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Bretas R, Tia B, Iriki A. The self-in-the-world map emerged in the primate brain as a basis for Homo sapiens abilities. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:342-348. [PMID: 39113583 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
The brain in the genus Homo expanded rapidly during evolution, accelerated by a reciprocated interaction between neural, cognitive, and ecological niches (triadic niche construction, or TNC). This biologically costly expansion incubated latent cognitive capabilities that, with a quick and inexpensive rewiring of brain areas in a second phase of TNC, provided the basis for Homo sapiens specific abilities. The neural demands for perception of the human body in interaction with tools and the environment required highly integrated sensorimotor domains, inducing the parietal lobe expansion seen in humans. These newly expanded brain areas allowed connecting the sensations felt in the body to the actions in the world through the cognitive function of "projection". In this opinion article, we suggest that as a relationship of equivalence between body parts, tools and their external effects was established, mental mechanisms of self-objectification might have emerged as described previously, grounding notions of spatial organization, idealized objects, and their transformations, as well as socio-emotional states in the sensing agent through a self-in-the-world map. Therefore, human intelligence and its features such as symbolic thought, language, mentalizing, and complex technical and social behaviors could have stemmed from the explicit awareness of the causal relationship between the self and intentional modifications to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Bretas
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
- Center for Information and Neural Networks, NICT, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Banty Tia
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Atsushi Iriki
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
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2
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Giraud M, Zapparoli L, Basso G, Petilli M, Paulesu E, Nava E. Mapping the emotional homunculus with fMRI. iScience 2024; 27:109985. [PMID: 38868180 PMCID: PMC11167434 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Emotions are commonly associated with bodily sensations, e.g., boiling with anger when overwhelmed with rage. Studies have shown that emotions are related to specific body parts, suggesting that somatotopically organized cortical regions that commonly respond to somatosensory and motor experiences might be involved in the generation of emotions. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate whether the subjective feelings of emotion are accompanied by the activation of somatotopically defined sensorimotor brain regions, thus aiming to reconstruct an "emotional homunculus." By defining the convergence of the brain activation patterns evoked by self-generated emotions during scanning onto a sensorimotor map created on participants' tactile and motor brain activity, we showed that all the evoked emotions activated parts of this sensorimotor map, yet with considerable overlap among different emotions. Although we could not find a highly specific segmentation of discrete emotions over sensorimotor regions, our results support an embodied experience of emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Giraud
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Psychology Department and NeuroMi, Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Zapparoli
- Psychology Department and NeuroMi, Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- fMRI Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Basso
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Petilli
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Eraldo Paulesu
- Psychology Department and NeuroMi, Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Nava
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Psychology Department and NeuroMi, Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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3
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Watters H, Davis A, Fazili A, Daley L, LaGrow TJ, Schumacher EH, Keilholz S. Infraslow dynamic patterns in human cortical networks track a spectrum of external to internal attention. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590625. [PMID: 38712098 PMCID: PMC11071428 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Early efforts to understand the human cerebral cortex focused on localization of function, assigning functional roles to specific brain regions. More recent evidence depicts the cortex as a dynamic system, organized into flexible networks with patterns of spatiotemporal activity corresponding to attentional demands. In functional MRI (fMRI), dynamic analysis of such spatiotemporal patterns is highly promising for providing non-invasive biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases and neural disorders. However, there is no established neurotypical spectrum to interpret the burgeoning literature of dynamic functional connectivity from fMRI across attentional states. In the present study, we apply dynamic analysis of network-scale spatiotemporal patterns in a range of fMRI datasets across numerous tasks including a left-right moving dot task, visual working memory tasks, congruence tasks, multiple resting state datasets, mindfulness meditators, and subjects watching TV. We find that cortical networks show shifts in dynamic functional connectivity across a spectrum that tracks the level of external to internal attention demanded by these tasks. Dynamics of networks often grouped into a single task positive network show divergent responses along this axis of attention, consistent with evidence that definitions of a single task positive network are misleading. Additionally, somatosensory and visual networks exhibit strong phase shifting along this spectrum of attention. Results were robust on a group and individual level, further establishing network dynamics as a potential individual biomarker. To our knowledge, this represents the first study of its kind to generate a spectrum of dynamic network relationships across such an axis of attention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aleah Davis
- Agnes Scott College
- Georgia Institute of Technology School of Psychology
| | | | - Lauren Daley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology
| | - TJ LaGrow
- Georgia Institute of Technology School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
| | | | - Shella Keilholz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology
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4
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Ma YY, Gao Y, Wu HQ, Liang XY, Li Y, Lu H, Liu CZ, Ning XL. OPM-MEG Measuring Phase Synchronization on Source Time Series: Application in Rhythmic Median Nerve Stimulation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2024; 32:1426-1434. [PMID: 38530717 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2024.3381173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The magnetoencephalogram (MEG) based on array optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) has the potential of replacing conventional cryogenic superconducting quantum interference device. Phase synchronization is a common method for measuring brain oscillations and functional connectivity. Verifying the feasibility and fidelity of OPM-MEG in measuring phase synchronization will help its widespread application in the study of aforementioned neural mechanisms. The analysis method on source-level time series can weaken the influence of instantaneous field spread effect. In this paper, the OPM-MEG was used for measuring the evoked responses of 20Hz rhythmic and arrhythmic median nerve stimulation, and the inter-trial phase synchronization (ITPS) and inter-reginal phase synchronization (IRPS) of primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) were analysed. The results find that under rhythmic condition, the evoked responses of SI and SII show continuous oscillations and the effect of resetting phase. The values of ITPS and IRPS significantly increase at the stimulation frequency of 20Hz and its harmonic of 40Hz, whereas the arrhythmic stimulation does not exhibit this phenomenon. Moreover, in the initial stage of stimulation, the ITPS and IRPS values are significantly higher at Mu rhythm in the rhythmic condition compared to arrhythmic. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the ability of OPM-MEG in measuring phase pattern and functional connectivity on source-level, and may also prove beneficial for the study on the mechanism of rhythmic stimulation therapy for rehabilitation.
