Event-related Potentials Parameters Research Articles

Alignment of behaviour and tDCS stimulation site induces maximum response: evidence from online tDCS and ERP

tDCS modulates the activity of the neuronal networks to induce the desired behavioural changes. Two factors determine its effectiveness- (1) whether the network being stimulated is relevant to the task, and (2) if there is a scope for improvement in behavioral performance. To explore this, both dorsal (sub-lexical) and ventral (lexical) reading networks were stimulated (20 min, 2 mA) in 25 healthy young volunteers. Participants performed two reading tasks with different levels of lexical involvement: word fragment completion tasks (WCT) and word association tasks (WAT), while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded simultaneously. The study used a within-subject design over three sessions, comparing various electrode montages targeting the dorsal pathway's left inferior parietal lobule or the ventral reading pathway's left middle temporal lobule, as well as sham stimulation. The impact of tDCS sessions (dorsal, ventral, & sham) and task type (WCT & WAT) on priming effects (primed vs. unprimed) of behavioral performance (accuracy and reaction times), and ERP parameters (N400 amplitudes and latencies) were statistically analyzed.It was found that tDCS modulated the performance of WAT only (a task with a lower priming effect). The failure to modulate WCT (larger priming effect) indicated that tDCS was effective for conditions with room for improvement compared to a task where performance has reached the ceiling. Ventral stimulation enhanced accuracy in the WAT condition and shortened the N400 latency of the priming effect. In contrast, dorsal stimulation delayed the priming effect reaction time in the WAT condition and enhanced the N400 amplitude. To conclude, enhancement in performance due to tDCS occurs when the network (ventral) being stimulated aligns with the cognitive demands of the task and there is a scope for improvement.

ERP Parameters of the Formation of the Skill of Distinguishing Short Time Intervals

A method including registration of an electroencephalogram (EEG) has been developed and tested to study the processes of acquisition/improvement of a skill. The method is based on the Signal Detection Theory. The experimental task was to distinguish of short time intervals. The psychophysiological data of 10 study participants (learning group) from the total sample (N = 28) were analyzed. Typical components of event-related potentials (ERPs) during the presentation of the estimated signal were identified. Time-amplitude characteristics of the components were analyzed. The results obtained are discussed from a system-evolutionary approach.

Short-term transcutaneous trigeminal nerve stimulation does not affect visual oddball task and paired-click paradigm ERP responses in healthy volunteers

Recent research suggests that transcutaneous trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) may positively affect cognitive function. However, no clear-cut evidence is available yet, since the majority of it derives from clinical studies, and the few data on healthy subjects show inconsistent results. In this study, we report the effects of short-term TNS on event-related potentials (ERP) recorded during the administration of a simple visual oddball task and a paired-click paradigm, both considered useful for studying brain information processing functions. Thirty-two healthy subjects underwent EEG recording before and after 20min of sham- or real-TNS, delivered bilaterally to the infraorbital nerve. The amplitude and latency of P200 and P300 waves in the simple visual oddball task and P50, N100 and P200 waves in the paired-click paradigm were measured before and after treatment. Our results show that short-term TNS did not alter any of the ERP parameters measured, suggesting that in healthy subjects, short-term TNS may not affect brain processes involved in cognitive functions such as pre-attentional processes, early allocation of attention and immediate memory. The perspective of having an effective, non-pharmacological, non-invasive, and safe treatment option for cognitive decline is particularly appealing; therefore, more research on the positive effects on cognition of TNS is definitely needed.

Tensor factorization approach for ERP-based assessment of schizotypy in a novel auditory oddball task on perceived family stress

Objective. Schizotypy, a potential phenotype for schizophrenia, is a personality trait that depicts psychosis-like signs in the normal range of psychosis continuum. Family communication may affect the social functioning of people with schizotypy. Greater family stress, such as irritability, criticism and less praise, is perceived at a higher level of schizotypy. This study aims to determine the differences between people with high and low levels of schizotypy using electroencephalography (EEG) during criticism, praise and neutral comments. EEGs were recorded from 29 participants in the general community who varied from low schizotypy to high schizotypy (HS) during a novel emotional auditory oddball task. Approach. We consider the difference in event-related potential parameters, namely the amplitude and latency of P300 subcomponents (P3a and P3b), between pairs of target words (standard, positive, negative and neutral). A model based on tensor factorization is then proposed to detect these components from the EEG using the CANDECOMP/PARAFAC decomposition technique. Finally, we employ the mutual information estimation method to select influential features for classification. Main results. The highest classification accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 93.1%, 94.73%, and 90% are obtained via leave-one-out cross validation. Significance. This is the first attempt to investigate the identification of individuals with psychometrically-defined HS from brain responses that are specifically associated with perceiving family stress and schizotypy. By measuring these brain responses to social stress, we achieve the goal of improving the accuracy in detection of early episodes of psychosis.

