Abstracts of the 4th International Electronic Conference on Brain Sciences ^†

Abstract

The Fourth International Electronic Conference on Brain Sciences (IECBS 2024), after the strong success of the previous annual online conference, was held online from 23 to 25 October 2024. The scope of this online conference is to bring together well-known worldwide experts who are currently working on brain sciences and to provide an online forum for presenting and discussing new results.

1. Introduction

The field of neuroscience is one of the most important frontiers in biomedical studies, as many of the details that control brain function are still not well understood. This makes the study of the nervous system very exciting and fast-moving. The Fourth International Electronic Conference on Brain Sciences (IECBS 2024) addressed a variety of research topics which reflect some of the current areas of focus. Topics of the conference were organized around the following sessions:

S1. Behavioral Neuroscience.

S2. Systems Neuroscience.

S3. Neurotechnology and Neuroimaging.

S4. Neuropsychology.

S5. Neurodegenerative Diseases.

S6. Cognitive Neuroscience.

S7. Clinical Neuroscience.

S8. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience.

S9. Neurorehabilitation.

2. Behavioral Neuroscience

2.1. Inter-Brain Synchronization During Nonverbal Social Interactions: Mini-Systematic Review of the Last Six Years (2019–2024)

Ebrahim Ismaiel

¹ 

Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

During social communication, individuals adapt their behavior based on the actions of the other person. Nonverbal communication, particularly through gestures, is a crucial aspect of this interaction. Gesture imitation helps individuals perceive similarity, synchronize with others, learn, and recognize patterns. This review aims to highlight the most recent studies between 2019 and 2024 that used hyperscanning configurations during social interaction to investigate inter-brain synchronization. The selected papers are selected based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and addressed based on paradigms and findings. The studies indicated that increased brain synchronization is linked to improved social interactions during eye contact, especially between parents and infants. Eye contact can modulate neural synchronization and enhance cooperation and competition. In humans, certain brain regions, including the frontopolar area and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), are activated when observing hand actions in videos, while areas like the orbitofrontal cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala play a role in social gaze. In bats, the power of brain activity varies across different frequency bands, with low-frequency bands being more active during rest and high-frequency bands being more active during active behaviors. In conclusion, the reviewed studies underscore the importance of inter-brain synchronization in facilitating social interactions. Eye contact plays a significant role in modulating neural activity and promoting both cooperation and competition. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying these interactions, across both humans and animals, can provide deeper insights into the complexities of social behavior and communication.

2.2. Deciphering the Spatial Location of Paintings in the ‘Kunsthaus Hamburg’: An Algorithmic and Philosophical Exploration Using Blurred Images

Romina Fucà ^1,2, Serena Cubico ¹

¹ 

Dept. of Management, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy

² 

Dept. of Law & Communication Science, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy

This study reconstructs the spatial layout of the Kunsthaus Hamburg using blurred photographs and transparent originals to gain insights into memory, perception, and cognition. We investigate mental models and visual representations during museum navigation in the 2009 and 2019 visits by employing a philosophical behavioral approach based on vignettes’ logics—scenarios exploring cognitive processes in constructing hypothetical stories. The study examines factors influencing deviations from planned routes, cognitive mechanisms behind selecting perspectives in photographs, and environmental awareness at image capture.

A hierarchy way of finding the orientation (HWO) algorithm breaks down the space into a hierarchy of nodes (rooms) and edges (pathways), determining the initial position within the museum based on the first clear photograph and the known layout. A hierarchical map categorizes nodes and edges by importance and connectivity, with major sections forming the top level and individual rooms forming the lower levels. Random forests classify images of rooms and predict the sequence of rooms visited based on features extracted from clear photographs. A labeled dataset of fifty room photographs was used to train the random forest model, which then classified the blurred photographs and combined this with the HWO algorithm to predict the sequence of rooms visited.

The study acknowledges biases such as inaccurate architectural measurements and the Halo effect. Insights from Rehkämper and Guilherme were applied to understand the interplay between mental models, expectations, and new information. This framework for reconstructing spatial layouts from blurred photographs provides insights into the spatial cognition and the dynamic nature of mental models.

2.3. Error Monitoring in an Ecologically Valid Context: Exploring Event-Related Potentials

Evgeniy Machnev ¹, Aleksandr Kirsanov ², Darya Momotenko ¹

¹ 

Scientific Center for Cognitive Research, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Russia

² 

Sport science department Sirius University of science and technology Sirius Federal territory, Russia

This study attempts to identify the error-related negativity (ERN) and correct response negativity (CRN) during e-sport video game matches (Dota 2). A game environment requires players to make rapid decisions in a dynamic, evolving, and competitive context with no fixed restrictions on the range of possible actions. Combined with the ability to extract relevant information directly from the digital environment, the implementation of this approach may contribute to solving the problem of the ecological validity of experimental design in cognitive neuroscience.

Game recording files were utilized to obtain objective information regarding the timing and characteristics of game situations To implement this approach, work on the synchronization of EEG time series and the obtained dataset was conducted.

A particular type of game situation was selected for analysis, the objective of which is to strike a character controlled by the game algorithm in a timely manner. The ERN and CRN amplitudes were calculated as the difference between the most negative deflection in the −25–150 ms time window, associated with the moment of action completion by the controlled game avatar, and the preceding positive deflection.

The results of the paired t-test showed a significant difference between the amplitudes of ERN and CRN (t(10) = 2.82, p = 0.018). These empirical findings are consistent with observations, primarily obtained in laboratory conditions, indicating that the ERN amplitude is more pronounced in response to errors than the CRN amplitude is in response to correct actions.

2.4. Fright, Fight and Flight: Influence of Amygdala on Business Economic Decisions

Col Prof Dr Jyotirmaya Satpathy

¹ 

Visiting Professor, The Management University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction: The plotting of neuron-coordinated ‘economic’ choice direction has witnessed remarkable progress since the turn of the century. Gaps in the understanding of neuron-centered substitutions introduce a behavioral examination of business ‘actors’, ‘representations’ and ‘maxims’ that are at the epicenter of the ‘perceptive mosaic’, with a focus on the neurotrajectory. The field of cognito-administration examines this via ‘cognito—strategic monikers’ (CTMs) to test how the brain (‘Cognitive Miser’) performs in higher cognitive capacities.

Hypothesis: Studies generally overlook the impact of amygdala function on entrepreneurs’ wellbeing and economic decision-making quality.

Aim: This paper explores the amygdala’s influence beyond its well-known emotional processing and stress response. The size of the population is 50.

Methods: We utilize a combination of stress tests and controlled lab studies (the electrocardiogram stress test, stress echocardiogram, echocardiogram stress test) with cardio tracking to explore the ‘tripod’ concept. Results suggest a link between high amygdala activity, stress, and negative outcomes like mental health issues, communication breakdowns, and hindered economic decision-making.

Results: The results indicate that the amygdala plays the role of a ‘tripod’ in economic decision-making and high levels of stress and that amygdala activation contributes to mental health disorders, interpersonal conflicts and communication breakdowns, hindering economic decision-making.

Conclusions: The expanding paradigm of the brain’s wiring graph (‘Cognitive Miser’) calls for establishing a probable cause–consequence’ linkage proof between neurobiology and business decisions. Researchers ought to recognize ‘drivers’ (the frontal cortex, orbito-frontal cortex, front cingulate cortex and ventro-medial prefrontal cortex) that make an ‘economic’ choice mosaic’. Unaddressed issues show how ‘economic’ decisional progressions negate brain hallways (‘Cognitive Miser’) and how the brain considers the information to make an ‘economic’ choice.

2.5. Prototype Behavioral Test of Memory in Wistar Rats Exposed to Valproic Acid: AME Memoriavers Maze

Archange Michel Emmanuel Mboungou Malonga

¹ 

Student at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Marien NGOUABI in Congo

Introduction: AME’s Memoriavers maze presents the spirit of different memory-related behavioral tests in the same environment. Memoriavers originate from the Latin memoria, which is a function that allows us to integrate, retain, and retrieve information in order to interact with our environment, while others come from the multiverse, which is a set of infinite metaverses operating side by side. Alterations in memory and neurological development caused by valproic acid have been documented, as has neurotoxicity in rodents.

General objective: To evaluate a prototype behavioral memory test in Wistar rats treated with valproic acid.

Materials and methods: A total of 48 male and female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: (1) the distilled water group, (2) the VPA 200 mg/kg group, and (3) the VPA 400 m/kg group. The products were administered daily by gavage for sixty days. After treatment, the rodents were subjected to behavioral tests in AME’s homemade Memoriavers maze. Rats were selected from each batch to be mated with untreated rats. The young, mated rats were subjected to the same maze.

Results: Various variables, such as the number of errors, exploration time, distance traveled, and others, were recorded. The results of the rats exposed to VPA and their offspring showed a significant drop-in success rate and performance. Anxiety and stress were revealed during testing in VPA-treated rodents.

Conclusions: The AME Memoriavers maze showed a decrease in memory-related performance and behavioral abnormalities in Wistar rats treated with valproic acid at the doses studied.

2.6. Recent Paradigms of Human Mate Selection: A Brain–Behavior Perspective

Srinwanti Bandyopadhyay, Chayan Munshi

¹ 

Ethophilia Research Foundation, Santiniketan, 731235, India

Introduction: Humans have complex neuronal mechanisms associated with intricate psychological perspectives in respect to mate selection. The neuropsychological manifestations are responsible for mate choice behavior are manipulated by chronic exposure to extensive erogenous content on digital social media, which initiate erratic behavioral patterns during mate choice. In this research work, confusion is considered a fundamental behavior where humans face difficulties in decision-making. In our assessment, we tried to indicate that confusion is one indecisive behavioral pattern which can eventually affect mate choice in young adult humans.

Methods: This study is a fundamental observational assessment of human erratic behavior followed by an open questionnaire, responded to by 150 people. The population comprised young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 years.

Results: Results strongly indicated confusion in selecting mating partners. The surveyed population demonstrated an increased confusion index in females compared with that in males.

Conclusions: We conclude that confusion is a potential marker of erratic behavior in humans. With the significant shift from analog to digital lifestyles, the human population is encountering extensive virtual ‘attractive’ data which have created a big dataset for stimulating content, leading to confusion while selecting a partner. Digital social platforms are influencing complex thought processes, thus altering normal reproductive behavior in humans. The brain–behavior–digitalization axis in today’s world is challenging the evolutionary aspects of human interaction, which is manifested in recent human behavioral patterns, many of which are an issue of concern for society.

2.7. Simulating Brain Chaos Through Electrical Circuits

Kaouther Selmi ¹, Kods BACHTA ², Kais Bouallegue ²

¹ 

FSM, Electronics and Microelectronics laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Monastir, Monastir 5000, Tunisia

² 

Institut Supérieur des Sciences Appliquées et de Technologie de Sousse (ISSATs), University of Sousse, Sousse 4003, Tunisia

Understanding the intricate and dynamic nature of brain disorders, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia, presents a formidable challenge due to their inherent chaotic properties, which defy conventional analytical approaches. In response to this challenge, our research introduces a groundbreaking methodology aimed at simulating the chaotic behavior characteristic of these neurological conditions using advanced electrical circuit models. By conceptualizing the interactions among neurons and synapses as electrical components within our model, we endeavor to unravel the complex underlying mechanisms driving these disorders. Leveraging insights from chaos theory and drawing upon the rich toolkit of electrical engineering, our simulation framework offers a novel perspective on the ways in which disruptions within neural circuits manifest as pathological states, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of brain diseases. Through rigorous numerical simulations and thorough analysis, we illustrate the efficacy of our approach in deciphering the chaotic dynamics inherent in these disorders, thus laying the foundation for the development of innovative therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, our research underscores the paramount importance of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between the fields of neuroscience and electrical engineering; as such, synergistic partnerships hold the key to unlocking new frontiers in understanding and effectively treating complex neurological disorders, thus paving the way for improved patient outcomes and enhanced quality of life.

2.8. Study of the Influence of 24-Hydroxycholesterol Level on the Development of Epilepsy in Mice

Ruslan Rossomakhin, Kamilya Gizetdinova, Lubov Kovaleva, Alexey Yakovlev

¹ 

Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya str 18, Kazan, 420008, Russia

Oxysterols are products of cholesterol oxidation and play important roles in a number of processes, including signaling, development, metabolism, membrane homeostasis, inflammation and immune function. It has been demonstrated that 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24-OHC) can modulate neuronal functions, with potential relevance to the hyperexcitability underlying seizures. 24-OHC is produced in the brain by the CYP46A1 enzyme from cholesterol. The goal of our study was to investigate the relationship between the serum levels of 24-OHC in mice and the development of seizures in a kindling animal model induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ).

Outbred mice were injected with subthreshold dosages of PTZ (35 mg/kg) every other day for 30 days. Seizure activity was assessed using the Racine scale. To achieve a reduction in cholesterol 24-OHC levels in the brain, we used the inhibitor of CYP46A1, voriconazole (60 mg/kg, n = 10), and for increasing 24-OHC levels, we used a low dose of efavirenz (0,09 mg/kg, n = 10). We also included a control group (n = 10). Voriconazole was injected peritoneally for 5 days before PTZ treatment, and efavirenz was delivered perorally for 2 weeks before PTZ treatment. Both substances had a maintenance course during PTZ treatment.

During voriconazole treatment, the onset of epilepsy was delayed and the number of ensuing seizures decreased compared to those in vehicle-treated mice. The augmentation of 24-OHC levels induced high-grade and -intensity seizures. The duration and onset of seizure did not change compared to that in the control group.

Thus, the experimental data show that changing 24S-hydroxycholesterol levels in the blood of mice may contribute to the development of PTZ-induced seizures.

2.9. Therapeutic Potential of Centella Asiatica in the Intergenerational Effect of Childhood Stress on Depressive-like Behaviors

Amanda Gollo Bertollo, Kelli Maria Kreuz, Jesiel de Medeiros, Maiqueli Eduarda Dama Mingoti, Brunna Varela da Silva, Laysa Anacleto Schuh, Marina Kipper, Paula Dallagnol, Rafael Antonio Narzeti, Zuleide Maria Ignácio

¹ 

Laboratory of Physiology Pharmacology and Psychopathology, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul

Introduction: Relevant factors underlying major depressive disorder (MDD) are childhood stress and a lack of social support, which are mimicked in animal models by maternal deprivation (MD) and social isolation (SI). The objective was to evaluate depressive-like behaviors in rats subjected to MD and SI and in the female offspring, and to assess the treatment with Centella asiatica and madecassic acid. Methods: This study assessed the effects of MD and SI stress on young adult Wistar male and female rats from the first-generation and non-stressed offspring of stressed mothers. Forced swimming and open-field tests were conducted in 92–94 days, and the possible therapeutic effect of Centella asiatica (30 mg/kg) hydroalcoholic extract and madecassic acid (10 mg/kg) administered by gavage for fourteen days was investigated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: In the forced swimming test, immobility time was higher in the stress + saline group compared to the stress-free control group, and all treatments reversed this depressive-like behavior in the first phase. In the second phase, immobility time was higher in the offspring + saline group compared to the control group, and treatment with Centella asiatica in males and Centella asiatica and madecassic acid in females reversed this behavior. Conclusions: Stress in the first generation causes depressive-like behavior in rats, which Centella asiatica and madecassic acid can counteract. Mothers’ childhood stress can have intergenerational effects on their children, and treatments with Centella asiatica and madecassic acid reduce depressive-like behaviors in stressed mothers and their offspring.

