Neuroscience in Pictures: 3. Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a complex, heritable brain disorder characterized by psychotic, negative, cognitive, mood, and motor symptoms. This pictorial review explores the multifaceted nature of schizophrenia, from its etiology to prevention strategies. We discuss the interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors, neurobiological underpinnings, and stepwise progression.

Machine learning characterization of a rare neurologic disease via electronic health records: a proof-of-principle study on stiff person syndrome.

Background: Despite the frequent diagnostic delays of rare neurologic diseases (RND), it remains difficult to study RNDs and their comorbidities due to their rarity and hence the statistical underpowering. Affecting one to two in a million annually, stiff person syndrome (SPS) is an RND characterized by painful muscle spasms and rigidity. Leveraging underutilized electronic health records (EHR), this study showcased a machine-learning-based framework to identify clinical features that optimally characterize the diagnosis of SPS.

Neuroscience in pictures: 2. Sleep, wakefulness, and mental state biology.

Sleep is a vital restorative process that has occupied our curiosity for millennia. Despite our longstanding research efforts, the biology of sleep and its connection to mental states remains enigmatic. Unsurprisingly, sleep and wakefulness, the fundamental processes between which our mental states oscillate, are inseparable from our physical and mental health.

Paraphilic disorders, psychopathy, and those who sexually offend: a narrative review of treatment modalities.

Despite its critical importance, the treatment of paraphilic disorders remains an often-overlooked domain both in clinical research and practice. Challenges have arisen in the morphing understanding of paraphilias and paraphilic disorders, now considered separate concepts, and efforts at developing a more nuanced understanding of these conditions is ongoing, resulting in a muddled history that can frustrate efforts at study and treatment. These populations are by nature more heterogeneous than may first be obvious-particularly among those with comorbid psychopathic traits-and may require a more nuanced and individualized approach based on risk, needs, and responsivity to treatment.

Using digital phenotyping to capture depression symptom variability: detecting naturalistic variability in depression symptoms across one year using passively collected wearable movement and sleep data.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) presents considerable challenges to diagnosis and management due to symptom variability across time. Only recent work has highlighted the clinical implications for interrogating depression symptom variability. Thus, the present work investigates how sociodemographic, comorbidity, movement, and sleep data is associated with long-term depression symptom variability.

Testing domain knowledge and risk of bias of a large-scale general artificial intelligence model in mental health.

Background: With a rapidly expanding gap between the need for and availability of mental health care, artificial intelligence (AI) presents a promising, scalable solution to mental health assessment and treatment. Given the novelty and inscrutable nature of such systems, exploratory measures aimed at understanding domain knowledge and potential biases of such systems are necessary for ongoing translational development and future deployment in high-stakes healthcare settings.

Methods: We investigated the domain knowledge and demographic bias of a generative, AI model using contrived clinical vignettes with systematically varied demographic features.

Effects of clozapine-N-oxide and compound 21 on sleep in laboratory mice.

Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) are chemogenetic tools for remote control of targeted cell populations using chemical actuators that bind to modified receptors. Despite the popularity of DREADDs in neuroscience and sleep research, potential effects of the DREADD actuator clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) on sleep have never been systematically tested. Here, we show that intraperitoneal injections of commonly used CNO doses (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) alter sleep in wild-type male laboratory mice.

Historical Overview of the Only Neuro-Psycho-Pathology Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Neuro-Psycho-Pathology Center (NPPC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a 450-bed neuropsychiatric clinic that pioneered efforts to synergize various disciplines: neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychiatry, and psychiatry. It serves the brain and behavioral health needs of Congolese patients, and at its peak, the NPPC was a major domestic neuropsychiatry center that averaged 320 admissions annually. Financial and resources shortages have curtailed its functions at 10% of its real capacity.

Dr. Djunga: First Congolese Neurosurgeon.

Antoine Shako Hiango Omokanda Djunga was the pioneer of neurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country located in Central Africa. He was born in 1938 in Sankuru, a province of the DRC. He graduated from the Free University of Brussels medical school and later trained there in neurosurgery.

Use of Stereoelectroencephalography Beyond Epilepsy: A Systematic Review.

Background: Stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) is an increasingly popular surgical technique used clinically to study neural circuits involved in medication-refractory epilepsy, and it is concomitantly used in the scientific investigation of neural circuitry underlying behavior.

Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, the U.S.

Demographic Factors and Academic Outcomes Associated With Taking a Leave of Absence From Medical School.

This cross-sectional study uses 2007-2012 data from the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Matriculating Student Questionnaire to evaluate student factors and academic outcomes associated with taking a leave of absence from medical school.