Cerebral Hemispheres Research Articles

Association of Initial Side of Brain Atrophy With Clinical Features and Disease Progression in Patients With GRN Frontotemporal Dementia.

Pathogenic variants in the GRN gene cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD-GRN) with marked brain asymmetry. This study aims to assess whether the disease progression of FTD-GRN depends on the initial side of the atrophy. We also investigated the potential use of brain asymmetry as a biomarker of the disease. Retrospective examination of data from the prospective Genetic Frontotemporal Initiative (GENFI) cohort study that recruits individuals who carry or were at risk of carrying a pathogenic variant causing FTD. GENFI participants underwent a standardized clinical and neuropsychological assessment, MRI, and a blood sample test yearly. We generated an asymmetry index for brain MRI to characterize brain asymmetry in participants with or at risk of FTD-GRN. Depending on the side of the asymmetry, we classified symptomatic GRN patients as right-GRN or left-GRN and compared their clinical features and disease progression. We generated generalized additive models to study how the asymmetry index evolves in carriers and noncarriers and compare its models with others created with volumetric values and plasma neurofilament light chain. A total of 399 participants (mean age 49.7 years, 59% female) were included (63 symptomatic carriers, 177 presymptomatic carriers, and 159 noncarriers). Symptomatic carriers showed higher brain asymmetry (11.6) than noncarriers (1.0, p < 0.001) and presymptomatic carriers (1.0, p < 0.001), making it possible to classify most of them as right-GRN (n = 21) or left-GRN (n = 36). Patients with right-GRN showed more disease severity at baseline (β = 6.9, 95% CI 2.4-11.0, p = 0.003) but a lower deterioration by year (β = -1.5, 95% CI -2.7 to -0.31, p = 0.015) than patients with left-GRN. Brain asymmetry could be found in GRN carriers 10.4 years before the onset of the symptoms (standard difference 0.85, CI 0.01-1.68). FTD-GRN affects the brain hemispheres asymmetrically and causes 2 anatomical asymmetry patterns depending on the side of the disease onset. We demonstrated that these 2 anatomical asymmetry patterns present different symptoms, severity at the time of the first visit, and different disease courses. Our results also suggest brain asymmetry as a possible biomarker of conversion in GRN carriers.

Altered Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Signal Stability in the Brain of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder Undergoing Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, relapse-prone psychiatric disorder with unknown pathogenesis. Previous studies on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging of MDD have mostly focused on the spontaneous activity of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals; however, a few studies have investigated BOLD signal stability. Methods: We conducted a resting-state functional study in 42 patients with MDD and 42 healthy controls (HC) matched for age and sex. This included the BOLD signal stability, resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) analysis, correlation analysis, and support vector machine (SVM) analysis. Results: The BOLD signal stability of the left fusiform gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, right temporal pole superior temporal gyrus, and left thalamus was significantly lower in the MDD group compared to the HC group. Further RSFC analysis revealed that the connectivity between right inferior temporal gyrus and both left inferior temporal gyrus and left supramarginal gyrus was significantly reduced in the MDD group. Additionally, the RSFC levels of left thalamus and right thalamus were decreased. Combining BOLD signal stability and RSFC, the SVM-based classification model achieved an accuracy of 80.95% (sensitivity: 78.57%; specificity: 83.33%; receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve: 0.8793). Conclusion: The integration of the BOLD signal stability index and RSFC index demonstrates a robust capability to differentiate between individuals with MDD and HC subjects. We tentatively believe that a combination of the BOLD signal stability index and RSFC can be used to diagnose MDD.

The lung-brain axis: genetic evidence for causal effects of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis on brain structure.

Previous studies have indicated Asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may influence brain structure. However, it remains unclear whether these three airway conditions cause brain structural changes and which specific brain regions are affected. We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal effect of AR, CRS, and asthma on brain structure. Reverse MR was conducted to investigate potential impact of changes in brain structure on AR, CRS, and asthma. Additionally, to enhance our understanding of the lung-brain axis, we examined bidirectional relationships between Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, major depression, neuroticism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and these three respiratory disorders Findings: The genetically predicted CRS could reduce the surface area in the banks of the superior temporal sulcus, paracentral, and superior frontal. Asthma had an association with a decrease in the surface area of the entorhinal, fusiform, and temporal pole, as well as a reduction in the volume of amygdala. Asthma could also increase the thickness of pericalcarine. Reverse MR showed that changes in the surface area of pars opercularis and thickness of entorhinal cortex had a potential effect on CRS. Besides, bidirectional MR between 3 airway disorders and 6 neuropsychiatric disorders indicated neuroticism could raised risk for asthma, and major depression could increased the risk of CRS and asthma Conclusion: Our MR analysis revealed a potential causal relationship among CRS, asthma, and atrophy in specific functional areas of the human brain, supporting the existence of a lung-brain axis.

