Brain volumetric changes in the general population following the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak introduced unprecedented health-risks, as well as pressure on the economy, society, and psychological well-being due to the response to the outbreak. In a preregistered study, we hypothesized that the intense experience of the outbreak potentially induced stress-related brain modifications in the healthy population, not infected with the virus. We examined volumetric changes in 50 participants who underwent MRI scans before and after the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown in Israel. Their scans were compared with those of 50 control participants who were scanned twice prior to the pandemic. Following COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown, the test group participants uniquely showed volumetric increases in bilateral amygdalae, putamen, and the anterior temporal cortices. Changes in the amygdalae diminished as time elapsed from lockdown relief, suggesting that the intense experience associated with the pandemic induced transient volumetric changes in brain regions commonly associated with stress and anxiety. The current work utilizes a rare opportunity for real-life natural experiment, showing evidence for brain plasticity following the COVID-19 global pandemic. These findings have broad implications, relevant both for the scientific community as well as the general public.

Hemodynamic response magnetic resonance imaging: application for renal hemodynamic characterization.

BACKGROUND: The clinical use of iodinated radiocontrast agents or gadolinium for renal perfusion imaging is limited in the presence of renal dysfunction. We have previously demonstrated the feasibility of hemodynamic response imaging (HRI), a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method combined with hypercapnia and hypercapnic-hyperoxia, for monitoring changes in liver perfusion and hemodynamics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of HRI for monitoring changes in renal perfusion and hemodynamics. METHODS: Renal HRI maps were acquired during graded hypercapnia (95% air + 5% CO2) and hypercapnic-hyperoxia (95% O2 + 5% CO2) in control mice. The utility of HRI for monitoring changes in renal perfusion and oxygenation was evaluated using pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide synthase and cycloxygenase as well as in rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. HRI results were further interpreted using Doppler ultrasound (US). RESULTS: Renal HRI maps revealed pronounced signal-intensity changes in response to both hypercapnia and hypercapnic-hyperoxia, reflecting intense vascular reactivity. These changes were significantly attenuated following the pharmacological intervention and during AKI, corresponding with hampered perfusion dynamics, as confirmed by Doppler US. CONCLUSIONS: The applicability of the non-invasive HRI method suggests its potential use for the evaluation of renal perfusion and vascular reactivity, excluding the need for contrast-agent administration.