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Mora L, Committeri G, L'Abbate T, Cocchini G. Unlocking the potential of 'passive' modulation: How sensory stimulation shapes hand and face size. J Neuropsychol 2024. [PMID: 38877675 DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Knowledge of the body size is intricately tied to multisensory integration processes that rely on the dynamic interplay of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms. Recent years have seen the development of passive sensory stimulation protocols aimed at investigating the modulation of various cognitive functions, primarily inducing perceptual learning and behaviour change without the need for extensive training. Given that reductions in sensory input have been associated with alterations in body size perception, it is reasonable to hypothesize that increasing sensory information through passive sensory stimulation could similarly influence the perception of the size of body parts. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the potential modulatory effects of passive sensory stimulation on the perception of hand and face size in a group of young adults. Passive sensory stimulation effectively modulated the size representation of the stimulated hand, supporting the notion that access to somatosensory and proprioceptive information is prioritised for the hands but may not extend to the face. Increased somatosensory input resulted in a reduction of distortion, providing evidence for bottom-up modulation of size representation. Passive sensory stimulation can induce subjective changes in body size perception without the need for extensive training. This paradigm holds promise as a potential alternative for modulating distorted size representation in individuals with body representational deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mora
- Psychology Department, Goldsmiths University of London, London, UK
| | - Giorgia Committeri
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Teresa L'Abbate
- Department of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianna Cocchini
- Psychology Department, Goldsmiths University of London, London, UK
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2
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Karaduman A, Karoglu-Eravsar ET, Adams MM, Kafaligonul H. Passive exposure to visual motion leads to short-term changes in the optomotor response of aging zebrafish. Behav Brain Res 2024; 460:114812. [PMID: 38104637 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that prior visual experiences play an important role in sensory processing and adapting behavior in a dynamic environment. A repeated and passive presentation of visual stimulus is one of the simplest procedures to manipulate acquired experiences. Using this approach, we aimed to investigate exposure-based visual learning of aging zebrafish and how cholinergic intervention is involved in exposure-induced changes. Our measurements included younger and older wild-type zebrafish and achesb55/+ mutants with decreased acetylcholinesterase activity. We examined both within-session and across-day changes in the zebrafish optomotor responses to repeated and passive exposure to visual motion. Our findings revealed short-term (within-session) changes in the magnitude of optomotor response (i.e., the amount of position shift by fish as a response to visual motion) rather than long-term and persistent effects across days. Moreover, the observed short-term changes were age- and genotype-dependent. Compared to the initial presentations of motion within a session, the magnitude of optomotor response to terminal presentations decreased in the older zebrafish. There was a similar robust decrease specific to achesb55/+ mutants. Taken together, these results point to short-term (within-session) alterations in the motion detection of adult zebrafish and suggest differential effects of neural aging and cholinergic system on the observed changes. These findings further provide important insights into adult zebrafish optomotor response to visual motion and contribute to understanding this reflexive behavior in the short- and long-term stimulation profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysenur Karaduman
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Zebrafish Facility, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Elif Tugce Karoglu-Eravsar
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Zebrafish Facility, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Psychology, Selcuk University, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Michelle M Adams
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Zebrafish Facility, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Psychology, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Hulusi Kafaligonul
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Zebrafish Facility, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye; National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye.
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AlAhmed F, Rau A, Wallraven C. Visuo-haptic processing of unfamiliar shapes: Comparing children and adults. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286905. [PMID: 37889903 PMCID: PMC10610448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The question of how our sensory perception abilities develop has been an active area of research, establishing trajectories of development from infancy that last well into late childhood and even adolescence. In this context, several studies have established changes in sensory processing of vision and touch around the age of 8 to 9 years. In this experiment, we explored the visual and haptic perceptual development of elementary school children of ages 6-11 in similarity-rating tasks of unfamiliar objects and compared their performance to adults. The participants were presented with parametrically-defined objects to be explored haptically and visually in separate groups for both children and adults. Our results showed that the raw similarity ratings of the children had more variability compared to adults. A detailed multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that the reconstructed perceptual space of the adult haptic group was significantly closer to the parameter space compared to the children group, whereas both groups' visual perceptual space was similarly well reconstructed. Beyond this, however, we found no clear evidence for an age effect in either modality within the children group. These results suggest that haptic processing of unfamiliar, abstract shapes may continue to develop beyond the age of 11 years later into adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furat AlAhmed
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Anne Rau
- Department of Psychology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Wallraven
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Sasaki R, Kojima S, Otsuru N, Yokota H, Saito K, Shirozu H, Onishi H. Beta resting-state functional connectivity predicts tactile spatial acuity. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:9514-9523. [PMID: 37344255 PMCID: PMC10431746 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tactile perception is a complex phenomenon that is processed by multiple cortical regions via the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Although somatosensory gating in the S1 using paired-pulse stimulation can predict tactile performance, the functional relevance of cortico-cortical connections to tactile perception remains unclear. We investigated the mechanisms by which corticocortical and local networks predict tactile spatial acuity in 42 adults using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Resting-state MEG was recorded with the eyes open, whereas evoked responses were assessed using single- and paired-pulse electrical stimulation. Source data were used to estimate the S1-seed resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) in the whole brain and the evoked response in the S1. Two-point discrimination threshold was assessed using a custom-made device. The beta rs-FC revealed a negative correlation between the discrimination threshold and S1-superior parietal lobule, S1-inferior parietal lobule, and S1-superior temporal gyrus connection (all P < 0.049); strong connectivity was associated with better performance. Somatosensory gating of N20m was also negatively correlated with the discrimination threshold (P = 0.015), with weak gating associated with better performance. This is the first study to demonstrate that specific beta corticocortical networks functionally support tactile spatial acuity as well as the local inhibitory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoki Sasaki
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Sho Kojima
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Naofumi Otsuru
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Hirotake Yokota
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Kei Saito
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shirozu
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, National Hospital Organization Nishiniigata Chuo Hospital, 1-14-1 Masago, Nishi-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-2085, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
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Fotooh Estahbanati M, Rezaeinasab M, Akbari Chermahini S, Mirzaeekia H, Azin M, Shamsizadeh A. The Effect of Involuntary Tactile Stimulation on the Creativity and Rey Auditory-Verbal Memory of Young Adults. Basic Clin Neurosci 2022; 13:755-764. [PMID: 37323960 PMCID: PMC10262283 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.2022.147.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recent studies have revealed the possibility of learning skills through alternative methods and repetitive tactile stimulation without explicit training. This study aimed to examine the effect of involuntary tactile stimulation on the memory and creativity of healthy participants. Methods A group of 92 right-handed students participated in this study voluntarily. They were assigned to the experimental (n=45) and control (n=47) groups. The participants performed two creativity tests (divergent and convergent thinking) and a verbal memory task as the pretest. Then, the experimental group received 30-min involuntary tactile stimulation on the right index finger, and the control group did not. In the posttest, both groups were asked to perform the creativity and verbal memory tasks again. Results The learning score and speed of the Rey auditory-verbal learning test in the stimulation group significantly increased (P=0.02). Moreover, in the creativity-related tests, there was a significant effect of the intervention on convergent thinking, i.e., the remote association task (P=0.03), but not for the divergent thinking, i.e., the alternative uses test (P>0.05). Conclusion Using involuntary tactile stimulation on the index finger of the right hand of individuals could enhance their performance in verbal memory and creativity-convergent thinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Fotooh Estahbanati
- Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Information Technology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Rezaeinasab
- Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | | | - Hossein Mirzaeekia
- Department of English Language, Estahban School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Azin
- Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Shamsizadeh
- Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
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The effects of mechanical tactile stimulation on corticospinal excitability and motor function depend on pin protrusion patterns. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16677. [PMID: 31723202 PMCID: PMC6853977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53275-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatosensory stimulation modulates corticospinal excitability. Mechanical tactile stimulation (MS) activates cortical activity depending on tactile stimulation patterns. In this study, we examined whether the effects of mechanical tactile stimulation on corticospinal excitability and motor function depend on different pin protrusions patterns. This single-blind study included 18 healthy subjects. Two types of MS interventions were used: repetitive global stimulus (RGS) intervention was used to stimulate the finger by using 24 pins installed on a finger pad, and sequential stepwise displacement stimulus (SSDS) intervention was used to stimulate the finger by moving a row of 6 pins between the left and right sides on the finger pad. MS interventions were applied to the right index finger for 20 min (stim on/stim off, 1 s/5 s) at a frequency of 20 Hz. After RGS intervention, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) by transcranial magnetic stimulation were observed to be significantly smaller than pre-intervention MEPs; however, motor function using the grooved pegboard task remained unchanged. After SSDS intervention, MEPs were significantly larger and motor function significantly improved compared with pre-intervention values. Our results demonstrated that MS intervention can modulate corticospinal excitability and motor function and that the effects of MS intervention depend on MS intervention patterns.