Histomorphological and Comparative Study for Cerebral Cortex Thickness and Length of Brain in Neonate of Human (Statistical and histomorphological investication)

Twenty five specimens of tissue brain at age 1-28 days after birth, were used, put in 10% formalin for fixation , then excised from the skull, for twenty hour . Samples of 0.5 cm3 thickness from frontal ,parietal ,temporal and occipital lobes are put in the fixative formalin ten percentage and then obtained for histological technique and finally stained by (H&amp;E). The presented results were based on the analysis of a samples of 25 neonatal corps. The samples were further classified into 2 age groups, first 2 weeks of life with a sample size of 10 brain and the second was 15-28 days of age with a sample size of 15 brain. The antero-posterior cranial length was measured. In addition of the thickness of each of the 4 brain lobes were measured in triplicates and the mean of these 3 samples repeated measurements was used for comparison. The mean frontal lobe thickness ranged between 2.42 to 3.72 mm in the first group or younger age and between 3.11 to 4.28 mm in the second group or older age. The mean of frontal lobe thickness was significantly higher in older age (3.67 mm) compared to younger age (3.05mm). The mean difference in frontal lobe thickness of (0.62 mm) was evaluated as a large difference (Cohen’s d &gt; 0.8). The histological result demonstrated that the parietal and frontal lobes were lo ated at the anterior and lateral cerebral hemisphere and the brain cortex composed by six layers and these are outer molecular and granular . external and inner pyramidal neurons external pyramidal, internal granular, internal pyramidal and polymorphic layers.

MONITORING MUSICAL DEVELOPMENTOF CHILDREN OF THE THIRD YEAR OF LIFE,TAKING INTO ACCOUNT HOLISTIC THINKING

The article discusses the concept of functional asymmetry of the child’s cerebral hemispheres and the universal developmental paradigm. The universal developmental paradigm means that the characteristic of the world in which we exist is its duality, its division into right and left, light and dark, good and evil... It is thinking, as a function of the human mind, that can be considered the essence of man - a fundamentally intelligent being, and therefore thinking, since thinking is a system-forming factor of man as a living system, and at the same time a necessary and sufficient factor of his being as a rational being, as a species of Homo sapiens. Therefore, the main developmental goal of education should be considered the development of thinking in pupils. Preschool children's brains are used to remembering everything as it is - in a variety of colors, smells, sounds, and other factors. During reproduction, an image-model is created in the right hemisphere, and a verbal definition corresponding to the image is created in the left hemisphere. As a result, perception is not erased, it gives rise to brilliant poems, books, paintings, discoveries. This is unlimited and natural for him. During learning, in most cases, either the left or the right hemisphere of the brain is loaded, while the opposite remains unused. Experimentally, using K. Pearson’s criterion, it was confirmed that the musical development of a child of the third year of life will be more effective and qualitative if the holistic thinking of the two hemispheres of the child's brain is involved. Holistic thinking is the combined work of the two cerebral hemispheres, relying on all channels of information perception. Of course, the tasks of developing preschool children’s personality will be successfully solved if music lessons include consideration of the main issues of factual material. In this case, the music teacher varies the methods of study and forms of work. We propose conditions for individual and personal development of the child, namely, within the framework of the program, thematic planning, conducting classes, games, matinees, etc. the music teacher should have didactic material that changes the type and form of presentation of educational material, and the child has the freedom to choose the task (the same task should provide the possibility of its implementation through an image, word, scheme, modelling, musical accompaniment, movement, etc.), that is, to promote the integration of the right and left types of being in learning and development. Activities that involve two hemispheres of the preschoolers' brain simultaneously will be more effective.

