Brain and behavior
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Changes in neural activity induce changes in functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal. Commonly, increases in BOLD signal are ascribed to cellular excitation. ⋯ In human brains exhibiting burst suppression EEG induced by sevoflurane, the positive correlation between BOLD signal and electrical brain activity could be confirmed in most gray matter. The exceptional behavior of the occipital lobe with an anticorrelation of BOLD signal and electrical activity might be due to specific neurovascular coupling mechanisms that are pronounced in the deeply anesthetized brain.
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The objective of this study was to examine swallowing function in patients with Parkinson's disease before and after caudal zona incerta deep brain (cZI DBS) surgery. The aims were to examine the effect of cZI DBS on swallowing safety regarding liquid and solid food, as well as to identify the effect of cZI DBS on body mass index (BMI) and specific items from part II of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). ⋯ Caudal zona incerta DBS was found not to have a negative impact on swallowing safety. A significant increase in postoperative weight was observed, and speech seemed to be slightly negatively affected, whereas handling of utensils was improved with cZI DBS.
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Motor endplate reinnervation is critical for restoring motor function of the denervated muscle. We developed a novel surgical technique called nerve-muscle-endplate band grafting (NMEG) for muscle reinnervation. ⋯ The NMZ of the denervated muscle is an ideal site for NMEG implantation and for the development of new microsurgical and therapeutic strategies to achieve sufficient axonal regeneration, rapid endplate reinnervation, and optimal functional recovery. NMEG-NMZ technique may become a useful tool in the treatment of muscle paralysis caused by peripheral nerve injuries in certain clinical situations.
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Both Chiari malformation type 1 (CMI, i.e., the idiopathic caudal ectopy of cerebellar tonsils into foramen magnum) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are characterized by reduced intracranial compliance (ICC) due to disturbed circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). An increasing body of evidence links cardiovascular disease to CSF circulation disturbances. The aim of this study was to explore whether the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with CMI or IIH is higher than in the general population. ⋯ This study provided evidence of an increased prevalence of DM in male CMI as well as female IIH cases and of AH in female IIH cases. Although requiring further exploration, these findings point to AH and DM as potential risk factors in the pathophysiology of CMI and IIH.
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Xenomelia is a rare condition characterized by the persistent and compulsive desire for the amputation of one or more physically healthy limbs. We highlight the neurological underpinnings of xenomelia by assessing structural and functional connectivity by means of whole-brain connectome and network analyses of regions previously implicated in empirical research in this condition. ⋯ Our study provides empirical evidence of structural and functional hyperconnectivity within the sensorimotor system including those regions that are core for the reconstruction of a coherent body image. Aberrant connectivity is a common response to focal neurological damage. As exemplified here, it may affect different brain regions differentially. Due to the small sample size, our findings must be interpreted cautiously and future studies are needed to elucidate potential associations between hyperconnectivity and limb disownership reported in xenomelia.