Journal of neuroscience methods
-
J. Neurosci. Methods · Sep 2015
Advanced target identification in STN-DBS with beta power of combined local field potentials and spiking activity.
In deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) for Parkinson's Disease (PD), often microelectrode recordings (MER) are used for STN identification. However, for advanced target identification of the sensorimotor STN, it may be relevant to use local field potential (LFP) recordings. Then, it is important to assure that the measured oscillations are coming from the close proximity of the electrode. ⋯ The results suggest that due to volume conduction of beta frequency oscillations, proper localization of the sensorimotor STN with only LFP recordings is difficult. However, combining recordings of LFP and neuronal spiking and calculating beta power over the coherent parts of the LFP spectrum can be beneficial in discriminating the sensorimotor STN.
-
J. Neurosci. Methods · Sep 2015
The use of a cerebral perfusion and immersion-fixation process for subsequent white matter dissection.
The Klingler's method for white matter dissection revolutionized the study of deep cerebral anatomy. Although this technique made white matter dissection more feasible and widely used, it still presents some intrinsic limitations. ⋯ These results provide encouraging data about the possibility to use a perfusion fixation process, which may help in improving the quality of white matter dissection for research, didactic purposes and surgical training.
-
Assessment of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) is frequently applied to probe the excitability level of the spinal nociceptive circuitry. In humans, the NWR threshold (NWR-T) is often estimated by applying electrical stimulation over the sural nerve at the lateral malleolus. Such stimulation may be associated with substantial pain and discomfort rendering completion of the assessment infeasible. ⋯ These results support a paradigm shift within NWR-T estimation favoring stimulation at the arch of the foot.
-
J. Neurosci. Methods · Jul 2015
Comparative StudyA novel method for delivering ramped cooling reveals rat behaviours at innocuous and noxious temperatures: A comparative study of human psychophysics and rat behaviour.
Thermal sensory testing in rodents informs human pain research. There are important differences in the methodology for delivering thermal stimuli to humans and rodents. This is particularly true in cold pain research. These differences confound extrapolation and de-value nociceptive tests in rodents. ⋯ Brief paw removal in the rat is driven by non-nociceptive afferents, as is the perception of cooling in humans. This is in contrast to the nociceptor-driven withdrawal from colder temperatures. These findings have important implications for the interpretation of data generated in older cold pain models and consequently our understanding of cold perception and pain.
-
J. Neurosci. Methods · Jun 2015
Non-invasive mapping of bilateral motor speech areas using navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) is a modern precise method to activate and study cortical functions noninvasively. We hypothesized that a combination of nTMS and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) could clarify the localization of functional areas involved with motor control and production of speech. ⋯ The reviewer-verified speech disruptions induced by nTMS provided clinically relevant information, and fMRI might explain further the function of the cortical area. nTMS and fMRI complement each other, and their combination should be advocated when assessing individual localization of speech network.