Aberrant thalamocortical connectivity and shifts between the resting state and task state in patients with schizophrenia.

Prominent pathological hypotheses for schizophrenia include auditory processing deficits and dysconnectivity within cerebral networks. However, most neuroimaging studies have focused on impairments in either resting-state or task-related functional connectivity in patients with schizophrenia. The aims of our study were to examine (1) blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals during auditory steady-state response (ASSR) tasks, (2) functional connectivity during the resting-state and ASSR tasks and (3) state shifts between the resting-state and ASSR tasks in patients with schizophrenia.

Multi-modal imaging of the auditory-larynx motor network for voicing perception.

Voicing is one of the most important characteristics of phonetic speech sounds. Despite its importance, voicing perception mechanisms remain largely unknown. To explore auditory-motor networks associated with voicing perception, we firstly examined the brain regions that showed common activities for voicing production and perception using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Identification of the neural correlates of cyclothymic temperament using an esthetic judgment for paintings task in fMRI.

Background: There is a well-known association between artistic creativity and cyclothymic temperament but the neural correlates of cyclothymic temperament have not yet been fully identified. Recently, we showed that the left lingual gyrus and bilateral cuneus may be associated with esthetic judgment of representational paintings, we therefore sought to investigate brain activity during esthetic judgment of paintings in relation to measures of cyclothymic temperament.

Methods: Regions of interest (ROI) were set at the left lingual gyrus and bilateral cuneus using automated anatomical labeling, and percent signal changes of the ROIs were measured by marsbar toolbox.

Difference in brain activations during appreciating paintings and photographic analogs.

Several studies have investigated neural correlates of aesthetic appreciation for paintings but to date the findings have been heterogeneous. This heterogeneity may be attributed to previous studies' measurement of aesthetic appreciation of not only the beauty of paintings but also the beauty of motifs of the paintings. In order to better elucidate the beauty of paintings, it seems necessary to compare aesthetic appreciation of paintings and photographic analogs which included corresponding real images.

Association between affective temperaments and regional gray matter volume in healthy subjects.

Background: Affective temperaments such as cyclothymic and hyperthymic temperaments have been regarded as potential antecedents of bipolar disorder but the neural substrates underlying these temperaments have not been identified. The aim of this study is to determine whether these temperaments are associated with specific neural substrates in regional brain morphology in healthy subjects.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional neuroimaging study of 60 healthy subjects (30 males and 30 females) with affective temperaments.

Hyperthymic temperament and rapid reaction time in brightness preference.

Background: It is well-known that Type A behavior pattern is characterized by hard-driving, competitive behavior and time urgency. Also, people with hyperthymic temperament are known to have high energy levels and are full of plans. It is therefore hypothesized that hyperthymic temperament is associated with rapid processing and fast reaction time in making decisions.

Hyperthymic temperament and brightness preference in healthy subjects: further evidence for involvement of left inferior orbitofrontal cortex in hyperthymic temperament.

Background: Hyperthymic temperament has been generally accepted as one of premorbid temperament of bipolar disorders. Although several studies indicate that subjects with hyperthymic temperament receive more illuminance, our recent study suggests that the threshold of brightness and darkness judgment is not different between more and less hyperthymic subjects, and that hyperthymic temperament may be associated with left inferior orbitofrontal cortex, which has been reported to be associated with bipolar disorder. Therefore, at the next stage, it can be hypothesized that hyperthymic subjects may prefer brightness (i.

Affective temperaments and psychotropic adherence.

Background: It is generally accepted that a range of factors affect adherence to psychotropic medications. In the present study, we focused on the influence of affective temperaments (i.e.

Hyperthymic temperament and brightness judgment in healthy subjects: involvement of left inferior orbitofrontal cortex.

Background: Hyperthymic temperament has been generally accepted as one of premorbid temperament of bipolar disorders. Since recent several studies indicate an association between illuminance and hyperthymic temperament, it can be hypothesized that more hyperthymic temperament subjects have a different threshold of brightness or darkness perception in comparison with less hyperthymic temperament subjects.

Methods: We compared the threshold of brightness and darkness judgment between more and less hyperthymic subjects, and by simultaneously using fMRI we compared activations of whole brain between these subjects by two sample t-test.

Relationship between hostility and subjective sleep quality.

While hostility and sleep disturbance are the potential risk factors for health problems and disease, few studies have examined the relationship between the two factors. The present study was performed to investigate the relationship between hostility and sleep problems assessed both subjectively and objectively in a nonclinical sample. Sixty-one healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.

Type A behavior pattern: Bortner scale vs. Japanese-original questionnaires.

