Mapping Gilles de la Tourette syndrome through the distress and relief associated with tic-related behaviors: an fMRI study.

Personal distress associated with tic urges or inhibition and relief associated with tic production are defining features of the personal experience in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). These affective phenomena have not been studied using fMRI, hindering our understanding of GTS pathophysiology and possible treatments. Here, we present a novel cross-sectional fMRI study designed to map tic-related phenomenology using distress and relief as predicting variables. We adopted a mental imagery approach and dissected the brain activity associated with different phases of tic behaviors, premonitory urges, and the ensuing tic execution or inhibition: these were compared with the mental simulation of "relaxed situations" and pre-determined stereotyped motor behaviors. We then explored whether the ensuing brain patterns correlated with the distress or relief perceived for the different phases of the tasks. Patients experienced a higher level of distress during the imagery of tic-triggering scenarios and no relief during tic inhibition. On the other hand, patients experienced significant relief during tic imagery. Distress during tic-triggering scenarios and relief during tic imagery were significantly correlated. The distress perceived during urges correlated with increased activation in cortical sensorimotor areas, suggesting a motor alarm. Conversely, relief during tic execution was positively associated with the activity of a subcortical network. The activity of the putamen was associated with both distress during urges and relief during tic execution. These findings highlight the importance of assessing the affective component of tic-related phenomenology. Subcortical structures may be causally involved in the affective component of tic pathophysiology, with the putamen playing a central role in both tic urge and generation. We believe that our results can be readily translated into clinical practice for the development of personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Validity and Reliability Evidence and Norms for the Spanish Version of the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales-Short Form / Evidencias de Validez y Fiabilidad y Baremos de la Versión Española de las Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales-Short Form

Background: The Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales-Short Form (SIS/SES-SF) is a brief instrument for assessing the propensity for sexual excitement and inhibition in men and women. The aim of the present study was to provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the SIS/SES-SF scores by examining invariance, reliability (information function and internal consistency), the relationship between the scores and sexual functioning, and presenting its standard scores. Method: A total of 2,223 Spanish heterosexuals (43.41% men and 56.59% women) aged 18 to 83 years (M = 39.94, SD = 11.95), distributed across age groups (18-34, 35-49, ≥ 50 years old) participated. Results: The three-factor structure of the Spanish version of SIS/SES-SF showed weak measurement invariance by sex and strict measurement invariance by age. The scores explained the dimensions of sexual functioning, especially sexual arousal and erection/lubrication. In addition, men and women without difficulties in sexual functioning demonstrated more propensity for sexual excitation and less sexual inhibition. The standard scores are presented by sex and age group. Conclusions: The study provides evidence of the validity and reliability of the SIS/SES-SF measures, confirming its usefulness for assessing propensity to sexual excitation and inhibition.(AU)

Antecedentes: Las Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales-Short Form (SIS/SES-SF) son un instrumento breve que evalúa, en hombres y mujeres, la propensión hacia la excitación e inhibición sexual. El objetivo fue aportar evidencias de validez y fiabilidad a las puntuaciones de la versión española de SIS/SES-SF, examinando la invarianza, la fiabilidad (función de información y consistencia interna), la relación de sus puntuaciones con el funcionamiento sexual, y presentar sus puntuaciones estandarizadas. Método: Participaron 2.223 españoles heterosexuales (43,41% hombres y 56,59% mujeres) de 18 a 83 años (M = 39,94; DT = 11,95), distribuidos en tres grupos de edad (18-34, 35-49, ≥ 50 años). Resultados: La estructura trifactorial de la versión española de SIS/SES-SF mostró nivel de invarianza débil por sexo y estricto por edad. Sus puntuaciones explicaron las dimensiones del funcionamiento sexual, especialmente excitación sexual y erección/lubricación. Además, hombres y mujeres sin dificultades en el funcionamiento sexual mostraron más propensión a la excitación sexual y menor inhibición sexual. Se presentan baremos de sus puntuaciones por sexo y grupos de edad. Conclusiones: Se aportan adecuadas evidencias de validez y fiabilidad a las medidas de SIS/SES-SF, lo que confirma la utilidad de este instrumento para evaluar la propensión a la excitación e inhibición sexual.(AU)

Thalamic regulation of ocular dominance plasticity in adult visual cortex.

