Article
Psychology, Biological
Viviana Versace, Stefania Campostrini, Sabrina Dezi, Luca Sebastianelli, Paola Ortelli, Leopold Saltuari, Josep Valls-Sole, Markus Kofler
Summary: The modulation of the blink reflex can be observed in both self-stimulation and external stimulation, showing similar changes in R2 and R1. However, self-stimulation has a tonic effect on the blink reflex, while external stimulation has a time-locked gating mechanism at the brainstem level.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xinqing Hao, Xiaofeng Huang, Xiaoxue Yin, Hai-Yang Wang, Ren Lu, Zhanhua Liang, Chunli Song
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the impairment of prepulse inhibition (PPI) in the blink reflex of patients with primary blepharospasm (BSP). The results showed that PPI was impaired in BSP patients and the facilitation effect of R-1 was absent. PPI size did not correlate with the severity of motor symptoms and disease duration. Patients with sensory tricks exhibited better PPI compared to those without sensory tricks.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Markus Kofler, Josep Valls-Sole, Michael Thurner, Elke Pucks-Faes, Viviana Versace
Summary: This study investigated the effects of low-intensity prepulse inhibition (PPI) to digital nerves and conditioning supraorbital nerve stimulation (SON-1) on blink reflex (BR) excitability recovery (BRER) to paired supraorbital nerve stimulation (SON-2). The results showed that PPI did not affect BRER, but inhibition on BR to SON-2 was observed when additional prepulses were applied before SON-2. The study concluded that the response size of BR to SON-2 depends on SON-1 stimulus intensity, not SON-1 response size.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
F. Inci Ertas, Demet Aygun, Gulcin Benbir Senel, Aysegul Gunduz, Derya Karadeniz, Meral E. Kiziltan
Summary: The study found that patients with NREM-sleep parasomnia showed mildly enhanced ASR and relatively early facilitation of BR excitability during daytime. Analysis of ASR and other reflexes revealed differences between patients and healthy subjects. Although the results suggest involvement of brainstem networks in NREM-sleep parasomnia during wakefulness, further research may be needed.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Angelo Insola, Paolo Mazzone, Giacomo Della Marca, Annamaria Capozzo, Flora Vitale, Eugenio Scarnati
Summary: The study showed that stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) can increase latency and decrease duration, amplitude, and area of the R2 component of blink reflex, regardless of the side of supraorbital nerve (SON) stimulation. The effects were stable for interstimulus intervals (ISI) between PPTg prepulse and SON stimulus.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Demet Aygun, F. Inci Ertas, Aysegul Gunduz, Gulcin Benbir Senel, Derya Karadeniz, Meral Kiziltan
Summary: The prepulse modulation was abnormal in both iRBD and RSWA, while ASR was enhanced in iRBD. This suggests certain similarities and differences in the pathophysiologies of iRBD and RSWA.
PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Philippe Fournier, Sylvie Hebert
Summary: The study compared the effects of monaural and binaural silent gaps on GPI in normal-hearing subjects, finding that the GPI was similar between monaural and binaural presentation in high-frequency background noise, but greater for binaural than monaural in low-frequency background noise, suggesting that monaural GPIAS may be more suitable for detecting tinnitus.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Laura F. Naysmith, Steven C. R. Williams, Veena Kumari
Summary: The study revealed that both PPI and PPF are influenced by stimulus onset asynchronies, with the strongest PPI observed at 60 and 120 ms, and the strongest PPF at 4500 and 6000 ms. PPI is affected by sex (more in men than women) and hormonal contraception, while PPF is influenced by task order (greater when following PPI task).
