Role In Sensory Perception Research Articles

Ketamine and α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic Acid (AMPA) Receptor Potentiation in the Somatosensory Cortex: A Comprehensive Review.

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic primarily recognized for its antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, has gained significant attention for its rapid antidepressant effects and potential in treating mood disorders. However, recent research indicates that ketamine's influence extends beyond NMDA receptor inhibition, affecting α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors and sensory processing. This review delves into ketamine's role in enhancing AMPA receptor function and its implications for sensory processing within the somatosensory cortex. AMPA receptors, essential for fast excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity, play a key role in sensory perception and integration. By examining preclinical and clinical studies, this review sheds light on how ketamine's modulation of AMPA receptors may improve sensory processing and contribute to its therapeutic effects. Additionally, the review explores the potential for ketamine-based therapies to treat sensory processing disorders and refine current treatment strategies. A deeper understanding of ketamine's complex effects on AMPA receptors and sensory processing could provide valuable insights for developing targeted interventions and advancing clinical applications.

New Insights into the Cytoarchitecture of the Rat Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus

The spinal trigeminal nucleus (SpV) is a crucial relay station in the central nervous system for processing sensory information from the face, head, and oral cavity. While historically considered a continuous structure, pioneering work by Olszewski revealed its subdivision into three distinct subnuclei: oral, interpolar, and caudal. Understanding the cytoarchitectonics of these subnuclei is fundamental for elucidating their functional roles in sensory perception and pain modulation. In this study, we conducted a detailed examination of the structural organization within each subnucleus of the SpV using histological techniques. Our findings reveal distinct cytoarchitectonic features characteristic of each subnucleus by providing insights into the spatial distribution and density of neuronal populations across the rostrocaudal extent of the SpV. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the neural circuitry underlying sensory processing in the trigeminal system and may have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving altered trigeminal function.

Effects of circadian clock disruption on gene expression and biological processes in Aedes aegypti

BackgroundThis study explores the impact of disrupting the circadian clock through a Cycle gene knockout (KO) on the transcriptome of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The investigation aims to uncover the resulting alterations in gene expression patterns and physiological processes.ResultsTranscriptome analysis was conducted on Cyc knockout (AeCyc-/-) and wild-type mosquitoes at four time points in a light-dark cycle. The study identified system-driven genes that exhibit rhythmic expression independently of the core clock machinery. Cyc disruption led to altered expression of essential clock genes, affecting metabolic processes, signaling pathways, stimulus responses and immune responses. Notably, gene ontology enrichment of odorant binding proteins, indicating the clock's role in sensory perception. The absence of Cyc also impacted various regulation of metabolic and cell cycle processes was observed in all time points.ConclusionsThe intricate circadian regulation in Ae. aegypti encompasses both core clock-driven and system-driven genes. The KO of Cyc gene instigated extensive gene expression changes, impacting various processes, thereby potentially affecting cellular and metabolic functions, immune responses, and sensory perception. The circadian clock's multifaceted involvement in diverse biological processes, along with its role in the mosquito's daily rhythms, forms a nexus that influences the vector's capacity to transmit diseases. These insights shed light on the circadian clock's role in shaping mosquito biology and behavior, opening new avenues for innovative disease control strategies.

Exploring altered oscillatory activity in the anterior cingulate cortex after nerve injury: Insights into mechanisms of neuropathic allodynia

While neural oscillations play a critical role in sensory perception, it remains unclear how these rhythms function under conditions of neuropathic allodynia. Recent studies demonstrated that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is associated with the affective-aversive component of pain, and plasticity changes in this region are closely linked to abnormal allodynic sensations. Here, to study the mechanisms of allodynia, we recorded local field potentials (LFPs) in the bilateral ACC of awake-behaving rats and compared the spectral power and center frequency of brain oscillations between healthy and CCI (chronic constriction injury) induced neuropathic pain conditions. Our results indicated that activation of the ACC occurs bilaterally in the presence of neuropathic pain, similar to the healthy condition. Furthermore, CCI affects both spontaneous and stimulus-induced activity of ACC neurons. Specifically, we observed an increase in spontaneous beta activity after nerve injury compared to the healthy condition. By stimulating operated or unoperated paws, we found more intense event-related desynchronization (ERD) responses in the theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands and faster alpha center frequency after CCI compared to before CCI. Although the behavioral manifestation of allodynia was more pronounced in the operated paw than the unoperated paw following CCI, there was no significant difference in the center frequency and ERD responses observed in the ACC between stimulation of the operated and unoperated limbs. Our findings offer evidence supporting the notion that aberrancies in ACC oscillations may contribute to the maintenance and development of neuropathic allodynia.

