Sensorimotor Function Research Articles

CNSC-04. UNDERSTANDING PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR CHEMOTHERAPY INDUCED LONG-TERM DEFICITS IN HIGH-ORDER NEUROCOGNITIVE AND SENSORIMOTOR FUNCTION

Abstract Because of major advancements in cancer treatment especially chemotherapy, 85% of children with cancer are predicted to survive for 5 years or more. However, chemotherapy can cause long-term health problems when childhood cancer survivors enter adulthood (known as late effects). The neurocognitive features of these late effects (chemobrain) include trouble in concentrating, memorizing, and decreased processing speed, and results in lower IQ and academic achievement, poor hand-eye coordination, and slower development over time. Despite such a negative impact on the quality of life of cancer-surviving children, the mechanism is poorly understood and there is no FDA-approved drug to prevent or cure these side effects. To gain a better understanding of the mechanism underlying chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairments, we developed a pre-clinical model using carboplatin in juvenile mice to study long-term neurological defects. Carboplatin is commonly used chemotherapy drug in pediatric brain tumor patients. We have tested the capacity of different doses of carboplatin and its long-term effect on cognitive and sensorimotor function and performed single nuclear RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) of the hippocampus. Our preliminary data demonstrated dose-dependent deficits in executive and sensorimotor function 7-9 weeks after carboplatin administration in the mice of both sexes. snRNAseq of the hippocampus showed changes in the glial cell number as well as genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation and neurodegeneration at early and late time points. Bioenergetics using Seahorse in the brain synaptosomes revealed mitochondrial dysfunction in the form of decreased maximum respiratory capacity long after carboplatin treatment. This study established a preclinical model that can be leveraged to mechanistically understand the long-term neurocognitive side effects of brain tumor chemotherapy during childhood. Future studies will aim to identify potential targets to prevent and/or treat the neurotoxic effects of cancer treatment in pediatric patients.

Minimally Invasive Syringe‐Injectable Hydrogel with Angiogenic Factors for Ischemic Stroke Treatment

AbstractIschemic stroke (IS) accounts for most stroke incidents and causes intractable damage to brain tissue. This condition manifests as diverse aftereffects, such as motor impairment, emotional disturbances, and dementia. However, a fundamental approach to curing IS remains unclear. This study proposes a novel approach for treating IS by employing minimally invasive and injectable jammed gelatin‐norbornene nanofibrous hydrogels (GNF) infused with growth factors (GFs). The developed GNF/GF hydrogels are administered to the motor cortex of a rat IS model to evaluate their therapeutic effects on IS‐induced motor dysfunction. GNFs mimic a natural fibrous extracellular matrix architecture and can be precisely injected into a targeted brain area. The syringe‐injectable jammed nanofibrous hydrogel system increased angiogenesis, inflammation, and sensorimotor function in the IS‐affected brain. For clinical applications, the biocompatible GNF hydrogel has the potential to efficiently load disease‐specific drugs, enabling targeted therapy for treating a wide range of neurological diseases.

Decoding multi-limb movements from two-photon calcium imaging of neuronal activity using deep learning

Objective.Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) aim to restore sensorimotor function to individuals suffering from neural injury and disease. A critical step in implementing a BMI is to decode movement intention from recorded neural activity patterns in sensorimotor areas. Optical imaging, including two-photon (2p) calcium imaging, is an attractive approach for recording large-scale neural activity with high spatial resolution using a minimally-invasive technique. However, relating slow two-photon calcium imaging data to fast behaviors is challenging due to the relatively low optical imaging sampling rates. Nevertheless, neural activity recorded with 2p calcium imaging has been used to decode information about stereotyped single-limb movements and to control BMIs. Here, we expand upon prior work by applying deep learning to decode multi-limb movements of running mice from 2p calcium imaging data.Approach.We developed a recurrent encoder-decoder network (LSTM-encdec) in which the output is longer than the input.Main results.LSTM-encdec could accurately decode information about all four limbs (contralateral and ipsilateral front and hind limbs) from calcium imaging data recorded in a single cortical hemisphere.Significance.Our approach provides interpretability measures to validate decoding accuracy and expands the utility of BMIs by establishing the groundwork for control of multiple limbs. Our work contributes to the advancement of neural decoding techniques and the development of next-generation optical BMIs.

