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Barioni NO, Beduschi RS, da Silva AV, Martins MG, Almeida-Francia CCD, Rodrigues SA, López DE, Gómez-Nieto R, Horta-Júnior JAC. The role of the Ventral Nucleus of the Trapezoid Body in the auditory prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex. Hear Res 2024; 450:109070. [PMID: 38972084 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Cholinergic signaling is essential to mediate the auditory prepulse inhibition (PPI), an operational measure of sensorimotor gating, that refers to the reduction of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) when a low-intensity, non-startling acoustic stimulus (the prepulse) is presented just before the onset of the acoustic startle stimulus. The cochlear root neurons (CRNs) are the first cells of the ASR circuit to receive cholinergic inputs from non-olivocochlear neurons of the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body (VNTB) and subsequently decrease their neuronal activity in response to auditory prepulses. Yet, the contribution of the VNTB-CRNs pathway to the mediation of PPI has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we used the immunotoxin anti-choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-saporin as well as electrolytic lesions of the medial olivocochlear bundle to selectively eliminate cholinergic VNTB neurons, and then assessed the ASR and PPI paradigms. Retrograde track-tracing experiments were conducted to precisely determine the site of lesioning VNTB neurons projecting to the CRNs. Additionally, the effects of VNTB lesions and the integrity of the auditory pathway were evaluated via auditory brain responses tests, ChAT- and FOS-immunohistochemistry. Consequently, we established three experimental groups: 1) intact control rats (non-lesioned), 2) rats with bilateral lesions of the olivocochlear bundle (OCB-lesioned), and 3) rats with bilateral immunolesions affecting both the olivocochlear bundle and the VNTB (OCB/VNTB-lesioned). All experimental groups underwent ASR and PPI tests at several interstimulus intervals before the lesion and 7, 14, and 21 days after it. Our results show that the ASR amplitude remained unaffected both before and after the lesion across all experimental groups, suggesting that the VNTB does not contribute to the ASR. The%PPI increased across the time points of evaluation in the control and OCB-lesioned groups but not in the OCB/VNTB-lesioned group. At the ISI of 50 ms, the OCB-lesioned group exhibited a significant increase in%PPI (p < 0.01), which did not occur in the OCB/VNTB-lesioned group. Therefore, the ablation of cholinergic non-olivocochlear neurons in the OCB/VNTB-lesioned group suggests that these neurons contribute to the mediation of auditory PPI at the 50 ms ISI through their cholinergic projections to CRNs. Our study strongly reinforces the notion that auditory PPI encompasses a complex mechanism of top-down cholinergic modulation, effectively attenuating the ASR across different interstimulus intervals within multiple pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- N O Barioni
- Department of Functional and Structural Biology - Anatomy Division, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R S Beduschi
- Department of Functional and Structural Biology - Anatomy Division, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A V da Silva
- Medicine School, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, UFMS-CPTL, Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - M G Martins
- Department of Functional and Structural Biology - Anatomy Division, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C C D Almeida-Francia
- Department of Functional and Structural Biology - Anatomy Division, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S A Rodrigues
- Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D E López
- Neuroscience Institute of Castilla y León (INCyL), Salamanca, Spain; Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - R Gómez-Nieto
- Neuroscience Institute of Castilla y León (INCyL), Salamanca, Spain; Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - J A C Horta-Júnior
- Department of Functional and Structural Biology - Anatomy Division, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Ciocca M, Hosli S, Hadi Z, Mahmud M, Tai YF, Seemungal BM. Vestibular prepulse inhibition of the human blink reflex. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 167:1-11. [PMID: 39232454 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.08.008] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Auditory and somatosensory prepulses are commonly used to assess prepulse inhibition (PPI). The effect of a vestibular prepulse upon blink reflex excitability has not been hitherto assessed. METHODS Twenty-two healthy subjects and two patients with bilateral peripheral vestibular failure took part in the study. Whole body yaw rotation in the dark provided a vestibular inertial prepulse. Blink reflex was electrically evoked after the end of the rotation. The amplitude of R1 and the area-under-the-curve (area) of the blink reflex R2 and R2c responses were recorded and analysed. RESULTS A vestibular prepulse inhibited the R2 (p < 0.001) and R2c area (p < 0.05). Increasing the angular acceleration did not increase the R2 and R2c inhibition (p > 0.05). Voluntary suppression of the vestibulo-ocular reflex did not affect the magnitude of inhibition (p > 0.05). Patients with peripheral vestibular failure did not show any inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Our data support a vestibular gating mechanism in humans. SIGNIFICANCE The main brainstem nucleus mediating PPI - the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) - is heavily vestibular responsive, which is consistent with our findings of a vestibular-mediated PPI. Our technique may be used to interrogate the fidelity of brain circuits mediating vestibular-related PPN functions. Given the PPN's importance in human postural control, our technique may also provide a neurophysiological biomarker of balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ciocca
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, W6 8RF, UK.
| | - Sarah Hosli
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, W6 8RF, UK; Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zaeem Hadi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, W6 8RF, UK
| | - Mohammad Mahmud
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, W6 8RF, UK
| | - Yen F Tai
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, W6 8RF, UK
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3
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Wallace MN, Berger JI, Hockley A, Sumner CJ, Akeroyd MA, Palmer AR, McNaughton PA. Identifying tinnitus in mice by tracking the motion of body markers in response to an acoustic startle. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1452450. [PMID: 39170684 PMCID: PMC11335616 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1452450] [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: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodent models of tinnitus are commonly used to study its mechanisms and potential treatments. Tinnitus can be identified by changes in the gap-induced prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS), most commonly by using pressure detectors to measure the whole-body startle (WBS). Unfortunately, the WBS habituates quickly, the measuring system can introduce mechanical oscillations and the response shows considerable variability. We have instead used a motion tracking system to measure the localized motion of small reflective markers in response to an acoustic startle reflex in guinea pigs and mice. For guinea pigs, the pinna had the largest responses both in terms of displacement between pairs of markers and in terms of the speed of the reflex movement. Smaller, but still reliable responses were observed with markers on the thorax, abdomen and back. The peak speed of the pinna reflex was the most sensitive measure for calculating GPIAS in the guinea pig. Recording the pinna reflex in mice proved impractical due to removal of the markers during grooming. However, recordings from their back and tail allowed us to measure the peak speed and the twitch amplitude (area under curve) of reflex responses and both analysis methods showed robust GPIAS. When mice were administered high doses of sodium salicylate, which induces tinnitus in humans, there was a significant reduction in GPIAS, consistent with the presence of tinnitus. Thus, measurement of the peak speed or twitch amplitude of pinna, back and tail markers provides a reliable assessment of tinnitus in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark N. Wallace
- Hearing Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Joel I. Berger
- Human Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Adam Hockley
- Cognitive and Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Michael A. Akeroyd
- Hearing Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alan R. Palmer
- Hearing Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Peter A. McNaughton
- Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Huang W, Cano JC, Fénelon K. Deciphering the role of brainstem glycinergic neurons during startle and prepulse inhibition. Brain Res 2024; 1836:148938. [PMID: 38615924 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.148938] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the auditory startle response, a key measure of sensorimotor gating, diminishes with age and is impaired in various neurological conditions. While PPI deficits are often associated with cognitive impairments, their reversal is routinely used in experimental systems for antipsychotic drug screening. Yet, the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms of PPI remain unclear, even under non-pathological conditions. We recently showed that brainstem neurons located in the caudal pontine reticular nucleus (PnC) expressing the glycine transporter type 2 (GlyT2±) receive inputs from the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and contribute to PPI but via an uncharted pathway. Here, using tract-tracing, immunohistochemistry and in vitro optogenetic manipulations coupled to field electrophysiological recordings, we reveal the neuroanatomical distribution of GlyT2± PnC neurons and PnC-projecting CeA glutamatergic neurons and we provide mechanistic insights on how these glutamatergic inputs suppress auditory neurotransmission in PnC sections. Additionally, in vivo experiments using GlyT2-Cre mice confirm that optogenetic activation of GlyT2± PnC neurons enhances PPI and is sufficient to induce PPI in young mice, emphasizing their role. However, in older mice, PPI decline is not further influenced by inhibiting GlyT2± neurons. This study highlights the importance of GlyT2± PnC neurons in PPI and underscores their diminished activity in age-related PPI decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyun Huang
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Life Science Laboratories, 240 Thatcher Road, Amherst, MA, 01002, USA
| | - Jose C Cano
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79912, USA
| | - Karine Fénelon
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Life Science Laboratories, 240 Thatcher Road, Amherst, MA, 01002, USA.
