Resting-state Brain Research Articles

Temporal Effects of Hypoxia Exposure at High Altitudes on Compensatory Brain Function: Evidence from Functional Connectivity of Resting-State EEG Brain Networks.

Ren, Hong, Xi-Yue Yang, Rui Su, HaiLin Ma, and Hao Li. Temporal Effects of Hypoxia Exposure at High Altitudes on Compensatory Brain Function: Evidence from Functional Connectivity of Resting-State EEG Brain Networks. High Alt Med Biol. 00:00-00, 2024. Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged exposure to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude on changes in brain function measured by electroencephalography (EEG), focusing specifically on the resting-state brain network functional connectivity and compensatory adaptations in brain function among individuals with varying durations of high altitude residency. Methods: In study I, 64 participants were divided into high-altitude group (HG) and low-altitude group (LG). Ninety-six long-term migrants residing at an altitude of 3,650 m were recruited for studyII and categorized into three groups based on their duration of stay at high altitude: group A (1-2 years), group B (8-10 years), and group C (18-20 years). Resting-state EEG data were collected from each participant, and functional connectivity analysis was conducted using Phase Locking Value. Results: Study I showed that participants with HG had stronger functional connectivity in the occipital lobe than those with LG (p < 0.05). The study II findings indicate that there were significant differences in functional connectivity strength among the frontal and occipital lobes in groups A, B, and C across the α, β, δ, and θ frequency bands. Specifically, the functional connectivity strength of the frontal lobe was significantly higher in group A compared with group B, and in group B compared with group C (p < 0.05). Additionally, the functional connectivity of the occipital lobe was significantly higher in group C compared with group B, and in group B compared with group A (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The consistent results of the whole frequency band suggest that the individual's occipital lobe function is enhanced to compensate for the damage of frontal lobe function, so as to better adapt to the extreme environment at high altitude.

Alterations of the resting-state brain network connectivity and gray matter volume in patients with fibromyalgia in comparison to ankylosing spondylitis

Fibromyalgia (FM) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are both rheumatic diseases characterized by significant musculoskeletal pain. In this study, we investigated the differences of the resting-state network (RSN) connectivity and gray matter volume (GMV) between FM, AS and healthy controls (HCs). We recruited 38 FM patients, 82 AS patients and 61 HCs in this study. All the participants underwent resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) scans in a GE 3.0T MR system. Independent component analysis (ICA) was conducted on the rs-fMRI data, and group differences of the rsFC between different resting-state networks were calculated using dual regression. We also conducted voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis to investigate the differences of the GMV in FM, AS and HCs. The rsFC between the dorsal default mode network (DDMN) and the body of left caudate nucleus was significantly decreased in FM patients in comparison to AS patients (87 voxels, p = 0.025). VBM analysis showed that the GMV of the left posterior lobe of cerebellum was significantly increased in FM patients compared with AS patients (88 voxels, p = 0.036). Neither ICA nor VBM analysis revealed significant differences of RSN connectivity or GMV between FM patients and HCs. The altered rsFC between DMN and the caudate nucleus suggested an aberrant cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit in FM patients, indicating aberrant reward processing, with potential association with mood, motivation and cognitive functions. The increased GMV in the left posterior lobe of cerebellum indicated the participation of cerebellum in the abnormal pain processing in FM patients.

Decreased Memory-Related Regional Cerebral Perfusion in Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea with a Mild Cognitive Impairment During Wakefulness.

Previous studies have found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can induce cognitive impairment (CI). However, the exact mechanisms of CI development in patients with OSA remains unclear. We investigated the neuropathological basis of CI development by examining changes in cerebral blood perfusion. Thirty-five patients with untreated OSA (15 with CI and 20 without CI [NCI]) and 15 good sleepers (GS) diagnosed using polysomnography were recruited. All participants underwent resting state brain scans in a Siemens 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner with a pulsed arterial spin labeling sequence and completed a battery of neuropsychological tests. Compared to the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values in the GS group, both the CI and NCI groups exhibited lower rCBF values in the bilateral inferior temporal, left lingual, and right medial and paracingulate gyri, as well as higher rCBF values in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus (p < 0.05 in all cases). Compared to the rCBF values in the NCI group, the CI group had lower rCBF values in the bilateral inferior temporal and left lingual gyri, and higher rCBF values in the right rectus and right middle orbital frontal gyri (p < 0.05 in all cases). In the CI group, rCBF values in the bilateral inferior temporal (right, p = 0.025; left, p = 0.005) and left lingual gyri (p = 0.018) were positively associated with the delayed memory scores, and rCBF values in the left inferior temporal gyrus positively correlated with the attention scores (p = 0.011). Regions with abnormal perfusion in the NCI and CI groups were mostly memory-related. Blood perfusion in the bilateral inferior temporal and left lingual gyri decreased in the following order: GS > OSA-NCI > OSA-CI. These findings provide blood perfusion-level insights into the neuropathological basis of OSA-CI development.