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Marin Vargas A, Bisi A, Chiappa AS, Versteeg C, Miller LE, Mathis A. Task-driven neural network models predict neural dynamics of proprioception. Cell 2024; 187:1745-1761.e19. [PMID: 38518772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Proprioception tells the brain the state of the body based on distributed sensory neurons. Yet, the principles that govern proprioceptive processing are poorly understood. Here, we employ a task-driven modeling approach to investigate the neural code of proprioceptive neurons in cuneate nucleus (CN) and somatosensory cortex area 2 (S1). We simulated muscle spindle signals through musculoskeletal modeling and generated a large-scale movement repertoire to train neural networks based on 16 hypotheses, each representing different computational goals. We found that the emerging, task-optimized internal representations generalize from synthetic data to predict neural dynamics in CN and S1 of primates. Computational tasks that aim to predict the limb position and velocity were the best at predicting the neural activity in both areas. Since task optimization develops representations that better predict neural activity during active than passive movements, we postulate that neural activity in the CN and S1 is top-down modulated during goal-directed movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Marin Vargas
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Axel Bisi
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alberto S Chiappa
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chris Versteeg
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lee E Miller
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alexander Mathis
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Patel B, Koysombat K, Mills EG, Tsoutsouki J, Comninos AN, Abbara A, Dhillo WS. The Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B. Endocr Rev 2024; 45:30-68. [PMID: 37467734 PMCID: PMC10765167 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Kisspeptin (KP) and neurokinin B (NKB) are neuropeptides that govern the reproductive endocrine axis through regulating hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal activity and pulsatile GnRH secretion. Their critical role in reproductive health was first identified after inactivating variants in genes encoding for KP or NKB signaling were shown to result in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and a failure of pubertal development. Over the past 2 decades since their discovery, a wealth of evidence from both basic and translational research has laid the foundation for potential therapeutic applications. Beyond KP's function in the hypothalamus, it is also expressed in the placenta, liver, pancreas, adipose tissue, bone, and limbic regions, giving rise to several avenues of research for use in the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy, metabolic, liver, bone, and behavioral disorders. The role played by NKB in stimulating the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to mediate menopausal hot flashes has led to the development of medications that antagonize its action as a novel nonsteroidal therapeutic agent for this indication. Furthermore, the ability of NKB antagonism to partially suppress (but not abolish) the reproductive endocrine axis has supported its potential use for the treatment of various reproductive disorders including polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. This review will provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the preclinical and clinical data that have paved the way for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic applications of KP and NKB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijal Patel
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Kanyada Koysombat
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, 72 Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Edouard G Mills
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, 72 Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Jovanna Tsoutsouki
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alexander N Comninos
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, 72 Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Ali Abbara
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, 72 Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Waljit S Dhillo
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, 72 Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0HS, UK
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Peters A, Bruchmann M, Dellert T, Moeck R, Schlossmacher I, Straube T. Stimulus awareness is associated with secondary somatosensory cortex activation in an inattentional numbness paradigm. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22575. [PMID: 38114726 PMCID: PMC10730535 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49857-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
While inattentional blindness and deafness studies have revealed neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) without the confound of task relevance in the visual and auditory modality, comparable studies for the somatosensory modality are lacking. Here, we investigated NCC using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in an inattentional numbness paradigm. Participants (N = 44) received weak electrical stimulation on the left hand while solving a demanding visual task. Half of the participants were informed that task-irrelevant weak tactile stimuli above the detection threshold would be applied during the experiment, while the other half expected stimuli below the detection threshold. Unexpected awareness assessments after the experiment revealed that altogether 10 participants did not consciously perceive the somatosensory stimuli during the visual task. Awareness was not significantly modulated by prior information. The fMRI data show that awareness of stimuli led to increased activation in the contralateral secondary somatosensory cortex. We found no significant effects of stimulus awareness in the primary somatosensory cortex or frontoparietal areas. Thus, our results support the hypothesis that somatosensory stimulus awareness is mainly based on activation in higher areas of the somatosensory cortex and does not require strong activation in extended anterior or posterior networks, which is usually seen when perceived stimuli are task-relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Peters
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany.
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Bruchmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Torge Dellert
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Robert Moeck
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Insa Schlossmacher
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Straube
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
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Li CX, Tong F, Kempf D, Howell L, Zhang X. Longitudinal evaluation of the functional connectivity changes in the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) of the monkey brain during acute stroke. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100097. [PMID: 37404949 PMCID: PMC10315998 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Somatosensory deficits are frequently seen in acute stroke patients and may recover over time and affect functional outcome. However, the underlying mechanism of function recovery remains poorly understood. In the present study, progressive function alteration of the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) and its relationship with regional perfusion and neurological outcome were examined using a monkey model of stroke. Methods and materials Rhesus monkeys (n = 4) were induced with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAo). Resting-state functional MRI, dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI, diffusion-weighted, T1 and T2 weighted images were collected before surgery and at 4-6, 48, and 96 h post stroke on a 3T scanner. Progressive changes of relative functional connectivity (FC), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and CBF/Tmax (Time to Maximum) of affected S2 regions were evaluated. Neurological deficits were assessed using the Spetzler approach. Results Ischemic lesion was evidently seen in the MCA territory including S2 in each monkey. Relative FC of injured S2 regions decreased substantially following stroke. Spetzler scores dropped substantially at 24 h post stroke but slightly recovered from Day 2 to Day 4. Relative FC progressively increased from 6 to 48 and 96 h post stroke and correlated significantly with relative CBFand CBF/Tmax changes. Conclusion The present study revealed the progressive alteration of function connectivity in S2 during acute stroke. The preliminary results suggested the function recovery might start couple days post occlusion and collateral circulation might play a key role in the recovery of somatosensory function after stroke insult. The relative function connectivity in S2 may provide additional information for prediction of functional outcome in stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Xia Li
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia
| | - Frank Tong
- Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, 30322, Georgia
| | - Doty Kempf
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia
| | - Leonard Howell
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia
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Peters A, Brockhoff L, Bruchmann M, Dellert T, Moeck R, Schlossmacher I, Straube T. Visual perceptual load and processing of somatosensory stimuli in primary and secondary somatosensory cortices. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7005. [PMID: 37117254 PMCID: PMC10147921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34225-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Load theory assumes that neural activation to distractors in early sensory cortices is modulated by the perceptual load of a main task, regardless of whether task and distractor share the same sensory modality or not. While several studies have investigated the question of load effects on distractor processing in early sensory areas, there is no functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study regarding load effects on somatosensory stimuli. Here, we used fMRI to investigate effects of visual perceptual load on neural responses to somatosensory stimuli applied to the wrist in a study with 44 participants. Perceptual load was manipulated by an established sustained visual detection task, which avoided simultaneous target and distractor presentations. Load was operationalized by detection difficulty of subtle or clear color changes of one of 12 rotating dots. While all somatosensory stimuli led to activation in somatosensory areas SI and SII, we found no statistically significant difference in brain activation to these stimuli under high compared to low sustained visual load. Moreover, exploratory Bayesian analyses supported the absence of differences. Thus, our findings suggest a resistance of somatosensory processing to at least some forms of visual perceptual load, possibly due to behavioural relevance of discrete somatosensory stimuli and separable attentional resources for the somatosensory and visual modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Peters
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany.
