2025
Successful Evidence-Based Parenting Programs are Associated With Brain Changes and Improved Reward Processing in Boys With Conduct Problems
Sethi A, O’Brien S, Blair J, Viding E, Shani D, Robinson O, Mehta M, Ecker C, Petrinovic M, Catani M, Blackwood N, Doolan M, Murphy D, Scott S, Craig M. Successful Evidence-Based Parenting Programs are Associated With Brain Changes and Improved Reward Processing in Boys With Conduct Problems. Biological Psychiatry 2025 PMID: 40541593, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.06.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVentromedial prefrontal cortexAntisocial behaviorConduct problemsParenting behaviorsParenting interventionsAssociated with brain changesReward processing regionsReward learning taskPosterior cingulate cortexIncreased neural activityTask-based fMRIReinforcement learning parametersEarly interventionGroup parenting interventionEarly parenting interventionsReduce antisocial behaviorPersistent CPReward/punishment sensitivityInsula activationNeurocognitive mechanismsReward processingPrefrontal cortexCingulate cortexBrain changesAction biasSex and hormonal effects on drug cue-reactivity and its regulation in human addiction
Huang Y, Butelman E, Ceceli A, Kronberg G, King S, McClain N, Wong Y, Boros M, Drury K, Sinha R, Alia-Klein N, Goldstein R. Sex and hormonal effects on drug cue-reactivity and its regulation in human addiction. Biological Psychiatry 2025 PMID: 40441339, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.05.016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDrug cue-reactivityCue-reactivityPrefrontal cortexFrontal eye fieldCue-induced drug cravingVentromedial prefrontal cortexCocaine use disorderMedial prefrontal cortexAnterior prefrontal cortexDrug cravingHuman addictsUse disorderFunctional MRIEye fieldLuteal phaseCravingDevelopment of personalized treatmentsLate-follicularFollicular phaseReappraisalVmPFCDLPFCHormonal effectsProtective factorsAddiction
2024
Post-treatment alterations in white matter integrity in PTSD: Effects on symptoms and functional connectivity a secondary analysis of an RCT
Korem N, Duek O, Ben-Zion Z, Spiller T, Gordon C, Amen S, Levy I, Harpaz-Rotem I. Post-treatment alterations in white matter integrity in PTSD: Effects on symptoms and functional connectivity a secondary analysis of an RCT. Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging 2024, 343: 111864. PMID: 39111111, DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2024.111864.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchReduced resting-state functional connectivityPost-traumatic stress disorderPost-traumatic stress disorder symptomsFunctional connectivityPost-treatment changesReducing PTSD symptom severityFollow-up changesResting-state functional connectivityIntensive exposure therapyExposure-based psychotherapyVentromedial prefrontal cortexPTSD symptom severityReduced structural connectivityFunctional connectivity patternsPost-treatmentWhite matter integrityPrefrontal cortexExposure therapyPTSD symptomsStress disorderSymptom severityUncinate fasciculusLimbic systemSecondary analysisAssociated with sustained changesFindings of PTSD-specific deficits in default mode network strength following a mild experimental stressor
Averill C, Averill L, Akiki T, Fouda S, Krystal J, Abdallah C. Findings of PTSD-specific deficits in default mode network strength following a mild experimental stressor. NPP—Digital Psychiatry And Neuroscience 2024, 2: 9. PMID: 38919723, PMCID: PMC11197271, DOI: 10.1038/s44277-024-00011-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic stress disorderMajor depressive disorderConnectivity deficitsConnection strengthPrimary diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorderExperimental stressorsDiagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorderResting-state functional magnetic resonance imagingFunctional magnetic resonance imagingVentromedial prefrontal cortexDMN connectivity strengthStress-induced reductionEffect of groupDMN alterationsPrefrontal cortexDepressive disorderDMN connectivityStressor taskStress disorderBrain region(sAcute stressorFunctional connectivityDMNExploratory analysisDeficitsBrain correlates and functional connectivity linking stress, autonomic dysregulation, and alcohol motivation