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
K. T. Sun, Jimmy W. Y. Lam, William C. S. Tai, Benson W. M. Lau, Benjamin K. Yee
Summary: The study found that in mouse experiments, trials showing a stronger prepulse response also exhibited a larger startle response to the subsequent pulse stimulus, indicating weaker PPI. Within-subjects and between-subjects analyses revealed contrasting relationships between the direct motor response to the prepulse and the inhibition of subsequent startle reaction induced by the same prepulse.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Porras-Garcia, Magdalena Mas-Nieto, Jose Maria Delgado-Garcia, Eduardo Dominguez-del-Toro
Summary: During embryonic development, heterozygous mutant kreisler mice exhibit abnormal expression of Hoxa3 gene in the rostral hindbrain, affecting the opioid and noradrenergic systems. In adulthood, these mice show impaired pontine and locus coeruleus neuronal projections, altered eyelid reflex responses, and impaired acquisition of conditioned motor responses. The involvement of adrenergic projection in eyelid classical conditioning was demonstrated, and hippocampal motor learning ability in kreisler mice was restored by administration of adrenergic antagonist drugs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xiaoqin Yang, Liangjie Chen, Pengcheng Yang, Xiaodong Yang, Lei Liu, Liang Li
Summary: This study found that using a negative emotional-conditioned prepulse can enhance female attention and startle reflex, while perceptual spatial attention can also enhance startle reflex in both males and females. These results suggest that startle reflex is influenced by emotional, perceptual spatial attention, and sex.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Inkyung Baik, Nan Hee Kim, Seong Hwan Kim, Chol Shin
Summary: This prospective cohort study found that blood pressure measured in the supine position predicted all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality better than blood pressure measured in other postures.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Ole Asli, Marta F. Johansen, Ida Solhaug
Summary: Mindfulness practice was found to increase prepulse facilitation in the study, using a prepulse inhibition/facilitation paradigm to investigate the effect on automatic attention regulation processes. The brief mindfulness exercise was shown to have an impact on startle response modulation, specifically increasing preparation for upcoming stimuli.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Carolyn Berryman, Sarah B. Wallwork, Alberto Marcos Heredia-Rizo, Emma Knight, Danny Camfferman, Leslie Russek, G. Lorimer Moseley
Summary: The study found that individuals with fibromyalgia showed heightened response to the PPF conditioned stimulus compared to controls, while there were no differences between the groups in response to PPI. The results suggest that alterations in information processing mediated by autonomic drive may contribute to the augmented PPF in fibromyalgia patients.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matteo Guidetti, Anna Maria Bianchi, Marta Parazzini, Natale Maiorana, Marta Bonato, Rosanna Ferrara, Giorgia Libelli, Kora Montemagno, Roberta Ferrucci, Alberto Priori, Tommaso Bocci
Summary: Through computational predictions and neurophysiological assessment, it was found that monopolar multi-electrode tDCS can selectively affect deep brain structures and brainstem neural circuits. These findings may contribute to further applications of non-invasive deep brain stimulation.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Helena Talasz, Markus Kofler, Romana Mariacher, Monika Lechleitner
Summary: The study analyzed breathing and coughing patterns in elderly female inpatients with urinary incontinence, finding that many patients did not appropriately activate their pelvic floor muscles during forced exhalation and coughing, which may exacerbate urinary incontinence symptoms.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Paola Ortelli, Davide Ferrazzoli, Luca Sebastianelli, Roberto Maestri, Sabrina Dezi, Danny Spampinato, Leopold Saltuari, Alessia Alibardi, Michael Engl, Markus Kofler, Angelo Quartarone, Giacomo Koch, Antonio Oliviero, Viviana Versace
Summary: The study revealed altered excitability and neurotransmission within M1 in patients after mild COVID-19, along with deficits in executive functions and attention.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Raffaele Nardone, Patrick B. Langthaler, Kerstin Schwenker, Alexander B. Kunz, Luca Sebastianelli, Leopold Saltuari, Eugen Trinka, Viviana Versace
Summary: This study provides neurophysiological evidence of altered functional connectivity between visual and motor areas in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
Raffaele Nardone, Luca Sebastianelli, Viviana Versace, Davide Ferrazzoli, Francesco Brigo, Kerstin Schwenker, Leopold Saltuari, Eugen Trinka
Summary: The effects of cannabis on human cortical brain processes can be evaluated through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Persistent cannabis use is associated with reduced cortical inhibition, indicating neurobiological changes. Individuals vulnerable to long-term use may have pre-existing cortical inhibition abnormalities. Cannabis use is also linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia, possibly due to down-regulation of GABAergic function. Repetitive TMS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can result in less frequent cannabis use and craving. The posterior cingulate cortex and the precuneus show potential as targets for rTMS intervention in cannabis use disorder.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Paola Ortelli, Davide Ferrazzoli, Viviana Versace, Veronica Cian, Marianna Zarucchi, Anna Gusmeroli, Margherita Canesi, Giuseppe Frazzitta, Daniele Volpe, Lucia Ricciardi, Raffaele Nardone, Ingrid Ruffini, Leopold Saltuari, Luca Sebastianelli, Daniele Baranzini, Roberto Maestri
Summary: The assessment of cognitive deficits is crucial for the diagnosis and management of patients with parkinsonisms. The new tool CoMDA, which combines MMSE, MoCA, and FAB, shows higher accuracy in classifying cognitive profiles compared to traditional screening tests. Machine learning algorithms, specifically Quadratic Discriminant Analysis, demonstrate superior performance in predicting cognitive profiles using CoMDA. CoMDA and CoMDA-ML are reliable and time-saving tools for accurate classification of cognitive profiles in parkinsonisms.
