Far lateral lumbar disc herniations(FLLDH)represent a separate category of disc pathology which includes both intraforaminal and extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations,that are characterized by a peculiar clinical pre...Far lateral lumbar disc herniations(FLLDH)represent a separate category of disc pathology which includes both intraforaminal and extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations,that are characterized by a peculiar clinical presentation,diagnostic and treatment modalities as compared to the more frequent median and paramedian disc hernias.Surgical treatment often represents the only effective weapon for the cure of this disease and over the years different approaches have been developed that can reach the region of the foramen or external to it,with different degrees of invasiveness.The diagnosis is more demanding and still underestimated as it requires a more detailed knowledge in the spine anatomy and dedicated radiological studies.Computerized tomography and in particular magnetic resonance imaging are the appropriate tools for the diagnosis of FLLDH.Despite the widespread use of these diagnostic tests,many cases of FLLDH are overlooked due to insufficiently detailed radiological examinations or due to the execution of exams not focused to the foraminal or the extraforaminal region.Neurophysiological studies represent a valid aid in the diagnostic classification of this pathology and in some cases they can facilitate the differential diagnosis with other types of radiculopathies.In the present study,a comprehensive review of the clinical presentation,epidemiology,radiological study and the neurophysiological aspects is presented.展开更多
Every day walking consists of frequent voluntary modifications in the gait pattern to negotiate obstacles.After spinal cord injury,stepping over an obstacle becomes challenging.Stepping over an obstacle requires senso...Every day walking consists of frequent voluntary modifications in the gait pattern to negotiate obstacles.After spinal cord injury,stepping over an obstacle becomes challenging.Stepping over an obstacle requires sensorimotor transformations in several structures of the brain,including the parietal cortex,premotor cortex,and motor cortex.Sensory information and planning are transformed into motor commands,which are sent from the motor cortex to spinal neuronal circuits to alter limb trajectory,coordinate the limbs,and maintain balance.After spinal cord injury,bidirectional communication between the brain and spinal cord is disrupted and animals,including humans,fail to voluntarily modify limb trajectory to step over an obstacle.Therefore,in this review,we discuss the neuromechanical control of stepping over an obstacle,why it fails after spinal cord injury,and how it recovers to a certain extent.展开更多
[Objectives]To evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)on neurophysiological outcomes in patients with acute stroke.[Methods]A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed...[Objectives]To evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)on neurophysiological outcomes in patients with acute stroke.[Methods]A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed,EMBASE,Web of Science,the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL),and CINAHL databases up to March 1,2025.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and clinical controlled trials(CCTs)involving adult patients(≥18 years)with acute ischemic stroke(within 2 weeks of onset)who received rTMS intervention were included.Data on motor evoked potential(MEP)amplitude,resting motor threshold(RMT),and central motor conduction time(CMCT)were extracted.The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 18.0,with standardized mean differences(SMDs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)calculated.Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I^(2)statistic.[Results]Eight studies involving 932 identified records met the inclusion criteria.Meta-analysis revealed that rTMS significantly increased MEP amplitude(Hedges'g=0.77,95%CI:0.52-1.02,P<0.01)and reduced RMT(Hedges g=-1.13,95%CI:-1.63 to-0.62,P<0.01)in the lesioned hemisphere,indicating enhanced corticospinal excitability.No significant effects were observed on MEP amplitude or RMT in the unaffected hemisphere.Additionally,rTMS did not significantly alter CMCT in either hemisphere.Heterogeneity was low to moderate for most outcomes,and no significant publication bias was detected.[Conclusions]rTMS is a safe and effective intervention for improving corticospinal excitability and motor recovery in patients with acute stroke.Both high-frequency stimulation of the ipsilesional hemisphere and low-frequency stimulation of the contralesional hemisphere have demonstrated beneficial effects,supporting the interhemispheric inhibition model.Future large-scale,multi-center RCTs are needed to optimize rTMS parameters and establish standardized treatment protocols for acute stroke rehabilitation.展开更多
Avian vocal communication represents one of the most intricate forms of animal language,playing a critical role in behavioral interactions.Both peripheral and central auditory-vocal pathways are essential for precisel...Avian vocal communication represents one of the most intricate forms of animal language,playing a critical role in behavioral interactions.Both peripheral and central auditory-vocal pathways are essential for precisely integrating acoustic signals,ensuring effective communication.Like humans,songbirds exhibit vocal learning behaviors supported by complex neural mechanisms.However,unlike most mammals,songbirds possess the remarkable ability to regenerate damaged auditory cells.These capabilities offer unique opportunities to explore how birds adjust their vocal behavior and auditory processing in response to dynamic environmental conditions.Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the plasticity of avian vocal communication system,yet the vocal diversity and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying vocalization and hearing have often been examined independently.A comprehensive overview of how these systems interact and adapt in birds remains lacking.To address this gap,this review synthesizes the peripheral and central features of avian vocalization and hearing,while also exploring the mechanisms that drive the remarkable plasticity of these systems.Furthermore,it explores seasonal variations in bird vocalization and hearing and adaptations to environmental noise,focusing on how hormonal,neural,and ecological factors together shape vocal behavior and auditory sensitivity.Avian vocal communication systems present an exceptional model for studying the integration of peripheral and central vocal-auditory pathways and their adaptive responses to ever-changing environments.This review underscores the dynamic interactions between avian vocal communication systems and environmental stimuli,offering new insights into broader principles of sensory processing,and neuroplasticity.展开更多
Management of intracranial hypertension(IH)has improved in the last decades driven by advancements in monitoring technologies and a deeper understanding of its pathophysiology.Although intracranial pressure(ICP)cathet...Management of intracranial hypertension(IH)has improved in the last decades driven by advancements in monitoring technologies and a deeper understanding of its pathophysiology.Although intracranial pressure(ICP)catheters are still recommended by current guidelines for monitoring patients at risk of IH,these methods are not without limitations.Challenges include procedural complications,availability of these devices in many healthcare settings and technical issues.In this context,management in the absence of ICP monitoring is common and now it can be augmented by intensivist-led point-of-care ultrasound,which includes tools such as transcranial doppler,optic nerve sheath measurement and brain ultrasound.These methods offer anatomic information that can sometimes withhold repeated head computed tomography(CT)scans,but they are also a window into ICP dynamics without the associated risks of invasive monitoring and are reasonable alternatives for guiding treatment,provided an integration between neurological examination,head CT anatomical findings and noninvasive monitors is considered.This manuscript synthesizes the evidence for using invasive ICP monitoring and methods for non-invasive monitoring,more focused on the role of ultrasound,given its wider availability.We also propose a practical approach of how to integrate this information at bedside to avoid both under and overtreatment,by embracing a clinical epidemiology paradigm to guide management decisions.展开更多