Assessing Neurocognition (P300) and Correlating Them to Depression Rating Scales in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder.

Major depression is a chronic condition that may affect cognition. Cognitive disturbances may affect clinical scales used to assess the severity of depression. To find an association between cognitive disturbance as objectively recorded using event-related potentials (P300) with the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) and Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) in newly diagnosed cases of major depression. A cross-sectional study with a sample size of 46 diagnosed cases of major depression. The assessment was done using the HAM-Dand MADRS. The P300 assessment was done with the auditory oddball paradigm using the Nihon Kohden NCV-SMG-EP system (Tokyo, Japan). Pearson correlation analysis was used to study the association between various parameters of P300 and the HAM-D and MADRS depression rating scales. A significant correlation was found between A21- P300 amplitude Cz and the MADRS score. No significant correlation was seen between other P300 parameters and HAM-D and MADRS scales. As the results were objectively recorded using various parameters of event-related potentials (P300), cognitive impairment was not significantly associated with depression rating scales i.e., the HAM-D and MADRS scores.

Sleep architecture and emotional inhibition processing in adolescents hospitalized during a suicidal crisis.

BackgroundSuicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents. Sleep disturbances could alter inhibitory processes and contribute to dangerous behaviors in this critical developmental period. Adolescents in suicidal crisis have been shown to have lighter sleep compared to healthy controls. Additionally, suicidal adolescents have lower neural resources mobilized by emotionally charged inhibition processing. The present exploratory study aimed to determine how sleep architecture in suicidal adolescents may relate to inhibition processing in response to emotional stimuli.MethodsTen adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and who attempted suicide were recruited while hospitalized for a suicidal crisis in a psychiatric inpatient unit. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded prior to bedtime during a Go/NoGo task involving pictures of sad, happy, and neutral faces. Polysomnography was then recorded throughout the night. Pearson correlations were conducted to investigate how inhibition performance and ERP parameters reflecting inhibition processing (i.e., P3d and N2d derived from difference waveform calculated as NoGo minus Go trials) relate to sleep architecture.ResultsPoorer inhibition accuracy in response to emotional stimuli was significantly correlated with shorter REM sleep latency, higher REM sleep, and more frequent nocturnal awakenings. The P3d in response to sad faces was negatively correlated with NREM2 sleep and positively correlated with NREM3 sleep. No such association with the P3d was found for happy or neutral stimuli. There were no significant correlations for the N2d.ConclusionAltered sleep in adolescents with depression who are in a suicidal crisisis associated with behavioral inhibition difficulties and fewer neural resources mobilized by inhibitory processes in emotionally charged contexts. This highlights the importance of addressing sleep disturbances while managing suicidal crises in adolescents.

The Development and Neurophysiological Assessment of Newborn Auditory Cognition: A Review of Findings and Their Application.

This review article introduces the basic principles of infants' neurophysiology, while summarizing the core knowledge of the anatomical structure of the auditory pathway, and presents previous findings on newborns' neural speech processing and suggests their possible applications for clinical practice. In order to tap into the functioning of the auditory pathway in newborns, recent approaches have employed electrophysiological techniques that measure electrical activity of the brain. The neural processing of an incoming auditory stimulus is objectively reflected by means of auditory event-related potentials. The newborn's nervous system processes the incoming sound, and the associated electrical activity of the brain is measured and extracted as components characterized by amplitude, latency, and polarity. Based on the parameters of event-related potentials, it is possible to assess the maturity of a child's brain, or to identify a pathology that needs to be treated or mitigated. For instance, in children with a cochlear implant, auditory event-related potentials are employed to evaluate an outcome of the implantation procedure and to monitor the development of hearing. Event-related potentials turn out to be an irreplaceable part of neurodevelopmental care for high-risk children e.g., preterm babies, children with learning disabilities, autism and many other risk factors.

