Motor Cognitive Function Research Articles

Stress-mediated Activation of Ferroptosis, Pyroptosis, and Apoptosis Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Exacerbates Neurological Dysfunctions.

Nearly half of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients continue to experience residual neurological dysfunction, which may be attributed to exposure to stress. Ferroptosis, a newly discovered form of cell death, is increasingly recognized for its involvement in the pathophysiology of TBI. Understanding the mechanisms by which stress influences mTBI, particularly through ferroptosis, is crucial for the effective treatment and prevention of mTBI patients who are sensitive to stressful events. In our study, a mouse mTBI model was established. An acute restraint stress (RS) and a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model then were applied to make acute and chronic stress, respectively. We found acute RS significantly delayed the recovery of reduced body weight and short-term motor dysfunctions and exacerbated cell insults and blood-brain barrier leakage caused by mTBI. Further studies revealed that acute RS exacerbates neuronal ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and apoptosis by promoting iron overloading in the neocortex following mTBI. Interestingly, the inhibition of ferroptosis with iron chelators, including deferoxamine and ciclopirox, reversed pyroptosis and apoptosis. Moreover, CUMS aggravated neurological dysfunctions (motor function, cognitive function, and anxiety-like behavior) and exacerbated brain lesion volume. CUMS also exacerbates ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and apoptosis by intensifying iron deposition, along with decreasing the expression of neuronal brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glucocorticoid receptor in the neocortex post mTBI. These effects were also mitigated by iron chelators. Our findings suggest that alleviating ferroptosis induced by iron deposition may represent a promising therapeutic approach for mTBI patients who have experienced stressful events.

Benefits of exercise for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Numerous experimental studies have shown that exercise can serve as an intervention with beneficial effects on children and adolescents with autism. However, a systematic review on the specific areas affected has not been conducted. Preliminary research sources were obtained by searching four databases, and two researchers independently screened the literature that met the study criteria. The study was conducted under the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. 37 studies were included in the final analysis, of which 9 studies were quantitatively synthesized and 28 studies were qualitatively analyzed. Exercise interventions have positive effects on motor performance, cognitive function, individual and social relationships, behavioral problems, physical health, and brain function in children and adolescents with autism. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that exercise can effectively improve social skills [SMD=-0.53, 95%CI (-0.76, -0.3), P=0.000]. Long-term, regular, chronic exercise is beneficial for children and adolescents with autism, particularly in the area of social skills. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero PROSPERO, identifier CRD42024554530.

The Role of Physical Activity in the Rehabilitation of Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Why It Should Be Considered a Vital Part of Treatment

This literature review examines the pivotal role of physical activity in the treatment and rehabilitation of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). By analysing a range of research studies, this review identifies the beneficial impact of structured physical activity programmes on motor skills, cognitive functions, and behavioural outcomes in children with FAS. Furthermore, it proposes educational recommendations for integrating physical activity into therapeutic interventions.

Assessment of cognitive-motor functions in adults with perceived neuropsychological problems using NIH toolbox after remote biofield energy treatment as non-pharmacological intervention: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial.

Non-pharmacological interventions include physical activity, biofield energy therapy, reiki, Tai chi, and therapeutic touch. However, no reports analyzed the effectiveness of biofield therapy on cognition and motor function performance in adult subjects. The study aimed to investigate the impact of remote biofield energy healing therapy on cognition and motor functioning in adults with self-perceived neuropsychological impairments. This was a randomized double-blind clinical trial that involved 114 participants with self-perceived neuropsychological impairments. The participants were divided into three groups (control, sham control, and biofield intervention). Cognitive and motor function scores were assessed using the NIH Toolbox at baseline (day 0), day 90, and day 180. The biofield treatment group showed significant improvements in language function (p < 0.0001), working memory (p < 0.0001), and episodic memory (p < 0.0001) scores. Other cognitive functions also improved, although not statistically significant. The biofield intervention group also demonstrated significant enhancements (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001) in locomotion, standing balance, dexterity, grip strength, and muscle endurance. No adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that remote biofield energy therapy is a safe, noninvasive intervention that improves cognitive and motor functions in adults. Further research is needed to understand its clinical benefits.

