Brain Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Demystifying the New Dilemma of Brain Rot in the Digital Era: A Review.","authors":"Ahmed Mohamed Fahmy Yousef, Alsaeed Alshamy, Ahmed Tlili, Ahmed Hosny Saleh Metwally","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030283","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030283","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: The widespread phenomenon of \"brain rot\", named the Oxford Word of the Year 2024, refers to the cognitive decline and mental exhaustion experienced by individuals, particularly adolescents and young adults, due to excessive exposure to low-quality online materials, especially on social media. The present study is exploratory and interpretative in nature, aiming to investigate the phenomenon of \"brain rot\", with a focus on its key pillars, psychological factors, digital behaviors, and the cognitive impact resulting from the overconsumption of low-quality digital content. <b>Methods</b>: This study employs a rapid review approach, examining research published between 2023 and 2024 across PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. It explores the causes and effects of brain rot, focusing on the overuse of social media, video games, and other digital platforms. <b>Results</b>: The findings reveal that brain rot leads to emotional desensitization, cognitive overload, and a negative self-concept. It is associated with negative behaviors, such as doomscrolling, zombie scrolling, and social media addiction, all linked to psychological distress, anxiety, and depression. These factors impair executive functioning skills, including memory, planning, and decision-making. The pervasive nature of digital media, driven by dopamine-driven feedback loops, exacerbates these effects. <b>Conclusions</b>: The study concludes by offering strategies to prevent brain rot, such as controlling screen time, curating digital content, and engaging in non-digital activities. Given the increasing prevalence of digital engagement, it is essential to explore a variety of strategies, including mindful technology use, to support cognitive health and emotional well-being. The results can guide various stakeholders-policymakers, practitioners, researchers, educators, and parents or caregivers-in addressing the pervasive impact of brain rot and promoting a balanced approach to technology use that fosters cognitive resilience among adolescents and young adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939997/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differences in Anatomical Structures and Resting-State Brain Networks Between Elite Wrestlers and Handball Athletes.","authors":"Fatma Sahin Ozarslan, Adil Deniz Duru","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030285","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030285","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Advancements in biomedical imaging technologies over the past few decades have made it increasingly possible to measure the long-term effects of exercise on the central nervous system. This study aims to compare the brain morphology and functional connectivity of wrestlers and handball players, exploring sport-specific neural adaptations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Here, we examined 26 elite male athletes (13 wrestlers and 13 handball players) using anatomical and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measurements. Connectivity maps are derived using the seed-based correlation analysis of resting-state fMRI, while voxel-based morphometry (VBM) is employed to identify anatomical differences. Additionally, the cortical thickness and global volumetric values of the segmented images are examined to determine the distinctions between elite wrestlers and handball players using non-parametric statistical tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Wrestlers exhibited greater grey matter volume (GMV) in the right middle temporal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, and right posterior cingulate gyrus (uncorr., <i>p</i> < 0.001). On the other hand, wrestlers showed increased functional connectivity in the left superior temporal gyrus, left parahippocampal gyrus, the left anterior orbital gyrus, and right superior frontal gyrus-medial frontal region (<i>P</i>(_FWE) < 0.05). In addition, wrestlers showed greater cortical thickness in several brain regions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The increased GMV, cortical thickness, and functional connectivity observed in wrestlers highlight the presence of sport-specific neural adaptations. While this research provides valuable insights into the neuroplastic effects of various athletic disciplines, further studies involving additional sports and control groups are needed for a more comprehensive understanding.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939878/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Variations of Aberrant Volume, Activity, and Network Connectivity of Hippocampus in Adolescent Male Rats Exposed to Juvenile Stress.","authors":"Aoling Cai, Danhao Zheng, Fanyong Xu, Fei Wang, Sreedharan Sajikumar, Jie Wang","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030284","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030284","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Childhood is a crucial period for brain development, and short-term juvenile stress has demonstrated long-lasting effects on cognitive and cellular functions in the hippocampus. However, the influence of such stress on the brain's overall network remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the effects of transient wild stress on juvenile male rats. Pregnant rats were purchased and housed in a specific pathogen-free (SPF) environment, with pups separated by sex on postnatal day 21 (PD21). From PD27 to PD29, male rats were subjected to transient wild stress, which included forced swimming, elevated platform exposure, and restraint stress. Following stress exposure, all animals were carefully maintained and scanned at 42 days of age (PD42) using fMRI. Structural analysis was performed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to assess changes in gray matter volume, while functional activity was evaluated through regional homogeneity (ReHo) and voxel-wise functional connectivity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed significant reductions in gray matter volume in several brain regions in the stress group, including the periaqueductal gray (PAG), entorhinal cortex (Ent), and dentate gyrus (DG). In terms of functional activity, cortical regions, particularly the primary somatosensory areas, exhibited decreased activity, whereas increased activity was observed in the PAG, DG, and medulla. Furthermore, functional connectivity analysis revealed a significant reduction in connectivity between the DG and entorhinal cortex, while the DG-PAG connectivity was significantly enhanced.