Article
Neurosciences
Salvatore Bertino, Gianpaolo Antonio Basile, Alessia Bramanti, Rosella Ciurleo, Adriana Tisano, Giuseppe Pio Anastasi, Demetrio Milardi, Alberto Cacciola
Summary: Different parcellation pipelines were tested for identifying the treatment target Vim for drug refractory tremors, with higher-order signal modeling and threshold-based voxel classification criteria being the most reliable in terms of inter-subject variability. Connectivity parcels corresponding to Vim were primarily derived from precentral and dentate nucleus-thalamic connectivity, but showed significant differences compared to a ground truth model. Data quality and parcellation pipelines significantly influenced the volume of connectivity clusters, highlighting the need for caution in thalamic connectivity-based segmentation for stereotactic targeting.
Article
Neurosciences
Diana Casas-Torremocha, Mario Rubio-Teves, Anna Hoerder-Suabedissen, Shuichi Hayashi, Lucia Prensa, Zoltan Molnar, Cesar Porrero, Francisco Clasca
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the input landscape of the posterior nucleus (Po), a representative higher-order relay nucleus in the mouse thalamus. The findings revealed complex and partly overlapping input-specific microdomains and suggested the integration of specific input motifs and the emergence of functionally diverse input-output subnetworks within the higher-order relay nuclei.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Puck C. Reeders, M. Vanessa Rivera Nunez, Robert P. Vertes, Aaron T. Mattfeld, Timothy A. Allen
Summary: The midline thalamus plays a crucial role in cognition, memory, and stress regulation in humans and is linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders. A new method using probabilistic tractography and k-means clustering with diffusion weighted imaging data has been developed to identify the midline thalamus in vivo. This approach successfully classifies midline thalamic clusters based on cortical and subcortical connectivity profiles, and segments the midline thalamus according to anatomical connectivity tracer studies. This anatomical connectivity-based identification offers an opportunity to investigate the midline thalamus in humans and its relationship to cognitive functions and disorders.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Gianpaolo Antonio Basile, Salvatore Bertino, Alessia Bramanti, Rosella Ciurleo, Giuseppe Pio Anastasi, Demetrio Milardi, Alberto Cacciola
Summary: Novel imaging techniques have been developed for precise delineation of thalamic nuclei, allowing for reliable identification of up to 13 distinct nuclei bilaterally. These high-resolution imaging methods have potential implications for studying thalamic connectivity, basic research, and presurgical planning.
Article
Neurosciences
Jacqueline M. Ehrman, Paloma Merchan-Sala, Lisa A. Ehrman, Bin Chen, Hee-Woong Lim, Ronald R. Waclaw, Kenneth Campbell
Summary: The projection neurons of the striatum can be categorized into the striatopallidal (indirect) pathway or the striatonigral (direct) pathway. Striatonigral axons pioneer the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle and provide guidance for corticofugal and thalamocortical axons. Defects in the striatonigral pathway can disrupt internal capsule formation.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Marilyn M. M. Angulo Salavarria, Claudia Dell'Amico, Armando D'Agostino, Luciano Conti, Marco Onorati
Summary: The human brain, the most complex structure generated during development, plays a crucial role in various physiological and pathological functions. Understanding the development and organization of neural networks, particularly the cortico-thalamic and thalamo-cortical circuits, is essential for comprehending neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Animal models and advanced in vitro platforms like brain organoids have been utilized to study CT development and dysfunctions. Recent cutting-edge contributions, including in silico approaches, have shed light on the ontogenesis, specification, and function of the CT-TC circuitry under normal and pathological conditions.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Robert P. Vertes, Stephanie B. Linley, Amanda K. P. Rojas
Summary: The midline and intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus play vital roles in various affective, cognitive, and executive behaviors. They are anatomically and functionally distinct, but together form an important brain circuitry.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Carmen B. Schafer, Zhenyu Gao, Chris De Zeeuw, Freek E. Hoebeek
Summary: The study found that the firing of ventrolateral thalamus (VL) neurons is influenced by the thalamic membrane potential, cerebellar input frequency, and duration of pauses after high frequency stimulation. Inputs from motor cortical layer VI can shift the VL membrane potential and modulate the spike output in response to cerebellar stimulation. Additionally, when cerebellar nuclei and motor cortical layer VI pathways are co-activated, the motor cortical inputs increase thalamic spike output in response to cerebellar stimulation.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Yumi Tsutsumi, Yuka Mizuno, Tahsinul Haque, Fumihiko Sato, Takahiro Furuta, Ayaka Oka, Masayuki Moritani, Yong Chul Bae, Takashi Yamashiro, Yoshihisa Tachibana, Atsushi Yoshida
