Check out some of the papers that were recently published by DMCBH members:
Sophia Frangou: Brain age gap is associated with cognitive abilities in captive chimpanzees
Journal: Scientific Reports
The brain age gap refers to the difference between chronological and brain age, based on computational models from neuroimaging data. The present study tested whether estimates of the brain age gap could be derived from neuroimaging data from chimpanzees, and whether they were associated with different cognitive and motor phenotypes. The mean absolute age gap was around 6 years in chimpanzees, overlapping with human data. Chimpanzees with “older” brain ages performed more poorly on a measure of cognition compared to those with “younger” brains. Like in humans, brain age gap can be used as a valid biomarker of brain aging in chimpanzees and is sensitive to individual differences in cognition.
Liisa Galea: Sex-specific factors and APOEε4 genotype alter functional connectivity at middle age
Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology
Cognitive aging is influenced by sex and sex-specific factors. Parity (pregnancy and parenthood) has been found to uniquely alter biomarkers of brain health in middle age, depending on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. The present study investigated functional connectivity changes and network dynamics at middle age based on parity and APOEε4 genotype, the top genetic risk factor for late-onset sporadic AD risk. Neural activation was assessed in middle-aged wildtype and hAPOEε4 rats that had either zero or one litter using the immediate early gene zif268. Rats with one litter and AD risk showed widespread reductions in neural activation, particularly in the dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, frontal cortex, and retrosplenial cortex. Meanwhile, wildtype rats with one litter showed the most cohesive and efficient functional connectivity networks. Activation of hippocampal new neurons alongside the dorsal striatum, frontal cortex, and retrosplenial cortex dynamically predicted cognitive performance depending on parity and hAPOEε4 genotype. These findings underscore the importance of considering sex-specific factors in aging and AD research.
Ian Mackenzie, Robin Hsiung: A new FTLD-TDP subtype with annexin A11 co-pathology
Journal: Acta Neuropathology
Mutations in the gene encoding the calcium-dependent phospholipid binding protein annexin A11 (ANXA11) were recently identified as a rare cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present study supported ANXA11 as an important disease-related protein that often appeared alongside TDP-43 in the brain. Beyond known FTLD-TDP type C cases, the researchers identified a previously unrecognized pattern of combined ANXA11–TDP-43 pathology linked to a distinct clinical presentation, suggesting a possible new FTLD subtype. While this pattern shared some features with existing subtypes, it also showed clear differences, and the authors noted that further clinical, genetic, and molecular studies would be needed to confirm its classification.
Martin McKeown: Multiple, not just Beta-Gamma, phase-amplitude couplings are associated with Parkinson’s disease and related intervention effects
Journal: Clinical Neurophysiology
This study aimed to evaluate the importance of various EEG Phase Amplitude Couplings (PACs) in predicting motor vigor (MV) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Additionally, researchers aimed to determine the effects of dopaminergic medication and non-invasive galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on MV-related PACs. EEG data from 18 PD patients in comparison to 20 HC controls, executing a simple overlearned handgrip task, to identify PD-specific alterations. A deep learning model, PACNET, based on the VGG-16 architecture, was used to predict MV from a visual representation of different PACs. Delta-Beta, Theta-, Alpha-, and Beta-Gamma PACs were important for MV prediction. In PD subjects, GVS affected Delta-Beta, and Theta-, Beta- Gamma PAC’s role in MV prediction in a stimulation-specific manner. Delta-Beta and Theta-Gamma PACs were more relevant for PD patients’ MV prediction after L-dopa medication. Multiple PACs, not just Beta-Gamma, are important for MV in PD and may serve as targets for neuromodulation strategies. A combined assessment of PACs could be a valuable biomarker for both disease evaluation and therapeutic effects in PD.
Noah Silverberg, William Panenka: Development of a Structured Interview for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Diagnostic Criteria for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Journal: Journal of Neurotrauma
Following the release of updated diagnostic criteria for mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2023, the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine developed a structured interview to support consistent diagnosis in clinical and research settings. The interview was created through a multi-step process that included expert consensus, external review, and real-world testing, reflecting advances in mild TBI research over the past 30 years. Alongside the interview, the team produced supporting materials to guide administration and diagnosis, as well as a shorter version for situations where time is limited. Together, these tools were designed to promote more reliable and standardized application of the new mild TBI criteria.