Experience-dependent plasticity in the adult visual system is generally thought of as a cortical process. However, several recent studies have shown that perceptual learning or monocular deprivation can also induce plasticity in the adult dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the thalamus. How plasticity in the thalamus and cortex interact in the adult visual system is ill-understood. To assess the influence of thalamic plasticity on plasticity in primary visual cortex (V1), we made use of our previous finding that during the critical period ocular dominance (OD) plasticity occurs in dLGN and requires thalamic synaptic inhibition. Using multielectrode recordings we find that this is also true in adult mice, and that in the absence of thalamic inhibition and plasticity, OD plasticity in adult V1 is absent. To study the influence of V1 on thalamic plasticity, we silenced V1 and show that during the critical period, but not in adulthood, the OD shift in dLGN is partially caused by feedback from V1. We conclude that during adulthood the thalamus plays an unexpectedly dominant role in experience-dependent plasticity in V1. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the thalamus as a potential source of plasticity in learning events that are typically thought of as cortical processes.

High-efficiency green management of potato late blight by a self-assembled multicomponent nano-bioprotectant.

Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is a devastating disease worldwide. Unlike other plant pathogens, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is poorly taken up by P. infestans, which is a key obstacle in using dsRNA for disease control. Here, a self-assembled multicomponent nano-bioprotectant for potato late blight management is designed based on dsRNA and a plant elicitor. Nanotechnology overcomes the dsRNA delivery bottleneck for P. infestans and extends the RNAi protective window. The protective effect of nano-enabled dsRNA against infection arises from a synergistic mechanism that bolsters the stability of dsRNA and optimizes its effective intracellular delivery. Additionally, the nano-enabled elicitor enhances endocytosis and amplifies the systemic defense response of the plants. Co-delivery of dsRNA and an elicitor provides a protective effect via the two aspects of pathogen inhibition and elevated plant defense mechanisms. The multicomponent nano-bioprotectant exhibits superior control efficacy compared to a commercial synthetic pesticide in field conditions. This work proposes an eco-friendly strategy to manage devastating plant diseases and pests.

Potential antidepressant-like effects of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids through inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

RATIONALE: The growing evidence has demonstrated the importance of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in the pathophysiology of depression. ERS genes were considered to be potential novel therapeutic targets for depression. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the mechanisms of the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced ERS response and the potential contributing pathways in depression, and further investigate the potential link between N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and stress-induced ERS disturbances. METHODS: This study analyzed the expression of ERS-related genes including GRP78, ATF-4, ATF-6, XBP-1, and CHOP, and sigma-1R with real-time PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) RNA samples from participants. All of the rats except for those in the control groups were subjected to 5 consecutive weeks of CUMS to establish the depression model, and the antidepressant effects of N-3 PUFAs were observed by behavior tests. Moreover, the effect of diet and stress on the ERS pathways was also investigated using the western blot. RESULTS: Blood CHOP, ATF-4, and XBP-1 levels were notably elevated in depressed patients relative to healthy individuals. Moreover, increased sigma-1R and decreased ATF-6 implied the protective role of sigma-1R through modulating ERS in patients with depression. Animal studies disclosed the novel findings that supplementary N-3 PUFAs in rats alleviated CUMS-induced disturbance of ERS through the ATF-4/XBP-1/CHOP pathway, implying its potential strategy for depression. CONCLUSION: CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors are related to the disturbance of ERS. Furthermore, supplementary N-3 PUFAs might be an effective way to alleviate ERS.

Effects of short mindful breathing meditations on executive functioning in two randomized controlled double-blinded experiments.

While current models of mindfulness propose benefits to the executive functions of inhibition, updating and shifting through mindful breathing meditations, empirical findings on the effects of short mindful breathing meditations are inconclusive regarding their specificity and dose-response relations. Therefore, we compared short mindful breathing meditations (Experiment 1, 45 min over three sessions; Experiment 2, 80 min over four sessions) with relaxation trainings (progressive muscle relaxation; active control) and listening to podcasts (passive control) in two randomized controlled double-blinded trials. Reaction time tasks were used to assess the executive functions of updating (N-Back), inhibition (CPT-II), and shifting (Number-Letter Task). Results of both experiments suggest no mindfulness-specific improvements in executive functions. We conclude that effects following the first stages of mindfulness training may not be specific to the practice or too transient to be reliably measured in pre-post intervention designs. Implications for research in the field are discussed.

