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Aim: This study evaluates structural changes in the normalized volume ratios of the motor and sensory cortices in Parkinson's patients and compares these changes with healthy individuals to assess the disease's impact on brain structure. Material and Method: The study included 55 Parkinson's patients (14 females, 41 males) and 28 control subjects (7 females, 21 males). The volumes of the precentral gyrus, paracentral lobulus, and postcentral gyrus were calculated using the BrainSuite automated segmentation software. Regional gray matter volumes were normalized by dividing them by the intracranial volume, and these normalized values were used for comparisons. Volumetric analyses were conducted on the precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and paracentral lobulus to assess their morphological changes associated with Parkinson's disease. Results: Results: In the left hemisphere, the normalized gray matter volume ratios of the postcentral gyrus were found to be lower in Parkinson's patients (0.82%±0.09) compared to the control group (0.88%±0.09) (p<0.05). According to MANOVA analysis, significant differences were observed in the normalized gray matter volumes of the precentral gyrus (KEK=0.069, p=0.001) and postcentral gyrus (KEK=0.300, p<0.001) concerning hemisphere and age variables. Significant differences were found in the precentral gyrus (KEK=0.034, p=0.019) and paracentral lobule (KEK=0.026, p=0.041) based on gender. In terms of group differences, a significant result was found in the postcentral gyrus (KEK=0.071, p=0.001) when comparing Parkinson's disease patients and healthy controls, while no significant differences were observed in the precentral gyrus (KEK=0.011, p=0.193) and paracentral lobule (KEK=0.000, p=0.792). Conclusion: Significant structural differences were identified in the normalized gray matter volumes of Parkinson's patients, specifically in the left postcentral gyrus, where a reduction in volume was observed compared to the control group. This study highlights the importance of normalization in accurately assessing volumetric differences and provides valuable insights into the structural changes associated with Parkinson's disease, contributing to the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological resilience is a protective factor of depression. However, the neuroimaging characteristics of the relationship between psychological resilience and brain imaging in depression are not very clear. Our objectives were to explore the brain functional imaging characteristics of different levels of resilience in female patients with depression. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed on 58 female depressed patients. According to the resilience score, participants were divided into three groups: Low resilience (Low-res), Medium resilience (Med-res) and High resilience (High-res). We compared the differences in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) among the three groups and correlated psychological resilience with ALFF and FC. According to ALFF, there was a higher activation in RI and RPG in the High-res compared with Med-res and Low-res, but no significant differences between Med-res and Low-res. The FC between the RPG and supramarginal gyrus (SG) in the High-res was significantly stronger than that in the Med-res and the Low-res, and the FC of the Med-res is stronger than that of the Low-res. Both ALFF and FC were positively correlated with the score of resilience. The sample size of this study was relatively small and it lacked healthy controls. The results of this study could be considered preliminary. Among female patients with depression, patients with higher psychological resilience had higher resting state activation in the RI and RPG and had a stronger interaction between the RPG and the SG. • There are few studies to explore the relationship between psychological resilience and resting brain function in female patients with depression. • We found that the female depressed patients with higher psychological resilience had higher resting state activation in the insula and postcentral gyrus and had a stronger interaction between the postcentral gyrus and the supramarginal gyrus. • This study helps to identify biomarkers of different levels of resilience in female patients with depression, and lays the foundation for preventing depression and developing new treatment methods through the enhancement of psychological resilience [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to detect alterations in interhemispheric interactions in patients with panic disorder (PD), determine whether such alterations could serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prediction of therapeutic outcomes, and map dynamic changes in interhemispheric interactions in patients with PD after treatment. Fifty-four patients with PD and 54 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent clinical assessment and a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan at (i) baseline and (ii) after paroxetine treatment for 4 weeks. A voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) indicator, support vector machine (SVM), and support vector regression (SVR) were used in this study. Patients with PD showed reduced VMHC in the fusiform, middle temporal/occipital, and postcentral/precentral gyri, relative to those of HCs. After treatment, the patients exhibited enhanced VMHC in the lingual gyrus, relative to the baseline data. The VMHC of the fusiform and postcentral/precentral gyri contributed most to the classification (accuracy = 87.04%). The predicted changes were accessed from the SVR using the aberrant VMHC as features. Positive correlations (p < 0.001) were indicated between the actual and predicted changes in the severity of anxiety. These findings suggest that impaired interhemispheric coordination in the cognitive–sensory network characterized PD and that VMHC can serve as biomarkers and predictors of the efficiency of PD treatment. Enhanced VMHC in the lingual gyrus of patients with PD after treatment implied that pharmacotherapy recruited the visual network in the early stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 4 (HSAN4), also known as congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), is a rare genetic disorder caused by NTRK1 gene mutations, affecting nerve growth factor signaling. This study investigates the central nervous system’s (CNS) involvement and its relation to pain insensitivity in HSAN4. We present a 15-year-old girl with HSAN4, displaying clinical signs suggestive of CNS impact, including spasticity and a positive Babinski’s sign. Using Technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography (Tc−99m ECD SPECT) imaging, we discovered perfusion deficits in key brain regions, notably the cerebellum, thalamus, and postcentral gyrus. These regions process pain signals, providing insights into HSAN4’s pain insensitivity. This study represents the first visualization of CNS perfusion abnormality in an HSAN4 patient. It highlights the intricate relationship between the peripheral and central nervous systems in HSAN4. The complexity of HSAN4 diagnosis, involving potential unidentified genes, underscores the need for continued research to refine diagnostic approaches and develop comprehensive treatments.