Functional gastrointestinal disorders are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and pain is their commonest presenting symptom. In addition, patients with these disorders often demonstrate a heightened sensitivit...Functional gastrointestinal disorders are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and pain is their commonest presenting symptom. In addition, patients with these disorders often demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to experimental visceral stimulation, termed visceral pain hypersensitivity that is likely to be important in their pathophysiology. Knowledge of how the brain processes sensory information from visceral structures is still in its infancy. However, our understanding has been propelled by technological imaging advances such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography, Magnetoencephalography, and Electroencephalography （EEG）. Numerous human studies have non-invasively demonstrated the complexity involved in functional pain processing, and highlighted a number of subcortical and cortical regions involved. This review will focus on the neurophysiological pathways （primary afferents, spinal and supraspinal transmission）, brainimaging techniques and the influence of endogenous and psychological processes in healthy controls and patients suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorders. Special attention will be paid to the newer EEG source analysis techniques. Understanding the phenotypic differences that determine an individual＇s response to injurious stimuli could be the key to understanding why some patients develop pain and hyperalgesia in response to inflammation/injury while others do not. For future studies, an integrated approach is required incorporating an individual＇s psychological, autonomic, neuroendocrine, neurophysiological, and genetic profile to define phenotypic traits that may be at greater risk of developing sensitised states in response to gut inflammation or injury.展开更多
Interleukin-6 has been shown to be involved in nerve injury and nerve regeneration, but the effects of long-term administration of high concentrations of interleukin-6 on neurons in the central nervous system is poorl...Interleukin-6 has been shown to be involved in nerve injury and nerve regeneration, but the effects of long-term administration of high concentrations of interleukin-6 on neurons in the central nervous system is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of 24 hour expo-sure of interleukin-6 on cortical neurons at various concentrations （0.1, 1, 5 and 10 ng/mL） and the effects of 10 ng/mL interleukin-6 exposure to cortical neurons for various durations （2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours） by studying voltage-gated Na＋ channels using a patch-clamp technique. Volt-age-clamp recording results demonstrated that interleukin-6 suppressed Na＋ currents through its receptor in a time- and dose-dependent manner, but did not alter voltage-dependent activation and inactivation. Current-clamp recording results were consistent with voltage-clamp recording results. Interleukin-6 reduced the action potential amplitude of cortical neurons, but did not change the action potential threshold. The regulation of voltage-gated Na＋channels in rat corti-cal neurons by interleukin-6 is time- and dose-dependent.展开更多
Stress can be associated with many physiologicalchanges resulting in significant decrements in human performance.Due to growing interests in alternative and complementary medicine by Westerners,many of the traditions ...Stress can be associated with many physiologicalchanges resulting in significant decrements in human performance.Due to growing interests in alternative and complementary medicine by Westerners,many of the traditions and holistic yogic breathing practices today are being utilized as a measure for healthier lifestyles.These state-of-the-art practices can have a significant impact on common mental health conditions such as depression and generalized anxiety disorder.However,the potential of yogic breathing on optimizing human performance and overall well-being is not well known.Breathing techniques such as alternate nostril,Sudarshan Kriya and bhastrika utilizes rhythmic breathing to guide practitioners into a deep meditative state of relaxation and promote self-awareness.Furthermore,yogic breathing is physiologically stimulating and can be described as a natural"technological"solution to optimize human performance which can be categorized into:(1)cognitive function(i.e.,mind,vigilance);and(2)physical performance(i.e.,cardiorespiratory,metabolism,exercise,whole body).Based on previous studies,we postulate that daily practice of breathing meditation techniques play a significant role in preserving the compensatory mechanisms available to sustain physiological function.This preservation of physiological function may help to offset the time associated with reaching a threshold for clinical expression of chronic state(i.e.,hypertension,depression,dementia)or acute state(i.e.,massive hemorrhage,panic attic)of medical conditions.However,additional rigorous biomedical research is needed to evaluate the physiological mechanisms of various forms of meditation(i.e.,breath-based,mantra,mindfulness)on human performance.These efforts will help to define how compensatory reserve mechanisms of cardiovascular and immune systems are modulated by breath-based meditation.While it has been suggested that breath-based meditation is easier for beginning practitioners when compared to other forms of meditation more research is needed to elucidate these observations.A breath-based meditation sequence suchas Sudarshan Kriya has the potential to help develop an individual’s self-awareness and support better integration of the brain(i.e.,mind)with other organ systems(i.e.,body)for enhanced human performance.展开更多
Understanding and characterization of pain and other sensory symptoms are among the most important issues in the diagnosis and assessment of patient with gastrointestinal disorders. Methods to evoke and assess experim...Understanding and characterization of pain and other sensory symptoms are among the most important issues in the diagnosis and assessment of patient with gastrointestinal disorders. Methods to evoke and assess experimental pain have recently developed into a new area with the possibility for multimodal stimulation （e.g., electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical stimulation） of different nerves and pain pathways in the human gut. Such methods mimic to a high degree the pain experienced in the clinic. Multimodal pain methods have increased our basic understanding of different peripheral receptors in the gut in health and disease. Together with advanced muscle analysis, the methods have increased our understanding of receptors sensitive to mechanical, chemical and temperature stimuli in diseases, such as systemic sclerosis and diabetes. The methods can also be used to unravel central pain mechanisms, such as those involved in allodynia, hyperalgesia and referred pain. Abnormalities in central pain mechanisms are often seen in patients with chronic gut pain and hence methods relying on multimodal pain stimulation may help to understand the symptoms in these patients. Sex differences have been observed in several diseases of the gut, and differences in central pain processing between males and females have been hypothesized using multimodal pain stimulations. Finally, multimodal methods have recently been used to gain more insight into the effect of drugs against pain in the GI tract. Hence, the multimodal methods undoubtedly represents a major step forward in the future characterization and treatment of patients with various diseases of the gut.展开更多
Distraction spinal cord injury is caused by some degree of distraction or longitudinal tension on the spinal cord and commonly occurs in patients who undergo corrective operation for severe spinal deformity.With the i...Distraction spinal cord injury is caused by some degree of distraction or longitudinal tension on the spinal cord and commonly occurs in patients who undergo corrective operation for severe spinal deformity.With the increased degree and duration of distraction,spinal cord injuries become more serious in terms of their neurophysiology,histology,and behavior.Very few studies have been published on the specific characteristics of distraction spinal cord injury.In this study,we systematically review 22 related studies involving animal models of distraction spinal cord injury,focusing particularly on the neurophysiological,histological,and behavioral characteristics of this disease.In addition,we summarize the mechanisms underlying primary and secondary injuries caused by distraction spinal cord injury and clarify the effects of different degrees and durations of distraction on the primary injuries associated with spinal cord injury.We provide new concepts for the establishment of a model of distraction spinal cord injury and related basic research,and provide reference guidelines for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.展开更多
