Hasil untuk "Neurophysiology and neuropsychology"

Annie TL Young, S. Danev, J. Lakey

The increasing demand for objective, neurophysiological tools to assess brain function in clinical settings has led to the development of advanced technologies, such as the BrainView qEEG discriminant database by Medeia Inc. The BrainView system provides a comprehensive approach to understanding cognitive processing changes due to aging and pathological conditions. This platform leverages key biomarkers like the N100, P300, and N400 event- related potentials (ERPs) to identify electrophysiological abnormalities and offer insights into cognitive processing across aging and neurological disorders. Age-related cognitive decline is often marked by alterations in these ERP components, particularly in attention, memory, and semantic processing. However, ERP alterations are more severe in pathological aging and disease. Additionally, these ERPs have proven essential in understanding conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and others. The BrainView system’s ability to detect subtle changes in brain function makes it a critical tool for early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating therapeutic interventions. With its extensive dataset, advanced statistical methods, and clinical focus, BrainView aids clinicians in making more informed decisions regarding patient care. As the database expands to include additional disorders, its role in personalized medicine and improving patient outcomes is set to grow. The BrainView ERP Platform represents a transformative advancement in neurophysiology and neuropsychology, offering a comprehensive, efficient, and accurate solution for brain health assessments, ultimately paving the way for a new standard in clinical neuroassessment.

Marianela Schiava, Yolande Parkhurst, Matthew Henderson et al.

Background and Objectives Valosin Containing Protein-associated multisystem proteinopathy (VCP-MSP) is a progressive, autosomal dominant disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the VCP gene, resulting in a heterogeneous clinical presentation. Muscle biopsy findings are characteristic but not pathognomonic. This study aimed to comprehensively analyse VCP-related myopathology and explore correlations with clinical phenotypes, genetic variants, and disease progression. Methods Muscle biopsy images and data were collected retrospectively from adults (≥18 years) with pathogenic or likely pathogenic VCP variants enrolled in the VCP Multicentre International Study. Biopsy data were standardized using the “Common Data Elements for Muscle Biopsy Reporting.” Variations in biopsy findings were analysed by biopsy site, time from disease onset, the four most common VCP variants, and clinical phenotypes. Result A total of 112 muscle biopsies were included. Most individuals were male (66.0%). The mean age at biopsy was 53.3 years (SD 10.0), with a mean disease duration of 6.5 years (SD 4.5). The most frequent VCP variant was c.464G>A (p.Arg155His) (18.8%). The top clinical phenotypes were isolated myopathy (37.5%), myopathy with Paget disease of bone (17.9%), and myopathy with motor neuron involvement (13.4%). The vastus lateralis was the most common biopsy site (34.8%), and 91% were open biopsies. Histopathologic findings included atrophic fibres (87.5%), rimmed vacuoles (72.3%), endomysial fibrosis (58.0%), and protein aggregates (51.8%), primarily p62 (60.3%) and VCP (36.2%). Degeneration niches with fibrofatty replacement and atrophic fibres were seen in 33.3% of biopsies without frequency differences by clinical phenotypes. There were no differences in biopsy findings among the 4 most common VCP gene variants, except for the absence of degeneration niches in muscle biopsies of 12 patients with c.277C>T (p.Arg93Cys). MRI data from 30 patients showed fat pockets corresponding to these niches and STIR hyperintensity correlated with inflammatory infiltrates in 42.9%. Concordance between clinical phenotype, biopsy, and neurophysiology was observed in only 49.4% of cases, indicating significant heterogeneity. Discussion VCP-MSP muscle biopsies consistently show myopathic or mixed patterns with rimmed vacuoles and p62/VCP-positive inclusions, regardless of clinical phenotype, age, or progression. Some lack vacuoles, challenging diagnosis. Discrepancies between clinical, neurophysiology, and biopsy findings should prompt consideration of VCP-MSP to improve detection and management.

