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Ocklenburg S, Mundorf A, Gerrits R, Karlsson EM, Papadatou-Pastou M, Vingerhoets G. Clinical implications of brain asymmetries. Nat Rev Neurol 2024:10.1038/s41582-024-00974-8. [PMID: 38783057 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-024-00974-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
No two human brains are alike, and with the rise of precision medicine in neurology, we are seeing an increased emphasis on understanding the individual variability in brain structure and function that renders every brain unique. Functional and structural brain asymmetries are a fundamental principle of brain organization, and recent research suggests substantial individual variability in these asymmetries that needs to be considered in clinical practice. In this Review, we provide an overview of brain asymmetries, variations in such asymmetries and their relevance in the clinical context. We review recent findings on brain asymmetries in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as in specific learning disabilities, with an emphasis on large-scale database studies and meta-analyses. We also highlight the relevance of asymmetries for disease symptom onset in neurodegenerative diseases and their implications for lateralized treatments, including brain stimulation. We conclude that alterations in brain asymmetry are not sufficiently specific to act as diagnostic biomarkers but can serve as meaningful symptom or treatment response biomarkers in certain contexts. On the basis of these insights, we provide several recommendations for neurological clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Ocklenburg
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- ICAN Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Annakarina Mundorf
- ISM Institute for Systems Medicine and Department of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robin Gerrits
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent Institute for Functional and Metabolic Imaging (GIfMI), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emma M Karlsson
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent Institute for Functional and Metabolic Imaging (GIfMI), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marietta Papadatou-Pastou
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Guy Vingerhoets
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent Institute for Functional and Metabolic Imaging (GIfMI), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Perkušić Čović M, Vujović I, Šoda J, Palmović M, Rogić Vidaković M. Overt Word Reading and Visual Object Naming in Adults with Dyslexia: Electroencephalography Study in Transparent Orthography. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:459. [PMID: 38790326 PMCID: PMC11117949 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11050459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate overt reading and naming processes in adult people with dyslexia (PDs) in shallow (transparent) language orthography. The results of adult PDs are compared with adult healthy controls HCs. Comparisons are made in three phases: pre-lexical (150-260 ms), lexical (280-700 ms), and post-lexical stage of processing (750-1000 ms) time window. Twelve PDs and HCs performed overt reading and naming tasks under EEG recording. The word reading and naming task consisted of sparse neighborhoods with closed phonemic onset (words/objects sharing the same onset). For the analysis of the mean ERP amplitude for pre-lexical, lexical, and post-lexical time window, a mixed design ANOVA was performed with the right (F4, FC2, FC6, C4, T8, CP2, CP6, P4) and left (F3, FC5, FC1, T7, C3, CP5, CP1, P7, P3) electrode sites, within-subject factors and group (PD vs. HC) as between-subject factor. Behavioral response latency results revealed significantly prolonged reading latency between HCs and PDs, while no difference was detected in naming response latency. ERP differences were found between PDs and HCs in the right hemisphere's pre-lexical time window (160-200 ms) for word reading aloud. For visual object naming aloud, ERP differences were found between PDs and HCs in the right hemisphere's post-lexical time window (900-1000 ms). The present study demonstrated different distributions of the electric field at the scalp in specific time windows between two groups in the right hemisphere in both word reading and visual object naming aloud, suggesting alternative processing strategies in adult PDs. These results indirectly support the view that adult PDs in shallow language orthography probably rely on the grapho-phonological route during overt word reading and have difficulties with phoneme and word retrieval during overt visual object naming in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Perkušić Čović
- Polyclinic for Rehabilitation of People with Developmental Disorders, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Igor Vujović
- Signal Processing, Analysis, and Advanced Diagnostics Research and Education Laboratory (SPAADREL), Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (I.V.); (J.Š.)
| | - Joško Šoda
- Signal Processing, Analysis, and Advanced Diagnostics Research and Education Laboratory (SPAADREL), Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (I.V.); (J.Š.)