The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with or without depressive symptoms are obscure. This study aimed to uncover them and assess their predictive value for treatment response. We enrolled 98 GAD patients [58 (age: 33.22 ± 10.23 years old, males/females: 25/33) with and 40 (age: 33.65 ± 10.49 years old, males/females: 14/26) without depressive symptoms] and 54 healthy controls (HCs, age: 32.28 ± 10.56 years old, males/females: 21/33). Patients underwent clinical assessments and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) at baseline and after 4-week treatment with paroxetine, while HCs underwent rs-fMRI at baseline only. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) was employed to measure intrinsic brain activity. We compared ReHo in patients to HCs and examined changes in ReHo within the patient groups after treatment. Support vector regression (SVR) analyses were conducted separately for each patient group to predict the patients' treatment response. Both patient groups exhibited higher ReHo in the middle/superior frontal gyrus decreased ReHo in different brain regions compared to HCs. Furthermore, differences in ReHo were detected between the two patient groups. After treatment, the patient groups displayed distinct ReHo change patterns. By utilizing SVR based on baseline abnormal ReHo, we effectively predicted treatment response of patients (p -value for correlation < 0.05). The dropout rate was relatively high. This study identified shared and unique neural substrates in GAD patients with or without depressive symptoms, potentially serving as biomarkers for treatment response prediction. Comorbid depressive symptoms were associated with differences in disease manifestation and treatment response compared to pure GAD cases. • Existing shared neural substrates of GAD with or without depressive symptoms • Existing distinctive neural substrates of GAD with or without depressive symptoms • Comorbidity with depressive symptoms affects the neuroplasticity of GAD patients • Shared and distinctive neural substrates may assist in predicting prognosis of GAD [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies show that prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) is related to risk for child autism, and to atypical amygdala functional connectivity in the autistic child. Yet, it remains unclear whether amygdala functional connectivity mediates the association between PNMS and autistic traits, particularly in young adult offspring. We recruited women who were pregnant during, or within 3 months of, the 1998 Quebec ice storm crisis, and assessed three aspects of PNMS: objective hardship (events experienced during the ice storm), subjective distress (post-traumatic stress symptoms experienced as a result of the ice storm) and cognitive appraisal. At age 19, 32 young adults (21 females) self-reported their autistic-like traits (i.e., aloof personality, pragmatic language impairment and rigid personality), and underwent structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI scans. Seed-to-voxel analyses were conducted to map the amygdala functional connectivity network. Mediation analyses were implemented with bootstrapping of 20,000 resamplings. We found that greater maternal objective hardship was associated with weaker functional connectivity between the left amygdala and the right postcentral gyrus, which was then associated with more pragmatic language impairment. Greater maternal subjective distress was associated with weaker functional connectivity between the right amygdala and the left precentral gyrus, which was then associated with more aloof personality. Our results demonstrate that the long-lasting effect of PNMS on offspring autistic-like traits may be mediated by decreased amygdala-sensorimotor circuits. The differences between amygdala-sensory and amygdala-motor pathways mediating different aspects of PNMS on different autism phenotypes need to be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 4 (HSAN4), also known as congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), is a rare genetic disorder caused by NTRK1 gene mutations, affecting nerve growth factor signaling. This study investigates the central nervous system's (CNS) involvement and its relation to pain insensitivity in HSAN4. We present a 15-year-old girl with HSAN4, displaying clinical signs suggestive of CNS impact, including spasticity and a positive Babinski's sign. Using Technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography (Tc−99m ECD SPECT) imaging, we discovered perfusion deficits in key brain regions, notably the cerebellum, thalamus, and postcentral gyrus. These regions process pain signals, providing insights into HSAN4's pain insensitivity. This study represents the first visualization of CNS perfusion abnormality in an HSAN4 patient. It highlights the intricate relationship between the peripheral and central nervous systems in HSAN4. The complexity of HSAN4 diagnosis, involving potential unidentified genes, underscores the need for continued research to refine diagnostic approaches and develop comprehensive treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Robert Wagner found a rare communication between precentral and postcentral sulcus in the right hemisphere of the brain of mathematician C.H. Fuch. He also documented right postcentral gyrus showing a bridge connecting it to posterior gyrus. Both these bridges are considered as bridge of Wagner. The aim of this study is to find the