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Taghizadeh G, Azad A, Kashefi S, Fallah S, Daneshjoo F. The effect of sensory-motor training on hand and upper extremity sensory and motor function in patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease. J Hand Ther 2019; 31:486-493. [PMID: 29150384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Blinded randomized controlled trial. INTRODUCTION Patients with Parkinson disease (PD) have sensory problems, but there is still no accurate understanding of the effects of sensory-motor interventions on PD. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To investigate the effects of sensory-motor training (SMT) on hand and upper extremity sensory and motor function in patients with PD. METHODS Forty patients with PD were allocated to the SMT group or the control group (CG) (mean ages ± standard deviation: SMT, 61.05 ± 13.9 years; CG, 59.15 ± 11.26 years). The CG received the common rehabilitation therapies, whereas the SMT group received SMT. The SMT included discrimination of temperatures, weights, textures, shapes, and objects and was performed 5 times each week for 2 weeks. RESULTS Significantly reducing the error rates in the haptic object recognition test (dominant hand [DH]: F = 15.36, P = .001, and effect size [ES] = 0.29; nondominant hand [NDH]: F = 9.33, P = .004, and ES = 0.21) and the error means in the wrist proprioception sensation test (DH: F = 9.11, P = .005, and ES = 0.19; NDH: F = 13.04, P = .001, and ES = 0.26) and increasing matched objects in the hand active sensation test (DH: F = 12.15, P = .001, and ES = 0.24; NDH: F = 5.03, P = .03, and ES = 0.12) founded in the SMT. Also, the DH (F = 6.65, P = .01, and ES = 0.15), both hands (F = 7.61, P = .009, and ES = 0.17), and assembly (F = 7.02, P = .01, and ES = 0.15) subtests of fine motor performance, as well as DH (F = 10.1, P = .003, and ES = 0.21) and NDH (F = 8.37, P = .006, and ES = 0.18) in upper extremity functional performance, were improved in the SMT. DISCUSSION SMT improved hand and upper extremity sensory-motor function in patients with PD. CONCLUSION The SMT group showed improved sensory and motor function. But these results were limited to levels 1 to 3 of the Hoehn and Yahr Scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghorban Taghizadeh
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Azad
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepiede Kashefi
- Occupational Therapy, Zabol University of Medical Science, Zabol, Iran
| | - Soheila Fallah
- Department of Advance Technology of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Daneshjoo
- Occupational Therapy Department, Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Science, Semnan, Iran.
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Friedrich J, Beste C. Passive perceptual learning modulates motor inhibitory control in superior frontal regions. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 41:726-738. [PMID: 31652018 PMCID: PMC7267975 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Response inhibition is of vital importance in the context of controlling inappropriate responses. The role of perceptual processes during inhibitory control has attracted increased interest. Yet, we are far from an understanding of the mechanisms. One candidate mechanism by which perceptual processes may affect response inhibition refers to “gain control” that is closely linked to the signal‐to‐noise ratio of incoming information. A means to modulate the signal‐to‐noise ratio and gain control mechanisms is perceptual learning. In the current study, we examine the impact of perceptual learning (i.e., passive repetitive sensory stimulation) on response inhibition combining EEG signal decomposition with source localization analyses. A tactile GO/NOGO paradigm was conducted to measure action restraint as one subcomponent of response inhibition. We show that passive perceptual learning modulates response inhibition processes. In particular, perceptual learning attenuates the detrimental effect of response automation during inhibitory control. Temporally decomposed EEG data show that stimulus‐related and not response selection processes during conflict monitoring are linked to these effects. The superior and middle frontal gyrus (BA6), as well as the motor cortex (BA4), are associated with the effects of perceptual learning on response inhibition. Reliable neurophysiological effects were not evident on the basis of standard ERPs, which has important methodological implications for perceptual learning research. The results detail how lower level sensory plasticity protocols affect higher‐order cognitive control functions in frontal cortical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Friedrich
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Hernández-Godínez B, Poblano A, Bonilla-Jaime H, Artega-Silva M, Sánchez-Torres S, Mondragón-Lozano R, Ibáñez-Contreras A. Effect of age on electrical nerve conduction in the somatosensory pathway and its correlation with somatometry and plasma concentrations of musculoskeletal enzymes in male rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta) held in captivity. J Med Primatol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Braulio Hernández-Godínez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud; Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana; Unidad Iztapalapa; Ciudad de México México
- Laboratorio de Primatología; APREXBIO S.A.S de C.V.; Ciudad de México México
- Investigación Biomedica Aplicada (INBIOMA) S.A.S. de C.V.; Ciudad de México México
| | - Adrián Poblano
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Cognoscitiva; Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación; Ciudad de México México
| | - Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
- Depto. Biología de la Reproducción; Unidad Iztapalapa; Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana; Ciudad de México México
| | - Marcela Artega-Silva
- Depto. Biología de la Reproducción; Unidad Iztapalapa; Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana; Ciudad de México México
| | - Stephanie Sánchez-Torres
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud; Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana; Unidad Iztapalapa; Ciudad de México México
- Unidad de Investigaciones Médicas en Enfermedades Neurológicas del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI; Ciudad de México México
| | - Rodrigo Mondragón-Lozano
- CONACYT-Unidad de Investigaciones Médicas en Enfermedades Neurológicas del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI; Ciudad de México México
| | - Alejandra Ibáñez-Contreras
- Laboratorio de Primatología; APREXBIO S.A.S de C.V.; Ciudad de México México
- Investigación Biomedica Aplicada (INBIOMA) S.A.S. de C.V.; Ciudad de México México
