publications

1. Computational Analysis of Multiscale Cortical Organization and Development Saberi A Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf 2026 [abstract] [pdf] Thesis

   The cerebral cortex is organized at multiple scales, ranging from ion channels, to neuronal circuits organized across cortical layers, to the interconnected network of cortical areas. The structural and functional properties at these scales vary widely across cortical areas. This heterogeneous organization across different scales is the result of continuous refinement throughout the lifespan. Understanding the multiscale organization of the cerebral cortex and its maturation requires integrative computational approaches that bridge across scales. The goal of this work was to use advanced computational techniques to better understand how micro- and mesoscale cortical phenomena relate to macroscale cortical organization throughout development. Specifically, we examined cortical cytoarchitecture associated with corticocortical connectivity (Study 1), cortical microcircuitry inferred from functional dynamics and connectivity (Study 2), and cellular and molecular processes underlying cortical morphology (Study 3). In Study 1, we found that cortical laminar structure at the mesoscale varied along a principal axis extending from caudal to rostral areas, along which the relative thickness of deeper layers increased. This axis was co-aligned with the hierarchical organization of macroscale cortical connectivity. Furthermore, similarity of laminar structure was associated with the likelihood and strength of corticocortical connectivity, a phenomenon thought to have developmental roots. Next, in Study 2, we used an individualized computational modeling approach to infer the regional levels of excitation-inhibition balance in cortical microcircuits of developing adolescents based on their macroscale cortical connectivity and dynamics observed in resting-state functional imaging. To enable the large-scale simulations required for this approach, we developed a novel and efficient implementation of the simulations, released as a Python package, cuBNM. Using this approach, across two independent cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets, we found a widespread age-related decrease of excitation relative to inhibition within the association areas, paralleled by its increase or lack of change in sensorimotor areas. This developmental pattern was consistent with the previously proposed sensorimotor-association spatiotemporal pattern of neurodevelopment. Finally, in study 3, we examined the spatial co-localization between cortical maps of micro- and mesoscale neurobiological processes with cross-sectional and longitudinal spatiotemporal patterns of cortical thickness changes across the lifespan to understand which cellular and molecular processes may underlie maturation and lifespan changes in cortical morphology at the macroscale. Our results suggest that processes such as dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems, as well as glial cells, inhibitory neurons, and brain metabolism, may contribute to the maturation of cortical morphology. Overall, this work advances our understanding of multiscale cortical organization and its maturation while contributing to the development of computational tools for future research. By integrating micro-, meso-, and macroscale perspectives, our findings on normative cortical organization and maturation provide a foundation for investigating impaired cortical development in mental health disorders.

2. cuBNM: GPU-Accelerated Brain Network Modeling Saberi A^*, Wan B, Wischnewski K, Jung K, Sasse L, Hoffstaedter F, Bernhardt B, Eickhoff S, Popovych O, and Valk S^* bioRxiv 2025 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

   Brain network modeling uses computer simulations to infer about latent neural properties at micro- and mesoscales by fitting brain dynamic models to empirical data of individual subjects or groups. However, computational costs of (individualized) model fitting is a major bottleneck, limiting the practical feasibility of this approach to larger cohorts and more complex models, and highlighting the need for scalable simulation implementations. Here, we introduce cuBNM, a Python package which leverages parallel processing of graphics processing units to massively accelerate simulations of brain network models. We show running simulations on graphics processing units is several hundred times faster compared to central processing units. We demonstrate the usage of cuBNM by running optimization of group-level and individualized low- and high-dimensional models. As examples of the utility of individualized models, we investigated test-retest reliability and heritability of simulated and empirical measures in the Human Connectome Project dataset, and found simulated features to be fairly reliable and heritable. Overall, cuBNM provides an efficient framework for large-scale simulations of brain network models, facilitating investigations of latent neural processes across larger cohorts, denser networks, and higher-dimensional models, which were previously less feasible in practice.

