Human Brain Research Articles

Large improvement in RF magnetic fields and imaging SNR with whole-head high-permittivity slurry helmet for human-brain MRI applications at 7 T.

To optimize the design and demonstrate the integration of a helmet-shaped container filled with a high-permittivity material (HPM) slurry with RF head coil arrays to improveRF coil sensitivity and SNR for human-brain proton MRI. RF reception magneticfields ( ) of a 32-channel receive-only coil array with various geometries and permittivity values of HPM slurry helmet are calculated with electromagnetic simulation at 7 T. A 16-channel transmit-only coil array, a 32-channel receive-only coil array, and a 2-piece HPM slurry helmet were constructed and assembled. RF transmission magnetic field ( ), , and MRI SNR maps from the entire human brain were measured and compared. Simulations showed that averaged improvement with the HPM slurry helmet increased from 57% to 87% as the relative permittivity (εr) of HPM slurry increased from 110 to 210. In vivo experiments showed that the average improvement over the human brain was 14.5% with the two-piece HPM slurry (εr ≈ 170) helmet, and the average and SNR were improved 63% and 34%, respectively, because the MRI noise level was increased by the lossy HPM. The RF coil sensitivity and MRI SNR were largely improved with the two-piece HPM slurry helmet demonstrated by both electromagnetic simulations and in vivo human head experiments at 7 T. The findings demonstrate that incorporating an easily producible HPM slurry helmet into the RF coil array significantly enhances human-brain MRI SNRhomogeneity and quality at ultrahigh field. Greater SNR improvement is anticipated using the less lossy HPM and optimal design.

Aldosterone-induced salt appetite requires HSD2 neurons.

Excessive aldosterone production increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and death. Aldosterone increases both sodium retention and sodium consumption, and increased sodium consumption may worsen end-organ damage in patients with aldosteronism. Preventing this increase could improve outcomes, but the behavioral mechanisms of aldosterone-induced sodium appetite remain unclear. In rodents, we previously identified aldosterone-sensitive neurons, which express the mineralocorticoid receptor and its pre-receptor regulator, 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD2). In the present study, we identified HSD2 neurons in the human brain, then used a mouse model to evaluate their role in aldosterone-induced salt intake. First, we confirmed that dietary sodium deprivation increases aldosterone production, salt intake, and HSD2 neuron activity. Next, we showed that continuous chemogenetic stimulation of HSD2 neurons causes a large and specific increase in salt intake. Finally, we use dose-response studies and genetically targeted ablation of HSD2 neurons to show that these neurons are necessary for aldosterone-induced salt intake. Identifying HSD2 neurons in the human brain and establishing their necessity for aldosterone-induced salt intake in mice improves our understanding of appetitive circuits and highlights this small cell population as a therapeutic target for moderating dietary sodium.

Surgical treatment of long-term epilepsy-associated tumors guided by stereoelectroencephalography

PurposeAccurate detection and resection of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in patients with long-term epilepsy-associated tumors (LEATs) are significantly correlated with favorable seizure prognosis. However, the relationship between tumors and the EZ remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial relationship between LEATs and the EZ, as well as the electrophysiological features of LEATs.MethodsWe retrospectively studied five patients with LEATs who underwent deep electrode implantation and EZ resection in the hospital. The clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, localizing features and intracranial SEEG results were reviewed.ResultsOne female and four males (mean age: 25.2 years; median age: 24 years; range: 13–45 years) were included in the study. Five-to-eleven electrodes (mean: 8.4) were implanted per patient. The EZ was located in the tumor and nearby cortex in three cases and in the tumor and distant areas in two cases. Pathological examination revealed ganglioglioma in four cases, two of which were associated with hippocampal sclerosis, and the other case showed a multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor with gliosis. All patients were seizure-free for at least 24 months postoperatively.ConclusionsSEEG provides valuable insights into the electrophysiological mechanisms of LEATs. The EZ often contains brain tissue around the tumor. However, only a few cases, particularly those with temporoparietal occipital (TPO) area involvement, a long history of epilepsy and other abnormalities on MRI, such as hippocampal sclerosis and focal cortical dysplasia, may include distant areas.

A Wearable, Steerable, Transcranial Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound System.

