Increased Motor Activity Research Articles

Understanding Emotional Outbursts: A Cross-Cultural Study in Latin American Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

One of the behavioral problems strongly associated with emotional dysregulation (ED) in ASD is emotional outbursts (EOs) characterized by a pattern of challenging behavior that varies across individuals and across time. Cultural factors can modulate the expression of EOs. This study aimed to characterize the profile of emotional outbursts (EOs) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across various countries in Latin America and to identify clinical, emotional, and contextual factors that contribute to the onset and frequency of EOs within this diverse sample. A cross-sectional and cross-cultural study was conducted between 2023 and 2024 comprising samples from five countries in the Latin American Network for Autism-REAL: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic. We studied 689 children with ASD (age x = 8.7 ± 2.6 years) using the Emotional Outburst Questionnaire (EOQ). We identified different types of EO among children with ASD in our sample. The most frequent was the 'behavioral indicators of emotion' (52.0%) followed by 'increased motor activity' (28.3%), 'non-speech vocalizations', (27.6%), 'mild verbal aggression' (23.8%), and 'avoidance' (21.5%). Children in a bad mood or having a bad day or experiencing irritability were the most significant factors that increased the likelihood of EOs. Our results revealed that irritability is an important trigger for EOs and should not be disregarded or underestimated when monitoring the mental health of children with ASD.

Combined irradiation by gamma-rays and carbon-12 nuclei caused hyperlocomotion and change in striatal metabolism of rats

Exposure to ionizing radiation during manned deep space missions to Mars could lead to functional impairments of the central nervous system, which may compromise the success of the mission and affect the quality of life for returning astronauts. Along with radiation-induced changes in cognitive abilities and emotional status, the effects of increased motor activity were observed. The mechanisms behind these phenomena still remain unresolved. We conducted a study on grip strength, locomotor activity and intrasession habituation to novelty in 5-month-old rats after exposure to radiation (combined 0.4 Gy gamma-rays and 0.14 Gy 12C nuclei). At the same time, we carried out neurochemical and molecular analysis of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the dorsal striatum (dST). The study revealed radiation-induced hyperlocomotion and enhanced habituation. It also showed an increase in choline concentration and a decreased in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration in the NAc after irradiation. In addition to this, a down-regulation of syntaxin 1A in NAc and dST as well as up-regulation α-synuclein in NAc were observed. The obtained data indicate both the damaging effect of irradiation on striatum tissues and the initiation of neuronal/axonal regeneration processes. It is hypothesized that the increase in choline concentration in NAc and the decreased content of syntaxin 1A in dST may be the part of the mechanism responsible for the radiation-induced hyperlocomotion.

A Neural Basis for Mutant ATAXIN-1 Induced Respiratory Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded trinucleotide repeat in the ATAXIN-1 (ATXN1) gene, is characterized by motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and death from compromised swallowing and respiration. To delineate specific cell types that contribute to respiratory dysfunction, we utilized the floxed conditional knock-in f-ATXN1 146Q/2Q mouse. Whole body plethysmography during spontaneous respiration and respiratory challenge showed that f-ATXN1 146Q/2Q mice exhibit a spontaneous respiratory phenotype characterized by elevated respiratory frequency, volumes, and respiratory output. Consequently, the ability of f-ATXN1 146Q/2Q mice to increase ventilation during the challenge is impaired. To investigate the role of mutant ATXN1 expression in neural and skeletal muscle lineages, f-ATXN1 146Q/2Q mice were bred to Nestin-Cre and Acta1-Cre mice respectively. These analyses revealed that the abnormal spontaneous respiration in f-ATXN1 146Q/2Q mice involved two aspects: a behavioral phenotype in which SCA1 mice exhibit increased motor activity during respiratory testing and functional dysregulation of central respiratory control centers. Both aspects of spontaneous respiration were partially ameliorated by removing mutant ATXN1 from neural, but not skeletal muscle, cell lineages.