The objective of this appraisal is to shed light on the various approaches to screen sensory information in the human gut. Understanding and characterization of sensory symptoms in gastrointestinal disorders is poor. ...The objective of this appraisal is to shed light on the various approaches to screen sensory information in the human gut. Understanding and characterization of sensory symptoms in gastrointestinal disorders is poor. Experimental methods allowing the investigator to control stimulus intensity and modality, as well as using validated methods for assessing sensory response have contributed to the understanding of pain mechanisms. Mechanical stimulation based on impedance planimetry allows direct recordings of luminal cross-sectional areas, and combined with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, the contribution of different gut layers can be estimated. Electrical stimulation depolarizes free nerve endings non-selectively. Consequently, the stimulation paradigm （single, train, tetanic） influences the involved sensory nerves. Visual controlled electrical stimulation combines the probes with an endoscopic approach, which allows the investigator to inspect and obtain small biopsies from the stimulation site. Thermal stimulation （cold or warm） activates selectively mucosal receptors, and chemical substances such as acid and capsaicin （either alone or in combination） are used to evoke pain and sensitization. The possibility of multimodal （e.g. mechanical, electrical, thermal and chemical） stimulation in different gut segments has developed visceral pain research. The major advantage is involvement of distinctive receptors, various sensory nerves and different pain pathways mimicking clinical pain that favors investigation of central pain mechanisms involved in allodynia, hyperalgesia and referred pain. As impairment of descending control mechanisms partly underlies the pathogenesis in chronic pain, a cold pressor test that indirectly stimulates such control mechanisms can be added. Hence, the methods undoubtedly represent a major step forward in the future characterization and treatment of patients with various diseases of the gut, which provides knowledge to dinicians about the underlying symptoms and treatment of these patients.展开更多
Application of continuous repetition of motor imagery can improve the performance of exercise tasks.However,there is a lack of more detailed neurophysiological evidence to support the formulation of clear standards fo...Application of continuous repetition of motor imagery can improve the performance of exercise tasks.However,there is a lack of more detailed neurophysiological evidence to support the formulation of clear standards for interventions using motor imagery.Moreover,identification of motor imagery intervention time is necessary because it exhibits possible central fatigue.Therefore,the purpose of this study was to elucidate the development of fatigue during continuous repetition of motor imagery through objective and subjective evaluation.The study involved two experiments.In experiment 1,14 healthy young volunteers were required to imagine grasping and lifting a 1.5-L plastic bottle using the whole hand.Each participant performed the motor imagery task 100 times under each condition with 48 hours interval between two conditions:500 mL or 1500 mL of water in the bottle during the demonstration phase.Mental fatigue and a decrease in pinch power appeared under the 1500-mL condition.There were changes in concentration ability or corticospinal excitability,as assessed by motor evoked potentials,between each set with continuous repetition of motor imagery also under the 1500-mL condition.Therefore,in experiment 2,12 healthy volunteers were required to perform the motor imagery task 200 times under the 1500-mL condition.Both concentration ability and corticospinal excitability decreased.This is the first study to show that continuous repetition of motor imagery can decrease corticospinal excitability in addition to producing mental fatigue.This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee at the Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences(approval No.18121302)on January 30,2019.展开更多
Low dose remedies are widely administered in medicine. We used Tele-Stereo-EEG and the hippocampal slice preparation to measure physiological effects of orally given Coffea D6 (40 mg/kg), Gelsemium D4 (10 mg/kg) and V...Low dose remedies are widely administered in medicine. We used Tele-Stereo-EEG and the hippocampal slice preparation to measure physiological effects of orally given Coffea D6 (40 mg/kg), Gelsemium D4 (10 mg/kg) and Veratrum D6 (30 mg/kg) in rats. Adult rats were implanted with electrodes positioned stereotactically into four brain regions. Changes in field potentials were transmitted wirelessly. After frequency analysis data from 6 - 8 animals were averaged. For in vitro testing, preparations were superfused directly on hippocampal slices. Stimulation of Schaffer Collaterals by single stimuli (SS) or theta burst stimulation (TBS) resulted in stable population spike amplitudes. All three low dose preparations produced decreases of spectral power. Statistically significant changes were observed in delta, theta and alpha2 spectral power. In the hippocampal slice preparation Coffea facilitated signal transfer presumably by enhancing glutamate AMPA receptor transmission. Gelsemium showed a similar effect, but only after single shock stimulation. Opposite to this, attenuation of the electric pathway was recognized after theta burst stimulation due to AMPA receptor and glutamate metabotropic II receptor mediated transmission. Veratrum was able to attenuate glutamatergic due to receptor-mediated signalling sensitive to AMPA and NMDA. The results strongly speak in favour of the existence of biologically active molecules in these low dose preparations.展开更多
Optogenetics combines optics and genetic engineering to control specific gene expression and biological functions and has the advantages of precise spatiotemporal control,noninvasiveness,and high efficiency.Geneticall...Optogenetics combines optics and genetic engineering to control specific gene expression and biological functions and has the advantages of precise spatiotemporal control,noninvasiveness,and high efficiency.Genetically modified photosensory sensors are engineered into proteins to modulate conformational changes with light stimulation.Therefore,optogenetic techniques can provide new insights into oral biological processes at different levels,ranging from the subcellular and cellular levels to neural circuits and behavioral models.Here,we introduce the origins of optogenetics and highlight the recent progress of optogenetic approaches in oral and craniofacial research,focusing on the ability to apply optogenetics to the study of basic scientific neural mechanisms and to establish different oral behavioral test models in vivo(orofacial movement,licking,eating,and drinking),such as channelrhodopsin(ChR),archaerhodopsin(Arch),and halorhodopsin from Natronomonas pharaonis(NpHR).We also review the synergic and antagonistic effects of optogenetics in preclinical studies of trigeminal neuralgia and maxillofacial cellulitis.In addition,optogenetic tools have been used to control the neurogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells in translational studies.Although the scope of optogenetic tools is increasing,there are limited large animal experiments and clinical studies in dental research.Potential future directions include exploring therapeutic strategies for addressing loss of taste in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),studying oral bacterial biofilms,enhancing craniomaxillofacial and periodontal tissue regeneration,and elucidating the possible pathogenesis of dry sockets,xerostomia,and burning mouth syndrome.展开更多
Accumulating evidence suggests that the nucleus accumbens, which is involved in mechanisms of reward and addiction, plays a role in the pathogenesis of depression and in the action of anti-depressants. In the current ...Accumulating evidence suggests that the nucleus accumbens, which is involved in mechanisms of reward and addiction, plays a role in the pathogenesis of depression and in the action of anti-depressants. In the current study, intraperitoneal injection of nomifensine, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, decreased depression-like behaviors in the Wistar Kyoto rat model of depression in the sucrose-preference and forced swim tests. Nomifensine also reduced membrane excitability in medium spiny neurons in the core of the nucleus accumbens in the childhood Wistar Kyoto rats as evaluated by electrophysiological recording. In addition, the expression of dopamine D2-like receptor mRNA was downregulated in the nucleus accumbens, striatum and hippocampus of nomifensine-treated childhood Wistar Kyoto rats. These experimental ifndings indicate that impaired inhibition of medium spiny neurons, mediated by dopamine D2-like receptors, may be involved in the formation of depression-like behavior in childhood Wistar Kyoto rats, and that nomifensine can alleviate depressive behaviors by reducing medium spiny neuron membrane excitability.展开更多