Use of AI in Pediatric Occupational Therapy: A Review

The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in pediatric occupational therapy (OT) has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing assessment, intervention, and outcomes for children with diverse developmental needs. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state of AI applications in pediatric OT, highlighting key findings, benefits, challenges, and future directions. AI technologies, including machine learning algorithms, computer vision systems, and wearable sensors, offer innovative approaches to assess children&amp;apos;s motor skills, sensory responses, and cognitive functions objectively and efficiently. AI-driven intervention strategies, such as personalized treatment planning, adaptive task selection, virtual reality environments, and gamified activities, promote engagement, motivation, and skill acquisition among pediatric patients. AI can be helpful in early diagnosis as well as early intervention. Additionally, AI-powered telehealth platforms enable remote delivery of OT services, real-time monitoring of patient progress, and access to care for underserved populations. However, challenges related to data privacy, ethical decision-making, disparities in access, and therapist education must be addressed to ensure the ethical, effective, and equitable integration of AI into pediatric OT practice. By embracing ongoing research, collaboration, and innovation, pediatric OT practitioners can harness the transformative potential of AI to improve outcomes and quality of life for children and families worldwide.

Saroglitazar, a PPAR α/γ agonist alleviates 3-Nitropropionic acid induced neurotoxicity in rats: Unveiling the underlying mechanisms

Saroglitazar (SGZ), a peroxisomal proliferated activated receptor α/γ agonist showed neuroprotective effects in various neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. However, no studies were performed on Huntington’s, so the goal of the current study is to examine the effect of SGZ on Huntington’s disease like symptoms induced by 3-Nitropropionic acid. In this protocol, twenty-four rats were divided into four groups, each group consisting of 6 animals. Group 1: The control group received 1 % CMC 10 mg/kg, p.o. for 14 days. Groups 2, 3, and 4 received 3-NP 15 mg/kg, i.p. from Day 1 to Day 7. Groups 3 and 4 received SGZ 5 mg/kg, p.o. and 10 mg/kg, p.o. respectively once daily from day 1 to day 14. Various behavioral tests like OFT, rotarod, hanging wire, narrow beam walk, MWM, and Y-maze were performed. On day-15, the animals were euthanised by cervical dislocation and brain sample were isolated for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Administration of 3-NP showed a significant decrease in motor coordination and cognitive function. Furthermore, 3-NP altered the activity of acetylcholinesterase, anti-oxidant enzymes, Nrf-2, NF-κB, BDNF, CREB levels, and histological features. However, treatment with SGZ showed ameliorative effects in the 3-NP induced neurotoxicity via PPAR α/γ pathway by reducing motor dysfunction, memory impairment, cholinesterase levels, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation. It also enhanced the levels of Nrf-2, BDNF, and CREB expression and improved histological features. In conclusion, treatment with Saroglitazar attenuated Huntington’s disease-like symptoms in rats which are induced by 3-NP via activation of PPAR α/γ pathway.

Postsurgical motor function and processing speed as predictors of quality of life in patients with chronic-phase glioblastoma

PurposePatients with glioblastomas (GBMs) have poor prognosis despite various treatments; therefore, attention should be paid to maintaining the quality of survival. Neurocognitive deficits can affect the quality of life (QOL) in patients with GBM. Most studies concerning QOL and neurocognitive functions have demonstrated a relationship between QOL and self-reported neurocognitive decline, although this method does not accurately reflect damaged functional domains. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the neurocognitive functions that influence the QOL in patients with GBMs using an objective assessment of neurocognitive functions.MethodsData from 40 patients newly diagnosed with GBMs were analyzed. All patients completed the assessment of QOL and various neurological and neurocognitive functions including general cognitive function, processing speed, attention, memory, emotion recognition, social cognition, visuospatial cognition, verbal fluency, language, motor function, sensation, and visual field at 6 months postoperatively. QOL was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). In the SF-36, the physical, mental, and role and social component summary (PCS, MCS, and RCS, respectively) scores were calculated. Multiple logistic regression analyses and chi-square tests were used to evaluate the association between SF-36 scores and neurocognitive functions.ResultsThe MCS was maintained, while the PCS and RCS scores were significantly lower in patients with GBMs than in healthy controls (p = 0.0040 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Among several neurocognitive functions, motor function and processing speed were significantly correlated with PCS and RCS scores, respectively (p = 0.0048 and p = 0.030, respectively). Patients who maintained their RCS or PCS scores had a higher probability of preserving motor function or processing speed than those with low RCS or PCS scores (p = 0.0026).ConclusionsMotor function and processing speed may be predictors of QOL in patients with GBMs.

