It is more than Interference: Examining the neurohemodynamic correlates of the flanker task with functional near‐infrared spectroscopy

Previous functional near‐infrared spectroscopy studies using the Eriksen flanker task, in contrast to functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, revealed the quite puzzling finding of an inverted conflict effect, that is, greater middle and superior frontal activation in response compatible than in response incompatible trials. However, since neither prior functional near‐infrared spectroscopy studies nor most previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies separated between an identical and a compatible condition, it is hard to pinpoint whether this discrepancy occurs on the level of stimulus processing or response generation. By assigning two letters to both left (D, F) and right (J, K) hand reactions, we were able to separate identical (e.g., JJJ) and compatible (e.g., JKJ) conditions that solely differ in their stimulus congruency. Replicating prior functional magnetic resonance imaging findings, we found the standard conflict effect at the transition of superior and middle frontal gyrus, when comparing the activation in compatible trials to that in incompatible trials. Both changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin thus pointed to more effortful processing in incompatible trials. Interestingly, however, identical trials showed the highest activation in this region, according to both changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. A finding that mirrors and extends prior functional near‐infrared spectroscopy findings, which only regarded oxygenated blood. We argue that this pattern of results does not reflect the standard conflict effect. We rather assume that other processes like perceptual familiarity or strategic readjustment might be at play.     

Increasing mitochondrial ATP synthesis with butyrate normalizes ADP and contractile function in metabolic heart disease

Metabolic heart disease (MHD), which is strongly associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, is characterized by reduced mitochondrial energy production and contractile performance. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that an acute increase in ATP synthesis, via short chain fatty acid (butyrate) perfusion, restores contractile function in MHD. Isolated hearts of mice with MHD due to consumption of a high fat high sucrose (HFHS) diet or on a control diet (CD) for 4 months were studied using ³¹P NMR spectroscopy to measure high energy phosphates and ATP synthesis rates during increased work demand. At baseline, HFHS hearts had increased ADP and decreased free energy of ATP hydrolysis (ΔG _{~ ATP}), although contractile function was similar between the two groups. At high work demand, the ATP synthesis rate in HFHS hearts was reduced by over 50%. Unlike CD hearts, HFHS hearts did not increase contractile function at high work demand, indicating a lack of contractile reserve. However, acutely supplementing HFHS hearts with 4mM butyrate normalized ATP synthesis, ADP, ΔG _{~ ATP} and contractile reserve. Thus, acute reversal of depressed mitochondrial ATP production improves contractile dysfunction in MHD. These findings suggest that energy starvation may be a reversible cause of myocardial dysfunction in MHD, and opens new therapeutic opportunities.     

Relationship between stroke etiology and collateral status in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion

Journal of Neurology - Clinical outcome after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke is influenced by the intracerebral collateral status. We tested the hypothesis...     

Cell-based assays for the detection of MOG antibodies: a comparative study

Journal of Neurology - The detection of antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is fundamental for the identification of MOG antibody-associated disorders (MOGAD), and the...     

Effects of IVIg treatment on autoantibody testing in neurological patients: marked reduction in sensitivity but reliable specificity

Journal of Neurology - Therapy of autoimmune diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system with intravenous IgG immunoglobulin (IVIg) is well established. Since IVIg is produced from pooled...     

Correction to: Endovascular stroke treatment’s impact on malignant type of edema (ESTIMATE)

Journal of Neurology - The original keywords were not sufficiently precise in describing the article content. Therefore, the key words were amended to include hemicraniectomy and malignant edema.