Purpose:Misophonia is not investigated much from an audiological perspective.Our study aims to examine the processing of the auditory retro-cochlear pathways in individuals with misophonia.Methods:A cross-sectional st...Purpose:Misophonia is not investigated much from an audiological perspective.Our study aims to examine the processing of the auditory retro-cochlear pathways in individuals with misophonia.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students who had misophonia.The revised Amsterdam Misophonia Scale was used to determine the severity of misophonia.Participants were divided into mild and moderate-severe misophonia and compared with the healthy control group.Auditory Brainstem Response testing was recorded from all the individuals with misophonia.The absolute latency,amplitude,inter-peak latency difference,and inter-rate latency difference were compared between the groups.Results:One-way ANOVA result showed no significant difference in all the parameters of auditory brainstem response between the groups.These results are suggestive of normal brainstem processing in individuals with misophonia.Conclusions:The study concludes that the auditory pathway up to brainstem areas is intact in individuals with misophonia.Further studies are essential on a larger population for generalizing the results.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Carpal tunnel syndrome （CTS） is diagnosed mainly according to clinical symptoms, physical sign and neurodiagnostic laboratory examination. The therapeutic effect of conservative management and surgical ...BACKGROUND： Carpal tunnel syndrome （CTS） is diagnosed mainly according to clinical symptoms, physical sign and neurodiagnostic laboratory examination. The therapeutic effect of conservative management and surgical operation in treating CTS need to be further observed and evaluated. OBJECTIVE： To analyze the clinical characteristics, neurophysiological grade and outcome in patients with CTS. DESIGN： Retrospective case-analysis. SETTING： Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Xi＇an Jiaotong University. PARTICIPANTS： Totally 161 patients with suspected CTS from National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore referred to the Neurodiagnostic Laboratory for the confirmatory testing between January and September 2002. The involved patients, 137 male and 24 female, were aged 21 - 85 years. METHODS： ①The condition of diabetes mellitus complicated by abnormal thyroid function was observed.② The effect on predominant hand, and paraesthesia were observed. ③Neuroelectrophysiological studies were performed and the results were graded into mild, moderate and severe CTS according to the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine （AAEM） criteria.④ Conservative management and surgical intervention were followed up 3 months later, and symptoms and physical sign basically disappeared, and function was basically recovered, which indicated that disease condition improved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ①Condition of CTS complicated by metabolic disease; ②Effects on predominant hand and paraesthesia; ③Electrophysiological grading; ④Prognosis. RESULTS： Totally 161 patients participated in the final analysis. ①Condition of CTS complicated by metabolic disease： Among 161 patients, 17.4% （28/161） were documented to have diabetes mellitus and 7（4.3%） had hypothyroidism. ②Effects on predominant hand and paraesthesia： Dominant hand involvement was present in 134 patients （83.2%） and more than 75% had onset of symptoms in the dominant hand. Sensory symptoms like numbness and paresthesias were the predominant symptoms, accounting for 89.1% （134/161）, this discomfort was felt in all 5 digits of the hand in 47.6%, and lateral three and half digits in 21.4%. The noctural symptoms were present in 30.4% （49/161） patients. ③Electrophysiological typing： The most frequent abnormality was that of the prolonged mid-palm median and ulnar latency difference in 146（54.7%） hands; 103（38.6%） hands had prolonged median motor distal latency. Absent response from thenar muscle was present in 35 （13.1%） hands. Nerve conduction study showed bilateral CTS in 105 （65.2%） patients and unilateral CTS in 56 （34.8%） patients. Sixteen patients with bilateral CTS had symptoms in one hand only. Overall, 36.8% had mild, 49.2 % had moderate and 13.9 % had severe CTS, with median duration of symptoms of 6, 9 and 14 months, respectively. ④Delay in diagnosis： 37（22.9%） patients delayed in diagnosis from 1-4 months, 16（43.2%） were misdiagnosed as cervical spondylosis; 6（16.2%） were ignored due to their condition by busy work; 15（40.5%） were unware of their symptoms. ⑤Prognosis： Follow up data was available for only 72.7% （117/161） patients. Conservative management was conducted in 73.5% （86/117）. Clinical symptoms were resolved or improved in 65.1% （56/86） patients with 17 mild CTS, 29 moderate CTS, and 10 severe CTS. 26.5% （31/117） patients underwent surgery for CTS release, and clinical symptoms were improved in 12（38.7%） with moderate CTS and 2 （6.5%） with severe CTS at 3 months of follow up. CONCLUSION： ①Sensory symptoms in CTS are more in severe and common in dominant hand. ②Conservative management showed resolution or improvement for mild and moderate CTS. Surgical intervention shows either resolution or improvement in clinical symptoms in moderate CTS. ③The common reasons for delay in diagnosis were due to misdiagnosis as cervical spondylosis and lack of awareness of the condition.④Assessment on severity of CTS by electrophysiological grade is of important significance for determining therapeutic mean.展开更多
A 62-year-old woman presented with an 8-year history of chronic persisting pelvic pain. She described constant throbbing, stabbing vaginal pain. A pelvic floor neurophysiological assessment of the pudendal nerve was p...A 62-year-old woman presented with an 8-year history of chronic persisting pelvic pain. She described constant throbbing, stabbing vaginal pain. A pelvic floor neurophysiological assessment of the pudendal nerve was performed by performing a needle EMG to the left and right external anal sphincter assessing for insertional activity and recruitment pattern. A quantitative assessment of the motor unit action potentials [MUAPs] was also performed. Tests confirmed a left pudendal neuropathy with chronic denervation in the left external anal sphincter, with reasonable muscle function, with a recruitment pattern of 65% - 70% of normal. The CAR showed an elevated sensory threshold with a normal distal latency. All other conventional pudendal nerve treatments including oral antiepileptic medication, neuromodulation and pudendal nerve blocking injections had failed, and the patient was exacerbated by the persisting pain and discomfort. In this case, 30 international units (iu) of botulinum toxin type A in 10 divided doses of 3 iu were injected along the nerve. Four days later the patient reported a significant improvement in the pain symptoms. She was reviewed 3 weeks later and for the first time in 8 years had made the 70 mile journey to the clinic as a passenger in her husband’s car. This case highlights a new therapeutic option of botulinum toxin type A injection, along the nerve length, for this common painful condition. It seems to have clinical veracity as unlike other therapeutic option the affect lasts for 3 or 4 months.展开更多
The article considers the biological nature and origins of emotional stress. Emotional stress is primarily formed in the mental activity of the brain in the form of pronounced long-term negative emotions and is second...The article considers the biological nature and origins of emotional stress. Emotional stress is primarily formed in the mental activity of the brain in the form of pronounced long-term negative emotions and is secondarily manifested in neurophysiological mechanisms and somatovegetative processes. However, all studies of the development of emotional stress are focused on the study of central neurophysiological mechanisms, excluding the possibility of analysis for the “sources” of emotional stress, which is primarily formed in the subjective sphere of brain activity, i.e., in the mechanisms of emotions. In our studies, we propose a fundamentally new methodology for studying the mental activity of the human brain and, in particular, the mechanisms of emotions. Thereby, modern methods of psychophysiology make it possible to come closer to understanding the nature of emotional stress.展开更多