Elevated and accelerated: Locus coeruleus activity and visual search abilities in autistic children

BackgroundAutistic individuals excel at visual search, however, the neural mechanism(s) underlying this advantage remain unclear. The locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system, which plays a critical role in sensory perception and selective attention, has been shown to function in a persistently elevated state in individuals on the spectrum. However, the relationship between elevated tonic LC-NE activity and accelerated search in autism has not been explored. ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between visual search abilities and resting pupil diameter (an indirect measure of tonic LC-NE activation) in autistic and neurotypical children. MethodsParticipants were 24 school-aged autistic children and 24 age- and IQ-matched neurotypical children aged 8–15 years. Children completed two tasks: a resting eye-tracking task and a visual search paradigm. For the resting eye-tracking task, pupil diameter was monitored while participants fixated a central crosshair. For the visual search paradigm, participants were instructed to find the target (vertical line) embedded within an array of tilted (10°) distractor lines. The target was present on 50% of trials, and displayed within set sizes of 18, 24, and 36 items. ResultsConsistent with previous studies, autistic children had significantly larger resting pupil size and searched faster and more efficiently compared to their neurotypical peers. Eye-tracking findings revealed that accelerated search was associated with fewer, not shorter, fixations in the autism group. Autistic children also showed reduced leftward search bias. Larger resting pupil size, indicative of increased tonic activation of the LC-NE system, was associated with greater search efficiency, longer fixation durations, and reduced leftward bias. Finally, within both groups reduced leftward bias was associated with increased autism symptomatology. DiscussionTogether, these findings add to the existing body of research highlighting superior search in autism, suggest that elevated tonic LC-NE activity may contribute to more efficient search, and link non-social visual-spatial processing strengths to autism symptoms.

What is the role of sensory perception in cognitive task performance? An improved replication of detour performance in four different bird species

A recommendation of: Anneleen Dewulf, Clara Garcia-Co, Wendt Müller, Joah R. Madden, An Martel, Luc Lens, & Frederick Verbruggen Do Ecological Valid Stop Signals Aid Detour Performance? A Comparison of Four Bird Species https://osf.io/vpxw8?view_only=db4c1a620de841c28d7fc9a52e326cfd

Posteromedial thalamic nucleus activity significantly contributes to perceptual discrimination.

Higher-order sensory thalamic nuclei are densely connected with multiple cortical and subcortical areas, yet the role of these nuclei remains elusive. The posteromedial thalamic nucleus (POm), the higher-order thalamic nucleus in the rodent somatosensory system, is an anatomical hub broadly connected with multiple sensory and motor brain areas yet weakly responds to passive sensory stimulation and whisker movements. To understand the role of POm in sensory perception, we developed a self-initiated, two-alternative forced-choice task in freely moving mice during active sensing. Using optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulation, we show that POm plays a significant role in sensory perception and the projection from the primary somatosensory cortex to POm is critical for the contribution of POm in sensory perception during active sensing.

The role of food stereotype in hedonic judgment of a delicacy food: A case study of Korean consumers’ liking for sliced raw fish (sashimi)

For a delicacy food that it is not routinely consumed, the criteria by which consumers determine whether they like it may not be clear. For such foods, it is highly likely that external cues, such as information, play an important role in sensory perception and hedonic judgment. However, such information may have different effects depending on the consumers’ preconceived stereotype. Sashimi is thin slices of fresh raw fish, considered a delicacy food in many countries. This study was conducted to investigate whether information about the size of a fish affected expectations and acceptance of sashimi and whether the effect of such information differed depending on the type of stereotype about the relationship between fish size and the sensory quality of sashimi. Sashimi was prepared from large- (2.5 kg; LS) and small-sized (1.5 kg; SS) olive flounders. The overall sensory difference between LS and SS was determined using a triangle test (n = 58) and liking of the sashimi samples was rated by 48 consumers in blind and informed settings. There was no significant difference in sensory characteristics between LS and SS. Different types of stereotypes were associated with different interpretations of the same extrinsic cues, and affected expectations and acceptance. The stereotype that sashimi from large fish tastes better than that from small fish induced higher expected liking and actual liking for LS than for SS. This suggests that hedonic judgment of sashimi, a delicacy food, is influenced more strongly by external cues and stereotype than by intrinsic sensory traits.