Casazza Krista, Danev Slav, Lakey Jonathan

Chronic drug abuse induces progressive changes to brain anatomy and physiology leading to impairments in executive function, emotional regulation, memory, and reward processing. The assessment of the extent to which these changes affect cognitive function necessitates objective, neurophysiological tools. The advent of advanced technologies, such as the BrainView quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) discriminant database by Medeia Inc is positioned to provide a comprehensive approach to understanding altered cognitive processing related to chronic drug abuse. This platform leverages key biomarkers like the N100, P300, and N400 event-related potentials (ERPs) to identify electrophysiological abnormalities in the disrupted key neural circuits adversely affected by drug abuse, particularly those involving the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and striatum. qEEG allows for the detection of structural and physiological disruptions via assessment of electrophysiological alterations in ERPs. ERPs, such as diminished P300 amplitudes, reflect deficits in attentional and cognitive control. The BrainView system’s ability to detect subtle changes in brain function makes it a critical tool for early diagnosis, monitoring the progression of cognitive dysfunction, and evaluating therapeutic interventions. With its extensive dataset, advanced statistical methods, and clinical focus, BrainView represents a transformative advancement in neurophysiology and neuropsychology, offering a comprehensive, efficient, and accurate solution for brain health assessments, ultimately paving the way for a new standard in clinical neuroassessment.

N. B. Egorchenkova, O. Korobova

Background. Modern pedagogy is facing the challenges of modern times related to the conditions of information overload of students, which determines the need to find new teaching methods and explain the effectiveness of existing ones. The methods of brain research developed in recent decades make it possible to apply neuroscience data in pedagogy today, explaining the principles of functioning of different parts of the brain and higher mental functions of a person in their relationship with the learning process. The authors prove that the use of neurodidactic techniques in teaching, and in particular teaching foreign languages, increases the effectiveness of teaching and contributes to the long-term results. Purpose – analysis of the expediency and effectiveness of the use of neurodidactic techniques in teaching foreign languages. Materials and methods. To solve the tasks set in the work, various methods of analysis were used: observation, description and the comparative method. The article is based on the analysis of exercises based on the principles of neurodidactics and used in German language classes in the first and second year groups of Volgograd State University (pedagogical education with two training profiles (English and German). Results. Emerging at the intersection of neuroscience, such as neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropsychology and pedagogy, neurodidactics allows for a fresh look at the pedagogical experience available to teachers today and explains its achievements and failures. The information accumulated over several decades about the principles of functioning of different parts of the brain and higher mental functions of humans is now supported by modern methods of brain research that allow us to observe the learning process directly during their visualization. The principles of neurodidactics based on the data obtained determine the application of neurodidactic teaching methods, in particular in foreign language classes. The most effective and convenient to use were such neurodidactic techniques as alternation, interval repetition and extraction practice, which were already in the arsenal of reform educators before the advent of neuroscience data, but were explained and carefully developed only within the framework of neurodidactics.

Yu K, Xia L, Chen HH et al.

Ke Yu,1 Lan Xia,1 Hui-Hui Chen,1 Tian-Tian Zou,1 Yu Zhang,1 Ping Zhang,1 Ye Yang,1 Ru-Meng Wei,1 Zeng-Feng Su,2 Gui-Hai Chen1 1Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorder), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei (Chaohu), Anhui Province, 238000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei (Chaohu), Anhui Province, 238000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Gui-Hai Chen, Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei (Chaohu), 238000, People’s Republic of China, Email doctorcgh@163.com Zeng-Feng Su, Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei (Chaohu), 238000, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China, Email suzengfeng@163.comPurpose: The purpose of this study was to look into the relationship between pre-sleep arousal state, sleep reactivity, and serum levels of neuroendocrine hormones (cortisol, copeptin, and corticotropin-releasing hormone) in patients with chronic insomnia disorders (CID), and whether the effects of sleep reactivity and pre-sleep arousal on insomnia are related to the levels of these neuroendocrine hormones.Patients and Methods: This study included 61 CID patients and 27 healthy controls (HC) whose base data were matched to those of the CID patients. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS), and the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST) were used to evaluate the participants’ sleep, stress, and neuropsychological function. We measured the participants’ serum concentration levels of cortisol, copeptin, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), using quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results: The CID group had significantly greater serum levels of copeptin, CRH, and cortisol, as well as higher FIRST and PSAS scores than the HC group. The partial correlation analysis revealed a substantial and positive association among cortisol, CRH, copeptin PSQI, PSAS, and FIRST after adjusting for sex, age, depression, and cognition. Principal component analysis showed that PSQI, FIRST, and PSAS, as well as cortisol, CRH, and copeptin, were all loaded on factor 1.Conclusion: Patients with CID showed increased sleep reactivity and pre-sleep arousal, which correlated with serum levels of cortisol, copeptin, and CRH. Changes in neuroendocrine hormone levels may influence how pre-sleep arousal and sleep reactivity affect the development of insomnia.Keywords: chronic insomnia disorder, pre-sleep arousal, sleep reactivity, hormones, neuroendocrine