Psychophysiological effects of Sideritis herba extracts depend on biologically active ingredients, which might be different for several botanical types of this plant. The present investigation aimed at the characteriz...Psychophysiological effects of Sideritis herba extracts depend on biologically active ingredients, which might be different for several botanical types of this plant. The present investigation aimed at the characterization of extracts from Sideritis scardica and Sideritis euboa in vivo and in vitro. Construction of electropharmacograms on the base of recording of electrical field potentials from four different brain regions was used to compare the possible pharmacological effects to a database of reference drugs with known clinical indications. Whereas Sideritis scardica produced decreases of spectral power in line with stimulatory frequency patterns as observed in the presence of Ginkgo biloba extract, administration of Sideritis euboa produced opposite effects. Electrical stimulation of the Schaffer Collaterals was used to elicit a pyramidal cell response called population spike in vitro. The amplitude of this spike was determined in the presence of single as well as theta burst stimuli. Direct exposure of brain matter to Sideritis scardica extract led to concentration dependent increases of the population spike amplitude under both stimulation patterns in the range from 12.5 to 100 mg/L. On the opposite, extract from Sideritis euboa did not change the electric response up to 50 mg/L. Higher concentrations of this extract attenuated the signal amplitude. A 1:1 blend of both gave intermediate results. The in vitro results are in line with the in vivo EEG recordings, where both extracts induced opposite changes of the electric power with respect to electric frequency patterns. The results from both models suggest a stimulatory and/or memory-enhancing action for the extract from Sideritis scardica but not for Sideritis euboa extract, where a more tranquillizing effect like that observed in the presence of Humulus cone extract may be expected.展开更多
文摘Far lateral lumbar disc herniations(FLLDH)represent a separate category of disc pathology which includes both intraforaminal and extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations,that are characterized by a peculiar clinical presentation,diagnostic and treatment modalities as compared to the more frequent median and paramedian disc hernias.Surgical treatment often represents the only effective weapon for the cure of this disease and over the years different approaches have been developed that can reach the region of the foramen or external to it,with different degrees of invasiveness.The diagnosis is more demanding and still underestimated as it requires a more detailed knowledge in the spine anatomy and dedicated radiological studies.Computerized tomography and in particular magnetic resonance imaging are the appropriate tools for the diagnosis of FLLDH.Despite the widespread use of these diagnostic tests,many cases of FLLDH are overlooked due to insufficiently detailed radiological examinations or due to the execution of exams not focused to the foraminal or the extraforaminal region.Neurophysiological studies represent a valid aid in the diagnostic classification of this pathology and in some cases they can facilitate the differential diagnosis with other types of radiculopathies.In the present study,a comprehensive review of the clinical presentation,epidemiology,radiological study and the neurophysiological aspects is presented.
文摘Every day walking consists of frequent voluntary modifications in the gait pattern to negotiate obstacles.After spinal cord injury,stepping over an obstacle becomes challenging.Stepping over an obstacle requires sensorimotor transformations in several structures of the brain,including the parietal cortex,premotor cortex,and motor cortex.Sensory information and planning are transformed into motor commands,which are sent from the motor cortex to spinal neuronal circuits to alter limb trajectory,coordinate the limbs,and maintain balance.After spinal cord injury,bidirectional communication between the brain and spinal cord is disrupted and animals,including humans,fail to voluntarily modify limb trajectory to step over an obstacle.Therefore,in this review,we discuss the neuromechanical control of stepping over an obstacle,why it fails after spinal cord injury,and how it recovers to a certain extent.
文摘[Objectives]To evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)on neurophysiological outcomes in patients with acute stroke.[Methods]A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed,EMBASE,Web of Science,the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL),and CINAHL databases up to March 1,2025.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and clinical controlled trials(CCTs)involving adult patients(≥18 years)with acute ischemic stroke(within 2 weeks of onset)who received rTMS intervention were included.Data on motor evoked potential(MEP)amplitude,resting motor threshold(RMT),and central motor conduction time(CMCT)were extracted.The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 18.0,with standardized mean differences(SMDs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)calculated.Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I^(2)statistic.[Results]Eight studies involving 932 identified records met the inclusion criteria.Meta-analysis revealed that rTMS significantly increased MEP amplitude(Hedges'g=0.77,95%CI:0.52-1.02,P<0.01)and reduced RMT(Hedges g=-1.13,95%CI:-1.63 to-0.62,P<0.01)in the lesioned hemisphere,indicating enhanced corticospinal excitability.No significant effects were observed on MEP amplitude or RMT in the unaffected hemisphere.Additionally,rTMS did not significantly alter CMCT in either hemisphere.Heterogeneity was low to moderate for most outcomes,and no significant publication bias was detected.[Conclusions]rTMS is a safe and effective intervention for improving corticospinal excitability and motor recovery in patients with acute stroke.Both high-frequency stimulation of the ipsilesional hemisphere and low-frequency stimulation of the contralesional hemisphere have demonstrated beneficial effects,supporting the interhemispheric inhibition model.Future large-scale,multi-center RCTs are needed to optimize rTMS parameters and establish standardized treatment protocols for acute stroke rehabilitation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,32471572)to D.L.the NSFC(32401298)the Hebei Natural Science Foundation(C2023205016)to L.W。
文摘Avian vocal communication represents one of the most intricate forms of animal language,playing a critical role in behavioral interactions.Both peripheral and central auditory-vocal pathways are essential for precisely integrating acoustic signals,ensuring effective communication.Like humans,songbirds exhibit vocal learning behaviors supported by complex neural mechanisms.However,unlike most mammals,songbirds possess the remarkable ability to regenerate damaged auditory cells.These capabilities offer unique opportunities to explore how birds adjust their vocal behavior and auditory processing in response to dynamic environmental conditions.Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the plasticity of avian vocal communication system,yet the vocal diversity and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying vocalization and hearing have often been examined independently.A comprehensive overview of how these systems interact and adapt in birds remains lacking.To address this gap,this review synthesizes the peripheral and central features of avian vocalization and hearing,while also exploring the mechanisms that drive the remarkable plasticity of these systems.Furthermore,it explores seasonal variations in bird vocalization and hearing and adaptations to environmental noise,focusing on how hormonal,neural,and ecological factors together shape vocal behavior and auditory sensitivity.Avian vocal communication systems present an exceptional model for studying the integration of peripheral and central vocal-auditory pathways and their adaptive responses to ever-changing environments.This review underscores the dynamic interactions between avian vocal communication systems and environmental stimuli,offering new insights into broader principles of sensory processing,and neuroplasticity.
文摘Management of intracranial hypertension(IH)has improved in the last decades driven by advancements in monitoring technologies and a deeper understanding of its pathophysiology.Although intracranial pressure(ICP)catheters are still recommended by current guidelines for monitoring patients at risk of IH,these methods are not without limitations.Challenges include procedural complications,availability of these devices in many healthcare settings and technical issues.In this context,management in the absence of ICP monitoring is common and now it can be augmented by intensivist-led point-of-care ultrasound,which includes tools such as transcranial doppler,optic nerve sheath measurement and brain ultrasound.These methods offer anatomic information that can sometimes withhold repeated head computed tomography(CT)scans,but they are also a window into ICP dynamics without the associated risks of invasive monitoring and are reasonable alternatives for guiding treatment,provided an integration between neurological examination,head CT anatomical findings and noninvasive monitors is considered.This manuscript synthesizes the evidence for using invasive ICP monitoring and methods for non-invasive monitoring,more focused on the role of ultrasound,given its wider availability.We also propose a practical approach of how to integrate this information at bedside to avoid both under and overtreatment,by embracing a clinical epidemiology paradigm to guide management decisions.