Resting-state brain functional connectivity in patients with chronic intractable pain who respond to spinal cord stimulation therapy

BackgroundSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) is widely accepted as a useful treatment for patients with intractable chronic pain. However, its effectiveness varies between individuals. Therefore, a tool for evaluating its effectiveness in advance is eagerly awaited. We examined whether resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic and prognostic tool can predict responsiveness to SCS. MethodsTwenty-nine patients with intractable chronic pain participated in this study. Participants were divided into responder and non-responder groups based on a pain relief rate after SCS trials. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans before the SCS trials. We searched for functional connectivity that differed significantly in strength between the two groups and was correlated with pain relief rate. We conducted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and a one-sample proportion test to determine the cut-off value and evaluate the predictive power of the functional connectivity-based prediction model. ResultsIn total, 14 and 15 participants were assigned to the responder and non-responder groups, respectively. Functional connectivity between the middle anterior cingulate cortex and precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex showed significant between-group differences and a significant negative correlation with the pain relief rate. Moreover, this functional connectivity could accurately predict SCS responsiveness greater than chance (sensitivity: 71%; specificity: 87%; area under the curve: 0.814; P<0.001). ConclusionsFor patients with intractable chronic pain, functional connectivity between the middle anterior cingulate cortex and precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex is a promising candidate biomarker to estimate responsiveness to spinal cord stimulation before treatment.

Increase in EEG Alpha-to-theta Ratio After transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness: A Pilot Study

Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potentially effective intervention for improving consciousness levels in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). Most studies demonstrating benefits have targeted the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, inconsistent results have been reported across studies, and the brain effects of the stimulation remain unclear. Objective This work aimed to investigate the effects of a tDCS treatment on brain reactivity at rest in patients with DoC. Methods A 10-session tDCS treatment was administered over the left DLPFC in a group of patients with DoC. The effect of this stimulation was tested by combining the conventional behavioral assessment, conducted with the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), with a quantitative analysis of the resting-state electrical brain activity, measured by electroencephalography (EEG). Results Following treatment, there was a slight improvement in CRS-R scores. More importantly, an increase in the ratio between alpha and theta power over posterior scalp regions was observed, even in patients who did not show changes in CRS-R scores. Conclusions These findings suggest that adding a simple quantitative EEG analysis alongside conventional clinical assessment post-tDCS could enhance the detection of changes in brain reactivity.

NIMG-57. EMBEDDED GRAPH DERIVED FROM PSEUDO-RESTING-STATE FUNCTIONAL MRI CAN PREDICT COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN GLIOMA

Abstract Resting-state brain network analyses are of great interest in studying the neurocognition and measuring the functional connectivity (FC) patterns of glioma patients. However, resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) is not assessed in clinical routine due to the scan time and cost. The current study used pseudo-resting-state functional MRI (pseudo-rs-fMRI) derived from dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion MRI to predict cognitive impairment in glioma. 37 glioma patients were enrolled consecutively in the current study with DSC perfusion MRI acquired and neurocognition assessed, where 24 glioma patients also got rs-fMRI collected. The pseudo-rs-fMRI was created by voxel-wise subtracting the Gamma-variate modeled signal of contrast agent bolus from the original DSC perfusion signal. Following the pre-processing of pseudo-rs-fMRI and full rs-fMRI, the functional connectivity network (FCN) was established for each patient. Graph embedding was implemented to learn and extract features of each node in the binarized FCN, and the decision tree classification algorithm was applied to distinguish cognitive impairment. FCNs of 24 patients with DSC perfusion and rs-fMRI acquired were used to train the model, and FCNs of 13 patients with only DSC perfusion MRI acquired were used to test the model. The AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) was used to evaluate the model’s performance. The similarity and mean-square-difference between average FCNs extracted from rs-fMRI and pseudo-rs-fMRI were 0.6769 and 0.0263, respectively. Classifier trained using 24 FCNs of pseudo-rs-fMRI has an AUC of 0.750 in identifying cognitively impaired patients in the testing cohort. Combining FCNs of both rs-fMRI and pseudo-rs-fMRI to train the classifier resulted in a higher AUC of 0.833 in the testing cohort. To summary, DSC perfusion MRI-derived pseudo-rs-fMRI can be used to predict cognitive impairment in patients with gliomas. External validation would be required.

