NeuroSci

Purpose: The main purpose of this retrospective study was to identify auditory dysfunctions related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) in individuals evaluated in an Audiology clinic. Method: Peripheral and central auditory evaluations were performed from March 2014 to June 2018 in 26 patients (14 males) with TBI. The age of the participants ranged from 9 to 59 years old (34.24 ± 15.21). Six participants had blast-related TBI and 20 had blunt force TBI. Sixteen experienced a single TBI event whereas ten experienced several. Correlation analyses were performed to verify the relationship, if any, between the number of auditory tests failed and the number, type, and severity of TBIs. Result: All participants failed at least one auditory test. Nearly 60% had abnormal results on degraded speech tests (compressed and echoed, filtered or in background noise) and 25% had a high frequency hearing loss. There was no statistically significant correlation between the number of auditory tests failed and the number, type, and severity of TBIs. Conclusion: Results indicated negative and heterogenous effects of TBI on peripheral and central auditory function and highlighted the need for a more extensive auditory assessment in individuals with TBI. Full article

Transmembrane 29 (Tmem29) gene with unknown function is a gene located on the X chromosome of the mouse genome. The gene showed differential expression in the Vannucci neonatal hypoxic-ischemic mouse brain model. We found the gene expresses with different molecular forms, including a group of long non-coding RNA forming a family of transcripts. It was predominantly expressed in the testes, brain, and kidney of mouse. In vitro identification and functional characterization were carried out in Neuro2a cells. Using fluorescence microscopy, Tmem29 protein was found to be constitutively expressed in mouse cell lines of different origins. Oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) induced apoptotic cell death in Neuro2a cells and was confirmed by activations of caspase 3. Tmem29 protein was found to be associated with cell death especially at the time points of caspase 3 activations. A similar response was obtained in glucose deprivation (GD) cultures suggesting Tmem29 response to a common mechanism induced by OGD and GD. Downregulation of Tmem29 was induced by OGD and GD, further validating its response to hypoxia-ischemia (HI) insults. Our findings contributed to further understanding of molecular events after hypoxic-ischemic insults and opens new avenues for developing protective and therapeutic strategies for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or even pathological programmed cell death. Full article

(1) Background: As a natural carbohydrate, sialic acid (SA) is helpful for brain development, cognitive ability, and the nervous system, but there are few reports about the effect of SA on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). (2) Method: The present study evaluated the effect of SA on cognitive ability, neuronal activity, Aβ formation, and tau hyperphosphorylation in a double transgenic AD (2×Tg-AD) mice model. The 2×Tg-AD mice were randomly divided into four groups: the AD control group, 17 mg/kg SA-treated AD group, 84 mg/kg SA-treated AD group, and 420 mg/kg SA-treated AD group. Mice from all four groups were fed to 7 months of age for the behavioral test and to 9 months of age for the pathological factors investigation. (3) Results: In the Morris water maze, the escape latency significantly decreased on the fifth day in the SA-treated groups. The number of rearing and crossing times in the open field test also increased significantly, compared with the control group. SA treatment significantly reduced amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) and nerve fibers and increased the number of Nissl bodies in the brain of AD mice. (4) Conclusions: SA reduced the neuron damage by reducing Aβ and inhibited tau protein hyperphosphorylation, which improved the cognitive ability and mobility of AD mice. Full article

The blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) has been long thought of as a functional equivalent to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), restricting blood flow into the spinal cord. The spinal cord is supported by various disc tissues that provide agility and has different local immune responses compared to the brain. Though physiologically, structural components of the BSCB and BBB share many similarities, the clinical landscape significantly differs. Thus, it is crucial to understand the composition of BSCB and also to establish the cause–effect relationship with aberrations and spinal cord dysfunctions. Here, we provide a descriptive analysis of the anatomy, current techniques to assess the impairment of BSCB, associated risk factors and impact of spinal disorders such as spinal cord injury (SCI), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), peripheral nerve injury (PNI), ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cavernous malformations (SCM) and cancer on BSCB dysfunction. Along with diagnostic and mechanistic analyses, we also provide an up-to-date account of available therapeutic options for BSCB repair. We emphasize the need to address BSCB as an individual entity and direct future research towards it. Full article

