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Zhang J, Zhang J, Sun H, Yang J, Ma Y, Chen K, Su J, Yu X, Yang F, Zhang Z, Zhao T, Hu X, Zhai Y, Liu Q, Wang J, Liu C, Wang Z. Cerebellum drives functional dysfunctions in restless leg syndrome. Sleep Med 2023; 110:172-178. [PMID: 37595434 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has serious effects on patients' sleep quality, physical and mental health. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of RLS remain unclear. This study utilized both static and dynamic functional activity and connectivity analyses approaches as well as effective connectivity analysis to reveal the neurophysiological basis of RLS. METHODS The resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data from 32 patients with RLS and 33 age-, and gender-matched healthy control (HC) were collected. Dynamic and static amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF), functional connectivity (FC), and Granger causality analysis (GCA) were employed to reveal the abnormal functional activities and couplings in patients with RLS. RESULTS RLS patients showed over-activities in left parahippocampus and right cerebellum, hyper-connectivities of right cerebellum with left basal ganglia, left postcentral gyrus and right precentral gyrus, and enhanced effective connectivity from right cerebellum to left postcentral gyrus compared to HC. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal cerebellum-basal ganglia-sensorimotor cortex circuit may be the underlying neuropathological basis of RLS. Our findings highlight the important role of right cerebellum in the onset of RLS and suggest right cerebellum may be a potential target for precision therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Zhang
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingyue Zhang
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Sun
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yingzi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Kexuan Chen
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaohui Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Futing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianyu Zhao
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiuying Hu
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiran Zhai
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qihong Liu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaojian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhengbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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Measuring learning in human classical threat conditioning: Translational, cognitive and methodological considerations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 114:96-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Stefani A, Mitterling T, Heidbreder A, Steiger R, Kremser C, Frauscher B, Gizewski ER, Poewe W, Högl B, Scherfler C. Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging reveals alterations of sensorimotor circuits in restless legs syndrome. Sleep 2019; 42:5539066. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractStudy ObjectivesIntegrated information on brain microstructural integrity and iron storage and its impact on the morphometric profile is not available in restless legs syndrome (RLS). We applied multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion tensor imaging, the transverse relaxation rate (R2*), a marker for iron storage, as well as gray and white matter volume measures to characterize RLS-related MRI signal distribution patterns and to analyze their associations with clinical parameters.MethodsEighty-seven patients with RLS (mean age 51, range 20–72 years; disease duration, mean 13 years, range 1–46 years, of those untreated n = 30) and 87 healthy control subjects, individually matched for age and gender, were investigated with multimodal 3T MRI.ResultsVolume of the white matter compartment adjacent to the post- and precentral cortex and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the frontopontine tract were both significantly reduced in RLS compared to healthy controls, and these alterations were associated with disease duration (r = 0.25, p = 0.025 and r = 0.23, p = 0.037, respectively). Corresponding gray matter volume increases of the right primary motor cortex in RLS (p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with the right FA signal of the frontopontine tract (r = −0.22; p < 0.05). Iron content evaluated with R2* was reduced in the putamen as well as in temporal and occipital compartments of the RLS cohort compared to the control group (p < 0.01).ConclusionsMultimodal MRI identified progressing white matter decline of key somatosensory circuits that may underlie the perception of sensory leg discomfort. Increases of gray matter volume of the premotor cortex are likely to be a consequence of functional neuronal reorganization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Stefani
- Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Mitterling
- Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Heidbreder
- Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruth Steiger
- Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Kremser
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Birgit Frauscher
- Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elke R Gizewski
- Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Werner Poewe
- Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Birgit Högl
- Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Scherfler
- Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Zhuo C, Wang C, Wang L, Guo X, Xu Q, Liu Y, Zhu J. Altered resting-state functional connectivity of the cerebellum in schizophrenia. Brain Imaging Behav 2019; 12:383-389. [PMID: 28293803 PMCID: PMC5880870 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-017-9704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Structural and functional abnormalities of the cerebellum in schizophrenia have been reported. Most previous studies investigating resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) have relied on a priori restrictions on seed regions or specific networks, which may bias observations. In this study, we aimed to elicit the connectivity alterations of the cerebellum in schizophrenia in a hypothesis-free approach. Ninety-five schizophrenia patients and 93 sex- and age-matched healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A voxel-wise data-driven method, resting-state functional connectivity density (rsFCD), was used to investigate cerebellar connectivity changes in schizophrenia patients. Regions with altered rsFCD were chosen as seeds to perform seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) analyses. We found that schizophrenia patients exhibited decreased rsFCD in the right hemispheric VI; moreover, this cerebellar region showed increased rsFC with the prefrontal cortex and subcortical nuclei and decreased rsFC with the visual cortex and sensorimotor cortex. In addition, some rsFC changes were associated with positive symptoms. These findings suggest that abnormalities of the cerebellar hub and cerebellar-subcortical-cortical loop may be the underlying mechanisms of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjun Zhuo
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325000, China.,Tianjin Mental Health Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, 300222, China.,Tianjin Anning Hospital, Tianjin, 300300, China
| | - Chunli Wang
- Tianjin Mental Health Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Tianjin Mental Health Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Xinyu Guo
- Tianjin Mental Health Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Qingying Xu
- Tianjin Anning Hospital, Tianjin, 300300, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Tianjin Anning Hospital, Tianjin, 300300, China
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China. .,Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
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Contribution of the Cerebellum in Cue-Dependent Force Changes During an Isometric Precision Grip Task. THE CEREBELLUM 2016. [PMID: 26208705 PMCID: PMC4923116 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-015-0707-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The “raspberry task” represents a precision grip task that requires continuous adjustment of grip forces and pull forces. During this task, subjects use a specialised grip rod and have to increase the pull force linearly while the rod is locked. The positions of the fingers are unrestrained and freely selectable. From the finger positions and the geometry of the grip rod, a physical lever was derived which is a comprehensive measurement of the subject’s grip behaviour. In this study, the involvement of the cerebellum in establishing cued force changes (CFC) was examined. The auditory stimulus was associated with a motor behaviour that has to be readjusted during an ongoing movement that already started. Moreover, cerebellar involvement on grip behaviour was examined. The results show that patients presenting with degenerating cerebellar disease (CBL) were able to elicit CFC and were additionally able to optimise grip behaviour by minimising the lever. Comparison of the results of CBL with a control group of healthy subjects showed, however, that the CFC incidence was significantly lower and the reduction of the lever was less in CBL. Hence, the cerebellum is involved not only in the classical conditioning of reflexes but also in the association of sensory stimuli with complex changes in motor behaviour. Furthermore, the cerebellum is involved in the optimisation of grip behaviour during ongoing movements. Recent studies lead to the assumption that the cerebello-reticulo-spinal pathway might be important for the reduced optimisation of grip behaviour in CBL.
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Kutz DF, Kaulich T, Föhre W, Gerwig M, Timmann D, Kolb FP. Comparison of the classically conditioned withdrawal reflex in cerebellar patients and healthy control subjects during stance: 2. Biomechanical characteristics. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 109:178-92. [PMID: 24445111 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This study addresses cerebellar involvement in classically conditioned nociceptive lower limb withdrawal reflexes in standing humans. A preceding study compared electromyographic activities in leg muscles of eight patients with cerebellar disease (CBL) and eight age-matched controls (CTRL). The present study extends and completes that investigation by recording biomechanical signals from a strain-gauge-equipped platform during paired auditory conditioning stimuli (CS) and unconditioned stimuli (US) trials and during US-alone trials. The withdrawal reflex performance-lifting the stimulated limb (decreasing the vertical force from that leg, i.e. 'unloading') and transferring body weight to the supporting limb (increasing the vertical force from that leg, i.e. 'loading')-was quantified by the corresponding forces exerted onto the platform. The force changes were not simultaneous but occurred as a sequence of multiple force peaks at different times depending on the specific limb task (loading or unloading). Motor learning, expressed by the occurrence of conditioned responses (CR), is characterized by this sequence beginning already within the CSUS window. Loading and unloading were delayed and prolonged in CBL, resulting in incomplete rebalancing during the analysis period. Trajectory loops of the center of vertical pressure-derived from vertical forces-were also incomplete in CBL within the recording period. However, exposing CBL to a CS resulted in motor improvement reflected by shortening the time of rebalancing and by optimizing the trajectory loop. In summary, associative responses in CBL are not absent although they are less frequent and of smaller amplitude than in CTRL.
