Motor Components Research Articles

Beyond traditional training: Integrating data from semi-immersive VR dual-task intervention in Parkinsonian Syndromes. A study protocol.

Completing cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously requires a high level of cognitive control in terms of executive processes and attentional abilities. Most of the daily activities require a dual-task performance. While walking, for example, it may be necessary to adapt gait to obstacles of the environment or simply participate in a conversation; all these activities involve more than one ability at the same time. This parallel performance may be critical in the cognitive or motor load, especially for patients with neurological diseases such as Parkinsonian Syndromes. Patients are often characterized by a crucial impairment in performing both tasks concurrently, showing a decrease in attention skills and executive functions, thus leading to increased negative outcomes. In this scenario, the accurate assessment of the components involved in dual-task performance is crucial, and providing an early specific training program appears to be essential. The objective of this protocol is to assess cognitive and motor components involved in dual-task performance and create a training program based on ecological activities focusing on executive and motor functions. Thus, we will employ Virtual Reality to provide semi-immersive, multisensory, ecological, standardized, and realistic experiences for rehabilitative purposes in patients with Parkinsonian Syndromes, considering its high prevalence in aging and the incidence of motor and cognitive dysfunctions in this population. Moreover, we propose to integrate the great amount of different data provided by dual-task and Virtual Reality system, using machine learning techniques. These integrations may increase the treatment's reliability in terms of better prognostic indexes and individualized training.

Mechanism of Viral DNA Packaging in Phage T4 Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Approaches.

In all tailed phages, the packaging of the double-stranded genome into the head by a terminase motor complex is an essential step in virion formation. Despite extensive research, there are still major gaps in the understanding of this highly dynamic process and the mechanisms responsible for DNA translocation. Over the last fifteen years, single-molecule fluorescence technologies have been applied to study viral nucleic acid packaging using the robust and flexible T4 in vitro packaging system in conjunction with genetic, biochemical, and structural analyses. In this review, we discuss the novel findings from these studies, including that the T4 genome was determined to be packaged as an elongated loop via the colocalization of dye-labeled DNA termini above the portal structure. Packaging efficiency of the TerL motor was shown to be inherently linked to substrate structure, with packaging stalling at DNA branches. The latter led to the design of multiple experiments whose results all support a proposed torsional compression translocation model to explain substrate packaging. Evidence of substrate compression was derived from FRET and/or smFRET measurements of stalled versus resolvase released dye-labeled Y-DNAs and other dye-labeled substrates relative to motor components. Additionally, active in vivo T4 TerS fluorescent fusion proteins facilitated the application of advanced super-resolution optical microscopy toward the visualization of the initiation of packaging. The formation of twin TerS ring complexes, each expected to be ~15 nm in diameter, supports a double protein ring-DNA synapsis model for the control of packaging initiation, a model that may help explain the variety of ring structures reported among pac site phages. The examination of the dynamics of the T4 packaging motor at the single-molecule level in these studies demonstrates the value of state-of-the-art fluorescent tools for future studies of complex viral replication mechanisms.

Reverse shock index multiplied by the motor component of the Glasgow Coma Scale predicts mortality and need for intervention in pediatric trauma patients.

Timely identification of high-risk pediatric trauma patients and appropriate resource mobilization may lead to improved outcomes. We hypothesized that reverse shock index times the motor component of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (rSIM) would perform equivalently to reverse shock index times the total GCS (rSIG) in the prediction of mortality and the need for intervention following pediatric trauma. The 2017-2020 National Trauma Data Bank data sets were used. We included all patients 16 years or younger who had a documented prehospital and trauma bay systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and total GCS. We excluded all patients who arrived at the trauma center without vital signs and interfacility transport patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to model the performance of each metric as a classifier with respect to our primary and secondary outcomes, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used for comparison. Our primary outcome was mortality before hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included blood product administration or hemorrhage control intervention (surgery or angiography) <4 hours following hospital arrival and intensive care unit admission. After application of exclusion criteria, 77,996 patients were included in our analysis. Reverse shock index times GCS-motor and rSIG performed equivalently as predictors of mortality in the 1- to 2- ( p = 0.05) and 3- to 5-year-old categories ( p = 0.28), but rSIM was statistically outperformed by rSIG in the 6- to 12- (AUROC, 0.96 vs. 0.95; p = 0.04) and 13- to 16-year-old age categories (AUROC, 0.96 vs. 0.95; p < 0.01). Reverse shock index times GCS-motor and rSIG also performed similarly with respect to prediction of secondary outcomes. Reverse shock index times GCS-total and rSIM are both outstanding predictors of mortality following pediatric trauma. Statistically significant differences in favor of rSIG were noted in some age groups. Because of the simplicity of calculation, rSIM may be a useful tool for pediatric trauma triage. Diagnostic Tests or Criteria; Level III.

