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Konik S, Beaud V, Fellrath J, Martinelli I, Guanziroli E, Molteni F, Bassolino M, Serino A. Evaluation of upper limb perception after stroke with the new Affected Limb Perception Questionnaire (ALPQ): a study protocol. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:196. [PMID: 38862898 PMCID: PMC11165777 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03648-6] [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: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following a stroke, patients may suffer from alterations in the perception of their own body due to an acquired deficit in body representations. While such changes may impact their quality of life as well as recovery, they are not systematically assessed in clinical practice. This study aims at providing a better understanding of the rate, evolution, and impact on recovery of upper limb (UL) body perceptions (BPs) alterations following stroke. In addition, we will investigate associations among BPs alterations items, their associations with the sensorimotor functions, UL activity, damages in brain structure and connectivity. METHODS We developed a new tool named ALPQ (for Affected Limb Perception Questionnaire) to address the present study objectives. It assesses subjective alterations in the perception of the affected UL following stroke, by measuring several dimensions, namely: anosognosia for hemiplegia, anosodiaphoria for hemiplegia, hemiasomatognosia, somatoparaphrenia, personification of the affected limb, illusion of modification of physical characteristics (temperature, weight, length), illusory movements, super- or undernumerary limb, UL disconnection, misoplegia, and involuntary movement. This study combines a cross-sectional and longitudinal design. The completed data sample will include a minimum of 60 acute and 100 sub-acute stroke patients. When possible, patients are followed up to the chronic stage. Complementary evaluations are administered to assess patients' sensorimotor and cognitive functions as well as UL activity, and brain lesions will be analysed. DISCUSSION This study will provide a better understanding of BPs alterations following stroke: their rate and evolution, as well as their associations with sensorimotor deficit, cognitive profile and UL activity, brain lesions and recovery. Ultimately, the results could support the personalization of rehabilitation strategy according to patients' UL perception to maximize their recovery. STUDY REGISTRATION The protocol for this study has been pre-registered on the Open Science Framework on July the 7th, 2021: https://osf.io/p6v7f .
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Konik
- MySpace Lab, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Valérie Beaud
- Service of Neuropsychology and Neurorehabilitation, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julia Fellrath
- MySpace Lab, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Département Hospitalier, Institution de Lavigny, Lavigny, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Martinelli
- MySpace Lab, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Ospedale Valduce, Costa Masnaga, Italy
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Health, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Sion, Switzerland
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Franco Molteni
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Ospedale Valduce, Costa Masnaga, Italy
| | - Michela Bassolino
- MySpace Lab, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Health, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Sion, Switzerland.
- The Sense, Innovation and Research Center, Sion and Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea Serino
- MySpace Lab, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Min Q, Gao Y, Wang Y. Bioelectricity in dental medicine: a narrative review. Biomed Eng Online 2024; 23:3. [PMID: 38172866 PMCID: PMC10765628 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-023-01189-6] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bioelectric signals, whether exogenous or endogenous, play crucial roles in the life processes of organisms. Recently, the significance of bioelectricity in the field of dentistry is steadily gaining greater attention. OBJECTIVE This narrative review aims to comprehensively outline the theory, physiological effects, and practical applications of bioelectricity in dental medicine and to offer insights into its potential future direction. It attempts to provide dental clinicians and researchers with an electrophysiological perspective to enhance their clinical practice or fundamental research endeavors. METHODS An online computer search for relevant literature was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library, with the keywords "bioelectricity, endogenous electric signal, electric stimulation, dental medicine." RESULTS Eventually, 288 documents were included for review. The variance in ion concentration between the interior and exterior of the cell membrane, referred to as transmembrane potential, forms the fundamental basis of bioelectricity. Transmembrane potential has been established as an essential regulator of intercellular communication, mechanotransduction, migration, proliferation, and immune responses. Thus, exogenous electric stimulation can significantly alter cellular action by affecting transmembrane potential. In the field of dental medicine, electric stimulation has proven useful for assessing pulp condition, locating root apices, improving the properties of dental biomaterials, expediting orthodontic tooth movement, facilitating implant osteointegration, addressing maxillofacial malignancies, and managing neuromuscular dysfunction. Furthermore, the reprogramming of bioelectric signals holds promise as a means to guide organism development and intervene in disease processes. Besides, the development of high-throughput electrophysiological tools will be imperative for identifying ion channel targets and precisely modulating bioelectricity in the future. CONCLUSIONS Bioelectricity has found application in various concepts of dental medicine but large-scale, standardized, randomized controlled clinical trials are still necessary in the future. In addition, the precise, repeatable and predictable measurement and modulation methods of bioelectric signal patterns are essential research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Min
- Department of Endodontics, Wuxi Stomatology Hospital, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Yajun Gao
- Department of Endodontics, Wuxi Stomatology Hospital, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Implantology, Wuxi Stomatology Hospital, Wuxi, 214000, China.
