Amy Sylvester - Ultra-high field MR neuroimaging in genetic high-risk groups for psychotic and cognitive symptoms

Rare genetic syndromes are often associated with an increased likelihood of developing pathology. Understanding the mechanism by which the genetic abnormality might predispose carriers to a pathology, is not only beneficial for those carriers, but can also inform prevention and treatment in the general population. This project uses a variety of ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging methods to investigate glutamate, GABA, dopamine, and norepinephrine neurotransmitter systems in 22q11.2 copy number variant syndrome, a group who are predisposed to a variety of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.

 

Tatyana Branco - Mechanisms of action of Deep Brain Stimulation in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects 1% to 3% of the population, often causing significant disability. While cognitive behavior therapy and medications are standard treatments, up to 20% of patients may not respond and may consider deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, studies show modest symptom improvement with DBS, prompting investigation into its underlying mechanisms. We propose that the effectiveness of DBS in OCD may be linked to distinct functional connectivity patterns of brain regions such as the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and ventral striatum (VS), which are associated with cognitive and affective processing, respectively. Our study aims to compare these connectivity profiles during cognitive and affective tasks between OCD patients and healthy controls, seeking correlations with OCD symptoms and behaviors.

 

Sophocles Goulis - Memory Bias In Decision-making (MEMOBID): Multi-modal assessment of hippocampal function during economic decision-making

The hippocampus, a brain area traditionally associated with episodic memory and spatial cognition, has been recently implicated in decision-making. We sought to further explore hippocampal activity during economic decision-making and particularly in the presence of a framing effect, that is, when decisions between identical options are biased by the way they are described. The overall aim has been to assess hippocampal activity multi-modally, with the use of intracranial EEG recordings in epileptic patients (collected) as well as with ultra-high field (7T) fMRI in healthy adults (in progress). Furthermore, we also explored factors that influence the presence of a framing effect. Current behavioral and electrophysiological findings will be discussed, together with ongoing analyses and future directions

 

Aeden O’Shea - Novel behavioral and molecular biosignatures for future patient stratification in psychedelic medicine

Classical Psychedelics, such as LSD and Psilocybin, have shown efficacy in treating various psychiatric disorders during clinical studies, most notably depressive illnesses. Though the underlying therapeutic mechanism, and who may benefit most from these drugs (patient stratification), is debated. To better understand and leverage the therapeutic effects, we need a novel approach to human proof-of-concept studies. This project employs a trans-diagnostic approach centered on symptoms and their underlying neurobiology by assessing ‘Cognitive Flexibility’ before and after psychedelic drug exposure. In parallel to behavioural tests, Brain-derived exosomes will be isolated from blood samples, and the miRNA cargo which they contain will undergo transcriptomics profiling using Next-Generation Sequencing."