Mental practice is a new rehabilitation method that reters to the mental rehearsal ot motor imagery content with the goal of improving motor performance. However, the relationship between activated regions and motor r...Mental practice is a new rehabilitation method that reters to the mental rehearsal ot motor imagery content with the goal of improving motor performance. However, the relationship between activated regions and motor recovery after mental practice training is not well understood. In this study, 15 patients who suffered a firstever subcortical stroke with neurological deficits affecting the right hand, but no significant cognitive impairment were recruited. 10 patients underwent mental practice combined with physical practice training, and 5 patients only underwent physical practice training. We observed brain activation regions after 4 weeks of training, and explored the correlation of activation changes with functional recovery of the affected hands. The results showed that, after 4 weeks of mental practice combined with physical training, the Fugl-Meyer assessment score for the affected right hand was significantly increased than that after 4 weeks of practice training alone. Functional MRI showed enhanced activation in the left primary somatosensory cortex, attenuated activation intensity in the right primary motor cortex, and enhanced right cerebellar activation observed during the motor imagery task using the affected right hand after mental practice training. The changes in brain cortical activity were related to functional recovery of the hand. Experimental findings indicate that cortical and cerebellar functional reorganization following mental practice contributed to the improvement of hand function.展开更多
Acupuncture is a medical treatment that has been widely pra cticed in China for over 3000 years,yet the neural mechanisms of acupuncture are not fully understood.We hypothesized that neurons and astrocytes act indepen...Acupuncture is a medical treatment that has been widely pra cticed in China for over 3000 years,yet the neural mechanisms of acupuncture are not fully understood.We hypothesized that neurons and astrocytes act independently and synergistically under acupuncture stimulation.To investigate this,we used two-photon in vivo calcium reco rding to observe the effects of acupuncture stimulation at ST36(Zusanli)in mice.Acupuncture stimulation in peripheral acupoints potentiated calcium signals of pyramidal neurons and astrocytes in the somatosensory cortex and resulted in late-onset calcium transients in astrocytes.Chemogenetic inhibition of neurons augmented the astrocytic activity.These findings suggest that acupuncture activates neuronal and astrocytic activity in the somatosensory co rtex and provide evidence for the involvement of both neurons and astrocytes in acupuncture treatment.展开更多
Many studies have investigated the evidence for tactile and visual interactive responses to activation of various brain regions.However,few studies have reported on the effects of visuo-tactile multisensory integratio...Many studies have investigated the evidence for tactile and visual interactive responses to activation of various brain regions.However,few studies have reported on the effects of visuo-tactile multisensory integration on the amount of brain activation on the somatosensory cortical regions.The aim of this study was to examine whether coincidental information obtained by tactile stimulation can affect the somatosensory cortical activation using functional MRI.Ten right-handed healthy subjects were recruited for this study.Two tasks（tactile stimulation and visuotactile stimulation）were performed using a block paradigm during f MRI scanning.In the tactile stimulation task,in subjects with eyes closed,tactile stimulation was applied on the dorsum of the right hand,corresponding to the proximal to distal directions,using a rubber brush.In the visuotactile stimulation task,tactile stimulation was applied to observe the attached mirror in the MRI chamber reflecting their hands being touched with the brush.In the result of SPM group analysis,we found brain activation on the somatosensory cortical area.Tactile stimulation task induced brain activations in the left primary sensory-motor cortex（SM1）and secondary somatosensory cortex（S2）.In the visuo-tactile stimulation task,brain activations were observed in the both SM1,both S2,and right posterior parietal cortex.In all tasks,the peak activation was detected in the contralateral SM1.We examined the effects of visuo-tactile multisensory integration on the SM1 and found that visual information during tactile stimulation could enhance activations on SM1 compared to the tactile unisensory stimulation.展开更多