Francisco J. Flores-Ramirez, Jessica M. Illenberger, Rémi Martin-Fardon

A major challenge for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is relapse to alcohol use, even after protracted periods of self-imposed abstinence. Stress significantly contributes to the chronic relapsing nature of AUD, given its long-lasting ability to elicit intense craving and precipitate relapse. As individuals transition to alcohol dependence, compensatory allostatic mechanisms result in insults to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, mediated by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which is subsequently hypothesized to alter brain reward pathways, influence affect, elicit craving, and ultimately perpetuate problematic drinking and relapse vulnerability. Orexin (OX; also called hypocretin) plays a well-established role in regulating diverse physiological processes, including stress, and has been shown to interact with CRF. Interestingly, most hypothalamic cells that express Ox mRNA also express Pdyn mRNA. Both dynorphin and OX are located in the same synaptic vesicles, and they are co-released. The infralimbic cortex (IL) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has emerged as being directly involved in the compulsive nature of alcohol consumption during dependence. The IL is a CRF-rich region that receives OX projections from the hypothalamus and where OX receptor mRNA has been detected. Although not thoroughly understood, anatomical and behavioral pharmacology data suggest that CRF, OX, and dynorphin may interact, particularly in the IL, and that functional interactions between these three systems in the IL may be critical for the etiology and pervasiveness of compulsive alcohol seeking in dependent subjects that may render them vulnerable to relapse. The present review presents evidence of the role of the IL in AUD and discusses functional interactions between CRF, OX, and dynorphin in this structure and how they are related to exacerbated alcohol drinking and seeking.

Yao Song Han, Jo Anne Saw, JiangWei Yu et al.

Objective Increasing number of depression cases, drug tolerability and compliance issues have triggered researchers to actively seek potential alternative treatment modalities. Integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (integrative medicine) has demonstrated favourable treatment outcomes for depression. However, most studies have focused on single-modality of TCM therapy, and its sustainability has rarely been evaluated. This protocol aims to describe a trial investigating the multi-modality integrative medicine effectiveness while measuring the post-intervention effect sustainability in treating liver stagnation and spleen deficiency in major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods/design A total of 318 eligible patients meeting the International Statistical Classification of Disease 10th Edition criteria for MDD and diagnosed with liver stagnation and spleen deficiency will be randomly allocated to receive Western medicine (Group A), Western medicine plus single-modality non-invasive TCM (Group B) or Western medicine plus comprehensive TCM (Group C). Each patient will receive a 6-week treatment; primary outcomes measured will be the overall response rate, changes in both Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 24 and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale scores 18 weeks after randomisation. The secondary outcomes will include scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Health-related Quality of Life scale and Family Burden Scale 0, 3, 6, 10 and 18 weeks post-randomisation. Intention-to-treat analysis will be conducted using repeated-measures analysis of variance and covariance.Discussion Because there are various manifestations of MDD from the perspective of TCM, this trial may recommend a customised evidence-based regimen with longer potency for treating liver stagnation and spleen deficiency in MDD.

