Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience最新文献

{"title":"Raslan Circuit: von Economo neurons as biological dipole antenna elements in a proposed FI-ACC communication pathway for multimodal integration and conscious access.","authors":"Mohamed Khaled Younes Raslan","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1779601","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1779601","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Consciousness remains incompletely explained at the anatomical, biophysical, and functional levels. Although existing theories characterize key functional correlates of conscious experience-including global broadcasting, information integration, attentional selection, working-memory-based awareness, and electromagnetic field dynamics-none has yet identified a specific cellular mechanism embedded within a defined long-range cortical pathway that could support the transmission of integrated sensory, interoceptive, emotional, and cognitive information toward anterior access and control systems. Here, the \"Raslan Circuit\" is defined as a candidate solution centered on the fronto-insular cortex (FI), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and their von Economo neurons (VENs). Anatomically, VENs form a selectively localized population in FI and ACC, two regions already implicated in salience processing, interoception, emotional evaluation, and conscious awareness. Biophysically, within the Raslan Circuit hypothesis, VENs are proposed to act not merely as histological markers of higher cognition but as elongated, polarity-organizing neuronal elements with biological dipole antenna properties, supporting field-sensitive coupling and potentially resonance-based communication between FI and ACC. Functionally, FI is proposed to act as a deep multimodal collecting and organizing station, while ACC serves as a receiving and redistributive hub that links the transmitted signal to working memory, awareness, emotional valuation, and action selection. Together, this FI-ACC-VEN axis is advanced as a previously unrecognized communication infrastructure that could complement-rather than replace-Global Workspace Theory, Integrated Information Theory, embedded-processes and awareness-buffer models of working memory, salience-network accounts, and electromagnetic field theories of consciousness. The dimensional properties of VENs suggest a theoretically motivated, though speculative, prediction of resonance in the terahertz range, providing a falsifiable spectral hypothesis. More generally, the Raslan Circuit is grounded in four interlocking components: an anatomical foundation in VEN-rich FI and ACC, a biophysical rationale based on field-sensitive coupling, an explicit integration with existing functional theories of consciousness, and a set of testable predictions spanning connectivity, cellular and field measurements, clinical syndromes, and computational modeling.</p>","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1779601"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13541754/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897203","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}

{"title":"Metaheuristic-optimized cross-modal attention networks for multimodal mental health assessment in college students.","authors":"Wanying Liu, Cheng Qian","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1847214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2026.1847214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The increase in mental health disorders in college populations necessitates novel assessment strategies that circumvent the limitations of existing self-report instruments. To address this issue, this paper presents a new deep learning framework for mental health monitoring in academia by integrating multimodal passive sensing data collected from smartphones. A cross-modal attention network, searched by a new metaheuristic algorithm the Addax Optimization Algorithm for neural architecture search, was trained and first evaluated on the StudentLife dataset. To further validate the results due to the extremely limited number of samples in the test set (<i>N</i> = 7), we subsequently performed a zero-shot transfer and fine-tuning evaluation on the College Experience Study (CES) dataset. CES is a large longitudinal dataset of over 200 students collected over 5 years including passively-collected sensor, survey and brain-imaging data. The validation of the model in 140 local participants resulted in classification accuracy for depression of 87.4% on StudentLife (with adjusted 95% CI 62-98%), suggesting considerable uncertainty. On CES the performance of the zero-shot transferred model reached 72.3% of classification accuracy and 83.9% when fine-tuned. This means the initial 87.4% result can be interpreted as overoptimistic. Modality weight analysis showed the importance of survey in predicting depression and the effect of activity on stress predictions. This paper serves as a proof-of-concept of a novel system for screening mental health disorders passively using mobile phones within academia, and suggests it may have a role to play in the early detection of risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1847214"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13481442/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148792116","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}

{"title":"Respiratory phase shapes brain-heart dynamics: evidence from recurrence analysis of EEG band power and heart rate.","authors":"MariNieves Pardo-Rodriguez, Erik Bojorges-Valdez, Oscar Arias-Carrion, Oscar Yanez-Suarez, Jorge Gonzalez-Ordiano","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1905962","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2026.1905962","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Respiration is increasingly recognized as a key modulator of brain-body interactions, influencing both neural and autonomic dynamics. While prior work has demonstrated respiratory-driven entrainment, it remains unclear whether distinct phases of the breathing cycle give rise to different dynamical regimes of cortical activity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we investigated respiratory-phase-dependent modulation of brain-heart interactions during controlled breathing, focusing on breath-hold periods following inhalation and exhalation. EEG band power time series and heart rate (HR) were analyzed in 15 healthy subjects. In addition to conventional spectral measures, recurrence quantification analysis was employed to characterize non-linear dynamics in cortical activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results revealed clear respiratory-phase-dependent differences. Inhale-hold was associated with increased γ band power, higher recurrence rate, and elevated HR, whereas exhale-hold showed reduced γ activity, lower recurrence, and decreased HR. These findings are consistent with known mechanisms of respiratory sinus arrhythmia and suggest that the two conditions correspond to distinct autonomic states. From a dynamical systems perspective, increased recurrence during inhale-hold suggests more structured and constrained cortical dynamics, while reduced recurrence during exhale-hold reflects comparatively more variable activity.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Together, these findings suggest that respiratory phase modulates the organization of brain-body dynamics, potentially reflecting shifts between more stable and more flexible regimes of neural activity. This phase-dependent organization supports the view that respiration may act as a physiological mechanism for dynamically tuning brain-heart interactions, with implications for understanding the role of breathing in the modulation of neural dynamics.</p>","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1905962"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13473007/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148763466","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}

