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Todd NPM, Govender S, Keller PE, Colebatch JG. Electrophysiological Activity from the Eye Muscles, Cerebellum and Cerebrum During Reflexive (Classical Pavlovian) Versus Voluntary (Ivanov-Smolensky) Eye-Blink Conditioning. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:1086-1100. [PMID: 37840094 PMCID: PMC11102391 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01613-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
We report an experiment to investigate the role of the cerebellum and cerebrum in motor learning of timed movements. Eleven healthy human subjects were recruited to perform two experiments, the first was a classical eye-blink conditioning procedure with an auditory tone as conditional stimulus (CS) and vestibular unconditional stimulus (US) in the form of a double head-tap. In the second experiment, subjects were asked to blink voluntarily in synchrony with the double head-tap US preceded by a CS, a form of Ivanov-Smolensky conditioning in which a command or instruction is associated with the US. Electrophysiological recordings were made of extra-ocular EMG and EOG at infra-ocular sites (IO1/2), EEG from over the frontal eye fields (C3'/C4') and from over the posterior fossa over the cerebellum for the electrocerebellogram (ECeG). The behavioural outcomes of the experiments showed weak reflexive conditioning for the first experiment despite the double tap but robust, well-synchronised voluntary conditioning for the second. Voluntary conditioned blinks were larger than the reflex ones. For the voluntary conditioning experiment, a contingent negative variation (CNV) was also present in the EEG leads prior to movement, and modulation of the high-frequency EEG occurred during movement. US-related cerebellar activity was prominent in the high-frequency ECeG for both experiments, while conditioned response-related cerebellar activity was additionally present in the voluntary conditioning experiment. These results demonstrate a role for the cerebellum in voluntary (Ivanov-Smolensky) as well as in reflexive (classical Pavlovian) conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil P M Todd
- UNSW Clinical School, Randwick Campus, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QC, UK.
| | - Sendhil Govender
- Neuroscience Research Australia, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Peter E Keller
- MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University Penrith, Kingswood, NSW, 2751, Australia
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - James G Colebatch
- UNSW Clinical School, Randwick Campus, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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2
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Gunduz A, Valls-Solé J, Serranová T, Coppola G, Kofler M, Jääskeläinen SK. The blink reflex and its modulation - Part 2: Pathophysiology and clinical utility. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 160:75-94. [PMID: 38412746 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.02.006] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The blink reflex (BR) is integrated at the brainstem; however, it is modulated by inputs from various structures such as the striatum, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and nucleus raphe magnus but also from afferent input from the peripheral nervous system. Therefore, it provides information about the pathophysiology of numerous peripheral and central nervous system disorders. The BR is a valuable tool for studying the integrity of the trigemino-facial system, the relevant brainstem nuclei, and circuits. At the same time, some neurophysiological techniques applying the BR may indicate abnormalities involving structures rostral to the brainstem that modulate or control the BR circuits. This is a state-of-the-art review of the clinical application of BR modulation; physiology is reviewed in part 1. In this review, we aim to present the role of the BR and techniques related to its modulation in understanding pathophysiological mechanisms of motor control and pain disorders, in which these techniques are diagnostically helpful. Furthermore, some BR techniques may have a predictive value or serve as a basis for follow-up evaluation. BR testing may benefit in the diagnosis of hemifacial spasm, dystonia, functional movement disorders, migraine, orofacial pain, and psychiatric disorders. Although the abnormalities in the integrity of the BR pathway itself may provide information about trigeminal or facial nerve disorders, alterations in BR excitability are found in several disease conditions. BR excitability studies are suitable for understanding the common pathophysiological mechanisms behind various clinical entities, elucidating alterations in top-down inhibitory systems, and allowing for follow-up and quantitation of many neurological syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysegul Gunduz
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Division of Neurophysiology, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Josep Valls-Solé
- IDIBAPS. Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Villarroel 170 08024, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Tereza Serranová
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Charles University, Prague 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Prague, Kateřinská 30, 12800 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Gianluca Coppola
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino ICOT, via Franco Faggiana 1668 04100, Latina, Italy.
| | - Markus Kofler
- Department of Neurology, Hochzirl Hospital, A-6170 Zirl, Austria.
| | - Satu K Jääskeläinen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Division of Medical Imaging, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Postal Box 52, FIN 20521 Turku, Finland.
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3
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Kofler M, Hallett M, Iannetti GD, Versace V, Ellrich J, Téllez MJ, Valls-Solé J. The blink reflex and its modulation - Part 1: Physiological mechanisms. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 160:130-152. [PMID: 38102022 PMCID: PMC10978309 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The blink reflex (BR) is a protective eye-closure reflex mediated by brainstem circuits. The BR is usually evoked by electrical supraorbital nerve stimulation but can be elicited by a variety of sensory modalities. It has a long history in clinical neurophysiology practice. Less is known, however, about the many ways to modulate the BR. Various neurophysiological techniques can be applied to examine different aspects of afferent and efferent BR modulation. In this line, classical conditioning, prepulse and paired-pulse stimulation, and BR elicitation by self-stimulation may serve to investigate various aspects of brainstem connectivity. The BR may be used as a tool to quantify top-down modulation based on implicit assessment of the value of blinking in a given situation, e.g., depending on changes in stimulus location and probability of occurrence. Understanding the role of non-nociceptive and nociceptive fibers in eliciting a BR is important to get insight into the underlying neural circuitry. Finally, the use of BRs and other brainstem reflexes under general anesthesia may help to advance our knowledge of the brainstem in areas not amenable in awake intact humans. This review summarizes talks held by the Brainstem Special Interest Group of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology at the International Congress of Clinical Neurophysiology 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland, and provides a state-of-the-art overview of the physiology of BR modulation. Understanding the principles of BR modulation is fundamental for a valid and thoughtful clinical application (reviewed in part 2) (Gunduz et al., submitted).
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Kofler
- Department of Neurology, Hochzirl Hospital, Zirl, Austria.
| | - Mark Hallett
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, USA.
| | - Gian Domenico Iannetti
- University College London, United Kingdom; Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Rome, Italy.
| | - Viviana Versace
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, Hospital of Vipiteno (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU), Vipiteno-Sterzing, Italy.
| | - Jens Ellrich
- Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
| | | | - Josep Valls-Solé
- IDIBAPS (Institut d'Investigació August Pi i Sunyer), University of Barcelona, Spain.
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4
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Vieites V, Ralph Y, Reeb-Sutherland B, Dick AS, Mattfeld AT, Pruden SM. Neurite density of the hippocampus is associated with trace eyeblink conditioning latency in 4- to 6-year-olds. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:358-369. [PMID: 38092417 PMCID: PMC10872972 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16217] [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: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Limited options exist to evaluate the development of hippocampal function in young children. Research has established that trace eyeblink conditioning (EBC) relies on a functional hippocampus. Hence, we set out to investigate whether trace EBC is linked to hippocampal structure, potentially serving as a valuable indicator of hippocampal development. Our study explored potential associations between individual differences in hippocampal volume and neurite density with trace EBC performance in young children. We used onset latency of conditioned responses (CR) and percentage of conditioned responses (% CR) as measures of hippocampal-dependent associative learning. Using a sample of typically developing children aged 4 to 6 years (N = 30; 14 girls; M = 5.70 years), participants underwent T1- and diffusion-weighted MRI scans and completed a 15-min trace eyeblink conditioning task conducted outside the MRI. % CR and CR onset latency were calculated based on all trials involving tone-puff presentations and tone-alone trials. Findings revealed a connection between greater left hippocampal neurite density and delayed CR onset latency. Children with higher neurite density in the left hippocampus tended to blink closer to the onset of the unconditioned stimulus, indicating that structural variations in the hippocampus were associated with more precise timing of conditioned responses. No other relationships were observed between hippocampal volume, cerebellum volume or neurite density, hippocampal white matter connectivity and any EBC measures. Preliminary results suggest that trace EBC may serve as a straightforward yet innovative approach for studying hippocampal development in young children and populations with atypical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Vieites
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Yvonne Ralph
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas, USA
| | | | - Anthony Steven Dick
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Aaron T Mattfeld
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Shannon M Pruden
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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5
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Iosif CI, Bashir ZI, Apps R, Pickford J. Cerebellar Prediction and Feeding Behaviour. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 22:1002-1019. [PMID: 36121552 PMCID: PMC10485105 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01476-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Given the importance of the cerebellum in controlling movements, it might be expected that its main role in eating would be the control of motor elements such as chewing and swallowing. Whilst such functions are clearly important, there is more to eating than these actions, and more to the cerebellum than motor control. This review will present evidence that the cerebellum contributes to homeostatic, motor, rewarding and affective aspects of food consumption.Prediction and feedback underlie many elements of eating, as food consumption is influenced by expectation. For example, circadian clocks cause hunger in anticipation of a meal, and food consumption causes feedback signals which induce satiety. Similarly, the sight and smell of food generate an expectation of what that food will taste like, and its actual taste will generate an internal reward value which will be compared to that expectation. Cerebellar learning is widely thought to involve feed-forward predictions to compare expected outcomes to sensory feedback. We therefore propose that the overarching role of the cerebellum in eating is to respond to prediction errors arising across the homeostatic, motor, cognitive, and affective domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana I Iosif
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Zafar I Bashir
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Richard Apps
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jasmine Pickford
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
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6
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Bindel L, Mühlberg C, Pfeiffer V, Nitschke M, Müller A, Wegscheider M, Rumpf JJ, Zeuner KE, Becktepe JS, Welzel J, Güthe M, Classen J, Tzvi E. Visuomotor Adaptation Deficits in Patients with Essential Tremor. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 22:925-937. [PMID: 36085397 PMCID: PMC10485096 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01474-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive movement disorder whose pathophysiology is not fully understood. Current evidence supports the view that the cerebellum is critically involved in the genesis of the tremor in ET. However, it is still unknown whether cerebellar dysfunction affects not only the control of current movements but also the prediction of future movements through dynamic adaptation toward a changed environment. Here, we tested the capacity of 28 patients with ET to adapt in a visuomotor adaptation task known to depend on intact cerebellar function. We found specific impairments in that task compared to age-matched healthy controls. Adaptation to the visual perturbation was disrupted in ET patients, while de-adaptation, the phase after abrupt removal of the perturbation, developed similarly to control subjects. Baseline tremor-independent motor performance was as well similar to healthy controls, indicating that adaptation deficits in ET patients were not rooted in an inability to perform goal-directed movements. There was no association between clinical severity scores of ET and early visuomotor adaptation abilities. These results provide further evidence that the cerebellum is dysfunctional in ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bindel
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Mühlberg
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Victoria Pfeiffer
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Matthias Nitschke
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Annekatrin Müller
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mirko Wegscheider
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jost-Julian Rumpf
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Jos S Becktepe
- Department of Neurology, Kiel University, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Julius Welzel
- Department of Neurology, Kiel University, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Miriam Güthe
- Department of Neurology, Kiel University, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elinor Tzvi
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- Syte Institute, 20354, Hamburg, Germany.