3. Neuroscience Systems

3.1. A Mathematical Model to Study the Stochastic Synaptic Noise Dynamics in Subthalamic Neuron Electrophysiology Concerning Parkinson’s Disease

Chitaranjan Mahapatra ^1,2,3

¹ 

University of California San Francisco, USA

² 

Paris Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, France

³ 

IIT Bombay, India

A mathematical model is formulated to examine the stochastic synaptic noise dynamics within subthalamic neuron electrophysiology, particularly concerning Parkinson’s disease. By simulating the stochastic processes underlying synaptic noise, the model serves as a tool to explore the intricate dynamics of subthalamic neurons, contributing to the elucidation of Parkinson’s disease mechanisms. Utilizing the stochastic Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, we represent excitatory synaptic conductance and integrate it into a comprehensive whole-cell model to generate spontaneous and evoked cellular electrical activities. This single-cell model incorporates numerous biophysically detailed ion channels, depicted by a set of ordinary differential equations in Hodgkin–Huxley and Markov formalisms. Consequently, this approach effectively induces irregular spontaneous depolarizations (SDs) and spontaneous action potentials (sAPs), mirroring electrical activity observed in vitro. The model reveals that alterations in the ability to reach the action potential threshold are observed, alongside significant decreases in input resistance and increased firing rates of spontaneous action potentials. Additionally, background synaptic activity can modify the input/output characteristics of nonneuronal excitatory cells, providing further insights into the role of synaptic noise in modulating neuronal behavior. These findings are critical, as the subthalamic nucleus (STN) plays a central role in the motor circuitry affected by Parkinson’s disease, and its abnormal activity is a hallmark of the disease. The stochastic model serves as a robust platform for simulating disease conditions and testing potential interventions, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of how synaptic noise influences neuron behavior and the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease.

3.2. Effect of Knee Joint Fixation on Human Postural Stability

Anna Shulman ¹, Maksim Baltin ², Alexandr Eremeev ³, Margarita Nikulina ³, Anton Eremeev ³, Tatyana Baltina ³

¹ 

Scientific Research Laboratory “Mechanobiology”, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420008, Kremlevskaya, 18, Russia

² 

Sport science department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius Federal territory, 354349, Olympic Ave, 1, Russia

³ 

Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420008, Kremlevskaya, 18, Russia

Introduction. The analysis of motor strategies includes only ankle and hip strategies, without considering the possible role of the knee joint, although coordinated control of knee joint movements plays a significant role in maintaining posture stability. Methods. Electromyography and stabilometry parameters were recorded in healthy subjects with and without knee joint fixation. The tests included: eye-open test (control), Romberg test, and “Target” test. Results. Stabilometry results of control and knee fixation were compared. Knee fixation reduced the total power of pressure center oscillations in all tests except for the Romberg test with closed eyes, in which some shift in the spectrum to higher frequencies was observed. At the same time in the test “Target” both in norm and at knee fixation the spectrum shifted to the zone of higher frequencies, and the changes were less pronounced in the experimental group. At the restriction of knee joint mobility, there was a decrease in the activity of the anterior tibial muscle. During visual deprivation in the Romberg test, the electrical activity of the tibial muscle decreased. When registering electromyograms from the cambaloid muscle, there was a tendency to a decrease in activity in tests with fixation of knee joints.

Conclusions. With the restriction of knee joint mobility, the system of balance regulation improves due to the activation of vestibular and proprioceptive afferent systems.

3.3. Elucidation of Conserved Genes and Pathways in C. elegans as an Animal Model for Alzheimer’s Disease: A System Bioinformatics Approach

Sakshi Simon, Vijay Kumar

¹ 

Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University, Noida, UP 201313, India

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is primarily characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a nematode worm, is a valuable model organism because of its simplicity, genetic traceability, and well-mapped nervous system.

Methods: This study employs a systematic bioinformatics approach to identify and analyze conserved genes and pathways related to AD within the genomes of humans and C. elegans. Proteins altered in AD were obtained from NeuroPro (https://neuropro.biomedical.hosting/, accessed on 21 July 2024), including 4743 proteins.

Results: A total of 1642 genes in C. elegans orthologous to the most dysregulated AD-related genes in humans were identified, and the GO terms and pathways were compared to study the conserved pathways between the two species. A PPI network of dysregulated genes was constructed to infer the functions of AD-related orthologous genes in C. elegans. Orthologous gene protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis for dysregulated first neighbor genes reveals the hubs and important key regulators in C. elegans for upregulated genes are as follows: isw-1, enol-1, ruvb-2, tpi-1, eftu-2, ruvb-1, gpi-1, pgk-1, ubq-1, and let-716 for upregulated genes and rps-9, rps-18, rps-22, ubq-2, utx-1, T26E3.7, aco-2, rla-0, eef-1G, and tsfm-1 for downregulated genes.

Conclusions: Functional enrichment analysis and pathway mapping revealed the significant conservation of cellular mechanisms. Our findings highlight the utility of C. elegans as a model for AD, emphasizing the potential of bioinformatics in accentuating conserved biological processes and novel intervention strategies.

3.4. The Effect of Disuse on the Functional Condition of Neuromotor Systems in Rats

Artur Fedianin ^1,2, Diana Sabirova ³, Maxim Baltin ^2,3, Alina Ahmetzyanova ¹, Tatyana Baltina ¹, Oskar Sachenkov ^3,4, Anton Eremeev ^1,3

¹ 

Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420018, Russia

² 

Scientific and Research Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, Volga Region University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kazan, 420010, Russia

³ 

N.I. Lobachevsky Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420018, Russia

⁴ 

Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Federal Research Center «Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences», 420111, Kazan, Russia

An important and urgent problem of neuroscience and medicine is the understanding of the mechanisms of reorganization of motor function under conditions accompanied by a restriction on the functional use of skeletal muscles. The aim of the study was to assess the condition of the neuromotor apparatus of the rat’s calf muscles in conditions of simulated disuse.

All experiments were carried out in strict accordance with generally accepted bioethics norms. The animals were divided into experimental groups: unilateral compression of the sciatic nerve (n = 5); unilateral tenotomy (n = 5); antiorthostatic hanging (n = 5). After 7 days, the electromyographic characteristics of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles were recorded. Data from intact animals served as a control (n = 5). An increase in the reflex excitability of spinal cord motor neurons and a violation of the reliability of synaptic transmission were detected, regardless of the procedure for modeling the disuse of the muscle. The transformations were more pronounced in the neuromotor apparatus of the extensor muscles. In addition, in nerve injury and tenotomy, changes were also recorded in the contralateral (undamaged) motor system.

Thus, the disuse of skeletal muscle initiates the transformation of the functional state of all links of symmetrical neuromotor systems. The main reason for the detected effects is assumed to be the restriction of peripheral afferentation, including support, and the activation of intraspinal bilateral connections.

This research was funded by the subsidy allocated to Kazan Federal University for the state assignment in the sphere of scientific activities, project no. FZSM-2023-0009.

3.5. The Effects of Different Types of Unlearning on Savings Following Visuomotor Adaptation

Mousa Javidialsaadi ¹, Scott T Albert ², Jinsung Wang ¹

¹ 

Kinesiology programs, Zilber College of Public Health, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA

² 

Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA

When humans encounter the same disturbance twice, they adapt to it faster during the second exposure. To examine how subconscious learning systems contribute to this savings process, previous studies have suppressed explicit awareness of the perturbation by gradually increasing its magnitude during initial learning. This has produced mixed effects, with some studies demonstrating faster relearning, and others observing no acceleration during relearning. Here, we examined whether these differences might be due to the nature of a de-adaptation period that separates two learning periods. To test this idea, we manipulated the magnitude of washout errors by de-adapting participants abruptly, gradually, or by removing feedback entirely. Empirical analyses indicated that the different classes of washout errors had a profound effect on savings: large washout errors nullified the ability to save, whereas small errors or the absence of error protected savings. Model-based analyses suggested that changes in learning rates were mediated by an increase in sensitivity to error that could be reversed by experience with oppositely oriented washout errors. This suggests that the experience of error produces both a facilitation of learning for similar errors and a reduction in learning for dissimilar errors. The latter can abolish the expression of savings following gradual adaptation.

4. Neurotechnology and Neuroimaging

4.1. Advancements in Neuroimaging Techniques: A Window into the Brain’s Complexity

Ujban MD Hussain Hussain ¹, Samiksha Sandeep Tammewar ², Sameer Ramesh Lode ¹, Yashika Bhattad ², Harsh Pathrabe ¹

¹ 

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Rashtrasant tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University

² 

Priyadarshini J. L College of Pharmacy, Nagpur

Introduction: Neurological disorders present a significant healthcare challenge globally, necessitating continuous advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Neuroimaging techniques have emerged as indispensable tools for unraveling the complexities of the brain and understanding the pathophysiology of various neurological conditions.

Methods: This research conducted a systematic review of recent literature studies to explore the latest advancements in neuroimaging techniques and their applications in neurological disorders. Key methodologies included in the review were magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), nanotechnology, and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Results: Our analysis revealed significant progress in neuroimaging technologies, particularly in MRI and PET, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses of neurological disorders. Nanotechnology has facilitated targeted drug delivery systems, offering promising therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, OCT has provided insights into neurodegeneration mechanisms, aiding in the development of novel diagnostic and monitoring strategies.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the critical role of neuroimaging techniques in advancing our understanding of neurological disorders. These advancements hold immense potential for improving patient care through early detection, precise diagnosis, and targeted interventions. Continued research and innovation in neuroimaging are essential for addressing the complex challenges posed by neurological diseases and enhancing clinical outcomes.

4.2. Investigation of Hippocampal Pathway Plasticity with a Focus on Plasticity Dependent on the Synchrony of Dendritic Activity, Hebbian Plasticity, and Homeostatic Plasticity

Vida Faghani ¹, Neda Khalili Sabet ², Delaram Eslimi Esfahani ³

¹ 

Kharazmi University

² 

Researcher, LABMaiTE GmbH, Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg

³ 

Assistant Professor of physiology, Biology department Kharazmi University

Brain plasticity plays a critical role in the coordination of brain functions, particularly considering that the hippocampus is one of the most important areas in the brain. This study aims to investigate and analyze the hippocampal pathways using three types of plasticity and two computational methods. In this research, the rules of Hebbian plasticity, homeostatic plasticity, and plasticity dependent on the synchrony of dendritic activity have been used. Python programming language and Nest library are also among the tools of this project.

The first method is using the Leaky Integrate-and-Fire (LIF) model. For this purpose, we have used biological neural networks in which neurons are considered as nodes, synapses as connections, and different types of plasticity as network properties. This method can simulate connectivity among neurons as well as their activity. The second method uses a directed random graph model to simulate only the connectivity of the circuit.

In both simulations, the number of neurons, the excitation and inhibition balance, and the connection probability have been chosen carefully to reflect the real properties of the circuit. Both models show agreement with the connectivity pattern of the hippocampus obtained from experimental studies. The strength of connections matches the experimental results of the hippocampus in the first model. In contrast, due to the lack of activity simulation in the second model, the strength of network synapses differs from experimental results as it is a mathematical model and aims to partially reflect the properties of biological neural networks.

4.3. Visualization of Multichannel Surface Electromyography as a Map of Muscle Component Activation

Alisa Pozdnyakova, Galina Savon, Maxim Baltin, Dmitry Onishchenko

¹ 

Sport science department Sirius University of Science and Technology

Introduction: Modern methods of analyzing surface electromyography (sEMG) from a matrix of electrodes allow for detailed muscle activation maps and interaction detection. While these activity maps show muscle response, they do not reveal muscle coordination during different gestures. Creating muscle component activity maps can aid in the development of rehabilitation programs and the creation of bionic prostheses by identifying signal localization in specific muscles. Methods: This study was conducted with healthy subjects (N = 5). Trigno avanti sEMG sensors (n = 8) (Delsys Inc, Boston, MA, USA) were used, arranged in a circle on the superficial muscles of the forearm. The gestures chosen for visualization were fist clenching, finger extension, and thumb elevation. Results: When analyzing the data associated with the muscle component activation maps for the five subjects, it is possible to observe differences in the pattern of muscle co-activation depending on the gesture. During fist clenching, the largest contraction amplitude is observed in m. extensor carpi ulnaris and m. palmaris longus. For finger extension, the greatest activity was observed in m. extensor carpi ulnaris and m. extensor digitorum. Finally, for thumb elevation, m. extensor carpi radialis longus and m. extensor carpi ulnaris were the most involved, and m. palmaris longus was also consistently active. The other selected muscles were not activated, indicating precise muscle coordination to perform the different gestures. Conclusions: Forearm muscles are differentially involved in muscle signal formation. The segmentation of muscle signals allows for specific signal acquisition for further use in prosthetics and rehabilitation.

4.4. A Meta-Analysis on the Influence of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on the Processing of Implicit Associations (IATs)

Adam M. Croom

¹ 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

² 

Case Western Reserve University

Implicit biases are often costly to the self and others since implicit biases can impair cognitive functioning, social interactions, physical health, and psychological wellbeing. A variety of different interventions have therefore been used in an attempt to decrease implicit bias in participants including psychopharmacology, interpersonal and imaginary contact, cognitive and emotional training, and adopting alternative perspectives through virtual embodiment. Recently, brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have also been used with the goal of decreasing implicit bias in participants. But how effective, if at all, is tDCS at decreasing implicit bias? The purpose of this research is to address this question by systematically reviewing all relevant studies that compared the influence of tDCS versus sham stimulation on implicit bias as measured by a variety of implicit association tests (IATs). Using a random effects model, this meta-analysis found a small effect for tDCS versus sham on increasing RTs during IATs in males (k = 28, SMD = 0.252, p = 0.012) but a very small effect for tDCS versus sham on decreasing RTs during IATs in females (k = 28, SMD = −0.140, p = 0.026). Further, this meta-analysis found no statistically significant effect for tDCS versus sham on influencing D values (bias scores) in males (k = 14, SMD = −0.176, p = 0.143) or in females (k = 14, SMD = 0.134, p = 0.081). Here, I discuss the results of this research on tDCS and implicit associations, its practical value, along with limitations and prospects for future work.

4.5. An AI Implementation for Forecasting fMRI Time Series

Moses O. Sokunbi

¹ 

Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom

Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having a revolutionary impact across various sectors, transforming industries, enhancing capabilities, driving innovation and efficiency, and creating new opportunities. In the health sector, AI algorithms have been used to analyze medical images and data more speedily and accurately than humans, aiding in the early detection of diseases such as cancer. It has also been used for the development of personalized treatment plans based on an individual’s genetic makeup and lifestyle. Furthermore, surgical robots powered by AI have been used to perform complex procedures with precision. Neuroimaging and AI are converging to offer transformative advancements in understanding the human brain and diagnosing neurological conditions.

