Article
Clinical Neurology
Takufumi Yanagisawa, Ryohei Fukuma, Ben Seymour, Masataka Tanaka, Okito Yamashita, Koichi Hosomi, Haruhiko Kishima, Yukiyasu Kamitani, Youichi Saitoh
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using neurofeedback training to change sensorimotor cortical representations and modulate pain perception in patients with phantom limb pain, without requiring explicit phantom hand movements or hand-like visual feedback.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emma Colamarino, Matteo Lorusso, Floriana Pichiorri, Jlenia Toppi, Federica Tamburella, Giada Serratore, Angela Riccio, Francesco Tomaiuolo, Alessandra Bigioni, Federico Giove, Giorgio Scivoletto, Febo Cincotti, Donatella Mattia
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effects of motor imagery training supported by brain-computer interface (BCI) on the recovery of upper limb sensorimotor function in patients with subacute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). By using a BCI system fully compatible with clinical settings, it is expected to promote cortical sensorimotor plasticity and maximize the recovery of arm functions.
Article
Neurosciences
Midori Kodama, Seitaro Iwama, Masumi Morishige, Junichi Ushiba
Summary: This study examined the short-term changes in cortical structures induced by neurofeedback training using EEG-based BCIs. The results demonstrated that the training can lead to structural plasticity in the motor cortex and white matter. Additionally, the learning rate of neural excitability control was found to be correlated with changes in the volume of the motor cortex.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sean L. Metzger, Kaylo T. Littlejohn, Alexander B. Silva, David A. Moses, Margaret P. Seaton, Ran Wang, Maximilian E. Dougherty, Jessie R. Liu, Peter Wu, Michael A. Berger, Inga Zhuravleva, Adelyn Tu-Chan, Karunesh Ganguly, Gopala K. Anumanchipalli, Edward F. Chang
Summary: This research uses high-density surface recordings of the speech cortex to achieve real-time decoding of brain activity into text, speech sounds, and facial movements. Deep learning models are trained to accurately and rapidly convert neural data into various outputs. This multimodal speech neuroprosthetic approach has substantial potential to restore full and embodied communication for individuals with severe paralysis.
Review
Neurosciences
Soshi Samejima, Richard Henderson, Jared Pradarelli, Sarah E. Mondello, Chet T. Moritz
Summary: Spinal cord injuries often result in permanent physical impairments despite being incomplete disruptions. However, remaining connections between the brain and spinal cord can induce neural plasticity to improve sensorimotor function, even years post-injury. This review provides an overview of evidence for motor recovery, plasticity, and interventions in spinal cord stimulation for motor control restoration. It discusses both open-loop and closed-loop stimulation approaches, as well as mechanisms of spinal cord neuromodulation for sensorimotor recovery, aiming to advance rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Yong-long Chen, Xiang-lan Feng, Chi-Wai Cheung, Jessica Aijia Liu
Summary: This article reviews the role of astrocytes in pain and discusses the molecular mechanisms that control their activity. Targeting detrimental astrocyte subtypes and activity is considered a promising strategy for pain management.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Santosh Chandrasekaran, Nikunj A. Bhagat, Richard Ramdeo, Sadegh Ebrahimi, Pawan D. Sharma, Doug G. Griffin, Adam Stein, Susan J. Harkema, Chad E. Bouton
Summary: Long-term recovery of limb function is an unmet need in paralysis patients. Both epidural stimulation of the spinal cord and transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) have shown promising results in motor control rehabilitation. This study explores the specific effects of tSCS on cervical spinal segments and demonstrates significant improvements in exerted force and tactile sensation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ciaran McGeady, Aleksandra Vuckovic, Yong-Ping Zheng, Monzurul Alam
Summary: Transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique associated with improved volitional limb control in spinal-cord injured individuals. This study investigated the artifacts manifested in EEG recordings during tSCS and explored techniques to suppress these artifacts. Notch filtering was effective at reducing spectral power contribution from stimulation, while adaptive filtering was more suitable for channels closer to the stimulation site. This study supports future EEG investigations during tSCS and the development of brain-computer interfaces in the presence of spinal stimulation.
Article
Neurosciences
Carla Pais-Vieira, Pedro Gaspar, Demetrio Matos, Leonor Palminha Alves, Barbara Moreira da Cruz, Maria Joao Azevedo, Miguel Gago, Tania Poleri, Andre Perrotta, Miguel Pais-Vieira
Summary: This study investigated the comfort levels with embodiment experiences in chronic pain SCI patients using a combination of visual, auditory, tactile, and thermal feedback in an immersive environment. High levels of embodiment were found throughout the sessions, with no significant adverse effects reported. The study supports the feasibility of combining multimodal stimulation in neurorehabilitation programs.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Fangzhou Xu, Jincheng Li, Gege Dong, Jianfei Li, Xinyi Chen, Jianqun Zhu, Jinglu Hu, Yang Zhang, Shouwei Yue, Dong Wen, Jiancai Leng
Summary: A deep learning framework based on a modified graph convolution neural network (M-GCN) is proposed to develop an efficient brain-computer interface (BCI) system. The framework improves the decoding performance of EEG signals in different types of motor imagery (MI) recognition through temporal-frequency processing and fusion of multiple features. The method effectively analyzes EEG signals by detecting brain function characteristics and establishing a correlation matrix, providing effective rehabilitation training.