incidence and asymmetry of Wagner's bridge and to also determine morphometry of Rolandic fissure. Methodology: This is a descriptive study of 50 hemispheres from 25 formalin embalmed cadavers used for regular undergraduate classes to determine morphometry of Rolandic fissure and bridge of Wagner. Results: The length of Rolandic fissure was found more on the left side (10.49 cm). The depth of Rolandic fissure was found more in male hemispheres (1.52 cm). Interrupted precentral and postcentral sulcus was seen and a bridge of Wagner connecting the gyrus with adjacent gyrus was noted. Conclusion: Asymmetry was seen in the morphometry of the Central sulcus. A bridge of Wagner from pre and postcentral gyrus to adjacent gyrus anteriorly and posteriorly was seen. Knowledge of morphometry and bridge of Wagner will guide neurosurgeons during operative procedures.

Introduction: Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is one of the most common types of dementia. Naoxin'an capsule (NXA), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, has been used to treat VCI for a long time in the clinic. Previous studies proved that the NXA capsules could ameliorate the cerebral mitochondrion deficits of VCI animals. This study aimed to investigate the protectiveness of NXA on human brain structure and function in patients with VCI. Methods: In total, 100 VCI patients were enrolled in this 24-week trial and randomly divided into the NXA capsules group (n = 50) and the ginkgo biloba capsules control group (n = 50). Before and after the treatment, cognitive behavior tests and multimodal brain magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of NXA treatment on VCI patients after 24 weeks. Results: We found that the NXA group significantly improved overall cognitive ability (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive section, p = 0.001; Mini-Mental Status Examination, p = 0.003), memory (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test, p < 0.001) and executive function (Trail Making Test-A, p = 0.024) performance after treatment compared with the control group. For brain function, the degree of centrality in the left middle frontal gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, and left supplementary motor area increased in the NXA group and decreased in the ginkgo biloba group after treatment. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) of the left precentral and right superior parietal gyrus increased, and the fALFF of the right parahippocampal and left inferior temporal gyrus decreased in the NXA group after treatment. For brain structure, the gray matter density of the left postcentral gyrus increased in the NXA group after treatment, and the total volume of white matter hyperintensity showed a decreasing trend but was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the improvement effect of NXA on executive function was associated with changes in brain function. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the NXA capsules improved cognitive performance and multiregional brain function, as well as gray matter structure in the postcentral gyrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies revealed that sleep deprivation (SD) impairs risk perception and leads to poor decision-making efficiency. However, how risk perception is related to brain regions' communication after SD has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the neuropsychological mechanisms of SD-impaired risk perception. Methods: Nineteen healthy male adults were recruited and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging during a state of rested wakefulness and after nearly 36 h of total SD. They then completed the balloon analog risk task, which was used to measure the risk perception ability of risky decision-making. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and voxel-wise functional connectivity were used to investigate neurobiological changes caused by SD. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between changes in ReHo, function, and risk perception. Results: At the behavioral level, risk perception decreased after 36 h of SD. At the neural level, SD induced a significant increase in ReHo in the right postcentral gyrus and was positively correlated with risk perception changes. The functional connectivity between the right postcentral gyrus, left medial temporal gyrus, and right inferior temporal gyrus was enhanced. Critically, increased right postcentral gyrus and right inferior temporal gyrus connectivity positively correlated with changes in risk perception. Conclusions: SD impairs the risk perception associated with altered postcentral connectivity. The brain requires more energy to process and integrate sensory and perceptual information after SD, which may be one possible reason for decreased risk perception ability after SD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves alterations in both cortical morphology and sensory processing. These structural and perceptual changes may lie on a continuum with typically developing (TD) individuals. However, investigations on possible links between these two factors are lacking, and it remains to be seen if their relationship differs by sex. We hypothesized that cortical thickness in the postcentral gyrus (a somatosensory processing hub) would correlate with sensory processing symptoms in a combined cohort of autistic and TD individuals. We also hypothesized that these correlations would differ based on sex. Methods: We studied 23 