Connectome-based predictive modelling of ageing, overall cognitive functioning and memory performance.

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and brain functional connectome (we use 'brain connectome' hereafter for simplicity) have advanced our understanding of the ageing brain and age-related changes in cognitive function. Previous studies have investigated the association among brain connectome and age, global cognition, and memory function separately. However, very few have predicted age, overall cognitive functioning and memory performance in a single study to better understand their complex relationship. In this cross-sectional study, we applied an exploratory, data-driven method to investigate the brain connectome markers that could predict ageing, overall cognitive functioning assessed as intelligence quotient (IQ, measured by Wechsler Memory Scale) and memory performance assessed as memory quotient (MQ, measured by Wechsler Memory Scale) in a carefully designed, multicentre, normal ageing cohort (n = 313). Our results showed that brain connectome could predict ageing and IQ, but the association with MQ was weak. We found that the connectivity with orbital frontal cortex was associated with both ageing and IQ. Mediation analysis further showed that the brain connectome mediated the relationship between age and overall cognitive functioning, suggesting a protective brain connectomic mechanism for maintaining normal cognitive functions during healthy ageing. This work may shed light on the potential neural correlates of healthy ageing, overall cognitive functioning and memory performance.

Global brain activity and its coupling with cerebrospinal fluid flow is related to tau pathology.

Factors responsible for the deposition of pathological tau in the brain are incompletely understood. This study links macroscale tau deposition in the human brain to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). Low-frequency (<0.1Hz) resting-state global brain activity is coupled with CSF flow and potentially reflects CSF dynamics-related clearance. We examined the correlation between rsfMRI measures of CSF inflow and global activity (gBOLD-CSF coupling) as a predictor, interacting with amyloid beta (Aβ), of tau and cortical thickness (dependent variables) across Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants from cognitively unimpaired through mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau deposition in Aβ+ participants, accompanied by cortical thinning and cognitive decline, is associated with decreased gBOLD-CSF coupling. Tau mediates the relationship between coupling and thickness. Findings suggest that resting-state global brain activity and CSF movements comodulate Alzheimer's tau deposition, presumably related to CSF clearance. A non-invasive functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) assessment of a CSF clearance-related process is carried out. Global brain activity is coupled with CSF inflow in human fMRI during resting state. Global fMRI-CSF coupling is correlated with tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This coupling measure is also associated with cortical thickness, mediated by tau.

Altered resting-state brain activity of the superior parietal cortex and striatum in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia

BackgroundResting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have shown altered brain activity in major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SZ). Despite differing diagnoses, SZ and MDD share similar features. However, functional brain activity similarities and differences between SZ and MDD remain unclear. MethodsParticipants with MDD, SZ, and normal controls (n=36 each) underwent resting-state fMRI scans. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) was used to analyze the preprocessed rs-fMRI data. One-way ANOVAs and post hoc analyses compared ALFF values in different brain regions. Pearson correlation analysis examined associations with clinical symptoms. ResultsComparison among the three groups revealed significant differences in ALFF values within the left superior parietal cortex (L-SPC) and bilateral striatum. Through pairwise comparisons, patients with SZ but not patients with MDD were found to exhibit increased striatum ALFF values relative to NC individuals, but decreased in MDD. Meanwhile, L-SPC ALFF values were significantly increased in patients with SZ relative to both normal control individuals and patients with MDD, while no differences in these values were observed between the normal control and MDD groups. The Pearson correlation analyses showed significant positive correlations between ALFF in the striatum and PANSS positive score, but no significant correlation with other symptom severity in SZ and MDD. ConclusionThese findings support the hypothesis of alterations in brain functional activity as a fundamental component of the pathogenesis of MDD and SZ. The observed differences in functional brain activity in the superior parietal cortex and striatum between MDD and SZ provide a neuroimaging basis that can contribute to the differential diagnosis of these debilitating conditions.