Article
Biology
Hamed Mirzabagherian, Mohammad Bagher Menhaj, Amir Abolfazl Suratgar, Nasibeh Talebi, Mohammad Reza Abbasi Sardari, Atena Sajedin
Summary: Brain Computer Interface (BCI) shows promise in restoring hand functionality for individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). This study introduces Temporal-Spatial Convolutional Residual Network (TSCR-Net) and Temporal-Spatial Convolutional Iterative Residual Network (TSCIR-Net) structures for classifying EEG signals of SCI patients. The proposed models demonstrate higher classification accuracy than previous deep neural networks, achieving 71.11% and 64.55% for the EEG_All dataset, and 57.74% and 67.87% for the EEG_Low frequency dataset, respectively.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Anesthesiology
Lou Cathenaut, Remy Schlichter, Sylvain Hugel
Summary: Somatosensory information is efficiently processed in the spinal cord by frequency-tuned synapses, which display activity-dependent forms of short-term plasticity. These properties allow for powerful gain control in neuronal networks and contribute to the integration of nociceptive messages and the effectiveness of nonpharmacological analgesic procedures.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicholas J. Stachowski, Kimberly J. Dougherty
Summary: The spinal cord is crucial in mediating sensory responses and coordinating movement by activating complex spinal microcircuits that filter external stimuli and determine which signals are transmitted to higher order structures in the CNS. Recent studies have identified distinct populations of inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal and ventral spinal cord, highlighting the importance of inhibitory control in sensorimotor pathways at the spinal level.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jeehyun Kim, Xiyuan Jiang, Dylan Forenzo, Yixuan Liu, Nancy Anderson, Carol M. Greco, Bin He
Summary: This study investigated the immediate effects of a short, 20-minute meditation on SMR-based BCI control and found no significant changes in BCI performance and EEG control signal following the intervention. The present results suggest that a longer period of meditation is needed to improve SMR-based BCI control.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
James D. Bennett, Sam E. John, David B. Grayden, Anthony N. Burkitt
Summary: The study utilized a data-driven approach to identify CSP patterns and proposed adaptive spatial filtering schemes based on the categorization of these patterns. Results indicated that discarding neurophysiologically improbable filters may decrease decoder performance, while a novel adaptive CSP technique showed potential for restoring feature separability. The findings underscore the importance of considering spatial filter activation patterns in BCI studies and highlight the significance of spatial filter adaptation for stable and suitable brain patterns.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Manuel Mello, Martina Fusaro, Gaetano Tieri, Salvatore Maria Aglioti
Summary: Research shows that wearing an opposite-sex avatar can enhance individuals' perceptions of pleasantness and erogeneity for same-sex touch, particularly for men. This body swap illusion may have important implications on people's attitudes and implicit reactivity to touch-mediated interactions.
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sarah Boukarras, Duru Gun Ozkan, Vanessa Era, Quentin Moreau, Gaetano Tieri, Matteo Candidi
Summary: This study demonstrates the causal role of midfrontal theta oscillations in enhancing behavioral performance and motor strategies in synchronous interpersonal motor interactions.
JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Elias Paolo Casula, Gaetano Tieri, Lorenzo Rocchi, Rachele Pezzetta, Michele Maiella, Enea Francesco Pavone, Salvatore Maria Aglioti, Giacomo Koch
Summary: Immersive virtual reality can lead to a strong feeling of embodiment over artificial body parts, but the neural mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not yet fully understood. By tracking real-time brain dynamics, researchers found that observing virtual body parts is associated with a rapid decrease in cortical activity in the hand region of the primary motor cortex, as well as rapid changes in activity within a fronto-parietal circuit. These findings suggest that changes in bodily representations are supported by dynamic interactions within a highly plastic network.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Giuseppe Spinelli, Rachele Pezzetta, Loredana Canzano, Emmanuele Tidoni, Salvatore Maria Aglioti
Summary: Patients with limb apraxia (LA) show altered neurophysiological dynamics during action observation and execution, suggesting a link between error monitoring capacity and severity of apraxic phenotypes.
