Motor Coordination Research Articles

Targeting MAD2B as a strategy for ischemic stroke therapy

IntroductionPost-stroke cognitive impairment is one of the major causes of disability due to cerebral ischemia. MAD2B is an inhibitor of Cdh1/APC, and loss of Cdh1/APC function in mature neurons increases ROCK2 activity, leading to changes in synaptic plasticity and memory loss in mouse neurons. Whether MAD2B regulates learning memory capacity through ROCK2 in cerebral ischemia is not known. ObjectivesWe investigated the role and mechanism of MAD2B in cerebral ischemia-induced cognitive dysfunction. MethodsThe expression of MAD2B and its downstream related molecules was detected by immunoblotting and intervened with neuroprotectants after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). We constructed MAD2B-cKO-specific knockout mice, knocked down and overexpressed MAD2B in mouse hippocampus by lentiviral injection in brain stereotaxis, modeled cerebral ischemia by using MCAO, and explored the role of MAD2B in post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) by animal behaviors such as Y-maze and Novel object recognition test. Then the expression of MAD2B/ROCK2, downstream molecules and apoptosis-related molecules was detected. Finally, ROCK2 expression was intervened using its inhibitor and shRNA-ROCK2 lentivirus. ResultsThe expression of MAD2B and its downstream molecules increased after MCAO and OGD/R. Nonetheless, this expression underwent a decline post-therapy with neuroprotective agents. Deletion of MAD2B in the hippocampus ameliorated memory and learning deficits and improved motor coordination in MCAO mice. Conversely, the overexpression of MAD2B in the hippocampus exacerbated learning and memory deficits. Deletion of MAD2B resulted in the downregulation of ROCK2/LIMK1/cofilin. It effectively reduced ischemia-induced upregulation of BAX and cleaved caspase-3, which could be reversed by MAD2B overexpression. Inhibition or knockdown of ROCK2 expression in primary cultured neurons led to the downregulation of LIMK1/cofilin expression and reduced the expression of apoptosis-associated molecules induced by ischemia. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that MAD2B affects neuronal apoptosis via Rock2, which affects neurological function and cerebral infarction.

Epilepsy and Cognition in GM2-Gangliosidosis B1 Variant – Experience of a Tertiary Hospital

Introduction: GM2 gangliosidosis B1 variant (GM2B1) is an autosomal recessive disorder due to deficiency of β-hexosaminidase A, leading to the lysosomal storage of GM2 gangliosides in neuronal tissue and neuronal death. Symptoms include progressive motor coordination impairment and neurodegeneration, in children with previously normal development, leading to early death. Objective: Clinical characterization of patients with GM2B1 with a focus on epileptic manifestations. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted, analyzing clinical records of patients diagnosed with GM2B1 and followed at our Hospital Neuropediatric Department in the decade 2013-2022. Results: Four patients (three female) from three families diagnosed with GM2B1 were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 70 months. The most frequent symptoms at presentation were developmental regression (all children), language impairment (three), and epileptic seizures (two). Enzymatic deficiency in leukocytes and pathogenic variants in the HEXA gene were demonstrated in all cases. The pathogenic variant c.533G>A(p.R178H) in exon 5 was present in seven of the eight alleles. All patients experienced language impairment (Md=42 mos) with complete language loss (Md=78 mos). Loss of walking ability occurred in three patients (Md=96 mos). All patients experienced epileptic seizures during the course of the disease, with a median onset of seizures at 55 months. Initial seizures were classified as atypical absences (two), tonic seizures (one) and myoclonic seizures (one). Electroencephalographic evaluation revealed slow basal rhythm and focal paroxysmal activity in all cases. All were treated with antiseizure medication, two requiring a combination of three drugs. Conclusion: GM2B1 encompasses a wide clinical spectrum, with heterogenous age of symptom onset, clinical presentation and disease progression. Epilepsy is a common comorbidity in GM2B1, with variable seizure type and severity, and may be difficult to control. Timely diagnosis, coupled with multidisciplinary clinical follow-up, is crucial to improve quality of life of patients and enable genetic counseling.

