Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Jauhar, L. Fortea, A. Solanes, A. Albajes-Eizagirre, P. J. McKenna, J. Radua
Summary: This meta-analysis focused on fMRI studies using monetary reward with a definable cue-reward contingency. The results showed that both reward anticipation and delivery activated the ventral striatum, with different patterns of cortical activation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Haarsma, P. C. Fletcher, J. D. Griffin, H. J. Taverne, H. Ziauddeen, T. J. Spencer, C. Miller, T. Katthagen, I Goodyer, K. M. J. Diederen, G. K. Murray
Summary: Recent theories of cortical function propose that the brain engages in hierarchical Bayesian inference, with the precision of prediction errors controlled by dopamine playing a crucial role in learning and decision-making. This study found that in healthy individuals, consideration of the precision of the environment during belief updating is present, while patients with first-episode psychosis do not exhibit this behavior. The precision weighting of cortical prediction error signals is a key mechanism through which dopamine modulates inference and contributes to the pathogenesis of psychosis.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Elena Borra, Dalila Biancheri, Marianna Rizzo, Fabio Leonardi, Giuseppe Luppino
Summary: This study analyzed and compared the crossed corticostriatal (CSt) projections in the striatum of nonhuman primates. These projections are robust and mainly originate from motor, prefrontal, and cingulate areas. The findings provide the anatomical basis for the bilateral distribution of motor, motivational, and cognitive signals.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Steliana Yanakieva, Mathias L. Mathiasen, Eman Amin, Andrew J. D. Nelson, Shane M. O'Mara, John P. Aggleton
Summary: This study compared collateral projections from different rostral thalamic nuclei terminating in different cortical areas. The results showed that these projections predominantly arise from separate populations of neurons with discrete cortical termination zones.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yukiko Hori, Koki Mimura, Yuji Nagai, Atsushi Fujimoto, Kei Oyama, Erika Kikuchi, Ken-ichi Inoue, Masahiko Takada, Tetsuya Suhara, Barry J. Richmond, Takafumi Minamimoto
Summary: The study reveals that neuronal activity in the dorsal part of the primate caudate head (dCDh) signals the temporally discounted value needed to calculate motivation for delayed rewards, and inactivation of dCDh distorts task performance based on reward size and delay integration, but not for different reward sizes without delay.
Review
Neurosciences
Bruno Averbeck, John P. O'Doherty
Summary: This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the computational and neural mechanisms of reinforcement learning, with a focus on fronto-striatal circuits. Five broad research themes are identified, including learning targets, algorithms driving learning and inference, value conversion into choices and actions, state representations, and brain control over reinforcement learning subsystems. The authors argue that bridging algorithmic level descriptions to implementation level models is essential to better understand how reinforcement learning emerges from multiple distributed neural networks in the brain.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Marcos Domic-Siede, Martin Irani, Joaquin Valdes, Marcela Perrone-Bertolotti, Tomas Ossandon
Summary: The study reveals the importance of cognitive planning in human goal-directed behavior, with different brain regions playing specific roles in the planning process. Activity in the prefrontal cortex is associated with increased time needed for plan elaboration, while activity in the frontopolar cortex is negatively correlated with execution time, indicating its role in efficiency and accuracy in plan execution. Theta activity in different brain regions reflects high cognitive demand and the successful generation of self-made plans.