{"title":"Beyond discrete social decisions: toward continuous dyadic neural dynamics in cooperation and competition.","authors":"Qiang Li, Jianmei He, Ziyu Li, Chang Rao, Jing Luo, Junhua Wu","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1809977","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1809977","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1809977"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13520344/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148839733","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}

{"title":"Effects of acute and long-term exercise modalities and doses on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with stroke: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.","authors":"Hao Yang, Yan Rao, Lijun Chen","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1905191","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1905191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To systematically evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients with stroke, and to examine the dose-response relationships associated with acute and long-term exercise.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and APA PsycINFO were searched for studies of exercise interventions in patients with stroke that reported BDNF outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I. A network dose-response meta-regression was conducted within a Bayesian random-effects framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-three studies involving 903 participants were included, comprising 14 randomized controlled trials, 8 non-randomized studies, and 1 randomized crossover trial. Acute overall exercise showed a modest positive trend at lower dose levels; however, at a dose of 250 METs⋅min/week, the 95% credible interval included zero, indicating substantial uncertainty regarding whether a single bout of low-dose exercise produces a reliable increase in BDNF. For long-term overall exercise, posterior estimates generally favored a positive BDNF response as dose increased. The 95% credible interval first no longer included zero at 1300 METs⋅min/week, and estimates at 1700, 2000, 2300, and 2700 METs⋅min/week remained compatible with positive effects. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because the evidence base was limited and precision varied across dose levels. Clear differences were also observed across long-term exercise modalities. Multicomponent exercise showed the most favorable directional pattern across the 1700-2700 METs⋅min/week range, although several estimates were imprecise and the apparent advantage of this modality should be regarded as exploratory. By contrast, walking, cycling, and exercise combined with cognitive training all showed positive directional trends, but the 95% credible intervals included zero across dose levels, indicating substantial uncertainty regarding these modality-specific effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The effects of exercise on BDNF in patients with stroke are jointly shaped by intervention duration, dose level, and exercise modality. Compared with acute exercise, long-term exercise at moderate-to-high doses, particularly multicomponent exercise, may be associated with a more favorable BDNF response. However, because the certainty of evidence was mostly moderate to low or very low and publication bias was detected, these findings should be considered preliminary and hypothesis-generating rather than definitive exercise prescription recommendations.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261350793, identifier CRD420261350793.</p>","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1905191"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13447430/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148689038","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}

{"title":"Mathematical foundations of life, mind and all emergent phenomena.","authors":"Paul John Werbos","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1803434","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1803434","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper gives a roadmap for filling in a new integrated worldview, from physics to emergent phenomena, presented at Werbos (2010). That worldview starts from the assumption that the cosmos we live in is a dynamical system, which obeys what I call Hard Core Einsteinian realism (HCER), which can be approximated very well in our level of life by quantum electrodynamics as formulated by Everett, Wheeler and Deutsch (EWD) (Deutsch, 1997). In principle all of the patterns which emerge in such a cosmos are fully, precisely specified by knowing the equilibrium probability distribution (equivalent to the entropy function) for that dynamical system. These functions are known precisely for a wide class of EWD and HCER theories. Thus the understanding of life, mind and other emergent phenomena in our cosmos is equivalent to knowing the parameters of the underlying dynamical law (e.g., H, for the case of EWD), and knowing useful ways to approximate what that probability function looks like. As an example, present theories of Darwinian evolution are basically just crude approximation systems for specific types pof state or pattern or object which we usually call \"life.\"</p>","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1803434"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13422456/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148629898","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}

{"title":"From motor primitives to context-dependent coordination: a system neuroscience approach integrating cognitive, affective, and experiential factors into muscle synergy analysis.","authors":"Alessandro Scano","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1838867","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1838867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Muscle synergies are traditionally viewed as stable, low-dimensional neuromuscular modules reflecting neural constraints. However, growing evidence suggests this mechanistic interpretation is incomplete. We propose a conceptual extension of the framework, arguing that coordination patterns reflected into multichannel EMG are emergent properties of an integrated cognitive-motor system rather than purely motor primitives. We identify three classes of non-motor factors that may shape motor output: (i) Task internalization and learning dynamics: synergy structure evolves with practice and the formation of internal models; (ii) affective and psychological states: emotional conditions (e.g., stress, anxiety) modulate muscle co-activation and stability; (iii) prior experience and sensorimotor memory: embodied history biases action selection and coordination. Consistent with predictive processing and embodied cognition, we argue these factors are constitutive dimensions of motor control rather than mere noise. This perspective implies that inter-subject variability in synergy structure reflects systematic differences in cognitive, affective, and experiential states. To enhance interpretability, we propose integrating minimal assessments into experimental designs: (i) task strategy evaluation, (ii) affective state characterization via physiological proxies or scales, (iii) documentation of prior motor experience, and (iv) analysis of learning trajectories. This integrative view complements existing models, providing a richer theoretical foundation to interpret variability, adaptability, and individual differences in human motor control.</p>","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1838867"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13416565/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148619713","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}