Methods: We implement a deep learning neural network model that forecasts the time series of a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset. However, applying deep learning models to fMRI is not trivial due to the high-dimensional nature of fMRI images. We execute a long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network (RNN) model that forecasts the time series of fMRI datasets.

Results: The training of the LSTM-RNN model, which includes the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) and the loss, is shown. Also, a histogram depicting the RMSE and the errors is shown. The mean RMSE of overall test observations was calculated, and the predictions were compared with the target values.

Conclusions: We have successfully implemented an LSTM-based RNN model for the forecasting of fMRI time series. The model will enable the prediction of future brain states and facilitate advancements in neuroscience research and clinical applications.

4.6. Applications of Terbium Halide-Filled Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Biomedicine

Marianna V. Kharlamova

¹ 

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Russia

Terbium halides are interesting compounds that are incorporated inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Bioimaging with terbium halide-filled SWCNTs is a very promising field. For applications in bioimaging, it is important to investigate the filling ratio and the yield of the preparation processes of the nanocomposites. The synthesis of filled SWCNTs is a chemical process involving melted substances. The melted terbium chloride (TbCl3), terbium bromide (TbBr3), and terbium iodide (TbI3) are introduced into the SWCNTs in a high-temperature process. This results in the preparation of the compound-containing nanocomposites. The chemical properties of the filled SWCNTs are investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spectroscopy. The TEM shows very interesting incorporated compounds. The p-doping of SWCNTs is investigated in the filled SWCNTs. The interesting properties that accompany these nanocomposites may find applications in nanobiotechnology and bioimaging. In this contribution, we synthesize the terbium halide-filled SWCNTs with melted compounds. We incorporate the substances into the SWCNTs in the high-yield process. The filling ratios of the SWCNTs are very large, as revealed with the TEM. The interesting microstructures of the compounds are found in the TEM images. We demonstrate this with micrographs of the filled SWCNTs. In the terbium halide-filled SWCNTs, the p-doping of SWCNTs is revealed with spectroscopy as modifications of Raman modes. Shifts and intensity variations are observed with the spectra. Therefore, the interesting rare-earth compounds inside SWCNTs form a perspective platform for nanobiotechology, and the bioimaging of cells, tissues, and organs.

4.7. From Childhood to Old Age: A Magnetoencephalography-Based Review of Motor Control Development

Xinbi Zhang ¹, Xiaodan Niu ², Wangyang Xu ³

¹ 

Capital University of Physical Education and Sports

² 

Kaiyuan Primary School, Weiyang District, Xi’an, 710016, China

³ 

Shanghai University of Sport

Background: Motor control (MC) is crucial for coordinating movements, reflected by neural oscillations (NOs) such as movement-related beta desynchronization (MRBD), post-movement beta rebound (PMBR), and movement-related gamma synchrony (MRGS). Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has significantly advanced the study of brain development and MC due to its high temporal and spatial resolution. This study aims to elucidate changes in NOs throughout MC development and explore the underlying mechanisms from childhood to old age.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search using keywords “magnetoencephalography,” “motor control,” “lifetime trajectory,” and “aging” was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, EBSCO, and Embase up to June 2024. Seventeen relevant studies were analyzed.

Results: A systematic review of MEG studies revealed the following: (1) Childhood to adolescence: MC increases with enhanced MRBD in the primary motor cortex and decreased MRBD in the secondary motor cortex. Movement control improves, accompanied by enhanced PMBR and refined neural populations, leading to weakened MRGS. (2) Adolescence to early adulthood: MRBD, PMBR, and MRGS continue their trends, reaching maturity in early adulthood. (3) Early adulthood to old age: MC declines but resting beta oscillations and MRBD are stronger than in young adults, while PMBR decreases with age.

Conclusions: MC development follows a trajectory of growth to maturity and eventual decline with age, reflected by changes in NOs. Increased resting beta oscillations and MRBD in older adults suggest compensatory mechanisms, while PMBR and MRGS show age-related changes. Further research is needed to clarify these mechanisms.

4.8. Magnetoencephalographic Evidence of Ketamine’s Efficacy in Alleviating Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review

Xinbi Zhang ¹, Wangyang Xu ²

¹ 

Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, 100191, China

² 

Shanghai University of Sport

This study aimed to analyze the effect of ketamine (KT) on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms and explore the underlying neural mechanisms from a magnetoencephalographic (MEG) perspective.

Methods: Databases including EBSCO, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies on MEG observations of KT intervention in MDD patients, covering publications up to June 2024.

Results: In total, 14 RCTs from the United States, involving 351 MDD subjects aged 18–65, were included. The studies, mainly published after 2016 in molecular and biological psychiatry journals, used the DSM-IV criteria for MDD diagnosis. KT was administered at 0.5 mg/kg, with a placebo of 0.9% saline, for a duration of less than 40 min. KT significantly improved depression, anxiety, psychotic symptoms, and suicidal ideation, as evidenced by reductions in Montgomery Depression Rating Scale scores. MEG findings indicated the following: (1) AMPA-mediated glutamatergic transmission increase; (2) increased anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC) activation correlating with rapid antidepressant response; (3) prefrontal ACC involvement negatively correlated with symptom improvement during increased working memory load; (4) increased functional connectivity of the anterior striatum; (5) hydroxyketamine levels correlated with gamma power and antidepressant efficacy; (6) baseline gamma power predicted post-dosing gamma power and antidepressant efficacy; (7) decreased connectivity between the amygdala and temporal insula; (8) prefrontal ACC–eft amygdala connectivity negatively correlated with symptom changes; (9) increased δ-α and δ-γ connectivity in responders, and decreased connectivity in non-responders; and (10) fusiform M170 component association with antidepressant effects.

Conclusions: KT improves depression and enhances resting functional connectivity in MDD patients; however, the involved frequency bands are inconsistent, and the findings lack reproducibility.

4.9. Methods for Estimating the Similarity of Contours of Gray Matter in Mammalian Spinal Cord Transverse Sections

Vsevolod Lyakhovetskii ¹, Polina Shkorbatova ², Aleksandr Veshchitskii ², Natalia Merkulyeva ²

¹ 

Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences

² 

Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, St-Petersburg, Russia

Subject of study: We focused on images of transverse sections of the mammalian spinal cord belonging to its various segments. Aim of study: We selected optimal methods for assessing the similarity of images of transverse sections of the spinal cord obtained earlier in different histological studies. Methods: We assessed the similarity of images of transverse sections of the spinal cord with the help of (a) Jaccard index (the size of the contour’s intersection divided by the size of the contour’s union), (b) metrics of distance between gray matter contours, (c) correlations between gray matter contours, and (d) the difference between gray matter contours based on Hu moments (a set of seven numbers calculated using central moments that are invariant to image transformations). Main results: Jaccard index and metrics of distances between contours allowed us to successfully determine the degree of similarity of sections obtained from the same animal. Hu invariant moments are suitable for the successful recognition of images of spinal cord segments obtained from various sources. Practical significance: The results suggest that the automated identification of spinal cord segments can be based on a comparison of histological or tomographic images of transverse sections of the spinal cord with some databases containing a set of reference images of particular segments. Such comparisons may be performed with the help of contour similarity methods based on the Hu invariant moments. This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project №21-15-00235.

4.10. Simulation Study on Novel Processing Algorithms for Ocular Artifacts’ Detection and Correction from Electroencephalographic Techniques

Vincenzo Ronca ^1,2, Davide Capogreco ¹, Alessia Ricci ¹, Rossella Capotorto ³, Andrea Giorgi ^2,3, Alessia Vozzi ², Gianluca Di Flumeri ^2,4, Gianluca Borghini ^2,4, Fabio Babiloni ^2,5,6, Pietro Aricò ^1,2

¹ 

Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

² 

BrainSigns srl, Rome, Italy

³ 

Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

⁴ 

Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

⁵ 

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

⁶ 

College of Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, China

Electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques are widely used in cognitive science, neuroscience, psychophysiology, and brain–computer Interface (BCI) research due to their non-invasive nature, portability, and high temporal resolution. However, EEG signals often suffer from contamination by non-brain electrical activities such as those from eye movements (EOG), muscles (EMG), and the heart (ECG), necessitating preprocessing to maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for accurate analysis. This research evaluates techniques for mitigating artifacts from oculomotor activities, particularly saccades, which are more challenging to remove than eye blinks. The primary methods for correcting these artifacts are regression-based techniques and Independent Component Analysis (ICA). Regression methods like the Gratton algorithm use EOG channels but can introduce contamination, while ICA methods such as AMICA require substantial computational resources and the careful selection of EEG channels. Moreover, recent advancements in algorithms have focused on identifying and correcting ocular artifacts in out-of-lab applications, using data from a low number of channels. Notably, EEGANet, based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), stands out as a promising approach. It requires an initial training and optimization process using EOG channels. EEGANet’s performance was compared to Gratton, AMICA, SGEYESUB, REBLINCA, and MWF using publicly available datasets, with evaluation metrics including Pearson’s correlation, mutual information, and frequency correlation. The results revealed that EEGANet showed a superior correction performance over frontal EEG channels, effectively identifying and correcting both horizontal and vertical eye saccade artifacts. It preserved the EEG signal’s spectral characteristics across theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands, indicating minimal impact on the signal’s neurophysiological content.

4.11. Speech Generation Using BCI

Moses Sokunbi ¹, Nadeen Kirolos ², Mayar AlKhatieb ³, Abdelrahman Mostafa ⁴

¹ 

Associate Lecturer in Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, University of Northampton, United Kingdom

² 

Computer Engineering, University of Northampton, United Kingdom

³ 

Electronics and Communication Engineering, University of Northampton, United Kingdom

⁴ 

Electronics and Communication Engineering, Arab Academy for Science & Technology, Egypt

In this project, we aimed to develop a Steady-State Visually Evoked Potential (SSVEP)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) speller system to enable communication for individuals with severe physical disabilities. We utilized SSVEPs, a type of signal read from the occipital lobe of the brain in response to visual stimuli, to create an accessible and reliable solution for people with paralysis.

Our methodology involved several key components: a flicker-based data gathering interface, signal processing, and AI modeling, a prediction and auto-complete program, and a text-to-speech (TTS) API. We first worked on publicly available datasets then we gathered our own dataset using a G.Tec Unicorn Hybrid Black 8-channel EEG headset, then developed an AI model based on an unsupervised Transformer model to accurately interpret the user’s intended selections.

The results of our project demonstrate the effectiveness of our SSVEP speller system. We were able to achieve 93% accuracy through our AI model on the available BETA dataset, which outperformed state-of-the-art methods. Additionally, the incorporation of prediction and auto-complete functionalities in our fully functional website further enhanced the user experience. We believe our work can provide a lifeline for severely disabled individuals, giving them a voice and improving their quality of life by reducing social and mental isolation.

4.12. State of the Art in the Collection of Physiological and Biometric Data in VR Simulations of Nature and Architectural Design in Urban Spaces: Impact on Well-Being

Cleiton Pons Ferreira ¹, Francisco Antonio Nieto Escámez ²

¹ 

Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul

² 

Universidad de Almeria

The use of physiological and biometric data collection devices in urban space design research has emerged as a cutting-edge approach, particularly for understanding the importance of incorporating natural elements into city living environments to promote the health and wellbeing of their inhabitants. This study explores state-of-the-art advanced sensor technologies, such as heart rate monitors, galvanic skin response detectors, and eye-tracking and electroencephalography devices, to collect real-time data on human interactions with nature in places where concrete predominates. By analyzing these responses, researchers can quantify the restorative and health-promoting effects of nature, which are often difficult to measure through traditional survey methods. The precision, immediacy, and integration of data obtained through these new data collection technologies have boosted experimental research in this field, allowing a more nuanced understanding of the effects and variations in individual cognitive and emotional responses and contributing relevant neuroscientific, behavioral, and psychological insights. This comprehensive view of human interactions with urban nature highlights the potential of physiological and biometric devices as a source of information from their users to optimize urban planning and policy decisions aimed at creating healthier and more livable cities. This work also addresses challenges such as data privacy, ethical considerations, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. Overall, the use of these innovative technologies represents a significant advancement in the quest to harmonize urban development with the natural environment, ultimately improving the quality of life of urban populations.

5. Neuropsychology

5.1. Addressing Education Inequality to Combat Dementia in Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigerian Women in the Eye of the Storm

Juan Fraile-Ramos ^1,2, Faeren Dogoh ³, Monday Ogiator ⁴, Efosa Kenneth Oghagbon ^3,5, Lydia Giménez-Llort ^1,2

¹ 

Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

² 

Institut de Neurociències, universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

³ 

Department of Chemical Pathology, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria

⁴ 

Department of Internal Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria

⁵ 

Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic & Allied Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

The unique metabolic profile of Sub-Saharan Africans and African Americans predispose them to a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes (DM-2) and a 2-to-8fold increased risk of developing dementia compared to Caucasians. This increased risk places a significant strain on health systems. The development and progression of DM-2 are influenced by intrinsic factors such as sex, epigenetics, ethnicity, diet, and lifestyle, as well as extrinsic factors like socioeconomics, cultural nuances, and the environment. However, the complex relationship between diabetes and dementia is not fully understood; thus, further research efforts are needed. Our research group has identified educational level as a key risk factor for dementia, with Nigerian women being particularly affected. In this work, we studied both healthy individuals and those with DM-2 to search for a continuum between educational levels and cognitive function, and to establish education as a trigger factor for dementia prevalence. Our findings demonstrate that lower educational levels correspond to poorer cognitive function test results. Moreover, since women disproportionately have lower educational levels, their cognitive test results deviated more significantly from typical values. This study highlights the critical connection between education and dementia risk, emphasizing the urgent need to address gender education inequalities, particularly in sub-Saharan populations like Nigeria. By improving educational opportunities for women, we can potentially reduce the prevalence of dementia and enhance the overall quality of life in these communities. Addressing this issue is not only a matter of public health but also a step toward achieving social equity and improving the resilience of health systems.

5.2. Inducing an Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) with Electroencephalography as a Novel Intervention to Improve Mental Function

Jaansi Patel ¹, Elizabeth Ricker ²

¹ 

Phillips Exeter Academy

² 

NeuroEducate

The autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a tingling sensation in the scalp, neck, and back caused by sensory stimuli triggering the parasympathetic response. With a wide genre of popular online videos created to induce ASMR, viewers have claimed benefits such as improved sleep and relaxation. This study investigates the potential of ASMR to revolutionize productivity, mood, and stress management in a fast and affordable way. To do so, single case experimental design was utilized, which turns an observational case report into a hypothesis tested under controlled conditions to highlight an individual’s distinct changes in state. Tests were administered over eight weeks to comprehensively quantify the effects of ASMR on mental function, including assessments for mood, memory, and executive function; a smartwatch; and a wearable electroencephalography headset. This indicated gradual improvement in executive function (medium effect size) and long-term memory (large effect size) across the testing period as well as immediate improvement of mood (medium effect size) and activation of the parasympathetic response following each intervention. Furthermore, wavelet transform analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the power of alpha and delta waves during the intervention, which was supported by in silico validation via a convolutional neural network. This model can now be applied to detect unique brain activity during ASMR stimulation on larger populations, making cognitive enhancement by novel biofeedback interventions time-efficient and globally accessible. Overall, this experiment is the first to demonstrate the physiological basis of ASMR’s potential to improve cognitive function, therefore encouraging a preventative approach to mental healthcare.