Childhood exposure to outdoor air pollution in different microenvironments and cognitive fine motor function in children from the HELIX project

Childhood exposure to outdoor air pollution in different microenvironments and cognitive fine motor function in children from the HELIX project

The impact of combined aerobic and resistance exercise on the prognosis of early Parkinson's disease patients.

Although literature suggests that exercise can improve symptoms in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients, research on the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training (AE&RT) in early-stage PD remains limited. Understanding the synergistic effects of these exercise modalities can provide valuable insights for optimizing exercise interventions for PD patients, particularly in the early stages of the disease, where interventions may have the greatest impact on long-term functional outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a combined AE&RT program on motor function, postural stability, and cognitive processing speed in early stage PD patients. A total of 236 participants with early-stage PD were assigned to either the Aerobic Exercise Group (AE group) (n= 112) or the AE&RT Group (n= 124) inthis controlled randomized trial. The study employed a one-year supervised exercise program, with the AE Group participating in aerobic activities and the AE&RT Group engaging in combined AE&RT. Outcome measures included symptom improvement, motor function, postural stability, cognitive processing speed, peak oxygen consumption, quality of life evaluation, and the incidence of adverse events. The AE&RT Group demonstrated greater improvements in tremor, muscle rigidity, gait instability, sleep problems, and hyposmia compared to the AE Group. Additionally, the combined exercise group exhibited better cognitive processing speed, as well as enhanced motor function and postural stability. Peak oxygen consumption was significantly higher in the AE&RT Group. However, the quality of life evaluation indicated a statistically higher quality of life in the AE Group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. The findings suggest that the integration of AE&RT in early-stage PD patients leads to more comprehensive improvements in motor symptoms, cognitive function, postural stability, and cardiovascular fitness compared to aerobic exercise alone. These results have important implications for developing tailored exercise interventions to enhance the physical and cognitive well-being of individuals with early-stage PD.

Enriched music-supported therapy for individuals with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Many stroke survivors still present with upper-limb paresis six months post-stroke, impacting their autonomy and quality of life (QoL). We designed an enriched Music-supported Therapy (eMST) program to reduce disability in this population. We evaluated the eMST's effectiveness in improving functional abilities and QoL in chronic stroke individuals compared to the conventional motor program Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP). We conducted a pragmatic two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up and masked assessment. The eMST involved playing instruments during individual self-administered and group music therapy sessions. The GRASP consisted of self-administered motor exercises using daily objects. Both interventions were completed at home with telemonitoring and involved four one-hour weekly sessions for 10weeks. The primary outcome was upper-limb motor function measured with the Action Research Arm Test. Secondary outcomes included motor impairment, daily life motor performance, cognitive functions, emotional well-being, QoL, self-regulation, and self-efficacy. Intention-to-treat (ITT)and per-protocol(PP) analyses were conducted including participants who discontinued the intervention and those who completed it entirely, respectively. Fifty-eight chronic stroke patients were randomized to the eMST-group (n = 26; age: 64.2 ± 12.5; 6[23.1%] females; 2.8 ± 2.9years post-stroke), and the control group (n = 32; age: 62.2 ± 12; 8[25%] females; 1.8 ± 6.2years post-stroke). The eMST-group had more participants achieving a clinically relevant improvement in motor impairment post-intervention than the control group for the ITT (55% vs 21.6%; OR = 4.5 (95% CI 1.4-14); p = .019) and PP analyses (60% vs 20%; OR = 6 (95% CI 1.5-24.7); p = .024), sustained at follow-up. The eMST-group reported greater improvements in emotion (difference = 11.1 (95% CI 0.8-21.5; p = 0.36) and participation (difference = 10.3 (95% CI 0.6-25.9); p = 0.41) subscales of QoL, and higher enjoyment during the sessions (difference = 1 (95% CI 0.3-1.5); p = 0.12). No changes were found in other outcomes. eMST demonstrated superiority over conventional motor rehabilitation program in enhancing upper-limb functions and QoL in chronic stroke individuals. ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT04507542).