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Basla C, Chee L, Valle G, Crema A, Micera S, Riener R, Raspopovic S. Sensory-Motor Neurostimulation to Enhance Exosuit Performance. IEEE Int Conf Rehabil Robot 2023; 2023:1-6. [PMID: 37941243 DOI: 10.1109/icorr58425.2023.10304701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Exosuits typically provide limited mechanical support and rely on a user's residual functional ability. However, people with neurological impairments often suffer from both motor and sensory deficits that limit the assistance an exosuit can provide. To overcome these limitations, we developed the REINFORCE system, that complements the mechanical assistance provided by an exosuit, the Myosuit, with (1) functional electrical stimulation to enhance the activities of leg muscles, and (2) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to restore somatosensory information. It consists of a fully portable and highly modular system that can be easily adapted to the level of impairment and specific need of each participant. Technical verification with three healthy participants showed reliable synchronization between all modules of the systems in all phases of walking. Additionally, we tested the system's effectiveness in one participant with multiple sclerosis who walked overground with and without functional electrical stimulation. Results showed a slight increase in self-selected walking speed (approx. 18%) and in the peak hip flexion at late swing (approx. 12%) as well as reduced step-to-step variability of step length and step time when electrical stimulation was provided. Our findings push towards a clinical trial involving more patients to validate the effectiveness of the REINFORCE system on participants' mobility.
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Bates M, Sunderam S. Hand-worn devices for assessment and rehabilitation of motor function and their potential use in BCI protocols: a review. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1121481. [PMID: 37484920 PMCID: PMC10357516 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1121481] [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: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Various neurological conditions can impair hand function. Affected individuals cannot fully participate in activities of daily living due to the lack of fine motor control. Neurorehabilitation emphasizes repetitive movement and subjective clinical assessments that require clinical experience to administer. Methods Here, we perform a review of literature focused on the use of hand-worn devices for rehabilitation and assessment of hand function. We paid particular attention to protocols that involve brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) since BCIs are gaining ground as a means for detecting volitional signals as the basis for interactive motor training protocols to augment recovery. All devices reviewed either monitor, assist, stimulate, or support hand and finger movement. Results A majority of studies reviewed here test or validate devices through clinical trials, especially for stroke. Even though sensor gloves are the most commonly employed type of device in this domain, they have certain limitations. Many such gloves use bend or inertial sensors to monitor the movement of individual digits, but few monitor both movement and applied pressure. The use of such devices in BCI protocols is also uncommon. Discussion We conclude that hand-worn devices that monitor both flexion and grip will benefit both clinical diagnostic assessment of function during treatment and closed-loop BCI protocols aimed at rehabilitation.