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Cheng CH, Lin MY, Yang SH. Age Effect on Automatic Inhibitory Function of the Somatosensory and Motor Cortex: An MEG Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:53. [PMID: 29551971 PMCID: PMC5840154 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related deficiency in the top-down modulation of cognitive inhibition has been extensively documented, whereas the effects of age on a bottom-up or automatic operation of inhibitory function were less investigated. It is unknown that whether the older adults (OA)’ reduced behavioral performance and neural responses are due to the insufficient bottom-up processes. Compared to behavioral assessments which have been widely used to examine the top-down control of response inhibition, electrophysiological recordings are more suitable to probe the early-stage processes of automatic inhibitory function. Sensory gating (SG), a phenomenon of attenuated neural response to the second identical stimulus in a paired-pulse paradigm, is an indicator to assess automatic inhibitory function of the sensory cortex. On the other hand, electricity-induced beta rebound oscillation in a single-pulse paradigm reflects cortical inhibition of the motor cortex. From the neurophysiological perspective, SG and beta rebound oscillation are replicable indicators to examine the automatic inhibitory function of human sensorimotor cortices. Thus, the present study aimed to use a whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate the age-related alterations of SG function in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and of beta rebound oscillation in the primary motor cortex (MI) in 17 healthy younger and 15 older adults. The Stimulus 2/Stimulus 1 (S2/S1) amplitude ratio in response to the paired-pulse electrical stimulation to the left median nerve was used to evaluate the automatic inhibitory function of SI, and the beta rebound response in the single-pulse paradigm was used to evaluate the automatic inhibitory function of MI. Although there were no significant age-related differences found in the SI SG ratios, the MI beta rebound power was reduced and peak latency was prolonged in the OA. Furthermore, significant association between the SI SG ratio and the MI beta rebound power, which was seen in the younger adults (YA), was absent in the OA. In conclusion, our data suggested an age-related defect of association between sensorimotor cortices regarding automatic inhibitory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hsiung Cheng
- Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Neural Dynamics (BIND Lab), Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yin Lin
- Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Neural Dynamics (BIND Lab), Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shiou-Han Yang
- Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Neural Dynamics (BIND Lab), Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Dinse HR, Tegenthoff M. Repetitive Sensory Stimulation—A Canonical Approach to Control the Induction of Human Learning at a Behavioral and Neural Level. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-812028-6.00021-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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12
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Ibáñez-Contreras A, Hernández-Arciga U, Poblano A, Arteaga-Silva M, Hernández-Godínez B, Mendoza-Cuevas GI, Toledo-Pérez R, Alarcón-Aguilar A, González-Puertos VY, Konigsberg M. Electrical activity of sensory pathways in female and male geriatric Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), and its relation to oxidative stress. Exp Gerontol 2017; 101:80-94. [PMID: 29146475 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Synapses loss during aging has been related to decreased neuronal excitability and reduced electrophysiological activity in the nervous system, as well as to increased brain damage. Those physiological and biochemical alterations have been related to the oxidative stress increase associated with old age. The main substrate of lipid peroxidation (LPX) in the central and peripheral nervous systems are the myelin sheaths, and their damage generates a delayed nerve conduction velocity. However, studies in which the neural conduction velocity is related to changes in the redox state are still lacking. Therefore, our aim was to correlate the sensory neural pathways delay in healthy geriatric Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with the oxidative stress associated with physiological aging. Twenty-four monkeys were divided into four groups according to age and gender. Auditory, visual, and somatosensory evoked potentials were obtained. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase enzymatic activity, as well as LPX, were determined from blood samples. Our results showed significant differences between the older and younger age groups in all neural generators of the different sensory pathways evaluated, along with an increase in LPX and the antioxidant enzymatic activities. It suggests that, even though the enzymatic activity was found to be higher in older monkeys, probably as a compensatory effect, it was not enough to avoid LPX damage and the declined electric activity associated with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ibáñez-Contreras
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico; APREXBIO S.A.S. de C.V., Laboratorio de Primatología, Ciudad de México, México D.F., Mexico; Biología Integral para Vertebrados (BIOINVERT®), Unidad de Experimentación Animal, Estado de México, Mexico; Centro de Investigación, Proyecto CAMINA A.C. Unidad de Primates No Humanos, Ciudad de México, México D.F., Mexico; Laboratorio de Bioenergética y envejecimiento celular, Depto. de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico
| | - U Hernández-Arciga
- Laboratorio de Bioenergética y envejecimiento celular, Depto. de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico
| | - A Poblano
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Cognoscitiva, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Ciudad de México, México D.F., Mexico
| | - M Arteaga-Silva
- Depto. Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico
| | - B Hernández-Godínez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico; APREXBIO S.A.S. de C.V., Laboratorio de Primatología, Ciudad de México, México D.F., Mexico; Biología Integral para Vertebrados (BIOINVERT®), Unidad de Experimentación Animal, Estado de México, Mexico; Centro de Investigación, Proyecto CAMINA A.C. Unidad de Primates No Humanos, Ciudad de México, México D.F., Mexico; Centro Nacional de Investigación en Instrumentación e Imagenología Médica (CI3M), Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Iztapalapa (UAM-I), México D.F., Mexico
| | - G I Mendoza-Cuevas
- APREXBIO S.A.S. de C.V., Laboratorio de Primatología, Ciudad de México, México D.F., Mexico; Biología Integral para Vertebrados (BIOINVERT®), Unidad de Experimentación Animal, Estado de México, Mexico; Centro de Investigación, Proyecto CAMINA A.C. Unidad de Primates No Humanos, Ciudad de México, México D.F., Mexico
| | - R Toledo-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Bioenergética y envejecimiento celular, Depto. de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico
| | - A Alarcón-Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Bioenergética y envejecimiento celular, Depto. de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico
| | - V Y González-Puertos
- Laboratorio de Bioenergética y envejecimiento celular, Depto. de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico
| | - M Konigsberg
- Laboratorio de Bioenergética y envejecimiento celular, Depto. de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, México D.F., Mexico.