Seo D, Martins J, Sinha R. Brain correlates and functional connectivity linking stress, autonomic dysregulation, and alcohol motivation. Neurobiology Of Stress 2024, 31: 100645. PMID: 38933283, PMCID: PMC11201348, DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100645.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAutonomic nervous system disruptionAlcohol use disorderFunctional magnetic resonance imagingHigh-risk drinkingSocial drinkersFunctional connectivityLow-risk drinkingAlcohol motivationAutonomic arousalDevelopment of alcohol use disordersNeural correlates of stressNon-dependent social drinkersWhole-brain correlation analysesResponse to stress exposureAlcohol taste testFrontal-striatal regionsStress-induced cravingVentromedial prefrontal cortexBehaviors associated with stressAnterior cingulate cortexDecreased functional connectivityExposure to stressAutonomic nervous systemAlcohol intakeHazardous alcohol useVentromedial prefrontal cortex activation and neurofeedback modulation during episodic future thinking for individuals with suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Aupperle R, Kuplicki R, Tsuchiyagaito A, Akeman E, Sturycz-Taylor C, DeVille D, Lasswell T, Misaki M, Berg H, McDermott T, Touthang J, Ballard E, Cha C, Schacter D, Paulus M. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex activation and neurofeedback modulation during episodic future thinking for individuals with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Behaviour Research And Therapy 2024, 176: 104522. PMID: 38547724, PMCID: PMC11103812, DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2024.104522.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEpisodic future thinkingFuture thinkingSuicidal thoughtsEFT conditionEpisodic future thinking taskVentromedial prefrontal cortex activityReal-time fMRI neurofeedbackVentromedial prefrontal cortexPrefrontal cortex activityVmPFC activityPrefrontal cortexFMRI neurofeedbackDepressive disorderPersonally-relevantNeutral eventsCortex activityVmPFCNeural responsesStudy 1Study 2Neurofeedback protocolMDDNeurofeedbackTreatment targetSTB groupResponding to threat: Associations between neural reactivity to and behavioral avoidance of threat in pediatric anxiety
Kitt E, Zacharek S, Odriozola P, Nardini C, Hommel G, Martino A, Anderson T, Spencer H, Broussard A, Dean J, Marin C, Silverman W, Lebowitz E, Gee D. Responding to threat: Associations between neural reactivity to and behavioral avoidance of threat in pediatric anxiety. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2024, 351: 818-826. PMID: 38290579, PMCID: PMC10981528, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.204.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsReactivity to threatMeasures of avoidanceVentral anterior insulaClinician-based measuresNeural reactivityPediatric anxietyAnxiety disordersBehavioral avoidanceFunctional magnetic resonance imaging taskAmygdala functional connectivityVentromedial prefrontal cortexTreatment-seeking sampleAvoidance of threatClinically significant constructsAssociated with tasksGeneralizability of findingsPrefrontal cortexAnterior insulaNeural findingsLaboratory tasksFunctional connectivityAnxietyAmygdalaAvoidanceSignificant constructs
2023
Neural valuation of rewards and punishments in posttraumatic stress disorder: a computational approach
Jia R, Ruderman L, Pietrzak R, Gordon C, Ehrlich D, Horvath M, Mirchandani S, DeFontes C, Southwick S, Krystal J, Harpaz-Rotem I, Levy I. Neural valuation of rewards and punishments in posttraumatic stress disorder: a computational approach. Translational Psychiatry 2023, 13: 101. PMID: 36977676, PMCID: PMC10050320, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02388-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderValuation systemStress disorderCombat veteransMaintenance of PTSDSubjective valueBrain valuation systemNeural valuation systemVentromedial prefrontal cortexFunctional MRI studyFunction of symptomsMale combat veteransNeural valuationSeries of choicesFear learningPunishment processingPosttrauma symptomsPTSD symptomsNeural encodingNeural mechanismsUncertain optionsPrefrontal cortexSubjective valuationVentral striatumMonetary gainsSex differences in neural responses to stress and drug cues predicts future drug use in individuals with substance use disorder
