Neurofunctional differences and similarities between persistent postural-perceptual dizziness and anxiety disorder.

Introduction: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) (ICD-11) and anxiety disorders (ANX) share behavioural symptoms like anxiety, avoidance, social withdrawal, hyperarousal, or palpitation as well as neurological symptoms like vertigo, stance and gait disorders. Furthermore, previous studies have shown a bidirectional link between vestibulo-spatial and anxiety neural networks. So far, there have been no neuroimaging-studies comparing these groups.

Binding potential changes of SERT in patients with depression are associated with remission: A prospective [¹²³I]β-CIT-SPECT study.

The status of remission in patients with major depressive disorder treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is mostly evaluated with clinical rating scales. Morphological correlates of the remission status remain a rare event. Addressing this challenge, we investigated functional correlates of remission by assessment of serotonin and dopamine transporter availability (SERT and DAT) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Just "Like Coffee" or Neuroenhancement by Stimulants?

Pharmacological neuroenhancement (PN) is a topic of increasing importance and prevalence among students. However, there is a lack of differentiating PN substances, according to their psychoactive effects. In particular, there is a lack of data about PN by caffeinated drinks, even if coffee is a common and broadly used Neuroenhancer because of its cognitively enhancing effects regarding wakefulness, alertness and concentration.

Sleeping Patterns in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder: Effects of Opioid Maintenance Treatment and Detoxification.

The aim of the study was to explore whether abstinent patients on recent opioid detoxification or on opioid maintenance treatment suffer from sleeping problems. 199 patients on opioid maintenance treatment (methadone, diacetylmorphine and buprenorphine) or recent opioid detoxification were included in this exploratory cross-sectional study. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Regensburger Insomnia Scale (RIS) in order to assess potential sleeping problems.

Epileptic Spikes in EEG and Migraine Attacks in the Course of Cannabis Withdrawal: A Case Report.

In psychiatry, routine EEGs are often abnormal and not very specific, raising questions about the clinical relevance and consequences of potential anomalies. One such question is whether the administration of anticonvulsants would be useful if epileptic discharges are detected in patients without any clinical correlates. With regard to this question, we present a case study in which abnormal EEG patterns were observed in a patient with chronic migraine and cannabis addiction.

Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback in Patients With Tobacco Use Disorder During Smoking Cessation: Functional Differences and Implications of the First Training Session in Regard to Future Abstinence or Relapse.

One of the most prominent symptoms in addiction disorders is the strong desire to consume a particular substance or to show a certain behavior (craving). The strong association between craving and the probability of relapse emphasizes the importance of craving in the therapeutic process. Former studies have demonstrated that neuromodulation using real-time fMRI (rtfMRI) neurofeedback (NF) can be used as a treatment modality in patients with tobacco use disorder.

Event-Related Potentials Are Associated With Unexpected Gain and Loss: Using a Gambling Paradigm.

Objective: Previous neuroimaging studies have described altered activity in brain areas associated with reward processing following reward or punishment. This study examines the extent to which feedback-based experience of gain and loss is associated with electrophysiological correlates.

Methods: Twenty-nine healthy participants used a gambling task that focused on actual nonpredictable gains and losses.

The Impact of the Opioid Antagonist Naloxone on Experimentally Induced Craving in Nicotine-Dependent Individuals.

Objective: Preclinical and clinical findings suggest a substantial association of the endogenous opioid system in nicotine dependence. The present study investigates the possible dose-dependent influence of naloxone, an unspecific opioid-receptor-antagonist, combined with cue exposure on the physiological state, locomotor activity, craving and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in nicotine-dependent humans.

Methods: Twenty nicotine-dependent, outpatient participants were deprived of nicotine for over 4 h, before receiving challenges with naloxone (1.

Effect of smoking status on neuronal responses to graphic cigarette warning labels.

Background: Smoking is responsible for a large proportion of cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular deaths. Nevertheless the health risks of smoking are still underestimated in many smokers. The present study aimed to examine neurobiological responses to graphical warnings on cigarette packings in non-smokers and patients with tobacco dependence.

Stability of Cellular Immune Parameters over 12 Weeks in Patients with Major Depression or Somatoform Disorder and in Healthy Controls.

Objective: Cellular immune status in major depression (MD) patients differs from that in somatoform disorder (SFD) patients and healthy controls (HC). It is still questionable whether the patterns of immune parameters remain stable over time. Therefore, we studied lymphocyte and monocyte cell counts and neopterin levels in peripheral blood of MD and SFD patients and HC over 12 weeks and tested for correlations between biochemical and psychometric parameters.

Increased Event-Related Potentials and Alpha-, Beta-, and Gamma-Activity Associated with Intentional Actions.

Objective: Internally guided actions are defined as being purposeful, self-generated and offering choices between alternatives. Intentional actions are essential to reach individual goals. In previous empirical studies, internally guided actions were predominantly related to functional responses in frontal and parietal areas.

Prediction of Treatment Outcome in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Low-Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography: A Prospective EEG Study.

The issue of predicting treatment response and identifying, in advance, which patient will profit from treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) seems to be an elusive goal. This prospective study investigated brain electric activity [using Low-Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA)] for the purpose of predicting response to treatment. Forty-one unmedicated patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of OCD were included.

Modulation of Craving Related Brain Responses Using Real-Time fMRI in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder.

Literature: One prominent symptom in addiction disorders is the strong desire to consume a particular substance or to display a certain behaviour (craving). Especially the strong association between craving and the probability of relapse emphasises the importance of craving in the therapeutic process. Neuroimaging studies have shown that craving is associated with increased responses, predominantly in fronto-striatal areas.