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Rocchi L, Erro R, Antelmi E, Berardelli A, Tinazzi M, Liguori R, Bhatia K, Rothwell J. High frequency somatosensory stimulation increases sensori-motor inhibition and leads to perceptual improvement in healthy subjects. Clin Neurophysiol 2017; 128:1015-1025. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.03.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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14
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Hosoda M, Furuya S. Shared somatosensory and motor functions in musicians. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37632. [PMID: 27886250 PMCID: PMC5122843 DOI: 10.1038/srep37632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Skilled individuals are characterized by fine-tuned perceptual and motor functions. Here, we tested the idea that the sensory and motor functions of highly-trained individuals are coupled. We assessed the relationships among multifaceted somatosensory and motor functions of expert pianists. The results demonstrated a positive covariation between the acuity of weight discrimination and the precision of force control during piano keystrokes among the pianists but not among the non-musicians. However, neither the age of starting musical training nor the total amount of life-long piano practice was correlated with these sensory-motor functions in the pianists. Furthermore, a difference between the pianists and non-musicians was absent for the weight discrimination acuity but present for precise force control during keystrokes. The results suggest that individuals with innately superior sensory function had finer motor control only in a case of having undergone musical training. Intriguingly, the tactile spatial acuity of the fingertip was superior in the pianists compared with the non-musicians but was not correlated with any functions representing fine motor control among the pianists. The findings implicate the presence of two distinct mechanisms of sensorimotor learning elicited by musical training, which occur either independently in individual sensorimotor modalities or through interacting between modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moe Hosoda
- Musical Skill and Injury Center (MuSIC), Sophia University, Tokyo, JAPAN
| | - Shinichi Furuya
- Musical Skill and Injury Center (MuSIC), Sophia University, Tokyo, JAPAN
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15
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Ryan CG, King R, Robinson V, Punt TD, Dinse HR, Grunenberg C, Johnson MI, Martin DJ. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation using an LTP-like repetitive stimulation protocol for patients with upper limb complex regional pain syndrome: A feasibility study. HAND THERAPY 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/1758998316678588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction This feasibility study aimed to (i) develop a clinical protocol using a long-term potentiation-like repetitive stimulation protocol for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with upper limb complex regional pain syndrome and (ii) develop a research protocol for a single-blind randomised controlled trial investigating the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for complex regional pain syndrome. Methods This small-scale single-blind feasibility randomised-controlled trial planned to randomise 30 patients with upper limb complex regional pain syndrome to either a variant of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or placebo transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for three weeks. Stimulation comprised 20 pulses over 1 s with a non-stimulation interval of 5 s, a so-called repetitive electrical stimulation protocol following the timing of long-term potentiation. Pain, function and body image were measured at baseline, post-treatment and at three months follow-up. At three months, participants were invited to one-to-one interviews, which were analysed thematically. Results A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation protocol with electrodes applied proximal to the area of allodynia in the region of the upper arm was developed. Participant concordance with the protocol was high. Recruitment was below target (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (n = 6), placebo (n = 2)). Mean (SD) pain intensity for the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group on a 0 to 10 scale was 7.2 (2.4), 6.6 (2.8) and 7.8 (1.9), at baseline, post-treatment and at three-month follow-up, respectively. Qualitative data suggested that some patients found transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation beneficial, easy to use and were still using it at three months. Conclusion Patients tolerated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation well, and important methodological information to facilitate the design of a large-scale trial was obtained (ISRCTN48768534).
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Affiliation(s)
- CG Ryan
- Institute of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - R King
- Pain Clinic, James Cook University Hospital, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesborough, UK
| | - V Robinson
- Pain Clinic, James Cook University Hospital, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesborough, UK
| | - TD Punt
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Birmingham University, UK
| | - HR Dinse
- Neural Plasticity Lab, Institute Neuroinformatik, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany: Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany
| | - C Grunenberg
- Hochschule für Gesundheit Bochum, Universitätsstrasse, Bochum, Germany
| | - MI Johnson
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - DJ Martin
- Institute of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
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Who is healthy? Aspects to consider when including healthy volunteers in QST--based studies-a consensus statement by the EUROPAIN and NEUROPAIN consortia. Pain 2016; 156:2203-2211. [PMID: 26075963 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Clinical and human experimental pain studies often include so-called "healthy" controls in investigations of sensory abnormalities, using quantitative sensory testing (QST) as an outcome measure. However, the criteria for what is considered "healthy" vary among the different studies and between study centers and investigators, partly explaining the high variability of the results. Therefore, several aspects should be considered during inclusion of healthy volunteers in QST-based trials to have homogenous groups of healthy controls with less variability between human experimental studies, so that results are less likely to be false negative or false positive because of subject-related factors. The EUROPAIN and NEUROPAIN consortia aimed to define factors influencing the variability in selection of healthy subjects in QST-based studies before the start of both projects and to give recommendations how to minimize it based on the current literature and expertise of the participants. The present suggestions for inclusion criteria of healthy volunteers into QST-based trials describe a 2-level approach including standardized questionnaires enabling the collection of relevant information on sociodemographic data, medical history, current health status, coping strategies in dealing with pain, and the motivation of the volunteer to participate in the study. These suggestions are believed to help researchers interpret their results in comparison with others and improve the quality of clinical studies including healthy volunteers as controls or in human experimental pain studies. They aim to reduce any confounding factors. Furthermore, the acquired information will allow post hoc analyses of variance for different potential influencing factors.
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17
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A complementary role of intracortical inhibition in age-related tactile degradation and its remodelling in humans. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27388. [PMID: 27302219 PMCID: PMC4908433 DOI: 10.1038/srep27388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many attempts are currently underway to restore age-related degraded perception, however, the link between restored perception and remodeled brain function remains elusive. To understand remodeling of age-related cortical reorganization we combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with assessments of tactile acuity, perceptual learning, and computational modeling. We show that aging leads to tactile degradation parallel to enhanced activity in somatosensory cortex. Using a neural field model we reconciled the empirical age-effects by weakening of cortical lateral inhibition. Using perceptual learning, we were able to partially restore tactile acuity, which however was not accompanied by the expected attenuation of cortical activity, but by a further enhancement. The neural field model reproduced these learning effects solely through a weakening of the amplitude of inhibition. These findings suggest that the restoration of age-related degraded tactile acuity on the cortical level is not achieved by re-strengthening lateral inhibition but by further weakening intracortical inhibition.
