Search

The reactivity of an electroencephalogram (EEG) to external stimuli is impaired in comatose patients showing burst-suppression (BS) patterns following hypoxic–ischemic brain injury (HIBI). We explored the reactivity of BS induced by isoflurane in rat models of HIBI and controls using intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) delivered to one eye. The relative time spent in suppression referred to as the suppression ratio (SR) was measured on the contralateral fronto-occipital cortical EEG channel. The BS reactivity (BSR) was defined as the decrease in the SR during IPS from the baseline before stimulation (SRPRE). We found that BSR increased with SRPRE. To standardize by anesthetic depth, we derived the BSR index (BSRi) as BSR divided by SRPRE. We found that the BSRi was decreased at 3 days after transient global cerebral ischemia in rats, which is a model of brain injury after cardiac arrest. The BSRi was also reduced 2 months after experimental perinatal asphyxia in rats, a model of birth asphyxia, which is a frequent neonatal complication in humans. Furthermore, Oxytocin attenuated BSRi impairment, consistent with a neuroprotective effect in this model. Our data suggest that the BSRi is a promising translational marker in HIBI which should be considered in future neuroprotection studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Stress, a phenomenon which has turned into an epidemic, is a major health concern because it affects the general population, having a strong negative impact on the psychoemotional, physical and social health. Aims. The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of Health&Wellness Coaching (HWC) intervention on stress levels, as evidenced by physical/mental/psychological changes, and to identify non-invasive ways of early detection of high stress levels, which may play an essential role in the prophylaxis of chronic diseases often associated with stress. Methods. The HWC intervention was carried out on 24 subjects, and consisted in 8 online sessions for each of them. The sessions were mixed training and coaching sessions, held once every two weeks, and lasted for approximately 60 min/session. In the training sessions, useful medical information related to stress was provided (info training), while in the coaching sessions subjects were guided and empowered to reduce their stress levels. Results. The results showed an optimization of physical/mental/psychological parameters, with a simultaneous decrease in perceived stress levels, and a favorable impact on the subjects’ quality of life, as evidenced by psychometric measurements (DASS_21R, Decisional Capacity and QOLI) and mental/brain measurements using fNIRS technology (Functional Near- Infrared Spectroscopy, with the Mendi device). Conclusion. The present research confirms that HWC is an effective intervention in reducing the level of perceived stress and we believe that it can be a promising alternative for the prophylaxis of chronic diseases, and that DASS-21R could be a useful tool for the detection of a high degree of psycho/emotional/mental impairment, which can negatively influence the level of stress in the body, i.e. QOLI can detect the most affected areas of satisfaction with life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We proposed that the brain's electrical activity is composed of a sequence of alternating states with repeating topographic spectral distributions on scalp electroencephalogram (EEG), referred to as oscillatory macrostates. The macrostate showing the largest decrease in the probability of occurrence, measured as a percentage (reactivity), during sensory stimulation was labelled as the default EEG macrostate (DEM). This study aimed to assess the influence of awareness on DEM reactivity (DER). We included 11 middle cerebral artery ischaemic stroke patients with impaired awareness having a median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 6/15 and a group of 11 matched healthy controls. EEG recordings were carried out during auditory 1 min stimulation epochs repeating either the subject's own name (SON) or the SON in reverse (rSON). The DEM was identified across three SON epochs alternating with three rSON epochs. Compared with the patients, the DEM of controls contained more posterior theta activity reflecting source dipoles that could be mapped in the posterior cingulate cortex. The DER was measured from the 1 min quiet baseline preceding each stimulation epoch. The difference in mean DER between the SON and rSON epochs was measured by the salient EEG reactivity (SER) theoretically ranging from −100% to 100%. The SER was 12.4 ± 2.7% (Mean ± standard error of the mean) in controls and only 1.3 ± 1.9% in the patient group (P < 0.01). The patient SER decreased with the Glasgow Coma Scale. Our data suggest that awareness increases DER to SON as measured by SER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. At present, the quality of life occupies a privileged place within society, representing an essential barometer both at the social and individual level. It comprises several dimensions, including interpersonal relationships, physical wellbeing and mental or emotional well-being, which are evidenced by a series of indicators, such as self-esteem, avoidance of excessive stress, health, the number of social contacts, the presence of clearly defined goals, etc. Aims. The purpose of this research is to highlight the increasing presence of psycho-emotional disturbances, most often related to stress, which lead to the alteration of the quality of personal life, as well as to introduce new methods of intervention, in the hope of increasing the degree of awareness about them. Methods. In this work we will present the favorable evolution of a 40-year-old woman suffering from a marked