Brain Structure

Published Research & Citations

IndoPsyCare endeavours to continue conducting research into the latest evidence-based psychological treatments and remain up-to-date on psychological phenomena and breakthroughs.

We are proud to present the research conducted, or contributed to, by our advisors and IndoPsyCare psychologists. We seek to emphasize that whilst members of our team have contributed to these papers, we do not claim rights nor ownership of these publications.

• Ascone, L., Garcia Forlim, C., Gallinat, J., & Kühn, S. (2022). Effects of a multi-strain probiotic on hippocampal structure and function, cognition, and emotional well-being in healthy individuals: a double-blind randomised-controlled trial. Psychological Medicine, 1-11. doi: 10.1017/s0033291722000988

  Abstract:
  “Background: Animal models have shown beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on hippocampal neuroplasticity and cognition, but human evidence has remained scarce. This study tested whether multi-strain probiotic supplementation enhances hippocampal grey matter volume, functional connectivity, and emotional well-being in healthy humans.
  
  Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial in 59 healthy participants administering a multi-strain probiotic (Vivomixx) vs. placebo daily for four weeks, with 3T structural and functional MRI alongside cognitive and mental health assessments.
  
  Findings: High-resolution neuroimaging and Bayesian statistical analyses indicated no significant alterations in hippocampal grey matter volume, connectivity, cognitive performance, or emotional well-being in healthy young adults.
  
  Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation did not elicit structural or cognitive neuroplasticity in young healthy adults, suggesting that future trials should focus on longer interventions or clinically vulnerable cohorts experiencing chronic stress or cognitive decline.”



• Ascone, L., Kling, C., Wieczorek, J., Koch, C., & Kühn, S. (2021). A longitudinal, randomized experimental pilot study to investigate the effects of airborne ultrasound on human mental health, cognition, and brain structure. Scientific Reports, 11(1). doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-83527-z

  Abstract:
  “Background: Airborne ultrasonic emissions are increasingly prevalent in public and occupational settings, yet empirical evidence regarding human neurobiological safety has been lacking.
  
  Methods: In a double-blind longitudinal pilot trial, ultrasonic (22.4 kHz) vs. sham devices were installed in participants' bedrooms for 28 consecutive nights. Pre- and post-assessments evaluated psychiatric symptoms, sleep architecture, executive cognition, and 3T brain MRI morphometry.
  
  Findings: Exploratory voxel-based morphometry showed regional grey matter volume decreases in frontal clusters (middle and superior frontal gyri) in the active ultrasound condition.
  
  Conclusion: Long-term nocturnal exposure to airborne ultrasound may induce subtle morphological shifts in frontal brain regions, emphasizing the necessity of systematic exposure standards in public health.”