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7
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Chao OY, Pathak SS, Zhang H, Augustine GJ, Christie JM, Kikuchi C, Taniguchi H, Yang YM. Social memory deficit caused by dysregulation of the cerebellar vermis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6007. [PMID: 37752149 PMCID: PMC10522595 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41744-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Social recognition memory (SRM) is a key determinant of social interactions. While the cerebellum emerges as an important region for social behavior, how cerebellar activity affects social functions remains unclear. We selectively increased the excitability of molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) to suppress Purkinje cell firing in the mouse cerebellar vermis. Chemogenetic perturbation of MLIs impaired SRM without affecting sociability, anxiety levels, motor coordination or object recognition. Optogenetic interference of MLIs during distinct phases of a social recognition test revealed the cerebellar engagement in the retrieval, but not encoding, of social information. c-Fos mapping after the social recognition test showed that cerebellar manipulation decreased brain-wide interregional correlations and altered network structure from medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus-centered to amygdala-centered modules. Anatomical tracing demonstrated hierarchical projections from the central cerebellum to the social brain network integrating amygdalar connections. Our findings suggest that the cerebellum organizes the neural matrix necessary for SRM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Y Chao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, 55812, USA
| | - Salil Saurav Pathak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, 55812, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, 55812, USA
| | - George J Augustine
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 308232, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jason M Christie
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Chikako Kikuchi
- Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Hiroki Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Chronic Brain Injury, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Yi-Mei Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, 55812, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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8
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Willett SM, Maenner SK, Mayo JP. The perceptual consequences and neurophysiology of eye blinks. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1242654. [PMID: 37654528 PMCID: PMC10466800 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1242654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A hand passing in front of a camera produces a large and obvious disruption of a video. Yet the closure of the eyelid during a blink, which lasts for hundreds of milliseconds and occurs thousands of times per day, typically goes unnoticed. What are the neural mechanisms that mediate our uninterrupted visual experience despite frequent occlusion of the eyes? Here, we review the existing literature on the neurophysiology, perceptual consequences, and behavioral dynamics of blinks. We begin by detailing the kinematics of the eyelid that define a blink. We next discuss the ways in which blinks alter visual function by occluding the pupil, decreasing visual sensitivity, and moving the eyes. Then, to anchor our understanding, we review the similarities between blinks and other actions that lead to reductions in visual sensitivity, such as saccadic eye movements. The similarity between these two actions has led to suggestions that they share a common neural substrate. We consider the extent of overlap in their neural circuits and go on to explain how recent findings regarding saccade suppression cast doubt on the strong version of the shared mechanism hypothesis. We also evaluate alternative explanations of how blink-related processes modulate neural activity to maintain visual stability: a reverberating corticothalamic loop to maintain information in the face of lid closure; and a suppression of visual transients related to lid closure. Next, we survey the many areas throughout the brain that contribute to the execution of, regulation of, or response to blinks. Regardless of the underlying mechanisms, blinks drastically attenuate our visual abilities, yet these perturbations fail to reach awareness. We conclude by outlining opportunities for future work to better understand how the brain maintains visual perception in the face of eye blinks. Future work will likely benefit from incorporating theories of perceptual stability, neurophysiology, and novel behavior paradigms to address issues central to our understanding of natural visual behavior and for the clinical rehabilitation of active vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M. Willett
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sarah K. Maenner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - J. Patrick Mayo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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9
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Manto M, Serrao M, Filippo Castiglia S, Timmann D, Tzvi-Minker E, Pan MK, Kuo SH, Ugawa Y. Neurophysiology of cerebellar ataxias and gait disorders. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2023; 8:143-160. [PMID: 37593693 PMCID: PMC10429746 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There are numerous forms of cerebellar disorders from sporadic to genetic diseases. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the advances and emerging techniques during these last 2 decades in the neurophysiological tests useful in cerebellar patients for clinical and research purposes. Clinically, patients exhibit various combinations of a vestibulocerebellar syndrome, a cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome and a cerebellar motor syndrome which will be discussed throughout this chapter. Cerebellar patients show abnormal Bereitschaftpotentials (BPs) and mismatch negativity. Cerebellar EEG is now being applied in cerebellar disorders to unravel impaired electrophysiological patterns associated within disorders of the cerebellar cortex. Eyeblink conditioning is significantly impaired in cerebellar disorders: the ability to acquire conditioned eyeblink responses is reduced in hereditary ataxias, in cerebellar stroke and after tumor surgery of the cerebellum. Furthermore, impaired eyeblink conditioning is an early marker of cerebellar degenerative disease. General rules of motor control suggest that optimal strategies are needed to execute voluntary movements in the complex environment of daily life. A high degree of adaptability is required for learning procedures underlying motor control as sensorimotor adaptation is essential to perform accurate goal-directed movements. Cerebellar patients show impairments during online visuomotor adaptation tasks. Cerebellum-motor cortex inhibition (CBI) is a neurophysiological biomarker showing an inverse association between cerebellothalamocortical tract integrity and ataxia severity. Ataxic gait is characterized by increased step width, reduced ankle joint range of motion, increased gait variability, lack of intra-limb inter-joint and inter-segmental coordination, impaired foot ground placement and loss of trunk control. Taken together, these techniques provide a neurophysiological framework for a better appraisal of cerebellar disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Manto
- Service des Neurosciences, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium
- Service de Neurologie, CHU-Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Mariano Serrao
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome Sapienza, Polo Pontino, Corso della Repubblica 79 04100, Latina, Italy
- Gait Analysis LAB Policlinico Italia, Via Del Campidano 6 00162, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Filippo Castiglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome Sapienza, Polo Pontino, Corso della Repubblica 79 04100, Latina, Italy
- Gait Analysis LAB Policlinico Italia, Via Del Campidano 6 00162, Rome, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, via Bassi, 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elinor Tzvi-Minker
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Syte Institute, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ming-Kai Pan
- Cerebellar Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Yun-Lin Branch, Yun-Lin 64041, Taiwan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei City 11529, Taiwan
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei City 11529, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yoshikazu Ugawa
- Department of Human Neurophysiology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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10
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Cundari M, Vestberg S, Gustafsson P, Gorcenco S, Rasmussen A. Neurocognitive and cerebellar function in ADHD, autism and spinocerebellar ataxia. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1168666. [PMID: 37415926 PMCID: PMC10321758 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1168666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum plays a major role in balance, motor control and sensorimotor integration, but also in cognition, language, and emotional regulation. Several neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as neurological diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) are associated with differences in cerebellar function. Morphological abnormalities in different cerebellar subregions produce distinct behavioral symptoms related to the functional disruption of specific cerebro-cerebellar circuits. The specific contribution of the cerebellum to typical development may therefore involve the optimization of the structure and function of cerebro-cerebellar circuits underlying skill acquisition in multiple domains. Here, we review cerebellar structural and functional differences between healthy and patients with ADHD, ASD, and SCA3, and explore how disruption of cerebellar networks affects the neurocognitive functions in these conditions. We discuss how cerebellar computations contribute to performance on cognitive and motor tasks and how cerebellar signals are interfaced with signals from other brain regions during normal and dysfunctional behavior. We conclude that the cerebellum plays a role in many cognitive functions. Still, more clinical studies with the support of neuroimaging are needed to clarify the cerebellum's role in normal and dysfunctional behavior and cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Cundari
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Unit of Neuropsychiatry, Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden
- Unit of Neurology, Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden
| | - Susanna Vestberg
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Peik Gustafsson
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Medical Faculty, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sorina Gorcenco
- Department for Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Rasmussen
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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11