The evaluation of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with event-related potentials and magnetic resonance spectroscopy and its relation to cognitive function

Thyroid dysfunction is very often accompanied by cognitive and affective disorders. The frequency of these disorders in patients with compensated Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate brain dysfunction in euthyroid HT patients by means of event-related potentials (ERP) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and to correlate it with cognitive function. 68 patients with HT (59 female, 9 male) and 45 healthy controls were included in the study. All the patients underwent ERP including an analysis of N200 and P300 response parameters. MRS voxels were located in the posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG) and the left parietal white matter (PWM). The NAA/Cr, mI/Cr, and Cho/Cr ratios were analysed. The ERP parameters, MRS metabolite ratios and hormonal concentrations (TSH, fT3, fT4) as well as TGAb and TPOAb titer were also correlated. There was a significant prolongation of the latencies of N200 and P300 potentials and a significant decrease of P300 amplitude in HT patients than in the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between the mI/Cr ratio in the PCG area and P300 latencies. NAA/Cr ratio in the PCG region showed significant negative correlations with all N200 latencies. The results may suggest brain dysfunction in neurologically asymptomatic HT patients. ERPs undergo significant changes in patients with HT and may, in combination with MRS, constitute an important element in the recognition and monitoring of cognitive functions in this group of patients.

Event related potentials (ERPs) to assess the tinnitus complaint during drug treatment.

Previous studies have shown that the attention given to tinnitus can be a determinant of tinnitus severity. Some of these studies have shown changes in the amplitude and/or latency parameters of the event-related auditory potentials (ERPs). One of the tools previously employed to investigate an individual's attention is the Event Related Potential (ERP), which reflects the amount of attention from the patient to the provided auditory stimuli. To verify if the use of central and peripheral drugs tested for the treatment of tinnitus present changes in the measurable parameters of event-related potentials when compared to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Eighty-eight tinnitus patients were randomly sorted into two drug groups: (1) drugs with a central action mechanism and (2) drug with peripheral action mechanism. Their effects upon the negative aspects caused by tinnitus symptoms were evaluated by the ERPs during three periods: Premedication (T1), at Termination of the drug treatment (T2), and following the Washout period (T3), and then compared with the results from the THI questionnaire and VAS. ERP waves in both groups did not demonstrate significant differences during the three evaluated periods (P=0.53), despite the significant improvement seen through the evaluation by the THI questionnaire and VAS for tinnitus annoyance and intensity (P<0.0001). The use of ERPs with patients of chronic tinnitus who have been submitted to treatment using drugs having actions on both the CNS and peripheral auditory system did not present changes in either latency or amplitude of the waves throughout the treatment when compared to the THI questionnaire and VAS. The ERPs cannot be considered as criterion to evaluate the evolution of drug treatment in patients complaining of tinnitus. The statistically significant reduction in THI and VAS scores among all drugs used occurred with dopamine antagonists. Considering the possible antipsychotic effects, we can conclude that the concomitance of a variety of psychopathological conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder may be associated with tinnitus in some patients and may be responsible for the severity of the symptom.

Cognitive Event-Related Potentials–The P300 Wave Is a Prognostic Factor of Long-Term Disability Progression in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder with a variable course. The aim of our study was to find out whether cognitive event-related potentials are prognostic for patient disability at the 15-year follow-up. In the observed cohort of patients with MS, we examined the event-related potentials at baseline (2003). Functional status (Expanded Disability Status Scale score) was then assessed 15 years later, and the prognostic model was developed using binary logistic regression analysis. The independent variables included demographic (age, sex, and education), clinical (disability in 2003), radiologic (MRI lesion load), and event-related potentials parameters. The prognostic accuracy of the proposed model was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve. The study sample consisted of 85 patients with MS. The mean age was 35.5 (SD, 11.2) years, and the median disability score was 3.0 (1-7) in 2003 and 5.0 (1.5-9.5) in 2018. The significant prognostic factors of poor Expanded Disability Status Scale are higher baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale, longer MS duration, and prolonged P300 latency. The sensitivity and specificity of the cutoff at 5.0 for the disability score were 94% and 89%, respectively, with the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.889-0.984; P < 0.001). The results show that out of event-related potentials, the P300 wave latency is a prognostic of long-term disability progression in patients with MS.

