Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (42)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = inter-hemispheric integration

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
19 pages, 803 KB  
Perspective
Apraxia and the Progressive Loss of Functional Integration in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Neurocognitive Framework
by Marco Sanna
Swiss Arch. Neurol. Psychiatry Psychother. 2026, 176(2), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/sanpp176020011 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 377
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is biologically defined by beta-amyloid and tau pathology, yet the mechanisms through which molecular and network alterations become expressed as the progressive loss of meaningful behaviour remain incompletely understood. This perspective proposes a neurocognitive framework in which apraxia provides a particularly [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease is biologically defined by beta-amyloid and tau pathology, yet the mechanisms through which molecular and network alterations become expressed as the progressive loss of meaningful behaviour remain incompletely understood. This perspective proposes a neurocognitive framework in which apraxia provides a particularly informative clinical window onto the deterioration of functional integration. The model assigns a central organisational role to interhemispheric communication within distributed frontoparietal, temporal, language, memory, and default mode networks. It interprets recognised apraxic syndromes as clinically distinct disturbances that expose complementary requirements of meaningful action, including action knowledge, bodily configuration, sequencing, spatial organisation, object use, fine motor control, and interhemispheric transfer. The framework further examines whether partially convergent impairments of gesture, connected speech, autobiographical construction, and perspective coordination may reflect declining capacity to integrate specialised representations within coherent behaviour. Its original theoretical component proposes that conscious proprioceptive organisation contributes to maintaining body-centred reference frames through which heterogeneous information is coordinated during action and perspective transformation. Evidence for Alzheimer-related connectivity alterations and impairments of praxis, discourse, and autobiographical memory is reviewed separately from the proposed integrative mechanism, which requires direct testing. The framework predicts that longitudinal changes across these behavioural domains will covary with deterioration in interhemispheric and large-scale network connectivity and provide explanatory information beyond global cognitive severity and regional atrophy. Multimodal longitudinal studies combining molecular biomarkers, neuroimaging, apraxia assessment, connected-speech analysis, and autobiographical tasks are proposed to evaluate, delimit, or reject these predictions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 14524 KB  
Review
A Brief Narrative Review of Upper-Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Robotic Systems for Bimanual and Mirror Therapy
by Julian M. Lee, Edward Peter Washabaugh, Vaibhav Diwadkar, Sagar Buch, Tyler Williamson and Abhilash Pandya
Machines 2026, 14(8), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14080868 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 369
Abstract
Background: Robotic rehabilitation systems for upper-limb stroke rehabilitation have been developed across diverse robotic platforms, yet cross-study comparisons remain challenging due to heterogeneous system designs and classification approaches. This brief narrative review proposes a paradigm-driven framework, categorizing robotic rehabilitation systems based on underlying [...] Read more.
Background: Robotic rehabilitation systems for upper-limb stroke rehabilitation have been developed across diverse robotic platforms, yet cross-study comparisons remain challenging due to heterogeneous system designs and classification approaches. This brief narrative review proposes a paradigm-driven framework, categorizing robotic rehabilitation systems based on underlying therapeutic interaction principles (e.g., mirror, bimanual, mirror–bimanual hybrid) rather than implementation modality alone. Methods: A structured MEDLINE/PubMed literature search was performed to identify representative studies describing robotic system characteristics, rehabilitation task structures, clinical outcomes, and mechanistic insights within mirror, bimanual, and hybrid rehabilitation paradigms. Findings: Among the reviewed studies, mirror-based systems emphasize sensory representation and interhemispheric modulation, whereas bimanual systems target coordination and motor learning through bilateral interaction. Hybrid systems integrate these approaches by combining mirrored feedback with active bilateral engagement. Emerging neuroimaging evidence, particularly resting-state fMRI, may help relate clinical improvements to neural network changes, providing a mechanism-informed perspective on rehabilitation outcomes. Conclusions: This review highlights substantial progress in robotic upper-limb stroke rehabilitation, with current systems increasingly integrating multimodal feedback and task-oriented interaction within mirror, bimanual, and hybrid rehabilitation paradigms. Limitations include variability across studies due to differences in robotic system implementation, task design, duration, stroke chronicity, and patient engagement. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3709 KB  
Article
A Subject-Specific Cerebrovascular CFD Modeling Approach Based on a Multimodal Data-Driven Boundary Calibration Framework: A Proof-of-Concept Study
by Jun Hu, Hongye Li, Xuelian Shen, Yonghao Zhong, Hanxiong Zheng, Yiao Liu, Bin Luo and Jianhang Du
Bioengineering 2026, 13(8), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13080861 - 25 Jul 2026
Viewed by 317
Abstract
Cerebrovascular computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models often rely on generic boundary conditions, which may limit their ability to represent subject-specific hemodynamics and cerebral autoregulation (CA). We propose a multimodal data-driven boundary calibration (MDBC) framework integrating transcranial color-coded Doppler and continuous blood pressure monitoring [...] Read more.