6. Neurodegenerative Diseases

6.1. Distinct Huntingtin’s Protein Aggregates Differently Impact Viability and Motility in C. elegans

Ephraim Chidi Ezeigbo, Justin Legleiter

¹ 

West Virginia University

A broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD), are associated with the aggregation of proteins into amyloid fibrils. For many amyloid-forming proteins, the aggregation process proceeds through a complex mixture of intermediates predominately comprising oligomers. Due to the complex heterogeneity associated with amyloid formation, it is difficult to assign specific toxic functions to different aggregate species, particularly when expressing aggregating proteins within cells or organisms. To overcome this challenge, a mutant Huntington protein [htt-exon1(46Q)], which readily aggregates and is associated with HD, was employed as a model system to create a protocol that exposes the N2 strain of C. elegans to well-characterized, specific aggregates to assess toxicity. Via the use of controlled aggregation conditions and separation techniques, uniform populations of htt-exon1 (46Q) aggregates were obtained and characterized using atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Upon exposure to these different aggregate populations, the viability and motility of C. elegans were determined. Htt-exon1 (46Q) oligomers represented the most potently toxic aggregate form. Fibrils did not invoke any toxicity in N2 worms; however, exposure to C. elegans results in them expressing a nonpathogenic htt fragment that does not aggregate results of reduced viability. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, several additional experiments were performed with oligomers. First, chemically cross-linking htt-exon1 (46Q) oligomers and stabilizing oligomers via the incorporation of truncated small peptides derived from the first 17 amino acids of Huntington’s disease induced toxicity differently. These representative methods of controlling the type of aggregate species introduced into a living system to assess toxicity and methods that alter that toxicity are discussed.

6.2. Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease from EEG Signals Using Machine Learning: A Comparative Study with XGBoost, SVM, and Naive Bayes

Sania Thomas ¹, Binson V A ²

¹ 

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam, India

² 

Department of Electronics Engineering, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam, India

The early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is crucial for effective intervention and management. This study aims to detect AD using electroencephalogram (EEG) signals analyzed through advanced machine learning techniques. The dataset, provided by researchers from Florida State University, consists of EEG recordings from 24 healthy controls and 24 patients diagnosed with AD using a 19-electrode recorder in accordance with the international 10–20 system. The recordings were captured using the Biologic Systems Brain Atlas III Plus workstation. EEG signals were preprocessed to remove noise and artifacts, and features were extracted using a finite impulse response (FIR) filter in the double-time domain, focusing on changes in the power spectrum associated with AD. These features were then used to train and test three machine learning classifiers: the support vector machine (SVM), naive Bayes, and XGBoost. Among these, the XGBoost model demonstrated the highest accuracy, achieving a remarkable 96% accuracy in distinguishing between AD patients and healthy controls. The superior performance of the XGBoost model underscores the potential of EEG signal analysis combined with machine learning for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. This approach provides a non-invasive and cost-effective diagnostic tool and offers significant promise for improving the timely diagnosis and management of AD. This study highlights the efficacy of leveraging advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques in the field of neurodiagnostics, paving the way for innovative solutions in the detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases.

6.3. Anti-Dementia Effects of Mansorin A, Mansonone G, and 6-Paradol in the Okadaic Acid-Induced Zebrafish Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Iasmina Honceriu, Lucian Hritcu

¹ 

Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania

Introduction. Dementia is a clinical syndrome mainly characterized by progressive cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most prevalent type of dementia, is a priority in research as stated by the World Health Organization, given the annual surge of AD cases and its high economic impact. With unknown causes, dementia remains incurable. Mansorin A (MA), mansonone G (MG), and 6-paradol (PD) are plant-derived compounds with potential in AD treatment.

Methods. MA, MG, and PD were administered chronically via immersion in concentrations of 1, 3, and 6 μg/L to the novel okadaic acid-induced zebrafish model of AD obtained by immersion of animals in 10 nM okadaic acid. A battery of behavioral tests was conducted to assess the effect of administered substances on short-term recognition and spatial memory (Novel Object Recognition and Ymaze tasks, respectively) and anxiety (Novel Tank Diving and Novel Object Approach tests) in the animal model. Following, biochemical analysis was conducted to assess the oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase levels in the brain. An in silico analysis of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) parameters was also performed.

Results. The obtained results indicate promnesic, anxiolytic, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties of MA, MG, and PD, as well as antioxidant effects by increasing the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase while reducing the levels of carbonylated proteins and malondialdehyde. Analysis of ADME parameters indicates that MA, MG, and PD are blood–brain barrier permeant and are drug-like molecules.

Conclusions. The results pose MA, MG, and PD as promising anti-AD agents.

6.4. In Vivo and In Vitro Characterization of Gelatin/Beeswax Nerve Conduit with Placental Stem Cells in Peripheral Nerve Injury

Saba Rashid, ShahNawaz Sial

¹ 

Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Peripheral nerve damage is recorded as the most common traumatic consequence of accidental injuries; this leads to a low quality of life. The poor efficacy of treatments makes treating cases of peripheral nerve injury a challenge. Several studies have been conducted in order to improve the situation. Tissue engineering techniques, biomaterial scaffolds, suturing, cell-based therapies, growth factors and exosomes are already being used. In this study, a nerve conduit was developed using a 1.25 mm silicone tube that was dipped 6 times in 10% gelatin solution of Na₂HPO₄ and 3 times in raw beeswax, prepared using a double broiler method at a constant rate of 30 s cross-alternatively. It was dried for 24 h and then characterized using scanning electron microscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, FTIR-IR, electrical conductivity, cytotoxic assay and cell viability and tensile strength tests. Male Wistar rats were used as animal models of peripheral nerve injury, and the nerve conduit of gelatin/beeswax was applied, and placenta cells were injected into it. The animals were analyzed for behavioral, physiological, managemental and activity changes at a gap of 3 weeks regularly. Histological changes were also observed that showed remarkable regeneration, axonal growth and activity restoration. This study aims to provide an efficient biomaterial treatment for peripheral nerve injury to enhance the quality of life in patients.

6.5. Maraviroc, a CCR5 Chemokine Blocker, Enhanced Corticosterone Release in a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Model in Rats: The Effects of Chronic Stress and Fear on the Hippocampal CCR5/RANTES Axis

Jose Joaquin Merino ¹, Vilma Muñetón-Gómez ², María Angeles Pérez-Izquierdo ³, María Loscertales ⁴

¹ 

UCM (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), Dpto. Farmacología, Farmacognosia y Botánica (UCM), IUIN, Spain

² 

Universidad de La Salle (Colombia)

³ 

Psychobiology Dept. UNED (Madrid, Spain)

⁴ 

Harvard Medical School. MGH (Boston, USA)

Contextual fear conditioning (CFC) is a stress behavioural paradigm that resembles many characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD). It is well documented that PTSD is associated with inflammation; however, there is limited information on how inflammation contributes to the progression and development of PTSD. Because PTSD is difficult to treat, the understanding of the inflammatory mediators involved in this pathology could favour better interventions against its resilience. In fact, higher IL-6 levels in CFC of susceptible rats prior to trauma can increase PTSD susceptibility in rats. In this study, we have evaluated whether PSTD fear learning may increase CCR5/RANTES levels by chronic stress restraint (21 days of restraint, 6 h/day) and/or fear learning; these chemokines (CCR5/RANTES) were quantified by ELISA in synaptosomes from the hippocampus and rat prefrontal cortex. This PSTD model increases CCR5/RANTES at 24 h post-training, but chronic stress did not affect these chemokine levels. We also evaluated whether the CCR5 blockade by maraviros (a CCR5 chemokine blocker) before CFC training is able to prevent fear behavior and also normalize RANTES, IL-6, or cortisol release as compared to CFC-trained rats. Maraviroc (a CCR5 chemokine blocker) enhanced corticosterone release in this PSTD paradigm. The CCR5 blockade by mararviroc enhanced corticosterone release, which suggests a neurohormonal regulation of the CCR5 chemokine receptor in the rat hippocampus.

6.6. Monomyelic Amyotrophy: A Clinical Case

Anna Shulman ¹, Bulat Samigullin ^1,2, Maksim Baltin ³, Sofya Bikeeva ¹, Tatiana Baltina ¹

¹ 

Scientific Research Laboratory “Mechanobiology”, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420008, Kremlevskaya, 18, Russia

² 

Neuro Start, Medical Center, Kazan, 420049, Spartakovskaya str., 88B, Russia

³ 

Sport science department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius Federal territory, 354349, Olympic Ave, 1, Russia

Introduction. Monomelic amyotrophy (Hirayama disease) is a rare form of non-progressive motoneuron disease caused by necrotic lesions of the anterior horns of the spinal cord. Purpose of the study. To evaluate the condition of the patient’s leg muscles by electromyography. Methods. A 17-year-old young man with complaints of weakness and fatigue in both hands (more pronounced on the right side) and weakness in legs when bending the head was examined. Clinical and neurological, electrophysiologic analysis, MRI of the head and neck while performing functional tests were performed. To assess muscle strength, the patient performed maximal dorsal flexion of the foot on himself, head straight and head down, while EMG was recorded from the anterior tibial muscles of both legs. Results. MRI data revealed characteristic signs of monomyelic atrophy. Atrophy of the hand muscles on the right side, fascializations were clinically revealed. During neck flexion, there was weakness 4b in the extensors of the feet after 1 min. The amplitude of the motor response of the tibialis anterior muscle during head tilt on the right decreased by 4 times, and on the left by 6 times, with a more pronounced decrease in strength in the upper extremities in the right arm than in the left. According to the literature, the “classical” variant of monomyelic amyotrophy is not characterized by sensory disorders, pyramidal symptoms, and involvement of leg muscles. Conclusions. The use of electrophysiological methods of investigation along with neuroimaging methods allowed us to establish a more accurate picture of the course of the disease.

6.7. Neuroprotective Epigenetic and DNA-Damage-Repairing Molecular Mechanisms of Centella Asiatica Extract (CAE) on Experimentally Induced Parkinsonism in Aged Sprague Dawley Rats

Dr Kumar Ponnusamy ¹, Siddarth Srigokul Kumar ², Sripriyanka Kumar ³

¹ 

Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, Aureus University School of Medicine (AUSOM), Oranjestad, Aruba

² 

School of Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, India

³ 

School of Medicine, Indhira Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Pondicherry, India

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disease causing motor and non-motor symptoms. Animal models reproduce the main cellular processes of PD, such as oxidative stress (OS), neuroinflammation, and DNA damage, which leads to dopaminergic neuronal loss. Studies documented that Centalla asiatica herbal extract enriched with antioxidants exerts cytoprotective effects against aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Materials & Methods: The present study was designed to investigate whether the CAE would ameliorate MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in aged SD rats. Aged male SD rats (26 months old) were divided into three groups: control, MPTP alone (20 mg/kg b.wt, i.p, twice at 20 min intervals), and MPTP with CAE (300 mg/kg b.wt and/or quercetin (QN) (100 mg/kg b.wt, orally) for 21 days. We investigated the aqueous extract of CAE based on OS biomarkers, inflammation, oxidative DNA damage (8 OHdG), DNA, ATP, GSH, neurotransmitter (NT) levels, and DNA repair enzymes in discrete brain regions associated with PD.

Results: MPTP-intoxicated rats elicited a highly significant elevation in the concentration of NO• (a biomarker of OS), inflammation (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), 8-OHdG, XO, nitric oxide synthase, NADPH oxidase, and PARP-1 (p < 0.001) when compared with controls. There was a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity, ATP, GSH, DA, NE, and SN contents with animals treated in MPTP. The co-administration of CAE and/or QN significantly (p < 0.01) decreased biomarkers of OS and inflammation, as well as DNA repair enzymes, and significantly increased NT levels.

Conclusions: Knowledge of the epigenetic and molecular mechanisms involved in the neurodegeneration in this model is the key to identifying potential therapeutic targets for PD with antioxidants.

6.8. The Effect of Silicic Acid and Alcoholic Beer Intake on the Excretion of Chromium and Vanadium and Their Deposition in the Brains of Mice Chronically Exposed to Aluminium Nitrate

Antonio Peña-Fernández ¹, Santiago Angulo ², Mark D. Evans ³, Chris NJ. Young ³, María José González-Muñoz ⁴, Maria del Carmen Lobo-Bedmar ⁵, María de los Ángeles Peña ⁴

¹ 

Department of Surgery, Medical and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

² 

Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Spain

³ 

Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK

⁴ 

Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Alcalá, Crta. Madrid-Barcelona Km, 33.6, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

⁵ 

Departamento de Investigación Agroambiental. IMIDRA. Finca el Encín, Crta. Madrid-Barcelona Km, 38.2, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

The effect of aluminum (Al) exposure and silicon (Si) intake on the levels of chromium (Cr) and vanadium (V) in mouse brains was studied. Six-week-old male NMRI mice were divided into four groups. Three groups received Al(NO₃)₃ at a dose of 450 μg/mL for three months; meanwhile, the fourth group only received deionized water. The first group received aluminum nitrate (Al group); the second group aluminum nitrate and silicic acid (50 mg/mL); and the third group aluminum nitrate and commercial beer. Metals were monitored by ICP-OES in the right hemibrain, feces, urine and blood. V was only detected in the fecal samples, being significantly higher in the Al group (4.132 vs. 3.383, 3.100 and 3.315; groups 4, 2 and 3, respectively; all in μg/g; p-value = 0.038). Conversely, lower and significantly lower levels of Cr were detected in the feces (2.867 vs. 3.155, 2.270 and 2.550 μg/g; p-value = 0.296) and blood (0.187 vs. 0.158, 0.197 and 0.211 μg/L; p-value = 0.013) in the Al group, respectively, as well as in the urine (0.00047 vs. 0.00069, 0.00060, 0.00065 μg/μmol creatinine; p-value = 0.311), suggesting a potential effect of Al intoxication on the metabolism of Cr. These unknown effects might explain the lower levels of Cr that were detected in the intoxicated animals’ brains (0.346 μg/g). Thus, the intoxicated animals that were provided with Si showed Cr brain levels slightly higher than those in the Al group (0.360 and 0.352 vs. 0.346 μg/g; p-value = 0.552). The consumption of beer/silicic acid appears to partially block the negative effects of aluminum ingestion on the normal metabolism of chromium.

6.9. Virtual Reality for Schizophrenia Symptom Regulation

Kadir Uludag

¹ 

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Mental Health Center

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for managing and regulating the symptoms of schizophrenia, offering innovative approaches to supplementing traditional therapeutic interventions. By creating immersive, computer-generated environments, VR provides individuals with a safe and controlled space to engage in therapeutic exercises.

One novel VR method involves social skills training, which addresses the challenges individuals with schizophrenia often face in social interactions. VR simulations can recreate real-life scenarios, allowing patients to practice social cues, communication skills, and emotional recognition in a supportive environment. By repeatedly engaging in these simulated interactions, individuals can improve their social functioning and reduce anxiety in real-world social situations.