СТАТИСТИЧНІ МЕТОДИ У ПРОВЕДЕННІ ПЕДАГОГІЧНИХ ДОСЛІДЖЕНЬ (ПРИКЛАДНИЙ АСПЕКТ)

The article discusses the concept of functional asymmetry of the child’s cerebral hemispheres and the universal developmental paradigm. The universal developmental paradigm means that the characteristic of the world in which we exist is its duality, its division into right and left, light and dark, good and evil. It is thinking, as a function of the human mind, that can be considered the essence of man - a fundamentally intelligent being, and therefore thinking, since thinking is a system-forming factor of man as a living system, and at the same time a necessary and sufficient factor of his being as a rational being, as a species of Homo sapiens. Therefore, the main developmental goal of education should be considered the development of thinking in pupils. Preschool children's brains are used to remembering everything as it is - in a variety of colours, smells, sounds, and other factors. During reproduction, an image-model is created in the right hemisphere, and a verbal definition corresponding to the image is created in the left hemisphere. As a result, perception is not erased, it gives rise to brilliant poems, books, paintings, discoveries. This is unlimited and natural for him. During learning, in most cases, either the left or the right hemisphere of the brain is loaded, while the opposite remains unused. Experimentally, using K. Pearson’s criterion, it was confirmed that the musical development of a child of the third year of life will be more effective and qualitative if the holistic thinking of the two hemispheres of the child's brain is involved. Holistic thinking is the combined work of the two cerebral hemispheres, relying on all channels of information perception. Of course, the tasks of developing preschool children’s personality will be successfully solved if music lessons include consideration of the main issues of factual material. In this case, the music teacher varies the methods of study and forms of work. We propose conditions for individual and personal development of the child, namely, within the framework of the programme, thematic planning, conducting classes, games, matinees, etc. the music teacher should have didactic material that changes the type and form of presentation of educational material, and the child has the freedom to choose the task (the same task should provide the possibility of its implementation through an image, word, scheme, modelling, musical accompaniment, movement, etc.), that is, to promote the integration of the right and left types of being in learning and development. Activities that involve two hemispheres of the preschoolers’ brain simultaneously will be more effective.

Characterization of Morphological Brain Changes in Generalized Epilepsy Using Region-based Morphometry

Magnetic Resonance Imaging has been widely involved in detecting morphological brain changes in generalized epilepsy at voxel level. It is believed that region-based morphometry could provide better characterizations for macro structural changes in the brain with comparative advantages than voxel-based morphometry. The aim of this study is to detect regional brain changes associated with generalized epilepsy and to test the potential of regional brain changes in classification of patients with generalized epilepsy and non-epileptic subjects. 45 patients and 46 non-epileptic subjects were scanned using a 3 Tesla MRI scanner and 3D T1 weighted images were obtained. Images were pre-processed and region based structural metrics (grey matter volumes, white matter volumes, cerebrospinal fluid volumes, cortical gyrification, and sulcus depth) were developed using Computational Anatomical Toolbox (CAT12). Two sample t-tests were used to perform the univariate analyses and results were corrected for multiple comparisons (FDR corrected, p &lt; 0.05). Grey matter volume reductions were detected in cerebellum, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, thalamus, and hippocampal region while bilateral white matter volume reductions were reported in cerebellum. In contrast, cerebrospinal fluid volume increments in left lateral ventricle were also detected. Reduced regional gyrification was detected in left posterior ramus of the lateral sulcus and reduced sulcal depths were detected in occipital pole, cuneus, and posterior ramus of the lateral sulcus in patients. Furthermore, pattern analysis revealed that each metric shows different discriminative abilities to distinguish patients with generalized epilepsy and non-epileptic subjects (Classification accuracy: 61.1%, 62.2%, 58.8%, 61.1% and 60% for GMV, WMV, CSFV, Cortical gyrification and sulcal depth respectively). In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive understanding about regional structural changes (cortical and subcortical) associated with generalized epilepsy under region-based morphometry. However, pattern analyses do not provide adequate discriminative power and therefore the clinical utility of findings is limited.

