1
|
KalantaryArdebily N, Feldbush AC, Gurari N. MR-Compatible Tactile Stimulator System: Application for Individuals with Brain Injuries. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3943267. [PMID: 38410479 PMCID: PMC10896382 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3943267/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Accurate perception of tactile information is essential for performing activities of daily living and learning new sensorimotor skills like writing. Deficits in perceiving tactile stimuli are associated with severity in physical disability. The mechanisms contributing to tactile deficits in individuals with brain injuries remain poorly understood in part due to insufficient assessment methods. Here, we provide a tactile stimulator system for studying the neural mechanisms contributing to tactile deficits in individuals with brain injuries during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This tactile stimulator system consists of a pneumatically-controlled inflatable and deflatable balloon that interfaces with a digit of the hand to provide small forces. The magnitude of the applied force is delivered and controlled by modifying the air pressure in the balloon. The tactile simulator provides an 8 mm diameter tactile stimulus. The device's interface at the finger is compact, allowing it to be used with individuals who have a closed-fist posture following brain injury such as stroke or cerebral palsy. The tactile stimulator contains no metallic components and can be used in MRI research. The tactile stimulator system can repeatedly apply a force between 1 N and 2.4 N. This tactile stimulator system addresses limitations in past fMRI methodologies for assessing tactile perception by providing precise and repeatable force stimuli to a small area of the finger. Custom software automates the application of the force stimuli and permits synchronization with acquired fMRI data. This system can be used in subsequent testing to investigate deficits in sensory functioning in those with brain injuries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna C. Feldbush
- Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Netta Gurari
- Engineering Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Piccini I, Chéret J, Tsutsumi M, Sakaguchi S, Ponce L, Almeida L, Funk W, Kückelhaus M, Kajiya K, Paus R, Bertolini M. Preliminary evidence that Merkel cells exert chemosensory functions in human epidermis. Exp Dermatol 2023; 32:1848-1855. [PMID: 37587642 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14907] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The mechanotransduction of light-touch sensory stimuli is considered to be the main physiological function of epidermal Merkel cells (MCs). Recently, however, MCs have been demonstrated to be also thermo-sensitive, suggesting that their role in skin physiologically extends well beyond mechanosensation. Here, we demonstrate that in healthy human skin epidermal MCs express functional olfactory receptors, namely OR2AT4, just like neighbouring keratinocytes. Selective stimulation of OR2AT4 by topical application of the synthetic odorant, Sandalore®, significantly increased Piccolo protein expression in MCs, as assessed by quantitative immunohistomorphometry, indicating increased vesicle trafficking and recycling, and significantly reduced nerve growth factor (NGF) immunoreactivity within MCs, possibly indicating increased neurotrophin release upon OR2AT4 activation. Live-cell imaging showed that Sandalore® rapidly induces a loss of FFN206-dependent fluorescence in MCs, suggesting OR2AT4-dependent MC depolarization and subsequent vesicle secretion. Yet, in contrast to keratinocytes, OR2AT4 stimulation by Sandalore® altered neither the number nor the proliferation status of MCs. These preliminary ex vivo findings demonstrate that epidermal MCs also exert OR-dependent chemosensory functions in human skin, and invite one to explore whether these newly identified properties are dysregulated in selected skin disorders, for example, in pruritic dermatoses, and if these novel MC functions can be therapeutically targeted to maintain/promote skin health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Piccini
- Monasterium Laboratory, Skin and Hair Research Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany
| | - Jeremy Chéret
- Monasterium Laboratory, Skin and Hair Research Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Moe Tsutsumi
- MIRAI Technology Institute, Shiseido Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Japan
| | - Saito Sakaguchi
- MIRAI Technology Institute, Shiseido Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Japan
| | - Leslie Ponce
- Monasterium Laboratory, Skin and Hair Research Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany
| | - Luis Almeida
- Monasterium Laboratory, Skin and Hair Research Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Funk
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Kentaro Kajiya
- MIRAI Technology Institute, Shiseido Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ralf Paus
- Monasterium Laboratory, Skin and Hair Research Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- CUTANEON - Skin & Hair Innovations, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marta Bertolini
- Monasterium Laboratory, Skin and Hair Research Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Taleei T, Nazem-Zadeh MR, Amiri M, Keliris GA. EEG-based functional connectivity for tactile roughness discrimination. Cogn Neurodyn 2023; 17:921-940. [PMID: 37522039 PMCID: PMC10374498 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-022-09876-1] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tactile sensation and perception involve cooperation between different parts of the brain. Roughness discrimination is an important phase of texture recognition. In this study, we investigated how different roughness levels would influence the brain network characteristics. We recorded EEG signals from nine right-handed healthy subjects who underwent touching three surfaces with different levels of roughness. The experiment was separately repeated in 108 trials for each hand for both static and dynamic touch. For estimation of the functional connectivity between brain regions, the phase lag index method was employed. Frequency-specific connectivity patterns were observed in the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres to the hand of interest, for delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands under the study. A number of connections were identified to be in charge of discrimination between surfaces in both alpha and beta frequency bands for the left hand in static touch and for the right hand in dynamic touch. In addition, common connections were determined in both hands for all three roughness in alpha band for static touch and in theta band for dynamic touch. The common connections were identified for the smooth surface in beta band for static touch and in delta and alpha bands for dynamic touch. As observed for static touch in alpha band and for dynamic touch in theta band, the number of common connections between the two hands was decreased by increasing the surface roughness. The results of this research would extend the current knowledge about tactile information processing in the brain. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11571-022-09876-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Taleei