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5
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Chiou S, Unwin C, Lilley A. Age-related changes in reticulospinal contributions to anticipatory postural adjustments between back extensors and abdominal muscles. Exp Physiol 2024; 109:1177-1187. [PMID: 38745546 PMCID: PMC11215469 DOI: 10.1113/ep091698] [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: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) give feedforward postural control of the trunk, but they are delayed with ageing, affecting balance and mobility in older individuals. The reticulospinal tract contributes to postural control of the trunk; however, the extent to which age-related changes affect the reticulospinal contributions to APAs of the trunk remains unknown in humans. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a startling acoustic sound, which activates the reticulospinal tract, improves delayed APAs in older individuals. Twenty-two old (75 ± 6 years) and 20 healthy young adults (21 ± 4 years) performed a self-initiated fast bilateral shoulder flexion or shoulder extension task in response to visual, visual and auditory (80 dB), or visual and startling (115 dB) cues. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from bilateral anterior deltoid (AD) and erector spinae (ES) during shoulder flexion and from bilateral posterior deltoid (PD) and rectus abdominis (RA) during shoulder extension. EMG onset of all muscles shortened during the startling cue in both age groups, suggesting a non-specific modulation of the reticulospinal tract on prime movers (AD or PD) and non-prime movers (ES or RA). Interestingly, APAs of the ES were accelerated in older participants to a similar degree as in younger participants during the startling cue. Conversely, APAs of the RA were not influenced by the startling cue in older participants. Our results suggest differential effects of ageing on functional contributions of the reticulospinal tract to APAs between back extensors and abdominal muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin‐Yi Chiou
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Catherine Unwin
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS TrustTreatment centre, City HospitalBirminghamUK
| | - Alice Lilley
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
- Musculoskeletal Outpatients DepartmentQueen's Hospital BurtonBurton‐On‐TrentStaffordshireUK
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6
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Ji L, Borges BC, Martel DT, Wu C, Liberman MC, Shore SE, Corfas G. From hidden hearing loss to supranormal auditory processing by neurotrophin 3-mediated modulation of inner hair cell synapse density. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002665. [PMID: 38935589 PMCID: PMC11210788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Loss of synapses between spiral ganglion neurons and inner hair cells (IHC synaptopathy) leads to an auditory neuropathy called hidden hearing loss (HHL) characterized by normal auditory thresholds but reduced amplitude of sound-evoked auditory potentials. It has been proposed that synaptopathy and HHL result in poor performance in challenging hearing tasks despite a normal audiogram. However, this has only been tested in animals after exposure to noise or ototoxic drugs, which can cause deficits beyond synaptopathy. Furthermore, the impact of supernumerary synapses on auditory processing has not been evaluated. Here, we studied mice in which IHC synapse counts were increased or decreased by altering neurotrophin 3 (Ntf3) expression in IHC supporting cells. As we previously showed, postnatal Ntf3 knockdown or overexpression reduces or increases, respectively, IHC synapse density and suprathreshold amplitude of sound-evoked auditory potentials without changing cochlear thresholds. We now show that IHC synapse density does not influence the magnitude of the acoustic startle reflex or its prepulse inhibition. In contrast, gap-prepulse inhibition, a behavioral test for auditory temporal processing, is reduced or enhanced according to Ntf3 expression levels. These results indicate that IHC synaptopathy causes temporal processing deficits predicted in HHL. Furthermore, the improvement in temporal acuity achieved by increasing Ntf3 expression and synapse density suggests a therapeutic strategy for improving hearing in noise for individuals with synaptopathy of various etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingchao Ji
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute and Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Beatriz C. Borges
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute and Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - David T. Martel
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute and Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Calvin Wu
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute and Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - M. Charles Liberman
- Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School. Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Susan E. Shore
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute and Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Gabriel Corfas
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute and Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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Shemmell J, Falling C, MacKinnon CD, Stapley PJ, Ribeiro DC, Stinear JW. Different descending pathways mediate early and late portions of lower limb responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation. J Neurophysiol 2024; 131:1299-1310. [PMID: 38691532 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00153.2023] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Although recent studies in nonhuman primates have provided evidence that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) activates cells within the reticular formation, it remains unclear whether descending brain stem projections contribute to the generation of TMS-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in skeletal muscles. We compared MEPs in muscles with extensive direct corticomotoneuronal input (first dorsal interosseous) versus a prominent role in postural control (gastrocnemius) to determine whether the amplitudes of early and late MEPs were differentially modulated by cortical suppression. Suprathreshold TMS was applied with and without a preceding suprathreshold TMS pulse at two interstimulus intervals (50 and 80 ms). H reflexes in target muscles were also tested with and without TMS conditioning. Early and late gastrocnemius MEPs were differentially modulated by cortical inhibition, the amplitude of the early MEP being significantly reduced by cortical suppression and the late MEP facilitated. The amplitude of H reflexes in the gastrocnemius was reduced within the cortical silent period. Early MEPs in the first dorsal interosseous were also reduced during the silent period, but late MEPs were unaffected. Independent modulation of early and late MEPs in the gastrocnemius muscle supports the idea that the MEP is generated by multiple descending pathways. Suppression of the early MEP is consistent with transmission along the fast-conducting corticospinal tract, whereas facilitation of the late MEP suggests transmission along a corticofugal, potentially cortico-reticulospinal, pathway. Accordingly, differences in late MEP modulation between the first dorsal interosseous and gastrocnemius reflect an increased role of corticofugal pathways in the control of postural muscles.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Early and late portions of the response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in a lower limb postural muscle are modulated independently by cortical suppression, late motor evoked potentials (MEPs) being facilitated during cortical inhibition. These results suggest a cortico-brain stem transmission pathway for late portions of the TMS-induced MEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Shemmell
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Carrie Falling
- School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Colum D MacKinnon
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Paul J Stapley
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - James W Stinear
- Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Lemercier CE, Krieger P, Manahan-Vaughan D. Dynamic modulation of mouse thalamocortical visual activity by salient sounds. iScience 2024; 27:109364. [PMID: 38523779 PMCID: PMC10959669 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109364] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual responses of the primary visual cortex (V1) are altered by sound. Sound-driven behavioral arousal suggests that, in addition to direct inputs from the primary auditory cortex (A1), multiple other sources may shape V1 responses to sound. Here, we show in anesthetized mice that sound (white noise, ≥70dB) drives a biphasic modulation of V1 visually driven gamma-band activity, comprising fast-transient inhibitory and slow, prolonged excitatory (A1-independent) arousal-driven components. An analogous yet quicker modulation of the visual response also occurred earlier in the visual pathway, at the level of the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), where sound transiently inhibited the early phasic visual response and subsequently induced a prolonged increase in tonic spiking activity and gamma rhythmicity. Our results demonstrate that sound-driven modulations of visual activity are not exclusive to V1 and suggest that thalamocortical inputs from the dLGN to V1 contribute to shaping V1 visual response to sound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément E. Lemercier
- Department of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Patrik Krieger
- Department of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Denise Manahan-Vaughan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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Dietz V, Holliger NS, Christen A, Geissmann M, Filli L. Neural coordination of bilateral hand movements: evidence for an involvement of brainstem motor centres. J Physiol 2024; 602:397-412. [PMID: 38178603 DOI: 10.1113/jp285403] [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: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Bilateral hand movements are assumed to be coordinated by a neural coupling mechanism. Neural coupling is experimentally reflected in complex electromyographic (EMG) responses in the forearm muscles of both sides to unilateral electrical arm nerve stimulation (ES). The aim of this study was to examine a potential involvement of the reticulospinal system in neural coupling by the application of loud acoustic stimuli (LAS) known to activate neurons of this system. LAS, ES and combined LAS/ES were applied to healthy subjects during visually guided bilateral hand flexion-extension movements. Muscle responses to the different stimuli were evaluated by electrophysiological recordings. Unilateral electrical ulnar nerve stimulation resulted in neural coupling responses in the forearm extensors (FE) of both sides. Interestingly, LAS evoked bilateral EMG responses that were similar in their configuration to those induced by ES. The presence of startles was associated with a shift of the onset and enhanced amplitude of LAS-induced coupling-like responses. Upon combined LAS/ES application, ES facilitated ipsilateral startles and coupling-like responses. Modulation of coupling-like responses by startles, the similarity of the responses to ES and LAS, and their interaction following combined stimulation suggests that both responses are mediated by the reticulospinal system. Our findings provide novel indirect evidence that the reticulospinal system is involved in the neural coupling of hand movements. This becomes clinically relevant in subjects with a damaged corticospinal system where a dominant reticulospinal system leads to involuntary limb coupling, referred to as associated movements. KEY POINTS: Automatic coordination of hand movements is assumed to be mediated by a neural coupling mechanism reflected by bilateral reflex responses in forearm muscles to unilateral electrical arm nerve stimulation (ES). Loud acoustic stimuli (LAS) were applied to assess a potential involvement of the reticulospinal system in the neural coupling mechanism. LAS evoked a bilateral reflex response in the forearm extensors that was similar to the neural coupling response to ES, and which could be separated from the acoustic startle response. Combined application of LAS and ES resulted in a facilitation of startle and coupling-like responses ipsilateral to ES, thus indicating an interaction of afferences from both stimuli. These novel findings provide indirect evidence that the reticulospinal system is a key motor structure for the coupling of bilateral hand movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Dietz
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Sarah Holliger
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrin Christen
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marina Geissmann
- Swiss Center for Movement Analysis (SCMA), Balgrist Campus AG, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Linard Filli
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Movement Analysis (SCMA), Balgrist Campus AG, Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Mooney RA, Bastian AJ, Celnik PA. Mapping subcortical motor pathways in humans with startle-conditioned TMS. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:1232-1239. [PMID: 37595834 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.08.010] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Subcortical motor pathways, such as the reticulospinal tract, are critical for producing and modulating voluntary movements and have been implicated in neurological conditions. Previous research has described the presence of ipsilateral motor evoked potentials (iMEPs) in the arm to transcranial magentic stimulation (TMS), and suggested they could be mediated by the uncrossed corticospinal tract or by ipsilateral cortico-reticulospinal connections. Here, we sought to elucidate the role of the reticulospinal tract in mediating iMEPs by assessing their modulation by a startling acoustic stimulus and mapping these responses across multiple upper limb effectors. In a first experiment, we delivered TMS at various intervals (1, 5, 10 and 15 ms) after a startling acoustic stimulus, known to excite the reticular formation, to elicit iMEPs in the arm. We observed robust facilitation of iMEP area when startle conditioning preceded TMS at the 10 ms interval. In a second experiment, we replicated our findings showing that both the area and number of iMEPs in the arm increases with startle conditioning. Using this technique, we observed that iMEPs are more prominent in the arm compared with the hand. In a third experiment, we also observed greater presence of iMEPs in flexor compared with extensor muscles. Together, these findings are consistent with properties of the reticulospinal tract observed in animals, suggesting that iMEPs primarily reflect reticulospinal activity. Our findings imply that we can use this approach to track modulation of cortico-reticulospinal excitability following interventions or neurological conditions where the reticulospinal tract may be involved in motor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan A Mooney
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy J Bastian
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pablo A Celnik
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Jimenez H, Carrion J, Adrien L, Wolin A, Eun J, Cinamon E, Chang EH, Davies P, Vo A, Koppel J. The Impact of Muscarinic Antagonism on Psychosis-Relevant Behaviors and Striatal [ 11C] Raclopride Binding in Tau Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2091. [PMID: 37626588 PMCID: PMC10452133 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychosis that occurs over the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with increased caregiver burden and a more rapid cognitive and functional decline. To find new treatment targets, studies modeling psychotic conditions traditionally employ agents known to induce psychosis, utilizing outcomes with cross-species relevance, such as locomotive activity and sensorimotor gating, in rodents. In AD, increased burdens of tau pathology (a diagnostic hallmark of the disease) and treatment with anticholinergic medications have, separately, been reported to increase the risk of psychosis. Recent evidence suggests that muscarinic antagonists may increase extracellular tau. Preclinical studies in AD models have not previously utilized muscarinic cholinergic antagonists as psychotomimetic agents. In this report, we utilize a human-mutant-tau model (P301L/COMTKO) and an over-expressed non-mutant human tau model (htau) in order to compare the impact of antimuscarinic (scopolamine 10 mg/kg/day) treatment with dopaminergic (reboxetine 20 mg/kg/day) treatment, for 7 days, on locomotion and sensorimotor gating. Scopolamine increased spontaneous locomotion, while reboxetine reduced it; neither treatment impacted sensorimotor gating. In the P301L/COMTKO, scopolamine treatment was associated with decreased muscarinic M4 receptor expression, as quantified with RNA-seq, as well as increased dopamine receptor D2 signaling, as estimated with Micro-PET [11C] raclopride binding. Scopolamine also increased soluble tau in the striatum, an effect that partially mediated the observed increases in locomotion. Studies of muscarinic agonists in preclinical tau models are warranted to determine the impact of treatment-on both tau and behavior-that may have relevance to AD and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidy Jimenez
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Joseph Carrion
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Leslie Adrien
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Adam Wolin
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
| | - John Eun
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Ezra Cinamon
- Department of Biochemistry, Queens College, Flushing, NY 11355, USA;
| | - Eric H. Chang
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Peter Davies
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
| | - An Vo
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Jeremy Koppel
- The Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; (H.J.); (J.C.); (L.A.); (A.W.); (J.E.); (E.H.C.); (P.D.); (A.V.)
