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Bautista-Abad Á, García-Magro N, Pinto-Benito D, Cáceres-Pajuelo JE, Alises CV, Ganchala D, Lagunas N, Negredo P, García-Segura LM, Arevalo MA, Grassi D. Aging is associated with sex-specific alteration in the expression of genes encoding for neuroestradiol synthesis and signaling proteins in the mouse trigeminal somatosensory input. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01268-z. [PMID: 38954130 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01268-z] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain perception is influenced by sex and aging, with previous studies indicating the involvement of aromatase, the estradiol synthase enzyme, in regulating pain perception. Previous research has established the presence of aromatase in dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons and its role in modulating pain perception. The present study aims to explore the implications of aging and sex on the expression of aromatase and estrogen receptors in the trigeminal ganglion. The study examined mRNA levels of aromatase, ERs, and the androgen receptor (AR) in the trigeminal ganglion of 3-month-old and 27-month-old male and female mice, as well as 3-month-old mice from the four-core genotype (FCG) transgenic model. The latter facilitates the assessment of gonadal hormone and sex chromosome implications for sex-specific traits. Aromatase localization in the ganglion was further assessed through immunohistochemistry. Aromatase immunoreactivity was observed for the first time in sensory neurons within the trigeminal ganglion. Trigeminal ganglion gene expressions were detected for aromatase, ERs, and AR in both sexes. Aromatase, ERβ, and GPER gene expressions were higher in young males versus young females. Analyses of the FCG model indicated that sex differences depended solely on gonadal sex. The aging process induced an enhancement in the expression of aromatase, ERs, and AR genes across both sexes, culminating in a reversal of the previously observed gender-based differences. the potential impact of estrogen synthesis and signaling in the trigeminal ganglion on age and sex differences warrants consideration, particularly in relation to trigeminal sensory functions and pain perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Bautista-Abad
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria García-Magro
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Ctra. Pozuelo-Majadahonda Km 1,800, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Pinto-Benito
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Eduardo Cáceres-Pajuelo
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Vicente Alises
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
| | - Danny Ganchala
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Lagunas
- Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Negredo
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel García-Segura
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria-Angeles Arevalo
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniela Grassi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain.
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Samain-Aupic L, Dione M, Ribot-Ciscar E, Ackerley R, Aimonetti JM. Relations between tactile sensitivity of the finger, arm, and cheek skin over the lifespan showing decline only on the finger. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1387136. [PMID: 39015473 PMCID: PMC11250473 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1387136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Touch sensitivity generally declines with age, contributing to loss of manual dexterity and tactile function. We investigated how touch changes over the lifespan, using different tests and on three body sites. We used a classical test of force detection sensitivity, where calibrated monofilaments were applied passively to the right index finger pad, forearm, and cheek. In addition, at the index, we used an active touch spatial discrimination task, developed by our group. Spatial discrimination was estimated through participants' ability to evaluate the distance between parallel bands printed on acrylic plates. Data were collected from 96 healthy women, aged 20-75 years. Force detection and tactile spatial discrimination on the index deteriorated significantly with age; however, no change was found for tactile detection on the forearm or cheek. Tactile detection on the cheek remained remarkably highly sensitive throughout life. There was a significant positive relationship between force detection and spatial discrimination on the index. Further, force detection on the forearm was significantly associated with detection on the index and cheek. Our results suggest a decrease in touch perception with age on the index finger pad, yet a preservation of tactile sensitivity in hairy skin. This opens discussion about the impact of daily activities upon the glabrous hand skin and on the function of hairs in tactile sensitivity. We highlight the need for new methods in evaluating tactile sensitivity on hairy skin.
