Jheng-Yan Li¹, Jeng-Dau Tsai^2,3, Chao-Yu Shen^4,5, and Jun-Cheng Weng^1,6,7
1Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, and Bachelor Program in Artificial Intelligence, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ²School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ³Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ⁴Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ⁵Department of Medical Imaging, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ⁶Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ⁷Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan

Previous studies indicate that the occurrence of tuberous sclerosis will cause neurotransmission in brain blocked by tumors and produce abnormal discharges. In the study we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), graph theoretical analysis (GTA) and network-based statistical (NBS) analysis to explain brain structural network alterations in TSC patients with different intellectual disability, seizure, and Neurological Severity Score.

Do-Wan Lee¹, Hwon Heo², Jae-Im Kwon³, Yeon Ji Chae², Joongkee Min³, Monica Young Choi², Chul‐Woong Woo³, Dong‐Cheol Woo^2,3, Kyung Won Kim¹, Jeong Kon Kim¹, Hyo Jeong Chin⁴, and Dong‐Hoon Lee^4
1Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, ²Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, ³Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, ⁴Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea, Republic of

Glutamate-weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) imaging is a novel enhancement technique for the non-invasive detection and quantification of cerebral glutamate levels in neuro-molecular processes. The present study quantitatively evaluated glutamate signal changes in the hippocampal region of a rat forced swimming test model (FS) of depression. The GluCEST and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy results showed that GluCEST values and glutamate concentrations were significantly lower in the FS rats than in the controls. These findings might provide a key marker to better understand the cerebral neurochemical responses in depressive disorders.

Marieke Van der Pluijm¹, Laura Meershoek¹, Lieuwe De Haan², Jan Booij¹, and Elsmarieke Van de Giessen^1
1Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, ²Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The current study assessed whether neuromelanin sensitive MRI (NM-MRI) is a potential biomarker for treatment resistance (TR) in first episode schizophrenia patients. NM-MRI is a novel MRI sequence, which indirectly measures dopamine synthesis. Twenty-three first episodes schizophrenia patients underwent a NM-MRI scan, treatment response was determined during follow-up. Standardized and manual segmentation protocols of the NM-MRI data were used and compared. Both segmentation protocols showed significantly lower NM-MRI signal in TR compared to responders. These findings demonstrate the potential of NM-MRI as biomarker. The predictive value of NM-MRI for TR and optimal segmentation method still require further investigation

Yingxue Gao¹, Xuan Bu¹, Hailong Li¹, Weijie Bao¹, Kaili Liang¹, and Xiaoqi Huang^1
1Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

We used dynamic functional network connectivity to explore the neurodevelopmental changes of whole-brain large scale intrinsic network connectivity dynamics from childhood to adolescence in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children and typical developing control (TDC) children. We found that the developmental changes of occurrence percentages, duration of stay and functional network connectivity patterns of states of internetwork hyperconnectivity and hypoconnectivity were different between ADHD and TDC children.

Xi Chen¹, Dost Ongur¹, and Fei Du^1
1McLean Hospital; Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States

Failure to suppress default-mode network (DMN) activity during tasks and reduced anti-correlations between DMN and other brain networks at rest has been observed in various psychiatric disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. It has been shown that the neurotransmitter concentrations in DMN modulate the brain functional activities and connectivities in the healthy brain. In the current study, it was observed that the relationship between DMN neurotransmitter concentrations and the activities of brain functional network breaks down in first-episode psychosis patients. This finding provides opportunities for developing novel treatment strategies and earlier interventions for psychosis.

Faye McKenna¹, Yu Veronica Sui², Hillary Bertisch², Donald Goff², and Mariana Lazar^2
1Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States, ²New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States

We employed the recent Bingham neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI-B) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) techniques, alongside classical diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and found that psychotic spectrum disorders (PSD) and PSD sub-types had significantly increased mean and radial diffusion and orientation dispersion (MD, RD, ODI, ODIs) and significantly decreased mean and radial kurtosis (MK, RK), fractional anisotropy (FA) and neurite density index (NDI) in sub-cortical WM ROIs compared to healthy controls (HC). We also found significant relationships across PSD and HC groups between WM dMRI metrics and tests of episodic and working memory and several schizotypal traits.