Structural Coupling System for Cognitive Modeling in Immersive VR Assessment Tasks

Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a disorder characterized by the inability to attend to the space opposite the cerebral hemisphere lesion, significantly hindering daily activities. Due to the complex neural circuitry of the brain, understanding the mechanisms of USN has proven challenging. In clinical settings, the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT), a paper-based examination, is commonly used to assess USN. However, improved scores on this test do not necessarily guarantee functional improvement, as it solely evaluates performance in a two-dimensional space. To address this limitation, various approaches utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) and measurement devices in rehabilitation engineering have been proposed. However, related studies have focused on analyzing motor responses to specific sensory stimuli, and the assessment measures often fail to capture a patient’s symptoms in dynamic environments. Therefore, this study proposes a methodology for modeling human spatial cognition. This cognitive architecture utilizes a structural coupling system that integrates parameters from multiple computational intelligence subsystems. In this study, we constructed a simulation environment capable of replicating the movements of patients with USN using empirical data collected from actual experiments. Furthermore, in this simulation environment, we developed patient agents that incorporated the proposed cognitive architecture. The experimental results suggest that hypothesis testing concerning attention mechanisms can be applied through the performance of patient agents within the simulation environment.

Multimodal Neuroimaging in the Prediction of Deep TMS Response in OCD.

Backgrounds: .Brain morphological biomarkers could contribute to understanding the treatment response in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Multimodal neuroimaging addresses this issue by providing more comprehensive information regarding neural processes and structures. Objectives. The present study aims to investigate whether patients responsive to deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) differ from non-responsive individuals in terms of electrophysiology and brain morphology. Secondly, to test whether multimodal neuroimaging is superior to unimodal neuroimaging in predicting response to deep TMS. Methods. Thirty-two OCD patients who underwent thirty sessions of deep TMS treatment were included in the study. Based on a minimum 50% reduction in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores after treatment, patients were grouped as responders (n = 25) and non-responders (n = 7). The baseline resting state qEEG and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) records of patients were recorded. Independent sample t-test is used to compare the groups. Then, three logistic regression model were calculated for only QEEG markers, only MRI markers, and both QEEG/MRI markers. The predictive values of the three models were compared. Results. OCD patients who responded to deep TMS treatment had increased Alpha-2 power in the left temporal area and increased volume in the left temporal pole, entorhinal area, and parahippocampal gyrus compared to non-responders. The logistic regression model showed better prediction performance when both QEEG and MRI markers were included. Conclusions. This study addresses the gap in the literature regarding new functional and structural neuroimaging markers and highlights the superiority of multimodal neuroimaging to unimodal neuroimaging techniques in predicting treatment response.

Cerebral disorders as a complication of whooping cough in a child under one year old

Whooping cough is a widespread infectious disease, the manifestations of which vary from nonspecific cough to life-threatening conditions with the development of apnea, hypoxic damage to the central nervous system, and respiratory failure, especially in young children. Against the background of a severe form of whooping cough, hemorrhages of various types can be observed, including in the brain. The team of authors describes a clinical case of cerebral impairment in a child under one year of age, which is associated with whooping cough. A day after discharge from the infectious diseases hospital, the child developed a generalized convulsive attack. Clinical, instrumental and objective data allowed us to establish a diagnosis: acute disorder of cerebral and spinal circulation of the hemorrhagic type. Subarachnoid hemorrhage. Severe anemia. Convulsive syndrome. Whooping cough. Subsequently, the development of signs of hydrocephalus was observed over time, with the further formation of multiple cysts and hemiatrophy of the right hemisphere of the brain.

Neurometabolic Profile in Obese Patients: A Cerebral Multi-Voxel Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study.

Background and Objectives: Obesity-related chronic inflammation may lead to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the neurometabolic profile of obese patients using cerebral multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (mvMRS) and assess correlations between brain metabolites and obesity markers, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, body fat percentage, and indicators of metabolic syndrome (e.g., triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR)). Materials and Methods: This prospective study involved 100 participants, stratified into two groups: 50 obese individuals (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and 50 controls (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2). Anthropometric measurements, body fat percentage, and biochemical markers were evaluated. All subjects underwent long- and short-echo mvMRS analysis of the frontal and parietal supracallosal subcortical and deep white matter, as well as the cingulate gyrus, analyzing NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and mI/Cr ratios, along with absolute concentrations of NAA and Cho. Results: Obese participants exhibited significantly decreased NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios in the deep white matter of the right cerebral hemisphere (p < 0.001), while absolute concentrations of NAA and Cho did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). NAA levels showed negative correlations with more reliable obesity parameters (waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio) but not with BMI, particularly in the deep frontal white matter and dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus of the left cerebral hemisphere. Notably, insulin demonstrated a significant negative impact on NAA (ρ = -0.409 and ρ = -0.410; p < 0.01) and Cho levels (ρ = -0.403 and ρ = -0.392; p < 0.01) at these locations in obese individuals. Conclusions: Central obesity and hyperinsulinemia negatively affect specific brain regions associated with cognitive and emotional processing, while BMI is not a reliable parameter for assessing brain metabolism.