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Affiliation(s)
- D F Kutz
- Institute of Physiology, University of Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 12, 80336 München, Germany.
| | - Th Kaulich
- Institute of Physiology, University of Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 12, 80336 München, Germany.
| | - W Föhre
- Institute of Physiology, University of Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 12, 80336 München, Germany.
| | - M Gerwig
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
| | - D Timmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
| | - F P Kolb
- Institute of Physiology, University of Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 12, 80336 München, Germany.
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Timmann D, Kaulich T, Föhre W, Kutz DF, Gerwig M, Kolb FP. Comparison of the classically conditioned withdrawal reflex in cerebellar patients and healthy control subjects during stance: I. electrophysiological characteristics. THE CEREBELLUM 2012; 12:108-26. [PMID: 22836373 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-012-0400-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the involvement of the human cerebellum in the classically conditioned lower limb withdrawal reflex in standing subjects. Electromyographic activity was recorded from the main muscle groups of both legs of eight patients with cerebellar disease (CBL) and eight control subjects (CTRL). The unconditioned stimulus (US) consisted of electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve at the medial malleolus. The conditioning stimulus (CS) was an auditory signal given via headphones. Experiments started with 70 paired conditioning stimulus-unconditioned stimulus(CSUS) trials followed by 50 US-alone trials. The general reaction consisted of lifting and flexing the stimulated (stepping) leg with accompanying activation of the contralateral (supporting) leg. In CTRL, the ipsilateral (side of stimulation) flexor and contralateral extensor muscles were activated characteristically. In CBL, the magnitudes of ipsilateral flexor and contralateral extensor muscle activation were reduced comparably. In CTRL, the conditioning process increased the incidence of conditioned responses (CR), following a typical learning curve, while CBL showed a clearly lower CR incidence with a marginal increase, albeit, at a shorter latency. Conditioning processes also modified temporal parameters by shortening unconditioned response (UR) onset latencies and UR times to peak and, more importantly in CBL, also the sequence of activation of muscles, which became similar to that of CTRL. The expression of this reflex in standing subjects showed characteristic differences in the groups tested with the underlying associative processes not being restricted exclusively to the CR but also modifying parameters of the innate UR.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Timmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
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Hayes DJ, Northoff G. Common brain activations for painful and non-painful aversive stimuli. BMC Neurosci 2012; 13:60. [PMID: 22676259 PMCID: PMC3464596 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-13-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification of potentially harmful stimuli is necessary for the well-being and self-preservation of all organisms. However, the neural substrates involved in the processing of aversive stimuli are not well understood. For instance, painful and non-painful aversive stimuli are largely thought to activate different neural networks. However, it is presently unclear whether there is a common aversion-related network of brain regions responsible for the basic processing of aversive stimuli. To help clarify this issue, this report used a cross-species translational approach in humans (i.e. meta-analysis) and rodents (i.e. systematic review of functional neuroanatomy). RESULTS Animal and human data combined to show a core aversion-related network, consisting of similar cortical (i.e. MCC, PCC, AI, DMPFC, RTG, SMA, VLOFC; see results section or abbreviation section for full names) and subcortical (i.e. Amyg, BNST, DS, Hab, Hipp/Parahipp, Hyp, NAc, NTS, PAG, PBN, raphe, septal nuclei, Thal, LC, midbrain) regions. In addition, a number of regions appeared to be more involved in pain-related (e.g. sensory cortex) or non-pain-related (e.g. amygdala) aversive processing. CONCLUSIONS This investigation suggests that aversive processing, at the most basic level, relies on similar neural substrates, and that differential responses may be due, in part, to the recruitment of additional structures as well as the spatio-temporal dynamic activity of the network. This network perspective may provide a clearer understanding of why components of this circuit appear dysfunctional in some psychiatric and pain-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dave J Hayes
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, K1Z 7K4, Canada