基金Supported by A Medical Research Council Career Establi-shment Award and the Rosetrees Trust
文摘Functional gastrointestinal disorders are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and pain is their commonest presenting symptom. In addition, patients with these disorders often demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to experimental visceral stimulation, termed visceral pain hypersensitivity that is likely to be important in their pathophysiology. Knowledge of how the brain processes sensory information from visceral structures is still in its infancy. However, our understanding has been propelled by technological imaging advances such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography, Magnetoencephalography, and Electroencephalography （EEG）. Numerous human studies have non-invasively demonstrated the complexity involved in functional pain processing, and highlighted a number of subcortical and cortical regions involved. This review will focus on the neurophysiological pathways （primary afferents, spinal and supraspinal transmission）, brainimaging techniques and the influence of endogenous and psychological processes in healthy controls and patients suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorders. Special attention will be paid to the newer EEG source analysis techniques. Understanding the phenotypic differences that determine an individual＇s response to injurious stimuli could be the key to understanding why some patients develop pain and hyperalgesia in response to inflammation/injury while others do not. For future studies, an integrated approach is required incorporating an individual＇s psychological, autonomic, neuroendocrine, neurophysiological, and genetic profile to define phenotypic traits that may be at greater risk of developing sensitised states in response to gut inflammation or injury.
基金supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30972766,31170852,81001322,81172795,81173048the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Colleges and Universities,No.20094402110004
文摘Interleukin-6 has been shown to be involved in nerve injury and nerve regeneration, but the effects of long-term administration of high concentrations of interleukin-6 on neurons in the central nervous system is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of 24 hour expo-sure of interleukin-6 on cortical neurons at various concentrations （0.1, 1, 5 and 10 ng/mL） and the effects of 10 ng/mL interleukin-6 exposure to cortical neurons for various durations （2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours） by studying voltage-gated Na＋ channels using a patch-clamp technique. Volt-age-clamp recording results demonstrated that interleukin-6 suppressed Na＋ currents through its receptor in a time- and dose-dependent manner, but did not alter voltage-dependent activation and inactivation. Current-clamp recording results were consistent with voltage-clamp recording results. Interleukin-6 reduced the action potential amplitude of cortical neurons, but did not change the action potential threshold. The regulation of voltage-gated Na＋channels in rat corti-cal neurons by interleukin-6 is time- and dose-dependent.
文摘Stress can be associated with many physiologicalchanges resulting in significant decrements in human performance.Due to growing interests in alternative and complementary medicine by Westerners,many of the traditions and holistic yogic breathing practices today are being utilized as a measure for healthier lifestyles.These state-of-the-art practices can have a significant impact on common mental health conditions such as depression and generalized anxiety disorder.However,the potential of yogic breathing on optimizing human performance and overall well-being is not well known.Breathing techniques such as alternate nostril,Sudarshan Kriya and bhastrika utilizes rhythmic breathing to guide practitioners into a deep meditative state of relaxation and promote self-awareness.Furthermore,yogic breathing is physiologically stimulating and can be described as a natural"technological"solution to optimize human performance which can be categorized into:(1)cognitive function(i.e.,mind,vigilance);and(2)physical performance(i.e.,cardiorespiratory,metabolism,exercise,whole body).Based on previous studies,we postulate that daily practice of breathing meditation techniques play a significant role in preserving the compensatory mechanisms available to sustain physiological function.This preservation of physiological function may help to offset the time associated with reaching a threshold for clinical expression of chronic state(i.e.,hypertension,depression,dementia)or acute state(i.e.,massive hemorrhage,panic attic)of medical conditions.However,additional rigorous biomedical research is needed to evaluate the physiological mechanisms of various forms of meditation(i.e.,breath-based,mantra,mindfulness)on human performance.These efforts will help to define how compensatory reserve mechanisms of cardiovascular and immune systems are modulated by breath-based meditation.While it has been suggested that breath-based meditation is easier for beginning practitioners when compared to other forms of meditation more research is needed to elucidate these observations.A breath-based meditation sequence suchas Sudarshan Kriya has the potential to help develop an individual’s self-awareness and support better integration of the brain(i.e.,mind)with other organ systems(i.e.,body)for enhanced human performance.
基金Supported by "Det Obelske Familiefond" & "Spar Nord Fonden"
文摘Understanding and characterization of pain and other sensory symptoms are among the most important issues in the diagnosis and assessment of patient with gastrointestinal disorders. Methods to evoke and assess experimental pain have recently developed into a new area with the possibility for multimodal stimulation （e.g., electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical stimulation） of different nerves and pain pathways in the human gut. Such methods mimic to a high degree the pain experienced in the clinic. Multimodal pain methods have increased our basic understanding of different peripheral receptors in the gut in health and disease. Together with advanced muscle analysis, the methods have increased our understanding of receptors sensitive to mechanical, chemical and temperature stimuli in diseases, such as systemic sclerosis and diabetes. The methods can also be used to unravel central pain mechanisms, such as those involved in allodynia, hyperalgesia and referred pain. Abnormalities in central pain mechanisms are often seen in patients with chronic gut pain and hence methods relying on multimodal pain stimulation may help to understand the symptoms in these patients. Sex differences have been observed in several diseases of the gut, and differences in central pain processing between males and females have been hypothesized using multimodal pain stimulations. Finally, multimodal methods have recently been used to gain more insight into the effect of drugs against pain in the GI tract. Hence, the multimodal methods undoubtedly represents a major step forward in the future characterization and treatment of patients with various diseases of the gut.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81772421(to YH).
文摘Distraction spinal cord injury is caused by some degree of distraction or longitudinal tension on the spinal cord and commonly occurs in patients who undergo corrective operation for severe spinal deformity.With the increased degree and duration of distraction,spinal cord injuries become more serious in terms of their neurophysiology,histology,and behavior.Very few studies have been published on the specific characteristics of distraction spinal cord injury.In this study,we systematically review 22 related studies involving animal models of distraction spinal cord injury,focusing particularly on the neurophysiological,histological,and behavioral characteristics of this disease.In addition,we summarize the mechanisms underlying primary and secondary injuries caused by distraction spinal cord injury and clarify the effects of different degrees and durations of distraction on the primary injuries associated with spinal cord injury.We provide new concepts for the establishment of a model of distraction spinal cord injury and related basic research,and provide reference guidelines for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
基金Supported by Det Obelske Familie fond and Spar Nord Fonden
文摘The objective of this appraisal is to shed light on the various approaches to screen sensory information in the human gut. Understanding and characterization of sensory symptoms in gastrointestinal disorders is poor. Experimental methods allowing the investigator to control stimulus intensity and modality, as well as using validated methods for assessing sensory response have contributed to the understanding of pain mechanisms. Mechanical stimulation based on impedance planimetry allows direct recordings of luminal cross-sectional areas, and combined with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, the contribution of different gut layers can be estimated. Electrical stimulation depolarizes free nerve endings non-selectively. Consequently, the stimulation paradigm （single, train, tetanic） influences the involved sensory nerves. Visual controlled electrical stimulation combines the probes with an endoscopic approach, which allows the investigator to inspect and obtain small biopsies from the stimulation site. Thermal stimulation （cold or warm） activates selectively mucosal receptors, and chemical substances such as acid and capsaicin （either alone or in combination） are used to evoke pain and sensitization. The possibility of multimodal （e.g. mechanical, electrical, thermal and chemical） stimulation in different gut segments has developed visceral pain research. The major advantage is involvement of distinctive receptors, various sensory nerves and different pain pathways mimicking clinical pain that favors investigation of central pain mechanisms involved in allodynia, hyperalgesia and referred pain. As impairment of descending control mechanisms partly underlies the pathogenesis in chronic pain, a cold pressor test that indirectly stimulates such control mechanisms can be added. Hence, the methods undoubtedly represent a major step forward in the future characterization and treatment of patients with various diseases of the gut, which provides knowledge to dinicians about the underlying symptoms and treatment of these patients.