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Laura Brockhoff
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Maximilian Bruchmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Torge Dellert
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Robert Moeck
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Insa Schlossmacher
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Straube
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Münster, Von-Esmarch-Straße 52, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
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Van de Winckel A, Zhang L, Hendrickson T, Lim KO, Mueller BA, Philippus A, Monden KR, Oh J, Huang Q, Sertic JVL, Ruen J, Konczak J, Evans R, Bronfort G. Identifying body awareness-related brain network changes after Spring Forest Qigong™ practice or P.Volve low-intensity exercise in adults with chronic low back pain: a feasibility Phase I Randomized Clinical Trial. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.02.11.23285808. [PMID: 36824785 PMCID: PMC9949220 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.11.23285808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Chronic low back pain (cLBP) affects the quality of life of 52 million Americans and leads to an enormous personal and economic burden. A multidisciplinary approach to cLBP management is recommended. Since medication has limited efficacy and there are mounting concerns about opioid addiction, the American College of Physicians and American Pain Society recommend non-pharmacological interventions, such as mind and body approaches (e.g., Qigong, yoga, Tai Chi) before prescribing medications. Of those, Qigong practice might be most accessible given its gentle movements and because it can be performed standing, sitting, or lying down. The three available Qigong studies in adults with cLBP showed that Qigong reduced pain more than waitlist and equally well than exercise. Yet, the duration and/or frequency of Qigong practice were low (<12 weeks or less than 3x/week). The objectives of this study were to investigate the feasibility of practicing Spring Forest Qigong™ or performing P.Volve low intensity exercises 3x/week for 12 weeks, feasibility of recruitment, data collection, delivery of the intervention as intended, as well as identify estimates of efficacy on brain function and behavioral outcomes after Qigong practice or exercise. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the feasibility of the potential effect of Qigong on brain function in adults with cLBP. Methods We conducted a feasibility Phase I Randomized Clinical Trial. Of the 36 adults with cLBP recruited between January 2020 and June 2021, 32 were enrolled and randomized to either 12 weeks of remote Spring Forest Qigong™ practice or remote P.Volve low-intensity exercises. Participants practiced at least 3x/week for 41min/session with online videos. Our main outcome measures were the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (highest, average, and lowest cLBP pain intensity levels in the prior week), assessed weekly and fMRI data (resting-state and task-based fMRI tasks: pain imagery, kinesthetic imagery of a Qigong movement, and robot-guided shape discrimination). We compared baseline resting-state connectivity and brain activation during fMRI tasks in adults with cLBP with data from a healthy control group (n=28) acquired in a prior study. Secondary outcomes included measures of function, disability, body awareness, kinesiophobia, balance, self-efficacy, core muscle strength, and ankle proprioceptive acuity with a custom-build device. Results Feasibility of the study design and methods was demonstrated with 30 participants completing the study (94% retention) and reporting high satisfaction with the programs; 96% adherence to P.Volve low-intensity exercises, and 128% of the required practice intensity for Spring Forest Qigong™ practice. Both groups saw promising reductions in low back pain (effect sizes Cohen's d =1.01-2.22) and in most other outcomes ( d =0.90-2.33). Markers of ankle proprioception were not significantly elevated in the cLBP group after the interventions. Brain imaging analysis showed weaker parietal operculum and insula network connectivity in adults with cLBP (n=26), compared to data from a healthy control group (n=28). The pain imagery task elicited lower brain activation of insula, parietal operculum, angular gyrus and supramarginal gyrus at baseline in adults with cLBP than in healthy adults. Adults with cLBP had lower precentral gyrus activation than healthy adults for the Qigong movement and robot task at baseline. Pre-post brain function changes showed individual variability: Six (out of 13) participants in the Qigong group showed increased activation in the parietal operculum, angular gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and precentral gyrus during the Qigong fMRI task. Interpretation Our data indicate the feasibility and acceptability of using Spring Forest Qigong™ practice or P.Volve low-intensity exercises for cLBP relief showing promising results in terms of pain relief and associated symptoms. Our brain imaging results indicated brain function improvements after 12 weeks of Qigong practice in some participants, pointing to the need for further investigation in larger studies. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04164225 .
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Abstract
The generation of an internal body model and its continuous update is essential in sensorimotor control. Although known to rely on proprioceptive sensory feedback, the underlying mechanism that transforms this sensory feedback into a dynamic body percept remains poorly understood. However, advances in the development of genetic tools for proprioceptive circuit elements, including the sensory receptors, are beginning to offer new and unprecedented leverage to dissect the central pathways responsible for proprioceptive encoding. Simultaneously, new data derived through emerging bionic neural machine-interface technologies reveal clues regarding the relative importance of kinesthetic sensory feedback and insights into the functional proprioceptive substrates that underlie natural motor behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Marasco
- Laboratory for Bionic Integration, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
- Charles Shor Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Joriene C de Nooij
- Department of Neurology and the Columbia University Motor Neuron Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA;
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12
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Van de Winckel A, Carpentier ST, Deng W, Bottale S, Zhang L, Hendrickson T, Linnman C, Lim KO, Mueller BA, Philippus A, Monden KR, Wudlick R, Battaglino R, Morse LR. Identifying Body Awareness-Related Brain Network Changes after Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation for Neuropathic Pain Relief in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury: Delayed Treatment arm Phase I Randomized Controlled Trial. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.02.09.23285713. [PMID: 36798345 PMCID: PMC9934787 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.09.23285713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Background Neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI) is notoriously hard to treat. Mechanisms of neuropathic pain are unclear, which makes finding effective treatments challenging. Prior studies have shown that adults with SCI have body awareness deficits. Recent imaging studies, including ours, point to the parietal operculum and insula as key areas for both pain perception and body awareness. Cognitive multisensory rehabilitation (CMR) is a physical therapy approach that helps improve body awareness for pain reduction and sensorimotor recovery. Based on our prior brain imaging work in CMR in stroke, we hypothesized that improving body awareness through restoring parietal operculum network connectivity leads to neuropathic pain relief and improved sensorimotor and daily life function in adults with SCI. Thus, the objectives of this study were to (1) determine baseline differences in resting-state and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain function in adults with SCI compared to healthy controls and (2) identify changes in brain function and behavioral pain and pain-associated outcomes in adults with SCI after CMR. Methods Healthy adults underwent a one-time MRI scan and completed questionnaires. We recruited community-dwelling adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain, with complete or incomplete SCI >3 months, and highest neuropathic pain intensity level of >3 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Participants with SCI were randomized into two groups, according to a delayed treatment arm phase I randomized controlled trial (RCT): Group A immediately received CMR intervention, 3x/week, 45 min/session, followed by a 6-week and 1-year follow-up. Group B started with a 6-week observation period, then 6 weeks of CMR, and a 1-year follow-up. Highest, average, and lowest neuropathic pain intensity levels were assessed weekly with the NPRS as primary outcome. Other primary outcomes (fMRI resting-state and functional tasks; sensory and motor function with the INSCI AIS exam), as well as secondary outcomes (mood, function, spasms, and other SCI secondary conditions), were assessed at baseline, after the first and second 6-week period. The INSCI AIS exam and questionnaires were repeated at the 1-year follow-up. Findings Thirty-six healthy adults and 28 adults with SCI were recruited between September 2020 and August 2021, and of those, 31 healthy adults and 26 adults with SCI were enrolled in the study. All 26 participants with SCI completed the intervention and pre-post assessments. There were no study-related adverse events. Participants were 52±15 years of age, and 1-56 years post-SCI. During the observation period, group B did not show any reductions in neuropathic pain and did not have any changes in sensation or motor function (INSCI ASIA exam). However, both groups experienced a significant reduction in neuropathic pain after the 6-week CMR intervention. Their highest level of neuropathic pain of 7.81±1.33 on the NPRS at baseline was reduced to 2.88±2.92 after 6 weeks of CMR. Their change scores were 4.92±2.92 (large effect size Cohen's d =1.68) for highest neuropathic pain, 4.12±2.23 ( d =1.85) for average neuropathic pain, and 2.31±2.07 ( d =1.00) for lowest neuropathic pain. Nine participants out of 26 were pain-free after the intervention (34.62%). The results of the INSCI AIS testing also showed significant improvements in sensation, muscle strength, and function after 6 weeks of CMR. Their INSCI AIS exam increased by 8.81±5.37 points ( d =1.64) for touch sensation, 7.50±4.89 points ( d =1.53) for pin prick sensation, and 3.87±2.81 ( d =1.38) for lower limb muscle strength. Functional improvements after the intervention included improvements in balance for 17 out of 18 participants with balance problems at baseline; improved transfers for all of them and a returned ability to stand upright with minimal assistance in 12 out of 20 participants who were unable to stand at baseline. Those improvements were maintained at the 1-year follow-up. With regard to brain imaging, we confirmed that the resting-state parietal operculum and insula networks had weaker connections in adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain (n=20) compared to healthy adults (n=28). After CMR, stronger resting-state parietal operculum network connectivity was found in adults with SCI. Also, at baseline, as expected, right toe sensory stimulation elicited less brain activation in adults with SCI (n=22) compared to healthy adults (n=26). However, after CMR, there was increased brain activation in relevant sensorimotor and parietal areas related to pain and mental body representations (i.e., body awareness and visuospatial body maps) during the toe stimulation fMRI task. These brain function improvements aligned with the AIS results of improved touch sensation, including in the feet. Interpretation Adults with chronic SCI had significant neuropathic pain relief and functional improvements, attributed to the recovery of sensation and movement after CMR. The results indicate the preliminary efficacy of CMR for restoring function in adults with chronic SCI. CMR is easily implementable in current physical therapy practice. These encouraging impressive results pave the way for larger randomized clinical trials aimed at testing the efficacy of CMR to alleviate neuropathic pain in adults with SCI. Clinical Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04706208. Funding AIRP2-IND-30: Academic Investment Research Program (AIRP) University of Minnesota School of Medicine. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health Award Number UL1TR002494; the Biotechnology Research Center: P41EB015894, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke Institutional Center Core Grants to Support Neuroscience Research: P30 NS076408; and theHigh-Performancee Connectome Upgrade for Human 3T MR Scanner: 1S10OD017974.