Assessment of Post-COVID-19 Changes in Brain-Clinical and Imaging Evaluation Using MRI Vessel Wall Imaging and Complementary MRI Methods.

Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of vessel wall imaging and MRI in assessment of the post-COVID-19 changes in the brain. VWI is a progressive MRI technique that provides precise imaging of the pathological process in the wall of the vessel. It might help us to better understand the pathophysiology of COVID-19-related neurological lesions and may have an impact on management protocols. Methods: A total of 43 patients were included in the study; the post-COVID-19 group included 23 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 (mean age of the group: 53.52 years; 26% male, 74% female). The control group consisted of 20 patients from the general population who did not suffer from COVID-19 (mean age: 52.15 years; 35% male, 65% female). MRI examinations were performed on a 3T scanner (Biograph mMR, Siemens). The VW-MRI protocol included T1-weighted SPACE FS black-blood images, FLAIR images, SWI, and MRA. Results: Several radiological changes in post-COVID-19 patients were described: hyperintense foci in the white matter of the brain hemispheres, in the lower parts of the temporal lobes, and in the structures of the posterior cranial fossa; presence of engorgement of deep medullary veins or perivascular enhancement; presence of inflammatory vessel thickening in VWI images; changes in hippocampus size; presence of cortical atrophy; and thickening of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses. The presence of atherosclerotic vessel thickening in VWI and the width of the third ventricle depended on the age of the patient. Conclusions: VWI and MRI may be useful in the assessment of post-COVID-19 lesions in the brain.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR RECURRENT MALIGNANT DIFFUSE ASTROCYTOMA (WHO GRADE IV)

Objectives We present the case of a 37-year-old female who underwent partial resection in 2018 for a diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma (WHO II) that invaded almost the entire right cerebral hemisphere. The patient followed conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She presents after 6 years of regularly follow-ups with left hemiparesis, intracranial hypertension syndrome and tumor recurrence on MRI. The patient underwent another surgical intervention and the new histopathological diagnosis was diffuse astrocytoma grade IV. Therapeutic options for these patients are limited considering the fact that a gross total resection or a conventional re-irradiation could impact the quality of life. Therefore, exploring new therapeutic methods, such as targeted molecular therapy like EGFR antagonists or proteasome inhibitors, or proton therapy, should be considered. Material and Methods We conducted extensive research in two public medical databases for information related to the molecular pathways and management of primary and recurrent malignant astrocytoma and relevant articles were selected. Subsequently, we correlated this information with our direct experience in our case and discussed the observed results. Results Treatment modalities for these patients include reintervention, re-irradiation and second line chemotherapeutics. In relapsing cases the goal of reintervention is both to alleviate symptoms and obtain tumoral tissue for immunohistochemical analysis for identification of the new mutations. Conventional re-irradiation for large lesions carries high risks of producing both short-term and long-term side effects, impacting the quality of life. Alternatively, proton therapy minimizes the risk of adverse events due to Bragg peak reducing the irradiation of the surrounding tissue. Conclusions Genetic characterization of these lesions can facilitate targeted molecular therapy and help in establishing the prognosis. Re-irradiation of malignant astrocytomas with proton therapy is an effective treatment measure allowing for comparable tumor control to conventional radiotherapy.