Promoting knowledge of metered dose inhaler (MDI) usage among pharmacy professional students through a mobile app

Introduction Efficient asthma management necessitates optimal usage of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). As future health professionals, pharmacy students are pivotal in disseminating accurate methodologies for MDI usage. Despite having hands-on experience, there is room to enhance their comprehension, highlighting the need for prompt patient educational interventions. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app-assisted educational method in improving pharmacy students’ understanding of MDI usage. Methods A pre-experimental study was conducted from March to August 2021 with 45 participants enrolled in the Pharmacist Professional Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. Using a one-group pretest-post-test design, the study measured the app’s impact on students’ knowledge and MDI usage skills. Results The intervention significantly improved students’ scores on a 9-step MDI usage checklist, with increases ranging from 0.10 to 0.50 across verbal and motor components. A Mann-Whitney U test validated these findings, showing a statistically significant p-value of 0.001. Conclusion The mobile app-assisted educational approach substantially enhanced pharmacy students’ proficiency in MDI use. The significant rise in mean scores for the 9-step checklist, along with the notable p-value, supports the effectiveness of this intervention in healthcare education.

Active self-touch restores bodily proprioceptive spatial awareness following disruption by 'rubber hand illusion'.

Bodily self-awareness relies on a constant integration of visual, tactile, proprioceptive, and motor signals. In the 'rubber hand illusion' (RHI), conflicting visuo-tactile stimuli lead to changes in self-awareness. It remains unclear whether other, somatic signals could compensate for the alterations in self-awareness caused by visual information about the body. Here, we used the RHI in combination with robot-mediated self-touch to systematically investigate the role of tactile, proprioceptive and motor signals in maintaining and restoring bodily self-awareness. Participants moved the handle of a leader robot with their right hand and simultaneously received corresponding tactile feedback on their left hand from a follower robot. This self-touch stimulation was performed either before or after the induction of a classical RHI. Across three experiments, active self-touch delivered after-but not before-the RHI, significantly reduced the proprioceptive drift caused by RHI, supporting a restorative role of active self-touch on bodily self-awareness. The effect was not present during involuntary self-touch. Unimodal control conditions confirmed that both tactile and motor components of self-touch were necessary to restore bodily self-awareness. We hypothesize that active self-touch transiently boosts the precision of proprioceptive representation of the touched body part, thus counteracting the visual capture effects that underlie the RHI.

Neural underpinnings of the interplay between actual touch and action imagination in social contexts.

While there is established evidence supporting the involvement of the sense of touch in various actions, the neural underpinnings of touch and action interplay in a social context remain poorly understood. To prospectively investigate this phenomenon and offer further insights, we employed a combination of motor and sensory components by asking participants to imagine exerting force with the index finger while experiencing their own touch, the touch of one another individual, the touch of a surface, and no touch. Based on the assumption that the patterns of activation in the motor system are similar when action is imagined or actually performed, we proceeded to apply a single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary motor cortex (M1) while participants engaged in the act of imagination. Touch experience was associated with higher M1 excitability in the presence and in the absence of force production imagination, but only during force production imagination M1 excitability differed among the types of touch: both biological sources, the self-touch and the touch of one other individual, elicited a significant increase in motor system activity when compared to touching a non-living surface or in the absence of touch. A strong correlation between individual touch avoidance questionnaire values and facilitation in the motor system was present while touching another person, indicating a social aspect for touch in action. The present study unveils the motor system correlates when the sensory/motor components of touch are considered in social contexts.

Physical Fitness Tests in the Army-Legitimate Diversity or Randomness?