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Criss CR, Lepley AS, Onate JA, Simon JE, France CR, Clark BC, Grooms DR. Neural Correlates of Self-Reported Knee Function in Individuals After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Sports Health 2023; 15:52-60. [PMID: 35321615 PMCID: PMC9808834 DOI: 10.1177/19417381221079339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common knee injury among athletes and physically active adults. Despite surgical reconstruction and extensive rehabilitation, reinjuries are common and disability levels are high, even years after therapy and return to activity. Prolonged knee dysfunction may result in part from unresolved neuromuscular deficits of the surrounding joint musculature in response to injury. Indeed, "upstream" neurological adaptations occurring after injury may explain these persistent functional deficits. Despite evidence for injury consequences extending beyond the joint to the nervous system, the link between neurophysiological impairments and patient-reported measures of knee function remains unclear. HYPOTHESIS Patterns of brain activation for knee control are related to measures of patient-reported knee function in individuals after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R). STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3. METHODS In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, participants with unilateral ACL-R (n = 25; 10 men, 15 women) underwent task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging testing. Participants performed repeated cycles of open-chain knee flexion/extension. Neural activation patterns during the movement task were quantified using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals. Regions of interest were generated using the Juelich Histological Brain Atlas. Pearson product-moment correlations were used to determine the relationship between mean BOLD signal within each brain region and self-reported knee function level, as measured by the International Knee Documentation Committee index. Partial correlations were also calculated after controlling for time from surgery and sex. RESULTS Patient-reported knee function was positively and moderately correlated with the ipsilateral secondary somatosensory cortex (r = 0.57, P = 0.005) and the ipsilateral supplementary motor area (r = 0.51, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION Increased ipsilateral secondary sensorimotor cortical activity is related to higher perceived knee function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Central nervous system mechanisms for knee control are related to subjective levels of knee function after ACL-R. Increased neural activity may reflect central neuroplastic strategies to preserve knee functionality after traumatic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody R. Criss
- Translational Biomedical Sciences,
Graduate College, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Ohio Musculoskeletal & Neurological
Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Cody R Criss, W283 Grover
Center, 1 Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701 (
) (Twitter: @criss_cody)
| | - Adam S. Lepley
- Exercise and Sport Science Initiative,
School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - James A. Onate
- School of Health and Rehabilitation
Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Janet E. Simon
- Ohio Musculoskeletal & Neurological
Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Division of Athletic Training, School
of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, College of Health Sciences and Professions,
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Christopher R. France
- Ohio Musculoskeletal & Neurological
Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Department of Psychology, College of
Arts and Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Brian C. Clark
- Ohio Musculoskeletal & Neurological
Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Ohio
University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Dustin R. Grooms
- Ohio Musculoskeletal & Neurological
Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Division of Athletic Training, School
of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, College of Health Sciences and Professions,
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- Division of Physical Therapy, School
of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences, College of Health Sciences and
Professions, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
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14
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Ferraro S, Klugah-Brown B, Tench CR, Bazinet V, Bore MC, Nigri A, Demichelis G, Bruzzone MG, Palermo S, Zhao W, Yao S, Jiang X, Kendrick KM, Becker B. The central autonomic system revisited – Convergent evidence for a regulatory role of the insular and midcingulate cortex from neuroimaging meta-analyses. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104915. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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15
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Bretas R, Tia B, Yamazaki Y, Iriki A. Multisensory integration and belief in the self. Front Psychol 2022; 13:983592. [DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.983592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Thurston L, Hunjan T, Mills EG, Wall MB, Ertl N, Phylactou M, Muzi B, Patel B, Alexander EC, Suladze S, Modi M, Eng PC, Bassett PA, Abbara A, Goldmeier D, Comninos AN, Dhillo WS. Melanocortin 4 receptor agonism enhances sexual brain processing in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:152341. [PMID: 36189794 PMCID: PMC9525110 DOI: 10.1172/jci152341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is characterized by a persistent deficiency of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, causing marked distress and interpersonal difficulty. It is the most prevalent female sexual health problem globally, affecting approximately 10% of women, but has limited treatment options. Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonists have emerged as a promising therapy for women with HSDD, through unknown mechanisms. Studying the pathways involved is crucial for our understanding of normal and abnormal sexual behavior. METHODS Using psychometric, functional neuroimaging, and hormonal analyses, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical study to assess the effects of MC4R agonism compared with placebo on sexual brain processing in 31 premenopausal heterosexual women with HSDD. RESULTS MC4R agonism significantly increased sexual desire for up to 24 hours after administration compared with placebo. During functional neuroimaging, MC4R agonism enhanced cerebellar and supplementary motor area activity and deactivated the secondary somatosensory cortex, specifically in response to visual erotic stimuli, compared with placebo. In addition, MC4R agonism enhanced functional connectivity between the amygdala and the insula during visual erotic stimuli compared with placebo. CONCLUSION These data suggest that MC4R agonism enhanced sexual brain processing by reducing self-consciousness, increasing sexual imagery, and sensitizing women with HSDD to erotic stimuli. These findings provide mechanistic insight into the action of MC4R agonism in sexual behavior and are relevant to the ongoing development of HSDD therapies and MC4R agonist development more widely. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04179734. FUNDING This is an investigator-sponsored study funded by AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc., the Medical Research Council (MRC) (MR/T006242/1), and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (CS-2018-18-ST2-002 and RP-2014-05-001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Thurston
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tia Hunjan
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edouard G Mills
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew B Wall
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Invicro, a Konica Minolta Company, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Ertl
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Invicro, a Konica Minolta Company, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Phylactou
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Muzi
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bijal Patel
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma C Alexander
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sofiya Suladze
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manish Modi
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pei C Eng
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ali Abbara
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Goldmeier
- Jane Wadsworth Sexual Function Clinic, St. Mary's Hospital and
| | - Alexander N Comninos
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Waljit S Dhillo