Sarah Kraeutner, Lara Boyd: Using MediaPipe to track upper-limb reaching movements after stroke: a proof-of-principle study
Journal: Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation
Researchers explored whether an artificial intelligence–based motion tracking tool called MediaPipe Pose Landmarker could be used to measure upper limb movements in people recovering from stroke. Seven participants took part in a gamified reaching task across multiple sessions, while a single video camera recorded their arm and hand movements. The videos were analyzed to extract movement measures related to the hand, shoulder, and trunk. The results showed changes in hand speed and movement consistency over time, and suggested that shoulder and trunk movements may help support improvements in hand performance for some individuals. Overall, the study showed that this low-cost, camera-based system could be a useful addition to traditional clinical assessments of motor recovery after stroke.
Benoit-Antoine Bacon: Lived Experience and the Need for Co-Leadership in Mental and Substance Use Health Care
Journal: Canadian journal of psychiatry
Integrating lived and living experience through advisory and co-design approaches has been shown to improve care, programs, and empowerment, but these models often limit real influence by confining participation to specific roles or projects. The authors argued that meaningful, system-level change requires people with lived experience to serve as true co-leaders with shared authority and responsibility. Co-leadership moves engagement beyond consultation toward genuine influence, supporting more equitable, sustainable, and person-centered mental health and substance use systems.
Vanessa Auld: microRNA-184 distribution and consequences on glial septate junctions and the blood-brain barrier
Journal: PLoS One
Cellular permeability barriers restrict the diffusion of solutes, pathogens, and cells across tissues. In Drosophila melanogaster, septate and tricellular junctions create permeability barriers in epithelia and the blood-brain barrier in glia. In vitro, and in vivo studies in the epithelia of the Drosophila wing imaginal discs identified microRNA-184 (miR-184) as a potential regulator of a subset of pleated septate and tricellular junction proteins. However, which tissues express miR-184, and the consequences of miR-184 expression on the blood-brain barrier has not been examined. Using a miR-184 sensor, we found that miR-184 is absent in tissues with pleated septate junctions but is present in tissues with smooth septate junctions. When expressed in the subperineurial glia that form the blood-brain barrier, miR-184 resulted in the loss of targeted septate junction proteins, a compromised blood-brain barrier, decreased locomotion, and lethality. Interestingly, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that miR-184 expression did not alter mRNA levels of targeted genes. Conversely, expression of miR-184 led to an increase in the mRNA and expression of the non-target Nervana2 protein. Thus, mRNA-184 can regulate multiple pleated septate junction proteins either directly through loss of translation or indirectly by disruption of the septate junction domain.
Daniel Goldowitz: microRNA Expression in the Late Embryonic Pax6-Null Mouse Cerebellum
Journal: Molecular neurobiology
Researchers examined how small regulatory molecules called microRNAs contributed to cerebellar development, focusing on the effects of losing the gene Pax6, which is known to play a key role in brain development. By sequencing RNA from developing cerebellar tissue in normal and Pax6-deficient mice, they identified differences in the expression of both microRNAs and genes involved in neural function. Many of the altered microRNAs were linked to changes in genes important for brain development, especially those involved in forming synapses. Overall, the findings showed that Pax6 influences cerebellar development in part by shaping microRNA–gene networks that regulate how neurons form and connect.
Silke Appel-Cresswell: Exploring the Facilitators and Barriers of Adherence to Mediterranean-Ketogenic Dietary Interventions in Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study
Journal: Current developments in nutrition
Researchers explored how people with Parkinson’s disease experienced and adhered to two keto-adapted Mediterranean diets over eight weeks. Through in-depth interviews, they found that participants’ attitudes toward each diet varied widely depending on familiarity, taste preferences, and expectations about health benefits. Adherence was strongly influenced by practical factors such as time, cooking demands, disease-related fatigue, and motor symptoms, which made the more restrictive Mediterranean-ketogenic diet particularly challenging. Social support also played a key role, with household acceptance and guidance from a registered dietitian helping participants maintain the diets. Overall, the study identified behavioral and contextual factors that shaped dietary adherence in Parkinson’s disease, offering insights for designing more sustainable nutrition interventions in both research and clinical care.