Another application of VR in schizophrenia treatment is cognitive remediation. Cognitive deficits are common in schizophrenia and can significantly impact daily functioning. VR-based cognitive training programs provide interactive exercises that target attention, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Through repeated practice and feedback within a virtual environment, individuals can enhance their cognitive abilities, leading to improved overall functioning and quality of life.

Additionally, VR has shown promise in treating hallucinations and delusions, core symptoms of schizophrenia. Virtual reality experiences can be tailored to replicate specific hallucinatory experiences, allowing individuals to confront and gain control over their perceptions. By gradually exposing patients to simulated hallucinations, therapists can guide them through coping strategies and cognitive restructuring techniques, ultimately reducing the distress associated with these symptoms.

6.10. Voice Signal Analysis for Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease Using Machine Learning Techniques

Manju G

¹ 

Department of Computer Science, Government College, Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha, Kerala, 688539, India

The early detection of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is crucial for its effective management and treatment, as it can significantly slow disease progression and improve quality of life. One promising approach for early diagnosis is the analysis of voice signals, which can reveal subtle changes in phonetic features associated with PD. This study explores the use of machine learning techniques to identify PD at an early stage by leveraging a dataset from the UCI Machine Learning Repository, consisting of 147 phonetic samples from PD patients and 48 from healthy controls. The methodology involved preprocessing the data, selecting relevant features using a genetic algorithm, and addressing class imbalance with the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed for dimensionality reduction, followed by the application of Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and k-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) classifiers. Cross-validation was performed to evaluate model performance. The results indicate that the KNN classifier achieved the best accuracy of 96.11%, demonstrating its superior capability in distinguishing between PD patients and healthy individuals based on voice features. The high accuracy suggests that voice signal analysis, combined with advanced machine learning techniques, is a promising avenue for the early detection of Parkinson’s disease. This research underscores the potential of non-invasive diagnostic tools in clinical settings, paving the way for further studies to refine and validate these methods for broader applications.

7. Cognitive Neuroscience

7.1. Impact of Emotional Arousal and Stimulus Processing on Inhibitory Control: Insights from Virtual Reality

Manon Sáez-Gillet, Francisco Nieto-Escámez

¹ 

Dept. Psychology, University of Almeria, Almeria, 04120, Spain

² 

Research Center for Wellbeing and Social Inclusion, University of Almeria, Almeria, 04120, Spain

Background: According to the dual-competition framework, inhibitory control is influenced by emotional arousal, with highly arousing stimuli potentially impairing response inhibition due to increased cognitive resource allocation toward stimulus processing. This study aimed to investigate how stimuli depicting fearful scenes affected inhibitory processing compared to non-fearful stimuli. Virtual reality (VR) was utilized to enhance emotional intensity, and two versions of the Go/No-Go task were employed: one with explicit processing of stimuli and another with masked stimuli requiring implicit processing.

Methods: Stimuli selection involved an image evaluation process, resulting in two task versions for the Go/No-Go paradigm. Sixty-four participants were randomly assigned to conditions involving exposure or no exposure to VR, combined with task version variations. Participants performed inhibitory tasks under these conditions to assess differences in inhibitory control influenced by stimulus type and processing method.

Results: Fear stimuli with higher arousal levels significantly impaired response inhibition compared to non-fearful stimuli. Explicit stimulus processing in the Go/No-Go task also showed greater inhibition impairment than implicit processing. Additionally, prior exposure to stimuli in VR conditions affected response times, indicating extended processing demands for inhibitory tasks.

Conclusions: This study confirmed that stimulus intensity, particularly emotional arousal, played a critical role in modulating inhibitory control. Fearful stimuli and explicit stimulus processing significantly reduced the ability to inhibit responses. Moreover, VR-induced stimulus exposure extended processing times, highlighting implications for understanding inhibitory processes under varying emotional and environmental conditions.

7.2. Sex Differences in Hippocampal Learning and Induced Plasticity at CA1 Synapses in Infancy

Yuheng Yang, Yuya Sakimoto, Dai Mitsushima

¹ 

Department of Physiology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine; Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan

² 

The Research Institute for Time Studies, Yamaguchi University; Yamaguchi, 753-8511, Japan

Introduction: We previously reported sex differences in the developmental trajectories of contextual learning function and found multiple critical periods for hippocampal function in male rats. Here, we focus on training-induced hippocampal CA1 synaptic plasticity in early childhood to analyze sex differences. Methods: Male (n = 27) and female (n = 18) rats at 16–17 days of postnatal age were subjected to a hippocampal-dependent inhibitory avoidance (IA) task. CA1 neurons received inputs from CA3 and the entorhinal cortex (EC) via different synaptic pathways. Brain slices were then analyzed to assess CA1 synaptic plasticity, focusing on changes in the ratio of AMPA receptor-/NMDA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents, and single-vesicle-induced miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs and mIPSCs). Behavioral battery tests evaluated sensory, motor, and emotional functions. Results: IA learning was established in females (p < 0.01) but not in males, indicating sex differences in contextual learning ability without changes in basic sensory/motor functions. In the emotional state, females showed more sociability with others than males (p < 0.05). The frequency of mEPSCs and mIPSCs decreased in males after learning (p < 0.01), whereas mIPSCs frequency increased in females (p < 0.05). Furthermore, AMPA/NMDA ratios increased in the CA3-CA1 and ECIII-CA1 pathways after learning, suggesting a predominance of AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity after learning (p < 0.01). Unpaired t-tests were used to analyze the results. Conclusions: Female infants showed faster development of hippocampal learning and induced plasticity than male infants, indicating a clear sex difference. These findings provide synaptic evidence for sex-specific development of contextual learning and training-induced plasticity at CA1 synapses.

7.3. A Functional Neuroimaging Study on the Sensitivity of Decision-Making and Mental Workload to Hypoxia

Alberto Zani ¹, Alice Mado Proverbio ²

¹ 

School of Psychology, Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan (MI), Italy

² 

Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan (MI), Italy

Introduction. Hypoxia, a state of oxygen deprivation, is common in respiratory diseases and brain injuries. It also affects healthy individuals exposed to extreme operating environments, such as high altitude or low barometric pressure situations. While impairments in cognitive processing and novelty detection have been investigated, there is a lack of observations on its influence on decision-making and psychomotor workload, and about the neural networks involved in these functions.

Our study investigated the neurofunctional preparatory processes for a single/double choice button press during four different cue-target visuospatial attentional orienting tasks based on Posner’s Attention Network Test and the effects of hypoxia on these processes.

Methods. Healthy participants underwent two experimental sessions in which they breathed either ambient air or 12.5% oxygen-reduced air while performing the four cueing tasks. EEG was recorded from 128 scalp sites and event-related potentials (ERPs), intracerebral sources and behavioral responses (RTs) were computed.

Results. Both the amplitude of pre-target ADAN and LDAP ERP components and post-target RTs were lower for the single-choice condition. Moreover, hypoxia had detrimental effects on decision-making during valid attentional-orienting conditions. Activations in the right anterior cingulate cortex, left superior parietal lobule and dorsolateral prefrontal gyri were enhanced under hypoxia for the double-choice decision task.

Conclusions. Our findings indicate that preparatory processes for a single- or double-choice are associated with the activation of different brain networks more strongly active in the more demanding condition. Overall, hypoxia compromised decision-making efficiency. Impaired decision-making erodes accountability, raising ethical concerns about individual responsibility.

7.4. A Single Session of the Beat Saber VR Exergame Does Not Improve Selective Attention or Attentional Blink: A Pre–Post Study

Elena Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Francisco Nieto-Escámez

¹ 

Dept. Psychology, University of Almeria, Almeria, 04120, Spain

² 

Research Center for Wellbeing and Social Inclusion, University of Almeria, Almeria, 04120, Spain

Background: Several studies highlight the relevance of video games and virtual reality (VR) training in enhancing various attentional processes, specifically selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and attentional blink. Beat Saber, an action virtual reality game, has been used in previous studies to train visual attention, reporting significant effects on visual attention task scores. In our laboratory, we previously obtained significant improvements in dynamic visual acuity performance following one training session with Beat Saber.

Methods: Thirty-nine university students were divided into three groups: (1) those trained with the Beat Saber VR exergame, (2) those exposed to a relaxing video using VR, and (3) a control group without any intervention. All the interventions lasted 20 min. A pre–post-intervention study design was implemented, applying two attentional tests: the Flanker task and the attentional blink task.

Results: The factorial ANOVA showed no significant differences between the groups in terms of improvement in the attentional tasks. However, significant differences were observed between the pre- and post-intervention assessments within each group, indicating some overall changes in performance over time, irrespective of the type of intervention. Training duration differences could be the reason for the discrepancies in the visual attention improvements between other studies and ours.

Conclusions: A single session of Beat Saber training does not produce an improvement in selective attention or attentional blink. Despite these results, it is important to continue studying the potential of VR in different contexts and with varied durations and frequencies of training sessions.

7.5. Brain Tumor Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Shruti Verma

¹ 

Dronacharya College of Engineering

Brain tumor detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes through early diagnosis and precise treatment planning. This research presents an in-depth study of advanced methodologies for detecting and classifying brain tumors using cutting-edge imaging techniques and machine learning algorithms. The study emphasizes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to its superior contrast resolution in soft tissues, essential for identifying brain anomalies. Our approach leverages convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a deep learning architecture, for automated brain tumor detection. The model is trained on an extensive dataset of annotated MRI scans, employing data augmentation to enhance robustness and accuracy. CNN architecture is optimized to extract relevant features and classify different brain tumors, including gliomas, meningiomas, and pituitary adenomas, with high precision. Performance evaluation is conducted using metrics such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). The CNN-based method demonstrates significant improvements over traditional techniques, achieving an accuracy exceeding 96%. Additionally, the incorporation of transfer learning techniques shows promise for adapting the model to various medical imaging tasks with minimal retraining. This research highlights the critical role of integrating advanced computational methods with medical imaging to improve the accuracy and efficiency of brain tumor detection. The findings contribute to enhanced clinical decision-making and patient care, underscoring the potential for machine learning to revolutionize medical diagnostics.

7.6. Math Anxiety Affects Conscious and Unconscious Math Performance

Veronika M. Knyazeva, Nadezhda V. Polyakova, Denis G. Fedorov, Daria D. Sitnikova, Aleksander A. Aleksandrov

¹ 

St. Petersburg State University

Introduction: Mathematical anxiety (MA) causes worry and fear in performing mathematical tasks, potentially leading to the avoidance of math-related situations and careers. This study aimed to explore the correlation between event-related potentials (ERPs) during conscious and unconscious math performance and the level of MA.

Methods: This research involved 24 participants (13 females, mean age 21.4 years) who were assessed using a shortened MA rating scale (mean sMARS results: 60 ± 19). Single-digit addition problems (large and small) were presented, followed by correct and incorrect answers in two experimental blocks with conscious and unconscious perceptions of arithmetic tasks. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between sMARS results and average ERP amplitude in the 300–400 ms interval after the solution was presented.

Results: A moderate negative correlation (−0.450 r −0.650) was found between MA level and ERP amplitude in fronto-central leads in response to the correct solutions during conscious and unconscious small problem presentation. For the conscious presentation of large problems, a moderate negative correlation (−0.450 r −0.550) was observed. No correlation was found for the unconscious presentation of large problems or incorrect answers.

Conclusions: Increased MA levels corresponded to reduced ERP amplitudes for correct solutions, both consciously and unconsciously. It was previously established that arithmetic skills correlated with P300 amplitude for correct answers. High MA individuals tend to avoid math situations, potentially affecting their ability to extract answers from memory, leading to diminished N400/P300 arithmetic effect in both conscious and unconscious perception.

This study was supported by the RSF (grant № 23-78-01220).

7.7. Relationship Between Aging, Isolation and Lack of Activity in Society with Reduction of Polarized Molecules in Microtubules and Appearance of Alzheimer’s Disease in Orch or Theory

Alireza Sepehri

¹ 

Istituto Terapie Sistemiche Integrate, Via Flaminia 449,00181, Rome, Italy

Background: In Orch OR theory, polarized molecules forming microtubules of brain neurons store information data in the form of quantum fields or spins of electrons and other spinors. The entanglement of molecules, as well as fields and spinors, increases the capacity of the brain to store information data. After a period of time, physical and environmental factors reduce the entanglement between molecules, fields and spins, and some molecules lose their ability to store quantum fields. As a result, the information stored in these molecules is lost and the person suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

Purpose: To consider (1) the age dependency of Alzheimer’s and its relation with polarized molecules in the Orch OR model. To consider (2) the effect of the type of social activity on the entanglement between polarized molecules, neuronal signals and, later, Alzheimer’s disease

Method: First, some mathematical calculations were carried out, and the dependency of entanglement between polarized molecules in time and electrical signals between neurons has been considered. Then, these theoretical results were tested experimentally by collecting the reports of people and also reports from previous investigations and comparing data with theory.

Results: The results of this study show that with increasing age, the rate of forgetting past events increases and gradually the person suffers from Alzheimer’s. However, people who are more socially active and have to be responsible in society suffer from Alzheimer’s later.

Conclusion: With increasing age, gradually, polarized molecules that have the task of storing information in the microtubules of brain neurons lose their polarization and as a result, the person suffers from Alzheimer’s.

8. Clinical Neuroscience

8.1. Changes in the Perception of the Müller-Lyer Illusion in Schizophrenic Patients Both at the Start and During Treatment

Marianna Tumova ^1,2, Vsevolod Lyakhovetskii ¹, Valeria Karpinskaya ¹, Karina Zankishieva ², Mikhail Ivanov ²

¹ 

St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia

² 

Federal State Budgetary Institution “V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology” Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia

Research in the literature suggests that patients with schizophrenia are particularly susceptible to the Müller-Lyer illusion and consider it a potential marker of vulnerability.

We hypothesized that the perception of the Müller-Lyer illusion might be influenced by the patient’s mental state. To test this, we studied 12 patients with schizophrenia, aged 18 to 45 years, at both the second week (after the patient became available for contact and could perform cognitive tests) and the eighth week of therapy. Participants were asked to align two segments on a monitor screen to match in length. They were presented with both neutral segments of equal length and segments configured to produce the Müller-Lyer illusion.

Mental state was assessed using the PANSS scale. Only patients with positive symptom scores of less than 4 points were included in the study. Statistical analysis was conducted using a mixed regression model.

The study results indicated no significant differences in perception between patients at the second and eighth weeks of therapy, suggesting that the mental state during this period did not substantially influence the course of therapy. Our findings suggest that the perception of the Müller-Lyer illusion is not significantly influenced by the severity of the mental state, and that antipsychotic therapy does not appear to impact cognitive functions related to susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion.

Financial statement: This work was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 22-18-00074) “Psychological mechanisms of perception and action mismatch when solving tasks under visual illusions”.

