Pub Date : 2026-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106605
Nadya Ali , Freek van der Heijden , Wouter De Baene , Marion I. van den Heuvel , Margriet Sitskoorn
Early-life poverty has been associated with lasting alterations in brain development, cognitive abilities, health and quality of life. The potential pathways linking poverty to neurocognitive development remain unclear partly because they are scattered across disciplines. This integrative review synthesises multidisciplinary findings pertaining to candidate mechanisms of the relationship between poverty and neurocognitive development into a unified conceptual framework. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for articles published between the years 2014 and 2026. The included studies (n = 59) were examined for potential pathways linking poverty to neurocognitive outcomes in the first 2 years of life. Candidate mediating mechanisms were divided into three levels, forming the ‘Poverty Ecosystem Framework’: (1) external level (environment), (2) internal system level (biological pathways), and (3) cellular level (molecular processes). Across studies, poverty was frequently associated with adverse neurocognitive outcomes and increased susceptibility to stressors. Evidence pertaining to the underlying mechanisms was more mixed, however. Our synthesis suggests that poverty's impact is twofold, involving both the direct harm of deprivation and a potential recalibration of developmental sensitivity that primes the brain to respond differently to subsequent stressors. Additionally, parental education emerged as a buffer for the effect of low income and different physiological stressors on child neurocognition. Complementary to the synthesis, an interactive dashboard was created that visualises key findings. This ecosystem perspective demonstrates the necessity of applying consistent indices of poverty and studying interacting risk factors, rather than isolated variables, to fully understand and mitigate poverty's impact on the developing brain.
早年贫困与大脑发育、认知能力、健康和生活质量的持久改变有关。将贫穷与神经认知发展联系起来的潜在途径仍不清楚，部分原因是这些途径分散在各个学科之间。这篇综合评论综合了有关贫困和神经认知发展之间关系的候选机制的多学科研究结果，形成了一个统一的概念框架。我们系统地检索了PubMed、Web of Science和PsycINFO在2014年至2026年间发表的文章。纳入的研究（n = 59）检查了在生命的头两年将贫困与神经认知结果联系起来的潜在途径。候选中介机制分为三个层面，形成“贫困生态系统框架”：(1)外部水平（环境），(2)内部系统水平（生物途径），(3)细胞水平（分子过程）。在所有研究中，贫穷通常与不良的神经认知结果和对压力源的易感性增加有关。然而，有关潜在机制的证据则更为复杂。我们的综合研究表明，贫困的影响是双重的，既包括剥夺的直接伤害，也包括潜在的发育敏感性的重新校准，使大脑对随后的压力源做出不同的反应。此外，父母教育对低收入和不同生理应激源对儿童神经认知的影响起到缓冲作用。作为综合的补充，创建了一个交互式仪表板，将关键发现可视化。这一生态系统观点表明，为了充分理解和减轻贫困对发育中的大脑的影响，有必要采用一致的贫困指数，并研究相互作用的风险因素，而不是孤立的变量。
{"title":"The Poverty Ecosystem Framework: An integrative review of candidate mechanisms underlying the effects of poverty on neurocognitive development in the first 1000 days of life","authors":"Nadya Ali , Freek van der Heijden , Wouter De Baene , Marion I. van den Heuvel , Margriet Sitskoorn","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early-life poverty has been associated with lasting alterations in brain development, cognitive abilities, health and quality of life. The potential pathways linking poverty to neurocognitive development remain unclear partly because they are scattered across disciplines. This integrative review synthesises multidisciplinary findings pertaining to candidate mechanisms of the relationship between poverty and neurocognitive development into a unified conceptual framework. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for articles published between the years 2014 and 2026. The included studies (n = 59) were examined for potential pathways linking poverty to neurocognitive outcomes in the first 2 years of life. Candidate mediating mechanisms were divided into three levels, forming the ‘<em>Poverty Ecosystem Framework’:</em> (1) external level (environment), (2) internal system level (biological pathways), and (3) cellular level (molecular processes). Across studies, poverty was frequently associated with adverse neurocognitive outcomes and increased susceptibility to stressors. Evidence pertaining to the underlying mechanisms was more mixed, however. Our synthesis suggests that poverty's impact is twofold, involving both the direct harm of deprivation and a potential recalibration of developmental sensitivity that primes the brain to respond differently to subsequent stressors. Additionally, parental education emerged as a buffer for the effect of low income and different physiological stressors on child neurocognition. Complementary to the synthesis, an interactive dashboard was created that visualises key findings. This ecosystem perspective demonstrates the necessity of applying consistent indices of poverty and studying interacting risk factors, rather than isolated variables, to fully understand and mitigate poverty's impact on the developing brain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 106605"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146167967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106582
