Individual variability in functional connectivity predicts performance of a perceptual task

People differ in their ability to perform novel perceptual tasks, both during initial exposure and in the rate of improvement with practice. It is also known that regions of the brain recruited by particular tasks change their activity during learning. Here we investigate neural signals predictive of individual variability in performance. We used resting-state functional MRI to assess functional connectivity before training on a novel visual discrimination task. Subsequent task performance was related to functional connectivity measures within portions of visual cortex and between visual cortex and prefrontal association areas. Our results indicate that individual differences in performing novel perceptual tasks can be related to individual differences in spontaneous cortical activity.     

Local and long-range functional connectivity is reduced in concert in autism spectrum disorders

Long-range cortical functional connectivity is often reduced in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the nature of local cortical functional connectivity in ASD has remained elusive. We used magnetoencephalography to measure task-related local functional connectivity, as manifested by coupling between the phase of alpha oscillations and the amplitude of gamma oscillations, in the fusiform face area (FFA) of individuals diagnosed with ASD and typically developing individuals while they viewed neutral faces, emotional faces, and houses. We also measured task-related long-range functional connectivity between the FFA and the rest of the cortex during the same paradigm. In agreement with earlier studies, long-range functional connectivity between the FFA and three distant cortical regions was reduced in the ASD group. However, contrary to the prevailing hypothesis in the field, we found that local functional connectivity within the FFA was also reduced in individuals with ASD when viewing faces. Furthermore, the strength of long-range functional connectivity was directly correlated to the strength of local functional connectivity in both groups; thus, long-range and local connectivity were reduced proportionally in the ASD group. Finally, the magnitude of local functional connectivity correlated with ASD severity, and statistical classification using local and long-range functional connectivity data identified ASD diagnosis with 90% accuracy. These results suggest that failure to entrain neuronal assemblies fully both within and across cortical regions may be characteristic of ASD.     

Healthy behaviors and onset of functional disability in older adults: results of a national longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES: To examine the combined effect of healthy behaviors on the development of functional disability in an elderly cohort. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Taiwan Longitudinal Study in Aging from 1989, 1993, 1996, 1999, and 2003. PARTICIPANTS: A national sample of 1,940 men and 1,247 women aged 60 and older without functional disability at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Functional disability was defined as difficulty with activities of daily living: taking a bath or walking 200 to 300 m. Time to functional disability was the age at midpoint between the first occurrence of disability onset in the survey year and prior survey year. Considering that the onset of disability is probably a precursor of death, for those who died without disability, time to disability onset was set at the midpoint between the last follow‐up and death year. Four healthy behaviors were measured: not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular exercise, and sleeping 6 to 8 hours per day. A Cox proportional hazards model with time‐dependent covariates was used to analyze the association between age at the first functional disability and prior healthy behavior, after controlling for sex, time‐varying disease status, marital status, and education. RESULTS: Healthy behaviors were linked to the onset of functional disability. Participants who performed one or more healthy behaviors were 15% to 75% less likely to be disabled than those who performed none. CONCLUSION: In the population studied, healthy behaviors were associated with lower incidence of functional disability. As the number of healthy behaviors increased, the likelihood of disability decreased.     

Social learning contributions to the etiology and treatment of functional abdominal pain and inflammatory bowel disease in children and adults

This paper reviews empirical work on cognitive and social learning contributions to the etiology and treatment of illness behavior associated with functional abdominal pain and inflammatory bowel disease. A particular emphasis is placed on randomized controlled trials, the majority of which are multi-modal in orientation, incorporating elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, social learning, and relaxation. Based on this review, we offer methodological and clinical suggestions: (1) Research investigations should include adequate sample sizes, long-term follow-up assessments, and a credible, active control group. (2) Standard gastrointestinal practice should include, when appropriate, learning opportunities for patients and family members, for example, instruction regarding the encouragement of wellness behavior.