目的:观察电针对慢性炎性痛大鼠痛感觉及其所诱发情绪的干预效应及对前扣带皮层(Anterior Cingulate Cortex,ACC)和初级体感皮层后肢区域(Primary Somatosensory Cortex,Hindlimb Region,S1HL)磷酸化细胞外调节蛋白激酶(Phosphorylated ...目的:观察电针对慢性炎性痛大鼠痛感觉及其所诱发情绪的干预效应及对前扣带皮层(Anterior Cingulate Cortex,ACC)和初级体感皮层后肢区域(Primary Somatosensory Cortex,Hindlimb Region,S1HL)磷酸化细胞外调节蛋白激酶(Phosphorylated Extracellular Regulated Protein Kinases,p-ERK)表达的影响。方法:建立完全弗氏佐剂(Complete Freund′s Adjuvant,CFA)诱导的慢性炎性痛大鼠模型。痛感觉部分:将38只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白组( n =11)、模型组( n =13)、电针组( n =14),在造模前1 d、模后3 d、6 d、9 d检测大鼠患足机械缩足阈(PWTs)的变化;痛情绪部分:将62只成年雄性SD大鼠,随机分为空白组( n =21)、模型组( n =21)、电针组( n =20)进行条件性位置厌恶实验(Conditioned Place Aversion,CPA)。通过自由跑动(15 min),剔除不符合条件的大鼠,造模前1 d进行条件化前训练(45 min),模后2 h和第2天进行条件化训练(45 min),模后第3天、9天进行检测(15 min)。两部分电针组大鼠均在造模后3 d^9 d进行电针干预,选取双侧“后三里”穴,刺激参数:2/100 Hz疏密波,初始电流强度1 mA,后每10 min增加0.5 mA,共30 min,1次/d,造模后第10天取材,采用免疫荧光法(IF)和免疫印迹法(WB)检测大鼠ACC、S1HL的p-ERK的表达情况。结果:PWTs结果显示,造模后第3天、第6天、第9天,模型组与电针组大鼠PWTs较空白组显著降低( P <0.01),第9天电针组PWTs较模型组显著升高( P <0.01)。CPA检测结果显示,造模后第3天,模型组和电针组CPA score值(大鼠在条件箱停留时间差,Pre-post)较空白组显著升高( P <0.01),造模后第9天,模型组CPA score值较空白组显著升高( P <0.01),电针组CPA score值较模型组显著降低( P <0.01)。与造模后第3比较,造模后第9天模型组CPA score值显著增加( P <0.01),电针组显著降低( P <0.05)。IF检测结果显示,在左侧S1HL,模型组p-ERK免疫阳性细胞的表达较空白组和电针组有上升趋势,在右侧S1HL�展开更多
Motor timing is an important part of sensorimotor control. Previous studies have shown that beta oscillations embody the process of temporal perception in explicit timing tasks. In contrast, studies focusing on beta o...Motor timing is an important part of sensorimotor control. Previous studies have shown that beta oscillations embody the process of temporal perception in explicit timing tasks. In contrast, studies focusing on beta oscillations in implicit timing tasks are lacking. In this study, we set up an implicit motor timing task and found a modulation pattern of beta oscillations with temporal perception during movement preparation. We trained two macaques in a repetitive visually-guided reach-to-grasp task with different holding intervals. Spikes and local field potentials were recorded from microelectrode arrays in the primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, and posterior parietal cortex. We analyzed the association between beta oscillations and temporal interval in fixedduration experiments(500 ms as the Short Group and1500 ms as the Long Group) and random-duration experiments(500 ms to 1500 ms). The results showed that the peak beta frequencies in both experiments ranged from15 Hz to 25 Hz. The beta power was higher during the hold period than the movement(reach and grasp) period.Further, in the fixed-duration experiments, the mean poweras well as the maximum rate of change of beta power in the first 300 ms were higher in the Short Group than in the Long Group when aligned with the Center Hit event. In contrast, in the random-duration experiments, the corresponding values showed no statistical differences among groups. The peak latency of beta power was shorter in the Short Group than in the Long Group in the fixed-duration experiments, while no consistent modulation pattern was found in the random-duration experiments. These results indicate that beta oscillations can modulate with temporal interval in their power mode. The synchronization period of beta power could reflect the cognitive set maintaining working memory of the temporal structure and attention.展开更多
The retinoid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha（RORα） is thought to act as a constitutive activator of transcription by binding to the ROR response element（RORE） of target genes. Several mouse models in which...The retinoid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha（RORα） is thought to act as a constitutive activator of transcription by binding to the ROR response element（RORE） of target genes. Several mouse models in which RORα is defective have revealed the decisive roles of RORα on the development, maturation and neuroprotection of various cerebral regions including the cerebellar and somatosensory systems. We have recently shown that RORα is needed for accurate thalamic sensory system organization and somatosensory cortex development. The phenotype of various RORα deficient mice models（staggerer mutant or mouse lacking RORα in specific somatosensory regions） is, in part, reminiscent of what has been described in mice lacking thyroid hormone triiodothyronine（T3）. As in in vitro studies or in other models, our studies strongly suggest that the T3/RORα-pathway, among others, is in part responsible for the staggerer phenotype. We have indeed identified some genes that were both regulated by T3 and RORα and that are known to be implicated in the cerebellar or somatosensory system development. Moreover, several groups have shown that RORα is at the crossroad of many biological processes and pathologies, including psychiatric and degenerative disorders. In particular, defective RORα-signalling has been demonstrated in humans to be associated with the emergence of autistic-like disorders. We believe that determining the appropriate amount of RORα activity could be crucial in detecting and preventing the emergence of specific brain diseases.展开更多