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12
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Adjei ENA, Wright K, Dewald JPA, Yao J. Effect of Motor Task on Cortex Brainstem Modulation: Preliminary Results. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38082632 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Reticulospinal Tracts (RSTs) have divergent connections to multiple spinal segments that innervate many upper extremity muscles. Therefore, increased RST engagement can often lead to muscle coactivation across multiple limb joints. The RST originates from the reticular formation (RF) and receives projections from the cortex. This provides the anatomical basis for cortex-brainstem modulation. Currently, we know little about how cortex modulates the RF to control RST engagement during motor preparation for various motor tasks, such as tasks involving proximal and distal upper limb joint coordination vs. a purely distal task. We hypothesize that since a simultaneous arm lifting and hand opening task (LIFTOPEN) requires more selective muscle recruitment than a hand opening task (OPEN), the cortex will suppress the RF to reduce the RST engagement at distal muscles during LIFTOPEN. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the startReact response in thirteen able-bodied participants performing the OPEN and LIFTOPEN tasks in response to a startling and non-startling acoustic stimulation. Our results showed that activation of distal muscles was significantly decreased, and the startle response was delayed in LIFTOPEN compared to OPEN. Both results suggest that the cortex suppressed RF and reduced the RST engagement in LIFTOPEN compared to OPEN.Clinical Relevance- Our results provide foundational knowledge of the task-specific nature of cortex-brainstem modulation. This scientific finding provides a base to compare how a unilateral brain injury may affect this cortex-brainstem modulation.
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13
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Akalu Y, Frazer AK, Howatson G, Pearce AJ, Siddique U, Rostami M, Tallent J, Kidgell DJ. Identifying the role of the reticulospinal tract for strength and motor recovery: A scoping review of nonhuman and human studies. Physiol Rep 2023; 11:e15765. [PMID: 37474275 PMCID: PMC10359156 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15765] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to the established postural control role of the reticulospinal tract (RST), there has been an increasing interest on its involvement in strength, motor recovery, and other gross motor functions. However, there are no reviews that have systematically assessed the overall motor function of the RST. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of the RST underpinning motor function and recovery. We performed a literature search using Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus, and Scopus to retrieve papers using key words for RST, strength, and motor recovery. Human and animal studies which assessed the role of RST were included. Studies were screened and 32 eligible studies were included for the final analysis. Of these, 21 of them were human studies while the remaining were on monkeys and rats. Seven experimental animal studies and four human studies provided evidence for the involvement of the RST in motor recovery, while two experimental animal studies and eight human studies provided evidence for strength gain. The RST influenced gross motor function in two experimental animal studies and five human studies. Overall, the RST has an important role for motor recovery, gross motor function and at least in part, underpins strength gain. The role of RST for strength gain in healthy people and its involvement in spasticity in a clinical population has been limitedly described. Further studies are required to ascertain the role of the RST's role in enhancing strength and its contribution to the development of spasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonas Akalu
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research UnitDepartment of PhysiotherapySchool of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Human PhysiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of GondarGondarEthiopia
| | - Ashlyn K. Frazer
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research UnitDepartment of PhysiotherapySchool of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Glyn Howatson
- Department of Sport, Exercise and RehabilitationNorthumbria UniversityNewcastleUK
- Water Research GroupNorth West UniversityPotchefstroomSouth Africa
| | - Alan J. Pearce
- College of Science, Health and EngineeringLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Ummatul Siddique
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research UnitDepartment of PhysiotherapySchool of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mohamad Rostami
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research UnitDepartment of PhysiotherapySchool of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Jamie Tallent
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research UnitDepartment of PhysiotherapySchool of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise SciencesUniversity of EssexColchesterUK
| | - Dawson J. Kidgell
- Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research UnitDepartment of PhysiotherapySchool of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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14
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Zheng A, Schmid S. A review of the neural basis underlying the acoustic startle response with a focus on recent developments in mammals. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 148:105129. [PMID: 36914078 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
The startle response consists of whole-body muscle contractions, eye-blink, accelerated heart rate, and freezing in response to a strong, sudden stimulus. It is evolutionarily preserved and can be observed in any animal that can perceive sensory signals, indicating the important protective function of startle. Startle response measurements and its alterations have become a valuable tool for exploring sensorimotor processes and sensory gating, especially in the context of pathologies of psychiatric disorders. The last reviews on the neural substrates underlying acoustic startle were published around 20 years ago. Advancements in methods and techniques have since allowed new insights into acoustic startle mechanisms. This review is focused on the neural circuitry that drives the primary acoustic startle response in mammals. However, there have also been very successful efforts to identify the acoustic startle pathway in other vertebrates and invertebrates in the past decades, so at the end we briefly summarize these studies and comment on the similarities and differences between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Zheng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada.
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15
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Manohar S, Chen GD, Li L, Liu X, Salvi R. Chronic stress induced loudness hyperacusis, sound avoidance and auditory cortex hyperactivity. Hear Res 2023; 431:108726. [PMID: 36905854 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Hyperacusis, a debilitating loudness intolerance disorder, has been linked to chronic stress and adrenal insufficiency. To investigate the role of chronic stress, rats were chronically treated with corticosterone (CORT) stress hormone. Chronic CORT produced behavioral evidence of loudness hyperacusis, sound avoidance hyperacusis, and abnormal temporal integration of loudness. CORT treatment did not disrupt cochlear or brainstem function as reflected by normal distortion product otoacoustic emissions, compound action potentials, acoustic startle reflexex, and auditory brainstem responses. In contrast, the evoked response from the auditory cortex was enhanced up to three fold after CORT treatment. This hyperactivity was associated with a significant increase in glucocorticoid receptors in auditory cortex layers II/III and VI. Basal serum CORT levels remained normal after chronic CORT stress whereas reactive serum CORT levels evoked by acute restraint stress were blunted (reduced) after chronic CORT stress; similar changes were observed after chronic, intense noise stress. Taken together, our results show for the first time that chronic stress can induce hyperacusis and sound avoidance. A model is proposed in which chronic stress creates a subclinical state of adrenal insufficiency that establishes the necessary conditions for inducing hyperacusis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilvelan Manohar
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, 137 Cary Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Guang-Di Chen
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, 137 Cary Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Li Li
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, 137 Cary Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Xiaopeng Liu
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, 137 Cary Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Richard Salvi
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, 137 Cary Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
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16
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Diarra M, Marchitto M, Bressolle MC, Baccino T, Drai-Zerbib V. A narrative review of the interconnection between pilot acute stress, startle, and surprise effects in the aviation context: Contribution of physiological measurements. FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2023; 4:1059476. [PMID: 38234477 PMCID: PMC10790839 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2023.1059476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation. However, an inappropriate response to an unexpected event can lead to flight incidents and accidents. Among several contributory factors, startle and surprise, which can lead to or exacerbate the pilot's state of stress, are often cited. Unlike stress, which has been the subject of much study in the context of driving and piloting, studies on startle and surprise are less numerous and these concepts are sometimes used interchangeably. Thus, the definitions of stress, startle, and surprise are reviewed, and related differences are put in evidence. Furthermore, it is proposed to distinguish these notions in the evaluation and to add physiological measures to subjective measures in their study. Indeed, Landman's theoretical model makes it possible to show the links between these concepts and studies using physiological parameters show that they would make it possible to disentangle the links between stress, startle and surprise in the context of aviation. Finally, we draw some perspectives to set up further studies focusing specifically on these concepts and their measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moussa Diarra
- LEAD-CNRS, UMR5022, Université Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | | | | | - Thierry Baccino
- LEAD-CNRS, UMR5022, Université Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- Université Paris 8, Saint-Denis, France
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17
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Bimbard C, Sit TPH, Lebedeva A, Reddy CB, Harris KD, Carandini M. Behavioral origin of sound-evoked activity in mouse visual cortex. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:251-258. [PMID: 36624279 PMCID: PMC9905016 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01227-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sensory cortices can be affected by stimuli of multiple modalities and are thus increasingly thought to be multisensory. For instance, primary visual cortex (V1) is influenced not only by images but also by sounds. Here we show that the activity evoked by sounds in V1, measured with Neuropixels probes, is stereotyped across neurons and even across mice. It is independent of projections from auditory cortex and resembles activity evoked in the hippocampal formation, which receives little direct auditory input. Its low-dimensional nature starkly contrasts the high-dimensional code that V1 uses to represent images. Furthermore, this sound-evoked activity can be precisely predicted by small body movements that are elicited by each sound and are stereotyped across trials and mice. Thus, neural activity that is apparently multisensory may simply arise from low-dimensional signals associated with internal state and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célian Bimbard
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Timothy P H Sit
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Lebedeva
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Charu B Reddy
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kenneth D Harris
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matteo Carandini
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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18
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Hausrat TJ, Vogl C, Neef J, Schweizer M, Yee BK, Strenzke N, Kneussel M. Monoallelic loss of the F-actin-binding protein radixin facilitates startle reactivity and pre-pulse inhibition in mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:987691. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.987691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing impairment is one of the most common disorders with a global burden and increasing prevalence in an ever-aging population. Previous research has largely focused on peripheral sensory perception, while the brain circuits of auditory processing and integration remain poorly understood. Mutations in the rdx gene, encoding the F-actin binding protein radixin (Rdx), can induce hearing loss in human patients and homozygous depletion of Rdx causes deafness in mice. However, the precise physiological function of Rdx in hearing and auditory information processing is still ill-defined. Here, we investigated consequences of rdx monoallelic loss in the mouse. Unlike the homozygous (−/−) rdx knockout, which is characterized by the degeneration of actin-based stereocilia and subsequent hearing loss, our analysis of heterozygous (+/−) mutants has revealed a different phenotype. Specifically, monoallelic loss of rdx potentiated the startle reflex in response to acoustic stimulation of increasing intensities, suggesting a gain of function relative to wildtype littermates. The monoallelic loss of the rdx gene also facilitated pre-pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex induced by weak auditory pre-pulse stimuli, indicating a modification to the circuit underlying sensorimotor gating of auditory input. However, the auditory brainstem response (ABR)-based hearing thresholds revealed a mild impairment in peripheral sound perception in rdx (+/-) mice, suggesting minor aberration of stereocilia structural integrity. Taken together, our data suggest a critical role of Rdx in the top-down processing and/or integration of auditory signals, and therefore a novel perspective to uncover further Rdx-mediated mechanisms in central auditory information processing.
