Pub Date : 2025-08-25DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112058
Ibrahim Sungur , Simay Selek , Kaan Keskin , Asli Ceren Hinc , Furkan Yazici , Elif Ozge Aktas , Yigit Erdogan , Ali Saffet Gonul
Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder with significant variability in neurobiological and clinical presentations. In this study, we aimed to investigate neuroanatomical subtypes of schizophrenia using a data-driven machine-learning algorithm. Structural MRI data from 222 participants (136 schizophrenia patients and 86 healthy controls) were analyzed. Subtypes were identified using HYDRA (Heterogeneity Through Discriminative Analysis), a semi-supervised machine learning algorithm designed to reveal disease-related patterns while minimizing the influence of normal anatomical variation followed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis to compare these subtypes with healthy controls. The study identified two subtypes among schizophrenia patients. Subtype 1 showed widespread lower grey matter volumes in several cortical regions, mainly in the insula, cingulate, frontal, and temporal regions. Subtype 2 demonstrated increased subcortical volumes, pallidal volumes relative to controls and thalamus, hippocampus relative to subtype 1. Despite significant neuroanatomical differences, the subtypes did not differ in demographic or clinical characteristics. These findings highlight the potential of machine learning to disentangle structural heterogeneity in schizophrenia, offering a refined framework for neuroanatomical subtyping. Identifying distinct subtypes may contribute to personalized treatment approaches and enhance the precision of future clinical and research efforts.
{"title":"Neuroanatomical subtyping for schizophrenia with machine learning","authors":"Ibrahim Sungur , Simay Selek , Kaan Keskin , Asli Ceren Hinc , Furkan Yazici , Elif Ozge Aktas , Yigit Erdogan , Ali Saffet Gonul","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112058","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112058","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder with significant variability in neurobiological and clinical presentations. In this study, we aimed to investigate neuroanatomical subtypes of schizophrenia using a data-driven machine-learning algorithm. Structural MRI data from 222 participants (136 schizophrenia patients and 86 healthy controls) were analyzed. Subtypes were identified using HYDRA (Heterogeneity Through Discriminative Analysis), a semi-supervised machine learning algorithm designed to reveal disease-related patterns while minimizing the influence of normal anatomical variation followed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis to compare these subtypes with healthy controls. The study identified two subtypes among schizophrenia patients. Subtype 1 showed widespread lower grey matter volumes in several cortical regions, mainly in the insula, cingulate, frontal, and temporal regions. Subtype 2 demonstrated increased subcortical volumes, pallidal volumes relative to controls and thalamus, hippocampus relative to subtype 1. Despite significant neuroanatomical differences, the subtypes did not differ in demographic or clinical characteristics. These findings highlight the potential of machine learning to disentangle structural heterogeneity in schizophrenia, offering a refined framework for neuroanatomical subtyping. Identifying distinct subtypes may contribute to personalized treatment approaches and enhance the precision of future clinical and research efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"353 ","pages":"Article 112058"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144989247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-22DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112050
Clemens C.C. Bauer , Jiahe Zhang , Francesca Morfini , Oliver Hinds , Paul Wighton , Yoonji Lee , Lena Stone , Angelina Awad , Kana Okano , Melissa Hwang , Jude Hammoud , Paul Nestor , Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli , Ann K. Shinn , Margaret A. Niznikiewicz
Background and Hypothesis
Auditory hallucinations (AHs) affect 60–80 % of schizophrenia patients and often resist antipsychotic treatment. AHs involve superior temporal gyrus (STG) hyperactivity and disrupted auditory-cognitive control connectivity. Real-time fMRI neurofeedback (NFB) enables voluntary modulation of targeted brain regions. We previously showed STG-targeted NFB with mindfulness meditation reduced STG activation and AHs in one session. However, whether effects are specific to hallucination-related regions versus placebo, and whether NFB modulates broader networks, remained unclear.
Study Design
This randomized, sham-controlled trial examined NFB specificity and network effects. Twenty-three adults with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and medication-resistant hallucinations practiced mindfulness meditation while receiving neurofeedback from either STG (n = 10, Real-NFB) or motor cortex (n = 13, Sham-NFB control). Sham participants subsequently received Real-NFB, providing within-subject comparison.