autistic adults and 27 TD adults using magnetic resonance imaging to measure the cortical thickness of the postcentral gyrus and the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) to measure autism characteristics, with a particular focus on the sensory motor subscale. Results: The left postcentral gyrus (PCG) was found to be thicker in the autism group than in the TD group ( d = 0.946, p = 0.003), particularly in autistic males compared to TD males and TD females. The RAADS-R sensory motor subscale and bilateral PCG cortical thickness were positively correlated across both autistic and TD males (Spearman's rho = 0.481, p = 0.008) but not females. These correlations were specific to the sensory motor subscale, as no correlations were found for RAADS-R total score or any of the other subscales. Conclusions: These results demonstrate sex-specific differences in the relationship between cortical thickness at the PCG and sensory processing in autistic individuals and that these differences exist along a continuum that extends into the TD population. Our findings contribute to furthering our understanding of sex-specific neuroanatomical differences in people on the autism spectrum. The left PCG thickness could be a potential sex-specific biomarker for sensorimotor function that is generally applicable in both neurotypical and autism populations. With further validations, this biomarker could be used to track responses to interventions targeting sensorimotor challenges in people on the autism spectrum., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2025 David James et al. Behavioural Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Childhood trauma is a strong predictor of major depressive disorder (MDD). Women are more likely to develop MDD than men. However, the neural basis of female MDD patients with childhood trauma remains unclear. We aimed to identify the specific brain regions that are associated with female MDD patients with childhood trauma. Methods: We recruited 16 female MDD patients with childhood trauma, 16 female MDD patients without childhood trauma, and 20 age- and education level-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Regional brain activity was evaluated as the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF). Furthermore, functional connectivity (FC) analyses were performed on areas with altered ALFF to explore alterations in FC patterns. Results: There was increased ALFF in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and the right postcentral gyrus (PoCG) in MDD with childhood trauma compared with MDD without childhood trauma. The areas with significant ALFF discrepancies were selected as seeds for the FC analyses. There was increased FC between the left MFG and the bilateral putamen gyrus. Moreover, ALFF values were correlated with childhood trauma severity. Conclusion: Our findings revealed abnormal intrinsic brain activity and FC patterns in female MDD patients with childhood trauma, which provides new possibilities for exploring the pathophysiology of this disorder in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neurobiology of autism has been shown to involve alterations in cortical morphology and gamma‐aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor density. We hypothesized that GABAA receptor binding potential (GABAAR BPND) would correlate with cortical thickness, but their correlations would differ between autistic adults and typically developing (TD) controls. We studied 50 adults (23 autism, 27 TD, mean age of 27 years) using magnetic resonance imaging to measure cortical thickness, and [18F]flumazenil positron emission tomography imaging to measure GABAAR BPND. We determined the correlations between cortical thickness and GABAAR BPND by cortical lobe, region‐of‐interest, and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We also explored potential sex differences in the relationship between cortical thickness and autism characteristics, as measured by autism spectrum quotient (AQ) scores. Comparing autism and TD groups, no significant differences were found in cortical thickness or GABAAR BPND. In both autism and TD groups, a negative relationship between cortical thickness and GABAAR BPND was observed in the frontal and occipital cortices, but no relationship was found in the temporal or limbic cortices. A positive correlation was seen in the parietal cortex that was only significant for the autism group. Interestingly, in an exploratory analysis, we found sex differences in the relationships between cortical thickness and GABAAR BPND, and cortical thickness and AQ scores in the left postcentral gyrus. Lay Summary: The thickness of the brain cortex and the density of the receptors associated with inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA have been hypothesized to underlie the neurobiology of autism. In this study, we found that these biomarkers correlate positively in the parietal cortex, but negatively in the frontal and occipital cortical regions of the brain. Furthermore, we collected preliminary evidence that the correlations between cortical thickness and GABA receptor density are sexdependent in a brain region where sensory inputs are registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the structural and functional asymmetry of precentral and postcentral gyrus in patients with unilateral chronic shoulder pain (CSP) utilizing MRI.Patients and MethodsWe collected structural and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data in 22 