3. A bias-accounting meta-analytic approach refines and expands the cerebellar behavioral topography Magielse N^*, Manoli A, Eickhoff S, Fox P, Saberi A^†, and Valk S^*† Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2025 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

   The cerebellum plays important roles in motor, cognitive, and emotional behaviors. Previous cerebellar coordinate-based meta-analyses (CBMAs) have complemented precision-mapping and parcellation approaches by finding generalizable cerebellar activations across the largest possible set of behaviors. However, cerebellar CBMAs face challenges due to inherent methodological limitations, exacerbated by historical cerebellar neglect in neuroimaging studies. Here, we show overrepresentation of superior activations, rendering the null hypothesis of standard activation likelihood estimation (ALE) unsuitable. Our new method, cerebellum-specific ALE (C-SALE), finds behavioral convergence beyond baseline activation rates. It does this by testing experimental activations versus null models sampled from a data-driven probability distribution of finding activations at any cerebellar location. Task-specific mappings in the BrainMap meta-analytic database illustrated improved specificity of the new method. Multiple (sub)domains reached convergence in specific cerebellar subregions, supporting dual motor representations and placing cognition in posterior-lateral regions. We show our method and findings are replicable using the NeuroSynth database. Across both databases, 54/138 task domains or behavioral terms, including sustained attention, somesthesis, inference, anticipation and rhythm, reached convergence in specific cerebellar subgregions. Our meta-analyic maps largely corresponded with cerebellar atlases but also showed many complementary mappings. Repeated subsampling analysis showed that motor behaviors, and to a lesser extent language and working memory, mapped to especially consistent cerebellar subregions. Lastly, we found that cerebellar clusters were parts of brain-wide coactivation networks with cortical and subcortical regions implied in these behaviors. Together, our method further complements and expands understanding of cerebellar involvement in human behavior, highlighting regions for future investigation in both basic and clinical applications.

4. Adolescent maturation of cortical excitation-inhibition ratio based on individualized biophysical network modeling Saberi A, Wischnewski K, Jung K, Lotter L, Schaare H, Banaschewski T, Barker G, Bokde A, Desrivières S, Flor H, Grigis A, Garavan H, Gowland P, Heinz A, Brühl R, Martinot J, Martinot M, Artiges E, Nees F, Papadopoulos Orfanos D, Lemaitre H, Poustka L, Hohmann S, Holz N, Baeuchl C, Smolka M, Vaidya N, Walter H, Whelan R, Schumann G, IMAGEN CONSORTIUM , Paus T, Dukart J, Bernhardt B, Popovych O, Eickhoff S, and Valk S^* Science Advances 2025 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

   The excitation-inhibition ratio is a key functional property of cortical microcircuits which changes throughout an individual’s lifespan. Adolescence is considered a critical period for maturation of excitation-inhibition ratio. This has primarily been observed in animal studies. However, there is limited human in vivo evidence for maturation of excitation-inhibition ratio at the individual level. Here, we developed an individualized in vivo marker of regional excitation-inhibition ratio in human adolescents, estimated using large-scale simulations of biophysical network models fitted to resting-state functional imaging data from both cross-sectional (n = 752) and longitudinal (n = 149) cohorts. In both datasets, we found a widespread decrease in excitation-inhibition ratio in association areas, paralleled by an increase or lack of change in sensorimotor areas. This developmental pattern was aligned with multiscale markers of sensorimotor-association differentiation. Although our main findings were robust across alternative modeling configurations, we observed local variations, highlighting the importance of methodological choices for future studies.

5. A multimodal characterization of low-dimensional thalamocortical structural connectivity patterns John A^*, Hettwer M, Schaare H, Saberi A, Bayrak Ş, Wan B, Royer J, Bernhardt B, and Valk S^* Communications Biology 2025 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

   The human thalamus is a heterogeneous subcortical structure coordinating whole-brain activity. Investigations of its internal organization reveal differentiable subnuclei, however, a consensus on subnuclei boundaries remains absent. Recent work suggests that thalamic organization additionally reflects continuous axes transcending nuclear boundaries. Here, we study how low-dimensional axes of thalamocortical structural connectivity relate to intrathalamic microstructural features, functional connectivity, and structural covariance. Using diffusion MRI, we compute a thalamocortical structural connectome and derive two main axes of thalamic organization. The principal axis, extending from medial to lateral, relates to intrathalamic myelin, and functional connectivity organization. The secondary axis corresponds to the core-matrix cell distribution. Lastly, exploring multimodal associations globally, we observe the principal axis consistently differentiating limbic, frontoparietal, and default mode network nodes from dorsal and ventral attention networks across modalities. However, the link with sensory modalities varies. In sum, we show the coherence between lower dimensional patterns of thalamocortical structural connectivity and various modalities, shedding light on multiscale thalamic organization.

6. Microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex Wan B^*, Saberi A, Paquola C, Schaare H, Hettwer M, Royer J, John A, Dorfschmidt L, Bayrak Ş, Bethlehem R, Eickhoff S, Bernhardt B, and Valk S^* Nature Communications 2024 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

   The human cerebral cortex shows hemispheric asymmetry, yet the microstructural basis of this asymmetry remains incompletely understood. Here, we probe layer-specific microstructural asymmetry using one post-mortem male brain. Overall, anterior and posterior regions show leftward and rightward asymmetry respectively, but this pattern varies across cortical layers. A similar anterior-posterior pattern is observed using in vivo Human Connectome Project (N = 1101) T1w/T2w microstructural data, with average cortical asymmetry showing the strongest similarity with post-mortem-based asymmetry of layer III. Moreover, microstructural asymmetry is found to be heritable, varies as a function of age and sex, and corresponds to intrinsic functional asymmetry. We also observe a differential association of language and markers of mental health with microstructural asymmetry patterns at the individual level, illustrating a functional divergence between inferior-superior and anterior-posterior microstructural axes, possibly anchored in development. Last, we could show concordant evidence with alternative in vivo microstructural measures: magnetization transfer (N = 286) and quantitative T1 (N = 50). Together, our study highlights microstructural asymmetry in the human cortex and its functional and behavioral relevance.

7. Convergent functional effects of antidepressants in major depressive disorder: a neuroimaging meta-analysis Saberi A, Ebneabbasi A, Rahimi S, Sarebannejad S, Sen Z, Graf H, Walter M, Sorg C, Camilleri J, Laird A, Fox P, Valk S, Eickhoff S, and Tahmasian M^* Molecular Psychiatry 2024 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

   Neuroimaging studies have provided valuable insights into the macroscale impacts of antidepressants on brain functions in patients with major depressive disorder. However, the findings of individual studies are inconsistent. Here, we aimed to provide a quantitative synthesis of the literature to identify convergence of the reported findings at both regional and network levels and to examine their associations with neurotransmitter systems.

8. Regional patterns of human cortex development correlate with underlying neurobiology Lotter L, Saberi A, Hansen J, Misic B, Paquola C, Barker G, Bokde A, Desrivières S, Flor H, Grigis A, Garavan H, Gowland P, Heinz A, Brühl R, Martinot J, Paillère M, Artiges E, Papadopoulos Orfanos D, Paus T, Poustka L, Hohmann S, Fröhner J, Smolka M, Vaidya N, Walter H, Whelan R, Schumann G, Nees F, Banaschewski T, Eickhoff S, and Dukart J^* Nature Communications 2024 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

   Human brain morphology undergoes complex changes over the lifespan. Despite recent progress in tracking brain development via normative models, current knowledge of underlying biological mechanisms is highly limited. We demonstrate that human cortical thickness development and aging trajectories unfold along patterns of molecular and cellular brain organization, traceable from population-level to individual developmental trajectories. During childhood and adolescence, cortex-wide spatial distributions of dopaminergic receptors, inhibitory neurons, glial cell populations, and brain-metabolic features explain up to 50% of the variance associated with a lifespan model of regional cortical thickness trajectories. In contrast, modeled cortical thickness change patterns during adulthood are best explained by cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmitter receptor and transporter distributions. These relationships are supported by developmental gene expression trajectories and translate to individual longitudinal data from over 8000 adolescents, explaining up to 59% of developmental change at cohort- and 18% at single-subject level. Integrating neurobiological brain atlases with normative modeling and population neuroimaging provides a biologically meaningful path to understand brain development and aging in living humans.