文摘Application of continuous repetition of motor imagery can improve the performance of exercise tasks.However,there is a lack of more detailed neurophysiological evidence to support the formulation of clear standards for interventions using motor imagery.Moreover,identification of motor imagery intervention time is necessary because it exhibits possible central fatigue.Therefore,the purpose of this study was to elucidate the development of fatigue during continuous repetition of motor imagery through objective and subjective evaluation.The study involved two experiments.In experiment 1,14 healthy young volunteers were required to imagine grasping and lifting a 1.5-L plastic bottle using the whole hand.Each participant performed the motor imagery task 100 times under each condition with 48 hours interval between two conditions:500 mL or 1500 mL of water in the bottle during the demonstration phase.Mental fatigue and a decrease in pinch power appeared under the 1500-mL condition.There were changes in concentration ability or corticospinal excitability,as assessed by motor evoked potentials,between each set with continuous repetition of motor imagery also under the 1500-mL condition.Therefore,in experiment 2,12 healthy volunteers were required to perform the motor imagery task 200 times under the 1500-mL condition.Both concentration ability and corticospinal excitability decreased.This is the first study to show that continuous repetition of motor imagery can decrease corticospinal excitability in addition to producing mental fatigue.This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee at the Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences(approval No.18121302)on January 30,2019.
文摘Low dose remedies are widely administered in medicine. We used Tele-Stereo-EEG and the hippocampal slice preparation to measure physiological effects of orally given Coffea D6 (40 mg/kg), Gelsemium D4 (10 mg/kg) and Veratrum D6 (30 mg/kg) in rats. Adult rats were implanted with electrodes positioned stereotactically into four brain regions. Changes in field potentials were transmitted wirelessly. After frequency analysis data from 6 - 8 animals were averaged. For in vitro testing, preparations were superfused directly on hippocampal slices. Stimulation of Schaffer Collaterals by single stimuli (SS) or theta burst stimulation (TBS) resulted in stable population spike amplitudes. All three low dose preparations produced decreases of spectral power. Statistically significant changes were observed in delta, theta and alpha2 spectral power. In the hippocampal slice preparation Coffea facilitated signal transfer presumably by enhancing glutamate AMPA receptor transmission. Gelsemium showed a similar effect, but only after single shock stimulation. Opposite to this, attenuation of the electric pathway was recognized after theta burst stimulation due to AMPA receptor and glutamate metabotropic II receptor mediated transmission. Veratrum was able to attenuate glutamatergic due to receptor-mediated signalling sensitive to AMPA and NMDA. The results strongly speak in favour of the existence of biologically active molecules in these low dose preparations.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82370991)the Health Department of Zhejiang Province(Nos.2021KY194 and 2022KY872),China.
文摘Optogenetics combines optics and genetic engineering to control specific gene expression and biological functions and has the advantages of precise spatiotemporal control,noninvasiveness,and high efficiency.Genetically modified photosensory sensors are engineered into proteins to modulate conformational changes with light stimulation.Therefore,optogenetic techniques can provide new insights into oral biological processes at different levels,ranging from the subcellular and cellular levels to neural circuits and behavioral models.Here,we introduce the origins of optogenetics and highlight the recent progress of optogenetic approaches in oral and craniofacial research,focusing on the ability to apply optogenetics to the study of basic scientific neural mechanisms and to establish different oral behavioral test models in vivo(orofacial movement,licking,eating,and drinking),such as channelrhodopsin(ChR),archaerhodopsin(Arch),and halorhodopsin from Natronomonas pharaonis(NpHR).We also review the synergic and antagonistic effects of optogenetics in preclinical studies of trigeminal neuralgia and maxillofacial cellulitis.In addition,optogenetic tools have been used to control the neurogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells in translational studies.Although the scope of optogenetic tools is increasing,there are limited large animal experiments and clinical studies in dental research.Potential future directions include exploring therapeutic strategies for addressing loss of taste in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),studying oral bacterial biofilms,enhancing craniomaxillofacial and periodontal tissue regeneration,and elucidating the possible pathogenesis of dry sockets,xerostomia,and burning mouth syndrome.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31271198 and 81121001grants from the Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology,No.11ZR1415900the State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology,Fudan University,No.10-12
文摘Accumulating evidence suggests that the nucleus accumbens, which is involved in mechanisms of reward and addiction, plays a role in the pathogenesis of depression and in the action of anti-depressants. In the current study, intraperitoneal injection of nomifensine, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, decreased depression-like behaviors in the Wistar Kyoto rat model of depression in the sucrose-preference and forced swim tests. Nomifensine also reduced membrane excitability in medium spiny neurons in the core of the nucleus accumbens in the childhood Wistar Kyoto rats as evaluated by electrophysiological recording. In addition, the expression of dopamine D2-like receptor mRNA was downregulated in the nucleus accumbens, striatum and hippocampus of nomifensine-treated childhood Wistar Kyoto rats. These experimental ifndings indicate that impaired inhibition of medium spiny neurons, mediated by dopamine D2-like receptors, may be involved in the formation of depression-like behavior in childhood Wistar Kyoto rats, and that nomifensine can alleviate depressive behaviors by reducing medium spiny neuron membrane excitability.
文摘Purpose:Misophonia is not investigated much from an audiological perspective.Our study aims to examine the processing of the auditory retro-cochlear pathways in individuals with misophonia.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students who had misophonia.The revised Amsterdam Misophonia Scale was used to determine the severity of misophonia.Participants were divided into mild and moderate-severe misophonia and compared with the healthy control group.Auditory Brainstem Response testing was recorded from all the individuals with misophonia.The absolute latency,amplitude,inter-peak latency difference,and inter-rate latency difference were compared between the groups.Results:One-way ANOVA result showed no significant difference in all the parameters of auditory brainstem response between the groups.These results are suggestive of normal brainstem processing in individuals with misophonia.Conclusions:The study concludes that the auditory pathway up to brainstem areas is intact in individuals with misophonia.Further studies are essential on a larger population for generalizing the results.