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Xu J, Sun Y, Zhu X, Pan S, Tong Z, Jiang K. Tactile discrimination as a diagnostic indicator of cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A narrative review. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31256. [PMID: 38803967 PMCID: PMC11129005 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31256] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Tactile discrimination, a cognitive task reliant on fingertip touch for stimulus discrimination, encompasses the somatosensory system and working memory, with its acuity diminishing with advancing age. Presently, the evaluation of cognitive capacity to differentiate between individuals with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and typical older adults predominantly relies on visual or auditory tasks, yet the efficacy of discrimination remains constrained. Aims To review the existing tactile cognitive tasks and explore the interaction between tactile perception and the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease. The tactile discrimination task may be used as a reference index of cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment and provide a new method for clinical evaluation. Methods We searched four databases (Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar). The reference coverage was from 1936 to 2023. The search terms included "Alzheimer disease" "mild cognitive impairment" "tactile" "tactile discrimination" "tactile test" and so on. Reviews and experimental reports in the field were examined and the effectiveness of different types of tactile tasks was compared. Main results Individuals in the initial phases of Alzheimer's spectrum disease, specifically those in the stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), exhibit notable impairments in tasks involving tactile discrimination. These tasks possess certain merits, such as their quick and straightforward comparability, independence from educational background, and ability to circumvent the limitations associated with conventional cognitive assessment scales. Furthermore, tactile discrimination tasks offer enhanced accuracy compared to cognitive tasks that employ visual or auditory stimuli. Conclusions Tactile discrimination has the potential to serve as an innovative reference indicator for the swift diagnosis of clinical MCI patients, thereby assisting in the screening process on a clinical scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinan Xu
- Center for Applied Psychological Research (Ningbo), School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Cixi, 315300, China
- School of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yuqi Sun
- Center for Applied Psychological Research (Ningbo), School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Cixi, 315300, China
- School of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xianghe Zhu
- Center for Applied Psychological Research (Ningbo), School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Cixi, 315300, China
- School of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Sipei Pan
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Zhiqian Tong
- Center for Applied Psychological Research (Ningbo), School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Cixi, 315300, China
- School of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Ke Jiang
- Center for Applied Psychological Research (Ningbo), School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Cixi, 315300, China
- School of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, China
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Drewing K. Perceptuo-affective organization of touched materials in younger and older adults. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296633. [PMID: 38252623 PMCID: PMC10802953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296633] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In everyday interaction we touch different materials, which we experience along a limited number of perceptual and emotional dimensions: For instances, a furry surface feels soft and pleasant, whereas sandpaper feels rough and unpleasant. In a previous study, younger adults manually explored a representative set of solid, fluid and granular materials. Their ratings were made along six perceptual dimensions (roughness, fluidity, granularity, deformability, fibrousness, heaviness) and three emotional ones (valence, arousal, dominance). Perceptual and emotional dimensions were systematically correlated. Here, we wondered how this perceptuo-affective organization of touched materials depends on age, given that older adults show decline in haptic abilities, in particular detail perception. 30 younger participants (~22 years, half females) and 15 older participants (~66 years) explored 25 materials using 18 perceptual and 9 emotional adjectives. We extracted 6 perceptual and 2 emotional dimensions. Older and younger adults showed similar dimensions. However, in younger participants roughness and granularity judgments were done separately, while they were collapsed in a single dimension in older people. Further, age groups differed in the perception of roughness, granularity and valence, and older people did not show a positive correlation between valence and granularity as did younger people. As expected, control analyses between young males and females did not reveal similar gender differences. Overall, the results demonstrate that older people organize and experience materials partly differently from younger people, which we lead back to sensory decline. However, other aspects of perceptual organization that also include fine perception are preserved into older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Drewing
- HapLab, Institute for Psychology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Ishikura T, Sato W, Takamatsu J, Yuguchi A, Cho SG, Ding M, Yoshikawa S, Ogasawara T. Delivery of pleasant stroke touch via robot in older adults. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1292178. [PMID: 38264418 PMCID: PMC10803411 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1292178] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Touch care has clinically positive effects on older adults. Touch can be delivered using robots, addressing the lack of caregivers. A recent study of younger participants showed that stroke touch delivered via robot produced subjective and physiologically positive emotional responses similar to those evoked by human touch. However, whether robotic touch can elicit similar responses in older adults remains unknown. We investigated this topic by assessing subjective rating (valence and arousal) and physiological signals [corrugator and zygomatic electromyography (EMG) and skin conductance response (SCR)] to gentle stroking motions delivered to the backs of older participants by robot and human agents at two different speeds: 2.6 and 8.5 cm/s. Following the recent study, the participants were informed that only the robot strokes them. We compared the difference between the younger (their data from the previous study) and the older participants in their responses when the two agents (a robot and a human) stroked them. Subjectively, data from both younger and older participants showed that 8.5 cm/s stroking was more positive and arousing than 2.6 cm/s stroking for both human and robot agents. Physiologically, data from both younger and older participants showed that 8.5 cm/s stroking induced weaker corrugator EMG activity and stronger SCR activity than the 2.6 cm/s stroking for both agents. These results demonstrate that the overall patterns of the older groups responses were similar to those of the younger group, and suggest that robot-delivered stroke touch can elicit pleasant emotional responses in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Ishikura