Study Results
Both groups showed reduced AHs post-NFB without group differences. However, compared to Sham-NFB, Real-NFB produced greater reductions in secondary auditory cortex activation and connectivity between auditory cortex and cognitive control regions (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate). These connectivity reductions persisted in the Real-after-Sham condition. Both groups showed reduced primary auditory cortex activation, suggesting mindfulness meditation independently regulates bottom-up hallucination processes.
Conclusions
Region-specific NFB targeting produces distinct neural changes beyond symptom reduction. STG-targeted NFB differentially modulates auditory-cognitive control networks, potentially restoring the disrupted balance between bottom-up sensory processing and top-down control in AHs. These findings highlight the importance of anatomically-informed NFB targets and provide mechanistic insights for developing precision interventions for treatment-resistant psychiatric symptoms.
{"title":"Real-time fMRI neurofeedback modulates auditory cortex activity and connectivity in schizophrenia patients with auditory hallucinations: A controlled study","authors":"Clemens C.C. Bauer , Jiahe Zhang , Francesca Morfini , Oliver Hinds , Paul Wighton , Yoonji Lee , Lena Stone , Angelina Awad , Kana Okano , Melissa Hwang , Jude Hammoud , Paul Nestor , Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli , Ann K. Shinn , Margaret A. Niznikiewicz","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112050","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112050","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and Hypothesis</h3><div>Auditory hallucinations (AHs) affect 60–80 % of schizophrenia patients and often resist antipsychotic treatment. AHs involve superior temporal gyrus (STG) hyperactivity and disrupted auditory-cognitive control connectivity. Real-time fMRI neurofeedback (NFB) enables voluntary modulation of targeted brain regions. We previously showed STG-targeted NFB with mindfulness meditation reduced STG activation and AHs in one session. However, whether effects are specific to hallucination-related regions versus placebo, and whether NFB modulates broader networks, remained unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>This randomized, sham-controlled trial examined NFB specificity and network effects. Twenty-three adults with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and medication-resistant hallucinations practiced mindfulness meditation while receiving neurofeedback from either STG (<em>n</em> = 10, Real-NFB) or motor cortex (<em>n</em> = 13, Sham-NFB control). Sham participants subsequently received Real-NFB, providing within-subject comparison.</div></div><div><h3>Study Results</h3><div>Both groups showed reduced AHs post-NFB without group differences. However, compared to Sham-NFB, Real-NFB produced greater reductions in secondary auditory cortex activation and connectivity between auditory cortex and cognitive control regions (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate). These connectivity reductions persisted in the Real-after-Sham condition. Both groups showed reduced primary auditory cortex activation, suggesting mindfulness meditation independently regulates bottom-up hallucination processes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Region-specific NFB targeting produces distinct neural changes beyond symptom reduction. STG-targeted NFB differentially modulates auditory-cognitive control networks, potentially restoring the disrupted balance between bottom-up sensory processing and top-down control in AHs. These findings highlight the importance of anatomically-informed NFB targets and provide mechanistic insights for developing precision interventions for treatment-resistant psychiatric symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"353 ","pages":"Article 112050"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144920117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A negative future outlook increases vulnerability to depression and suicide. Understanding neural mechanisms of future-oriented thinking may reveal insights into suicide risk. This study used fMRI to identify brain activation patterns during future imagination in individuals with recent suicide attempts.
Methods
Sixty-two participants were grouped as recent suicide attempters with major depressive disorder (SA+MDD), depressed individuals without suicide history (MDD), and healthy controls (HC). Diagnoses were confirmed via SCID-5-RV. Participants performed a block-designed future imagination task with positive and negative scenarios during fMRI.
Results
Compared to MDD, the SA+MDD group showed increased activation in the left orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral cingulate, insula, and inferior frontal gyrus, but decreased activity in the left parahippocampus and postcentral gyrus. During positive imagination, greater activation was observed in the right orbitofrontal cortex, supramarginal gyrus, and left superior temporal regions. Psychologically, SA+MDD individuals had lower “reasons for living” and higher suicidal ideation.