Mukta Ramchandani, Shantanu Bhattacharya, Ivan Coste-Manière

Purpose This study aims to understand how unimanual and bimanual motor actions in the form of writing a message (handwriting and typing) influences consumer behavior intention and attitude. Design/methodology/approach Three studies have been conducted to understand how the method of writing (typing or handwriting) and moderator type of message (moderator: emotional vs. rational) can influence persuasion variables. Findings This paper shows evidence that bimanual and unimanual motor actions activate contralateral brain hemispheres and influence consumer behavior. Specifically, how the use of these motor actions leads to a change in behavior intention and attitude. Furthermore, how bidirectional behavior and role-reversal occurs when a unimanual vs bimanual motor actions are used to create an emotional or rational message. Research limitations/implications This research focuses on explaining cognitive implications of unimanual vs bimanual motor actions (typing vs handwriting) on self and specifically on consumers when they are exposed to situations of producing/creating a message. Adding further evidence to persuasion, behavior intention and attitude research in embodied cognition (e.g. Petty and Cacioppo, 1986b; Briñol and Petty, 2008), the role of haptic interfaces in online marketing and consumer behavior (e.g. Brasel and Gips, 2015). The authors did not collect any FMRI data but it can be the future scope of this work. Practical implications The novel findings of bimanual and unimanual motor actions have a direct application to the current scenario of the online reviews/surveys, which have become a crucial point for e-commerce businesses and retailers that require customers to give feedback. Since, consumer emotions can influence behavioral outcomes and decision making through sensory cues (Abdolmohamad Sagha et. al, 2022; Haase Wiedmann and Labenz, 2022). From this perspective, depending on the mapping/recording of the felt emotionality or rationality by the customer, the feedback method can be oriented in a way to reduce the effect of negative reviews. Further applications are suggested for retailers, increasing prosocial or sustainable behavior and attitudes. Social implications Marketing and advertising research conducted in different social settings is considered important in neuropsychology and neurophysiology research (Pozharliev et al., 2017). Therefore, this research can be extended to test in different social settings and marketing contexts, for example, in the virtual reality, metaverse and gamification. Thus, this research can serve as an avenue to examine the bimanual and unimanual motor actions in a scenario where the participants can combine several motor actions, for example, talking on the phone or walking while filling consumer reviews online/offline and wearing the VR devices like Apple Vision Pro and performing unimanual or bimanual motor actions. Originality/value Mapping of human behavior has always been done dependent on the cognition aspect and limited in its scope for embodied cognition. The results can be used for more direct and impactful ways of conducting surveys, feedback and handling communications for major businesses. In addition, it can be a helpful tool for message persuasion for a new brand or increasing awareness about sustainable consumption depending on typed or handwritten inputs by a potential consumer.

R. Hardstone, Lauren M Ostrowski, A. N. Dusang et al.

Amjad Sohail

For thinking, brain activity occurs, yet not every area of our brain is active when we think about various things. There are significant ramifications for cognitive psychology and neuroscience from functional brain areas. It should enable us to apply neurophilosophical theories to the brain. This review aims to draw attention to neurophilosophy and its focus on fundamental problems in neuroscientific theories to address age-old metaphysical issues, i.e., the nature of consciousness, thinking, intention, and action. There are different theories and points of view in the field of neurophilosophy, but eliminative materialists and reductive materialists (a.k.a. mind-brain identity theory) are both strong candidates. Those are very well-established in the philosophy of mind, and they run counter to the development of conceptual succession in neuroscience. Both theorists rely on neuroscience to back up their conclusions about the mind. Eliminative materialism has received a lot of attention from several philosophical points of view. It begins with a critique of commonsense psychology and offers neurophilosophy as an alternative. So, for reductive materialists, mind is brain, whereas for eliminativists mind as brain. Both theorists have different views about mental states to cohere with neurophysiology. The philosophical problem of dualism, as the body/brain (physical), and mind/cognition (mental) is discussed in psychiatry, neuropsychology, and neuroscience. Neurophilosophy deals with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to shed light on psychosocial problems like moral psychology, free will, social interaction, and mood disorders. An fMRI is a neuroimaging technique and an essential tool for bridging cognitive psychology and neurophilosophic theories. It is used to investigate mental resilience, impairments, changes in neural dynamics, and neuroplasticity mainly for brain trauma. I will tie this discussion by discussing fMRI and commonsense psychology as exploratory rather than confirmatory evidence in my conclusion. How to cite this: Sohail A. Neurophilosophy: A Philosophical Analysis for Interpretation of fMRI to Replace the Commonsense Psychology. Life and Science. 2023; 4(4): 494-500. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.392

J. Belmonte, E. Callaway, P. Churchland et al.

Atousa Sharifi, Ali Zandieh, Zahra Behroozi et al.

