Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca Herzog, Till M. Berger, Martje G. Pauly, Honghu Xue, Elmar Rueckert, Alexander Muenchau, Tobias Baeumer, Anne Weissbach
Summary: Transcranial current stimulation techniques can induce cortical plasticity. The cerebellum, an important relay in the motor system, is a promising target for plasticity induction. This study compared the effects of different tCS methods on cerebellar plasticity and found that 50 Hz tACS was the most effective in changing corticospinal excitability.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Danny Spampinato, Esin Avci, John Rothwell, Lorenzo Rocchi
Summary: Cerebellar transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can specifically enhance cerebellar motor cortex (M1) inhibition, particularly during the application of 5Hz tACS. The effects of 5Hz tACS appear to be site-specific and do not induce long-lasting effects.
Article
Neurosciences
Marcin Wyroslak, Grzegorz Dobrzanski, Jerzy W. Mozrzymas
Summary: In this study, we investigated the effect of NMDA-induced plasticity on tonic inhibition in somatostatin- and parvalbumin-containing interneurons. Our results showed that NMDA application enhanced tonic conductance in somatostatin-containing interneurons, while reducing tonic inhibition in both fast-spiking and non-fast-spiking parvalbumin-positive cells. These changes were associated with alterations in the content of α5 and δ-subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Koen Cuypers, Anouk Marsman
Summary: The combination of TMS and MRS is an effective way to study changes in molecular concentrations and neurotransmitter-related metabolites in the brain, particularly for neurotransmitters such as glutamate and GABA. This approach can evaluate alterations in brain metabolites following interventional TMS protocols, and also identify interactions between metabolite levels and measures of excitability or receptor-mediated inhibition and facilitation. TMS and MRS together provide comprehensive information on glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission and hold promise for studying brain network interactions and neurotransmission.
Article
Neurosciences
Koen Cuypers, Melina Hehl, June van Aalst, Sima Chalavi, Mark Mikkelsen, Koen Van Laere, Patrick Dupont, Dante Mantini, Stephan P. Swinnen
Summary: Healthy aging is associated with mechanistic changes in GABA, and a higher GABA(A)R availability in the SM cortex of older adults may be a compensatory mechanism to ensure optimal inhibitory functionality during the aging process. There were no age-related differences in GABA+ levels or GABA(A)R activity, and no significant associations were found between GABA(A)R availability, GABA(A)R activity, and GABA+ levels.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
XiaoTing Zheng, Kirstie J. Salinas, Dario X. Figueroa Velez, Taylor Nakayama, Xiaoxiao Lin, Dhruba Banerjee, Xiangmin Xu, Sunil P. Gandhi
Summary: Transplanted embryonic interneurons reactivate cortical plasticity via Neuregulin/ErbB4 signaling in host parvalbumin interneurons.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xingzhi He, Yang Wang, Guangjun Zhou, Jing Yang, Jiarui Li, Tao Li, Hailan Hu, Huan Ma
Summary: The γCaMKII isoform is highly expressed in hippocampal inhibitory interneurons and is activated by high-frequency stimulation. It co-localizes with the postsynaptic protein PSD-95 and regulates the phosphorylation and trafficking of AMPARs induced by chemical LTP.
NEUROSCIENCE BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Andrea Guerra, Francesco Asci, Alessandro Zampogna, Valentina D'Onofrio, Alfredo Berardelli, Antonio Suppa
Summary: The study showed that the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on long-term potentiation (LTP)-like plasticity of the primary motor cortex (M1) are significantly reduced in older adults compared to young adults.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Corinna Giorgi, Silvia Marinelli
Summary: Increasing evidence supports a model where memories are encoded by sparse ensembles of neurons called engrams, with different neuronal subtypes and non-neuronal cells contributing to persistent transcriptional and functional changes during memory encoding. In particular, glutamatergic excitatory neurons, GABAergic inhibitory neurons, and glia cells have been shown to play a role in memory engram formation. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific contributions of these different cell types to memory processes.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yun Fei Feng, Yin Yong Zhou, Kai Ming Duan
Summary: Postpartum depression is a serious disease that has a high incidence and severe impact on pregnant women and infants. However, the mechanism of this condition is still unclear. Recent studies have shown that GABA receptors, especially extrasynaptic receptors, are closely associated with postpartum depression. This review focuses on the function of GABA receptors, particularly extrasynaptic receptors, and their association with postpartum depression.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Karolina Bogaj, Roksana Kaplon, Joanna Urban-Ciecko
Summary: This study investigated the inhibitory effects of GABAA receptors on different types of interneurons in mouse brain slices. The results showed that different types of interneurons have varying sensitivity to inhibition, and GABAA inhibition can decrease the excitability of one type of interneuron while not affecting another type.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monika Liguz-Lecznar, Grzegorz Dobrzanski, Malgorzata Kossut
Summary: Despite differences in pathophysiology, many neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders share the disruption of excitation/inhibition balance as a pivotal mechanism. This article briefly describes the somatostatinergic system and the role of somatostatin and SOM-INs in physiological and pathological brain processes, emphasizing their importance in neuroplasticity and various brain pathologies.