Cartesian sensory perception, agreeability, and the puzzle of aesthetic pleasure

ABSTRACT In this paper, I address Descartes’ claims that sensory perceptions function to aid and preserve the subject in interacting with the world, and focus specifically on the ‘valence’, or agreeable/disagreeable quality, that characterizes many sensations. I show how Descartes considers this aspect of sensation to be a significant factor in the ecological role of sensory perception and I then turn to a kind of case that seems to pose a problem for this view: that of aesthetic pleasure. I consider Descartes’ remarks on a particular kind of aesthetic pleasure – that found in musical consonance - and argue that his discussion of this phenomenon reveals that he distinguishes between two distinct kinds of valence – evaluative sensory valence and aesthetic valence – only one of which functions to report directly on ecological evaluation. Further, I suggest that the best way to understand the distinction between these is by appealing to Descartes’ three grades of sensory perception.

Morphology, physiology and synaptic connectivity of local interneurons in the mouse somatosensory thalamus.

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) neurons, projecting across the external medullary lamina, have long been considered to be the only significant source of inhibition of the somatosensory ventral posterior (VP) nuclei of the thalamus. Here we report for the first time effective local inhibition and disinhibition in the VP. Inhibitory interneurons were found in GAD67–GFP‐expressing mice and studied using in vitro multiple patch clamp. Inhibitory interneurons have expansive bipolar or tripolar morphologies, reach across most of the VP nucleus and display low threshold bursting behaviour. They form triadic and non‐triadic synaptic connections onto thalamocortical relay neurons and other interneurons, mediating feedforward inhibition and disinhibition. Synaptic inputs arrive before those expected from the TRN neurons, suggesting that local inhibition plays an early and significant role in the functioning of the somatosensory thalamus. Key points The physiology and structure of local interneurons in the mouse somatosensory thalamus is described for the first time.Inhibitory interneurons have extensive dendritic arborization providing significant local dendro‐dendritic inhibition in the somatosensory thalamus.Triadic and non‐triadic synaptic connectivity onto thalamic relay neurons and other interneurons provides both local feedforward inhibition and disinhibition.Interneurons of the somatosensory thalamus provide inhibition before the thalamic reticular nucleus, suggesting they play an important role in sensory perception.

The Role of Sensory Perception in Consumer Demand for Tinned Meat: A Contingent Valuation Study.

This study presents an analysis of consumer preferences for a new food product: Tinned Chianina meat. Respondents (N = 249) participated in a sensory test, where they were also asked to declare their willingness to pay (WTP) for the tasted product. The WTP data were collected after the sensory test by means of the contingent valuation method using a payment card elicitation format. Data were analysed with Cragg’s double-hurdle model to understand which factors influenced market participation (WTP > 0) and then the variables that influenced the declared WTP. According to our results, sensory perception played a key role in explaining both participation in the market and the magnitude of the expressed WTP. Moreover, we found that the sensory aspects have a different effect on the decision to participate in the market and on the magnitude of the expressed WTP. Smell and flavour are the most important in determining the probability of entering the market, while texture has the greatest impact on the declared WTP.

Advances in TRP channel drug discovery: from target validation to clinical studies.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are multifunctional signalling molecules with many roles in sensory perception and cellular physiology. Therefore, it is not surprising that TRP channels have been implicated in numerous diseases, including hereditary disorders caused by defects in genes encoding TRP channels (TRP channelopathies). Most TRP channels are located at the cell surface, which makes them generally accessible drug targets. Early drug discovery efforts to target TRP channels focused on pain, but as our knowledge of TRP channels and their role in health and disease has grown, these efforts have expanded into new clinical indications, ranging from respiratory disorders through neurological and psychiatric diseases to diabetes and cancer. In this Review, we discuss recent findings in TRP channel structural biology that can affect both drug development and clinical indications. We also discuss the clinical promise of novel TRP channel modulators, aimed at both established and emerging targets. Last, we address the challenges that these compounds may face in clinical practice, including the need for carefully targeted approaches to minimize potential side-effects due to the multifunctional roles of TRP channels.

