Biology subjects

Junges, L.

Publications and source records attributed to Junges, L..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

The impact of paediatric epilepsy and co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders on functional brain networks in wake and sleep

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in children. Diagnosing epilepsy in children can be very challenging, especially as it often coexists with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD. Functional brain networks obtained from neuroimaging and electrophysiological data in wakefulness and sleep have been shown to contain signatures of neurological disorders, and can potentially support the diagnosis and management of co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions. In this work, we use electroencephalography (EEG) recordings from children, in restful wakefulness and sleep, to extract functional connectivity networks in different frequency bands. We explore the relationship of these networks with epilepsy diagnosis and with measures of neurodevelopmental traits, obtained from questionnaires used as screening tools for autism and ADHD. We explore differences in network markers between children with and without epilepsy in wake and sleep, and quantify the correlation between such markers and measures of neurodevelopmental traits. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the interplay between epilepsy and neurodevelopmental traits when exploring network markers of epilepsy.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Sotrovimab retains activity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BQ.1.1 in a non-human primate model

The SARS-CoV2 Omicron variants have acquired new Spike mutations leading to escape from the most of the currently available monoclonal antibody treatments reducing the options for patients suffering from severe Covid-19. Recently, both in vitro and in vivo data have suggested that Sotrovimab could retain partial activity against recent omicron sub-lineage such as BA.5 variants, including BQ.1.1. Here we report full efficacy of Sotrovimab against BQ.1.1 viral replication as measure by RT-qPCR in a non-human primate challenge model.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2022

Classification of Human Chronotype Based on fMRINetwork-Based Statistics

Chronotype - the relationship between the internal circadian physiology of an individual and the external 24-hour light-dark cycle - is increasingly implicated in mental health and cognition. Individuals presenting with a late chronotype have an increased likelihood of developing depression, and can display reduced cognitive performance during the societal 9-5 day. However, the interplay between physiological rhythms and the brain networks that underpin cognition and mental health are not well understood. To address this issue, we use resting state fMRI collected from 16 people with an early chronotype and 22 people with a late chronotype to study if differentiable information about chronotype is embedded in functional brain networks. We develop a classifier utilising the Network Based-Statistic (NBS) methodology, using rigorous selection criteria to select t-statistic thresholds within the NBS approach. We find significant differences in functional networks measured in early and late chronotypes and describe conditions under which the classifier achieves 97.3% accuracy. Revealing differences in functional brain networks based on extreme chronotype suggests future avenues of research that may ultimately better characterise the relationship between internal physiology, external perturbations, brain networks and disease.

neuroscience↗