Association between categorization of emotionally-charged and neutral visual scenes and parameters of event-related potentials in carriers of different COMT, HTR2A, BDNF gene genotypes.

Background:This study aimed to discover the association between parameters of event-related potentials (ERPs) and categorization of images of visual scenes, both emotionally-charged and neutral, in carriers of different genotypes of the COMT, HTR2A, BDNF genes. Methods:Electroencephalogram (EEG) and ERPs were recorded at 128 leads, with two ear referents. Images of different visual scenes were presented to the study participants sequentially on a monitor screen. The participants' task was to examine these images and indicate what emotions (negative, neutral or positive) they elicit. Comparison of event-related potentials was carried out using unpaired Student t-test in EEGLAB toolbox. Results:COMT. A stronger reaction, as reflected in the amplitude of the ERPs, in participants with the recessive homozygous Met/Met genotype was observed on latency around 200 ms to the stimuli, assessed as positive. Carriers of dominant homozygous Val/Val genotype had higher amplitude of 200 ms peak when assessed scene images as either neutral or negative in comparison to other genotypes. Participant with the Val/Met heterozygous genotype had higher amplitude of ERP that Met/Met group on same latency when assessed stimuli as negative. HTR2A . Significant increase in negativity in the parietal-occipital regions revealed in the range of 350-420 ms in participants with the recessive homozygous A/A genotype when choosing any type of assessment, compared to carriers of the heterozygous genotype A/G and the dominant homozygous G/G genotype. BDNF. Participants with Val/Val genotype categorized the visual images more thoroughly, as reflected in greater activation of the parietal-occipital zones and higher amplitude on ERP peak on 190 ms (negative assessment) and 160 ms (neutral assessment) then Val/Met carriers. Conclusions:The COMT, HTR2A, BDNF gene different genotypes are associated with the process of categorizing emotionally charged and neutral visual scenes, and this relationship is reflected in the ERP parameters.

Association between categorization of emotionally-charged and neutral visual scenes and parameters of event-related potentials in carriers of different COMT, HTR2A, BDNF gene genotypes

Background: This study aimed to discover the association between parameters of event-related potentials (ERPs) and categorization of images of visual scenes, both emotionally-charged and neutral, in carriers of different genotypes of the COMT, HTR2A, BDNF genes. Methods: Electroencephalogram (EEG) and ERPs were recorded at 128 leads, with two ear referents. Images of different visual scenes were presented to the study participants sequentially on a monitor screen. The participants’ task was to examine these images and indicate what emotions (negative, neutral or positive) they elicit. Comparison of event-related potentials was carried out using unpaired Student t-test in EEGLAB toolbox. Results: COMT. A stronger reaction, as reflected in the amplitude of the ERPs, in participants with the recessive homozygous Met/Met genotype was observed on latency around 200 ms to the stimuli, assessed as positive. Carriers of dominant homozygous Val/Val genotype had higher amplitude of 200 ms peak when assessed scene images as either neutral or negative in comparison to other genotypes. Participant with the Val/Met heterozygous genotype had higher amplitude of ERP that Met/Met group on same latency when assessed stimuli as negative. HTR2A . Significant increase in negativity in the parietal-occipital regions revealed in the range of 350-420 ms in participants with the recessive homozygous A/A genotype when choosing any type of assessment, compared to carriers of the heterozygous genotype A/G and the dominant homozygous G/G genotype. BDNF. Participants with Val/Val genotype categorized the visual images more thoroughly, as reflected in greater activation of the parietal-occipital zones and higher amplitude on ERP peak on 190 ms (negative assessment) and 160 ms (neutral assessment) then Val/Met carriers. Conclusions: The COMT, HTR2A, BDNF gene different genotypes are associated with the process of categorizing emotionally charged and neutral visual scenes, and this relationship is reflected in the ERP parameters.