Abstract Introduction Chondroitinase ABC (chABC) is an enzyme could improve regeneration and thereby improving functional recovery of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rodent models. Degradation of the active enzyme and diffusion away from the lesion are the causes of using hydrogels as a scaffold to deliver the chABC into the lesion site. In this meta-analysis, we investigated the effects of chABC embedded in a scaffold or hydrogel on the functional recovery after SCI. Method Databases were searched based on keywords related to chABC and spinal cord injury (SCI). Primary and secondary screening was performed to narrow down study objectives and inclusion criteria, and finally the data were included in the meta-analysis. The standard mean difference of the score of the functional recovery that measured by Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) test after SCI was used to analyze the results of the reported studies. Subgroup analysis was performed based on SCI model, severity of SCI, transplantation type, and the follow-up time. Quality control of articles was also specified. Results The results showed that embedding chABC within the scaffold increased significantly the efficiency of functional recovery after SCI in animal models (SMD = 1.95; 95% CI 0.71–3.2; p = 0.002) in 9 studies. SCI model, severity of SCI, injury location, transplantation type, and the follow-up time did not affect the overall results and in all cases scaffold effect could not be ignored. However, due to the small number of studies, this result is not conclusive and more studies are needed. Conclusion The results could pave the way for the use of chABC embedded in the scaffold for the treatment of SCI and show that this method of administration is superior to chABC injection alone.

Afzal Akbari Baloutbangan, Fardin farmani, Fatemeh Abdpoor et al.

Aim and Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of bullying control training on the health-promoting behaviors of adolescent bullies: the mediating role of perceived social support. Methods and Materials: The study design was quasi-experimental with pre- and post-test and one-month follow-up with control groups. The statistical population consisted of adolescents aged 14 to 17 years old from public schools of District 17 in Tehran. 40 adolescents who were compatible with inclusion criteria and obtained a high score in the Harter bullying scale were randomly selected and assigned to two experimental and control groups. The research tools consisted of the Perceived social support scale by Zimet et al. (1988) and the Health Promoting Behavior of Walker et al. (1987), which was completed in three phases (pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up) by both groups. The Bullying Control Education program was implemented at eight sessions of 90 minutes for the experimental group. Structural modeling with minor least squares approach was used in several multi-response patterns using SPSSV22 and SmartPLSV3.3 software for data analysis. Findings: The results showed that Bullying Control Education had a positive and significant effect on Social Support and Health Promoting Behaviors in the post-test and follow-up phases. The results also showed that Bullying Control Education has an indirect and significant effect on Health Promoting Behaviors due to social support. The research model in the post-test phase was 51%, and in the follow-up phase, 54% of the variance of Health Promoting Behaviors. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it can be said that the effectiveness of Bullying Control Education on Health Promoting Behaviors with the mediating role of Perceived Social Support is desirable. Therefore, teachers' knowledge, parents, psychologists, consultants, and other educational professionals from these variables can be helpful.

Emily K. Round, Mark A. Wetherell, Vicki Elsey et al.

Teachers are an occupational group particularly prone to suffering from burnout, a condition caused by chronic stress from work overload. Burnout is a risk factor for adverse psychological and physical health, thus it is important to test the efficacy of tools and techniques for alleviating burnout and enhancing job satisfaction. One potentially suitable technique is positive expressive writing. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a positive writing intervention on burnout, job satisfaction, anxiety, perceived stress and self-reported physical symptoms and compared these effects in teachers and other full-time workers.A group of teachers (n = 35) and a group of non-teachers (n = 31) who worked full-time in other professions were randomly allocated to complete either three consecutive days of positive expressive writing, or writing about a more neutral topic, online, 20 minutes per day, for three consecutive days State anxiety declined to a greater extent for participants in the positive writing condition compared to the neutral writing condition. Positive writing also conferred benefits on some aspects of job satisfaction, but not burnout. There were no specific benefits for teachers compared to non-teachers. The present study is the first to observe that positive expressive writing may be a useful technique for enhancing job satisfaction in full-time workers.