NPJ PARKINSONS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Viviana Versace, Stefania Campostrini, Sabrina Dezi, Luca Sebastianelli, Paola Ortelli, Leopold Saltuari, Josep Valls-Sole, Markus Kofler
Summary: The modulation of the blink reflex can be observed in both self-stimulation and external stimulation, showing similar changes in R2 and R1. However, self-stimulation has a tonic effect on the blink reflex, while external stimulation has a time-locked gating mechanism at the brainstem level.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Viviana Versace, Paola Ortelli, Sabrina Dezi, Davide Ferrazzoli, Alessia Alibardi, Ilenia Bonini, Michael Engl, Roberto Maestri, Martina Assogna, Valentina Ajello, Elke Pucks-Faes, Leopold Saltuari, Luca Sebastianelli, Markus Kofler, Giacomo Koch
Summary: The objective of this study was to test the effects of co-ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide/luteolin (PEA-LUT) on cortical activity in patients experiencing cognitive dysfunction and fatigue after COVID-19. The results showed that treatment with PEA-LUT improved long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) and cortical plasticity in these patients.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Markus Kofler, Josep Valls-Sole, Michael Thurner, Elke Pucks-Faes, Viviana Versace
Summary: This study investigated the effects of low-intensity prepulse inhibition (PPI) to digital nerves and conditioning supraorbital nerve stimulation (SON-1) on blink reflex (BR) excitability recovery (BRER) to paired supraorbital nerve stimulation (SON-2). The results showed that PPI did not affect BRER, but inhibition on BR to SON-2 was observed when additional prepulses were applied before SON-2. The study concluded that the response size of BR to SON-2 depends on SON-1 stimulus intensity, not SON-1 response size.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Juan M. Castellote, Markus Kofler, Andreas Mayr
Summary: This study investigates lower limb responses using a model in which subjects are suspended in the air. The results suggest that responses to equilibrium destabilization depend on both motor set and subject's expectation. When subjects know the velocity of the disturbing stimulus, the response involves anticipatory postural adjustments, while in cases where the velocity is unknown, both postural reactions and anticipatory postural adjustments are observed.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Ortelli, Angelica Quercia, Antonio Cerasa, Sabrina Dezi, Davide Ferrazzoli, Luca Sebastianelli, Leopold Saltuari, Viviana Versace, Angelo Quartarone, Marco Marino
Summary: This study investigates the brain source activity in post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) patients and finds that PCS patients exhibit alterations in neurocognitive symptoms and fatigue. The results suggest a dysfunction in the neuronal networks involved in executive functions in PCS patients, which may contribute to their complaints of fatigue and cognitive impairment.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gerd Koehler, Marlies Eichner, Heidemarie Abrahamian, Markus Kofler, Wolfgang Sturm, Anja Menzel
Summary: These guidelines provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic neuropathy and diabetic foot. The position statement summarizes key clinical symptoms and diagnostic techniques for diabetic neuropathy, including diabetic foot syndrome. It also offers guidance on therapeutic management, particularly for pain control in sensorimotor neuropathy, as well as the importance of preventing and treating diabetic foot syndrome.
WIENER KLINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jonathan Cole, Anita Kamondi
Summary: This article discusses the differences in clinical neurophysiology specialty training among countries in Europe, Middle East, and Africa and proposes recommendations to harmonize training and education within the region. The recommendations cover governance and regulation of training, competence requirements, as well as various examinations and tests. A modular approach and assessment of different techniques are also recommended.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Helena Talasz, Christian Kremser, Heribert Johannes Talasz, Markus Kofler, Ansgar Rudisch
Summary: The current scientific literature has inconsistent findings regarding the effects of high-intensity physical activities on the pelvic floor in women. Different breathing patterns may influence pelvic floor function during strenuous physical efforts. The pelvic floor muscles play an important role in strenuous physical activities, and disadvantageous breathing patterns may lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. Future research should consider the breathing cycles when studying pelvic floor function.
Article
Neurosciences
Nina Gras, Torsten Brauner, Scott Wearing, Thomas Horstmann
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the challenge posed by progressively unstable balance devices to bipedal stance during early functional rehabilitation in THA patients. The results showed that increasingly compliant balance pads provided a progressive challenge, while the challenge posed by the oscillating platform was lower and independent of the ability to stand independently.