Decoupling Between Brain Activity and Cerebrospinal Fluid Movement in Neurological Disorders.

Recent research has identified a link between the global mean signal of resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) and macro-scale cerebrospinal fluid movement, indicating the potential link between this resting-state dynamic and brain waste clearance. Consistent with this notion, the strength of this coupling has been associated with multiple neurodegenerative disease pathologies, especially the build-up of toxic proteins. This article aimed to review the latest advancements in this research area, emphasizing studies on spontaneous global brain activity that is tightly linked to the global mean resting-state fMRI signal, and aimed to discuss potential mechanisms through which this activity and associated physiological modulations might affect brain waste clearance. The available evidence supports the presence of a highly organized global brain activity that is linked to arousal and memory systems. This global brain dynamic, along with its associated physiological modulations, has the potential to influence brain waste clearance through multiple pathways through multiple pathways. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Decreased resting-state brain function in older adults predicts enlarged representational momentum.

Representational momentum (RM) refers to the phenomenon in which an observer's judgment of the final location of a previously viewed moving target is often displaced forward in the direction of motion. This phenomenon is an adaptive mechanism that compensates for neural processing delays and is closely associated with visual cortex function. However, the impact of age-related decline of visual cortex function on the manifestations of RM remains unclear. The present study examined differences in the RM effect between older (N = 82) and younger adults (N = 74) using a cursor-positioning task. Additionally, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to explore the potential neural substrates that underlie these differences, employing amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF, reflecting the intensity of neural activity) and regional homogeneity (ReHo, reflecting the synchronization of neural activity) as indicators. Our findings indicate a significant increase in RM among older adults compared with younger adults. Neuroimaging data revealed a significant decrease in ALFF and ReHo within extensive regions of the visual cortex in older adults, validating age-related differences in this cortical area. More importantly, ALFF values in the bilateral visual area 3 and ReHo values in the bilateral visual area 2 in older adults exhibited a strong negative correlation with their RM effects. These results suggest that larger RM in older adults may be functional compensation for aging of the visual cortex. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Alteration in Resting-State Brain Activity in Stroke Survivors After Repetitive Finger Stimulation: Erratum.

Alteration in Resting-State Brain Activity in Stroke Survivors After Repetitive Finger Stimulation: Erratum.

Update on the Neurobiology of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Review of Structural, Resting-State and Task-Based Brain Imaging Studies.

This review summarizes recent advances in research on the neurobiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD) according to structural brain imaging investigations and resting-state and task-based functional brain activation studies. Extending established findings on differences in regional brain volumes and cortical thickness between BPD and healthy controls, recent research illuminates shared and distinct brain structural characteristics compared to other psychiatric diagnoses, and uncovers relations of these brain structures with transdiagnostic symptoms and clinical features. Resting-state functional brain imaging studies reveal disruptions among adolescents and adults with BPD in frontolimbic and default-mode networks, which primarily underlie affect regulation and self-referential processes, respectively. Recent task-based functional brain imaging research builds on existing neurobiological understanding of emotion and cognition in BPD by revealing novel intersections with interpersonal- and stress-related processes. Studies of psychological and pharmacological interventions suggest possible effects on neural regions underlying emotion processing and behavioral control.