文摘Mental practice is a new rehabilitation method that reters to the mental rehearsal ot motor imagery content with the goal of improving motor performance. However, the relationship between activated regions and motor recovery after mental practice training is not well understood. In this study, 15 patients who suffered a firstever subcortical stroke with neurological deficits affecting the right hand, but no significant cognitive impairment were recruited. 10 patients underwent mental practice combined with physical practice training, and 5 patients only underwent physical practice training. We observed brain activation regions after 4 weeks of training, and explored the correlation of activation changes with functional recovery of the affected hands. The results showed that, after 4 weeks of mental practice combined with physical training, the Fugl-Meyer assessment score for the affected right hand was significantly increased than that after 4 weeks of practice training alone. Functional MRI showed enhanced activation in the left primary somatosensory cortex, attenuated activation intensity in the right primary motor cortex, and enhanced right cerebellar activation observed during the motor imagery task using the affected right hand after mental practice training. The changes in brain cortical activity were related to functional recovery of the hand. Experimental findings indicate that cortical and cerebellar functional reorganization following mental practice contributed to the improvement of hand function.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2016YFC1306702(to KFS and LZ)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81771455(to KFS)+1 种基金Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Province of China,No.2018B030334001(to KFS)the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong of China,No.2019A1515011772(to LZ)。
文摘Acupuncture is a medical treatment that has been widely pra cticed in China for over 3000 years,yet the neural mechanisms of acupuncture are not fully understood.We hypothesized that neurons and astrocytes act independently and synergistically under acupuncture stimulation.To investigate this,we used two-photon in vivo calcium reco rding to observe the effects of acupuncture stimulation at ST36(Zusanli)in mice.Acupuncture stimulation in peripheral acupoints potentiated calcium signals of pyramidal neurons and astrocytes in the somatosensory cortex and resulted in late-onset calcium transients in astrocytes.Chemogenetic inhibition of neurons augmented the astrocytic activity.These findings suggest that acupuncture activates neuronal and astrocytic activity in the somatosensory co rtex and provide evidence for the involvement of both neurons and astrocytes in acupuncture treatment.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)Grant funded by the Korean Government(MSIP)(NRF-2015R1A5A7037508)the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)funded by the Ministry of Education(No.2017R1D1A1B03033985)
文摘Many studies have investigated the evidence for tactile and visual interactive responses to activation of various brain regions.However,few studies have reported on the effects of visuo-tactile multisensory integration on the amount of brain activation on the somatosensory cortical regions.The aim of this study was to examine whether coincidental information obtained by tactile stimulation can affect the somatosensory cortical activation using functional MRI.Ten right-handed healthy subjects were recruited for this study.Two tasks（tactile stimulation and visuotactile stimulation）were performed using a block paradigm during f MRI scanning.In the tactile stimulation task,in subjects with eyes closed,tactile stimulation was applied on the dorsum of the right hand,corresponding to the proximal to distal directions,using a rubber brush.In the visuotactile stimulation task,tactile stimulation was applied to observe the attached mirror in the MRI chamber reflecting their hands being touched with the brush.In the result of SPM group analysis,we found brain activation on the somatosensory cortical area.Tactile stimulation task induced brain activations in the left primary sensory-motor cortex（SM1）and secondary somatosensory cortex（S2）.In the visuo-tactile stimulation task,brain activations were observed in the both SM1,both S2,and right posterior parietal cortex.In all tasks,the peak activation was detected in the contralateral SM1.We examined the effects of visuo-tactile multisensory integration on the SM1 and found that visual information during tactile stimulation could enhance activations on SM1 compared to the tactile unisensory stimulation.