Noah Silverberg: Persisting Symptoms After Concussion and Functional Neurological Disorder: Points of Intersection
Journal: Seminars in neurology
This review examined the overlap between persistent symptoms after concussion and functional neurological disorder, two conditions that often present with complex, overlapping symptoms and are difficult to manage. The authors highlighted shared features in underlying mechanisms, illness beliefs, rehabilitation approaches, and emerging treatments, and outlined when functional neurological disorder should be considered in patients with ongoing post-concussion symptoms. They also provided practical guidance on assessment, diagnosis, communication, and rehabilitation planning applicable to both conditions. Overall, the review suggested that integrating principles from functional neurological disorder into concussion care could improve case formulation and support more individualized and effective recovery pathways.
Neil Cashman: Relationship between efficacy and preferential targeting of soluble Aβ aggregates
Journal: Alzheimer’s & dementia
Researchers investigated how antibodies targeting amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins relate to therapeutic effects and side effects in Alzheimer’s disease. They measured how different antibodies bound to Aβ monomers, soluble oligomers, and plaques, and tested one antibody, PMN310, in mouse models. They found that antibodies selective for toxic soluble oligomers—rather than monomers or plaques—were more effective and less likely to cause side effects such as microhemorrhages. PMN310, which avoided binding to plaques, preserved cognition in mice without inducing vascular complications. Overall, the study suggested that targeting toxic Aβ oligomers while avoiding monomers and plaques may improve both the efficacy and safety of Alzheimer’s treatments.
Journal: Frontiers in child and adolescent psychiatry
Researchers examined how family history of substance use interacts with psychosocial and sociodemographic factors to influence risk in 9- to 10-year-old adolescents. Using data from the ABCD study, they identified five subgroups among youth with a family history of substance use. Two subgroups had favorable psychosocial profiles, including strong school engagement, social support, and parental acceptance, and showed lower levels of psychopathology and impulsivity. The remaining three subgroups had lower social and school engagement and exhibited higher psychopathology and impulsivity. Reward processing was similar across all groups. Overall, the study revealed substantial heterogeneity among adolescents with a family history of substance use and suggested that stratifying youth based on psychosocial factors could help identify those at greatest risk, guiding targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
Christian Schütz: Toward Inclusive, Evidence-Based rTMS Care for Patients With Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders
Journal: The American journal of psychiatry
This letter raises concerns about a recent Delphi consensus on rTMS use in patients with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs). The authors argue that the guideline’s methodology was limited and that recommendations—such as withholding rTMS based on recent substance use—lack empirical support. Citing over 120 studies, they emphasize that rTMS can be safely and effectively delivered to individuals with SUDs when proper safety protocols are followed. The letter calls for more evidence-based, inclusive, and nuanced guidance to avoid stigma and ensure access to care.
Helen Tremlett: Reasons for Healthcare Use Before Onset of Multiple Sclerosis: A Nationwide Matched Cohort Study in Sweden
Journal: European Journal of Neurology
Evidence suggests signs and symptoms may emerge years before the clinical onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), prompting researchers to investigate secondary healthcare use and medication dispensations before onset. Using linked administrative data, researchers analyzed a neurologist-diagnosed MS clinical cohort and an algorithm-defined administrative cohort in Sweden. Overall, this study found increased hospital, outpatient, and prescription utilization for multiple body systems 6-9 years pre-MS onset. These patterns provide a more comprehensive picture of the MS prodrome.
Helen Tremlett: Injury preceding the classical recognition of multiple sclerosis: A population-based study
Journal: Annals of epidemiology
Researchers investigated the association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and fractures, dislocations/sprains/strains and burns before the diagnosis of MS. Researchers conducted a cohort study using clinical and population-based health administrative data in British Columbia, Canada (1991-2020). In the six years before the first demyelinating claim, the risk of a fracture, dislocation/sprain/strain, and burn was higher among MS cases. These occurrences could help us detect MS earlier.
