This cohort study examines the association between functional connectivity at birth and cognitive performance at age 2 and 3 years among children born very preterm.

Source: bioRxiv Neuroscience

Source: Fight Aging!

The right subiculum, middle temporal, and frontal gyrus process both pain and cognition.

With the ongoing consideration of the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders that is active in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and International Classification of D...

Dissociated neuronal cultures on High-Density Multi-Electrode Arrays (HD-MEAs) provide a controllable in vitro platform to systematically investigate the formation, development, and functioning of neu...

Cognitive functions emerge from the dynamic interplay of distributed, large-scale brain networks. Functional connectivity (FC) reflects stable brain organization and general cognitive abilities, while...

Neurensin-2 (Nrsn2) is a neuro-specific gene linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and has recently been reported to function as a bidirectional emotional regulator, highlighting its molecular roles in the nervous system. However, the connections between Nrsn2, brain architecture, and functionality remain to be fully elucidated. Our study utilized 11.7 T multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the impact of Nrsn2 gene knockout on the brain’s microstructure, regional functional activity, and network connectivity during different developmental phases in mice. We observed significant changes in the functional brain network connectivity of Nrsn2−/− mice without marked differences in brain microstructure or regional activity. These changes were particularly pronounced in sensory-related areas, such as the gustatory and auditory systems, in both juvenile and adult specimens. Previous studies have correlated the enhanced Default Mode Network (DMN) with depression, and Nrsn2 knockout has been associated with stress resilience. Our findings further revealed reduced connectivity in various DMN regions in adult Nrsn2−/− mice, suggesting a potential link to increased stress tolerance. Moreover, the sensory system’s critical role in environmental perception implies that alterations in network connectivity due to Nrsn2 knockout could affect the processing and integration of external inputs, thereby influencing emotional experiences.

npj Mental Health Research - Functional connectivity-related changes underlying mindfulness meditation for internet gaming disorder: a randomized clinical trial