Transcranial low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) offers unique opportunities for precisely neuromodulating small and/or deep targets within the human brain, which may be useful for treating psychiatric and neurological disorders. This article presents a novel ultrasound system that delivers focused ultrasound through the forehead to anterior brain targets and evaluates its safety and usability in a volunteer study. The ultrasound system and workflow are described, including neuronavigation, LIFU planning, and ultrasound delivery components. Its capabilities are analyzed through simulations and experiments in water to establish its safe steering range. A cohort of 20 healthy volunteers received a LIFU protocol aimed at the anterior medial prefrontal cortex (amPFC), using imaging and questionnaires to screen for adverse effects. Additional development after the study also analyzes the effect of the skull and sinus cavities on delivered ultrasound energy. Simulations and hydrophone readings agreed with <5% error, and the safe steering range was found to encompass a 1.8 cm × 2.5 cm × 2 cm volume centered at a depth 5 cm from the surface of the skin. There were no adverse effects evident on qualitative assessments, nor any signs of damage in susceptibility-weighted imaging scans. All participants tolerated the treatment well. The interface effectively enabled the users to complete the workflow with all participants. In particular, the amPFC of every participant was within the steering limits of the system. A post hoc analysis showed that "virtual fitting" could aid in steering the beams around subjects' sinuses. The presented system safely delivered LIFU through the forehead while targeting the amPFC in all volunteers, and was well-tolerated. With the capabilities validated here and positive results of the study, this technology appears well-suited to explore LIFU's efficacy in clinical neuromodulation contexts.

Application of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing with Brain Tissue Biopsy for Diagnosing Intracranial Lesions in People with HIV

Application of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing with Brain Tissue Biopsy for Diagnosing Intracranial Lesions in People with HIV

Identification of nitric oxide-mediated necroptosis as the predominant death route in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) involves multiple forms of neuronal cell death, but the dominant pathway involved in disease progression remains unclear. This study employed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of brain tissue to explore gene expression patterns across different stages of PD. Using the Scaden deep learning algorithm, we predicted neurocyte subtypes and modelled dynamic interactions for five classic cell death pathways to identify the predominant routes of neuronal death during PD progression. Our cell type-specific analysis revealed an increasing shift towards necroptosis, which was strongly correlated with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression across most neuronal subtypes. In vitro experiments confirmed that nitric oxide (NO) is a key mediator of necroptosis, leading to nuclear shrinkage and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential via phosphorylation of the PIP1/PIP3/MLKL signalling cascade. Importantly, specific necroptosis inhibitors significantly mitigated neuronal damage in both in vitro and in vivo PD models. Further analysis revealed that NO-mediated necroptosis is prevalent in early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and across multiple brain regions but not in brain tumours. Our findings suggest that NO-mediated necroptosis is a critical pathway in PD and other neurodegenerative disorders, providing potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Safflower Yellow Alleviates Cognitive Impairment in Mice by Modulating Cholinergic System Function, Oxidative Stress, and CREB/BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCarthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) was believed to have multiple benefits, including antioxidant effects, enhanced learning and memory, and improving neuronal injury. Safflower Yellow(SY) are the main active ingredients of Safflower, displays strong pharmacological potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease(AD). However, its effect on memory impairments remains insufficiently investigated. Aim of the study:The study aims to investigate the effects of SY on cognitive functions in memory impairments model and to explore the mechanism of its action. Materials and methodsWe utilized the Morris Water Maze, Step-Through Test, Step-Down Test to assess the potential of SY in ameliorating learning and memory dysfunction caused by SCOP, NaNO2 and ethanol in mice. Bioinformatic analysis and molecular biological approaches were used to study the related mechanisms of SY on anti-memory impairments. ResultsThe results of the Morris Water Test suggested that SY could shorten the escape latency and the time of the first crossing platform in the mice with memory acquisition and memory consolidation impairments, and increase the platform crossing times. The results of the Step-Though test and Step-Down test showed that the escape latency in the mice was prolonged and the number of errors was reduced after SY treatment. ELISA experiments indicated that SY decreased the AChE activities, increased the ChAT activities, and modulated oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA, and GSH-PX) in scopolamine-induced mice. Western Blot and Nissl staining showed that SY could activated BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway and reduced neuronal damage. ConclusionThe findings present that SY can restore the function of the cholinergic system, inhibit oxidative stress, regulate the expression of upstream and downstream proteins in the CREB/BDNF/TrkB pathway, and alleviate brain tissue damage to improve memory impairment in mice.

