Article
Neurosciences
Greg L. West, Kyoko Konishi, Kathleen MacDonald, Anjie Ni, Ridha Joober, Veronique D. Bohbot
Summary: The study found that in older adults, individuals carrying the BDNF met gene and those carrying the BDNF val gene exhibit differences in learning strategies and brain activity, with BDNF val individuals more likely to use spatial learning strategies and met carriers more likely to use response learning strategies.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jasmin L. Walter, Lucas Essmann, Sabine U. Koenig, Peter Koenig
Summary: Vision is crucial for spatial navigation, and recent technical advances in virtual reality allow for more naturalistic experiments with eye tracking data. In this study, the authors propose a method to analyze eye tracking data recorded in a virtual urban environment by using graph-theoretical measures. Their findings show that certain houses in the virtual environment can be considered as gaze-graph-defined landmarks, which play an important role in spatial navigation.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Line I. Christiansen, Gemma C. Ventura, Bo Holmqvist, Karoline Aasmul-Olsen, Sandy E. H. Lindholm, Matthew D. Lycas, Yuki Mori, Jan Bojsen-Moller Secher, Douglas G. Burrin, Thomas Thymann, Per T. Sangild, Stanislava Pankratova
Summary: Preterm infants are at increased risk of impaired neurodevelopment, which may be related to reduced levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) after birth. This study used preterm pigs as a model to investigate the effects of postnatal IGF-1 supplementation on brain development. The results showed that IGF-1 treatment improved motor function and enhanced GABAergic maturation in the caudate nucleus, but reduced myelination in certain brain regions. These findings suggest that supplemental IGF-1 may support postnatal brain development in preterm infants.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Rachel Rac-Lubashevsky, Anna Cremer, Anne G. E. Collins, Michael J. Frank, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Human learning and decision-making rely on multiple parallel systems. Recent studies have shown a trade-off between reinforcement learning (RL) and working memory (WM). A computational model predicts that high WM load slows behavioral acquisition but enhances robustness and retention through larger prediction errors in the RL system.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaokai Xia, Mingqian Guo, Ling Wang
Summary: It has been found that manipulating the ratio of congruent to incongruent trials in conflict tasks can affect the size of conflict effects through control learning and irrelevant stimulus-response learning mechanisms. While previous studies have identified the brain regions associated with control-learning-modulated conflict effects, less is known about the neural substrates underlying conflict effects modulated by irrelevant S-R learning. In this fMRI study, participants performed a Simon task with dynamically changing ratios of congruent to incongruent trials, and the learning models quantitatively learned the probability of irrelevant S-R associations. The behavioral and fMRI results showed that large unsigned prediction errors associated with slow responses and transiently increased activity in the fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular network, suggesting that learning of irrelevant S-R associations modulates reactive control and provides a new way to modulate cognitive control compared to the control learning account.
Article
Immunology
H. E. Burzynski, K. E. Ayala, M. A. Frick, H. A. Dufala, J. L. Woodruff, V. A. Macht, B. R. Eberl, F. Hollis, J. A. McQuail, C. A. Grillo, J. R. Fadel, L. P. Reagan
Summary: Gulf War Illness (GWI) refers to the multiple disturbances in the central and peripheral systems of soldiers who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. The use of the reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, pyridostigmine bromide (PB), and war-related stress have been identified as key factors in GWI pathology. A study found that PB-treated rats exhibited impaired hippocampal cholinergic responses to an immobilization stress challenge three months after PB administration. In addition, these rats showed 24-hour memory deficits in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory tasks when challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the same delayed timepoint.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Romina P. Gobbini, Vanina Giselle Velardo, Clara Sokn, Ana C. Liberman, Eduardo Arzt
Summary: The actions of glucocorticoids (GCs) are mainly mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Alterations of GR activity have been associated with various diseases, including mood disorders. FKBP51, a GR chaperone and strong inhibitor of GR activity, has effects on stress-related pathways and may play an important role in emotional behavior. Key proteins involved in the regulation of the stress response and antidepressant action are regulated by SUMOylation, a post-translational modification that has a crucial role in neuronal physiology and disease. This review focuses on the role of SUMO-conjugation as a regulator of this pathway.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Nicolas Diekmann, Sen Cheng, Payam Piray
Summary: Replay of neuronal sequences in the hippocampus during resting states and sleep is important for learning and memory consolidation. A stochastic replay mechanism that prioritizes experiences based on experience strength, similarity, and inhibition of return leads to better performance in training reinforcement learning agents.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nihal Akcay, Figen Bakirtas Palabiyik, Esra Sevketoglu
Summary: This article discusses the neurological complications of COVID-19 in a 3-year-old patient, who showed bilateral lentiform and caudate nuclei involvement on brain imaging with pathological signal enhancement and edema, which is the first reported case of such association.
BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica F. de Souza, Mayara M. Silveira, Heloisa H. A. Barcellos, Leonardo J. G. Barcellos, Ana C. Luchiari
Summary: This study investigated the effects of anthropogenic noise on dusky damselfish and found that exposure to high-intensity music increased anxiety and decreased memory retention, suggesting the deleterious potential of noise for reef species.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gregory D. Clemenson, Antonella Maselli, Alexander J. Fiannaca, Amos Miller, Mar Gonzalez-Franco
Summary: GPS navigation has become commonplace in everyday life, but traditional turn-by-turn navigation may promote passive spatial navigation and poor spatial learning. An alternative form of GPS navigation based on sensory augmentation, using a 3D spatial audio system, is proposed to encourage users to take a more active role in their spatial navigation for a better understanding of the explored environment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
F. Starita, Y. Stussi, S. Garofalo, G. di Pellegrino
Summary: The study explores how the spatial relationship between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli affects Pavlovian conditioned threat in humans. Results indicate that the compatibility between stimuli locations influences the acquisition, extinction, and recovery of threat responses. The findings suggest that spatial information is flexibly used to facilitate learning and defensive responses to danger in Pavlovian conditioning.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Sara Molinero, Tamara Gimenez-Fernandez, Francisco J. Lopez, Luis Carretie, David Luque
Summary: Reward influences attention to stimuli, prioritizing those associated with high-value outcomes. Learning new stimulus-response associations and reward-related cognitive prioritization are suggested to be interconnected. Strong S-R learning is not necessary for the development of reward-related modulations of ERP activity.
Article
Neurosciences
Lars Nyberg, Micael Andersson, Anders Lundquist, William F. C. Baare, David Bartres-Faz, Lars Bertram, Carl-Johan Boraxbekk, Andreas M. Brandmaier, Naiara Demnitz, Christian A. Drevon, Sandra Duezel, Klaus P. Ebmeier, Paolo Ghisletta, Richard Henson, Daria E. A. Jensen, Rogier A. Kievit, Ethan Knights, Simone Kuhn, Ulman Lindenberger, Anna Plachti, Sara Pudas, James M. Roe, Kathrine Skak Madsen, Cristina Sole-Padulles, Yasmine Sommerer, Sana Suri, Eniko Zsoldos, Anders M. Fjell, Kristine B. Walhovd
Summary: We found heterogeneity in regional-atrophy patterns through latent-profile analysis of 1,482 longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging observations. The results supported a 2-group solution reflecting differences in atrophy rates in cortical regions and hippocampus along with comparable caudate atrophy. Our findings suggest distinct mechanisms of atrophy in striatal versus hippocampal-cortical systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masashi Kameda, Koichiro Niikawa, Akiko Uematsu, Masaki Tanaka
Summary: Both the cerebellum and basal ganglia play important roles in rhythm processing, but their specific functions are still unclear. Neurons in both areas exhibit periodic activity during rhythm perception, with the cerebellum involved in multiple stages from sensory prediction to motor control, and the basal ganglia consistently involved in motor preparation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Gundula Zerbes, Franziska M. Kausche, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Stress can bias memory retrieval towards the habit system over the cognitive system, leading to increased dorsal striatal activity and reduced functional connectivity between the hippocampus and the amygdala.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. Ronald de Kloet, Marian Joels
Summary: The glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone play a role in promoting resilience by activating mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. MR facilitates memory retrieval and stress-coping selection, while GR promotes recovery and cognitive control over emotional reactivity. The balance between MR and GR activation is important for resilience, and disruptions in this balance may lead to chronic stress and increased vulnerability. Novel modulators of MR and GR may help reinstate cognitive flexibility required for resilience.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Anna-Maria Grob, Branka Milivojevic, Arjen Alink, Christian F. Doeller, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Memories are not stored in isolation. Insight into the relationship of initially unrelated events may trigger a flexible reconfiguration of the mnemonic representation of these events. However, stress impairs this process and leads to fragmented memories in PTSD. In this study, acute stress was found to reduce brain activity and disrupt the reconfiguration of memories, but interestingly, it enhanced long-term memory performance. These findings have implications for understanding memory distortions in stress-related mental disorders.