Relation Between Abnormal Spontaneous Brain Activity and Altered Neuromuscular Activation of Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles in Chronic Low Back Pain

ObjectiveTo investigate the neural mechanism underlying functional reorganization and motor coordination strategies in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP). DesignA case-control study based on data collected during routine clinical practice. SettingThis study was conducted at a university hospital. ParticipantsFifteen patients with cLBP and 15 healthy controls. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresWhole brain blood oxygen level-dependent signals were measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) method to identify pain-induced changes in regional spontaneous brain activity. A novel approach based on the surface electromyogram (EMG) system and fine-wire electrodes was used to record EMG signals in the deep multifidus, superficial multifidus, and erector spinae. ResultsIn cLBP, compared with healthy groups, ALFF was higher in the medial prefrontal, primary somatosensory, primary motor, and inferior temporal cortices, whereas it was lower in the cerebellum and anterior cingulate and posterior cingulate cortices. Furthermore, the decrease in the average EMG activity of the 3 lumbar muscles in the cLBP group was positively correlated with the ALFF values of the primary somatosensory cortex, motor cortex, precuneus, and middle temporal cortex but significantly negatively correlated with the ALFF values of the medial prefrontal and inferior temporal cortices. Interestingly, the correlation between the functional activity in the cerebellum and the EMG activity varied in the lumbar muscles. ConclusionsThese findings suggest a functional association between changes in spontaneous brain activity and altered voluntary neuromuscular activation patterns of the lumbar paraspinal muscles, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying pain chronicity as well as important implications for developing novel therapeutic targets of cLBP.

Features of forming coordination abilities and properties of the nervous system of schoolchildren (aged 11-12) at physical education classes

Introduction. The problem of forming and improving modern adolescents’ coordination abilities is relevant, considering the fact that most professional skills are based on these abilities. A number of studies indicate the relationship between the development of schoolchildren’ coordination abilities and the properties of their nervous system. Thus, to date, these relationship has been quite poorly studied. The purpose of the article is to reveal the features of forming coordination abilities and properties of the nervous system of schoolchildren aged between 11 and 12 years in the process of physical education. Materials and Methods. The methodological approach of this study is N. A. Bernstein’s theory on the physiological basis of movement control. In order to assess the level of schoolchildren’s motor coordination, the ability to kinetic differentiation, maintaining balance (Romberg’s test), and the ability to coordinate movements were assessed. The properties of nervous system were studied using visual-motor reactions. The tests make it possible to determine a subject’s reaction time to a visual stimulus, the stability of the reaction, the speed of decision-making in the choice reaction, and to assess the mobility of the main nervous processes in the central nervous system. Results. The article presents the results of a study of forming coordination abilities and properties of schoolchildren’s nervous system in the process of Physical Education classes. At the beginning of the experiment, schoolchildren, aged 11-12 years, had a below average level of the ability to balance and kinesthetic differentiation and a low level of development of the ability to coordinate movements. The time for a complex visual-motor reaction was significantly longer compared to a simple reaction. There were no significant differences in the indicators of visual-motor reactions of schoolchildren depending on their gender. During Physical Education classes, when they do gymnastics, basketball and track and field athletics, some specially selected exercises were used aimed at developing coordination abilities in middle schoolchildren. At the end of the experiment, schoolchildren aged 11-12 years were determined to have a high level of the ability to balance and kinesthetic differentiation and an above-average level of development of the ability to coordinate movements. According to the results of the experiment, the highest level of ability to kinesthetic differentiation and coordination of movements were shown by schoolchildren. The authors obtained data about the optimization of indicators of the nervous system properties, assessed by the magnitude of simple-motor reaction (SVMR) and complex visual-motor reaction (CVMR), which proves the leading role of the central nervous system in the formation of coordination abilities. Conclusions. The results of the work allow the authors to draw a conclusion about the relationship between the properties of the nervous system and the dynamics of coordination abilities, which determine the speed of the processes of excitation and inhibition, the mobility of nervous processes in the central nervous system, the ability to develop differential inhibition and the accuracy of the motor act in schoolchildren aged 11-12 years during the Physical Education classes.