9. Relating sex-bias in human cortical and hippocampal microstructure to sex hormones Küchenhoff S, Bayrak Ş, Zsido R, Saberi A, Bernhardt B, Weis S, Schaare H, Sacher J, Eickhoff S, and Valk S^* Nature Communications 2024 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

   Determining sex-bias in brain structure is of great societal interest to improve diagnostics and treatment of brain-related disorders. So far, studies on sex-bias in brain structure predominantly focus on macro-scale measures, and often ignore factors determining this bias. Here we study sex-bias in cortical and hippocampal microstructure in relation to sex hormones. Investigating quantitative intracortical profiling in-vivo using the T1w/T2w ratio in 1093 healthy females and males of the cross-sectional Human Connectome Project young adult sample, we find that regional cortical and hippocampal microstructure differs between males and females and that the effect size of this sex-bias varies depending on self-reported hormonal status in females. Microstructural sex-bias and expression of sex hormone genes, based on an independent post-mortem sample, are spatially coupled. Lastly, sex-bias is most pronounced in paralimbic areas, with low laminar complexity, which are predicted to be most plastic based on their cytoarchitectural properties. Albeit correlative, our study underscores the importance of incorporating sex hormone variables into the investigation of brain structure and plasticity. Here, the authors demonstrate that cortical microstructure in young adults shows marked sex bias, which is most pronounced in paralimbic areas. The effects are put into context with variations in sex hormones and local cytoarchitecture.

10. The interplay between insomnia symptoms and Alzheimer’s Disease across three main brain networks Elberse J, Saberi A, Ahmadi R, Changizi M, Bi H, Hoffstaedter F, Mander B, Eickhoff S, Tahmasian M^*, and Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Sleep 2024 [abstract] [url]

    Insomnia symptoms are prevalent along the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the neurobiological underpinning of their interaction is poorly understood. Here, we assessed structural and functional brain measures within and between the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN), and central executive network (CEN).We selected 320 subjects from the ADNI database and divided by their diagnosis: cognitively normal (CN), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and AD, with and without self-reported insomnia symptoms. We measured the gray matter volume (GMV), structural covariance (SC), degrees centrality (DC), and functional connectivity (FC), testing the effect and interaction of insomnia symptoms and diagnosis on each index. Subsequently, we performed a within-group linear regression across each network and ROI. Finally, we correlated observed abnormalities with changes in cognitive and affective scores.Insomnia symptoms were associated with FC alterations across all groups. The AD group also demonstrated an interaction between insomnia and diagnosis. Within-group analyses revealed that in CN and MCI, insomnia symptoms were characterised by within-network hyperconnectivity, while in AD, within- and between-network hypoconnectivity was ubiquitous. SC and GMV alterations were non-significant in the presence of insomnia symptoms, and DC indices only showed network-level alterations in the CEN of AD individuals. Abnormal FC within and between DMN and CEN hubs was additionally associated with reduced cognitive function across all groups, and increased depressive symptoms in AD.We conclude that patients with clinical AD present with a unique pattern of insomnia-related functional alterations, highlighting the profound interaction between both conditions.

11. The regional variation of laminar thickness in the human isocortex is related to cortical hierarchy and interregional connectivity Saberi A, Paquola C, Wagstyl K, Hettwer M, Bernhardt B, Eickhoff S, and Valk S^* PLOS Biology 2023 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    The human isocortex consists of tangentially organized layers with unique cytoarchitectural properties. These layers show spatial variations in thickness and cytoarchitecture across the neocortex, which is thought to support function through enabling targeted corticocortical connections. Here, leveraging maps of the 6 cortical layers based on 3D human brain histology, we aimed to quantitatively characterize the systematic covariation of laminar structure in the cortex and its functional consequences. After correcting for the effect of cortical curvature, we identified a spatial pattern of changes in laminar thickness covariance from lateral frontal to posterior occipital regions, which differentiated the dominance of infra- versus supragranular layer thickness. Corresponding to the laminar regularities of cortical connections along cortical hierarchy, the infragranular-dominant pattern of laminar thickness was associated with higher hierarchical positions of regions, mapped based on resting-state effective connectivity in humans and tract-tracing of structural connections in macaques. Moreover, we show that regions with similar laminar thickness patterns have a higher likelihood of structural connections and strength of functional connections. In sum, here, we characterize the organization of laminar thickness in the human isocortex and its association with cortico-cortical connectivity, illustrating how laminar organization may provide a foundational principle of cortical function.