Summary: The oval paracentral nucleus (OPC) in rats receives proprioceptive inputs from jaw-closing muscle spindles (JCMSs). Tracing studies revealed that OPC projects cortically to the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and secondary somatosensory cortex (S2), indicating divergent pathways from the intralaminar thalamic nucleus for processing proprioceptive sensation from JCMSs.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Dirk Feldmeyer
Summary: Cortical layer 6b, considered a remnant of the subplate from early neocortical development, has recently gained attention for its functional role. This review provides an overview of the excitatory and inhibitory neurons in layer 6b, their connectivity, and functional implications. It also highlights similarities and differences between different cortical areas, as well as the responsiveness of layer 6b neurons to neuropeptides and neurotransmitters.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Fangchen Zhu, Sarah Elnozahy, Jennifer Lawlor, Kishore V. Kuchibhotla
Summary: The study found that cholinergic signals from the basal forebrain relay auditory information to the auditory cortex. These signals are modulated by brain and behavioral states and provide repeated auditory representations across the cortical tonotopy. However, it remains unknown whether sensory cholinergic signals target the sensory cortex and how they relate to local functional topography.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Alireza Bahramian, Sajjad Shaukat Jamal, Fatemeh Parastesh, Kartikeyan Rajagopal, Sajad Jafari
Summary: This paper introduces a two-layer network model to investigate the effects of thalamic circuits on cortical neuron behavior. The results show that different types of logic gates can lead to different patterns in the network.
Article
Neurosciences
Steliana Yanakieva, Mathias L. Mathiasen, Eman Amin, Andrew J. D. Nelson, Shane M. O'Mara, John P. Aggleton
Summary: This study compared collateral projections from different rostral thalamic nuclei terminating in different cortical areas. The results showed that these projections predominantly arise from separate populations of neurons with discrete cortical termination zones.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Guanxiao Qi, Dirk Feldmeyer
Summary: The neuromodulator acetylcholine (ACh) has important effects on arousal, attention, vigilance, learning and memory. In this study, the researchers investigated how a low concentration of ACh affects different types of neurons in the rat barrel cortex. They found that ACh had heterogeneous effects on the membrane potential of these neurons, with excitatory neurons showing hyperpolarisation and inhibitory neurons showing depolarisation. These effects were mediated by different types of ACh receptors expressed on the neurons.
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Binghan Xue, Xiangying Meng, Yanqing Xu, Joseph P. Y. Kao, Patrick O. Kanold
Summary: This study investigates the development of intracortical connectivity in layer 1 (L1) of the auditory cortex in mice. The results show that deep excitatory circuits are tightly linked with superficial inhibitory circuits in early development, providing a functional scaffold for the intermediate layers. There is also a transient period of high columnar hyperconnectivity after ear opening, suggesting that circuits originating in deep layers play a key role in this process.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Y. Audrey Hay, Przemyslaw Jarzebowski, Yu Zhang, Richard Digby, Viktoria Brendel, Ole Paulsen, Vincent Magloire
Summary: The study shows that acetylcholine can modulate activity in the medial entorhinal cortex, increasing network event occurrence by prolonging Up state duration and increasing firing rate of neurons.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Laura Scarciolla, Matthias Herteleer, Edouard Turquet, Sammy Badr, Xavier Demondion, Thibaut Jacques, Anne Cotten
Summary: This study found that most of the PTF ligaments can be visualized using ultrasound, which may have clinical applications, especially in patients with lateral knee pain.
INSIGHTS INTO IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xhevat Lumi, Tanja Ducic, Martin Kreuzer, Marko Hawlina, Sofija Andjelic
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the effects of UV C irradiation on the bio-macromolecules of lens epithelial cells using synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy. The results showed significant changes in protein conformation, lipid peroxidation, and diminishment of the asymmetric CH3 band after UV C irradiation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Przemyslaw Jarzebowski, Clara S. Tang, Ole Paulsen, Y. Audrey Hay
Summary: The study shows that optogenetic stimulation of septal cholinergic neurons affects different stages of memory formation, impairing memory formation when activated at the goal location, reducing sharp wave ripple incidence at the goal location, and decreasing SWR incidence while enhancing theta-gamma oscillations during sleep.
Article
Biology
Marko Gosak, Dajana Gojic, Elena Spasovska, Marko Hawlina, Sofija Andjelic
Summary: The progression of cataract is associated with modifications in Ca2+ signaling in lens epithelial cells (LECs), with more severe cataracts leading to faster propagation of Ca2+ waves but lower amplitudes and longer durations of Ca2+ signals. However, there were no significant differences in Ca2+ signaling between different types of cataracts.