Cardarin effect on the formation of histopathological and behavioral abnormalities in the lithium-pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy in rats

Epilepsy is a severe neuropsychological disease accompanied by the development of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) and associated behavioral disorders that are difficult to treat. In recent years, the neuroprotective properties of agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR α, β/δ, γ), nuclear transcription factors involved in the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as inflammatory signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, have been actively investigated. The neuroprotective properties of PPARγ agonists have been repeatedly described in models of epilepsy; the effects of PPARβ/δ agonists in these models have not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this work was to study the effects of administering the PPARβ/δ agonist cardarin on the formation of histopathological and behavioral abnormalities in the lithium-pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The lithium-pilocarpine model is one of the best experimental models of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. In this study, epilepsy was induced by administration of pilocarpine to male Wistar rats at the age of 7 weeks one day after LiCl injection. Cardarin (2.5 mg/kg) was administered daily for 7 days after pilocarpine, with the first injection one day after pilocarpine injection. Behavioral testing was performed 2‒3 months after induction of the model in the following tests: Open Field, Resident Stranger, New Object Exploration, Y Maze Spontaneous Alternation and Morris Water Maze. Brain sampling for histological studies (assessment of neuronal death, Nissl staining) was performed after the end of behavioral experiments, 95 days after TLE induction. It was shown that untreated rats with TLE exhibited significant hippocampal neuron death and behavioral disorders: increased motor activity, anxiety, memory disorders, research and communicative behavior. Caradrin did not affect the survival rate of hippocampal neurons, but reduced the manifestation of almost all the above-mentioned behavioral disorders, except for hyperactivity. Thus, this study demonstrated the promising use of PPARβ/δ agonists to attenuate the development of behavioral disorders characteristic of epilepsy.

PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND HYPERACTIVITY

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to develop and implement in practice a physiotherapy program and an algorithm for its application in children with autism and hyperactivity and to study the effect of its impact. Material/Methods. The survey was conducted from May 2021 to May 2023. The treatment-research contingent includes children with autism and autism spectrum disorders from 3 to 18 years of age with motor, visual, mental and multiple disabilities who attend the Day Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities "Winnie the Pooh" in Ruse. Results. The research results show that after the applied physiotherapy program, a significantly better effect was observed regarding motor activity, muscle tone, and psycho-emotional state compared to the baseline indicators in the studied contingent. Conclusions. Through its specific strategies for working with children with autism, therapeutic gymnastics has a beneficial effect on increasing motor activity and further developing and strengthening motor skills.

Amphetamine and methylphenidate potential on the recovery from stroke and traumatic brain injury: a review.

The prevalence of stroke and traumatic brain injury is increasing worldwide. However, current treatments do not fully cure or stop their progression, acting mostly on symptoms. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are stimulants already approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy treatment, with neuroprotective potential and benefits when used in appropriate doses. This review aimed to summarize pre-clinical and clinical trials testing either amphetamine or methylphenidate for the treatment of stroke and traumatic brain injury. We used PubMed as a database and included the following keywords ((methylphenidate) OR (Ritalin) OR (Concerta) OR (Biphentin) OR (amphetamine) OR (Adderall)) AND ((stroke) OR (brain injury) OR (neuroplasticity)). Overall, studies provided inconsistent results regarding cognitive and motor function. Neurite outgrowth, synaptic proteins, dendritic complexity, and synaptic plasticity increases were reported in pre-clinical studies along with function improvement. Clinical trials have demonstrated that, depending on the brain region, there is an increase in motor activity, attention, and memory due to the stimulation of the functionally depressed catecholamine system and the activation of neuronal remodeling proteins. Nevertheless, more clinical trials and pre-clinical studies are needed to understand the drugs' full potential for their use in these brain diseases namely, to ascertain the treatment time window, ideal dosage, long-term effects, and mechanisms, while avoiding their addictive potential.

The use of neuroleptics, sedatives and anesthetics for anxiolytic therapy in animals

