Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) represent an effective treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). This study employed glutamate chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare glutamate-sensitive signals in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of MDD patients before and after SSRI treatment.

The study included 35 unmedicated MDD patients and 39 healthy controls (HCs) who underwent baseline GluCEST imaging, using magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) values to reflect regional glutamate levels. Twenty MDD patients completed follow-up GluCEST imaging after 8 weeks of SSRI treatment. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Depression Scale (HAMD).

At baseline, the MTRasym values in the left hippocampus and bilateral prefrontal cortex were significantly lower in MDD patients compared to the HCs. Following SSRI treatment, the 20 MDD patients who completed follow-up showed significantly increased MTRasym values in the bilateral hippocampus and bilateral prefrontal cortex relative to baseline. Uncorrected correlation analyses showed that treatment-related differences in MTRasym values in the left hippocampus and left prefrontal cortex were associated with changes in HAMD-17 total score, sleep disturbance, and retardation scores.

GluCEST imaging suggested abnormal glutamate-sensitive signals in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of patients with MDD. SSRI treatment was associated with increased GluCEST signals across all regions of interest. The observed associations between regional GluCEST signal changes and symptom changes further suggest a potential role of glutamatergic-related modulation in the therapeutic effects of SSRIs.

This study aimed to determine the effects of being overweight and obese on central and peripheral olfactory pathways using magnetic resonance imaging.

The cranial magnetic resonance images of 40 overweight (Group 2) and 40 obese patients (Group 3), and 40 healthy adults with a normal body mass index (Group 1, control) were included in the study. In both groups, olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sulcus depth, and insular gyrus and corpus amygdala areas were measured.

In overweight and obese patients, olfactory bulb volumes decreased (padjusted < 0.0175). Insular gyrus and corpus amygdala areas also decreased in obese patients (padjusted < 0.0175). As body mass indices increased, olfactory bulb volumes, olfactory sulcus depths, insular gyrus areas and corpus amygdala areas decreased bilaterally.

Higher body mass index values were related to a decrease in the measurements of peripheral and central olfactory regions. We also recommend taking into account the effects of obesity on the olfactory system in weight control and the fight against obesity.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a growing health problem whose neurobiology remains incompletely understood. Neuroimaging is useful in probing PTSD-related brain dysfunction, and techniques continue to evolve. Structural–functional coupling (SFC) offers a novel integrated perspective on PTSD neurobiology. We sought to define unique SFC alterations in PTSD and explore their associations with clinical symptoms, brain molecular architecture, and gene expression.

We studied 61 PTSD patients and 62 trauma-exposed non-PTSD controls (TENC) recruited from earthquake survivors. We compared SFC constructed from multimodal MRI data by an eigendecomposition method between the two groups. We explored the spatial correlation of SFC with molecular maps, used partial least squares (PLS) regression to associate them with Allen Human Brain Atlas gene data, and conducted enrichment analysis on the identified genes.

PTSD patients showed significant regional SFC alterations in multiple regions: lower SFC in PTSD versus TENC in the default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN), dorsal attention network, sensorimotor network, visual network, and thalamus, and higher SFC in PTSD versus TENC in the DMN, FPN, and ventral attention network. Some changes were correlated with clinical symptom severity. In both groups, the spatial distribution of SFC was similarly correlated with molecular architectures. The second component of the PLS regression genes were linked to PTSD-specific SFC variations, enriched mainly in molecular functions and pathways related to synapses and neurotransmitter signaling.

This study yields new insights into PTSD pathophysiology by connecting macroscale SFC changes with their microscale molecular and transcriptional basis.

Post-radiotherapy tissue changes in laryngeal cancer can hinder accurate imaging assessment of recurrence and tumour extent. We compared pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging staging performance in recurrent laryngeal cancer versus primary laryngeal cancer.