left-sided, 15 patients with right-sided CSP, and 24 healthy controls (HCs). Here, we performed the structural asymmetry and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analyses. We extracted regional cortical thickness and surface area measurements from T1-weighted MRI images, using asymmetry indexes (AIs) to assess asymmetries. We used Data Processing and Analysis for Brain Imaging software for seed-based FC analysis and selected unilateral-precentral and postcentral as the regions of interest. Then, we performed group comparisons of the neuroimaging metrics, and also explored the relationships between brain asymmetry and clinical variables.ResultsWe found significant differences in surface area AIs of the precentral among three groups, the AI values were negatively correlated with the visual analog scale score and positively correlated with Constant–Murley scores (CMS) in the left-sided CSP group. Further, FC of left postcentral with cingulate gyrus and left paracentral lobule showed significant group differences; FC of right postcentral with left caudate, left paracentral, and left postcentral were different among groups; FC of right precentral with the cingulate gyrus, precuneus, and left paracentral revealed significant group differences. Besides, there was a positive correlation between right precentral-cingulate gyrus FC and CMS in the right-sided CSP group.ConclusionSurface area and FC patterns asymmetry exist in precentral and postcentral gyrus in patients with unilateral CSP. Asymmetry trend is associated with pain severity and shoulder joint function impairment. Brain structural and functional asymmetry may be an important indicator for understanding the potential mechanism of chronic pain.

While magnetoencephalography (MEG) has proven to be a valuable and reliable tool for presurgical functional mapping of eloquent cortices for at least two decades, widespread use of this technique by clinicians has remained elusive. This modest application may be attributable, at least in part, to misunderstandings regarding the success rate of such mapping procedures, as well as the primary sources contributing to mapping failures. To address this, we conducted a retrospective comparison of sensorimotor functional mapping success rates in 141 patients with epilepsy and 75 tumor patients from the Center for MEG in Omaha, NE. Neurosurgical candidates either completed motor mapping (i.e., finger tapping paradigm), somatosensory mapping (i.e., peripheral stimulation paradigm), or both motor and somatosensory protocols during MEG. All MEG data underwent subsequent time-domain averaging and source localization of left and right primary motor (M1) and somatosensory (S1) cortices was conducted using a single equivalent dipole model. Successful mapping was determined based on dipole goodness of fit metrics ∼ 95%, as well as an accurate and conceivable spatial correspondence to precentral and postcentral gyri for M1 and S1, respectively. Our results suggest that mapping M1 in epilepsy and tumor patients was on average 94.5% successful, when patients only completed motor mapping protocols. In contrast, mapping S1 was successful 45–100% of the time in these patient groups when they only completed somatosensory mapping paradigms. Importantly, Z-tests for independent proportions revealed that the percentage of successful S1 mappings significantly increased to ∼ 94% in epilepsy patients who completed both motor/somatosensory mapping protocols during MEG. Together, these data suggest that ordering more comprehensive mapping procedures (e.g., both motor and somatosensory protocols for a collective sensorimotor network) may substantially increase the accuracy of presurgical functional mapping by providing more extensive data from which to base interpretations. Moreover, clinicians and magnetoencephalographers should be considerate of the major contributors to mapping failures (i.e., low SNR, excessive motion and magnetic artifacts) in order to further increase the percentage of cases achieving successful mapping of eloquent cortices.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the structural and functional asymmetry of precentral and postcentral gyrus in patients with unilateral chronic shoulder pain (CSP) utilizing MRI. Patients and Methods: We collected structural and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data in 22 left-sided, 15 patients with right-sided CSP, and 24 healthy controls (HCs). Here, we performed the structural asymmetry and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analyses. We extracted regional cortical thickness and surface area measurements from T1-weighted MRI images, using asymmetry indexes (AIs) to assess asymmetries. We used Data Processing and Analysis for Brain Imaging software for seed-based FC analysis and selected unilateral-precentral and postcentral as the regions of interest. Then, we performed group comparisons of the neuroimaging metrics, and also explored the relationships between brain asymmetry and clinical variables. Results: We found significant differences in surface area AIs of the precentral among three groups, the AI values were negatively correlated with the visual analog scale score and positively correlated with Constant–Murley scores (CMS) in the left-sided CSP group. Further, FC of left postcentral with cingulate gyrus and left paracentral lobule showed significant group differences; FC of right postcentral with left caudate, left paracentral, and left postcentral were different among groups; FC