From urges to tics in children with Tourette syndrome: associations with supplementary motor area GABA and right motor cortex physiology.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset disorder in which tics are often preceded by premonitory sensory urges. More severe urges correlate with worse tics and can render behavioral therapies less effective. The supplementary motor area (SMA) is a prefrontal region believed to influence tic performance. To determine whether cortical physiological properties correlate with urges and tics, we evaluated, in 8-12-year-old right-handed TS children (n = 17), correlations of urge and tic severity scores and compared both to cortical excitability (CE) and short- and long-interval cortical inhibition (SICI and LICI) in both left and right M1. We also modeled these M1 transcranial magnetic stimulation measures with SMA gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) levels in TS and typically developing control children (n = 16). Urge intensity correlated strongly with tic scores. More severe urges correlated with lower CE and less LICI in both right and left M1. Unexpectedly, in right M1, lower CE and less LICI correlated with less severe tics. We found that SMA GABA modulation of right, but not left, M1 CE and LICI differed in TS. We conclude that in young children with TS, lower right M1 CE and LICI, modulated by SMA GABA, may reflect compensatory mechanisms to diminish tics in response to premonitory urges.

Atendimento psicossocial à mulher que comete ofensa sexual / Psychosocial attention for women that commit sexual offenses / Atención psicosocial para mujeres que cometen delitos sexuales

Objetivamos apresentar uma proposta de atendimento psicossocial grupal oferecida para mulheres adultas que cometeram ofensa sexual, cuidadoras e mães. A experiência está sendo desenvolvida no Distrito Federal, Brasil, com pessoas do gênero feminino provenientes de encaminhamento judicial. Carece que os profissionais das áreas da justiça, saúde, serviço social e psicologia avancem no estudo e na compreensão desta temática, de modo a pensarem a atuação e o apoio terapêutico a essas mulheres. O modo de atendimento é focal e breve, com ênfase na criação de um ambiente lúdico como facilitador das interações grupais e da discussão sobre os temas: identidade; confiança nas relações afetivas e sociais; vivência pessoal com violência física e sexual; configuração de gênero; e expressão da sexualidade e futuro. A abordagem individual também se baseia no enfoque dos temas mencionados. O oferecimento de ajuda à mulher cuidadora ou à mãe tem participação ativa na interrupção do circuito abusivo sexual, pois essa violência é extremamente ocultada, ocasionando uma prolongada vulnerabilidade para as vítimas. Ressalta-se o valor do texto indicando a descrição de ação voltada para uma população permanentemente não estudada e evitada em seu reconhecimento. Os limites desta proposta encontram-se na falta de outras iniciativas que possibilitem uma discussão sobre essa experiência.(AU)

We aim to present a proposal of a group psychosocial intervention offered for adult female sexual offenders, caregivers, and mothers. The intervention is being developed at Federal District, Brazil, with female people coming from judicial referrals. Professionals in the areas of justice, health, social work, and psychology need to advance in the study and understanding this theme to think about action and therapeutic support for these women. The intervention is a focal and brief approach, with emphasis on the creation of a ludic environment as a facilitator of group interactions and discussion about the themes: identity; trust in affective and social relationships; personal experience with physical and sexual violence; gender configuration; and sexuality expression and future. The individual approach is also based on focusing on these themes. The offering of help to the female caregiver or the mother has an active participation in the interruption of the sexual offense circuit, since this violence is extremely hidden, bringing a prolonged condition of vulnerability to the victims. The value of this text is highlighted indicating the description of an action directed to a population that is permanently not studied and whose recognition is avoided. The limits of this proposal are found in the absence of other initiatives that would allow a discussion about this experience.(AU)