Conclusion
Recent suicide attempters exhibit heightened neural responses to negative future events, reflecting increased threat perception and emotion dysregulation. Hyperactivation in reward-related areas may facilitate suicidal behavior as escape from psychological pain, while reduced episodic memory engagement impairs adaptive planning. Targeting hemispheric imbalances offers potential for suicide prevention.
{"title":"fMRI features in recent suicide attempters performing the future imagination task","authors":"Milad Esmaeil-Zadeh , Morteza Fattahi , Nafee Rasouli , Hamid Soltanian-Zadeh , Majid Abbasi Sisara , Ehsan Rajab , Amirhossein Jafari , Seyed Kazem Malakouti","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112049","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112049","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>A negative future outlook increases vulnerability to depression and suicide. Understanding neural mechanisms of future-oriented thinking may reveal insights into suicide risk. This study used fMRI to identify brain activation patterns during future imagination in individuals with recent suicide attempts.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Sixty-two participants were grouped as recent suicide attempters with major depressive disorder (SA+MDD), depressed individuals without suicide history (MDD), and healthy controls (HC). Diagnoses were confirmed via SCID-5-RV. Participants performed a block-designed future imagination task with positive and negative scenarios during fMRI.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared to MDD, the SA+MDD group showed increased activation in the left orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral cingulate, insula, and inferior frontal gyrus, but decreased activity in the left parahippocampus and postcentral gyrus. During positive imagination, greater activation was observed in the right orbitofrontal cortex, supramarginal gyrus, and left superior temporal regions. Psychologically, SA+MDD individuals had lower “reasons for living” and higher suicidal ideation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Recent suicide attempters exhibit heightened neural responses to negative future events, reflecting increased threat perception and emotion dysregulation. Hyperactivation in reward-related areas may facilitate suicidal behavior as escape from psychological pain, while reduced episodic memory engagement impairs adaptive planning. Targeting hemispheric imbalances offers potential for suicide prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"353 ","pages":"Article 112049"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144926309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-14DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112048
Chen Lin , Mengzhuang Gou , Shujuan Pan , Jinghui Tong , Yanfang Zhou , Ting Xie , Ting Yu , Yanli Li , Yimin Cui , Baopeng Tian , Shuping Tan , Zhiren Wang , Xingguang Luo , Ping Zhang , Junchao Huang , Song Chen , Yi Yin , Yunlong Tan
Objective
The mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits in schizophrenia remain unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that insulin resistance (IR) is closely related to brain structure and cognitive impairment. We aimed to determine whether IR mediates or moderates the association between cortical surface area (CSA) and cognitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (PFES).
Methods
We enrolled 140 PFES and 190 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). The Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale were used to assess cognitive function and psychopathology, respectively. The CSA was determined using 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging. Serum insulin and glucose levels were measured for calculating the Homeostasis Model of Assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) index.
