Articles
Designing a Perioperative Mind-Body Intervention for Peripheral Vascular Interventions
medRxiv – June 07, 2024
Summary
Anxiety during peripheral vascular interventions can hinder patient cooperation and outcomes. This study developed a tailored mind-body intervention, incorporating meditation techniques, to reduce pre-surgery anxiety. Results showed significant improvements in patient comfort and compliance, highlighting the potential of such approaches in enhancing surgical experiences.
Abstract
Background Peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) performed under procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) can be associated with anxiety and poor...
Pathway activation model for personalized prediction of drug synergy
bioRxiv – June 05, 2024
Summary
Drug resistance in cancer treatments often limits effectiveness, but combining therapies can enhance outcomes. A new algorithm, DIPx, predicts which drug combinations will work best for individual patients by analyzing pathway activation scores. It shows promising results, improving predictions of drug synergy significantly compared to existing methods.
Abstract
Targeted monotherapies for cancer often fail due to inherent or acquired drug resistance. By aiming at multiple targets simultaneously, drug combin...
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Consciousness in Non-REM-parasomnia episodes
bioRxiv – June 02, 2024
Summary
Sleepwalking and similar episodes reveal fascinating insights into consciousness. In-depth interviews with 35 adults showed that awareness during these events varies significantly. Some experienced automatic actions without awareness, while others reported vivid, dream-like states with delusions and hallucinations. These findings highlight the complex interplay between sleep and consciousness, offering a unique perspective on how we experience reality during sleep disturbances.
Abstract
Sleepwalking and related parasomnias are thought to result from incomplete awakenings out of Non rapid eye movement (Non-REM) sleep. Non-REM paraso...
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Time-resolved coupling between connectome harmonics and subjective experience under the psychedelic DMT
bioRxiv – May 30, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like DMT reveal fascinating links between brain structure and personal experience. This study shows that DMT reshapes brain activity patterns, increasing complexity in a way similar to other psychedelics. Notably, these changes correlate with the intensity of experiences, highlighting how brain harmonics influence our consciousness.
Abstract
Exploring the intricate relationship between brain’s structure and function, and how this affects subjective experience is a fundamental pursuit in...
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Erythrocyte membrane protein 3 (EMAP3) is exposed on the surface of the Plasmodium berghei infected red blood cell
bioRxiv – May 28, 2024
Summary
A newly identified protein, EMAP3, is found on the surface of red blood cells infected by the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. While it interacts with other proteins, it’s not essential for the parasite's growth or ability to cling to blood vessel walls. This discovery opens avenues for developing treatments targeting malaria's adherence mechanisms.
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum invades red blood cells (RBC) and exports parasite proteins to transform the host cell for its sur...
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Psilocybin reduces heroin seeking behavior and modulates inflammatory gene expression in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex of male rats
bioRxiv – May 28, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin shows promise in reducing heroin-seeking behavior, a critical issue given the opioid crisis. In rat studies, a single dose diminished cravings after abstinence, while blocking certain brain receptors worsened relapse. The findings suggest that psilocybin's effects may involve regulating inflammation-related genes, offering new insights into addiction treatment.
Abstract
Preclinical and human studies indicate psilocybin may reduce perseverant maladaptive behaviors, including nicotine and alcohol seeking. Such studie...
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Nature-based allied health: current practice, challenges and opportunities
medRxiv – May 23, 2024
Summary
Nature can play a vital role in health care! This study explored how allied health professionals use nature-based methods to improve wellbeing. It highlighted positive outcomes in managing conditions like anxiety and depression. Challenges exist, but with strategic solutions, these approaches can flourish, enhancing patient care.
Abstract
Purpose To guide the effective use of nature-based approaches, we aimed to determine current practice, challenges and proposed solutions concerning...
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Classification of psychedelics and psychoactive drugs based on brain-wide imaging of cellular c-Fos expression
bioRxiv – May 23, 2024
Summary
Psychoactive compounds like psilocybin and MDMA show unique effects on behavior, making their therapeutic potential exciting. Researchers developed a method to classify these drugs by analyzing brain activity in mice. Their findings revealed impressive accuracy in identifying specific drugs, paving the way for innovative approaches in drug development.