Charlie W McDonald, Fiona G Sleight, Richard E Mattson, Negar Fani
Alterations in interoceptive integration and processing have recently been proposed as a potential underlying mechanism for the onset of dissociative pathology. To date, researchers have sought to assess these hypotheses by measuring baseline differences in interoception across relevant samples (e.g., individuals with dissociative symptoms vs. healthy controls) or comparing interoception before and after laboratory-based inductions of state dissociation. However, empirical findings across such studies have been equivocal, and there has yet to be a review that compiles their findings related to interoception and its dimensions (i.e., interoceptive accuracy, sensibility, and awareness) and dissociative experiences. Thus, this review highlights studies that assess either baseline differences in interoception in case and controls or following laboratory-based inductions of state dissociation. Additionally, this review also included research looking at correlates of interoception and dissociation to explain this relation more fully. Utilizing a comprehensive search strategy, over 3,000 articles were reviewed, with eight meeting criteria. Of the eligible studies, 87.50% found at least one significant difference in interoception, and all studies met an average of 83.33% of the total points from a quality and risk of bias assessment tool. In addition to providing descriptive information about each study, we highlight trends, heterogeneous findings, and methodological concerns. We conclude with recommendations for researchers moving forward, including improving measurement (e.g., utilizing multimodal assessments of interoception), accounting for confounding influences (e.g., metacognitive deficits), and elucidating the directionality of the relation between interoception and dissociation.
{"title":"\"I'm Not Here, This Isn't Happening\": Interoception and Its Role in Dissociation - A Systematic Review.","authors":"Charlie W McDonald, Fiona G Sleight, Richard E Mattson, Negar Fani","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106582","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106582","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alterations in interoceptive integration and processing have recently been proposed as a potential underlying mechanism for the onset of dissociative pathology. To date, researchers have sought to assess these hypotheses by measuring baseline differences in interoception across relevant samples (e.g., individuals with dissociative symptoms vs. healthy controls) or comparing interoception before and after laboratory-based inductions of state dissociation. However, empirical findings across such studies have been equivocal, and there has yet to be a review that compiles their findings related to interoception and its dimensions (i.e., interoceptive accuracy, sensibility, and awareness) and dissociative experiences. Thus, this review highlights studies that assess either baseline differences in interoception in case and controls or following laboratory-based inductions of state dissociation. Additionally, this review also included research looking at correlates of interoception and dissociation to explain this relation more fully. Utilizing a comprehensive search strategy, over 3,000 articles were reviewed, with eight meeting criteria. Of the eligible studies, 87.50% found at least one significant difference in interoception, and all studies met an average of 83.33% of the total points from a quality and risk of bias assessment tool. In addition to providing descriptive information about each study, we highlight trends, heterogeneous findings, and methodological concerns. We conclude with recommendations for researchers moving forward, including improving measurement (e.g., utilizing multimodal assessments of interoception), accounting for confounding influences (e.g., metacognitive deficits), and elucidating the directionality of the relation between interoception and dissociation.</p>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":" ","pages":"106582"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146168041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106603
Peter Michael Bloomfield , Charlotte Joy Waikauri Connell , David M. Shaw , Jui-Lin Fan , James P. Fisher , Nicholas Gant