Comparative Analysis of Transcription Factors TWIST2, GATA3, and HES5 in Glioblastoma Multiforme : Evaluating Biomarker Potential and Therapeutic Targets Using In Silico Methods.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by substantial heterogeneity and limited therapeutic options. As molecular approaches to central nervous system (CNS) tumors have gained prominence, this study examined the roles of three genes, TWIST2, GATA3, and HES5, known to be involved in oncogenesis, developmental processes, and maintenance of cancer stem cell properties, which have not yet been extensively studied in GBM. This study is the first to present gene expression data for TWIST2, GATA3, and HES5 specifically within the context of GBM patient survival. Gene expression data for TWIST2, GATA3, and HES5 were collected from GBM and normal brain tissues using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) via the Genomic Data Commons (GDC) portal and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database. These data were rigorously analyzed using in silico methods. All three genes were significantly more expressed in GBM tissues than in normal tissues. TWIST2 and GATA3 were linked to lower survival rates in GBM patients. Interestingly, higher HES5 levels were associated with better survival rates, suggesting a complex role that needs more investigation. This study shows that TWIST2, GATA3, and HES5 could help predict outcomes in GBM patients. Our multigene model offers a better understanding of GBM and points to new treatment options, bringing hope for improved therapies and patient outcomes. This research advances our knowledge of GBM and highlights the potential of molecular diagnostics in oncology.

Dynamic culture of cerebral organoids using a pillar/perfusion plate for the assessment of developmental neurotoxicity

Despite the potential toxicity of commercial chemicals to the development of the nervous system (known as developmental neurotoxicity or DNT), conventionalin vitrocell models have primarily been employed for the assessment of acute neuronal toxicity. On the other hand, animal models used for the assessment of DNT are not physiologically relevant due to the heterogenic difference between humans and animals. In addition, animal models are low-throughput, time-consuming, expensive, and ethically questionable. Recently, human brain organoids have emerged as a promising alternative to assess the detrimental effects of chemicals on the developing brain. However, conventional organoid culture systems have several technical limitations including low throughput, lack of reproducibility, insufficient maturity of organoids, and the formation of the necrotic core due to limited diffusion of nutrients and oxygen. To address these issues and establish predictive DNT models, cerebral organoids were differentiated in a dynamic condition in a unique pillar/perfusion plate, which were exposed to test compounds to evaluate DNT potential. The pillar/perfusion plate facilitated uniform, dynamic culture of cerebral organoids with improved proliferation and maturity by rapid, bidirectional flow generated on a digital rocker. Day 9 cerebral organoids in the pillar/perfusion plate were exposed to ascorbic acid (DNT negative) and methylmercury (DNT positive) in a dynamic condition for 1 and 3 weeks, and changes in organoid morphology and neural gene expression were measured to determine DNT potential. As expected, ascorbic acid did not induce any changes in organoid morphology and neural gene expression. However, exposure of day 9 cerebral organoids to methylmercury resulted in significant changes in organoid morphology and neural gene expression. Interestingly, methylmercury did not induce adverse changes in cerebral organoids in a static condition, thus highlighting the importance of dynamic organoid culture in DNT assessment.

17β-Estradiol Abrogates TNF-α-Induced Human Brain Vascular Pericyte Migration by Downregulating miR-638 via ER-β

17β-Estradiol Abrogates TNF-α-Induced Human Brain Vascular Pericyte Migration by Downregulating miR-638 via ER-β

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of depression: a bibliometrics and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThis study aims to reveal the current knowledge map, research hotspots of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on depression, as well as identify the brain regions associated with depression.MethodsCiteSpace was conducted to analyze the publication outputs, country, institution, cited journals, author and cited author, references, keyword cocurrence and burst keywords of fMRI studies in depression from 2010 to 2024. And a meta-analysis of fMRI was used to identify brain regions associated with depression using Neurosynth.ResultsA total of 4,049 publications were included, and Gong Qiyong was the most prolific authors. Neuroimage, Biological Psychiatry, and Human Brain Mapping were prominent journals. Default mode network (DMN), prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex were the popular keywords. The fMRI studies on depression have mainly focused on major depression, especially the DMN. Functional connectivity and regional homogeneity of brain regions were research hotspots. The meta-analysis revealed significant differences in brain regions between patients with depression and healthy controls, including the Amygdala_L, Insula_R, Frontal_Inf_Oper_R, Cingulum_Post_L, Putamen_L, Thalamus_R, Angular_L, Precuneus_R, Frontal_Sup_R, Occipital_Inf_L.ConclusionsThis study sheds light on key issues and future directions in fMRI research on depression, elucidating the brain regions related to depression.Graphical