Smith K, Lacadie C, Milivojevic V, Fogelman N, Sinha R. Sex differences in neural responses to stress and drug cues predicts future drug use in individuals with substance use disorder. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 244: 109794. PMID: 36758371, PMCID: PMC10024802, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109794.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersDrug cuesFuture drug useDrug use daysCue exposureNeural responsesUse daysSex differencesVentromedial prefrontal cortexScript-driven imageryDrug cue exposureNeutral cue exposureWhole-brain analysisWhole-brain correlationUse disordersDrug use outcomesCue-induced anxietyBrain responsesHeart rateFMRI scansPrefrontal cortexDrug cravingDrug useBrain analysisBrain correlations
2022
Neural correlates linking trauma and physical symptoms
Choi J, Martins J, Hwang S, Sinha R, Seo D. Neural correlates linking trauma and physical symptoms. Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging 2022, 327: 111560. PMID: 36327865, PMCID: PMC9757618, DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2022.111560.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhysical symptomsFunctional magnetic resonance imagingTrauma patientsLateral prefrontal cortexPrefrontal cortexPhysical symptom frequencyPain-related disordersMagnetic resonance imagingNeural correlatesPhysical health symptomsChronic painHealthy controlsTrauma groupSymptom frequencyDorsal striatumGreater physical symptomsSensorimotor areasCurrent studyHippocampal responsesVentromedial prefrontal cortexHealth symptomsHippocampal functionResonance imagingSymptomsUnderlying neurological mechanismsFunctional Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens and Changes in Appetite in Patients With Depression
Kroemer NB, Opel N, Teckentrup V, Li M, Grotegerd D, Meinert S, Lemke H, Kircher T, Nenadić I, Krug A, Jansen A, Sommer J, Steinsträter O, Small DM, Dannlowski U, Walter M. Functional Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens and Changes in Appetite in Patients With Depression. JAMA Psychiatry 2022, 79: 993-1003. PMID: 36001327, PMCID: PMC9403857, DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2464.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMajor depressive disorderNAcc functional connectivityFunctional connectivityBody weightNucleus accumbensTreatment of MDDResting-state functional connectivityCase-control studySymptom-specific associationsHealthy control participantsIdentification of biomarkersClassification of diagnosesCohort studyMost patientsMean ageDepressive episodeDepressive disorderReduced appetiteMagnetic resonance imaging dataMAIN OUTCOMESubstantial burdenDepressive symptomsPatientsVentromedial prefrontal cortexReward circuitGraph theory analysis of whole brain functional connectivity to assess disturbances associated with suicide attempts in bipolar disorder
Sankar A, Scheinost D, Goldman DA, Drachman R, Colic L, Villa LM, Kim JA, Gonzalez Y, Marcelo I, Shinomiya M, Pittman B, Lacadie CM, Oquendo MA, Constable RT, Blumberg HP. Graph theory analysis of whole brain functional connectivity to assess disturbances associated with suicide attempts in bipolar disorder. Translational Psychiatry 2022, 12: 7. PMID: 35013103, PMCID: PMC8748935, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01767-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIntrinsic connectivity distributionBipolar disorderSuicide attemptsHealthy volunteersFunctional connectivity disturbancesSuicide behaviorWhole-brain functional connectivityPrior suicide attemptsRight anterior insulaBrain functional connectivitySuicidal ideation severityBilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortexFunctional magnetic resonanceSignificant group differencesTemporopolar cortexConnectivity disturbancesBrain targetsFC differencesHigh riskCerebellar cortexVentromedial prefrontal cortexSuicidal ideationOrbitofrontal cortexFunctional connectivitySuicide riskThreat imminence reveals links among unfolding of anticipatory physiological response, cortical-subcortical intrinsic functional connectivity, and anxiety