Cerebrovascular computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models often rely on generic boundary conditions, which may limit their ability to represent subject-specific hemodynamics and cerebral autoregulation (CA). We propose a multimodal data-driven boundary calibration (MDBC) framework integrating transcranial color-coded Doppler and continuous blood pressure monitoring to optimize individualized outlet resistances. As a proof-of-concept, we evaluated the MDBC framework in a single healthy volunteer at resting baseline and enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP)—a hemodynamic perturbation potentially triggering CA. Compared with conventional open boundary (OB) and static Murray allocation boundary (SMAB) strategies, MDBC achieved closer agreement with in vivo middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocity waveforms under both states. At rest, MDBC’s left MCA relative root mean square error (rRMSE) was 7.19%, versus 22.85% (OB) and 30.89% (SMAB). During EECP, conventional models yielded rRMSEs > 32%, whereas MDBC maintained 11.24%. Meanwhile, MDBC reproduced inter-hemispheric perfusion imbalance, an EECP-induced flow surge in the right MCA, and pronounced wall shear stress increases that were masked by generic boundary strategies. Moreover, MDBC estimated a 25.8% increase in global cerebrovascular resistance during EECP, suggesting the capability of the framework to characterize subject-specific impedance adaptations potentially associated with CA during intervention. These single-subject findings support the technical feasibility of integrating multimodal physiological measurements into cerebrovascular CFD boundary calibration and warrant further validation in larger cohorts and patient populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biosignal Processing)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2117 KB  
Review
Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Interventions of Neuroplasticity After Ischemic Stroke—A Scoping Review
by Pingping Yang, Dan Xie, Song Wang, Yingying Zhao and Yongbo Zhang
Brain Sci. 2026, 16(8), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16080784 - 25 Jul 2026
Viewed by 399
Abstract
Background: Stroke remains a significant cause of persistent long-term disability globally. Post-stroke neuroplasticity is critical for neurological functional recovery and reducing disability. Nevertheless, the existing scoping reviews rarely systematically integrate its intrinsic mechanisms, predictive biomarkers, and actionable intervention strategies. This scoping review [...] Read more.
Background: Stroke remains a significant cause of persistent long-term disability globally. Post-stroke neuroplasticity is critical for neurological functional recovery and reducing disability. Nevertheless, the existing scoping reviews rarely systematically integrate its intrinsic mechanisms, predictive biomarkers, and actionable intervention strategies. This scoping review aims to map the current research landscape, synthesize the core research findings, and identify existing research gaps in this field. Methods: This scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Eligible studies published between 31 January 2021, and 31 January 2026, were retrieved from three major mainstream electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. All retrieved evidence was synthesized via narrative approach, focusing on core research findings concerning post-stroke neuroplasticity mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic interventions. Results: The existing research on neuroplastic mechanisms following ischemic stroke is predominantly derived from in vitro and animal studies, which have collectively demonstrated multiple core adaptive alterations, including enhanced synaptic plasticity, dendritic and axonal structural remodeling, restored interhemispheric connectivity, endogenous neurogenesis, and functional reorganization of neural networks. In contrast, mechanistic investigations in human stroke patients primarily highlight compensatory activation within peri-infarct tissues and functionally remote brain regions. The relevant clinical biomarkers are mainly imaging and electrophysiological indicators. Research on therapeutic interventions has mainly focused on rehabilitation treatments such as non-pharmacological magnetic stimulation. Conclusions: This scoping review synthesized the current body of evidence on post-ischemic stroke neuroplasticity and identified critical research gaps, particularly regarding multimodal biomarkers and their translational relevance. The present findings confirm that neuroplastic alterations after ischemic stroke are regulated by multiple pathways, among which those involved in synaptic structure, dendrites, and neural network connections exert pivotal effects. Nevertheless, most existing investigations remain confined to in vitro experiments and animal models. The identification of neuroplasticity biomarkers has opened up new avenues for the development of targeted stroke therapies and offers promising prospects for rehabilitative treatment of stroke patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue How to Rewire the Brain—Neuroplasticity)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 3742 KB  
Article
Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Posterior Parietal Cortex on Visual and Vestibular Function