8.2. Post-Earthquake Mental Health: Exploring Depression and Anxiety in Medical Students After the Kahramanmaras Earthquake

Kadir Uludag ¹, Fatih Kara ^2,3, Taskin Soyaslan ^2,3, Omer Celik ^2,3, Enes Kucukbey ^2,3, Arsalan Haider ⁴

¹ 

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

² 

kars kafkas university

³ 

School of medicine

⁴ 

Chinese academy of sciences

Introduction: The impact of earthquakes on mental health, including increased depression and anxiety levels, is well known. The 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake resulted in significant damage and loss of life. However, limited research has focused on the mental health issues related to this earthquake, and it remains unclear whether individuals indirectly affected by the earthquake, such as friends or parents, experience depression and anxiety.

Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the specific effects of the Kahramanmaras earthquake on the mental health of medical students. We specifically examined the levels of depression and anxiety they experienced during this period, considering factors such as gender, hobbies, smoking status, alcohol use, and exercise.

Methods: The study included medical students enrolled at Kars Kafkas University in Kars, Turkey. We used the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety scales to assess depression and anxiety levels. Participants were categorized into two groups: those with family members affected by the earthquake and those without affected family members.

Results: Our research suggests that university students with family members affected by the Kahramanmaras earthquake may have had higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to unaffected students. Within the earthquake-affected group, close to half of the individuals were discovered to have moderate depression (45.71%).

Conclusions: The study results suggest that individuals who had family members impacted by the earthquake exhibited increased levels of depression and anxiety in contrast to those who did not have affected family members. However, it is important to note that there may be confounding factors influencing these results.

8.3. Cognitive Assessment for the Prediction of Transcranial Electrical Simulation Effects on Memory Improvement

Madeline Hwang ¹, Sidney Crowley ¹, Mason Briggs ¹, Benjamin Gibson ¹, Christopher Wertz ¹, Adam Woods ², John Phillips ³, Sephira Ryman ³, Andrew Mayer ³, Michelle Cox ⁴, Vincent P Clark ¹

¹ 

University of New Mexico

² 

University of Florida

³ 

Mind Research Network

⁴ 

ThriveMO, LLC

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), impose substantial personal and financial burdens, and despite being one of the leading causes of death globally, treatment strategies are generally ineffective. The MEMORI Study (NCT05077826), a randomized double-blind clinical trial of older adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), investigated the efficacy of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) to improve learning and potentially mitigate the effects of dementia. This study investigated whether variation in treatment efficacy can be predicted by cognitive assessments given prior to treatment.

Methods: Cognitive assessments were used to evaluate cognitive function and impairment among participants who received either a sham (0.1 mA) or verum (2.0 mA) dose of tES. This analysis involved computing correlation coefficients to investigate the relationship between these cognitive measures and the scores from the PRETXT discovery learning task after training.

Results: In the verum tES group, Trail Making Tests A and B showed significant positive correlations between learning task improvement and training (r = 0.4415, p = 0.0030 and r = 0.3270, p = 0.0324, respectively). In contrast, the sham tES group showed nonsignificant correlations (r = 0.1453, p = 0.3468 for Test A and r = 0.0446, p = 0.7740 for Test B).

Conclusions: Trail Making Test scores were found to have a significant correlation with learning task performance in participants receiving verum tES but not sham. Further research will be needed in order for us to understand this relationship. In the meantime, these results suggest a simple and cost-effective strategy for predicting the beneficial effects of this neuromodulation technique on individual patients.

8.4. The Efficacy of Medical Interventions for Free-Floating Thrombus in Cerebrovascular Events: A Systematic Review

Fairuz Jayyusi ¹, Habib H. Al-Rousan ¹, Feras Alkhalailah ², Issa Shari ¹, Mohmmad M. Alawajneh ¹, Yahya Alshgerat ¹, Mustafa Abuelsamen ¹, Nazih W. Alhirtani ¹, Yahia Sayuri ¹, Majd M. AlBarakat ¹, Mohammad BaniAmer ¹, Mo’tasem Abujaber ¹, Abdel Rahman Alkasabrah ¹, James Brasic ^3,4

¹ 

Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

² 

Department of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

³ 

Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA

⁴ 

Section of High-Resolution Brain Positron Emission Tomography Imaging, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore

Introduction: Since the management of free-floating thrombus (FFT), a critical clinical entity associated with an increased risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), is controversial, we performed a systematic review of the efficacy of various medical interventions in the management of FFT and factors associated with FFT resolution and recurrence.

Methods: We included studies from PubMed and EMBASE that reported patients diagnosed with FFT-related stroke or TIA who received anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy or a combination. The primary outcomes were stroke recurrence and thrombus resolution. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05 using Fisher’s exact test, the chi-square test, the Mann–Whitney test, or the Kruskal–Wallis test.

Results: Our review (61 studies) included 179 patients diagnosed with FFT with a median follow-up duration of 7 months. Resolution of the thrombus occurred in 117 (65%), while 20 (12.6%) experienced recurrence, predominantly manifesting as TIAs. The incidence of cardioembolism was greater in the patients with unresolved thrombi (7.7% (n = 9), p = 0.025). Patients who received combination therapy involving antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, and statins showed a higher probability of clot resolution ([OR] 11.4; 95% [CI] 1.436–91.91; p = 0.021) compared to those treated with anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy alone ([OR] 1.201; 95% [CI] 0.601–2.40; p = 0.604, [OR] 0.780; 95% [CI] 0.317–1.92; p = 0.588), respectively. Notably, ulcerated plaques predicted recurrence ([OR] 8.2; 95% [CI] 1.02–66.07; p = 0.048).

Conclusions: Combination medical therapy of antiplatelets, anticoagulants, and statins is superior to anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy alone. Moreover, the identification of ulcerated plaques as a significant predictor of recurrence underscores the importance of targeted interventions in high-risk patients.

9. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience

9.1. The Impact of a Protein Phosphatase 2A Inhibitor on Glioblastoma and Neurodegeneration

Margarita Chigriai ¹, Vesna Pešić ², Miloš Stanojlović ², Ema Lupšić ², Marija Grozdanić ², Ana Podolski-Renić ², Milica Pešić ²

¹ 

Advitam Laboratory, Mihaila Šuškalovića 13, 11030, Belgrade, Serbia

² 

Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Despota Stefana 142, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia

Introduction: Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a potential target for treating inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Reduced levels of PP2A are associated with neurodegeneration, along with increased levels of endogenous PP2A inhibitors. In cancer treatment, PP2A is a tumor suppressor, the inhibition of which hyperactivates multiple oncogenic signaling pathways and could be lethal to cancer cells, particularly in combination with other anticancer drugs.

Methods: The effects of PP2A inhibitor (LB-100) alone and in combination with either Wee1 kinase inhibitor (adavosertib), paclitaxel, or doxorubicin were assessed on primary human glioblastoma grade 4 cells. The methodology included high-throughput imaging with ImageExpress PICO, real-time quantitative cell analysis with xCELLigence, and cell death induction analysis with flow cytometry. We conducted a behavioral study using C57BL/6J mice to assess cognitive deficiencies after treatment with LB-100. The mice received intraperitoneal injections of LB-100 at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg on days 1, 3, and 5, repeated in 5 cycles.

Results: Our initial findings indicate that glioblastoma cells were sensitive to LB-100, while its combinations with adavosertib and doxorubicin were synergistic. Additionally, continuous LB-100 treatment for 3 weeks resulted in significant body weight loss but did not show any noticeable cognitive changes.

Conclusions: It is important to investigate the effects of PP2A inhibition on neurodegeneration to assess its potential as a cancer therapy with minimal impact on cognition.

9.2. 16Ch BDD-MEA Devices: Solid Tools for the Amperometric Determination of Serotonin Released by Exocytosis in Human Platelets

Rosalía González-Brito ^1,2, Pablo Montenegro ¹, Alicia Méndez ¹, Ramtin E. Shabgahi ³, Alberto Pasquarelli ³, Ricardo Borges ¹

¹ 

Pharmacology Unit, Medical School, Universidad de La Laguna. Spain

² 

Organic Chemistry Department, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain

³ 

Institute of Electron Devices and Circuits, Ulm University, Germany

Introduction: Amperometry is an electrochemical technique that allows the release of oxidizable amines by exocytosis to be studied. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in the control and regulation of motor activity, body temperature, appetite, perception, cognitive function, sexual appetite, emotions and mood. It is important to know how serotonin is released directly in human cells.

Methods: We used novel boron-doped diamond 16-microelectrode array devices (“16Ch BDD-MEA”)1,2 to carry out amperometric measurements of serotonin release by exocytosis from human platelets. These cells store 90% of the blood serotonin. They are an easy cell model obtained from blood samples. We studied serotonin exocytosis in two different types of “16Ch BDD-MEA” devices: opaque on silicon substrates and transparent on quartz substrates.

Results: We detected the exocytosis of serotonin as typical positive deflections called secretory spikes. From these spikes, we could extract kinetics parameters such as Imax (maximum oxidation current, in pA), t1/2 (spike width at half maximum, in ms), Q (quantum size or spike net charge, in pC) and ascending slope of spike (in pA/ms). Studies were carried out under basal conditions and after loading the platelets with 10 µM serotonin for 2 h to explore the uptake mechanisms.

Conclusions: “16Ch BDD-MEA” systems are an effective tool for quantitatively studying exocytosis of neurotransmitter serotonin from human platelets.

9.3. 24-Hydroxycholesterol Prevents Pronociceptive Effects of ATP in the Rat Trigeminovascular System

Karina Gilizhdinova, Dinara Nurmieva, Ksenia Shaidullova, Guzel Sitdikova

¹ 

Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, department of human and animal physiology. Kazan, Russia

Introduction: Cholesterol is a key element of cell cytoplasmic membranes. Cholesterol can oxidize into oxysterols, including 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-HC), which crosses the blood–brain barrier and affects various systems, embedded in cytoplasmic membranes or directly through membrane receptors. Meningeal afferents of trigeminal (TG) nerve is a site of nociceptive signaling origin in migraine headaches. ATP which releases from endothelial cells and nerve endings plays a key role in the activation of TG afferents directly and through degranulation of mast cells (MC). This work addresses the effect of 24-HC on trigeminal nerve afferent activity and MC in meninges of rats.

Methods: TG electrical activity and the morphology of MC were studied in a rat hemi-skull preparation (P30–40).

Results: Application of ATP (100 μM) increases the frequency of TG action potentials (APs) 5 times compared to its baseline activity (n = 6). Incubation of hemiskull preparation in 24-HC (1 µM) for 20 or 40 min did not affect the background AP frequency; however, it decreased the ATP effect (AP increased 3 times). MC degranulation promotes the release of proinflammatory mediators which directly activate TG afferents or induce sensitization. ATP (100 µM) increased the degree of MC degranulation to 11 ± 3.3% (n = 10) compared to control values of 1.9 ± 0.87 (n = 5). Preincubation in 24-HC suppressed the ATP effect, reducing the fraction of degranulated mast cells to 5 ± 1.26 (n = 4).

Conclusions: 24-hydroxycholesterol reduces pronociceptive effects of ATP in TG afferents and increases the stability of the MC in meninges thus providing protective properties in trigeminovascular system.

The work was carried out with funds from the Strategic Academic Leadership Program (PRIORITY 2030).”

9.4. Analysis of Differentially Expressed miRNAs Targeting Mitochondrial Apoptosis Genes in Glioblastoma Compared to Astrocytoma

Ricardo Cunha de Oliveira ¹, Giovanna Chaves Cavalcante ²

¹ 

Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica. Av. Perimetral, 226-266—Guamá, Belém—PA, 66075-110, Brazil

² 

Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000—São Paulo-SP, Brazil

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the metastatic stage of astrocytoma (ATC) in which several pathways act in a tumorigenic role, including apoptosis, regulated by other underlying mechanisms and molecules such as microRNAs (miRNAs). The aim of this study was to search for differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in GBM when compared to ATC that may be related to the role of apoptosis. miRNAs targeted by apoptosis genes were selected using miRTargetLink 2.0. Apoptosis genes were selected from the MitoXplorer 2.0 platform, with the main aim of analyzing genes from the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway. Thus, differential expression analysis (DEA) was performed on 155 GBM samples and 194 ATC samples from TCGA in the R environment to check for differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) related to apoptosis genes. We subdivided those that are strongly validated according to miRTargetLink and both strong and weak validation. Three DEMs strongly validated were upregulated (hsa-miR-210, hsa-miR-221, and hsa-miR-145), but none were downregulated. In the broader search, besides the three DEMs highlighted, it is worth mentioning the upregulated hsa-miR-27b, while three were found to be downregulated (hsa-miR-657, hsa-miR-573, and hsa-miR-7158). The target gene that the four upregulated DEMs have in common is BNIP3, a pro-apoptotic gene, suggesting a suppression of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in GBM compared to ATC. Regarding the downregulated genes, no common target genes were found. Thus, in addition to indicating seven target miRNAs to be studied, our work also indicates a target gene that may be correlated with a dysregulation of apoptotic activity in GBM.

9.5. Carbon Monoxide Increases TRPV1-Mediated Activity of Rat Trigeminal Afferents Through Activation of Adenylate Cyclase

Anton Ananev, Svetlana Olegovna Svitko, Maria Alekseevna Nikonorova, Kseniia Sergeevna Shaidullova, Guzel Faritovna Sitdikova

¹ 

Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga region) Federal University

Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder. The anatomical structure responsible for the pain caused by migraine is the trigeminovascular system. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that can induce headaches due to its toxicity, but when produced endogenously can regulate cerebral blood flow, nociception and neurotransmission; however, its role in the trigeminovascular system has not been investigated. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of exogenous CO on the TRPV1 receptor-mediated activity of the rat TG nerve.

Action potentials (APs) of the trigeminal nerve were recorded using na extracellular electrode in a rat hemi-skull preparation. Capsaicin (1 µM) was used as an agonist of TRPV1 receptors; CORM-II (60 µM) was used as a CO donor, and MDL 12,330A (10 µM) was used as an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase.

In control conditions, trigeminal nerve afferents demonstrated spontaneous regular activity. The application of the CO donor CORM-II resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of APs. The application of capsaicin induced a significant increase in the frequency of APs, which persisted for approximately one to two minutes until the TRPV1 receptors became desensitized. Application of capsaicin after incubation in CORM-II increased the duration of the capsaicine effect to 4–6 min. Preliminary inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by MDL prevented this effect.

In conclusion, the CO donor has pro-nociceptive effects on the afferents of the trigeminal nerve and promotes TRPV1 receptor-mediated activity through adenylate cyclase. Further investigation is necessary to reveal the mechanisms of CO action in the trigemino-vascular system and its impact on nociception.