Results
The MCCB composite score and subscores for the HCs were significantly higher than those for the PFES (P < 0.001). In the PFES, the CSA was significantly positively correlated with the MCCB composite score and with subscores in some domains (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in patients, HOMA-IR positively moderated the association between the left precentral CSA and two MCCB domains: Reasoning and Problem Solving, and Visual Learning. HOMA-IR also positively moderated the association between Verbal Learning and CSA in the left middle temporal gyrus and the right caudal anterior cingulate gyrus (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Cognitive deficits were worse in PFES than in HCs. Moreover, HOMA-IR moderated the association between cortical structure and cognitive function, which might provide clues about the mechanisms of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
{"title":"Moderating effect of insulin resistance on the relationship between cortical surface area and cognitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia","authors":"Chen Lin , Mengzhuang Gou , Shujuan Pan , Jinghui Tong , Yanfang Zhou , Ting Xie , Ting Yu , Yanli Li , Yimin Cui , Baopeng Tian , Shuping Tan , Zhiren Wang , Xingguang Luo , Ping Zhang , Junchao Huang , Song Chen , Yi Yin , Yunlong Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits in schizophrenia remain unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that insulin resistance (IR) is closely related to brain structure and cognitive impairment. We aimed to determine whether IR mediates or moderates the association between cortical surface area (CSA) and cognitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (PFES).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We enrolled 140 PFES and 190 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). The Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale were used to assess cognitive function and psychopathology, respectively. The CSA was determined using 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging. Serum insulin and glucose levels were measured for calculating the Homeostasis Model of Assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) index.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The MCCB composite score and subscores for the HCs were significantly higher than those for the PFES (<em>P</em> < 0.001). In the PFES, the CSA was significantly positively correlated with the MCCB composite score and with subscores in some domains (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Furthermore, in patients, HOMA-IR positively moderated the association between the left precentral CSA and two MCCB domains: Reasoning and Problem Solving, and Visual Learning. HOMA-IR also positively moderated the association between Verbal Learning and CSA in the left middle temporal gyrus and the right caudal anterior cingulate gyrus (<em>P</em> < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Cognitive deficits were worse in PFES than in HCs. Moreover, HOMA-IR moderated the association between cortical structure and cognitive function, which might provide clues about the mechanisms of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"352 ","pages":"Article 112048"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-11DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112043
Shelby D. Leverett , Sinaida Cherubin , Maria Roche-Dean (Assistant Professor) , Bridget E. Weller (Professor)
Purpose
To systematically review the evidence for 1) the effect of acute anorexia nervosa and weight recovery on aspects of structural morphometry of the brain, and 2) how these effects may differ between adolescents and adults.
Method
We used the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. We searched online databases (Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and PsychINFO) and identified relevant studies. Eligible studies were longitudinal and included a healthy control group.
Results
Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Studies often demonstrated global and regional grey matter volumes among individuals with acute anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls, which increased following weight recovery. Grey matter volumes normalized in adolescents following weight recovery but remained smaller in recovered adults relative to their healthy controls. White matter volumes (globally and regionally) were largely unaffected by either phase of anorexia nervosa (e.g., acute and recovered). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes were elevated in individuals with anorexia compared to healthy counterparts, but volumes normalized following weight recovery. However, the decrease in CSF volume was only found for adolescents.
Conclusion
The structural morphometry of the brains of adults and adolescents with anorexia appears to be differentially affected by weight restoration. Future longitudinal research is needed that uses a consistent definition of recovery, and more diverse participants.
目的系统回顾急性神经性厌食症和体重恢复对大脑结构形态计量学的影响，以及这些影响在青少年和成人之间的差异。方法采用PRISMA指南进行系统评价。我们检索了在线数据库（Web of Knowledge， PubMed和PsychINFO）并确定了相关研究。符合条件的研究是纵向的，包括一个健康的对照组。结果13篇文章符合纳入标准。研究经常表明，与健康对照者相比，急性神经性厌食症患者的整体和区域灰质体积在体重恢复后增加。体重恢复后，青少年的灰质体积恢复正常，但与健康对照组相比，恢复后的成年人的灰质体积仍然较小。白质体积（整体和局部）基本上不受神经性厌食症任何阶段（如急性和恢复期）的影响。与健康个体相比，厌食症患者脑脊液（CSF）体积升高，但体重恢复后体积恢复正常。然而，脑脊液体积的减少只在青少年中发现。结论体重恢复对成人和青少年厌食症患者大脑结构形态的影响存在差异。未来的纵向研究需要使用一致的恢复定义和更多样化的参与者。