Cervical spine sensorimotor deficits persist in people post-concussion despite minimal symptoms

Background The mechanisms of a concussion place stress on the cervical spine like that of a whiplash event, which can result in cervical spine dysfunction. This study aimed to determine if underlying cervical spine mobility and sensorimotor function deficits occur in individuals who are post-concussion with near resolution of symptoms. Methods Twenty-five participants with a self-reported concussive event within a year (PC group: post-concussion 157 + 120 d, 9 men, age: 25 ± 8 yr) and 26 comparable peers (Peer group, 9 men, age: 25 ± 7 yr) were tested. The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) quantified residual concussion symptoms. Participants completed cervical joint position error (JPE) and cervical spine joint mobility tests blinded from each other. Group mean differences were analyzed using t-tests. Results The PC group had minimal symptoms (PCSS = 6.8 ± 6.5) but substantial differences in JPE tests compared to the Peer group (PC = 7.4 ± 1.8 cm; PG = 5.6 ± 1.1 cm; p < .001). Those PC participants with pain during joint testing (n = 15) had worse JPE (Painful = 8.1 ± 1.8 cm, No-pain = 6.3 ± 1.6 cm; p = .02) and less averaged lower cervical spine joint mobility compared to PC participants without pain (Painful = 0.66 ± 0.22, No-pain = 0.87 ± 0.19; p = .02, Normal motion = 1.0). Conclusion Following a concussion, it is a reasonable recommendation to screen the cervical spine to identify impairments in joint mobility and JPE that contribute to neck dysfunction.

A nanofibrous polycaprolactone/collagen neural guidance channel filled with sciatic allogeneic schwann cells and platelet-rich plasma for sciatic nerve repair.

Sciatic nerve damage, a common condition affecting approximately 2.8% of the US population, can lead to significant disability due to impaired nerve signal transmission, resulting in loss of sensation and motor function in the lower extremities. In this study, a neural guidance channel was developed by rolling a nanofibrous scaffold produced via electrospinning. The scaffold's microstructure, biocompatibility, biodegradation rate, porosity, mechanical properties, and hemocompatibility were evaluated. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) activated with 30,000 allogeneic Schwann cells (SCs) was injected into the lumen of the channels following implantation into a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. Recovery of motor function, sensory function, and muscle re-innervation was assessed using the sciatic function index (SFI), hot plate latency time, and gastrocnemius muscle wet weight loss. Results showed mean hot plate latency times of Autograft: 7.03, PCL/collagen scaffolds loaded with PRP and SCs (PCLCOLPRPSCs): 8.34, polymer-only scaffolds (PCLCOL): 10.66, and untreated animals (Negative Control): 12.00. The mean SFI values at week eight were Autograft: -49.30, PCLCOLPRPSCs: -64.29, PCLCOL: -75.62, and Negative Control: -77.14. The PCLCOLPRPSCs group showed a more negative SFI compared to the Autograft group but performed better than both the PCLCOL and Negative Control groups. These findings suggest that the developed strategy enhanced sensory and functional recovery compared to the negative control and polymer-only scaffold groups.

Distinct age-related characteristics in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: patient reported outcomes and measures of gut physiology

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common among all ages, but the associations between symptoms, gut physiology, and ageing are poorly understood. We aimed to characterize patients of different age by comparing symptom reports and gut physiology measures. This retrospective cohort study included IBS patients that completed questionnaires (severity of (non-) gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms, quality of life) and gut physiology testing (transit time, rectal sensitivity, anorectal manometry, small bowel permeability). We included 1677 IBS patients (females 74%, mean age 39 ± 14 years). Younger age was associated with more severe symptoms and worse quality of life. Ageing affects the physiologic state of the gut; older patients have slower gut transit and have an altered anorectal function. Exploratory analyses suggest that age-related changes in gut sensorimotor function could partially explain the severity of specific gastrointestinal symptoms. Our results underline that age should be taken into consideration in the management of IBS.

Tidying up white matter: Neuroplastic transformations in sensorimotor tracts following slackline skill acquisition

AbstractThis study investigated changes in white matter (WM) morphology following complex motor learning, that is, the learning to walk a slackline. A sample of young adults from the general population underwent brain imaging before the slackline intervention, after successful learning, and after a subsequent follow‐up period by applying state‐of‐the‐art measures for the assessment of micro‐ and macrostructural characteristics of WM fiber tracts (voxel‐based and fixel‐based). A randomly assigned control group (CG) was scanned at the same time points of assessment but received no intervention over the study period. Learning to walk a slackline resulted in manifold changes in WM morphology: (1) Whole brain fixel‐based analyses revealed robust increases in the fiber cross‐section in bundles closely associated with sensorimotor functions (e.g., superior longitudinal fasciculi, corticospinal tract); (2) The neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) parameters showed widespread decreases in overlapping fiber bundles. In the CG, no time‐related WM changes were apparent at all. This well‐controlled longitudinal intervention study provides substantial new evidence that learning a complex motor skill modulates fiber organization and fiber density in sensorimotor tracts.