12. Hippocampal metabolic subregions and networks: Behavioral, molecular, and pathological aging profiles Maleki Balajoo S, Eickhoff S, Masouleh S, Plachti A, Waite L, Saberi A, Bahri M, Bastin C, Salmon E, Hoffstaedter F, Palomero-Gallagher N, and Genon S^* Alzheimer’s & Dementia 2023 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    INTRODUCTION Hippocampal local and network dysfunction is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). METHODS We characterized the spatial patterns of hippocampus differentiation based on brain co-metabolism in healthy elderly participants and demonstrated their relevance to study local metabolic changes and associated dysfunction in pathological aging. RESULTS The hippocampus can be differentiated into anterior/posterior and dorsal cornu ammonis (CA)/ventral (subiculum) subregions. While anterior/posterior CA show co-metabolism with different regions of the subcortical limbic networks, the anterior/posterior subiculum are parts of cortical networks supporting object-centered memory and higher cognitive demands, respectively. Both networks show relationships with the spatial patterns of gene expression pertaining to cell energy metabolism and AD’s process. Finally, while local metabolism is generally lower in posterior regions, the anterior–posterior imbalance is maximal in late mild cognitive impairment with the anterior subiculum being relatively preserved. DISCUSSION Future studies should consider bidimensional hippocampal differentiation and in particular the posterior subicular region to better understand pathological aging.

13. Schizophrenia and Macroscale Brain Structure: Genes in Context Hettwer M, Saberi A, Fan Y, and Valk S^* Biological Psychiatry 2022 [url]
14. Convergent regional brain abnormalities in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia: A neuroimaging meta-analysis of 73 studies Kamalian A^†, Khodadadifar T^†, Saberi A, Masoudi M, Camilleri J, Eickhoff C, Zarei M, Pasquini L, Laird A, Fox P, Eickhoff S, and Tahmasian M^* Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring 2022 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    Introduction Numerous studies have reported brain alterations in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). However, they pointed to inconsistent findings. Methods We used a meta-analytic approach to identify the convergent structural and functional brain abnormalities in bvFTD. Following current best-practice neuroimaging meta-analysis guidelines, we searched PubMed and Embase databases and performed reference tracking. Then, the coordinates of group comparisons between bvFTD and controls from 73 studies were extracted and tested for convergence using activation likelihood estimation. Results We identified convergent abnormalities in the anterior cingulate cortices, anterior insula, amygdala, paracingulate, striatum, and hippocampus. Task-based and resting-state functional connectivity pointed to the networks that are connected to the obtained consistent regions. Functional decoding analyses suggested associated dysfunction of emotional processing, interoception, reward processing, higher-order cognitive functions, and olfactory and gustatory perceptions in bvFTD. Discussion Our findings highlighted the key role of the salience network and subcortical regions in the pathophysiology of bvFTD.

15. Evaluation of curcumin as add-on therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A pilot randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial Ghodsi H, Rahimi H, Aghili S, Saberi A, and Shoeibi A^* Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery 2022 [abstract] [url]