- Robotics Laboratory, Division of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Wataru Sato
- Psychological Process Research Team, Guardian Robot Project, RIKEN, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jun Takamatsu
- Applied Robotics Research, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, United States
| | - Akishige Yuguchi
- Robotics Laboratory, Department of Medical and Robotic Engineering Design, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
- Knowledge Acquisition and Dialogue Research Team, Guardian Robot Project, RIKEN, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sung-Gwi Cho
- Division of Electronic Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Denki University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ming Ding
- Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sakiko Yoshikawa
- Institute for Philosophy and Science of Art, Kyoto University of the Arts, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Ogasawara
- Robotics Laboratory, Division of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
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Behtani L, Paromov D, Moïn-Darbari K, Houde MS, Bacon BA, Maheu M, Leroux T, Champoux F. Hearing Aid Amplification Improves Postural Control for Older Adults With Hearing Loss When Other Sensory Cues Are Impoverished. Trends Hear 2024; 28:23312165241232219. [PMID: 38356376 PMCID: PMC10868491 DOI: 10.1177/23312165241232219] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that sound amplification via hearing aids can improve postural control in adults with hearing impairments. Unfortunately, only a few studies used well-defined posturography measures to assess balance in adults with hearing loss with and without their hearing aids. Of these, only two examined postural control specifically in the elderly with hearing loss. The present study examined the impact of hearing aid use on postural control during various sensory perturbations in older adults with age-related hearing loss. Thirty individuals with age-related hearing impairments and using hearing aids bilaterally were tested. Participants were asked to perform a modified clinical sensory integration in balance test on a force platform with and without hearing aids. The experiment was conducted in the presence of a broadband noise ranging from 0.1 to 4 kHz presented through a loudspeaker. As expected, hearing aid use had a beneficial impact on postural control, but only when visual and somatosensory inputs were both reduced. Data also suggest that hearing aid use decreases the dependence on somatosensory input for maintaining postural control. This finding can be of particular importance in older adults considering the reduction of tactile and proprioceptive sensitivity and acuity often associated with aging. These results provide an additional argument for encouraging early hearing aid fitting for people with hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Behtani
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche de L’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - D. Paromov
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche de L’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - K. Moïn-Darbari
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - MS Houde
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - BA Bacon
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M. Maheu
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institut Universitaire Sur la Réadaptation en Déficience Physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Pavillon Laurier, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - T. Leroux
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - F. Champoux
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche de L’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montréal, QC, Canada
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Behtani L, Paromov D, Moïn-Darbari K, Houde MS, Bacon BA, Maheu M, Leroux T, Champoux F. Sensory Reweighting for Postural Control in Older Adults with Age-Related Hearing Loss. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1623. [PMID: 38137071 PMCID: PMC10741952 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence linking hearing impairments and the deterioration of postural stability in older adults. To our knowledge, however, no study to date has investigated the effect of age-related hearing loss on the sensory reweighting process during postural control. In the absence of data, much is unknown about the possible mechanisms, both deleterious and compensatory, that could underly the deterioration of postural control following hearing loss in the elderly. The aim of this study was to empirically examine sensory reweighting for postural control in older adults with age-related hearing loss as compared to older adults with normal hearing. The center of pressure of all participants was recorded using a force platform and the modified clinical test of sensory interaction and balance protocol. The results suggest that individuals with age-related hearing loss displayed increased somatosensory reliance relative to normal hearing younger adults. This increased reliance on somatosensory input does not appear to be effective in mitigating the loss of postural control, probably due to the concomitant deterioration of tactile and proprioceptive sensitivity and acuity associated with aging. Beyond helping to further define the role of auditory perception in postural control, these results further the understanding of sensory-related mechanisms associated with postural instability in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Behtani
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (L.B.); (D.P.); (K.M.-D.); (M.-S.H.); (M.M.); (T.L.)
- Centre de Recherche de L’institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montréal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada
| | - Daniel Paromov
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (L.B.); (D.P.); (K.M.-D.); (M.-S.H.); (M.M.); (T.L.)
- Centre de Recherche de L’institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montréal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada
| | - Karina Moïn-Darbari
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (L.B.); (D.P.); (K.M.-D.); (M.-S.H.); (M.M.); (T.L.)
| | - Marie-Soleil Houde
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (L.B.); (D.P.); (K.M.-D.); (M.-S.H.); (M.M.); (T.L.)
| | - Benoit Antoine Bacon
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Art and Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
| | - Maxime Maheu
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (L.B.); (D.P.); (K.M.-D.); (M.-S.H.); (M.M.); (T.L.)
- Institut Universitaire Sur la Réadaptation en Déficience Physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Pavillon Laurier, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC H2H 2N8, Canada
| | - Tony Leroux
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (L.B.); (D.P.); (K.M.-D.); (M.-S.H.); (M.M.); (T.L.)
| | - François Champoux
- School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (L.B.); (D.P.); (K.M.-D.); (M.-S.H.); (M.M.); (T.L.)