Dedicated developmental programing for group-supporting behaviors in eusocial honeybees.

The evolutionary changes from solitary to eusocial living in vertebrates and invertebrates are associated with the diversification of social interactions and the development of queen and worker castes. Despite strong innate patterns, our understanding of the mechanisms manifesting these sophisticated behaviors is still rudimentary. Here, we show that doublesex (dsx) manifests group-supporting behaviors in the honeybee (Apis mellifera) worker caste. Computer-based individual behavioral tracking of worker bees with biallelic stop mutations in colonies revealed that the dsx gene is required for the rate and duration of group-supporting behavior that scales the relationship between bees and their work. General sensorimotor functions remained unaffected. Unexpectedly, unlike in other insects, the dsx gene is required for the neuronal wiring of the mushroom body in which the gene is spatially restricted expressed. Together, our study establishes dedicated programming for group-supporting behaviors and provides insight into the connection between development in the neuronal circuitry and behaviors regulating the formation of a eusocial society.

Sex and Age-Dependent Effects of miR-15a/16-1 Antagomir on Ischemic Stroke Outcomes

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. Recently, increasing evidence implicates microRNAs (miRs) in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Studies have shown that miR-15a/16-1 is abnormally expressed in brains after ischemic stroke, and its upregulation may increase ischemic damage. Given that sex and age are significant modifiers of stroke outcomes, here we investigated whether inhibiting miR-15a/16-1 with antagomirs mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a sex- and age-dependent manner. Young (3 months) and aged (18 months) male and female C57/BL mice underwent 1-h middle cerebral artery occlusion and 3–7 days reperfusion (tMCAO). We administered miR-15a/16-1 antagomir (30 pmol/g) or control antagomir (NC, 30 pmol/g) via tail vein 2 h post-MCAO. Neurobehavioral testing and infarct volume assessment were performed on days 3 and 7. Compared to controls, antagomir treatment significantly improved neurobehavioral outcomes and reduced infarct volume in tMCAO mice at day 7, with the effects being more pronounced in young mice. Notably, young female mice exhibited superior survival and sensorimotor function compared to young male mice. These results were also replicated in a permanent MCAO (pMCAO) mice model. This suggests miR-15a/16-1 antagomir and estradiol may synergistically regulate genes involved in neurovascular cell death, inflammation, and oxidative stress, with sex and age-dependent expression of miR-15a/16-1 and its targets likely underlying the observed variations. Overall, our findings identify miR-15a/16-1 antagomir as a promising therapeutic for ischemic stroke and suggest that sex and age should be considered when developing miR-based therapeutic strategies.

Optogenetic Manipulation of Covert Attention in the Nonhuman Primate.

Optogenetics affords new opportunities to interrogate neuronal circuits that control behavior. In primates, the usefulness of optogenetics in studying cognitive functions remains a challenge. The technique has been successfully wielded, but behavioral effects have been demonstrated primarily for sensorimotor processes. Here, we tested whether brief optogenetic suppression of primate superior colliculus can change performance in a covert attention task, in addition to previously reported optogenetic effects on saccadic eye movements. We used an attention task that required the monkey to detect and report a stimulus change at a cued location via joystick release, while ignoring changes at an uncued location. When the cued location was positioned in the response fields of transduced neurons in the superior colliculus, transient light delivery coincident with the stimulus change disrupted the monkey's detection performance, significantly lowering hit rates. When the cued location was elsewhere, hit rates were unaltered, indicating that the effect was spatially specific and not a motor deficit. Hit rates for trials with only one stimulus were also unaltered, indicating that the effect depended on selection among distractors rather than a low-level visual impairment. Psychophysical analysis revealed that optogenetic suppression increased perceptual threshold, but only for locations matching the transduced site. These data show that optogenetic manipulations can cause brief and spatially specific deficits in covert attention, independent of sensorimotor functions. This dissociation of effect, and the temporal precision provided by the technique, demonstrates the utility of optogenetics in interrogating neuronal circuits that mediate cognitive functions in the primate.

