Interesting outputs of selected projects in 2020

Investigation of neural correlates of different types of interactions: Hyperscanning study using "The Pattern game"

In this study, the authors examined the extent to which the activity of the brain centres of two individuals in different types of social interaction is synchronized. A unique technology called dual functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to collect data, where the brain activity of two subjects is simultaneously sensed with the help of two magnetic resonances. The results suggest that the brain activity of both subjects in regions important for social cognition (eg the temporoparietal cortex) is synchronized during mutual interaction when the subjects work together to solve the problem. When two subjects compete with each other, the activity of visual and motor networks is synchronized, as well as networks important for decision-making in social interactions (eg cerebellum and anterior cingulum).

Špiláková, B., Shaw, D. J., Czekóová, K., Mareček, R., & Brázdil, M. (2020). Getting into sync: Data-driven analyses reveal patterns of neural coupling that distinguish among different social exchanges. Human Brain Mapping. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.24861

Biomarkers and neurological mechanisms of susceptibility to depression

A study of the neurological mechanisms of susceptibility to depression evaluated the association of subjectively described depressive symptoms in pregnant mothers with structural changes in the cerebral cortex of their children aged 23 to 24 years. The study involved ELSPAC (European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood) project respondents who were examined by magnetic resonance imaging. Based on the structural images, the so-called structural age of the brain was estimated and the deviation from the biological age of the brain was calculated. The results show a linear relationship between said deviation and the degree of exposure to depressive symptoms of the mother at prenatal age. The deviation also showed a quadratic dependence (U curve) with the degree of anxiety and the degree of affective regulation disorder. Thus, depression in pregnant mothers may be accompanied by accelerated brain maturation in the offspring. Accelerated or slowed maturation of the brain predicts an increase in anxiety and affective regulation disorders.

Mareckova, K., Marecek, R., Andryskova, L., Brazdil, M., & Nikolova, Y. S. (2020). Maternal Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy and Brain Age in Young Adult Offspring: Findings from a Prenatal Birth Cohort. Cerebral Cortex, 30(7). https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhaa014

Neurophysiology of the emotional system of grief and its regulation through social contact

The memory of a recently deceased loved one is associated with an intense feeling of sadness. With this strong emotion, the striatum is a very active part of the so-called basal ganglia. Negative emotions can be regulated, for example, by social interaction with a loved one. In this study, the authors examined the neural basis of this social support. Respondents to the study were asked to recall a deceased loved one during the collection of functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this activity, they were held by the hand of either a beloved partner, a stranger or no one. The results showed the activity of putative areas known for emotional regulation. However, in the dorsal striatum, this activity was significantly less when the respondent was held by the hand of a beloved partner compared to the stranger or without holding the hand. The results suggest that the dorsal striatum plays an important role in regulating intense feelings of sadness and that social support from a loved one regulates feelings of sadness and anxiety not only by diverting attention from memories, but also has a neural basis.

Kraus, J., Roman, R., Jurkovičová, L., Mareček, R., Mikl, M., Brázdil, M., & Frick, A. (2020). Social support modulates subjective and neural responses to sad mental imagery. Behavioural Brain Research, 380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112433

Influence of cognitive functions and brain connectivity through non-invasive brain stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease

We were able to find out that one of the tested protocols of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation enhances deactivation in the important brain default mode network. After this brain stimulation, the research participants also had shorter reaction times when performing the task.

Novakova, L., Gajdos, M., & Rektorova, I. (2020). The theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced cognitive task-related decrease in the activity of default mode network: An exploratory study. Brain Stimulation, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2020.01.015

Advanced imaging methods for characterization of microstructural brain damage

In this article, the authors focused on finding suitable methods for the differential diagnosis of two diseases that are manifested by the tremor. They focused on a group of patients with essential (familial) tremor and patients with Parkinson's disease with a milder course, in whom tremor is the dominant manifestation. Thus, such diseases can be quite easily confused by a neurologist, purely on the basis of symptoms. The authors propose to use simple commonly available or new, but relatively easy to apply MR methods for measuring the so-called T2 relaxation times. T1rho and T2rho (relaxation) were able to detect significant differences between the control group and the patient group. T2 relaxation time in the putamen area on the tremor-less side seems to be the most promising parameter for such a diagnosis.

Filip, P., Vojtíšek, L., Baláž, M., Mangia, S., Michaeli, S., Šumec, R., & Bareš, M. (2020). Differential diagnosis of tremor syndromes using MRI relaxometry. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.10.048

Use of advanced magnetic resonance techniques to reveal the pathophysiology and improve the diagnosis and practical management of degenerative cervical spinal cord compression

A study aimed at verifying a new advanced and rapid diffuse MR imaging of the spinal cord and its use to detect microstructural myelopathic changes in patients before the onset of clinical symptoms. The new "HARDI-ZOOMit" protocol compared to the standard "DTI-resolve" protocol showed a better signal-to-noise ratio, and was able to detect a higher number of intersecting fibres. The "HARDI-ZOOMit" protocol has proven to be a practical tool with high sensitivity for quantitative imaging of the spinal cord.

Labounek, R., Valošek, J., Horák, T., Svátková, A., Bednařík, P., Vojtíšek, L., … Hluštík, P. (2020). HARDI-ZOOMit protocol improves specificity to microstructural changes in presymptomatic myelopathy. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70297-3