- Centre de Recherche de L’institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montréal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada
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Timar L, Job X, Orban de Xivry JJ, Kilteni K. Aging exerts a limited influence on the perception of self-generated and externally generated touch. J Neurophysiol 2023; 130:871-882. [PMID: 37609705 PMCID: PMC10642979 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00145.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Touch generated by our voluntary movements is attenuated both at the perceptual and neural levels compared with touch of the same intensity delivered to our body by another person or machine. This somatosensory attenuation phenomenon relies on the integration of somatosensory input and predictions about the somatosensory consequences of our actions. Previous studies have reported increased somatosensory attenuation in elderly people, proposing an overreliance on sensorimotor predictions to compensate for age-related declines in somatosensory perception; however, recent results have challenged this direct relationship. In a preregistered study, we used a force-discrimination task to assess whether aging increases somatosensory attenuation and whether this increase is explained by decreased somatosensory precision in elderly individuals. Although 94% of our sample (n = 108, 21-77 yr old) perceived their self-generated touches as weaker than externally generated touches of identical intensity (somatosensory attenuation) regardless of age, we did not find a significant increase in somatosensory attenuation in our elderly participants (65-77 yr old), but a trend when considering only the oldest subset (69-77 yr old). Moreover, we did not observe a significant age-related decline in somatosensory precision or a significant relationship of age with somatosensory attenuation. Together, our results suggest that aging exerts a limited influence on the perception of self-generated and externally generated touch and indicate a less direct relationship between somatosensory precision and attenuation in the elderly individuals than previously proposed.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Self-generated touch is attenuated compared with externally generated touch of identical intensity. This somatosensory attenuation has been previously shown to be increased in elderly participants, but it remains unclear whether it is related to age-related somatosensory decline. In our preregistered study, we observed a trend for increased somatosensory attenuation in our oldest participants (≥69 yr), but we found no evidence of an age-related decline in somatosensory function or a relationship of age with somatosensory attenuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Timar
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xavier Job
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jean-Jacques Orban de Xivry
- Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Konstantina Kilteni
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Schlintl C, Schienle A. Evaluation of Affective Touch: A Comparison Between Two Groups of Younger and Older Females. Exp Aging Res 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37639257 DOI: 10.1080/0361073x.2023.2250225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caress-like touch activates C-tactile (CT) afferents present in the skin of humans. It is generally assumed that this type of touch provides beneficial effects throughout the lifespan. However, little is known about its processing in later adulthood. Moreover, emotional responses to interpersonal vs. self-touch have not been investigated in older adults. METHOD A total of 132 females from two age groups (older: 60-96 years; younger: 18-30) participated in a well-validated method of tactile stimulation, in which CT-optimal vs. nonoptimal soft brushing (3 cm/s vs. 30 cm/s) was administered on the forearms of the participants, once by a female experimenter and once by the participant themselves. All participants rated their affective state in each of the conditions and tactile acuity was assessed. RESULTS Relative to the younger group, older participants rated touch as more pleasant, independent of type (CT-optimal, non-optimal) and origin (experimenter, self). In the older group, the emotional differentiation of CT-optimal vs. non-optimal touch was reduced, which was associated with reduced tactile acuity. CONCLUSION This study revealed an age-dependent enhancement of the perceived pleasantness of (self)touch. Interventions with auditory-guided CT-optimal self-touch could be easily implemented as part of training programs for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne Schienle
- Clinical Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Sempere-Bigorra M, Julián-Rochina I, Pérez-Ros P, Navarro-Flores E, Martínez-Arnau FM, Cauli O. Relationship between Cognitive Impairment and Depressive Symptoms with Somatosensory Functions in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Older Adults and Its Impact on Quality of Life. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1790. [PMID: 37763194 PMCID: PMC10532541 DOI: 10.3390/life13091790] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable process that impacts the peripheral and central nervous systems and is considered one of the strongest risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, when it also presents with diabetes mellitus, the risk of neurological damage may be further increased. This current study aimed to explore the relationships between peripheral sensory system decline and cognitive functions, the symptoms of depression, and quality of life (QoL) as metrics of central nervous system impairment in institutionalized older adults. A total of 95 individuals participated in this case-control study, which included diabetics and non-diabetics. The superficial sensory pathway was assessed in terms of thermal sensation, nociception, and non-discriminative touch, and the deep sensory pathway was evaluated by assessing vibration and light touch-pressure sensations. To assess function at the intellectual level, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Trail Making Test (TMT) cognitive functional tests were used, while the symptoms of depression and QoL were explored by employing the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale and EuroQol 5D questionnaire (EQ-5D), respectively. In the overall population analyses, altered thermal sensation was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (CI; p < 0.05). In turn, bivariate analyses and a binary logistic regression showed that the symptoms of depression and QoL were significantly related to altered vibratory sensation when assessed using a medical tuning fork (p < 0.05). In the group of diabetic patients, those with CI also had significantly lower thermal sensation (p < 0.05) and non-discriminative touch sensation, although this was only a trend (p = 0.055). Diabetics with depression had a significantly worse non-discriminative touch (p < 0.05) and vibratory sensation when tested with a tuning fork (p < 0.05). In addition, poorer QoL was associated with reduced sensitivity to heat (p < 0.05), light touch pressure (p < 0.05), and vibrations when assessed either with a tuning fork (p < 0.05) or a biothesiometer (p < 0.05). In contrast, no relationships were found between sensory functions and cognitive assessments in non-diabetic patients. These findings indicate that superficial sensitivity damage was related to CI, while deep sensation alterations were related to depression and poor QoL, with diabetes apparently further strengthening these relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Sempere-Bigorra
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-B.); (I.J.-R.); (P.P.-R.); (E.N.-F.)