{"title":"Effects of anorexia nervosa on structural morphometry of the brain in adolescents and adults after weight recovery: A systematic review","authors":"Shelby D. Leverett , Sinaida Cherubin , Maria Roche-Dean (Assistant Professor) , Bridget E. Weller (Professor)","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112043","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To systematically review the evidence for 1) the effect of acute anorexia nervosa and weight recovery on aspects of structural morphometry of the brain, and 2) how these effects may differ between adolescents and adults.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>We used the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. We searched online databases (Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and PsychINFO) and identified relevant studies. Eligible studies were longitudinal and included a healthy control group.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Studies often demonstrated global and regional grey matter volumes among individuals with acute anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls, which increased following weight recovery. Grey matter volumes normalized in adolescents following weight recovery but remained smaller in recovered adults relative to their healthy controls. White matter volumes (globally and regionally) were largely unaffected by either phase of anorexia nervosa (e.g., acute and recovered). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes were elevated in individuals with anorexia compared to healthy counterparts, but volumes normalized following weight recovery. However, the decrease in CSF volume was only found for adolescents.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The structural morphometry of the brains of adults and adolescents with anorexia appears to be differentially affected by weight restoration. Future longitudinal research is needed that uses a consistent definition of recovery, and more diverse participants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"352 ","pages":"Article 112043"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-10DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112046
Alan N. Francis, Ihsan M. Salloum
Background
Emerging evidence suggests that alcohol use disrupts large-scale brain network interactions, particularly within the triple network model—comprising the Salience Network (SN), Default Mode Network (DMN), and Frontoparietal Network (FPN). However, few studies have examined how these connectivity alterations vary across the full spectrum of alcohol consumption, especially using ultra-high-field imaging and data-driven approaches. This study leverages 7 Tesla resting-state fMRI and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to characterize distinct brain connectivity patterns across heavy, moderate, and non-drinking adults, aiming to identify neural signatures that differentiate alcohol use severity levels.
Methods
We analyzed resting-state functional connectivity data from 69 adults (Mean age - 28.96; SD - 3.49; Range: 22–36) [41M, 28F] drawn from the Human Connectome Project. Participants were stratified into three matched groups (n=23 each): heavy alcohol users (HA), moderate users (MA), and non-users (NA). Alcohol consumption was quantified using the Achenbach Self-Report (ASR) and the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA). Functional connectivity within and between the SN, DMN, and FPN was assessed using both traditional seed-based analyses and MVPA. Between-group differences (HA vs. MA, HA vs. NA, MA vs. NA) were evaluated using Bonferroni corrected statistical tests.
Results
Compared to non-users, alcohol users showed widespread increases in both intra- and inter-network functional coupling. The most striking differences emerged between HA and MA groups, with MVPA revealing unique hyperconnectivity signatures that distinguished these subgroups. Notably, HA individuals demonstrated reduced connectivity between the superior lateral occipital cortex and the precuneus, and hypoconnectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex and language-related regions. No significant sex differences were observed.
Conclusions
This study provides the first evidence from 7T MRI and MVPA that distinct functional connectivity profiles can discriminate levels of alcohol use severity in adults. The observed triple network hyperconnectivity—particularly between heavy and moderate users—may reflect early neurofunctional reorganization or compensatory mechanisms preceding the onset of alcohol use disorder. These findings advance the search for neurobiological markers of risk and resilience along the continuum of alcohol use and underscore the utility of high-field neuroimaging coupled with machine learning in addiction neuroscience.