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of acute hypoxia, barometric pressure and supplemental carbon dioxide on cognition. Five databases were searched, yielding 137 eligible records and 458 effect sizes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Rosendal score; mean (SD) score was 48 (15) %, indicating moderate study quality. Random effects meta-analyses assessed the effect of hypoxia on all effect sizes, on the speed and accuracy components of attention, memory, information processing, crystallised intelligence (learned knowledge and skills), executive function and reaction time, and the effect of supplemental carbon dioxide on performance. Effects of hypoxia on response speed and accuracy and of barometric pressure on cognition were investigated by meta-regression. When combining all effect sizes, cognition was impaired by hypoxia (Hedges’ g: −0.48, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: −0.62 to −0.33) and was worse under normobaric than hypobaric conditions (Hedges’ g difference: −0.58, 95 % CI: −0.87 to −0.30). Response accuracy was impaired more than response speed (Hedges’ g difference: −0.38, 95 % CI: −0.09 to −0.67). Accuracy was impaired in the attention, crystallised intelligence, executive function and memory domains. Speed was impaired in the attention domain only. Seventeen effect sizes investigated the effect of supplemental carbon dioxide. Cognition was worse under poikilocapnic than isocapnic or hypercapnic hypoxia (Hedges’ g: −1.55, 95 % CI: −2.59 to −0.53). These findings are important for groups at risk of low oxygen exposure, as they enhance understanding of how hypoxia impairs cognition and can improve hypoxia recognition and recovery training in operational settings.
{"title":"Systematic review and meta-analysis of acute hypoxia and cognition: Domain-specific effects and the role of barometric pressure and carbon dioxide","authors":"Peter Michael Bloomfield , Charlotte Joy Waikauri Connell , David M. Shaw , Jui-Lin Fan , James P. Fisher , Nicholas Gant","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of acute hypoxia, barometric pressure and supplemental carbon dioxide on cognition. Five databases were searched, yielding 137 eligible records and 458 effect sizes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Rosendal score; mean (SD) score was 48 (15) %, indicating moderate study quality. Random effects meta-analyses assessed the effect of hypoxia on all effect sizes, on the speed and accuracy components of attention, memory, information processing, crystallised intelligence (learned knowledge and skills), executive function and reaction time, and the effect of supplemental carbon dioxide on performance. Effects of hypoxia on response speed and accuracy and of barometric pressure on cognition were investigated by meta-regression. When combining all effect sizes, cognition was impaired by hypoxia (Hedges’ g: −0.48, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: −0.62 to −0.33) and was worse under normobaric than hypobaric conditions (Hedges’ g difference: −0.58, 95 % CI: −0.87 to −0.30). Response accuracy was impaired more than response speed (Hedges’ g difference: −0.38, 95 % CI: −0.09 to −0.67). Accuracy was impaired in the attention, crystallised intelligence, executive function and memory domains. Speed was impaired in the attention domain only. Seventeen effect sizes investigated the effect of supplemental carbon dioxide. Cognition was worse under poikilocapnic than isocapnic or hypercapnic hypoxia (Hedges’ g: −1.55, 95 % CI: −2.59 to −0.53). These findings are important for groups at risk of low oxygen exposure, as they enhance understanding of how hypoxia impairs cognition and can improve hypoxia recognition and recovery training in operational settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 106603"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146167999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-08DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106601
Lirui Sun , Xinyi Xu , Zihan Wang , Yuhan Meng , Ye Li , Yumeng Hou , Xiaohui Gao , Huixian Cui , Yan Li
Dietary restriction (DR) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the first comprehensive comparison of five dietary restriction regimens in Alzheimer's disease mouse models. Analysis of 23 studies demonstrates that caloric restriction yields the most consistent benefits. While intermittent fasting exhibits model-dependent efficacy—improving recognition memory but exacerbating neuroinflammation in 5 ×FAD models. The fasting-mimicking diet showed the largest effect size. From a geroscience perspective, these findings support a precision nutrition framework for Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that future interventions should be tailored to individual pathological profile, inflammatory status, and impaired cognitive subdomains to optimize therapeutic efficacy.