- Frailty Research Organized Group (FROG), Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Iván Julián-Rochina
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-B.); (I.J.-R.); (P.P.-R.); (E.N.-F.)
- Frailty Research Organized Group (FROG), Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Pilar Pérez-Ros
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-B.); (I.J.-R.); (P.P.-R.); (E.N.-F.)
- Frailty Research Organized Group (FROG), Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Emmanuel Navarro-Flores
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-B.); (I.J.-R.); (P.P.-R.); (E.N.-F.)
- Frailty Research Organized Group (FROG), Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Francisco Miguel Martínez-Arnau
- Frailty Research Organized Group (FROG), Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Omar Cauli
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-B.); (I.J.-R.); (P.P.-R.); (E.N.-F.)
- Frailty Research Organized Group (FROG), Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
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Kojima S, Ikemoto T, Arai YC, Hirasawa A, Deie M, Takahashi N. Associations between Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis Structures and Pain Distribution in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2357. [PMID: 37628552 PMCID: PMC10454018 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the location and distribution of pain in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP) with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) according to coronal deformities. METHODS We enrolled 100 adults with chronic LBP and DLS, dividing them into two groups, a right-convex DLS group (n = 50) and a left-convex DLS group (n = 50). Dominant pain location was analyzed by dividing it into three parts-left side, right side, and center-and pain areas were identified using the pain drawing method; then, a heat map was created for each group. An association between pain location and convex side was analyzed as the primary outcome. Additionally, we assessed pain characteristics and radiological parameters, such as the curve structure and degree of degeneration. We used the Mann-Whitney U test or the chi-squared test to compare the clinical characteristics of the two groups, and generalized linear models were utilized to determine which variables were associated with pain severity or pain area. RESULTS The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the association between the curve structure, pain severity and location. In multivariate analysis, although we did not find any variables associated with pain severity, we observed that age and a left-convex DLS were negatively correlated with pain area among all participants. The heat map demonstrated that individuals with chronic LBP frequently experienced pain in the central lumbar region, regardless of the coronal curve structure. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that degenerative coronal lumbar deformities may not have a specific pain pattern associated with a curved structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Kojima
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan; (S.K.); (A.H.); (M.D.); (N.T.)
| | - Tatsunori Ikemoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan; (S.K.); (A.H.); (M.D.); (N.T.)
| | - Young-Chang Arai
- Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan;
| | - Atsuhiko Hirasawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan; (S.K.); (A.H.); (M.D.); (N.T.)
| | - Masataka Deie
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan; (S.K.); (A.H.); (M.D.); (N.T.)
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, Hiroshima 730-8518, Japan
| | - Nobunori Takahashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan; (S.K.); (A.H.); (M.D.); (N.T.)
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12
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Guerra E, Denti FC, Di Pasquale C, Caroppo F, Angileri L, Cioni M, Parodi A, Fortina AB, Ferrucci S, Burlando M. Peristomal Skin Complications: Detailed Analysis of a Web-Based Survey and Predictive Risk Factors. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1823. [PMID: 37444657 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11131823] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with a stoma are at risk of developing peristomal skin complications (PSCs) that can negatively impact their quality of life. This study aims to identify potential risk factors for dermatitis, pruritis/xerosis, infections, and ulcerations among patients with a stoma and evaluate preventive measures. This cross-sectional study involved data regarding 232 Italian patients with a stoma. A questionnaire was used to collect patient characteristics, comorbidities, and stoma management data. The most frequent PSCs observed were dermatitis and pruritis/xerosis in approximately 60% of patients. Psoriasis was strongly correlated with dermatitis, while being overweight or obese increased the risk of pruritis/xerosis. Class 2 obesity and atopic dermatitis were associated with an increased risk of infections. Being underweight, completely nonautonomous, and having inflammatory bowel disease were associated with a higher risk of ulcerations, while radiotherapy was a strong risk factor for ulceration. Preventive measures such as using hydrocolloid barriers, TNT gauze cleansing, and low pH detergent were effective in preventing dermatitis. Appropriate stoma care and maintenance, including the use of protective film and careful monitoring of weight and comorbidities, are crucial in minimizing the risk of complications associated with a stoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Guerra
- Ambulatorio Riabilitazione Enterostomale, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Di Pasquale
- Stomal Therapy Outpatient Service, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Caroppo
- Unit of Dermatology, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Luisa Angileri
- Unit of Dermatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Cioni
- St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Aurora Parodi
- Di.S.Sal. Section of Dermatology, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Belloni Fortina
- Unit of Dermatology, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Silvia Ferrucci
- Unit of Dermatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Burlando
- Di.S.Sal. Section of Dermatology, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16100 Genoa, Italy
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13
