Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has become a widespread problem that is highly prevalent in adolescent population. Previous studies suggest that PSU is associated with impairment in reward processing system. Thus, increased sensitivity to rewards could make individuals more vulnerable to abusive behaviors, such as PSU. However, little is known about its underlying neural mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of reward and punishment processing in adolescents with PSU by evaluating the hemodynamic responses to monetary gains and losses using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Seventy adolescents (aged 13-18 years) participated in the present study. They were categorized into two groups based on their level of PSU: 36 problematic smartphone users and 34 nonproblematic smartphone users, who were matched for age and sex. Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex were measured using a 22-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy system during the performance of the Iowa Gambling Task. Additionally, participants completed a Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire. Our results showed that problematic smartphone users exhibited heightened sensitivity to reward than nonproblematic smartphone users, but no significant differences in oxygenated hemoglobin level changes between both groups were found. These results suggest that increased sensitivity to reward could make smartphone users more vulnerable to abusive behaviors related to these devices. However, PSU does not follow the same brain patterns as other addictions in processing monetary rewards. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result from impact to or rapid displacement of the brain and can lead to various neurological deficits involving working memory, decision making, and anxiety. While large-scale effects of brain damage are well-described for more severe TBIs, less is known about the extent and duration of cognitive deficits at the mild level. Interval timing can provide a helpful window into cognition in mice and humans. Interval-timing behavior is impaired in a wide range of neuropsychiatric disease states, but less is known about whether it is impaired by mild TBI (mTBI). Furthermore, novel object recognition and the Barnes maze tests are valuable assays for evaluating spatial learning, working memory, and anxietylike behavior in mice. Here, we employed a weight-drop model of mTBI to investigate cognitive and behavioral changes resulting from mTBI treatment. mTBI mice were not consistently impaired in either interval timing or novel object recognition, but they demonstrated impaired spatial memory in the Barnes maze. Interestingly, between-sex comparisons revealed impairments in male mTBI mice in the interval-timing task, suggesting that male and female mice may be differently affected by mTBIs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Many of the brain's functional regions display lateralization, meaning they are more specialized to one hemisphere than the other. The visual word form area (VWFA) is one such region; its specialization for written scripts, which develops only after literacy, is consistently dominant on the left in adults. The experience-dependent nature of the VWFA makes it a prime opportunity to investigate the development of functional laterality in the human brain. Therefore, we ask, "What neural correlates relate to the development of word laterality in children?" We tested two potential sources of this word laterality: (a) structural connectivity (s-connectivity) of the VWFA with the high-level language network in frontal and temporal cortices and (b) activation in these language regions. To do so, we scanned reading children (4-13 years) on a visual functional magnetic resonance imaging localizer to define the VWFA and its word selectivity and a separate auditory functional magnetic resonance imaging localizer to define language regions and their linguistic selectivity, and we collected diffusion-weighted imaging to examine white matter connectivity. Probabilistic tractography was used to quantify white matter connections between our subject-specific functional regions. VWFA word laterality was predicted by the positive interaction between laterality of s-connectivity to temporal language regions and laterality of temporal language regions' selectivity, suggesting that the VWFA tends to be more left-lateralized when both temporal language areas are left-lateralized and the VWFA has strong s-connectivity to that left-lateralized language network. More generally, our findings suggest that both s-connectivity to related regions and activation patterns in those connected regions may play a role in the development of functional laterality, and shed light on the development of the neural circuitry that underlies reading. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Excessive aggression induced by social isolation (SI) has been closely linked to dysfunction in prefrontal circuits, particularly the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Topiramate, an antiepileptic drug known to enhance GABAergic and inhibit glutamatergic transmission, has demonstrated antiaggressive effects. In our previous work, we showed that topiramate's antiaggressive effects were associated with reduced neuronal death, improved neuronal morphology, and attenuated neuroinflammation in the ACC following SI. However, its impact on ACC neuronal activity remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of topiramate on the spontaneous activity of ACC neurons in a mouse model of SI-induced aggression. Additionally, we explored whether direct restoration of ACC activity via high-frequency stimulation could similarly reduce excessive aggression. Systemic administration of topiramate (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) significantly increased attack latency, reduced attack frequency, and enhanced sociability. In vivo extracellular recording of spontaneous activity revealed a 50% reduction in ACC firing in isolated mice, which was partially restored (∼30%) by topiramate treatment. Moreover, high-frequency stimulation applied to the ACC markedly decreased aggressive behavior and robustly promoted social interaction. Together, these results provide convergent behavioral and electrophysiological evidence that SI-induced aggression is associated with ACC hypoactivity. The finding that both topiramate treatment and high-frequency stimulation of the ACC effectively reversed these deficits highlights the ACC as a key target for therapeutic interventions to treat aggression-related neuropsychiatric conditions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Gait speed has been associated with executive function in aging. To date, few studies have examined multiple mobility measures in parallel across the adult lifespan. Understanding how distinct aspects of mobility are associated with executive function may clarify modifiable behavioral targets to promote healthy aging. Community-dwelling adults (N = 223, Mage [SD] = 52.7 years [17.5], range = 18-85 years; 135 females) from the Fitness, Aging, Stress, and Traumatic Brain Injury Exposure Repository completed mobility and cognitive testing. Spatiotemporal gait and static balance were assessed using LEGSys and BalanSens accelerometer sensors. A composite measure of executive function was derived from subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (Digit Span backward, sequencing) and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (Trail Making Test-number-letter switching, color-word interference-inhibition, inhibition switching). Relative importance analyses explored contributions of mobility measures to executive function in relatively older adults (55+ years) and relatively younger adults (18-54 years). Hierarchical linear regressions examined mobility-executive function associations in each age group. Static balance contributed to executive function in both groups, whereas gait cycle measures explained variance in executive function among older adults. Among older adults, stride velocity (β = 0.13, p = .028) and cadence (β = 0.12, p = .048) explained an additional 3.4% and 2.8% of variance in executive function beyond age and education. No associations were observed among younger adults. Mobility and cognition relationships may differ across adulthood. In older adulthood, cadence emerged as a distinct mobility marker of executive function beyond gait speed, underscoring distinct features of gait as potential modifiable lifestyle variables important for healthy aging. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