Background: Type A behavior pattern (TABP) has been regarded as a putative risk factor for coronary heart disease and recent studies from our group suggest that TABP individuals, identified via the Bortner scale whose validity had been confirmed by structured interviews, may have a greater tendency towards hyperthymic temperament, shorter sleep time and shorter snooze time. Since the Bortner scale was developed in USA and may reflect western culture, it is necessary to reconfirm our findings using a Japanese questionnaire such as Coronary-prone Type Scale for Japanese (CTS) and Kwansei Gakuin's daily life questionnaire (KG questionnaire).

Methods: Fifty healthy subjects were assessed for TABP using the Bortner scale, as well as the CTS and KG questionnaires.

Triiodothyronine may be possibly associated with better cognitive function and less extrapyramidal symptoms in chronic schizophrenia.

Objective: Many chronic inpatients with schizophrenia demonstrate enduring psychiatric symptoms and various side effects of antipsychotic drugs. Several biological markers such as prolactin, thyroid hormones and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are reportedly associated with psychiatric symptoms and/or antipsychotic side effects in patients with schizophrenia but to date findings are inconsistent. The objective of the present study was to comprehensively investigate the association of psychiatric and extrapyramidal symptoms with hormones and BDNF in chronic schizophrenia.

Is serotonergic function associated with the antidepressant effects of modified-electroconvulsive therapy?

Background: The effect of modified-electroconvulsive therapy (m-ECT) on central serotonergic function has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of the present study is to investigate this effect via the neuroendocrine challenge test.

Methods: Sixteen inpatients (9 men and 7 women) with major depressive disorder who were receiving m-ECT at our university hospital were recruited.

Bipolar temperaments and light.

Background: Converging lines of evidence have established a relationship between exposure to ambient light and both mood state and mood disorders. In view of the association between mood disorder and affective disposition, in this study, the relationship between temperament (depressive, cyclothymic, hyperthymic, irritable and anxious) and daily light exposure was closely examined.

Methods: Fifty-six subjects completed the Japanese standardized version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-auto questionnaire version (TEMPS-A) and illuminance of daytime using actigraphy.

Effect of temperaments on quality of life and social adaptation in depressive patients with mood disorder.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of temperament on quality of life and social adaptation in depressive patients with mood disorder.

Methods: Forty-six consecutive depressive outpatients were investigated by using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire version, the Munich Personality Test, the World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 (WHO QOL 26), and the Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale (SASS). The unpaired t-test, Pearson's r and multiple regression analysis were used to assess three variables (age, the number of temperaments and/or personality types, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores) as independent variables with the scores of WHO QOL 26 and SASS as the dependent variables.

Type A behavior pattern and hyperthymic temperament: possible association with bipolar IV disorder.

Background: Type A behavior pattern (TABP) has traditionally been reported to be associated with coronary heart disease and, more recently, several researchers have examined its association with depression and bipolar disorder. According to Akiskal and Pinto (1999), there are 2 subtypes of bipolar spectrum which are not associated with manic or hypomanic state. These are bipolar II1/2 (depression in those who have cyclothymic temperament) and bipolar IV (depression in those who have hyperthymic temperament).

Strange taste and mild lithium intoxication.

So far, it has not been emphasised that lithium can lose or change taste in some patients. This report addresses such side effect of lithium. A 61-year-old bipolar patient experienced taste changes while increasing lithium levels up to 1.

Association between affective temperaments and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glycogen synthase kinase 3β and Wnt signaling pathway gene polymorphisms in healthy subjects.

Background: There is increased attention towards elucidating genetic factors that underlie both psychiatric diseases as well as healthy psychological phenomena. Recent evidence suggests that temperamental traits, including affective temperaments, are heritable and associated with genetic polymorphisms. Genetic research examining affective temperaments using the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) may therefore elucidate the concept of a spectrum of mood disorders and the genetic relationship between affective temperaments and mood disorders.

Biological aspect of hyperthymic temperament: light, sleep, and serotonin.

Rationale: Hyperthymic temperament is one of several premorbid temperaments putatively associated with bipolar disorder. Several reports suggest that depressive patients with hyperthymic temperament may belong to the proposed soft bipolar spectrum.

Objectives: To investigate biological aspects of hyperthymic temperament, the present study examined daily activity, sleep time, central serotonergic function, and other relevant variables in relation to hyperthymic temperament in healthy subjects.

Cyclothymic and hyperthymic temperaments may predict bipolarity in major depressive disorder: a supportive evidence for bipolar II1/2 and IV.

Background: The concept of soft bipolar spectrum has not been fully confirmed. The aim of the present study is to investigate the validity of bipolar II1/2 and IV concept.

Methods: The subjects were 46 consecutive outpatients.