Retrospective single-centre study of 51 total laryngectomy patients (2012–2021). Magnetic resonance imaging assessments of invasion/extension were compared with histopathology (reference standard) to compute accuracy, sensitivity and specificity.

Magnetic resonance imaging accuracy differed between groups. In the recurrent laryngeal cancer group, accuracy was highest for lymph node metastasis (88.5 per cent) and extra-laryngeal spread (76.9 per cent), whereas it was lowest for cartilage invasion (53.9 per cent) and paraglottic involvement (57.8 per cent). In the primary laryngeal cancer group, magnetic resonance imaging performed best for subglottic and supraglottic extension (76.0 per cent each) and cartilage invasion (72.0 per cent), but showed limited accuracy for extra-laryngeal spread (36.0 per cent) and lymph node metastasis (60.0 per cent).

Magnetic resonance imaging tended to overestimate tumour extent in both groups. It was sensitive overall, but less specific in certain subsites, particularly the paraglottic region. Negative nodal findings may be reassuring, although conclusions regarding nodal status remain limited.

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of nasal endoscopy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched from 1990 to August 2025. Studies reporting 2 × 2 diagnostic data for diagnostic nasal endoscopy, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were pooled using random-effects models to estimate sensitivity, specificity and summary receiver-operating characteristic measures.

Nine diagnostic datasets were included. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy showed high sensitivity (0.87) but moderate specificity (0.63) versus computed tomography. Computed tomography demonstrated good sensitivity (0.90) but limited specificity (0.50) versus histopathology. Magnetic resonance imaging provided moderate sensitivity (0.71) and high specificity (0.88) versus computed tomography. Substantial heterogeneity existed across modalities and reference standards.

Diagnostic nasal endoscopy is highly sensitive but moderately specific. Computed tomography is sensitive but limited by false positives. Magnetic resonance imaging appears more specific, although evidence remains scarce. Further paired imaging–histopathology studies are required.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is related to structural alterations in adult limbic regions. However, the change in limbic structures remains unclear in adolescents from the general population since most reports stem from clinical samples. Additionally, large longitudinal neuroimaging studies in community adolescents reporting CM are scarce. Hence, we aimed to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between CM and the structure and function of the extended limbic and reward systems throughout adolescence.

We analysed data of 634 community adolescents from the IMAGEN cohort at age 14, followed up at age 18. CM was inferred from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire completed at age 18, yielding subgroups with CM (N = 105) or without CM (N = 529). Using 3-Tesla T1 MRI, we performed between-group voxel-wise analyses at ages 14 and 18 to investigate grey matter volumes (GMV). In addition, GMV were investigated longitudinally between ages 14 and 18. Finally, using functional MRI and the Monetary Incentive Delay task, we measured reward anticipation and feedback sensitivity between groups at ages 14 and 18.

Both at ages 14 and 18, adolescents reporting CM had lower GMV in the right insula, left orbitofrontal cortex, putamen, superior medial frontal gyrus, paracentral lobule, and other paralimbic regions, but no significant differences in reward response. Longitudinal analyses revealed no GMV difference between age groups.

CM was associated with GMV alterations persisting from early to late adolescence in the limbic regions in community individuals. Therefore, these findings further support the need for research on targeted preventive interventions for adolescents who have experienced CM.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterised by instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect. Dysregulated negative emotional processing involving prefrontal and limbic circuits is considered a neural basis of BPD. However, it remains unclear how prefrontal modulation of social decision-making in BPD differs from non-psychiatric controls.

To investigate social decision-making in response to unfairness, we conducted an functional magnetic resonance imaging study involving adults with a diagnosis of BPD (n = 77) and healthy controls (HCs; n = 60). Using an inequality aversion model, we derived parameters of social norm adaptation and inequality sensitivity from behavioural data during a modified ultimatum game designed to measure responses to offer norm shifts. Valence and salience signal-processing models isolated prefrontal activations related specifically to social norm prediction error.