越来越多的证据表明，酒精使用会破坏大规模的大脑网络相互作用，特别是在三重网络模型中——包括显著网络（SN）、默认模式网络（DMN）和额顶叶网络（FPN）。然而，很少有研究调查这些连接变化在饮酒的整个范围内是如何变化的，特别是使用超高场成像和数据驱动的方法。本研究利用7特斯拉静息状态功能磁共振成像和多变量模式分析（MVPA）来表征重度、中度和非饮酒成年人不同的大脑连接模式，旨在识别区分饮酒严重程度的神经特征。方法分析69例成人静息状态功能连接数据(平均年龄28.96；Sd - 3.49；范围：22-36)[41M， 28F]取自Human Connectome Project。参与者被分成三个匹配的组（n=23）：重度酒精使用者（HA），中度酒精使用者（MA）和非酒精使用者（NA）。使用Achenbach自我报告（ASR）和半结构化酒精遗传评估（SSAGA）对酒精消费进行量化。使用传统的基于种子的分析和MVPA对SN、DMN和FPN内部和之间的功能连通性进行了评估。采用Bonferroni校正统计检验评估组间差异（HA vs MA, HA vs NA, MA vs NA）。结果与非酒精使用者相比，酒精使用者在网络内部和网络之间的功能耦合均普遍增加。HA和MA组之间出现了最显著的差异，MVPA揭示了区分这些亚组的独特超连接特征。值得注意的是，HA个体表现出枕骨上外侧皮层和楔前叶之间的连通性降低，眼窝额叶皮层和语言相关区域之间的连通性降低。没有观察到显著的性别差异。本研究首次提供了7T MRI和MVPA的证据，表明不同的功能连接谱可以区分成人酒精使用严重程度的水平。观察到的三重网络超连接-特别是重度和中度使用者之间-可能反映了酒精使用障碍发病前的早期神经功能重组或代偿机制。这些发现推动了对酒精连续使用过程中风险和恢复力的神经生物学标记的研究，并强调了高场神经成像与机器学习在成瘾神经科学中的应用。
{"title":"High-resolution mapping of alcohol-related brain connectivity in adults using 7T fMRI and multivoxel pattern classification","authors":"Alan N. Francis, Ihsan M. Salloum","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112046","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Emerging evidence suggests that alcohol use disrupts large-scale brain network interactions, particularly within the triple network model—comprising the Salience Network (SN), Default Mode Network (DMN), and Frontoparietal Network (FPN). However, few studies have examined how these connectivity alterations vary across the full spectrum of alcohol consumption, especially using ultra-high-field imaging and data-driven approaches. This study leverages 7 Tesla resting-state fMRI and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to characterize distinct brain connectivity patterns across heavy, moderate, and non-drinking adults, aiming to identify neural signatures that differentiate alcohol use severity levels.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed resting-state functional connectivity data from 69 adults (Mean age - 28.96; SD - 3.49; Range: 22–36) [41M, 28F] drawn from the Human Connectome Project. Participants were stratified into three matched groups (n=23 each): heavy alcohol users (HA), moderate users (MA), and non-users (NA). Alcohol consumption was quantified using the Achenbach Self-Report (ASR) and the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA). Functional connectivity within and between the SN, DMN, and FPN was assessed using both traditional seed-based analyses and MVPA. Between-group differences (HA vs. MA, HA vs. NA, MA vs. NA) were evaluated using Bonferroni corrected statistical tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared to non-users, alcohol users showed widespread increases in both intra- and inter-network functional coupling. The most striking differences emerged between HA and MA groups, with MVPA revealing unique hyperconnectivity signatures that distinguished these subgroups. Notably, HA individuals demonstrated reduced connectivity between the superior lateral occipital cortex and the precuneus, and hypoconnectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex and language-related regions. No significant sex differences were observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides the first evidence from 7T MRI and MVPA that distinct functional connectivity profiles can discriminate levels of alcohol use severity in adults. The observed triple network hyperconnectivity—particularly between heavy and moderate users—may reflect early neurofunctional reorganization or compensatory mechanisms preceding the onset of alcohol use disorder. These findings advance the search for neurobiological markers of risk and resilience along the continuum of alcohol use and underscore the utility of high-field neuroimaging coupled with machine learning in addiction neuroscience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"352 ","pages":"Article 112046"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144830342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-09DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112044
Vicente Camacho-Téllez , Mariana N. Castro , Gabriela De Pino , Bárbara Duarte-Abritta , Agustina E. Wainsztein , Delfina Lahitou Herlyn , Ximena Goldberg , Elsa Y. Costanzo , Narcís Cardoner , José M. Menchón , Carles Soriano-Mas , Salvador M. Guinjoan , Mirta F. Villarreal
Major depressive (MDD) and borderline personality disorders (BPD) are highly prevalent and frequently comorbid psychiatric conditions, both characterized by emotion dysregulation yet likely arising from distinct etiologies. Nonetheless, the specific features of autonomic central-peripheral relationships in these disorders remain poorly understood. We investigated the association between brain structure and vagal activity, and explored the resting-state functional connectivity of brain regions found to be associated with vagal tone, in 19 MDD, 18 BPD and 20 healthy controls (HC). We found that the cortical thinning in the right lateral occipital region was associated with increased parasympathetic tone in BPD, a relationship not observed in MDD. Moreover, in BPD, this region was functionally connected to the anterior insula and prefrontal areas, linked to the central autonomic system and emotion regulation processes. Accordingly, this region was also linked to emotion dysregulation in BPD. Our findings highlight distinct central–peripheral autonomic integration in these disorders and emphasize the occipital region's structural and functional involvement in emotional and autonomic regulation in BPD. Further research is needed to clarify how occipital structure and function, well as vagal activity, may contribute as potential biomarkers for BPD.