{"title":"Effects of different dietary restriction regimens on cognitive function and pathological markers in Alzheimer's disease mouse models: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Lirui Sun , Xinyi Xu , Zihan Wang , Yuhan Meng , Ye Li , Yumeng Hou , Xiaohui Gao , Huixian Cui , Yan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dietary restriction (DR) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the first comprehensive comparison of five dietary restriction regimens in Alzheimer's disease mouse models. Analysis of 23 studies demonstrates that caloric restriction yields the most consistent benefits. While intermittent fasting exhibits model-dependent efficacy—improving recognition memory but exacerbating neuroinflammation in 5 ×FAD models. The fasting-mimicking diet showed the largest effect size. From a geroscience perspective, these findings support a precision nutrition framework for Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that future interventions should be tailored to individual pathological profile, inflammatory status, and impaired cognitive subdomains to optimize therapeutic efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 106601"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146159488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106589
Chiara Musillo, Marianna Samà, Marta Borgi, Francesca Cirulli
The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation during pregnancy have been associated with reduced risk of preterm birth and low birthweight. However, inconsistent findings have been reported regarding their impact on children’s neurodevelopmental trajectories. We performed a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis of preclinical studies to assess the effects of prenatal omega-3 supplementation on long-term outcomes in offspring and to identify key relevant neurodevelopmental domains to guide the design and prioritization of future clinical follow-up studies. The databases consulted included PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Thirty-five studies were included in the systematic review, and 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Relevant information such as characteristics of nutritional interventions, maternal conditions, offspring characteristics and article attributes were extracted. Sample sizes, means, and standard deviation or standard error for the outcome measures were also extracted. The search yielded 3198 articles; 35 met inclusion criteria, with 11 included in a random-effects meta-analysis of memory retention, and 8 in a meta-analysis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Our findings show that maternal omega-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy improves memory retention (SMD=0.671; CI 95 %: 0.163–1.179; p = 0.010) and increases levels of BDNF (SMD=0.838; CI 95 %: 0.369–1.307; p = 0.000) in the offspring. These effects are more pronounced in offspring exposed to prenatal adversities. Maternal omega-3 supplementation shows promise in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, although findings remain heterogeneous. Maternal omega-3 supplementation appears as a safe and effective means to improve offspring neurodevelopment, with stronger effects under adverse gestational conditions, highlighting its potential for at-risk populations.
怀孕期间补充omega-3多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA）的有益作用与降低早产和低出生体重的风险有关。然而，关于它们对儿童神经发育轨迹的影响，报道的结果并不一致。我们对临床前研究进行了全面的系统回顾和荟萃分析，以评估产前补充omega-3对后代长期结局的影响，并确定关键的相关神经发育领域，以指导未来临床随访研究的设计和优先顺序。参考的数据库包括PubMed/Medline、Scopus和Web of Science。系统评价纳入了35项研究，meta分析纳入了19项研究。提取营养干预特征、母体状况、后代特征和物品属性等相关信息。还提取了结果测量的样本量、平均值和标准偏差或标准误差。搜索产生了3198篇文章；35人符合纳入标准，其中11人被纳入记忆保持的随机效应荟萃分析，8人被纳入脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）水平的荟萃分析。我们的研究结果表明，母亲在怀孕期间补充omega-3 PUFA可以改善后代的记忆力（SMD=0.671; CI 95%: 0.163-1.179; p=0.010），并增加BDNF水平（SMD=0.838; CI 95%: 0.369-1.307; p=0.000）。这些影响在暴露于产前逆境的后代中更为明显。母体补充欧米伽-3有希望减轻氧化应激和炎症，尽管研究结果仍不一致。母体补充omega-3似乎是一种安全有效的改善后代神经发育的方法，在不利的妊娠条件下效果更强，突出了其对高危人群的潜力。
{"title":"Impact of prenatal omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on cognitive outcomes: A systematic review with meta-analysis","authors":"Chiara Musillo, Marianna Samà, Marta Borgi, Francesca Cirulli","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106589","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106589","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation during pregnancy have been associated with reduced risk of preterm birth and low birthweight. However, inconsistent findings have been reported regarding their impact on children’s neurodevelopmental trajectories. We performed a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis of preclinical studies to assess the effects of prenatal omega-3 supplementation