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19
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Charalambous CC, Hadjipapas A. Is there frequency-specificity in the motor control of walking? The putative differential role of alpha and beta oscillations. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:922841. [PMID: 36387306 PMCID: PMC9650482 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.922841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha and beta oscillations have been assessed thoroughly during walking due to their potential role as proxies of the corticoreticulospinal tract (CReST) and corticospinal tract (CST), respectively. Given that damage to a descending tract after stroke can cause walking deficits, detailed knowledge of how these oscillations mechanistically contribute to walking could be utilized in strategies for post-stroke locomotor recovery. In this review, the goal was to summarize, synthesize, and discuss the existing evidence on the potential differential role of these oscillations on the motor descending drive, the effect of transcranial alternate current stimulation (tACS) on neurotypical and post-stroke walking, and to discuss remaining gaps in knowledge, future directions, and methodological considerations. Electrophysiological studies of corticomuscular, intermuscular, and intramuscular coherence during walking clearly demonstrate that beta oscillations are predominantly present in the dorsiflexors during the swing phase and may be absent post-stroke. The role of alpha oscillations, however, has not been pinpointed as clearly. We concluded that both animal and human studies should focus on the electrophysiological characterization of alpha oscillations and their potential role to the CReST. Another approach in elucidating the role of these oscillations is to modulate them and then quantify the impact on walking behavior. This is possible through tACS, whose beneficial effect on walking behavior (including boosting of beta oscillations in intramuscular coherence) has been recently demonstrated in both neurotypical adults and stroke patients. However, these studies still do not allow for specific roles of alpha and beta oscillations to be delineated because the tACS frequency used was much lower (i.e., individualized calculated gait frequency was used). Thus, we identify a main gap in the literature, which is tACS studies actually stimulating at alpha and beta frequencies during walking. Overall, we conclude that for beta oscillations there is a clear connection to descending drive in the corticospinal tract. The precise relationship between alpha oscillations and CReST remains elusive due to the gaps in the literature identified here. However, better understanding the role of alpha (and beta) oscillations in the motor control of walking can be used to progress and develop rehabilitation strategies for promoting locomotor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalambos C. Charalambous
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Center for Neuroscience and Integrative Brain Research (CENIBRE), Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Avgis Hadjipapas
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Center for Neuroscience and Integrative Brain Research (CENIBRE), Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
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20
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Filova I, Pysanenko K, Tavakoli M, Vochyanova S, Dvorakova M, Bohuslavova R, Smolik O, Fabriciova V, Hrabalova P, Benesova S, Valihrach L, Cerny J, Yamoah EN, Syka J, Fritzsch B, Pavlinkova G. ISL1 is necessary for auditory neuron development and contributes toward tonotopic organization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2207433119. [PMID: 36074819 PMCID: PMC9478650 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207433119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A cardinal feature of the auditory pathway is frequency selectivity, represented in a tonotopic map from the cochlea to the cortex. The molecular determinants of the auditory frequency map are unknown. Here, we discovered that the transcription factor ISL1 regulates the molecular and cellular features of auditory neurons, including the formation of the spiral ganglion and peripheral and central processes that shape the tonotopic representation of the auditory map. We selectively knocked out Isl1 in auditory neurons using Neurod1Cre strategies. In the absence of Isl1, spiral ganglion neurons migrate into the central cochlea and beyond, and the cochlear wiring is profoundly reduced and disrupted. The central axons of Isl1 mutants lose their topographic projections and segregation at the cochlear nucleus. Transcriptome analysis of spiral ganglion neurons shows that Isl1 regulates neurogenesis, axonogenesis, migration, neurotransmission-related machinery, and synaptic communication patterns. We show that peripheral disorganization in the cochlea affects the physiological properties of hearing in the midbrain and auditory behavior. Surprisingly, auditory processing features are preserved despite the significant hearing impairment, revealing central auditory pathway resilience and plasticity in Isl1 mutant mice. Mutant mice have a reduced acoustic startle reflex, altered prepulse inhibition, and characteristics of compensatory neural hyperactivity centrally. Our findings show that ISL1 is one of the obligatory factors required to sculpt auditory structural and functional tonotopic maps. Still, upon Isl1 deletion, the ensuing central plasticity of the auditory pathway does not suffice to overcome developmentally induced peripheral dysfunction of the cochlea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Filova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Kateryna Pysanenko
- Department of Auditory Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czechia
| | - Mitra Tavakoli
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Simona Vochyanova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Martina Dvorakova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Romana Bohuslavova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Ondrej Smolik
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Valeria Fabriciova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Petra Hrabalova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Sarka Benesova
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Lukas Valihrach
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Laboratory of Light Microscopy, Institute of Molecular Genetics Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czechia
| | - Ebenezer N. Yamoah
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557
| | - Josef Syka
- Department of Auditory Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czechia
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1324
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1324
| | - Gabriela Pavlinkova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia
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21
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Ragothaman A, Mancini M, Nutt JG, Fair DA, Miranda-Dominguez O, Horak FB. Resting state functional networks predict different aspects of postural control in Parkinson's disease. Gait Posture 2022; 97:122-129. [PMID: 35931013 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder causing postural control impairments. Postural control involves multiple domains, such as control of postural sway in stance, automatic postural responses (APRs) and anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). We hypothesize that impairments in each postural domain is associated with resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), accounted by predictive modeling and that cortical and cerebellar networks would predict postural control in people with PD (PwPD). OBJECTIVE To determine whether rsFC can predict three domains of postural control independently in PwPD and older adults (OA) based on predictive accuracy of models. METHODS The cohort consisted of 65 PwPD (67.7 +8.1 age) tested in their OFF-state and 42 OA (69.7 +8.2 age). Six body-worn, inertial sensors measured postural sway area while standing on foam, step length of APRs to a backward push-and-release perturbation, and magnitude of lateral APAs prior to voluntary gait initiation. Resting state-fMRI data was reported on 384 regions of interest that were grouped into 13 functional brain networks. Associations between rsFC and postural metrics were characterized using predictive modeling, with an independent training (n = 67) and validation (n = 40) dataset. Models were trained in the training sample and performance of the best model was validated in the independent test dataset. RESULTS rsFC of different brain networks predicted each domain of postural control in PD: Frontoparietal and Ventral Attention rsFC for APAs; Cerebellar-Subcortical and Visual rsFC and Auditory and Cerebellar-Subcortical rsFC for APRs; Ventral Attention and Ventral Multimodal rsFC for postural sway. In OA, CinguloOpercular and Somatomotor rsFC predicted APAs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that cortical networks predict postural control in PD and there is little overlap in brain network connectivities that predict different domains of postural control, given the rsFC methodology used. PwPD use different cortical networks for APAs compared to OA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Mancini
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - John G Nutt
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Damien A Fair
- Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Institute of Child Development, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Oscar Miranda-Dominguez
- Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Fay B Horak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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22
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Zheng XS, Yang Q, Vazquez A, Cui XT. Imaging the stability of chronic electrical microstimulation using electrodes coated with PEDOT/CNT and iridium oxide. iScience 2022; 25:104539. [PMID: 35769881 PMCID: PMC9234710 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic microstimulation is faced with challenges that require an additional understanding of stability and safety. We implanted silicon arrays coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), or PCand IrOx into the cortex of GCaMP6s mice and electrically stimulated them for up to 12 weeks. We quantified neuronal responses to stimulation using two-photon imaging and mesoscale fluorescence microscopy and characterized electrode performance over time. We observed dynamic changes in stimulation stability over time and a significant advantage in energy efficiency using PC coated electrodes over IrOx coated electrodes. In a subset of mice, we observed abnormal ictal cortical responses or cortical spreading depression using stimulation parameters commonly used in intracortical stimulation applications, suggesting the need to investigate the potential neuronal damage and redefine the stimulation safety limit. This study not only revealed the dynamic changes in stimulation efficiency after implantation but also reiterates the potential for PC as a high-efficiency material in chronic neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sally Zheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 5057 Biomedical Science Tower 3, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Qianru Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 5057 Biomedical Science Tower 3, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, 115 Mellon Institute, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Alberto Vazquez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 5057 Biomedical Science Tower 3, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, 115 Mellon Institute, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 3025 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Xinyan Tracy Cui
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 5057 Biomedical Science Tower 3, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, 115 Mellon Institute, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 3025 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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23
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Atkinson E, Škarabot J, Ansdell P, Goodall S, Howatson G, Thomas K. Does the reticulospinal tract mediate adaptation to resistance training in humans? J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 133:689-696. [PMID: 35834623 PMCID: PMC9467470 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00264.2021] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance training increases volitional force-producing capacity, and it is widely accepted that such an increase is partly underpinned by adaptations in the central nervous system, particularly in the early phases of training. Despite this, the neural substrate(s) responsible for mediating adaptation remains largely unknown. Most studies have focused on the corticospinal tract, the main descending pathway controlling movement in humans, with equivocal findings. It is possible that neural adaptation to resistance training is mediated by other structures; one such candidate is the reticulospinal tract. The aim of this narrative mini-review is to articulate the potential of the reticulospinal tract to underpin adaptations in muscle strength. Specifically, we 1) discuss why the structure and function of the reticulospinal tract implicate it as a potential site for adaptation; 2) review the animal and human literature that supports the idea of the reticulospinal tract as an important neural substrate underpinning adaptation to resistance training; and 3) examine the potential methodological options to assess the reticulospinal tract in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott Atkinson
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, grid.42629.3bNorthumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jakob Škarabot
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, grid.6571.5Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Ansdell
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, grid.42629.3bNorthumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Goodall
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, grid.42629.3bNorthumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Glyn Howatson
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, grid.42629.3bNorthumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Thomas
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, grid.42629.3bNorthumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
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24
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Lindberg JC, Archer D. Radiophobia: Useful concept, or ostracising term? PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2022.104280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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25
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Sadler CM, Kami AT, Nantel J, Lommen J, Carlsen AN. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over Motor Areas Improves Reaction Time in Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurol 2022; 13:913517. [PMID: 35775046 PMCID: PMC9237404 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.913517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate cortical motor excitability and improve bradykinesia symptoms in Parkinson's disease. It is unclear how targeting different cortical motor areas with tDCS may differentially influence upper limb function for individuals diagnosed with PD. Objective This study investigated whether anodal tDCS applied separately to the primary motor cortex and the supplementary motor area would improve upper limb function for individuals with Parkinson's disease. In addition, a startling acoustic stimulus was used to differentiate between the effect of stimulation on motor preparatory and initiation processes associated with upper limb movements. Methods Eleven participants with idiopathic Parkinson's disease performed two upper limb simple reaction time tasks, involving elbow extension or a button press before and after either anodal tDCS or sham tDCS was applied over the primary motor cortex or supplementary motor area. A loud, startling stimulus was presented on a selection of trials to involuntarily trigger the prepared action. Results Anodal tDCS led to improved premotor reaction time in both tasks, but this was moderated by reaction time in pre-tDCS testing, such that individuals with slower pre-tDCS reaction time showed the greatest reaction time improvements. Startle-trial reaction time was not modified following tDCS, suggesting that the stimulation primarily modulated response initiation processes. Conclusion Anodal tDCS improved response initiation speed, but only in slower reacting individuals with PD. However, no differences attributable to tDCS were observed in clinical measures of bradykinesia or kinematic variables, suggesting that reaction time may represent a more sensitive measure of some components of bradykinesia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aline Tiemi Kami
