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Biology subjects

Schwender, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Schwender, H..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

A Connectivity-based Psychometric Prediction Framework for Brain-behavior Relationship Studies

The recent availability of population-based studies with neuroimaging and behavioral measurements opens promising perspectives to investigate the relationships between interindividual variability in brain regions connectivity and behavioral phenotypes. However, the multivariate nature of connectivity-based prediction model severely limits the insight into brain-behavior patterns for neuroscience. To address this issue, we propose a connectivity-based psychometric prediction framework based on individual regions connectivity profiles. We first illustrate two main applications: 1) single brain regions predictive power for a range of psychometric variables, and 2) single psychometric variables predictive power variation across brain region. We compare the patterns of brain-behavior provided by these approaches to the brain-behavior relationships from activation approaches. Then, capitalizing on the increased transparency of our approach, we demonstrate how the influence of various data processing and analyses can directly influence the patterns of brain-behavior relationships, as well as the unique insight into brain-behavior relationships offered by this approach.

neuroscience↗

Benefits of improved air quality on aging lungs. Impacts of genetics and obesity

IntroductionThe beneficial effect of improving air quality on lung function in the elderly remains unclear. We examined associations between decline in air pollutants and lung function and effect modifications by genetics and BMI in elderly German women.\n\nMethodsData were analysed from the prospective SALIA cohort study (N=601). Spirometry was conducted at baseline (1985-1994; 55 years), in 2007-2010 and in 2012-2013. Air pollution concentrations at home addresses were determined for each time point using land-use regression models. GLI z-scores were calculated. Weighted genetic risk scores (GRS) were determined from lung function-related risk alleles and used to investigate interactions with improved air quality. Adjusted linear mixed models were fitted.\n\nResultsAir pollution levels decreased substantially during the study period. Reduction of air pollution was associated with an increase of z-scores for FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. For a decrease of 10 g/m3 in NO2, the z-score for FEV1 increased by 0.14 (95%CI: 0.01; 0.26). However, with an increasing number of lung function-related risk alleles, the benefit from improved air quality decreased (GRSxNO2-interaction:p=0.029). Interactions with BMI were not significant.\n\nConclusionsReduction of air pollution is associated with a relative improvement of lung function in elderly women, but also depends on their genetic make-up.

epidemiology↗