    Background and objective Preclinical studies suggest that curcumin might be a potential neuroprotective agent in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adding nanomicelle curcumin on improving the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD patients and their quality of life. Material and methods Idiopathic PD patients aged ≥30 whose symptoms were under control were included in this pilot, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, add-on trial. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the curcumin (n= 30, 80mg/day) or placebo (n= 30) groups and were followed for nine months. Primary outcomes were the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). These variables, along with demographic data, drug history, and possible side effects of curcumin, were gathered at the beginning of the study and every three months. A mixed effects model was used to compare the group-by-time interaction, followed by post hoc analysis. Results Although the mean MDS-UPDRS and PDQ-39 scores were not significantly different between the curcumin and placebo groups at any time points, MDS-UPDRS part III (P=0.04) showed a significant difference in its overall trend between the study groups. However, post hoc analysis failed to spot this difference at study time points. The most common side effects of curcumin were nausea and vomiting (P=0.25) and gastroesophageal reflux (P=0.42). Conclusion While curcumin is a well-tolerated natural compound, this trial was unsuccessful in showing its efficacy in quality of life and clinical symptoms of PD patients.

16. Is there any consistent structural and functional brain abnormality in narcolepsy? A meta-analytic perspective Rahimi Jafari S^†, Sareban Nejad S^†, Saberi A, Khazaie H, Camilleri J, Eickhoff C, Eickhoff S, and Tahmasian M^* Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2021 [url]
17. Structural and functional neuroimaging of late-life depression: a coordinate-based meta-analysis Saberi A, Mohammadi E, Zarei M, Eickhoff S, and Tahmasian M^* Brain Imaging and Behavior 2021 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    Several neuroimaging studies have investigated localized aberrations in brain structure, function or connectivity in late-life depression, but the ensuing results are equivocal and often conflicting. Here, we provide a quantitative consolidation of neuroimaging in late-life depression using coordinate-based meta-analysis by searching multiple databases up to March 2020. Our search revealed 3252 unique records, among which we identified 32 eligible whole-brain neuroimaging publications comparing 674 patients with 568 controls. The peak coordinates of group comparisons between the patients and the controls were extracted and then analyzed using activation likelihood estimation method. Our sufficiently powered analysis on all the experiments, and more homogenous subsections of the data (patients \textgreater controls, controls \textgreater patients, and functional imaging experiments) revealed no significant convergent regional abnormality in late-life depression. This inconsistency might be due to clinical and biological heterogeneity of LLD, as well as experimental (e.g., choice of tasks, image modalities) and analytic flexibility (e.g., preprocessing and analytic parameters), and distributed patterns of neural abnormalities. Our findings highlight the importance of clinical/biological heterogeneity of late-life depression, in addition to the need for more reproducible research by using pre-registered and standardized protocols on more homogenous populations to identify potential consistent brain abnormalities in late-life depression.

18. The Accuracy of Visceral Adiposity Index for the Screening of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Bijari M, Jangjoo S, Emami N, Raji S, Mottaghi M, Moallem R, Jangjoo A, and Saberi A^* International Journal of Endocrinology 2021 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    Background and Aims. Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a novel marker of fat distribution and function which incorporates both anthropometric and laboratory measures. Recently, several studies have suggested VAI as a screening tool for metabolic syndrome (MetS). Here, we aimed to consolidate the results of these studies by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods and Results. We searched PubMed and EMBASE online databases for eligible studies that investigated the association of VAI and MetS. After reviewing 294 records, we included 33 eligible papers with a sum of 20516 MetS and 53242 healthy participants. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed, and the relevant data was extracted. All included studies reported a significant association between VAI and MetS screening, but were highly heterogeneous in their reported effects. We pooled the diagnostic test accuracy metrics of VAI for MetS screening and showed that it has a moderate-to-high accuracy with an area under the summary receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.847, a pooled sensitivity of 78%, and a pooled specificity of 79%. Besides, we pooled the difference in means of VAI between patients with MetS and healthy controls, revealing that VAI was 2.15 units higher in MetS patients. Conclusions. VAI is an accurate, low-cost, and widely available screening marker for MetS. However, further studies are needed to evaluate its applicability in clinical practice, determine an optimal cut-off, and identify populations that would benefit the most from it.