by Sang Seok Yeo, Dong Hyun Byun and Fang He
NeuroSci 2026, 7(4), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurosci7040080 - 15 Jul 2026
Viewed by 396
Abstract
(1) Background: The effects of posterior parietal cortex (PPC)-targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on postural stability and cortical activity remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate and compare changes in cortical activity and postural stability before and following tDCS conditions. (2) [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The effects of posterior parietal cortex (PPC)-targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on postural stability and cortical activity remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate and compare changes in cortical activity and postural stability before and following tDCS conditions. (2) Methods: Eight right-handed adults completed a baseline assessment followed by three stimulation sessions: left-anodal/right-cathodal (L-A/R-C), left-cathodal/right-anodal (L-C/R-A), and sham on the PPC. The sessions were administered in a randomized Latin square design with a minimum 4-day washout period between each. At baseline and following each tDCS session, cortical activity was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and postural stability during a tandem stance was assessed utilizing the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and a force platform. (3) Results: Compared with the baseline measurements, significant deactivation in the right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) was observed following L-C/R-A stimulation. Furthermore, postural stability measures revealed significantly higher BESS error scores and greater sway length following L-C/R-A stimulation compared to both the baseline and L-A/R-C conditions. (4) Conclusions: Bilateral tDCS over the PPC differentially influences cortical activity and postural control depending on the stimulation polarity. Specifically, L-C/R-A stimulation was associated with impaired visual–vestibular integration and postural stability. These preliminary findings highlight the critical role of interhemispheric parietal balance in posture regulation and suggest that polarity-specific tDCS protocols may be important considerations for the future. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 744 KB  
Article
Sex-Specific Association Between Acute COVID-19 Systemic Inflammation and Persistent White Matter Pathology and Cognition in Survivors
by Mariagrazia Palladini, Mario Gennaro Mazza, Beatrice Bravi, Margherita Bessi, Rebecca De Lorenzo, Patrizia Rovere-Querini and Francesco Benedetti
Biology 2026, 15(13), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15131054 - 2 Jul 2026
Viewed by 1969
Abstract
Six years into the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence is increasingly clear that long COVID affects women disproportionately, with higher rates of persistent cognitive and neurological symptoms. Yet, the biological mechanisms underlying this sex-dimorphic impact remain elusive. We investigated whether the immune storm of acute [...] Read more.
Six years into the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence is increasingly clear that long COVID affects women disproportionately, with higher rates of persistent cognitive and neurological symptoms. Yet, the biological mechanisms underlying this sex-dimorphic impact remain elusive. We investigated whether the immune storm of acute COVID-19 leaves a silent yet sex-specific scar on white matter integrity that shapes long-term cognitive health. In 60 previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors, we combined an inflammatory snapshot at admission proxied by the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) with 3T diffusion MRI and a comprehensive cognitive battery (BACS) acquired three months after recovery. Sex reshaped the inflammation–brain relationship: a higher SII predicted a diffuse alteration pattern within core associative and inter-hemispheric fibres in females only, sparing the male architecture despite a comparable inflammatory burden. In women, white matter damage coupled with poorer psychomotor coordination, and mean diffusivity fully mediated the link, unveiling a female-specific pathway from systemic inflammation to cognitive slowdown. COVID-19 inflammation imprints a durable, sex-sensitive footprint on white matter that selectively undermines psychomotor coordination in female survivors, despite a clinical recovery. This work positions women’s white matter as a critical target of post-COVID neuroinflammation and argues for sex-informed monitoring and interventions that explicitly tackle immune–brain crosstalk in long COVID. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neuroscience)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 600 KB  
Review
Inter-Hemispheric Coordination and Ageing in Visual Working Memory: A Distributed Framework
by Jean-François Delvenne
Brain Sci. 2026, 16(6), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16060641 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Visual working memory (VWM) declines with age and has been explained by multiple mechanisms, including reduced precision, capacity limitations, binding deficits, and altered attentional control. However, these accounts are typically framed within a unitary processing architecture and do not fully capture the distributed [...] Read more.