Abstract
Psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA are psychoactive compounds that exert behavioral effects with distinguishable but also overlapping features. The gro...
The individual determinants of morning dream recall
bioRxiv – May 23, 2024
Summary
Almost everyone dreams, yet not all remember them. This study reveals that your attitude towards dreaming and sleep habits significantly influence dream recall. By analyzing data from 204 adults, researchers found that age and susceptibility to distractions also play a role. Interestingly, dream recall varies with sleep patterns and even seasons!
Abstract
Evidence suggests that (almost) everyone dreams during their sleep and may actually do so for a large part of the night. Yet, dream recall shows la...
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Activity of prefrontal cortex serotonin 2A receptor expressing neurons is necessary for the head-twitch response of mice to psychedelic drug DOI in a sex-dependent manner
bioRxiv – May 21, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic drugs affect brain activity through serotonin receptors, influencing behaviors like the head-twitch response (HTR) in mice. This study reveals that while activating certain neurons in the prefrontal cortex doesn’t trigger HTRs alone, it enhances responses to psychedelic substances in females, but not males.
Abstract
Serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT2ARs) mediate the effects of psychedelic drugs. 5-HT2AR agonists, such as (-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochlo...
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Select DYRK1A Inhibitors Enhance Both Proliferation and Differentiation in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells
bioRxiv – May 17, 2024
Summary
A promising discovery reveals that certain DYRK1A inhibitors, like harmine, significantly boost the growth and function of human pancreatic beta cells, essential for insulin production. These compounds not only promote cell proliferation but also enhance differentiation, suggesting a unique pathway for diabetes treatment advancements.
Abstract
The small molecule DYRK1A inhibitor, harmine, induces human beta cell proliferation, expands beta cell mass, enhances expression of beta cell pheno...
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Accelerating cough-based algorithms for pulmonary tuberculosis screening: Results from the CODA TB DREAM Challenge
medRxiv – May 13, 2024
Summary
Cough-based algorithms can revolutionize tuberculosis screening, offering a quick, specimen-free method crucial for global health. In a recent challenge, innovative AI techniques demonstrated impressive accuracy in identifying TB from cough sounds, paving the way for faster and more accessible diagnosis worldwide.
Abstract
Importance Open-access data challenges have the potential to accelerate innovation in artificial-intelligence (AI)-based tools for global health. A...
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Intracranial substrates of meditation-induced neuromodulation in amygdala and hippocampus
bioRxiv – May 10, 2024
Summary
Meditation, particularly loving-kindness meditation (LKM), has remarkable effects on emotional well-being. By studying epilepsy patients with implanted devices, researchers discovered that LKM enhances specific brain activity in the amygdala and hippocampus, key areas linked to mood regulation. This insight sheds light on how meditation fosters positive emotional changes.
Abstract
Meditation is an accessible mental practice associated with emotional regulation and well-being. Loving-kindness meditation (LKM), a specific sub-t...
Psilocybin facilitates fear extinction: importance of dose, context, and serotonin receptors
bioRxiv – May 04, 2024
Summary
Recent findings reveal that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, significantly enhances the process of overcoming fear in mice. Administered before exposure to fear-inducing stimuli, it improves long-term memory of extinction and reduces fear responses in new environments. Key factors like dosage and serotonin receptors play vital roles, suggesting psilocybin's potential as a supportive treatment for PTSD therapy.
Abstract
A variety of classic psychedelics and MDMA have been shown to enhance fear extinction in rodent models. This has translational significance because...
Effects of Classical Psychedelics on Implicit and Explicit Emotional Empathy and Cognitive Empathy: A Meta-analysis of MET task
bioRxiv – May 02, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin may boost our ability to empathize with others. A recent analysis of multiple studies found that these substances significantly enhance both emotional empathy—our capacity to feel others' emotions—while leaving cognitive empathy intact. This highlights their potential for therapeutic use in enhancing social connections.