An important area for improving antidepressant treatment is the expansion of the indications for neuroleptics, anesthetics and sedatives. All these drugs have pronounced neurotropic effects. The aim of our work is to study the published scientifc evidence on the potential of neuroleptics, anesthetics and sedatives for anxiolytic therapy. A systematic literature review was used to search for publications on the topic of the study. The PubMed database (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) was used to search for scientifc articles. The literature data indicates that ketamine is used to treat recurrent anxiety in both humans and animals. It provides rapid and sustained relief of anxiety symptoms in a variety of its clinical presentations. The anxiolytic effect occurs within the frst 12 hours after administration and remains effective for 1 to 2 weeks. The anxiolytic effect of ketamine is due to its effect on hippocampal neurotropic factor activity. Diazepam can signifcantly reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as neuroinflammation in brain-injured mice. It causes a dose-dependent increase in motor activity. In combination with metformin, diazepam is the preferred treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus in stressed animals. Intermittent use of diazepam is useful to avoid the development of physical dependence when the drug is used for a long period of time. Acepromazine is promising to be used for anxiolytic effect in animals. A combined protocol with acepromazine signifcantly reduced signs of stress, anxiety and aggression during veterinary visits and had an anxiolytic effect in dogs. Acepromazine reduces the negative effects of transport stress in wild ungulates. Dexmedetomidine is used for sedation in both human and veterinary medicine. This drug is a promising candidate for the experimental treatment of stress-related diseases such as anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder. We believe that further research in this area should be conducted in controlled comparative studies to determine the optimal doses and duration of administration of potential anxiolytics, considering the species, age, sex, physiological state and other relevant clinical parameters of the animals studied. Therefore, systematic and detailed studies will help us not only to understand the effectiveness, but also to provide safe and individualized treatment. This research can improve our understanding of the use of anxiolytics in veterinary practice, which is of key importance for improving the quality of animal welfare. In our opinion, the use of anesthetics, neuroleptics and sedatives, which are now widely used for sedation or general anesthesia, opens new possibilities for the treatment of behavioral and anxiety disorders in animals. Key words: anxiety, veterinary medicine, neuroleptics, sedatives, ketamine, acepromazine, diazepam, medetomidine.

SPORTS GAMES AT THE UNIVERSITY. IMPACT ON STUDENTS' HEALTH

The relevance of physical education in general education organizations is one of the foundations of the structure of students’ physical training and reflects the level of physical and psychosomatic health, functional capabilities, which in recent years have caused serious concern among medical workers, teachers, educational psychologists, and the public. The most significant increase in all types of diseases occurs during the period coinciding with university studies. Some reasons are explained by physical inactivity and constant use of computers, gadgets, and phones. An important reason is the low motivation of students for physical development. In this regard, physical culture and sports are one of the main means of strengthening and maintaining health, increasing activity and physical improvement. Physical culture and sports are the most important factors in the development of human potential. The article reveals the impact of sports games on increasing motor activity among students of higher education institutions. The current state of motor activity among student youth is analyzed. It was found that basketball and football are one of the most popular sports among students. Practical recommendations have been developed for improving motor activity with the help of sports games. The relationship between motor activity and psychophysical condition, the lower the level of motor activity, the lower the level of health, and the worse the psycho-emotional state. It has been established that one of the effective ways to increase students' motor activity is to involve them in sports games.

EFFECT OF OPIOID PEPTIDE ANALOG ON ANIMAL BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES UNDER EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS ALLOXANE DIABETES MELLITUS

The aim is to assess the effect of the opioid peptide dalargin on the behavioral responses of laboratory animals under the conditions of experimental alloxane diabetes mellitus. Material and methods. The experiment was performed on nonlinear white male rats weighing 280-290 g. Laboratory animals were divided into several groups: 1 – control group, which received water for injection daily by intraperitoneal administration (control), 2 – animals with alloxane diabetes mellitus; group 3 – diabetic individuals treated with dalargin for 21 days intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mkg/kg/day starting one month after alloxan administration. Diabetes mellitus was modeled by intraperitoneal administration of alloxane to pre-starved animals for 24 hours at a dose of 100 mg/kg once (dose worked out in preliminary studies). Assessment of the severity and dynamics of individual behavioral acts, as well as the level of emotional-behavioral reactivity of animals, was carried out using psychopharmacological tests: "Raised cruciform labyrinth" and "Dark light chamber." Results. When dalargin was administered to animals under the conditions of alloxane diabetes mellitus, an increase in motor activity and cognitive activity was noted, which indicated a decrease in anxiety that was observed during the development of experimental diabetes mellitus. Conclusion. Based on the results obtained from the study of the effect of the opioid peptide dalargin on the behavioral responses of laboratory animals under the conditions of experimental alloxane diabetes mellitus, it was found that the investigational drug has psychocorregative, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.

Perinatal exposure to atazanavir-based antiretroviral regimens in a mouse model leads to differential long-term motor and cognitive deficits dependent on the NRTI backbone.

Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) use in pregnancy has been pivotal in improving maternal health and reducing perinatal HIV transmission. However, children born HIV-exposed uninfected fall behind their unexposed peers in several areas including neurodevelopment. The contribution of in utero ART exposure to these deficits is not clear. Here we present our findings of neurocognitive outcomes in adult mice exposed in utero to ART. Dams were treated with a combination of ritonavir-boosted atazanavir with either abacavir plus lamivudine (ABC/3TC + ATV/r) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus emtricitabine (TDF/FTC + ATV/r), or water as a control, administered daily from day of plug detection to birth. Offspring underwent a battery of behavioral tests that investigated motor performance and cognition starting at 6-weeks of age and ending at 8 months. Changes in brain structure were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging and immunohistochemistry. Expression of genes involved in neural circuitry and synaptic transmission were assessed in the hippocampus, a region strongly associated with memory formation, using qPCR. Pups exposed to TDF/FTC + ATV/r showed increased motor activity and exploratory drive, and deficits in hippocampal-dependent working memory and social interaction, while pups exposed to ABC/3TC + ATV/r showed increased grooming, and deficits in working memory and social interaction. Significant volumetric reductions in the brain were seen only in the ABC/3TC + ATV/r group and were associated with reduced neuronal counts in the hippocampus. Altered neurotransmitter receptor mRNA expression as well as changes in expression of the neurotrophic factor BDNF and its receptors were observed in both ART-exposed groups in a sex-dependent manner. In our model, in utero ART exposure had long-term effects on brain development and cognitive and motor outcomes in adulthood. Our data show that neurological outcomes can be influenced by the type of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor backbone of the regimen and not just the base drug, and display sex differences.

Late-onset mania as a manifestation of neurosyphilis: A Case Report

IntroductionThe evaluation of manic behavior with later onset is crucial, as various organic factors such as medications, infections, metabolic disturbances, tumors, and epilepsy can serve as potential etiological causes. While not universally observed, most studies indicate a connection between late-onset mania and neurological disorders like neurosyphilis.ObjectivesOur study aims to investigate the relationship between late-onset mania and neurosyphilis.MethodsIn this paper, we present a case of neurosyphilis presenting exclusively with symptoms of mania.ResultsA 72-year-old Tunisian woman with no prior medical or psychiatric history was referred to the psychiatric emergency room due to alterations in her mental state and behavior over the past ten days. During the psychiatric assessment, she displayed increased motor activity, fluctuating emotions, and rapid flow of ideas. The general physical examination yielded no notable findings. The serum Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test returned a strongly positive result (+++), and the TPHA examination confirmed a positive result at a titer of 1/60. In the serologic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, VDRL was also positive, thereby confirming the diagnosis of neurosyphilis (NS). The diagnosis of mania secondary to a medical condition was established. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and antimanic medications, resulting in a significant improvement in her psychiatric symptoms within a few days.ConclusionsThis case underscores the importance of conducting serologic testing for syphilis in patients who present with manic symptoms, experience a late-onset mental disorder, and have no prior history or family history of affective disorders.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Detection of abnormal behaviors in prenatal Poly(I:C) exposed mice in a group-rearing environment.

During pregnancy, the maternal environment is critical for normal ontogeny and central nervous system development. Occasionally, prenatal exposure to environmental factors affects tissue architecture and functional development of the brain, which causes developmental disorders, including disorders of the autism spectrum. One of these environmental factors is the exposure to infectious diseases during pregnancy. In this study, we generated mice with infectious disease-induced inflammation by prenatal exposure to 200 μg/kg polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid sodium salt [Poly(I:C)] at embryonic day 12.5 and analyzed their phenotypes on 30-weeks-old. We attempted to detect abnormalities in spontaneous activity and social interaction, which may be indicators of developmental disorder-like behavioral abnormalities, in free-ranging behaviors in multiple rearing environments using multiple animal positioning systems and UMATracker in mice with fetal inflammation. Increased spontaneous activity and abnormal social interactions were observed in mice in the Poly(I:C)-treated group compared with those in the control group. Prenatal exposure to Poly(I:C) increased motor activity and decreased social interaction, and social behavior in prenatally treated mice in a multiple-individual rearing environment. Poly(I:C) exposure during the fetal period resulted in developmental disorder-like behavioral abnormalities, such as increased activity and abnormal social interactions, even after maturation in a multiple-individual rearing environment. This experimental method may provide a new way to analyze the behavior of mouse models of developmental disorders in a multiple-individual rearing environment, in which free-ranging behavior is possible.

