scholarly journals Excitatory and inhibitory lateral interactions effects on contrast detection are modulated by tRNS

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Battaglini ◽  
G. Contemori ◽  
A. Fertonani ◽  
C. Miniussi ◽  
A. Coccaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frontal Cortex ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Facilitatory Effect ◽  
High Contrast ◽  
Contrast Detection ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation ◽  
Increased Sensitivity

AbstractContrast sensitivity for a Gabor signal is affected by collinear high-contrast Gabor flankers. The flankers reduce (inhibitory effect) or increase (facilitatory effect) sensitivity, at short (2λ) and intermediate (6λ) target-to-flanker separation respectively. We investigated whether these inhibitory/facilitatory sensitivity effects are modulated by transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) applied to the occipital and frontal cortex of human observers during task performance. Signal detection theory was used to measure sensitivity (d’) and the Criterion (C) in a contrast detection task, performed with sham or tRNS applied over the occipital or the frontal cortex. After occipital stimulation results show a tRNS-dependent increased sensitivity for the single Gabor signal of low but not high contrast. Moreover, results suggest a dissociation of the tRNS effect when the Gabor signal is presented with the flankers, consisting in a general increased sensitivity at 2λ where the flankers had an inhibitory effect (reduction of inhibition) and a decreased sensitivity at 6λ where the flankers had a facilitatory effect on the Gabor signal (reduction of facilitation). After a frontal stimulation, no specific effect of the tRNS was found. We account for these complex interactions between tRNS and flankers by assuming that tRNS not only enhances feedforward input from the Gabor signal to the cortex, but also enhances the excitatory or inhibitory lateral intracortical input from the flankers. The boosted lateral input depends on the excitation-inhibition (E/I) ratio, namely when the lateral input is weak, it is boosted by tRNS with consequent modification of the contrast-dependent E/I ratio.

scholarly journals Altering brain dynamics with transcranial random noise stimulation

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onno van der Groen ◽  
Nicole Wenderoth ◽  
Jason B. Mattingley
Keyword(s):  
White Noise ◽  
Binocular Rivalry ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Gaussian White Noise ◽  
High Contrast ◽  
Low Contrast ◽  
Visual Contrast ◽  
Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation ◽  
Switching Dynamics ◽  
Stable Attractor

AbstractRandom noise can enhance the detectability of weak signals in nonlinear threshold systems, a phenomenon known as stochastic resonance (SR). This concept is not only applicable to single threshold systems but can also be applied to dynamical systems with multiple attractor states, such as observed during the phenomenon of binocular rivalry. Binocular rivalry can be characterized by marginally stable attractor states between which the brain switches in a spontaneous, stochastic manner. The switches are thought to be driven by a combination of neuronal adaptation and noise. Here we used a computational model to predict the effect of noise on perceptual dominance durations when either low-contrast or high-contrast stimuli are presented. Subsequently we compared the model prediction to a series of three experiments where we measured binocular rivalry dynamics when noise (zero-mean Gaussian white noise) was added either to the visual stimulus (Exp. 1) or directly to the visual cortex (Exp. 2 and Exp. 3) by applying transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS 1mA, 100-640 Hz zero mean Gaussian white noise). We found that adding noise significantly reduced the mixed percept duration (Exp. 1 and Exp. 2). This effect was only present for low-contrast but not for high-contrast visual stimuli which is in line with the model predictions. Our results demonstrate that both central and peripheral noise can influence state-switching dynamics of binocular rivalry under specific conditions (e.g. low visual contrast stimuli), in line with a SR-mechanism.

The Effects of Heparin and Annexin V on Fibrin Accretion after Injury in the Jugular Veins of Rabbits

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (03) ◽  
pp. 227-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Van Ryn-McKenna ◽  
H Merk ◽  
T H Müller ◽  
M R Buchanan ◽  
W G Eisert
Keyword(s):  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Antithrombin Iii ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Jugular Veins ◽  
Prothrombinase Complex ◽  
Wall Injury

SummaryWe compared the relative abilities of unfractionated heparin and annexin V to prevent fibrin accretion onto injured jugular veins in vivo. Heparin was used to accelerate the inhibition of thrombin by antithrombin III, and annexin V was used to inhibit the assembly of the prothrombinase complex on phospholipid surfaces, thereby blocking thrombin generation. Rabbit jugular veins were isolated in situ, a 2 cm segment was injured by perfusing it with air, and then blood flow was re-established. Five minutes later, each rabbit was injected with heparin (20 U/kg) or annexin V (0.3 mg/kg) and then with 125I-fibrinogen. The amount of 125I-fibrin accumulation onto each injured vessel wall segment was measured 4 h later. Each injured vessel was completely deendothelialized as a result of the air perfusion as demonstrated by electron microscopy. 125I-fibrin accretion onto the injured jugular veins was enhanced 2.4-fold as compared to the uninjured veins in sham-operated animals. Heparin treatment did not reduce fibrin accretion, whereas, annexin V treatment decreased fibrin accretion by 60%, p <0.05. This latter effect was achieved without sustained circulating anticoagulation. Additional experiments confirmed that the inhibitory effect of annexin V on fibrin accretion was associated with a surface specific effect, since more annexin V bound to the injured jugular vein segments as compared to the non-injured jugular veins. We conclude that, i) mild vessel wall injury (selective de-endothelialization) in veins results in a thrombogenic vessel wall; ii) the thrombogenecity of which is not inhibited by prophylactic doses of heparin; but iii) is inhibited by annexin V, which binds to injured vessel wall surface, and inhibits thrombin generation independently of antithrombin III.

