ABSTRACT
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain was applied for preclinical evaluation of the efficiency of Divaza preparation intended for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders. Psychological testing (Stroop task) in the magnetic field of fMRI was performed before and after 12-week treatment course using a double blind placebo-controlled protocol. It was shown that standard psychological and neuropsychological protocols do not allow fully estimate the results of treatment, whereas fMRI targeted the pool of cerebral structures activated during task solution. In the treatment group (in contrast to placebo), active zones in these structures were found only during task solution. Thus, resolution capability of fMRI significantly extends the range of rational screening by identifying active zones and can radically change the procedure of selection and clinical trials.
Subject(s)
Brain/metabolism , Cerebrovascular Disorders/drug therapy , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Task Performance and Analysis , Aged , Antibodies/pharmacology , Drug Combinations , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/immunology , S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit/pharmacology , Stroop TestABSTRACT
Functional magnetic resonance imaging can be used to study numerous brain dysfunctions, including disorders of the self, in substance-dependent individuals. The self as the sum of human concepts about oneself is regulated by the brain system close to the default mode network: the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulated gyrus, and some parietal regions. However, the composition and activity of this system in mental disease, specifically, in substance addiction, are virtually not described. Our study showed that self-appraisal task in addicts activates the superior frontal cortex, cuneus, precuneus, angular gyrus, and posterior cingulated cortex. The involvement of the parietal (postcentral and supramarginal gyri) and temporal (superior temporal and Heschl's gyri) sensory areas is diminished. Hence, published data on the involvement of the cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex in functional regulation of the self are confirmed. Activation-deactivation patterns in the parietal and temporal regions differ significantly from the previous descriptions.
Subject(s)
Brain Mapping/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Substance-Related Disorders/physiopathology , Adult , Diagnostic Self Evaluation , Humans , Male , Self ConceptABSTRACT
We studied the intracerebral dynamics of developing skills for self-regulation of psychophysiological functions in the biofeedback game model via functional MRI. Multiple game plots managed by physiological characteristics leave a trace in the form of activity zones in the middle occipital gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and declive functionally related to cognitive actions and operations. During the development of self-regulation skills, the gradual shift of the localization of areas of activity is observed towards sensory projection fields (e.g., thalamus, superior parietal lobule), which indicates distribution of the load toward the perceptual areas.
Subject(s)
Frontal Lobe/physiology , Occipital Lobe/physiology , Parietal Lobe/physiology , Adult , Biofeedback, Psychology , Brain Mapping , Games, Experimental , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Self Concept , Young AdultABSTRACT
On-line brain mapping in subjects operating a competitive virtual gameplay was performed using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The interaction between the brain and visceral systems was studied on the model of real and simulated adaptive biofeedback. The immersion into a virtual story leads to a large-scale activation of cortical regions characterized by high values of voxels in the midtemporal, occipital, and frontal areas as well as in cingulate gyrus, cuneus, and precuneus (Brodmann areas 6, 7, 9, 10, 19, 24, 32, 39, 40, 45). The maximum increase in activity was observed during stage 2 of the game biofeedback, when the volumes of activated voxels increased several times in comparison with the starting phase. Qualitative characteristics of real and imitation game periods are discussed.
Subject(s)
Biofeedback, Psychology , Cerebral Cortex/physiology , Nerve Net/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Brain Mapping , Competitive Behavior/physiology , Computer Simulation , Games, Experimental , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Video Games , Young AdultABSTRACT
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging technique, we performed online brain mapping of gamers, practiced to voluntary (cognitively) control their heart rate, the parameter that operated a competitive virtual gameplay in the adaptive feedback loop. With the default start picture, the regions of interest during the formation of optimal cognitive strategy were as follows: Brodmann areas 19, 37, 39 and 40, i.e. cerebellar structures (vermis, amygdala, pyramids, clivus). "Localization" concept of the contribution of the cerebellum to cognitive processes is discussed.
Subject(s)
Cerebellum/physiology , Adult , Biofeedback, Psychology , Brain Mapping , Brain-Computer Interfaces , Cerebral Cortex/physiology , Cognition , Competitive Behavior/physiology , Computer Simulation , Games, Experimental , Heart Rate , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Video Games , Young AdultABSTRACT
This review describes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the intravital noninvasive dynamic study of the active zones of cerebral structures at the time of their activity, fMR is based on the difference in magnetic properties of oxyhemoglobin--the oxygen carrier, and deoxyhemoglobin--a product produced in the areas of oxygen consumption, the brain parenchyma. This ratio is reflected as the physical phenomenon BOLD (blood oxygenation level dependent) that is a marker of neuronal activity. fMRI has good spatial resolution and the possibility of multiple repetitions of the research. This allows the 3D reconstruction of the sequence of formation and intracerebral "geometry" (stereometry) of newly formed neural ensembles (NE) and/or realization of potentially pre-existing NE. fMRI is an optimal tool for neuronal activity mapping, or more accurate, for functional state of the NE in the reconstruction of neural networks; it should be regarded as the technology for studying the brain of humans and animals, both in terms of natural life activity, and in pathological conditions.