on long-term outcomes in offspring and to identify key relevant neurodevelopmental domains to guide the design and prioritization of future clinical follow-up studies. The databases consulted included PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Thirty-five studies were included in the systematic review, and 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Relevant information such as characteristics of nutritional interventions, maternal conditions, offspring characteristics and article attributes were extracted. Sample sizes, means, and standard deviation or standard error for the outcome measures were also extracted. The search yielded 3198 articles; 35 met inclusion criteria, with 11 included in a random-effects meta-analysis of memory retention, and 8 in a meta-analysis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Our findings show that maternal omega-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy improves memory retention (SMD=0.671; CI 95 %: 0.163–1.179; p = 0.010) and increases levels of BDNF (SMD=0.838; CI 95 %: 0.369–1.307; p = 0.000) in the offspring. These effects are more pronounced in offspring exposed to prenatal adversities. Maternal omega-3 supplementation shows promise in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, although findings remain heterogeneous. Maternal omega-3 supplementation appears as a safe and effective means to improve offspring neurodevelopment, with stronger effects under adverse gestational conditions, highlighting its potential for at-risk populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 106589"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106590
Oryan Zacks, Eva Jablonka
The study of imagination has progressed due to its operationalization through a variety of behavioural tasks, initially designed for human participants and later adapted to non-human animals. However, this behavioural data has proven insufficient for inferring the level and scope of imagination in animals. To better understand human imagination, and its possible manifestations in animals, we trace here the evolutionary origin of the default mode network (DMN), which is central to human imagination. We show that the evolution of the DMN involved significant neural innovations at the base of the mammalian lineage: the emergence of the neocortex and a substantial reorganization of the hippocampus. These two structures underwent parallel evolution, including the emergence of a 3D organization, the establishment of a canonical microcircuit, a significant development of pyramidal neurons, and the emergence of dedicated compartments of granular neurons. We suggest that previous studies have underestimated the importance of hippocampal modifications in shaping the mammalian brain, especially considering its central role in studies of memory consolidation, replay and human imagination more generally. Looking beyond mammals, we expect to find a functionally similar network in birds, convergent with the mammalian DMN. We end with a discussion of findings that could be construed as indicators of imagination within and outside the mammalian clade and the relations of our extraordinary human imagination to language.
{"title":"The neural basis of imagination: An evolutionary perspective","authors":"Oryan Zacks, Eva Jablonka","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106590","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106590","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study of imagination has progressed due to its operationalization through a variety of behavioural tasks, initially designed for human participants and later adapted to non-human animals. However, this behavioural data has proven insufficient for inferring the level and scope of imagination in animals. To better understand human imagination, and its possible manifestations in animals, we trace here the evolutionary origin of the default mode network (DMN), which is central to human imagination. We show that the evolution of the DMN involved significant neural innovations at the base of the mammalian lineage: the emergence of the neocortex and a substantial reorganization of the hippocampus. These two structures underwent parallel evolution, including the emergence of a 3D organization, the establishment of a canonical microcircuit, a significant development of pyramidal neurons, and the emergence of dedicated compartments of granular neurons. We suggest that previous studies have underestimated the importance of hippocampal modifications in shaping the mammalian brain, especially considering its central role in studies of memory consolidation, replay and human imagination more generally. Looking beyond mammals, we expect to find a functionally similar network in birds, convergent with the mammalian DMN. We end with a discussion of findings that could be construed as indicators of imagination within and outside the mammalian clade and the relations of our extraordinary human imagination to language.