The involvement of high-frequency brainwaves in the neural processing of rhythmic Quranic recitation remains unclear, compared to the low-frequency brainwaves. This study examined the synchronisation of high-frequency gamma brainwaves (30–80 Hz) during passive listening to Quranic recitation in three different rhythmic styles. This experimental, cross-sectional study involving 29 healthy adult participants (14 Muslim, 15 non-Muslim) was conducted at the MEG laboratory at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. The average gamma source estimation was calculated using minimum-norm imaging, and the whole-brain functional connectivity of magnetoencephalography-electroencephalography (M/EEG) data was quantified using phase-locking value. The results revealed that the gamma waves synchronised in a network of brain regions that included the supramarginal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, central region, temporal lobe, inferior frontal gyrus, Rolandic and frontal operculum, cerebellum, visual network regions, and superior parietal gyrus. The findings highlight brain-wide activation during Quranic recitation in Quran-naïve non-Muslim participants, comparable to that in Muslim participants familiar with the employed rhythmic recitation. Both groups also exhibited increased language perception of the Quranic recitation, although they did not understand Arabic (non-Arab natives). The high-frequency gamma activity in this study suggests that receptive listening to different styles of rhythmic Quranic recitation engages neural networks responsible for language and musical perception, emotional regulation, memory and attention, visual mental imagery, and multisensory processing.

Consequences of chronic ethanol exposure on cognitive and motor functions are widely studied due to the neurodegeneration that ethanol produces in the cerebellum and other brain areas, including some corticolimbic regions. However, there is scarce information about the structural neuroplasticity effects of chronic ethanol exposure that ultimately lead to characteristic neurodegenerative consequences. For this purpose, we evaluated the effects of chronic ethanol exposure in adult male rats on exploratory behavior (locomotor activity induced by a novel environment) and structural neuroplasticity in corticolimbic and cerebellar neurons. After 90 days of ad libitum ethanol (10%) exposure, the locomotor behavior of the animals did not differ from that of the control group (exposed to water). Structural neuroplasticity was assessed using the Golgi-Cox technique in neurons from corticolimbic areas and the cerebellum. The findings revealed that ethanol exposure induced basilar dendritic atrophy without modifying the dendritic spine density in pyramidal cells in prefrontal cortex layers 3 and 5, the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus, and the basolateral amygdala. In contrast, ethanol exposure hypotrophied the dendritic arbor of Purkinje cells and reduced the density of dendritic spines in these cells. These data contribute to the knowledge of the neuroplasticity-related mechanisms underlying the neurodegenerative consequences of chronic ethanol exposure and its cognitive implications.

Tuberculous radiculomyelitis (TBRM) is a rare complication of tuberculosis which affects the nervous system. Common symptoms associated with TBRM include paraparesis or quadriparesis, urinary retention or constipation, and paraesthesia in the lower extremities. The ascending symptoms are often described as similar to Guillain Barre syndrome. A 21-year-old woman experienced progressive weakness from her lower to upper extremities, which eventually led to complete immobility within two days and was accompanied by autonomic dysfunction. Lumbar puncture demonstrated yellow and clear cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with pleocytosis (214 cells/uL), neutrophil predominance (81%), increased protein (429mg/dL), and decreased CSF/serum glucose ratio (7 mg/dL vs. 159.3 mg/dL). Cervicothoracic MRI examination revealed multifocal hyperintense lesions with indistinct borders at the T5-T12 level and central predominance. These results indicate tuberculosis as the aetiology. This case illustrates the atypical manifestations of TB within the nervous system. In highly endemic countries like Indonesia, TB should be considered as one of the potential causes in the differential diagnosis of any progressive weakness involving the nervous system. The limited availability of high-sensitivity diagnostic tests for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the central nervous system remains a significant challenge.

Stroke remains a significant global cause of death and long-term disability, categorized into hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack. Recovery outcomes can vary greatly, often influenced by genetic factors. This review highlights key genes involved in stroke recovery, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1A), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3). These genes play important roles in neurotrophic support and neuronal survival, angiogenesis, inflammation and immune modulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling after stroke. Insights from both human and animal studies underscore the potential of these genetic markers as prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets for stroke recovery. Understanding these factors may lead to more personalized rehabilitation strategies, and future research is needed to explore gene-environment interactions and translate genetic findings into effective stroke recovery therapies.

Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD) is a subtype of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), with diagnostic criteria that have only recently been established in a major disease classification system. Although objective neuropsychological measures are not required for diagnosing FCD, they can provide valuable insights into discrepancies between subjective cognitive complaints, functionality, and objective neuropsychological performance. We present the case of a 51-year-old Malay female with a history of Major Depressive Disorder who developed neurocognitive complaints affecting her occupational and social functioning following the sudden death of her husband. A comprehensive assessment, including neuropsychological testing, brain MRI, and laboratory investigations, was conducted. Neuropsychological evaluation revealed significant impairments across multiple neurocognitive domains. However, the presence of situational and mood-related variability in memory performance, along with an inconsistency between the severity of her objective cognitive impairments and her largely preserved ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), supported a diagnosis of FCD. The diagnosis and management of FCD require a multidisciplinary approach. Clinical neuropsychology plays a crucial role in both diagnosing and understanding FCD by assessing neurocognitive functioning and intrapsychic processes. The use of various psychological instruments can help elucidate the neurocognitive profile of FCD to inform a more comprehensive and individualized management plan.