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Bassolino M, Becchio C. The 'hand paradox': distorted representations guide optimal actions. Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:7-8. [PMID: 36418208 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bassolino
- Institute of Health, School of Health Sciences, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Sion, Switzerland; The Sense Innovation & Research Center, Sion and Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), MySpace Lab, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Cristina Becchio
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Cognition, Motion and Neuroscience, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy
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Rao NL, Kotian GB, Shetty JK, Shelley BP, Dmello MK, Lobo EC, Shankar SP, Almeida SD, Shah SR. Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Product, Organ Crosstalk, and Pathomechanism Targets for Comprehensive Molecular Therapeutics in Diabetic Ischemic Stroke. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1712. [PMID: 36421725 PMCID: PMC9687999 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus, a well-established risk factor for stroke, is related to higher mortality and poorer outcomes following the stroke event. Advanced glycation end products(AGEs), their receptors RAGEs, other ligands, and several other processes contribute to the cerebrovascular pathomechanism interaction in the diabetes-ischemic stroke combination. Critical reappraisal of molecular targets and therapeutic agents to mitigate them is required to identify key elements for therapeutic interventions that may improve patient outcomes. This scoping review maps evidence on the key roles of AGEs, RAGEs, other ligands such as Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) nuclear protein, brain-kidney-muscle crosstalk, alternate pathomechanisms in neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline related to diabetic ischemic stroke. RAGE, HMGB1, nitric oxide, and polyamine mechanisms are important therapeutic targets, inflicting common consequences of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Experimental findings on a number of existing-emerging therapeutic agents and natural compounds against key targets are promising. The lack of large clinical trials with adequate follow-up periods is a gap that requires addressing to validate the emerging therapeutic agents. Five therapeutic components, which include agents to mitigate the AGE-RAGE axis, improved biomarkers for risk stratification, better renal dysfunction management, adjunctive anti-inflammatory-antioxidant therapies, and innovative neuromuscular stimulation for rehabilitation, are identified. A comprehensive therapeutic strategy that features all the identified components is needed for outcome improvement in diabetic stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita L Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Greeshma B Kotian
- Department of Biochemistry, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Jeevan K Shetty
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical University of Bahrain, Muharraq 228, Bahrain
| | - Bhaskara P Shelley
- Department of Neurology, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Mackwin Kenwood Dmello
- Department of Public Health, KS Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Eric C Lobo
- Department of Biochemistry, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Suchetha Padar Shankar
- College of Physiotherapy, Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore 560111, Karnataka, India
| | - Shellette D Almeida
- School of Physiotherapy, D. Y. Patil (Deemed to be University), Navi Mumbai 400706, Maharashtra, India
| | - Saiqa R Shah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
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Multimodal assessment of spasticity using a point-of-care instrumented glove to separate neural and biomechanical contributions. iScience 2022; 25:105286. [PMID: 36281456 PMCID: PMC9587007 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105286] [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: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate assessment of spasticity is crucial for physicians to select the most suitable treatment for patients. However, the current clinical practice standard is limited by imprecise assessment scales relying on perception. Here, we equipped the clinician with a portable, multimodal sensor glove to shift bedside evaluations from subjective perception to objective measurements. The measurements were correlated with biomechanical properties of muscles and revealed dynamic characteristics of spasticity, including catch symptoms and velocity-dependent resistance. Using the biomechanical data, a radar metric was developed for ranking severity in spastic knees and elbows. The continuous monitoring results during anesthesia induction enable the separation of neural and structural contributions to spasticity in 21 patients. This work delineated effects of reflex excitations from structural abnormalities, to classify underlying causes of spasticity that will inform treatment decisions for evidence-based patient care. Tool to shift from subjective scales to objective metrics in spasticity evaluation Develop a multifaceted metric to rank severity based on biomechanical properties Delineate effects of hyper-reflexes and structural abnormalities in spastic muscles