Visual working memory (VWM) declines with age and has been explained by multiple mechanisms, including reduced precision, capacity limitations, binding deficits, and altered attentional control. However, these accounts are typically framed within a unitary processing architecture and do not fully capture the distributed nature of visual cognition. This review advances a coordination-based framework in which age-related differences in VWM are understood as partly reflecting reduced efficiency in integrating and regulating representations across the two cerebral hemispheres. Behavioural, electrophysiological, and neurophysiological evidence is synthesised to characterise the role of inter-hemispheric communication in VWM. Age-related changes in corpus callosum structure and function are then considered in relation to these coordination processes. Deficits in precision, capacity, binding, and attention are proposed to reflect different behavioural expressions of a common limitation in coordinating distributed representations, providing a unifying account of multiple behavioural signatures, particularly under conditions that place high demands on inter-hemispheric coordination. The framework offers a mechanistic explanation of the task-dependent nature of ageing effects and generates testable predictions for future research, highlighting the role of network-level coordination mechanisms in cognitive ageing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ageing and Visual Working Memory: Cognitive and Neural Perspectives)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 5583 KB  
Article
A 33 GHz Conformal Phased-Array Radar with Linearly Constrained Minimum Variance Digital Beamforming, Circular- Polarization Filtering, and Neural-Network Micro-Doppler Classification for Counter-UAS Applications
by Michael Baginski
Sensors 2026, 26(9), 2883; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26092883 - 5 May 2026
Viewed by 1280
Abstract
A compact millimeter-wave radar system operating at 33 GHz is presented for integration on small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and for ground-based counter-UAS reconnaissance. The design is specifically motivated by civil-sector agricultural applications, where large-payload crop-dusting and precision-spraying drones operating under FAA 14 [...] Read more.
A compact millimeter-wave radar system operating at 33 GHz is presented for integration on small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and for ground-based counter-UAS reconnaissance. The design is specifically motivated by civil-sector agricultural applications, where large-payload crop-dusting and precision-spraying drones operating under FAA 14 CFR Part 137 require lightweight sense-and-avoid radar that conforms aerodynamically to existing aircraft or ground vehicles. The system is based on a 36-element hemispherical conformal phased array of crossed half-wave dipole radiators that generate right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) on transmit and selectively receives left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) echoes from targets, providing passive first-stage suppression of co-polarized rain and ground clutter. A Linearly Constrained Minimum Variance (LCMV) digital beamformer, applied to per-element analog-to-digital converter (ADC) outputs, delivers closed-form beam weights that enforce a distortionless response at each scan direction while globally minimizing sidelobe power. The formulation resolves the main-beam drift caused by the ill-conditioned re-scaling step in iterative Chebyshev tapering, achieving sidelobe levels below 20 dB with main-beam peaks within 0.1° of their commanded angles across all evaluated positions. Mutual coupling between array elements is modeled analytically using the induced-EMF method, yielding a 36×36 impedance matrix whose off-diagonal entries are at most 8.2% of the element self-impedance at the minimum inter-element separation of 2.70 λ. A closed-form decoupling matrix is applied to the receive manifold prior to LCMV weight computation. Seven simultaneous independent receive beams covering 0°–60° elevation are formed from a single data snapshot. A Scaled Conjugate Gradient neural network classifier, trained on radar-equation-scaled micro-Doppler features following Swerling I–IV radar cross-section (RCS) fluctuation statistics, achieves overall classification accuracy above 85% across five target classes. The five classes comprise two bird-signature classes (SW-I and SW-II), two UAV-signature classes (SW-III and SW-IV), and a clutter class. The design is entirely simulation-based; experimental validation using a sub-array prototype is identified as the primary direction for future work. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1106 KB  
Article
Clinical Prediction of Functional Decline in Multiple Sclerosis Using Volumetry-Based Synthetic Brain Networks
by Alin Ciubotaru, Alexandra Maștaleru, Thomas Gabriel Schreiner, Cristiana Filip, Roxana Covali, Laura Riscanu, Robert-Valentin Bilcu, Laura-Elena Cucu, Sofia Alexandra Socolov-Mihaita, Diana Lăcătușu, Florina Crivoi, Albert Vamanu, Ioana Martu, Lucia Corina Dima-Cozma, Romica Sebastian Cozma and Oana-Roxana Bitere-Popa
Life 2026, 16(3), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16030459 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1330
Abstract
Background: Disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasingly recognized as a consequence of large-scale brain network disruption rather than isolated regional damage. Although diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is the reference method for assessing structural connectivity, its limited availability restricts widespread clinical application. [...] Read more.