Jintu Kurian, Soubhagyalaxmi Mohanthy, Ramesh Mavathur Nanjumdaih

BACKGROUND Research in India has recognized Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (t2dm) and prediabetes (pdm) as psychosomatic metabolic endocrine disorders characterized by glycemic disharmony. This review aimed at collating information from published e-papers on mechanism of action (MOA) of yoga therapy(YT) and integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) on pdm and t2dm. METHOD Content on YT and the MOA on prevention and management of t2dm were extracted from online sources such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane library and Library genesis. This review included 58 articles related to prediabetes, t2dm, pre-diabetes to t2dm conversion, mechanism of action of Yoga, Yoga and t2dm, prediabetes and yoga. Articles related to type 1 diabetes, diabetes insipidus and gestational diabetes were excluded. RESULT Current scientific review resulted in understanding the different mechanisms involved in rejuvenating effect of Yoga as YT and IAYT in prediabetes and t2dm. However, the various mechanisms by which the interventions work are understood either through a single or combined impact on regaining autonomic balance, vagal modulation, regulation of hormones and thereby attaining glycemic control. Moreover, these mechanisms are the forthcomings of the cross talk between brain, mind and body systems under branches of neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology, psychophysiology, psycho neuroendocrinology and/or neuropsychology. CONCLUSION Evidence sought from published research works proclaim YT based life style modification for prevention and management of t2dm. Summing up, the effect is stipulated based on the approach, method of practice, time of the day, belief and dedication of the practitioners.

Panagiotis Kourtesis, Sarah E. MacPherson

William D Gaillard, N. Jetté, Susan Arnold et al.

Presurgical evaluation and surgery in the pediatric age group are unique in challenges related to caring for the very young, range of etiologies, choice of appropriate investigations, and surgical procedures. Accepted standards that define the criteria for levels of presurgical evaluation and epilepsy surgery care do not exist. Through a modified Delphi process involving 61 centers with experience in pediatric epilepsy surgery across 20 countries, including low–middle‐ to high‐income countries, we established consensus for two levels of care. Levels were based on age, etiology, complexity of presurgical evaluation, and surgical procedure. Competencies were assigned to the levels of care relating to personnel, technology, and facilities. Criteria were established when consensus was reached (≥75% agreement). Level 1 care consists of children age 9 years and older, with discrete lesions including hippocampal sclerosis, undergoing lobectomy or lesionectomy, preferably on the cerebral convexity and not close to eloquent cortex, by a team including a pediatric epileptologist, pediatric neurosurgeon, and pediatric neuroradiologist with access to video‐electroencephalography and 1.5‐T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Level 2 care, also encompassing Level 1 care, occurs across the age span and range of etiologies (including tuberous sclerosis complex, Sturge‐Weber syndrome, hypothalamic hamartoma) associated with MRI lesions that may be ill‐defined, multilobar, hemispheric, or multifocal, and includes children with normal MRI or foci in/abutting eloquent cortex. Available Level 2 technologies includes 3‐T MRI, other advanced magnetic resonance technology including functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (tractography), positron emission tomography and/or single photon emission computed tomography, source localization with electroencephalography or magnetoencephalography, and the ability to perform intra‐ or extraoperative invasive monitoring and functional mapping, by a large multidisciplinary team with pediatric expertise in epilepsy, neurophysiology, neuroradiology, epilepsy neurosurgery, neuropsychology, anesthesia, neurocritical care, psychiatry, and nursing. Levels of care will improve safety and outcomes for pediatric epilepsy surgery and provide standards for personnel and technology to achieve these levels.

Shi-Shuang Cui, Rao Fu, Juan-Juan Du et al.