Emergentes Erinnern. Sensorische, kognitive und mediale (Spiel-)Räume in Oral-History-Interviews und literarischen Erinnerungstexten

Numerous studies have shown how autobiographical narratives can illustrate the functions and structures of traumatic memory through language However, comparative research between linguistics and literature, between oral and written accounts, has often been neglected, especially when it comes to the role of sensory perception in the process of memory emergence The present study focuses on the examination of ’emerging memory‘ in both oral history interviews and literary narratives as testified by traumatised war and holocaust survivors It focuses primarily on communicative strategies and linguistic structures, which can be found in both corpora By applying the linguistic concept of evidentiality, it will be shown how visual and auditive stimuli condition, regulate and facilitate the process of verbalization in both oral and written narratives

Exploring the relationships between oral sensory physiology and oral processing with mid infrared spectra of saliva

Saliva is a critical component during eating, as it performs an important role in sensory perception and processing of food. However, the individual variations and relationships between oral sensory physiology, oral processing and saliva with food are not well understood. The aim of this study was to analyse as well as to interpret individual variations and relationships between the mid infrared (MIR) spectra of saliva and oral physiology and behaviour (e.g. fungiform papillae, saliva flow, and oral processing time). The fungiform papillae density of the tongue, resting saliva flow rate and oral processing time were measured in participants from a sensory study (n = 52). The MIR spectra of unstimulated saliva samples sourced from participants were collected and used to develop partial least squares (PLS) regression models. These models were utilised to interpret the relationships and individual variations between saliva quantity, oral sensing physiology, and oral processing with the saliva spectra. The coefficient of determination (R2) and the standard error in cross validation (SECV) obtained were for saliva flow rate (R2 0.65–0.83, SECV 0.25–0.31), papillae density of tongue (R2 0.73–0.83, SECV 7.4–11.2), and oral processing time (R2 0.7–0.87, SECV 1.66–3.04). Optimal models were obtained when participants were divided into groups namely young male, young female, and older participants. Different PLS loadings in the MIR fingerprint regions were observed between different groups, which demonstrates that different components of saliva connect with oral sensing physiology and oral processing differences among different demographic groups. These results indicated the potential of the salivary fingerprint spectra to understand the consumer eating experience and food selection more deeply, providing a tool in marketing and sensory experiments.

Road visibility influences habitat selection by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Anthropogenic disturbances, including roads, are known to influence animal habitat selection and mortality. In this study, we consider the role of sensory perception in understanding why and how animals respond to disturbances. Our goal was to investigate the effect of visual perception (visibility) around roads on grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis Ord, 1815) habitat selection and mortality in Alberta, Canada. We used detailed topographic and vegetation data from airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) to estimate visibility around roads. We modelled habitat selection as a function of road visibility and environmental variables using GPS telemetry data from 39 grizzly bears and integrated step selection analysis (iSSA). Finally, we assessed mortality risk in visible areas by comparing habitat selection between grizzly bears that died and those that survived. We found that grizzly bears were less likely to select visible areas when moving slowly or resting, but were more likely to select visible areas when travelling. We found that grizzly bears that survived selected for areas farther from roads than grizzly bears that died. However, no difference in selection for visible areas was observed. An exploratory analysis showed that grizzly bear mortalities commonly occurred in visible areas. Our findings highlight the importance of sensory perception in understanding animal behaviour.

Long-Term Value Memory in the Primate Posterior Thalamus for Fast Automatic Action

The thalamus is known to process information from various brain regions and relay it to other brain regions, serving an essential role in sensory perception and motor execution. The thalamus also receives inputs from basal ganglia nuclei (BG) involved in value-based decision making, suggesting a role in the value process. We found that neurons in a particular area of the rhesus macaque posterior thalamus encoded the historical value memory of visual objects. Many of these value-coding neurons were located in the suprageniculate nucleus (SGN). This thalamic area directly received anatomical input from the superior colliculus (SC), and the neurons showed visual responses with contralateral preferences. Notably, the value discrimination activity of these thalamic neurons increased during learning, with the learned values stably retained even more than 200days after learning. Our data indicate that single neurons in the posterior thalamus not only processed simple visual information but also represented historical values. Furthermore, our data suggest an SC-posterior thalamus-BG-SC subcortical loop circuit that encodes the historical value, enabling a quick automatic gaze by bypassing the visual cortex.