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 106590"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The association between testosterone and risk-taking behavior has been widely investigated across behavioral economics, neuroendocrinology, and social neuroscience, but empirical results remain inconsistent. To clarify this relationship, we conducted a multilevel random-effects meta-analysis of 52 empirical studies (94 independent effect sizes; total N = 17,340), the most comprehensive so far, examining correlations between testosterone levels or manipulations and risk preferences across diverse paradigms. The aggregated effect was statistically null (r = -0.0021, 95% CI [-0.0431, 0.0389], p = .919), indicating no reliable link between testosterone and risk-taking. Publication bias diagnostics (trim-and-fill and fail-safe N) suggested that this null effect is not driven by selective reporting. Meta-regressions revealed significant heterogeneity across testosterone measurement type. Moreover, only lottery-based economic tasks showed a modest positive association, whereas other paradigms (e.g., BART, IGT, self-report) did not. A separate meta-analysis of sex differences found no moderating effect, suggesting that testosterone-risk correlations are not reliably stronger in males than females. Overall, the evidence challenges the notion that testosterone provides a general hormonal basis for human risk preferences. Instead, findings support a biopsychosocial framework in which "risk taking" reflects the interaction of task demands, cognitive-affective processes, and situational context, with endocrine effects appearing narrow, context-dependent, and method-specific. Future work should employ preregistered, multi-measure designs and direct endocrine assays to test mechanistic pathways more precisely.
在行为经济学、神经内分泌学和社会神经科学中，人们广泛研究了睾丸激素和冒险行为之间的关系，但实证结果仍然不一致。为了澄清这种关系，我们对52项实证研究（94个独立效应大小；总N = 17,340）进行了多水平随机效应荟萃分析，这是迄今为止最全面的，研究了不同范式下睾丸激素水平或操纵与风险偏好之间的相关性。综合效应在统计学上为零（r = -0.0021, 95% CI [-0.0431, 0.0389], p = .919），表明睾酮与冒险行为之间没有可靠的联系。发表偏倚诊断（修整和填充和故障安全N）表明，这种零效应不是由选择性报告驱动的。元回归显示睾酮测量类型的显著异质性。此外，只有基于彩票的经济任务显示出适度的正相关，而其他范式（如BART， IGT，自我报告）则没有。一项关于性别差异的独立荟萃分析没有发现调节作用，这表明睾酮与风险的相关性在男性中并不一定比女性强。总的来说，这些证据挑战了睾丸激素为人类风险偏好提供一般激素基础的观点。相反，研究结果支持一个生物心理社会框架，其中“冒险”反映了任务需求、认知情感过程和情境背景的相互作用，而内分泌的影响似乎是狭隘的、情境依赖的和方法特定的。未来的工作应该采用预注册、多测量设计和直接内分泌测定来更精确地测试机制途径。
{"title":"No relationship between testosterone and risk aversion: A meta-analytic review.","authors":"Irene Sánchez Rodríguez, Luca Bailo, Folco Panizza, Emiliano Ricciardi, Francesco Bossi","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106575","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106575","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The association between testosterone and risk-taking behavior has been widely investigated across behavioral economics, neuroendocrinology, and social neuroscience, but empirical results remain inconsistent. To clarify this relationship, we conducted a multilevel random-effects meta-analysis of 52 empirical studies (94 independent effect sizes; total N = 17,340), the most comprehensive so far, examining correlations between testosterone levels or manipulations and risk preferences across diverse paradigms. The aggregated effect was statistically null (r = -0.0021, 95% CI [-0.0431, 0.0389], p = .919), indicating no reliable link between testosterone and risk-taking. Publication bias diagnostics (trim-and-fill and fail-safe N) suggested that this null effect is not driven by selective reporting. Meta-regressions revealed significant heterogeneity across testosterone measurement type. Moreover, only lottery-based economic tasks showed a modest positive association, whereas other paradigms (e.g., BART, IGT, self-report) did not. A separate meta-analysis of sex differences found no moderating effect, suggesting that testosterone-risk correlations are not reliably stronger in males than females. Overall, the evidence challenges the notion that testosterone provides a general hormonal basis for human risk preferences. Instead, findings support a biopsychosocial framework in which \"risk taking\" reflects the interaction of task demands, cognitive-affective processes, and situational context, with endocrine effects appearing narrow, context-dependent, and method-specific. Future work should employ preregistered, multi-measure designs and direct endocrine assays to test mechanistic pathways more precisely.</p>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":" ","pages":"106575"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106588