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Osório C, White JJ, Lu H, Beekhof GC, Fiocchi FR, Andriessen CA, Dijkhuizen S, Post L, Schonewille M. Pre-ataxic loss of intrinsic plasticity and motor learning in a mouse model of SCA1. Brain 2023; 146:2332-2345. [PMID: 36352508 PMCID: PMC10232256 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias are neurodegenerative diseases, the hallmark symptom of which is the development of ataxia due to cerebellar dysfunction. Purkinje cells, the principal neurons of the cerebellar cortex, are the main cells affected in these disorders, but the sequence of pathological events leading to their dysfunction is poorly understood. Understanding the origins of Purkinje cells dysfunction before it manifests is imperative to interpret the functional and behavioural consequences of cerebellar-related disorders, providing an optimal timeline for therapeutic interventions. Here, we report the cascade of events leading to Purkinje cells dysfunction before the onset of ataxia in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1). Spatiotemporal characterization of the ATXN1[82Q] SCA1 mouse model revealed high levels of the mutant ATXN1[82Q] weeks before the onset of ataxia. The expression of the toxic protein first caused a reduction of Purkinje cells intrinsic excitability, which was followed by atrophy of Purkinje cells dendrite arborization and aberrant glutamatergic signalling, finally leading to disruption of Purkinje cells innervation of climbing fibres and loss of intrinsic plasticity of Purkinje cells. Functionally, we found that deficits in eyeblink conditioning, a form of cerebellum-dependent motor learning, precede the onset of ataxia, matching the timeline of climbing fibre degeneration and reduced intrinsic plasticity. Together, our results suggest that abnormal synaptic signalling and intrinsic plasticity during the pre-ataxia stage of spinocerebellar ataxias underlie an aberrant cerebellar circuitry that anticipates the full extent of the disease severity. Furthermore, our work indicates the potential for eyeblink conditioning to be used as a sensitive tool to detect early cerebellar dysfunction as a sign of future disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Osório
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua J White
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
| | - Heiling Lu
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit C Beekhof
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Stephanie Dijkhuizen
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Post
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Schonewille
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
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12
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Cassaday HJ, Muir C, Stevenson CW, Bonardi C, Hock R, Waite L. From safety to frustration: The neural substrates of inhibitory learning in aversive and appetitive conditioning procedures. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 202:107757. [PMID: 37044368 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory associative learning counters the effects of excitatory learning, whether appetitively or aversively motivated. Moreover, the affective responses accompanying the inhibitory associations are of opponent valence to the excitatory conditioned responses. Inhibitors for negative aversive outcomes (e.g. shock) signal safety, while inhibitors for appetitive outcomes (e.g. food reward) elicit frustration and/or disappointment. This raises the question as to whether studies using appetitive and aversive conditioning procedures should demonstrate the same neural substrates for inhibitory learning. We review the neural substrates of appetitive and aversive inhibitory learning as measured in different procedural variants and in the context of the underpinning excitatory conditioning on which it depends. The mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathways, retrosplenial cortex and hippocampus are consistently implicated in inhibitory learning. Further neural substrates identified in some procedural variants may be related to the specific motivation of the learning task and modalities of the learning cues. Finally, we consider the translational implications of our understanding of the neural substrates of inhibitory learning, for obesity and addictions as well as for anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - C Muir
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham; School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, University of Bristol
| | | | - C Bonardi
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham
| | - R Hock
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham
| | - L Waite
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham
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13
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Allen MT. Weaker situations: Uncertainty reveals individual differences in learning: Implications for PTSD. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2023:10.3758/s13415-023-01077-5. [PMID: 36944865 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-023-01077-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Few individuals who experience trauma develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, the identification of individual differences that signal increased risk for PTSD is important. Lissek et al. (2006) proposed using a weak rather than a strong situation to identify individual differences. A weak situation involves less-salient cues as well as some degree of uncertainty, which reveal individual differences. A strong situation involves salient cues with little uncertainty, which produce consistently strong responses. Results from fear conditioning studies that support this hypothesis are discussed briefly. This review focuses on recent findings from three learning tasks: classical eyeblink conditioning, avoidance learning, and a computer-based task. These tasks are interpreted as weaker learning situations in that they involve some degree of uncertainty. Individual differences in learning based on behavioral inhibition, which is a risk factor for PTSD, are explored. Specifically, behaviorally inhibited individuals and rodents (i.e., Wistar Kyoto rats), as well as individuals expressing PTSD symptoms, exhibit enhanced eyeblink conditioning. Behaviorally inhibited rodents also demonstrate enhanced avoidance responding (i.e., lever pressing). Both enhanced eyeblink conditioning and avoidance are most evident with schedules of partial reinforcement. Behaviorally inhibited individuals also performed better on reward and punishment trials than noninhibited controls in a probabilistic category learning task. Overall, the use of weaker situations with uncertain relationships may be more ecologically valid than learning tasks in which the aversive event occurs on every trial and may provide more sensitivity for identifying individual differences in learning for those at risk for, or expressing, PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Todd Allen
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA.
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14
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Todd NPM, Govender S, Keller PE, Colebatch JG. Electrophysiological activity from over the cerebellum and cerebrum during eye blink conditioning in human subjects. Physiol Rep 2023; 11:e15642. [PMID: 36971094 PMCID: PMC10041378 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the results of an experiment in which electrophysiological activity was recorded from the human cerebellum and cerebrum in a sample of 14 healthy subjects before, during and after a classical eye blink conditioning procedure with an auditory tone as conditional stimulus and a maxillary nerve unconditional stimulus. The primary aim was to show changes in the cerebellum and cerebrum correlated with behavioral ocular responses. Electrodes recorded EMG and EOG at peri-ocular sites, EEG from over the frontal eye-fields and the electrocerebellogram (ECeG) from over the posterior fossa. Of the 14 subjects half strongly conditioned while the other half were resistant. We confirmed that conditionability was linked under our conditions to the personality dimension of extraversion-introversion. Inhibition of cerebellar activity was shown prior to the conditioned response, as predicted by Albus (1971). However, pausing in high frequency ECeG and the appearance of a contingent negative variation (CNV) in both central leads occurred in all subjects. These led us to conclude that while conditioned cerebellar pausing may be necessary, it is not sufficient alone to produce overt behavioral conditioning, implying the existence of another central mechanism. The outcomes of this experiment indicate the potential value of the noninvasive electrophysiology of the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil P M Todd
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- School of Clinical Medicine, Randwick Campus, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sendhil Govender
- School of Clinical Medicine, Randwick Campus, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter E Keller
- MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - James G Colebatch
- School of Clinical Medicine, Randwick Campus, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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15
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Welsh JP, Munson J, St John T, Meehan CN, Tran Abraham E, Reitz FB, Begay KK, Dager SR, Estes AM. Relationship of Impairments in Associative Learning With Intellectual Disability and Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Autistic Children. Neurology 2023; 100:e639-e650. [PMID: 36443015 PMCID: PMC9946191 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201496] [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: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) varies widely and is associated with intellectual disability (ID) and brain dysmorphology. We tested the hypothesis that the heterogeneity of ASD can be accounted for, in part, by altered associative learning measured by eye-blink conditioning (EBC) paradigms, used to test for forebrain and cerebellar dysfunction across the full range of ASD severity and intellectual ability. METHODS Children in this cohort study were diagnosed with ASD or typical development (TD); most children were recruited from a 10-year longitudinal study. Outcome measures were the percentage and timing of conditioned eye-blink responses (CRs) acquired to a tone, recorded photometrically and related to measures of ASD severity, IQ, and age 2 brain morphometry by MRI. A sequence of trace and delay EBC was used. Analysis of variance, t test, and logistic regression (LR) were used. RESULTS Sixty-two children were studied at school age. Nine children with ASD with ID since age 2 (ASD + ID; IQ = 49 ± 6; 11.9 ± 0.2 years old [±SD]) learned more slowly than 30 children with TD (IQ = 120 ± 16; 10.5 ± 1.5 years old [±SD]) during trace EBC and showed atypically early-onset CRs (1.4 SD pre-TD) related to hypoplasia of the cerebellum at age 2 but not of the amygdala, hippocampus, or cerebral cortex. Conversely, 16 children with ASD with robust intellectual development since age 2 (IQ = 100 ± 3; 12.0 ± 0.4 years old [±SD]) learned typically but showed early-onset CRs only during long-delay EBC (0.8 SD pre-TD) unrelated to hypoplasia of any measured brain area. Using 16 EBC measures, binary LR classified ASD and TD with 80% accuracy (95% CI = 72-88%), 81% sensitivity (95% CI = 69-92%), and 79% specificity (95% CI = 68-91%); multinomial LR more accurately classified children based on ID (94% accuracy, 95% CI = 89-100%) than ASD severity (85% accuracy, 95% CI = 77-93%). Separate analyses of 39 children with MRI (2.1 ± 0.3 years old [±SD]) indicated that cerebellar hypoplasia did not predict ASD + ID over ages 2-4 (Cohen d = 0.3) compared with early-onset CRs during age 11 trace EBC (Cohen d = -1.3). DISCUSSION Trace EBC reveals the relationship between cerebellar hypoplasia and ASD + ID likely by engaging cerebrocerebellar circuits involved in intellectual ability and implicit timing. Follow-up prospective studies using associative learning can determine whether ID can be predicted in children with early ASD diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Welsh
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma.