Neuropathic pain relief and altered brain networks after dorsal root entry zone microcoagulation in patients with spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) below-level neuropathic pain is a difficult condition to treat both pharmacologically and surgically. Successful treatment using surgically created lesions of the spinal cord dorsal root entry zone (DREZ), guided by intramedullary monitoring of neuronal electrical hyperactivity, has shown that DREZs both cephalad and caudal to the level of injury can be the primary generators of SCI below-level pain. Below-level pain perception follows a unique somatotopic map of DREZ pain generators, and neuronal transmission to brain pain centres can occur primarily through sympathetic nervous system (SNS) pathways. This study evaluated changes in brain resting-state and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging responses before and after neuroelectrically guided DREZ microcoagulation surgery. Eight persons with clinically complete SCI who suffered chronic, severe and unrelenting below-level neuropathic pain refractory to all pharmacological management were investigated before and after the surgical intervention. Baseline differences between DREZ subjects, group-matched low pain SCI and healthy controls were observed in medial primary somatosensory and motor cortex connectivity to the hippocampus, amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. The DREZ surgery led to short-term (12 days) almost complete pain relief in all participants and long-term (1+ year) pain relief in all participants receiving DREZ lesioning both cephalad and caudal to the level of injury (six out of eight participants). Follow-up 12 days post-operatively indicated that DREZ surgery normalized prior negative functional coupling between primary sensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortices to the hippocampus, amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex, increased M1 to putamen and amygdala connectivity and decreased limbic to cerebellar connectivity. DREZ hyperactivity was found both cephalad and caudal to the level of injury. The regional distribution of hyperactive regions corresponded not to classical dermatomes but rather mapped on to intermediolateral (IML) cell column end organ innervation of body regions of below-level pain perception, consistent with a non-classical SNS-mediated somatotopic map of DREZ below-level pain generators. The results indicate that neuroelectrically guided DREZ microcoagulation alters a medial prefrontal-somatosensory-limbic network that is separate from classical pain pathways. This provides further evidence that below-level SCI pain originates in hyperactive DREZs and can be relayed to the brain via the SNS.

Structural and functional correlates of olfactory reward processing in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia

The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) includes symptoms that reflect altered pursuit of rewards, including food, alcohol, and money. Little is known, however, about how these reward changes relate to atrophy and functional connectivity within reward-related regions. The goal of this study was to examine the structural and functional correlates of valence perception for olfactory rewards in 24 patients with bvFTD. Regression analysis of resting-state brain functional connectivity indicated that more positive valence ratings of olfactory stimuli were predicted by ventral pallidum connectivity to other reward circuit regions, particularly functional connectivity between ventral pallidum and bilateral anterior cingulate cortex/ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Structural analysis showed that atrophy of the anterior cingulate cortex was also significantly associated with perceiving stimuli as more rewarding. Finally, there was a significant interaction between ventral pallidum connectivity and atrophy of the anterior cingulate cortex. More specifically, the ventral pallidum connectivity had a greater effect on the positive perception of olfactory stimuli in the setting of low anterior cingulate cortex volume. These findings indicate that atrophy and functional connectivity within reward-relevant regions exert independent and interacting effects on the perception of pleasantness in bvFTD, potentially due to changes in hedonic “liking” signals.

Exploring causal association between functional/structural connectivity and major depression disorder: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

ObjectivesPrior observational studies have suggested a correlation between major depressive disorder (MDD) and communication imbalances within the resting-state brain network (RSN), but the causal relationship remains unclear. This research uses Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the potential causal effects between functional connectivity (FC), structural connectivity (SC) and MDD. MethodsTwo-sample bidirectional MR analysis was employed in this study. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was used to explore the causal relationship between the FC/SC and MDD, with various methods such as MR-Egger to conduct sensitivity analyses. ResultsThe IVW analysis results showed that higher genetic predicted dorsal attention network FC, limbic network SC, and dorsal attention network SC were associated with an increased risk of MDD (β: 15.08, 95%CI: 5.89–24.27, p = 0.001; β: 3.79, 95%CI: −0.22-7.8, p = 0.034; β: 9.89, 95%CI: 0.88–18.90, p = 0.031). Reverse MR analysis demonstrated that a genetically predicted elevated risk of MDD was associated with reduced frontal parietal network FC (β: −0.00046, p = 0.041). ConclusionsThe study suggests a causal relationship between the FC and SC within specific RSNs and the risk of MDD. Abnormalities in the dorsal attention network FC/SC and the limbic network SC were risk factors for MDD. The FC abnormality of the frontal parietal network may be the downstream influence following the MDD onset. Further investigation is needed to determine the potential utility of these neuroimaging markers in the prevention of MDD or the evaluation of treatment efficacy.

