography over 3 weeks with one session per week. Subsequently, the participants conducted all four test conditions in a randomized order on a single day, with the EEG measurements taken before and after each condition. Differences between the male and female participants were established in brain activity and functional connectivity analyses under the condition of imagined dance without music. No statistical differences between sexes were found in the other three conditions (physically executed dance with and without music as well as imagined dance with music). Physically dancing and music seem to have sex-independent effects on the human brain. However, thinking of dance without music seems to be rather sex-specific. The results point to a promising approach to decipher sex-specific differences in the use of dance or music. This approach could further be used to achieve a more group-specific or even more individualized and situationally adapted use of dance interventions, e.g., in the context of sports, physical education, or therapy. The extent to which the identified differences are due to culturally specific attitudes in the sex-specific contact with dance and music needs to be clarified in future research.

scholarly journals Brain Responses to Hypnotic Verbal Suggestions Predict Pain Modulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolane Desmarteaux ◽  
Anouk Streff ◽  
Jen-I Chen ◽  
Bérengère Houzé ◽  
Mathieu Piché ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Perception ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Predictive Coding ◽  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Evoked Responses ◽  
Midcingulate Cortex ◽  
Brain Responses

Background: The effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing pain is well supported by the scientific literature. Hypnosis typically involves verbal suggestions but the mechanisms by which verbal contents are transformed into predictive signals to modulate perceptual processes remain unclear. We hypothesized that brain activity during verbal suggestions would predict the modulation of responses to acute nociceptive stimuli.Methods: Brain activity was measured using BOLD-fMRI in healthy participants while they listened to verbal suggestions of HYPERALGESIA, HYPOALGESIA, or NORMAL sensation (control) following a standardized hypnosis induction. Immediately after the suggestions, series of noxious electrical stimuli were administered to assess pain-related responses. Brain responses measured during the suggestions were then used to predict changes in pain-related responses using delayed regression analyses.Results: Listening to suggestions of HYPERALGESIA and HYPOALGESIA produced BOLD decreases (vs. control) in the parietal operculum (PO) and in the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC), and increases in the left parahippocampal gyrus (lPHG). Changes in activity in PO, aMCC and PHG during the suggestions predicted larger pain-evoked responses following the HYPERALGESIA suggestions in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the anterior insula (aINS), and smaller pain-evoked responses following the HYPOALGESIA suggestions in the ACC, aMCC, posterior insula (pINS) and thalamus. These changes in pain-evoked brain responses are consistent with the changes in pain perception reported by the participants in HYPERALGESIA and HYPOALGESIA, respectively.Conclusions: The fronto-parietal network (supracallosal ACC and PO) has been associated with self-regulation and perceived self-agency. Deactivation of these regions during suggestions is predictive of the modulation of brain responses to noxious stimuli in areas previously associated with pain perception and pain modulation. The response of the hippocampal complex may reflect its role in contextual learning, memory and pain anticipation/expectations induced by verbal suggestions of pain modulation. This study provides a basis to further explore the transformation of verbal suggestions into perceptual modulatory processes fundamental to hypnosis neurophenomenology. These findings are discussed in relation to predictive coding models.

Distinct phasic and sustained brain responses and connectivity of amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis during threat anticipation in panic disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (15) ◽  
pp. 2675-2688 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Brinkmann ◽  
C. Buff ◽  
K. Feldker ◽  
S. V. Tupak ◽  
M. P. I. Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Stria Terminalis ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Bed Nucleus ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Fear And Anxiety

BackgroundPanic disorder (PD) patients are constantly concerned about future panic attacks and exhibit general hypersensitivity to unpredictable threat. We aimed to reveal phasic and sustained brain responses and functional connectivity of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) during threat anticipation in PD.MethodsUsing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated 17 PD patients and 19 healthy controls (HC) during anticipation of temporally unpredictable aversive and neutral sounds. We used a phasic and sustained analysis model to disentangle temporally dissociable brain activations.ResultsPD patients compared with HC showed phasic amygdala and sustained BNST responses during anticipation of aversive v. neutral stimuli. Furthermore, increased phasic activation was observed in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Insula and PFC also showed sustained activation. Functional connectivity analyses revealed partly distinct phasic and sustained networks.ConclusionsWe demonstrate a role for the BNST during unpredictable threat anticipation in PD and provide first evidence for dissociation between phasic amygdala and sustained BNST activation and their functional connectivity. In line with a hypersensitivity to uncertainty in PD, our results suggest time-dependent involvement of brain regions related to fear and anxiety.

scholarly journals Anterior Cingulate Cortex Activity During Rest Is Related to Alterations in Pain Perception in Aging

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan L. Terrasa ◽  
Pedro Montoya ◽  
Carolina Sitges ◽  
Marian van der Meulen ◽  
Fernand Anton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Postcentral Gyrus

Alterations in the affective component of pain perception are related to the development of chronic pain and may contribute to the increased vulnerability to pain observed in aging. The present study analyzed age-related changes in resting-state brain activity and their possible relation to an increased pain perception in older adults. For this purpose, we compared EEG current source density and fMRI functional-connectivity at rest in older (n = 20, 66.21 ± 3.08 years) and younger adults (n = 21, 20.71 ± 2.30 years) and correlated those brain activity parameters with pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings elicited by painful stimulation. We found an age-related increase in beta2 and beta3 activity in temporal, frontal, and limbic areas, and a decrease in alpha activity in frontal areas. Moreover, older participants displayed increased functional connectivity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the insula with precentral and postcentral gyrus. Finally, ACC beta3 activity was positively correlated with pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings in older, and ACC-precentral/postcentral gyrus connectivity was positively correlated with unpleasantness ratings in older and younger participants. These results reveal that ACC resting-state hyperactivity is a stable trait of brain aging and may underlie their characteristic altered pain perception.