| | - Jeffrey Munson
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Tanya St John
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Christina N Meehan
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Elise Tran Abraham
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Frederick B Reitz
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - K Kawena Begay
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Stephen R Dager
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Annette M Estes
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
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16
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Ricciardi L, Bologna M, Marsili L, Espay AJ. Dysfunctional Networks in Functional Dystonia. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 31:157-176. [PMID: 37338701 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-26220-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Functional dystonia, the second most common functional movement disorder, is characterized by acute or subacute onset of fixed limb, truncal, or facial posturing, incongruent with the action-induced, position-sensitive, and task-specific manifestations of dystonia. We review neurophysiological and neuroimaging data as the basis for a dysfunctional networks in functional dystonia. Reduced intracortical and spinal inhibition contributes to abnormal muscle activation, which may be perpetuated by abnormal sensorimotor processing, impaired selection of movements, and hypoactive sense of agency in the setting of normal movement preparation but abnormal connectivity between the limbic and motor networks. Phenotypic variability may be related to as-yet undefined interactions between abnormal top-down motor regulation and overactivation of areas implicated in self-awareness, self-monitoring, and active motor inhibition such as the cingulate and insular cortices. While there remain many gaps in knowledge, further combined neurophysiological and neuroimaging assessments stand to inform the neurobiological subtypes of functional dystonia and the potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Ricciardi
- Neurosciences Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Oxford, UK
| | - Matteo Bologna
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Luca Marsili
- Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Alberto J Espay
- Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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17
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Maas RPPWM, Schutter DJLG, Toni I, Timmann D, van de Warrenburg BPC. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation modulates timing but not acquisition of conditioned eyeblink responses in SCA3 patients. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:806-813. [PMID: 35597518 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.05.013] [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: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delay eyeblink conditioning is an extensively studied motor learning paradigm that critically depends on the integrity of the cerebellum. In healthy individuals, modulation of cerebellar excitability using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been reported to alter the acquisition and/or timing of conditioned eyeblink responses (CRs). It remains unknown whether such effects can also be elicited in patients with cerebellar disorders. OBJECTIVE To investigate if repeated sessions of cerebellar tDCS modify acquisition and/or timing of CRs in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) and to evaluate possible associations between disease severity measures and eyeblink conditioning parameters. METHODS Delay eyeblink conditioning was examined in 20 mildly to moderately affected individuals with SCA3 and 31 healthy controls. After the baseline session, patients were randomly assigned to receive ten sessions of cerebellar anodal tDCS or sham tDCS (i.e., five days per week for two consecutive weeks). Patients and investigators were blinded to treatment allocation. The same eyeblink conditioning protocol was administered directly after the last tDCS session. The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome scale (CCAS-S), and disease duration were used as clinical measures of disease severity. RESULTS At baseline, SCA3 patients exhibited significantly fewer CRs than healthy controls. Acquisition was inversely associated with the number of failed CCAS-S test items but not with SARA score. Onset and peak latencies of CRs were longer in SCA3 patients and correlated with disease duration. Repeated sessions of cerebellar anodal tDCS did not affect CR acquisition, but had a significant treatment effect on both timing parameters. While a shift of CRs toward the conditioned stimulus was observed in the sham group (i.e., timing became more similar to that of healthy controls, presumably reflecting the effect of a second eyeblink conditioning session), anodal tDCS induced a shift of CRs in the opposite direction (i.e., toward the unconditioned stimulus). CONCLUSION Our findings provide the first evidence that cerebellar tDCS is capable of modifying cerebellar function in SCA3 patients. Future studies should assess whether this intervention similarly modulates temporal processing in other degenerative ataxias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roderick P P W M Maas
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Dennis J L G Schutter
- Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ivan Toni
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bart P C van de Warrenburg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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18
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Bernard JA. Understanding cerebellar function through network perspectives: A review of resting-state connectivity of the cerebellum. PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.plm.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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19
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Todd NPM, Govender S, Colebatch JG. Non-invasive recording from the human cerebellum during a classical conditioning paradigm using the otolith-evoked blink reflex. Neurosci Lett 2021; 765:136270. [PMID: 34582972 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We studied nine normal volunteers with a classical conditioning paradigm using a mastoid tap, believed to activate otolith receptors, as an unconditional stimulus (US) and the consequent blink as the unconditioned response (UR). Both visual (alternation of stripes) and an auditory tone were used as conditional stimuli (CS). Recordings were made below the eyes at IO1 and IO2, from over the frontal eye fields (C3' and C4') and over the posterior fossa, the latter at sites we have previously reported that we were able to record an evoked climbing fibre response (CFR) at short latency. Behavioural analysis confirmed that weak conditioning did occur early, which subsequently showed extinction on repeated CS alone trials. Further, a UR was more likely to occur following a preceding CFR when preceded by a CS, supporting a correlation between the CFRs and behaviour. For further statistical analysis, the time period of interest was divided into a series of epochs, based around the events occurring at the time. Grand averages, plus analysis of variance, confirmed evidence of weak conditioning for the blink response following both modalities. The EMG associated with the eyeblink for the UR occurred at a similar time to the expected post-CFR pause in the spontaneous cerebellar activity, or electrocerebellogram (ECeG), while hypothesised conditioned pausing in the ECeG was also observed in CS alone trials. A correlation was found between the size of the CFR and the RMS amplitudes of the segments covering the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential oVEMP, (periocular) EMG and the EOG. The slope was greater for the non-oVEMP segments than for the oVEMP segment suggesting the correlation was not simply due to differing sizes of the vestibular volley. We suggest that these recorded events fit with the proposed role of the CFR in Purkinje neurons in classical conditioning, gating the excitability of the cerebellar nuclei, and thereby neurons in the reticular formation mediating the otolith blink reflex. This effect appears to apply to polysynaptic reflexes only as there was no evidence of changes to the oVEMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil P M Todd
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QC, UK; Prince of Wales Clinical School and UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Sendhil Govender
- Prince of Wales Clinical School and UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - James G Colebatch
- Prince of Wales Clinical School and UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Latorre A, Rocchi L, Batla A, Berardelli A, Rothwell JC, Bhatia KP. The Signature of Primary Writing Tremor Is Dystonic. Mov Disord 2021; 36:1715-1720. [PMID: 33786886 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been debated for decades whether primary writing tremor is a form of dystonic tremor, a variant of essential tremor, or a separate entity. We wished to test the hypothesis that primary writing tremor and dystonia share a common pathophysiology. OBJECTIVES The objective of the present study was to investigate the pathophysiological hallmarks of dystonia in patients affected by primary writing tremor. METHODS Ten patients with idiopathic dystonic tremor syndrome, 7 with primary writing tremor, 10 with essential tremor, and 10 healthy subjects were recruited. They underwent eyeblink classic conditioning, blink recovery cycle, and transcranial magnetic stimulation assessment, including motor-evoked potentials and short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition at baseline. Transcranial magnetic stimulation measures were also recorded after paired-associative plasticity protocol. RESULTS Primary writing tremor and dystonic tremor syndrome had a similar pattern of electrophysiological abnormalities, consisting of reduced eyeblink classic conditioning learning, reduced blink recovery cycle inhibition, and a lack of effect of paired-associative plasticity on long-interval intracortical inhibition. The latter 2 differ from those obtained in essential tremor and healthy subjects. Although not significant, slightly reduced short-interval intracortical inhibition and a larger effect of paired-associative plasticity in primary writing tremor and dystonic tremor syndrome, compared with essential tremor and healthy subjects, was observed. CONCLUSIONS Our initial hypothesis of a common pathophysiology between dystonia and primary writing tremor has been confirmed. Primary writing tremor might be considered a form of dystonic tremor. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Latorre
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology University College London, London, UK.,Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome "Sapienza,", Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology University College London, London, UK.,Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Amit Batla
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology University College London, London, UK
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome "Sapienza,", Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology University College London, London, UK
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology University College London, London, UK
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21
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Polarity- and Intensity-Independent Modulation of Timing During Delay Eyeblink Conditioning Using Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. THE CEREBELLUM 2021; 19:383-391. [PMID: 32036562 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-020-01114-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Delay eyeblink conditioning (dEBC) is widely used to assess cerebellar-dependent associative motor learning, including precise timing processes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), noninvasive brain stimulation used to indirectly excite and inhibit select brain regions, may be a promising tool for understanding how functional integrity of the cerebellum influences dEBC behavior. The aim of this study was to assess whether tDCS-induced inhibition (cathodal) and excitation (anodal) of the cerebellum differentially impact timing of dEBC. A standard 10-block dEBC paradigm was administered to 102 healthy participants. Participants were randomized to stimulation conditions in a double-blind, between-subjects sham-controlled design. Participants received 20-min active (anodal or cathodal) stimulation at 1.5 mA (n = 20 anodal, n = 22 cathodal) or 2 mA (n = 19 anodal, n = 21 cathodal) or sham stimulation (n = 20) concurrently with dEBC training. Stimulation intensity and polarity effects on percent conditioned responses (CRs) and CR peak and onset latency were examined using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Acquisition of CRs increased over time at a similar rate across sham and all active stimulation groups. CR peak and onset latencies were later, i.e., closer to air puff onset, in all active stimulation groups compared to the sham group. Thus, tDCS facilitated cerebellar-dependent timing of dEBC, irrespective of stimulation intensity and polarity. These findings highlight the feasibility of using tDCS to modify cerebellar-dependent functions and provide further support for cerebellar contributions to human eyeblink conditioning and for exploring therapeutic tDCS interventions for cerebellar dysfunction.
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22
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Long-term effects of cerebellar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the acquisition and extinction of conditioned eyeblink responses. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22434. [PMID: 33384434 PMCID: PMC7775427 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80023-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been reported to enhance the acquisition of conditioned eyeblink responses (CR), a form of associative motor learning. The aim of the present study was to determine possible long-term effects of cerebellar tDCS on the acquisition and extinction of CRs. Delay eyeblink conditioning was performed in 40 young and healthy human participants. On day 1, 100 paired CS (conditioned stimulus)–US (unconditioned stimulus) trials were applied. During the first 50 paired CS–US trials, 20 participants received anodal cerebellar tDCS, and 20 participants received sham stimulation. On days 2, 8 and 29, 50 paired CS–US trials were applied, followed by 30 CS-only extinction trials on day 29. CR acquisition was not significantly different between anodal and sham groups. During extinction, CR incidences were significantly reduced in the anodal group compared to sham, indicating reduced retention. In the anodal group, learning related increase of CR magnitude tended to be reduced, and timing of CRs tended to be delayed. The present data do not confirm previous findings of enhanced acquisition of CRs induced by anodal cerebellar tDCS. Rather, the present findings suggest a detrimental effect of anodal cerebellar tDCS on CR retention and possibly CR performance.