Douglas C Dean^1,2,3, Nagesh Adluru³, Jace B King⁴, Molly B Prigge⁴, Carolyn King⁴, Erin D Bigler^5,6,7,8, June Taylor⁴, Nick Lange⁹, Brandon A Zielinski^4,5,10, Janet E Lainhart^3,11, and Andrew L Alexander^2,3,11
1Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States, ²Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States, ³Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States, ⁴Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, ⁵Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, ⁶Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, ⁷Psychology and Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States, ⁸Neurology, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, United States, ⁹Psychiatry, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States, ¹⁰Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, ¹¹Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States

White matter microstructural alterations are consistently reported and believed to play a significant role in the defining characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. In this work, we utilized advanced diffusion imaging and quantitative relaxometry to examine microstructural differences in autism. We observe significant group and age-related deviations of the corpus callosum, as well as more widespread alterations of the neurite microstructure. These results are consistent with previous findings of the corpus callosum in ASD and suggest that while sensitive to underlying microstructural deviations, advanced diffusion imaging and relaxometry provide complementary information.
 

Pallab K Bhattacharyya¹, Mark J Lowe¹, and Amit Anand^1
1Cleveland Clinic Foundation, CLEVELAND, OH, United States

Oxidative stress is a contributing factor in bipolar disorder (BD). Glutathione (GSH) acts as an antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress. GSH level at anterior cingulate cortex was measured in unmedicated patients with BD in depressed state and healthy controls at 7T using semi-LASER sequence. No significant difference in GSH level was observed; however, degree of depression was inversely correlated with GSH level.

Bo tao¹, Yuan Xiao¹, Wenjing Zhang¹, Na Hu¹, John A Sweeney^1,2, and Su Lui^1
1Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, ²Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States

The present study demonstrates deficits of the callosal morphology in schizophrenia, which may reflect an neurodevelopment aberration. And short-term antipsychotics may not have a significant impact on the CC morphology in the early stage of illness. 

Ting Su¹, Jia ying Gong², Shao juan Qiu¹, Pan Chen¹, Guan mao Chen¹, Jun jing Wang³, Li Huang¹, and Ying Wang^1
1Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, ²Department of Radiology, Six Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China, ³Department of Applied Psychology, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder with poorly understood etiology. A whole-brain meta-analysis on resting-state functional imaging and VBM studies that measured differences in the intrinsic functional activity and gray matter volume (GMV) between AN patients and healthy controls. Overall, patients with AN displayed decreased resting-state functional activity in the bilateral ACC and MCC and increased in the right parahippocampal gyrus. In VBM studies, with AN patients displayed decreased GMV in the bilateral MCC , and left inferior parietal lobe. This multimodal meta-analysis identified functional activity and GMV reductions in the anterior and median cingulate in patients with AN.

Pallab K Bhattacharyya¹, Mark J Lowe¹, and Amit Anand^1
1Cleveland Clinic Foundation, CLEVELAND, OH, United States

Changes in total choline level in left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) following lithium monotherapy of bipolar disorder in depressed state were studied at 7T. Patients were scanned with a semi LASER sequence at baseline and 2, 8 and 26 weeks from start of therapy. Healthy controls were also scanned at those 4 time points. A decrease in choline level at left dorsal/rostral ACC was observed in patients, and the reduction took place between 8 and 26 weeks after onset of therapy.

Huiru Li¹, Huawei Zhang¹, Li Yin², Zhiyun Jia³, and Qiyong Gong^1
1Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, ²Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, ³Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

In this study, we investigated depressed suicidal brain from the level of network connection. We constructed brain structural networks using diffusion tensor imaging. Then all graph theoretical network parameters including small-world parameters (C_p, L_p, γ, λ and σ), network efficiency parameters (E_loc and E_glob) and nodal efficiency were analyzed. We found decreased E_loc/E_glob/C_p, increased L_p/λ and decreased nodal efficiency in fronto-striatal-limbic-thalamic circuit in depressed suicidal patients. In summary, suicidality involves complex neocortical network organization, which showed a weaker integration and disrupted fronto-striatal-limbic-thalamic circuit.

Ran Pang^1,2, Jianli Wang³, Karunanayaka Prasanna³, Kuncheng Li⁴, and Qingxian Yang^2
1Department of Radiology, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China, ²Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States, ³Department of Radiology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States, ⁴Department of Radiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

The etiology of chronic insomnia disease (CID) ultimately relates to the asynchrony of circadian rhythms. Using the anterior hypothalamus as a seed, functional connectivity (FC) of the circadian rhythm functional network (CRFN) during resting state was demonstrated in healthy subjects, consisting of both positive and negative FCs in the cerebrum and cerebellum. The CID patients exhibited an extensive weakening of FCs and abnormal local hyperactivities, reflecting underlying asynchrony in the CRFN.