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that juvenile stress leads to profound alterations in both brain structure and function, potentially disrupting emotional regulation and memory processing by affecting the development and connectivity of key brain regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940772/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current Trends in Pediatric Migraine: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Strategies.","authors":"Adnan Khan, Sufang Liu, Feng Tao","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030280","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030280","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Pediatric migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder that significantly impacts children's quality of life, academic performance, and social interactions. Unlike migraines in adults, pediatric migraines often present differently and involve unique underlying mechanisms, making diagnosis and treatment more complex. <b>Methods:</b> This review discusses the clinical phases of pediatric migraine, key trigger factors, sex- and age-related differences, and the role of childhood maltreatment in migraine development. We also discuss episodic syndromes such as cyclic vomiting syndrome, abdominal migraine, benign paroxysmal vertigo, and benign paroxysmal torticollis, along with comorbidities such as psychiatric disorders, sleep disturbances, and epilepsy. <b>Results:</b> The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms for pediatric migraines, including genetic predispositions, neuroinflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis, are summarized. Current therapeutic strategies, including conventional and emerging pharmacological treatments, nutraceuticals, and non-pharmacological approaches, are evaluated. Non-pharmacological strategies, particularly evidence-based lifestyle interventions such as stress management, diet, hydration, sleep, exercise, screen time moderation, and cognitive behavioral therapy, are highlighted as key components of migraine prevention and management. The long-term prognosis and follow-up of pediatric migraine patients are reviewed, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, and tailored multidisciplinary care to prevent chronic progression. <b>Conclusions:</b> Future research should focus on novel therapeutic targets and integrating gut-brain axis modulation, with a need for longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term course of pediatric migraine.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940401/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hot and Cool Executive Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizotypal Traits.","authors":"Evangelia Chrysanthi Kouklari, Evdokia Tagkouli, Vassiliki Ntre, Artemios Pehlivanidis, Stella Tsermentseli, Nikos C Stefanis, Chris Pantelis, Katerina Papanikolaou","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030282","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030282","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Schizotypal traits are notably prevalent among children diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both conditions commonly exhibit impairments in executive functions (EF), which encompass cool and hot processes. The observed deficits in these EF domains across ASD and schizotypy underscore a compelling need to investigate how their co-occurrence impacts EF. <b>Methods:</b> This study investigated the impact of co-occurring autistic and schizotypal traits on EF in 63 children diagnosed with ASD, aged 7 to 12 years. Participants were assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), the Melbourne Assessment of Schizotypy in Kids (MASK), and a battery of hot and cool EF tests. <b>Results:</b> Correlational analyses revealed a significant association between MASK score and working memory, as well as between ADOS scores and various cool EF components (i.e., working memory, inhibition and planning). Hierarchical regression analyses showed that the interaction between ADOS and MASK scores significantly predicted performance on hot EF (i.e., affective decision-making), but not on cool EF tasks. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings suggest that the co-occurrence of ASD and schizotypal traits may have differential effects on cool and hot EF domains. Understanding how the combination of autistic and schizotypal traits affects cognitive processes may inform tailored interventions and support strategies for individuals presenting with these traits.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940787/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Guardian of Dreams: The Neglected Relationship Between Sleep and Psychoanalysis.","authors":"Giuseppe Barbato","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030281","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Knowledge about sleep was very limited at the time when Freud published his seminal work on the interpretation of dreams. He was also not interested in sleep, which was considered a problem of physiology; however, sleep appears to have a central role in his model, since dreaming is considered the guardian of sleep. The function of dreaming, according to Freud, is to protect sleep from disruption, with the dream working to avoid repressed stimuli interrupting the \"biological\" function of sleep. Before neurophysiological studies provided evidence that sleep is not a passive state, Freud also recognized sleep as an active process, as human beings voluntarily withdraw their attention from the external world to actively move to sleep. The discovery of REM sleep in the 1950s led psychoanalysts to see sleep as the necessary background to the occurrence of dreaming. Although Freud dismissed the clinical importance of sleep disturbances, viewing them as the somatic expression of an instinctual disturbance which would disappear during psychoanalytic treatment, successive authors highlighted the fact that sleep disturbances might have a more specific psychological significance. The similarities between the loss of self that occurs during sleep and the fragmentation of the identity experienced during schizophrenia represent an interesting and yet not fully explored area of research. Thanks to Freud's work, the desire to sleep assumes the important role of a psychological, active factor that contributes to the occurrence and function of sleep.