Background: Disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasingly recognized as a consequence of large-scale brain network disruption rather than isolated regional damage. Although diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is the reference method for assessing structural connectivity, its limited availability restricts widespread clinical application. There is therefore a critical need for alternative approaches capable of capturing network-level alterations using routinely acquired MRI data. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether synthetic structural connectivity matrices derived from standard regional volumetric MRI can capture clinically meaningful network alterations in MS and predict subsequent functional progression, particularly upper limb decline. Methods: Regional brain volumetry was obtained from routine T1-weighted MRI using an automated, clinically approved volumetric pipeline. Synthetic structural connectivity matrices were generated by integrating principles of structural covariance, distance-dependent connectivity, and disease-specific vulnerability patterns. Graph-theoretical network metrics were extracted to characterize global and regional topology. Machine learning models including logistic regression, support vector machines, random forests, and gradient boosting were trained to predict clinical progression defined by worsening on the 9-Hole Peg Test. Dimensionality reduction was performed using principal component analysis, and model performance was evaluated using balanced accuracy, AUC-ROC, and resampling-based validation. Feature importance analyses were conducted to identify network vulnerability patterns. Results: Synthetic connectivity networks exhibited biologically plausible properties, including preserved but attenuated small-world organization. Global efficiency showed a strong inverse correlation with disability severity (EDSS). Patients with clinical progression demonstrated marked reductions in network integration and segregation, alongside increased characteristic path length. Machine learning models achieved robust prediction of upper limb functional decline, with ensemble-based methods performing best (balanced accuracy > 80%, AUC-ROC up to 0.85). A limited subset of connections accounted for a disproportionate share of predictive power, predominantly involving frontoparietal associative networks, thalamocortical pathways, and inter-hemispheric connections. In a longitudinal subset, network-level alterations preceded measurable clinical deterioration by several months. Conclusions: Synthetic structural connectivity derived from routine volumetric MRI captures clinically relevant network-level disruption in multiple sclerosis and enables accurate prediction of functional progression. By bridging network neuroscience with widely accessible imaging data, this framework provides a pragmatic alternative for connectomic analysis when diffusion imaging is unavailable and supports a network-based understanding of disease evolution in MS. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 6436 KB  
Article
The Influence of Meltwater on Centennial Variability of Australian Summer Monsoon Precipitation and Its Relevance to Sustainable Water Resources and Climate Adaptation
by Yunqing Jing and Changqing Jing
Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2720; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062720 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 450
Abstract
Research on centennial-scale precipitation variability within the Australian summer monsoon (AUSM) remains limited, particularly regarding its driving mechanisms and the sustainability-relevant implications for long-term water security and climate adaptation. Here, we use the TraCE-21ka transient simulation, which credibly reproduces the centennial periodicities documented [...] Read more.
Research on centennial-scale precipitation variability within the Australian summer monsoon (AUSM) remains limited, particularly regarding its driving mechanisms and the sustainability-relevant implications for long-term water security and climate adaptation. Here, we use the TraCE-21ka transient simulation, which credibly reproduces the centennial periodicities documented in Holocene proxy records, to attribute the physical drivers of AUSM centennial variability. Attribution is conducted by contrasting the all-forcing (AF) simulation with four single-forcing experiments that isolate the effects of orbital parameters, ice sheets, meltwater flux, and greenhouse gases. Among these experiments, the meltwater-forcing run best reproduces the centennial periodicities found in the AF simulation, indicating that meltwater input is the leading contributor to Holocene AUSM centennial variability. We further identify a dynamical pathway in which Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) variability acts as the key mediator linking meltwater perturbations to Australian hydroclimate. The enhanced AMOC amplitude during the meltwater interval (0.14 at 9–8 ka BP), compared with much weaker fluctuations during the non-meltwater interval (0.01 at 4–3 ka BP), is accompanied by a ~200-year periodicity in AUSM precipitation. This periodicity arises through an interhemispheric teleconnection: a strengthened AMOC cools Southern Hemisphere sea surface temperatures, reduces moisture availability for northern Australia, and promotes large-scale subsidence that suppresses monsoon rainfall. By contrast, during 4–3 ka BP, when meltwater forcing