This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (№ 20-15-00100)

9.6. Differential Expression Analysis Shows Upregulated miRNAs That Target PXN Gene in Glioblastoma

Ricardo Cunha de Oliveira ¹, Giovanna Chaves Cavalcante ²

¹ 

Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Av. Perimetral, 226-266—Guamá, Belém—PA, 66075-110

² 

Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo-SP, Brazil

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the metastatic form of astrocytoma (ATC), and what is known about its biological mechanism in relation to non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is still unclear, especially in relation to microRNAs (miRNAs). Therefore, this research studies the presence of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in GBM compared to ATC to assess how these ncRNAs may behave in this type of metastatic neoplasm. Differential expression analysis (DEA) was performed on 155 samples of primary GBM and 194 samples of primary ATC tumor in miRNA data from TCGA. A DESeq2 package was used and DEMs were considered with Log2FoldChange = 1 (downregulated −1 and upregulated > 1), and the p-value was adjusted using the Benjamini–Hochberg (BH) method (0.05). For functional verification and target gene binding, we took the DEMs to miRTargetLink 2.0, and only strongly validated miRNAs were accepted. Three DEMs were found to be upregulated (hsa-miR-210, hsa-miR-27b, and hsa-miR-145), while two were downregulated (hsa-mir-573 and hsa-miR-125b-1). After the input of the DEMs into miRTargetLink 2.0, one gene appears to be regulated by two of the upregulated miRNAs (hsa-miR-145 and hsa-miR-27b): the PXN gene. PXN is associated with glial cell junction and adhesion, promoting tumor invasion and, in glioma, this gene has been shown to be upregulated. Interestingly, in our study, PXN did not show any increase between GBM and ATC, which may indicate no significant difference in expression with the evolution of glioma. Here, we suggest five DEMs and a target gene of two of them that should be further explored.

9.7. Effect of Prenatal Hyperhomocysteinemia on the Development of NMDA Receptors in the Hippocampus in the Early Postnatal Period

Sayyar Mustakimov, Elizaveta Vasileva, Ruslan Rossomakhin, Aleksey Yakovlev

¹ 

Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya str 18, Kazan, 420008, Russia

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid synthesized from methionine. An increase in homocysteine concentration during pregnancy has been linked to an elevated risk of neuropathological diseases. The hippocampus, which plays a pivotal role in numerous functions, represents a crucial area of focus in understanding the effects of hyperhomocysteinemia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia on the development of NMDA receptors in the early postnatal period. The experiment was conducted on Wistar rats. Pups with prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia were born from females who received daily methionine with food. Horizontal slices of the hippocampus were obtained from the rats at age P10-11. CNQX and bicuculline were used to block AMPA and GABA receptors, respectively. The whole-cell patch clamp method was employed to record evoked responses. The stimulation protocol comprised five bursts of five pulses at a frequency of 100 Hz, with an interval of 200 ms between bursts. Biexponential analysis was employed to analyze the decay phase, resulting in a significant reduction in the fast component of decay and an increase in the slow component of decay in the experimental group compared to the control group. Concurrently, no considerable alterations in the amplitudes of peaks normalized to the first peak were observed. The results may indicate a change in the subunit composition of hippocampal NMDA receptors, which may indicate a disruption in the transition from GluN2B and GluN2D (slow) subunits to GluN2A (fast).

9.8. Excitability of Meningeal Trigeminal Nerve Afferents in Dopamine-Transporter Knock-Out (DAT-KO) Rats

Svetlana Olegovna Svitko ¹, Anton Sergeevich Ananev ², Egor Sergeevich Nevsky ², Kseniia Sergeevna Shaidullova ², Guzel Faritovna Sitdikova ²

¹ 

Department of Human and Animal Biology, Institute of Fundamental medicine and biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420008, Russia

² 

Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga region) Federal University

Introduction: Migraine is a disorder that comes with severe pain syndrome, and its molecular mechanisms are unstudied. The trigeminal (TG) system is considered a source of pain signals in migraine, since the activation of trigeminal nerve afferents leads to nociceptive signaling and headache. Endogenous neurotransmitters like ATP and serotonin can contribute to nociceptive signaling in this structure, but the role of dopaminergic signaling remains unclear.

Methods: The activity of TG afferents was recorded using the isolated rat hemi-scull preparation (male rats, P 40–45, Wistar and DAT-KO groups). To analyze the excitability of TG afferents, we applied a high-potassium-containing solution (KCl 5 mM, 10 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM). KCl induces membrane depolarization and increases the rate of action potential (AP) generation; therefore, it can be used to evaluate the level of excitability.

Results: In rats from the control group (Wistar rats), the minimal concentration of KCl that significantly increased the frequency of APs was 25 mM (from 282 ± 60 APs per 5 min to 816 ± 110 APs per 5 min; n = 6; p = 0.009). In DAT-KO rats, the baseline frequency of APs was higher at 956 ± 168 APs per 5 min; KCl (5 mM) significantly increased the frequency of APs up to 1349 ± 169.5 APs per 5 min (n = 6, p = 0.036), as did KCL 10 mM (from 1247 ± 112 APs per 5 min to 3364 ± 1562 APs per 5 min, n = 6, p = 0.03).

Conclusions: The TG nerve of rats from the DAT-KO group exhibited increased sensitivity to KCL application, indicating higher excitability.

The study is supported by Russian Science Foundation #23-15-00328.

9.9. Inhibition of CYP2D Enzymes in the Brain Reduces Oral Oxycodone-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Rats

Agbonlahor Okhuarobo ¹, Doug Funk ², AD Le1 ², Paul J Fletcher ^2,3,4, Sharon Miksys ², Rachel Tyndale ^1,2,4

¹ 

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

² 

Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada

³ 

Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

⁴ 

Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Aim: Oxycodone is a widely used and misused opioid analgesic. CYP2D metabolizes oxycodone; our aim was to investigate brain CYP2D inhibitor pretreatment on oxycodone reward using conditioned place preference (CPP).

Methods: Male Wistar Han rats were habituated to the CPP apparatus for 30 min. The next day, rats were allowed to explore the apparatus for 60 min. The following day, and mid-way through conditioning, rats were pretreated to ICV with the CYP2D inhibitor propranolol or vehicle. The next day rats received oxycodone (3 mg/kg) or water via gavage and were confined to one compartment for 60 min. The treatment and compartment were alternated daily. Rats then received two 60 min drug-free post-tests and a state-dependent test (oxycodone 3 mg/kg) over three days. CPP was defined as an increase in time in the oxycodone versus water-paired compartment.

Results: In both experiments, little consistent CPP was observed in post-test 1. However, in experiment 1, in post-test 2, and in the state-dependent tests, there was CPP in the vehicle-pretreated rats (p = 0.047 and p = 0.038) but not in the inhibitor-pretreated (p = 0.742 and p = 0.283) rats. Likewise, in experiment 2, in the post-test 2 and state-dependent tests, there was CPP in the vehicle-pretreated rats (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001) but not in inhibitor-pretreated (p = 0.440 and p = 0.387) rats. A trend for CPP (p = 0.058) persisted in the vehicle-pretreated rats but not the inhibitor-pretreated rats for 22 days.

Conclusions: The CYP2D inhibitor blunts oral oxycodone-induced CPP, indicating that variations in the brain CYP2D metabolism of oxycodone may contribute to inter-individual differences in oxycodone misuse liability.

9.10. LncRNA JINR1 Regulates Neuronal Cell Death and Flavivirus Replication by Regulating the miR-216b-5p Target Gene

Shraddha Tripathi ¹, Suryansh Sengar ¹, Anirban Basu ², Vivek Sharma ¹

¹ 

Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-Hyderabad Campus, India- 500078

² 

National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, India

Introduction: CNS infections caused by flaviviruses, such as Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile viruses (WNV), lead to substantial neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis. Recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing techniques have revealed the emergence of numerous long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as key regulators of viral infections. However, the precise role of lncRNAs in governing neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death during flavivirus infection remains inadequately understood. In our previous work, we demonstrated that the lncRNA JINR1 interacts with RNA binding protein (RBM10) and NF-κB, activating NF-κB target genes to enhance flavivirus-induced neuronal cell death and viral replication.

Methods: Cell culture, virus infection, titration, qRT-PCR, cloning and transfections, ChIP, Western blotting, and the dual luciferase assay were used.

Results and Conclusions: We found that JINR1 reduces the levels of mature, primary, and precursor miR-216b-5p in human neuronal cell lines. Mechanistically, JINR1 recruits H3K27me3 marks, reduces H3K4me3, and diminishes RNA polymerase-II recruitment at the miR-216b-5p promoter, thereby transcriptionally inhibiting the expression of miR-216b-5p. Furthermore, through dual-luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated that JINR1 acts as a molecular sponge for miR-216b-5p, upregulating GRP78 expression through a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory mechanism. We are the pioneers in elucidating the regulatory function of JINR1, which involves suppressing the transcription of miR-216b-5p and serving as a ceRNA. Interestingly, we found that miR-216b-5p negatively regulates virus replication in a human neuronal cell line due to the presence of multiple binding sites in the viral genome.

9.11. Neuroprotective Effects of Selected Natural Ergogenic Antioxidant Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase-1 Inhibitors Against Experimentally Induced Alzheimer’s Disease in Aged Rats

Kumar Ponnusamy ¹, Siddarth Srigokul Kumar ², Sripriyanka Kumar ³, Siva Thirisangu ⁴, Samith Ahmad ⁵, Sameera Abdul Wajid ⁶, Ajit Kumar Rampuri ⁵, Parvathi Rampuri ⁵

¹ 

Aureus University School of Medicine (AUSOM)

² 

School of Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, India

³ 

School of Medicine, Indhira Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Pondicherry, India

⁴ 

Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, Aureus University, Oranjestad, Aruba

⁵ 

Department of Pathology, Aureus University School of Medicine, Oranjestad, Aruba

⁶ 

Department of Microbiology, Aureus University School of Medicine (AUSOM), Oranjestad, Aruba

Introduction: Oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and ultimate irreversible membrane molecular mitochondrial damages and genome instabilities are implicated in aging and age-related progressive neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as Parkinsonism, Senile Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). α-Lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, coenzyme-Q, and niacin are iron-chelating antioxidant ergogenic aids which play a pivotal role and exert cytoprotective effects against innumerable neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). The ICV injection of streptozotocin (STZ) leads to neurodegeneration. This present study is used to estimate the neuroprotective effect of selected natural poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) inhibitors on the biomarkers of OS and genome instability, inflammation, and DNA repair enzymes in STZ-induced neurotoxicity.

Materials and Methods: Male aged albino rats (24 months old, 350 gm body wt) were pretreated with α-lipoic acid and/or, acetyl-L-carnitine, nicotinamide, and coenzyme-Q (started 3 days prior to STZ) (100mg/kg b.wt, i.p for 21 days), followed by bilateral i.c.v injection with the DNA-destabilizing genotoxin STZ (100mg/kg b.wt). At the end of the 21 days, the hippocampus was dissected out, and relevant biochemical parameters were estimated.

Results: The combined application of ergogenic antioxidants mitigated the toxic onslaught of SZN-induced neurotoxicity and exerted neuroprotection by significantly reducing MDA, 8-OHdG, AChE activity, IL-6, TNF-α, XO, NOS, the augmentation of antioxidants, ATP, DNA and NTs, and the modulation of PARP-1. PARP-1 expression was found to increase exponentially with the severity of OS and was found to decrease significantly with decreased OS.

Conclusions: The combined application of ergogenic antioxidants, such as α-Lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, coenzyme-Q, and/or niacin, will be effective in the treatment and/or management of progressive NDDS (such as AD).

9.12. The Correlation Between Prenatal Depression, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota: An Integrative Analysis

Wafaa TAHA, Oumaima Anachad, Houssam Assioui, Chaimaa Saadoune, Asmae Taheri, Mariame El Messal, Faiza Bennis, Fatima Chegdani

¹ 

Laboratory of Immunology and Biodiversity, Faculty of Sciences Aïn Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco

Prenatal depression represents a common psychological illness that affects women during pregnancy. The gut–brain axis, which encompasses bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, is postulated to contribute to the development of depression.

This study aims to understand the relationship between intestinal microbiota, inflammation, and depression during pregnancy using a bioinformatics approach.

A total of 220 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with prenatal depression and intestinal inflammation and with a fold change >1 and an adjusted p-value 0.05 were selected from different databases and scientific publications. The genes were analyzed using STRING software to construct a PPI network, SRplot was used for GO analysis and for the identification of biological functions, and finally, MetaboAnalyst was used for the analysis and interpretation of metabolomics data in biological systems.

The results demonstrated the existence of an interaction protein-protein network comprising 205 genes, which led to the identification of 16 key genes involved in neuroinflammation and immune regulation processes. The key pathways identified included cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, IL-17, and MAPK signaling. A relationship was predicted between DEG and metabolites such as cortisol, serotonin, and tryptophan in cases of prenatal depression and neuroinflammation. Gut dysbiosis during pregnancy can potentially increase intestinal permeability, which may subsequently trigger immune responses and brain neuroinflammation.

This study has identified pivotal genes that contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of prenatal depression and may serve as potential targets for early detection, prevention, and treatment.

9.13. The Neuroprotective Role of Hsp70 in the Enhancement of Antioxidant Defense in the Neurons

Igor Fedorovich Belenichev ¹, Olena Gennadiivna Aliyeva ¹, Olena Olexandrivna Popazova ²

¹ 

Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine

² 

Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine

Introduction. Proteins in the HSP70 class have been known for their neuroprotective properties for a long time. However, the mechanisms by which they exert their effects are not fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to determine how HSP70 contributes to optimal antioxidant protection of rat cortical neurons during cerebral ischemia/hypoxia.

Methods. We simulated neurodestruction in vitro by adding 80 μmol/L of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) (a toxic amount) and 100 μmol/L of glutamate (modeling glutamate excitotoxicity) to neuronal suspensions. Brain thiol–disulfide system status was assessed by fluorimetry according to reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione content. The spectrophotometric method was used to measure the levels of free SH groups and glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione transferase activities. A solid-phase ELISA method was used to determine the HSP70 levels.

Results. When CDNB was administered to the neurons in vitro, there was a decrease in cell viability, a depletion of cytosolic and mitochondrial GSH pools, a significant increase in ROS, and decreased HSP70 levels. The administration of HSP70 to the neurons preincubated with CDNB resulted in an increase in GSH levels and a decrease in ROS. HSP70 administration increased the functional activity of the glutathione system in the neurons.

Conclusions. HSP70, proteins with pronounced neuroprotective properties, mobilize antioxidant resources in the neurons under ischemic/hypoxic conditions, preventing the development of oxidative stress by increasing cytosolic and mitochondrial glutathione levels.

9.14. The Role of the Liver-Brain Axis in a Rotenone-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Tuba Oz ¹, Juan Fraile-Ramos ^2,3, Radosław Kujawski ⁴, Olga Wojciechowska ¹, Lydia Giménez-Llort ^2,3, Małgorzata Kujawska ¹

¹ 

Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland

² 

Institut of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain

³ 

Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain

⁴ 

Department of Pharmacology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznań, Poland

Introduction: Recent studies investigate potential axes between the brain and peripheral organs that could be related to neurodegeneration. Emerging evidence showing the importance of the liver-brain axis in the development and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases points to the liver as a possible critical organ in the neurodegeneration process. The present study on gene expression in the brain and liver aims to unveil molecular pathways involved in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: Basic levels of the cerebral and hepatic expression of genes related to α-synuclein production and transport, oxidative stress, and inflammation were assessed to reveal potential targets involved in the communication of both organs in rotenone-treated rats via a rodent model of PD as compared to control rats. Total RNA was extracted from brain and liver tissue, and the gene expression of SNCA, Nrf2, NF-κB, DJ-1, Atp13a2, LRRK2, PARK2, LRP-1 PINK1, IFN-γ, and TNF-α was determined by qPCR. Expression levels were normalized to the housekeeping gene, and the relative expression levels of their mRNAs were determined using the (2^–ΔΔct) method. Results: Several genes affected in the liver of the rotenone treatment group, as compared to the control group, also demonstrated altered brain expression. Conclusions: The study suggests that changes in the liver may be involved in pathological conditions linked to PD and supports research on peripheral markers related to the liver-brain axis in this disease.