Baseline Nutritional Status and Rehabilitation Progress in Individuals Requiring Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationships between baseline nutritional status, medical events (MEs), and rehabilitation outcomes in individuals undergoing inpatient rehabilitation (IR). DesignA retrospective single center cohort study. SettingAn IR ward. ParticipantsThis study included 409 patients (mean age, 80 years; men, 170 [42%]) undergoing IR for hospital-associated deconditioning, neurologic disorders, or musculoskeletal diseases. Participants were grouped according to the Controlling Nutritional Status score at admission: normal nutrition (NN): 0 to 1, mild malnutrition (MM): 2 to 4, and moderate/severe malnutrition (M/SM): 5 to 12. InterventionsNone. Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcomes included MEs leading to death or acute illness requiring transfer to other hospitals for specialized treatments. The secondary outcomes were the rehabilitation efficiency scores (changes in Functional Independence Measure [FIM] score divided by length of stay) for motor function (FIM-M) and cognitive function (FIM-C). ResultsAmong the 409 participants, 300 (73%) were malnourished at admission. The adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for MEs in the MM and M/SM groups relative to the NN group were 1.48 (0.67-3.27) and 0.98 (0.34-2.81), respectively. No significant differences were observed among the 3 groups in FIM-M efficiency scores (mean ± SD, NN: 0.49±0.51 vs MM: 0.41±0.57 vs M/SM: 0.44±1.06, P=.7) or FIM-C efficiency scores (0.04±0.06 vs 0.04±0.06 vs 0.08±0.4, P=0.1). Analysis of covariance showed no significant association between MM or M/SM group and FIM-M efficiency score (beta coefficient = -0.038, P=.6; beta coefficient = 0.15, P=.1, respectively) or FIM-C efficiency score (beta coefficient = 0.004, P=.8; beta coefficient = 0.047, P=.08, respectively). ConclusionNo significant associations were observed between the baseline nutritional status and MEs, FIM-M efficiency score, or FIM-C efficiency score in individuals undergoing IR.

Safety and efficiency of deep brain stimulation in the elderly patients with Parkinson's disease.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is not routinely performed in elderly patients (≥75 years old) to date because of concerns about complications and decreased benefit. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DBS in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease. A retrospective analysis was performed using data from 40 elderly patients from four centers who were treated with neurosurgical robot-assisted DBS between September 2016 and December 2021. These patients were followed up for a minimum period of 2 years, with a subgroup of nine patients followed up for 5-7 years. Patient demographic characteristics, surgical information, pre- and postoperative motor scores, non-motor scores, activities of daily living, and complications were retrospectively analyzed. The mean surgical procedure duration was 1.65 ± 0.24 h, with a mean electrode implantation duration of 1.10 ± 0.23 h and a mean pulse generator implantation duration of 0.55 ± 0.07 h. The mean pneumocephalus volume, electrode fusion error, and Tao's DBS surgery scale were 16.23 ± 12.81 cm3, 0.81 ± 0.23 mm, and 77.63 ± 8.08, respectively. One patient developed a skin infection, and the device was removed. The Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale, Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale of Part III, tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, axial, and Barthel index for activities of daily living (ADL-Barthel) scores significantly improved at the 2-year follow-up (p < 0.05). The levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) was significantly reduced at the 2-year follow-up (p < 0.05). However, the Montreal cognitive assessment, Hamilton depression scale, and Hamilton anxiety scale scores did not significantly change during the 2-year follow-up (p > 0.05). Additionally, in the subgroup with a 5-year follow-up, the motor symptoms, ADL-Barthel score, and cognitive function worsened over time compared to baseline. However, there was still an improvement in motor symptoms and ADL with DBS on-stimulation compared with the off-stimulation state. The LEDD increased 5 years after surgery compared to that at baseline. Eleven patients had passed away during follow-up, the mean survival time was 38.3 ± 17.3 months after surgery, and the mean age at the time of death was 81.2 (range 75-87) years. Robot-assisted DBS surgery for the elderly patients with Parkinson's disease is accurate and safe. Motor symptoms and ADL significantly improve and patients can benefit from long-term neuromodulation, which may decrease the risk of death.

