Review
Neurosciences
Isaac Moran, Javier Perez-Orive, Jonathan Melchor, Tonatiuh Figueroa, Luis Lemus
Summary: The study found that the supplementary motor area (SMA) in the brain is responsible for decision-related computation when transitioning from auditory to movement representations. The neural population in SMA is organized orthogonally during auditory and movement periods, indicating different computations are performed in each phase. These findings suggest that SMA integrates acoustic information to drive behavior through categorical signals.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Katherine Derosier, Tess L. Veuthey, Karunesh Ganguly
Summary: This study investigates how the brain integrates signals of different timescales for purposeful actions through training rats on M1-BMI tasks, finding that M2 neural activity is correlated with BMI-potent activity over longer set of time lags. M2 units also predict the activity of both M1 direct and indirect neural populations, suggesting a continuous modulatory influence of M2 dynamics on M1 activity.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sophia Bakola, Kathleen J. Burman, Sylwia Bednarek, Jonathan M. Chan, Natalia Jermakow, Katrina H. Worthy, Piotr Majka, Marcello G. P. Rosa
Summary: The study investigated cortical projections to the caudomedial frontal cortex in marmosets, revealing differences in labeled neurons distribution within different areas of 6M, suggesting homologues of SMA and pre-SMA. This indicates that marmosets can be valuable models for studying movement planning and control due to conservation of cortical motor control circuit in simian primates.
Article
Neuroimaging
Sharon Geva, Letitia M. Schneider, Sophie Roberts, Shamima Khan, Andrea Gajardo-Vidal, Diego L. Lorca-Puls, Thomas M. H. Hope, David W. Green, Cathy J. Price
Summary: Research showed that patients with damage to cerebellar speech production regions exhibited greater activation in cerebral motor speech areas during a range of speech production tasks compared to neurologically intact controls. These findings may drive future studies to delineate functional contributions of different parts of the speech production network and assess the potential of non-invasive stimulation to facilitate speech recovery.
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Salim Al-Wasity, Stefan Vogt, Aleksandra Vuckovic, Frank E. Pollick
Summary: The study used fMRI NF to train healthy participants to self-regulate brain signals, showing a gradual increase in SMA-related activity only in the NF group and shorter reaction times in a Go/No-go task after the NF training. These results suggest that NF can help participants develop greater control over a specifically targeted motor region, with implications for motor skill learning and rehabilitation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryoji Onagawa, Kazutoshi Kudo
Summary: This study found that in the case of double potential targets with independent time constraints, humans adjust their motor planning based on the time constraints specific to each target. However, performance is lower under tight time constraints, indicating suboptimal planning for multiple potential targets with different time constraints.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Allan Lohse, Annemette Lokkegaard, Hartwig R. Siebner, David Meder
Summary: Impulsivity refers to acting prematurely or without forethought, and it is a major issue in many neuropsychiatric disorders. The pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) may play a role in inhibitory control and impulsivity. In this study, low-frequency rTMS of the pre-SMA was found to modulate task-related engagement and influence risky choice behavior during sequential gambling, providing evidence for a causal link between pre-SMA activity and impulsive risk-taking behavior.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abdulraheem Nashef, Rea Mitelman, Ran Harel, Mati Joshua, Yifat Prut
Summary: Our study on correlated firing between motor thalamic and cortical cells in monkeys performing a delayed-response reaching task revealed positive and negative correlations between thalamic cells and primary motor cortex activity, as well as premotor cortex activity around movement onset. This functional cooperation and opposition between the motor thalamus and distinct motor cortical areas with specific roles in planning vs. performing movements suggests that the motor thalamus can facilitate the transition from a motor plan to execution by enhancing and suppressing motor and premotor firing.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hyun Joo Cho, Rebecca Waugh, Tianxia Wu, Pattamon Panyakaew, Karin Mente, Demelio Urbano, Mark Hallett, Silvina. G. G. Horovitz
Summary: Sensory trick plays a crucial role in cervical dystonia, and the supplementary motor area (SMA) interacts with other brain regions during sensory trick performance and imagination. The left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and the SMA-right cerebellum connectivity showed different patterns in CD patients compared to healthy controls.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ya-Wen Xu, Peng Lin, Pei-Sen Yao, Shu-Fa Zheng, De-Zhi Kang
Summary: This study evaluated the structure and function of corticospinal projection originating from SMA using DTI and TMS, finding that contralesional ACST fibers were more abundant than ipsilesional ACST fibers in patients with SMA tumors. Most patients with SMA tumor experienced temporary akinesia postoperatively, and in a patient with M1 glioma, 741 fibers of ipsilateral ACST and no fibers of ipsilateral CST were detected.
