Targeting VMPFC-amygdala circuit with TMS in substance use disorder: A mechanistic framework.

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), located along the medial aspect of the frontal area, plays a critical role in regulating arousal/emotions. Its intricate connections with subcortical structures, including the striatum and amygdala, highlight the VMPFC's importance in the neurocircuitry of addiction. Due to these features, the VMPFC is considered a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in substance use disorders (SUD).

Transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with depression: An electric field modeling meta-analysis.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has shown potential in modulating cortical activity and treating depression. Despite its promise, variability in electrode montage configurations and electric field strength across studies has resulted in inconsistent outcomes. Traditional meta-analytic methods assessing the effect of tDCS in depression typically do not compare tDCS montage and the anatomical distribution of electric field, which is a major source of inter-experimental variability.

Two Isomeric Thienoacenes in Thin Films: Unveiling the Influence of Molecular Structure and Intermolecular Packing on Electronic Properties.

Isomerism of molecular structures is often encountered in the field of organic semiconductors, but little is known about how it can impact electronic and charge transport properties in thin films. This study reveals the molecular orientation, electronic structure, and intermolecular interactions of two isomeric thienoacenes (DN4T and isoDN4T) in thin films, in relation to their charge transport properties. Utilizing scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARUPS), and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure measurements (NEXAFS), we systematically analyze the behavior of these isomers from submonolayer to multilayer coverage on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as substrates.

Individuals with psychosis receive less electric field strength during transcranial direct current stimulation compared to healthy controls.

Recent research has examined the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as an adjunctive treatment for antipsychotics, finding mixed results on cognitive, positive, and negative symptoms. We tested if individuals with psychosis have reduced electric field strength compared to healthy controls and assessed the potential causal factors. We hypothesized that either cortical thinning due to the disorder or increased scalp thickness due to secondary effects of the disorder were causal factors.

State-Dependent Motor Cortex Stimulation Reveals Distinct Mechanisms for Corticospinal Excitability and Cortical Responses.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation method that modulates brain activity by inducing electric fields in the brain. Real-time, state-dependent stimulation with TMS has shown that neural oscillation phase modulates corticospinal excitability. However, such motor evoked potentials (MEPs) only indirectly reflect motor cortex activation and are unavailable at other brain regions of interest.

Layer-specific dynamics of local field potentials in monkey V1 during electrical stimulation.

The mammalian neocortex, organized into six cellular layers or laminae, forms a cortical network within layers. Layer specific computations are crucial for sensory processing of visual stimuli within primary visual cortex. Laminar recordings of local field potentials (LFPs) are a powerful tool to study neural activity within cortical layers.

Improving Spatial Resolution by Reinterpreting Dosage for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Imaging: Conceptualization and Limitations.

Elemental imaging in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is usually performed by placing laser shots adjacent to each other on the sample surface without spatial overlap. Seeing that signal intensity is directly related to the amount of ablated material, this restricts either spatial resolution (for a given excitation efficiency) or sensitivity (when reducing the laser spot size). The experimental applicability of a concept involving the spatial overlapping of shots on the sample surface is investigated and compared to the conventional approach.

Real-time TMS-EEG for brain state-controlled research and precision treatment: a narrative review and guide.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) modulates neuronal activity, but the efficacy of an open-loop approach is limited due to the brain state's dynamic nature. Real-time integration with electroencephalography (EEG) increases experimental reliability and offers personalized neuromodulation therapy by using immediate brain states as biomarkers. Here, we review brain state-controlled TMS-EEG studies since the first publication several years ago.

Laser-induced tuning of crystallization in tetracene thin films.

This study explores how laser light affects the morphology of tetracene films, and it presents novel strategies for improving the creation of thin films used in (opto-)electronic devices. We demonstrate that laser light (532 nm, 1.1 W mm), applied during tetracene deposition, not only increases grain size but also induces photoalignment.

tDCS-enhanced cognitive training improves attention and alters connectivity in control and somatomotor networks: A triple blind study.

Background: Executive dysfunction such as inattention or forgetfulness can lead to disruptions in a person's daily functioning and quality of life.

Objective/hypothesis: This triple-blinded randomized clinical trial assessed the efficacy of bifrontal (over the forehead) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) concurrent with cognitive training to improve cognitive performance in a healthy sample.

Methods: Fifty-eight participants were randomly assigned to one of three stimulation conditions (2 mA left anode-right cathode, 2 mA right anode-left cathode, or sham), which was administered with cognitive training tasks 3x/week over 12 weeks with assessments at baseline, midpoint (6 weeks), and post-training (12 weeks).

Electro-tuned catalysts: voltage-controlled activity selection of bimetallic exsolution particles.

In this work, we show how the activity states of bimetallic Ni-Fe catalysts exsolved from NdCaFeNiO (NCFNi) can be influenced electrochemically. The NCFNi parent oxide was employed in the form of thin film mixed conducting model electrodes, which were operated in a humid hydrogen atmosphere. By precisely controlling the oxygen chemical potential in the parent oxide electrode applying an electrochemical polarisation, we managed to selectively exsolve Ni nanoparticles from the perovskite lattice and study their catalytic activity switching characteristics.