Este texto presenta una propuesta de atención psicosocial grupal destinada a mujeres adultas que han cometido delito sexual, a cuidadoras y madres. La intervención se está desarrollando en el Distrito Federal (Brasil), con personas del género femenino provenientes de remisiones judiciales. Es necesario que los profesionales de las áreas de justicia, salud, trabajo social y psicología avancen en el estudio y comprensión de esta temática para pensar en el desempeño y apoyo terapéutico de estas mujeres. El servicio es enfocado y breve, con énfasis en la creación de un ambiente lúdico como facilitador de interacciones grupales y discusión sobre los temas: identidad; confianza en las relaciones afectivas y sociales; experiencia personal con violencia física y sexual; configuración de género; y expresión de la sexualidad y el futuro. El enfoque individual también se centra en estos temas. La oferta de ayuda a la mujer cuidadora o a la madre es importante para la interrupción del circuito de abuso sexual, ya que esta violencia es extremadamente oculta y provoca una vulnerabilidad prolongada a las víctimas. Se destaca el valor del texto con la descripción de la acción dirigida a una población que no es objeto de estudios ni reconocida. Los límites de esta propuesta se encuentran en la ausencia de otras iniciativas que permitan un debate sobre esta experiencia.(AU)

Reflexo e sombra: o duplo e o narcisismo em hoffmann e chamisso / Reflection and shadow: the double and the narcissism in hoffmann and chamisso / Reflejo y penumbra: el doble y el narcisismo en hoffman y chamisso

Esta é uma pesquisa qualitativa, em formato de ensaio, que realiza o estudo comparado de duas obras literárias, de A. Von Chamisso e E. T. A. Hoffmann, e de uma anotação do diário deste último para problematizar a repercussão de algumas formas de desestabilizações do Eu na dinâmica psíquica da neurose. O foco dos textos referidos está no fenômeno do duplo na sua forma negativizada, isto é, como o desaparecimento da imagem exterior que dá suporte ao Eu. As ausências da sombra e do reflexo são entendidas como representações metafóricas de uma alteração do Eu que engendra repercussões importantes na homeostase psíquica, sobretudo nas relações sociais de troca. Explora-se daí a menção no diário de Hoffmann de instrumentos ópticos para interrogar o uso desses aparelhos como modelos metapsicológicos na psicanálise. Salienta-se, ainda, a participação de processos de natureza estética na dinâmica psíquica do infamiliar, tomando como referência a ligação entre o conto de Hoffmann e o relato de Stendhal sobre a sua estadia em Florença.(AU)

This is a qualitative research, in essay format, which performs the comparative study of two literary works, by A. Von Chamisso and E. T. A. Hoffmann, and an annotation in the latter's diary to problematize the repercussion of some forms of destabilization of the Ego's in the psychic dynamics of neurosis. The focus of the referred texts is on the phenomenon of the double in its negative form, that is, as the disappearance of the outer image that supports the Ego. The absences of the shadow and the reflection are understood as metaphorical representations of an alteration of the Ego that generates important repercussions on psychic homeostasis, above all in social relationships of exchange. Thus, we analyze the mention of optical instruments in Hoffmann's diary to question the use of these devices as metapsychological models in psychoanalysis. Note, also, the participation of processes of aesthetic nature in the psychic dynamics of the uncanny, taking as reference the connection between Hoffmann's short story and Stendhal's account of his stay in Florence.(AU)

Este ensayo cualitativo realiza un estudio comparativo de dos obras literarias de A. Von Chamisso y de E. T. A. Hoffmann, junto con una anotación en el diario de este último para problematizar la repercusión de algunas formas de desestabilizaciones de la función del Yo en la dinámica psíquica de la neurosis. Los textos se centran en el fenómeno del doble en su forma negativa, como la desaparición de la imagen exterior que sostiene el Yo. Se entienden las ausencias de la penumbra y el reflejo como una representación metafórica de una alteración de la función del Yo que genera importantes repercusiones en la regulación psíquica, sobre todo en las relaciones de intercambio social. Se analiza la presencia en el diario de Hoffmann de instrumentos ópticos para discutir el uso de estos dispositivos como modelos metapsicológicos en psicoanálisis. Se destaca la reverberación de procesos de naturaleza estética en la dinámica psíquica de lo ominoso, tomando como referencia la conexión entre el cuento de Hoffmann y el relato de Stendhal sobre su estancia en Florencia.(AU)