of right precentral with the cingulate gyrus, precuneus, and left paracentral revealed significant group differences. Besides, there was a positive correlation between right precentral-cingulate gyrus FC and CMS in the right-sided CSP group. Conclusion: Surface area and FC patterns asymmetry exist in precentral and postcentral gyrus in patients with unilateral CSP. Asymmetry trend is associated with pain severity and shoulder joint function impairment. Brain structural and functional asymmetry may be an important indicator for understanding the potential mechanism of chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Standard of care for opioid use disorder (OUD) includes medication and counseling. However, there is an unmet need for complementary approaches to treat OUD patients coping with pain; furthermore, few studies have probed neurobiological features of pain or its management during OUD treatment. This preliminary study examines neurobiological and behavioral effects of a virtual reality-based meditative intervention in patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Design Prospective, non-blinded, single-arm, 12-week intervention with standardized assessments. Setting Academic research laboratory affiliated with an on-site MMT clinic. Methods Fifteen (11 female) MMT patients completed a virtual reality, therapist-guided meditative intervention that included breathing and relaxation exercisessessions were scheduled twice weekly. Assessments included functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of pain neuromatrix activation and connectivity (pre- and post-intervention), saliva cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) at baseline and weeks 4, 8 and 12; and self-reported pain and affective symptoms before and after each intervention session. Results After each intervention session (relative to pre-session), ratings of pain, opioid craving, anxiety and depression (but not anger) decreased. Saliva cortisol (but not CRP) levels decreased from pre- to post-session. From pre- to post-intervention fMRI assessments, pain task-related left postcentral gyrus (PCG) activation decreased. At baseline, PCG showed positive connectivity with other regions of the pain neuromatrix, but this pattern changed post-intervention. Conclusions These preliminary findings demonstrate feasibility, therapeutic promise, and brain basis of a meditative intervention for OUD patients undergoing MMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a symptomatically heterogeneous disease. Symptoms of OCD can be grouped into a six-factor structure including washing, checking, neutralizing, obsessing, ordering and hoarding. These different symptom profiles might be one of the critical factors contributing to the inconsistent neuroanatomical findings in OCD according to the literature. In this study, whole-brain voxel-based morphometry was used to examine neuroanatomical alterations in gray matter (GM) for OCD compared to healthy controls, and the variations associated with differing symptoms of OCD. The high-quality structural imaging data from 39 OCD individuals and 42 age-matched healthy controls were recruited. First, we found increased cortical GM volume in the left postcentral gyrus in OCD participants compared to healthy controls. Next, six independent regression analyses were conducted to examine the correlation between OCD symptom dimensions and inter-individual variation in neuroanatomy. After a rigorous multiple comparison correction, greater hoarding symptom was robustly found associated with greater GM volumes at various frontotemporal regions (including orbitofrontal, middle frontal and superior temporal GMs). Additionally, greater washing symptoms were associated with increased GM volume at the superior temporal cortex. The symptom-specific GM alterations observed here support the notion that OCD is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder, with both overlapping and distinct neuroanatomical structure across symptom dimensions.

We report a case of numb chin syndrome caused by a small cortical infarction in the postcentral gyrus. A 67-year-old man suddenly developed numbness in his right lower lip and the chin. There were no apparent abnormal neurological symptoms other than numbness. MRI revealed a fresh small infarction in the left postcentral gyrus, which corresponds with the somatosensory area of the lower lip and the chin drawn by Penfield and Rasmussen. MRA showed no significant stenosis in the main trunk of the cerebral arteries. A soft plaque with irregular wall was detected in the left carotid bifurcation on carotid ultrasonography. Based on these findings, we diagnosed him with arteriogenic cerebral embolism, and started antiplatelet therapy. A small infarction in the postcentral gyrus can cause numbness in the lower lip and the chin, which can be considered numb chin syndrome. Numb chin syndrome due to thalamic infarction has been reported previously. The present case is the first numb chin syndrome caused by a small cortical infarction in the postcentral gyrus.

We here report a patient with postcentral gyrus infarction whose touch and pain sensations in the right forearm and hand were impaired but proprioceptive sensation was spared. We observed the clinicoradiological correlation between sensory impairment of tactile and pain sensation with spared proprioceptive sensation and the posterior postcentral gyrus lesion, which may be important in understanding the function of human primary sensory cortex.