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Campoi EG, Campoi HG, Moraes R. The effects of age and postural constraints on prehension. Exp Brain Res 2023:10.1007/s00221-023-06647-0. [PMID: 37256337 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06647-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Older adults adapt the execution of complex motor tasks to use compensatory strategies in the reaching-to-grasping (i.e., prehension) movement. The presence of postural constraints may exacerbate these compensatory strategies. Therefore, we investigated the reach-to-grasp action with different postural constraints (sitting, standing, and walking) in younger and older people and evaluated the postural stability during the reach-to-grasp action. Thirty individuals (15 younger and 15 older adults) performed the prehension under three postural tasks: sitting, standing, and walking. The reaching movement was slower in the walking task than in the other two postural tasks; however, there was no difference between the age groups. For the grasping action, the older adults presented a larger grip aperture, and the peak grip aperture occurred earlier during hand transportation in sitting and standing tasks. In the standing task, the margin of stability was smaller for older adults. In the walking task, there was no difference between the groups for the margin of stability. Also, prehension during sitting and standing tasks were similar, and both differed from walking across age groups. Finally, older adults reduced their margin of stability compared to younger adults, but only in the standing task. The margin of stability was similar between age groups during the walking task. We concluded that age affected grasping (distal component) but not reaching (proximal component), suggesting that healthy older adults have more difficulty controlling distal than proximal body segments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo G Campoi
- Biomechanics and Motor Control Lab, School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-907, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Rehabilitation and Functional Performance, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Henrique G Campoi
- Biomechanics and Motor Control Lab, School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-907, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Rehabilitation and Functional Performance, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Renato Moraes
- Biomechanics and Motor Control Lab, School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-907, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Rehabilitation and Functional Performance, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.
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14
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Li SC, Fitzek FHP. Digitally embodied lifespan neurocognitive development and Tactile Internet: Transdisciplinary challenges and opportunities. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1116501. [PMID: 36845878 PMCID: PMC9950571 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1116501] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying perceptual processing and inference undergo substantial changes across the lifespan. If utilized properly, technologies could support and buffer the relatively more limited neurocognitive functions in the still developing or aging brains. Over the past decade, a new type of digital communication infrastructure, known as the "Tactile Internet (TI)," is emerging in the fields of telecommunication, sensor and actuator technologies and machine learning. A key aim of the TI is to enable humans to experience and interact with remote and virtual environments through digitalized multimodal sensory signals that also include the haptic (tactile and kinesthetic) sense. Besides their applied focus, such technologies may offer new opportunities for the research tapping into mechanisms of digitally embodied perception and cognition as well as how they may differ across age cohorts. However, there are challenges in translating empirical findings and theories about neurocognitive mechanisms of perception and lifespan development into the day-to-day practices of engineering research and technological development. On the one hand, the capacity and efficiency of digital communication are affected by signal transmission noise according to Shannon's (1949) Information Theory. On the other hand, neurotransmitters, which have been postulated as means that regulate the signal-to-noise ratio of neural information processing (e.g., Servan-Schreiber et al., 1990), decline substantially during aging. Thus, here we highlight neuronal gain control of perceptual processing and perceptual inference to illustrate potential interfaces for developing age-adjusted technologies to enable plausible multisensory digital embodiments for perceptual and cognitive interactions in remote or virtual environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Chen Li
- Chair of Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Centre for Tactile Internet With Human-in-the-Loop, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,*Correspondence: Shu-Chen Li,
| | - Frank H. P. Fitzek
- Centre for Tactile Internet With Human-in-the-Loop, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Deutsche Telekom Chair of Communication Networks, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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15
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Messina DN, Peralta ED, Seltzer AM, Patterson SI, Acosta CG. Age-dependent and modality-specific changes in the phenotypic markers Nav1.8, ASIC3, P2X3 and TRPM8 in male rat primary sensory neurons during healthy aging. Biogerontology 2023; 24:111-136. [PMID: 36478541 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-022-10000-3] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The effects during healthy aging of the tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel 1.8 (Nav1.8), the acid-sensing ion channel-3 (ASIC3), the purinergic-receptor 2X3 (P2X3) and transient receptor potential of melastatin-8 (TRPM8) on responses to non-noxious stimuli are poorly understood. These effects will influence the transferability to geriatric subjects of findings obtained using young animals. To evaluate the involvement of these functional markers in mechanical and cold sensitivity to non-noxious stimuli and their underlying mechanisms, we used a combination of immunohistochemistry and quantitation of immunostaining in sub-populations of neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), behavioral tests, pharmacological interventions and Western-blot in healthy male Wistar rats from 3 to 24 months of age. We found significantly decreased sensitivity to mechanical and cold stimuli in geriatric rats. These behavioural alterations occurred simultaneously with differing changes in the expression of Nav1.8, ASIC3, P2X3 and TRPM8 in the DRG at different ages. Using pharmacological blockade in vivo we demonstrated the involvement of ASIC3 and P2X3 in normal mechanosensation and of Nav1.8 and ASIC3 in cold sensitivity. Geriatric rats also exhibited reductions in the number of A-like large neurons and in the proportion of peptidergic to non-peptidergic neurons. The changes in normal sensory physiology in geriatric rats we report here strongly support the inclusion of aged rodents as an important group in the design of pre-clinical studies evaluating pain treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego N Messina