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Julie Nantel
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan Lommen
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Anthony N. Carlsen
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Anthony N. Carlsen ; ; orcid.org/0000-0001-6015-8991
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26
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Sehlström M, Ljungberg JK, Claeson AS, Nyström MBT. The relation of neuroticism to physiological and behavioral stress responses induced by auditory startle. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2554. [PMID: 35403836 PMCID: PMC9120885 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2554] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The negative cognitive effects of the startle response are not yet fully understood. Ecological observations in the aviation field indicate risk for severe outcomes in complex or pressured situations, while sparse previous research suggests milder negative effects on simple cognitive tasks. Neuroticism is proposed as a factor related to the level of negative effects following startle. METHODS This study examined the effects of startle on performance in a choice reaction time task and analyzed relations between performance, neuroticism, and physiological stress. RESULTS Our results indicate that reaction time directly following startle was not affected, but reaction time in subsequent trials was significantly slower. Neuroticism and physiological stress were both unrelated to this performance effect. DISCUSSION We argue that higher complexity/demand tasks are necessary to complement the research on base cognitive functioning in relation to startle. If neuroticism is related to startle effects, this is more likely to be found in these higher demand situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica K Ljungberg
- Engineering Psychology, Department of Health, Learning and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
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27
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Harry GJ, McBride S, Witchey SK, Mhaouty-Kodja S, Trembleau A, Bridge M, Bencsik A. Roadbumps at the Crossroads of Integrating Behavioral and In Vitro Approaches for Neurotoxicity Assessment. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:812863. [PMID: 35295216 PMCID: PMC8915899 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.812863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
With the appreciation that behavior represents the integration and complexity of the nervous system, neurobehavioral phenotyping and assessment has seen a renaissance over the last couple of decades, resulting in a robust database on rodent performance within various testing paradigms, possible associations with human disorders, and therapeutic interventions. The interchange of data across behavior and other test modalities and multiple model systems has advanced our understanding of fundamental biology and mechanisms associated with normal functions and alterations in the nervous system. While there is a demonstrated value and power of neurobehavioral assessments for examining alterations due to genetic manipulations, maternal factors, early development environment, the applied use of behavior to assess environmental neurotoxicity continues to come under question as to whether behavior represents a sensitive endpoint for assessment. Why is rodent behavior a sensitive tool to the neuroscientist and yet, not when used in pre-clinical or chemical neurotoxicity studies? Applying new paradigms and evidence on the biological basis of behavior to neurobehavioral testing requires expertise and refinement of how such experiments are conducted to minimize variability and maximize information. This review presents relevant issues of methods used to conduct such test, sources of variability, experimental design, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting. It presents beneficial and critical limitations as they translate to the in vivo environment and considers the need to integrate across disciplines for the best value. It proposes that a refinement of behavioral assessments and understanding of subtle pronounced differences will facilitate the integration of data obtained across multiple approaches and to address issues of translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Jean Harry
- Neurotoxicology Group, Molecular Toxicology Branch, Division National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sandra McBride
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holdings Company, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Shannah K. Witchey
- Division National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sakina Mhaouty-Kodja
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Neuroscience Paris Seine – Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Alain Trembleau
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR8246, Inserm U1130, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), Neuroscience Paris Seine (NPS), Paris, France
| | - Matthew Bridge
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holdings Company, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Anna Bencsik
- Anses Laboratoire de Lyon, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Université de Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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28
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Rangarajan V, Schreiber JJ, Barragan B, Schaefer SY, Honeycutt CF. Delays in the Reticulospinal System Are Associated With a Reduced Capacity to Learn a Simulated Feeding Task in Older Adults. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 15:681706. [PMID: 35153677 PMCID: PMC8829385 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.681706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning declines with age. Recent evidence indicates that the brainstem may play an important role in learning and motor skill acquisition. Our objective was to determine if delays in the reticular formation, measured via the startle reflex, correspond to age-related deficits in learning and retention. We hypothesized that delays in the startle reflex would be linearly correlated to learning and retention deficits in older adults. To determine if associations were unique to the reticulospinal system, we also evaluated corticospinal contributions with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Our results showed a linear relationship between startle onset latency and percent learning and retention but no relationship between active or passive motor-evoked potential onsets or peak-to-peak amplitude. These results lay the foundation for further study to evaluate if (1) the reticular formation is a subcortical facilitator of skill acquisition and (2) processing delays in the reticular formation contribute to age-related learning deficits.
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29
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Clipperton-Allen AE, Swick H, Botero V, Aceti M, Ellegood J, Lerch JP, Page DT. Pten haploinsufficiency causes desynchronized growth of brain areas involved in sensory processing. iScience 2022; 25:103796. [PMID: 35198865 PMCID: PMC8844819 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
How changes in brain scaling relate to altered behavior is an important question in neurodevelopmental disorder research. Mice with germline Pten haploinsufficiency (Pten +/-) closely mirror the abnormal brain scaling and behavioral deficits seen in humans with macrocephaly/autism syndrome, which is caused by PTEN mutations. We explored whether deviation from normal patterns of growth can predict behavioral abnormalities. Brain regions associated with sensory processing (e.g., pons and inferior colliculus) had the biggest deviations from expected volume. While Pten +/- mice showed little or no abnormal behavior on most assays, both sexes showed sensory deficits, including impaired sensorimotor gating and hyporeactivity to high-intensity stimuli. Developmental analysis of this phenotype showed sexual dimorphism for hyporeactivity. Mapping behavioral phenotypes of Pten +/- mice onto relevant brain regions suggested abnormal behavior is likely when associated with relatively enlarged brain regions, while unchanged or relatively decreased brain regions have little predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah Swick
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA,Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Massimiliano Aceti
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jacob Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Jason P. Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7, Canada,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Damon T. Page
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA,Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA,Corresponding author
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30
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Startling Acoustic Stimulation Has Task-Specific Effects on Intracortical Facilitation and Inhibition at Rest and During Visually Guided Isometric Elbow Flexion in Healthy Individuals. Motor Control 2022; 27:96-111. [DOI: 10.1123/mc.2022-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Startling acoustic stimulation (SAS) causes a transient effect on the primary motor cortex (M1) nonreflexively. It reduces the cortical excitability at rest, but not during voluntary contraction. However, the effect of SAS on intracortical activity is not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the SAS effect on short-interval intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Eleven healthy individuals performed isometric elbow flexion at 10% of maximum voluntary contraction on the dominant side with a real-time visual target (i.e., M1 preactivation) or at rest. TMS was delivered to the M1 ipsilateral to elbow flexion without or with SAS delivered 90 ms prior to TMS. There were three TMS delivery conditions: (a) single pulse, (b) short-interval intracortical inhibition, and (c) intracortical facilitation. TMS-induced motor-evoked potential (MEP) was compared between predetermined TMS and SAS conditions at rest and during ipsilateral voluntary contraction. We confirmed that SAS decreased the MEP amplitude at rest, but not during M1 preactivation. SAS caused task-specific effects on intracortical excitability. Specifically, SAS increased intracortical facilitation at rest and during voluntary contraction. However, SAS decreased short-interval intracortical inhibition only during M1 preactivation. Collectively, our results suggest that SAS transiently influences the motor cortex excitability, possibly via its activation of higher centers, to achieve a visually guided goal-directed task.
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31
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van Ast VA, Klumpers F, Grasman RPPP, Krypotos AM, Roelofs K. Postural freezing relates to startle potentiation in a human fear-conditioning paradigm. Psychophysiology 2021; 59:e13983. [PMID: 34954858 PMCID: PMC9285358 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Freezing to impending threat is a core defensive response. It has been studied primarily using fear conditioning in non-human animals, thwarting advances in translational human anxiety research that has used other indices, such as skin conductance responses. Here we examine postural freezing as a human conditioning index for translational anxiety research. We employed a mixed cued/contextual fear-conditioning paradigm where one context signals the occurrence of the US upon the presentation of the CS, and another context signals that the CS is not followed by the US. Critically, during the following generalization phase, the CS is presented in a third and novel context. We show that human freezing is highly sensitive to fear conditioning, generalizes to ambiguous contexts, and amplifies with threat imminence. Intriguingly, stronger parasympathetically driven freezing under threat, but not sympathetically mediated skin conductance, predicts subsequent startle magnitude. These results demonstrate that humans show fear-conditioned animal-like freezing responses, known to aid in active preparation for unexpected attack, and that freezing captures real-life anxiety expression. Conditioned freezing offers a promising new, non-invasive, and continuous, readout for human fear conditioning, paving the way for future translational studies into human fear and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa A van Ast
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Brain and Cognition, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Floris Klumpers
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Raoul P P P Grasman
- Department of Psychological Methods, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Angelos-Miltiadis Krypotos
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Research Group of Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Roelofs
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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32
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Fratzl A, Koltchev AM, Vissers N, Tan YL, Marques-Smith A, Stempel AV, Branco T, Hofer SB. Flexible inhibitory control of visually evoked defensive behavior by the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. Neuron 2021; 109:3810-3822.e9. [PMID: 34614420 PMCID: PMC8648186 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Animals can choose to act upon, or to ignore, sensory stimuli, depending on circumstance and prior knowledge. This flexibility is thought to depend on neural inhibition, through suppression of inappropriate and disinhibition of appropriate actions. Here, we identified the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN), an inhibitory prethalamic area, as a critical node for control of visually evoked defensive responses in mice. The activity of vLGN projections to the medial superior colliculus (mSC) is modulated by previous experience of threatening stimuli, tracks the perceived threat level in the environment, and is low prior to escape from a visual threat. Optogenetic stimulation of the vLGN abolishes escape responses, and suppressing its activity lowers the threshold for escape and increases risk-avoidance behavior. The vLGN most strongly affects visual threat responses, potentially via modality-specific inhibition of mSC circuits. Thus, inhibitory vLGN circuits control defensive behavior, depending on an animal’s prior experience and its anticipation of danger in the environment. Activity of vLGN axons in the mSC reflects the previous experience of threat The vLGN bidirectionally controls escape from visual threat Activating the vLGN specifically reduces the activity of visual units in mSC Activating vLGN axons in the mSC specifically suppresses escape from visual threat
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Fratzl
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alice M Koltchev
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nicole Vissers
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yu Lin Tan
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andre Marques-Smith
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - A Vanessa Stempel
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tiago Branco
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sonja B Hofer
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK.