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Sang L, Qin W, Liu Y, Han W, Zhang Y, Jiang T, Yu C. Resting-state functional connectivity of the vermal and hemispheric subregions of the cerebellum with both the cerebral cortical networks and subcortical structures. Neuroimage 2012; 61:1213-25. [PMID: 22525876 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Revised: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 04/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The human cerebellum is a heterogeneous structure, and the pattern of resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of each subregion has not yet been fully characterized. We aimed to systematically investigate rsFC pattern of each cerebellar subregion in 228 healthy young adults. Voxel-based analysis revealed that several subregions showed similar rsFC patterns, reflecting functional integration; however, different subregions displayed distinct rsFC patterns, representing functional segregation. The same vermal and hemispheric subregions showed either different patterns or different strengths of rsFCs with the cerebrum, and different subregions of lobules VII and VIII displayed different rsFC patterns. Region of interest (ROI)-based analyses also confirmed these findings. Specifically, strong rsFCs were found: between lobules I-VI and vermal VIIb-IX and the visual network; between hemispheric VI, VIIb, VIIIa and the auditory network; between lobules I-VI, VIII and the sensorimotor network; between lobule IX, vermal VIIIb and the default-mode network; between lobule Crus I, hemispheric Crus II and the fronto-parietal network; between hemispheric VIIb, VIII and the task-positive network; between hemispheric VI, VIIb, VIII and the salience network; between most cerebellar subregions and the thalamus; between lobules V, VIIb and the midbrain red nucleus; between hemispheric Crus I, Crus II, vermal VIIIb, IX and the caudate nucleus; between lobules V, VI, VIIb, VIIIa and the pallidum and putamen; and between lobules I-V, hemispheric VIII, IX and the hippocampus and amygdala. These results confirm the existence of both functional integration and segregation among cerebellar subregions and largely improve our understanding of the functional organization of the human cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Sang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
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Kaulich T, Föhre W, Kutz DF, Gerwig M, Timmann D, Kolb FP. Differences in unconditioned and conditioned responses of the human withdrawal reflex during stance: muscle responses and biomechanical data. Brain Res 2010; 1326:81-95. [PMID: 20188078 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2009] [Revised: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize differences between unconditioned and classically conditioned lower limb withdrawal reflexes in young subjects during standing. Electromyographic activity in the main muscle groups and biomechanical signals from a strain-gauge-equipped platform on which subjects stood were recorded from 17 healthy subjects during unconditioned stimulus (US)-alone trials and during auditory conditioning stimuli (CS) and US trials. In US-alone trials the leg muscle activation sequence was characteristic: ipsilateral, distal muscles were activated prior to proximal muscles; contralaterally the sequence was reversed. In CSUS trials latencies were shorter. Subjects unloaded the stimulated leg and shifted body weight to the supporting leg. In US-alone and in CSUS trials leg forces on each side were inversely related and asymmetric, due to preparation for unloading, whilst conditioned responses (CR), representing the unloading preparation, were symmetric. The trajectory of the center of vertical pressure during US-alone trials moved initially forward (a preparatory balance reaction) and to the stimulation side, followed by a large lateral shift to the side of the supporting limb. During CSUS trials the forwards shift was absent but the CR (early lateral shift) represented a preponed preparatory unloading. Electrophysiological and biomechanical responses of the classically conditioned lower limb withdrawal reflex in standing subjects changed significantly in CSUS trials compared to US-alone trials with higher sensitivity in the biomechanics. These findings will serve as a basis for a subsequent study on a group of patients with cerebellar diseases in whom the success of establishing procedural processes is known to be impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kaulich
- Institute of Physiology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Sehlmeyer C, Schöning S, Zwitserlood P, Pfleiderer B, Kircher T, Arolt V, Konrad C. Human fear conditioning and extinction in neuroimaging: a systematic review. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5865. [PMID: 19517024 PMCID: PMC2692002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 384] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2008] [Accepted: 03/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear conditioning and extinction are basic forms of associative learning that have gained considerable clinical relevance in enhancing our understanding of anxiety disorders and facilitating their treatment. Modern neuroimaging techniques have significantly aided the identification of anatomical structures and networks involved in fear conditioning. On closer inspection, there is considerable variation in methodology and results between studies. This systematic review provides an overview of the current neuroimaging literature on fear conditioning and extinction on healthy subjects, taking into account methodological issues such as the conditioning paradigm. A Pubmed search, as of December 2008, was performed and supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies of key articles. Two independent reviewers made the final study selection and data extraction. A total of 46 studies on cued fear conditioning and/or extinction on healthy volunteers using positron emission tomography or functional magnetic resonance imaging were reviewed. The influence of specific experimental factors, such as contingency and timing parameters, assessment of conditioned responses, and characteristics of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, on