Article
Neurosciences
David M. Cole, Philipp Stampfli, Robert Gandia, Louis Schibli, Sandro Gantner, Philipp Schuetz, Michael L. Meier
Summary: This study validated a novel method for mapping cortical representations of sensory afferents of the human back. The findings demonstrate significant differences in neural representations between high-frequency and low-frequency stimulation, as well as between thoracic and lumbar paraspinal locations, indicating different encoding of sensations in different body parts and frequencies.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Finn Rabe, Sanne Kikkert, Nicole Wenderoth
Summary: This study found that task demands modulate finger representations in the primary somatosensory cortex. This effect was observed not only during tactile stimulation but also during the delay period.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arthur W. English, Ken Berglund, Dario Carrasco, Katharina Goebel, Robert E. Gross, Robin Isaacson, Olivia C. Mistretta, Carly Wynans
Summary: Functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury is challenging due to slow and incomplete axon regeneration. Bioluminescent optogenetics, utilizing fusion proteins of luciferase and light-sensing ion channels, shows promise in enhancing axon regeneration by increasing neuronal excitability. Experimental studies in transgenic mice and viral vector-transduced mice demonstrate enhanced motor axon regeneration and successful muscle reinnervation after treatment with bioluminescent optogenetics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wuzhou Yang, Harsh Kanodia, Silvia Arber
Summary: The study reveals the anatomical and functional connections between the cortical regions and medulla in mice, showing that distinct cortical regions generate synaptic columns in the lateral medulla that match the positions of postsynaptic neurons tuned to specific forelimb action phases. Additionally, cortical neurons extend collaterals to other subcortical structures through a segregated channel interaction logic. The findings clarify the interaction principles between the cortical and medulla structures.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Eva Sierra-Silvestre, Ricardo J. Andrade, Andrea C. Schroeter, Leanne Bisset, Michel W. Coppieters
Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the somatosensory dysfunction in the hand in individuals with diabetes with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) and explore early signs of nerve dysfunction in individuals with diabetes without DSPN. The results showed that individuals with DSPN in both hands and feet had widespread loss of thermal and mechanical detection function in their hands, which was comparable to the profile seen in the feet of individuals with only DSPN in feet. Remarkably, individuals with only DSPN in feet already showed similar loss of nerve function in their hands. These findings highlight the importance of routine nerve function assessments in the hands of individuals with diabetes.
Article
Biology
Naoki Yamawaki, Martinna G. Raineri Tapies, Austin Stults, Gregory A. Smith, Gordon M. G. Shepherd
Summary: This study characterized excitatory connectivity along the pathways of sensory signals in the mouse, providing a detailed new wiring diagram for the hand/forelimb-related transcortical circuit. The findings reveal a complex set of cell-type-specific feedforward excitatory connections that link subcortical somatosensory input to cortical motor output to spinal cord.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dalal Y. Al-Bazz, Andrew J. Nelson, Jamie Burgess, Ioannis N. Petropoulos, Jael Nizza, Anne Marshall, Emily Brown, Daniel J. Cuthbertson, Andrew G. Marshall, Rayaz A. Malik, Uazman Alam
Summary: There is currently no FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This study found significant variability in the change and direction of change in nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in the placebo group, as well as variability influenced by the anatomical site of neurophysiological measurement. A critical re-evaluation of efficacy trials should consider placebo-adjusted effects and present the placebo-subtracted change in NCV.
Article
Neurosciences
Aurelie Brecier, Melodie Borel, Nadia Urbain, Luc J. Gentet
Summary: GABAergic inhibitory neurons play a crucial role in regulating cortical circuit activity during the sleep/wake cycle. This study investigated the activity dynamics of PV, VIP, and SST neurons in the somatosensory cortex of sleeping mice. The findings revealed that PV neurons were most active during both REM and NREM sleep, VIP neurons were most active during REM sleep, and the overall activity of SST neurons remained stable throughout the sleep/wake cycle. Furthermore, the study found that ongoing delta and theta oscillations influenced the activity of most neurons, except for SST neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michael Asghar, Rosa Sanchez-Panchuelo, Denis Schluppeck, Susan Francis
Summary: Functional magnetic resonance imaging with high spatial resolution was used to map the sensory space in the human brain. Results showed that the pRFs in somatosensory areas had a strong preference for the within-digit axis. The 2D Gaussian pRF model better represented the pRF coverage generated by the data obtained from the 2D stimulation grid.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zachary P. Rosenthal, Ryan Raut, Ryan M. Bowen, Abraham Z. Snyder, Joseph P. Culver, Marcus E. Raichle, Jin-Moo Lee
Summary: Slow waves, crucial for neural plasticity and memory, were found to be globally propagating low-frequency oscillations during sleep and anesthesia. Experimental results showed that somatosensory stimulation can evoke bilateral waves and under anesthesia, rhythmic stimuli can elicit globally resonant, front-to-back propagating slow waves.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Peter J. Nicksic, D'Andrea T. Donnelly, Weifeng Zeng, Allison J. Seitz, Samuel O. Poore, Aaron J. Suminski, Aaron M. Dingle
Summary: The study demonstrates that trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) or peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) can improve functional outcomes of peripheral nerve injury in rats. This finding is important in translating the therapy as a non-invasive treatment for high, mixed nerve injuries in humans.
JOURNAL OF PLASTIC RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
T. Stephani, B. Nierula, A. Villringer, F. Eippert, V. V. Nikulin
Summary: Identical sensory stimuli can lead to different neural responses depending on the instantaneous brain state. Our study reveals spatially distinct excitability dynamics within the primary somatosensory cortex, with different frequencies showing different spatial specificity.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ajay Pal, HongGeun Park, Aditya Ramamurthy, Ahmet S. Asan, Thelma Bethea, Meenu Johnkutty, Jason B. Carmel
Summary: In this study, the researchers developed a plasticity protocol in rats that aims to activate both sensory and motor connections in the spinal cord. They found that repeated application of this protocol in rats with spinal cord injury improved their forelimb dexterity and reduced hyperreflexia. This study shows the importance of targeting the sensory and motor systems in the spinal cord for promoting recovery after spinal cord injury.
Article
Neurosciences
Lex J. Gomez, James C. Dooley, Greta Sokoloff, Mark S. Blumberg
Summary: The study suggests that the primary motor cortex (M1) can receive sensory input directly from the thalamus independent of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) at early developmental stages. The processing of self-generated and other-generated movements varies between S1 and M1 before they establish the interactive relationship typical of adult functionality.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Angelo H. All, Shiyu Luo, Xiaogang Liu, Hasan Al-Nashash
Summary: This study investigates changes in forelimb somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) signals post thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) using distinct transection models in rat SCI models. The findings show that while forelimb SSEP amplitudes initially increase following thoracic SCI, they gradually return to baseline levels without statistically significant changes.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michael J. Darrow, Tabarak M. Mian, Miranda Torres, Zainab Haider, Tanya Danaphongse, Robert L. Rennaker, Michael P. Kilgard, Seth A. Hays
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Michael J. Darrow, Tabarak M. Mian, Miranda Torres, Zainab Haider, Tanya Danaphongse, Armin Seyedahmadi, Robert L. Rennaker, Seth A. Hays, Michael P. Kilgard
Summary: Combining VNS with tactile rehabilitation significantly improves the recovery of somatosensory and motor function after neurological injury. The specific components of the tactile rehabilitation paired with VNS play a crucial role in determining the degree of recovery.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)