Microglia and Macrophages in Human Pineal Gland

Background. The causal role of the inflammatory process in the central nervous system (CNS) in the pathogenesis of most nervous and mental diseases, as well as in aging, has been established in the last two decades. The most important immune cells in the CNS are microglial cells and macrophages. To date, microglia and macrophages have been studied in various areas of the central nervous system, but have not been studied in the human pineal gland. The purpose of the study was to investigate the morphological features, types and localization of human pineal gland microglial cells using immunohistochemistry. Material and methods. The work was carried out on samples of the human brain pineal gland aged from 16 to 61 years (n=7). An immunohistochemical reaction was performed on sections of the pineal gland using antibodies to Iba-1 and TMEM119, the selective markers of microgliocytes. The frequency of occurrence of immunostained cells was analyzed using statistical methods. Results. It has been established that the majority of phagocytic cells of the structurally normal human pineal gland are not macrophages, but microgliocytes, which are represented by both resting and activated forms. Microglia in the human pineal gland are typically localized in connective tissue trabeculae, both at and away from blood vessels. Microgliocytes are also found in the parenchyma of the pineal gland among the hormone-synthesizing pinealocytes. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of Iba-1- and especially TMEM119-immunoreactive cells with aging. Conclusion. The present study is the first to examine microglial cells and macrophages in the human pineal gland. The prevalence of microglial cells over macrophages has been established. The morphological features and localization of the identified types of microglial cells indicate their participation primarily in immune defense, and also, probably, in the regulation of pinealocyte functions. In addition, data have been obtained indicating the participation of microglial cells in increasing inflammation in the human pineal gland during aging.

New Solution to 3D Projection in Human-like Binocular Vision

A human eye has about 120 million rod cells and 6 million cone cells. This huge number of light-sensing cells inside a human eye will continuously produce a huge quantity of visual signals that flow into the human brain for daily processing. However, the real-time processing of these visual signals does not cause excessive energy consumption by the human brain. This fact tells us the truth which is to say that human-like vision processes do not rely on complicated and expensive formulas to compute depth, displacement, and colors. On the other hand, the human eye is like a camera with pan-tilt (PT) motions. We all know that in computer vision, each set of PT parameters (i.e., coefficients of pan motion as well as tilt motion) requires a dedicated calibration to determine a camera’s projection matrix. Since there is an infinite number of PT parameters that could be produced by a human eye, it is unlikely that a human brain stores an infinite number of calibration matrices for each human eye. These observations inspire us to look for a simpler and computationally non-expensive solution which is to undertake three-dimensional (3D) projection in human-like binocular vision. In other words, it is an interesting question for us to answer, which is to say whether simpler and learning-friendly formulas for computing depth and displacement exist or not. If the answer is yes, these formulas must also be calibration-friendly (i.e., easy process on the fly or on the go). In this paper, we present an important discovery of a new solution to 3D projection in a human-like binocular vision system. This solution is computationally simpler and could be easily learned or calibrated on the fly. We know that the purpose of doing 3D projection in binocular vision is to undertake forward and inverse transformations (or mappings) between coordinates in 2D digital images and coordinates in a 3D analogue scene. The formulas underlying the new solution are accurate, easily computable, easily tunable (i.e., to be calibrated on the fly or on the go) and could be easily implemented by a neural system (i.e., a network of neurons or a network of computational flows). Experimental results have validated the newly derived formulas which are better than textbook solutions.

The effect of cinnamic acid derivative on the activity of mitochondrial enzymes in brain tissue under conditions of experimental Parkinson's disease

The aim: to evaluate the effect of cinnamic acid derivative on changes in mitochondrial enzymes activity in rats brain tissue under conditions of experimental Parkinson's disease. Materials and methods. Parkinson's disease was modeled in male Wistar rats by direct injection of rotenone solution (5 mg/ml) into the striatum. The analyzed compound 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tretbutyl cinnamic acid and the reference ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate were administered orally in equivalent doses (100 mg/kg) for 30 days from the moment of pathology modeling. Next, a brain supernatant was obtained by differential centrifugation, in which changes in the activity of enzymes: citrate synthase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase and aconitase were evaluated. The obtained results were processed statistically. During the analysis, the StatPlus 7.0 application software package was used. Results. During the study, it was found that the administration of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tretbutyl cinnamic acid to rats increased the activity of citrate synthase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase and aconitase relative to untreated animals by 109.7% (p0.05); 53.6% (p0.05); 65.0% (p0.05) and 63.1% (p0.05), respectively, whereas against the background of the use of the reference, the activity of these enzymes increased by 56.3% (p0.05); 57.7% (p0.05); 71.7% (p0.05) and 49.1% (p0.05), respectively. At the same time, the activity of citrate synthase in animals treated by 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tretbutyl cinnamic acid was higher than that in rats treated by the reference by 34.2% (p0.05). Conclusions. The study showed that the course administration of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tretbutyl cinnamic acid to animals with experimental Parkinson's disease is accompanied by an increase in the activity of mitochondrial enzymes, which may reflect the significant effect of this compound on the processes of mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy and generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.