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β), primarily described as a regulator of glycogen metabolism, is a molecular hub linking numerous signaling pathways and regulates many cellular processes like cytoskeletal rearrangement, cell migration, apoptosis, and proliferation. In neurons, the kinase is engaged in molecular events related to the strengthening and weakening of synapses, which is a subcellular manifestation of neuroplasticity. Dysregulation of GSK3β activity has been reported in many neuropsychiatric conditions, like schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease. In this review, we describe the kinase action in reward circuit-related structures in health and disease. The effect of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of addiction in the context of GSK3β activity is also discussed. Full article

Objectives: Functional connectivity triggered by naturalistic stimuli (e.g., movie clips), coupled with machine learning techniques provide great insight in exploring brain functions such as fluid intelligence. However, functional connectivity is multi-layered while traditional machine learning is based on individual model, which is not only limited in performance, but also fails to extract multi-dimensional and multi-layered information from the brain network. Methods: In this study, inspired by multi-layer brain network structure, we propose a new method, namely weighted ensemble model and network analysis, which combines machine learning and graph theory for improved fluid intelligence prediction. Firstly, functional connectivity analysis and graphical theory were jointly employed. The functional connectivity and graphical indices computed using the preprocessed fMRI data were then all fed into an auto-encoder parallelly for automatic feature extraction to predict the fluid intelligence. In order to improve the performance, tree regression and ridge regression models were stacked and fused automatically with weighted values. Finally, layers of auto-encoder were visualized to better illustrate the connectome patterns, followed by the evaluation of the performance to justify the mechanism of brain functions. Results: Our proposed method achieved the best performance with a 3.85 mean absolute deviation, 0.66 correlation coefficient and 0.42 R-squared coefficient; this model outperformed other state-of-the-art methods. It is also worth noting that the optimization of the biological pattern extraction was automated though the auto-encoder algorithm. Conclusion: The proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art reports, also is able to effectively capture the biological patterns of functional connectivity during a naturalistic movie state for potential clinical explorations. Full article

Neurosyphilis is a rare but life-threatening complication of syphilis that can develop even decades after the primary infection and can be unrecognized. Seizures and status epilepticus (SE) may represent the first manifestation in a previously undiagnosed syphilitic patient. We present an exemplification case of a new onset refractory status epilepticus caused by neurosyphilis and we reviewed the existing literature. We selected all studies reporting cases of SE in the context both of patients with a known diagnosis of syphilis and as the first manifestation of neurosyphilis. We identified 50 patients, mostly composed of immunocompetent, middle-aged males. Thirty-nine patients (83%) presented a new onset SE. A history of subtle and rapidly progressive mood and/or cognitive impairment suggesting a limbic encephalitis-like presentation was frequently observed. Focal frontal or temporal SE was reported in 26. Brain MRI frequently showed T2/FLAIR hyperintensities widely involving the medial temporal structures and the frontal lobes. This review should increase the clinician’s awareness of neurosyphilis as a possible etiology of a new onset SE of unknown etiology, especially in the context of a “limbic encephalitis”-like clinical presentation. Prompt recognition and treatment for neurosyphilis partially or completely reverse neurologic sequelae, changing the natural history of the disease. Full article

Birch et al. suggest that consciousness in any animal group must involve four aspects—perceptual richness, evaluative richness (affectivity), integration at one time (unity), and integration across time (temporality). This review will evaluate integration at one time in cephalopods, an area that offers many challenges. First, like most animals with a bilateral nervous system, cephalopods have laterality of brain function, and this challenges unity of function. Second, unlike most mammals, cephalopods have a heavy allocation of both neural and behavioural control to the periphery, especially in the case of octopuses. Third, like all animals, cephalopods gather information through several senses and there can be both unity within and competition between such information, challenging unity. Information gained across all these areas needs to be evaluated both in terms of the methodology used to gather information and the results of the investigation. Full article

