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Brain Posts
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- April 17, 2013
- 11:16 AM
- 106 views
EEG Differentiates Adjustment Disorder From Depression
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
A key element in discovering valid mental disorder categories is to differentiate a mental disorder from other valid mental disorder categories.Biological markers for mental disorders have been slow to develop. Functional brain imaging techniques and other research tools are evolving to help in the important task of improving the validity of clinical neuroscience disorders.Adjustment disorder is a relatively common condition that has lagged in research attention. Adjustment disorder ........ Read more »
Jeong HG, Ko YH, Han C, Kim YK, & Joe SH. (2013) Distinguishing Quantitative Electroencephalogram Findings between Adjustment Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. Psychiatry investigation, 10(1), 62-8. PMID: 23482820
- March 29, 2013
- 11:26 AM
- 182 views
Blast-related Traumatic Brain Injury and fMRI
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Blast-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important research topic. Over 100,000 armed services personnel experienced a significant traumatic brain event in the last decade. A majority of these were explosion or blast-related in nature.However, standard brain imaging techniques (computed tomographay, structural MRI) typically fail to demonstrate changes following blast TBI. New imaging strategies are needed to assess severity and progression.Graner and colleagues from Wa........ Read more »
Graner J, Oakes TR, French LM, & Riedy G. (2013) Functional MRI in the investigation of blast-related traumatic brain injury. Frontiers in neurology, 16. PMID: 23460082
- March 28, 2013
- 12:09 PM
- 155 views
Football and the Blood Brain Barrier
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
A variety of research tools are being utilized to study the effect of trauma on the brain. In a previous post, I summarized some of the research using diffusion brain imaging or DTI.A recent study looked at the function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a group of football players. The BBB is an important brain protective mechanism. A variety of blood proteins and other compounds have the potential to cause inflammation and other damage to neurons and other brain cells.Marchi........ Read more »
Marchi N, Bazarian JJ, Puvenna V, Janigro M, Ghosh C, Zhong J, Zhu T, Blackman E, Stewart D, Ellis J.... (2013) Consequences of repeated blood-brain barrier disruption in football players. PloS one, 8(3). PMID: 23483891
- March 13, 2013
- 10:12 AM
- 207 views
ECT Reverses Depression Brain Connectivity Deficit
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) remains one of the most effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD).The mechanism of action for ECT in MDD is unclear. Research targeting brain changes in ECT is an important pathway to understanding the mechanism of action for ECT.Patients with MDD show disruptions in brain functional connectivity as measures by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The connectivity abnormalities in MDD have included changes in limbic, cortical........ Read more »
Abbott, C., Lemke, N., Gopal, S., Thoma, R., Bustillo, J., Calhoun, V., & Turner, J. (2013) Electroconvulsive Therapy Response in Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Functional Network Connectivity Resting State fMRI Investigation. Frontiers in Psychiatry. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00010
- February 6, 2013
- 11:49 AM
- 294 views
Interferon-induced Depression: Genetics
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Photo of a pair of green wing tealInterferon remains a key first line treatment for treatment of hepatitis C. However, interferon has significant neuropsychiatric effects including risk for depression and even suicide in rare individuals.Some individuals with hepatitis C are unable to complete a course of interferon because of induced depression. This makes understanding this phenomenon important to develop prevention and treatment strategies.Understanding how interferon induces depr........ Read more »
Schlaak JF, Trippler M, Hoyo-Becerra C, Erim Y, Kis B, Wang B, Scherbaum N, & Gerken G. (2012) Selective hyper-responsiveness of the interferon system in major depressive disorders and depression induced by interferon therapy. PloS one, 7(6). PMID: 22701688
- February 5, 2013
- 12:25 PM
- 218 views
Donepezil Improves Dementia With Lewy Bodies
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a type of dementia less common than Alzheimer's disease. However, Lewy bodies (brain neuron deposits of the proteins alpha-synuclean and ubiquitin) are found in up to 10 to 15% of individuals dying of dementia.DLB is known to deplete brain acetylcholine and dopamine neurotransmitter levels in the brain. This leads to a clinical syndrome characterized by both cognitive decline and motor symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.DLB may be difficult to ........ Read more »
Mori E, Ikeda M, Kosaka K, & Donepezil-DLB Study Investigators. (2012) Donepezil for dementia with Lewy bodies: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Annals of neurology, 72(1), 41-52. PMID: 22829268
- February 4, 2013
- 11:58 AM
- 146 views
Oxytocin and Grandparent Attachment
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I a previous post I summarized a review of the emerging research field of oxytocin and human attachment.This research supports a key role for oxytocin in reproduction and parental infant bonding. The above mentioned review emphasized the important role of gender, genetic and early environment in the effect individual human variation in oxytocin response.One additionally related important research topic relates to the effect of ageing on oxytocin-related systems. Huffmeijer and colle........ Read more »