3D Neurovascular Unit Tissue Model to Assess Responses to Traumatic Brain Injury.

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a critical interface in the central nervous system that links vascular interactions with glial and neural tissue. Disruption of the NVU has been linked to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Despite its significance the NVU remains challenging to study in a physiologically relevant manner. Here, a 3D cell triculture model of the NVU is developed that incorporates human primary brain microvascular endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes into a tissue system that can be sustained invitro for several weeks. This tissue model helps recapitulate the complexity of the NVU and can be used to interrogate the mechanisms of disease and cell-cell interactions. The NVU tissue model displays elevated cell death and inflammatory responses following mechanical damage, to emulate traumatic brain injury (TBI) under controlled laboratory conditions, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, elevated inflammatory markers TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant cytokines MCP-2 and MCP-3 and reduced expression of the tight junction marker ZO-1. This 3D tissue model serves as a tool for deciphering mechanisms of TBIs and immune responses associated with the NVU.

Deep-Learning-Based Segmentation of Cells and Analysis (DL-SCAN)

With the recent surge in the development of highly selective probes, fluorescence microscopy has become one of the most widely used approaches to studying cellular properties and signaling in living cells and tissues. Traditionally, microscopy image analysis heavily relies on manufacturer-supplied software, which often demands extensive training and lacks automation capabilities for handling diverse datasets. A critical challenge arises if the fluorophores employed exhibit low brightness and a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Consequently, manual intervention may become a necessity, introducing variability in the analysis outcomes even for identical samples when analyzed by different users. This leads to the incorporation of blinded analysis, which ensures that the outcome is free from user bias to a certain extent but is extremely time-consuming. To overcome these issues, we developed a tool called DL-SCAN that automatically segments and analyzes fluorophore-stained regions of interest such as cell bodies in fluorescence microscopy images using deep learning. We demonstrate the program’s ability to automate cell identification and study cellular ion dynamics using synthetic image stacks with varying SNR. This is followed by its application to experimental Na+ and Ca2+ imaging data from neurons and astrocytes in mouse brain tissue slices exposed to transient chemical ischemia. The results from DL-SCAN are consistent, reproducible, and free from user bias, allowing efficient and rapid analysis of experimental data in an objective manner. The open-source nature of the tool also provides room for modification and extension to analyze other forms of microscopy images specific to the dynamics of different ions in other cell types.

White matter functional networks in the developing brain

BackgroundFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is widely used to depict neural activity and understand human brain function. Studies show that functional networks in gray matter undergo complex transformations from neonatal age to childhood, supporting rapid cognitive development. However, white matter functional networks, given the much weaker fMRI signal, have not been characterized until recently, and changes in white matter functional networks in the developing brain remain unclear.PurposeAims to examine and compare white matter functional networks in neonates and 8-year-old children.MethodsWe acquired resting-state fMRI data on 69 full-term healthy neonates and 38 healthy 8-year-old children using a same imaging protocol and studied their brain white matter functional networks using a similar pipeline. First, we utilized the ICA method to extract white matter functional networks. Next, we analyzed the characteristics of the white matter functional networks from both time-domain and frequency-domain perspectives, specifically, intra-network functional connectivity (intra-network FC), inter-network functional connectivity (inter-network FC), and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF). Finally, the differences in the above functional networks’ characteristics between the two groups were evaluated. As a supplemental measure and to confirm with literature findings on gray matter functional network changes in the developing brain, we also studied and reported functional networks in gray matter.ResultsWhite matter functional networks in the developing brain can be depicted for both the neonates and the 8-year-old children. White matter intra-network FC within the optic radiations, corticospinal tract, and anterior corona radiata was lower in 8-year-old children compared to neonates (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Inter-network FC between cerebral peduncle (CP) and anterior corona radiation (ACR) was higher in 8-year-olds (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Additionally, 8-year-olds showed a greater distribution of brain activity energy in the high-frequency range of 0.01–0.15 Hz. Significant developmental differences in brain white matter functional networks exist between the two group, characterized by increased inter-network FC, decreased intra-network FC, and higher high-frequency energy distribution. Similar findings were also observed in gray matter functional networks.ConclusionWhite matter functional networks can be reliably measured in the developing brain, and the differences in these networks reflect functional differentiation and integration in brain development.