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940688/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Normative Data for the D-KEFS Tower Test in Greek Adult Population Between 20 and 85 Years Old.","authors":"Marianna Tsatali, Despina Eleftheriadou, Nikoleta Palla, Magda Tsolaki, Despina Moraitou","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030278","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030278","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Tower Test (TT) is a widely used neuropsychological tool that assesses complex executive functions, including planning, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, switching, and impulsivity-key abilities often impaired in individuals with frontal dysfunction. <b>Aims</b>: There is currently no normative data for the D-KEFS TT in the Greek population. Consequently, it cannot be effectively used to detect executive dysfunction in neurological and psychiatric populations or for research purposes. <b>Methods</b>: The study sample included 249 healthy adults (28.9% male, 71.1% female) aged 20 to 85 years (M = 46.53, SD = 17.41), with educational levels ranging from secondary school graduates to master's degree holders. Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between age and D-KEFS TT performance, while chi-square test assessed the effects of education and gender. Normative data were then derived from raw scores and converted into percentiles. <b>Results</b>: Norms were established for the following D-KEFS TT variables: Total Achievement Score, Total Rule Violations, Move Accuracy Ratio, Mean First Move Time, and Time-per-Move Ratio. Age was the strongest predictor of performance, and normative data were stratified accordingly for the Greek adult population. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study introduces the D-KEFS TT as a neuropsychological assessment tool for Greek adults across different age groups to evaluate complex executive functions throughout the lifespan. Unlike other D-KEFS tests, the TT had not previously been adapted for the Greek population. This study is the first to provide normative data, supporting its use in clinical practice and research.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940738/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Motors in Blood-Brain Barrier Maintenance by Astrocytes.","authors":"Ana Filipa Sobral, Inês Costa, Vanessa Teixeira, Renata Silva, Daniel José Barbosa","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030279","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030279","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The blood-brain barrier (BBB) comprises distinct cell types, including endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes, and is essential for central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis by selectively regulating molecular transport and maintaining integrity. In particular, astrocytes are essential for BBB function, as they maintain BBB integrity through their end-feet, which form a physical and biochemical interface that enhances endothelial cell function and barrier selectivity. Moreover, they secrete growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which regulate tight junction (TJ) proteins (e.g., claudins and occludins) crucial for limiting paracellular permeability. Molecular motors like kinesins, dynein, and myosins are essential for these astrocyte functions. By facilitating vesicular trafficking and protein transport, they are essential for various functions, including trafficking of junctional proteins to support BBB integrity, the proper mitochondria localization within astrocyte processes for efficient energy supply, the polarized distribution of aquaporin (AQP)-4 at astrocyte end-feet for regulating water homeostasis across the BBB, and the modulation of neuroinflammatory responses. Moreover, myosin motors modulate actomyosin dynamics to regulate astrocyte process outgrowth, adhesion, migration, and morphology, facilitating their functional roles. Thus, motor protein dysregulation in astrocytes can compromise BBB function and integrity, increasing the risk of neurodegeneration. This review explores the complex interplay between astrocytes and molecular motors in regulating BBB homeostasis, which represents an attractive but poorly explored area of research.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940747/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial for <i>Brain Sciences</i> Special Issue \"Advances in Restorative Neurotherapeutic Technologies\".","authors":"Trenton A Line, Isabella S Elkinbard, David A Purger, Vivek P Buch","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030273","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030273","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>From Ramon y Cajal and Golgi's histological techniques to single-cell RNA sequencing, technological innovations have long driven progress in neuroscience [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Could Traumatic Brain Injury Be a Risk Factor for Bruxism and Temporomandibular Disorders? A Scoping Review.","authors":"Beata Pająk-Zielińska, Agnieszka Pająk, Agnieszka Drab, Piotr Gawda, Grzegorz Zieliński","doi":"10.3390/brainsci15030276","DOIUrl":"10.3390/brainsci15030276","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Bruxism and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common conditions of the stomatognathic system. Some studies suggest a potential link with traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is gaining increasing interest among researchers. The aim of this scoping review is to map the available evidence on the association between TBI and bruxism or TBI and TMDs. <b>Methods</b>: The review was conducted by analyzing four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Collaboration database. A total of 340 studies were reviewed in this work, and 4 studies examining the connections between TBI were included in the analysis (with n = 3 focusing on the association between bruxism and TBI, and n = 1 on the association between TMDs and TBI). <b>Results</b>: Analyzing the publications on bruxism and TMDs in relation to TBI, at this stage it can be concluded that there is no solid evidence confirming the impact of TBI on the studied conditions. This is due to the quantity and quality of the collected evidence. <b>Conclusions</b>: In light of the presented review, it must be concluded that the quantity and quality of the evidence are insufficient to assert that TBI is a factor in the onset of bruxism or TMDs. Further research on this phenomenon is recommended, particularly focusing on the effects of different severities of TBI and various regions of brain injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":9095,"journal":{"name":"Brain Sciences","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940442/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}