deterioration in the quality of her personal life, as well as a high level of stress, with pathological personal antecedents in the psycho-emotional sphere, and who followed a type of Health & Wellness Coaching (HWC) intervention between 2018-2019, with a view to assess the effects on the quality of life. The effect of the intervention was documented through the initial and final evaluations. Results. The results showed a significant improvement in the subject’s quality of life, brought about by a change in lifestyle, with a positive impact at the physical, psycho-emotional and social level, evidenced by the increase in self-esteem and the levels of communication and socialization. Conclusion. The study demonstrates that HWC is an effective method in the process of lifestyle reorganization, in the case of people with stress-related conditions, resulting in the improvement of their quality of life, the positive impact of this technique extending to physical, psychoemotional and social levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we follow possible physiological changes induced by the practice of prayer (in the Christian Orthodox Tradition), PCOT, after a daily individual practice of 30 minutes, for 8 weeks. The participants (n=33) were divided into two groups (Study Group, n=16, with an average age of 39.2 years and Control Group, n=17, with an average age of 38.6 years). The subjects of the Study Group - faithful Orthodox Christian without the habit of daily prayer being instructed during a 3-hour session on the psycho-emotional, behavioral and spiritual specifics of PCOT. On subjects in the Control Group did not receive any training. Before and after the 8 week period of daily PCOT practice, 30 min, saliva samples were collected in the morning, one hour after waking up, pre- and post-test levels of the following salivary markers: Cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), Immunoglobulin A (IgA), Oxytocin, Testosterone and the cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) being analyzed comparatively. The results indicate a statistically significant decrease in salivary Cortisol and a post-test increase of IL-6 in the subjects of the Study Group in comparison to the levels measured at pre-test, suggesting that POCT may improve the physiological response to stress and the inflammatory response. No statistically significant results were obtained for the other salivary markers. We discuss results in the context of similar studies, highlighting some specific limitations of the studies that evaluate the physiological changes induced by spiritual/religious experiences, especially those that use salivary markers, while also formulating some recommendations for increasing the methodological quality of future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of nonapeptides in the modulation of sleep has been described by several studies; yet, little evidence is found on the effects on sleep of oxytocin (OT), a nonapetide involved in human social behaviour and in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. The aim of the present study is to examine whether intranasal administration of OT has any effect on sleep architecture. Ten healthy male volunteers were included in a double-blind, cross-over study and were randomly administered nasal instillations of either placebo or OT. A one-month washout period was allowed between the administrations of each substance. Polysomnographic recordings were performed: before the beginning of drug administration, after seven days and after one month. We found that long-term administration of OT influences sleep architecture by reducing sleep latencies, increasing the sleep efficiency and increasing the percent of REM sleep episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Attractive therapeutic strategies to enhance post-stroke recovery of aged brains include methods of cellular therapy that can enhance the endogenous restorative mechanisms of the injured brain. Since stroke afflicts mostly the elderly, it is highly desirable to test the efficacy of cell therapy in the microenvironment of aged brains that is generally refractory to regeneration. In particular, stem cells from the bone marrow allow an autologous transplantation approach that can be translated in the near future to the clinical practice. Such a bone marrow-derived therapy includes the grafting of stem cells as well as the delayed induction of endogenous stem cell mobilization and homing by the stem cell mobilizer granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). We tested the hypothesis that grafting of bone marrow-derived pre-differentiated mesenchymal cells (BM-MSCs) in G-CSF-treated animals improves the long-term functional outcome in aged rodents. To this end, G-CSF alone (50 μg/kg) or in combination with a single dose (106 cells) of rat BM MSCs was administered intravenously to Sprague-Dawley rats at 6 h after transient occlusion (90 min) of the middle cerebral artery. Infarct volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging at 3 and 48 days post-stroke and additionally by immunhistochemistry at day 56. Functional recovery was tested during the entire post-stroke survival period of 56 days. Daily treatment for post-stroke aged rats with G-CSF led to a robust and consistent improvement of neurological function after 28 days. The combination therapy also led to robust angiogenesis in the formerly infarct core and beyond in the “islet of regeneration.” However, G-CSF + BM MSCs may not impact at all on the spatial reference-memory task or infarct volume and therefore did not further improve the post-stroke recovery. We suggest that in a real clinical practice involving older post-stroke patients, successful regenerative therapies would have to be carried out for a much longer time.