文摘目的:观察电针对慢性炎性痛大鼠痛感觉及其所诱发情绪的干预效应及对前扣带皮层(Anterior Cingulate Cortex,ACC)和初级体感皮层后肢区域(Primary Somatosensory Cortex,Hindlimb Region,S1HL)磷酸化细胞外调节蛋白激酶(Phosphorylated Extracellular Regulated Protein Kinases,p-ERK)表达的影响。方法:建立完全弗氏佐剂(Complete Freund′s Adjuvant,CFA)诱导的慢性炎性痛大鼠模型。痛感觉部分:将38只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白组( n =11)、模型组( n =13)、电针组( n =14),在造模前1 d、模后3 d、6 d、9 d检测大鼠患足机械缩足阈(PWTs)的变化;痛情绪部分:将62只成年雄性SD大鼠,随机分为空白组( n =21)、模型组( n =21)、电针组( n =20)进行条件性位置厌恶实验(Conditioned Place Aversion,CPA)。通过自由跑动(15 min),剔除不符合条件的大鼠,造模前1 d进行条件化前训练(45 min),模后2 h和第2天进行条件化训练(45 min),模后第3天、9天进行检测(15 min)。两部分电针组大鼠均在造模后3 d^9 d进行电针干预,选取双侧“后三里”穴,刺激参数:2/100 Hz疏密波,初始电流强度1 mA,后每10 min增加0.5 mA,共30 min,1次/d,造模后第10天取材,采用免疫荧光法(IF)和免疫印迹法(WB)检测大鼠ACC、S1HL的p-ERK的表达情况。结果:PWTs结果显示,造模后第3天、第6天、第9天,模型组与电针组大鼠PWTs较空白组显著降低( P <0.01),第9天电针组PWTs较模型组显著升高( P <0.01)。CPA检测结果显示,造模后第3天,模型组和电针组CPA score值(大鼠在条件箱停留时间差,Pre-post)较空白组显著升高( P <0.01),造模后第9天,模型组CPA score值较空白组显著升高( P <0.01),电针组CPA score值较模型组显著降低( P <0.01)。与造模后第3比较,造模后第9天模型组CPA score值显著增加( P <0.01),电针组显著降低( P <0.05)。IF检测结果显示,在左侧S1HL,模型组p-ERK免疫阳性细胞的表达较空白组和电针组有上升趋势,在右侧S1HL�
基金the International Cooperation and Exchange of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31320103914)the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31370987)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China for Outstanding Young Scholars (81622027)the Beijing Nova Program of China (2016B615)the National Basic Research Development Program of China (2017YFA0106100)
文摘Motor timing is an important part of sensorimotor control. Previous studies have shown that beta oscillations embody the process of temporal perception in explicit timing tasks. In contrast, studies focusing on beta oscillations in implicit timing tasks are lacking. In this study, we set up an implicit motor timing task and found a modulation pattern of beta oscillations with temporal perception during movement preparation. We trained two macaques in a repetitive visually-guided reach-to-grasp task with different holding intervals. Spikes and local field potentials were recorded from microelectrode arrays in the primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, and posterior parietal cortex. We analyzed the association between beta oscillations and temporal interval in fixedduration experiments(500 ms as the Short Group and1500 ms as the Long Group) and random-duration experiments(500 ms to 1500 ms). The results showed that the peak beta frequencies in both experiments ranged from15 Hz to 25 Hz. The beta power was higher during the hold period than the movement(reach and grasp) period.Further, in the fixed-duration experiments, the mean poweras well as the maximum rate of change of beta power in the first 300 ms were higher in the Short Group than in the Long Group when aligned with the Center Hit event. In contrast, in the random-duration experiments, the corresponding values showed no statistical differences among groups. The peak latency of beta power was shorter in the Short Group than in the Long Group in the fixed-duration experiments, while no consistent modulation pattern was found in the random-duration experiments. These results indicate that beta oscillations can modulate with temporal interval in their power mode. The synchronization period of beta power could reflect the cognitive set maintaining working memory of the temporal structure and attention.
基金supported by the Institut National de la Santéet de la Recherche Médicale and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
文摘The retinoid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha（RORα） is thought to act as a constitutive activator of transcription by binding to the ROR response element（RORE） of target genes. Several mouse models in which RORα is defective have revealed the decisive roles of RORα on the development, maturation and neuroprotection of various cerebral regions including the cerebellar and somatosensory systems. We have recently shown that RORα is needed for accurate thalamic sensory system organization and somatosensory cortex development. The phenotype of various RORα deficient mice models（staggerer mutant or mouse lacking RORα in specific somatosensory regions） is, in part, reminiscent of what has been described in mice lacking thyroid hormone triiodothyronine（T3）. As in in vitro studies or in other models, our studies strongly suggest that the T3/RORα-pathway, among others, is in part responsible for the staggerer phenotype. We have indeed identified some genes that were both regulated by T3 and RORα and that are known to be implicated in the cerebellar or somatosensory system development. Moreover, several groups have shown that RORα is at the crossroad of many biological processes and pathologies, including psychiatric and degenerative disorders. In particular, defective RORα-signalling has been demonstrated in humans to be associated with the emergence of autistic-like disorders. We believe that determining the appropriate amount of RORα activity could be crucial in detecting and preventing the emergence of specific brain diseases.
