Robert A. Seymour, Gina Rippon, Gerard Gooding-Williams, Hongfang Wang, Klaus Kessler
{"title":"The Neural Oscillatory Basis of Perspective-Taking in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adolescents Using Magnetoencephalography","authors":"Robert A. Seymour, Gina Rippon, Gerard Gooding-Williams, Hongfang Wang, Klaus Kessler","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70109","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Taking another's perspective is a high-level mental skill underlying many aspects of social cognition. Perspective-taking is usually an embodied egocentric process whereby people mentally rotate themselves away from their physical location into the other's orientation. This is accompanied by increased theta-band (3–7 Hz) brain oscillations within a widespread fronto-parietal cortical network including the temporoparietal junction. Individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) have been reported to experience challenges with high-level perspective-taking, particularly when adopting embodied strategies. To investigate the potential neurophysiological basis of these autism-related individual differences, we used magnetoencephalography in combination with a well-replicated perspective-taking paradigm in a group of 18 autistic and 17 age-matched non-autistic adolescents. Findings revealed that increasing the angle between self and other perspective resulted in prolonged reaction times for the autistic group during perspective-taking. This was accompanied by reduced theta power across a wide network of regions typically active during social cognitive tasks. On the other hand, the autistic group showed greater alpha power decreases in visual cortex compared with the non-autistic group across all perspective-taking conditions. These divergent theta and alpha power effects, coupled with steeper response time slopes, suggest that autistic individuals may rely more on alternative cognitive strategies, such as mental object rotation, rather than an egocentric embodied approach. Finally, no group differences were found when participants were asked to track, rather than take, another's viewpoint, suggesting that autism-related individual differences are specific to high-level perspective-taking.</p>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ejn.70109","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hanna Hoogen, Bruno Hebling Vieira, Nicolas Langer
{"title":"Maintaining Brain Health: The Impact of Physical Activity and Fitness on the Aging Brain—A UK Biobank Study","authors":"Hanna Hoogen, Bruno Hebling Vieira, Nicolas Langer","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70085","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The growing prevalence of physical and neurological disorders linked to aging poses significant challenges for society. Many of these disorders are closely linked to changes in brain structure and function, highlighting the importance of identifying protective factors that can preserve brain structure in later life and mitigate age-related decline. Physical activity (PA) is consistently linked to physical health and was found to mitigate age-related disorders. However, its effects on markers of brain aging remain inconclusive, partly due to reliance on underpowered studies and self-reported data. We investigated the effects of accelerometer-measured PA and physical fitness on BrainAGE, a machine-learning-derived marker of brain aging, in a large UK Biobank cohort. Using cortical and subcortical neuroimaging-derived features, a BrainAGE model was trained on 21,442 participants (mean absolute error: 3.75 years) and applied to predict BrainAGE for an independent sample of 10,874 participants. Accelerometer-measured moderate-intensity PA, but not self-reported PA, was associated with decelerated brain aging, indicated by a negative BrainAGE. Further, higher hand grip strength, along with lower body mass index (BMI), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and resting heart rate, was linked to decelerated aging. These fitness measures impacted BrainAGE independently of PA. Additionally, fitness partially accounted for the relationship between PA and BrainAGE. Specifically, BMI, DBP, and resting heart rate showed a significant mediating effect, while grip strength did not. These findings highlight the interplay between PA and fitness in maintaining brain health and provide valuable insights for neuroscience and preventive health measures.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction to “The History of Danish Neuroscience”","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70113","url":null,"abstract":"<p>\u0000 <span>Paulson, O.B.</span>, <span>Schousboe, A.</span> and <span>Hultborn, H.</span> (<span>2023</span>), <span>The History of Danish Neuroscience</span>. <i>European Journal of Neuroscience</i>, <span>58</span>: <span>2893</span>–<span>2960</span>. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.16062.\u0000 </p><p>In the paper by Paulson et al. (2023), there was an error in the legend for Figure 1.</p><p>The correct legend should be</p><p>FIGURE 1. Nicolaus Steno. <i>Source:</i> Painted by C. A. Lorentzen (1749–1828). With permission from the University of Copenhagen.</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ejn.70113","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Syed Arman Rabbani, Mohamed El-Tanani, Shrestha Sharma, Yahia El-Tanani, Rakesh Kumar, Manita Saini, Monu Yadav, Mohammad Ahmed Khan, Suhel Parvez
{"title":"RNA-Based Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases Targeting Pathogenic Proteins","authors":"Syed Arman Rabbani, Mohamed El-Tanani, Shrestha Sharma, Yahia El-Tanani, Rakesh Kumar, Manita Saini, Monu Yadav, Mohammad Ahmed Khan, Suhel Parvez","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70110","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Neurodegeneration is featured by the gradual stagnation of neuronal function and structure, leading to significant motor and cognitive impairments. The primary histopathological features underlying these conditions include the cumulation of pathological protein aggregates, chronic inflammation, and neuronal cell death. Alzheimer's disease (<span>AD</span>) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are prominent examples of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). As of 2023, over 65 million people worldwide are affected by <span>AD</span> and PD, with the prevalence of these conditions steadily increasing over time. Interestingly, there are no effective therapies available to halt or slow NDD progression. Most approved treatments are focused on symptom management and are often associated with substantial side effects. Given these limitations, the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders is essential. Notably, RNA-based therapeutics have recently emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for managing various neurological diseases, offering the potential for innovative molecular interventions in NDD. In this review, we have discussed the pathogenic role of various protein aggregates in NDD and highlighted emerging RNA-based strategies aimed at targeting these pathological proteins.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Melis Isik, Hatice Kubra Sari, Mehmet Gokhan Caglayan, Rezzak Yilmaz, Burak Derkus
