Article
Clinical Neurology
Niels T. de Joode, Anders L. Thorsen, Eline L. Vester, Chris Vriend, Petra J. W. Pouwels, Kristen Hagen, Olga T. Ousdal, Bjarne Hansen, Gerd Kvale, Odile A. van den Heuvel
Summary: The study found no abnormalities in neurometabolites in the dACC of OCD patients before treatment or over time, and the changes induced by ERP treatment seem to depend more on comorbid mood disorders and disease stage rather than OCD itself.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sean C. Piantadosi, Brittany L. Chamberlain, Jill R. Glausier, David A. Lewis, Susanne E. Ahmari
Summary: Studies have found that OCD patients have significantly lower levels of transcripts related to excitatory signaling in both cortical and striatal regions compared to unaffected individuals. While the majority of transcripts encoding excitatory synaptic proteins were lower in OFC, there were no significant differences in the striatum of OCD subjects. These findings suggest a potential upstream causal event in the observed lower levels of multiple glutamatergic transcripts across both medial and lateral OFC.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Eman Nishat, Colleen Dockstader, Anne L. Wheeler, Thomas Tan, John A. E. Anderson, Sandra Mendlowitz, Donald J. Mabbott, Paul D. Arnold, Stephanie H. Ameis
Summary: Our study found no differences in response inhibition performance between medication-naive youth with OCD and typical developing controls. However, we observed significantly increased activity in the primary motor cortex (MI) during the Go condition and reduced activity in the precuneus (PCu) following successful stopping to No-Go cues in the OCD group compared to TDC, suggesting differences in neural response outside of the CSTC region. Further imaging research is needed to clarify regional differences associated with OCD and the influence of medication effects, with MEG showing promise in detecting such differences.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Hirofumi Tomiyama, Keitaro Murayama, Kiyotaka Nemoto, Kenta Kato, Akira Matsuo, Aikana Ohno, Mingi Kang, Osamu Togao, Kousei Ishigami, Tomohiro Nakao
Summary: Gyrification patterns are indicative of early neurodevelopment and may have a strong heritable component. Although findings have been inconsistent, it has been consistently observed that patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder exhibit altered gyrification patterns in the orbitofrontal cortex. However, no studies have yet examined gyrification alterations in unaffected first-degree relatives of these patients.
Article
Clinical Neurology
W. van Leeuwen, A. van der Straten, S. A. Bogemann, D. Denys, H. van Marle, G. van Wingen
Summary: This study examined the effect of psychological distress on neural reactivity in the salience network during a symptom provocation task in patients with OCD. The results showed that psychological distress decreased dACC reactivity to emotionally salient pictures in OCD patients, while it increased dACC reactivity in healthy controls.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zicheng Yang, Geming Wu, Min Liu, Xiaohong Sun, Qunyuan Xu, Chen Zhang, Huimeng Lei
Summary: Using fiber photometry and optogenetics, the study found that cell-type-specific dysfunctions in the OFC-striatal circuit in an OCD mouse model causally lead to impaired reversal learning, indicating a potential therapeutic target for treating cognitive inflexibility in OCD.
Article
Neurosciences
Hikari Hatakama, Nozomi Asaoka, Kazuki Nagayasu, Hisashi Shirakawa, Shuji Kaneko
Summary: The study demonstrated that SSRI improved perseverative behavior in QNP-treated mice by modulating inhibitory inputs in the lateral OFC.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Frederic Briend, Laurent Barantin, Helen Clery, Jean-Philippe Cottier, Frederique Bonnet-Brilhault, Emmanuelle Houy-Durand, Marie Gomot
Summary: In this study, the glutamate levels in the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex were analyzed in high-functioning autistic adults using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. No significant differences in glutamate levels were found between the autistic group and the control group. The study emphasizes the importance of analyzing the GABAergic pathway for better understanding the neuropathology of autism.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Cheng-Chia Shih, Yu-Hsuan Chang, Ruei-Jen Chiou, Chun-hui Chang
Summary: Inappropriate fear expression and failure of fear extinction are commonly seen in patients with PTSD and OCD. Aberrant and asymmetric activation of the lOFC is reported in some clinical cases. The study found that activation of the lOFC interfered with the in-session expression of conditioned fear and impaired the acquisition of fear extinction. The abnormal activation of the lOFC disrupted the excitatory/inhibitory balance of neuronal activities in fear-related brain regions.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Eman M. Khedr, Khaled Elbeh, Mostafa Saber, Zeinab Abdelrady, Ahmed Abdelwarith
Summary: This study compared the effectiveness of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over different brain regions for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The results showed that both active treatment groups outperformed the sham group in improving OCD symptoms. Patients with shorter illness duration, lower baseline scores, and fewer comorbidities responded better to the treatment.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Wan-wa Wong, Joana Cabral, Riddhi Rane, Ronald Ly, Morten L. Kringelbach, Jamie D. Feusner
Summary: This study revealed changes in dynamic functional connectivity patterns in BDD patients during unconstrained face viewing, compared to healthy controls, which were associated with disease severity and lack of insight.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Drew C. Schreiner, Christian Cazares, Rafael Renteria, Christina M. Gremel