文摘BACKGROUND： Carpal tunnel syndrome （CTS） is diagnosed mainly according to clinical symptoms, physical sign and neurodiagnostic laboratory examination. The therapeutic effect of conservative management and surgical operation in treating CTS need to be further observed and evaluated. OBJECTIVE： To analyze the clinical characteristics, neurophysiological grade and outcome in patients with CTS. DESIGN： Retrospective case-analysis. SETTING： Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Xi＇an Jiaotong University. PARTICIPANTS： Totally 161 patients with suspected CTS from National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore referred to the Neurodiagnostic Laboratory for the confirmatory testing between January and September 2002. The involved patients, 137 male and 24 female, were aged 21 - 85 years. METHODS： ①The condition of diabetes mellitus complicated by abnormal thyroid function was observed.② The effect on predominant hand, and paraesthesia were observed. ③Neuroelectrophysiological studies were performed and the results were graded into mild, moderate and severe CTS according to the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine （AAEM） criteria.④ Conservative management and surgical intervention were followed up 3 months later, and symptoms and physical sign basically disappeared, and function was basically recovered, which indicated that disease condition improved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ①Condition of CTS complicated by metabolic disease; ②Effects on predominant hand and paraesthesia; ③Electrophysiological grading; ④Prognosis. RESULTS： Totally 161 patients participated in the final analysis. ①Condition of CTS complicated by metabolic disease： Among 161 patients, 17.4% （28/161） were documented to have diabetes mellitus and 7（4.3%） had hypothyroidism. ②Effects on predominant hand and paraesthesia： Dominant hand involvement was present in 134 patients （83.2%） and more than 75% had onset of symptoms in the dominant hand. Sensory symptoms like numbness and paresthesias were the predominant symptoms, accounting for 89.1% （134/161）, this discomfort was felt in all 5 digits of the hand in 47.6%, and lateral three and half digits in 21.4%. The noctural symptoms were present in 30.4% （49/161） patients. ③Electrophysiological typing： The most frequent abnormality was that of the prolonged mid-palm median and ulnar latency difference in 146（54.7%） hands; 103（38.6%） hands had prolonged median motor distal latency. Absent response from thenar muscle was present in 35 （13.1%） hands. Nerve conduction study showed bilateral CTS in 105 （65.2%） patients and unilateral CTS in 56 （34.8%） patients. Sixteen patients with bilateral CTS had symptoms in one hand only. Overall, 36.8% had mild, 49.2 % had moderate and 13.9 % had severe CTS, with median duration of symptoms of 6, 9 and 14 months, respectively. ④Delay in diagnosis： 37（22.9%） patients delayed in diagnosis from 1-4 months, 16（43.2%） were misdiagnosed as cervical spondylosis; 6（16.2%） were ignored due to their condition by busy work; 15（40.5%） were unware of their symptoms. ⑤Prognosis： Follow up data was available for only 72.7% （117/161） patients. Conservative management was conducted in 73.5% （86/117）. Clinical symptoms were resolved or improved in 65.1% （56/86） patients with 17 mild CTS, 29 moderate CTS, and 10 severe CTS. 26.5% （31/117） patients underwent surgery for CTS release, and clinical symptoms were improved in 12（38.7%） with moderate CTS and 2 （6.5%） with severe CTS at 3 months of follow up. CONCLUSION： ①Sensory symptoms in CTS are more in severe and common in dominant hand. ②Conservative management showed resolution or improvement for mild and moderate CTS. Surgical intervention shows either resolution or improvement in clinical symptoms in moderate CTS. ③The common reasons for delay in diagnosis were due to misdiagnosis as cervical spondylosis and lack of awareness of the condition.④Assessment on severity of CTS by electrophysiological grade is of important significance for determining therapeutic mean.
文摘A 62-year-old woman presented with an 8-year history of chronic persisting pelvic pain. She described constant throbbing, stabbing vaginal pain. A pelvic floor neurophysiological assessment of the pudendal nerve was performed by performing a needle EMG to the left and right external anal sphincter assessing for insertional activity and recruitment pattern. A quantitative assessment of the motor unit action potentials [MUAPs] was also performed. Tests confirmed a left pudendal neuropathy with chronic denervation in the left external anal sphincter, with reasonable muscle function, with a recruitment pattern of 65% - 70% of normal. The CAR showed an elevated sensory threshold with a normal distal latency. All other conventional pudendal nerve treatments including oral antiepileptic medication, neuromodulation and pudendal nerve blocking injections had failed, and the patient was exacerbated by the persisting pain and discomfort. In this case, 30 international units (iu) of botulinum toxin type A in 10 divided doses of 3 iu were injected along the nerve. Four days later the patient reported a significant improvement in the pain symptoms. She was reviewed 3 weeks later and for the first time in 8 years had made the 70 mile journey to the clinic as a passenger in her husband’s car. This case highlights a new therapeutic option of botulinum toxin type A injection, along the nerve length, for this common painful condition. It seems to have clinical veracity as unlike other therapeutic option the affect lasts for 3 or 4 months.
文摘The article considers the biological nature and origins of emotional stress. Emotional stress is primarily formed in the mental activity of the brain in the form of pronounced long-term negative emotions and is secondarily manifested in neurophysiological mechanisms and somatovegetative processes. However, all studies of the development of emotional stress are focused on the study of central neurophysiological mechanisms, excluding the possibility of analysis for the “sources” of emotional stress, which is primarily formed in the subjective sphere of brain activity, i.e., in the mechanisms of emotions. In our studies, we propose a fundamentally new methodology for studying the mental activity of the human brain and, in particular, the mechanisms of emotions. Thereby, modern methods of psychophysiology make it possible to come closer to understanding the nature of emotional stress.
文摘Psychophysiological effects of Sideritis herba extracts depend on biologically active ingredients, which might be different for several botanical types of this plant. The present investigation aimed at the characterization of extracts from Sideritis scardica and Sideritis euboa in vivo and in vitro. Construction of electropharmacograms on the base of recording of electrical field potentials from four different brain regions was used to compare the possible pharmacological effects to a database of reference drugs with known clinical indications. Whereas Sideritis scardica produced decreases of spectral power in line with stimulatory frequency patterns as observed in the presence of Ginkgo biloba extract, administration of Sideritis euboa produced opposite effects. Electrical stimulation of the Schaffer Collaterals was used to elicit a pyramidal cell response called population spike in vitro. The amplitude of this spike was determined in the presence of single as well as theta burst stimuli. Direct exposure of brain matter to Sideritis scardica extract led to concentration dependent increases of the population spike amplitude under both stimulation patterns in the range from 12.5 to 100 mg/L. On the opposite, extract from Sideritis euboa did not change the electric response up to 50 mg/L. Higher concentrations of this extract attenuated the signal amplitude. A 1:1 blend of both gave intermediate results. The in vitro results are in line with the in vivo EEG recordings, where both extracts induced opposite changes of the electric power with respect to electric frequency patterns. The results from both models suggest a stimulatory and/or memory-enhancing action for the extract from Sideritis scardica but not for Sideritis euboa extract, where a more tranquillizing effect like that observed in the presence of Humulus cone extract may be expected.