Association of the Volumes of Limbic Brain Structures with the Development of Psychoneurological Disorders in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Post-stroke depressive disorders (PSD) and post-stroke cognitive impairments (PCI) are frequent consequences of ischemic stroke (IS). The study was focused on exploring possible associations between relative volumes of cortical and limbic brain structures during the acute period of IS, and changes in biochemical indices of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, sympathoadrenal medullary and inflammatory systems, with the development of PSD or PCI after mild or moderate IS. Patients developing PSD later on had significantly smaller relative volumes of the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and temporal pole versus patients without depressive symptoms. PCI development was associated with significantly smaller volumes of temporal pole and supramarginal gyrus versus patients without cognitive changes. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed higher likelihood of developing PSD in patients with smaller temporal pole volume (β0 =10.9; β = –4.27; p = 0.04) and in-creased salivary α-amylase activity (β0 = –3.55; β = 2.68e–05; p = 0.02). PCI likelihood was higher in patients with smaller supramarginal gyrus volume (β0 = 3.41; β = –0.99; p = 0.047), smaller temporal pole volume (β0 = 3.41; β = –3.12; p = 0.06), and increased hair cortisol concentration at admission (index of accumulated stress load within a month before IS; β0 = 3.41; β = –0.05; p = 0.08). The data support the hypothesis suggesting predisposition to PSD and PCI and multi hit scenarios of their pathogenesis with IS providing a final hit.

Deep Learning-Based Pediatric Brain Region Segmentation and Volumetric Analysis for General Growth Pattern in Healthy Children.

To establish a quantitative reference for brain structural changes in children with neurological disorders, we employed deep learning technique to brain region segmentation and volumetric analysis within a cohort of healthy children. In this study, we recruited 312 participants aged 1.5 to 14.5years (210 boys and 102 girls), dividing them into five age groups. High-resolution structural T1-weighted images were obtained, and an established toolkit utilizing deep learning algorithms was employed for brain region segmentation. For each age group, the volumes of gray matter and white matter, along with the thickness and surface area of the cortex, were calculated and compared between boys and girls. The results indicated that the volumes of gray matter and white matter in both bilateral cerebral hemispheres, as well as the total brain volume, increased with age. Furthermore, the volumes of the left and right hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus also demonstrated an increase as age progressed. Conversely, cortical thickness and surface area decreased with age. Our findings provide a quantitative reference for understanding brain structural changes in children with neurological disorders.

Rasmussen Encephalitis: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Management Strategies-A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare and progressive form of chronic encephalitis that typically affects one hemisphere of the brain and primarily occurs in pediatric individuals. The current study aims to narratively review the literature about RE, including historical information, pathophysiology, and management of this condition. RE often occurs in individuals with normal development, and it is estimated that only a few new cases are identified each year in epilepsy centers. Approximately 10% of cases also occur in adolescents and adults. The hallmark feature of RE is drug-resistant focal seizures that can manifest as epilepsia partialis continua. Also, patients with RE usually develop motor and cognitive impairment throughout the years. Neuroimaging studies show progressive damage to the affected hemisphere, while histopathological examination reveals T-cell-dominated encephalitis with activated microglial cells and reactive astrogliosis. The current therapy guidelines suggest cerebral hemispherotomy is the most recommended treatment for seizures in RE, although significant neurological dysfunction can occur. Another option is pharmacological management with antiseizure medications and immunomodulatory agents. No significant progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of this condition in the last decades, especially regarding genetics. Notably, RE diagnosis still depends on the criteria established by Bien et al., and the accuracy can be limited and include genetically different individuals, leading to unexpected responses to management.

Asymmetry of Directed Brain Connectivity at Birth in Low-Risk Full-Term Newborns.

Functional connectivity hubs were previously identified at the source level in low-risk full-term newborns by high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG). However, the directionality of information flow among hubs remains unclear. The aim of this study was to study the directionality of information flow among source level hubs in low-risk full-term newborns using HD-EEG. A retrospective analysis of HD-EEG collected from a prospective study. Subjects included 112 low-risk full-term (37-41 weeks' gestation) newborns born in a large delivery center and studied within 72 hours of life by HD-EEG. The directionality of information flow between hubs at the source level was quantified using the partial directed coherence in the delta frequency band. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the maximum and minimum information flow. Differences in information flow between cerebral hemispheres were assessed using Student t-test. There was higher information flow from the left hemisphere to the right hemisphere hubs (p < 0.05, t-statistic = 2). The brainstem had the highest information inflow and lowest outflow among all the hubs. The left putamen received the lowest information, and the right pallidum had the highest information outflow to other hubs. In low-risk full-term newborns, there is a significant information flow asymmetry already present, with left hemisphere dominance at birth. The relationship between these findings and the more prevalent left hemisphere dominance observed in full-term newborns, particularly in relation to language, warrants further study.

