What are the perspectives for technology platforms in the field of neuroscience?
Authors: Sandrini G
PMID: 26415780 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Functional Neurology)
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Thresholds for self-motion perception in roll without and with visual fixation target - the visualvestibular interaction effect.
In conclusion, the application of sinusoidal rotation during roll at low frequencies in the VVI condition evokes oculogyral illusion. This interaction lowers the self-motion perception threshold compared to that measured during rotation in darkness. This testing method could be of practical benefit in clinical application for revealing brain dysfunction involving integrative mechanisms of perception.
PMID: 26415781 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Functional Neurology)
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Effects of dispositional optimism on quality of life, emotional distress and disability in Parkinson's disease outpatients under rehabilitation.
In conclusion, a high level of DO was associated with QoL, HADS and UPDRS both on admission and at discharge. The level of DO remained stable after rehabilitation, while disability and anxiety were reduced. Participants with high DO generally had better QoL, and better clinical and psychological performances.
PMID: 26415782 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Functional Neurology)
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Semantic profiles in mild cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Authors: Guidi M, Paciaroni L, Paolini S, Scarpino O, Burn DJ
Abstract
The temporal and the prefrontal cortices have different roles in semantic information processing: the temporal lobe is where knowledge is stored (Graham and Hodges, 1997), whereas the prefrontal cortex is more specifically involved in executive aspects of semantic processing. Relatively little is known about the semantic profiles of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). This observational study investigated naming and semantic questionnaire performances in three groups of subjects: 10 ...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Preferential occurrence of attacks during night sleep and/or upon awakening negatively affects migraine clinical presentation.
Authors: Gori S, Lucchesi C, Baldacci F, Bonuccelli U
Abstract
It is well known that migraine attacks can preferentially occur during night sleep and/or upon awakening, however the possible implications of this timing on migraine clinical presentation remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the possible consequences of sleep-related migraine (defined as ≥75% of migraine attacks occurring during night sleep and/or upon awakening) on the migraine clinical picture (i.e. migraine-related disability, attack severity, use of symptomatic drugs), subjective sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
TMS-evoked N100 responses as a prognostic factor in acute stroke.
Authors: Manganotti P, Acler M, Masiero S, Del Felice A
Abstract
Rehabilitation programs, to be efficiently tailored, need clear prognostic markers. In acute stroke, neurophysiological measures, such as motor evoked potentials (MEPs), have been proposed, although with discordant results. The aim of this study was to identify a reliable neurophysiological measure of recovery in acute poststroke individuals by combining MEPs and the N100 component of transcranial magnetic stimulationevoked potentials (TEPs). Nine acute post-stroke subjects were included. Clinical evaluation performed in the first week after ...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Sex differences in MDMA-induced toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats.
Authors: Soleimani Asl S, Mehdizadeh M, Hamedi Soudabeh S, Artimani T, Joghataei MT
Abstract
Recent evidence demonstrates that female subjects show exaggerated responses to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) compared with males. The aim of our study was to evaluate sex differences and the role of endogenous gonadal hormones on the effects of MDMA. Fifty-six intact and gonadectomized male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either MDMA (5 mg/kg) or saline treatment. Learning and memory were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM). The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the hippocam...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Encephalopathy with status epilepticus during sleep (ESES) induced by oxcarbazepine in idiopathic focal epilepsy in childhood.
We describe a child with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) in whom treatment with oxcarbazepine (OXC) induced ESES. The patient was studied through repeated clinical-neuropsychological evaluations and 24-hour EEG recordings. He was treated with OXC two months after epilepsy onset. One month after starting OXC, he developed an abrupt and severe cognitive deterioration. A 24-hour EEG and neuropsychological tests showed an electroclinical picture compatible with ESES. Withdrawal of OXC and introduction of other drugs were followed by a prompt improvement. Five months after ESES onset, a 24-hour EEG was normal...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
"Boosting" in Paralympic athletes with spinal cord injury: doping without drugs.
Authors: Mazzeo F, Santamaria S, Iavarone A
Abstract
The intentional activation of autonomic dysreflexia (AD, also called "boosting"), a practice sometimes used by athletes affected by spinal cord injury (SCI), is banned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Although various studies have addressed doping and AD as separate issues, studies evaluating AD as a doping method are lacking. The aim of this brief review is to contribute to better understanding of the relationship between doping and AD. We conducted a literature search of the PubMed database (from 1994 onwards). The key search terms "aut...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 30, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Sensory and sympathetic disorders in chronic non-specific neck pain.
Authors: Zaproudina N, Ming Z, Närhi M
Abstract
The signs of sympathetic and sensory nerve-related disorders are not widely investigated in chronic nonspecific neck pain (NNP) patients. Thus, we performed skin temperature (Tsk), evaporation and touch threshold (TT) measurements to reveal possible dysfunctions at the fingertips of NNP patients (n=60) compared with healthy controls (n=11). Neck pain intensity was the main modifier of Tsk, and age the main modifier of TT in a multivariate model. On comparisons of the subgroups of NNP patients with unilateral (n=26) and bilateral (n=34) symptoms and controls,...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 29, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Pathophysiology of knee jerk reflex abnormalities in L5 root injury.
Authors: Gianneschi F, Mondelli M, Piu P, Rossi A
Abstract
Although the knee jerk reflex is mediated by the L3 and L4 nerve roots, evidence exists that altered knee jerk expression may occur with exclusively L5 radiculopathy. The present study set out to identify the factors responsible for knee jerk reflex abnormalities in L5 monoradiculopathy. We analyzed clinical and electrophysiological data in 56 subjects affected by L5 monoradiculopathy. Seventeen patients (30.3%) showed an abnormal knee reflex. L5 patients with an abnormal knee reflex differed significantly, in severity of pretibial muscle damage, f...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 29, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of treatment with zinc in children with intractable epilepsy.
This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of oral zinc supplementation in children with intractable epilepsy. Forty-five children aged between three and 12 years and diagnosed with idiopathic intractable epilepsy at Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt were recruited. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: the intervention group received oral zinc supplementation (1 mg/kg/day) while the placebo group received placebo, each for six months. The parents of each child filled in a detailed questionnaire that covered demographic characteristics, type of seizures, frequency, duration of seizures, previous ...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 29, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
What are the perspectives for technology platforms in the field of neuroscience?
Authors: Sandrini G
PMID: 26376069 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Functional Neurology)
Source: Functional Neurology - September 18, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
The possible involvement of mitochondrial dysfunctions in Lewy body dementia: a systematic review.
Authors: Spano M, Signorelli M, Vitaliani R, Aguglia E, Giometto B
Abstract
The hallmark of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the "Lewy body", an abnormal aggregation of alphasynuclein found in some areas of the brain. The brain is the organ/system that is most vulnerable to this oxidative damage, and reactive oxygen species can cause neurodegenerative diseases. Different models of mitochondrial deregulation have been compared in DLB. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that alpha-synuclein affects the mitochondria themselves, increasing their sensitivity or leading to cell death through protec...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 9, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Effect of three different jaw positions on postural stability during standing.
Authors: Alghadir AH, Zafar H, Iqbal ZA
Abstract
Studies in the literature show that jaw and neck regions are linked anatomically, biomechanically and neurologically. Voluntary clenching has been shown to improve muscle strength and performance of various motor tasks. Information from the neck sensory-motor system is reported to be important for posture. Hence it is reasonable to believe that activation of the jaw sensorymotor system has the potential to modulate posture. In a sample of 116 healthy subjects, we compared center of gravity (COG) velocity during quiet standing on a foam surface during three t...
Source: Functional Neurology - September 4, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