{"title":"Occipital structure is linked to vagal tone in borderline personality but not in major depressive disorder","authors":"Vicente Camacho-Téllez , Mariana N. Castro , Gabriela De Pino , Bárbara Duarte-Abritta , Agustina E. Wainsztein , Delfina Lahitou Herlyn , Ximena Goldberg , Elsa Y. Costanzo , Narcís Cardoner , José M. Menchón , Carles Soriano-Mas , Salvador M. Guinjoan , Mirta F. Villarreal","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112044","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112044","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Major depressive (MDD) and borderline personality disorders (BPD) are highly prevalent and frequently comorbid psychiatric conditions, both characterized by emotion dysregulation yet likely arising from distinct etiologies. Nonetheless, the specific features of autonomic central-peripheral relationships in these disorders remain poorly understood. We investigated the association between brain structure and vagal activity, and explored the resting-state functional connectivity of brain regions found to be associated with vagal tone, in 19 MDD, 18 BPD and 20 healthy controls (HC). We found that the cortical thinning in the right lateral occipital region was associated with increased parasympathetic tone in BPD, a relationship not observed in MDD. Moreover, in BPD, this region was functionally connected to the anterior insula and prefrontal areas, linked to the central autonomic system and emotion regulation processes. Accordingly, this region was also linked to emotion dysregulation in BPD. Our findings highlight distinct central–peripheral autonomic integration in these disorders and emphasize the occipital region's structural and functional involvement in emotional and autonomic regulation in BPD. Further research is needed to clarify how occipital structure and function, well as vagal activity, may contribute as potential biomarkers for BPD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"352 ","pages":"Article 112044"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144840731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-08DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112047
Shuai Hao , Zhi-jie Zhang , Xu Wang , Pan Zhang , Hui-peng Ren , Wei-cong Ren
Objective
This study aims to develop an objective and efficient diagnostic model for schizophrenia (SCZ) by integrating electroencephalogram (EEG) signals with deep learning techniques. Building on previous research, γ wave activity is selected as a potential biomarker to achieve high recognition accuracy while significantly reducing model complexity and enhancing training efficiency.
Methods
We implemented an EEGNet architecture optimized for simplified feature engineering, targeting γ band features extracted from resting-state EEG recordings. The model was trained and evaluated using Leave-One-Subject-Out Cross-Validation (LOSOCV) to ensure robustness in distinguishing SCZ patients from healthy controls (HC).
Results
The γ band feature model achieved average recognition accuracies of 98.19 % for the SCZ group and 97.24 % for the HC group. Additionally, the model significantly reduced training time, indicating an efficient classification process that is more conducive to training on large datasets.
Conclusion
The findings highlight the effectiveness of γ band features for EEG-based SCZ diagnostics, with the proposed model offering both high accuracy and improved training efficiency. This study underscores the potential clinical utility of γ band-focused EEG analysis as an objective diagnostic tool for SCZ.