Evidências de validade do teste informatizado para avaliação das funções executivas / Evidence of validity of the computerized test for evaluating executive functions / Evidencia de validez de la prueba computarizada para evaluación de funciones ejecutivas

Funções executivas (FE) referem-se ao conjunto de habilidades que, de forma integrada, coordenam o comportamento e a cognição. Assim, o comprometimento no desenvolvimento das FE está ligado a vários desfechos negativos ao longo da vida. Portanto, a avaliação dessas habilidades na infância é essencial para identificar e prevenir prejuízos na vida adulta. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar evidências de validade do Teste Informatizado para Avaliação das Funções Executivas (Tafe) pelo critério de idade e pelo padrão de correlação entre medidas do TAFE e outras medidas de FE. Para isso, foi utilizada uma amostra de 51 crianças, entre 4 e 10 anos de idade, matriculadas em uma escola privada na cidade de Goiânia (GO), da pré-escola ao 4º ano do ensino fundamental. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados, além do Tafe, as tarefas de Bloco de Corsi, Teste de Trilhas A e B, Teste de Trilhas Pré-Escolares, Teste de Stroop Pré-Escolares e Subteste Dígitos da Escala Wechsler de Inteligência. Foram conduzidas análises estatísticas Kruskal Wallis para verificar a evidência de validade por relação com idade e análises de correlação não paramétrica de Spearman para avaliar as evidências de validade convergente. O instrumento investigado mostrou-se efetivo para discriminar entre as diferentes faixas etárias, assim, sensível ao desenvolvimento das FE. Os resultados obtidos no Tafe correlacionaram-se aos obtidos em outros testes que também avaliaram FE, mostrando claros padrões de convergência. Logo, as análises dos resultados fornecem evidências de validade ao Tafe, derivadas a partir de diferentes estratégias de investigação.(AU)

Executive functions (EF) refer to the set of skills that, in an integrated way, coordinate behavior and cognition. Thus, the commitment in developing EF is linked to several negative outcomes throughout life. Therefore, the assessment of these abilities in childhood is essential to identify and prevent possible harm in adult life. This study aimed to investigate evidences of validity of the Computerized Test for Evaluation of Executive Functions (TAFE) by the age criterion and by the pattern of correlation between TAFE measures and other EF measures. To this end, a sample of 51 children, between 4 and 10 years old, enrolled in a private school in the municipality of Goiânia (GO), from preschool to the 4th year of elementary school, was used. As instruments, in addition to TAFE, the tasks of Corsi Block, Trails Test A and B, Preschool Trails Test, Preschool Stroop Test and the Digits Subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale were used. Kruskal Wallis statistical analyzes were conducted to verify the evidence of validity by age criteria and Spearman's nonparametric correlation analysis to assess evidence of convergent validation. The instrument investigated was effective to discriminate between different age groups, thus being sensitive to the development of EF. The results obtained in TAFE were correlated with those obtained in other tests that also assess FE, showing patterns of convergence. Therefore, the analysis of the results provides validation evidence to TAFE, derived from different investigation methods.(AU)

Las funciones ejecutivas (FE) se refieren al conjunto de habilidades que coordinan la conducta y la cognición. Así, el deterioro en el desarrollo de FE está relacionado con varios resultados negativos durante la vida. Por tanto, la valoración de estas habilidades en la infancia es fundamental para identificar y prevenir posibles daños en la vida adulta. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la evidencia de validez de la Prueba Computarizada para Evaluación de Funciones Ejecutivas (Tafe) por el criterio de edad y convergencia entre las medidas Tafe y otras medidas de FE. Para ello, se utilizó una muestra de 51 niños, de entre 4 y 10 años de edad, matriculados en un colegio privado de Goiânia (Goiás, Brasil) desde la preescolar hasta 4.º de primaria. Como instrumentos, además del Tafe, se utilizaron las tareas de Bloque de Corsi, el Test de los senderos A y B, el Test de los Senderos Preescolares, el Test de Stroop Preescolar y la Subprueba de Dígitos de la Escala Wechsler de Inteligencia. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos de Kruskal Wallis para verificar la validez por criterios de edad y análisis de correlación no-paramétrica de Spearman para evaluar la evidencia de validez convergente. Tafe demostró ser efectivo para discriminar entre diferentes grupos de edad, así es sensible al desarrollo de FE. Los resultados en Tafe se correlacionaron con los obtenidos en otras pruebas de FE, lo que muestra claros patrones de convergencia. Por tanto, el análisis aporta evidencias de validez para Tafe, derivadas de diferentes estrategias de investigación.(AU)

Activity level in left auditory cortex predicts behavioral performance in inhibition tasks in children.