{"title":"Neuroinflammation as a failure of allostatic integrity: a hierarchical-circular model of biological memory for pathogenesis in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases.","authors":"Samuel Ruesga Mundo","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1888548","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1888548","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Chronic neuroinflammation is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) and neuropsychiatric disorders (major depression, schizophrenia). However, current models fail to explain why some individuals develop persistent neuroinflammation while others maintain homeostasis, nor why similar inflammatory pathology produces such diverse clinical phenotypes.</p><p><strong>Hypothesis: </strong>We propose that pathological neuroinflammation emerges from a failure of allostatic integrity-the capacity of the organism to maintain adaptive circular information flow across five interconnected levels: (1) genetic architecture and morphogenetic programming, (2) epigenetic molecular memory, (3) allostatic load and systemic physiological adaptation, (4) the psychoneuroimmuneendocrine (PINE) network, and (5) interoceptive-neuronal integration. When this circular flow is disrupted, maladaptive stable states become entrenched, perpetuating chronic inflammation.</p><p><strong>Development of the hypothesis: </strong>Synthesizing evidence from longitudinal and mechanistic studies (with foundational older works cited where necessary), we discuss how: (a) early-life stress epigenetically programs inflammatory reactivity; (b) elevated allostatic load predicts chronic neuroinflammation; (c) PINE network dysregulation perpetuates pro-inflammatory signaling; and (d) interoceptive dysfunction may prevent the downregulation of inflammation. Allostatic integrity is introduced as a dynamic systems-level property hypothesized to moderate the relationship between inflammatory pathology and clinical expression.</p><p><strong>Testable predictions: </strong>The framework generates falsifiable predictions: (1) composite indices of allostatic integrity will outperform single biomarkers in predicting transition to chronic neuroinflammation; (2) multidomain interventions targeting multiple levels will produce multiplicative (synergistic) effects; (3) patients with similar inflammatory profiles but contrasting allostatic integrity will show markedly different clinical trajectories; and (4) improvements in allostatic integrity will correlate with reduced neuroinflammation independent of direct anti-inflammatory therapies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Hierarchical-Circular Model reframes chronic neuroinflammation not as a linear cascade but as a potential systemic failure of biological memory and allostatic integrity. Pending empirical validation, this framework may offer a conceptual basis for biomarker development, multidomain prevention, and personalized treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1888548"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13395940/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584075","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}

{"title":"Consensus-based Sharp-Wave Ripple detection and its application in an alcohol administration model.","authors":"Marina Ruelas, Rita Q Fuentes-Aguilar, Laura Medina-Ceja, Eduardo Morales-Vargas","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1822457","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1822457","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the hippocampus, slow waves are accompanied by brief population bursts of high-frequency oscillations (150-250 Hz) known as Sharp-Wave Ripples (SWRs), a phenomenon associated with memory consolidation during offline brain states and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep. Despite the relevance of SWRs, no standardized criterion for their automatic detection has been established. This work introduces a consensus-based algorithm that first identifies sharp waves and then detects ripples occurring within these intervals. Events are designated as true SWRs only when at least two principal methodologies report overlapping detections. Comparative analyses showed that one detector generated more candidate events but with reduced precision, whereas the other was more selective but computationally slower. The consensus strategy improved reliability by emphasizing the concurrence of independent detectors, contributing to efforts toward standardized and reproducible SWR analysis. The algorithm was used within an alcohol administration model to quantify SWR rate, duration, and peak frequency across control, vehicle, and treated groups. Although no significant group-level differences emerged under the short-term exposure protocol, a significant increase in SWR peak frequency was observed in the treated group after the open field test, suggesting the presence of a transient compensation mechanism. These findings shed light on the brain's ability to adapt temporarily to specific behavioral tasks. However, it is essential to emphasize that additional research is crucial to fully understand the long-term implications and associations with alcohol-induced changes in brain structures and SWR generation.</p>","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1822457"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13385568/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148548539","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}

{"title":"Editorial: Embodied interfaces: human experience in virtual and mediated worlds.","authors":"Sergio Frumento, Danilo Menicucci, Simone Grassini, Valentina Cesari","doi":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1911204","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fnsys.2026.1911204","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12649,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience","volume":"20 ","pages":"1911204"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13381728/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148601882","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}