Article
Neurosciences
Franz R. Villaruel, Melissa Martins, Nadia Chaudhri
Summary: The neural circuit from the infralimbic cortex to the nucleus accumbens shell plays a crucial role in suppressing conditioned responding and renewal of CS responding. The IL-to-NAcS circuit is involved in both acquisition and expression of Pavlovian conditioning and is not exclusively dependent on extinction process.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clement M. Garin, Marie Garin, Leonardo Silenzi, Rye Jaffe, Christos Constantinidis
Summary: The size of the prefrontal cortex in humans is not disproportionately enlarged compared to other catarrhini species. However, humans have the most relatively enlarged frontal and parietal lobes in an infraorder exhibiting a disproportionate expansion of these areas.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Amar Ojha, Giana Teresi, George M. Slavich, Ian H. Gotlib, Tiffany C. Ho
Summary: Social threat specifically affects fronto-cingulate-limbic pathways that contribute to the maintenance of depression in adolescents.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ping C. Mamiya, Todd L. Richards, Richard A. E. Edden, Adrian K. C. Lee, Mark A. Stein, Patricia K. Kuhl
Summary: ADHD is associated with alterations in glutamate and GABA content in the brain circuitry responsible for attention control. This study found that individuals with ADHD showed smaller increases in Glx and GABA concentrations during attention control tasks compared to individuals without ADHD. Furthermore, smaller GABA increases in individuals with ADHD predicted poorer task performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Billy Kim, Dowon Kim, Anton Schulmann, Yash Patel, Carolina Caban-Rivera, Paul Kim, Ananya Jambhale, Kory R. Johnson, Ningping Feng, Qing Xu, Sun Jung Kang, Ajeet Mandal, Michael Kelly, Nirmala Akula, Francis J. McMahon, Barbara Lipska, Stefano Marenco, Pavan K. Auluck
Summary: Regional cellular heterogeneity in human neocortex is still unclear. This study uses single-nucleus RNA-sequencing to examine cell-specific transcriptional features in DLPFC and sgACC, finding more inhibitory cells in sgACC and considerable variability in excitatory neuron subclusters across brain regions. In addition, genetic signals of psychiatric disorders are mainly enriched in neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Thomas Akam, Ines Rodrigues-Vaz, Ivo Marcelo, Xiangyu Zhang, Michael Pereira, Rodrigo Freire Oliveira, Peter Dayan, Rui M. Costa
Summary: Behavioral control consists of parallel systems, model based and model free, and the anterior cingulate cortex plays a critical role in predicting actions and their consequences. ACC represents the complete state space of a task and is necessary for updating model-based strategies.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Jeremy Hogeveen, Denicia F. Aragon, Kimberly Rogge-Obando, Richard A. Campbell, C. William Shuttleworth, Rebecca E. Avila-Rieger, Ronald A. Yeo, J. Kevin Wilson, Violet Fratzke, Emma Brandt, Jacqueline Story-Remer, Darbi Gill, Andrew R. Mayer, James F. Cavanagh, Davin K. Quinn
Summary: This study revealed a connection between apathy following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and alterations in motivational neural circuits, with different levels of apathy in TBI patients related to changes in brain region functional connectivity.
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Caroline Tandetnik, Elisa Sohier, Laurent Capelle, Viviane du Boullay, Michael Obadia, Mariam Chammat, Nadya Pyatigorskaia, Lionel Naccache
Summary: The free choice paradigm is extensively studied in cognitive dissonance research, with recent studies showing that choice-induced preference changes only occur for remembered choices, requiring normal functioning of executive networks. The crucial role of executive functions mediated by the frontal lobe in cognitive dissonance resolution has been demonstrated.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Rita Moretti, Paola Caruso, Benedetta Storti, Riccardo Saro, Benedetta Kassabian, Alessia Sala, Anna Giannini, Silvia Gazzin
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Gazzin, Matteo Dal Ben, Michele Montrone, Sri Jayanti, Andrea Lorenzon, Alessandra Bramante, Cristina Bottin, Rita Moretti, Claudio Tiribelli
Summary: Curcumin treatment successfully restored cerebellar hypoplasia and behavioral abnormalities in Gunn rats, protecting the central nervous system from bilirubin toxicity. This study suggests the potential of curcumin as an alternative or complementary approach to prevent bilirubin-induced brain damage in the clinical setting, with a multi-target action on bilirubin-induced pathological mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita Moretti, Mauro Giuffre, Paola Caruso, Silvia Gazzin, Claudio Tiribelli
Summary: Homocysteine plays a crucial role in various diseases, particularly in cardiovascular diseases. However, there is limited research on its association with small vessel disease, despite evidence suggesting its potential key role in pathogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sri Jayanti, Rita Moretti, Claudio Tiribelli, Silvia Gazzin
Summary: With the increase in life expectancy, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease is expected to rise, but the diagnosis still relies on clinical symptoms. Current treatments mainly focus on alleviating symptoms without stopping or slowing down disease progression. Therefore, exploring the therapeutic potential of bilirubin in PD is crucial for the development of disease-modifying treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
Sri Jayanti, Rita Moretti, Claudio Tiribelli, Silvia Gazzin
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Milijana Janjusevic, Giulia Gagno, Alessandra Lucia Fluca, Laura Padoan, Antonio Paolo Beltrami, Gianfranco Sinagra, Rita Moretti, Aneta Aleksova
Summary: Vitamin D regulates approximately 3% of the human genome by binding VDR and has pleiotropic effects in various physiological processes. It may play important roles in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Caterina Zoratti, Rita Moretti, Lisa Rebuzzi, Irma Valeria Albergati, Antonietta Di Somma, Giuliana Decorti, Stefano Di Bella, Lory Saveria Croce, Mauro Giuffre
Summary: This narrative review aims to provide physicians with basic and practical knowledge for efficiently choosing the best antibiotic therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis and ongoing infections.