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Milani G, Antonioni A, Baroni A, Malerba P, Straudi S. Relation Between EEG Measures and Upper Limb Motor Recovery in Stroke Patients: A Scoping Review. Brain Topogr 2022; 35:651-666. [PMID: 36136166 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-022-00915-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Current clinical practice does not leverage electroencephalography (EEG) measurements in stroke patients, despite its potential to contribute to post-stroke recovery predictions. We review the literature on the effectiveness of various quantitative and qualitative EEG-based measures after stroke as a tool to predict upper limb motor outcome, in relation to stroke timeframe and applied experimental tasks. Moreover, we aim to provide guidance on the use of EEG in the assessment of upper limb motor recovery after stroke, suggesting a high potential for some metrics in the appropriate context. We identified relevant papers (N = 16) from databases ScienceDirect, Web of Science and MEDLINE, and assessed their methodological quality with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal. We applied the Preferred Reporting Systems for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Framework. Identified works used EEG to identify properties including event-related activation, spectral power in physiologically relevant bands, symmetry in brain dynamics, functional connectivity, cortico-muscular coherence and rhythmic coordination. EEG was acquired in resting state or in relation to behavioural conditions. Motor outcome was mainly evaluated with the Upper Limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment. Despite great variability in the literature, data suggests that the most promising EEG quantifiers for predicting post-stroke motor outcome are event-related measures. Measures of spectral power in physiologically relevant bands and measures of brain symmetry also show promise. We suggest that EEG measures may improve our understanding of stroke brain dynamics during recovery, and contribute to establishing a functional prognosis and choosing the rehabilitation approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Milani
- IIT@Unife Center for Translational Neurophysiology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Ferrara, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Annibale Antonioni
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Andrea Baroni
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Malerba
- Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine and Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sofia Straudi
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy. .,Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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Risso G, Bassolino M. Assess and rehabilitate body representations via (neuro)robotics: An emergent perspective. Front Neurorobot 2022; 16:964720. [PMID: 36160286 PMCID: PMC9498221 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2022.964720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The perceptions of our own body (e.g., size and shape) do not always coincide with its real characteristics (e.g., dimension). To track the complexity of our perception, the concept of mental representations (model) of the body has been conceived. Body representations (BRs) are stored in the brain and are maintained and updated through multiple sensory information. Despite being altered in different clinical conditions and being tightly linked with self-consciousness, which is one of the most astonishing features of the human mind, the BRs and, especially, the underlying mechanisms and functions are still unclear. In this vein, here we suggest that (neuro)robotics can make an important contribution to the study of BRs. The first section of the study highlights the potential impact of robotics devices in investigating BRs. Far to be exhaustive, we illustrate major examples of its possible exploitation to further improve the assessment of motor, haptic, and multisensory information building up the BRs. In the second section, we review the main evidence showing the contribution of neurorobotics-based (multi)sensory stimulation in reducing BRs distortions in various clinical conditions (e.g., stroke, amputees). The present study illustrates an emergent multidisciplinary perspective combining the neuroscience of BRs and (neuro)robotics to understand and modulate the perception and experience of one's own body. We suggest that (neuro)robotics can enhance the study of BRs by improving experimental rigor and introducing new experimental conditions. Furthermore, it might pave the way for the rehabilitation of altered body perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Risso
- School of Health Sciences, Haute École spécialisée de Suisse occidentale (HES-SO) Valais-Wallis, Sion, Switzerland
- The Sense Innovation and Research Center, Sion, Switzerland
- Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences (RBCS), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michela Bassolino
- School of Health Sciences, Haute École spécialisée de Suisse occidentale (HES-SO) Valais-Wallis, Sion, Switzerland
- The Sense Innovation and Research Center, Sion, Switzerland
- Laboratoire MySpace, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Mai W, Wang Y, Yin T, Zhang S, Liu Z. A Preliminary Study on Non-Invasive Detection of Electrical Stimulation Current Based on Magneto-Acoustic Effect. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2022; 30:1755-1765. [PMID: 35767501 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2022.3186801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Electrical stimulation is widely used in nerve regulation and treatment. The detection of the distribution of stimulation current in tissues is of great significance to improve the accuracy of electrical stimulation, but the current technical means are still difficult to achieve the non-invasive detection of stimulation current. This study proposes a non-invasive detection method of electrical stimulation current based on the magneto-acoustic (MA) effect, which has the advantages of high spatial resolution and high spatial contrast. In this study, continuous sine waves with the frequency of 20kHz are used to stimulate samples. The MA signal generated by the stimulation current in the samples in a stable magnetic field is detected by lock-in amplifier, and the two-dimensional distribution of sound source is extracted. The current density distribution of samples is simulated by the method of finite element analysis, and the simulation results are verified by experiments. The results show that under the electrical stimulation of the order of 0.01A, the location measurement of two-dimensional surface sound source with millimeter accuracy can be achieved non-invasively in isolated pork and pig brain, and the measurement accuracy of weak MA signal can reach 10-7Pa. In short, the stimulation current detection method based on MA effect can achieve the non-invasive and high-precision detection of electrical stimulation current distribution, which is of great significance to improve the stimulation accuracy and study the neural regulation mechanism of electrical stimulation.