{"title":"Enhancing schizophrenia diagnosis efficiency with EEGNet: a simplified recognition model based on γ band features","authors":"Shuai Hao , Zhi-jie Zhang , Xu Wang , Pan Zhang , Hui-peng Ren , Wei-cong Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112047","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112047","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to develop an objective and efficient diagnostic model for schizophrenia (SCZ) by integrating electroencephalogram (EEG) signals with deep learning techniques. Building on previous research, γ wave activity is selected as a potential biomarker to achieve high recognition accuracy while significantly reducing model complexity and enhancing training efficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We implemented an EEGNet architecture optimized for simplified feature engineering, targeting γ band features extracted from resting-state EEG recordings. The model was trained and evaluated using Leave-One-Subject-Out Cross-Validation (LOSOCV) to ensure robustness in distinguishing SCZ patients from healthy controls (HC).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The γ band feature model achieved average recognition accuracies of 98.19 % for the SCZ group and 97.24 % for the HC group. Additionally, the model significantly reduced training time, indicating an efficient classification process that is more conducive to training on large datasets.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings highlight the effectiveness of γ band features for EEG-based SCZ diagnostics, with the proposed model offering both high accuracy and improved training efficiency. This study underscores the potential clinical utility of γ band-focused EEG analysis as an objective diagnostic tool for SCZ.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"352 ","pages":"Article 112047"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144830340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-08DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112042
Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo , Michelle M. Nutlis , Andrea Ramirez Olarte , Bradley P. Sutton , Ryan J. Larsen , Hillary Schwarb
Little is known about differences in pain perception among depressed versus non-depressed postpartum women. This novel study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of enrolling non-depressed and depressed postpartum women in a laboratory-induced pain study using fMRI. Eleven non-depressed and two depressed postpartum women participated in a cold pain-induced experiment using fMRI. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed. Brain activation of the pain-associated regions of interest was measured. Participants provided subjective pain ratings (i.e., intensity and unpleasantness). The results indicated that enrolling postpartum women in a laboratory-induced pain study using fMRI is feasible. Participants found the study acceptable. The findings showed that the study’s pain device activated the amygdala and insula in the non-depressed group, with activation in the anterior cingulate cortex being marginally significant. Exploratory analyses of differences in brain activation by depression status were not statistically significant. There was a significant and positive association between depressive symptoms and pain unpleasantness. Subjective pain ratings differed by depression status but were not statistically significant. This study showed that conducting a pain experiment using fMRI with postpartum women is feasible and acceptable. Future research should include a larger sample to confirm findings and investigate the impact of depression on pain responses.
{"title":"Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of using fMRI to measure pain responses in women with and without postpartum depression","authors":"Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo , Michelle M. Nutlis , Andrea Ramirez Olarte , Bradley P. Sutton , Ryan J. Larsen , Hillary Schwarb","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112042","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112042","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Little is known about differences in pain perception among depressed versus non-depressed postpartum women. This novel study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of enrolling non-depressed and depressed postpartum women in a laboratory-induced pain study using fMRI. Eleven non-depressed and two depressed postpartum women participated in a cold pain-induced experiment using fMRI. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed. Brain activation of the pain-associated regions of interest was measured. Participants provided subjective pain ratings (i.e., intensity and unpleasantness). The results indicated that enrolling postpartum women in a laboratory-induced pain study using fMRI is feasible. Participants found the study acceptable. The findings showed that the study’s pain device activated the amygdala and insula in the non-depressed group, with activation in the anterior cingulate cortex being marginally significant. Exploratory analyses of differences in brain activation by depression status were not statistically significant. There was a significant and positive association between depressive symptoms and pain unpleasantness. Subjective pain ratings differed by depression status but were not statistically significant. This study showed that conducting a pain experiment using fMRI with postpartum women is feasible and acceptable. Future research should include a larger sample to confirm findings and investigate the impact of depression on pain responses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"353 ","pages":"Article 112042"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144888733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-08DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112045
Shih-Hsien Lin , Shih-Ming Huang , Yen Kuang Yang
This study investigated the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on sustained attention performance following a mindfulness intervention in seventeen patients with Graves’ Disease. Significant improvements in the performance of the masked continuous performance test were observed among patients who received 2 weeks of active tDCS (10 sessions). These findings reaffirm that tDCS may enhance cognitive function.
{"title":"Transcranial direct current stimulation may enhance attention performance in a difficult task among patients with Graves’ disease practicing mindfulness intervention","authors":"Shih-Hsien Lin , Shih-Ming Huang , Yen Kuang Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112045","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on sustained attention performance following a mindfulness intervention in seventeen patients with Graves’ Disease. Significant improvements in the performance of the masked continuous performance test were observed among patients who received 2 weeks of active tDCS (10 sessions). These findings reaffirm that tDCS may enhance cognitive function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20776,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging","volume":"352 ","pages":"Article 112045"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144860602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号