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare genetic disorder resulting in progressive neurodegeneration leading to motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. A high percentage of HD patients suffer from comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD). We are not aware of any literature on the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating comorbid MDD in HD. We present the case of a 57-year-old man suffering from HD in which comorbid MDD was successfully treated with rTMS. Further work is required to better characterize the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of rTMS to treat comorbid MDD in HD. Full article

Previous research has demonstrated that pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells treated with forskolin provides a model for the in vitro examination of neuritogenesis. Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), especially those which have been designed to mimic biological function, can influence the functions of various biological systems. We aimed to assess whether exposure of PC12 cells treated with forskolin to patterned EMF would produce more plasma membrane extensions (PME) as compared to PC12 cells treated with forskolin alone (i.e., no EMF exposure). In addition, we aimed to determine whether the differences observed between the proportion of PME of PC12 cells treated with forskolin and exposed to EMF were specific to the intensity, pattern, or timing of the applied EMF. Our results showed an overall increase in PME for PC12 cells treated with forskolin and exposed to Burst-firing EMF as compared to PC12 cells receiving forskolin alone. No other patterned EMF investigated were deemed to be effective. Furthermore, intensity and timing of the Burst-firing pattern did not significantly alter the proportion of PME of PC12 cells treated with forskolin and exposed to patterned EMF. Full article

I discuss some concepts advanced for the understanding of the complex dynamics of brain functions, and relate them to approaches in affective, cognitive and action neurosciences. These functions involve neuro-glial interactions in a dynamic system that receives sensory signals from the outside of the central nervous system, processes information in frequency, amplitude and phase-modulated electrochemical waves, and control muscles and glands to generate behavioral patterns. The astrocyte network is in charge of controlling global electrochemical homeostasis, and Hodgkin–Huxley dynamics drive the bioelectric homeostasis of single neurons. In elastic processes, perturbations cause instability, but the system returns to the basal equilibrium. In allostatic processes, perturbations elicit a response from the system, reacting to the deviation and driving the system to stable states far from the homeostatic equilibrium. When the system does not return to a fixed point or region of the state space, the process is called homeorhetic, and may present two types of evolution: (a) In flexible processes, there are previously existing “attractor” stable states that may be achieved after the perturbation, depending on context; (b) In plastic processes, the homeostatic set point(s) is(are) changed; the system is in a process of adaptation, in which the allostatic forces do not drive it back to the previous set point, but project to the new one. In the temporal phase from the deviant state to the recovery of stability, the system generates sensations that indicate if the recovery is successful (pleasure-like sensations) or if there is a failure (pain-like sensations). Full article

Proprioception of all animals is important in being able to have coordinated locomotion. Stretch activated ion channels (SACs) transduce the mechanical force into electrical signals in the proprioceptive sensory endings. The types of SACs vary among sensory neurons in animals as defined by pharmacological, physiological and molecular identification. The chordotonal organs within insects and crustaceans offer a unique ability to investigate proprioceptive function. The effects of the extracellular environment on neuronal activity, as well as the function of associated SACs are easily accessible and viable in minimal saline for ease in experimentation. The effect of extracellular [Ca²⁺] on membrane properties which affect voltage-sensitivity of ion channels, threshold of action potentials and SACs can be readily addressed in the chordotonal organ in crab limbs. It is of interest to understand how low extracellular [Ca²⁺] enhances neural activity considering the SACs in the sensory endings could possibly be Ca²⁺ channels and that all neural activity is blocked with Mn2+. It is suggested that axonal excitability might be affected independent from the SAC activity due to potential presence of calcium activated potassium channels (K_(Ca)) and the ability of Ca²⁺ to block voltage gated Na⁺ channels in the axons. Separating the role of Ca²⁺ on the function of the SACs and the excitability of the axons in the nerves associated with chordotonal organs is addressed. These experiments may aid in understanding the mechanisms of neuronal hyperexcitability during hypocalcemia within mammals. Full article