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Thurston L, Hunjan T, Ertl N, Wall MB, Mills EG, Suladze S, Patel B, Alexander EC, Muzi B, Bassett PA, Rabiner EA, Bech P, Goldmeier D, Abbara A, Comninos AN, Dhillo WS. Effects of Kisspeptin Administration in Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2236131. [PMID: 36287566 PMCID: PMC9606846 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Despite being the most common female sexual health complaint worldwide, current treatment options for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) are limited in their safety and effectiveness. The hormone kisspeptin is a key endogenous activator of the reproductive hormonal axis with additional emerging roles in sexual and emotional behavior; however, its effects in women with HSDD are unknown. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that kisspeptin enhances sexual and attraction brain processing in women with HSDD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This randomized clinical trial was double-masked and placebo controlled with a 2-way crossover. The trial was conducted in a university research setting in the UK from October 2020 to April 2021. Eligible participants were premenopausal women with HSDD. Functional neuroimaging, psychometric, and hormonal analyses were employed to investigate the effects of kisspeptin administration on brain processing, in response to erotic stimuli (erotic videos) and facial attraction (face images of varying attractiveness). Data were analyzed from May to December 2021. INTERVENTIONS A 75-minute intravenous infusion of kisspeptin-54 (1 nmol/kg/h) vs equivalent-rate placebo infusion. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Blood oxygen level-dependent responses across the whole brain and regions of interest during kisspeptin vs placebo administration in response to erotic and facial attraction stimuli. RESULTS Of the 40 participants who were randomized, 32 women completed both kisspeptin and placebo visits, with a mean (SE) age of 29.2 (1.2) years. Kisspeptin administration resulted in modulations in sexual and facial attraction brain processing (deactivation of the left inferior frontal gyrus: Z max, 3.76; P = .01; activation of the right postcentral and supramarginal gyrus: Z max, 3.73; P < .001; deactivation of the right temporoparietal junction: Z max 4.08; P = .02). Furthermore, positive correlations were observed between kisspeptin-enhanced hippocampal activity in response to erotic videos, and baseline distress relating to sexual function (r = 0.469; P = .007). Kisspeptin's enhancement of posterior cingulate cortex activity in response to attractive male faces also correlated with reduced sexual aversion, providing additional functional significance (r = 0.476, P = .005). Kisspeptin was well-tolerated with no reported adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings lay the foundations for clinical applications for kisspeptin in women with HSDD. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN trial registry identifier: ISRCTN17271094.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Thurston
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tia Hunjan
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Ertl
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Invicro, a Konica Minolta company, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew B Wall
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Invicro, a Konica Minolta company, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edouard G Mills
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sofiya Suladze
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bjial Patel
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma C Alexander
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Muzi
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Paul Bech
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Goldmeier
- Department of Sexual Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ali Abbara
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander N Comninos
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Waljit S Dhillo
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Fritzsch B, Elliott KL, Yamoah EN. Neurosensory development of the four brainstem-projecting sensory systems and their integration in the telencephalon. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:913480. [PMID: 36213204 PMCID: PMC9539932 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.913480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatosensory, taste, vestibular, and auditory information is first processed in the brainstem. From the brainstem, the respective information is relayed to specific regions within the cortex, where these inputs are further processed and integrated with other sensory systems to provide a comprehensive sensory experience. We provide the organization, genetics, and various neuronal connections of four sensory systems: trigeminal, taste, vestibular, and auditory systems. The development of trigeminal fibers is comparable to many sensory systems, for they project mostly contralaterally from the brainstem or spinal cord to the telencephalon. Taste bud information is primarily projected ipsilaterally through the thalamus to reach the insula. The vestibular fibers develop bilateral connections that eventually reach multiple areas of the cortex to provide a complex map. The auditory fibers project in a tonotopic contour to the auditory cortex. The spatial and tonotopic organization of trigeminal and auditory neuron projections are distinct from the taste and vestibular systems. The individual sensory projections within the cortex provide multi-sensory integration in the telencephalon that depends on context-dependent tertiary connections to integrate other cortical sensory systems across the four modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- *Correspondence: Bernd Fritzsch,
| | - Karen L. Elliott
- Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Ebenezer N. Yamoah
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
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19
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Ca2+ imaging of self and other in medial prefrontal cortex during social dominance interactions in a tube test. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2107942119. [PMID: 35881809 PMCID: PMC9353509 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2107942119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of social dominance interactions between animals offers a window onto the decision-making involved in establishing dominance hierarchies and an opportunity to examine changes in social behavior observed in certain neurogenetic disorders. Competitive social interactions, such as in the widely used tube test, reflect this decision-making. Previous studies have focused on the different patterns of behavior seen in the dominant and submissive animal, neural correlates of effortful behavior believed to mediate the outcome of such encounters, and interbrain correlations of neural activity. Using a rigorous mutual information criterion, we now report that neural responses recorded with endoscopic calcium imaging in the prelimbic zone of the medial prefrontal cortex show unique correlations to specific dominance-related behaviors. Interanimal analyses revealed cell/behavior correlations that are primarily with an animal's own behavior or with the other animal's behavior, or the coincident behavior of both animals (such as pushing by one and resisting by the other). The comparison of unique and coincident cells helps to disentangle cell firing that reflects an animal's own or the other's specific behavior from situations reflecting conjoint action. These correlates point to a more cognitive rather than a solely behavioral dimension of social interactions that needs to be considered in the design of neurobiological studies of social behavior. These could prove useful in studies of disorders affecting social recognition and social engagement, and the treatment of disorders of social interaction.
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20
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Michael GA, Salgues S, Plancher G, Duran G. Cues to body-related distortions and hallucinations? Spontaneous sensations correlate with EEG oscillatory activity recorded at rest in the somatosensory cortices. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2022; 324:111506. [PMID: 35688045 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2022.111506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Body awareness may arise in the total absence of sensory input, as suggested by the spontaneous occurrence of normal and pathological (i.e., hallucinatory) bodily sensations. These phenomena may arise due to back-projections from higher-order cortical areas to the primary (SI) and secondary (SII) somatosensory cortices, and would appear to be reflected in cortical oscillatory activity in both SI and SII. Here, we set to investigate the relationship of SI and SII in SPS. Healthy participants underwent an EEG recording session at rest, and then completed an experiment on the perception of spontaneous sensations occurring on the hands. Cortical oscillatory activity was extracted from specified ROIs in the somatosensory cortices. The findings showed that (i) SPS perceived in the fingers correlated positively with alpha-band oscillations recorded in SI, and that (ii) SPS perceived in the palm correlated positively with gamma-band oscillations and negatively with beta-band oscillations recorded in SII. Apart from supporting the idea that the somatosensory cortices are involved in bodily awareness even in the absence of sensory input, these findings also suggest that default oscillatory activity in the somatosensory cortices reflects individual differences in bodily awareness. The results are interpreted in terms of neural and cognitive processes that may give rise to bodily awareness and modulate it, and their importance in understanding body perception distortions and bodily delusions and hallucinations is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Michael
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 2, Unité de Recherche EMC, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 2, Institut de Psychologie, Lyon, France.