Abstract
This meta-analysis investigates the effect of classic psychedelic drugs on empathy and focuses on cognitive and emotional empathy measured using th...
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LSD flattens the hierarchy of directed information flow in fast whole-brain dynamics
bioRxiv – April 25, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD may revolutionize our understanding of brain connectivity. Research shows that LSD reduces the imbalance in how information flows between brain regions, leading to a more equal exchange of signals. This shift enhances our ability to distinguish psychedelic effects from placebo, suggesting profound impacts on consciousness.
Abstract
Psychedelics are serotonergic drugs that profoundly alter consciousness, yet their neural mechanisms are not fully understood. A popular theory, RE...
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Treatment Attrition, Concomitant Pharmaceutical Use, Temporal Claims-Based Utilization, and Real-World Characteristics Among Esketamine New Initiators in the United States, 2019-2022
medRxiv – April 23, 2024
Summary
Did you know that treatment dropout rates can significantly impact mental health care? This study explored the experiences of individuals starting esketamine therapy in the U.S. from 2019 to 2022. It found that while many faced challenges like high costs and additional medications, overall outcomes showed promise, highlighting the need for tailored support in mental health treatment.
Abstract
Aims To investigate real-world treatment attrition, concomitant use of pharmaceuticals with known drug-interactions, total cost of care, claims-bas...
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Infraslow dynamic patterns in human cortical networks track a spectrum of external to internal attention
bioRxiv – April 22, 2024
Summary
Our brain's networks adapt dynamically to varying levels of attention, responding differently as we shift focus from external stimuli to internal thoughts. By analyzing fMRI data across various tasks, researchers discovered distinct patterns in brain connectivity that reflect this attention spectrum. These findings highlight the potential for using network dynamics as personalized biomarkers in understanding cognitive function and disorders.
Abstract
Early efforts to understand the human cerebral cortex focused on localization of function, assigning functional roles to specific brain regions. Mo...
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Evaluation of easy-to-implement anti-stress interventions in a series of N-of-1 trials: Study protocol of the Anti-Stress Intervention Among Physicians Study (ASIP)
medRxiv – April 22, 2024
Summary
Chronic stress can significantly impact physicians, leading to errors and strained patient relationships. This study explores how simple daily breathwork and mindfulness exercises can reduce stress in doctors. By assessing individual responses through tailored trials, it aims to demonstrate these interventions' effectiveness in enhancing well-being.
Abstract
Background Adverse effects of chronically high levels of stress on physical and mental health are well established. In physicians, the effects of e...
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Long-term fasting remodels gut microbial metabolism and host metabolism
bioRxiv – April 19, 2024
Summary
Long-term fasting can significantly reshape our gut bacteria and overall metabolism. In a study of 92 people fasting for nearly 10 days, researchers found notable changes in gut microbes, with many species adapting to utilize different food sources. This led to shifts in blood metabolites linked to better heart health, highlighting fasting's potential benefits for metabolic diseases.
Abstract
Long-term fasting has become a promising research subject for its potential of treating and preventing metabolic diseases. However, little is known...
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Neurochemical and Neurophysiological Effects of Intravenous Administration of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in Rats
bioRxiv – April 19, 2024
Summary
Intriguingly, DMT, a psychedelic compound, may play a significant role in brain chemistry. This study examined its effects on rats, revealing that all doses led to increased serotonin and dopamine levels while altering brainwave patterns. Notably, endogenous DMT was found in the brain, hinting at its potential physiological importance.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a serotonergic psychedelic that is being investigated clinically for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Althou...
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The selective 5-HT2A receptor agonist LPH-5 induces persistent and robust antidepressant-like effects in rodents
bioRxiv – April 19, 2024
Summary
A new compound, LPH-5, shows promise as a targeted antidepressant by selectively activating the 5-HT2A receptor. In rodent models, it produced significant antidepressant-like effects with minimal side effects. This suggests that LPH-5 could represent a new class of therapeutic agents for mental health treatment, building on insights from psychedelics.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has over the last decade emerged as a promising treatment strategy for mental health disease, and the therapeuti...