was negligible, weaker AMOC variability coincides with warmer Southern Hemisphere sea surface temperature (SST), favoring cyclonic circulation over northwestern Australia, enhanced moisture convergence, and stronger ascent, ultimately intensifying AUSM precipitation. Beyond advancing process understanding, these results provide a sustainability-oriented framework for interpreting low-frequency hydroclimate variability relevant to Australia’s water resources and climate adaptation. Specifically, the identified meltwater–AMOC–SST–AUSM pathway offers a physical basis for developing and evaluating long-horizon indicators of monsoon-driven rainfall variability, informing monitoring strategies and scenario planning for drought–flood risk management, water allocation, and climate-resilient infrastructure. By linking centennial-scale monsoon variability to an identifiable remote driver, this study contributes to quantifying and contextualizing natural hydroclimate variability that can confound near-term trends, thereby supporting more robust sustainability assessments, adaptation policy design, and integrated water-resource management under ongoing climate change. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1905 KB  
Article
Directional Asymmetry of Crossover Neuromuscular Fatigue Following Unilateral Handgrip Exercise in Adults and Prepubertal Children
by Aymen Ben Othman, Wissem Dhahbi, Manel Bessifi, Halil İbrahim Ceylan, Valentina Stefanica, Rihab Moncer and Helmi Ben Saad
Medicina 2026, 62(3), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62030471 - 2 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 975
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study investigated whether crossover neuromuscular fatigue following unilateral handgrip exercise exhibits directional asymmetry, testing whether dominant-limb fatigue produces greater contralateral performance decrements than non-dominant-limb fatigue in adults and pre-peak-height-velocity children. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three healthy, right-handed males [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study investigated whether crossover neuromuscular fatigue following unilateral handgrip exercise exhibits directional asymmetry, testing whether dominant-limb fatigue produces greater contralateral performance decrements than non-dominant-limb fatigue in adults and pre-peak-height-velocity children. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three healthy, right-handed males (16 adults: 22.5 ± 1.6 years; 17 pre-peak-height-velocity boys: 11.2 ± 0.8 years, maturity offset −2.2 ± 0.4 years) completed three counterbalanced experimental sessions (48–72 h apart): dominant-arm fatigue, non-dominant-arm fatigue, and control. The fatigue protocol consisted of 20 consecutive 6 s maximal voluntary isometric handgrip contractions. Primary outcomes were percentage changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the contralateral limb across handgrip, elbow flexor, and elbow extensor muscle groups. Results: The experimental condition explained approximately 64% of crossover variance in adults (ηp2 = 0.650, ηG2 = 0.421) and children (ηp2 = 0.638, ηG2 = 0.448; both p < 0.001). Dominant-limb fatigue elicited substantially greater contralateral decrements than non-dominant-limb fatigue in adults (−11.00% vs. −3.92%, dz = −1.07) and children (−12.71% vs. −3.08%, dz = −1.33), representing 2.5- to 3.5-fold greater transfer efficiency (both p < 0.001). Age-group comparisons revealed no differences in crossover susceptibility (p = 0.627, ηp2 = 0.008), with equivalence testing confirming developmental invariance. Crossover effects extended to heterologous proximal muscles without magnitude differences (p > 0.13). Conclusions: Crossover fatigue (contralateral performance decrement following unilateral exercise) exhibited directional asymmetry, with dominant-limb protocols eliciting 2.5- to 3.5-fold greater contralateral decrements. This pattern aligns with asymmetric transcallosal inhibitory projections demonstrated in prior transcranial magnetic stimulation studies, though direct neurophysiological confirmation was not obtained. Functional equivalence between pre-peak-height-velocity children and adults indicates that interhemispheric transfer mechanisms achieve operational maturity before peak height velocity. Extension to heterologous muscles implicates supraspinal mechanisms. The findings establish normative parameters for clinical populations with compromised transcallosal integrity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sports Medicine and Sports Traumatology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2483 KB  
Systematic Review
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Biomarkers to Predict Neurological Outcomes in Brain Surgery: A Systematic Review
by Noa Ben Dor, Giovanni Sighinolfi, Vittoria Rosetti, Filippo Friso, Giada Garufi, Salvatore Massimiliano Cardali, Caterina Tonon, Raffaele Lodi and Alfredo Conti
Life 2026, 16(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010115 - 13 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1646
Abstract
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography is routinely employed in neurosurgical planning; however, the prognostic significance of quantitative DTI metrics for postoperative functional outcomes remains unclear. We conducted a PRISMA-informed systematic review of PubMed (January 2005–1 December 2025), supplemented by additional indexed sources, to [...] Read more.