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18
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Muret D, Daligault S, Dinse HR, Delpuech C, Mattout J, Reilly KT, Farnè A. Neuromagnetic correlates of adaptive plasticity across the hand-face border in human primary somatosensory cortex. J Neurophysiol 2016; 115:2095-104. [PMID: 26888099 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00628.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that permanent or transient reduction of somatosensory inputs, following hand deafferentation or anesthesia, induces plastic changes across the hand-face border, supposedly responsible for some altered perceptual phenomena such as tactile sensations being referred from the face to the phantom hand. It is also known that transient increase of hand somatosensory inputs, via repetitive somatosensory stimulation (RSS) at a fingertip, induces local somatosensory discriminative improvement accompanied by cortical representational changes in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). We recently demonstrated that RSS at the tip of the right index finger induces similar training-independent perceptual learning across the hand-face border, improving somatosensory perception at the lips (Muret D, Dinse HR, Macchione S, Urquizar C, Farnè A, Reilly KT.Curr Biol24: R736-R737, 2014). Whether neural plastic changes across the hand-face border accompany such remote and adaptive perceptual plasticity remains unknown. Here we used magnetoencephalography to investigate the electrophysiological correlates underlying RSS-induced behavioral changes across the hand-face border. The results highlight significant changes in dipole location after RSS both for the stimulated finger and for the lips. These findings reveal plastic changes that cross the hand-face border after an increase, instead of a decrease, in somatosensory inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dollyane Muret
- ImpAct Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France; University Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France;
| | | | - Hubert R Dinse
- Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Institute of Neuroinformatics, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany; Clinic of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany; and
| | | | - Jérémie Mattout
- University Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France; Dycog Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France
| | - Karen T Reilly
- ImpAct Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France; University Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France
| | - Alessandro Farnè
- ImpAct Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France; University Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France
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Abstract
UNLABELLED The early stages of motor skill acquisition are often marked by uncertainty about the sensory and motor goals of the task, as is the case in learning to speak or learning the feel of a good tennis serve. Here we present an experimental model of this early learning process, in which targets are acquired by exploration and reinforcement rather than sensory error. We use this model to investigate the relative contribution of motor and sensory factors to human motor learning. Participants make active reaching movements or matched passive movements to an unseen target using a robot arm. We find that learning through passive movements paired with reinforcement is comparable with learning associated with active movement, both in terms of magnitude and durability, with improvements due to training still observable at a 1 week retest. Motor learning is also accompanied by changes in somatosensory perceptual acuity. No stable changes in motor performance are observed for participants that train, actively or passively, in the absence of reinforcement, or for participants who are given explicit information about target position in the absence of somatosensory experience. These findings indicate that the somatosensory system dominates learning in the early stages of motor skill acquisition. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The research focuses on the initial stages of human motor learning, introducing a new experimental model that closely approximates the key features of motor learning outside of the laboratory. The finding indicates that it is the somatosensory system rather than the motor system that dominates learning in the early stages of motor skill acquisition. This is important given that most of our computational models of motor learning are based on the idea that learning is motoric in origin. This is also a valuable finding for rehabilitation of patients with limited mobility as it shows that reinforcement in conjunction with passive movement results in benefits to motor learning that are as great as those observed for active movement training.
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20
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Immediate effects of somatosensory stimulation on hand function in patients with poststroke hemiparesis. Int J Rehabil Res 2015; 38:306-12. [DOI: 10.1097/mrr.0000000000000126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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David M, Dinse HR, Mainka T, Tegenthoff M, Maier C. High-Frequency Repetitive Sensory Stimulation as Intervention to Improve Sensory Loss in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I. Front Neurol 2015; 6:242. [PMID: 26635719 PMCID: PMC4648023 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Achieving perceptual gains in healthy individuals or facilitating rehabilitation in patients is generally considered to require intense training to engage neuronal plasticity mechanisms. Recent work, however, suggested that beneficial outcome similar to training can be effectively acquired by a complementary approach in which the learning occurs in response to mere exposure to repetitive sensory stimulation (rSS). For example, high-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation (HF-rSS) enhances tactile performance and induces cortical reorganization in healthy subjects and patients after stroke. Patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) show impaired tactile performance associated with shrinkage of cortical maps. We here investigated the feasibility and efficacy of HF-rSS, and low-frequency rSS (LF-rSS) to enhance tactile performance and reduce pain intensity in 20 patients with CRPS type I. Intermittent high- or low-frequency electrical stimuli were applied for 45 min/day to all fingertips of the affected hand for 5 days. Main outcome measures were spatial two-point-discrimination thresholds and mechanical detection thresholds measured on the tip of the index finger bilaterally. Secondary endpoint was current pain intensity. All measures were assessed before and on day 5 after the last stimulation session. HF-rSS applied in 16 patients improved tactile discrimination on the affected hand significantly without changes contralaterally. Current pain intensity remained unchanged on average, but decreased in four patients by ≥30%. This limited pain relief might be due to the short stimulation period of 5 days only. In contrast, after LF-rSS, tactile discrimination was impaired in all four patients, while detection thresholds and pain were not affected. Our data suggest that HF-rSS could be used as a novel approach in CRPS treatment to improve sensory loss. Longer treatment periods might be required to induce consistent pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne David
- Department of Pain Medicine, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum , Bochum , Germany
| | - Hubert R Dinse
- Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Institute for Neuroinformatics, Ruhr-University Bochum , Bochum , Germany ; Department of Neurology, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum , Bochum , Germany
| | - Tina Mainka
- Department of Pain Medicine, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum , Bochum , Germany ; Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum , Bochum , Germany
| | - Christoph Maier
- Department of Pain Medicine, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum , Bochum , Germany
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22
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Ritter P, Born J, Brecht M, Dinse HR, Heinemann U, Pleger B, Schmitz D, Schreiber S, Villringer A, Kempter R. State-dependencies of learning across brain scales. Front Comput Neurosci 2015; 9:1. [PMID: 25767445 PMCID: PMC4341560 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2015.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Learning is a complex brain function operating on different time scales, from milliseconds to years, which induces enduring changes in brain dynamics. The brain also undergoes continuous “spontaneous” shifts in states, which, amongst others, are characterized by rhythmic activity of various frequencies. Besides the most obvious distinct modes of waking and sleep, wake-associated brain states comprise modulations of vigilance and attention. Recent findings show that certain brain states, particularly during sleep, are essential for learning and memory consolidation. Oscillatory activity plays a crucial role on several spatial scales, for example in plasticity at a synaptic level or in communication across brain areas. However, the underlying mechanisms and computational rules linking brain states and rhythms to learning, though relevant for our understanding of brain function and therapeutic approaches in brain disease, have not yet been elucidated. Here we review known mechanisms of how brain states mediate and modulate learning by their characteristic rhythmic signatures. To understand the critical interplay between brain states, brain rhythms, and learning processes, a wide range of experimental and theoretical work in animal models and human subjects from the single synapse to the large-scale cortical level needs to be integrated. By discussing results from experiments and theoretical approaches, we illuminate new avenues for utilizing neuronal learning mechanisms in developing tools and therapies, e.g., for stroke patients and to devise memory enhancement strategies for the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Ritter
- Minerva Research Group BrainModes, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany ; Department of Neurology, Charité University Medicine Berlin Berlin, Germany ; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany ; Berlin School of Mind and Brain & Mind and Brain Institute, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Born
- Department of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology & Center for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Hubert R Dinse
- Neural Plasticity Lab, Institute for Neuroinformatics, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany ; Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Uwe Heinemann
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany ; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence Berlin, Germany
| | - Burkhard Pleger
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig Leipzig, Germany ; Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany ; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence Berlin, Germany ; Neuroscience Research Center NWFZ, Charité University Medicine Berlin Berlin, Germany ; Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC Berlin, Germany ; Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Schreiber
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany ; Department of Biology, Institute for Theoretical Biology (ITB), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain & Mind and Brain Institute, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany ; Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig Leipzig, Germany ; Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany
| | - Richard Kempter
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany ; Department of Biology, Institute for Theoretical Biology (ITB), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin, Germany
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23
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Roy D, Sigala R, Breakspear M, McIntosh AR, Jirsa VK, Deco G, Ritter P. Using the Virtual Brain to Reveal the Role of Oscillations and Plasticity in Shaping Brain's Dynamical Landscape. Brain Connect 2014; 4:791-811. [DOI: 10.1089/brain.2014.0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dipanjan Roy
- Department of Neurology, Charité—University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning & Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rodrigo Sigala
- Department of Neurology, Charité—University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning & Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Breakspear
- Division of Mental Health Research, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and The Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Royal Brisbane and Woman's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Viktor K. Jirsa
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes UMR INSERM 1106, Aix-Marseille Université Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, ICREA (Institut Catala Recerca i Estudis Avancats), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Petra Ritter
- Department of Neurology, Charité—University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning & Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin, Germany
- Minerva Research Group BrainModes, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain & Mind and Brain Institute, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
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24
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Christova M, Rafolt D, Golaszewski S, Nardone R, Gallasch E. Electrical stimulation during skill training with a therapeutic glove enhances the induction of cortical plasticity and has a positive effect on motor memory. Behav Brain Res 2014; 270:171-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Christova
- Department of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Harrachgasse 21/5, 8010 Graz, Austria; Department of Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences FH JOANNEUM, Graz, Austria.