In this article, I present my views on the diversified approaches to assess the physical fitness of soldiers within selected armies worldwide. I discussed the related common features and paradoxes associated with these approaches. For the comparative analysis, national diversity was taken into account and subjective selection of the physical fitness tests conducted in the armies of the United States, Finland, Germany, India, China, Israel, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Poland was done. An analysis of the physical fitness tests reveals significant variations, despite the purpose of the assessment being the same, that is, to evaluate a soldier's physical preparedness for combat tasks. Based on the analysis, I categorize the variation in physical fitness tests of soldiers at four levels: (1) single-system function tests (e.g., push-ups, sit-ups) vs. multi-system tests (obstacle courses), (2) considering health aspects vs. not considering health aspects during physical fitness tests, (3) motor components vs. coordination components (e.g.,balance), and (4) tests differentiated by gender and age vs.tests not differentiated by gender and age. In conclusion, I am in favor of multi-system tests, comprised of obstacle courses mirroring potential situations in combat tasks. In my opinion, multi-system tests are superior compared to single-system function tests since they enable a comprehensive assessment of effort, coordination, and mental predispositions necessary for functioning in real-life conditions. I also support physical fitness evaluation that is not differentiated based on a soldier's gender and age, as there is no logical justification for such distinctions.

Investigating the relationship between the speed of automatization and linguistic abilities: data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Our research explores the relationship between cognition and language. The focus of this paper is to discuss how we embarked upon remote data collection with children during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study we investigate cognitive processes of non-verbal intelligence, working memory, implicit statistical learning, and speed of automatization (measured with the multiple-trial Tower of Hanoi puzzle). Here we focus primarily on the speed of automatization, partly because of theoretical interest, and because it is more difficult to adapt to an online format due to the motor component of the task. We established a hybrid method of data collection where the researcher was present online to guide children through a battery of language and cognitive tasks. We used a videoconferencing platform, a digital visualiser, and a physical puzzle which we posted to each child prior to commencing the research sessions. We also designed an online version of the puzzle with support from the Getting Data project. We discuss the methodology of our study and the lessons learned during remote data collection.

In Humans, Insulo-striate Structural Connectivity is Largely Biased Toward Either Striosome-like or Matrix-like Striatal Compartments.

The insula is an integral component of sensory, motor, limbic, and executive functions, and insular dysfunction is associated with numerous human neuropsychiatric disorders. Insular efferents project widely, but insulo-striate projections are especially numerous. The targets of these insulo-striate projections are organized into tissue compartments, the striosome and matrix. These striatal compartments have distinct embryologic origins, afferent and efferent connectivity, dopamine pharmacology, and susceptibility to injury. Striosome and matrix appear to occupy separate sets of cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loops, so a bias in insulo-striate projections toward one compartment may also embed an insular subregion in distinct regulatory and functional networks. Compartment-specific mapping of insulo-striate structural connectivity is sparse; the insular subregions are largely unmapped for compartment-specific projections. In 100 healthy adults, diffusion tractography was utilized to map and quantify structural connectivity between 19 structurally-defined insular subregions and each striatal compartment. Insulo-striate streamlines that reached striosome-like and matrix-like voxels were concentrated in distinct insular zones (striosome: rostro- and caudoventral; matrix: caudodorsal) and followed different paths to reach the striatum. Though tractography was generated independently in each hemisphere, the spatial distribution and relative bias of striosome-like and matrix-like streamlines were highly similar in the left and right insula. 16 insular subregions were significantly biased toward 1 compartment: 7 toward striosome-like voxels and 9 toward matrix-like voxels. Striosome-favoring bundles had significantly higher streamline density, especially from rostroventral insular subregions. The biases in insulo-striate structural connectivity that were identified mirrored the compartment-specific biases identified in prior studies that utilized injected tract tracers, cytoarchitecture, or functional MRI. Segregating insulo-striate structural connectivity through either striosome or matrix may be an anatomic substrate for functional specialization among the insular subregions.

Impact of functional independence and sociodemographic factors on post-stroke discharge destination in a super-aged rural community in Japan.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the factors influencing the discharge destination of stroke patients in a super-aged rural community in Japan, focusing on functional independence and sociodemographic factors. Patients and Methods: We enrolled patients recovering from stroke with supratentorial lesions who were admitted to our convalescent rehabilitation hospital. The motor components of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) were assessed for each patient at admission and discharge as explanatory variables. An increase in the FIM-motor scores during hospitalization was also recorded. Additionally, sociodemographic data such as sex, age, and clinical characteristics, such as type of stroke, history of stroke, days from stroke onset to transfer to our convalescent rehabilitation hospital, total duration of hospital stay including acute care, number of co-resident household members, living with a spouse, and number of children were collected. As target values, discharge outcomes were categorized into two groups: returning home and going to a nursing home. Logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: The study sample comprised 160 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 74.80 ± 12.19 years). Of these, 114 were discharged to their homes, and 46 were transferred to nursing homes. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher FIM-motor scores at discharge, greater number of co-resident household members, and living with one's spouse were the most powerful predictors of a higher probability of returning home. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that functional independence levels and the number of co-resident household members were crucial factors in predicting the discharge destination of patients after stroke in a super-aged rural community in Japan. These findings imply that for older patients with lower functional independence, supportive social networks are essential for home discharge, offering clues for providing long-term healthcare in super-aged rural communities worldwide.