Modern Pain Science and Alexander Technique: How Might Alexander Technique Reduce Pain?

This article brings together research from the fields of pain science and Alexander Technique (AT) to investigate the mechanisms by which AT helps reduce pain. AT is a cognitive embodiment practice and a method for intentionally altering habitual postural behavior. Studies show that AT helps with various kinds of pain, although the mechanisms of pain reduction are currently not well understood. Advances in pain science may give insight into how this occurs. Modern interventions with efficacy for improving pain and function are consistent with active approaches within kinesiology. They also share similarities with AT and may have common mechanisms such as learning, mind–body engagement, normalization of sensorimotor function, improvement of psychological factors, and self-efficacy, as well as nonspecific treatment effects. AT likely has additional unique mechanisms, including normalization of muscle tone, neuronal excitability, and tissue loading, as well as alterations to body schema, attention redirection, and reduction in overall reactivity.

The Association Between Urinary Incontinence With Pelvic Pain and Sensory-Motor Function in Older Women With Stroke.

The study aimed to investigate the association between urinary incontinence (UI) severity, pelvic pain, and sensory-motor function in older women with stroke. A cross-sectional prospective study was carried out with 102 older women individuals with stroke. Barthel Index (BI), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7), Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Pelvic Pain Impact Questionnaire (PPIQ), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SASS), and Somatic Sensitivity Scale (SeSS) were used for clinical measurements. Partial correlational analyses with age, stroke duration, and BMI as covariates revealed a moderate positive correlation between SASS and IIQ-7 (r = 0.315, p < 0.001) and UDI-6 (r = 0.376, p < 0.001). On the other hand, there was a strong positive correlation between SASS and PPIQ (r = 0.522, p < 0.001). SeSS had a low positive correlation with IIQ-7 (r = 0.198, p < 0.05) and UDI-6 (r = 0.203, p < 0.05). In addition, there was a positive and moderate correlation between SeSS and PPIQ (r = 0.384, p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed causality of SASS (R2 = 0.381, p < 0.001) and SeSS (R2 = 0.167, p < 0.001) with PPIQ. Increased abnormal sensory sensitivity is associated with increased pelvic pain levels in women with stroke. Clinicians should consider sensory abnormalities, especially pain, within the scope of UI in women with stroke. Our results provide preliminary essential data for sensory and pain awareness during pelvic rehabilitation in stroke patients.

Developmental Changes in Locomotion and Sensorimotor Reflexes Following Spinal Cord Transection.

The developmental trajectory of weight-bearing locomotion and sensorimotor reflexes following a spinal cord injury, as well as the mechanisms for plasticity, remain unclear. In rats, the second postnatal week is a critical period for the development and recovery of spinal sensorimotor function. The purpose of the present study was to characterize developmental changes during this time frame to provide a basis for potential interventions and future research. Rats underwent a complete low-thoracic (T8-T10) spinal cord transection surgery, or sham procedure, on postnatal day (P)1. Spontaneous locomotion and sensorimotor reflexes (surface righting, hindlimb placing, and crossed-extensor reflex) were tested on P7, P14, or P21. Results show that spinal-transected and sham rats exhibited the same amount of spontaneous locomotion, but the degree of relative weight bearing on the hindlimbs was different between groups and changed over time. Reflex findings showed that throughout the neonatal period, the isolated lumbar spinal cord can respond to sensory input and execute coordinated motor output following spinal cord transection. These insights contribute to understanding the developmental trajectory of spinal cord function after injury and provide a foundation for interventions to enhance recovery outcomes.

Known-Group Validity and Sensitivity to Change in the Sensory-Motor Dysfunction Questionnaire in Individuals with Neck Pain: A Pilot Study

Background/Objectives: Sensorimotor dysfunction is often reported in individuals experiencing neck pain, irrespective of severity and chronicity. The treatment of neck dysfunction has been found to positively impact sensorimotor integration (SMI), thereby improving sensorimotor function. However, no patient-reported outcome measure has been validated for discrimination between healthy individuals and neck pain patients with disordered SMI, nor has there been documentation of positive change in SMI following neck pain treatment.The purpose of this study was to administer the Sensory-Motor Dysfunction Questionnaire (SMD-Q), for the purposes of: (1) known-group validity between individuals without and with chronic neck pain (CNP) or subclinical neck pain (SCNP); (2) assess the questionnaire’s capacity to quantify changes in altered SMI following a tailored treatment plan. Methods: Part 1—Known Group Validity: The SMD-Q was administered to 30 neck pain (13 with CNP, and 17 with SCNP), and 30 healthy participants. Part 2—Sensitivity to Change: The SMD-Q was re-administered to neck pain participants following their tailored treatment plans (SCNP—8-weeks and CNP—12 weeks). Results: The SMD-Q can discriminate between healthy and neck pain participants (p ≤ 0.001), and may be sensitive to showing treatment effects (ηp2 = 0.162; large effect size (ES)), but the sample size was too small to determine if it can discriminate treatment effects between groups (ηp2 = 0.070; medium ES). Conclusions: Differing degrees of disordered SMI can be discriminated by the SMD-Q, but further research is needed to determine its sensitivity to treatment.