- Laboratorio de Estudios Neurobiológicos (LABENE), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Emanuel D Peralta
- Laboratorio de Estudios Neurobiológicos (LABENE), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Alicia M Seltzer
- Laboratorio de Estudios Neurobiológicos (LABENE), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Sean I Patterson
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Instituto de Histología y Embriología - CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Cristian G Acosta
- Laboratorio de Estudios Neurobiológicos (LABENE), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina. .,Histology Laboratory 107, IHEM-Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Cuyo, Av. del Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.
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16
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Ujitoko Y, Tokuhisa R, Hirota K. Vibrotactile Spatiotemporal Pattern Recognition in Two-Dimensional Space Around Hand. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON HAPTICS 2022; 15:718-728. [PMID: 36215358 DOI: 10.1109/toh.2022.3213313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated vibrotactile spatiotemporal pattern recognition in the two-dimensional space around a hand. The participants placed their hands on the medium, and identified the recognized pattern presented in the medium. There were 64 rotational patterns, presented with sequential impulse vibrations. We investigated how well humans recognized the patterns presented around their hand, and identified the pattern factors (e.g., rotational direction) that affected recognition accuracy. The probability of obtaining correct answers was 48.9 %. It was observed that the start and end points, rotational direction, and the number of vibrations affected recognition accuracy. It was also found that patterns starting or ending on the ulnar side ( 0°) of the hand were difficult to recognize, whereas those starting or ending on the distal ( 90°) or proximal side ( 270°) of the hand were easily recognizable. Furthermore, we found a type of the oblique effect. Patterns starting or ending in the oblique direction were more difficult to recognize than those in the cardinal direction. We also found that the clockwise rotational pattern was slightly easier to recognize than the counterclockwise rotational pattern. Finally, the underestimation of the judgment of tactile numerosity explains how the number of vibrations in the patterns affected the recognition accuracy. This result can be used as a baseline when the recognition of spatiotemporal patterns outside the body under other conditions is examined in future studies.
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17
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Gholinezhad S, Dosen S, Dideriksen J. Continuous Transition Impairs Discrimination of Electrotactile Frequencies. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON HAPTICS 2022; 15:753-758. [PMID: 36129873 DOI: 10.1109/toh.2022.3208332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Just-noticeable difference (JND), indicating the ability to accurately identify small differences in stimulation parameters, can be used to choose more sensitive stimulation methods as well as to calibrate tactile feedback in closed-loop human-machine interfacing. The JND is typically estimated using a forced-choice-discrimination task, in which two stimuli with different intensities are delivered separated by a brief pause. In the applications of tactile feedback, however, the stimulation parameters are typically modulated continuously. It is unclear if the discriminability of stimuli separated in time characterizes the ability to distinguish continuous changes in stimulation intensity. The present study compared the JND when pairs of frequency-modulated electrotactile stimuli were separated in time and presented continuously at two different baseline frequencies (20 and 60 Hz). The results showed that the JND was significantly smaller with time-separation between stimuli, but that the JND obtained with different types of transitions were in most cases linearly associated. In conclusion, the discriminability of time-separated stimuli is systematically better compared to that of the stimuli presented continuously. This can have an impact when calibrating the tactile feedback where the conventional method of the JND assessment might lead to an overly optimistic estimate of detectable changes.
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18
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Underestimation in temporal numerosity judgments computationally explained by population coding model. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15632. [PMID: 36115877 PMCID: PMC9482646 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19941-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to judge numerosity is essential to an animal’s survival. Nevertheless, the number of signals presented in a sequence is often underestimated. We attempted to elucidate the mechanism for the underestimation by means of computational modeling based on population coding. In the model, the population of neurons which were selective to the logarithmic number of signals responded to sequential signals and the population activity was integrated by a temporal window. The total number of signals was decoded by a weighted average of the integrated activity. The model predicted well the general trends in the human data while the prediction was not fully sufficient for the novel aging effect wherein underestimation was significantly greater for the elderly than for the young in specific stimulus conditions. Barring the aging effect, we can conclude that humans judge the number of signals in sequence by temporally integrating the neural representations of numerosity.