Article
Neurosciences
Quentin Moreau, Gaetano Tieri, Vanessa Era, Salvatore Maria Aglioti, Matteo Candidi
Summary: This study used electroencephalography recordings and virtual reality to investigate how the action monitoring system tracks self and other behavior during interpersonal motor interactions. The results showed that the monitoring system is more attuned to others' actions and identified distinct neural responses to unexpected goals and trajectory corrections.
Review
Neurosciences
R. Pezzetta, M. E. Wokke, S. M. Aglioti, K. R. Ridderinkhof
Summary: Monitoring errors in one's own and others' actions is crucial for learning and adapting behavior. This review discusses the findings on error detection and awareness in healthy individuals as well as dysfunctional error monitoring in neurological disorders. The review examines both electrophysiological and behavioral evidence of error processing alterations in various neurological populations and highlights the limitations and potential approaches for future clinical studies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emmanuele Tidoni, Henning Holle, Michele Scandola, Igor Schindler, Loron Hill, Emily S. Cross
Summary: This study compared people's ability to understand the behavior of humans, humanoid robots, and non-human objects through a series of experiments. The results showed that people were faster at inferring the mental content of human agents compared to robotic agents. Additionally, the human-like appearance of non-human agents may engage mentalizing processes.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Augusto Fusco, Gaetano Tieri
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marina Scattolin, Maria Serena Panasiti, Salvatore Maria Aglioti
Summary: The study found that individuals with a higher sense of ownership displayed greater moral identity, while high agency was associated with increased moral identity particularly when sense of power is high. Results regarding deception were less clear and may be related to the impact of COVID-19. The findings on moral identity could potentially inspire policies relying on changes in corporeal awareness to combat immorality.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Marco Iosa, Fabiano Bini, Franco Marinozzi, Gabriella Antonucci, Simona Pascucci, Giulia Baghini, Valeria Guarino, Stefano Paolucci, Giovanni Morone, Gaetano Tieri
Summary: It has been discovered that the "Michelangelo effect" in virtual reality painting tasks improves performance and reduces fatigue. The relationship between the aesthetic experience of beauty and the specific stimuli of art was unclear. The study found that subjective beauty was negatively correlated with perceived fatigue and errors in artistic stimuli but not in photographs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Althea Frisanco, Michael Schepisi, Gaetano Tieri, Salvatore Maria Aglioti
Summary: Immersive virtual reality has the potential to alter people's perception of their own abilities and limitations, boosting their sense of achievement and empowerment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Michele Scandola, Emily S. Cross, Nathan Caruana, Emmanuele Tidoni
Summary: The future of human-robot collaboration depends on people's understanding and prediction of robots' actions. The appearance of robots and contextual information may influence people's ability to anticipate robot behavior. Our research investigated how spatial cues and task instructions modulate people's ability to understand robot actions. The findings suggest that biasing attention towards objects that a robot can interact with can improve people's understanding of humanoid robot behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ROBOTICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Roberto De Giorgi, Antonio Fortini, Federica Aghilarre, Federico Gentili, Giovanni Morone, Gabriella Antonucci, Mario Vetrano, Gaetano Tieri, Marco Iosa
Summary: In neurorehabilitation, art therapy has been found to effectively reduce psychological disorders and improve physical and cognitive abilities. Neuroaesthetical studies have shown that viewing art can stimulate brain activity and motor networks. By combining contemplation and performance, a virtual reality system was developed to allow patients to paint famous artistic paintings. The study aimed to test the rehabilitative efficacy of the system.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Lennie Dupont, Valerio Santangelo, Ruben T. Azevedo, Maria Serena Panasiti, Salvatore Maria Aglioti
Summary: Using fMRI data from participants playing a card game involving deceptive or truthful decisions, researchers found that dishonest decisions were associated with increased activity in a cortico-subcortical circuit including the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), anterior insula (AI), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor area, and right caudate. Deceptive immoral decisions under reputation risk enhanced activity and functional connectivity between the bilateral ACC and left AI, suggesting the need for heightened emotional processing and cognitive control. Manipulative individuals showed differential involvement of the ACC depending on whether the decision involved self-gain lies or other-gain truths, pointing to the role of cognitive control in going against one's own moral code.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Alisha Vabba, Maria Serena Panasiti, Marina Scattolin, Marco Spitaleri, Giuseppina Porciello, Salvatore Maria Aglioti
Summary: Research on thermal awareness is limited, although thermal body signals provide crucial information about the state of an organism and changes in body temperature may indicate affective states. This study developed a task to measure awareness of changes in peripheral body temperature and compared it to a classical heartbeat counting task. The results showed that different interceptive channels contribute separately to awareness of bodily states, and thermal interoceptive accuracy was associated with self-reported awareness of body temperature changes and the ability to regulate distress by focusing on body sensations.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