Article
Neurosciences
Helen C. Barron
Summary: Humans have the ability to continually learn and acquire new skills without necessarily erasing old memories. Recent studies suggest that neural inhibition regulates the stability of neural networks, allowing for continual learning while protecting memories from interference. This neural inhibition may be crucial in supporting higher-order cognition and adaptive behavior.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Gonzalez-Ramos, Eliska Waloschkova, Apostolos Mikroulis, Zaal Kokaia, Johan Bengzon, Marco Ledri, My Andersson, Merab Kokaia
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential for regulating human neuronal network activity by transplanting light-sensitive GABAergic interneurons. It provides a new avenue for controlling neurological disorders through precise temporal modulation of network excitability.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Elizabeth Nicholson, Dimitri M. Kullmann
Summary: The study demonstrates that acetylcholine release from cholinergic axons is able to trigger heterosynaptic potentiation of glutamatergic signaling to oriens interneurons in the hippocampus, independent of NMDA receptors. This phenomenon is sensitive to postsynaptic Ca2+ chelation and blockers of nicotinic receptors, highlighting the importance of cholinergic signaling in the induction of LTP.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Andrea Guerra, Valentina D'Onofrio, Francesco Asci, Florinda Ferreri, Giovanni Fabbrini, Alfredo Berardelli, Matteo Bologna
Summary: L-dopa variably influences the effects of iTBS-gamma-tACS on M1 in PD patients. However, the combination of iTBS-gamma-tACS therapy improved M1 plasticity and enhanced GABA-A-ergic transmission in PD patients regardless of dopaminergic state.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Andrea Guerra, Gerd Tinkhauser, Alberto Benussi, Tommaso Bocci
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Edoardo Bianchini, Bianca Calio, Marika Alborghetti, Domiziana Rinaldi, Clint Hansen, Nicolas Vuillerme, Walter Maetzler, Francesco E. Pontieri
Summary: Commercial smartwatches may not accurately count steps in Parkinson's disease patients, especially when they are in the OFF pharmacological state and worn on the most-affected body side. However, they show good performance in healthy subjects at a self-selected speed.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tracy Milane, Clint Hansen, Matthias Chardon, Edoardo Bianchini, Nicolas Vuillerme
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor symptoms and gait impairments, with freezing of gait (FOG) being one of the most disabling manifestations. Studies have shown that gait impairments are more pronounced in backward walking (BW) for PD patients with FOG. However, there has been no systematic review comparing BW performance between PD patients with and without FOG. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in BW performance between these two groups.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Luca Pietrosanti, Alexandre Calado, Cristiano Maria Verrelli, Antonio Pisani, Antonio Suppa, Francesco Fattapposta, Alessandro Zampogna, Martina Patera, Viviana Rosati, Franco Giannini, Giovanni Saggio
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) causes a range of symptoms, including motor impairments. Recent studies have utilized technology-based systems, particularly wearable devices, to objectively measure gait capabilities and differences between PD patients and healthy individuals. This study focused on the harmonic content of upper limb swing during walking, which had not been previously studied. Using IMU sensors, the walking capabilities of PD patients (both newly diagnosed and those under chronic dopaminergic treatment in an off-therapy state) and healthy individuals were measured. The collected data were FFT transformed and analyzed for frequency content. The results showed objectively evidenced upper limb rigidity in PD patients, which was correlated to lower harmonic contents.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Edoardo Bianchini, Elke Warmerdam, Robbin Romijnders, Klarissa Hanja Stuerner, Ralf Baron, Sebastian Heinzel, Francesco Ernesto Pontieri, Clint Hansen, Walter Maetzler
Summary: Using a smartphone while walking can lead to en bloc turning, increasing the risk of falls. This turning behavior is particularly dangerous for individuals with Parkinson disease and may be used to differentiate individuals with lower-back pain and early Parkinson disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Andrea Guerra, Donato Colella, Antonio Cannavacciuolo, Margherita Giangrosso, Giulia Paparella, Giovanni Fabbrini, Alfredo Berardelli, Matteo Bologna
Summary: Patients with Parkinson's disease show impaired short-term potentiation (STP) mechanisms in the primary motor cortex. In this study, the role of this neurophysiological abnormality in bradykinesia was investigated using a multimodal neuromodulation approach. The results suggest that abnormal STP processes are involved in bradykinesia pathophysiology and can be restored by increasing beta oscillations.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lazzaro di Biase, Lorenzo Ricci, Maria Letizia Caminiti, Pasquale Maria Pecoraro, Simona Paola Carbone, Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
