Journal of neuroscience methods
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Jan 2015
Volumetric imaging of brain activity with spatial-frequency decoding of neuromagnetic signals.
The brain generates signals in a wide frequency range (∼2840 Hz). Existing magnetoencephalography (MEG) methods typically detect brain activity in a median-frequency range (1-70 Hz). The objective of the present study was to develop a new method to utilize the frequency signatures for source imaging. ⋯ The new method could accurately localize both low- and high-frequency brain activities. The detection of high-frequency MEG signals can open a new avenue in the study of the human brain function as well as a variety of brain disorders.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialMethodology for studying the transient effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with auditory residual inhibition on tinnitus.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and auditory residual inhibition (RI) are short lasting non-invasive techniques that can suppress tinnitus in some people. A pilot study was undertaken to evaluate methods to measure a potential additive effect of these treatments. ⋯ We propose modifications in the protocol used, to find ways to increase the duration of auditory RI and investigate its underlying mechanisms. Recommendations for further research are discussed.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Jan 2015
Novel methods of applying direct chemical and mechanical stimulation to the oral mucosa for traditional behavioral pain assays in conscious rats.
Stomatitis induces severe and painful hypersensitivity to pungency and physical contact during meals. Many studies have used anesthetized animals to examine evoked nociception in the oral mucosa, but no reports have used traditional behavioral assays to evaluate nociception in conscious animals. ⋯ The intraoral dropping and stable intraoral opening methods can be used in combination with traditional behavioral assays to evaluate nociception in the oral mucosa of conscious rats.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Aug 2014
A reproducible Endothelin-1 model of forelimb motor cortex stroke in the mouse.
Despite the availability of numerous transgenic mouse lines to study the role of individual genes in promoting neural repair following stroke, few studies have availed of this technology, primarily due to the lack of a reproducible ischemic injury model in the mouse. Intracortical injections of Endothelin-1 (ET1) a potent vasoconstrictive agent, reliably produces focal infarcts with concomitant behavioral deficits in rats. In contrast, ET1 infarcts in mice are significantly smaller and do not generate consistent behavioral deficits. ⋯ We have developed a focal ischemic injury model in the mouse that results in reproducible behavioral deficits and can be used to test future regenerative therapies.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Aug 2014
A novel traumatic brain injury model for induction of mild brain injury in rats.
Due to the marked heterogeneity of human traumatic brain injury (TBI), none of the available animal model can reproduce the entire spectrum of TBI, especially mild focal TBI. This study was designed to develop a modified TBI weight drop model for induction of focal mild cerebral injury. ⋯ This novel animal TBI model mimics human mild focal brain injury. This model is suitable for evaluation of pathophysiology as well as screening of new therapies for mild TBI.