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23
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Sanger TD, Kawato M. A Cerebellar Computational Mechanism for Delay Conditioning at Precise Time Intervals. Neural Comput 2020; 32:2069-2084. [DOI: 10.1162/neco_a_01318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The cerebellum is known to have an important role in sensing and execution of precise time intervals, but the mechanism by which arbitrary time intervals can be recognized and replicated with high precision is unknown. We propose a computational model in which precise time intervals can be identified from the pattern of individual spike activity in a population of parallel fibers in the cerebellar cortex. The model depends on the presence of repeatable sequences of spikes in response to conditioned stimulus input. We emulate granule cells using a population of Izhikevich neuron approximations driven by random but repeatable mossy fiber input. We emulate long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) synaptic plasticity at the parallel fiber to Purkinje cell synapse. We simulate a delay conditioning paradigm with a conditioned stimulus (CS) presented to the mossy fibers and an unconditioned stimulus (US) some time later issued to the Purkinje cells as a teaching signal. We show that Purkinje cells rapidly adapt to decrease firing probability following onset of the CS only at the interval for which the US had occurred. We suggest that detection of replicable spike patterns provides an accurate and easily learned timing structure that could be an important mechanism for behaviors that require identification and production of precise time intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terence D. Sanger
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Neurology, and Biokinesiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, U.S.A
| | - Mitsuo Kawato
- Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory Group, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institutes International, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan, and Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0027, Japan
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24
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Olfaction as a Marker for Dystonia: Background, Current State and Directions. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10100727. [PMID: 33066144 PMCID: PMC7601998 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10100727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dystonia is a heterogeneous group of hyperkinetic movement disorders. The unifying descriptor of dystonia is the motor manifestation, characterized by continuous or intermittent contractions of muscles that cause abnormal movements and postures. Additionally, there are psychiatric, cognitive, and sensory alterations that are possible or putative non-motor manifestations of dystonia. The pathophysiology of dystonia is incompletely understood. A better understanding of dystonia pathophysiology is highly relevant in the amelioration of significant disability associated with motor and non-motor manifestations of dystonia. Recently, diminished olfaction was found to be a potential non-motor manifestation that may worsen the situation of subjects with dystonia. Yet, this finding may also shed light into dystonia pathophysiology and yield novel treatment options. This article aims to provide background information on dystonia and the current understanding of its pathophysiology, including the key structures involved, namely, the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and sensorimotor cortex. Additionally, involvement of these structures in the chemical senses are reviewed to provide an overview on how olfactory (and gustatory) deficits may occur in dystonia. Finally, we describe the present findings on altered chemical senses in dystonia and discuss directions of research on olfactory dysfunction as a marker in dystonia.
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25
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Konrad C, Adolph D, Herbert JS, Neuhoff L, Mohr C, Jagusch-Poirier J, Seehagen S, Weigelt S, Schneider S. A New 3-Day Standardized Eyeblink Conditioning Protocol to Assess Extinction Learning From Infancy to Adulthood. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:135. [PMID: 32922270 PMCID: PMC7457038 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Associative learning can be observed from the neonatal period onward, providing opportunities to examine changes in basic learning and memory abilities. One method that is suitable to study associative learning is classical eyeblink conditioning (EBC) which is dependent on the cerebellum. Extinction learning can be systematically investigated in this paradigm by varying the context during learning and extinction. Because of methodological difficulties and ethical challenges, no studies have compared extinction learning using EBC across human development. Our goal was to test feasibility of a 3-day delay EBC paradigm that can be used from infancy to adulthood. Acceptance/safety was tested especially for infancy by investigating attrition rates and parental report on infant wellbeing. On a paradigm side, we tested if the paradigm leads to successful acquisition and extinction. An air puff served as unconditional stimulus (US) and a tone as conditional stimulus (CS). On day 1 during acquisition, participants received 36 US–CS pairings in context A. On day 2, participants received 12 acquisition trials in context A to consolidate association learning, followed by 48 extinction trials (tone alone presentations) in context B. Renewal was assessed on day 3 and incorporated 12 CS alone trials presented in both the acquisition context and the extinction context. Eyeblink responses were videotaped and coded offline. The protocol was tested with 12–36-months-old infants (N = 72), adolescents (N = 8), and adults (N = 8). Concerning the acceptance/safety side, attrition ranged from 21 to 58% in infant samples due to the complex preparation of the children for the paradigm. However, attrition is equal to or lower than other infant learning paradigms. Parents of infant samples were very interested in the paradigm and reported low levels of infant stress, exhaustion, and negative feelings during the sessions. Data quality was very high, and no participant had to be excluded because of insufficient data. Concerning the paradigm side, participants showed successful acquisition and extinction as a group. The procedure is ethically sound, feasible, tolerated by many infants, and acceptable among parents. The data show successful acquisition and extinction rates, making the paradigm a valuable tool for investigating developmental changes in extinction learning over the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Konrad
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Adolph
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jane S Herbert
- Wollongong Infant Learning Lab, School of Psychology and Early Start, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lina Neuhoff
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Cornelia Mohr
- Abteilung für Kinderschutz, Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Datteln, Germany
| | - Julie Jagusch-Poirier
- Vision, Visual Impairments & Blindness, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Technical University, Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sabine Seehagen
- Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sarah Weigelt
- Vision, Visual Impairments & Blindness, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Technical University, Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Silvia Schneider
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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26
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Lindquist DH. Emotion in motion: A three-stage model of aversive classical conditioning. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 115:363-377. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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27
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Merz CJ, Lonsdorf TB. Methodische Anmerkungen und Anwendungsbereiche der Furchtkonditionierung in verschiedenen psychologischen Disziplinen. PSYCHOLOGISCHE RUNDSCHAU 2020. [DOI: 10.1026/0033-3042/a000427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Die Furchtkonditionierung stellt ein bedeutsames Paradigma zur Untersuchung von emotionalen Lern- und Gedächtnisprozessen dar. Nach einer ungefähr hundertjährigen Geschichte wird deutlich, dass die Furchtkonditionierung nicht nur einen wichtigen Beitrag zur speziesübergreifenden Grundlagenforschung liefert, sondern auch unterschiedliche Anwendungsfelder zu neuen Erkenntnissen inspirieren kann. In diesem Übersichtartikel soll das grundlegende Paradigma mit verschiedenen methodischen Überlegungen zur experimentellen Durchführung vorgestellt werden. Im Anschluss werden ausgewählte Anwendungsbereiche der Furchtkonditionierung innerhalb der psychologischen Disziplinen dargestellt: die Allgemeine Psychologie wird bezüglich allgemeingültiger Gesetzmäßigkeiten von Lern- und Gedächtnisprozessen angesprochen, die Differentielle Psychologie wegen bedeutsamer interindividueller Unterschiede, die Biologische Psychologie und Neuropsychologie in Bezug auf physiologische und anatomische Grundlagen der Furchtkonditionierung, die Sozialpsychologie im Zuge der Einstellungsforschung, die Entwicklungspsychologie aufgrund altersspezifischer Aspekte sowie die Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie im Hinblick auf die Pathogenese von Angsterkrankungen und der Expositionstherapie. Insgesamt betrachtet hat die Furchtkonditionierung das Potenzial nicht nur unterschiedliche Disziplinen der Psychologie in synergistischer Weise zusammenzubringen, sondern auch die verschiedenen inhaltlichen Schwerpunkte zu unterstreichen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tina B. Lonsdorf
- Institut für systemische Neurowissenschaften, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
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28
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Abstract
Eyeblink conditioning, finger tapping, and prism adaptation are three tasks that have been linked to the cerebellum. Previous research suggests that these tasks recruit distinct but partially overlapping parts of the cerebellum, as well as different extra-cerebellar networks. However, the relationships between the performances on these tasks remain unclear. Here we tested eyeblink conditioning, finger tapping, and prism adaptation in 42 children and 44 adults and estimated the degree of correlation between the performance measures. The results show that performance on all three tasks improves with age in typically developing school-aged children. However, the correlations between the performance measures of the different tasks were consistently weak and without any consistent directions. This reinforces the view that eyeblink conditioning, finger tapping, and prism adaptation rely on distinct mechanisms. Consequently, performance on these tasks cannot be used separately to assess a common cerebellar function or to make general conclusions about cerebellar dysfunction. However, together, these three behavioral tasks have the potential to contribute to a nuanced picture of human cerebellar functions during development.