| | - Dietmar Rafolt
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Golaszewski
- Department of Neurology, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Raffaele Nardone
- Department of Neurology, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Department of Neurology, F. Tappeiner Hospital, Merano, Italy
| | - Eugen Gallasch
- Department of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Harrachgasse 21/5, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Ladda AM, Pfannmoeller JP, Kalisch T, Roschka S, Platz T, Dinse HR, Lotze M. Effects of combining 2 weeks of passive sensory stimulation with active hand motor training in healthy adults. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84402. [PMID: 24416229 PMCID: PMC3886996 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The gold standard to acquire motor skills is through intensive training and practicing. Recent studies have demonstrated that behavioral gains can also be acquired by mere exposure to repetitive sensory stimulation to drive the plasticity processes. Single application of repetitive electric stimulation (rES) of the fingers has been shown to improve tactile perception in young adults as well as sensorimotor performance in healthy elderly individuals. The combination of repetitive motor training with a preceding rES has not been reported yet. In addition, the impact of such a training on somatosensory tactile and spatial sensitivity as well as on somatosensory cortical activation remains elusive. Therefore, we tested 15 right-handed participants who underwent repetitive electric stimulation of all finger tips of the left hand for 20 minutes prior to one hour of motor training of the left hand over the period of two weeks. Overall, participants substantially improved the motor performance of the left trained hand by 34%, but also showed a relevant transfer to the untrained right hand by 24%. Baseline ipsilateral activation fMRI-magnitude in BA 1 to sensory index finger stimulation predicted training outcome for somatosensory guided movements: those who showed higher ipsilateral activation were those who did profit less from training. Improvement of spatial tactile discrimination was positively associated with gains in pinch grip velocity. Overall, a combination of priming rES and repetitive motor training is capable to induce motor and somatosensory performance increase and representation changes in BA1 in healthy young subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aija Marie Ladda
- Functional Imaging Unit, Center for Diagnostic Radiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Joerg Peter Pfannmoeller
- Functional Imaging Unit, Center for Diagnostic Radiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tobias Kalisch
- Neural Plasticity Lab, Institute for Neuroinformatics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sybille Roschka
- BDH-Klinik Greifswald, Neurorehabilitation Centre and Spinal Cord Injury Unit, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas Platz
- BDH-Klinik Greifswald, Neurorehabilitation Centre and Spinal Cord Injury Unit, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hubert R. Dinse
- Neural Plasticity Lab, Institute for Neuroinformatics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Lotze
- Functional Imaging Unit, Center for Diagnostic Radiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Bassolino M, Campanella M, Bove M, Pozzo T, Fadiga L. Training the motor cortex by observing the actions of others during immobilization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 24:3268-76. [PMID: 23897648 PMCID: PMC4224244 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bht190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Limb immobilization and nonuse are well-known causes of corticomotor depression. While physical training can drive the recovery from nonuse-dependent corticomotor effects, it remains unclear if it is possible to gain access to motor cortex in alternative ways, such as through motor imagery (MI) or action observation (AO). Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to study the excitability of the hand left motor cortex in normal subjects immediately before and after 10 h of right arm immobilization. During immobilization, subjects were requested either to imagine to act with their constrained limb or to observe hand actions performed by other individuals. A third group of control subjects watched a nature documentary presented on a computer screen. Hand corticomotor maps and recruitment curves reliably showed that AO, but not MI, prevented the corticomotor depression induced by immobilization. Our results demonstrate the existence of a visuomotor mechanism in humans that links AO and execution which is able to effect cortical plasticity in a beneficial way. This facilitation was not related to the action simulation, because it was not induced by explicit MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bassolino
- Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Martina Campanella
- Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Marco Bove
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genova, Genova 16132, Italy
| | - Thierry Pozzo
- Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy, IUF, INSERM U1093 Cognition, Action et Plasticité Sensorimotrice, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon 21078, France and
| | - Luciano Fadiga
- Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16163, Italy, Section of Human Physiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
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Kattenstroth JC, Kalisch T, Holt S, Tegenthoff M, Dinse HR. Six months of dance intervention enhances postural, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance in elderly without affecting cardio-respiratory functions. Front Aging Neurosci 2013; 5:5. [PMID: 23447455 PMCID: PMC3581819 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2013.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
During aging, sensorimotor, cognitive and physical performance decline, but can improve by training and exercise indicating that age-related changes are treatable. Dancing is increasingly used as an intervention because it combines many diverse features making it a promising neuroplasticity-inducing tool. We here investigated the effects of a 6-month dance class (1 h/week) on a group of healthy elderly individuals compared to a matched control group (CG). We performed a broad assessment covering cognition, intelligence, attention, reaction time, motor, tactile, and postural performance, as well as subjective well-being and cardio-respiratory performance. After 6 months, in the CG no changes, or further degradation of performance was found. In the dance group, beneficial effects were found for dance-related parameters such as posture and reaction times, but also for cognitive, tactile, motor performance, and subjective well-being. These effects developed without alterations in the cardio-respiratory performance. Correlation of baseline performance with the improvement following intervention revealed that those individuals, who benefitted most from the intervention, were those who showed the lowest performance prior to the intervention. Our findings corroborate previous observations that dancing evokes widespread positive effects. The pre-post design used in the present study implies that the efficacy of dance is most likely not based on a selection bias of particularly gifted individuals. The lack of changes of cardio-respiratory fitness indicates that even moderate levels of physical activity can in combination with rich sensorimotor, cognitive, social, and emotional challenges act to ameliorate a wide spectrum of age-related decline.