Article
Neurosciences
Y. Audrey Hay, Nicolas Deperrois, Tanja Fuchsberger, Thomas Matthew Quarrell, Anna-Lucia Koerling, Ole Paulsen
Summary: During slow-wave sleep, thalamic input synchronously regulates Down transitions across cortical areas by activating GABA(B) receptors on layer 1 neurons. This demonstrates the essential role of thalamus in coordinating Down transitions in natural slow-wave sleep.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Grace Wan Yu Ang, Clara S. Tang, Y. Audrey Hay, Sara Zannone, Ole Paulsen, Claudia Clopath
Summary: Animals must adapt their behavior quickly to changing rewards through neuromodulators and synaptic weight changes. Experimental results show that acetylcholine-facilitated depression is crucial for reversal learning, which was confirmed in the optogenetic experiments.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Przemyslaw Jarzebowski, Y. Audrey Hay, Benjamin F. Grewe, Ole Paulsen
Summary: Hippocampal place cells in the brain encode spatial relations and reward locations. Dorsal CA1 (dCA1) cells accumulate at reward, while intermediate CA1 (iCA1) cells may have a different role in spatial navigation. Little is known about the involvement of the intermediate-to-ventral hippocampus in reward-directed navigation. This study used calcium imaging to track the activity of CA1 cells in mice as they learned different reward locations. The results suggest that dCA1 encodes reward proximity through changing populations of cells, while iCA1 provides a reward-predictive code through a dedicated subpopulation. Both codes persist over time and assist goal-directed navigation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natasha Josifovska, Sofija Andjelic, Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk, Xhevat Lumi, Tanja Ducic, Goran Petrovski
Summary: Synchrotron radiation-based Fourier Transform Infrared (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy is a technique used for non-destructive and chemically sensitive detection of biomolecular changes in cells. This study investigated the effects of autophagy and oxidative stress on human primary retinal pigment epithelium (hRPEs), using SR-FTIR microspectroscopy to analyze the changes in nucleic acids, proteins, carbonyl groups, and lipids. The results can be used to study drug discovery targeting autophagy and oxidative stress in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofija Andjelic, Martin Kreuzer, Marko Hawlina, Xhevat Lumi
Summary: In this study, biochemical differences among three different types of epiretinal proliferations were evaluated and compared using synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy. The results showed differences in protein and lipid structure, collagen content and maturity, proteoglycan presence, protein phosphorylation, and DNA expression among PVRm, PDRm, and ERMi. Collagen expression was found to be strongest in PDRm, lower in ERMi, and very low in PVRm. The presence of silicone oil in the structure of PVRm suggests its involvement in PVRm formation during vitreoretinal surgery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Sammy Badr, Huda Khizindar, Youssef Boulil, Ralph Abou Diwan, Xavier Demondion, Anne Cotten
Summary: Anatomical variants are common in sacroiliac joints (SIJ) assessments using magnetic resonance imaging. Variants not in weight-bearing areas can be misdiagnosed as sacroiliitis due to structural and edematous changes. Identifying these variants correctly is crucial to avoid radiologic pitfalls. This article reviews eight SIJ variants, including five involved in the dorsal ligamentous space and three involved in the cartilaginous part of the SIJ.
SEMINARS IN MUSCULOSKELETAL RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Anne Cotten, Simon Henry, Laura Scarciolla, Ralph Abou Diwan, Xavier Demondion, Sammy Badr
Summary: This article presents the typical and more unusual imaging features of gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, and apatite calcifications, the three main crystal disorders that may involve the spine.
SEMINARS IN MUSCULOSKELETAL RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sammy Badr, Anne Cotten, Romuald Mentaverri, Daniela Lombardo, Julien Labreuche, Claire Martin, Lucie Henaut, Bernard Cortet, Julien Paccou
Summary: No association was found between kidney function and bone marrow adiposity in postmenopausal women.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Pedro Augusto Gondim Teixeira, Lauriane Dubois, Gabriela Hossu, Romain Gillet, Sammy Badr, Anne Cotten, Alain Blum
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the MRI perfusion changes in patients with risk factors for osteonecrosis and normally appearing femoral heads prior to overt femoral head osteonecrosis. The results showed that DCE-MRI can identify perfusion marrow changes related to the presence of ONFH risk factors and adjacent to osteonecrosis areas.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Ralph Abou Diwan, Sammy Badr, Youssef Boulil, Xavier Demondion, Carlos Maynou, Anne Cotten
Summary: This article discusses the clinical aspect, imaging appearance, and management of tendinopathies related to overuse in the lateral, medial, and anterior compartments, with a focus on presurgical perspective and postsurgical evaluation.
SEMINARS IN MUSCULOSKELETAL RADIOLOGY
(2022)