Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Eur Spine J 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Spine Unit, Department of Neurology, Schulthess Clinic, Lengghalde 2, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.

Purpose: We compared the value of different uni- and multimodal intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) methods on the detection of neurological complications during spine surgery.

Methods: IONM data derived from sensory spinal and cortical evoked potentials combined with continuous electromyography monitoring, motor evoked potentials and spinal recording were evaluated in relation to subsequent post-operative neurological changes. Patients were categorised based on their true-positive or true-negative post-operative neurological status. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2018 3;3:159-163. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Service of Neurology, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL)", University of Cantabria and "Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)", Santander, Spain.

Objective: To describe the case of a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) showing early reversible conduction failure (RCF) detected by means of serial deep tendon reflex response (T-reflex) study.

Methods: A 36-year-old woman had a 5-day history of foot and hand paresthesias ascending to thighs and arms, throbbing interscapular and neck pain, mild to moderate tetraparesis, and areflexia. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed on days 7 and 33 after onset. Read More

Brain Stimul 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Alliance, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK. Electronic address:

Background: A trend in the non-invasive brain stimulation literature is to assess the outcome of an intervention using a responder analysis whereby participants are di- or trichotomised in order that they may be classified as either responders or non-responders.

Objective: Examine the extent of the Type I error in motor evoked potential (MEP) data subjected to responder analyses.

Methods: Seven sets of 30 MEPs were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscle in 52 healthy volunteers. Read More

Nutrients 2018 Dec 7;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Division Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, LMU-Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, 80337 Munich, Germany.

Children with phenylketonuria (PKU) follow a protein restricted diet with negligible amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Low DHA intakes might explain subtle neurological deficits in PKU. We studied whether a DHA supply modified plasma DHA and neurological and intellectual functioning in PKU. Read More

Acta Neurol Belg 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Uniwersytet Medyczny im Piastow Slaskich we Wroclawiu, Wrocław, Dolnośląskie, Poland.

Stenosis of arteries that supplies blood to the brain is one of the main causes of ischemic stroke which is the third most common cause of deaths in Europe. Atherosclerosis of carotid and vertebral arteries is responsible for 20% of the ischemic stroke cases. Stenosis may be either asymptomatic or manifested with typical neurological symptoms including motor and sensory disturbances as well as disturbances in vision and speech. Read More

Front Aging Neurosci 2018 27;10:379. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to evaluate cortical function and corticospinal pathway in normal and pathological aging. Yet, the metrologic properties of TMS-related measurements is still limited in the aging population. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to document the reliability and smallest detectable change of TMS measurements among community-dwelling seniors. Read More

Front Neurosci 2018 27;12:880. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Division of Systems Neuroscience of Psychopathology, Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique to change cortical excitability. Its effects are shown for cognitive processing, and behavior in the motor and perceptual domains. However, evidence of tDCS effects in the perceptual domain particularly for auditory processing is rare. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2018 Nov 26;130(1):138-144. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Siena, Italy. Electronic address:

Objective: Verify whether Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) may affect neural conduction properties in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, thereby modifying patients' disability, with prospective neurophysiological, urodynamic, clinical and subjective well-being evaluations.

Methods: In 55 out of 72 consecutively screened MS patients, the following procedures were carried out before (T0), at 2-6 months (T1) and at 6-15 months (T2) after a diagnostic phlebography, eventually followed by the PTA intervention if chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) was diagnosed: clinical/objective evaluation (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS), ratings of subjective well-being, evaluation of urodynamic functions and multimodal EPs (visual, acoustic, upper and lower limbs somatosensory and motor evoked potentials).

Results: The number of dropouts was relatively high, and a complete set of neurophysiological and clinical data remained available for 37 patients (19 for urological investigations). Read More

Exp Brain Res 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, 4-1-1 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan.

While previous studies assessed corticospinal excitability changes during and after motor imagery (MI) or action observation (AO) combined with peripheral nerve electrical stimulation (ES), we examined, for the first time, the time course of corticospinal excitability changes for MI during AO combined with ES (AO-MI + ES) using transcranial magnetic stimulation to measure motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in healthy individuals. Fourteen healthy volunteers participated in the following three sessions on different days: AO-MI alone, ES alone, and AO-MI + ES. In the AO-MI task, participants imagined squeezing and relaxing a ball, along with the respective actions shown in a movie, while passively holding the ball. Read More

Exp Brain Res 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Neuro-Regeneration, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan.