Eye-tracking technology is one of the fundamental tools in scientific research. Eye-tracking data can provide detailed insights into visual attention, perception, and other cognitive processes. This bibliometric analysis aims to systematically review the state-of-the-art of eye-tracking studies in the behavioural sciences, identify emerging research trends and thematic areas, and uncover future research directions. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using the SCOPUS database. The search strategy included keywords related to eye-tracking. The retrieved articles were analysed for publication trends, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrences, and thematic evolution over time. The analysis identified 5,825 relevant articles published between 2015 and 2024. The state-of-the-art of this area of study in behavioural sciences reveals a substantial increase in publications over the past decade. Research trends and thematic analysis highlight seven key areas of study, in particular: (1) driving behaviour; (2) social cognition; (3) cognitive ageing; (4) language processing; (5) visual cognition; (6) cognitive processes; and (7) electroencephalography (EEG). For future work, the analysis suggests promising research avenues, including the application of eye-tracking in virtual reality environments, longitudinal studies of attentional development, and interdisciplinary approaches combining eye-tracking with machine learning techniques. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of eye-tracking research in behavioural sciences. The findings emphasise the versatility of eye-tracking as a methodological tool and highlight key areas for future investigation. By identifying emerging trends and suggesting new research directions, this study contributes to the ongoing development of eye-tracking methodologies in behavioural research.

Peripheral neuropathy is a common but frequently underdiagnosed condition, especially in community settings. The diagnostic performance of four simple screening tests (vibration perception, temperature sensation, ankle reflex, and pinprick sensation) was examined against the biothesiometer as the reference standard for detecting peripheral neuropathy. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on those aged ≥18 years who visited retail pharmacies in Malaysia (March 2021 - May 2022). Four clinical examination tests, including the biothesiometer, were used to detect peripheral neuropathy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value were computed in SPSS. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 22.7% among 1,283 participants. Sensitivity was highest for ankle reflex (34.12%), followed by vibration testing (31.76%), pinprick (24.41%) and temperature sensation (6.76%). The specificity of all the tests was high (95.02 – 97.78%). The PPV was highest for vibration testing (83.72%). In non-clinical settings with limited time and equipment, vibration testing, together with ankle reflex, may serve as a reliable screening tool, given its high PPV and specificity. Given its low cost and ease of use, community health policy should consider early use of vibration and ankle tests to screen for peripheral neuropathy among at-risk groups, particularly among patients with diabetes and those over 50 years old.

This study aimed to examine the neuroprotective effect of Piper cubeba on cognitive impairment models using two induction methods: electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and scopolamine (SCO). For each model, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: P. cubeba 96% ethanol extract (PCE), P. cubeba lignan-rich fraction (LRF), citicoline (C; positive control), ECS/SCO control, and normal control (NO). The test substances were administered p.o. for 14 days, after which the rats except those in the NO group, were treated with ECS or SCO, depending on the model. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Biochemical examinations were performed on the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, including lipid peroxidase inhibition, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The results showed that pretreatment with PCE and LRF improved cognitive function in ECS- and SCO-treated rats, with significantly lower escape latencies than those of the control groups (p<0.05). Moreover, PCE and LRF significantly increased hippocampal CAT and SOD activity compared with the ECS or SCO groups (p<0.05). PCE and LRF also significantly suppressed inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-1β) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, with levels significantly lower than those in the control groups (p<0.05). Overall, the extract and lignan fraction of P. cubeba improved cognitive function in both models, potentially through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

Sensory impairments have been associated with cognitive decline and behavioral changes in aging populations. Early whisker removal in mice is a valuable model for studying tactile deprivation, as it relates to a primary sensory function of this species that parallels the loss of a primary sensory function in humans. While studies have explored the effects of auditory, visual, and olfactory deprivation, the impact of long-term tactile deprivation (LTD) on cognitive and emotional function in aging remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LTD on anxiety-like behavior and neuronal activity in aged mice. Six-month-old male CD1 mice underwent permanent tactile deprivation by infraorbital nerve sectioning (LTD group) or simulated surgery (Sham group). Six months later, anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the open field test and elevated plus maze. Following the behavioral testing, immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos expression was performed in key regions involved in emotional and cognitive processing, including the basolateral amygdala (BLA), central amygdala (CeA), and hippocampal regions (CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus). LTD mice exhibited increased anxiety-like behavior in the open field test. Additionally, LTD mice exhibit increased c-Fos expression in the amygdala and hippocampal subregions analyzed, indicating increased neuronal activation in these regions. These findings suggest that sensory deprivation may contribute to emotional dysregulation in aging.