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Kattenstroth JC, Kalisch T, Peters S, Tegenthoff M, Dinse HR. Long-term sensory stimulation therapy improves hand function and restores cortical responsiveness in patients with chronic cerebral lesions. Three single case studies. Front Hum Neurosci 2012; 6:244. [PMID: 22936907 PMCID: PMC3427543 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rehabilitation of sensorimotor impairment resulting from cerebral lesion (CL) utilizes task specific training and massed practice to drive reorganization and sensorimotor improvement due to induction of neuroplasticity mechanisms. Loss of sensory abilities often complicates recovery, and thus the individual's ability to use the affected body part for functional tasks. Therefore, the development of additional and alternative approaches that supplement, enhance, or even replace conventional training procedures would be advantageous. Repetitive sensory stimulation protocols (rSS) have been shown to evoke sensorimotor improvements of the affected limb in patients with chronic stroke. However, the possible impact of long-term rSS on sensorimotor performance of patients with CL, where the incident dated back many years remains unclear. The particular advantage of rSS is its passive nature, which does not require active participation of the subjects. Therefore, rSS can be applied in parallel to other occupations, making the intervention easier to implement and more acceptable to the individual. Here we report the effects of applying rSS for 8, 36, and 76 weeks to the paretic hand of three long-term patients with different types of CL. Different behavioral tests were used to assess sensory and/or sensorimotor performance of the upper extremities prior, after, and during the intervention. In one patient, the impact of long-term rSS on restoration of cortical activation was investigated by recording somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP). After long-term rSS all three patients showed considerable improvements of their sensory and motor abilities. In addition, almost normal evoked potentials could be recorded after rSS in one patient. Our data show that long-term rSS applied to patients with chronic CL can improve tactile and sensorimotor functions, which, however, developed in some cases only after many weeks of stimulation, and continued to further improve on a time scale of months.
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Freyer F, Reinacher M, Nolte G, Dinse HR, Ritter P. Repetitive tactile stimulation changes resting-state functional connectivity-implications for treatment of sensorimotor decline. Front Hum Neurosci 2012; 6:144. [PMID: 22654748 PMCID: PMC3358755 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders and physiological aging can lead to a decline of perceptual abilities. In contrast to the conventional therapeutic approach that comprises intensive training and practicing, passive repetitive sensory stimulation (RSS) has recently gained increasing attention as an alternative to countervail the sensory decline by improving perceptual abilities without the need of active participation. A particularly effective type of high-frequency RSS, utilizing Hebbian learning principles, improves perceptual acuity as well as sensorimotor functions and has been successfully applied to treat chronic stroke patients and elderly subjects. High-frequency RSS has been shown to induce plastic changes of somatosensory cortex such as representational map reorganization, but its impact on the brain's ongoing network activity and resting-state functional connectivity has not been investigated so far. Here, we applied high-frequency RSS in healthy human subjects and analyzed resting state Electroencephalography (EEG) functional connectivity patterns before and after RSS by means of imaginary coherency (ImCoh), a frequency-specific connectivity measure which is known to reduce over-estimation biases due to volume conduction and common reference. Thirty minutes of passive high-frequency RSS lead to significant ImCoh-changes of the resting state mu-rhythm in the individual upper alpha frequency band within distributed sensory and motor cortical areas. These stimulation induced distributed functional connectivity changes likely underlie the previously observed improvement in sensorimotor integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Freyer
- Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning and Bernstein Center for Computational NeuroscienceBerlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Charité University MedicineBerlin, Germany
- Institute for Neuroinformatics, Neural Plasticity Lab, Ruhr-University BochumGermany
| | - Matthias Reinacher
- Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning and Bernstein Center for Computational NeuroscienceBerlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Charité University MedicineBerlin, Germany
| | - Guido Nolte
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfHamburg, Germany
| | - Hubert R. Dinse
- Institute for Neuroinformatics, Neural Plasticity Lab, Ruhr-University BochumGermany
| | - Petra Ritter
- Bernstein Focus State Dependencies of Learning and Bernstein Center for Computational NeuroscienceBerlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Charité University MedicineBerlin, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain and Mind and Brain Institute, Humboldt UniversityBerlin, Germany
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Smith AE, Ridding MC, Higgins RD, Wittert GA, Pitcher JB. Cutaneous afferent input does not modulate motor intracortical inhibition in ageing men. Eur J Neurosci 2012; 34:1461-9. [PMID: 22034977 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07869.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Afferent input has been shown to be a powerful modulator of cortical inhibition. Such modulation is likely to be important for the control of ongoing movement, but may also play a role in facilitating neuroplastic reorganisation. Human motor control and neuroplasticity both decline with ageing, whereas the efficacy of short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) appears not to. We examined if ageing alters the efficacy of afferent modulation of SICI. Previously, electrical cutaneous stimulation of a finger has been shown to reduce SICI in the motor cortices of young adults. Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess SICI in the cortical representation of the first dorsal interosseous muscle. SICI was assessed separately under two conditions: with and without prior afferent input from electrical cutaneous stimulation of the index finger. Fifteen 'young' (20.1 ± 2.1 years) and 15 'old' male humans (65.5 ± 3.9 years) were studied. SICI did not differ when young and old males were compared. However, when preceded by electrical cutaneous finger stimulation, SICI was reduced in young men but not old men. Reflex testing indicated preservation of the afferent volley to the cortex. These findings suggest that a contributing factor in the decline of motor function, and possibly neuroplasticity, with ageing is loss of SICI modulation, probably due to altered cortical sensorimotor integration of afferent input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh E Smith
- Robinson Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Kalisch T, Kattenstroth JC, Kowalewski R, Tegenthoff M, Dinse HR. Cognitive and tactile factors affecting human haptic performance in later life. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30420. [PMID: 22291952 PMCID: PMC3264587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vision and haptics are the key modalities by which humans perceive objects and interact with their environment in a target-oriented manner. Both modalities share higher-order neural resources and the mechanisms required for object exploration. Compared to vision, the understanding of haptic information processing is still rudimentary. Although it is known that haptic performance, similar to many other skills, decreases in old age, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. It is yet to be determined to what extent this decrease is related to the age-related loss of tactile acuity or cognitive capacity. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We investigated the haptic performance of 81 older adults by means of a cross-modal object recognition test. Additionally, we assessed the subjects' tactile acuity with an apparatus-based two-point discrimination paradigm, and their cognitive performance by means of the non-verbal Raven-Standard-Progressive matrices test. As expected, there was a significant age-related decline in performance on all 3 tests. With the exception of tactile acuity, this decline was found to be more distinct in female subjects. Correlation analyses revealed a strong relationship between haptic and cognitive performance for all subjects. Tactile performance, on the contrary, was only significantly correlated with male subjects' haptic performance. CONCLUSIONS Haptic object recognition is a demanding task in old age, especially when it comes to the exploration of complex, unfamiliar objects. Our data support a disproportionately higher impact of cognition on haptic performance as compared to the impact of tactile acuity. Our findings are in agreement with studies reporting an increase in co-variation between individual sensory performance and general cognitive functioning in old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Kalisch
- Department of Neurology, BG-Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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Improved acuity and dexterity but unchanged touch and pain thresholds following repetitive sensory stimulation of the fingers. Neural Plast 2012; 2012:974504. [PMID: 22315693 PMCID: PMC3270448 DOI: 10.1155/2012/974504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Revised: 09/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroplasticity underlies the brain's ability to alter perception and behavior through training, practice, or simply exposure to sensory stimulation. Improvement of tactile discrimination has been repeatedly demonstrated after repetitive sensory stimulation (rSS) of the fingers; however, it remains unknown if such protocols also affect hand dexterity or pain thresholds. We therefore stimulated the thumb and index finger of young adults to investigate, besides testing tactile discrimination, the impact of rSS on dexterity, pain, and touch thresholds. We observed an improvement in the pegboard task where subjects used the thumb and index finger only. Accordingly, stimulating 2 fingers simultaneously potentiates the efficacy of rSS. In fact, we observed a higher gain of discrimination performance as compared to a single-finger rSS. In contrast, pain and touch thresholds remained unaffected. Our data suggest that selecting particular fingers modulates the efficacy of rSS, thereby affecting processes controlling sensorimotor integration.