Facial emotion recognition (FER) is extensively investigated in psychological sciences in healthy individuals and clinical conditions. In this paper, we analyzed those studies in which FER was assessed in the case of obesity or fibromyalgia, in relation to the levels of alexithymia. Crucially, these two conditions frequently co-occur; however, no study has explored FER considering both fibromyalgia and obesity. Studies were identified using the electronic search engine of PubMed. The last research was run on 23 July 2021. Two independent lists were generated for the two clinical conditions. Six records were reviewed about obesity, while three records about fibromyalgia. The evidence relative to FER in obesity was not conclusive, whereas the evidence about an altered FER in fibromyalgia seemed more straightforward. Moreover, the role of alexithymia on FER in these clinical conditions was not extensively investigated. In our discussion, we highlighted those factors that should be carefully addressed in investigating FER in these clinical conditions. Moreover, we underlined methodological criticisms that should be overcome in future research. Full article

Objective: We report that lumbar puncture (LP) with removal of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) induced rebound intracranial hypertension with increased papilledema as monitored by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Background: Severe papilledema causes visual field loss and central vision damage if untreated. Fundoscopy is a key to diagnose papilledema, but is not sensitive enough to monitor therapeutic effects. Methods: OCT was applied to follow a 24-year-old woman with headache, visual dysfunction, severe bilateral papilledema, and elevated CSF opening pressure. She was first treated with serial LP, which led to symptom deterioration, increased CSF pressure, and increased the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. She was then successfully treated with acetazolamide and furosemide. Results: OCT showed reduction of RNFL thickness directly after LP with CSF removal, accompanied with reduced CSF pressure. Increased RNFL thickness accompanied with worsened headache, visual dysfunction, and increased CSF pressure was observed on the next day after LP. Less than 24 h after start of medication, the symptoms had reversed and RNFL thickness was reduced. The patient was symptom-free 2 weeks after starting on medical treatment. Papilledema had vanished on fundoscopy 6 weeks after the therapy, and RNFL thickness was normalized at 3 months of follow-up. Conclusion: This case provides evidence that OCT is an objective and sensitive tool to monitor papilledema and its response to therapy, and thereby important to help in correct clinical decision-making. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted medical education and the residency application process. Methods: We conducted a descriptive observational study in April 2020 of medical students and foreign medical graduates considering or pursuing careers in neurosurgery in the United States to examine the impact of the pandemic. Results: A total of 379 respondents from 67 medical schools completed the survey. Across all participants, 92% (n = 347) stopped in-person didactic education, and 43% (n = 161) experienced basic science and 44% (n = 167) clinical research delays. Sixty percent (n = 227) cited a negative impact on academic productivity. Among first year students, 18% (n = 17) were less likely to pursue a career in neurosurgery. Over half of second year and third year students were likely to delay taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination Steps I and II. Among third year students, 77% (n = 91) reported indefinite postponement of sub-internships, and 43% (n = 53) were unsatisfied with communication from external programs. Many fourth-year students (50%, n = 17) were graduating early to participate in COVID-19-related patient care. Top student-requested support activities included access to student-focused educational webinars and sessions at upcoming conferences. Conclusions: Medical students pursuing careers in neurosurgery faced unique academic, career, and personal challenges secondary to the pandemic. These challenges may become opportunities for new initiatives guided by professional organizations and residency programs. Full article