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The distorted body: The perception of the relative proportions of the body is preserved in Parkinson's disease. Psychon Bull Rev 2022; 29:1317-1326. [PMID: 35445288 PMCID: PMC9020551 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-022-02099-9] [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: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Given humans' ubiquitous visual experience of their own body, one reasonable assumption is that one's perceptions of the lengths of their body parts should be accurate. However, recent research has shown that large systematic distortions of the length of body parts are present in healthy younger adults. These distortions appear to be linked to tactile sensitivity such that individuals overestimate the length of body parts of low tactile sensitivity to a greater extent than body parts of high tactile sensitivity. There are certain conditions featuring reduced tactile sensitivity, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy older ageing. However, the effect of these circumstances on individuals' perceptions of the lengths of their body parts remains unknown. In this study, participants visually estimated the length of their body parts using their hand as a metric. We show that despite the reductions in tactile sensitivity, and potential alterations in the cortical presentation of body parts that may occur in PD and healthy older ageing, individuals with mild-moderate PD and older adults of comparable age experience body size distortions comparable to healthy younger controls. These findings demonstrate that the ability to perceive the length of one's body parts is well preserved in mild-moderate PD.
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Dupin L, Cuenca M, Baron JC, Maier MA, Lindberg PG. Shrinking of spatial hand representation but not of objects across the lifespan. Cortex 2021; 146:173-185. [PMID: 34883309 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.10.009] [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: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Perception and action are based on cerebral spatial representations of the body and the external world. However, spatial representations differ from the physical characteristics of body and external space (e.g., objects). It remains unclear whether these discrepancies are related to functional requirements of action and are shared between different spatial representations, indicating common brain processes. We hypothesized that distortions of spatial hand representation would be affected by age, sensorimotor practice and external space representation. We assessed hand representations using tactile and verbal localization tasks and quantified object representation in three age groups (20-79 yrs, total n = 60). Our results show significant shrinking of spatial hand representations (hand width) with age, unrelated to sensorimotor functions. No such shrinking occurred in spatial object representations despite some common characteristics with hand representations. Therefore, spatial properties of body representation partially share characteristics of object representation but also evolve independently across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Dupin
- Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, Inserm U1266, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Macarena Cuenca
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, GHU, Hôpital Sainte-Anne, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Claude Baron
- Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, Inserm U1266, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Marc A Maier
- Université de Paris, INCC UMR 8002, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Påvel G Lindberg
- Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, Inserm U1266, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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21
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Völter* C, Peter Thomas* J, Maetzler W, Guthoff R, Grunwald M, Hummel T. Sensory Dysfunction in Old Age. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 118:512-520. [PMID: 34158149 PMCID: PMC8476826 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The senses serve as the crucial interface between the individual and the environment. They are subject to aging and disease processes. METHODS This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in the Medline and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS Approximately 40% of persons aged 70 to 79 manifest dysfunction in at least one, and more than 25% in multiple senses. Sensory changes are accompanied by diverse comorbidities which depend on the particular sense(s) affected. The presence of sensory deficits is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia (OR: 1.49 [95% confidence interval: 1.12; 1.98] for dysfunction in a single sensory modality, 2.85 [1.88; 4.30] for dysfunction in three or more sensory modalities). The risk of developing depressive symptoms is elevated as well (OR 3.36 [2.28; 4.96]). The individual's ability to cope with the demands of everyday life is largely determined by the ability to carry out multisensory integration, in which the perceptions of the different senses are bound together. This function itself is subject to age-related changes that can be either adaptive or maladaptive; it can, therefore, serve as an indicator for pathological aging processes. CONCLUSION Sensory dysfunction in old age should be detected as early as possible. This implies the need for close collaboration of all of the involved disciplines. It would be desirable to develop sensory screening tests as well as a procedure for testing multisensory integration in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Völter*
- * Joint first authors
- Hearing Competence Center, St. Elisabeth- Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ruhr University of Bochum
| | - Jan Peter Thomas*
- * Joint first authors
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St.-Johannes-Hospital, Dortmund
| | - Walter Maetzler
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kiel
| | - Rainer Guthoff
- Department of Ophthalmology, Düsseldorf University Hospital
| | - Martin Grunwald
- Haptic Research Lab, Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Medical Faculty of the Universität Leipzig
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden
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The Science of Social and Affective Touch. Neuroscience 2021; 464:1-2. [PMID: 34016292 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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