- Medical Biology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Nazem-Zadeh
- Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Advanced Medical Technologies and Equipment Institute (AMTEI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Amiri
- Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cao B, Gu H, Wang R. Complex dynamics of hair bundle of auditory nervous system (II): forced oscillations related to two cases of steady state. Cogn Neurodyn 2022; 16:1163-1188. [PMID: 36237408 PMCID: PMC9508319 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-021-09745-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The forced oscillations of hair bundle of inner hair cells of auditory nervous system evoked by external force from steady state are related to the fast adaption of hair cells, which are very important for auditory amplification. In the present paper, comprehensive and deep understandings to nonlinear dynamics of forced oscillations are acquired in four aspects. Firstly, the complex dynamics underlying the twitch (fast recoil of displacement X which is fast variable) induced from Case-1 and Case-2 steady states by external pulse force are obtained. With help of vector fields and nullclines, the phase trajectory of forced oscillations is identified to be an evolution process between two equilibrium points corresponding to zero force and pulse force, respectively, and then the twitch is obtained as the behavior running along the nonlinear part of X-nullcline. Especially, twitch observed in experiment are classified into 6 types, which are induced by negative change of force, negative and positive changes of force, and positive change of force, respectively, and further build relationships to three subcases of Case-2 steady state with N-shaped X-nullcline (equilibrium point locates on the left, middle, and right branches of X-nullcline, respectively). Secondly, the experimental observation of fatigue of twitch induced by continual two pulse forces, i.e. the reduced amplitude of the latter twitch when interval between two forces is short, is also explained as a nonlinear behavior beginning from an initial value different from that of the former one. Thirdly, the experimental observation of transition between sustained oscillations and steady state induced by pulse force can be simulated for Case-1 steady state with Z-shaped X-nullcline instead of Case-2, due to that there exists bifurcations with respect to external force for Case-1 while no bifurcations for Case-2. Last, the threshold phenomenon induced by simple pulse stimulation exists for Case-1 steady state rather than Case-2, due to that the upper and lower branches of Z-shaped X-nullcline close to the middle branch exhibit coexisting behaviors of variable X while N-shaped X-nullcline does not. The nonlinear dynamics of forced oscillations are helpful for explanations to the complex experimental observations, which presents potential measures to modulate the functions of twitch such as the fast adaption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ben Cao
- School of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China
| | - Huaguang Gu
- School of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China
| | - Runxia Wang
- School of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ye W. Dynamics of a Large-Scale Spiking Neural Network with Quadratic Integrate-and-Fire Neurons. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:6623926. [PMID: 33679968 PMCID: PMC7925051 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6623926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the high dimension and complexity of the large-scale spiking neural network, it is difficult to research the network dynamics. In recent decades, the mean-field approximation has been a useful method to reduce the dimension of the network. In this study, we construct a large-scale spiking neural network with quadratic integrate-and-fire neurons and reduce it to a mean-field model to research the network dynamics. We find that the activity of the mean-field model is consistent with the network activity. Based on this agreement, a two-parameter bifurcation analysis is performed on the mean-field model to understand the network dynamics. The bifurcation scenario indicates that the network model has the quiescence state, the steady state with a relatively high firing rate, and the synchronization state which correspond to the stable node, stable focus, and stable limit cycle of the system, respectively. There exist several stable limit cycles with different periods, so we can observe the synchronization states with different periods. Additionally, the model shows bistability in some regions of the bifurcation diagram which suggests that two different activities coexist in the network. The mechanisms that how these states switch are also indicated by the bifurcation curves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Ye
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China
- Big data and Educational Statistics Application Laboratory, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Schutte SC, Kadakia F, Davidson S. Skin-Nerve Co-Culture Systems for Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2021; 27:89-99. [PMID: 33349133 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prominent clinical problems related to the skin-nerve interface include barrier dysfunction and erythema, but it is the symptoms of pain and itch that most often lead patients to seek medical treatment. Tissue-engineered innervated skin models provide an excellent solution for studying the mechanisms underlying neurocutaneous disorders for drug screening, and cutaneous device development. Innervated skin substitutes provide solutions beyond traditional monolayer cultures and have advantages that make them preferable to in vivo animal studies for certain applications, such as measuring somatosensory transduction. The tissue-engineered innervated skin models replicate the complex stratified epidermis that provides barrier function in native skin, a feature that is lacking in monolayer co-cultures, while allowing for a level of detail in measurement of nerve morphology and function that cannot be achieved in animal models. In this review, the advantages and disadvantages of different cell sources and scaffold materials will be discussed and a presentation of the current state of the field is reviewed. Impact statement A review of the current state of innervated skin substitutes and the considerations that need to be addressed when developing these models. Tissue-engineered skin substitutes are customizable and provide barrier function allowing for screening of topical drugs and for studying nerve function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stacey C Schutte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Feni Kadakia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Research Center, and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Steve Davidson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Research Center, and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee YR, Trung TQ, Hwang BU, Lee NE. A flexible artificial intrinsic-synaptic tactile sensory organ. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2753. [PMID: 32488078 PMCID: PMC7265430 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16606-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Imbuing bio-inspired sensory devices with intelligent functions of human sensory organs has been limited by challenges in emulating the preprocessing abilities of sensory organs such as reception, filtering, adaptation, and sensory memory at the device level itself. Merkel cells, which is a part of tactile sensory organs, form synapse-like connections with afferent neuron terminals referred to as Merkel cell-neurite complexes. Here, inspired by structure and intelligent functions of Merkel cell-neurite complexes, we report a flexible, artificial, intrinsic-synaptic tactile sensory organ that mimics synapse-like connections using an organic synaptic transistor with ferroelectric nanocomposite gate dielectric of barium titanate nanoparticles and poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene). Modulation of the post-synaptic current of the device induced by ferroelectric dipole switching due to triboelectric-capacitive coupling under finger touch allowed reception and slow adaptation. Modulation of synaptic weight by varying the nanocomposite composition of gate dielectric layer enabled tuning of filtering and sensory memory functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Rim Lee
- School of Advanced Materials Science & Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyunggi-do, 16419, Korea
| | - Tran Quang Trung
- School of Advanced Materials Science & Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyunggi-do, 16419, Korea
| | - Byeong-Ung Hwang
- School of Advanced Materials Science & Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyunggi-do, 16419, Korea
| | - Nae-Eung Lee
- School of Advanced Materials Science & Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyunggi-do, 16419, Korea.
- SKKU Advanced Institute of Nano Technology (SAINT), Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyunggi-do, 16419, Korea.
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyunggi-do, 16419, Korea.
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics (IQB), Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyunggi-do, 16419, Korea.
- Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyunggi-do, 16419, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ionic channel blockage in stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley neuronal model driven by multiple oscillatory signals. Cogn Neurodyn 2020; 14:569-578. [PMID: 32655717 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-020-09593-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionic channel blockage and multiple oscillatory signals play an important role in the dynamical response of pulse sequences. The effects of ionic channel blockage and ionic channel noise on the discharge behaviors are studied in Hodgkin-Huxley neuronal model with multiple oscillatory signals. It is found that bifurcation points of spontaneous discharge are altered through tuning the amplitude of multiple oscillatory signals, and the discharge cycle is changed by increasing the frequency of multiple oscillatory signals. The effects of ionic channel blockage on neural discharge behaviors indicate that the neural excitability can be suppressed by the sodium channel blockage, however, the neural excitability can be reversed by the potassium channel blockage. There is an optimal blockage ratio of potassium channel at which the electrical activity is the most regular, while the order of neural spike is disrupted by the sodium channel blockage. In addition, the frequency of spike discharge is accelerated by increasing the ionic channel noise, the firing of neuron becomes more stable if the ionic channel noise is appropriately reduced. Our results might provide new insights into the effects of ionic channel blockages, multiple oscillatory signals, and ionic channel noises on neural discharge behaviors.
Collapse
|
9
|
Subject-Specific Finite Element Modelling of the Human Hand Complex: Muscle-Driven Simulations and Experimental Validation. Ann Biomed Eng 2019; 48:1181-1195. [PMID: 31845127 PMCID: PMC7089907 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-019-02439-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper aims to develop and validate a subject-specific framework for modelling the human hand. This was achieved by combining medical image-based finite element modelling, individualized muscle force and kinematic measurements. Firstly, a subject-specific human hand finite element (FE) model was developed. The geometries of the phalanges, carpal bones, wrist bones, ligaments, tendons, subcutaneous tissue and skin were all included. The material properties were derived from in-vivo and in-vitro experiment results available in the literature. The boundary and loading conditions were defined based on the kinematic data and muscle forces of a specific subject captured from the in-vivo grasping tests. The predicted contact pressure and contact area were in good agreement with the in-vivo test results of the same subject, with the relative errors for the contact pressures all being below 20%. Finally, sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the effects of important modelling parameters on the predictions. The results showed that contact pressure and area were sensitive to the material properties and muscle forces. This FE human hand model can be used to make a detailed and quantitative evaluation into biomechanical and neurophysiological aspects of human hand contact during daily perception and manipulation. The findings can be applied to the design of the bionic hands or neuro-prosthetics in the future.
Collapse
|
10
|
Predict Afferent Tactile Neural Signal for Artificial Nerve Based on Finite Element Human Hand Model. INTELLIGENT ROBOTICS AND APPLICATIONS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27526-6_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|