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Schlieper S, Dinse HR. Perceptual improvement following repetitive sensory stimulation depends monotonically on stimulation intensity. Brain Stimul 2011; 5:647-51. [PMID: 21962984 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2011.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2011] [Revised: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrical repetitive sensory stimulation (rSS) is a direct and effective means of inducing plasticity processes in human beings, and is increasingly being used as a therapeutic intervention. Suprathreshold intensities induce beneficial effects on tactile perception and sensorimotor abilities. However, it is not known whether there is an optimal range of stimulus intensity. METHODS We investigated the effect of varied intensities (low, 1.19 ± 0.07 mA; intermediate, 3.33 ± 0.27 mA; and high, 4.42 ± 0.56 mA) on the outcome of a 30-minute electrical rSS applied to the index finger (intermittent high-frequency stimulation, 20 Hz and interburst interval, 5 seconds) in three groups (n = 10 each) of participants. As a marker of perceptual changes, we measured tactile spatial two-point discrimination on the stimulated finger and on the heel of the hand before and after the rSS. RESULTS rSS improved discrimination performance, with the gain being the highest in the high-intensity group and the lowest in the low-intensity group. Measurements on the heel of the hand revealed small improvements in the high-intensity group, indicative of recruitment processes. CONCLUSIONS rSS of maximal intensity induced the strongest effects, indicative of a monotonic intensity-gain characteristic with no U-shaped dependency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schlieper
- Institut fur Neuroinformatik, Neural Plasticity Lab, Ruhr-University-Bochum, Germany
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Kalisch T, Richter J, Lenz M, Kattenstroth JC, Kolankowska I, Tegenthoff M, Dinse HR. Questionnaire-based evaluation of everyday competence in older adults. Clin Interv Aging 2011; 6:37-46. [PMID: 21472090 PMCID: PMC3066251 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s15433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gerontological research aims at understanding factors that are crucial for mediating "successful aging". This term denotes the absence of significant disease and disabilities, maintenance of high levels of physical and cognitive function, and preservation of social and productive activities. Preservation of an active lifestyle is considered an effective means through which everyday competence can be attained. In this context, it is crucial to obtain ratings of modern day older adults' everyday competence by means of appropriate assessments. Here, we introduce the Everyday Competence Questionnaire (ECQ), designed to assess healthy older adults' everyday competence. METHODS The ECQ includes 17 items, covering housekeeping, leisure activities, sports, daily routines, manual skills, subjective well-being, and general linguistic usage. The ECQ was administered to a population of 158 healthy subjects aged 60-91 years, who were divided into groups on the basis of their physical activity. These groups were community-dwelling subjects, those living independently and having a sedentary lifestyle, those living independently but characterized by a general lifestyle without any noteworthy physical activity, and those living independently and exercising regularly. Age, gender, and education levels were balanced between the groups. RESULTS Using the ECQ, we could identify and distinguish different everyday competence levels between the groups tested: Subjects characterized by an active lifestyle outperformed all other groups. Subjects characterized by a general lifestyle showed higher everyday competence than those with a sedentary lifestyle or subjects who needed care. Furthermore, the ECQ data showed a significant positive correlation between individual physical activity and everyday competence. CONCLUSION The ECQ is a novel tool for the questionnaire-based evaluation of everyday competence among healthy subjects. By including leisure activities, it considers the changed living conditions of modern-day older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Kalisch
- Department of Neurology, BG-Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany.
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Kattenstroth JC, Kolankowska I, Kalisch T, Dinse HR. Superior sensory, motor, and cognitive performance in elderly individuals with multi-year dancing activities. Front Aging Neurosci 2010; 2. [PMID: 20725636 PMCID: PMC2917240 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2010.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with a progressive decline of mental and physical abilities. Considering the current demographic changes in many civilizations there is an urgent need for measures permitting an independent lifestyle into old age. The critical role of physical exercise in mediating and maintaining physical and mental fitness is well-acknowledged. Dance, in addition to physical activity, combines emotions, social interaction, sensory stimulation, motor coordination and music, thereby creating enriched environmental conditions for human individuals. Here we demonstrate the impact of multi-year (average 16.5 years) amateur dancing (AD) in a group of elderly subjects (aged 65–84 years) as compared to education-, gender- and aged-matched controls (CG) having no record of dancing or sporting activities. Besides posture and balance parameters, we tested reaction times, motor behavior, tactile and cognitive performance. In each of the different domains investigated, the AD group had a superior performance as compared to the non-dancer CG group. Analysis of individual performance revealed that the best participants of the AD group were not better than individuals of the CG group. Instead, the AD group lacked individuals showing poor performance, which was frequently observed for the CG group. This observation implies that maintaining a regular schedule of dancing into old age can preserve cognitive, motor and perceptual abilities and prevent them from degradation. We conclude that the far-reaching beneficial effects found in the AD group make dance, beyond its ability to facilitate balance and posture, a prime candidate for the preservation of everyday life competence of elderly individuals.
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