Fear of punishment prompts individuals to conform. However, why some people are more inclined than others to conform despite being unaware of any obvious punishment remains unclear, which means the dispositional determinants of individual differences in conformity propensity are poorly understood. Here, we explored whether such individual differences might be explained by individuals’ stable neural markers to potential punishment. To do this, we first defined the punishment network (PN) by combining all potential brain regions involved in punishment processing. We subsequently used a voxel-based global brain connectivity (GBC) method based on resting-state functional connectivity (FC) to characterize the hubs in the PN, which reflected an ongoing readiness state (i.e., sensitivity) for potential punishment. Then, we used the within-network connectivity (WNC) of each voxel in the PN of 264 participants to explain their tendency to conform by using a conformity scale. We found that a stronger WNC in the right thalamus, left insula, postcentral gyrus, and dACC was associated with a stronger tendency to conform. Furthermore, the FC among the four hubs seemed to form a three-phase ascending pathway, contributing to conformity propensity at every phase. Thus, our results suggest that task-independent spontaneous connectivity in the PN could predispose individuals to conform.

Abstract Objective To study the changes of white matter tracts in precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus during normal brain aging process by analyzing fractional anisotropy (FA) values obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technology. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were conducted on 120 healthy right‐handed subjects. The subjects were separated into four age groups, namely Young Male/Female (45 years old). Each subject undertakes routine MRI and DTI scans. Left/right precentral and left/right postcentral gyrus are automatically detected on the image. The area for region of interest (ROI) is set to be 18 ± 2 mm2. Results For each age group, the FA values of white matter in precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus are statistically different (p

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Fear of punishment prompts individuals to conform. However, why some people are more inclined than others to conform despite being unaware of any obvious punishment remains unclear, which means the dispositional determinants of individual differences in conformity propensity are poorly understood. Here, we explored whether such individual differences might be explained by individuals' stable neural markers to potential punishment. To do this, we first defined the punishment network (PN) by combining all potential brain regions involved in punishment processing. We subsequently used a voxel-based global brain connectivity (GBC) method based on resting-state functional connectivity (FC) to characterize the hubs in the PN, which reflected an ongoing readiness state (i.e., sensitivity) for potential punishment. Then, we used the within-network connectivity (WNC) of each voxel in the PN of 264 participants to explain their tendency to conform by using a conformity scale. We found that a stronger WNC in the right thalamus, left insula, postcentral gyrus, and dACC was associated with a stronger tendency to conform. Furthermore, the FC among the four hubs seemed to form a three-phase ascending pathway, contributing to conformity propensity at every phase. Thus, our results suggest that task-independent spontaneous connectivity in the PN could predispose individuals to conform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure sensory stroke, a well‐defined clinical entity characterized by sensory symptoms, sometimes causes atypical distributions of sensory impairment. We herein report an 85‐year‐old man presenting with isolated sensory impairment of the right‐sided ear auricle due to postcentral gyrus infarction. The somatotopic representation in the human primary somatosensory cortex that corresponds to the ear has not been elucidated. This case suggests the possible cortical area for the ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly anxious individuals often show excessive emotional arousal, somatic arousal, and characteristics of mental illness. Previous researches have extensively investigated the emotional and cognitive biases of individuals with high anxiety, but overlooked the spontaneous brain activity and functional connections associated with somatic arousal. In this study, we investigated the relationship between state anxiety and the spontaneous brain activity of the somatosensory cortex in a non-clinical healthy population with state anxiety. Furthermore, we also explored the functional connections of the somatosensory cortex. We found that state anxiety was positively correlated with the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) of somatic related brain regions, including the right postcentral gyrus (somatosensory cortex) and the right precentral gyrus (somatic motor cortex). Furthermore, we found that state anxiety was positively correlated with the connections between the postcentral gyrus and the left cerebellum gyrus, whereas state anxiety was negatively correlated with the connectivity between the postcentral gyrus and brain regions including the left inferior frontal cortex and left medial superior frontal cortex. These results revealed the association between the anxious individuals’ body-loop and state anxiety in a healthy population, which revealed the importance of somatic brain regions in anxiety symptoms and provided a new perspective on anxiety for further study.