Recovery after human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) treatment in post-MCAO rats requires repeated handling.

Rehabilitation is the only current intervention that improves sensorimotor function in ischemic stroke patients, similar to task-specific intensive training in animal models of stroke. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising in restoring brain damage and function in stroke models. Additionally, the non-invasive intranasal route allows EVs to reach the brain and target specific ischemic regions. Yet unclear is how handling might enhance recovery or influence other therapies such as EVs after stroke. We used the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of stroke in rats to assess how intensive handling alone, in the form of sensorimotor behavioral tests, or in combination with an intranasal treatment of EVs restored neurological function and ischemic damage. Handled rats were exposed to a battery of sensorimotor tests, including the modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS), beam balance, corner, grid walking, forelimb placement, and cylinder tests, together with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post-stroke (dps). Handled MCAO rats were also exposed to an intranasal multidose or single dose of EVs. Non-handled rats were evaluated only by mNSS and MRI at 2, 28, and 56 dps and were treated with a single intranasal dose of EVs. Our results showed that handling animals after MCAO is necessary for EVs to work at the tested dose and frequency, and that a single cumulative dose of EVs further improves the neurological function recovered during handling. These results show the importance of rehabilitation in combination with other treatments such as EVs, and highlight how extensive behavioral testing might influence functional recovery after stroke.

Neuro- and vasoprotective potential of neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor agonist, NPY13-36, against transient focal cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Numerous in vitro and in vivo experimental studies indicate that neuropeptide Y Y2 receptors (Y2R) are potential targets for neuroprotective therapy, including neuroprotection against ischemic stroke in healthy rats. Since stroke in humans is typically associated with comorbidities and long-term hypertension is the most common comorbidity leading to stroke, this study aimed to assess the neuroprotective potential of the Y2R agonist NPY13–36 in the rats with essential hypertension (SHR) subjected to 90 min middle cerebral artery suture occlusion with subsequent reperfusion (MCAOR). The cerebrocortical microflow in the ischemic focus and penumbra was continuously monitored with a Laser-Doppler flowmeter. NPY13–36 (10 μg/6 μl physiological saline solution) was administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) during ischemia or early reperfusion. The infarct area (triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining), behavioral tests (gait, mobility, and sensorimotor functions), and the response of the cerebrocortical microcirculation in the penumbra to hypercapnia and to the inhibition of the synthesis of nitric oxide were studied. Our results demonstrate that administration of NPY13-36 reduces the size of the infarct, improves motor functions, and restores microcirculatory response to the blockade of nitric oxide synthase when administered during reperfusion. The novelty of this study is a finding of the vasoprotective effect of NPY13-36 in brain ischemia/reperfusion. Moreover, this study provides evidence of the beneficial effects of NPY13-36 in animals with essential hypertension and indicates that Y2R ligands may be promising candidates for treating the ischemic brain in the case of this disease.

Targeting astrocytes polarization after spinal cord injury: a promising direction.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological injury that causes severe trauma to motor and sensory functions. Although long considered incurable, recent research has brought new hope for functional recovery from SCI. After SCI, astrocytes are activated into many polarization states. Here we discuss the two most important classical phenotypes: the 'A1' neurotoxic phenotype and the 'A2' neuroprotective phenotype, with A1 astrocytes being neurotoxic and impeding neurorecovery, and A2 astrocytes being neuroprotective. This paper discusses the changes in astrocyte responsiveness after SCI and the pros and cons of their polarization in SCI. It also elucidates the feasibility of astrocyte polarization as a therapeutic target for neuroprotection. In the future, multiple intervention strategies targeting astrocyte polarization are expected to gain wider clinical application, ultimately improving motor-sensory function and quality of life in SCI patients.