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33
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Ser MH, Gündüz A, Demirbilek V, Yalçınkaya C, Nalbantoğlu M, Coşkun T, Kızıltan M. Progression of myoclonus subtypes in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Neurophysiol Clin 2021; 51:533-540. [PMID: 34772596 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2021.07.001] [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] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Diagnostic criteria of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) include myoclonus, a well-recognized clinical feature. Here, we studied the electrophysiological features of myoclonus with regards to disease staging in SSPE patients. METHODS We included 10 patients diagnosed with SSPE between 2010 and 2018, along with 21 healthy subjects. All participants had detailed electrophysiological evaluation including polymyographic analysis, blink reflex after trigeminal stimulation, auditory startle response, startle response after somatosensory stimuli, F-waves, and long-loop reflexes. Clinical findings were retrieved from the medical records. RESULTS Patients were categorized into Gascon stage 2B (n = 5, 50%), 2A (n = 2, 20%), 3B (n = 2, 20%) and 4A (n = 1, 10%) at the time of electrophysiological evaluation. Two patients had cortical myoclonus, four had possible cortico-subcortical myoclonus, and four had brainstem myoclonus. Patients were categorized into Gascon stages 2a and 2b had possible cortico-subcortical myoclonus (85.7%). However, none of the patients with stage 3b or 4a had possible cortico-subcortical subtype but all had the brainstem subtype. CONCLUSION Association was seen between subtypes of myoclonus and clinical staging in SSPE. This suggests that myoclonus in SSPE may primarily involve the cortex and cortico-subcortical structures such as the thalamus at earlier stages of disease, and then involve more caudal structures as the disease progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Hazal Ser
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ayşegül Gündüz
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Veysi Demirbilek
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cengiz Yalçınkaya
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mecbure Nalbantoğlu
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tülin Coşkun
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meral Kızıltan
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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Guo W, Fan S, Xiao D, Dong H, Xu G, Wan Z, Ma Y, Wang Z, Xue T, Zhou Y, Li Y, Xiong W. A Brainstem reticulotegmental neural ensemble drives acoustic startle reflexes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6403. [PMID: 34737329 PMCID: PMC8568936 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26723-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The reticulotegmental nucleus (RtTg) has long been recognized as a crucial component of brainstem reticular formation (RF). However, the function of RtTg and its related circuits remain elusive. Here, we report a role of the RtTg in startle reflex, a highly conserved innate defensive behaviour. Optogenetic activation of RtTg neurons evokes robust startle responses in mice. The glutamatergic neurons in the RtTg are significantly activated during acoustic startle reflexes (ASR). Chemogenetic inhibition of the RtTg glutamatergic neurons decreases the ASR amplitudes. Viral tracing reveals an ASR neural circuit that the cochlear nucleus carrying auditory information sends direct excitatory innervations to the RtTg glutamatergic neurons, which in turn project to spinal motor neurons. Together, our findings describe a functional role of RtTg and its related neural circuit in startle reflexes, and demonstrate how the RF connects auditory system with motor functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Guo
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Sijia Fan
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Dan Xiao
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Hui Dong
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Guangwei Xu
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Zhikun Wan
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Yuqian Ma
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Zhen Wang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Tian Xue
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031 China
| | - Yifeng Zhou
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Yulong Li
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, 100871 China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319PKU-IDG–McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, 100871 China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China. .,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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The Effect of Sound and Stimulus Expectation on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Elicited Motor Evoked Potentials. Brain Topogr 2021; 34:720-730. [PMID: 34490506 PMCID: PMC8556164 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-021-00867-9] [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] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The amplitude of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the motor cortex is influenced by multiple factors. TMS delivery is accompanied by an abrupt clicking noise which can induce a startle response. This study investigated how masking/attenuating the sound produced by the TMS system discharging influences MEP amplitudes. In addition, the effects of increasing the time between consecutive stimuli and of making participants aware of the time at which they would be stimulated were studied. MEPs were recorded from the Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR) muscle at rest by stimulation at motor threshold (MT), 120% MT and 140% MT intensity. Participants (N = 23) received stimulation under normal (NORMAL) conditions and while: wearing sound-attenuating earmuffs (EAR); listening to white noise (NOISE); the interval between stimuli were prolonged (LONG); stimulation timing was presented on a screen (READY). The results showed that masking (p = 0.020) and attenuating (p = 0.004) the incoming sound significantly reduced the amplitude of MEPs recorded across the intensities of stimulation. Increasing the interval between pulses had no effect on the recorded traces if a jitter was introduced (p = 1), but making participants aware of stimulation timing decreased MEP amplitudes (p = 0.049). These findings suggest that the sound produced by TMS at discharging increases MEP amplitudes and that MEP amplitudes are influenced by stimulus expectation. These confounding factors need to be considered when using TMS to assess corticospinal excitability.
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McInnes AN, Lipp OV, Tresilian JR, Vallence AM, Marinovic W. Premovement inhibition can protect motor actions from interference by response-irrelevant sensory stimulation. J Physiol 2021; 599:4389-4406. [PMID: 34339524 DOI: 10.1113/jp281849] [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] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Suppression of corticospinal excitability is reliably observed during preparation for a range of motor actions, leading to the belief that this preparatory inhibition is a physiologically obligatory component of motor preparation. The neurophysiological function of this suppression is uncertain. We restricted the time available for participants to engage in preparation and found no evidence for preparatory inhibition. The function of preparatory inhibition can be inferred from our findings that sensory stimulation can disrupt motor output in the absence of preparatory inhibition, but enhance motor output when inhibition is present. These findings suggest preparatory inhibition may be a strategic process which acts to protect prepared actions from external interference. Our findings have significant theoretical implications for preparatory processes. Findings may also have a pragmatic benefit in that acoustic stimulation could be used therapeutically to facilitate movement, but only if the action can be prepared well in advance. ABSTRACT Shortly before movement initiation, the corticospinal system undergoes a transient suppression. This phenomenon has been observed across a range of motor tasks, suggesting that it may be an obligatory component of movement preparation. We probed whether this was also the case when the urgency to perform a motor action was high, in a situation where little time was available to engage in preparatory processes. We controlled the urgency of an impending motor action by increasing or decreasing the foreperiod duration in an anticipatory timing task. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS; experiment 1) or a loud acoustic stimulus (LAS; experiment 2) were used to examine how corticospinal and subcortical excitability were modulated during motor preparation. Preparatory inhibition of the corticospinal tract was absent when movement urgency was high, though motor actions were initiated on time. In contrast, subcortical circuits were progressively inhibited as the time to prepare increased. Interestingly, movement force and vigour were reduced by both TMS and the LAS when movement urgency was high, and enhanced when movement urgency was low. These findings indicate that preparatory inhibition may not be an obligatory component of motor preparation. The behavioural effects we observed in the absence of preparatory inhibition were induced by both TMS and the LAS, suggesting that accessory sensory stimulation may disrupt motor output when such stimulation is presented in the absence of preparatory inhibition. We conclude that preparatory inhibition may be an adaptive strategy which can serve to protect the prepared motor action from external interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron N McInnes
- School of Population Health, Discipline of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ottmar V Lipp
- School of Population Health, Discipline of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Ann-Maree Vallence
- School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Welber Marinovic
- School of Population Health, Discipline of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Abu-Zeid EH, Khalifa BA, Elewa YHA, Arisha AH, Ismail TA, Hendam BM, Abdel-Hamid SE. Bee venom Apis mellifera lamarckii rescues blood brain barrier damage and neurobehavioral changes induced by methyl mercury via regulating tight junction proteins expression in rat cerebellum. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 154:112309. [PMID: 34062221 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the current study is to investigate the protective effect of Egyptian bee venom (BV) against methyl mercury chloride (MMC) induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage and neurobehavioral changes. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly grouped into 1st control (C), 2nd BV (0.5 mg/kg S/C for14 days), 3rd MMC (6.7 mg/kg orally/14 days), and 4th MMC + BV group. MMC exposure significantly altered rat cognitive behavior, auditory startle habituation, and swimming performance, increased the exploratory, grooming, and stereotypic behavior. MMC significantly impaired BBB integrity via induction of inflammation, oxidative stress, and down-regulation of tight junction proteins genes (TJPs) mRNA expression levels: Occludin (OCC), Claudins-5 (CLDN5), Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), while up-regulated the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) mRNA expression levels. MMC revealed a significantly higher percentage of IgG positive area ratio, a higher index ratio of Iba1, Sox10, and ss-DNA, while index ratio of CD31, neurofilament, and pan neuron showed a significant reduction. Administration of BV significantly regulates the MMC altered behavioral responses, TJPs relative mRNA expression, and the immune-expression markers for specific neural cell types. It could be concluded for the first time that BV retains a promising in vivo protection against MMC-induced BBB dysfunction and neurobehavioral toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan H Abu-Zeid
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, Egypt.