Introduction: Understanding the neural mechanisms that support successful smoking cessation is vital to the development of novel treatments for nicotine dependence.Method: To this end, we compared resting-state functional connectivity across three smoking groups: current, never, and former smokers. We used an independent component analysis (ICA) that allowed us to compare differences in intrinsic, large-scale networks across our groups. Using this technique, we were able to compare group differences across resting-state networks without the requirement of identifying coordinate-based regions of interest.Results: Overall, the ICA resulted in networks that were largely consistent with previous reports, including bilateral executive control networks, salience, and a default mode network. Group comparisons among the three groups revealed differences in three networks including sensorimotor, dorsal attention, and default mode networks, with differences localized to pre/postcentral gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, and superior parietal lobe. In all regions showing a difference, current smokers showed increased network amplitude compared to former and never smokers.Conclusion: Although some theoretical models of recovery have suggested an important role of frontal cortex and cognitive control, the current results seem to suggest that reductions in posterior regions including superior parietal lobe and somatosensory cortex may play a key role in maintaining long-term abstinence from cigarettes.Implications: The submitted research is a novel contribution to the study of successful nicotine abstinence, in part, because it includes individuals who have successfully overcome nicotine dependence. The use of ICA allowed for examination of large-scale resting-state networks throughout the brain without the need for specifying numerous regions of interest. This research supports the view that overcoming nicotine dependence may depend on reducing spontaneous activity in posterior regions of the brain rather than solely enhancing frontal control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To characterize the spatial patterns of functional connectivity(FC) changes of whole brain in RRMS with somatosensory disorder(RRMS-SS) and to investigate the correlation between abnormal FC and clinical scores.Methods: Twenty-six RRMS-SS patients and 23 healthy controls(HC) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(RS-fMRI) scanning. The clinical scores were collected including Expanded Disability Status Scores(EDSS), Disease Duration and Somatosensory Evaluation by the Fugl-Meyer sensory score(FMSS). With the voxel-wise methods, RS-fMRI data were analyzed using REST software, to assess the FC of the postcentral gyrus(PoCG). Correlation between clinical variables and the strength of FC was analyzed.Results: Compared with HC, the left postcentral-based FC showed decreased FC of the right cerebellum_8, lingual lobe and Rolandic operculum gyrus, and increased FC of the left middle frontal lobe. The right postcentral-based FC revealed decreased FC with the right Heschl's gyrus lobule, and increased FC with bilateral middle frontal lobe (p <  0.001, AlphaSim corrected). Correlation analysis revealed that the FC of altered brain regions was associated with FMSS, EDSS and disease duration.Conclusion: The functional connectivity of PoCG at RS-fMRI has multi-network changes in patients with RRMS-SS. This suggests a complex pattern of abnormal connections between the somatosensory network regions and the whole brain. Moreover, the correlation between the FC and the FMSS, such as the left middle frontal lobe and the right PoCG, indicate that these two brain regions play an important role in RRMS-SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly anxious individuals often show excessive emotional arousal, somatic arousal, and characteristics of mental illness. Previous researches have extensively investigated the emotional and cognitive biases of individuals with high anxiety, but overlooked the spontaneous brain activity and functional connections associated with somatic arousal. In this study, we investigated the relationship between state anxiety and the spontaneous brain activity of the somatosensory cortex in a non-clinical healthy population with state anxiety. Furthermore, we also explored the functional connections of the somatosensory cortex. We found that state anxiety was positively correlated with the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) of somatic related brain regions, including the right postcentral gyrus (somatosensory cortex) and the right precentral gyrus (somatic motor cortex). Furthermore, we found that state anxiety was positively correlated with the connections between the postcentral gyrus and the left cerebellum gyrus, whereas state anxiety was negatively correlated with the connectivity between the postcentral gyrus and brain regions including the left inferior frontal cortex and left medial superior frontal cortex. These results revealed the association between the anxious individuals' body-loop and state anxiety in a healthy population, which revealed the importance of somatic brain regions in anxiety symptoms and provided a new perspective on anxiety for further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, mirror visual feedback (MVF) therapy combined with electrical stimulation (ES) have been proposed for patients with hemiparesis. However, the neurophysiological effect remains unknown. We investigated the effects of MVF by itself and along with electromyogram-triggered ES (ETES) on hemodynamic responses using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Eighteen healthy subjects participated in this study. We measured changes in brain oxygenation using 48 NIRS channels. We investigated the effects of three main factors of visual feedback (observation of a mark, right hand, and hand movements via mirror) with or without ES on bilateral precentral gyrus (PrG), postcentral gyrus (PoG), supplementary motor area (SMA), supramarginal gyrus area (SMG), and angular gyrus (AG) to determine the contribution of each factor. The results showed that the left PoG was significantly more activated when performing mirrored tasks (MT) than when performing circle or Right-hand Tasks (RTs). In addition, the right PoG and right SMA in MT were significantly more activated than in MT + ES cases. Our findings suggested that observation of movements through the mirror caused activation of the postcentral gyrus rather than the PrG, and MVF along with ETES decreased cortical activation.