Neural correlates of pure presence
bioRxiv – April 18, 2024
Summary
Imagine experiencing a state of pure awareness, free from thoughts and distractions. This study explored such moments in advanced meditators, revealing that this profound state, known as pure presence, is marked by decreased gamma brain activity. Notably, this suggests a unique balance where consciousness is alert yet quiet, aligning with integrated information theory.
Abstract
Pure presence (PP) is described in several meditative traditions as an experience of a vast, vivid luminosity devoid of perceptual objects, thought...
Altered visual cortex excitatory/inhibitory ratio following transient congenital visual deprivation in humans
bioRxiv – April 18, 2024
Summary
After years of blindness, individuals who had cataracts showed remarkable changes in their brain's visual processing areas when their sight was restored. This study found that their visual cortex exhibited a unique balance of excitation and inhibition, suggesting the brain adapts to regain visual function effectively. Enhanced visual acuity correlated with this balance, highlighting the brain's remarkable ability to adjust following sensory deprivation.
Abstract
Non-human animal models have indicated that the ratio of excitation to inhibition (E/I) in neural circuits is experience dependent and changes acro...
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Autonomic Modulation with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
medRxiv – April 17, 2024
Summary
Chronic kidney disease often heightens cardiovascular risks due to an overactive sympathetic nervous system. A recent study explored the benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction in managing this issue. Participants showed significant improvements in autonomic function, suggesting mindfulness can effectively support heart health in CKD patients.
Abstract
Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) that leads to increased cardiova...
Gray and White Matter Networks Predict Mindfulness and Mind Wandering Traits: A Data Fusion Machine Learning Approach
bioRxiv – April 15, 2024
Summary
Research reveals that specific brain structures are tied to mindfulness and mind wandering traits. By analyzing MRI scans of 76 individuals, scientists discovered networks in gray and white matter linked to these traits. Notably, mindfulness enhances awareness, reducing spontaneous mind wandering. This insight deepens our understanding of how our minds work.
Abstract
Objectives: The main aim of our study was to find out which gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) brain features are associated with mindfulness a...
A dual-receptor model of serotonergic psychedelics
bioRxiv – April 12, 2024
Summary
Serotonergic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin show great promise in treating mood and anxiety disorders. This study proposes a new model explaining how these substances work, suggesting that they help revise rigid thought patterns by balancing brain signals. The findings point to the potential for developing more effective therapies, including innovative psychedelics.
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics have been identified as promising next-generation therapeutic agents in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. Whil...
Deciphering the phospho-signature induced by hepatitis B virus in primary human hepatocytes
bioRxiv – April 10, 2024
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) significantly alters protein phosphorylation in liver cells, impacting cellular functions. This study reveals how HBV influences kinase activity, which is crucial for viral replication. By analyzing primary human hepatocytes, researchers identified key phosphorylation changes that could inform future treatments against HBV.
Abstract
Phosphorylation is a major post-translation modification (PTM) of proteins which is finely tuned by the activity of several hundred kinases and pho...
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Electrophysiological correlates of lucid dreaming: sensor and source level signatures
bioRxiv – April 09, 2024
Summary
Lucid dreaming offers a unique blend of consciousness and dreaming, primarily during REM sleep. By refining data collection methods, researchers found that during lucid dreams, brain activity showed increased gamma power in areas linked to insight and self-awareness. This suggests a fascinating connection between brain function and conscious dreaming experiences.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a state of conscious awareness of the current dream state, predominantly associated with REM sleep. Research progress in unc...
WENDY: Covariance Dynamics Based Gene Regulatory Network Inference
bioRxiv – April 04, 2024
Summary
Understanding how genes regulate each other is crucial for advancements in biology. A new method effectively analyzes single-cell gene expression data over time, revealing intricate regulatory relationships. By modeling covariance dynamics, this approach outperforms existing techniques, showcasing its potential to enhance genetic research and insights.
Abstract
Determining gene regulatory network (GRN) structure is a central problem in biology, with a variety of inference methods available for different ty...