Brain regions associated with balance function assessed by the Berg Balance Scale in post-stroke patients.

[Purpose] To assess the neural fiber damage causing balance deficits in post-stroke patients. [Participants and Methods] Diffusion tensor imaging was conducted during the second week after stroke onset, and the Berg Balance Scale scores were recorded at discharge from our affiliated rehabilitation facility. The total score of the motor component of the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set and the Functional Independence Measure motor score were also documented. Brain images were analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics to extract the mean fractional anisotropy values from representative neural tracts. Stepwise multivariate analyses were conducted using fractional anisotropy values in the lesioned hemispheres as explanatory variables and clinical outcomes as target values. [Results] This study included 65 patients. The analyses identified the following significant associations: the corticospinal tract and the motor component of the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set score; the corticospinal tract, cingulum bundle, and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and the Berg Balance Scale score; and the superior longitudinal fasciculus and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and the Functional Independence Measure motor score. [Conclusion] The brain areas associated with balance function include the corticospinal tract and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, implying that the balance function links extremity functions to activities of daily living. This finding highlights the importance of rehabilitative training for balance function in post-stroke patients.

Outcome Prediction by Combining Corticospinal Tract Lesion Load with Diffusion-tensor Fractional Anisotropy in Patients after Hemorrhagic Stroke.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive precision of combining the corticospinal tract lesion load (CST-LL) with the diffusion-tensor fractional anisotropy of the corticospinal tract (CST-FA) in the lesioned hemispheres regarding motor outcomes. Patients with putaminal and/or thalamic hemorrhage who had undergone computed tomography (CT) soon after onset in our hospital were retrospectively enrolled. The CST-LL was calculated after registration of the CT images to a standard brain. Diffusion-tensor imaging was performed during the second week after onset. Standardized automated tractography was employed to calculate the CST-FA. Outcomes were assessed at discharge from our affiliated rehabilitation facility using total scores of the motor component of the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS-motor total; null to full, 0 to 25). Multivariate regression analysis was performed with CST-LL and CST-FA as explanatory variables and SIAS-motor total as a target value. Twenty-five patients participated in this study. SIAS-motor total ranged from 0 to 25 (median, 17). CST-LL ranged from 0.298 to 7.595 (median, 2.522) mL, and the lesion-side CST-FA ranged from 0.211 to 0.530 (median, 0.409). Analysis revealed that both explanatory variables were detected as statistically significant contributory factors. The estimated t values indicated that the contributions of these two variables were almost equal. The obtained regression model accounted for 63.9% of the variability of the target value. Incorporation of the CST-LL with the lesion-side CST-FA enhances the precision of the stroke outcome prediction model.

Resonance analysis of fan blade design using Finite Element Method

Fan motors move liquids, such as air, in the gas phase from one place to another. The frequency of the fan blades, which are the main components of the fan motor, can vary. It is crucial to know the frequencies of each fan blade to avoid design failures caused by resonance. This research analyzes the effect of differences in the angle and number of blades on the natural frequency of the fan to avoid resonance with the motor rotation frequency. Modeling and simulation using the finite element method in the Solidworks application are used to determine the natural frequencies of the fan. Fans come in various configurations, with blades ranging from two to four, and blade pitch can be 25°, 30°, or 40°. Variations in the number of fan blades and changes in blade pitch show that the low mode shape does not affect the natural frequency, while the high mode has a negligible effect. The natural frequency of fan blades 2, 3, and 4 exhibits variations when operated with motors running at 25, 35, or 50 Hz. The findings imply that the fan blades' inherent frequency does not align closely with the motor rotational frequency, indicating that the design is safe.