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Bassolino M, Franza M, Guanziroli E, Sorrentino G, Canzoneri E, Colombo M, Crema A, Bertoni T, Mastria G, Vissani M, Sokolov AA, Micera S, Molteni F, Blanke O, Serino A. Body and peripersonal space representations in chronic stroke patients with upper limb motor deficits. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac179. [PMID: 35950092 PMCID: PMC9356734 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The continuous stream of multisensory information between the brain and the body during body–environment interactions is crucial to maintain the updated representation of the perceived dimensions of body parts (metric body representation) and the space around the body (the peripersonal space). Such flow of multisensory signals is often limited by upper limb sensorimotor deficits after stroke. This would suggest the presence of systematic distortions of metric body representation and peripersonal space in chronic patients with persistent sensorimotor deficits. We assessed metric body representation and peripersonal space representation in 60 chronic stroke patients with unilateral upper limb motor deficits, in comparison with age-matched healthy controls. We also administered a questionnaire capturing explicit feelings towards the affected limb. These novel measures were analysed with respect to patients’ clinical profiles and brain lesions to investigate the neural and functional origin of putative deficits. Stroke patients showed distortions in metric body representation of the affected limb, characterized by an underestimation of the arm length and an alteration of the arm global shape. A descriptive lesion analysis (subtraction analysis) suggests that these distortions may be more frequently associated with lesions involving the superior corona radiata and the superior frontal gyrus. Peripersonal space representation was also altered, with reduced multisensory facilitation for stimuli presented around the affected limb. These deficits were more common in patients reporting pain during motion. Explorative lesion analyses (subtraction analysis, disconnection maps) suggest that the peripersonal space distortions would be more frequently associated with lesions involving the parietal operculum and white matter frontoparietal connections. Moreover, patients reported altered feelings towards the affected limb, which were associated with right brain damage, proprioceptive deficits and a lower cognitive profile. These results reveal implicit and explicit distortions involving metric body representation, peripersonal space representation and the perception of the affected limb in chronic stroke patients. These findings might have important clinical implications for the longitudinal monitoring and the treatments of often-neglected deficits in body perception and representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bassolino
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), MySpace Lab , Lausanne 1011 , Switzerland
- Institute of Health, School of Health Sciences, HES-SO Valais-Wallis , Sion 1950 , Switzerland
| | - Matteo Franza
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Guanziroli
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital Como , Costa Masnaga 23845 , Italy
| | - Giuliana Sorrentino
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
| | - Elisa Canzoneri
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
| | - Maria Colombo
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital Como , Costa Masnaga 23845 , Italy
| | - Andrea Crema
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neuroengineering, Centre for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
- AGO Neurotechnologies, Sàrl , Geneva 1201 , Switzerland
| | - Tommaso Bertoni
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), MySpace Lab , Lausanne 1011 , Switzerland
| | - Giulio Mastria
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), MySpace Lab , Lausanne 1011 , Switzerland
| | - Matteo Vissani
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
- The Biorobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna , Pontedera, Pisa 56025 , Italy
| | - Arseny A Sokolov
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London , London WC1N 3BG , UK
- Service de Neurologie, Département des Neurosciences Cliniques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) , Lausanne 1011 , Switzerland
| | - Silvestro Micera
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neuroengineering, Centre for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
- The Biorobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna , Pontedera, Pisa 56025 , Italy
| | - Franco Molteni