Ravichandran Rajkumar^1,2,3, Gereon Johannes Schnellbächer², Hasan Sbaihat^1,2, N. Jon Shah^1,4,5,6, Tanja Veselinović², and Irene Neuner^1,2,4
1Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 4 (Medical Imaging Physics), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Jülich, Germany, ²Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany, ³4JARA – BRAIN – Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany, ⁴JARA – BRAIN – Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany, ⁵Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany, ⁶Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, INM-11, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

Executive functioning is reported to be deficient in depression. In this pilot study, functional alterations in MDD patients and their association with mental flexibility and depression severity, particularly within the executive control network, are investigated. Our data contribute to a better understanding of the neurobiological signatures of depression. Further investigation in this area may lead to an improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of MDD patients.

Yunyun Jiao¹, Jie Gong¹, Hui Deng¹, Dongchen Sun¹, and Wei Qin^1
1Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China

We aimed to explore the relationship between the pre-treatment temporal variability of resting state functional connectivity and response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in schizophrenia (SZ). Statistical analysis included grouping comparison and Pearson correlation analysis. The grouping comparison of temporal variability between responders to ECT with SZ, non-responders to ECT with SZ and healthy controls were conducted and Pearson correlation analysis was used to reveal the relationship between temporal variability and the response to ECT. The result showed that the temporal variability may serve as a promising indicator to predict the response to ECT in patients with SZ.

Mayank Jog¹, Cole Anderson¹, Elizabeth Kim¹, Antoni Kubicki¹, Michael Boucher¹, Gerhard Hellemann², Roger Woods¹, and Katherine Narr^1
1UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States, ²University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a low-cost and non-invasive neuromodulation technique. Although tDCS has been shown to  improve symptoms in psychiatric disorders, the neurobiological effects of tDCS are not well-understood. In this study, we used MRI to investigate structural changes in the brain resulting from tDCS. T1-weighted MRI data from n=59 depressed participants was acquired pre/post tDCS treatment, and analysis revealed gray-matter increases near the stimulation-target and in a distant but functionally-connected region. These results indicate that tDCS treatments can elicit structural changes in the brain; both near the stimulation-target and in additional regions part of the same brain-network. 

WeiJie Bao¹, YingXue Gao¹, Hailong Li¹, jing Liu¹, Lingxiao Cao¹, Xuan Bu¹, and Xiaoqi Huang^1
1Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

We performed a systematic review of studies which explored network alterations by comparing PTSD and trauma-exposed controls (TEC) or nonexposed controls (NEC) using seed-based functional connectivity (SBFC) techniques. And quantitative meta-analysis was conducted when the number of studies reached an appropriate number. Our results supported that trauma may have long-lasting effects on the function of the default mode network (DMN) and limbic network (LN) regardless of whether it caused symptoms of PTSD. Moreover, the altered connectivity between the DMN and the somatomotor network (SMN) and between the LN and SMN may be underline neural mechanism specify to PTSD.

zhang zhang qi¹, pan chen², ZHEN YE LUO³, Long QIAN⁴, and YING WANG^2
1JINAN UNIVERCITY, guang zhou, China, ²Jinan Univercity, guang zhou, China, ³lzy1735411016@163.com, guang zhou, China, ⁴MR Research, GE Healthcare, Beijing, China., BEI JING, China

Background: The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has rapidly spread across China and many other countries.Subthreshold depression (SD) is generally considered to present when individuals show depressive symptoms but diagnostic criteria for a major depressive disorder are not met. Methods: In total,49 SD individuals and 56 health controls(HC) were recruited from Jinan University. All subjects underwent MRI and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) before COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusion: After the COVID-19 epidemic situation, changes of brain area and cognitive function of college students with significant stress symptoms were more obvious.

Yingqian Chen¹, Shu Su¹, Yan Dai¹, Long Qian², and Zhiyun Yang^1
1First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China, ²GE Healthcare, Beijing, China

The developmental mechanism underlying the brain development abnormalities in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is still unclear. The currently developed synthetic MRI (SyMRI) offers a novel approach for brain segmentation and myelin volume estimation. Our study investigated the profiles of brain volumetric measurements in children with ADHD with both SyMRI and conventional T1 weighted(cT1w) MRI. And the results proved the global brain development retardation but normal whole brain myelination of children with ADHD. Besides, the high consistency of brain segmentation with cT1w image and SyMRI has also been proved, which indicate the clinical feasibility of SyMRI in children.