Huffmeijer R, van Ijzendoorn MH, & Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ. (2013) Ageing and oxytocin: a call for extending human oxytocin research to ageing populations - a mini-review. Gerontology, 59(1), 32-9. PMID: 22922544
- February 1, 2013
- 11:44 AM
- 189 views
Oxytocin and Human Attachment
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
In a previous post, I summarized a recent review on the neuroscience of human attachment. This review highlighted research related to the human bonding and social interactions. Attachment ability shows significant variability in humans with insecure attachment styles contributing to risk for some mental disorders. The neuroanatomical framework for social processing is being investigated with brain imaging techniques.Hormonal factors including the role of oxytoc........ Read more »
Macdonald KS. (2012) Sex, receptors, and attachment: a review of individual factors influencing response to oxytocin. Frontiers in neuroscience, 194. PMID: 23335876
- January 31, 2013
- 12:47 PM
- 178 views
Neuroscience of Human Attachment
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Attachment is the ability to form human relationship bonds. Individuals vary in their ability to develop social relationships. The ability to form secure human relationships plays a key role in successful personal and occupational development.Attachment theory evolved over 50 years ago. This theory proposes all humans have an innate biological mechanism that supports social engagement. This engagement is necessary during infancy to encourage nurturance and provision of a ........ Read more »
Vrtička, P., & Vuilleumier, P. (2012) Neuroscience of human social interactions and adult attachment style. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00212
- January 15, 2013
- 11:18 AM
- 180 views
Fat Gene (FTO) Linked to Alzheimer's Disease Risk
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The relationship between obesity and risk for Alzheimer's disease is a controversial area of research.Several studies have found a prospective increase in risk for Alzheimer's disease in those with obesity. However, the association has been inconsistent. Some studies have even found a reduced risk of later Alzheimer's disease in overweight populations.One method to further investigate the possible obesity-Alzheimer's risk association is through direct genetic studies of genes known t........ Read more »
Reitz C, Tosto G, Mayeux R, Luchsinger JA, & the NIA-LOAD/NCRAD Family Study Group and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. (2012) Genetic Variants in the Fat and Obesity Associated (FTO) Gene and Risk of Alzheimer's Disease. PloS one, 7(12). PMID: 23251365
- January 14, 2013
- 11:19 AM
- 232 views
Lifestyle Factors and Risk of Alzheimer's Dementia
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The number of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease is rapidly increasing throughout the developed world.A significant portion of this increase is explained by demographic trends as the Baby Boomer generation progresses through the high-risk age categories for Alzheimer's and other dementia.It is important to understand potentially modifiable lifestyle risk factors that may stimulate a valid public health prevention program.An important recent study examined lifestyle factors and risk f........ Read more »
Gelber RP, Petrovitch H, Masaki KH, Abbott RD, Ross GW, Launer LJ, & White LR. (2012) Lifestyle and the risk of dementia in Japanese-american men. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 60(1), 118-23. PMID: 22211390
- January 11, 2013
- 11:35 AM
- 236 views
Brain MRI and Enhanced Alzheimer's Drug Trials
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Clinical research trials in Alzheimer's disease are hampered by insensitive outcome measures.This effect results in the need for very expensive large sample sizes trial protocols.Current state-of-the-art Alzheimer's trials frequently use the Minimental Status Exam (MMSE) or the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimers disease assessment scale (ADAS Cog). These measures are imperfect and imprecise, often requiring a minimum of 200 to 300 subjects to be enrolled.One strategy to improve Alzheimer........ Read more »
Lin AL, Laird AR, Fox PT, & Gao JH. (2012) Multimodal MRI neuroimaging biomarkers for cognitive normal adults, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease. Neurology research international, 907409. PMID: 21949904
- January 10, 2013
- 12:15 PM
- 194 views
Proximity to Parent Reduces Anxious Youth Stress Response
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Functional magnetic resonance imaging provides a powerful tool for understanding anxiety in children as well as adults.This technique does not use any form of radiation and presents minimal risk for research participants. We are beginning to better understand important mechanisms of childhood anxiety.An innovative study of neural stress markers in children examined an important variable in childhood anxiety. When children are studied in an fMRI scanner, they may or may not have a par........ Read more »
Conner OL, Siegle GJ, McFarland AM, Silk JS, Ladouceur CD, Dahl RE, Coan JA, & Ryan ND. (2012) Mom-It Helps When You're Right Here! Attenuation of Neural Stress Markers in Anxious Youths Whose Caregivers Are Present during fMRI. PloS one, 7(12). PMID: 23236383
- January 9, 2013
- 12:25 PM
- 224 views
Early Brain Inflammation in Lupus (SLE)