A Survey Study on the Maturity of Schooling of Young Children in Rural Sichuan Province:Taking the Rural Area of Meishan City,Sichuan Province as An Example

The admission maturity level of preschoolers can predict their performance after entering schools to a certain extent. Therefore, how to prepare for children’s admission to primary school has become a key issue of social concern. In order to improve the admission maturity level of rural preschoolers in Sichuan Province, it is necessary to understand the admission maturity level of 5-6-year-old children in Sichuan Province, so as to provide theoretical and practical basis for taking targeted measures. In this study, the measurement method was used to investigate the admission maturity level of children in rural areas of Meishan City, Sichuan Province as the research sample. It was found that rural children's motor coordination ability did not differ significantly from the national average, and their scores in visual perception ability, auditory perception ability, motor coordination ability, perceptual conversion ability, mathematical preparation ability, verbal communication ability, social adaptation ability and learning quality were significantly lower than the national average, but in auditory perceptual ability, rural children's scores were significantly higher than the national average. The differences in eight abilities between males and females were compared. Except for motor coordination, perceptual conversion ability, and verbal communication ability, there were significant differences in all other aspects, and girls scored higher than boys in all abilities. In addition to this, there is also some discussion on mother's occupation and young children's maturity in school. Based on the findings, targeted improvement measures were proposed to provide a reference for home and school to improve children's admission to primary school.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preschoolers with Antenatal Zika Virus Exposure Born in the United States.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes for preschool-age children in the United States with in utero Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure have not yet been reported. We performed a case-control study to assess whether children exposed in utero to ZIKV have abnormal neurodevelopment at age 4-5 years compared to unexposed controls. Thirteen ZIKV-exposed cases that did not have microcephaly or other specific features of congenital Zika syndrome and 12 controls were evaluated between ages 4-5 years. Child neurodevelopment was assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA), and Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). Caregivers answered questions on the child's medical history and family demographics. Cases and controls were evaluated at mean (SD) ages 4.9 (0.3) and 4.8 (0.4) years, respectively. Caregivers reported more behavior and mood problems in cases than controls. MABC scores showed more gross and fine motor coordination difficulties among cases than controls. Controls trended towards higher performance on concepts underlying school readiness on BSRA. Three cases had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or global developmental delay. Continued follow-up through school age for children with prenatal ZIKV exposure is needed to understand the impact of in utero ZIKV exposure on motor coordination, cognition, executive function, and academic achievement.

The Role of Virtual Reality in Enhancing Motor Skills in Children: A Systematic Review

This research aims to analyze how virtual reality (VR) can enhance movement skills in children. We employed a systematic review model, searching for relevant articles in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The search keywords included "virtual reality," "child," "social," and "motor skills." This study's inclusion criteria were articles focused on "virtual reality," "children with motor disorders," and "motor skills," published within the last five years (as of 2019). Articles from less well-known journals were excluded. We identified eight articles that met the inclusion criteria and were suitable for systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. The findings indicate that VR plays a significant role in improving motor coordination abilities in children. Responses to VR interventions were overwhelmingly positive, showing reductions in physical, cognitive, and emotional stress. Therefore, VR proves to be a valuable tool for physiotherapists and physicians treating children with motor delays. However, some considerations need to be addressed. A few parents have raised concerns about the high costs and the substantial space requirements associated with VR setups. Keywords: virtual reality, motion disorders, motor, technology, children

FOXA1 Suppresses Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Oxidative Stress, and Neuronal Apoptosis in Parkinson's Disease by Activating PON2 Transcription.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress (OS) are often related states in pathological conditions including Parkinson's disease (PD). This study investigates the role of anti-oxidant protein paraoxonase 2 (PON2) in ER stress and OS in PD, along with its regulatory molecule. PD was induced in C57BL/6 mice using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP) treatment and in SH-SY5Y cells using 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium. PON2 was found to be poorly expressed in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of PD mice, and its overexpression improved motor coordination of mice. Through the evaluation of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporter, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) levels and neuronal loss in mice, as well as the examination of CHOP, glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94), GRP78, caspase-12, sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase levels in SH-SY5Y cells, we observed that PON2 overexpression mitigated ER stress, OS, and neuronal apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) was identified as a transcription factor binding to the PON2 promoter to activate its transcription. Upregulation of FOXA1 similarly protected against neuronal loss by alleviating ER stress and OS, while the protective roles were abrogated by additional PON2 silencing. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that FOXA1-mediated transcription of PON2 alleviates ER stress and OS, ultimately reducing neuronal apoptosis in PD.

NEAT1 Promotes Valproic Acid-Induced Autism Spectrum Disorder by Recruiting YY1 to Regulate UBE3A Transcription.

Evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a significant role in autism. Herein, we explored the functional role and possible molecular mechanisms of NEAT1 in valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A VPA-induced ASD rat model was constructed, and a series of behavioral tests were performed to examine motor coordination and learning-memory abilities. qRT-PCR and western blot assays were used to evaluate target gene expression levels. Loss-and-gain-of-function assays were conducted to explore the functional role of NEAT1 in ASD development. Furthermore, a combination of mechanistic experiments and bioinformatic tools was used to assess the relationship and regulatory role of the NEAT1-YY1-UBE3A axis in ASD cellular processes. Results showed that VPA exposure induced autism-like developmental delays and behavioral abnormalities in the VPA-induced ASD rat model. We found that NEAT1 was elevated in rat hippocampal tissues after VPA exposure. NEAT1 promoted VPA-induced autism-like behaviors and mitigated apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in VPA-induced ASD rats. Notably, NEAT1 knockdown improved autism-related behaviors and ameliorated hippocampal neuronal damage. Mechanistically, it was observed that NEAT1 recruited the transcription factor YY1 to regulate UBE3A expression. Additionally, in vitro experiments further confirmed that NEAT1 knockdown mitigated hippocampal neuronal damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation through the YY1/UBE3A axis. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that NEAT1 is highly expressed in ASD, and its inhibition prominently suppresses hippocampal neuronal injury and oxidative stress through the YY1/UBE3A axis, thereby alleviating ASD development. This provides a new direction for ASD-targeted therapy.

Pengaruh Cedera Otak Kecil (Cerebellum) terhadap Perkembangan Bahasa Anak

The aim of this research is to understand the impact of cerebellar injury on children's language development. This study uses a library research approach. The findings indicate that injuries to the cerebellum have the potential to disrupt language development in children. The cerebellum, although small in size, plays a crucial role in coordinating movements and cognitive processes, including language. The effects of cerebellar injury include difficulties in articulation, disruptions in speech fluency, challenges in language comprehension and expression, and impairments in non-verbal communication. These issues arise due to disruptions in the fine motor coordination of the muscles needed for proper speech and language expression. The importance of appropriate intervention and treatment, such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and special educational approaches, is highlighted to help children overcome these difficulties and support their language development. In conclusion, a deeper understanding of the relationship between cerebellar injury and children's language development can aid in providing more effective interventions to improve outcomes for children affected by cerebellar injuries.

Cannabinoid receptor 1 positive allosteric modulator ZCZ011 shows differential effects on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice.

The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) is a promising therapeutic target for various neurodegenerative diseases, including HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). However, the therapeutic potential of CB1R by direct activation is limited due to its psychoactive side effects. Therefore, research has focused on indirectly activating the CB1R by utilizing positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). Studies have shown that CB1R PAMs (ZCZ011 and GAT211) are effective in mouse models of Huntington's disease and neuropathic pain, and hence, we assess the therapeutic potential of ZCZ011 in a well-established mouse model of neuroHIV. The current study investigates the effect of chronic ZCZ011 treatment (14 days) on various behavioral paradigms and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice. Chronic ZCZ011 treatment (10 mg/kg) did not alter body mass, locomotor activity, or anxiety-like behavior regardless of sex or genotype. However, differential effects were noted in hot plate latency, motor coordination, and recognition memory in female mice only, with ZCZ011 treatment increasing hot plate latency and improving motor coordination and recognition memory. Only minor effects or no alterations were seen in the endocannabinoid system and related lipids except in the cerebellum, where the effect of ZCZ011 was more pronounced in female mice. Moreover, AEA and PEA levels in the cerebellum were positively correlated with improved motor coordination in female mice. In summary, these findings indicate that chronic ZCZ011 treatment has differential effects on antinociception, motor coordination, and memory, based on sex and HIV-1 Tat expression, making CB1R PAMs potential treatment options for HAND without the psychoactive side effects.