Escitalopram with or without combined electroacupuncture on protracted alcohol withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) among male inpatients with alcohol dependence: 艾司西酞普兰联合或不联合电针对男性酒依赖住院患者稽延性戒断症状的干预研究

ObjectiveThis study is conducted to investigate the effects differences of escitalopram with or without combined electroacupuncture (EA) among male inpatients with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence and comorbid protracted alcohol withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). MethodsA total of 62 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in a two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, patients-blind trial and allocated to an escitalopram with real-EA group (real-EA group, patients= 31) and an escitalopram with sham-EA group (sham-EA group, patients= 31), respectively. In addition to the oral administration of escitalopram for total four weeks, patients in each group received corresponding EA treatment five days per week and two days off for consecutive four weeks. Both serum homocysteine (Hcy) test and electrophysiological tests, including event-related potentials (ERPs) and exploratory eye movement (EEM) were performed at pre- and post-treatment. Additionally, the global scores of Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), 17-items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used for assessing the subjective emotion experience of patients, respectively. Meanwhile, adverse effects were monitored and recorded. ResultsAfter four-week treatment, the global scores of PACS and HAMD-17 declined significantly in both groups (both P<0.05). Furthermore, the decline in the real-EA group was superior to that in the sham-EA group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the total scores of HAMA only decreased in the real-EA group (P<0.05) but not in the sham-EA group (P>0.05). According to the parameters of ERPs, significant declines for N2PL, P3PL, and P3amp were observed in both two groups (all P<0.05), and the decreases for P3PL and P3amp in the real-EA group was much superior to that in the sham-EA group (both P<0.05). According to the parameters of EEM, significant increase for NEF was observed only in the real-EA group (P<0.05). Besides, there was a dramatic decline for serum Hcy level only in the real-EA group (P<0.05). One case in the sham-EA group withdrew from the trial due to self-reported nausea and bitter taste, and outcomes of the remaining 61 patients were adopted for analysis. Conclusion(1) Escitalopram with EA may be a potential alternative therapy for mitigating PAWS among male inpatients with alcohol dependence. (2) Escitalopram with EA might improve the alcohol-dependence induced cognitive dysfunctions via upregulating the expression of Hcy.

Association between categorization of emotionally-charged and neutral visual scenes and parameters of event-related potentials in carriers of COMT, HTR2A, BDNF gene polymorphisms.

Background:This study aimed to discover the association between parameters of event-related potentials (ERPs) and categorization of images of visual scenes, both emotionally-charged and neutral, in carriers of polymorphisms of the COMT, HTR2A, BDNF genes. Methods:Electroencephalogram (EEG) and ERPs were recorded at 128 leads, with two ear referents. Images of different visual scenes were presented to the study participants sequentially on a monitor screen. The participants' task was to examine these images and indicate what emotions (negative, neutral or positive) they elicit. Comparison of event-related potentials was carried out using unpaired Student t-test in EEGLAB toolbox. Results:COMT. A stronger reaction, as reflected in the amplitude of the ERPs, in participants with the recessive homozygous Met/Met genotype was observed on latency around 200 ms to the stimuli, assessed as positive. Carriers of dominant homozygous Val/Val genotype had higher amplitude of 200 ms peak when assessed scene images as either neutral or negative in comparison to other genotypes. Participant with the Val/Met heterozygous genotype had higher amplitude of ERP that Met/Met group on same latency when assessed stimuli as negative. HTR2A . Significant increase in negativity in the parietal-occipital regions revealed in the range of 350-420 ms in participants with the recessive homozygous A/A genotype when choosing any type of assessment, compared to carriers of the heterozygous genotype A/G and the dominant homozygous G/G genotype. BDNF. Participants with Val/Val genotype categorized the visual images more thoroughly, as reflected in greater activation of the parietal-occipital zones and higher amplitude on ERP peak on 190 ms (negative assessment) and 160 ms (neutral assessment) then Val/Met carriers. Conclusions:The COMT, HTR2A, BDNF gene polymorphisms are associated with the process of categorizing emotionally charged and neutral visual scenes, and this relationship is reflected in the ERP parameters.

Role of visual P300 in cognitive assessment of subacute stroke patients: a longitudinal study

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess if pre- and post- event related potentials (ERPs) components after visual stimulation training admitted differences exist in subacute stroke patients and to observe the outcome markers of cognitive functions recovery by using Neurowave system.Materials and Methods: Eighteen ischemic subacute stroke patients were enrolled and underwent to neuropsychological evaluation and ERPs recording at two time points, at baseline (T0) and after 3 months from (T1). All patients were stimulated with customized images for three days a week.Findings: Intra group analysis showed a significance difference in ERPs parameters and neuropsychological tests. Correlation analysis showed a significant relation between neuropsychological and ERP values.Conclusion: Our findings confirm that P300 ERPs’ component could be a predictive marker for cognitive recovery of ischemic subacute stroke patients. Intensive programs of neurosensory stimulation could facilitate recovery of cognitive and attentive functions in subacute cerebrovascular disease.