Interrelations of physical state parameters and biological age of students in the process of physical education

Background and Study Aim. The objective of the study is to investigate the relationships of students' biological age (BA) with the parameters of functional and physical fitness (PF) in the process of adaptation to standard (university) and experimental physical education programs. Material and Methods. The studies were conducted at the National University of Telecommunications of Ukraine and involved 140 students aged 17-18 years old, comprising 80 boys and 60 girls. We recorded 55 indices of students' functional state and physical fitness, and determined their Body Mass Index (BMI). The experimental data were processed using methods of correlation, dispersion, and regression analysis. Mathematical models describing the relationships between BMI and key indicators of students' physical well-being were developed. Results. The impact of the program on 17-18-year-old students is marked by a decrease in BMI, an increase in the levels of physical fitness and overall well-being among both the experimental group of girls and boys. Additionally, there is a reduced correlation between BMI and the parameters of their physical health. The key indices of functional state and physical fitness determining the BMI of male and female students were identified. Multiple regression models were developed to illustrate the dependence of male and female BMI on somatic and functional indices. Quantitative characteristics of the degree of partial and total impact of key indices on male and female BMI were provided. It was found that the key indicators of students' physical state (PS) structure, which exerted the most significant influence on BMI, differ between young men and women. In young men, the key indicators influencing BMI include the following: Vital capacity (VC) accounts for 51.9% of BMI variation; self-perceived health status (SPHS) contributes 15.3%; static balancing (SB) affects 8.5%; inspiration breath-hold time (IBH) influences 8.4%; expiration breath-hold time (EBH) has a 0.8% impact; systolic blood pressure (SBP) plays a role with 4.6%; the number of sit-ups in 30 seconds (SU30s) is associated with 0.9%; and left hand muscle strength has a 0.6% influence. In girls, the key indicators are VC (34.5% of BMI variation), SBP (23.1%), and SB (7.9%). Conclusions. The experimental program of increased motor activity leads to an increase in the functional and motor capabilities of students, while simultaneously decreasing their BMI. Among the parameters studied, changes in vegetative parameters have the greatest impact on reducing students' BMI during the annual cycle of long-term adaptation to physical loads. In contrast, changes in somatic parameters and physical fitness parameters have a lesser influence on students' BMI. The calculated equations of multiple regression serve as model characteristics that reflect the relationships between BMI and the key indicators of functional state and physical fitness in 17-18-year-old students. These equations can be utilized to estimate, model, and predict the BMI of 17-18-year-old students of different genders when altering the parameters of their physical state in various conditions of daily life and activity.

Netrin1-carrying magnetic microspheres with magnetic field activate neurotrophin factors to guide neuronal outgrowth in vitro and in vivo

Nerve injuries often result in the failure of functional synapses connections, primarily due to the absence of neurotrophic factors and guidance at the injury sites. In response to this challenge, an effective approach involving magnetic microspheres carrying axonal guidance cue (Netrin1) was presented. These microspheres were prepared using Fe3O4 and PLGA via electrospray. Netrin1 was incorporated into structural particles that could be oriented in a magnetic field and released at the injury sites. In this study, oriented and longer axons were observed in the cortical neurons after 10 μg/mL magnetic microspheres (MMSs) treatment. Under an applied magnetic field of 5 mT, Netrin1-carrying magnetic microspheres (N@MMSs) demonstrated a more significant increase in cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, mRNA expressions of BDNF and NGF compared to MMSs. These findings were assessed using the cell counting kit-8, tetramethyl rhodamine fluorescence, and real time PCR assay, respectively. Furthermore, N@MMSs demonstrated significant protection against glutamate-induced neuronal oxidative toxicity, as evaluated by mitochondrial respiratory function and glycolysis stress using the Seahorse Extracellular Flux analyzer. Subsequently, N@MMSs and a magnetic field were applied to adult mice after sciatic nerve injury. Behavior analysiss, including the open field test, indicated that N@MMSs typically increased motor activity under the magnetic field and significantly decreased paw licking latency on the 14th day. Finally, both BDNF and NGF expressions increased compared to the injury group. In conclusion, N@MMSs show promise as alternative particles for nerve regeneration.

Влияние комплексной реабилитации на контроль бронхиальной астмы у пациентов с ожирением

Background: to achieve control of asthma and reduce mortality, as well as improve the patients' quality of life, it requires not only the new drugs development and improvement of stepwise therapy regimens but also new approaches to comprehensive individual rehabilitation programs for patient management. Aim: to assess the impact of comprehensive rehabilitation programs on asthma control, pulmonary function, motor activity, and quality of life (QOL) in multimorbid patients with asthma and obesity. Patients and Methods: 70 patients with asthma and obesity were divided into 2 groups of 35 subjects: group 1, in which patients underwent a rehabilitation program, and group 2, patients who were only under the outpatient supervision of a pulmonologist.The following tests were conducted twice: Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-5), Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) for assessing the multimorbid profile, 6-minute walk test for identifying the functional capacity, ODA23+ for motor activity assessment, QOL according to Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), pulmonary function test. Results: the patients were comparable in all assessed parameters. Functional capacity in both groups corresponded to the class I. The motor activity level according to ODA23+ was low to moderate. In group 1, the CIRS index was 10.0±1.1, in group 2 – 9.2±1.1 (p>0.005). After rehabilitation actions in group 1, the BMI decreased by 0.7 kg/m2 and waist circumference by 3.3 cm (p<0.05), motor activity increased from 63.8±4.9 to 70.4±4.5 (p<0.0001). In group 2, motor activity increased unreliably: the number of patients with low motor activity increased by 11.4%. The level of asthma control according to ACQ-5 in group 1 was 1.2±0.1, in group 2 — 1.58±0.1 (p<0.05). QOL in group 1 increased from 3.8±0.4 to 4.5±0.3 (p<0.0001) in all major domains except the emotional function, which increased unreliably (p>0.05). In group 2, QOL did not change significantly (p>0.05). Conclusion: to increase the level of asthma control, multimorbid patients with preserved rehabilitation potential should be offered multicomponent rehabilitation programs that affect both asthma and concomitant diseases. The use of rehabilitation programs improves the asthma control, increases the QOL of obese patients, promotes weight loss, increases motor activity level and functional capacity.

Laying groundwork for the development of a salutogenic architecture design method in the context of physical activity

The purpose of the research work is to model behavior control through spatial organization for developing a method of salutogenic architecture design. At this stage of research, we use an interpretive method to summarize interdisciplinary knowledge about the influence of spatial organization on human behavior and the psychophysiology of space perception in the context of behavioral choice in order to identify spatial configurations that promote salutogenic behavior. The main conclusions of the research work are presented as generalized principles of architectural environment development that promote increased motor activity. The results of the study open further research venues for the development of the above-mentioned design method.

Tolerance to paradoxical increase in motor activity caused by inhibition of phosphodiesterase 10a in a model of hypodopaminergy

Tolerance to paradoxical increase in motor activity caused by inhibition of phosphodiesterase 10a in a model of hypodopaminergy

Neurocognitive and Reactive Return to Play Testing Protocol in Overhead Athletes Following Upper Extremity Injury.

The incidence of upper extremity (UE) injuries in sport, particularly with the shoulder and elbow in baseball/softball players, appears to be increasing yearly, especially in younger age athletes. Improving the objective criteria and testing methods used to determine return to play (RTP) readiness following non-operative or post-operative management of UE injuries is one aspect of the rehabilitation process that may significantly help in reducing reinjury rates. Currently, the majority of clinicians are still using post operative time frame and/or strength/range of motion as their main criteria for clearance to RTP following UE injury. This demonstrates an inadequate reflection of the actual unpredictable, dynamic environment athletes are returning to participate in. In our clinical experiences, objective testing to allow for clearance to sport participation should incorporate neurocognitive and reactive testing to promote improvements in the athlete's ability to dual task and focus/concentrate on the multi-dimensional tasks at hand. We know that neuroplastic changes occur following UE injury resulting in decreased proprioception and increased motor activation with simple UE tasks. Currently the research on UE return to play testing is limited. The purpose of this clinical commentary was to describe the utilization and provide reference values for a series of reactive neurocognitive UE tests, to assist with RTP, in high school and collegiate overhead athletes (baseball and softball) utilizing the Blaze Pod light system. The use of a more dynamic reactive testing battery may decrease the reinjury rates when an athlete is cleared for participation by measuring readiness in chaotic circumstances that are more reflective of the sporting environment the athlete is working to return to resulting in a greater sense of confidence, performance and prevention of reinjuries.