| | - Marijan Palmović
- Laboratory for Psycholinguistic Research, Department of Speech and Language Pathology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Rogić Vidaković
- Laboratory for Human and Experimental Neurophysiology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
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Theodoridou D, Tsiantis CO, Vlaikou AM, Chondrou V, Zakopoulou V, Christodoulides P, Oikonomou ED, Tzimourta KD, Kostoulas C, Tzallas AT, Tsamis KI, Peschos D, Sgourou A, Filiou MD, Syrrou M. Developmental Dyslexia: Insights from EEG-Based Findings and Molecular Signatures-A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2024; 14:139. [PMID: 38391714 PMCID: PMC10887023 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a learning disorder. Although risk genes have been identified, environmental factors, and particularly stress arising from constant difficulties, have been associated with the occurrence of DD by affecting brain plasticity and function, especially during critical neurodevelopmental stages. In this work, electroencephalogram (EEG) findings were coupled with the genetic and epigenetic molecular signatures of individuals with DD and matched controls. Specifically, we investigated the genetic and epigenetic correlates of key stress-associated genes (NR3C1, NR3C2, FKBP5, GILZ, SLC6A4) with psychological characteristics (depression, anxiety, and stress) often included in DD diagnostic criteria, as well as with brain EEG findings. We paired the observed brain rhythms with the expression levels of stress-related genes, investigated the epigenetic profile of the stress regulator glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and correlated such indices with demographic findings. This study presents a new interdisciplinary approach and findings that support the idea that stress, attributed to the demands of the school environment, may act as a contributing factor in the occurrence of the DD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Theodoridou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christos-Orestis Tsiantis
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Angeliki-Maria Vlaikou
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Chondrou
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Victoria Zakopoulou
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Pavlos Christodoulides
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Emmanouil D Oikonomou
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, School of Informatics & Telecommunications, University of Ioannina, 47100 Arta, Greece
| | - Katerina D Tzimourta
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
| | - Charilaos Kostoulas
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Alexandros T Tzallas
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, School of Informatics & Telecommunications, University of Ioannina, 47100 Arta, Greece
| | - Konstantinos I Tsamis
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Peschos
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Argyro Sgourou
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Michaela D Filiou
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Maria Syrrou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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van der Molen MW, Snellings P, Aravena S, Fraga González G, Zeguers MHT, Verwimp C, Tijms J. Dyslexia, the Amsterdam Way. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:72. [PMID: 38275355 PMCID: PMC10813111 DOI: 10.3390/bs14010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The current aim is to illustrate our research on dyslexia conducted at the Developmental Psychology section of the Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, in collaboration with the nationwide IWAL institute for learning disabilities (now RID). The collaborative efforts are institutionalized in the Rudolf Berlin Center. The first series of studies aimed at furthering the understanding of dyslexia using a gamified tool based on an artificial script. Behavioral measures were augmented with diffusion modeling in one study, and indices derived from the electroencephalogram were used in others. Next, we illustrated a series of studies aiming to assess individuals who struggle with reading and spelling using similar research strategies. In one study, we used methodology derived from the machine learning literature. The third series of studies involved intervention targeting the phonics of language. These studies included a network analysis that is now rapidly gaining prominence in the psychopathology literature. Collectively, the studies demonstrate the importance of letter-speech sound mapping and word decoding in the acquisition of reading. It was demonstrated that focusing on these abilities may inform the prediction, classification, and intervention of reading difficulties and their neural underpinnings. A final section examined dyslexia, conceived as a neurobiological disorder. This analysis converged on the conclusion that recent developments in the psychopathology literature inspired by the focus on research domain criteria and network analysis might further the field by staying away from longstanding debates in the dyslexia literature (single vs. a multiple deficit, category vs. dimension, disorder vs. lack of skill).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurits W. van der Molen
- Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Rudolf Berlin Center for Learning Disabilities, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Snellings
- Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Rudolf Berlin Center for Learning Disabilities, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Maaike H. T. Zeguers
- Samenwerkingsverband VO Amsterdam-Diemen, Bijlmermeerdreef 1289, 1103 TV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cara Verwimp
- Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Rudolf Berlin Center for Learning Disabilities, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jurgen Tijms
- Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Rudolf Berlin Center for Learning Disabilities, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Galindo-Aldana G, Torres-González C. Neuropsychology and Electroencephalography in Rural Children at Neurodevelopmental Risk: A Scoping Review. Pediatr Rep 2023; 15:722-740. [PMID: 38133433 PMCID: PMC10747224 DOI: 10.3390/pediatric15040065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Children from rural areas face numerous possibilities of neurodevelopmental conditions that may compromise their well-being and optimal development. Neuropsychology and electroencephalography (EEG) have shown strong agreement in detecting correlations between these two variables and suggest an association with specific environmental and social risk factors. The present scoping review aims to describe studies reporting associations between EEG features and cognitive impairment in children from rural or vulnerable environments and describe the main risk factors influencing EEG abnormalities in these children. The method for this purpose was based on a string-based review from PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted from the outcomes that complied with the selected criteria. In total, 2280 records were identified; however, only 26 were eligible: 15 for qualitative and 11 for quantitative analysis. The findings highlight the significant literature on EEG and its relationship with cognitive impairment from studies in children with epilepsy and malnutrition. In general, there is evidence for the advantages of implementing EEG diagnosis and research techniques in children living under risk conditions. Specific associations between particular EEG features and cognitive impairment are described in the reviewed literature in children. Further research is needed to better describe and integrate the state of the art regarding EEG feature extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto Galindo-Aldana
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Cognition, Mental Health, Profession, and Society Research Group, Autonomous University of Baja California, Hwy. 3, Col. Gutierrez, Mexicali 21725, Mexico;
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Hernández-Vásquez R, Córdova García U, Barreto AMB, Rojas MLR, Ponce-Meza J, Saavedra-López M. An Overview on Electrophysiological and Neuroimaging Findings in Dyslexia. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2023; 18:503-509. [PMID: 37881421 PMCID: PMC10593994 DOI: 10.18502/ijps.v18i4.13638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Dyslexia is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by inaccurate and slow word recognition. This article reviews neural correlates of dyslexia from both electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies. Method : In this brief review, we provide electrophysiological and neuroimaging evidence from electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in dyslexia to understand functional and structural brain changes in this condition. Results: In both electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies, the most frequently reported functional impairments in dyslexia include aberrant activation of the left hemisphere occipito-temporal cortex (OTC), temporo-parietal cortex (TPC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and cerebellar areas. EEG studies have mostly highlighted the important role of lower frequency bands in dyslexia, especially theta waves. Furthermore, neuroimaging studies have suggested that dyslexia is related to functional and structural impairments in the left hemisphere regions associated with reading and language, including reduced grey matter volume in the left TPC, decreased white matter connectivity between reading networks, and hypo-activation of the left OTC and TPC. In addition, neural evidence from pre-reading children and infants at risk for dyslexia show that there are abnormalities in the dyslexic brain before learning to read begins. Conclusion: Advances in comprehending the neural correlates of dyslexia could bring closer translation from basic to clinical neuroscience and effective rehabilitation for individuals who struggle to read. However, neuroscience still has great potential for clinical translation that requires further research.
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Turri C, Di Dona G, Santoni A, Zamfira DA, Franchin L, Melcher D, Ronconi L. Periodic and Aperiodic EEG Features as Potential Markers of Developmental Dyslexia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1607. [PMID: 37371702 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental Dyslexia (DD) is a neurobiological condition affecting the ability to read fluently and/or accurately. Analyzing resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in DD may provide a deeper characterization of the underlying pathophysiology and possible biomarkers. So far, studies investigating resting-state activity in DD provided limited evidence and did not consider the aperiodic component of the power spectrum. In the present study, adults with (n = 26) and without DD (n = 31) underwent a reading skills assessment and resting-state EEG to investigate potential alterations in aperiodic activity, their impact on the periodic counterpart and reading performance. In parieto-occipital channels, DD participants showed a significantly different aperiodic activity as indexed by a flatter and lower power spectrum. These aperiodic measures were significantly related to text reading time, suggesting a link with individual differences in reading difficulties. In the beta band, the DD group showed significantly decreased aperiodic-adjusted power compared to typical readers, which was significantly correlated to word reading accuracy. Overall, here we provide evidence showing alterations of the endogenous aperiodic activity in DD participants consistently with the increased neural noise hypothesis. In addition, we confirm alterations of endogenous beta rhythms, which are discussed in terms of their potential link with magnocellular-dorsal stream deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Turri
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Dona
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Santoni
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Denisa Adina Zamfira
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Franchin
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - David Melcher
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
- Psychology Program, Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 129188, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Brain and Health, NYUAD Research Institute, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Luca Ronconi
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
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