Cumulative rejection rates indicated that individuals diagnosed with BPD exhibited consistent differences in overall offer rejection rates but similar adaptation to HC when responding to norm shifts. Preservation of normative social decision-making in BPD (no significant difference vs. HC) was evident in regression analyses of rejection rates and in reinforcement learning models, with no group differences observed in Rescorla–Wagner parameters. Furthermore, we detected no significant neural activation differences between groups, although ventral regions of the medial prefrontal cortex were preferentially involved in valence-related rather than salience-related polynomial modulation.

Contrary to our hypotheses, neither behavioural nor neural responses to economic norm violations differed significantly between BPD and HC groups across one-shot games involving unknown partners. Future research could explore whether more personally relevant or higher-stress social contexts elicit differences not observed here.

This study aimed to report a 10-year single-centre experience of cochlear implantation in children with CHARGE syndrome (manifests as coloboma, heart defects, atresia of the choanae, growth retardation and genital and ear anomalies) and evaluate surgical strategies and outcomes.

Children with CHARGE syndrome who underwent cochlear implantation between 2014 and 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics and post-operative auditory outcomes were analysed.

Six patients (nine ears) were included. Most had airway anomalies, one-third required post-operative intensive care. Temporal bone malformations were present in 78 per cent of ears. Standard posterior tympanotomy was feasible in one-third; the remainder required transcanal or combined approaches. Full-electrode insertion was achieved in all ears. Median follow-up was 3.4 years; aided thresholds ranged 25 to 50 dB hearing level. Three patients developed reliable open-set speech perception, two achieved closed-set recognition and one demonstrated environmental sound awareness.

Cochlear implantation provides meaningful auditory benefit in selected children with CHARGE syndrome. Pre-operative cochlear nerve imaging, flexible surgical planning and coordinated peri-operative airway management are essential.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a newly implemented protocol for the management of permanent childhood hearing impairment in a UK district general hospital.

A retrospective closed-loop audit was conducted over two 24-month cycles. Children diagnosed with permanent childhood hearing impairment, through the national hearing screening program, were included.

Implementation of the new protocol led to significant improvements between the two cycles. The mean time from diagnosis to first ENT review reduced from 439.4 to 188.1 days. The interval from diagnosis to magnetic resonance imaging acquisition improved from 617.8 to 58.5 days (p < 0.05), whilst the mean age at magnetic resonance imaging reduced from 758.3 to 102.6 days (p < 0.05). Magnetic resonance imaging utilisation increased from 60 per cent to 100 per cent, and genetic referrals rose from 28.6 per cent to 100 per cent.

These findings highlight the effectiveness of a streamlined protocol in improving multidisciplinary care for children with permanent childhood hearing impairment, offering a model for broader adoption in similar healthcare settings

This study investigates structural abnormalities in hippocampal subfield volumes and shapes, and their association with plasma CC chemokines in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD).

A total of 61 patients with MDD and 65 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. All participants underwent high-resolution T1-weighted imaging and provided blood samples for the detection of CC chemokines (CCL2, CCL7, and CCL11). Comparisons of hippocampal subregion volumes, surface shapes, and plasma CC chemokine concentrations were conducted between the MDD and HC groups. Furthermore, partial correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between structural abnormalities (hippocampal subfield volume and shape) and plasma CC chemokine levels.

The MDD group exhibited a significant reduction in the volume of the left hippocampal tail compared to the HC group (F = 9.750, Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.026). No significant outward or inward deformation of the hippocampus was detected in MDD patients relative to the HC group (all FWE-corrected p > 0.05). Additionally, plasma CCL11 levels were elevated in the MDD group compared to the HC group (F = 9.982, p = 0.002), with these levels showing a positive correlation with the duration of the illness (r = 0.279, p = 0.029). Partial correlation analysis further revealed a negative correlation between the smaller left hippocampal tail volume and plasma CCL11 levels in MDD patients (r = −0.416, p = 0.001).