Abend R, Ruiz S, Bajaj M, Harrewijn A, Linke J, Atlas L, Winkler A, Pine D. Threat imminence reveals links among unfolding of anticipatory physiological response, cortical-subcortical intrinsic functional connectivity, and anxiety. Neurobiology Of Stress 2022, 16: 100428. PMID: 35036479, PMCID: PMC8749274, DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100428.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThreat imminenceAnticipatory physiological responsesAnxiety effectsPathological anxietyResting-state functional connectivity dataNon-painful thermal stimulationThreat-anticipation taskAnticipation of threatVentromedial prefrontal cortexIntrinsic functional connectivityFunctional connectivity dataDefensive responsesCortical-subcortical circuitsBasic neuroscience researchAnticipatory respondingPhysiological respondingDefensive respondingFear responsesMultivariate network analysisIntrinsic connectivityPrefrontal cortexAnxiety patientsNeuroscience researchPhysiological responsesFunctional connectivityPositive alcohol expectancy and resting-state functional connectivity of the insula in problem drinking
Le TM, Malone T, Li CR. Positive alcohol expectancy and resting-state functional connectivity of the insula in problem drinking. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2022, 231: 109248. PMID: 34998254, PMCID: PMC8881788, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109248.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsResting-state functional connectivityPositive alcohol expectanciesAlcohol expectanciesInsular connectivityFunctional connectivityWhole-brain multiple regressionPath analysisNegative emotion processingVentromedial prefrontal cortexSuperior parietal lobuleSuperior frontal gyrusCognitive controlAlcohol stimuliEmotion processingPrefrontal structuresStimulus saliencyFrontal gyrusDrinking motivationsMotivational circuitsInsula connectivityParietal lobuleAdult drinkersPrefrontal cortexInsulaDrinking behavior
2021
Increased amygdala and decreased frontolimbic r esting- s tate functional connectivity in children with aggressive behavior
Sukhodolsky DG, Ibrahim K, Kalvin CB, Jordan RP, Eilbott J, Hampson M. Increased amygdala and decreased frontolimbic r esting- s tate functional connectivity in children with aggressive behavior. Social Cognitive And Affective Neuroscience 2021, 17: 634-644. PMID: 34850939, PMCID: PMC9250305, DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab128.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDorsal anterior cingulateFunctional connectivityAnterior cingulateDorsolateral prefrontal cortical regionsResting-state brain connectivityAggressive behaviorResting-state functional connectivityIntrinsic connectivity distributionAmygdala-prefrontal circuitryAnterior cingulate cortexIntrinsic functional connectivityPrefrontal cortical regionsHealthy controlsAmygdala connectivityGreater severityVentromedial prefrontal cortexCingulate cortexFunctional MRI dataCortical regionsMedial prefrontalMaladaptive aggressionPrefrontal cortexBrain connectivitySeverity of aggressionTreatment-seeking childrenLower prefrontal cortical synaptic vesicle binding in cocaine use disorder: An exploratory 11C‐UCB‐J positron emission tomography study in humans
Angarita GA, Worhunsky PD, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Nabulsi NB, Li C, Esterlis I, Skosnik PD, Radhakrishnan R, Pittman B, Gueorguieva R, Potenza MN, Finnema SJ, Huang Y, Carson RE, Malison RT. Lower prefrontal cortical synaptic vesicle binding in cocaine use disorder: An exploratory 11C‐UCB‐J positron emission tomography study in humans. Addiction Biology 2021, 27: e13123. PMID: 34852401, PMCID: PMC8891080, DOI: 10.1111/adb.13123.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCocaine use disorderAnterior cingulate cortexRecent cocaine useSynaptic densityMedial orbitofrontal cortexPrefrontal cortexCocaine useOrbitofrontal cortexUse disordersVentromedial prefrontal cortexPositron emission tomography scanPositron emission tomography studyEmission tomography scanSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AHealthy control subjectsVolume of distributionEmission tomography studiesAcute cocaineControl subjectsTomography scanCocaine exposurePreclinical studiesHC subjectsDendritic spinesLifetime cocaine useRelating neural processing of reward and loss prospect to risky decision-making in individuals with and without gambling disorder