Caffeine, an adenosine receptor antagonist, is known to affect sleep-awake cycles, the stress response, and learning and memory. It has been suggested that caffeine influences synaptic plasticity, but the effects of caffeine on synaptic plasticity in the human brain remain unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of caffeine on long-term potentiation (LTP)-like effects in the primary motor cortex of healthy humans. Read More

Neurophysiol Clin 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, 53, Avenue Mounier, COSY- B1.53.04, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.

Objectives: Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) show a profound suppression when elicited during the instructed-delay of reaction time (RT) tasks. One predominant hypothesis is that this phenomenon, called "preparatory inhibition", reflects the operation of processes that suppress motor activity to withhold prepared (but delayed) responses, a form of impulse control. In addition, a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS) - a loud and narrow sound - can trigger the release of prepared responses in RT tasks. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) implanted in different basal ganglia nuclei regulates the dysfunctional neuronal circuits and improves symptoms in movement disorders. However, the understanding of the neurophysiological mechanism of DBS is at an early stage. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be used safely in movement disorder patients with DBS, and can shed light on how DBS works. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2018 Dec 3:1-8. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

d Neurology Unit , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.

Objective: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) represents a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive spasticity and lower limb weakness. We assessed the effects of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) in HSP.

Design: A double-blind, randomized, crossover and sham-controlled study. Read More

J Neurol 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.

Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia type 3 (ARCA3) is a rare inherited disorder caused by mutations in the ANO10 gene. The disease is characterized by slowly progressive spastic ataxia variably associated with motor neuron involvement, epilepsy, and cognitive decline. We performed mutational screening in 80 patients with sporadic or autosomal recessive adult-onset ataxia. Read More

Commun Biol 2018 26;1:205. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

1Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University Medical Centre Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.

Traumatic spinal cord injuries result in impairment or even complete loss of motor, sensory and autonomic functions. Recovery after complete spinal cord injury is very limited even in animal models receiving elaborate combinatorial treatments. Recently, we described an implantable microsystem (microconnector) for low-pressure re-adaption of severed spinal stumps in rat. Read More

Brain Stimul 2018 Nov 10. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Rijndam Rehabilitation Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Changes in transcranial magnetic stimulation motor map parameters can be used to quantify plasticity in the human motor cortex. The golden standard uses a counting analysis of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) acquired with a predefined grid. Recently, digital reconstruction methods have been proposed, allowing MEPs to be acquired with a faster pseudorandom procedure. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Nov 1:1-11. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

ObjectiveDisconnection of the cerebral hemispheres by corpus callosotomy (CC) is an established means to palliate refractory generalized epilepsy. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is gaining acceptance as a minimally invasive approach to treating epilepsy, but this method has not been evaluated in clinical series using established methodologies to assess connectivity. The goal in this study was to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of MRI-guided LITT for CC and to assess disconnection by using electrophysiology- and imaging-based methods. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Nov 1:1-9. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, accuracy, and relevance on surgical outcome of D-wave monitoring combined with somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) during resection of intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumors.METHODSClinical and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) data obtained in 108 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for IDEM tumors at the Institute for Scientific and Care Research "ASMN" of Reggio Emilia, Italy, were prospectively entered into a database and retrospectively analyzed. The IONM included SSEPs, MEPs, and-whenever possible-D-waves. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Background: Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is used as an adjunct to total intravenous anesthesia. However, its effect on intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) during brain tumor surgery remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of DEX on IOM during brain tumor surgery. Read More

Cereb Cortex 2018 Oct 11. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Oscillatory activity within sensorimotor networks is characterized by time-varying changes in phase and power. The influence of interactions between sensorimotor oscillatory phase and power on human motor function, like corticospinal output, is unknown. We addressed this gap in knowledge by delivering transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the human motor cortex during electroencephalography recordings in 20 healthy participants. Read More

Elife 2018 11 29;7. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Neural Control of Movement Lab, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

To date there exists no reliable method to non-invasively upregulate or downregulate the state of the resting human motor system over a large dynamic range. Here we show that an operant conditioning paradigm which provides neurofeedback of the size of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), enables participants to self-modulate their own brain state. Following training, participants were able to robustly increase (by 83. Read More

Front Neurosci 2018 13;12:683. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Speech, Hearing and Phonetic Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

This study aimed to characterize effects of coil orientation on the size of Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) from both sides of Orbicularis Oris (OO) and both First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) muscles, following stimulation to left lip and left hand Primary Motor Cortex. Using a 70 mm figure-of-eight coil, we collected MEPs from eight different orientations while recording from contralateral and ipsilateral OO and FDI using a monophasic pulse delivered at 120% active motor threshold. MEPs from OO were evoked consistently for six orientations for contralateral and ipsilateral sites. Read More