| | - Bouthaina A Khalifa
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 12211, Egypt
| | - Yaser H A Elewa
- Department of Histology and Cytology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, Egypt; Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Ahmed H Arisha
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Tamer A Ismail
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Turabah University College, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basma M Hendam
- Department of Husbandry and Development of Animal Wealth, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Shereen El Abdel-Hamid
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
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38
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Zheng XS, Yang Q, Vazquez AL, Tracy Cui X. Imaging the Efficiency of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Doped with Acid-Functionalized Carbon Nanotube and Iridium Oxide Electrode Coatings for Microstimulation. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021; 1:2000092. [PMID: 34746928 PMCID: PMC8552016 DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202000092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical microstimulation has shown promise in restoring neural deficits in humans. Electrodes coated with materials like the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with acid-functionalized carbon nanotubes (PEDOT/CNTs, or PC) exhibit superior charge injection than traditional metals like platinum. However, the stimulation performance of PC remains to be fully characterized. Advanced imaging techniques and transgenic tools allow for real-time observations of neural activity in vivo. Herein, microelectrodes coated with PC and iridium oxide (IrOx) (a commonly used high-charge-injection material) are implanted in GCaMP6s mice and electrical stimulation is applied while imaging neuronal calcium responses. Results show that PC-coated electrodes stimulate more intense and broader GCaMP responses than IrOx. Two-photon microscopy reveals that PC-coated electrodes activate significantly more neuronal soma and neuropil than IrOx-coated electrodes in constant-voltage stimulation and significantly more neuronal soma in constant-current stimulation. Furthermore, with the same injected charge, both materials activate more spatially confined neural elements with shorter pulses than longer pulses, providing a means to tune stimulation selectivity. Finite element analyses reveal that the PC coating creates a denser and nonuniform electric field, increasing the likelihood of activating nearby neural elements. PC coating can significantly improve energy efficiency for electrical stimulation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin S. Zheng
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Pittsburgh3501 Fifth Ave.PittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Qianru Yang
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Pittsburgh3501 Fifth Ave.PittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Alberto L. Vazquez
- Departments of Radiology and BioengineeringUniversity of Pittsburgh3025 E. Carson St.PittsburghPA15203USA
| | - Xinyan Tracy Cui
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Pittsburgh3501 Fifth Ave.PittsburghPA15213USA
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Tomasi J, Zai CC, Zai G, Kennedy JL, Tiwari AK. Genetics of human startle reactivity: A systematic review to acquire targets for an anxiety endophenotype. World J Biol Psychiatry 2021; 22:399-427. [PMID: 33040669 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1834619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Startle response is an objective physiological measure integral to the human defense system and a promising target for endophenotype investigations of anxiety. Given the alterations in startle reactivity observed among anxiety and related disorders, we searched for genetic variants associated with startle reactivity as they may be further involved in pathological anxiety risk. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed to identify genetic variants associated with startle reactivity in humans, specifically baseline and fear- or anxiety-potentiated startle. RESULTS The polymorphisms Val66Met (rs6265) from brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Val158Met (rs4680) from catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) from the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) were most commonly studied in human startle. In addition, several other genetic variants have also been identified as potential candidates that warrant further research, especially given their novelty in in the context of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Similar to psychiatric genetic studies, the studies on startle reactivity primarily focus on candidate genes and are plagued by non-replication. Startle reactivity is a promising endophenotype that requires concerted efforts to collect uniformly assessed, large, well-powered samples and hypothesis-free genome-wide strategies. To further support startle as an endophenotype for anxiety, this review suggests advanced genetic strategies for startle research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Clement C Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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40
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Zheng XS, Tan C, Castagnola E, Cui XT. Electrode Materials for Chronic Electrical Microstimulation. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100119. [PMID: 34029008 PMCID: PMC8257249 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Electrical microstimulation has enabled partial restoration of vision, hearing, movement, somatosensation, as well as improving organ functions by electrically modulating neural activities. However, chronic microstimulation is faced with numerous challenges. The implantation of an electrode array into the neural tissue triggers an inflammatory response, which can be exacerbated by the delivery of electrical currents. Meanwhile, prolonged stimulation may lead to electrode material degradation., which can be accelerated by the hostile inflammatory environment. Both material degradation and adverse tissue reactions can compromise stimulation performance over time. For stable chronic electrical stimulation, an ideal microelectrode must present 1) high charge injection limit, to efficiently deliver charge without exceeding safety limits for both tissue and electrodes, 2) small size, to gain high spatial selectivity, 3) excellent biocompatibility that ensures tissue health immediately next to the device, and 4) stable in vivo electrochemical properties over the application period. In this review, the challenges in chronic microstimulation are described in detail. To aid material scientists interested in neural stimulation research, the in vitro and in vivo testing methods are introduced for assessing stimulation functionality and longevity and a detailed overview of recent advances in electrode material research and device fabrication for improving chronic microstimulation performance is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sally Zheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Chao Tan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Elisa Castagnola
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Xinyan Tracy Cui
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Contactless differentiation of pleasant and unpleasant valence: Assessment of the acoustic startle eyeblink response with infrared reflectance oculography. Behav Res Methods 2021; 53:2092-2104. [PMID: 33754323 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-021-01555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The ability to distinguish between discrete emotions by monitoring autonomic or facial features has been an elusive "holy grail" for fields such as psychophysiology, affective computing, and human-computer interface design. However, cross-validated models are lacking, and contemporary theory suggests that emotions may lack distinct physiological or facial "signatures." Therefore, in this study, we propose a reorientation toward distinguishing between pleasant and unpleasant affective valence. We focus on the acoustic eyeblink response, which exhibits affective modulation but remains underutilized. The movement of the eyelid was monitored in a contactless manner via infrared reflectance oculography at 1 kHz while 36 participants viewed normatively pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant images, and 50-ms bursts of white noise were presented binaurally via headphones. Startle responses while viewing pleasant images exhibited significantly smaller amplitudes than those while viewing unpleasant images, with a large effect size (d = 1.56). The affective modulation of the eyeblink startle response is a robust phenomenon that can be assessed in a contactless manner. As research continues on whether systems based on psychophysiological or facial features can distinguish between discrete emotions, the eyeblink startle response offers a relatively simple way to distinguish between pleasant and unpleasant affective valence.
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Acoustically Enriched Environment during the Critical Period of Postnatal Development Positively Modulates Gap Detection and Frequency Discrimination Abilities in Adult Rats. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:6611922. [PMID: 33777134 PMCID: PMC7979287 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6611922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout life, sensory systems adapt to the sensory environment to provide optimal responses to relevant tasks. In the case of a developing system, sensory inputs induce changes that are permanent and detectable up to adulthood. Previously, we have shown that rearing rat pups in a complex acoustic environment (spectrally and temporally modulated sound) from postnatal day 14 (P14) to P28 permanently improves the response characteristics of neurons in the inferior colliculus and auditory cortex, influencing tonotopical arrangement, response thresholds and strength, and frequency selectivity, along with stochasticity and the reproducibility of neuronal spiking patterns. In this study, we used a set of behavioral tests based on a recording of the acoustic startle response (ASR) and its prepulse inhibition (PPI), with the aim to extend the evidence of the persistent beneficial effects of the developmental acoustical enrichment. The enriched animals were generally not more sensitive to startling sounds, and also, their PPI of ASR, induced by noise or pure tone pulses, was comparable to the controls. They did, however, exhibit a more pronounced PPI when the prepulse stimulus was represented either by a change in the frequency of a background tone or by a silent gap in background noise. The differences in the PPI of ASR between the enriched and control animals were significant at lower (55 dB SPL), but not at higher (65-75 dB SPL), intensities of background sound. Thus, rearing pups in the acoustically enriched environment led to an improvement of the frequency resolution and gap detection ability under more difficult testing conditions, i.e., with a worsened stimulus clarity. We confirmed, using behavioral tests, that an acoustically enriched environment during the critical period of development influences the frequency and temporal processing in the auditory system, and these changes persist until adulthood.
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Dvorakova M, Kubik-Zahorodna A, Straiker A, Sedlacek R, Hajkova A, Mackie K, Blahos J. SGIP1 is involved in regulation of emotionality, mood, and nociception and modulates in vivo signalling of cannabinoid CB 1 receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:1588-1604. [PMID: 33491188 PMCID: PMC8795748 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Src homology 3‐domain growth factor receptor‐bound 2‐like endophilin interacting protein 1 (SGIP1) interacts with cannabinoid CB1 receptors. SGIP1 is abundantly and principally expressed within the nervous system. SGIP1 and CB1 receptors co‐localize in axons and presynaptic boutons. SGIP1 interferes with the internalization of activated CB1 receptors in transfected heterologous cells. Consequently, the transient association of CB1 receptors with β‐arrestin2 is enhanced and prolonged, and CB1 receptor‐mediated ERK1/2 signalling is decreased. Because of these actions, SGIP1 may modulate affect, anxiety, pain processing, and other physiological processes controlled by the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Experimental Approach Using a battery of behavioural tests, we investigated the consequences of SGIP1 deletion in tasks regulated by the ECS in SGIP1 constitutive knockout (SGIP1−/−) mice. Key Results In SGIP1−/− mice, sensorimotor gating, exploratory levels, and working memory are unaltered. SGIP1−/− mice have decreased anxiety‐like behaviours. Fear extinction to tone is facilitated in SGIP1−/− females. Several cannabinoid tetrad behaviours are altered in the absence of SGIP1. SGIP1−/− males exhibit abnormal behaviours on Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol withdrawal. SGIP1 deletion also reduces acute nociception, and SGIP1−/− mice are more sensitive to analgesics. Conclusion and Implications SGIP1 was detected as a novel protein associated with CB1 receptors, and profoundly modified CB1 receptor signalling. Genetic deletion of SGIP1 particularly affected behavioural tests of mood‐related assessment and the cannabinoid tetrad. SGIP1−/− mice exhibit decreased nociception and augmented responses to CB1 receptor agonists and morphine. These in vivo findings suggest that SGIP1 is a novel modulator of CB1 receptor‐mediated behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Dvorakova
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Agnieszka Kubik-Zahorodna
- The Czech Center for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Alex Straiker
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- The Czech Center for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Hajkova
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Jaroslav Blahos
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 4, Czech Republic
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Li Z, Wei JX, Zhang GW, Huang JJ, Zingg B, Wang X, Tao HW, Zhang LI. Corticostriatal control of defense behavior in mice induced by auditory looming cues. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1040. [PMID: 33589613 PMCID: PMC7884702 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21248-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals exhibit innate defense behaviors in response to approaching threats cued by the dynamics of sensory inputs of various modalities. The underlying neural circuits have been mostly studied in the visual system, but remain unclear for other modalities. Here, by utilizing sounds with increasing (vs. decreasing) loudness to mimic looming (vs. receding) objects, we find that looming sounds elicit stereotypical sequential defensive reactions: freezing followed by flight. Both behaviors require the activity of auditory cortex, in particular the sustained type of responses, but are differentially mediated by corticostriatal projections primarily innervating D2 neurons in the tail of the striatum and corticocollicular projections to the superior colliculus, respectively. The behavioral transition from freezing to flight can be attributed to the differential temporal dynamics of the striatal and collicular neurons in their responses to looming sound stimuli. Our results reveal an essential role of the striatum in the innate defense control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Li
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jin-Xing Wei
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Guang-Wei Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Junxiang J Huang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Program in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brian Zingg
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiyue Wang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Huizhong W Tao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Li I Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Aygün D, Ertaş Fİ, Gündüz A, Benbir Şenel G, Karadeniz D, Kızıltan M. The role of pedunculopontine nucleus in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder and REM sleep without atonia. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2021; 84:68-73. [PMID: 33571873 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to analyze the functions of pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) and REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) to investigate the role of PPN in dream-enacting motor behaviors in RBD. We evaluated the activity of PPN through the prepulse modulation (PPM) together with other brainstem reflexes to investigate the differences in changes at brainstem. METHODS We included nine patients with isolated RSWA and 10 patients with iRBD. For diagnosis, all patients underwent polysomnography. None of the patients had parkinsonism or dementia. We also included 17 healthy participants with similar age and sex. Blink reflex (BR), PPM of BR, recovery excitability of BR, and auditory startle reflex (ASR) were recorded in all participants. RESULTS There was a prepulse inhibition deficit in iRBD and RSWA groups compared to healthy subjects. The BR-R2 recovery at 200 ms interval was also higher in patients with iRBD and RSWA. In ASR recordings, the response probabilities were higher in the RBD group compared to RSWA and control groups. CONCLUSION The PPM was abnormal in both iRBD and RSWA whereas ASR was enhanced in iRBD. We suggest that there are certain similarities and differences in the pathophysiologies of iRBD and RSWA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demet Aygün
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Electroneurophysiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - F İnci Ertaş
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Electroneurophysiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Gündüz
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Electroneurophysiology, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Gülçin Benbir Şenel
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Electroneurophysiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Derya Karadeniz
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Electroneurophysiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meral Kızıltan
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Electroneurophysiology, Istanbul, Turkey
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Phasic activation of the locus coeruleus attenuates the acoustic startle response by increasing cortical arousal. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1409. [PMID: 33446792 PMCID: PMC7809417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80703-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An alerting sound elicits the Acoustic Startle Response (ASR) that is dependent on the sound volume and organisms’ state, which is regulated by neuromodulatory centers. The locus coeruleus (LC) neurons respond to salient stimuli and noradrenaline release affects sensory processing, including auditory. The LC hyperactivity is detrimental for sensorimotor gating. We report here that priming microstimulation of the LC (100-ms at 20, 50, and 100 Hz) attenuated the ASR in rats. The ASR reduction scaled with frequency and 100 Hz-stimulation mimicked pre-exposure to a non-startling tone (prepulse). A rapid (~ 40 ms) EEG desynchronization following the LC stimulation suggested that the ASR reduction was due to elevated cortical arousal. The effects of LC stimulation on the ASR and EEG were consistent with systematic relationships between the ASR, awake/sleep state, and the cortical arousal level; for that matter, a lower ASR amplitude corresponded to a higher arousal level. Thus, the LC appears to modulate the ASR circuit via its diffuse ascending projections to the forebrain saliency network. The LC modulation directly in the brainstem and/or spinal cord may also play a role. Our findings suggest the LC as a part of the brain circuitry regulating the ASR, while underlying neurophysiological mechanisms require further investigation.