P.285 The substance use intervention team: Preliminary analysis of a population-level strategy addressing the opioid crisis at an academic medical center

This study is conducted to investigate the effects differences of escitalopram with or without combined electroacupuncture (EA) among male inpatients with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence and comorbid protracted alcohol withdrawal symptoms (PAWS).A total of 62 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in a two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, patients-blind trial and allocated to an escitalopram with real-EA group (real-EA group, patients= 31) and an escitalopram with sham-EA group (sham-EA group, patients= 31), respectively. In addition to the oral administration of escitalopram for total four weeks, patients in each group received corresponding EA treatment five days per week and two days off for consecutive four weeks. Both serum homocysteine (Hcy) test and electrophysiological tests, including event-related potentials (ERPs) and exploratory eye movement (EEM) were performed at pre- and post-treatment. Additionally, the global scores of Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), 17-items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used for assessing the subjective emotion experience of patients, respectively. Meanwhile, adverse effects were monitored and recorded.After four-week treatment, the global scores of PACS and HAMD-17 declined significantly in both groups (both P<0.05). Furthermore, the decline in the real-EA group was superior to that in the sham-EA group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the total scores of HAMA only decreased in the real-EA group (P<0.05) but not in the sham-EA group (P>0.05). According to the parameters of ERPs, significant declines for N2PL, P3PL, and P3amp were observed in both two groups (all P<0.05), and the decreases for P3PL and P3amp in the real-EA group was much superior to that in the sham-EA group (both P<0.05). According to the parameters of EEM, significant increase for NEF was observed only in the real-EA group (P<0.05). Besides, there was a dramatic decline for serum Hcy level only in the real-EA group (P<0.05). One case in the sham-EA group withdrew from the trial due to self-reported nausea and bitter taste, and outcomes of the remaining 61 patients were adopted for analysis.(1) Escitalopram with EA may be a potential alternative therapy for mitigating PAWS among male inpatients with alcohol dependence. (2) Escitalopram with EA might improve the alcohol-dependence induced cognitive dysfunctions via upregulating the expression of Hcy.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NEUROFEEDBACK IN AMELIORATING CHRONIC POST-RAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

The aim of our research was to evaluate the effectiveness of neurofeedback in reducing the symptoms of chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a patient who had developed the syndrome following a recurrence of sphenoid wing meningioma (SOM). EEG spectra and event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to construct an individual neurofeedback protocol and to provide objective monitoring of treatment efficacy. The patient, a 34-year-old female, was diagnosed with a sphenoid wing meningioma (SOM), which had been successfully operated. Three years later, however, the SOM had overgrown at the optic foramen and extended into the optic canal, and the patient had developed blurred vision. She was repeatedly operated, and recovered well. However, due to the recurrence she developed flashbacks, anxiety and sleep difficulties, such that she was unable to continue working in her profession. The symptoms had been occurring for 4 months. ERPs in a cued NOGO task, along with EEG spectra in the resting state and during task performance were used to assess brain functioning, providing the basis for a neurofeedback protocol. Twenty sessions of individually tailored neurofeedback were performed. The patient experienced a reduction of symptoms, accompanied by normalization of ERPs parameters. The results obtained in this case point to the possible benefits of individually tailored neurofeedback protocols in the treatment of PTSD.

Event-Related Potentials in Response to Facial Affect Recognition in Patients with Schizophrenia

In the identification of face expressions related to certain emotions, certain parameters of event-related potentials (ERPs) can be interpreted as the respective indices. Patients with schizophrenia exhibit deficits in facial affect recognition at both behavioral and neural levels. We examined face expression-sensitive ERP components, N170 and N250, which are mostly related to encoding and decoding of the facial emotions, respectively, in 10 patients with schizophrenia and 10 healthy adults matched in age and gender. The mean amplitude and peak latency of the N170 and N250 waveforms, induced by visual stimuli in the form of happy, sad, fearful, and neutral face images, were measured and compared in these two groups. In the patient group, the mean amplitude of the N250 was higher in the right hemisphere (–1.402 mV on average) compared to that in the left hemisphere (–0.814 mV). The independent-sample t-test revealed that the N250 latencies were significantly longer in the patient group compared to those in the normal group for all four emotions. We, however, find no significant differences in the mean amplitude and peak latency of the N170 waveform between the two groups. Our study shows that decoding of the facial expressions in patients with schizophrenia is clearly impaired, which may contribute to cognitive and behavioral symptoms of the disease.