| | - Sara Salgues
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 2, Unité de Recherche EMC, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 2, Institut de Psychologie, Lyon, France
| | - Gaën Plancher
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 2, Unité de Recherche EMC, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 2, Institut de Psychologie, Lyon, France
| | - Geoffrey Duran
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 2, Unité de Recherche EMC, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 2, Institut de Psychologie, Lyon, France
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21
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Kothari SF, Blicher JU, Dagsdottir LK, Kothari M, Kumar A, Sengupta K, Buchholtz PE, Ashkanian M, Svensson P. Facilitatory Effect of Intermittent Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Perceptual Distortion of the Face. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2022; 23:1051-1059. [PMID: 35041936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Orofacial pain patients often report that the painful facial area is "swollen" without clinical signs - known as perceptual distortion (PD). The neuromodulatory effect of facilitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on PD in healthy individuals was investigated, to provide further support that the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) is involved in facial PD. Participants were allocated to active (n = 26) or sham (n = 26) rTMS group in this case-control study. PD was induced experimentally by injecting local anesthesia (LA) in the right infraorbital region. PD was measured at baseline, 6 min after LA, immediately, 20 and 40 min after rTMS. Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) as active rTMS and sham rTMS was applied to the face representation area of SI at 10 min after LA. The magnitude of PD was compared between the groups. The magnitude of PD significantly increased immediately after iTBS compared with sham rTMS (P = .009). The PD was significantly higher immediately after iTBS compared to 6 min after LA (P = .004) in the active rTMS group, but not in the sham rTMS group (P = .054). iTBS applied to a somatotopic-relevant cortical region appears to facilitate facial PD further supporting the involvement of SI in the processing of one´s own face and PD. PERSPECTIVE: This study provides information on neural substrate responsible for processing of perceptual distortion of the face which is speculated to contribute to the chronification of orofacial pain. The findings of this study may aid in mechanism-based management of the condition in orofacial pain disorders and possibly other chronic pain states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simple Futarmal Kothari
- Section for Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Scandinavian Center for Orofacial Neurosciences (SCON); Hammel Neurorehabilitation Center and University Research Clinic, Aarhus University, Hammel, Denmark.
| | - Jakob U Blicher
- CFIN, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lilja K Dagsdottir
- Section for Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Scandinavian Center for Orofacial Neurosciences (SCON)
| | - Mohit Kothari
- Hammel Neurorehabilitation Center and University Research Clinic, Aarhus University, Hammel, Denmark; JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore, India
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Scandinavian Center for Orofacial Neurosciences (SCON); Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kaushik Sengupta
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Larix A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Poul E Buchholtz
- Department for Depression and Anxiety Disorders, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mahmoud Ashkanian
- Department for Depression and Anxiety Disorders, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Svensson
- Section for Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Scandinavian Center for Orofacial Neurosciences (SCON); Department of Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function, Faculty of Odontology, Malmӧ University, Malmӧ, Sweden
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22
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Korsun O, Renvall H, Nurminen J, Mäkelä JP, Pekkonen E. Modulation of sensory cortical activity by deep brain stimulation in advanced Parkinson's Disease. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:3979-3990. [PMID: 35560964 PMCID: PMC9544049 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite optimal oral drug treatment, about 90% of patients with Parkinson's disease develop motor fluctuation and dyskinesia within 5-10 years from the diagnosis. Moreover, the patients show non-motor symptoms in different sensory domains. Bilateral deep brain stimulation applied to the subthalamic nucleus is considered the most effective treatment in advanced Parkinson's disease and it has been suggested to affect sensorimotor modulation and relate to motor improvement in patients. However, observations on the relationship between sensorimotor activity and clinical improvement have remained sparse. Here we studied the somatosensory evoked magnetic fields in thirteen right-handed patients with advanced Parkinson's disease before and 7 months after stimulator implantation. Somatosensory processing was addressed with magnetoencephalography during alternated median nerve stimulation at both wrists. The strengths and the latencies of the ~60-ms responses at the contralateral primary somatosensory cortices were highly variable but detectable and reliably localized in all patients. The response strengths did not differ between preoperative and postoperative DBSON measurements. The change in the response strength between pre- and postoperative condition in the dominant left hemisphere of our right-handed patients correlated with the alleviation of their motor symptoms (p = 0.04). However, the result did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Magnetoencephalography appears an effective tool to explore non-motor effects in patients with Parkinson's disease, and it may help in understanding the neurophysiological basis of deep brain stimulation. However, the high interindividual variability in the somatosensory responses and poor tolerability of DBSOFF condition warrants larger patient groups and measurements also in non-medicated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olesia Korsun
- Biomag Laboratory, HUS Medical Imaging Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki University, and Aalto University School of Science, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Hanna Renvall
- Biomag Laboratory, HUS Medical Imaging Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki University, and Aalto University School of Science, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Jussi Nurminen
- Biomag Laboratory, HUS Medical Imaging Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki University, and Aalto University School of Science, Helsinki, Finland.,Motion Analysis Laboratory, Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jyrki P Mäkelä
- Biomag Laboratory, HUS Medical Imaging Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki University, and Aalto University School of Science, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Pekkonen
- Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital and Department of Clinical Neurosciences (Neurology), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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23
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Brain Abnormalities in Individuals with a Desire for a Healthy Limb Amputation: Somatosensory, Motoric or Both? A Task-Based fMRI Verdict. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11091248. [PMID: 34573269 PMCID: PMC8468102 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Body integrity dysphoria (BID), a long-lasting desire for the amputation of physically healthy limbs, is associated with reduced fMRI resting-state functional connectivity of somatosensory cortices. Here, we used fMRI to evaluate whether these findings could be replicated and expanded using a task-based paradigm. We measured brain activations during somatosensory stimulation and motor tasks for each of the four limbs in ten individuals with a life-long desire for the amputation of the left leg and fourteen controls. For the left leg, BID individuals had reduced brain activation in the right superior parietal lobule for somatosensory stimulation and in the right paracentral lobule for the motor task, areas where we previously found reduced resting-state functional connectivity. In addition, for somatosensory stimulation only, we found a robust reduction in activation of somatosensory areas SII bilaterally, mostly regardless of the stimulated body part. Areas SII were regions of convergent activations for signals from all four limbs in controls to a significantly greater extent than in subjects with BID. We conclude that BID is associated with altered integration of somatosensory and, to a lesser extent, motor signals, involving limb-specific cortical maps and brain regions where the first integration of body-related signals is achieved through convergence.