scholarly journals Electrophysiological aftereffects of high-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (hf-tRNS): an EEG investigation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Ghin ◽  
Louise O’Hare ◽  
Andrea Pavan
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Discrimination Task ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Motion Direction ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Direction Discrimination ◽  
Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation

AbstractThere is evidence that high-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (hf-tRNS) is effective in improving behavioural performance in several visual tasks. However, so far there has been limited research into the spatial and temporal characteristics of hf-tRNS-induced facilitatory effects. In the present study, electroencephalogram (EEG) was used to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of cortical activity modulated by offline hf-tRNS on performance on a motion direction discrimination task. We used EEG to measure the amplitude of motion-related VEPs over the parieto-occipital cortex, as well as oscillatory power spectral density (PSD) at rest. A time–frequency decomposition analysis was also performed to investigate the shift in event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) in response to the motion stimuli between the pre- and post-stimulation period. The results showed that the accuracy of the motion direction discrimination task was not modulated by offline hf-tRNS. Although the motion task was able to elicit motion-dependent VEP components (P1, N2, and P2), none of them showed any significant change between pre- and post-stimulation. We also found a time-dependent increase of the PSD in alpha and beta bands regardless of the stimulation protocol. Finally, time–frequency analysis showed a modulation of ERSP power in the hf-tRNS condition for gamma activity when compared to pre-stimulation periods and Sham stimulation. Overall, these results show that offline hf-tRNS may induce moderate aftereffects in brain oscillatory activity.

Transcranial random noise stimulation for the treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia

2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 372-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Palm ◽  
Alkomiet Hasan ◽  
Daniel Keeser ◽  
Peter Falkai ◽  
Frank Padberg
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation

scholarly journals Trace Elements as Immunoregulators in SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Infections

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthick Dharmalingam ◽  
Amandeep Birdi ◽  
Sojit Tomo ◽  
Karli Sreenivasulu ◽  
Jaykaran Charan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Trace Elements ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Antioxidants Activity ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Downstream Processes

AbstractNutritional deficiency is associated with impaired immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. The complex interactions of trace elements with the macromolecules trigger the effective immune response against the viral diseases. The outcome of various viral infections along with susceptibility is affected by trace elements such as zinc, selenium, iron, copper, etc. due to their immuno-modulatory effects. Available electronic databases have been comprehensively searched for articles published with full text available and with the key words “Trace elements”, “COVID-19”, “Viral Infections” and “Immune Response” (i.e. separately Zn, Se, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cr, Li, Ni, Co) appearing in the title and abstract. On the basis of available articles we have explored the role of trace elements in viral infections with special reference to COVID-19 and their interactions with the immune system. Zinc, selenium and other trace elements are vital to triggerTH1 cells and cytokine-mediated immune response for substantial production of proinflammatory cytokines. The antiviral activity of some trace elements is attributed to their inhibitory effect on viral entry, replication and other downstream processes. Trace elements having antioxidants activity not only regulate host immune responses, but also modify the viral genome. Adequate dietary intake of trace elements is essential for activation, development, differentiation and numerous functions.

scholarly journals Online and offline effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation of the primary motor cortex

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Pozdniakov ◽  
Alicia Nunez Vorobiova ◽  
Giulia Galli ◽  
Simone Rossi ◽  
Matteo Feurra
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Motor Evoked Potentials ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Single Pulse ◽  
Alternating Current ◽  
Online Application ◽  
Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation ◽  
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation

AbstractTranscranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that allows interaction with endogenous cortical oscillatory rhythms by means of external sinusoidal potentials. The physiological mechanisms underlying tACS effects are still under debate. Whereas online (e.g., ongoing) tACS over the motor cortex induces robust state-, phase- and frequency-dependent effects on cortical excitability, the offline effects (i.e. after-effects) of tACS are less clear. Here, we explored online and offline effects of tACS in two single-blind, sham-controlled experiments. In both experiments we used neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) as a probe to index changes of cortical excitability and delivered M1 tACS at 10 Hz (alpha), 20 Hz (beta) and sham (30 s of low-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation; tRNS). Corticospinal excitability was measured by single pulse TMS-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs). tACS was delivered online in Experiment 1 and offline in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, the increase of MEPs size was maximal with the 20 Hz stimulation, however in Experiment 2 neither the 10 Hz nor the 20 Hz stimulation induced tACS offline effects. These findings support the idea that tACS affects cortical excitability only during online application, at least when delivered on the scalp overlying M1, thereby contributing to the development of effective protocols that can be applied to clinical populations.

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