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography is routinely employed in neurosurgical planning; however, the prognostic significance of quantitative DTI metrics for postoperative functional outcomes remains unclear. We conducted a PRISMA-informed systematic review of PubMed (January 2005–1 December 2025), supplemented by additional indexed sources, to synthesize the evidence on quantitative DTI measures associated with postoperative motor, language, and cognitive outcomes following intracranial surgery. Thirty-seven studies were included, primarily single-center studies, and predominantly focused on glioma surgery. Motor outcomes exhibited the most consistent associations, with reduced corticospinal tract integrity and adverse postoperative diffusion changes correlating with muscle weakness and poorer recovery. Recovery from supplementary motor area syndrome was associated with interhemispheric callosal connectivity, with greater disconnection predicting a prolonged symptom duration. Language outcomes demonstrated reproducible structure–function relationships: higher preoperative integrity of the dorsal language pathways was associated with milder postoperative aphasia and better recovery, whereas postoperative tract disruption and diffusivity changes predicted persistent naming and fluency deficits, and ventral pathway alterations were specifically linked to lexico-semantic impairment. In epilepsy surgery, language performance correlated with contralateral and distributed network diffusion changes, consistent with reorganization. Evidence for cognition and gait outcomes was limited and mainly involved the association, limbic, and callosal pathways. Overall, quantitative DTI provides clinically relevant markers of tract and network disruption and postoperative remodeling; however, methodological heterogeneity and limited external validation currently preclude universal prognostic thresholds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Neuroimaging and Brain Functions: 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 586 KB  
Review
Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation and Music-Based Interventions in Focal Epilepsy: Clinical Evidence, Mechanistic Rationale, and Digital Perspectives—A Narrative Review
by Ekaterina Andreevna Narodova
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(1), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010288 - 30 Dec 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1721
Abstract
Background: Rhythmic sensory stimulation, including structured musical interventions, has gained renewed interest as a non-pharmacological strategy that may modulate cortical excitability and network stability in focal epilepsy. Although several small studies have reported changes in seizure frequency or epileptiform activity during rhythmic or [...] Read more.
Background: Rhythmic sensory stimulation, including structured musical interventions, has gained renewed interest as a non-pharmacological strategy that may modulate cortical excitability and network stability in focal epilepsy. Although several small studies have reported changes in seizure frequency or epileptiform activity during rhythmic or music exposure, the underlying mechanisms and translational relevance remain insufficiently synthesized. Objective: This narrative review summarizes clinical evidence on music-based and rhythmic sensory interventions in focal epilepsy, outlines plausible neurophysiological mechanisms related to neural entrainment and large-scale network regulation, and discusses emerging opportunities for digital delivery of rhythmic protocols in everyday self-management. Methods: A structured search of recent clinical, neurophysiological, and rehabilitation literature was performed with emphasis on rhythmic auditory, tactile, and multimodal stimulation in epilepsy or related conditions. Additional theoretical and translational sources addressing oscillatory dynamics, entrainment, timing networks, and patient-centered digital tools were reviewed to establish a mechanistic framework. Results: Existing studies—although limited by small cohorts and heterogeneous methodology—suggest that certain rhythmic structures, including specific musical compositions, may transiently modulate cortical synchronization, reduce epileptiform discharges, or alleviate seizure-related symptoms in selected patients. Evidence from neurologic music therapy and rhythmic stimulation in other neurological disorders further supports the concept that externally delivered rhythms can influence timing networks, attentional control, and interhemispheric coordination. Advances in mobile health platforms enable structured rhythmic exercises to be delivered and monitored in real-world settings. Conclusions: Music-based and rhythmic sensory interventions represent a promising but underexplored adjunctive approach for focal epilepsy. Their effectiveness likely depends on individual network characteristics and on the structure of the applied rhythm. Digital integration may enhance personalization and adherence. Rigorous clinical trials and mechanistic studies are required to define optimal parameters, identify responders, and clarify the role of rhythmic stimulation within modern epilepsy care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Neurology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 764 KB  
Hypothesis
Multisensory Rhythmic Entrainment as a Mechanistic Framework for Modulating Prefrontal Network Stability in Focal Epilepsy
by Ekaterina Andreevna Narodova
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(12), 1318; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15121318 - 10 Dec 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1532
Abstract
Epilepsy is increasingly conceptualized as a disorder of large-scale network instability, involving impairments in interhemispheric connectivity, prefrontal inhibitory control, and slow-frequency temporal processing. Rhythmic sensory stimulation—auditory, vibrotactile, or multisensory—can entrain neuronal oscillations and modulate attentional and sensorimotor networks, yet its mechanistic relevance to [...] Read more.