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29
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Nguyen P, Kelly D, Glickman A, Argaw S, Shelton E, Peterson DA, Berman BD. Abnormal Neural Responses During Reflexive Blinking in Blepharospasm: An Event-Related Functional MRI Study. Mov Disord 2020; 35:1173-1180. [PMID: 32250472 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neurophysiological disruptions underlying blepharospasm, a disabling movement disorder characterized by increased blinking and involuntary muscle spasms of the eyelid, remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate the neural substrates underlying reflexive blinking in blepharospasm patients compared to healthy controls using simultaneous functional MRI and surface electromyography. METHODS Fifteen blepharospasm patients and 15 healthy controls were recruited. Randomly timed air puffs to the left eye were used to induce reflexive eye blinks during two 8-minute functional MRI scans. Continuous surface electromyography and video recordings were used to monitor blink responses. Imaging data were analyzed using an event-related design. RESULTS Fourteen blepharospasm patients (10 female; 61.6 ± 8.0 years) and 15 controls (11 female; 60.9 ± 5.5 years) were included in the final analysis. Reflexive eye blinks in controls were associated with activation of the right hippocampus and in patients with activation of the left caudate nucleus. Reflexive blinks in blepharospasm patients showed increased activation in the right postcentral gyrus and precuneus, left precentral gyrus, and left occipital cortex compared to controls. Dystonia severity negatively correlated with activity in the left occipital cortex, and disease duration negatively correlated with reflexive-blink activity in the cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS Reflexive blinking in blepharospasm is associated with increased activation in the caudate nucleus and sensorimotor cortices, suggesting a loss of inhibition within the sensorimotor corticobasal ganglia network. The association between decreasing neural response during reflexive blinking in the cerebellum with disease duration suggests an adaptive role. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Nguyen
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Diane Kelly
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Amanda Glickman
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Salem Argaw
- School of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Erika Shelton
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David A Peterson
- Institute of Neural Computation, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute of Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Brian D Berman
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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30
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Rasmussen A. Graded error signals in eyeblink conditioning. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 170:107023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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31
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Does the network model fits neurophysiological abnormalities in blepharospasm? Neurol Sci 2020; 41:2067-2079. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04347-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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32
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Samuelsson JG, Sundaram P, Khan S, Sereno MI, Hämäläinen MS. Detectability of cerebellar activity with magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:2357-2372. [PMID: 32115870 PMCID: PMC7244390 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrophysiological signals from the cerebellum have traditionally been viewed as inaccessible to magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG). Here, we challenge this position by investigating the ability of MEG and EEG to detect cerebellar activity using a model that employs a high‐resolution tessellation of the cerebellar cortex. The tessellation was constructed from repetitive high‐field (9.4T) structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of an ex vivo human cerebellum. A boundary‐element forward model was then used to simulate the M/EEG signals resulting from neural activity in the cerebellar cortex. Despite significant signal cancelation due to the highly convoluted cerebellar cortex, we found that the cerebellar signal was on average only 30–60% weaker than the cortical signal. We also made detailed M/EEG sensitivity maps and found that MEG and EEG have highly complementary sensitivity distributions over the cerebellar cortex. Based on previous fMRI studies combined with our M/EEG sensitivity maps, we discuss experimental paradigms that are likely to offer high M/EEG sensitivity to cerebellar activity. Taken together, these results show that cerebellar activity should be clearly detectable by current M/EEG systems with an appropriate experimental setup.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Samuelsson
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Padmavathi Sundaram
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sheraz Khan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Martin I Sereno
- Department of Psychology and Neuroimaging Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matti S Hämäläinen
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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33
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Sathyanesan A, Gallo V. Cerebellar contribution to locomotor behavior: A neurodevelopmental perspective. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 165:106861. [PMID: 29723669 PMCID: PMC7303045 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The developmental trajectory of the formation of cerebellar circuitry has significant implications for locomotor plasticity and adaptive learning at later stages. While there is a wealth of knowledge on the development of locomotor behavior in human infants, children, and adolescents, pre-clinical animal models have fallen behind on the study of the emergence of behavioral motifs in locomotor function across postnatal development. Since cerebellar development is protracted, it is subject to higher risk of genetic or environmental disruption, potentially leading to abnormal behavioral development. This highlights the need for more sophisticated and specific functional analyses of adaptive cerebellar behavior within the context of whole-body locomotion across the entire span of postnatal development. Here we review evidence on cerebellar contribution to adaptive locomotor behavior, highlighting methodologies employed to quantify and categorize behavior at different developmental stages, with the ultimate goal of following the course of early behavioral alterations in neurodevelopmental disorders. Since experimental paradigms used to study cerebellar behavior are lacking in both specificity and applicability to locomotor contexts, we highlight the use of the Erasmus Ladder - an advanced, computerized, fully automated system to quantify adaptive cerebellar learning in conjunction with locomotor function. Finally, we emphasize the need to develop objective, quantitative, behavioral tasks which can track changes in developmental trajectories rather than endpoint measurement at the adult stage of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Sathyanesan
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Vittorio Gallo
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA; George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, USA
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34
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Menozzi E, Balint B, Latorre A, Valente EM, Rothwell JC, Bhatia KP. Twenty years on: Myoclonus-dystonia and ε-sarcoglycan - neurodevelopment, channel, and signaling dysfunction. Mov Disord 2019; 34:1588-1601. [PMID: 31449710 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoclonus-dystonia is a clinical syndrome characterized by a typical childhood onset of myoclonic jerks and dystonia involving the neck, trunk, and upper limbs. Psychiatric symptomatology, namely, alcohol dependence and phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorder, is also part of the clinical picture. Zonisamide has demonstrated effectiveness at reducing both myoclonus and dystonia, and deep brain stimulation seems to be an effective and long-lasting therapeutic option for medication-refractory cases. In a subset of patients, myoclonus-dystonia is associated with pathogenic variants in the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene, located on chromosome 7q21, and up to now, more than 100 different pathogenic variants of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene have been described. In a few families with a clinical phenotype resembling myoclonus-dystonia associated with distinct clinical features, variants have been identified in genes involved in novel pathways such as calcium channel regulation and neurodevelopment. Because of phenotypic similarities with epsilon-sarcoglycan gene-related myoclonus-dystonia, these conditions can be collectively classified as "myoclonus-dystonia syndromes." In the present article, we present myoclonus-dystonia caused by epsilon-sarcoglycan gene mutations, with a focus on genetics and underlying disease mechanisms. Second, we review those conditions falling within the spectrum of myoclonus-dystonia syndromes, highlighting their genetic background and involved pathways. Finally, we critically discuss the normal and pathological function of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene and its product, suggesting a role in the stabilization of the dopaminergic membrane via regulation of calcium homeostasis and in the neurodevelopmental process involving the cerebello-thalamo-pallido-cortical network. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Menozzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Bettina Balint
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Latorre
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enza Maria Valente
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Neurogenetics Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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35
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Extinction and Renewal of Conditioned Eyeblink Responses in Focal Cerebellar Disease. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 18:166-177. [PMID: 30155831 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0973-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Extinction of conditioned aversive responses (CR) has been shown to be context-dependent. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are of particular importance. The cerebellum may contribute to context-related processes because of its known connections with the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Context dependency of extinction can be demonstrated by the renewal effect. When CR acquisition takes place in context A and is extinguished in context B, renewal refers to the recovery of the CR in context A (A-B-A paradigm). In the present study acquisition, extinction and renewal of classically conditioned eyeblink responses were tested in 18 patients with subacute focal cerebellar lesions and 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Standard delay eyeblink conditioning was performed using an A-B-A paradigm. All cerebellar patients underwent a high-resolution T1-weighted brain MRI scan to perform lesion-symptom mapping. CR acquisition was not significantly different between cerebellar and control participants allowing to draw conclusions on extinction. CR extinction was significantly less in cerebellar patients. Reduction of CR extinction tended to be more likely in patients with lesions in the lateral parts of lobule VI and Crus I. A significant renewal effect was present in controls only. The present data provide further evidence that the cerebellum contributes to extinction of conditioned eyeblink responses. Because acquisition was preserved and extinction took place in another context than acquisition, more lateral parts of the cerebellar hemisphere may contribute to context-related processes. Furthermore, lack of renewal in cerebellar patients suggest a contribution of the cerebellum to context-related processes.
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Lin CH, Tierney TM, Holmes N, Boto E, Leggett J, Bestmann S, Bowtell R, Brookes MJ, Barnes GR, Miall RC. Using optically pumped magnetometers to measure magnetoencephalographic signals in the human cerebellum. J Physiol 2019; 597:4309-4324. [PMID: 31240719 PMCID: PMC6767854 DOI: 10.1113/jp277899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Key points The application of conventional cryogenic magnetoencephalography (MEG) to the study of cerebellar functions is highly limited because typical cryogenic sensor arrays are far away from the cerebellum and naturalistic movement is not allowed in the recording. A new generation of MEG using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) that can be worn on the head during movement has opened up an opportunity to image the cerebellar electrophysiological activity non‐invasively. We use OPMs to record human cerebellar MEG signals elicited by air‐puff stimulation to the eye. We demonstrate robust responses in the cerebellum. OPMs pave the way for studying the neurophysiology of the human cerebellum.