There is growing evidence suggesting a bidirectional interaction between the central nervous system, the enteric nervous system, and the gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies show that a pivotal factor for these gut-brain interactions is the gut microbiota. The microbiome was recently associated with modulation of behavior, cognition, and mental health. Multiple mechanisms, including nervous, endocrine, immune, and metabolic pathways are involved in the gut microbiota-brain axis, and conversely, the brain can also regulate the gut microenvironment. A more thorough understanding of the relationship between gut microbiota and the brain could advance our knowledge about the physiopathology of neurological diseases and help identify new target therapies via modulation of the microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cerebellum is well known for its role in movement coordination, but its impact on cognitive function has been recently emerged. The cerebellum has an intricate organization system with subunits with a sagittal disposition. The classic view over the cerebellum functions places its role as a regulator of the cerebral cortex's motor areas through the cerebellothalamic network. Recently, studies conducted in animal models by electrophysiological and histological methods, and in humans by magnetic resonance imaging, have been suggested that the cerebrocerebellar circuit is also a regulator of the non-motor regions of the brain. The involvement of the cerebellum in motor adaptation has been partly studied using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. The cerebellum lesions cause movement incoordination syndromes such as ataxia and dystonia. Functional neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies revealed new data regarding cerebellumrelated pathologies and justified a careful reconsideration of the traditional cerebellar organization model. We summarize here the research on potential mechanisms of neurological and behavioral abnormalities, providing novel insight into how cerebellum functions. The physiologic mechanisms of cerebellar functioning are still the object of ongoing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The belief that the cerebellum is involved only in the motor function has been lately changed, as new research data supports its participation also in high cognitive functions and affection. A dysfunctional cerebellum has been proven to be associated with the existence of abnormal cerebral networks that communicate with the limbic system. Therefore, this organization can offer the cerebellum the ability to influence several higher functions of the cerebral cortex and the regulation of emotions. Functional neuroimaging, histological, and electrophysiological studies revealed surprising details regarding cerebellumrelated pathologies and justified a careful reconsideration of the traditional cerebellar organization model. This paper has identified and summarized potential mechanisms facilitating the occurrence of neurological and behavioral abnormalities, providing new perspectives regarding cerebellum functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report presents a comprehensive assessment of four maltreated adolescents, two half-siblings, and two non-identical twins to investigate the effects of complex childhood trauma on brain functioning. The study aimed to identify shared psychophysiological features in the electroencephalographic (EEG) data of these adolescents compared to database norms. Quantitative EEG, event-related potentials (ERPs), and their independent components were analyzed to examine alterations in patterns of electrical activity associated with psychopathology. In the half-sibling pair, enhanced P1 and N1 amplitudes were observed during the cued Go/NoGo task, while reduced N2 amplitude was present in the fraternal twins. The type of trauma also seems to affect EEG spectral distribution and higher-order cognitive processes, such as attention allocation and response inhibition (N2 wave). Specifically, physically abused and bullied adolescents showed reduced N2 amplitudes and lower alpha power in the posterior region. No significant differences were noted in the ERP-independent components for maltreated adolescents compared to norms. The analysis of these cases aimed to provide insights into the neurobiological substrates underlying the overlapping symptoms and syndromes of child maltreatment, which may aid in differential diagnosis and the development of targeted interventions for trauma-related psychopathology in adolescents., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Commission for Ethics in Scientific Research in Socio-Human Sciences and Other Non-medical Fields Involving Human Subjects and/or Experimental Animals - “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania issued approval 30/31.07.2023. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: This research was partially funded by the Trauma Research Foundation, grant contract number 5465/17.11.2023. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Marcu et al.)

During inspiration the heart rate (HR) increases and during expiration it decreases. Contribution of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) to spontaneous heart rate variability (HRV) can be measured as the high frequency (HF) component of variation in consecutive R-R intervals on ECG. In conscious rats, slowing of HR is associated with an increase in HF. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this relationship between HF and HR is preserved during anesthesia in rat. A 15 minutes long ECG signal was recorded from rats (N=15) under moderate chloral hydrate (CHL) anesthesia. Recordings were extended with 45 minutes to investigate the effect of atropine (N=3), against controls (N=3). Short term HRV was investigated in 30 seconds long epochs. HF was considered the frequency band between 0.8 and 1.6 Hz. RSA was quantified as the relative spectral power of the HF. Respiratory frequency (RF) was quantified as the mean spectral frequency within the HF band. One minute estimates of HR, RSA and HF were calculated by averaging 3 epochs of 30 seconds overlapped 50%. The average HR was 427 +/- 3 bpm. The magnitude of RSA was 45 +/- 1% at a RF of 71 +/- 1 rpm. We found that: (1) the decrease in HR that occurs during CHL anesthesia in rat correlates with an increase in RSA; (2) atropine reduces RSA and the time-dependent decrease in HR; (3) the time-dependent increase in RSA is preserved after atropine. We conclude that the correlation between RSA and HR reflects the cardio-pulmonary coupling under parasympathetic control.