The effects of monophasic anodal transcranial pulsed current stimulation on corticospinal excitability and motor performance in healthy young adults: A randomized double-blind sham-controlled study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thusharika Dissanayaka ◽  
Maryam Zoghi ◽  
Michael Farrell ◽  
Gary Egan ◽  
Shapour Jaberzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Corticospinal Excitability ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Pulsed Current ◽  
Double Blind

Analysis of acute naproxen administration on memory in young adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1374-1376
Author(s):  
Jack H Wilson ◽  
Amy H Criss ◽  
Sean A Spangler ◽  
Katherine Walukevich ◽  
Sandra Hewett
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work by non-selectively inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes. Evidence indicates that metabolites of the cyclooxygenase pathway play a critical role in the process of learning and memory. We evaluated whether acute naproxen treatment impairs short-term working memory, episodic memory, or semantic memory in a young, healthy adult population. Participants received a single dose of placebo or naproxen (750 mg) in random order separated by 7–10 days. Two hours following administration, participants completed five memory tasks. The administration of acute high-dose naproxen had no effect on memory in healthy young adults.

scholarly journals Tolerability and Efficacy of Customized IncobotulinumtoxinA Injections for Essential Tremor: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 807
Author(s):  
Mandar Jog ◽  
Jack Lee ◽  
Astrid Scheschonka ◽  
Robert Chen ◽  
Farooq Ismail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Tolerability Profile ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Hand Tremor ◽  
Global Impression Of Change ◽  
Amplitude Versus ◽  
Favorable Tolerability Profile

In this first, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled exploratory trial, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of incobotulinumtoxinA and feasibility of using kinematic tremor assessment to aid in the planning of muscle selection in a multicenter setting. Reproducibility of the planning technology to other clinical sites was explored. In this trial (NCT02207946), patients with upper-limb essential tremor (ET) were randomized 2:1 to a single treatment cycle of incobotulinumtoxinA or placebo. A tremor kinematic analytics investigational device was used to define a customized muscle set for injection, related to the pattern of the wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder tremor for each patient, and the incobotulinumtoxinA dose per muscle (total ≤ 200 U). Fahn–Tolosa–Marin (FTM) Part B motor performance score, Global Impression of Change Scale (GICS), and kinematic analysis-based efficacy evaluations were assessed. Thirty patients were randomized (incobotulinumtoxinA, n = 19; placebo, n = 11). FTM motor performance scores showed greater improvement with incobotulinumtoxinA versus placebo at Week 4 (p= 0.003) and Week 8 (p= 0.031). The physician-rated GICS score indicated improvement with incobotulinumtoxinA versus placebo at Week 4 (p < 0.05). IncobotulinumtoxinA also decreased accelerometric hand-tremor amplitude versus placebo from baseline to Week 4 (p= 0.004) and Week 8 (p < 0.001), with persistent tremor reduction up to 24 weeks post-injection. IncobotulinumtoxinA produced a slight and transient reduction of maximal grip strength versus placebo; two patients reported localized finger muscle weakness. Customized incobotulinumtoxinA injections decreased tremor severity and improved hand motor function in patients with upper-limb ET after a single injection cycle, with a favorable tolerability profile. The study showed that tremor kinematic analytics technology could be successfully scaled for use in other clinical sites.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Effects of a Sage (Salvia officinalis) Extract on Cognitive Performance in Adolescents and Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieron D Edwards ◽  
Anne Dubberke ◽  
Nadin Meyer ◽  
Simone Kugel ◽  
Juliane Hellhammer
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Declarative Memory ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Treatment Benefits

Background: Cognitive health is a major concern for many people, and with potential benefits to academic and professional life, maximising cognitive performance is of interest far beyond the older demographics. Several natural products have been suggested as nootropics, including the herb sage. Previous assessments of various Salvia species have reported a range of effects on cognitive performance and mood in both older adult and younger adult populations. This study was conducted with SibeliusTM: Sage, an aqueous-ethanol extract of S. officinalis, to assess for the beneficial effects on cognitive performance in adolescents (12-14 year olds) and young adults (18-25 year olds). Methods and Findings: An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with two single doses of SibeliusTM: Sage (150 mg and 300 mg). Cognitive performance was evaluated using CogTrackTM, which probes aspects of cognitive performance covering attention, working memory and episodic/declarative memory through a series of computer-based tasks. Consistent with previous study of SibeliusTM: Sage a significant effect was seen on the Immediate Word Recall task in young adults; suggesting acute treatment benefits to verbal episodic/declarative memory performance. Physiological effects of the treatment on salivary cortisol and oxytocin levels, as well as blood pressure and heart rate were also assessed, with limited evidence of an effect on these factors. No adverse events or side-effects linked to the study product intake was observed. The study was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00015716). Conclusions: A significant improvement due to the Sage extract was shown for a task assessing short-term episodic memory (Immediate Word Recall), supporting beneficial effects on cognitive performance in young adults that are consistent with previous reports in healthy older adults. These findings suggest that further investigation of the effects observed in this study in larger, long-term human volunteer studies could be beneficial to pursue.