Abnormally elevated plasma CCL11 in MDD patients may mediate damage to specific hippocampal substructures.

Identifying key areas of brain dysfunction in mental illness is critical for developing precision diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to develop region-specific brain aging trajectory prediction models using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify similarities and differences in abnormal aging between bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) and pinpoint key brain regions of structural and functional change specific to each disorder.

Neuroimaging data from 340 healthy controls, 110 BD participants, and 68 MDD participants were included from the Taiwan Aging and Mental Illness cohort. We constructed 228 models using T1-weighted MRI, resting-state functional MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging data. Gaussian process regression was used to train models for estimating brain aging trajectories using structural and functional maps across various brain regions.

Our models demonstrated robust performance, revealing accelerated aging in 66 gray matter regions in BD and 67 in MDD, with 13 regions common to both disorders. The BD group showed accelerated aging in 17 regions on functional maps, whereas no such regions were found in MDD. Fractional anisotropy analysis identified 43 aging white matter tracts in BD and 39 in MDD, with 16 tracts common to both disorders. Importantly, there were also unique brain regions with accelerated aging specific to each disorder.

These findings highlight the potential of brain aging trajectories as biomarkers for BD and MDD, offering insights into distinct and overlapping neuroanatomical changes. Incorporating region-specific changes in brain structure and function over time could enhance the understanding and treatment of mental illness.

Brain age gap estimation (BrainAGE) has demonstrated accelerated brain aging in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and functional aging in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Nevertheless, the neuroanatomical aging characteristics of AD remain insufficiently understood. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroanatomical aging conditions of AD using the BrainAGE model.

Clinical profiles and T1 structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 219 healthy controls (HCs) and 51 AD patients were collected. We extracted gray matter and white matter volumes from the structural MRI and used the BrainAGE model to evaluate aging characteristics in AD patients. Specifically, we configured a stacking model with two levels to predict brain age. The model was trained on the 219 HCs and tested on the AD patients to investigate whether AD could lead to different neuroanatomical aging conditions. In addition, we explored differences in voxel-wise gray matter, white matter patterns, and clinical profiles between AD patients with different neuroanatomical aging conditions.

The proposed machine learning algorithm could accurately estimate brain age in HCs. Application of the BrainAGE model to the AD group revealed three subgroups with advanced, typical, and delayed brain aging conditions. The three AD subgroups also differed in voxel-wise gray matter and white matter volumes. Furthermore, the three subgroups differed in age and genetic scores.

The BrainAGE model identified subtle deviations from age-related brain atrophy in the AD cohort with distinctive clinical manifestations, which contribute to the understanding of neuropathology of AD.

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and protracted abstinence (PA) effectively reduce the craving for heroin among individuals with heroin use disorder (HUD). However, the difference in their effects on brain function, especially the coupling among the large-scale brain networks (default mode [DMN], salience [SN], and executive control [ECN] networks), remains unclear. This study analyzed the effects of the MMT and PA on these networks and the predictive value of the bilateral resource allocation index (RAI) for craving for heroin.

Twenty-five individuals undergoing the MMT, 22 undergoing the PA, and 51 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Independent component analysis identified the ECN, DMN, and SN. The SN-ECN and SN-DMN connectivity and the bilateral RAI were evaluated. The relationships between network coupling and clinical and psychological characteristics were analyzed. The multiple linear regression model identified significant variables for predicting craving scores.

The MMT group showed significantly stronger SN-left ECN (lECN) coupling and left RAI than the PA group. In the MMT group, SN-lECN connectivity and bilateral RAI were positively correlated with the total methadone dose. In both treatment groups, SN-right ECN (rECN) connectivity and right RAI were negatively correlated with craving. The models revealed that the bilateral RAI and the MMT and PA were associated with the craving.

The MMT enhances SN-lECN coupling and the left RAI more than the PA, possibly due to higher control modulation. The RAI could help predict heroin craving in individuals with HUD undergoing either treatment program.