Epilepsy is increasingly conceptualized as a disorder of large-scale network instability, involving impairments in interhemispheric connectivity, prefrontal inhibitory control, and slow-frequency temporal processing. Rhythmic sensory stimulation—auditory, vibrotactile, or multisensory—can entrain neuronal oscillations and modulate attentional and sensorimotor networks, yet its mechanistic relevance to epileptic network physiology remains insufficiently explored. This conceptual and mechanistic article integrates empirical findings from entrainment research, prefrontal timing theories, multisensory integration, and network-based models of seizure dynamics and uses them to formulate a hypothesis-driven framework for multisensory exogenous rhythmic stimulation (ERS) in focal epilepsy. Rather than presenting a tested intervention, we propose a set of speculative mechanistic pathways through which low-frequency rhythmic cues might serve as an external temporal reference, engage fronto-parietal control systems, facilitate multisensory-driven sensorimotor coupling, and potentially modulate interhemispheric frontal coherence. These putative mechanisms are illustrated by exploratory neurophysiological observations, including a small pilot study reporting frontal coherence changes during mobile ERS exposure, but they have not yet been validated in controlled experimental settings. The framework does not imply therapeutic benefit; instead, it identifies theoretical pathways through which rhythmic sensory cues may transiently interact with epileptic networks. The proposed model is intended as a conceptual foundation for future neurophysiological validation, computational simulations, and early feasibility research in the emerging field of digital neuromodulation, rather than as evidence of clinical efficacy. This Hypothesis article formulates explicitly testable predictions regarding how multisensory ERS may transiently modulate candidate physiological markers of prefrontal network stability in focal epilepsy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Systems Neuroscience)
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1221 KB  
Article
Theta Cordance Decline in Frontal and Temporal Cortices: Longitudinal Evidence of Regional Cortical Aging
by Selami Varol Ülker, Metin Çınaroğlu, Eda Yılmazer and Sultan Tarlacı
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(23), 8341; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14238341 - 24 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1155
Abstract
Background: Theta-band cordance is a quantitative EEG (qEEG) metric that integrates absolute and relative spectral power and correlates with regional cerebral perfusion. Although widely applied in psychiatric and neurophysiological research, its longitudinal trajectory in healthy adults remains largely unknown. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Background: Theta-band cordance is a quantitative EEG (qEEG) metric that integrates absolute and relative spectral power and correlates with regional cerebral perfusion. Although widely applied in psychiatric and neurophysiological research, its longitudinal trajectory in healthy adults remains largely unknown. This study aimed to characterize multi-year changes in theta cordance across cortical regions, determine which areas show stability versus decline, and evaluate whether individuals maintain a trait-like cordance profile over time. Methods: Nineteen cognitively healthy, medication-free adults underwent resting-state EEG recordings at two time points, separated by an average of 6.4 years (range: 1.9–14.8). Theta cordance (4–8 Hz) was computed at 19 scalp electrodes using the Leuchter algorithm and aggregated into eight lobar regions (left/right frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital). Paired-samples t-tests assessed longitudinal changes. Inter-regional Pearson correlations examined evolving connectivity patterns. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA), validated via LOOCV and bootstrap confidence intervals, evaluated multivariate stability between baseline and follow-up cordance profiles. Results: Theta cordance remained normally distributed at both time points. Significant longitudinal decreases emerged in the right temporal (t(18) = 5.34, p < 0.001, d = 1.23) and right frontal (t(18) = 2.65, p = 0.016, d = 0.61) regions, while other lobes showed no significant change. Midline Cz demonstrated a robust increase over time (p < 0.001). CCA revealed a strong cross-time association (Rc = 0.999, p = 0.029), indicating preservation of a stable, frontally anchored cordance profile despite regional right-hemisphere decline. Inter-regional correlation matrices showed both preserved posterior synchrony and emerging inverse anterior–posterior and cross-hemispheric relationships, suggesting age-related reorganization of cortical connectivity. Conclusions: Theta cordance exhibits a mixed pattern of trait-like stability and region-specific aging effects. A dominant, stable fronto-central profile persists across years, yet the right frontal and right temporal cortices show significant decline, consistent with lateralized vulnerability in normative aging. Evolving inter-regional correlation patterns further indicate network-level reorganization. Longitudinal cordance assessment may provide a noninvasive marker of functional brain aging and help differentiate normal aging trajectories from early pathological change. This longitudinal quantitative EEG (qEEG) study examined theta-band cordance dynamics across cortical regions in healthy adults over an average follow-up of 6.4 years (range: 1.9–14.8). Resting-state EEGs were recorded at two time points from 19 participants and analyzed using Leuchter’s cordance algorithm across 19 scalp electrodes. Regional cordance values were computed for frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. Paired-samples t-tests revealed significant longitudinal decreases in theta cordance in the right frontal (p = 0.016, d = 0.61) and right temporal lobes (p < 0.001, d = 1.23), while other regions remained stable. Inter-regional Pearson correlations showed strong bilateral synchrony in posterior regions and emergent inverse anterior–posterior relationships over time. Canonical correlation analysis revealed a robust multivariate association (Rc = 0.999, p = 0.029) between baseline and follow-up patterns. Partial correlations (controlling for follow-up interval) identified region-specific trait stability, highest in left occipital and right frontal cortices. These findings suggest that theta cordance reflects both longitudinally stable neural traits and regionally specific aging effects in cortical physiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Neurology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop