Neural and Cognitive Markers and Regulation of Emotion in Depression: A Mini-Review and a Short Case Report

In the presented short clinical case of depression, the constructs of Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) of loss (negative valence systems) and cognitive control (cognitive systems) have been operationalized. It has been concluded that a normal cognitive control of emotion, requiring the functional and structural integrity of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), is lacking in depression, but its amelioration can be achieved through the implementation of cognitive remediation/rehabilitation programs. A mini-review on neural and cognitive markers and regulation of emotion in depression is previously presented.

CSMCCVA:Framework of cross-modal semantic mapping based on cognitive computing of visual and auditory sensations

Cross-modal semantic mapping and cross-media retrieval are key problems of the multimedia search engine.This study analyzes the hierarchy,the functionality,and the structure in the visual and auditory sensations of cognitive system,and establishes a brain-like cross-modal semantic mapping framework based on cognitive computing of visual and auditory sensations.The mechanism of visual-auditory multisensory integration,selective attention in thalamo-cortical,emotional control in limbic system and the memory-enhancing in hippocampal were considered in the framework.Then,the algorithms of cross-modal semantic mapping were given.Experimental results show that the framework can be effectively applied to the cross-modal semantic mapping,and also provides an important significance for brain-like computing of non-von Neumann structure.

Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning improves postoperative cognitive dysfunction by reducing oxidant stress and inflammation

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a crucial public health issue that has been increasingly studied in efforts to reduce symptoms or prevent its occurrence. However, effective advances remain lacking. Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning has proved to protect vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and brain. Recently, it has been introduced and widely studied in the prevention of postoperative cognitive dysfunction, with promising results. However, the neuroprotective mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain controversial. This review summarizes and highlights the definition and application of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning, the perniciousness and pathogenetic mechanism underlying postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and the effects that hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning has on postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Finally, we conclude that hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning is an effective and feasible method to prevent, alleviate, and improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and that its mechanism of action is very complex, involving the stimulation of endogenous antioxidant and anti-inflammation defense systems.

Neuroprotection against vascular dementia after acupuncture combined with donepezil hydrochloride：P300 event related potential

Acupuncture can be used to treat various nervous system diseases.Here,168 vascular dementia patients were orally administered donepezil hydrochloride alone（5 mg/day,once a day for 56 days）,or combined with acupuncture at Shenting（DU24）,Tianzhu（BL10）,Sishencong（Extra）,Yintang（Extra）,Renzhong（DU26）,Neiguan（PC6）,Shenmen（HT7）,Fengchi（GB20）,Wangu（GB12） and Baihui（DU20）（once a day for 56 days）.Compared with donepezil hydrochloride alone,P300 event related potential latency was shorter with an increased amplitude in patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride and acupuncture.Mini-Mental State Examination score was also higher.Moreover,these differences in P300 latency were identified within different infarcted regions in patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride and acupuncture.These findings indicate that acupuncture combined with donepezil hydrochloride noticeably improves cognitive function in patients with vascular dementia,and exerts neuroprotective effects against vascular dementia.

Does a combined intervention program of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and intensive occupational therapy affect cognitive function in patients with post-stroke upper limb hemiparesis?

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation（LF-r TMS） to the contralesional hemisphere and intensive occupational therapy（i OT） have been shown to contribute to a significant improvement in upper limb hemiparesis in patients with chronic stroke. However, the effect of the combined intervention program of LF-r TMS and i OT on cognitive function is unknown. We retrospectively investigated whether the combined treatment influence patient＇s Trail-Making Test part B（TMT-B） performance, which is a group of easy and inexpensive neuropsychological tests that evaluate several cognitive functions. Twenty-five patients received 11 sessions of LF-r TMS to the contralesional hemisphere and 2 sessions of i OT per day over 15 successive days. Patients with right- and left-sided hemiparesis demonstrated significant improvements in upper limb motor function following the combined intervention program. Only patients with right-sided hemiparesis exhibited improved TMT-B performance following the combined intervention program, and there was a significant negative correlation between Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale total score change and TMT-B performance. The results indicate the possibility that LF-r TMS to the contralesional hemisphere combined with i OT improves the upper limb motor function and cognitive function of patients with right-sided hemiparesis. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of improved cognitive function.

Artificial intelligence in Barrett’s esophagus: A renaissance but not a reformation

Esophageal cancer remains as one of the top ten causes of cancer-related death in the United States.The primary risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma is the presence of Barrett’s esophagus(BE).Currently,identification of early dysplasia in BE patients requires an experienced endoscopist performing a diagnostic endoscopy with random 4-quadrant biopsies taken every 1-2 cm using appropriate surveillance intervals.Currently,there is significant difficulty for endoscopists to distinguish different forms of dysplastic BE as well as early adenocarcinoma due to subtleties in mucosal texture and color.This obstacle makes taking multiple random biopsies necessary for appropriate surveillance and diagnosis.Recent advances in artificial intelligence(AI)can assist gastroenterologists in identifying areas of likely dysplasia within identified BE and perform targeted biopsies,thus decreasing procedure time,sedation time,and risk to the patient along with maximizing potential biopsy yield.Though using AI represents an exciting frontier in endoscopic medicine,recent studies are limited by selection bias,generalizability,and lack of robustness for universal use.Before AI can be reliably employed for BE in the future,these issues need to be fully addressed and tested in prospective,randomized trials.Only after that is achieved,will the benefit of AI in those with BE be fully realized.