Sensory processing during development is important for the emerging cognitive skills underlying goal-directed behavior. Yet, it is not known how auditory processing in children is related to their cognitive functions. Here, we utilized combined magneto- and electroencephalographic (M/EEG) measurements in school-aged children (6-14y) to show that child auditory cortical activity at ∼250 ms after auditory stimulation predicts the performance in inhibition tasks. While unaffected by task demands, the amplitude of the left-hemisphere activation pattern was significantly correlated with the variability of behavioral response time. Since this activation pattern is typically not present in adults, our results suggest divergent brain mechanisms in adults and children for consistent performance in auditory-based cognitive tasks. This difference can be explained as a shift in cortical resources for cognitive control from sensorimotor associations in the auditory cortex of children to top-down regulated control processes involving (pre)frontal and cingulate areas in adults.

Adolescent thalamic inhibition leads to long-lasting impairments in prefrontal cortex function.

Impaired cortical maturation is a postulated mechanism in the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia. In the sensory cortex, activity relayed by the thalamus during a postnatal sensitive period is essential for proper cortical maturation. Whether thalamic activity also shapes prefrontal cortical maturation is unknown. We show that inhibiting the mediodorsal and midline thalamus in mice during adolescence leads to a long-lasting decrease in thalamo-prefrontal projection density and reduced excitatory drive to prefrontal neurons. It also caused prefrontal-dependent cognitive deficits during adulthood associated with disrupted prefrontal cross-correlations and task outcome encoding. Thalamic inhibition during adulthood had no long-lasting consequences. Exciting the thalamus in adulthood during a cognitive task rescued prefrontal cross-correlations, task outcome encoding and cognitive deficits. These data point to adolescence as a sensitive window of thalamocortical circuit maturation. Furthermore, by supporting prefrontal network activity, boosting thalamic activity provides a potential therapeutic strategy for rescuing cognitive deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Hypnotisability and the Cerebellum: Hypotheses and Perspectives.

Hypnotisability is a multidimensional trait predicting the proneness to enter hypnosis and/or accept suggestions and is associated with several psychophysiological correlates. This scoping review reports the differences between individuals with high (highs) and low hypnotizability (lows) in the left cerebellar lobules IV-VI grey matter volume, in the excitability of the right motor cortex and in motor and non-motor functions in which the cerebellum may be involved. A reduced cerebellar inhibition may explain the greater excitability of the highs' right motor cortex. The latter may be involved in their greater proneness to ideomotor behaviour following sensorimotor suggestions. The associated experience of involuntariness and effortlessness could be due to the motor cortex greater excitability as well as to activation of a specific cerebellar-parietal circuit. Looser postural and visuomotor control with no learning across trials and greater attentional stability can be accounted for by a less accurate cerebellar predictive model of information processing. The highs' stronger functional equivalence between imagery and perception/action and greater motor excitability may be involved in the highs' greater proneness to respond to emotional stimuli. Paradoxical pain control may depend on reduced cortical inhibition of the pain matrix by the cerebellum. Cerebellar hypotheses are not alternative to other physiological mechanisms and should be tested in future research.

Increased functional connectivity between presupplementary motor area and inferior frontal gyrus associated with the ability of motor response inhibition in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Recent evidence suggests that presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) play an important role in response inhibition. However, no study has investigated the relationship between these brain networks at resting-state and response inhibition in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We performed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and then measured the response inhibition of 41 medication-free OCD patients and 49 healthy control (HC) participants by using the stop-signal task outside the scanner. We explored the differences between OCD and HC groups in the functional connectivity of pre-SMA and IFG associated with the ability of motor response inhibition. OCD patients showed a longer stop-signal reaction time (SSRT). Compared to HC, OCD patients exhibit different associations between the ability of motor response inhibition and the functional connectivity between pre-SMA and IFG, inferior parietal lobule, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and anterior prefrontal cortex. Additional analysis to investigate the functional connectivity difference from the seed ROIs to the whole brain voxels revealed that, compared to HC, OCD exhibited greater functional connectivity between pre-SMA and IFG. Also, this functional connectivity was positively correlated with the SSRT score. These results provide additional insight into the characteristics of the resting-state functional connectivity of the regions belonging to the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit and the cingulo-opercular salience network, underlying the impaired motor response inhibition of OCD. In particular, we emphasize the importance of altered functional connectivity between pre-SMA and IFG for the pathophysiology of motor response inhibition in OCD.