{"title":"Whispers in the Brain: Extracellular Vesicles in Neuropathology and the Diagnostic Alchemy of Neurological Diseases","authors":"Melis Isik, Hatice Kubra Sari, Mehmet Gokhan Caglayan, Rezzak Yilmaz, Burak Derkus","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70090","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as pivotal mediators in neurological diseases, showcasing multifaceted potential roles ranging from pathogenesis to diagnosis. These nano-sized membranous structures, released by various cell types including neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, encapsulate a diverse cargo of proteins, lipids, RNA species, and even DNA fragments. In neuropathology, EVs contribute significantly to intercellular communication within the central nervous system (CNS), influencing physiological or pathological cascades. Through the transfer of bioactive molecules, EVs modulate neuroinflammation, neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and the propagation of protein aggregates characteristic of neurodegenerative disorders. Moreover, their presence in biofluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, and urine reflects the pathophysiological state of the CNS, offering a window into the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of neurological diseases. Recent advancements in EV isolation techniques, coupled with high-throughput omics technologies, have facilitated the profiling of EV cargo, enabling the identification of disease-specific biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity. This review explores the intricate roles of EVs in neuropathology, highlighting their involvement in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological disorders. Furthermore, it delves into the diagnostic potential of EVs, discussing current challenges and prospects in harnessing EV-derived biomarkers for precision medicine in neurology. Ultimately, understanding the biology of EVs in neurological contexts promises transformative insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, paving the way for innovative diagnostic tools and targeted interventions in clinical practice.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nathan Barbe, Mark Connolly, Annaelle Devergnas, Napoleon Torrès, Marrio Hervault, Mathieu Bonis, Malvina Billères, Stephan Chabardes, Brigitte Piallat
{"title":"Toward an Automatic Classification of the Different Stages of Sleep: Exploring Patterns of Neural Activity in the Subthalamic Nucleus","authors":"Nathan Barbe, Mark Connolly, Annaelle Devergnas, Napoleon Torrès, Marrio Hervault, Mathieu Bonis, Malvina Billères, Stephan Chabardes, Brigitte Piallat","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70107","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sleep disorders substantially impact quality of life, especially in patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease. Recent advances in deep brain stimulation highlight the potential of closed-loop adaptive stimulation that utilizes neural feedback signals recorded directly from the stimulation electrodes. The subthalamic nucleus, a distinct structure located deep in the brain, plays a major role in processing cortical information and could be used to classify sleep stages. We recorded local field potentials in the subthalamic nucleus of two freely moving nonhuman primates across three nights. Our study examined subthalamic neuronal activity across different vigilance stages using spectral activity, multiscale entropy analysis, and an automatic classification. Results revealed distinct spectral patterns in subthalamic activity corresponding to sleep stages, with a high synchronization between subthalamic nucleus and EEG signals during deeper sleep stages. These deeper stages were associated also with reduced entropy, suggesting decreased neural activity complexity. An automated machine learning classifier based on subthalamic nucleus spectral activity distinguished wakefulness from sleep with high accuracy (94% for both animals). While the classifier performed well for deeper sleep stages, its accuracy was lower for lighter sleep stages. Our findings suggest that subthalamic nucleus activity can mirror cortical dynamics during sleep, supporting its potential use in developing closed-loop stimulation therapies for sleep disorders. This work provides a foundation for further studies in Parkinson's disease models to evaluate the translational relevance of subthalamic nucleus activity in clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ejn.70107","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Morteza Salimi, Milad Nazari, Miranda Francoeur Koloski, Samuel A. Barnes, Jonathan Mishler, Sahar Jomehpour, Dhakshin S. Ramanathan
{"title":"Dynamically Adjusting Intertemporal Choice Task in Rodents","authors":"Morteza Salimi, Milad Nazari, Miranda Francoeur Koloski, Samuel A. Barnes, Jonathan Mishler, Sahar Jomehpour, Dhakshin S. Ramanathan","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70104","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Temporal discounting refers to the tendency for immediate rewards over delayed ones, assessed through intertemporal choice tasks where subjects choose between immediate low-value or delayed high-value rewards. Traditional rodent tasks often require extensive pre-task training, introducing species-specific biases and thus lower translational utility. We present a novel dynamically adjusting intertemporal choice task, where the delay for a large reward adjusts trial-by-trial based on prior choices. Choosing the large reward increases its delay by 500 ms, while selecting the small reward decreases the large reward delay by 500 ms. In eight Long–Evans rats tested across 50 days, key behavioral measures stabilized early, including the average delay and preference for the large reward. However, training enhanced behavioral flexibility, allowing rats to optimize rewards over time. This task enables rapid assessment of delay preferences while also revealing cognitive flexibility, offering significant advantages for investigating decision-making that may be relevant to real-world behaviors.