Effects of an Allostatic Closed‐Loop Neurotechnology (HIRREM) on Brain Functional Connectivity Laterality in Military‐Related Traumatic Stress. Issue 2 (6th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dagenbach, Dale E.; Tegeler, Charles H.; Morgan, Ashley R.; Laurienti, Paul J.; Tegeler, Catherine L.; Lee, Sung W.; Gerdes, Lee; Simpson, Sean L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuroimaging. Volume 31:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 296
• Publication Date: 2021-01-06
• Subjects: Functional MRI -- HIRREM -- laterality -- network connectivity -- posttraumatic stress; Diagnostic imaging -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Imagerie pour le diagnostic -- Périodiques; Système nerveux -- Maladies -- Diagnostic -- Périodiques; Imagerie médicale; Neuroimagerie; Neurologie; Système nerveux; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.804754
• DOI: 10.1111/jon.12825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1051-2284

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Brain asymmetries are reported in posttraumatic stress disorder, but many aspects of laterality and traumatic stress remain underexplored. This study explores lateralization changes in resting state brain network functional connectivity in a cohort with symptoms of military‐related traumatic stress, associated with use of a closed‐loop neurotechnology, HIRREM. METHODS: Eighteen participants (17 males, mean age 41 years [SD = 7]) received 19.5 (1.1) HIRREM sessions over 12 days. Whole brain resting magnetic resonance imaging was done pre‐ and post‐HIRREM. Laterality of functional connectivity was assessed on a whole brain basis, and in six predefined networks or regions. Laterality of connectivity within networks or regions was assessed separately from laterality of connections between networks or regions. RESULTS: Before HIRREM, significant laterality effects of connection type (ipsilateral for either side, or contralateral in either direction) were observed for the whole brain, within networks or regions, and between networks or regions. Post‐HIRREM, there were significant changes for within‐network or within‐region analysis in the motor network, and changes for between‐network or between‐region analyses for the salience network and the motor cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Among military service members and Veterans with symptoms of traumatic stress, asymmetries of network and brain region connectivity patterns were identified prior to usage of HIRREM. A variety of changes in lateralized patterns of brain connectivity were identified postintervention. These laterality findings may inform future studies of brain connectivity in traumatic stress disorders, with potential to point to mechanisms of action for successful intervention.