Peripheral molecular and brain structural profile implicated stress activation and hyperoxidation in methamphetamine use disorder.

Methamphetamine use disorders (MUDs) cause widespread disruptions in metabolomic and immunologic processes, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this study was to find molecular and neuroimaging biomarkers for methamphetamine addiction. In this study, we recruited 231 patients with MUD at varying stages of withdrawal and 40 healthy controls to quantify the blood levels of 52 molecules using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The overall molecular disruption caused by methamphetamine was inversely related to withdrawal time (P = 0.0008), with partial recovery observed after 1 year of follow-up (P = 2.20 × 10-5). Molecules related to stress, immune activation, oxidative products, and cardiac injury were significantly elevated in all MUD groups, while antioxidation enzymes were downregulated. Additionally, the blood level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was significantly correlated with gray matter volumes in nine brain regions (fusiform gyrus, orbitofrontal cortex, temporal pole, caudate, cerebellum crus, and vermis, adjusted P < 0.05) among patients with MUD. These findings suggest that patients with MUD exhibit elevated levels of immune response, stress, and oxidative stress, which are associated with brain structural abnormalities.

The repeatability of behavioural laterality during nest building in zebra finches

Cerebral laterality is a widespread phenomenon across animals and refers to the specialization of the left and right hemispheres of the brain for perceptual, cognitive and behavioural tasks. Behavioural laterality occurs in several contexts, including foraging, mate selection, predator detection and tool manufacture. Behavioural laterality during nest building, however, has rarely been addressed. We conducted two experiments to examine (1) whether behavioural laterality occurs during nest building, (2) whether laterality correlates with nest-building speed, (3) whether laterality during nest building is repeatable, and (4) whether nest-building experience influences laterality. In Experiment 1, we scored individual laterality indices for 58 zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) males, the nest-building sex in this species, based on which eye he used to view then select the first 25 pieces of nest material. We calculated correlations between laterality strength and nest-building duration. In Experiment 2, to test the repeatability of laterality during nest building, we measured laterality for 20 males across five nests built by each male. Individuals varied both in the direction and the strength of behavioural laterality of material selection during nest building. Overall, however, males were not consistent in their laterality across the five nests. We found no correlation between laterality strength and nest-building duration in either experiment. Finally, we found evidence for building experience influencing the behavioural laterality of individuals: more building experience results in more predictable behavioural laterality during nest-material selection.

Cerebello-Cerebral Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Poststroke Aphasia.

Introduction: The influence of the cerebellum in poststroke aphasia recovery is poorly understood. Despite the right cerebellum being identified as a critical region involved in both language and cognitive functions, little is known about functional connections between the cerebellum and bilateral cortical hemispheres following stroke. This study investigated the relationship between chronic poststroke naming deficits and cerebello-cerebral resting-state functional connectivity (FC). Methods: Twenty-five cognitively normal participants and 42 participants with chronic poststroke aphasia underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants with aphasia also underwent language assessment. We conducted regions of interest (ROI)-to-ROI analyses to investigate the FC between the right cerebellar Crus I/II (seed ROI; Cereb1r/Cereb2r) and bilateral cortical language regions and compared these results to cognitively normal controls. Single-subject connectivity parameters were extracted and used as independent variables in a stepwise multiple linear regression model associating Boston Naming Test (BNT) score with FC measures. Results: FC analyses demonstrated correlations between the right cerebellar Crus I/II and both left and right cortical regions for both cognitively normal controls and stroke participants. Additionally, aphasia severity and lesion load had an effect on the cerebello-cerebral network connectivity in participants with aphasia. In a stepwise multiple linear regression, controlling for aphasia severity, time poststroke and lesion load, FC between the right Cereb2-left Cereb1 (standardized beta [std B]= -0.255, p < 0.004), right Cereb2-right anterior MTG (std B = 0.259, p < 0.004), and the right Cereb2-left anterior STG (std B = -0.208, p < 0.018) were significant predictors of BNT score. The overall model fit was R2 = 0.786 (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Functional connections between the right cerebellum and residual bilateral cerebral hemisphere regions may play a role in predicting naming ability in poststroke aphasia.