Article
Neurosciences
Huixiang Yang, Zhengfei Hu, Fumihito Imai, Yuxiang Yang, Kenji Ogawa
Summary: Comparing the effects of neurofeedback on the primary motor area (M1) and the ventral premotor cortex (PMv), this study found that neurofeedback from distinct motor-related regions leads to different impacts on brain activity regulation.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Simon Borgognon, Eric M. Rouiller
Summary: The premotor (PM) and primary motor (M1) cortical areas contribute to the corticorubral pathway that transmits voluntary motor commands. Motor disorders and injuries lead to a decrease in corticorubral projections from PM and M1. The red nucleus may promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, and primary motor cortex injury by reducing direct cortical influence.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Hanna Braass, Jan Feldheim, Ying Chu, Alexandra Tinnermann, Juergen Finsterbusch, Christian Buechel, Robert Schulz, Christian Gerloff
Summary: This study used combined cortico-spinal functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the functional connectivity between human premotor areas and the lower cervical spinal cord. The findings suggest that these regions are functionally connected and contribute to distal upper limb functions.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shawn B. Frost, Daofen Chen, Scott Barbay, Kathleen M. Friel, Erik J. Plautz, Randolph J. Nudo
Summary: This study aimed to examine the effects of forced use on the ventral premotor cortex (PMV) in stroke patients. The results showed that the functional reorganization in PMV after ischemic infarct in the primary motor cortex (M1) was primarily driven by the size of M1 lesion. Furthermore, long periods of forced use also led to additional expansion in PMV, although such extended constraint is not considered clinically feasible.
NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR
(2022)
Article
Biology
Justin M. Fine, Benjamin Y. Hayden
Summary: This article proposes that the entirety of the prefrontal cortex can be seen as fundamentally premotor in nature, with a hierarchy that revolves around goal-selection. The orbitofrontal cortex is positioned as a key role in optimizing goal-selection policies. This perspective reframes outstanding questions and aligns theories of prefrontal function with evolutionary principles.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Michele Giannotti, Noemi Mazzoni, Arianna Bentenuto, Paola Venuti, Simona de Falco
Summary: During the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy, parental stress (especially in mothers) and children's externalizing behaviors increased during the lockdown period. Factors such as coparenting, time dedicated to children, and parental stress play significant roles in family adjustment.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Stefano Levi Mortera, Pamela Vernocchi, Ilaria Basadonne, Alessandro Zandona, Marco Chierici, Martina Durighello, Valeria Marzano, Simone Gardini, Antonio Gasbarrini, Andrea Urbani, Stefano Vicari, Paola Roncada, Cesare Furlanello, Paola Venuti, Lorenza Putignani
Summary: In recent years, studies have shown an increasing relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders and the microbial communities of the intestinal tract. This research utilized a novel metaproteomic approach to investigate the gut microbiota of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) compared to relatives and age-matched controls, revealing distinctive functional differences.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Angela Pasqualotto, Irene Altarelli, Antonella De Angeli, Zeno Menestrina, Daphne Bavelier, Paola Venuti
Summary: Training reading skills is crucial in modern societies, as poor-reading children are at risk of struggling academically and in their daily lives. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a video game-based cognitive intervention in improving attentional control and executive functions, leading to significant improvements in reading abilities. The findings suggest that training attentional control can have a positive impact on reading efficiency, with long-lasting effects.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Noemi Mazzoni, Arianna Bentenuto, Fabio Filosofi, Angela Tardivo, Lane Strathearn, Kasra Zarei, Simona De Falco, Paola Venuti, Giuseppe Iandolo, Michele Giannotti
Summary: Research during the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the connection between child symptoms, parental stress, and mental health challenges. The study investigated the impact of changes in child behavior, parental stress, and therapy discontinuity on parental mental health during the pandemic, as well as cross-cultural differences between Europe and the USA. The findings suggest that increased parental stress contributes to higher psychological distress, and the lack of therapy activities adds to parenting burden. However, resilience factors like parental efficacy and adaptability can mitigate the risk of psychological problems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Micol Gemignani, Michele Giannotti, Xenia Schmalz, Paola Rigo, Simona De Falco
Summary: Parents have a greater cognitive engagement and slower response time to infant faces compared to adult faces. Early care experiences and parental involvement may affect the attention to infant faces. The sex of parents does not significantly interact with the type of face when considering the amount of early parental involvement. These findings provide new insights on the attentional process in response to infant cues in parents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Silvia Perzolli, Arianna Bentenuto, Giulio Bertamini, Paola Venuti
Summary: This study compared the interactive behaviors of fathers and mothers with their children with ASD during play activities. The results showed that mothers engaged more in symbolic play, while fathers displayed higher levels of exploratory play. However, child cognitive functioning only impacted maternal play, not paternal play characteristics.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Alessandro Carollo, Paola Rigo, Andrea Bizzego, Albert Lee, Peipei Setoh, Gianluca Esposito
Summary: Recent migration and globalization trends have resulted in ethnically, religiously, and linguistically diverse countries. This study aimed to investigate the neural signature of in-group bias in a multicultural context and explore the relationship between brain activity and system-justifying ideologies. The results showed enhanced brain activity in regions associated with mentalization, empathetic resonance, and social cognition when participants were exposed to in-group (Chinese) faces compared to out-group faces.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jan Paolo M. Balagtas, Serenella Tolomeo, Bindiya L. Ragunath, Paola Rigo, Marc H. Bornstein, Gianluca Esposito
Summary: This study investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO) in a Singaporean sample. The results showed a strong correlation between RWA and SDO scores, but no significant brain regions associated with these ideologies were found.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Education, Special
Giulio Bertamini, Silvia Perzolli, Arianna Bentenuto, Eleonora Paolizzi, Cesare Furlanello, Paola Venuti
Summary: This longitudinal study investigates treatment response trajectories in Autism by considering both baseline and child-therapist interaction features. The results suggest that the baseline developmental gap, therapist's efficacy in child engagement, respecting children's timing after fast behavioral synchronization, and modulating the interplay to prevent child withdrawal are key factors in predicting treatment response trajectories.
RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paola Rigo, Marina Miscioscia, Silvia Spaggiari, Daniela Di Riso
Summary: This study compares individuals who continue to wear masks indoors when it is not mandatory with those who do not wear masks. It analyzes the differences in personality traits, anxiety, depression, and trust in healthcare professions. The study also examines the moderating effects of resilience, reactance, political orientation, and Covid-19 vaccinations on the relationship between negative affectivity and mask-wearing choice. Results show that individuals who continue to wear masks indoors have higher levels of psychoticism and negative affectivity, poorer mental health, greater trust in healthcare professions, and concerns about the pandemic. Additionally, resilience partially moderates the relationship between negative affectivity and mask-wearing choice.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Michele Giannotti, Paola Venuti, Simona De Falco
Summary: Parents of children with autism tend to experience higher levels of parenting stress, and child attachment representations and autism severity are associated with this stress. Adaptive attachment representations have a positive impact not only on the child but also on the mother and the family system.
Article
Psychology, Educational
Cristina Alonso-Campuzano, Giuseppe Iandolo, Fabio Filosofi, Angela Tardivo, Noelia Sosa-Gonzalez, Angela Pasqualotto, Paola Venuti
Summary: The current study explores the benefits of collaborative storytelling using traditional, digital, and tangible digital methodologies for adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. The results show that collaboration has a positive effect on students' stories, regardless of the methodology used.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Noemi Mazzoni, Fabio Filosofi, Helga Ballardini, Angela Pasqualotto, Laura Semenzin, Melanie Cristofolini, Corinna Manzardo, Antonio Milici, Paola Venuti
Summary: The transition to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of inclusion for students with special educational needs. The BESt-DaD project has developed a user-friendly online platform, along with specific activities and personalized materials, to accommodate these students' neurocognitive profiles. The project also includes a training program to support teachers in utilizing the platform. Questionnaires evaluating the effectiveness of the BESt-DaD platform and teacher training program showed positive feedback on accessibility, learner motivation, and inclusive teaching methods.
COMPUTERS IN THE SCHOOLS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Angela Pasqualotto, Katia Turrini, Veronica Tranquillini, Paola Venuti
Summary: This study examined the responsiveness to treatment in 55 children with developmental dyslexia. Results showed significant improvements in executive functions (EFs) and reading speed for the Integrated treatment group. Most children exceeded the criterion for clinical change, indicating that the combination of cognitive training of EFs with linguistic treatment can effectively rehabilitate dyslexia.
PSICOLOGIA CLINICA DELLO SVILUPPO
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Noemi Mazzoni, Paola Ricciardelli, Rossana Actis-Grosso, Paola Venuti
Summary: The study found that individuals with high-functioning ASD had slower response times in recognizing dynamic stimuli, but no differences in accuracy compared to the control group. People with ASD may develop alternative strategies to recognize emotional expressions.
JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jose Sanchez-Bornot, Roberto C. Sotero, J. A. Scott Kelso, Ozguer Simsek, Damien Coyle
Summary: This study proposes a multi-penalized state-space model for analyzing unobserved dynamics, using a data-driven regularization method. Novel algorithms are developed to solve the model, and a cross-validation method is introduced to evaluate regularization parameters. The effectiveness of this method is validated through simulations and real data analysis, enabling a more accurate exploration of cognitive brain functions.