19. Chest computed tomography findings of COVID-19 in children younger than 1 year: a systematic review Ghodsi A, Bijari M, Alamdaran S, Saberi A, Mahmoudabadi E, Balali M, and Ghahremani S^* World Journal of Pediatrics 2021 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the chest computed tomography (CT) findings in infants with confirmed COVID-19 infection by providing a comprehensive review of the existing literature. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed and Embase from the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak to October 20, 2020, for studies that discussed the chest CT findings in infants younger than 1 year with COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: A total of 35 studies comprising 70 COVID-19 (58.5% boys) confirmed infants were included. The mean age of the included patients was 4.1 months with a range of 1 day to 12 months. Chest CT scans showed bilateral abnormalities in 34 patients, and unilateral lung involvement in 25 patients. Ground-glass opacities (GGO) (71.43%) were found to be the most prevalent chest CT manifestation, followed by peribronchial thickening (60%), linear or band-shaped opacities (32.8%), consolidation (28.57%), nodule (18.57%), effusion (7.14%) and focal lucency (7.14%). CONCLUSIONS: GGO and peribronchial thickening were the most prevalent findings in the infants’ chest CT scans. Linear or band-shaped opacities, consolidation, and pulmonary nodules are more common in infants than in adults. These findings suggest that the disease is more likely to be presented as an atypical pneumonia (peribronchial thickening and linear or band-shaped opacities) in this age group. Other chest CT scan manifestations can be classified as typical COVID-19 infection (peripheral GGO), lobar pneumonia (consolidation) and opportunistic infections (pulmonary nodules).

20. ENIGMA-Sleep: Challenges, opportunities, and the road map Tahmasian M^*, Aleman A, Andreassen O, Arab Z, Baillet M, Benedetti F, Bresser T, Bright J, Chee M, Chylinski D, Cheng W, Deantoni M, Dresler M, Eickhoff S, Eickhoff C, Elvsåshagen T, Feng J, Foster‐Dingley J, Ganjgahi H, Grabe H, Groenewold N, Ho T, Hong S, Houenou J, Irungu B, Jahanshad N, Khazaie H, Kim H, Koshmanova E, Kocevska D, Kochunov P, Lakbila‐Kamal O, Leerssen J, Li M, Luik A, Muto V, Narbutas J, Nilsonne G, O’Callaghan V, Olsen A, Osorio R, Poletti S, Poudel G, Reesen J, Reneman L, Reyt M, Riemann D, Rosenzweig I, Rostampour M, Saberi A, Schiel J, Schmidt C, Schrantee A, Sciberras E, Silk T, Sim K, Smevik H, Soares J, Spiegelhalder K, Stein D, Talwar P, Tamm S, Teresi G, Valk S, Someren E, Vandewalle G, Egroo M, Völzke H, Walter M, Wassing R, Weber F, Weihs A, Westlye L, Wright M, Wu M, Zak N, and Zarei M Journal of Sleep Research 2021 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    Neuroimaging and genetics studies have advanced our understanding of the neurobiology of sleep and its disorders. However, individual studies usually have limitations to identifying consistent and reproducible effects, including modest sample sizes, heterogeneous clinical characteristics and varied methodologies. These issues call for a large-scale multi-centre effort in sleep research, in order to increase the number of samples, and harmonize the methods of data collection, preprocessing and analysis using pre-registered well-established protocols. The Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium provides a powerful collaborative framework for combining datasets across individual sites. Recently, we have launched the ENIGMA-Sleep working group with the collaboration of several institutes from 15 countries to perform large-scale worldwide neuroimaging and genetics studies for better understanding the neurobiology of impaired sleep quality in population-based healthy individuals, the neural consequences of sleep deprivation, pathophysiology of sleep disorders, as well as neural correlates of sleep disturbances across various neuropsychiatric disorders. In this introductory review, we describe the details of our currently available datasets and our ongoing projects in the ENIGMA-Sleep group, and discuss both the potential challenges and opportunities of a collaborative initiative in sleep medicine.