Structural brain network degeneration associated with agitation in dementia

AbstractBackgroundAgitation is a behavioral syndrome involving increased motor activity, restlessness, aggressiveness and emotional distress. Its has a 30% prevalence across multiple types of dementia and is associated with negative outcomes, including reduced quality of life, caregiver distress, and mortality. Pharmacological treatment risks serious side effects, including mortality. Understanding brain network topology could provide insights into novel treatment methods.MethodParticipants comprised 600 subjects from 3 existing databases: the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Neuroimaging Initiative (NIFD) and the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at Northwestern University. Participants were clinically diagnosed with either behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia of the Alzeheimer type (DAT) or cognitively normal (CN). The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI‐Q) caregiver rating was used to determine whether individuals were agitated or not. Morphometric similarity networks (MSNs) were generated from Freesurfer statistics calculated from T1‐weighted MRIs. 7 surface‐based cortical metrics (e.g. gray matter volume, surface area) were calculated for each of 360 parcels. Pairwise inter‐parcel Pearson correlations of feature vectors were calculated to produce a morphometric similarity matrix for each individual. We calculated sub‐matrices for salience (SN) cognitive control (CCN) and default mode networks (DMN). Brain Connectivity Toolbox calculated transitivity and global efficiency of each network. Metrics were calculated at different thresholds to ensure the results were not threshold‐dependent. We calculated 2 (Agitation present/absent) x 4 (Diagnosis) repeated measures ANCOVAS for transitivity and global efficiency for each network. Covariates were age, sex, race, database, education, ICV, CDR‐SB and days MRI‐NPI‐Q.ResultFor the SN, people with Agitation had significantly lower global efficiency than people without Agitation (Figure 1). There were no significant effects of diagnosis or interaction. For the CCN, people with agitation had significantly lower transitivity than people without Agitation (Figure 2). There were no significant effect of diagnosis or interaction.ConclusionAcross different forms of dementia, Agitation is associated with reduced integration (global efficiency) of the salience network, and reduced segregation (transitivity) of the cognitive control network. Interventions that alter these topological network features may be effective in reducing agitation in dementia, regardless of clinical diagnosis.

Structural brain network degeneration associated with agitation in dementia

AbstractBackgroundAgitation is a behavioral syndrome involving increased motor activity, restlessness, aggressiveness and emotional distress. Its has a 30% prevalence across multiple types of dementia and is associated with negative outcomes, including reduced quality of life, caregiver distress, and mortality. Pharmacological treatment risks serious side effects, including mortality. Understanding brain network topology could provide insights into novel treatment methods.MethodParticipants comprised 600 subjects from 3 existing databases: the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Neuroimaging Initiative (NIFD) and the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at Northwestern University.Participants were clinically diagnosed with either behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia of the Alzeheimer type (DAT) or cognitively normal (CN). The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI‐Q) caregiver rating was used to determine whether individuals were agitated or not.Morphometric similarity networks (MSNs) were generated from Freesurfer statistics calculated from T1‐weighted MRIs. 7 surface‐based cortical metrics (e.g. gray matter volume, surface area) were calculated for each of 360 parcels. Pairwise inter‐parcel Pearson correlations of feature vectors were calculated to produce a morphometric similarity matrix for each individual. We calculated sub‐matrices for salience (SN) cognitive control (CCN) and default mode networks (DMN). Brain Connectivity Toolbox calculated transitivity and global efficiency of each network. Metrics were calculated at different thresholds to ensure the results were not threshold‐dependent.We calculated 2 (Agitation present/absent) x 4 (Diagnosis) repeated measures ANCOVAS for transitivity and global efficiency for each network. Covariates were age, sex, race, database, education, ICV, CDR‐SB and days MRI‐NPI‐Q.ResultFor the SN, people with Agitation had significantly lower global efficiency than people without Agitation (Figure 1). There were no significant effects of diagnosis or interaction.For the CCN, people with agitation had significantly lower transitivity than people without Agitation (Figure 2). There were no significant effect of diagnosis or interaction.ConclusionAcross different forms of dementia, Agitation is associated with reduced integration (global efficiency) of the salience network, and reduced segregation (transitivity) of the cognitive control network. Interventions that alter these topological network features may be effective in reducing agitation in dementia, regardless of clinical diagnosis.