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24
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Cedras AM, Sharp A, Bacon BA, Champoux F, Maheu M. Asymmetrical influence of bi-thermal caloric vestibular stimulation on a temporal order judgment task. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:3133-3141. [PMID: 34417828 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06201-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidences suggest that binaural vestibular stimulation affects tactile temporal processing. However, it remains difficult to determine the physiological mechanisms supporting the vestibular-somatosensory interactions observed during a TOJ task. Controlling the activation of the right or left vestibular system separately could allow to better understand the physiological bases of these findings and reconcile previous studies. The objective of the present study was to examine tactile temporal processing using a temporal order judgment task following selective stimulation of the right and left vestibular system with bi-thermal caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS). A total of 24 right-handed participants received bi-thermal CVS either in the right ear (n = 12) or the left ear (n = 12). Participants held vibrators in both hands which delivered a signal temporally separated by a variable asynchrony. Participants had to report the hand where the vibration was perceived first. The task was performed in three different CVS conditions: (1) baseline, (2) warm CVS, and (3) cold CVS. Analysis of the logistics curve parameters-just noticeable difference (JND) and point of subjective simultaneity (PSS)-for each participant in each CVS conditions revealed an increase in JND greater following warm CVS. A significant increase in JND following warm CVS was measured bilaterally. However, cold CVS increased JND only when CVS was applied in the left ear, but not in the right ear. Finally, no influence of CVS on PSS was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assan Mary Cedras
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Montreal University, Succursale Centre-Ville, 7077 Avenue du Parc, Bureau 3001-42, C.P. 6128, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada.,Institut Universitaire sur la Réadaptation en Déficience Physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Pavillon Laurier, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Andréanne Sharp
- Département de Réadaptation, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada et Centre de Recherche CERVO, Québec, Canada
| | | | - François Champoux
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Montreal University, Succursale Centre-Ville, 7077 Avenue du Parc, Bureau 3001-42, C.P. 6128, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Maxime Maheu
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Montreal University, Succursale Centre-Ville, 7077 Avenue du Parc, Bureau 3001-42, C.P. 6128, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada. .,Institut Universitaire sur la Réadaptation en Déficience Physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Pavillon Laurier, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
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25
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Gallagher M, Kearney B, Ferrè ER. Where is my hand in space? The internal model of gravity influences proprioception. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20210115. [PMID: 34062087 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowing where our limbs are in space is crucial for a successful interaction with the external world. Joint position sense (JPS) relies on both cues from muscle spindles and joint mechanoreceptors, as well as the effort required to move. However, JPS may also rely on the perceived external force on the limb, such as the gravitational field. It is well known that the internal model of gravity plays a large role in perception and behaviour. Thus, we have explored whether direct vestibular-gravitational cues could influence JPS. Participants passively estimated the position of their hand while they were upright and therefore aligned with terrestrial gravity, or pitch-tilted 45° backwards from gravity. Overall participants overestimated the position of their hand in both upright and tilted postures; however, the proprioceptive bias was significantly reduced when participants were tilted. Our findings therefore suggest that the internal model of gravity may influence and update JPS in order to allow the organism to interact with the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gallagher
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Breanne Kearney
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Elisa Raffaella Ferrè
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
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26
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Rossi-Pool R, Zainos A, Alvarez M, Diaz-deLeon G, Romo R. A continuum of invariant sensory and behavioral-context perceptual coding in secondary somatosensory cortex. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2000. [PMID: 33790301 PMCID: PMC8012659 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22321-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A crucial role of cortical networks is the conversion of sensory inputs into perception. In the cortical somatosensory network, neurons of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) show invariant sensory responses, while frontal lobe neuronal activity correlates with the animal's perceptual behavior. Here, we report that in the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2), neurons with invariant sensory responses coexist with neurons whose responses correlate with perceptual behavior. Importantly, the vast majority of the neurons fall along a continuum of combined sensory and categorical dynamics. Furthermore, during a non-demanding control task, the sensory responses remain unaltered while the sensory information exhibits an increase. However, perceptual responses and the associated categorical information decrease, implicating a task context-dependent processing mechanism. Conclusively, S2 neurons exhibit intriguing dynamics that are intermediate between those of S1 and frontal lobe. Our results contribute relevant evidence about the role that S2 plays in the conversion of touch into perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Román Rossi-Pool
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular─Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Antonio Zainos
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular─Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Manuel Alvarez
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular─Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gabriel Diaz-deLeon
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular─Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ranulfo Romo
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular─Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
- El Colegio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.
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27
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Cléry JC, Hori Y, Schaeffer DJ, Menon RS, Everling S. Neural network of social interaction observation in marmosets. eLife 2021; 10:e65012. [PMID: 33787492 PMCID: PMC8024015 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A crucial component of social cognition is to observe and understand the social interactions of other individuals. A promising nonhuman primate model for investigating the neural basis of social interaction observation is the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a small New World primate that shares a rich social repertoire with humans. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging acquired at 9.4 T to map the brain areas activated by social interaction observation in awake marmosets. We discovered a network of subcortical and cortical areas, predominately in the anterior lateral frontal and medial frontal cortex, that was specifically activated by social interaction observation. This network resembled that recently identified in Old World macaque monkeys. Our findings suggest that this network is largely conserved between New and Old World primates and support the use of marmosets for studying the neural basis of social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine C Cléry
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
| | - Yuki Hori
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
| | - David J Schaeffer
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of NeurobiologyPittsburghUnited States
| | - Ravi S Menon
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
| | - Stefan Everling
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western OntarioLondonCanada
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28
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Cermak CA, Arshinoff S, Ribeiro de Oliveira L, Tendera A, Beal DS, Brian J, Anagnostou E, Sanjeevan T. Brain and Language Associations in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:725-737. [PMID: 33765302 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04975-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Examining brain and behaviour associations for language in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may bring us closer to identifying neural profiles that are unique to a subgroup of individuals with ASD identified as language impaired (e.g. ASD LI+). We conducted a scoping review to examine brain regions that are associated with language performance in ASD. Further, we examined methodological differences across studies in how language ability was characterized and what neuroimaging methods were used to explore brain regions. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. Brain regions specific to ASD LI+ groups were found, however inconsistencies in brain and language associations were evident across study findings. Participant age, age-appropriate language scores, and neuroimaging methods likely contributed to differences in associations found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly A Cermak
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada. .,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada. .,Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada.
| | - Spencer Arshinoff
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada
| | - Leticia Ribeiro de Oliveira
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada
| | - Anna Tendera
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada
| | - Deryk S Beal
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada.,Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada
| | - Jessica Brian
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Teenu Sanjeevan
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8, Canada
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29
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Jayasinghe SA, Sarlegna FR, Scheidt RA, Sainburg RL. Somatosensory deafferentation reveals lateralized roles of proprioception in feedback and adaptive feedforward control of movement and posture. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 19:141-147. [PMID: 36569335 PMCID: PMC9788652 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Proprioception provides crucial information necessary for determining limb position and movement, and plausibly also for updating internal models that might underlie the control of movement and posture. Seminal studies of upper-limb movements in individuals living with chronic, large fiber deafferentation have provided evidence for the role of proprioceptive information in the hypothetical formation and maintenance of internal models to produce accurate motor commands. Vision also contributes to sensorimotor functions but cannot fully compensate for proprioceptive deficits. More recent work has shown that posture and movement control processes are lateralized in the brain, and that proprioception plays a fundamental role in coordinating the contributions of these processes to the control of goal-directed actions. In fact, the behavior of each limb in a deafferented individual resembles the action of a controller in isolation. Proprioception, thus, provides state estimates necessary for the nervous system to efficiently coordinate multiple motor control processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanie A.L. Jayasinghe
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, U.S.A
| | | | - Robert A. Scheidt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, U.S.A
| | - Robert L. Sainburg
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, U.S.A.,Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, U.S.A
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30
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Bretas R, Taoka M, Hihara S, Cleeremans A, Iriki A. Neural Evidence of Mirror Self-Recognition in the Secondary Somatosensory Cortex of Macaque: Observations from a Single-Cell Recording Experiment and Implications for Consciousness. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020157. [PMID: 33503993 PMCID: PMC7911187 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite mirror self-recognition being regarded as a classical indication of self-awareness, little is known about its neural underpinnings. An increasing body of evidence pointing to a role of multimodal somatosensory neurons in self-recognition guided our investigation toward the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), as we observed single-neuron activity from a macaque monkey sitting in front of a mirror. The monkey was previously habituated to the mirror, successfully acquiring the ability of mirror self-recognition. While the monkey underwent visual and somatosensory stimulation, multimodal visual and somatosensory activity was detected in the SII, with neurons found to respond to stimuli seen through the mirror. Responses were also modulated by self-related or non-self-related stimuli. These observations corroborate that vision is an important aspect of SII activity, with electrophysiological evidence of mirror self-recognition at the neuronal level, even when such an ability is not innate. We also show that the SII may be involved in distinguishing self and non-self. Together, these results point to the involvement of the SII in the establishment of bodily self-consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Bretas
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Miki Taoka
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Sayaka Hihara
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Axel Cleeremans
- Program in Brain, Mind & Consciousness, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada;
- Consciousness, Cognition, and Computation Group (CO3), Centre for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Atsushi Iriki
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (R.B.); (M.T.)