Imaging body-mind crosstalk in young adults

ObjectiveThere is evidence that complex relationships exist between motor functions, brain structure, and cognitive functions, particularly in the aging population. However, whether such relationships observed in older adults could extend to other age groups (e.g., younger adults) remains to be elucidated. Thus, the current study addressed this gap in the literature by investigating potential associations between motor functions, brain structure, and cognitive functions in a large cohort of young adults MethodsIn the current study, data from 910 participants (22–35 yr) were retrieved from the Human Connectome Project. Interactions between motor functions (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, gait speed, hand dexterity, and handgrip strength), brain structure (i.e., cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volumes), and cognitive functions were examined using linear mixed-effects models and mediation analyses. The performance of different machine-learning classifiers to discriminate young adults at three different levels (related to each motor function) was compared ResultsCardiorespiratory fitness and hand dexterity were positively associated with fluid and crystallized intelligence in young adults, whereas gait speed and handgrip strength were correlated with specific measures of fluid intelligence (e.g., inhibitory control, flexibility, sustained attention, and spatial orientation; false discovery rate [FDR] corrected, p < 0.05). The relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and domains of cognitive function were mediated by surface area and cortical volume in regions involved in the default mode, sensorimotor, and limbic networks (FDR corrected, p < 0.05). Associations between handgrip strength and fluid intelligence were mediated by surface area and volume in regions involved in the salience and limbic networks (FDR corrected, p < 0.05). Four machine-learning classifiers with feature importance ranking were built to discriminate young adults with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (random forest), gait speed, hand dexterity (support vector machine with the radial kernel), and handgrip strength (artificial neural network) ConclusionsIn summary, similar to observations in older adults, the current study provides empirical evidence (i) that motor functions in young adults are positively related to specific measures of cognitive functions, and (ii) that such relationships are at least partially mediated by distinct brain structures. Furthermore, our analyses suggest that machine-learning classifier has a promising potential to be used as a classification tool and decision support for identifying populations with below-average motor and cognitive functions.

Electroacupuncture activates the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor pathway to improve thephenotype of cerebral palsy.

This study explores the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating cerebral palsy (CP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) pups, specifically CP animal models, and its molecular mechanisms. Gait analysis and Y-maze were used to detect the improvement of motor ability and cognitive function of CP rats after EA treatment. Transcription sequencing was used to determine the key pathway for EA to improve the symptoms of CP. PPAR agonists were used to verify the causal relationship between the pathway and the improvement of CP phenotype. The motor ability and cognitive function of CP pups were improved after EA treatment. The results of transcriptome sequencing suggest that the improvement of CP phenotype may be caused by the activation of PPAR pathway. PPAR pathway is widely activated in the epithelium of CP pups treated with EA, which is verified by qPCR. Rosiglitazone (Ros), a PPAR agonist, can improve CP phenotype while activating PPAR pathway, which proves the causal relationship between PPAR pathway activation and CP phenotype improvement. Our study demonstrated behavioral improvements and enhanced cognitive functions in CP models after EA treatment by activating PPAR pathway, suggesting new perspectives for CP rehabilitation, and providing theoretical support for acupuncture treatment of CP.

Bezafibrate protects blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity against traumatic brain injury mediated by AMPK

Bezafibrate (BEZ) has displayed a wide range of neuroprotective effects in different types of neurological diseases. However, its pharmacological function in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is still unknown. In the current study, a TBI model was constructed in mice to examine the potential beneficial roles of BEZ. After TBI, mice were daily dieted with BEZ or vehicle solution. The motor function, learning and memory, brain edema, vascular inflammatory factors, the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and the expression of the tight junction zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) were assessed. The findings demonstrate that after TBI, BEZ treatment significantly promoted the recovery of motor function and cognitive function deficits. Moreover, BEZ attenuated brain edema by reducing the levels of brain water content. We also found that administration of BEZ alleviated cerebral vascular pro-inflammation by suppressing the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin. Notably, BEZ improved the impaired BBB integrity in TBI mice by restoring the expression of the tight junction (TJ) protein ZO-1. Further in vitro experiments show that treatment with BEZ prevented the aggravation of endothelial permeability and restored the reduction of trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) as well as the expression of ZO-1 in TBI-exposed brain bEnd.3 cells. Mechanistically, we prove that the protective effects of BEZ are mediated by AMPK. Based on these findings, we conclude that BEZ improves TBI-induced BBB injury and it might be considered for the treatment or management of TBI.