21. Thalamic shape abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue Saberi A, Abdolalizadeh A, Mohammadi E, Nahayati M, Bagheri H, Shekarchi B, and Kargar J^* Neuroreport 2021 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    Thalamus plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis-related fatigue (MSrF). However, the thalamus is a heterogeneous structure and the specific thalamic subregions that are involved in this condition are unclear. Here, we used thalamic shape analysis for the detailed localization of thalamic abnormalities in MSrF. Using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, we measured fatigue in 42 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The thalamic shape was extracted from T1w images using an automated pipeline. We investigated the association of thalamic surface deviations with the severity of global fatigue and its cognitive, physical and psychosocial subdomains. Cognitive fatigue was correlated with an inward deformity of the left anteromedial thalamic surface, but no other localized shape deviation was observed in correlation with global, physical or psychosocial fatigue. Our findings indicate that the left anteromedial thalamic subregions are implicated in cognitive fatigue, possibly through their role in reward processing and cognitive and executive functions.

22. Predictive value of inflammatory markers for functional outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke Rezaeitalab F, Esmaeili M^*, Saberi A, Vahidi Z, Emadzadeh M, Rahimi H, Ramezani N, and Mirshabani-Toloti S Current Journal of Neurology 2020 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    Background: Inflammatory processes have been proposed in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL 1 beta (IL-1β), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with the prognosis and functional outcome in patients with less severe ischemic stroke., Methods: We measured the level of IL-1β, IL-6, hsCRP, and TNF-α on days 1 and 5 after stroke onset by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The infarct volume was assessed using Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and posterior circulation ASPECTS (pcASPECTS) score in brain computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The severity of stroke was assessed by applying the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) in 24 hours on day 5 and after 3 months from stroke onset. Good outcome was defined as the third month MRS ≤ 2. The association of inflammatory markers and the course of stroke symptoms over time was examined., Results: Forty-four first-ever stroke patients without concurrent inflammatory diseases with a mean age of 65 years were included. The mean NIHSS and MRS in admission time were 6.5 ± 3.5 and 3.07, respectively. The day 1 and the day 5 levels of IL-1β, IL-6, hsCRP, and TNF-α were not significantly different in good and poor outcome groups (all P-values \textgreater 0.05). In addition, they were not significantly associated with the ASPECTS, pcASPECTS, and changes of NIHSS and MRS over time., Conclusion: The levels of hsCRP, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α are not reliable predictors of functional outcomes in patients with less severe acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

23. Predictive value of red blood cell distribution width for mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis Ganji A, Esmaeilzadeh A, Ghanaei O, Saberi A^*, Taherzadeh D, Sazgarnia S, Mayabi Joghal Z, Zirak M, AbdolahRamazani S, and Zarifmahmoudi L Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran 2017 [abstract] [url] [pdf]

    Background: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a quantitative measure of variability in the size of circulating erythrocytes. It has been recently identified as a prognostic marker in several diseases including acute pancreatitis (AP). In this systematic review the prognostic value of RDW in predicting mortality of AP patients will be assessed.
    Methods: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and ISI databases were searched until September 2016 using the following search strategy: (pancreatitis OR pancreatitides) AND (RDW OR "red cell distribution width" OR "red blood cell distribution width" OR anisocytosis). Four authors independently reviewed the retrieved articles. Studies were included if they had evaluated the association between RDW value and mortality of acute pancreatitis patients. Case reports, comments, letters to the editor, reviews, study protocols, and experimental studies were not included. Data abstraction and quality assessment for the included studies was independently performed by two authors. Quality of studies was assessed using Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine checklist for prognostic studies. Data were synthesized qualitatively, and a meta-analysis was performed on the diagnostic performance of RDW to predict mortality in AP patients.
    Results: Seven studies (976 patients) were included in the systematic review. Six studies reported a statistically significant association between RDW value and mortality. Meta-analysis was performed on four studies (487 patients) using a bivariate model and a summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve was plotted with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.757. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), sensitivity and specificity was 19.51 (95% CI: 5.26-72.30), 67% (95% CI: 51%-80%) and 90% (95% CI: 73%-96%), respectively.
    Conclusion: RDW is an easy to use and an inexpensive marker with a moderate prognostic value to predict death in AP patients. Clinicians should be more alert when a patient with AP has an increased RDW. Investigation of possible combinations of other prognostic markers with RDW is recommended.

^* corresponding author, ^† equal contribution