Article
Neurosciences
Rita Moretti, Mauro Giuffre, Nicola Merli, Paola Caruso, Stefano Di Bella, Claudio Tiribelli, Lory Saveria Croce
Summary: HCV, known for its hepatotropic effects, is also associated with systemic disorders affecting the neurological and psychiatric systems. The direct or indirect effects of HCV on the brain, possibly mediated by alterations in the blood-brain barrier, require further study for a better understanding.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita Moretti, Paola Caruso
Summary: Small vessel disease (SVD) is a common pathological condition leading to dementia, with complex pathophysiology involving genetic factors and various comorbidities. The understanding of SVD is still incomplete and contradictory, but new biomarkers may provide insights for future therapeutic targets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita Moretti, Milijana Janjusevic, Alessandra Lucia Fluca, Riccardo Saro, Giulia Gagno, Alessandro Pierri, Laura Padoan, Luca Restivo, Agnese Derin, Antonio Paolo Beltrami, Paola Caruso, Gianfranco Sinagra, Aneta Aleksova
Summary: Small-vessel disease, also known as microvascular endothelial dysfunction, has negative consequences for organs like the heart and brain, leading to impaired blood flow and vascular damage, with imaging techniques aiding in diagnosis and treatment approaches still unclear.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rita Moretti, Mauro Giuffre, Lory Saveria Croce, Silvia Gazzin, Claudio Tiribelli
Summary: NAFLD is strongly correlated with sVaD, with worse neuropsychological outcomes and a worse metabolic profile. It is also associated with severe vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D deficiency, and higher levels of hyperhomocysteinemia.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mauro Giuffre, Enrico Zuliani, Alessia Visintin, Paola Tarchi, Paola Martingano, Riccardo Pizzolato, Deborah Bonazza, Flora Masutti, Rita Moretti, Lory Saveria Croce
Summary: This study aims to determine factors associated with early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The results indicate that male gender and larger tumor nodules are the main risk factors for early HCC recurrence.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mauro Giuffre, Rita Moretti, Claudio Tiribelli
Summary: The human gut microbiome is important for human health and is the subject of increasing research. Omics-based methods, such as metagenomics and metabolomics, are commonly used for studying the gut microbiome due to their ability to provide high-throughput and high-resolution data. However, there are challenges in using machine learning-based approaches to analyze the relationship between microbiota and disease, such as small sample sizes and inconsistent experimental protocols. Efforts are being made to address these challenges, including the construction of data repositories and improved data transparency guidelines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mauro Giuffre, Luigi Vetrugno, Stefano Di Bella, Rita Moretti, Debora Berretti, Lory Saveria Croce
Summary: In the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, it is crucial to distinguish between mild and severe cases. Serum and fecal calprotectin may play a role in predicting the progression and complications of COVID-19. Additionally, there may be a relationship between the complement system and neutrophil activation contributing to the procoagulant status observed in COVID-19 patients.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rita Moretti, Paola Caruso, Mauro Giuffre, Claudio Tiribelli
Summary: This study investigated the behavioral reactions of home-dwelling elderly dementia patients during the pandemic, finding a significant increase in behavior deterioration, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations, and apathy during the lockdown period. Furthermore, caregivers experienced elevated stress levels, reflecting a worsening of their own behavior.