BNT12, a novel hybrid peptide of opioid and neurotensin pharmacophores, produces potent central antinociception with limited side effects

The development of multitarget opioid drugs has emerged as an attractive approach for innovative pain management with reduced side effects. In the present study, a novel hybrid peptide BNT12 containing the opioid and neurotensin (NT)-like fragments was synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. In acute radiant heat paw withdrawal test, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of BNT12 produced potent antinociception in mice. The central antinociceptive activity of BNT12 was mainly mediated by μ-, δ-opioid receptor, neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTSR1) and 2 (NTSR2), supporting a multifunctional agonism of BNT12 in the functional assays. BNT12 also exhibited significant antinociceptive effects in spared nerve injury (SNI)-neuropathic pain, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain, acetic acid-induced visceral and formalin-induced pain after i.c.v. administration. Furthermore, BNT12 exhibited substantial reduction of acute antinociceptive tolerance, shifted the dose-response curve to the right by only 1.3-fold. It is noteworthy that BNT12 showed insignificant chronic antinociceptive tolerance at the supraspinal level. In addition, BNT12 exhibited reduced or no opioid-like side effects on conditioned place preference (CPP) response, naloxone-precipitated withdrawal response, acute hyperlocomotion, motor coordination, gastrointestinal transit, and cardiovascular responses. The present investigation demonstrated that the novel hybrid peptide BNT12 might serve as a promising analgesic candidate with limited opioid-like side effects.

Cysteamine HCl Administration Impedes Motor and Olfactory Functions, Accompanied by a Reduced Number of Dopaminergic Neurons, in Experimental Mice: A Preclinical Mimetic Relevant to Parkinson's Disease.

Cysteamine hydrochloride (Cys-HCl) has been established as a potent ulcerogenic agent of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. GI dysfunction and olfactory deficits are the most common clinical symptoms of many movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Cys-HCl has been shown to interfere with dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for motor, olfactory, and cognitive functions. However, the reports on the effect of Cys-HCl treatment on the behavioral aspects and functions of the dopamine system appear to be inconsistent. Therefore, we revisited the impact of Cys-HCl on the motor function in experimental mice using a battery of behavioral tests, such as the pole test (PT), beam-walking test (BWT), and rotarod test (RDT), while the olfactory ability and cognitive functions were examined through the buried-food test (BFT) and Y-maze test. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of Cys-HCl on the number of dopaminergic tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells in the substantia nigra (SN) and olfactory bulb (OB) of the experimental mice using immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that Cys-HCl administration in the mice induced significant impairments in their motor balance and coordination, as their movement-related performances were markedly reduced in terms of the behavioral tasks. Mice exposed to Cys-HCl showed pronounced reductions in their odor discrimination abilities as well as cognitive impairments. Strikingly, the number of TH-positive neurons was found to be reduced in the SN and OB of the Cys-HCl-treated group, which is a bonafide neuropathogenic hallmark of PD. This study highlights the potential neurotoxic effects of Cys-HCl in experimental brains and suggests further investigation into its role in the pathogenesis of Parkinsonism.

Exercise reduces physical alterations in a rat model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

BackgroundPrenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has serious physical consequences for children such as behavioral disabilities, growth disorders, neuromuscular problems, impaired motor coordination, and decreased muscle tone. However, it is not known whether loss of muscle strength occurs, and which interventions will effectively mitigate physical PAE impairments. We aimed to investigate whether physical alteration persists during adolescence and whether exercise is an effective intervention.ResultsUsing paradigms to evaluate different physical qualities, we described that early adolescent PAE animals have significant alterations in agility and strength, without alterations in balance and coordination compared to CTRL animals. We evaluated the effectiveness of 3 different exercise protocols for 4 weeks: Enrichment environment (EE), Endurance exercise (EEX), and Resistance exercise (REX). The enriched environment significantly improved the strength in the PAE group but not in the CTRL group whose strength parameters were maintained even during exercise. Resistance exercise showed the greatest benefits in gaining strength, and endurance exercise did not.ConclusionPAE induced a significant decrease in strength compared to CTRL in PND21. Resistance exercise is the most effective to reverse the effects of PAE on muscular strength. Our data suggests that individualized, scheduled, and supervised training of resistance is more beneficial than endurance or enriched environment exercise for adolescents FASD.

Microstructural Properties of the Cerebellar Peduncles in Children With Developmental Language Disorder.

Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) struggle to learn their native language for no apparent reason. While research on the neurobiological underpinnings of the disorder has focused on the role of corticostriatal systems, little is known about the role of the cerebellum in DLD. Corticocerebellar circuits might be involved in the disorder as they contribute to complex sensorimotor skill learning, including the acquisition of spoken language. Here, we used diffusion-weighted imaging data from 77 typically developing and 54 children with DLD and performed probabilistic tractography to identify the cerebellum's white matter tracts: the inferior, middle, and superior cerebellar peduncles. Children with DLD showed lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the inferior cerebellar peduncles (ICP), fiber tracts that carry motor and sensory input via the inferior olive to the cerebellum. Lower FA in DLD was driven by lower axial diffusivity. Probing this further with more sophisticated modeling of diffusion data, we found higher orientation dispersion but no difference in neurite density in the ICP of children with DLD. Reduced FA is therefore unlikely to be reflecting microstructural differences in myelination, rather the organization of axons in these pathways is disrupted. ICP microstructure was not associated with language or motor coordination performance in our sample. We also found no differences in the middle and superior peduncles, the main pathways connecting the cerebellum with the cortex. To conclude, it is not corticocerebellar but atypical olivocerebellar white matter connections that characterize DLD and suggest the involvement of the olivocerebellar system in speech and language acquisition and development.

Evaluation of mental performance and cognitive functions of children and adolescents diagnosed with radiologically isolated syndrome

BackgroundRadiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is a condition characterized by asymptomatic, incidentally detected demyelinating plaques in the CNS in a patient without typical clinical findings of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to compare the mental status and cognitive functions of child and adolescent RIS cases with healthy controls and to investigate the relationship between psychometric test results and the demyelinating lesion characteristics. MethodsThe mental status and cognitive functions of 12 RIS cases and 12 healthy controls were compared. Semi-structured interviews, behavioral evaluations, depression and anxiety scales, neuropsychological test battery, and an intelligence test were applied for the evaluation of mental state and cognitive functions. These results were compared with the number and localization of demyelinating lesions. ResultsSustained attention, visual-motor coordination, short-term memory skills, and ability to use visual-spatial information were found worse in the RIS group. There was no correlation between mental state and cognitive functions, and the number and localization of demyelinating lesions. ConclusionOur study showed that pediatric RIS cases may have worse cognitive performance than healthy controls, but no correlation was found between the number and location of demyelinating lesions and psychiatric findings. Although it is controversial whether psychiatric disorders and cognitive disabilities have predictive value in terms of MS conversion in pediatric RIS cases, these subjects were not included in the scope of this study.

Chronic Treatment with Oxcarbazepine Attenuates Its Anticonvulsant Effect in the Maximal Electroshock Model in Mice.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of acute and chronic treatment with oxcarbazepine on its anticonvulsant activity, neurological adverse effects, and protective index in mice. Oxcarbazepine was administered in four protocols: once or twice daily for one week (7 × 1 or 7 × 2) and once or twice daily for two weeks (14 × 1 or 14 × 2). A single dose of the drug was employed as a control. The anticonvulsant effect was evaluated in the maximal electroshock test in mice. Motor and long-term memory impairment were assessed using the chimney test and the passive avoidance task, respectively. The concentrations of oxcarbazepine in the brain and plasma were determined via high-performance liquid chromatography. Two weeks of oxcarbazepine treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the anticonvulsant (in the 14 × 1; 14 × 2 protocols) and neurotoxic (in the 14 × 2 schedule) effects of this drug. In contrast, the protective index for oxcarbazepine in the 14 × 2 protocol was found to be lower than that calculated for the control. No significant deficits in memory or motor coordination were observed following repeated administration of oxcarbazepine. The plasma and brain concentrations of this anticonvulsant were found to be significantly higher in the one-week protocols. Chronic treatment with oxcarbazepine may result in the development of tolerance to its anticonvulsant and neurotoxic effects, which appears to be dependent on pharmacodynamic mechanisms.

Kegiatan Meronce Mengoptimalkan Perkembangan Otak Kecil pada Anak Usia Dini

Early childhood is children aged 0-6 years. At this age children experience rapid and short development. Optimal motor development at an early age can support later life, by providing stimulation to children, one of which is meronce activities. The cerebellum, which is located at the bottom of the brain or the cerebellum, functions to regulate fine motor control, balance and coordination. The activity of making bracelets from beads can stimulate children's fine motor skills. In this case the research uses experimental methods. Using a sample of three children, aged four years, five years and six years. Collection of experimental data and documentation.. The aim of this research is to find out how optimal meronce activities are in the development of the cerebellum in early childhood. Based on observations in the field, young children are still categorized as having not developed their fine motor skills as they should. So it is important for adults, parents and teachers to provide stimulation to children from an early age one of them is ronce activity.