Balodis I, Linnet J, Arshad F, Worhunsky P, Stevens M, Pearlson G, Potenza M. Relating neural processing of reward and loss prospect to risky decision-making in individuals with and without gambling disorder. 2021, 97-113. DOI: 10.4324/9781003140450-7.ChaptersMonetary incentive delay taskIowa Gambling TaskIncentive delay taskGambling disorderAnticipatory processingIGT scoresIGT performanceDelay taskIowa Gambling Task performanceProspect of rewardDecision-making impairmentsGambling Task performanceVentromedial prefrontal cortexDecision-making taskWhole-brain correlationFronto-striatal activityHC groupVentral striatum/Healthy control participantsTotal IGT scoreAnterior cingulate regionsGambling TaskNeural processesNeural processingTask performanceGene expression in the dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortices implicates immune-related gene networks in PTSD
Logue MW, Zhou Z, Morrison FG, Wolf EJ, Daskalakis NP, Chatzinakos C, Georgiadis F, Labadorf AT, Girgenti MJ, Young KA, Williamson DE, Zhao X, Grenier JG, Group T, Huber BR, Miller MW. Gene expression in the dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortices implicates immune-related gene networks in PTSD. Neurobiology Of Stress 2021, 15: 100398. PMID: 34646915, PMCID: PMC8498459, DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100398.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrefrontal cortexVentromedial prefrontal cortexDepression casesHistory of PTSDDepression-associated genesImmune-related networkBrain BankImmune regulationGene expressionIndependent cohortBrain regionsEvidence of replicationPTSD casesMultiple testing correctionImmune genesPTSDCo-expression network analysisCortexEffect sizeUpstream regulatorRNA sequencingRecent studiesGenetic modelsExpressionCandidate gene analysisIrregular Autonomic Modulation Predicts Risky Drinking and Altered Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Response to Stress in Alcohol Use Disorder
Hwang S, Martins JS, Douglas RJ, Choi JJ, Sinha R, Seo D. Irregular Autonomic Modulation Predicts Risky Drinking and Altered Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Response to Stress in Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcohol And Alcoholism 2021, 57: 437-444. PMID: 34491306, PMCID: PMC9270986, DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agab064.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderOverall heart rateHeart rateFunctional magnetic resonance imagingANS activityUse disordersAUD patientsSocial drinkersDrinking volumeRisky drinkingAutonomic nervous system activityNervous system activityHighest overall heart rateMagnetic resonance imagingLimbic-striatal regionsAutonomic dysfunctionAutonomic modulationPrefrontal cortex responsesCortex responsesVentromedial prefrontal cortexResonance imagingVentral striatumPrefrontal cortexConcurrent electrocardiogramInterest analysisLower Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Glutamate Levels in Patients With Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
Batistuzzo M, Sottili B, Shavitt R, Lopes A, Cappi C, de Mathis M, Pastorello B, Diniz J, Silva R, Miguel E, Hoexter M, Otaduy M. Lower Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Glutamate Levels in Patients With Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2021, 12: 668304. PMID: 34168581, PMCID: PMC8218991, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.668304.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGamma-aminobutyric acidObsessive-compulsive disorderClinical symptomsHealthy controlsExcitatory/inhibitory imbalancePathophysiology of OCDGlu/Gln ratioH-MRS studiesGray matter fractionGlu/CrCortico-striatal circuitsGlutamate levelsExcitatory neurotransmissionNeurochemical imbalanceInhibitory imbalanceStriatal regionsUnderlying neurochemistryN-acetylaspartatePatientsKey neurotransmitterH-MRSVentromedial prefrontal cortexSecondary analysisAbnormal levelsPrefrontal cortex
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