Chemical Composition and Neuroprotective Properties of Indonesian Stingless Bee (Geniotrigona thoracica) Propolis Extract in an In-Vivo Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH).

Stroke is the world's second-leading cause of death. Current treatments for cerebral edema following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) mainly involve hyperosmolar fluids, but this approach is often inadequate. Propolis, known for its various beneficial properties, especially antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could potentially act as an adjunctive therapy and help alleviate stroke-associated injuries. The chemical composition of Geniotrigona thoracica propolis extract was analyzed by GC-MS after derivatization for its total phenolic and total flavonoid content. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the propolis extract were 1037.31 ± 24.10 μg GAE/mL and 374.02 ± 3.36 μg QE/mL, respectively. By GC-MS analysis, its major constituents were found to be triterpenoids (22.4% of TIC). Minor compounds, such as phenolic lipids (6.7% of TIC, GC-MS) and diterpenic acids (2.3% of TIC, GC-MS), were also found. Ninety-six Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups; namely, the control group, the ICH group, and four ICH groups that received the following therapies: mannitol, propolis extract (daily oral propolis administration after the ICH induction), propolis-M (propolis and mannitol), and propolis-B+A (daily oral propolis administration 7 days prior to and 72 h after the ICH induction). Neurocognitive functions of the rats were analyzed using the rotarod challenge and Morris water maze. In addition, the expression of NF-κB, SUR1-TRPM4, MMP-9, and Aquaporin-4 was analyzed using immunohistochemical methods. A TUNEL assay was used to assess the percentage of apoptotic cells. Mannitol significantly improved cognitive-motor functions in the ICH group, evidenced by improved rotarod and Morris water maze completion times, and lowered SUR-1 and Aquaporin-4 levels. It also significantly decreased cerebral edema by day 3. Similarly, propolis treatments (propolis-A and propolis-B+A) showed comparable improvements in these tests and reduced edema. Moreover, combining propolis with mannitol (propolis-M) further enhanced these effects, particularly in reducing edema and the Virchow-Robin space. These findings highlight the potential of propolis from the Indonesian stingless bee, Geniotrigona thoracica, from the Central Tapanuli region as a neuroprotective, adjunctive therapy.

Mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) show no preferential hand use in two self-directed behaviors.

Hand preference is the preferential use of one hand for a single task. Its study provides insight into the neural mechanisms underlying motor skills, perception, and cognitive functions. From a comparative perspective, it also offers a window into evolutionary history, shedding light on whether manual preferences stem from genetics, environmental influences, or a combination of both. However, there is a paucity of information on preferential hand use for several primate taxa. Here we examine hand preference for the first time in mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) to determine if there is preferential hand use at the individual and population level as well as sex differences in hand use. We followed 17 wild adult individuals for 10months and used focal animal sampling (506 focal samples) to record hand use in two types of self-directed behaviors, touching (1246 events) and scratching (1115 events). According to the binomial tests, four individuals were right-hand-preferent, two were left-hand-preferent, and 11 were ambilateral during touching, whereas for scratching seven individuals were right-hand-preferent, two were left-hand-preferent, and eight were ambilateral. At the population level, there was ambilaterality in both behaviors. At the individual level, according to the HI index, hand preference in touching and scratching were not associated and did not vary between sexes. These findings concur with previous studies with howler monkeys and other taxa suggesting that population-level hand preference is not a universal trait across primates.