Complement Ther Med 2018 Dec 22;41:141-146. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

Department of Medical Sciences, Neurology and Psychiatry, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, NJ, USA. Electronic address:

Objectives: Rhodiola rosea extract is one of the most common herbal treatment for stress. Its mechanism of action in humans still need to be determined. We investigated the effect of a single dose intake of Rhodiola rosea extract on the plastic after-effects induced by anodal and cathodal motor cortex transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in humans. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2018 Nov 10;130(1):61-76. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

B.R.A.I.N. Center for Neuroscience, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Fleming 22, 34100 Trieste, Italy. Electronic address:

Objective: Brain dynamics in developmental stuttering (DS) are not well understood. The supplementary motor area (SMA) plays a crucial role, since it communicates with regions related to planning/execution of movements, and with sub-cortical regions involved in paced/voluntary acts (such as speech). We used TMS combined with EEG to shed light on connections in DS, stimulating the SMA. Read More

Cureus 2018 Sep 22;10(9):e3346. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

Neurophysiology, Axis Neuromonitoring, Richardson, USA.

Arthroscopic hip surgery is performed routinely for the treatment of various hip disorders. Leg traction during labral tear repair, femoroplasty, and acetabuloplasty for hip stabilization can stretch the peripheral nerves. This may cause temporary or permanent nerve injury. Read More

Exp Neurol 2018 Nov 22;312:51-62. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL 33136-1060, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States.

It was previously reported that a tube holding chitosan carriers loaded with neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), after insertion into a 5 mm long transection gap in the adult rat spinal cord, triggered de novo neural tissue generation and functional recovery. Here, we report an effort to validate these findings using stringent blinding methodologies, which are crucial for robustness in reproducing biomedical studies. Radio frequency identification (RFID) chips were utilized to label rats that were randomly assigned into three experimental groups: transection with chitosan-NT-3 implant (C-NT3), transection only (T-controls), and laminectomy only (S-controls), blinding the experimenters to the treatments. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2018 Nov 14. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Dept. of Neurosurgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany. Electronic address:

Intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) provide dorsal somatosensory system functional and localizing information, and complement motor evoked potentials. Correct application and interpretation require in-depth knowledge of relevant anatomy, electrophysiology, and techniques. It is advisable to facilitate cortical SEPs with total intravenous propofol-opioid or similarly favorable anesthesia. Read More

Brain Res 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 212 - 2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Ball, Vancouver, BC, V6T IZ3, Canada.

The ability to actively suppress, or gate, irrelevant sensory information is needed for safe and efficient walking in sensory-rich environments. Both attention and the late phase of motor preparation alter somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in healthy adults. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of attention on the processing of irrelevant somatosensory information during the early phase of preparation of plantarflexion movements. Read More

Exp Brain Res 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Neuromechanical Performance Research Laboratory, Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.

Torque depression (TD) is the reduction in steady-state isometric torque following active muscle shortening when compared to an isometric reference contraction at the same muscle length and activation level. Central nervous system excitability differs in the TD state. While torque production about a joint is influenced by both agonist and antagonist muscle activation, investigations of corticospinal excitability have focused on agonist muscle groups. Read More

Behav Sci (Basel) 2018 Nov 16;8(11). Epub 2018 Nov 16.

EA 4391 Excitabilité Nerveuse et Thérapeutique, Université Paris-Est, 94010 Créteil, France.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system through which patients can suffer from sensory, motor, cerebellar, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. Although cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions are frequently encountered in MS patients, they have previously received little attention. Among the most frequently impaired cognitive domains are attention, information processing speed, and working memory, which have been extensively addressed in this population. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 15. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Department of Neuroscience and Neurosurgery, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.