Summary: This study investigated brain connectivity in Parkinson's disease (PD) and age matched healthy controls (HC) using quantitative EEG analysis during rest and a motor task. The phase locking value (PLV) was evaluated as a measure of functional connectivity. Results showed no significant differences in PLV connectivity between groups at rest, but higher PLV connectivity in the delta band during the motor task in HC compared to PD. ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.75, sensitivity of 100%, and NPV of 100% in discriminating PD from HC.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Piervincenzi, Antonio Suppa, Nikolaos Petsas, Andrea Fabbrini, Alessandro Trebbastoni, Francesco Asci, Costanza Gianni, Alfredo Berardelli, Patrizia Pantano
Summary: This study used multimodal magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the relationship between parkinsonism and brain structure and function in patients with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). The results showed that patients with and without parkinsonism exhibited similar patterns of cortical thinning and reduced thalamic volume, but only patients with parkinsonism showed reduced putaminal volume and decreased connectivity between the supplementary motor area and putamen. These findings suggest that FTD patients with parkinsonism have specific neurodegenerative processes in the corticobasal ganglia-thalamocortical motor loops.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Andrea Guerra, Valentina D'Onofrio, Florinda Ferreri, Matteo Bologna, Angelo Antonini
Summary: Although clinician-based assessment is the gold standard for quantifying motor impairment in Parkinson's disease, there are limitations such as variability and approximation. Objective motion analyses can complement clinical assessment and provide more accurate evaluations of motor symptoms and complications in PD.
EXPERT REVIEW OF NEUROTHERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Angelo Antonini, Valentina D'Onofrio, Andrea Guerra
Summary: Advanced Parkinson's disease patients often experience poor mobility and functional decline despite medication adjustments. Drug delivery systems have been developed to bypass issues with oral levodopa absorption and have been proven effective in trials and real-world use. Future efforts should focus on early detection and global availability of these treatments.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Antonio Cannavacciuolo, Giulia Paparella, Martina Salzillo, Donato Colella, Marco Canevelli, Davide Costa, Daniele Birreci, Luca Angelini, Andrea Guerra, Lucia Ricciardi, Giuseppe Bruno, Alfredo Berardelli, Matteo Bologna
Summary: Both Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are characterized by reduced facial expressivity, and this study found that patients with PD and AD showed similar patterns of reduced facial emotion expressivity compared to healthy controls.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matteo Conti, Andrea Guerra, Mariangela Pierantozzi, Roberta Bovenzi, Valentina D'Onofrio, Clara Simonetta, Rocco Cerroni, Claudio Liguori, Fabio Placidi, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Francesca Di Giuliano, Tommaso Schirinzi, Alessandro Stefani
Summary: This study investigates the resting-state functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities in early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using high-density electroencephalography (EEG). The findings suggest that frequency-specific FC changes in PD are associated with motor and non-motor symptoms, reflecting dysfunction in distinct cortical networks from the early stage of the disease.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Giulia Paparella, Antonio Cannavacciuolo, Luca Angelini, Davide Costa, Daniele Birreci, Danilo Alunni Fegatelli, Andrea Guerra, Alfredo Berardelli, Matteo Bologna
Summary: This study assessed the features of bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and healthy elderly individuals. The results showed that PD patients had the highest clinical scores, followed by ET patients and healthy elderly individuals. Kinematic analysis revealed differences in movement velocity among the groups, with PD patients having the slowest values and ET patients displaying less velocity than healthy elderly individuals.
JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Luca Pietrosanti, Cristiano Maria Verrelli, Franco Giannini, Antonio Suppa, Francesco Fattapposta, Alessandro Zampogna, Martina Patera, Viviana Rosati, Giovanni Saggio
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and is evaluated subjectively by clinicians. To provide more objective assessments, researchers have developed technology-based systems to measure motor symptoms, but there has been a lack of focus on the importance of upper limb swing during walking.