Non-equilibrium transport in polymer mixed ionic-electronic conductors at ultrahigh charge densities.

Conducting polymers are mixed ionic-electronic conductors that are emerging candidates for neuromorphic computing, bioelectronics and thermoelectrics. However, fundamental aspects of their many-body correlated electron-ion transport physics remain poorly understood. Here we show that in p-type organic electrochemical transistors it is possible to remove all of the electrons from the valence band and even access deeper bands without degradation.

Multi-scale modelling of location- and frequency-dependent synaptic plasticity induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation in the dendrites of pyramidal neurons.

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) induces long-term changes of synapses, but the mechanisms behind these modifications are not fully understood. Although there has been progress in the development of multi-scale modeling tools, no comprehensive module for simulating rTMS-induced synaptic plasticity in biophysically realistic neurons exists..

Robust Detection of Critical Events in the Context of Railway Security Based on Multimodal Sensor Data Fusion.

Effective security surveillance is crucial in the railway sector to prevent security incidents, including vandalism, trespassing, and sabotage. This paper discusses the challenges of maintaining seamless surveillance over extensive railway infrastructure, considering both technological advances and the growing risks posed by terrorist attacks. Based on previous research, this paper discusses the limitations of current surveillance methods, particularly in managing information overload and false alarms that result from integrating multiple sensor technologies.

Chemical cousins with contrasting behavioural profiles: MDMA users and methamphetamine users differ in social-cognitive functions and aggression.

Methamphetamine (METH, "Crystal Meth") and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") share structural-chemical similarities but have distinct psychotropic profiles due to specific neurochemical actions. Previous research has suggested that their impact on social cognitive functions and social behaviour may differ significantly, however, direct comparisons of METH and MDMA users regarding social cognition and interaction are lacking. Performances in cognitive and emotional empathy (Multifaceted Empathy Test) and emotion sensitivity (Face Morphing Task), as well as aggressive social behaviour (Competitive Reaction Time Task) were assessed in samples of n = 40 chronic METH users, n = 39 chronic MDMA users and n = 86 stimulant-naïve controls (total N = 165).

Causal functional maps of brain rhythms in working memory.

Human working memory is a key cognitive process that engages multiple functional anatomical nodes across the brain. Despite a plethora of correlative neuroimaging evidence regarding the working memory architecture, our understanding of critical hubs causally controlling overall performance is incomplete. Causal interpretation requires cognitive testing following safe, temporal, and controllable neuromodulation of specific functional anatomical nodes.

intensity- and frequency-specific effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation are explained by network dynamics.

. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can be used to non-invasively entrain neural activity and thereby cause changes in local neural oscillatory power. Despite its increased use in cognitive and clinical neuroscience, the fundamental mechanisms of tACS are still not fully understood.

Conflict monitoring and emotional processing in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine users - A comparative neurophysiological study.

In stimulant use and addiction, conflict control processes are crucial for regulating substance use and sustaining abstinence, which can be particularly challenging in social-affective situations. Users of methamphetamine (METH, "Ice") and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") both experience impulse control deficits, but display different social-affective and addictive profiles. We thus aimed to compare the effects of chronic use of the substituted amphetamines METH and MDMA on conflict control processes in different social-affective contexts (i.

Induced neural phase precession through exogenous electric fields.

The gradual shifting of preferred neural spiking relative to local field potentials (LFPs), known as phase precession, plays a prominent role in neural coding. Correlations between the phase precession and behavior have been observed throughout various brain regions. As such, phase precession is suggested to be a global neural mechanism that promotes local neuroplasticity.

Compound heterozygosity induces a rare Gerbich-negative phenotype in an immunized blood donor.

Background: Antibodies to Gerbich blood group antigens are exceedingly rare and can cause moderate transfusion reactions. Several deletional variants of the GE-gene, that harbors long sequence repeats, enable alloimmunization and formation of naturally occurring antibodies.

Subject And Methods: A female blood donor and soldier of the German Army without history of pregnancy or transfusion showed an antibody reactive with all test cells except for GE:-2-3 RBC.

Systematic cross-species comparison of prefrontal cortex functional networks targeted via Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that safely modulates neural activity in vivo. Its precision in targeting specific brain networks makes TMS invaluable in diverse clinical applications. For example, TMS is used to treat depression by targeting prefrontal brain networks and their connection to other brain regions.

Surface doping of rubrene single crystals by molecular electron donors and acceptors.

The surface molecular doping of organic semiconductors can play an important role in the development of organic electronic or optoelectronic devices. Single-crystal rubrene remains a leading molecular candidate for applications in electronics due to its high hole mobility. In parallel, intensive research into the fabrication of flexible organic electronics requires the careful design of functional interfaces to enable optimal device characteristics.