A 24-year-old female presented to neurosurgical consultation for chronic back pain. The patient was long-term in wheelchair for vertebral deformity. She was the third child of first-degree consanguineous parents. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:4764-4767

Non-invasive brain stimulation such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) involves passing low currents through the brain and is a promising tool for the modulation of cortical excitability. We computationally investigated the effects of the size of the anode in the conventional montage (contralateral supraorbital cathode) using finite element analysis (FEA) for the targeted leg area of the motor cortex where tDCS is challenging due to the depth and orientation of the leg motor area in the inter-hemispheric fissure. We used FEA to develop two anode sizes (same cathode size) with the same current density but different electric field magnitude at the targeted leg area of the motor cortex. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:3080-3083

Paired associative stimulation (PAS) has been shown to increase corticospinal excitability (CSE) providing a promising adjuvant therapeutic approach for stroke. Combining PAS with movement of the stimulated limb may further increase enhancement of CSE, however, individuals with moderate to severe stroke may not be able to engage in the necessary repetitive voluntary movements of the paretic limb. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of contralaterally coordinated PAS (ccPAS) applied to the resting hand extensors during fast extension of the contralateral hand. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:2687-2690

Motor-evoked potentials (MEP) are one of the most important responses to brain stimulation, such as supra-threshold transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electrical stimulation. The understanding of the neurophysiology and the determination of the lowest stimulation strength that evokes responses requires the detection of even smallest responses, e.g. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:2016-2019

Electroencephalography (EEG) based brain computer interfaces (BCI) introduces promising communication pathway between the brain and external devices, not only for the motor-impaired but also the healthy users. However, the current EEG-based interface device is not convenient enough for daily uses. In this study, we developed an EEG acquisition system that records brain signals without contacting scalp. Read More

PLoS One 2018 15;13(11):e0207476. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Section of Human Physiology, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.

Observing others' actions desynchronizes electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms and modulates corticospinal excitability as assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). However, it remains unclear if these measures reflect similar neurofunctional mechanisms at the individual level. In the present study, a within-subject experiment was designed to assess these two neurophysiological indexes and to quantify their mutual correlation. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Nov 14;8(1):16787. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Systems Neuroscience Section, Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute of National Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities, Saitama, Japan.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) enable communication with others and allow machines or computers to be controlled in the absence of motor activity. Clinical studies evaluating neural prostheses in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients have been performed; however, to date, no study has reported that ALS patients who progressed from locked-in syndrome (LIS), which has very limited voluntary movement, to a completely locked-in state (CLIS), characterized by complete loss of voluntary movements, were able to continue controlling neural prostheses. To clarify this, we used a BCI system to evaluate three late-stage ALS patients over 27 months. Read More

J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2018 Nov 12. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

ENT Clinic, Münster University Hospital, Kardinal-von-Galen-Ring 10, 48129, Münster, Germany.

This work started from the hypothesis that the physiological processes giving rise to the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) can be induced not only by transient sounds but also by a continuous stimulation with a stochastic signal. The hypothesis is based on the idea that the number of motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) decreases after a momentary amplitude increase of the effective stimulus, whereas a momentary amplitude decrease has the opposite effect. This concept was theoretically analyzed by assuming that the effective stimulus is closely related to the envelope of the stimulus actually presented. Read More

Front Neurol 2018 29;9:911. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.

To investigate brainstem function in idiopathic REM sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD), a condition occurring as a result of a derangement of connections within brainstem structures, with a battery of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs), neurophysiological tools suited for the functional investigation of the brainstem. Neurophysiological data were correlated with clinical characteristics of patients. Twenty patients with iRBD and 22 healthy controls underwent cervical (cVEMP), masseter (mVEMP) and ocular (oVEMP) VEMP recording. Read More

Cortex 2018 Dec 10;109:303-321. Epub 2018 Sep 10.

Neurology Department, University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania; Neurology Department, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. Electronic address:

The operculum, defined as the cortex adjacent to the insula, is a large structure encompassing three lobes, with a recognized role in a variety of neurologic and psychiatric conditions. Its complex functions include sensory, motor, autonomic and cognitive processing. In humans, these are extended with the addition of language. Read More

Neurosci Bull 2018 Dec 9;34(6):1091-1099. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.

Although extensively studied, the exact role of sleep in learning and memory is still not very clear. Sleep deprivation has been most frequently used to explore the effects of sleep on learning and memory, but the results from such studies are inevitably complicated by concurrent stress and distress. Furthermore, it is not clear whether there is a strict time-window between sleep and memory consolidation. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 5. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Department of Neurophysiology, Kashiwaba Neurosurgical Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.

Background: Monitoring of corticocortical evoked potentials (CCEPs) during brain tumor surgery of patients under anesthesia was recently reported to be effective in assisting in preservation of speech function. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CCEPs can be reproducibly measured between the frontal and temporal lobes during standard intracranial vascular surgery under general anesthesia; whether dynamic changes in CCEPs caused by reduced focal cerebral blood flow can be measured; and whether CCEPs can be used to monitor speech function, particularly associated with the left side of the brain.