Abstract Background Differences of genotypes between male and female have been studied in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but limited research has focused on the comparison between sexes with LRRK2 G2385 variant. Objective The aim of this study was to explore sex effects in the same genetic subtype and role of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2385R variants in the same sex in PD. Methods 613 PD patients were recruited from the Movement Disorders Clinic in Ruijin Hospital. We did not include healthy controls in this study. The data collected includes demographic information, disease history, scores of motor and non-motor symptoms scales, midbrain transcranial sonography and DNA. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between clinical features and sex in LRRK2 G2385R carriers and non-carriers, as well as the association between the clinical features and LRRK2 G2385R variants in male and female sex. Results Sex distribution is similar in LRRK2 G2385R carriers and non-carriers. In male sex, LRRK2 G2385R carriers showed lower risk in cognitive impairment compared with non-carriers (OR = 0.301, p = 0.003, 95%CI 0.135–0.668). In female sex, LRRK2 G2385R carriers showed lower risk in autonomic dysfunction compared with non-carrier (OR = 0.401, p = 0.040, 95%CI 0.167–0.960). In LRRK2 G2385R non-carriers, female sex showed lower risk of impairment in activity of daily living (OR = 0.610, p = 0.021, 95%CI 0.400–0.928), excessive daytime sleepiness (OR = 0.555, p = 0.007, 95%CI 0.361–0.853), substantia nigra hyperechogenicity (OR = 0.448, p = 0.019, 95%CI 0.228–0.878), autonomic dysfunction frequency (OR = 0.626, p = 0.016, 95%CI 0.428–0.917) and higher risk in mood disorders (OR = 1.691, p = 0.022, 95%CI 1.078–2.654) compared with male. In LRRK2 G2385R carriers, female sex showed a lower risk of autonomic dysfunction (OR = 0.294, p = 0.024, 95%CI 0.102–0.849) compared with male. Conclusion In contrast to male PD patients, a more benign disease course was observed in female in both LRRK2 G2385R carriers and non-carriers. However, sex differences were less notable in PD with LRRK2 G2385R variants.

Wendy V. Parr

Over recent decades, cognitive psychology has made a significant contribution to our understanding of wine-tasting phenomena. At the most fundamental level the discipline's contribution has made us aware that even an apparently 'simple' judgment, such as noting that a wine's odour reflects over-ripe fruit, involves not just our nose but sophisticated cognitive processing. With its information-processing model of how people interact with their surrounding world, and its methodologies and theories regarding how we perceive, conceptualise, remember, image, make judgments, and communicate our experiences, cognitive psychology has markedly advanced our understanding of wine tasting and wine tasters. This review highlights notable wine sensory research outcomes that make evident the importance of a taster's cognitive processes in their wine analysis and appreciation. These include data providing evidence for colour-flavour perceptual bias, prototypical thinking, knowledge-based wine judgments, the close links between olfactory memory, autobiographical memory and emotion, and the notion of wine expertise. Further, it will be argued that such data demonstrate how a consensus model, still dominant in much wine sensory analysis, is limited at best and inappropriate for sensory analysis of complex products such as wine in many contexts. Critical to this argument is appreciating that differences amongst tasters, reflecting each individual's physiology, experience and knowledge, are valid data in themselves rather than 'error in the machine' as they were conceptualised within traditional consensus models of sensory analysis. The article terminates with reference to a promise for even greater understanding of wine tasting phenomena that the future offers by links between cognitive psychology's behavioural data and recent technological advances in neuropsychology and neurophysiology (e.g., cerebral imaging techniques).

Silvia Diviccaro, Roberto Cosimo Melcangi, Silvia Giatti

The presence of side effects during pharmacological treatment is unfortunately a quite common problem. In this review, we focused our attention on adverse events related to 5 alpha-reductase (5α-R) inhibitors (i.e., finasteride and dutasteride), approved for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia (AGA).Although these drugs are generally well tolerated, many reports described adverse effects in men during treatment, such as sexual dysfunction and mood alteration. In addition, it has been also reported that persistent side effects may occur in some AGA patients. This condition, termed post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is characterized by sexual side effects (i.e., low libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased arousal and difficulty in achieving orgasm), depression, anxiety and cognitive complaints that are still present despite drug withdrawal. Indeed, some national agencies (e.g., Swedish Medical Products Agency, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency of UK and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) required to include multiple persistent side effects within the finasteride labels.As here reported, these observations are mainly based on self-reporting of the symptomatology by the patients and few clinical studies have been performed so far. In addition, molecular mechanisms and/or genetic determinants behind such adverse effects have been poorly explored both in patients and animal models. Therefore, results here discussed indicate that PFS is an emerging clinical problem that needs to be further elucidated.