Age-related decline in cortical inhibitory tone strengthens motor memory.

Ageing disrupts the finely tuned excitation/inhibition balance (E:I) across cortex via a natural decline in inhibitory tone (γ-amino butyric acid, GABA), causing functional decrements. However, in young adults, experimentally lowering GABA in sensorimotor cortex enhances a specific domain of sensorimotor function: adaptation memory. Here, we tested the hypothesis that as sensorimotor cortical GABA declines naturally with age, adaptation memory would increase, and the former would explain the latter. Results confirmed this prediction. To probe causality, we used brain stimulation to further lower sensorimotor cortical GABA during adaptation. Across individuals, how stimulation changed memory depended on sensorimotor cortical E:I. In those with low E:I, stimulation increased memory; in those with high E:I stimulation reduced memory. Thus, we identified a form of motor memory that is naturally strengthened by age, depends causally on sensorimotor cortex neurochemistry, and may be a potent target for motor skill preservation strategies in healthy ageing and neurorehabilitation.

Do group-based mindfulness meditation programs enhance executive functioning? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence.

Research examining the effects of group-based mindfulness interventions on executive functioning have yielded inconsistent findings, with some reports of enhanced performance and other reports of null findings. Inconsistencies in the literature may be due to methodological differences across studies, including the type of control group employed and sample characteristics (e.g., clinical vs. non-clinical samples). The current systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of group-based mindfulness programs on executive functioning in persons 18+ years of age. Following the standards for systematic review, a total of 29 studies were included in the meta-analysis, of which 21 comparisons contributed to the analysis of inhibition; nine to working memory; nine to attention shifting; and four to the analysis of verbal fluency. After removing outliers, random effects models suggested a small but significant synthesized effect of group-mindfulness training on overall executive functioning (95% CI = 0.256, 0.725). Examination of executive subdomains after removing outliers suggested a small, statistically significant effect for inhibition (95% CI = 0.055, 0.387), working memory (95% CI = 0.010, 0.437), and verbal fluency (95% CI = 0.071, 1.931). No significant pooled effects were found for attention shifting. A priori subgroup analysis by randomization, type of control group, and sample cohort revealed inconsistent results. Overall, the current review suggests that the effect of group-based mindfulness training on executive functioning is not robust.

Effects of Judo on Neurocognitive Indices of Response Inhibition in Preadolescent Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Although exercise is suggested to benefit inhibitory control in children and adolescents, the current evidence is limited to exercise-induced improvements for its interference control subtype. In contrast, the potential of exercise to facilitate response inhibition still remains unclear. However, the neurocognitive profile of martial arts athletes suggests that this sports category promises benefits for cognitive control processes related to response inhibition. The present randomized controlled trial therefore examined the effects of judo on behavioral and neurocognitive indices of response inhibition (N2, P3a, P3b) in preadolescent children. METHODS: Participants (N = 44) were randomly allocated to a martial arts group, who completed 120-min judo per week over 3 months, and a wait-list control group. At baseline and follow-up, participants completed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 and a physical work capacity test on a bicycle ergometer at 170 bpm (PWC170). In addition, a computerized Go/NoGo task with simultaneous electroencephalographic recordings was administered. RESULTS: In the martial arts group, a greater decrease in NoGo error rate and a higher increase in NoGo N2 amplitude were found in comparison to the control group. These behavioral and neurocognitive changes were correlated. In contrast to N2, the P3a/b amplitude, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, and physical work capacity test at 170 bpm did not change differently between groups over the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that judo promises benefits for response inhibition that are independent of alterations in motor skills and cardiorespiratory fitness. A change toward more effective conflict monitoring seems to underlie this improvement in cognitive performance.

