Understanding cingulotomy's therapeutic effect in OCD through computer models.

Cingulotomy is therapeutic in OCD, but what are the possible mechanisms? Computer models that formalize cortical OCD abnormalities and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) function can help answer this. At the neural dynamics level, cortical dynamics in OCD have been modeled using attractor networks, where activity patterns resistant to change denote the inability to switch to new patterns, which can reflect inflexible thinking patterns or behaviors. From that perspective, cingulotomy might reduce the influence of difficult-to-escape ACC attractor dynamics on other cortical areas.

Hypnotic predictors of agency: Responsiveness to specific suggestions in hypnosis is associated with involuntariness in fibromyalgia.

Hypnosis is associated with alterations in the sense of agency which can play a role in its utilization as a nonpharmacological option for pain management. The goal of the current study was to examine the relationships between responsiveness to suggestions in hypnosis and alterations of the sense of agency among patients with fibromyalgia. Ninety-eight participants with fibromyalgia underwent two hypnotizability assessments followed by the Sense of Agency Rating Scale.

Improvements in error-monitoring and symptoms following low-frequency rTMS of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex in obsessive compulsive disorder; a randomized, sham-controlled study.

Action monitoring deficit is a core underlying characteristic and endophenotype of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) is heavily involved in error monitoring and cognitive control, and the hyperactivity in this region is associated with OCD symptom severity. This study aimed to test whether low frequency (LF) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting dACC improves both error-monitoring performance and OCD symptoms in a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind trial design.

Orbitofrontal cortex volume prospectively predicts cannabis and other substance use onset in adolescents.

Background: Identifying neural characteristics that predict cannabis initiation is important for prevention efforts. The orbitofrontal cortex is critical for reward response and may be vulnerable to substance-induced alterations.

Aims: We measured orbitofrontal cortex thickness, surface area, and volume prior to the onset of use to predict cannabis involvement during an average nine-year follow-up.

Cocaine cue-induced dopamine release in the human prefrontal cortex.

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that drug-related cues can induce dopamine (DA) release in the striatum of substance abusers. Whether these same cues provoke DA release in the human prefrontal cortex remains unknown.

Methods: We used high-resolution positron emission tomography with [18F]fallypride to measure cortical and striatal DA D2/3 receptor availability in the presence versus absence of drug-related cues in volunteers with current cocaine dependence.

Cocaine cue-induced dopamine release in amygdala and hippocampus: a high-resolution PET [¹⁸F]fallypride study in cocaine dependent participants.

Drug-related cues are potent triggers for relapse in people with cocaine dependence. Dopamine (DA) release within a limbic network of striatum, amygdala and hippocampus has been implicated in animal studies, but in humans it has only been possible to measure effects in the striatum. The objective here was to measure drug cue-induced DA release in the amygdala and hippocampus using high-resolution PET with [(18)F]fallypride.

Sexual function and psychological status among males and females with ischemic heart disease.

Introduction: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) may also suffer from mental and sexual problems, and we should consider the mutual influence such conditions have on each other. However, the interrelation between sexual and mental problems in the context of CAD has not been fully investigated, especially when it comes to gender.

Aim: Our aim was to evaluate sexuality and psychiatric symptoms among patients with CAD and the relation between them in each gender.

Gender impact on the correlation between sexuality and marital relation quality in patients with coronary artery disease.

Introduction: Although the negative impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on sexual and marital relation of the patients is known, data are lacking regarding possible gender difference.

Aim: We designed a study on patients with CAD to investigate sexual relation and marital adjustment and their association with regard to gender differences.

Main Outcome Measures: Questionnaires including the Dyadic Adjustment Scale for evaluating the couple's agreement on decisions and appropriate behavior, marital satisfaction, and marital cohesion, and the Relation and Sexuality Scale (RSS) for sexual function, frequency, and fear.