Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience - Volume 32, issue 1

Authors: Jensen, Jimmy | Walter, Henrik

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this paper the concept of incentive motivational salience is briefly described, pioneering studies on the subject of the mesolimbic motivational system are reviewed, and studies we have been involved in conducting which elaborate on this subject are discussed. In particular, we aim to show that the mesolimbic motivational system is recruited as a reaction to primary and secondary reinforcers as a function of salience, that is independent of valence. Furthermore, studies showing that both psychological and pharmacological interventions can affect the function of the mesolimbic motivational system and how its' dysfunction is related to psychopathological phenomena with an emphasis …on psychosis are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Motivation, salience, ventral striatum, imaging, schizophrenia

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-139006

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 141-147, 2014

Authors: Ditzen, Beate | Heinrichs, Markus

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Social integration and social support have a substantial influence on individual health and longevity, an effect assumed to be mediated through reduced stress reactivity in support recipients. However, considerable variability in individual responses to social support has been documented, suggesting that the beneficial effect of social support interacts with early experiences, genetically influenced differences in biological systems mediating social behavior, personality traits, and psychopathology. Here we outline the historical background of social support research, including epidemiological studies, laboratory studies, and field studies on the subject of social support and health, with regard to different psychobiological effector systems. Most recent research …has focused on brain mechanisms which link social integration or social support with reduced neural threat responses. As numerous mental disorders are associated with considerable social impairment, understanding the potentially underlying mechanisms of neural plasticity in relation to social support, stress buffering and health in these disorders can help tailor new diagnostic and treatment strategies. Thus, theories of socially-driven emotional learning and memory, as presented in this review, might eventually lead to psychobiology-based treatment concepts for mental disorders involving social deficits. Show more

Keywords: Social support, stress, psychobiology, autonomic nervous system (ANS), hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, cortisol, oxytocin, safety signals

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-139008

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 149-162, 2014

Authors: Paulzen, Michael | Veselinovic, Tanja | Gründer, Gerhard

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Although neurotransmitter-based hypotheses still prevail current thinking about the mechanism of action of psychotropic drugs, recent insight into the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders has unveiled a range of new therapeutic actions of the drugs used to treat those disorders. Especially antidepressants seem to exert at least some of their effects via restoration of synaptic/neuronal plasticity. In addition, there is increasing evidence that several of the second-generation antipsychotics and some anticonvulsants affect neuronal survival/apoptosis as well as synaptic plasticity. Most of this evidence stems from work in animals. In this review, we will focus on the evidence for neuroplastic effects of …psychotropic drugs in humans being aware of the fact that most of the data are derived from animals and that volumetric studies in humans can only indicate structural plasticity and not necessarily functional plasticity. However, as the data from human studies are rather poor and inconclusive, and sometimes even conflicting, it seems impossible to draw general conclusions. Until now studies on neuroplasticity in humans can only explain small pieces of the effects of psychotropic drugs on brain plasticity in humans. Nevertheless, future prospects for the development of new drugs targeting brain plasticity will be of importance and will complete this overview. Show more

Keywords: Antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizer, neuroplasticity, plasticity, neuroprotection, synaptic plasticity

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-139004

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 163-181, 2014

Authors: Hofmann, Stefan G. | Fang, Angela | Gutner, Cassidy A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Traditional treatments for anxiety disorders include cognitive-behavioral therapy and anxiolytic medications. Although these treatments are more effective than placebo, there is still considerable room for further improvement. Unfortunately, combining these different modalities is generally not substantially better than monotherapies. Recently, researchers have turned their attention toward translating preclinical research on the neural circuitry underlying fear extinction to clinical applications for the treatment of anxiety disorders with the goal to augment the learning process during exposure-based procedures with cognitive enhancers. This review examines d-cycloserine, cortisol, catecholamines, yohimbine, oxytocin, modafinil, as well as nutrients and botanicals as agents to augment treatment for …anxiety disorders. D-cycloserine shows the most empirical support. Other promising agents include cortisol, catecholamines, yohimbine, and possibly oxytocin. Less support comes from studies that examined nutrients and botanicals, such as caffeine, nicotine, and omega-3 fatty acid. Limitations of the exiting literature and future research directions are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Cognitive enhancers, anxiety disorders, augmentation strategies

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-139002

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 183-195, 2014

Authors: Poustka, Luise | Brandeis, Daniel | Hohmann, Sarah | Holtmann, Martin | Bölte, Sven | Banaschewski, Tobias

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous, neurodevelopmental disorders with early onset, characterized by a triad of impairments in reciprocal interaction and communication as well as repetitive and restricted interests and activities. Though underlying causes still remain largely unknown, there is now evidence for abnormal growth trajectories in the early brain development in ASD during vulnerable periods and subsequent impairment of neuronal organization and differentiation of neuronal networks. A growing number of studies over the last 10 years support the efficacy of behaviorally based interventions in ASD for the improvement of social communication and behavioral functioning. In contrast, research on neurobiologically …based therapies for ASD is still at its beginnings. In this article, we will provide a selective overview of novel interventions and trainings based on neurobiological principles. Directions and options for future research on treatment aiming at restoration of normal plasticity in disrupted brain circuits in ASD are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, intervention, novel treatments, neurofeedback, neural plasticity

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-139010

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 197-212, 2014

Authors: Degen, Christina | Schröder, Johannes

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: As the demographic shift towards an aging population prevails, the improvement and/or maintenance of cognitive functioning appear increasingly important. To date, the effectiveness of cognitive, cardiovascular and sensorimotor training approaches in older adults has been demonstrated frequently using neuropsychological and behavioral performance measures. We present an overview of selected studies applying modern imaging techniques (fMRI, PET) to assess practice-induced structural and functional changes in the brain. Structurally, practice is associated with volumetric increases. Functionally, reorganization of neural network recruitment, overall decreases and increases in activity levels are found. Thus, the human brain retains a high degree of plasticity in old …age. Moreover, it seems that practice leads to more efficient processing, requiring less neural engagement to perform the same task. While the concept of economization finds widespread support in healthy populations, in patient groups this effect has proven to be absent or reversed. The concept of cognitive reserve and potentially compensatory mechanisms are discussed in this context. Show more

Keywords: Neuroimaging, plasticity, aging, cognition, training

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-139009

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 213-221, 2014