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143822187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Functional Development of the Auditory Brainstem Nuclei During Embryogenesis of the Mouse Revealed by Optical Recording With a Voltage-Sensitive Dye","authors":"Yoko Momose-Sato, Katsushige Sato","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70106","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A fundamental question in auditory neuroscience is when and how complex connections between the nuclei/centers are organized during ontogenesis. In the present study, we applied a multiple-site optical recording technique with a voltage-sensitive dye and surveyed the developmental organization of the auditory system in the mouse embryo. Stimulation of the cochlear (auditory) nerve elicited excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)-related optical responses in the lateral brainstem, which corresponded to the auditory sensory nucleus, namely, the cochlear nucleus. The EPSP was mediated by glutamate and mainly dependent on <i>N</i>-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The EPSP was first detected at E (embryonic day) 12, indicating that functional connections between the periphery and neurons in the cochlear nucleus are established at this stage. At later developmental stages, cochlear nerve stimulation elicited additional postsynaptic responses in the ipsilateral and contralateral ventral brainstem, which corresponded to the higher center of the auditory pathway, the superior olivary complex (SOC). The EPSP in the SOC was detected from E15 in normal physiological solution and E14 in a Mg<sup>2+</sup>-free solution. Thus, the synaptic connections between the cochlear nucleus and the SOC are established by E14, but they are suppressed by the Mg<sup>2+</sup> block on the NMDA receptors before E15. Overall, our results suggest that postsynaptic responses in the cochlear nucleus and the SOC exhibit much earlier than previously reported, and functional synapses are generated soon after the arrival of afferent fibers and before morphological differentiation of the brainstem nuclei has been completed.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143822189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intranetwork and Internetwork Functional Connectivity Changes Related to Speech Disorders in Adults With Cleft Lip and Palate","authors":"Yingying Wang, Chengdan Deng, Hailong Li, Yingxue Gao, Bing Shi, Xiaoqi Huang, Qiyong Gong","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70077","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cleft lip and palate (CLP) may induce alterations in functional connectivity (FC) throughout the whole brain, potentially leading to speech dysfunctions; however, the precise neurobiological mechanisms involved remain unknown. This study aimed to systematically examine the consequences of neurological impairments associated with CLP on whole-brain FC and speech functionality. A total of 33 CLP individuals and 41 control participants were included in this study. Eight meaningful brain networks were identified through independent component analysis (ICA). The intergroup differences and correlations with speech scores for both intranetwork and internetwork FC were calculated. We observed decreased FC within the sensorimotor network (SMN), default mode network (DMN), and cerebellar network (CN) and increased FC within the executive control network (ECN). Additionally, FC was enhanced between the SMN and the auditory network (AN), attention network (ATN), and salience network (SAN); between the DMN and the visual network (VN) and ECN; and between two independent components of the DMN. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between altered FC and speech assessment scores. Our research demonstrated that brain plasticity in CLP individuals with speech deficits involves widespread changes in brain connectivity, significantly improving our understanding of the neural basis of speech impairment in CLP individuals.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143822188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Locus Coeruleus: Anatomy, Physiology, and Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders","authors":"Beverly A. S. Reyes","doi":"10.1111/ejn.70111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.70111","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC-NE) system is involved in mediating a wide array of functions, including attention, arousal, cognition, and stress response. Dysregulation of the LC-NE system is strongly linked with several stress-induced neuropsychiatric disorders, highlighting the LC's pivotal role in the development of these disorders. Located in the dorsal pontine tegmental area, the LC contains noradrenergic neurons that serve as the main source of NE in the central nervous system. Activation of the LC and subsequent release of NE at different levels of the neuroaxis is adaptive, allowing the body to adjust appropriately amid a challenging stimulus. However, prolonged and repeated LC activation leads to maladaptive responses that implicate LC-NE dysfunction in stress-induced neuropsychiatric disorders. As the primary initiator of the stress response, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Following the discovery of CRF more than four decades ago, numerous studies established that CRF also acts as a neurotransmitter that governs the activity of other neurotransmitters in the brain neurotransmitter system. The LC-NE system receives abundant CRF afferents arising from several brain nuclei. CRF afferents to LC-NE are activated and recruited in the pathogenesis of stress-induced neuropsychiatric disorders. Presented in this review are the CRF neuroanatomical connectivity and physiological characteristics that modulate LC-NE function, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of stress-induced neuropsychiatric disorders. Additionally, this review illustrates the contribution of LC-NE to the apparent sex-dependent differences in stress-induced neuropsychiatric disorders. Hence, the LC-NE system is a promising target for the development of therapeutic strategies for stress-induced neuropsychiatric disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":11993,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Neuroscience","volume":"61 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ejn.70111","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143822203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}