The relationship of resting-state EEG oscillations to executive functions in middle childhood.

Executive functions (EFs) play important roles in children's development, but their neural mechanisms are rarely investigated, especially for the different components of EFs in middle childhood. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the links between resting-state EEG in the frontal scalp region and EFs in children aged 7-9 years. Fifty-nine typically developing children from the second and third grades performed two core EF tasks, i.e., inhibition and working memory, and a high-level EF task, i.e., planning, followed by the recording of EEG signals during eyes-open and eyes-closed resting states. The results showed that distinct EEG activities in the frontal scalp region predicted different EF components. More specifically, after controlling for age and verbal ability, alpha to theta power ratio (ATR) and beta to theta power ratio (BTR) during the eyes-open resting state positively predicted inhibition, and beta to theta power ratio (BTR) during the eyes-open resting state positively predicted planning. However, we did not find any EEG features related to working memory. Our results contributed to the understanding of inter-individual differences in EFs and provided insights into the regulation of corresponding EEG activities through EEG neurofeedback for enhancing children's EFs.

Degeneration of core neural tracts for emotional regulation in a patient with traumatic brain injury: A case report.

RATIONALE: Several brain structures, including the orbital prefrontal cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex, are considered key structures in the neural circuitry underlying emotion regulation. We report on a patient showing behavior changes and degeneration of core neural tracts for emotional regulation following traumatic brain injury (TBI). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 51-year-old male patient suffered an in-car accident. The patient lost consciousness for approximately 30 days, and his Glasgow Coma Scale score was 3. He underwent stereotactic drainage for traumatic intraventricular and intracerebral hemorrhages. At approximately 6.5-year after onset, he began to show disinhibition behaviors such as shouting with anger, which worsened over time. At approximately 8-year after onset, he showed severe depression signs and disinhibition, including violence. DIAGNOSES: The patient who showed delayed-onset behavioral changes (disinhibition and depression). INTERVENTIONS: Diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired at 3 months and 8 years after TBI onset. OUTCOMES: The patient showed degeneration of core neural tracts for emotional regulation that was associated with delayed behavioral changes following TBI. On both 3-month and 8-year diffusion tensor tractographies (DTTs), the right dorsolateral prefronto-thalamic tract, ventrolateral prefronto-thalamic tract, orbital prefronto-thalamic tract, uncinate fasciculus, and both cinguli were reconstructed whereas other neural tracts were not reconstructed. Compared with the 3-month DTT, all reconstructed neural tracts on the 8-year DTT were narrow, except for the left cingulum, which showed new transcallosal fibers between both anterior cingula. The fractional anisotropy and tract volume of all reconstructed neural tracts were lower on the 8-year DTT than the 3-month DTT, except for the tract volume of left cingulum. LESSONS: The evaluation of dorsolateral, ventrolateral, and orbital prefronto-thalamic tract, uncinate fasciculus, and cingulum using follow-up DTTs is useful when a patient with TBI shows delayed-onset behavioral problems.

Weaker prepulse exerts stronger suppression of a change-detecting neural circuit.

Change-N1 peaking 90-180 ms after changes in a sound feature of a continuous sound is clearly attenuated by a preceding change stimulus (called a "prepulse"). Here, we investigated the effects of a preceding decrease in sound pressure on the degree of inhibition of the subsequent Change-N1 amplitude. Using 100-Hz click train sounds, we obtained Change-N1s from 11 healthy volunteers. The two types of test stimuli were an abrupt 10-dB increase from the baseline (70 dB) and the insertion of a 0.45-ms inter-aural time difference in the middle of the sound. Three consecutive clicks at 30, 40, and 50 ms before the change onset that was used as a prepulse were weaker than the background by 5 or 10 dB. The Change-N1 elicited by the two test stimuli was attenuated more strongly by the weaker prepulse, which was not congruent with the theory that the inhibition of the subsequent sensory/sensory-motor processing depends on the sound pressure level of a prepulse. These results suggest that a change in any type of sound feature elicits a change-related response that is inhibited by any type of preceding change stimulus, which reflects auto-inhibition of the change-responding circuit.