A spatiotemporal complexity architecture of human brain activity.

The human brain operates in large-scale functional networks. These networks are an expression of temporally correlated activity across brain regions, but how global network properties relate to the neural dynamics of individual regions remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that the brain's network architecture is tightly linked to critical episodes of neural regularity, visible as spontaneous "complexity drops" in functional magnetic resonance imaging signals.

Cannabis use during the early COVID-19 pandemic: Use patterns, predictors, and subjective experiences.

Background: Even in the early stages, global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic lead to serious dislocations of social life, secondary adjustment reactions to external restrictions and individual concerns. Coping mechanisms may also include dysfunctional strategies like an increase of drug use. Considering the wide-spread use of cannabis, the aim of this study was to elucidate the interplay of social restrictions, psychopathology, concerns related to the pandemic in addition to the users' experiences, motivations and consumption quantities during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

Reduced resilience of brain state transitions in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

Patients with anti-N-methyl-aspartate receptor (NMDA) receptor encephalitis suffer from a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome, yet most patients show no abnormalities in routine magnetic resonance imaging. In contrast, advanced neuroimaging studies have consistently identified disrupted functional connectivity in these patients, with recent work suggesting increased volatility of functional state dynamics. Here, we investigate these network dynamics through the spatiotemporal trajectory of meta-state transitions, yielding a time-resolved account of brain state exploration in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

Functional connectivity dynamics reflect disability and multi-domain clinical impairment in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background & Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system associated with deficits in cognitive and motor functioning. While structural brain changes such as demyelination are an early hallmark of the disease, a characteristic profile of functional brain alterations in early MS is lacking. Functional neuroimaging studies at various disease stages have revealed complex and heterogeneous patterns of aberrant functional connectivity (FC) in MS, with previous studies largely being limited to a static account of FC.

No party, no drugs? Use of stimulants, dissociative drugs, and GHB/GBL during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is presumably having an impact on the consumption of psychoactive substances. Social distancing and lockdown measures may particularly affect the use of "party drugs" (e.g.

Psychedelic Experiences During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From an International Online Survey.

The current corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a serious global health crisis that has affected large parts of the public and private life worldwide, including the use of psychoactive substances. In this study, we investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of serotonergic psychedelics, i.e.

Predictors of Alcohol Consumption Among Younger Adults During the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic may lead to negative mental health effects but the effect on alcohol consumption among younger adults is unclear. We assess predictors of change in alcohol consumption during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic among younger adults. This cross-sectional internet-based survey was part of an overarching project, the Corona Drug Survey, which was conducted from April 30 to August 4, 2020.