cerebral activation patterns was examined. Results were summarized descriptively. A network consisting of fear-related brain areas, such as amygdala, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex, is activated independently of design parameters. However, some neuroimaging studies do not report these findings in the presence of methodological heterogeneities. Furthermore, other brain areas are differentially activated, depending on specific design parameters. These include stronger hippocampal activation in trace conditioning and tactile stimulation. Furthermore, tactile unconditioned stimuli enhance activation of pain related, motor, and somatosensory areas. Differences concerning experimental factors may partly explain the variance between neuroimaging investigations on human fear conditioning and extinction and should, therefore, be taken into serious consideration in the planning and the interpretation of research projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Sehlmeyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sonja Schöning
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Bettina Pfleiderer
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Volker Arolt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Carsten Konrad
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Chan SWY, Norbury R, Goodwin GM, Harmer CJ. Risk for depression and neural responses to fearful facial expressions of emotion. Br J Psychiatry 2009; 194:139-45. [PMID: 19182175 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.107.047993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is associated with neural abnormalities in emotional processing. AIMS This study explored whether these abnormalities underlie risk for depression. METHOD We compared the neural responses of volunteers who were at high and low-risk for the development of depression (by virtue of high and low neuroticism scores; high-N group and low-N group respectively) during the presentation of fearful and happy faces using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). RESULTS The high-N group demonstrated linear increases in response in the right fusiform gyrus and left middle temporal gyrus to expressions of increasing fear, whereas the low-N group demonstrated the opposite effect. The high-N group also displayed greater responses in the right amygdala, cerebellum, left middle frontal and bilateral parietal gyri to medium levels of fearful v. happy expressions. CONCLUSIONS Risk for depression is associated with enhanced neural responses to fearful facial expressions similar to those observed in acute depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella W Y Chan
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Kolb TFB, Lachauer S, Schoch B, Gerwig M, Timmann D, Kolb FP. Comparison of the electrically evoked leg withdrawal reflex in cerebellar patients and healthy controls. Exp Brain Res 2006; 177:493-508. [PMID: 17051385 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-006-0706-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2006] [Accepted: 08/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the contribution of the cerebellum in the performance of the lower limb withdrawal reflexes. This has been accomplished by comparing the electrically evoked responses in cerebellar patients (CBL) with those in sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects (CTRL). The stimulus was applied to the subjects' medial plantar nerve in four blocks of ten trials each with switching the stimulus from one leg to the other after each block. Responses of the main muscle groups (tibial muscle: TA; gastrocnemius muscle: GA; rectus femoris muscle: RF; biceps femoris muscle: BI) of both legs were recorded during each stimulus. The group of CBL patients consisted of both focally lesioned patients (CBLf) and patients presenting a diffuse degenerative pathology (CBLd). (1) For the withdrawal reflex in CTRL subjects, responses were observed in distal and proximal muscles of the ipsilateral side and corresponding concomitant responses on the side contralateral to the stimulation, whereas in CBL patients responses were restricted primarily to distal muscles, particularly the TA of the ipsilateral, i.e. the stimulated, side. (2) The sequence of activation of the different distal and proximal muscles ipsilateral to the stimulation, derived from latencies and times-to-peak, was for the CTRL group: TA-GA-BI-RF. This sequence was found also in the CBLf patients on their unaffected side. However, on their affected side CBLf patients showed very early GA activation, almost simultaneously with TA and RF activations and before BI activation. RF activation before BI activation was also found in CBLd. In the latter group, GA was activated after RF but before BI with all responses typically delayed. (3) The general pattern of the electrically evoked lower limb reflex consisted of an early, excitatory F1 component and a later, excitatory F2 component of larger amplitude observed in the CTRL subjects and the CBLd patients. In contrast to this pattern CBLf patients exhibited large F1 components followed by small F2 components. (4) The characteristic differences in the withdrawal reflex responses of cerebellar patients depended on the type of the lesion, providing evidence for an important involvement of the cerebellum in the control of the performance of withdrawal reflexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F B Kolb
- Institute of Physiology, University of Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 12, 80336 München, Germany
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14