10. Neurorehabilitation

10.1. Dual Task Neglect System: AR-Gamified Assessment and Rehabilitation Application for Hemispatial Neglect

Siddhi Sunil Tamanekar ¹, Dr. Alan Wang ^2,3,4,5

¹ 

D.J. Sanghvi College of Engineering, Mumbai, India

² 

Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, New Zealand

³ 

Medical Imaging Research Center, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand

⁴ 

Centre for Co-Created Ageing Research, The University of Auckland, New Zealand

⁵ 

Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, New Zealand

Introduction: Hemispatial neglect post-right middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke can be effectively addressed with spatial awareness rehabilitation techniques, such as Augmented Reality (AR), which utilize gamification to stimulate the neglected side, enhance patient engagement, and potentially improve outcomes. This study introduces an AR-based Dual-Task Neglect System (DTNS) specifically designed to rehabilitate hemispatial neglect.

Methods: The DTNS comprises two tasks aimed at assessing and rehabilitating hemispatial neglect in real-world settings. Task 1 involves a dragon navigation game where patients use a joystick to guide a dragon toward moving crystals (n = 3) of varying speeds and colors, projected into their neglected visual field in real space, which helps clinicians evaluate the extent of neglect. Task 2 is a reward-based rehabilitation coin collection game where patients use touch input to gather coins appearing in real space within a set time. Performance is based on coins collected. Task 1 is reassessed after Task 2 to track improvements. The system’s functionality and usability were tested on healthy participants (n = 13) aged 17–65, with feedback guiding app refinements. Future work involves testing hemispatial neglect patients.

Results: Younger participants (17–40) found both tasks to be engaging, manageable, and motivating, with no adverse effects observed. Older participants (41–65) also found the tasks engaging, though the coin collection task was considered moderately challenging. All participants perceived DTNS as more motivating and engaging compared to traditional therapies.

Conclusions: The DTNS demonstrates potential as a motivational tool for hemispatial neglect rehabilitation, engaging patients through targeted body movement stimulation and potentially enhancing spatial awareness over time.

10.2. The Influence of Neuromodulation Effects on the Functional State of the Neuromotor Apparatus of the Soleus Muscle in Middle-Aged Male Rats Under Conditions of Long-Term Hindlimb Unloading

Nikita Iskakov ¹, Oleg Gerasimov ^1,2, Maxim Baltin ¹, Anton Eremeev ², Artur Fedianin ¹

¹ 

Scientific and Research Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, Volga Region University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kazan, 420010, Russia

² 

N.I. Lobachevsky Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420018, Russia

The study of the nature of motor pathologies is one of the most important areas in physiology and medicine. The purpose of this work was to assess the functional state of the neuromotor apparatus of the soleus muscle (SM) in middle-aged male rats under conditions of long-term hindlimb unloading (HU). Experiments were carried out in strict accordance with accepted bioethical standards. The animals were divided into three groups: hinlimb unloading (HU), HU with magnetic stimulation (HU + MS), and the electrical stimulation of the spinal cord (HU + ES). Parameters of motor and reflex responses were recorded. The threshold of the SM reflex response was reduced to 81 ± 8% (p < 0.05) in the HU group, 77 ± 10% (p < 0.05) in the HU + ES group, and 73 ± 16% (p < 0.05) in the HU + MS group. The amplitude of the SM H-response increased to 130 ± 15% (p < 0.05) in the HU group, 121 ± 9% (p < 0.05) in the HU + ES group, and 120 ± 10% (p < 0.05) in the HU + MS group. The amplitude of the M response was 73 ± 11% (p < 0.05) in the HU group, 76 ± 9% (p < 0.05) in the HU + ES group, and 70 ± 15% (p < 0.05) in the HU + MS group. Thus, during long-term hindlimb unloading, we recorded an increase in the reflex excitability of the spinal motor center of the SM. And we also found that spinal cord stimulation prevented changes in the threshold of the M-response of the SM, but did not exclude a decrease in amplitude. The research was funded by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan under project no. 23-25-10065.

10.3. Ecological Assessment of Executive Functions in Grocery Shopping: A Pilot Study for ABI Training

Paula Latorre ¹, María del Carmen Martínez Cortés ^1,2, María Cordero ¹, Francisco Nieto Escámez ^1,3

¹ 

Research Center for Wellbeing and Social Inclusion (CIBIS), University of Almeria, Almeria, 04120, Spain

² 

Unidad de Estancias Diurnas, Centro de Evaluación y Rehabilitación Neuropsicológica (CerNep), Almería, 04120, Spain

³ 

Dept. Psychology, University of Almeria, Almeria, 04120, Spain

Introduction: Acquired brain injury (ABI) can significantly impair executive functions (EFs), which are essential for controlling and regulating actions. This impairment makes everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping, particularly challenging for individuals with ABI. This study aims to conduct a pilot investigation to analyze the shopping strategies of control individuals without ABI. The objective is to adapt this ecological assessment method for individuals with ABI and design an EF training program.

Methods: For the pilot study, 16 subjects were recruited through word-of-mouth and social networks. The sample included men and women aged 18 to 65 years without brain damage or neurological pathologies. Two tools were implemented to register participant performance. A supermarket plan was uploaded to the Samsung photo editor, where participants’ routes were mapped, providing graphical information about their performance. A list of products was created on Notion to record which products were collected and when, facilitating a detailed analysis of participant performance during the shopping task.

Results: The mean and standard deviation of section entries (M = 1.42, SD = 0.5), products acquired (M = 12.9, SD = 3), and total shopping time (M = 16.11, SD = 4) were obtained. The use of these tools enabled precise tracking of participant actions, confirming the feasibility of the method.

Conclusions: The method of ecologically evaluating EF and shopping strategies, supported by these tools, is feasible and provides valid information for cognitive skills training in ABI individuals. This pilot study offers promising results for future interventions.

10.4. Heart Rate Variability and Adaptation Capabilities of Badminton Players of Different Ages

Nuriya Nurislamovna Chershintseva, Andrei Sergeevich Nazarenko, Nikita Georgievich Iskakov, Aleksei Anatolivich Zverev

¹ 

Volga Region University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kazan, 420010, Russia

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is one of the actively developing areas of physiology and functional diagnostics, as it allows the functional condition of the vegetative status, as well as the condition of adaptation mechanisms under stress loads, to be objectively assessed. The aim of the study is to investigate changes in heart rate variability in badminton players of different age groups during an orthostatic test. Electrocardiograms were recorded using a PowerLab (ADInstruments) installation throughout the study protocol. Processing was performed using the built-in ECG analysis module in the Lab Chart Pro 8.0 software. The effects of HRV changes were assessed every 10 s. In the age groups of 8–10 years (n = 16) and 17–19 years (n = 10), HF waves prevailed at rest in 68% and 80% of the subjects, and LF waves were recorded in 12% and 20% of the subjects, respectively. During the active orthostatic test, a decrease in parasympathetic effects and an increase in sympathetic effects on the heart were observed in all age groups. This was most clearly manifested in the age group of 17–19 years. VLF waves decreased during the active orthostatic test at 8–10 years and did not change in athletes aged 17–19 years. The results obtained demonstrate the high information content of the active orthostatic test in assessing the functional and adaptive reactions of badminton players in response to physical activity, and they may be associated with the specifics of the sport and the length of training.

10.5. Immediate Effects and Perceptions of Cane Use in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease

Jordana de Paula Magalhães ¹, Merrill Landers ², Maria Eduarda Bueno Santos Ribeiro ¹, Lorrane Esterfane Dias ¹, Giovanna Carvalho Coelho Canuto ¹, Victória Sena Melo ¹, Sofia Neves Oliveira ¹, Aline Alvim Scianni ¹, Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais Faria ¹

¹ 

Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

² 

Department of Physiotherapy, University of Nevada

Introduction: Assistive devices are commonly prescribed for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), but a lack of evidence and information on individuals’ perceptions limits their prescription in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects and perceptions of cane use in individuals with PD. Methods: An ongoing clinical trial (CAAE: 75158123.2.0000.5149) included individuals with PD, ≥40 years, on stable antiparkinsonian medication, able to walk independently and use a cane. Participants were given a cane and instructed on its use. They were assessed using the 10-m walk test (speed, cadence, step length) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test under randomized conditions (with and without cane) and asked about perceived changes, necessity, and satisfaction with the device (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology). Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon, and paired t-tests were used (α = 5%). Results: A total of 15 individuals were included. Statistically significant differences were found for cadence (without: 1.85 ± 0.23 steps/second; with: 1.61 ± 0.68 steps/second; p = 0.02) and TUG (without: 9.73 ± 1.87 s; with: 11.42 ± 1.65 s; p ≤ 0.001). Most participants reported no perceived difference in fear of falling (60%) or gait performance (53%) with the cane. The perceived need for a cane increased from 20% before the study to 47% afterward. ‘Effectiveness’ was the item with the lowest satisfaction. Conclusions: The immediate use worsened mobility. Although the perception of need has increased among individuals, the majority reported not perceiving changes with the use of the device. Future studies should consider the effect of device training on these outcomes.

10.6. Knowledge of Post-Stroke Individuals and the Use of Stroke as a Predictor of Adopting Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors

Paula da Cruz Peniche ¹, Jéssica Melo dos Santos ¹, Gisele Florentino Sant’Ana de Assunção ¹, Laís Ferreira Marques ¹, Beatriz Cardoso Alves Martins ², Sherindan Ayessa Ferreira de Brito ¹, Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais Faria ¹

¹ 

Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

² 

Department of Physiotherapy, Newton Paiva, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Introduction: Recurrent stroke contributes to the high global burden of stroke. Consequently, stroke secondary prevention has been considered a priority solution to reduce the global stroke burden. Stroke secondary prevention should include health education to encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors. However, it is unclear which aspects of stroke knowledge should be addressed in these educational efforts. This study aims to identify whether knowledge variables about stroke are predictors of the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors post-stroke.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included individuals’ post-stroke from a Brazilian metropolis using the Stroke RiskometerTM App. Binary logistic regression models (α = 5%) were employed. Dependent variables included smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, and the simultaneous adoption of four healthy behaviors. Independent variables included knowledge about what stroke is, its signs and symptoms, risk factors for its occurrence, and the individual’s opinion that they may have a new stroke.

Results: A total of 75 individuals (63 ± 13 years; 50% male) were included. The results demonstrated that having knowledge about the risk factors for stroke occurrence was a significant predictor for physical activity participation (B: 1.08, Odds Ratio (OR): 2.95, 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI): 1.03–8.41, p = 0.043) and for the simultaneous adoption of four healthy behaviors (B: 1.45, OR: 4.27, 95%CI: 1.15–15.82, and p = 0.030).

Conclusions: It is important to identify individuals who do not have knowledge about the risk factors for stroke and provide educational actions when the objective is to promote physical activity and the simultaneous adoption of all healthy lifestyle behaviors in secondary stroke prevention actions.

10.7. Predictors of Adopting Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Study to Target Secondary Stroke Prevention in a Middle-Income Country

Paula da Cruz Peniche ¹, Olive Lennon ², Lidiane Andréa Oliveira Lima ³, Jéssica Melo dos Santos ¹, Julia Stephanie Ruas dos Santos ¹, Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais Faria ¹

¹ 

Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

² 

School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland

³ 

Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Introduction: Recurrent stroke contributes to the global stroke burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Brazil. Consequently, secondary stroke prevention, centered on adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors, is a priority solution to reduce the global burden of strokes. While predictors of the adoption of healthy behaviors post-stroke have been studied in high-income countries, identifying these predictors in middle-income countries can help target individuals for secondary prevention and develop focused interventions. This study aims to investigate whether sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for recurrent stroke predict the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors post-stroke in a middle-income country.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included individuals’ post-stroke from a Brazilian metropolis using the Stroke RiskometerTM App, from September 2021 to February 2023. Binary logistic regression models (α = 5%) were employed. The dependent variables were as follows: four separate healthy lifestyle behaviors and their simultaneous adoption. The independent variables were as follows: age, sex, cardiac conditions, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, and emotional stress or depression.

Results: In total, 81 individuals (63 ± 14 years) were included in the study; they had the following characteristics: 22% spent ≥2.5 h in physical activity/week, 68% consumed ≥2 servings of fruits and/or vegetables/day, 88% were non-smokers, 95% reported safe alcohol consumption, and 16% adopted all four healthy behaviors. Individuals who did not experience emotional stress or depression were more likely to not smoke (B = 1.896, p = 0.04) and older individuals were less likely to adopt all four healthy behaviors (B = −0.072, p = 0.02).

Conclusions: Emotional stress or depression and age were predictors of adopting healthy behaviors post-stroke in a middle-income country. These variables should be targeted in prioritizing individuals for secondary stroke prevention and in developing interventions.

10.8. Telehealth Intervention Involving the HEARTS Technical Package and the Use of an Activity Monitor to Increase Physical Activity Level Post-Stroke: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

Paula da Cruz Peniche ¹, Olive Lennon ², Jordana de Paula Magalhães ¹, Jéssica Melo dos Santos ¹, Janaine Cunha Polese ¹, Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais Faria ¹

¹ 

Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

² 

School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland

Introduction: Insufficient physical activity is a common risk factor for recurrent stroke in individuals post-stroke. The HEARTS Technical Package, developed by organizations like the World Health Organization, is a potential resource for promoting physical activity post-stroke. It aligns with secondary stroke prevention recommendations, addresses barriers/facilitators for physical activity post-stroke, and can be implemented remotely. However, evidence about its use to promote physical activity post-stroke by telehealth is absent. Furthermore, while activity monitors are used in physical activity interventions, their effectiveness post-stroke is primarily studied in person. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether the telehealth intervention involving the HEARTS Technical Package and the use of an activity monitor to increase physical activity level post-stroke is feasible, and to estimate parameters for conducting a fully powered randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods: A feasibility RCT study, with blinded assessment, assigned 24 individuals post-stroke (diagnosed ≥6 months), who were aged ≥18 years, inactive, able to walk 10 m independently, and with medical approval to participate in physical activity, to an experimental (n = 12) or a control group (n = 12). Both groups carried out a theoretically informed telehealth intervention, for 12 weeks, based on the HEARTS Technical Package. The experimental group had the additional use of an activity monitor.

Results: The outcomes include the feasibility of recruitment, intervention, and measurement, as well as clinical outcomes.

Conclusions: The proposed intervention meets secondary stroke prevention recommendations and will be implemented via telehealth, aiming to overcome barriers to in-person interventions. This study will inform future phases of conducting an RCT.