Anthony Nuber-Champier , Gautier Bréville , Patrice H. Lalive , Frédéric Assal , Julie A. Péron
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has renewed interest in the relationship between immunity and cognition. Despite decades of work, the impact of viral exposure, mainly in the field of HIV, herpes and hepatitis infections, on distinct cognitive processes remains unclear, as most studies use global screening tools (e.g., MoCA) in isolation in each infectious context. This systematic narrative review adopts a transnosological approach, summarizing previously reported immune–cognition relationships across viral infections. Of 931 studies, 32 met inclusion criteria (N = 25,325) spanning SARS-CoV-2, HIV, herpes, hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, and multiple infections. Reported studies on immuno-cognitive relationships reveal several consistent findings. Elevated circulating CD14+CD16+ intermediate monocytes correlated with slower processing speed, reduced episodic memory and mental flexibility. Higher CD4+ T cells were associated with better processing speed, while reduced T cells and B cells levels together with elevated IgG predicted deficits in memory and attention. Most proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ) were associated with impairments in overlapping cognitive domains (e.g., memory), whereas IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, consistently supported executive and memory performance.
{"title":"Immune-cognitive relationships across viral infections: A transnosological systematic review","authors":"Anthony Nuber-Champier , Gautier Bréville , Patrice H. Lalive , Frédéric Assal , Julie A. Péron","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106588","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106588","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has renewed interest in the relationship between immunity and cognition. Despite decades of work, the impact of viral exposure, mainly in the field of HIV, herpes and hepatitis infections, on distinct cognitive processes remains unclear, as most studies use global screening tools (e.g., MoCA) in isolation in each infectious context. This systematic narrative review adopts a transnosological approach, summarizing previously reported immune–cognition relationships across viral infections. Of 931 studies, 32 met inclusion criteria (<em>N</em> = 25,325) spanning SARS-CoV-2, HIV, herpes, hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, and multiple infections. Reported studies on immuno-cognitive relationships reveal several consistent findings. Elevated circulating CD14<sup>+</sup>CD16<sup>+</sup> intermediate monocytes correlated with slower processing speed, reduced episodic memory and mental flexibility. Higher CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells were associated with better processing speed, while reduced T cells and B cells levels together with elevated IgG predicted deficits in memory and attention. Most proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ) were associated with impairments in overlapping cognitive domains (e.g., memory), whereas IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, consistently supported executive and memory performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 106588"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106584
Despina Melanthiou , Georgia Panayiotou , Evangelos Paraskevopoulos , Andreas Chatzittofis , Morfeas Koumas , Anna Onisiforou , Panos Zanos
Misophonia and tinnitus are debilitating auditory disorders that impair social functioning and mental health. This is the first review paper examining their common and divergent neurobiological underpinnings, focusing on genetic, neural, and psychological factors. Both conditions show hereditary influences, neural activity imbalances across the auditory cortex, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex, and heightened autonomic responses, causing significant distress and cognitive deficits. Misophonia is triggered by specific external sounds, while tinnitus involves phantom sound perception. Neuroimaging studies reveal shared hyperconnectivity between the auditory cortex and limbic areas of the brain including the amygdala and hippocampus, driven by neuroplasticity. Here, we propose the Sensory-Salience Dysregulation Model, integrating aberrant sensory encoding, salience network overactivation, and autonomic dysregulation as a unified framework between these conditions. The present review discusses gaps in diagnostic standardization and/or genetic-environmental interactions, and highlights shared and distinct mechanisms underlying misophonia and tinnitus, aiming to advance knowledge for improving diagnostics and treatments for these conditions.
