News Finding: Basu agrees, "Further exploration into this complex space demands strong multidisciplinary and collaborative working, and this study represents a fine example of trans-Atlantic team science."
Paper Finding: However, in acute inflammatory paradigms with healthy individuals, distinct patterns of reduced connectivity between insula, amygdala, frontal and parietal regions have also been demonstrated using seedbased analyses , in contrast to the current study, where more positive connections were identified in association with higher inflammation.
News Context: "By relating these advanced neuroimaging measures back to the patient experience, we provide evidence that the future targeting of central inflammatory pathways may greatly enhance the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and potentially other chronic inflammatory disorders." Because this is one of the first studies to examine brain inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, Schrepf says, additional research is needed on the correlation. Basu agrees, "Further exploration into this complex space demands strong multidisciplinary and collaborative working, and this study represents a fine example of trans-Atlantic team science."
Paper Context: Healthy individuals administered LPS showed increased activation of the right medial frontal gyrus during social tasks with emotional valence These findings may be relevant to the greatly impaired mental health and social function seen in chronic inflammatory conditions like RA . However, in acute inflammatory paradigms with healthy individuals, distinct patterns of reduced connectivity between insula, amygdala, frontal and parietal regions have also been demonstrated using seedbased analyses , in contrast to the current study, where more positive connections were identified in association with higher inflammation. In RA, the transient surges in inflammation occur in the context of increased basal levels of inflammation, as well as many previous inflammatory events, especially if the disease has been poorly controlled.