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I previously reviewed a brain research imaging study of patients with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE). This study found evidence of disruption of brain connectivity markers even before any clinical brain symptoms.SLE is a multi-organ disease known to produce significant neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms do not affect all patients with SLE as the brain effects are highly variable in this disorder. Studying patients with early SLE without brain-related symptoms provide........ Read more »
Ramage, A., Fox, P., Brey, R., Narayana, S., Cykowski, M., Naqibuddin, M., Sampedro, M., Holliday, S., Franklin, C., Wallace, D.... (2011) Neuroimaging evidence of white matter inflammation in newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis , 63(10), 3048-3057. DOI: 10.1002/art.30458
- January 2, 2013
- 11:18 AM
- 234 views
What We Know About Obesity and Mortality
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
To begin 2013 I would like to do a series of posts related to weight, overweight and obesity on mortality and brain disorders.This morning a new meta-analysis was published in JAMA examining the relationship between weight category and all cause mortality. This study is receiving a significant degree of attention as it challenges a commonly held belief that even mild obesity is linked to earlier death.The study was conducted by a research team at the Centers for Disease Control, the Univer........ Read more »
Flegal KM, Kit BK, Orpana H, Graubard BI. (2013) Association of All-Cause Mortality With Overweight and Obesity Using Standard Body Mass Index Categories. JAMA, 309(1), 71-82. info:/
- December 13, 2012
- 11:10 AM
- 224 views
Does Your Smartphone Know How Smart You Are? IQ Pro iPhone App Review
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Smartphones and tablet computers hold the potential to extend the availability of testing intelligence quotient (IQ) and other neuropsychological functions.So if you use your smartphone to test your IQ your smartphone will know how smart you are. I recently downloaded and tested the iPhone app IQ Pro.When you search IQ at the Apple app store you get 1,919 hits. I selected IQ Pro because it had a high user rating score (4.5 stars out of 5) and appeared to have information about the re........ Read more »
Cattell, R. (1963) Theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence: A critical experiment. Journal of Educational Psychology, 54(1), 1-22. DOI: 10.1037/h0046743
- December 12, 2012
- 12:15 PM
- 225 views
Smartphone Apps in Medicine: Review
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
In a previous post, I examined a research survey of smartphone app use by medical students and junior physicians in the United Kingdom. I would like to follow up on this topic by summarizing a recent review of the smartphone in medicine.Ozdalga and colleagues from Stanford University Hospital recently published results of literature review on this topic in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.Their study examined all published research studies with the search term smartphone and ........ Read more »
Ozdalga, E., Ozdalga, A., & Ahuja, N. (2012) The Smartphone in Medicine: A Review of Current and Potential Use Among Physicians and Students. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14(5). DOI: 10.2196/jmir.1994
- December 10, 2012
- 11:41 AM
- 272 views
Are Physicians Using Medical Smartphones Apps?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The number and types of medical apps for physicians and other medical providers is rapidly increasing. Smart phone apps (i.e. iPhone and Android apps) have the potential to allow physicians real time access to medical records, treatment guidelines and medical reference information. As these apps increase in number and type, it will be important to understand the facilitators and barriers to implementation in the medical setting. Additionally, research will be needed to document ........ Read more »
Payne KF, Wharrad H, & Watts K. (2012) Smartphone and medical related App use among medical students and junior doctors in the United Kingdom (UK): a regional survey. BMC medical informatics and decision making, 121. PMID: 23110712
- December 6, 2012
- 11:27 AM
- 252 views
Can Exercise Reduce Stroke Damage?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
This is the fourth and final post is a series focusing on exercise and the brain. In the first post, I reviewed research documenting the brain's role in exercise fatigue. The second post examined the hypothesis that aerobic physical activity had a key evolutionary role in the growth of brain size in humans. The third post focused on animal study research supporting a role for exercise in reducing vulnerability to anxiety by changes in the 5-HT2C serotonin receptor.In this post,........ Read more »
Dunn JF, Wu Y, Zhao Z, Srinivasan S, & Natah SS. (2012) Training the brain to survive stroke. PloS one, 7(9). PMID: 23028788
- December 5, 2012
- 10:55 AM
- 277 views
Exercise and the Brain: Anxiety-related Receptors
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Aerobic exercise appears to have significant therapeutic benefits in the treatment of anxiety and depression. This effect has been demonstrated in animal models as well as in humans. However, there has been limited study of the potential brain mechanisms that produce an anti-anxiety or an anti-depressant effect.Brain serotonin neurotransmitter receptors have been implicated in anxiety and depressive disorders. Additionally, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs such as f........ Read more »
Greenwood BN, Strong PV, Loughridge AB, Day HE, Clark PJ, Mika A, Hellwinkel JE, Spence KG, & Fleshner M. (2012) 5-HT(2C) Receptors in the Basolateral Amygdala and Dorsal Striatum Are a Novel Target for the Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of Exercise. PloS one, 7(9). PMID: 23049953
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