Article
Neurosciences
Anna Cremer, Felix Kalbe, Jana Christina Mueller, Klaus Wiedemann, Lars Schwabe
Summary: In this study, the distinct roles of dopamine and noradrenaline in the exploration-exploitation tradeoff during human choice were investigated. The results showed that amisulpride increased the sensitivity to critical choice features, while propranolol was associated with a reduced tendency to use value information. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of human choice behavior, indicating the critical involvement of dopamine in directed exploration and a role of noradrenaline in more random exploration.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Li Lin, Liang Zhang, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Emotion regulation strategies can influence cognitive responses to stress, particularly memory formation for stressful events. The reappraisal strategy enhances both the physiological response to stress and the memory formation for central features of the stressful event, especially in individuals with high working memory capacity.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Rachel Rac-Lubashevsky, Anna Cremer, Anne G. E. Collins, Michael J. Frank, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Human learning and decision-making rely on multiple parallel systems. Recent studies have shown a trade-off between reinforcement learning (RL) and working memory (WM). A computational model predicts that high WM load slows behavioral acquisition but enhances robustness and retention through larger prediction errors in the RL system.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Li Lin, Lars Schwabe, Xiaoyu Wang, Lei Zhan, Liang Zhang
Summary: Chronic exposure to daily stress can have negative effects on mental health, particularly when individuals lack adaptive adjustment mechanisms. This study investigated how adaptive capacities in cognition and emotion, as well as their neural signatures, can moderate stress reactivity in daily life. The results showed that a larger adaptation effect in reaction times of a conflict task predicted a stronger negative affect in response to stress on the same day. The adaptation effect in brain activity components elicited by the conflict task also predicted a weaker influence of today's stress on the next day's stress level, indicating better stress adaptation. These findings have implications for early screening of stress-vulnerable populations and the prevention and intervention of stress-related mental disorders.
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Blazej M. Baczkowski, Jan Haaker, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Learning about threats relies on Pavlovian conditioning, but this method has limitations in detecting known threats and involves the risk of danger. Individuals use mnemonic processes to expand our ability to recognize danger, even in novel situations with minimal aversive experience. The interplay between these memories allows us to infer danger and protect ourselves.
TRENDS IN COGNITIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Stefan Schulreich, Anita Tusche, Philipp Kanske, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Our study provides a comprehensive account of the socio-cognitive and neural mechanisms through which socioeconomic status affects charitable giving. We found that both charitable giving and social cognition were status-dependent, and the link between SES and charitable giving was mediated by individuals' mentalizing capacity. At the neural level, higher subjective SES was associated with stronger value coding in the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ), which predicted charitable giving and was linked to mentalizing.
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Nina Rouhani, Yael Niv, Michael J. Frank, Lars Schwabe
Summary: This article reviews the prioritization of events associated with aversive or rewarding outcomes and attributes the memory boost to the elicited affective response, which is closely linked to noradrenergic and dopaminergic modulation of hippocampal plasticity. In addition, it compares this 'affect' mechanism to a recently discovered 'prediction' mechanism where memories are strengthened by prediction errors (PEs) that deviate from expectations. The mnemonic impact of PEs is separate from the affective outcome and has a distinct neural signature, and both mechanisms have different and sometimes opposing predictions for memory integration.