Approachability and Sensory Changes Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Pigs

Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global healthcare concern affecting millions, with wide-ranging symptoms including sensory and behavioral changes that can persist long-term. Due to similarities with human brain cytoarchitecture and inflammation, minipig models are advantageous for translational TBI research. However, gaps in knowledge exist regarding their behavioral and sensory sequelae following injury. Methods: Therefore, in this study, we assessed changes in approachability using a forced human approach task (FHAT) and mechanical nociception using the von Frey test in adult male and female Yucatan minipigs for up to one week following a sham or central fluid percussion injury (cFPI). Specifically, the FHAT assessed each animal’s response to a forced interaction with either a known or unknown experimenter. To evaluate changes in nociceptive sensory sensitivity, von Frey monofilaments ranging from 0.008 to 300 g of force were applied to the pinna of the ear or base of the tail. Results: We found that forced approachability was affected by experimenter familiarity as well as cFPI in a sex-specific manner at subacute timepoints. We also found reductions in sensitivity following cFPI on the ear in male minipigs and on the tail in female minipigs. Conclusion: Overall, the current study demonstrates that cFPI produces both behavioral and sensory changes in minipigs up to one-week post-injury.

Magnetic Induction Tomography for Brain Tissue Imaging Based on Conductivity Distribution for Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis

Parkinson's disease is a prevalent neurodegenerative complication defined by the accumulation of alpha synuclein lewy bodies in the brain. Misdiagnosis results widespread of Parkinson’s disease because clinical diagnosis is challenging, underlining a need of a better detection technique, such as non-invasive magnetic induction tomography (MIT) technique. Non-invasive techniques for biological tissues imaging are becoming popular in biomedical engineering field. Therefore, MIT technology as a non-invasive technique has been encouraged in a medical field due to its advancement of technology in diagnosing diseases. The measurement parameters in MIT are passive electromagnetic properties (conductivity, permittivity, permeability) for biological tissue and the most dominant parameter in MIT is conductivity properties. It is uses a phase shift between a primary magnetic field and an induced field caused by a target object's conductivity. As a function of conductivity, the phase shift between the applied and secondary fields is expressed. Thus, the phase shift can be used to characterize the conductivity of a target object. The phase shift between the excitation and induced magnetic fields (EMF and IMF) reflects the change in conductivity in biological tissues. This paper focuses on the virtual simulation by using COMSOL Multi-physics for the design and development of MIT system that emphasizes on single channel magnetic induction tomography for biological tissue (bran tissue) imaging based on conductivity distribution for Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. The develop system employs the use of excitation coils to induce an electromagnetic field (e.m.f) in the brain tissue, which is then measured at the receiving side by sensors. The proposed system is capable of indicating Parkinson’s disease based on conductivity distribution. This method provides the valuable information of the brain abnormality based on differences of conductivities of normal brain and Parkinson’s disease brain tissues.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) levels in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex are negatively associated with food motivation in a pediatric sample

Food motivation varies between individuals, affecting body weight and risk for eating disorders. Prior neuroimaging studies in youth and adults have revealed functional and structural alterations in the anterior cingulate cortex [ACC] in those with obesity and disordered eating but have not investigated their neurochemical underpinnings. In a sample of 37 children aged 4 to 13 years old, we used Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy [MRS] to assess levels of γ-aminobutyric acid [GABA] – the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain – quantified relative to creatine in a 27-ml voxel including the dorsal ACC. We used the CEBQ to assess trait food motivation. In analyses adjusting for age, lower GABA+/Cr levels in the dorsal ACC were associated with higher trait enjoyment of food. Higher enjoyment of food scores were in turn associated with higher energy intake during an ad libitum test meal and during a postprandial task assessing intake in the absence of hunger, and higher body weight. Our results indicate a role for GABA function in the dorsal ACC in determining individual variation in food motivation in children.