Abstract We test the feasibility of an optically pumped magnetometer‐based magnetoencephalographic (OP‐MEG) system for the measurement of human cerebellar activity. This is to our knowledge the first study investigating the human cerebellar electrophysiology using optically pumped magnetometers. As a proof of principle, we use an air‐puff stimulus to the eyeball in order to elicit cerebellar activity that is well characterized in non‐human models. In three subjects, we observe an evoked component at approx. 50 ms post‐stimulus, followed by a second component at approx. 85–115 ms post‐stimulus. Source inversion localizes both components in the cerebellum, while control experiments exclude potential sources elsewhere. We also assess the induced oscillations, with time‐frequency decompositions, and identify additional sources in the occipital lobe, a region expected to be active in our paradigm, and in the neck muscles. Neither of these contributes to the stimulus‐evoked responses at 50–115 ms. We conclude that OP‐MEG technology offers a promising way to advance the understanding of the information processing mechanisms in the human cerebellum. The application of conventional cryogenic magnetoencephalography (MEG) to the study of cerebellar functions is highly limited because typical cryogenic sensor arrays are far away from the cerebellum and naturalistic movement is not allowed in the recording. A new generation of MEG using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) that can be worn on the head during movement has opened up an opportunity to image the cerebellar electrophysiological activity non‐invasively. We use OPMs to record human cerebellar MEG signals elicited by air‐puff stimulation to the eye. We demonstrate robust responses in the cerebellum. OPMs pave the way for studying the neurophysiology of the human cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Hsuan Lin
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tim M Tierney
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Niall Holmes
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Elena Boto
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - James Leggett
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sven Bestmann
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Bowtell
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Matthew J Brookes
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Gareth R Barnes
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - R Chris Miall
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Maas RPPWM, Toni I, Doorduin J, Klockgether T, Schutter DJLG, van de Warrenburg BPC. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3-tDCS): rationale and protocol of a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study. BMC Neurol 2019; 19:149. [PMID: 31272408 PMCID: PMC6610834 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-019-1379-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common subtype among the autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias, a group of neurodegenerative disorders for which currently no disease-specific therapy is available. Evidence-based options for symptomatic treatment of ataxia are also limited. Recent investigations in a heterogeneous group of hereditary and acquired ataxias showed promising, prolonged effects of a two-week course with daily sessions of cerebellar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on ataxia severity, gait speed, and upper limb dexterity. The aim of the SCA3-tDCS study is to further examine whether tDCS improves ataxia severity and various (cerebellar) non-motor symptoms in a homogeneous cohort of SCA3 patients and to explore the time course of these effects. METHODS/DESIGN An investigator-initiated, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, single-center trial will be conducted. Twenty mildly to moderately affected SCA3 patients (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia score between 3 and 20) will be included and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either cerebellar anodal tDCS or sham cerebellar tDCS. Patients, investigators, and outcome assessors are unaware of treatment allocation. Cerebellar tDCS (20 min, 2 mA, ramp-up and down periods of 30 s each) will be delivered over ten sessions, distributed in two groups of five consecutive days with a two-day break in between. Outcomes are assessed after a single session of tDCS, after the tenth stimulation (T1), and after three, six, and twelve months. The primary outcome measure is the absolute change of the SARA score between baseline and T1. In addition, effects on a variety of other motor and neuropsychological functions in which the cerebellum is known to be involved will be evaluated using quantitative motor tests, static posturography, neurophysiological measurements, cognitive assessment, and questionnaires. DISCUSSION The results of this study will inform us whether repeated sessions of cerebellar anodal tDCS benefit SCA3 patients and whether this form of non-invasive stimulation might be a novel therapeutic approach to consider in a neurorehabilitation setting. Combined with two earlier controlled trials, a positive effect of the SCA3-tDCS study will encourage implementation of this intervention and stimulate further research in other SCAs and heredodegenerative ataxias. TRIAL REGISTRATION NL7321 , registered October 8, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roderick P. P. W. M. Maas
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ivan Toni
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jonne Doorduin
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Klockgether
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Dennis J. L. G. Schutter
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bart P. C. van de Warrenburg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Allen M, Handy J, Miller D, Servatius R. Avoidance learning and classical eyeblink conditioning as model systems to explore a learning diathesis model of PTSD. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 100:370-386. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Bareš M, Apps R, Avanzino L, Breska A, D'Angelo E, Filip P, Gerwig M, Ivry RB, Lawrenson CL, Louis ED, Lusk NA, Manto M, Meck WH, Mitoma H, Petter EA. Consensus paper: Decoding the Contributions of the Cerebellum as a Time Machine. From Neurons to Clinical Applications. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019; 18:266-286. [PMID: 30259343 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0979-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Time perception is an essential element of conscious and subconscious experience, coordinating our perception and interaction with the surrounding environment. In recent years, major technological advances in the field of neuroscience have helped foster new insights into the processing of temporal information, including extending our knowledge of the role of the cerebellum as one of the key nodes in the brain for this function. This consensus paper provides a state-of-the-art picture from the experts in the field of the cerebellar research on a variety of crucial issues related to temporal processing, drawing on recent anatomical, neurophysiological, behavioral, and clinical research.The cerebellar granular layer appears especially well-suited for timing operations required to confer millisecond precision for cerebellar computations. This may be most evident in the manner the cerebellum controls the duration of the timing of agonist-antagonist EMG bursts associated with fast goal-directed voluntary movements. In concert with adaptive processes, interactions within the cerebellar cortex are sufficient to support sub-second timing. However, supra-second timing seems to require cortical and basal ganglia networks, perhaps operating in concert with cerebellum. Additionally, sensory information such as an unexpected stimulus can be forwarded to the cerebellum via the climbing fiber system, providing a temporally constrained mechanism to adjust ongoing behavior and modify future processing. Patients with cerebellar disorders exhibit impairments on a range of tasks that require precise timing, and recent evidence suggest that timing problems observed in other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia may reflect disrupted interactions between the basal ganglia and cerebellum.The complex concepts emerging from this consensus paper should provide a foundation for further discussion, helping identify basic research questions required to understand how the brain represents and utilizes time, as well as delineating ways in which this knowledge can help improve the lives of those with neurological conditions that disrupt this most elemental sense. The panel of experts agrees that timing control in the brain is a complex concept in whom cerebellar circuitry is deeply involved. The concept of a timing machine has now expanded to clinical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bareš
- First Department of Neurology, St. Anne's University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
| | - Richard Apps
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Laura Avanzino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Centre for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Assaf Breska
- Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Egidio D'Angelo
- Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Brain Connectivity Center, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Nazionale Casimiro Mondino (IRCCS), Pavia, Italy
| | - Pavel Filip
- First Department of Neurology, St. Anne's University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marcus Gerwig
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Richard B Ivry
- Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Charlotte L Lawrenson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nicholas A Lusk
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mario Manto
- Department of Neurology, CHU-Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium -Service des Neurosciences, UMons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Warren H Meck
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hiroshi Mitoma
- Medical Education Promotion Center, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Elijah A Petter
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Long Trace Eyeblink Conditioning Is Largely Preserved in Essential Tremor. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 18:67-75. [PMID: 29916048 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0956-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Latorre A, Rocchi L, Stamelou M, Batla A, Ciocca M, Balint B, Sidle K, Berardelli A, Rothwell JC, Bhatia KP. Tremor in motor neuron disease may be central rather than peripheral in origin. Eur J Neurol 2018; 26:394-e31. [PMID: 29953699 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Motor neuron disease (MND) refers to a spectrum of degenerative diseases affecting motor neurons. Recent clinical and post-mortem observations have revealed considerable variability in the phenotype. Rhythmic involuntary oscillations of the hands during action, resembling tremor, can occur in MND, but their pathophysiology has not yet been investigated. METHODS A total of 120 consecutive patients with MND were screened for tremor. Twelve patients with action tremor and no other movement disorders were found. Ten took part in the study. Tremor was recorded bilaterally using surface electromyography (EMG) and triaxial accelerometer, with and without a variable weight load. Power spectra of rectified EMG and accelerometric signal were calculated. To investigate a possible cerebellar involvement, eyeblink classic conditioning was performed in five patients. RESULTS Action tremor was present in about 10% of our population. All patients showed distal postural tremor of low amplitude and constant frequency, bilateral with a small degree of asymmetry. Two also showed simple kinetic tremor. A peak at the EMG and accelerometric recordings ranging from 4 to 12 Hz was found in all patients. Loading did not change peak frequency in either the electromyographic or accelerometric power spectra. Compared with healthy volunteers, patients had a smaller number of conditioned responses during eyeblink classic conditioning. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that patients with MND can present with action tremor of a central origin, possibly due to a cerebellar dysfunction. This evidence supports the novel idea of MND as a multisystem neurodegenerative disease and that action tremor can be part of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Latorre
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - L Rocchi
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - M Stamelou
- Department of Neurology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.,Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Department, HYGEIA Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - A Batla
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - M Ciocca
- Department of Neurology, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - B Balint
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - K Sidle
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - A Berardelli
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - J C Rothwell
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - K P Bhatia
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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Hoche F, Guell X, Vangel MG, Sherman JC, Schmahmann JD. The cerebellar cognitive affective/Schmahmann syndrome scale. Brain 2018; 141:248-270. [PMID: 29206893 PMCID: PMC5837248 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS; Schmahmann's syndrome) is characterized by deficits in executive function, linguistic processing, spatial cognition, and affect regulation. Diagnosis currently relies on detailed neuropsychological testing. The aim of this study was to develop an office or bedside cognitive screen to help identify CCAS in cerebellar patients. Secondary objectives were to evaluate whether available brief tests of mental function detect cognitive impairment in cerebellar patients, whether cognitive performance is different in patients with isolated cerebellar lesions versus complex cerebrocerebellar pathology, and whether there are cognitive deficits that should raise red flags about extra-cerebellar pathology. Comprehensive standard neuropsychological tests, experimental measures and clinical rating scales were administered to 77 patients with cerebellar disease-36 isolated cerebellar degeneration or injury, and 41 complex cerebrocerebellar pathology-and to healthy matched controls. Tests that differentiated patients from controls were used to develop a screening instrument that includes the cardinal elements of CCAS. We validated this new scale in a new cohort of 39 cerebellar patients and 55 healthy controls. We confirm the defining features of CCAS using neuropsychological measures. Deficits in executive function were most pronounced for working memory, mental flexibility, and abstract reasoning. Language deficits included verb for noun generation and phonemic > semantic fluency. Visual spatial function was degraded in performance and interpretation of visual stimuli. Neuropsychiatric features included impairments in attentional control, emotional control, psychosis spectrum disorders and social skill set. From these results, we derived a 10-item scale providing total raw score, cut-offs for each test, and pass/fail criteria that determined 'possible' (one test failed), 'probable' (two tests failed), and 'definite' CCAS (three tests failed). When applied to the exploratory cohort, and administered to the validation cohort, the CCAS/Schmahmann scale identified sensitivity and selectivity, respectively as possible exploratory cohort: 85%/74%, validation cohort: 95%/78%; probable exploratory cohort: 58%/94%, validation cohort: 82%/93%; and definite exploratory cohort: 48%/100%, validation cohort: 46%/100%. In patients in the exploratory cohort, Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores were within normal range. Complex cerebrocerebellar disease patients were impaired on similarities in comparison to isolated cerebellar disease. Inability to recall words from multiple choice occurred only in patients with extra-cerebellar disease. The CCAS/Schmahmann syndrome scale is useful for expedited clinical assessment of CCAS in patients with cerebellar disorders.awx317media15678692096001.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hoche