scholarly journals Modulation of premotor cortex response to sequence motor learning during escitalopram-intake

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eoin N Molloy ◽  
Karsten Mueller ◽  
Nathalie Beinhoelzl ◽  
Maria Bloechl ◽  
Fabian Piecha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Learning ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Premotor Cortex ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Adaptive Plasticity ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Negative Findings

The contribution of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to motor learning by inducing motor cortical plasticity remains controversial given diverse findings from positive preclinical data to negative findings in recent clinical trials. To empirically address this translational disparity, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a double-blind, randomized controlled study to assess whether 20 mg escitalopram improves sequence-specific motor performance and modulates cortical motor response in 64 healthy female participants. We found decreased left premotor cortex responses during sequence-specific learning performance comparing single dose and steady escitalopram state. Escitalopram plasma-levels negatively correlated with the premotor cortex response. We did not find evidence in support of improved motor performance after a week of escitalopram-intake. These findings do not support the conclusion that one-week escitalopram intake increases motor performance but could reflect early adaptive plasticity with improved neural processing underlying similar task performance when steady peripheral escitalopram levels are reached.

Neurophysiological and Behavioral Effects of tDCS Combined With Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Poststroke Patients

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 819-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Bolognini ◽  
Giuseppe Vallar ◽  
Carlotta Casati ◽  
Lydia Abdul Latif ◽  
Rasheda El-Nazer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Movement Therapy ◽  
Corticospinal Excitability ◽  
Behavioral Effects ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Transcallosal Inhibition ◽  
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background. Recovery of motor function after stroke may depend on a balance of activity in the neural network involving the affected and the unaffected motor cortices. Objective. To assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can increase the training-induced recovery of motor functions. Methods. In an exploratory study, 14 patients with chronic stroke and mean Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Motor Assessment of 29 (range = 8-50) entered a double-blind sham-controlled study, aimed to investigate neurophysiological and behavioral effects of bihemispheric tDCS (cathodal stimulation of the unaffected motor cortex and anodal stimulation of the affected motor cortex), combined with constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). Results. Patients in both groups demonstrated gains on primary outcome measures, that is, Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test, Handgrip Strength, Motor Activity Log Scale, and Fugl-Meyer Motor Score. Gains were larger in the active tDCS group. Neurophysiological measurements showed a reduction in transcallosal inhibition from the intact to the affected hemisphere and increased corticospinal excitability in the affected hemisphere only in the active tDCS/CIMT group. Such neurophysiological changes correlated with the magnitude of the behavioral gains. Both groups showed a reduction in corticospinal excitability of the unaffected hemisphere. Conclusions. CIMT alone appears effective in modulating local excitability but not in removing the imbalance in transcallosal inhibition. Bihemispheric tDCS may achieve this goal and foster greater functional recovery.

scholarly journals Modulation of premotor cortex response to sequence motor learning during escitalopram intake

2020 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2096516
Author(s):  
Eóin N Molloy ◽  
Karsten Mueller ◽  
Nathalie Beinhölzl ◽  
Maria Blöchl ◽  
Fabian A Piecha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Learning ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Premotor Cortex ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Adaptive Plasticity ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Negative Findings

The contribution of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to motor learning by inducing motor cortical plasticity remains controversial given diverse findings from positive preclinical data to negative findings in recent clinical trials. To empirically address this translational disparity, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging in a double-blind, randomized controlled study to assess whether 20 mg escitalopram improves sequence-specific motor performance and modulates cortical motor response in 64 healthy female participants. We found decreased left premotor cortex responses during sequence-specific learning performance comparing single dose and steady escitalopram state. Escitalopram plasma levels negatively correlated with the premotor cortex response. We did not find evidence in support of improved motor performance after a week of escitalopram intake. These findings do not support the conclusion that one week escitalopram intake increases motor performance but could reflect early adaptive plasticity with improved neural processing underlying similar task performance when steady peripheral escitalopram levels are reached.

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