Summary: Prior experience plays a crucial role in guiding adaptive behavior during decision making. This study demonstrates that mice not only use information from prior actions and rewards, but also selectively incorporate information from recent and longer-term experiences, including checking behavior and the passage of time, to guide self-initiated actions. These experiences are represented in the secondary motor cortex and its projections into the dorsal medial striatum, which influence strategy-level decision-making.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(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)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Trevor. W. Robbins
Summary: This scientific commentary discusses the research conducted by Kim et al. on the unbalanced fronto-pallidal neurocircuit underlying set shifting in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, published in the journal Brain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brenton T. Laing, Megan S. Anderson, Jordi Bonaventura, Aishwarya Jayan, Sarah Sarsfield, Anjali Gajendiran, Michael Michaelides, Yeka Aponte
Summary: The study identified a cluster of glutamatergic parvalbumin-expressing neurons in the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA) that play a critical role in regulating defensive behaviors, including escape responses. Activation of these AHA(PV) neurons increased during exposure to a predator and triggered aversive responses. Neurotransmission between AHA(PV) neurons and the dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMD) was found to be involved in escape responses. The ablation of AHA(PV) neurons impaired escape responses but had no effect on anxiety-like behavior. Whole-brain metabolic mapping revealed activation of downstream areas such as the amygdala and substantia nigra. This study expands our understanding of the neuronal circuits underlying fight-or-flight responses and has important implications for studying neuropsychiatric disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Article
Neurosciences
Xiang-Zhen Kong, Clyde Francks
Summary: The problem of poor reproducibility of scientific findings has been a topic of concern in recent years. A recent multisite collaborative study investigated the reproducibility of brain anatomical left-right asymmetries in regional measures of surface area and cortical thickness. The study found an average reproducibility rate of 63.2%, with larger effects and larger datasets having higher reproducibility.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
Lindsay M. Melhuish Beaupre, Gregory M. Brown, Nicole A. Braganza, James L. Kennedy, Vanessa F. Goncalves
Summary: The review summarizes the role of mitochondria in sleep based on human and animal studies, showing their involvement in the sleep-wake cycle and briefly discussing the potential clinical implications.
WORLD JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Genevieve Belleville, Marie-Christine Ouellet, Jessica Lebel, Sunita Ghosh, Charles M. Morin, Stephane Bouchard, Stephane Guay, Nicolas Bergeron, Tavis Campbell, Frank P. MacMaster
Summary: One year after the 2016 wildfires in Fort McMurray, 38% of evacuees had probable diagnoses of post-traumatic stress, major depressive, insomnia, generalized anxiety, or substance use disorders, with insomnia being the most common at 28.5%. Pre-existing mental health conditions and financial stress were significant risk factors for these disorders, while post-disaster consequences like decreased work and social life were predictors.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tuana Kant, Emiko Koyama, Clement C. Zai, Joseph H. Beitchman, James L. Kennedy
Summary: Psychopathic traits may be associated with the gene monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), and developmental factors may play a crucial role in the relationship between MAOA polymorphism and psychopathic traits in males.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
David Eapen-John, Ayeshah G. Mohiuddin, James L. Kennedy
Summary: Pharmacogenetic investigations suggest that genetic variation could be a significant cause of opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Understanding the complex interplay of genetic variations in opioid metabolic and action pathways can shed new light on the addictive and toxic properties of opioids. Personalized treatment plans based on individual genetic makeup could enhance the safety and effectiveness of opioid-based pain management and treatment of opioid use disorder.
WORLD JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Gloria Obuobi-Donkor, Ejemai Eboreime, Jennifer Bond, Natalie Phung, Scarlett Eyben, Jake Hayward, Yanbo Zhang, Frank MacMaster, Steven Clelland, Russell Greiner, Chelsea Jones, Bo Cao, Suzette Bremault-Phillips, Kristopher Wells, Xin-Min Li, Carla Hilario, Andrew J. Greenshaw, Vincent Israel Opoku Agyapong
Summary: This project aims to provide accessible and cost-effective management therapy for first responders in Alberta, Canada, through SMS text messaging. The goal is to prevent and improve PTSI symptoms and enhance overall quality of life. The impact of text-based intervention on psychological symptoms will be evaluated and compared with the correspondents' demographic backgrounds.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Tasmia Hai, Rose Swansburg, Cynthia K. Kahl, Hannah Frank, Kayla Stone, Jean-Francois Lemay, Frank P. MacMaster
Summary: We found that the right Superior Frontal Gyrus was thinner in children with ADHD, and this thickness was associated with inattentive and hyperactive symptoms as well as executive function.
