Biology subjects

Niznikiewicz, M. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Niznikiewicz, M. A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Real-time fMRI neurofeedback modulates auditory cortex activity and connectivity in schizophrenia patients with auditory hallucinations: A controlled study

Background and HypothesisWe have reported previously a reduction in superior temporal gyrus (STG) activation and in auditory verbal hallucinations (AHs) after real-time fMRI neurofeedback (NFB) in schizophrenia patients with AHs. Study DesignWith this randomized, participant-blinded, sham-controlled trial, we expanded our previous results. Specifically, we examined neurofeedback effects from the STG, an area associated with auditory hallucinations. The effects were compared to Sham-NFB from the motor cortex, a region unrelated to hallucinations. Twenty-three adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and frequent medication-resistant hallucinations performed mindfulness meditation to ignore pre-recorded strangers voices while receiving neurofeedback either from the STG (n=10, Real-NFB) or motor cortex (n=13 Sham-NFB). Individuals randomized to Sham-NFB received Real-NFB in a subsequent visit, providing a within-subject Real-after-Sham-NFB comparison. Study ResultsBoth groups showed reduced AHs after NFB, with no group differences. Compared to the Sham-NFB group, the Real-NFB group showed more reduced activation in secondary auditory cortex (AC) and more reduced connectivity between AC and cognitive control regions including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior cingulate. The connectivity reduction was also observed in the Real-after-Sham-NFB condition. Secondary AC-DLPFC connectivity reduction correlated with hallucination reduction in the Real-NFB group. Replicating prior results, both groups showed reduced primary auditory cortex activation, suggesting mindfulness meditation may regulate bottom-up processes involved in hallucinations. ConclusionsOur findings emphasize delivering NFB from brain regions involved in medication-resistant AHs. They provide insights into auditory cortex and cognitive control network interactions, highlighting complex processing dynamics and top-down modulation of sensory information.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Real-time fMRI neurofeedback reduces default mode network and auditory cortex functional connectivity in schizophrenia

Background and HypothesisAuditory verbal hallucinations (AHs) are a cardinal symptom of schizophrenia that can cause distress but are not always responsive to antipsychotic medications. There is a critical need to develop novel interventions that target neural mechanisms underlying AHs. We developed a real-time fMRI neurofeedback (NFB) paradigm for AHs that aims at modulating default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity. Study DesignPatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders who were experiencing AHs (N = 25) attempted to decrease brain activation while listening to sentences recorded in another persons voice and increase brain activation while listening to sentences recorded in their own voice. Participants randomly assigned to the real group (n = 12) received neurofeedback based on signals from their auditory cortex in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and those assigned to the sham group (n = 13) received neurofeedback based on motor cortex signals. Study ResultsAnalyzing resting state fMRI data collected pre- and post-NFB, we found that: (1) at baseline, stronger within-DMN connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex was associated with higher AHs severity; (2) after NFB, participants in the real group, compared to those in the sham group, showed greater reduction in functional connectivity between the MPFC and auditory cortices in the STG and middle temporal gyrus (MTG). Notably, the reduction in MPFC-STG/MTG connectivity was found in all participants in the real group. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that NFB can effectively and non-invasively modulate functional connectivity in regions associated with AHs in psychosis.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Abnormal function in dentate nuclei precedes the onset of psychosis: a resting-state fMRI study in high-risk individuals

ObjectiveThe cerebellum serves a wide range of functions and is suggested to be composed of discrete regions dedicated to unique functions. We recently developed a new parcellation of the dentate nuclei (DN), the major output nuclei of the cerebellum, which optimally divides the structure into three functional territories that contribute uniquely to default-mode, motor-salience, and visual processing networks as indexed by resting-state functional connectivity (RsFc). Here we test for the first time whether RsFc differences in the DN precede the onset of psychosis in individuals at risk of developing schizophrenia. MethodsWe used the MRI dataset from the Shanghai At Risk for Psychosis study that included subjects at high risk to develop schizophrenia (N=144), with longitudinal follow-up to determine which subjects developed a psychotic episode within one year of their fMRI scan (converters N=23). Analysis used the three functional parcels (default-mode, salience-motor, and visual territory) from the DN as seed regions of interest for whole-brain RsFc analysis. ResultsRsFc analysis revealed abnormalities at baseline in high-risk individuals who developed psychosis, compared to high-risk individuals who did not develop psychosis. The nature of the observed abnormalities was found to be anatomically specific such that abnormal RsFc was localized predominantly in cerebral cortical networks that matched the three functional territories of the DN that were evaluated. ConclusionsWe show for the first time that abnormal RsFc of the DN may precede the onset of psychosis. This new evidence highlights the role of the cerebellum as a potential target for psychosis prediction and prevention.

neuroscience↗