LOCATE-SM PROTOCOL: LOCATION ORIENTED CORTICAL AND SUB-CORTICAL ASSESSMENT FOR THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION- SENSORY-MOTOR TESTING IN AWAKE CRANIOTOMY

Abstract AIMS Awake craniotomy is a well-established surgical procedure to debulk intracranial tumours in eloquent areas (‘functional hubs’). Intraoperative mapping facilitates maximal safe debulking. Review of current sensory motor assessment tools highlighted the absence of a comprehensive ‘location to function’ protocol. We aimed to develop a new protocol that enables ‘location to function’ sensory-motor task selection in preparation for, and during, awake craniotomy. METHOD A literature review demonstrated multiple different intraoperative strategies exist for the preservation of sensory-motor function in awake craniotomy. Incorporating these with functional neuroanatomy, and consensus agreement in the Tessa Jowell Academy Physiotherapy Awake Craniotomy Working Group and the National Brain Mapping MDT, led to the development of testing strategies aligned with ‘location to function’ task selection. Testing strategies were peer-reviewed by three specialist Neuro-Oncology physiotherapists. RESULTS A protocol (LOCATE-SM) has been developed at Leeds to identify critical cortical and subcortical sensory-motor functions that are aligned with anatomo-functional models. Physiotherapists have used this to select individualised pre-, intra- and postoperative tests depending on tumour location and sensory-motor impairment. Additionally, this facilitates intraoperative mapping of eloquent functional regions that are variably located. Cases using LOCATE-SM are presented. CONCLUSION LOCATE-SM is a new awake sensory-motor testing protocol developed by specialised Neuro-Oncology physiotherapists at a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence (Leeds). Current cases demonstrate that it leads to greater consistency between physiotherapists and specificity in ‘location to function’ sensory-motor task selection. Future work will systematically analyse the outcomes (onco-functional balance) of using this protocol, and validation in other centres.

The effect of neurofeedback and somatosensory exercises on balance and physical performance of older adults: a parallel single-blinded randomized controlled trial

This study examines the effects of a 5-week program of neurofeedback combined with somatosensory exercises on balance and physical performance in older adults, with the goal of addressing age-related declines in sensory processing and motor function. Sixty older adult men with balance disorders were randomly assigned to one of three groups: neurofeedback combined with somatosensory training, somatosensory training alone, or a control group. The interventions were administered over 5 weeks, with participants attending three sessions per week. Assessments were conducted both before and after the intervention period, including measurements of static balance using the Stork test, dynamic balance using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and physical performance using the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance-10 (CS-PFP-10) test. The findings revealed significant improvements in balance and physical performance among participants who received either neurofeedback combined with somatosensory training or somatosensory training alone. Specifically, the Stork test (with both open and closed eyes) showed significant increases in duration, while the TUG test indicated reductions in completion times for both intervention groups (p = 0.001), suggesting enhanced balance and mobility. Additionally, the CS-PFP-10 test results demonstrated a significant difference following the interventions (p = 0.001). These findings suggest that incorporating neurofeedback training into somatosensory exercises may provide additional benefits for older adults in improving balance and mobility.

Heartfelt choices: The influence of cardiac phase on free-choice actions.

The influence of cardiac phases on cognitive and sensorimotor functions is noteworthy. Specifically, during systole, as opposed to diastole, there is an observed enhancement in tasks demanding the suppression of instructed responses. This suggests that systole contributes to inhibitory control in motor functions. However, the extent to which systolic inhibition is significant in volitional free-choice actions, such as choosing to execute or refrain from a cue-initiated response, remains to be clarified. To fill this gap in the current literature, the purpose of this study was to test whether during the systole phase, compared with the diastole phase, the tendency to enact volitional actions decreased due to the systolic inhibitory effect. We used a modified version of the Go/No-Go task with an added condition for volitional free-choice actions, where participants could decide whether to respond or not, to test whether systolic inhibition could affect the volitional decision to act. The results showed that participants' responses were less frequent in systole than in diastole in the volitional action condition. Then, to test the robustness of the cardiac effect on volitional actions, we used two established manipulations: the Straw Breathing Manipulation and the Cold Pressor Test, which were able to induce anxiety and increase the heart rate, respectively. Results showed that the systole/diastole difference in the number of volitional action trials in which participants decided to respond tended to remain the same despite all manipulations. Overall, our results provide convergent evidence for the effect of the heart on the decision to act, an effect that appears independent of manipulations of both the physiological and psychological state of the individual.