{"title":"Linking misophonia and tinnitus: Common and divergent neurobiological mechanisms","authors":"Despina Melanthiou , Georgia Panayiotou , Evangelos Paraskevopoulos , Andreas Chatzittofis , Morfeas Koumas , Anna Onisiforou , Panos Zanos","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106584","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106584","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Misophonia and tinnitus are debilitating auditory disorders that impair social functioning and mental health. This is the first review paper examining their common and divergent neurobiological underpinnings, focusing on genetic, neural, and psychological factors. Both conditions show hereditary influences, neural activity imbalances across the auditory cortex, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex, and heightened autonomic responses, causing significant distress and cognitive deficits. Misophonia is triggered by specific external sounds, while tinnitus involves phantom sound perception. Neuroimaging studies reveal shared hyperconnectivity between the auditory cortex and limbic areas of the brain including the amygdala and hippocampus, driven by neuroplasticity. Here, we propose the Sensory-Salience Dysregulation Model, integrating aberrant sensory encoding, salience network overactivation, and autonomic dysregulation as a unified framework between these conditions. The present review discusses gaps in diagnostic standardization and/or genetic-environmental interactions, and highlights shared and distinct mechanisms underlying misophonia and tinnitus, aiming to advance knowledge for improving diagnostics and treatments for these conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 106584"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146090400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106585
Rebeka C. Tucker , Paul J. Taylor , Sarita Jane Robinson
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation, as evidenced by diminished vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV). To date, no meta-analysis has systematically compared 5-minute and 24-hour vmHRV recordings in PTSD, limiting our understanding of how recording duration influences findings. This study examined differences in vmHRV between individuals with PTSD and controls using both 5-minute and 24-hour recordings. The meta-analysis synthesised data from 24 studies involving 2537 participants and 34 effect sizes. A novel analytical approach was used and involved traditional multi-level meta-analysis, robust variance estimation, and separate analyses across vmHRV indices and recording durations to isolate independent effects. Whilst vmHRV was consistently reduced in individuals with PTSD, the magnitude of this effect was greater in studies utilising 5-minute recordings than those using 24-hour recordings. Therefore, the results indicate that methodological differences in HRV assessment, particularly recording duration, significantly influence the observed magnitude of vmHRV reductions in PTSD. The robust analytical strategy enhances the reliability of vmHRV as a biomarker of ANS dysregulation in PTSD. The findings highlight the need for standardised vmHRV protocols in PTSD research.
{"title":"A multi-level meta-analysis of vagally-mediated heart rate variability and post-traumatic stress disorder","authors":"Rebeka C. Tucker , Paul J. Taylor , Sarita Jane Robinson","doi":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106585","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106585","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation, as evidenced by diminished vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV). To date, no meta-analysis has systematically compared 5-minute and 24-hour vmHRV recordings in PTSD, limiting our understanding of how recording duration influences findings. This study examined differences in vmHRV between individuals with PTSD and controls using both 5-minute and 24-hour recordings. The meta-analysis synthesised data from 24 studies involving 2537 participants and 34 effect sizes. A novel analytical approach was used and involved traditional multi-level meta-analysis, robust variance estimation, and separate analyses across vmHRV indices and recording durations to isolate independent effects. Whilst vmHRV was consistently reduced in individuals with PTSD, the magnitude of this effect was greater in studies utilising 5-minute recordings than those using 24-hour recordings. Therefore, the results indicate that methodological differences in HRV assessment, particularly recording duration, significantly influence the observed magnitude of vmHRV reductions in PTSD. The robust analytical strategy enhances the reliability of vmHRV as a biomarker of ANS dysregulation in PTSD. The findings highlight the need for standardised vmHRV protocols in PTSD research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56105,"journal":{"name":"Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 106585"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146094885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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