Cerebral ischemia represents the third cause of death and the first cause of disability in adults. This process results from decreasing cerebral blood flow levels as a result of the occlusion of a major cerebral artery. This restriction in blood supply generates low levels of oxygen and glucose, which leads to a decrease in the energy metabolism of the cell, producing inflammation, and finally, neurological deterioration. Currently, blood restoration of flow is the only effective approach as a therapy in terms of ischemic stroke. However, a significant number of patients still have a poor prognosis, probably owing to the increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the reperfusion of damaged tissue. Oxidative stress and inflammation can be avoided by modulating mitochondrial function and have been identified as potential targets for the treatment of cerebral ischemia. In recent years, the beneficial actions of flavonoids and polyphenols against cerebrovascular diseases have been extensively investigated. The use of resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to markedly decrease brain damage caused by ischemia in numerous studies. According to in vitro and in vivo experiments, there is growing evidence that RSV is involved in several pathways, including cAMP/AMPK/SIRT1 regulation, JAK/ERK/STAT signaling pathway modulation, TLR4 signal transduction regulation, gut/brain axis modulation, GLUT3 up-regulation inhibition, neuronal autophagy activation, and de novo SUR1 expression inhibition. In this review, we summarize the recent outcomes based on the neuroprotective effect of RSV itself and RSV-loaded nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo models focusing on such mechanisms of action as well as describing the potential therapeutic strategies in which RSV plays an active role in cases of ischemic brain injury. Full article

The conscious electromagnetic information (cemi) field theory proposes that the seat of consciousness is the brain’s electromagnetic (EM) field that integrates information from trillions of firing neurons. What we call free will is its output. The cemi theory also proposes that the brain has two streams. Most actions are initiated by the first non-conscious stream that is composed of neurons that are insulated from EM field influences. These non-conscious involuntary actions are thereby invisible to our EM field-located thoughts. The theory also proposes that voluntary actions are driven by neurons that receive EM field inputs and are thereby visible to our EM field-located thoughts. I review the extensive evidence for EM field/ephaptic coupling between neurons and the increasing evidence that EM fields in the brain are a cause of behaviour. I conclude by arguing that though this EM field-driven will is not free, in the sense of being acausal, it nevertheless corresponds to the very real experience of our conscious mind being in control of our voluntary actions. Will is not an illusion. It is our experience of control by our EM field-located mind. It is an immaterial, yet physical, will. Full article

It is always difficult to even advance possible dimensions of consciousness, but Birch et al., 2020 have suggested four possible dimensions and this review discusses the first, perceptual richness, with relation to octopuses. They advance acuity, bandwidth, and categorization power as possible components. It is first necessary to realize that sensory richness does not automatically lead to perceptual richness and this capacity may not be accessed by consciousness. Octopuses do not discriminate light wavelength frequency (color) but rather its plane of polarization, a dimension that we do not understand. Their eyes are laterally placed on the head, leading to monocular vision and head movements that give a sequential rather than simultaneous view of items, possibly consciously planned. Details of control of the rich sensorimotor system of the arms, with 3/5 of the neurons of the nervous system, may normally not be accessed to the brain and thus to consciousness. The chromatophore-based skin appearance system is likely open loop, and not available to the octopus’ vision. Conversely, in a laboratory situation that is not ecologically valid for the octopus, learning about shapes and extents of visual figures was extensive and flexible, likely consciously planned. Similarly, octopuses’ local place in and navigation around space can be guided by light polarization plane and visual landmark location and is learned and monitored. The complex array of chemical cues delivered by water and on surfaces does not fit neatly into the components above and has barely been tested but might easily be described as perceptually rich. The octopus’ curiosity and drive to investigate and gain more information may mean that, apart from richness of any stimulus situation, they are consciously driven to seek out more information. This review suggests that cephalopods may not have a similar type of intelligence as the ‘higher’ vertebrates, they may not have similar dimensions or contents of consciousness, but that such a capacity is present nevertheless. Full article

Personality type can influence pain perception and prognosis. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to consider personality factors that may influence outcomes and understand personality inventories to garner a better understanding of how an individual may perceive pain. This paper explores different elements that contribute to low back pain (LBP) and evaluates a personality inventory reported in the medical literature. Understanding how to evaluate personality type as well as how to approach clinical interactions based on personality may help to provide context for the unique needs of individual patients when developing a plan of care to treat LBP. Full article