Involvement of students of agricultural universities in physical education based on their needs in motion activity

The article examines the issue of involving students of agricultural universities in physical education, taking into account their needs in physical activity. Important aspects of this process are analyzed, including individual needs and interests of students, creating favorable conditions for physical activity, monitoring and supporting students in their physical activity, as well as cooperation between the university administration and student organizations. The article aims to study the formation of students' motivation to engage in physical education based on taking into account their needs in motor activity. The analysis and generalization of literary data, methods of pedagogical observation, surveys, and a pedagogical experiment were used in the research. 180 students of the 1st and 2nd years took part in the experiment, who were divided into a control group, where they were engaged in physical education according to the system of the general program, and an experimental group, in which physical education classes were conducted with students based on taking into account their needs in motor activity. The motivational and value attitude of students towards physical education classes was determined and the following components were identified: motor, emotional-volitional and cognitive. The criteria for evaluating the development of the motor component was the level of development of physical qualities; emotional-volitional - students' satisfaction with physical education classes; cognitive - manifestation of activity and interest in regular physical education classes. Work with students in the experimental group changed their attitude to physical education. Together with the motivational and value components of the attitude, the levels of students' needs in motor activity were determined: passive-negative; indifferently unstable; positively stable. In the course of the study, it was established that the conduct of classes taking into account the needs of students in motor activity positively changed their attitude to physical education and sports, and attendance at classes improved.

Neurophysiological and psychological indicators of liquidators of chemical pollution of the environment

Introduction. Elimination of the consequences of emergency situations (ES) involves increased physical and psychological stress, as well as the direct aggressive impact of chemical and physical factors. Currently, the problem of environmental hazard is environmental pollution from the activities of «Usolyekhimprom», where on an area of 610 hectares there are tens of thousands of tons of harmful substances, including metallic mercury. On the territory of this enterprise, employees of the Federal Environmental Operator and the Ministry of Emergency Situations are currently engaged in eliminating environmental pollution. Over the past two years, a number of measures have been taken at the industrial site of «Usoliekhimprom» to dismantle buildings and demercurize. For 2023–2024 reconstruction, dismantling and disposal of the destroyed buildings of the enterprise are planned, in this regard, the liquidators may be affected by an even wider range of adverse factors. Employees of the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research conduct dynamic monitoring of the liquidators.&#x0D; The purpose of the study was to evaluate the neurophysiological and psychological indicators in liquidators in eliminating environmental pollution associated with the production of chemical products to prevent the occurrence of occupational pathology.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Forty males were examined. Electroneuromyographic examination (ENMG) was performed with testing of the sensory and motor components of the nerves of the upper extremities, electroencephalography (EEG), and psychological testing.&#x0D; Results. According to data of obtained ENMG parameters in the group of liquidators, a subthreshold decrease in the speed of impulse conduction in the area of the elbow joint was established during stimulation of the motor and sensory components of the ulnar nerve (up to 50 m/s). Analysis of interhemispheric coherence in the α-range in the group of liquidators revealed an increase in coherence in the right temporal leads (0.6 (0.4–0.7) G) compared with the standard values (0.35 (0.3–0.4) D) and weakening of coherent connections in the left frontal leads (0.35 (0.17–0.4) D). Changes in the mnestic sphere and the quality of life of the subjects were not revealed.&#x0D; Limitations. The limitation of the study was the lack of data on testing the motor and sensory components of the lower extremities during an electroneuromyographic examination and the lack of registration of evoked potentials during electroencephalography.&#x0D; Conclusion. The changes detected by ENMG indicate the manifestations of polyneuropathy at the preclinical stage. The analysis of interhemispheric coherence in the α-band revealed an increase in coherence in the right temporal leads and a weakening of coherent connections in the left frontal leads. The results of the medical and psychological study did not reveal any changes on the part of the mnestic sphere and the quality of life in the group of liquidators.

MOTOR PATHWAYS TO DEMENTIA

Abstract Emerging evidence indicates that non-cognitive manifestations such as gait impairments occur early during dementia. The Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) is a pre-dementia syndrome characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints. MCR is a simple and easily accessible clinical dementia risk assay that does not require cognitive testing. MCR has incremental predictive validity for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias over its individual cognitive and motoric components. Recent studies from across the world have helped to elucidate the epidemiology, biology, and brain substrates of MCR; paving the way for future interventions to prevent progression to dementia.

