Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
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Neurosci Biobehav Rev · Dec 2020
ReviewNeurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 and its neuropathological alterations: Similarities with other coronaviruses.
A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from Wuhan, China, and spread quickly around the world. In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, it was confirmed that the patients also have manifestations towards the central nervous system (CNS), especially those critically ill ones. ⋯ Both direct attack of SARS-CoV-2 and the abnormal immune response in the CNS would contribute to the disease. Also, there is a relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the occurrence of acute cerebrovascular diseases.
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Neurosci Biobehav Rev · Nov 2020
ReviewWhat you see is what you hear: Twenty years of research using the Sound-Induced Flash Illusion.
In the Sound-Induced Flash Illusion (SIFI) sound dramatically alters visual perception, as presenting a single flash with two beeps results in the perception of two flashes. In this comprehensive review, we synthesise 20 years of research using the SIFI, from over 100 studies. We discuss the neural and computational principles governing this illusion and examine the influence of perceptual experience, development, ageing and clinical conditions. ⋯ The SIFI shows increasingly strong potential as an efficient tool for measuring multisensory processing. Greater harmonisation across studies is now required to maximise this potential. We therefore propose considerations for researchers relating to choice of stimulus parameters and signpost directions for future research.
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Neurosci Biobehav Rev · Jan 2020
Review Meta AnalysisNeurochemical profiles in hereditary ataxias: A meta-analysis of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy studies.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is applied to investigate the neurochemical profiles of degenerative hereditary ataxias. This meta-analysis provides a quantitative review and reappraisal of MRS findings in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) and Friedreich ataxia (FA) available to date. From each study, changes in N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho) and myo-Inositol (mI) ratios to total creatine (Cr) were calculated for groups of patients (1499 patients in total: SCA1 = 223, SCA2 = 298, SCA3 = 711, SCA6 = 165, and FA = 102) relative to their own control group, mostly in cerebellum and pons. ⋯ Decreased Cho/Cr was visible in SCA1, 2, and 3 and elevated mI/Cr in SCA2 patients in cerebellum. In SCA6 and FA Cho/Cr and mI/Cr did not differ with respect to controls but SCA6 patients indicated higher Cho/Cr compared to SCA1 patients in cerebellum. SCA2 subjects showed the lowest NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr in cerebellum and the highest mI/Cr compared to controls and other genotypes, and therefore the most promising results for a potential biomarker.
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Neurosci Biobehav Rev · Jan 2020
ReviewBeyond labeled lines: A population coding account of the thermal grill illusion.
Heat and pain illusions (synthetic heat and the thermal grill illusion) can be generated by simultaneous cold and warm stimulation on the skin at temperatures that would normally be perceived as innocuous in isolation. Historically, two key questions have dominated the literature: which specific pathway conveys the illusory perceptions of heat and pain, and where, specifically, does the illusory pain originate in the central nervous system? Two major theories - the addition and disinhibition theories - have suggested distinct pathways, as well as specific spinal or supraspinal mechanisms. ⋯ We argue that a population coding framework, based on distributed activity across non-nociceptive and nociceptive pathways, offers a more powerful explanation of illusory heat and pain. This framework offers new hypotheses regarding the neural mechanisms underlying temperature and pain perception.