TRENDS IN COGNITIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentina Krenz, Arjen Alink, Tobias Sommer, Benno Roozendaal, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Memories undergo a time-dependent neural reorganization, with a transformation characterized by a semantic nature and reflected in pattern reinstatement in the hippocampus and event representations in the neocortex.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Lars Schwabe
Summary: Memory is controlled by competing brain systems, and acute stress can bias this competition towards habit learning over cognitive learning. Recent research suggests that stress not only affects memory formation, but also modulates the engagement of multiple memory systems during retrieval. The specific shift in brain systems during retrieval depends on the intensity of initial training and may enhance efficient responding during stressful encounters.
CURRENT OPINION IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Anna-Maria Grob, Denise Ehlers, Lars Schwabe
Summary: This study examined the effects of stress on individual event memory and found that stress can enhance the memory of individual events but impair the memory of the temporal sequence between events. This suggests that acute stress has an impact on memory formation.
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Edo Ronald de Kloet
Summary: As the end product of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, glucocorticoid hormones coordinate various activities in the body and brain, including energy metabolism and defense reactions. The glucocorticoid feedback paradox in the HPA-axis is examined, highlighting the conditional nature of the excitation/inhibition balance in feedback regulation and the potential of glucocorticoids in resetting the stress response system. Understanding the role of glucocorticoid hormone in resilience and vulnerability during stress is crucial.
STRESS-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON THE BIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Anna-Maria Grob, Branka Milivojevic, Arjen Alink, Christian F. Doeller, Lars Schwabe
Summary: Gaining insight through imagination and observation contributes to the integration of separate events into coherent episodes. In this study, fMRI and representational similarity analysis were used to investigate the behavioral and neural effects of insight through imagination. The results revealed that insight through imagination was weaker than insight through observation, but the imagination group had better detail memory. Additionally, the imagination group exhibited different neural activation patterns compared to the observation group, suggesting that imagination hinders concurrent mnemonic integration but may enhance long-term memory.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Radwa H. Lutfy, Sherine Abdel Salam, Haitham S. Mohammed, Marwa M. Shakweer, Amina E. Essawy
Summary: Insufficient sleep is associated with impaired hypothalamic activity and declined attentional performance. This study found that near-infrared (NIR) laser therapy can alleviate the effects of sleep deprivation on the hypothalamus, enhance antioxidant status, suppress neuroinflammation, and regulate cellular activity.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Durmus Ali Aslanlar, Emin Fatih Visneci, Mehmet Oz, K. Esra Nurullahoglu Atalik
Summary: Mood disorders caused by chemotherapy have become more important as cancer patients' survival increases. This study used methotrexate to induce mood disorders in rats and found that treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can alleviate anxiety and depression-like behaviors, increase antioxidant capacity, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and regulate brain chemistry. The findings suggest that NAC treatment could be an effective strategy in revising the treatment for individuals suffering from chemotherapy-induced mood disorders.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Yunfan Zhang, Yunbin Zhang, Zhuangfei Chen, Ping Ren, Yu Fu
Summary: This study systematically investigated the effects of extremely low intensity HF-rTMS on cognition in mice and found that 40 Hz rTMS significantly impaired exploratory behavior and spatial memory at both 10 mT and 1 mT conditions. Additionally, 40 Hz stimulation had remarkably different effects on exploratory behavior depending on intensity, compared to 10 Hz stimulation.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xuan Xuan, Guangling Zheng, Wenjia Zhu, Qionghua Sun, Yawei Zeng, Juan Du, Xusheng Huang
Summary: This study examines the functional characteristics of the cerebellum in individuals with sALS and their correlation with clinical data. The results show changes in both local and global functional connectivity in the cerebellum of sALS patients, suggesting a pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in sALS.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mehdi Rezaei, Mohammad Mahdi Shariat Bagheri