Cortico-cortical stimulation and robot-assisted therapy (CCS and RAT) for upper limb recovery after stroke: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundSince birth, during the exploration of the environment to interact with objects, we exploit both the motor and sensory components of the upper limb (UL). This ability to integrate sensory and motor information is often compromised following a stroke. However, to date, rehabilitation protocols are focused primarily on recovery of motor function through physical therapies. Therefore, we have planned a clinical trial to investigate the effect on functionality of UL after a sensorimotor transcranial stimulation (real vs sham) in add-on to robot-assisted therapy in the stroke population.MethodsA randomised double-blind controlled trial design involving 32 patients with a single chronic stroke (onset > 180 days) was planned. Each patient will undergo 15 consecutive sessions (5 days for 3 weeks) of paired associative stimulation (PAS) coupled with UL robot-assisted therapy. PAS stimulation will be administered using a bifocal transcranial magnetic stimulator (TMS) on the posterior-parietal cortex and the primary motor area (real or sham) of the lesioned hemisphere. Clinical, kinematics and neurophysiological changes will be evaluated at the end of protocol and at 1-month follow-up and compared with baseline. The Fugl-Meyer assessment scale will be the primary outcome. Secondly, kinematic variables will be recorded during the box-and-block test and reaching tasks using video analysis and inertial sensors. Single pulse TMS and electroencephalography will be used to investigate the changes in local cortical reactivity and in the interconnected areas.DiscussionThe presented trial shall evaluate with a multimodal approach the effects of sensorimotor network stimulation applied before a robot-assisted therapy training on functional recovery of the upper extremity after stroke. The combination of neuromodulation and robot-assisted therapy can promote an increase of cortical plasticity of sensorimotor areas followed by a clinical benefit in the motor function of the upper limb.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05478434. Registered on 28 Jul 2022.

The « jingle-jangle fallacy » of empathy: Delineating affective, cognitive and motor components of empathy from behavioral synchrony using a virtual agent

Empathy is a multidimensional construct, which has been subject to many conceptualizations (affective, cognitive, and motor components). The present investigation delineated relationships between empathy facets, using questionnaires and a motor task measuring synchrony, a non-verbal component of social interactions. Participants (N = 276) completed self-report trait measures of affective, cognitive and motor empathy. A subsample (N = 202) executed synchronous movement with a virtual agent driven by a dynamical model of behavioral synchrony. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) revealed associated, yet distinct constructs of affective and motor empathy, distinguishing somatic and kinesthetic facets. Synchrony scores were associated with affective and cognitive empathy, highlighting the role of the capacity to experience and predict others' emotions and mental states for behavioral synchrony. Yet, synchrony scores were negatively associated with kinesthetic empathy, stressing the distinction between self-report measures of motor empathy from effective behavioral synchrony. These findings support a convergence of empathy and synchrony research fields to better understand their respective contribution in non-verbal social interactions.

Validation of the BLOC test: A computerized oral line bisection task in French healthy participants

Line bisection is one of the most commonly used tasks to assess spatial neglect. More recently, line bisection has been recommended as a task to monitor for spatial neglect during awake brain tumor surgery, but the operative constraints hamper the normal test conditions. We developed and validated in 118 healthy participants the BLOC test, a computerized version of line bisection, suppressing the motor component, in both sitting and lying positions. The results showed that the computerized line bisection task is strictly comparable to manual bisection and that it can be used in the sitting or lying position with the same significance threshold. The BLOC test therefore represents a relevant tool for clinical practice in a variety of contexts.

The role of the primary sensorimotor system in generalized epilepsy: Evidence from the cerebello-cerebral functional integration.

The interaction between cerebellum and cerebrum participates widely in function from motor processing to high-level cognitive and affective processing. Because of the motor symptom, idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizure have been recognized to associate with motor abnormalities, but the functional interaction in the cerebello-cerebral circuit is still poorly understood. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected for 101 IGE patients and 106 healthy controls. The voxel-based functional connectivity (FC) between cerebral cortex and the cerebellum was contacted. The functional gradient and independent components analysis were applied to evaluate cerebello-cerebral functional integration on the voxel-based FC. Cerebellar motor components were further linked to cerebellar gradient. Results revealed cerebellar motor functional modules were closely related to cerebral motor components. The altered mapping of cerebral motor components to cerebellum was observed in motor module in patients with IGE. In addition, patients also showed compression in cerebello-cerebral functional gradient between motor and cognition modules. Interestingly, the contribution of the motor components to the gradient was unbalanced between bilateral primary sensorimotor components in patients: the increase was observed in cerebellar cognitive module for the dominant hemisphere primary sensorimotor, but the decrease was found in the cerebellar cognitive module for the nondominant hemisphere primary sensorimotor. The present findings suggest that the cerebral primary motor system affects the hierarchical architecture of cerebellum, and substantially contributes to the functional integration evidence to understand the motor functional abnormality in IGE patients.