Resting-state brain activation patterns and network topology distinguish human sign and goal trackers

The “Sign-tracker/Goal-tracker” (ST/GT) is an animal model of individual differences in learning and motivational processes attributable to distinctive conditioned responses to environmental cues. While GT rats value the reward-predictive cue as a mere predictor, ST rats attribute it with incentive salience, engaging in aberrant reward-seeking behaviors that mirror those of impulse control disorders. Given its potential clinical value, the present study aimed to map such model onto humans and investigated resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging correlates of individuals categorized as more disposed to sign-tracking or goal-tracking behavior. To do so, eye-tracking was used during a translationally informed Pavlovian paradigm to classify humans as STs (n = 36) GTs (n = 35) or as Intermediates (n = 33), depending on their eye-gaze towards the reward-predictive cue or the reward location. Using connectivity and network-based approach, measures of resting state functional connectivity and centrality (role of a node as a hub) replicated preclinical findings, suggesting a major involvement of subcortical areas in STs, and dominant cortical involvement in GTs. Overall, the study strengthens the translational value of the ST/GT model, with important implications for the early identification of vulnerable phenotypes for psychopathological conditions such as substance use disorder.

EEG Oscillatory Activity and Resting-State Networks Associated with Neurocognitive Function in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) activity and brain networks in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and their association with neurocognitive function (NCF). We analyzed 26 patients with subacute mTBI and 21 healthy controls. The subacute mTBI group (9 females, 17 males) had a mean age of 29.9 ± 9.9 years, and the healthy controls (11 females, 10 males) had a mean age of 29.7 ± 11.5 years. Current source density, lagged phase synchronization, and resting-state network activity were analyzed using exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA) with 60 s resting-state EEG data. In addition, a correlation analysis was performed between these EEG parameters and NCF in patients with mTBI. We used the statistical nonparametric mapping method in eLORETA to correct for multiple comparisons. There were no significant differences in EEG parameters between the patients with mTBI and healthy controls. However, in patients with mTBI, correlation analysis revealed negative correlations between theta activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and verbal short-term memory and between activity in the memory perception network and verbal memory. Our findings suggest that resting-state EEG may be clinically useful in investigating the mechanism of NCF decline in patients with mTBI.

The surface-based degree centrality of patients with lifelong premature ejaculation: A resting-state fMRI study

The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in the resting-state brain functional network characteristics of lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) patients using surface-based degree centrality (DC), and to analyze the correlation between these alterations and clinical symptoms in PE patients. The study included individuals with lifelong PE (patient group, n = 36) and a control group matched by age and education level (control group, n = 22). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed on all participants. Surface-based degree centrality analysis was conducted and the differences between the two groups were compared using t-tests. Further, the DC values of brain regions showing significant differences were correlated with clinical symptoms. Compared to the control group, the patient group exhibited significantly reduced degree centrality (DC) values in the left precuneus and significantly increased DC values in the right supplementary motor area (SMA). Furthermore, intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and Chinese Index of Premature Ejaculation (CIPE) values were positively correlated with left precuneus DC values and negatively correlated with right SMA DC values. Patients with primary lifelong ejaculation demonstrate abnormalities in key brain network nodes and their connections with relevant brain regions, which are strongly associate with clinical symptoms. These findings enhance our understanding of the neuronal pathological changes in PE patients.

Differential Resting-State Brain Characteristics of Skeleton Athletes and Non-Athletes: A Preliminary Resting-State fMRI Study.

(1) Background: This study investigates the resting-state brain characteristics of skeleton athletes compared to healthy age-matched non-athletes, using resting-state fMRI to investigate long-term skeleton-training-related changes in the brain. (2) Methods: Eleven skeleton athletes and twenty-three matched novices with no prior experience with skeleton were recruited. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and seed-based functional connectivity analyses were explored to investigate resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data, aiming to elucidate differences in resting-state brain function between the two groups. (3) Results: Compared to the control group, skeleton athletes exhibited significantly higher ALFF in the left fusiform, left inferior temporal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, left and right insula, left Rolandic operculum, left inferior frontal gyrus, and left superior temporal gyrus. Skeleton athletes exhibit stronger functional connectivity in brain regions associated with cognitive and motor control (superior frontal gyrus, insula), as well as those related to reward learning (putamen), visual processing (precuneus), spatial cognition (inferior parietal), and emotional processing (amygdala), during resting-state brain function. (4) Conclusions: The study contributes to understanding how motor training history shapes skeleton athletes' brains, which have distinct neural characteristics compared to the control population, indicating potential adaptations in brain function related to their specialized training and expertise in the sport.