A mind-brain-body dataset of MRI, EEG, cognition, emotion, and peripheral physiology in young and old adults

This paper is not a study of an intervention but rather a detailed description of a publicly available dataset. The researchers collected a vast array of measurements from participants to create a resource for future studies exploring the interactions between the mind, brain, and body.

The data collected included:

**Brain Structure and Function:**

* Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Various types of scans to capture brain structure (e.g., quantitative T1, T2-weighted, FLAIR, SWI/QSM, DWI) and resting-state brain activity (resting-state fMRI).

* Electroencephalography (EEG): 62-channel recordings of brain electrical activity at rest.

**Peripheral Physiology:**

* Cardiovascular measures: Blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, and respiration were continuously monitored during resting-state fMRI.

* Anthropometrics: Body measurements (e.g., height, weight, BMI, though specific measures are not detailed in the abstract).

* Blood samples: Collected for unspecified analyses.

* Urine drug tests: Conducted to screen for drug use.

**Cognition:**

* Six different cognitive tests were administered to assess various aspects of mental function. The specific tests are not detailed in the abstract.

**Emotion and Psychology:**

* Psychiatric symptoms: Identified using standardized clinical interviews and scales (Standardized Clinical Interview for DSM IV (SCID-I), Hamilton Depression Scale, Borderline Symptoms List).

* Questionnaires: 21 different questionnaires covering emotional behavior, personality traits and tendencies, eating behavior, and addictive behavior. The specific questionnaires are not detailed in the abstract.

The primary "comparison" within this dataset is between two distinct age groups: young adults and elderly adults, allowing researchers to investigate age-related differences across these numerous mind-brain-body domains.

The dataset comprises 227 healthy participants recruited in Leipzig, Germany, between 2013 and 2015.

The participants were divided into two main groups:

**Young Adults:**

* N = 153 individuals

* Average age: 25.1 years (standard deviation ±3.1 years)

* Age range: 20 to 35 years

* Sex: 45 female participants (108 male)

**Elderly Adults:**

* N = 74 individuals

* Average age: 67.6 years (standard deviation ±4.7 years)

* Age range: 59 to 77 years

* Sex: 37 female participants (37 male)

All participants were described as "healthy." The study used the Standardized Clinical Interview for DSM IV (SCID-I), Hamilton Depression Scale, and Borderline Symptoms List to identify psychiatric symptoms, implying that individuals with significant psychiatric conditions were likely excluded or characterized separately. Urine drug tests were also obtained, suggesting participants with recent drug use might have been excluded or noted. The abstract does not specify other exclusion criteria (e.g., specific medical conditions, medication use, smoking status), but "healthy" typically implies an absence of major chronic diseases.

The researchers employed a wide array of advanced and standardized instruments to collect the diverse data points:

**Brain Imaging:**

* **MRI:** All magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed at 3 Tesla, a common and powerful field strength for clinical and research MRI. The specific sequences used included:

* Resting-state fMRI (functional MRI): Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

* Quantitative T1 (MP2RAGE): Provides highly detailed anatomical images, useful for measuring brain volume and cortical thickness.

* T2-weighted: Sensitive to water content, useful for detecting lesions or edema.

* FLAIR (Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery): A type of T2-weighted image that suppresses cerebrospinal fluid signal, making lesions near ventricles or in the cortex more visible.

* SWI/QSM (Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging/Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping): Sensitive to blood products, iron, and calcification, useful for detecting microbleeds or iron deposition.

* DWI (Diffusion-Weighted Imaging): Measures the diffusion of water molecules, providing information about white matter integrity and connectivity.

* **EEG:** Brain electrical activity was recorded using a 62-channel EEG system. This involves placing 62 electrodes on the scalp to capture electrical signals generated by the brain, providing high temporal resolution of neural activity.

**Peripheral Physiology:**

* **Cardiovascular Measures:** Blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, and respiration were continuously acquired. While the specific devices are not mentioned, continuous acquisition during fMRI typically involves MRI-compatible physiological monitoring equipment (e.g., pulse oximeters, respiratory belts, non-invasive blood pressure cuffs).

* **Anthropometrics:** Standard body measurements were taken. These typically include height, weight, and calculation of Body Mass Index (BMI), but the abstract does not specify the exact measures.

* **Blood Samples:** Collected for unspecified analyses. These could include markers of inflammation, stress hormones, genetic markers, or metabolic profiles.

* **Urine Drug Tests:** Performed to screen for the presence of various illicit or prescription drugs.

**Psychiatric and Psychological Assessment:**

* **Psychiatric Symptoms:**

* **Standardized Clinical Interview for DSM IV (SCID-I):** A structured diagnostic interview used by clinicians to assess for the presence of DSM-IV Axis I disorders (e.g., mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders). This ensures a standardized and reliable assessment of psychiatric history.

* **Hamilton