Article
Neurosciences
Sharon M. H. Tsang, Evest H. W. Chan, Jason Y. H. Chan, Gladys P. Y. Huang, Kelly K. T. Lam, Eunice W. Y. Lam, Allan C. L. Fu, Eliza R. Sun
Summary: This study examined the differences in postural adjustments between erect, hyperlordotic, and swayback postures when facing external perturbations. The findings suggest that adopting hyperlordotic and swayback postures alters the contributions of the active and passive subsystems of the spine in postural control, potentially reducing the spine's ability to withstand loading and shear forces.
Article
Neurosciences
Hsin-yi Wang, Cheng-Yi Ho, Min-Chun Pan
Summary: This study investigated the differences in lumbar and hip movements during gait and muscle activities related to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients and healthy participants. The results showed that KOA patients used a hyperlordotic lumbar and hip flexed strategy, leading to excessive stress on the lower extremity joints during gait.
Article
Neurosciences
Yoshitaka Otani, Osamu Aoki
Summary: This study found that feelings of fear affect postural control but not the internal focus of attention. This finding may be useful in assessments and interventions for older adults with a fall risk.
Article
Neurosciences
Haruki Toda, Hiroaki Hobara, Mitsunori Tada
Summary: This study investigated sex differences in lower limb dynamic joint stiffness (DJS) during walking in older adults. The results showed that ankle DJS was lower in older women, which was caused by the reduced ankle plantarflexion moment. However, knee DJS did not elucidate the cause of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in older women.
Article
Neurosciences
Luis H. Cubillos, Elliott J. Rouse, Thomas E. Augenstein, Varun Joshi, Edward S. Claflin, Chandramouli Krishnan
Summary: The study found that the reliability of stiffness, viscosity, and inertia of the ankle joint was good to excellent during standing. During walking, the reliability of stiffness and viscosity was also good to excellent, while that of inertia was fair to good. The minimal detectable change (MDC) ranged widely, but was higher for inertia during walking.
Article
Neurosciences
Alexandra F. Dejong Lempke, Danielle L. Hunt, Sarah B. Willwerth, Pierre A. d'Hemecourt, William P. Meehan III, Kristin E. Whitney
Summary: Adolescent athletes alter their gait patterns throughout a marathon race, and there are correlations between biomechanical features and race performance among young marathoners.
Article
Neurosciences
Ali Esmaeili, Sayed Esmaeil Hosseininejad, Amirali Jafarnezhadgero, Valdeci Carlos Dionisio
Summary: This study investigates the effects of footwear type, navicular drop and ankle pronation on lower limb joint stiffness during running. The results show that navicular drop and dynamic ankle pronation do not affect joint stiffness, but footwear type significantly affects joint stiffness. Conventional footwear increases ankle and hip joint stiffness while reducing knee joint stiffness, which may have implications for injury risk.
Article
Neurosciences
Takahiro Watanabe, Tomoya Takabayashi, Takanori Kikumoto, Yudai Kikuchi, Shunsuke Suzuki, Shiori Hiratsuka, Masayoshi Kubo
Summary: This study suggests that there are differences in abductor hallucis activity between individuals with chronic ankle instability and ankle sprain copers, indicating neuromuscular dysfunction in these patients, which leads to pain and instability symptoms.
Letter
Neurosciences
Susan M. Linder, Mandy Miller Koop, Jay L. Alberts
Article
Neurosciences
Elza van Duijnhoven, Marit van der Veen, Fieke S. Koopman, Frans Nollet, Sjoerd M. Bruijn, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: Gait stability is impaired in polio survivors with plantarflexor weakness, characterized by increased step width and step length variability and lower MoSAP. These factors are related to the elevated energy cost of walking in polio survivors.
Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca Hemming, Alister du Rose, Liba Sheeran, Robert van Deursen, Valerie Sparkes
Summary: In a forward bending task, there is a relationship between trunk muscle activation and regional thoracic and lumbar kinematics in NSCLBP subgroups, indicating different motor control strategies adopted by different subgroups when performing bending tasks.
Review
Neurosciences
Carina Pohle, Linda Becker, Jochen Baumeister
Summary: This systematic review is the first to compile evidence on the effect of the menstrual cycle on postural control. The evidence regarding the influence of the menstrual cycle on postural control is unclear. However, a trend of decreased postural control from the early follicular phase to the ovulatory phase was observed in balance tasks that eliminated or altered sensory input.