JOURNAL OF ATTENTION DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Joanna Collaton, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Valerie H. Taylor, Sophie Grigoriadis, Tim F. Oberlander, Benicio N. Frey, Ryan Van Lieshout, Jerry Guintivano, Samantha Meltzer-Brody, James L. Kennedy, Simone N. Vigod
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility of enrolling Canadian women with postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis using a mobile application for an international psychiatric genetics study and identified clinically distinct subtypes of postpartum depression based on participant responses.
Article
Psychiatry
Yi Zou, Anahit Grigorian, Kody G. G. Kennedy, Clement C. C. Zai, Suyi Shao, James L. L. Kennedy, Ana C. C. Andreazza, Stephanie H. H. Ameis, Chinthaka Heyn, Bradley J. J. Maclntosh, Benjamin I. I. Goldstein
Summary: Oxidative stress is associated with white matter diffusion metrics in adults with bipolar disorder (BD). This study examined the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the oxidative stress system with fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) in youth with BD. The results showed significant diagnosis-by-genotype interaction effects for FA and RD, suggesting that the SOD2 rs4880 GG genotype may attenuate the salutary antioxidant effects on white matter integrity in youth with BD. Future studies are needed to explore other genetic markers and oxidative stress biomarkers.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kazunari Yoshida, Victoria S. Marshe, Samar S. M. Elsheikh, Malgorzata Maciukiewicz, Arun K. Tiwari, Eva J. Brandl, Jeffrey A. Lieberman, Herbert Y. Meltzer, James L. Kennedy, Daniel J. Mueller
Summary: This study investigated the association between polygenic risk scores (PRS) for various psychiatric and metabolic traits and antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG). The results showed nominal associations between PRSs for BMI, CAD, LDL-C, type 1 diabetes, and SCZ with AIWG. Although these associations became non-significant after multiple testing correction, these preliminary findings suggest that PRS analyses may help identify risk factors for AIWG and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
PHARMACOGENOMICS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Martin Zack, Daniela Lobo, Candice Biback, Tim Fang, Kelly Smart, Daniel Tatone, Aditi Kalia, Daniel Digiacomo, James L. Kennedy
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of gambling-specific priming manipulations and the pharmacological basis on risk-taking in a Game of Dice Task (GDT). The results showed that both gambling and AMPH increased risk-taking, with a stronger effect observed in individuals with gambling disorder. The outcomes varied with pre-treatment, and cognitive inflexibility and symptom severity moderated the effects.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Jade A. Stein, Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen, Signe Bray, Frank P. MacMaster, Daniel C. Kopala-Sibley
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between dispositional mindfulness, Big Five personality traits, and psychopathology in adolescents at high risk for mood and anxiety disorders. The findings showed that higher dispositional mindfulness was associated with fewer psychological problems, with self-acceptance and nonreactivity playing key roles in this association. This suggests that techniques focusing on observation, along with enhancing nonreactivity and self-acceptance, should be emphasized in mindfulness interventions for adolescents in the future.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Tasmia Hai, Rose Swansburg, Frank P. MacMaster, Jean-Francois Lemay
Summary: The study found that children with ADHD faced significant challenges in adapting to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the majority of ADHD children received web-based learning, fewer families reported educational materials that met their learning expectations during online classes, and children found it difficult to adjust to online learning.
FRONTIERS IN EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Emilie Binet, Marie-Christine Ouellet, Jessica Lebel, Vera Bekes, Charles M. Morin, Nicolas Bergeron, Tavis Campbell, Sunita Ghosh, Stephane Bouchard, Stephane Guay, Frank P. MacMaster, Genevieve Belleville
Summary: This study found that gender influenced post-disaster mental health services utilization, with women more likely than men to receive information, medication, and psychological help. Self-reliance was the main reason for not seeking help, while motivational barriers such as pessimism and stigma were more common than structural barriers.
ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Educational
Heather L. Craig, Gabrielle Wilcox, Erica M. Makarenko, Frank P. MacMaster
Summary: Teachers have a high rate of endorsement of neuromyths, mainly related to learning styles and multiple intelligences, indicating a need for further training in neuroscience.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