Distinct effects of long-term Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise interventions on motor and neurocognitive performance in early-stage Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by movement disorders and probable cognitive impairment. Exercise plays an important role in PD management, and recent studies have reported improvement in motor symptoms and cognitive function following aerobic and Tai Chi Chuan exercise. To explore the different effects of Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise on the clinical motor status and neurocognitive performance of patients with early-stage PD. A randomized controlled trial. Parkinson's Disease Center at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Patients with idiopathic PD. Fifty-six patients with PD were recruited and divided into three groups: aerobic exercise (AE, N.=14), Tai Chi Chuan exercise (TE, N.=16), and control (CG, N.=13). Before and after a 12-week intervention period, we used unified Parkinson's disease rating scale Part III (UPDRS-III) scores and neuropsychological (e.g., accuracy rates [ARs] and reaction times [RTs]) and neurophysiological (e.g., event-related potential [ERP] N2 and P3 latencies and amplitudes) parameters to respectively assess the patients' clinical motor symptoms and neurocognitive performance when performing a working memory (WM) task. Compared to baseline, UPDRS-III scores were significantly lower in the AE and TE groups after the intervention period, whereas those for the CG group were higher. In terms of the neurocognitive parameters, when performing the WM task after the intervention period, the AE group exhibited significantly faster RTs and larger ERP P3 amplitudes, the TE group exhibited an improvement only in ERP P3 amplitude, and the CG group exhibited a significantly reduced ERP P3 amplitude. However, neither the TE nor the AE group exhibited improved ARs and ERP N2 performance. The present study supported the distinct effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise for improving motor symptoms and providing neurocognitive benefits in PD patients. These results have important implications regarding the use of these exercise interventions for managing PD, particularly in the early stages.

Safranal alleviates pentetrazole-induced epileptic seizures in mice by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis through GSK-3β inactivation

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSaffron, a traditional Chinese medicine, is derived from Crocus sativus L. stigmas and has been reported to possess neuroprotective properties and potentially contribute to the inhibition of apoptosis and inflammation. Safranal, a potent monothyral aldehyde, is a main component of saffron that has been reported to have antiepileptic activity. However, the specific mechanism by which safranal suppresses epileptic seizures via its antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties is unclear. AimTo evaluate the effect of safranal on seizure severity, inflammation, and postictal neuronal apoptosis in a mouse model of pentetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and explore the underlying mechanism involved. Materials and methodsThe seizure stage and latency of stage 2 and 4 were quantified to assess the efficacy of safranal in mitigating PTZ-induced epileptic seizures in mice. Electroencephalography (EEG) was employed to monitor epileptiform afterdischarges in each experimental group. The cognitive abilities and motor functions of the mice were evaluated using the novel object recognition test and the open field test, respectively. Neurons were quantified using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were utilized to predict the interactions between safranal and specific target proteins. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins, and inflammatory factor levels were analyzed through western blotting. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations in brain tissue were assessed by ELISA. ResultsSafranal decreased the average seizure stage and increased the lantency of stage 2 and 4 seizures in PTZ-induced epileptic mice. Additionally, safranal exhibited neuroprotective effects on hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons and reduced hyperactivity caused by postictal hyperexcitability. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that safranal can bind to five specific proteins, including GSK-3β. By promoting Ser9 phosphorylation and inhibiting GSK-3β activity, safranal effectively suppressed the NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, the findings indicate that safranal treatment can decrease TNF-α and IL-1β levels in the cerebral tissues of epileptic mice and downregulate mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins, including Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, Caspase 9, and Caspase 3. ConclusionSafranal can suppress the NF-κB signaling pathway and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis through GSK-3β inactivation, suggesting that it is a promising therapeutic agent for epilepsy treatment.

Dopamine Pharmacodynamics: New Insights.

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter involved in physiological processes such as motor control, motivation, reward, cognitive function, and maternal and reproductive behaviors. Therefore, dysfunctions of the dopaminergic system are related to a plethora of human diseases. Dopamine, via different circuitries implicated in compulsive behavior, reward, and habit formation, also represents a key player in substance use disorder and the formation and perpetuation of mechanisms leading to addiction. Here, we propose dopamine as a model not only of neurotransmission but also of neuromodulation capable of modifying neuronal architecture. Abuse of substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and alcohol and their consumption over time can induce changes in neuronal activities. These modifications lead to synaptic plasticity and finally to morphological and functional changes, starting from maladaptive neuro-modulation and ending in neurodegeneration.