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital Como , Costa Masnaga 23845 , Italy
| | - Olaf Blanke
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva Medical School , Geneva 1211 , Switzerland
| | - Andrea Serino
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) , Geneva 1202 , Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), MySpace Lab , Lausanne 1011 , Switzerland
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de Freitas RM, Capogrosso M, Nomura T, Milosevic M. Preferential activation of proprioceptive and cutaneous sensory fibers compared to motor fibers during cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation: A computational study. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35472720 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac6a7c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a promising technology that can support motor function recovery of upper-limbs after spinal cord injury. Its efficacy may depend on the ability to recruit sensory afferents, conveying excitatory inputs onto motoneurons. Therefore, understanding its physiological mechanisms is critical to accelerate its development towards clinical applications. In this study, we used an anatomically realistic cervical tSCS computational model to compare α-motor, Aα-sensory, and Aβ-sensory fiber activation thresholds and activation sites. APPROACH We developed a 3D geometry of the cervical body and tSCS electrodes with a cathode centred at the C7 spinous process and an anode placed over the anterior neck. The geometrical model was used to estimate the electric potential distributions along motor and sensory fiber trajectories at the C7 spinal level using a finite element method. We implemented dedicated motor and sensory fiber models to simulate the α-motor and Aα-sensory fibers using 12, 16, and 20 µm diameter fibers, and Aβ-sensory fibers using 6, 9, and 12 µm diameter fibers. We estimated nerve fiber activation thresholds and sites for a 2 ms monophasic stimulating pulse and compared them across the fiber groups. MAIN RESULTS Our results showed lower activation thresholds of Aα- and Aβ-sensory fibers compared with α-motor fibers, suggesting preferential sensory fiber activation. We also found no differences between activation thresholds of Aα-sensory and large Aβ-sensory fibers, implying their co-activation. The activation sites were located at the dorsal and ventral root levels. SIGNIFICANCE Using a realistic computational model, we demonstrated preferential activation of dorsal root Aα- and Aβ-sensory fibers compared with ventral root α-motor fibers during cervical tSCS. These findings suggest high proprioceptive and cutaneous contributions to neural activations during cervical tSCS, which inform the underlying mechanisms of upper-limb functional motor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto M de Freitas
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, 560-8531, JAPAN
| | - Marco Capogrosso
- University of Pittsburgh, 3520, Fifth Av., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, UNITED STATES
| | - Taishin Nomura
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Osaka University, Machikaneyama 1-3, Toyonaka City, Osaka 560- 8531, Toyonaka, 5608531, JAPAN
| | - Matija Milosevic
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, J520, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, JAPAN
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Multisensory Integration in Bionics: Relevance and Perspectives. CURRENT PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40141-022-00350-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of review
The goal of the review is to highlight the growing importance of multisensory integration processes connected to bionic limbs and somatosensory feedback restoration.
Recent findings
Restoring quasi-realistic sensations by means of neurostimulation has been shown to provide functional and motor benefits in limb amputees. In the recent past, cognitive processes linked to the artificial sense of touch seemed to play a crucial role for a full prosthesis integration and acceptance.
Summary
Artificial sensory feedback implemented in bionic limbs enhances the cognitive integration of the prosthetic device in amputees. The multisensory experience can be measured and must be considered in the design of novel somatosensory neural prostheses where the goal is to provide a realistic sensory experience to the prosthetic user. The correct integration of these sensory signals will guarantee higher-level cognitive benefits as a better prosthesis embodiment and a reduction of perceived limb distortions.
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