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English A, Drummond PD. Acoustic startle stimuli inhibit pain but do not alter nociceptive flexion reflexes to sural nerve stimulation. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13757. [PMID: 33448016 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic startle stimuli inhibit pain, but whether this is due to a cross-modal inhibitory process or some other mechanism is uncertain. To investigate this, electrical stimulation of the sural nerve either preceded or followed an acoustic startle stimulus (by 200 ms) or was presented alone in 30 healthy participants. Five electrical stimuli, five acoustic startle stimuli, 10 startle + electrical stimuli, and 10 electrical + startle stimuli were presented in mixed order at intervals of 30-60 s. Effects of the startle stimulus on pain ratings, pupillary dilatation and nociceptive flexion reflexes to the electric shock were assessed. The acoustic startle stimulus inhibited electrically evoked pain to the ensuing electric shock (p < .001), and the electrical stimulus inhibited the perceived loudness of a subsequent acoustic startle stimulus (p < .05). However, the startle stimulus did not affect electrically evoked pain when presented 200 ms after the electric shock, and electrically evoked pain did not influence the perceived loudness of a prior startle stimulus. Furthermore, stimulus order did not influence the pupillary responses or nociceptive flexion reflexes. These findings suggest that acoustic startle stimuli transiently inhibit nociceptive processing and, conversely, that electrical stimuli inhibit subsequent auditory processing. These inhibitory effects do not seem to involve spinal gating as nociceptive flexion reflexes to the electric shock were unaffected by stimulus order. Thus, cross-modal interactions at convergence points in the brainstem or higher centers may inhibit responses to the second stimulus in a two-stimulus train.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber English
- Discipline of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter D Drummond
- Discipline of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Miyata S, Kakizaki T, Fujihara K, Obinata H, Hirano T, Nakai J, Tanaka M, Itohara S, Watanabe M, Tanaka KF, Abe M, Sakimura K, Yanagawa Y. Global knockdown of glutamate decarboxylase 67 elicits emotional abnormality in mice. Mol Brain 2021; 14:5. [PMID: 33413507 PMCID: PMC7789591 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00713-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced expression of glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), encoded by the Gad1 gene, is a consistent finding in postmortem brains of patients with several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The dysfunction of GAD67 in the brain is implicated in the pathophysiology of these psychiatric disorders; however, the neurobiological consequences of GAD67 dysfunction in mature brains are not fully understood because the homozygous Gad1 knockout is lethal in newborn mice. We hypothesized that the tetracycline-controlled gene expression/suppression system could be applied to develop global GAD67 knockdown mice that would survive into adulthood. In addition, GAD67 knockdown mice would provide new insights into the neurobiological impact of GAD67 dysfunction. Here, we developed Gad1tTA/STOP−tetO biallelic knock-in mice using Gad1STOP−tetO and Gad1tTA knock-in mice, and compared them with Gad1+/+ mice. The expression level of GAD67 protein in brains of Gad1tTA/STOP−tetO mice treated with doxycycline (Dox) was decreased by approximately 90%. The GABA content was also decreased in the brains of Dox-treated Gad1tTA/STOP−tetO mice. In the open-field test, Dox-treated Gad1tTA/STOP−tetO mice exhibited hyper-locomotor activity and decreased duration spent in the center region. In addition, acoustic startle responses were impaired in Dox-treated Gad1tTA/STOP−tetO mice. These results suggest that global reduction in GAD67 elicits emotional abnormalities in mice. These GAD67 knockdown mice will be useful for elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms of emotional abnormalities, such as anxiety symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Miyata
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan.
| | - Toshikazu Kakizaki
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Fujihara
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hideru Obinata
- Laboratory for Analytical Instruments, Education and Research Support Center, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Touko Hirano
- Laboratory for Analytical Instruments, Education and Research Support Center, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Junichi Nakai
- Division of Oral Physiology, Department of Oral Function and Morphology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Mika Tanaka
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Shigeyoshi Itohara
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Kenji F Tanaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Manabu Abe
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8585, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8585, Japan
| | - Yuchio Yanagawa
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan.
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Berlot R, Rothwell JC, Bhatia KP, Kojović M. Variability of Movement Disorders: The Influence of Sensation, Action, Cognition, and Emotions. Mov Disord 2020; 36:581-593. [PMID: 33332680 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with movement disorders experience fluctuations unrelated to disease progression or treatment. Extrinsic factors that contribute to the variable expression of movement disorders are environment related. They influence the expression of movement disorders through sensory-motor interactions and include somatosensory, visual, and auditory stimuli. Examples of somatosensory effects are stimulus sensitivity of myoclonus on touch and sensory amelioration in dystonia but also some less-appreciated effects on parkinsonian tremor and gait. Changes in visual input may affect practically all types of movement disorders, either by loss of its compensatory role or by disease-related alterations in the pathways subserving visuomotor integration. The interaction between auditory input and motor function is reflected in simple protective reflexes and in complex behaviors such as singing or dancing. Various expressions range from the effect of music on parkinsonian bradykinesia to tics. Changes in body position affect muscle tone and may result in marked fluctuations of rigidity or may affect dystonic manifestations. Factors intrinsic to the patient are related to their voluntary activity and cognitive, motivational, and emotional states. Depending on the situation or disease, they may improve or worsen movement disorders. We discuss various factors that can influence the phenotypic variability of movement disorders, highlighting the potential mechanisms underlying these manifestations. We also describe how motor fluctuations can be provoked during the clinical assessment to help reach the diagnosis and appreciated to understand complaints that seem discrepant with objective findings. We summarize advice and interventions based on the variability of movement disorders that may improve patients' functioning in everyday life. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Berlot
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Motor Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Motor Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maja Kojović
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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50
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Maslovat D, Teku F, Smith V, Drummond NM, Carlsen AN. Bimanual but not unimanual finger movements are triggered by a startling acoustic stimulus: evidence for increased reticulospinal drive for bimanual responses. J Neurophysiol 2020; 124:1832-1838. [PMID: 33026906 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00309.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative contributions of reticulospinal versus corticospinal pathways for movement production are thought to be dependent on the type of response involved. For example, unilateral distal movements involving the hand and finger have been thought to be primarily driven by corticospinal output, whereas bilateral responses are considered to have greater reticulospinal drive. The current study investigated whether a difference in the relative contribution of reticulospinal drive to a bimanual versus unimanual finger movement could be assessed using a StartReact protocol. The StartReact effect refers to the early and involuntary initiation of a prepared movement when a startle reflex is elicited. A decreased response latency on loud stimulus trials where a startle reflex is observed in sternocleidomastoid (SCM+ trials) confirms the StartReact effect, which is attributed to increased reticulospinal drive associated with engagement of the startle reflex circuitry. It was predicted that a StartReact effect would be absent for the predominantly corticospinal-mediated unimanual finger movement but present for the bimanual finger movement due to stronger reticulospinal drive. Results supported both predictions as reaction time was statistically equivalent for SCM+ and SCM- trials during unimanual finger movements but significantly shorter for SCM+ trials during bimanual finger movements. These results were taken as strong and novel evidence for increased reticulospinal output for bimanual finger movements.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The relative contributions of reticulospinal and corticospinal pathways to movement initiation are relatively unknown but appear to depend on the involved musculature. Here, we show that unimanual finger movements, which are predominantly initiated via corticospinal pathways, are not triggered at short latency by a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS), while bimanual finger movements are triggered by the SAS. This distinction is attributed to increased reticulospinal drive for bilateral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Maslovat
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Faven Teku
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Victoria Smith
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Neil M Drummond
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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