- Ataxia Unit, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xavier Guell
- Ataxia Unit, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit (URNC), Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mark G Vangel
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janet C Sherman
- Psychology Assessment Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeremy D Schmahmann
- Ataxia Unit, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Schuetze M, Rohr CS, Dewey D, McCrimmon A, Bray S. Reinforcement Learning in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychol 2017; 8:2035. [PMID: 29209259 PMCID: PMC5702301 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Early behavioral interventions are recognized as integral to standard care in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and often focus on reinforcing desired behaviors (e.g., eye contact) and reducing the presence of atypical behaviors (e.g., echoing others' phrases). However, efficacy of these programs is mixed. Reinforcement learning relies on neurocircuitry that has been reported to be atypical in ASD: prefrontal-sub-cortical circuits, amygdala, brainstem, and cerebellum. Thus, early behavioral interventions rely on neurocircuitry that may function atypically in at least a subset of individuals with ASD. Recent work has investigated physiological, behavioral, and neural responses to reinforcers to uncover differences in motivation and learning in ASD. We will synthesize this work to identify promising avenues for future research that ultimately can be used to enhance the efficacy of early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Schuetze
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christiane S. Rohr
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Adam McCrimmon
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Educational Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Signe Bray
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Weissbach A, Werner E, Bally JF, Tunc S, Löns S, Timmann D, Zeuner KE, Tadic V, Brüggemann N, Lang A, Klein C, Münchau A, Bäumer T. Alcohol improves cerebellar learning deficit in myoclonus-dystonia: A clinical and electrophysiological investigation. Ann Neurol 2017; 82:543-553. [PMID: 28869676 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize neurophysiological subcortical abnormalities in myoclonus-dystonia and their modulation by alcohol administration. METHODS Cerebellar associative learning and basal ganglia-brainstem interaction were investigated in 17 myoclonus-dystonia patients with epsilon-sarcoglycan (SGCE) gene mutation and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy controls by means of classical eyeblink conditioning and blink reflex recovery cycle before and after alcohol intake resulting in a breath alcohol concentration of 0.08% (0.8g/l). The alcohol responsiveness of clinical symptoms was evaluated by 3 blinded raters with a standardized video protocol and clinical rating scales including the Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale and the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale. RESULTS Patients showed a significantly reduced number of conditioned eyeblink responses before alcohol administration compared to controls. Whereas the conditioning response rate decreased under alcohol intake in controls, it increased in patients (analysis of variance: alcohol state × group, p = 0.004). Blink reflex recovery cycle before and after alcohol intake did not differ between groups. Myoclonus improved significantly after alcohol intake (p = 0.016). The severity of action myoclonus at baseline correlated negatively with the conditioning response in classical eyeblink conditioning in patients. INTERPRETATION The combination of findings of reduced baseline acquisition of conditioned eyeblink responses and normal blink reflex recovery cycle in patients who improved significantly with alcohol intake suggests a crucial role of cerebellar networks in the generation of symptoms in these patients. Ann Neurol 2017;82:543-553.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Weissbach
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Elisa Werner
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Julien F Bally
- Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Clinic and Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sinem Tunc
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sebastian Löns
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg and Essen, Germany
| | | | - Vera Tadic
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Norbert Brüggemann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anthony Lang
- Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Clinic and Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Bäumer
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Neurophysiological studies on atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2017; 42:12-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Rasmussen A, Jirenhed DA. Learning and Timing of Voluntary Blink Responses Match Eyeblink Conditioning. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3404. [PMID: 28611360 PMCID: PMC5469802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03343-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Can humans produce well-timed blink responses to a neutral stimulus voluntarily, without receiving any blink-eliciting, unconditional, stimulus? And if they can, to what degree does classical eyeblink conditioning depend on volition? Here we show that voluntary blink responses learned in two paradigms that did not involve any unconditional blink-eliciting stimuli, display timing that is as good, or better than, the timing of blink responses learned in a standard eyeblink conditioning paradigm. The exceptional timing accuracy likely stems from the fact that, in contrast to previous studies, we challenged our participants to blink in a timed manner, and not merely to blink so as to avoid the corneal air puff. These results reveal a remarkable level of voluntary control over a simple movement, and they challenge the view that learning during eyeblink conditioning is necessarily automatic and involuntary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Rasmussen
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC F10, 22184, Lund, Sweden. .,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3000, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Dan-Anders Jirenhed
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC F10, 22184, Lund, Sweden
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Establishment and transfer of classical eyeblink conditioning using electrical microstimulation of the hippocampus as the conditioned stimulus. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178502. [PMID: 28575003 PMCID: PMC5456086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178502] [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: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The present experiment was designed to determine whether classical eyeblink conditioning (EBC) can be established by using electrical microstimulation of the hippocampus as a conditioned stimulus (CS) paired with an air-puff unconditioned stimulus (US). We intended to examine whether EBC transfer could occur when a CS was shifted between microstimulation of the hippocampus as a CS (Hip-CS) and tone as a CS (tone-CS) and to compare the difference in transfer effectiveness between delay EBC (dEBC) and trace EBC (tEBC). Eight groups of guinea pigs, including 4 experimental groups and 4 control groups, were included in the study. First, the experimental groups received either a Hip-CS or a tone-CS paired with a US; then, these groups were exposed to a shifted CS (tone-CS or Hip-CS) paired with the US. The control groups received the corresponding Hip-CS or tone-CS, which was, however, pseudo-paired with the US. The control groups were then shifted to the tone-CS (or Hip-CS) paired with the US. The results show that EBC can be successfully established when using microstimulation of the hippocampus as a CS paired with an air-puff US, and that the acquisition rates of EBC are higher in the experimental groups than in the control groups after switching from the Hip-CS to the tone-CS or vice versa, indicating the occurrence of learning transfer between EBC established with the Hip-CS and tone-CS. The present study also demonstrated that the EBC re-acquisition rates were remarkably higher in dEBC than in tEBC with both types of transfer, which suggests that the saving effect was more evident in dEBC than tEBC. These results significantly expand our knowledge of EBC transfer as well as the functional neural circuit underlying EBC transfer.
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Bologna M, Berardelli A. Cerebellum: An explanation for dystonia? CEREBELLUM & ATAXIAS 2017; 4:6. [PMID: 28515949 PMCID: PMC5429509 DOI: 10.1186/s40673-017-0064-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dystonia is a movement disorder that is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, abnormal movements and postures, as well as by non-motor symptoms, and is due to abnormalities in different brain areas. In this article, we focus on the growing number of experimental studies aimed at explaining the pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in dystonia. Lastly, we highlight gaps in current knowledge and issues that future research studies should focus on as well as some of the potential applications of this research avenue. Clarifying the pathophysiological role of cerebellum in dystonia is an important concern given the increasing availability of invasive and non-invasive stimulation techniques and their potential therapeutic role in this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bologna
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry and Neuromed Institute, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università, 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.,Neuromed Institute IRCCS, Pozzilli, IS Italy
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry and Neuromed Institute, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università, 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.,Neuromed Institute IRCCS, Pozzilli, IS Italy
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Beyer L, Batsikadze G, Timmann D, Gerwig M. Cerebellar tDCS Effects on Conditioned Eyeblinks using Different Electrode Placements and Stimulation Protocols. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:23. [PMID: 28203151 PMCID: PMC5285376 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is good evidence that the human cerebellum is involved in the acquisition and timing of classically conditioned eyeblink responses (CRs). Animal studies suggest that the cerebellum is also important in CR extinction and savings. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was reported to modulate CR acquisition and timing in a polarity dependent manner. To extent previous findings three experiments were conducted using standard delay eyeblink conditioning. In a between-group design, effects of tDCS were assessed with stimulation over the right cerebellar hemisphere ipsilaterally to the unconditioned stimulus (US). An extracephalic reference electrode was used in Experiment 1 and a cephalic reference in Experiment 2. In both parts the influence on unconditioned eyeblink responses (UR) was investigated by starting stimulation in the second half of the pseudoconditioning phase lasting throughout the first half of paired trials. In a third experiment, effects of cerebellar tDCS during 40 extinction trials were assessed on extinction and reacquisition on the next day. In each experiment, 30 subjects received anodal, cathodal or sham stimulation in a double-blinded fashion. Using the extracephalic reference electrode, no significant effects on CR incidences comparing stimulation groups were observed. Using the cephalic reference anodal as well as cathodal cerebellar tDCS increased CR acquisition compared to sham only on a trend level. Analysis of timing parameters did not reveal significant effects on CR onset and peaktime latencies nor on UR timing. In the third experiment, cerebellar tDCS during extinction trials had no significant effect on extinction and savings on the next day. The present study did not reveal clear polarity dependent effects of cerebellar tDCS on CR acquisition and timing as previously described. Weaker effects may be explained by start of tDCS before the learning phase i.e., offline, individual thresholds and current flow based on individual anatomy may also play role. Likewise cerebellar tDCS during extinction did not modulate extinction or reacquisition. Further studies are needed in larger subject populations to determine parameters of stimulation and learning paradigms yielding robust cerebellar tDCS effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Beyer
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-EssenEssen, Germany
| | | | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-EssenEssen, Germany
| | - Marcus Gerwig
- Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-EssenEssen, Germany
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Nibbeling EAR, Delnooz CCS, de Koning TJ, Sinke RJ, Jinnah HA, Tijssen MAJ, Verbeek DS. Using the shared genetics of dystonia and ataxia to unravel their pathogenesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 75:22-39. [PMID: 28143763 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this review we explore the similarities between spinocerebellar ataxias and dystonias, and suggest potentially shared molecular pathways using a gene co-expression network approach. The spinocerebellar ataxias are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by coordination problems caused mainly by atrophy of the cerebellum. The dystonias are another group of neurological movement disorders linked to basal ganglia dysfunction, although evidence is now pointing to cerebellar involvement as well. Our gene co-expression network approach identified 99 shared genes and showed the involvement of two major pathways: synaptic transmission and neurodevelopment. These pathways overlapped in the two disorders, with a large role for GABAergic signaling in both. The overlapping pathways may provide novel targets for disease therapies. We need to prioritize variants obtained by whole exome sequencing in the genes associated with these pathways in the search for new pathogenic variants, which can than be used to help in the genetic counseling of patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther A R Nibbeling
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cathérine C S Delnooz
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom J de Koning
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard J Sinke
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hyder A Jinnah
- Departments of Neurology, Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Emory Clinic, Atlanta, USA
| | - Marina A J Tijssen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dineke S Verbeek
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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