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Sandrini G, Serrao M, Rossi P, Romaniello A, Cruccu G, Willer JC. The lower limb flexion reflex in humans. Prog Neurobiol 2005; 77:353-95. [PMID: 16386347 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2005.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 372] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2005] [Revised: 11/08/2005] [Accepted: 11/09/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The flexion or flexor reflex (FR) recorded in the lower limbs in humans (LLFR) is a widely investigated neurophysiological tool. It is a polysynaptic and multisegmental spinal response that produces a withdrawal of the stimulated limb and resembles (having several features in common) the hind-paw FR in animals. The FR, in both animals and humans, is mediated by a complex circuitry modulated at spinal and supraspinal level. At rest, the LLFR (usually obtained by stimulating the sural/tibial nerve and by recording from the biceps femoris/tibial anterior muscle) appears as a double burst composed of an early, inconstantly present component, called the RII reflex, and a late, larger and stable component, called the RIII reflex. Numerous studies have shown that the afferents mediating the RII reflex are conveyed by large-diameter, low-threshold, non-nociceptive A-beta fibers, and those mediating the RIII reflex by small-diameter, high-threshold nociceptive A-delta fibers. However, several afferents, including nociceptive and non-nociceptive fibers from skin and muscles, have been found to contribute to LLFR activation. Since the threshold of the RIII reflex has been shown to correspond to the pain threshold and the size of the reflex to be related to the level of pain perception, it has been suggested that the RIII reflex might constitute a useful tool to investigate pain processing at spinal and supraspinal level, pharmacological modulation and pathological pain conditions. As stated in EFNS guidelines, the RIII reflex is the most widely used of all the nociceptive reflexes, and appears to be the most reliable in the assessment of treatment efficacy. However, the RIII reflex use in the clinical evaluation of neuropathic pain is still limited. In addition to its nocifensive function, the LLFR seems to be linked to posture and locomotion. This may be explained by the fact that its neuronal circuitry, made up of a complex pool of interneurons, is interposed in motor control and, during movements, receives both peripheral afferents (flexion reflex afferents, FRAs) and descending commands, forming a multisensorial feedback mechanism and projecting the output to motoneurons. LLFR excitability, mediated by this complex circuitry, is finely modulated in a state- and phase-dependent manner, rather as we observe in the FR in animal models. Several studies have demonstrated that LLFR excitability may be influenced by numerous physiological conditions (menstrual cycle, stress, attention, sleep and so on) and pathological states (spinal lesions, spasticity, Wallenberg's syndrome, fibromyalgia, headaches and so on). Finally, the LLFR is modulated by several drugs and neurotransmitters. In summary, study of the LLFR in humans has proved to be an interesting functional window onto the spinal and supraspinal mechanisms of pain processing and onto the spinal neural control mechanisms operating during posture and locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Sandrini
- University Center for Adaptive Disorders and Headache, IRCCS C. Mondino Institute of Neurology Foundation, University of Pavia, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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Doronbekov TK, Tokunaga H, Ikejiri Y, Kazui H, Hatta N, Masaki Y, Ogino A, Miyoshi N, Oku N, Nishikawa T, Takeda M. Neural basis of fear conditioning induced by video clip: positron emission tomography study. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2005; 59:155-62. [PMID: 15823161 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2005.01351.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), re-experiencing the trauma is often induced by external cues in the environment. The cues, which were emotionally neutral for the patients before the traumatic event, become fearful ones after the event. This phenomenon is considered to be associated with fear conditioning. The paradigm was set up so that the emotionality changes in the patients with PTSD would be reproduced, and the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measured with positron emission tomography (PET) was compared during exposure to the same stimuli before and after acquisition of fear conditioning. Ten healthy male subjects were asked to look at some emotionally neutral photos, then to watch a video with fearful content that also contained images similar to that presented in the photos, and afterwards to look at the photos again. Five of the 10 subjects felt that the object in the photos was more fearful after watching the video than before, and they were considered to have acquired fear conditioning. In those five subjects, the rCBF in the right amygdala and the left posterior cingulate gyrus after acquisition of fear conditioning significantly increased relative to the rCBF before conditioning. Thus, these regions seem to have a critical role in fear conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talant K Doronbekov
- Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Proteomics, Department of Post-Genomics and Diseases, Course of Advanced Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2-D3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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