scholarly journals Linked networks for learning and expressing location-specific threat

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
pp. E1032-E1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez ◽  
James A. Bisby ◽  
Aidan J. Horner ◽  
John A. King ◽  
Daniel S. Pine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Danger Zone ◽  
Environmental Threats ◽  
Bee Sting ◽  
Defensive Behaviors ◽  
Hippocampal Activity ◽  
Adaptive Ability ◽  
Imminent Threat

Learning locations of danger within our environment is a vital adaptive ability whose neural bases are only partially understood. We examined fMRI brain activity while participants navigated a virtual environment in which flowers appeared and were “picked.” Picking flowers in the danger zone (one-half of the environment) predicted an electric shock to the wrist (or “bee sting”); flowers in the safe zone never predicted shock; and household objects served as controls for neutral spatial memory. Participants demonstrated learning with shock expectancy ratings and skin conductance increases for flowers in the danger zone. Patterns of brain activity shifted between overlapping networks during different task stages. Learning about environmental threats, during flower approach in either zone, engaged the anterior hippocampus, amygdala, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), with vmPFC–hippocampal functional connectivity increasing with experience. Threat appraisal, during approach in the danger zone, engaged the insula and dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC), with insula–hippocampal functional connectivity. During imminent threat, after picking a flower, this pattern was supplemented by activity in periaqueductal gray (PAG), insula–dACC coupling, and posterior hippocampal activity that increased with experience. We interpret these patterns in terms of multiple representations of spatial context (anterior hippocampus); specific locations (posterior hippocampus); stimuli (amygdala); value (vmPFC); threat, both visceral (insula) and cognitive (dACC); and defensive behaviors (PAG), interacting in different combinations to perform the functions required at each task stage. Our findings illuminate how we learn about location-specific threats and suggest how they might break down into overgeneralization or hypervigilance in anxiety disorders.

scholarly journals Altered local and matrix functional connectivity in depressed essential tremor patients

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiyue Duan ◽  
Zhou Fang ◽  
Li Tao ◽  
Huiyue Chen ◽  
Xiaoyu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Clinical Depression ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Depression Severity ◽  
Correlation Analyses ◽  
Prefrontal Cortices

Abstract Background Depression in essential tremor (ET) has been constantly studied and reported, while the associated brain activity changes remain unclear. Recently, regional homogeneity (ReHo), a voxel-wise local functional connectivity (FC) analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, has provided a promising way to observe spontaneous brain activity. Methods Local FC analyses were performed in forty-one depressed ET patients, 49 non-depressed ET patients and 43 healthy controls (HCs), and then matrix FC and clinical depression severity correlation analyses were further performed to reveal spontaneous neural activity changes in depressed ET patients. Results Compared with the non-depressed ET patients, the depressed ET patients showed decreased ReHo in the bilateral cerebellum lobules IX, and increased ReHo in the bilateral anterior cingulate cortices and middle prefrontal cortices. Twenty-five significant changes of ReHo clusters were observed in the depressed ET patients compared with the HCs, and matrix FC analysis further revealed that inter-ROI FC differences were also observed in the frontal-cerebellar-anterior cingulate cortex pathway. Correlation analyses showed that clinical depression severity was positively correlated with the inter-ROI FC values between the anterior cingulate cortex and bilateral middle prefrontal cortices and was negatively correlated with the inter-ROI FC values of the anterior cingulate cortex and bilateral cerebellum lobules IX. Conclusion Our findings revealed local and inter-ROI FC differences in frontal-cerebellar-anterior cingulate cortex circuits in depressed ET patients, and among these regions, the cerebellum lobules IX, middle prefrontal cortices and anterior cingulate cortices could function as pathogenic structures underlying depression in ET patients.

Behavior in the Brain

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin M. Monti ◽  
Adrian M. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Functional Neuroimaging ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Motor Output ◽  
The Unconscious ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Minimally Conscious ◽  
Brain Insults ◽  
Brain Behavior

Recent evidence has suggested that functional neuroimaging may play a crucial role in assessing residual cognition and awareness in brain injury survivors. In particular, brain insults that compromise the patient’s ability to produce motor output may render standard clinical testing ineffective. Indeed, if patients were aware but unable to signal so via motor behavior, they would be impossible to distinguish, at the bedside, from vegetative patients. Considering the alarming rate with which minimally conscious patients are misdiagnosed as vegetative, and the severe medical, legal, and ethical implications of such decisions, novel tools are urgently required to complement current clinical-assessment protocols. Functional neuroimaging may be particularly suited to this aim by providing a window on brain function without requiring patients to produce any motor output. Specifically, the possibility of detecting signs of willful behavior by directly observing brain activity (i.e., “brain behavior”), rather than motoric output, allows this approach to reach beyond what is observable at the bedside with standard clinical assessments. In addition, several neuroimaging studies have already highlighted neuroimaging protocols that can distinguish automatic brain responses from willful brain activity, making it possible to employ willful brain activations as an index of awareness. Certainly, neuroimaging in patient populations faces some theoretical and experimental difficulties, but willful, task-dependent, brain activation may be the only way to discriminate the conscious, but immobile, patient from the unconscious one.

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