Methods: We monitored CCEPs during 58 vascular surgeries (42 clipping procedures; 15 bypasses, 1 of which overlapped with clipping; and 2 hematoma removals from the left frontal and temporal lobe) at Kashiwaba Neurosurgical Hospital from October 2016 to January 2018. Read More

Eur J Neurosci 2018 Nov 8. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Centre for Sensorimotor Performance, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Sensorimotor adaptation to wedge prisms can alter the balance of attention between left and right space in healthy adults, and improve symptoms of spatial neglect after stroke. Here we asked whether the orienting of spatial attention to visual stimuli is affected by a different form of sensorimotor adaptation that involves physical perturbations of arm movement, rather than distortion of visual feedback. Healthy participants performed a cued discrimination task before and after they made reaching movements to a central target. Read More

Ann Neurol 2018 Nov 8. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Bioengineering, Centre for Neurotechnologies, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, UK.

Objective: Adjuvant protocols devised to enhance motor recovery in subacute stroke patients have failed to show benefits with respect to classic therapeutic interventions. Here we evaluate the efficacy of a novel brain-state dependent intervention based on known mechanisms of memory and learning, that is integrated as part of the weekly rehabilitation program in subacute stroke patients.

Methods: Twenty-four hospitalized subacute stroke patients were randomly assigned to two intervention groups; 1. Read More

Neural Plast 2018 10;2018:4135708. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo", Messina, Italy.

Background: Surround inhibition is a system that sharpens sensation by creating an inhibitory zone around the central core of activation. In the motor system, this mechanism probably contributes to the selection of voluntary movements, and it seems to be lost in dystonia To explore if sensory information is abnormally processed and integrated in focal hand dystonia (FHD) and if surround inhibition phenomena are operating during sensory-motor plasticity and somatosensory integration in normal humans and in patients with FHD We looked at the MEP facilitation obtained after 5 Hz repetitive paired associative stimulation of median (PAS M), ulnar (PAS U), and median + ulnar nerve (PAS MU) stimulation in 8 normal subjects and 8 FHD. We evaluated the ratio MU/(M + U) ∗ 100 and the spatial and temporal somatosensory integration recording the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) evoked by a dual nerve input. Read More

Front Neuroinform 2018 18;12:72. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.

Perceptual, motor and cognitive processes are based on rich interactions between remote regions in the human brain. Such interactions can be carried out through phase synchronization of oscillatory signals. Neuronal synchronization has been primarily studied within the same frequency range, e. Read More

BMC Anesthesiol 2018 Nov 7;18(1):161. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 229899, Singapore.

Background: The Auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is a new surgical option for hearing impaired children. Intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring includes brainstem mapping of cranial nerve (CN) IX, X, XI, XII and their motor nuclei, and corticobulbar tract motor-evoked potential. These require laryngeal electrodes and intra-oral pins, posing a challenge to airway management especially in the pediatric airway, where specialized electromyogram (EMG) tracheal tubes are not available. Read More

Scand J Med Sci Sports 2018 Nov 7. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Differences in the neural mechanisms underpinning eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) contractions exist; however, the acute effects of fatiguing muscle contractions on intracortical and corticospinal excitability are not well understood. Therefore, we compared maximal ECC and CON contractions of the right biceps brachii (BB) muscle for changes in corticospinal excitability, short- (SICI) and long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) up to 1 hour post-exercise. Fourteen right-handed adults (11 M/3F; 26. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2018 Nov 3;18(11). Epub 2018 Nov 3.

SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9220, Denmark.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can be used to induce neural plasticity in the human nervous system by pairing motor cortical activity with relevant afferent feedback, which can be used in neurorehabilitation. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal type or combination of afferent feedback modalities to increase cortical excitability in a BCI training intervention. In three experimental sessions, 12 healthy participants imagined a dorsiflexion that was decoded by a BCI which activated relevant afferent feedback: (1) electrical nerve stimulation (ES) (peroneal nerve-innervating tibialis anterior), (2) passive movement (PM) of the ankle joint, or (3) combined electrical stimulation and passive movement (Comb). Read More

NeuroRehabilitation 2018 Oct 31. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.

Background: Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation has been shown to modulate cortical excitability in various studies. Similarly, recent preliminary studies suggest that transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) may engender a modulation effect on spinal and cortical neurons.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dose-response effects of tsDCS in healthy subjects and thereby lay groundwork for expanding treatment options for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Read More