Bimanual coordination and spinal cord neuromodulation: how neural substrates of bimanual movements are altered by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

Humans use their arms in complex ways that often demand two-handed coordination. Neurological conditions limit this impressive feature of the human motor system. Understanding how neuromodulatory techniques may alter neural mechanisms of bimanual coordination is a vital step towards designing efficient rehabilitation interventions. By non-invasively activating the spinal cord, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) promotes recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury. A multitude of research studies have attempted to capture the underlying neural mechanisms of these effects using a variety of electrophysiological tools, but the influence of tSCS on cortical rhythms recorded via electroencephalography remains poorly understood, especially during bimanual actions. We recruited 12 neurologically intact participants to investigate the effect of cervical tSCS on sensorimotor cortical oscillations. We examined changes in the movement kinematics during the application of tSCS as well as the cortical activation level and interhemispheric connectivity during the execution of unimanual and bimanual arm reaching movements that represent activities of daily life. Behavioral assessment of the movements showed improvement of movement time and error during a bimanual common-goal movement when tSCS was delivered, but no difference was found in the performance of unimanual and bimanual dual-goal movements with the application of tSCS. In the alpha band, spectral power was modulated with tSCS in the direction of synchronization in the primary motor cortex during unimanual and bimanual dual-goal movements and in the somatosensory cortex during unimanual movements. In the beta band, tSCS significantly increased spectral power in the primary motor and somatosensory cortices during the performance of bimanual common-goal and unimanual movements. A significant increase in interhemispheric connectivity in the primary motor cortex in the alpha band was only observed during unimanual tasks in the presence of tSCS. Our observations provide, for the first time, information regarding the supra-spinal effects of tSCS as a neuromodulatory technique applied to the spinal cord during the execution of bi- and unimanual arm movements. They also corroborate the suppressive effect of tSCS at the cortical level reported in previous studies. These findings may guide the design of improved rehabilitation interventions using tSCS for the recovery of upper-limb function in the future.

QOL-35. ANALYSIS ON THE EVOLUTIONARY PATTERN OF COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN ON FOLLOW-UP FOR BRAIN TUMORS

Abstract BACKGROUND Long-term cognitive sequelae of paediatric brain tumors are of increasing interest. The role of histology and surgery remains still unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate children cognitive functioning before and after brain tumors surgery, and at the end of additional treatments. METHODS New diagnoses of paediatric primary brain tumors were prospectively assessed. Neurocognitive evaluations were performed at diagnosis (T0), within 7-10 days from surgery (T1) and 12-18 months after the end of treatments (T2). Language, learning and memory, attention, executive functions, visuo-constructional and sensorimotor skills were evaluated at T0 and T1, Intelligent Quotient (IQ) was explored at T0 and T2. RESULTS Twenty-five patients (M:F=15:10, mean age 10.9±3.4 years) were enrolled between January 2019 and December 2022. In comparison to normal values (>7.0), at baseline patients showed major deficits in narrative memory (6.6±3.7, p<0.001) and visuo-spatial memory (copy design tasks: general 6.8±3.9, p<0.001, specific 6.2±3.3, p<0.001, motor 5.2±3.2, p<0.001). At T1 assessment, significant deficits remained in narrative memory (6.2±3.3, p<0.001) and visual-motor coordination (copy design tasks: specific 5.9±3.0, p<0.001 and motor 4.8±4.3 p<0.001); attention and visual-constructional abilities significantly improved (p=0.04 and p=0.001). On the visual construction test, children with high-grade histology scored lower than the low-grade group (Rey- Osterrieth complex figure-copy 5.1±4.4 vs 11.0±4.3; p=0.019). At T2 evaluation children showed persistent deficits in visuo-spatial processing and a possible decline in IQ scores, with lower scores compared with T0 (93 vs 100, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with brain tumors may present several neuropsychological impairments at diagnosis, particularly those with high-grade diseases. Surgery may have a positive effect on the recovery of some cognitive functions. However, cognitive decline may worsen over time. Baseline and periodic neurocognitive evaluations should be encouraged to identify functional difficulties and to develop a tailored treatment approach for the patient.