Effects of CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms on the efficacy and safety of fluvoxamine in patients with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder

This study is conducted to investigate the effects differences of escitalopram with or without combined electroacupuncture (EA) among male inpatients with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence and comorbid protracted alcohol withdrawal symptoms (PAWS).A total of 62 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in a two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, patients-blind trial and allocated to an escitalopram with real-EA group (real-EA group, patients= 31) and an escitalopram with sham-EA group (sham-EA group, patients= 31), respectively. In addition to the oral administration of escitalopram for total four weeks, patients in each group received corresponding EA treatment five days per week and two days off for consecutive four weeks. Both serum homocysteine (Hcy) test and electrophysiological tests, including event-related potentials (ERPs) and exploratory eye movement (EEM) were performed at pre- and post-treatment. Additionally, the global scores of Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), 17-items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used for assessing the subjective emotion experience of patients, respectively. Meanwhile, adverse effects were monitored and recorded.After four-week treatment, the global scores of PACS and HAMD-17 declined significantly in both groups (both P<0.05). Furthermore, the decline in the real-EA group was superior to that in the sham-EA group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the total scores of HAMA only decreased in the real-EA group (P<0.05) but not in the sham-EA group (P>0.05). According to the parameters of ERPs, significant declines for N2PL, P3PL, and P3amp were observed in both two groups (all P<0.05), and the decreases for P3PL and P3amp in the real-EA group was much superior to that in the sham-EA group (both P<0.05). According to the parameters of EEM, significant increase for NEF was observed only in the real-EA group (P<0.05). Besides, there was a dramatic decline for serum Hcy level only in the real-EA group (P<0.05). One case in the sham-EA group withdrew from the trial due to self-reported nausea and bitter taste, and outcomes of the remaining 61 patients were adopted for analysis.(1) Escitalopram with EA may be a potential alternative therapy for mitigating PAWS among male inpatients with alcohol dependence. (2) Escitalopram with EA might improve the alcohol-dependence induced cognitive dysfunctions via upregulating the expression of Hcy.

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics in a mental health unit: pre and post-treatment analysis

This study is conducted to investigate the effects differences of escitalopram with or without combined electroacupuncture (EA) among male inpatients with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence and comorbid protracted alcohol withdrawal symptoms (PAWS).A total of 62 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in a two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, patients-blind trial and allocated to an escitalopram with real-EA group (real-EA group, patients= 31) and an escitalopram with sham-EA group (sham-EA group, patients= 31), respectively. In addition to the oral administration of escitalopram for total four weeks, patients in each group received corresponding EA treatment five days per week and two days off for consecutive four weeks. Both serum homocysteine (Hcy) test and electrophysiological tests, including event-related potentials (ERPs) and exploratory eye movement (EEM) were performed at pre- and post-treatment. Additionally, the global scores of Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), 17-items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used for assessing the subjective emotion experience of patients, respectively. Meanwhile, adverse effects were monitored and recorded.After four-week treatment, the global scores of PACS and HAMD-17 declined significantly in both groups (both P<0.05). Furthermore, the decline in the real-EA group was superior to that in the sham-EA group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the total scores of HAMA only decreased in the real-EA group (P<0.05) but not in the sham-EA group (P>0.05). According to the parameters of ERPs, significant declines for N2PL, P3PL, and P3amp were observed in both two groups (all P<0.05), and the decreases for P3PL and P3amp in the real-EA group was much superior to that in the sham-EA group (both P<0.05). According to the parameters of EEM, significant increase for NEF was observed only in the real-EA group (P<0.05). Besides, there was a dramatic decline for serum Hcy level only in the real-EA group (P<0.05). One case in the sham-EA group withdrew from the trial due to self-reported nausea and bitter taste, and outcomes of the remaining 61 patients were adopted for analysis.(1) Escitalopram with EA may be a potential alternative therapy for mitigating PAWS among male inpatients with alcohol dependence. (2) Escitalopram with EA might improve the alcohol-dependence induced cognitive dysfunctions via upregulating the expression of Hcy.