- Program in Brain, Mind & Consciousness, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada;
- Correspondence:
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31
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Invariant timescale hierarchy across the cortical somatosensory network. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021843118. [PMID: 33431695 PMCID: PMC7826380 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021843118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of cortical networks to integrate information from different sources is essential for cognitive processes. On one hand, sensory areas exhibit fast dynamics often phase-locked to stimulation; on the other hand, frontal lobe areas with slow response latencies to stimuli must integrate and maintain information for longer periods. Thus, cortical areas may require different timescales depending on their functional role. Studying the cortical somatosensory network while monkeys discriminated between two vibrotactile stimulus patterns, we found that a hierarchical order could be established across cortical areas based on their intrinsic timescales. Further, even though subareas (areas 3b, 1, and 2) of the primary somatosensory (S1) cortex exhibit analogous firing rate responses, a clear differentiation was observed in their timescales. Importantly, we observed that this inherent timescale hierarchy was invariant between task contexts (demanding vs. nondemanding). Even if task context severely affected neural coding in cortical areas downstream to S1, their timescales remained unaffected. Moreover, we found that these time constants were invariant across neurons with different latencies or coding. Although neurons had completely different dynamics, they all exhibited comparable timescales within each cortical area. Our results suggest that this measure is demonstrative of an inherent characteristic of each cortical area, is not a dynamical feature of individual neurons, and does not depend on task demands.
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32
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Michael GA, Guyot D, Tarroux E, Comte M, Salgues S. Feeling Oneself Requires Embodiment: Insights From the Relationship Between Own-Body Transformations, Schizotypal Personality Traits, and Spontaneous Bodily Sensations. Front Psychol 2021; 11:578237. [PMID: 33424690 PMCID: PMC7786119 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.578237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Subtle bodily sensations such as itching or fluttering that occur in the absence of any external trigger (i.e., spontaneous sensations, or SPS) may serve to locate the spatial boundaries of the body. They may constitute the normal counterpart of extreme conditions in which body-related hallucinations and perceptual aberrations are experienced. Previous investigations have suggested that situations in which the body is spontaneously experienced as being deformed are related to the ability to perform own-body transformations, i.e., mental rotations of the body requiring disembodiment. We therefore decided to consider whether the perception of SPS might relate to embodiment as assessed through (i) the ability to perform own-body transformations (OBT task) and (ii) schizotypal traits (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, or SPQ), since high degrees of schizotypy in the general population have been associated with more vivid perceptions and aberrant perceptual experiences. Then participants completed a standard SPS task. Our analysis revealed that the slower the response time in the OBT task, the more frequent the perception of SPS. This suggests that difficulties in disembodying and mentally transforming one's own body facilitate feeling oneself. Furthermore, a greater number of correct responses in the OBT task was associated with less frequent perception of SPS. This suggests that finding it easier to disembody and perform mental own-body transformations interferes with the ability to sense oneself. The results also show that higher schizotypal traits, as assessed through the SPQ, are associated with more frequent perception of SPS. Taken together, these results provide a coherent picture and suggest that embodiment is required in order to correctly feel oneself, as expressed through the perception of SPS. The ability to easily experience disembodiment reduces the sense of feeling oneself, and proneness to schizotypal traits produces body misperceptions that enhance and amplify this feeling. The results are discussed in the light of current knowledge and theories about body representations, taking into account attention and interoception as factors that influence body awareness. We offer explanations for perceptual aberrations, body-related delusions, and hallucinations based on misperceived or misinterpreted SPS, and we discuss possible mechanisms that may contribute to feeling and misperceiving oneself.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Michael
- University of Lyon, Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Laboratoire EMC (Cognitive Mechanisms Research Laboratory) (EA 3082), Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Institute of Psychology, Lyon, France
| | - Deborah Guyot
- University of Lyon, Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Laboratoire EMC (Cognitive Mechanisms Research Laboratory) (EA 3082), Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Institute of Psychology, Lyon, France
| | - Emilie Tarroux
- University of Lyon, Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Laboratoire EMC (Cognitive Mechanisms Research Laboratory) (EA 3082), Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Institute of Psychology, Lyon, France
| | - Mylène Comte
- University of Lyon, Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Laboratoire EMC (Cognitive Mechanisms Research Laboratory) (EA 3082), Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Institute of Psychology, Lyon, France
| | - Sara Salgues
- University of Lyon, Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Laboratoire EMC (Cognitive Mechanisms Research Laboratory) (EA 3082), Lyon, France.,University Lyon 2, Institute of Psychology, Lyon, France
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IRIKI A, SUZUKI H, TANAKA S, BRETAS VIEIRA R, YAMAZAKI Y. THE SAPIENT PARADOX AND THE GREAT JOURNEY: INSIGHTS FROM COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, NEUROBIOLOGY, AND PHENOMENOLOGY. PSYCHOLOGIA 2021. [DOI: 10.2117/psysoc.2021-b017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Van de Winckel A, De Patre D, Rigoni M, Fiecas M, Hendrickson TJ, Larson M, Jagadeesan BD, Mueller BA, Elvendahl W, Streib C, Ikramuddin F, Lim KO. Exploratory study of how Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation restores parietal operculum connectivity and improves upper limb movements in chronic stroke. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20278. [PMID: 33219267 PMCID: PMC7680110 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77272-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation (CMR) is a promising therapy for upper limb recovery in stroke, but the brain mechanisms are unknown. We previously demonstrated that the parietal operculum (parts OP1/OP4) is activated with CMR exercises. In this exploratory study, we assessed the baseline difference between OP1/OP4 functional connectivity (FC) at rest in stroke versus healthy adults to then explore whether CMR affects OP1/OP4 connectivity and sensorimotor recovery after stroke. We recruited 8 adults with chronic stroke and left hemiplegia/paresis and 22 healthy adults. Resting-state FC with the OP1/OP4 region-of-interest in the affected hemisphere was analysed before and after 6 weeks of CMR. We evaluated sensorimotor function and activities of daily life pre- and post-CMR, and at 1-year post-CMR. At baseline, we found decreased FC between the right OP1/OP4 and 34 areas distributed across all lobes in stroke versus healthy adults. After CMR, only four areas had decreased FC compared to healthy adults. Compared to baseline (pre-CMR), participants improved on motor function (MESUPES arm p = 0.02; MESUPES hand p = 0.03; MESUPES total score p = 0.006); on stereognosis (p = 0.03); and on the Frenchay Activities Index (p = 0.03) at post-CMR and at 1-year follow-up. These results suggest enhanced sensorimotor recovery post-stroke after CMR. Our results justify larger-scale studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Van de Winckel
- Division of Physical Therapy, Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
| | - D De Patre
- Centro Studi Di Riabilitazione Neurocognitiva - Villa Miari (Study Center for Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation), Santorso, Vicenza, Italy
| | - M Rigoni
- Centro Studi Di Riabilitazione Neurocognitiva - Villa Miari (Study Center for Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation), Santorso, Vicenza, Italy
| | - M Fiecas
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - T J Hendrickson
- University of Minnesota Informatics Institute, Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - M Larson
- Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - B D Jagadeesan
- Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - B A Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - W Elvendahl
- Center of Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - C Streib
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - F Ikramuddin
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - K O Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
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