Summary: This study examined the efficacy of tDCS for PTSD and related symptoms, as well as the factors that may predict response to tDCS. The results showed that tDCS had a positive effect in reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and anhedonia. The severity of symptoms at baseline may also predict the response to tDCS.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Huimin Wu, Yiqun Guo, Yaoyao Zhang, Le Zhao, Cheng Guo
Summary: Aggression can have serious consequences, but little is known about its personality and neurological origins in children. This study investigated the relationship between self-esteem, aggression, and brain structure in healthy children, and found that self-esteem was negatively associated with aggression. The study also revealed that increased cortical thickness in certain brain areas may be a potential mechanism linking low self-esteem to aggression in children.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xinmei Deng, Kexin Chen, Xiaoming Chen, Lin Zhang, Mingping Lin, Xiaoqing Li, Qiufeng Gao
Summary: Parental involvement affects the relationship and communication between parents and adolescents. This study found that high parental involvement is associated with stronger brain-to-brain synchrony during shared positive emotional experiences, while low parental involvement is associated with stronger synchrony during shared negative emotional experiences.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xin Deng, I. -Shuo Huang, Kourtlin Williams, Marcy L. Wainwright, Paul Zimba, Riccardo Mozzachiodi
Summary: Food deprivation can lead to neurological dysfunctions, including memory impairment. This study used Aplysia as an animal model to investigate the memory deficits caused by prolonged food deprivation. The results showed that 14 days of food deprivation decreased the level of 5-HT in the hemolymph, which contributed to the lack of sensitization and its cellular correlates. However, exogenous application of 5-HT partially induced sensitization in the food deprived animals.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ihori Kobayashi, Patrick A. Forcelli
Summary: The study found that intervention with the dual orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant did not have the expected effects on extinction memory and sleep. Higher percentages of REM sleep were associated with poorer extinction memory recall and stronger fear responses. Additionally, the fear extinction training protocol used in this study did not lead to complete fear extinction.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jiyan Xu, Xinlu Chen, Shuai Liu, Ziqi Wei, Minhui Xu, Linhao Jiang, Xue Han, Liangyu Peng, Xiaoping Gu, Tianjiao Xia
Summary: This study investigated the effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on oxidative stress and cognitive function in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) mice. The results showed that NMN pretreatment reduced oxidative stress damage and alleviated cognitive impairment in POCD mice.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Song Liu, Qiang Wu, Liyue Wang, Cong Xing, Junrui Guo, Baicao Li, Hongpeng Ma, Hao Zhong, Mi Zhou, Shibo Zhu, Rusen Zhu, Guangzhi Ning
Summary: In this study, a systematic assessment indicator was developed to objectively evaluate hindlimb motor function recovery in rats after thoracic contusion SCI. By screening CatWalk XT gait parameters and using exploratory factor analysis, 38 suitable parameters for assessing motor function were identified. A reliable Coordinated Function Index (CFI) was proposed based on these parameters and simplified for improved assessment efficacy.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kyosuke Shiga, Shota Miyaguchi, Yasuto Inukai, Naofumi Otsuru, Hideaki Onishi
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on microscale learning in implicit motor tasks. Contrary to expectations, the results showed that the stimulation protocol had no significant effects on microscale learning, revealing a novel aspect of microscale learning in implicit motor tasks.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Cahide Aslan, Rahime Aslankoc, Ozlem Ozmen, Buse Nur Suluk, Oguzhan Kavrik, Nurhan Gumral
Summary: This study examined the negative effects of high fructose corn syrup on prefrontal cortex damage in adolescent rats, as well as the protective role of vitamin D.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Matin Baghani, Arad Bolouri-Roudsari, Reyhaneh Askari, Abbas Haghparast
Summary: The study suggests that the orexinergic system in the dentate gyrus region of the brain may act as an endogenous pain control system and a potential target for treating stress-related disorders.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sen Zhou, Yang Liu, Binbin Xue, Peigen Yuan
Summary: This study confirmed that low-dose Esketamine alleviates LPS-induced depressive symptoms by regulating the GSK-3 beta/NLRP3 pathway. Appropriate doses of Esketamine are essential for the treatment of depression in the clinical setting.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2024)