Neuroscience
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Reaching movements are essential for daily tasks and they have been widely investigated through kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic (EMG) analyses. Recent studies have suggested that the central nervous system simplifies control of reaching movements by using muscle synergies. An alternative approach is to investigate how EMG activity reflects at theneural level with the representation of spinal maps that visualize the spatiotemporal activity of motoneuronal pools. ⋯ The multidimensional Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess thesimilarity of spinal maps among repetitions of movements within subjects (intra-subject variability) and among participants (inter-subject variability). Spinal maps of tonic and total EMG showed high intra- and inter-subject similarity in all planes, while phasic spinal maps were less repeatable and more subject-specific. These results may be useful as areference for rehabilitation, clinical, and neurological evaluations, especially for longitudinal assessments.
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The default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN), and central executive control network (CEN) form the well-known triple network, providing a framework for understanding various neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. However, the topology of this network remains unclear in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To gain a more profound understanding of ASD, we explored the topology of the triple network in ASD. ⋯ For the cortico-subcortical network, the sigma, clustering coefficient, gamma, and network local efficiency showed the same reduction, and the altered clustering coefficient negatively correlated with ASD manifestations. In addition, the interaction between the DMN and CEN was more robust in ASD patients. These findings enhance our understanding of ASD and suggest that subcortical structures should be more considered in future ASD related studies.
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The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and peripheral blood biomarkers in assessing cognitive function in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). A total of 58 CSVD patients were recruited. Six features of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) were derived from MRI scans. ⋯ An integrated model incorporating WMHs features, neurodegenerative biomarkers, and neuroinflammatory markers was developed, demonstrating high predictive accuracy for cognitive impairment with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95 (accuracy 0.88, sensitivity 0.87, specificity 0.89). Another integrated model that includes features of WMHs and inflammatory cytokines for predicting cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) achieved an AUC of 0.95 (accuracy 0.88, sensitivity 0.82, specificity 0.92). Our findings suggest that these markers have the potential to be used for the early detection of cognitive decline and CMBs in patients with CSVD.
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Epilepsy is a pathophysiological condition displaying a highly diverse phenotype. Consequently, comprehending the mechanisms underlying seizures necessitates moving beyond a simplistic model focused on the imbalance between the classical excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems. Nitric oxide (NO), a nonclassical and multifunctional gaseous neurotransmitter, has the potential to exert a profound influence on epileptic reactivity. ⋯ Notably, our research suggests that the level of NO synthesis does not interfere with the severity of the epileptic seizures that occur. In light of this, we propose that the nitrergic system is quickly activated in the epileptic brain as a compensatory mechanism of the central nervous system. However, under usual conditions, this activation is insufficient to effectively attenuate seizures.
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Transparency of Caenorhabditis elegans enables microscopic in vivo imaging of cellular processes, but immobilization is required due to high locomotor activity. Here, anesthetic-like effects of dissociate anesthetic ketamine in adult C. elegans are presented using video recordings and infrared-based automated activity tracking. Ketamine caused a reversible blockade of locomotion at a similar concentration (20-50 mM) at which conventionally used immobilizing agent sodium azide (NaN3) produces paralysis. ⋯ However, a marked chemosensation deficiency was noted immediately after 20 mM ketamine exposure. Short-term ketamine treatment did not show signs of SKN-1 (skinhead-1) activation, a marker of the stress response associated with NaN3. In sum, our results show ketamine's potential as a non-toxic nematode immobilizing agent and rationalize C. elegans as a model organism to understand its pharmacology.