Ascending noradrenergic excitation from the locus coeruleus to the anterior cingulate cortex

Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays important roles in sensory perception including pain and itch. Neurons in the ACC receive various neuromodulatory inputs from subcortical structures, including locus coeruleus noradrenaline (LC-NA) neurons. Few studies have been reported about synaptic and behavioral functions of LC-NA projections to the ACC. Using viral-genetic method (AAV-DIO-eYFP) on DBH-cre mice, we found that LC-NA formed synaptic connections to ACC pyramidal cells but not interneurons. This is further supported by the electron microscopic study showing NAergic fibers contact the presynaptic inputs and post-synaptic areas of the pyramidal cells. NA application produced both pre- and post-synaptic potentiation effects in ACC excitatory transmission in vivo and in vitro. Activation of LC-NA projection to the ACC by optogenetic method produced enhancement of excitatory transmission in vitro and induced scratching and behavioral sensitization for mechanical stimulation. Our results demonstrate that LC-NA projections enhance or facilitate brain responses to pain and itch by potentiating glutamatergic synaptic transmissions in the ACC.

Primary cilia mediate mitochondrial stress responses to promote dopamine neuron survival in a Parkinson\u2019s disease model

A primary cilium is an antenna-like structure on the cell surface that plays a crucial role in sensory perception and signal transduction. Mitochondria, the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell, control cell survival, and death. The cellular ability to remove dysfunctional mitochondria through mitophagy is important for cell survival. We show here that mitochondrial stress, caused by respiratory complex inhibitors and excessive fission, robustly stimulates ciliogenesis in different types of cells including neuronal cells. Mitochondrial stress-induced ciliogenesis is mediated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, subsequent activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and autophagy. Conversely, abrogation of ciliogenesis compromises mitochondrial stress-induced autophagy, leading to enhanced cell death. In mice, treatment with mitochondrial toxin, MPTP elicits ciliary elongation and autophagy in the substantia nigra dopamine neurons. Blockade of cilia formation in these neurons attenuates MPTP-induced autophagy but facilitates dopamine neuronal loss and motor disability. Our findings demonstrate the important role of primary cilia in cellular pro-survival responses during mitochondrial stress.

Oral processing of hydrogels: Influence of food material properties versus individuals' eating capability.

Food material properties play an important role in sensory perception and consumer acceptance of foods. However, the actual oral processing behavior may depend on both the material properties of the food that is being consumed and individuals' oral capabilities. This study aimed to examine the relationships between intrinsic (oral capabilities of healthy participants) and extrinsic (food material properties of a set of hydrogels) variables to the real oral processing behavior. Three κ-carrageenan hydrogels (κC), differing in fracture mechanics and oral tribology properties, were prepared: native κC, κC with added Na-alginate, and a κC matrix with added Ca-alginate beads of 300 μm. A composite score of eating capability (EC) was measured with non-invasive techniques (maximum bite force and tongue pressure) using a panel of 28 untrained consumers. The oral processing behaviors (number of chews, oral residence time, and chewing rate) were analyzed with the same participants using frame-by-frame video analysis. It was found that the EC scores did not correlate with any of the oral processing behaviors. The number of chews and oral residence time showed a strong correlation with the fracture force and friction force at orally relevant speeds (10-100 mm/s), whereas chewing rate did not vary with these properties. The results from this study indicate that oral processing in healthy adults seems mainly motivated by food material properties, and the chewing rate seems to relate more to individual differences and EC than to food properties. Insights from this study, using model hydrogels, have helped to promote knowledge on oral processing behavior in healthy individuals; could bridge the gap between consumer science, psychology, and food science; and may be of interest to product developers in designing foods with pleasant texture properties.

Grapevine-shoot stilbene extract as a preservative in white wine

Abstract The feasibility of a grapevine-shoot stilbene extract (Vineatrol®) as an alternative to sulfur dioxide (SO2) in Sauvignon blanc wines was evaluated. Its effectiveness to preserve Sauvignon blanc wine quality was studied under two winemaking conditions, at bottling and after storage in bottle. Enological parameters, color related parameters, volatile composition, sensory analysis and olfactometric profile were evaluated. Acetaldehyde was higher when SO2 was present during alcoholic fermentation. Color was affected by Vineatrol addition. Vineatrol treated wines turned out to be darker and browner than control wines treated with SO2. Regarding volatile compounds, Vineatrol addition decreased ethyl acetate and preserved methionol concentration in wines during the storage period. Olfactometric analysis showed five potential characteristic odorant zones in Vineatrol wines which could play a role in sensory perception of treated white wines. Vineatrol was able to preserve white wines, but the dose should be optimized in order to avoid side effects.