Opposed optimal strategies of weighting somatosensory inputs for planning reaching movements toward visual and proprioceptive targets

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (9) ◽  
pp. 2290-2301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Blouin ◽  
Anahid H. Saradjian ◽  
Nicolas Lebar ◽  
Alain Guillaume ◽  
Laurence Mouchnino
Keyword(s):  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Optimal Strategies ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Movement Planning ◽  
Reaching Movements ◽  
Behavioral Studies ◽  
Somatosensory Input ◽  
Visual Targets ◽  
The Brain

Behavioral studies have suggested that the brain uses a visual estimate of the hand to plan reaching movements toward visual targets and somatosensory inputs in the case of somatosensory targets. However, neural correlates for distinct coding of the hand according to the sensory modality of the target have not yet been identified. Here we tested the twofold hypothesis that the somatosensory input from the reaching hand is facilitated and inhibited, respectively, when planning movements toward somatosensory (unseen fingers) or visual targets. The weight of the somatosensory inputs was assessed by measuring the amplitude of the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) resulting from vibration of the reaching finger during movement planning. The target sensory modality had no significant effect on SEP amplitude. However, Spearman's analyses showed significant correlations between the SEPs and reaching errors. When planning movements toward proprioceptive targets without visual feedback of the reaching hand, participants showing the greater SEPs were those who produced the smaller directional errors. Inversely, participants showing the smaller SEPs when planning movements toward visual targets with visual feedback of the reaching hand were those who produced the smaller directional errors. No significant correlation was found between the SEPs and radial or amplitude errors. Our results indicate that the sensory strategy for planning movements is highly flexible among individuals and also for a given sensory context. Most importantly, they provide neural bases for the suggestion that optimization of movement planning requires the target and the reaching hand to both be represented in the same sensory modality.

Whole-body adaptation to novel dynamics does not transfer between effectors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Pienciak-Siewert ◽  
Alaa A Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Arm Movement ◽  
Movement Planning ◽  
Reaching Movements ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Postural Control System ◽  
Movement Dynamics ◽  
Gradual Introduction ◽  
Postural Movement ◽  
The Brain

How does the brain coordinate concurrent adaptation of arm movements and standing posture? From previous studies, the postural control system can use information about previously adapted arm movement dynamics to plan appropriate postural control; however, it is unclear whether postural control can be adapted and controlled independently of arm control. The present study addresses that question. Subjects practiced planar reaching movements while standing and grasping the handle of a robotic arm, which generated a force field to create novel perturbations. Subjects were divided into two groups, for which perturbations were introduced in either an abrupt or gradual manner. All subjects adapted to the perturbations while reaching with their dominant (right) arm, then switched to reaching with their non-dominant (left) arm. Previous studies of seated reaching movements showed that abrupt perturbation introduction led to transfer of learning between arms, but gradual introduction did not. Interestingly, in this study neither group showed evidence of transferring adapted control of arm or posture between arms. These results suggest primarily that adapted postural control cannot be transferred independently of arm control in this task paradigm. In other words, whole-body postural movement planning related to a concurrent arm task is dependent on information about arm dynamics. Finally, we found that subjects were able to adapt to the gradual perturbation while experiencing very small errors, suggesting that both error size and consistency play a role in driving motor adaptation.

scholarly journals Visually and Tactually Guided Grasps Lead to Different Neuronal Activity in Non-human Primates

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Buchwald ◽  
Hansjörg Scherberger
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Movement Planning ◽  
Neural Population ◽  
Electrode Arrays ◽  
Action Execution ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Population Activity ◽  
Grasp Planning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Brain

Movements are defining characteristics of all behaviors. Animals walk around, move their eyes to explore the world or touch structures to learn more about them. So far we only have some basic understanding of how the brain generates movements, especially when we want to understand how different areas of the brain interact with each other. In this study we investigated the influence of sensory object information on grasp planning in four different brain areas involved in vision, touch, movement planning, and movement generation in the parietal, somatosensory, premotor and motor cortex. We trained one monkey to grasp objects that he either saw or touched beforehand while continuously recording neural spiking activity with chronically implanted floating multi-electrode arrays. The animal was instructed to sit in the dark and either look at a shortly illuminated object or reach out and explore the object with his hand in the dark before lifting it up. In a first analysis we confirmed that the animal not only memorizes the object in both tasks, but also applies an object-specific grip type, independent of the sensory modality. In the neuronal population, we found a significant difference in the number of tuned units for sensory modalities during grasp planning that persisted into grasp execution. These differences were sufficient to enable a classifier to decode the object and sensory modality in a single trial exclusively from neural population activity. These results give valuable insights in how different brain areas contribute to the preparation of grasp movement and how different sensory streams can lead to distinct neural activity while still resulting in the same action execution.

Shame on the brain: Neural correlates of moral injury event recall in posttraumatic stress disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantelle S. Lloyd ◽  
Andrew A. Nicholson ◽  
Maria Densmore ◽  
Jean Théberge ◽  
Richard W. J. Neufeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Moral Injury ◽  
Injury Event ◽  
Event Recall ◽  
The Brain

scholarly journals Sex differences in neural correlates of common psychopathological symptoms in early adolescence

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Francesca Biondo ◽  
Charlotte Nymberg Thunell ◽  
Bing Xu ◽  
Congying Chu ◽  
Tianye Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Psychopathological Symptom ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background Sex-related differences in psychopathology are known phenomena, with externalizing and internalizing symptoms typically more common in boys and girls, respectively. However, the neural correlates of these sex-by-psychopathology interactions are underinvestigated, particularly in adolescence. Methods Participants were 14 years of age and part of the IMAGEN study, a large (N = 1526) community-based sample. To test for sex-by-psychopathology interactions in structural grey matter volume (GMV), we used whole-brain, voxel-wise neuroimaging analyses based on robust non-parametric methods. Psychopathological symptom data were derived from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results We found a sex-by-hyperactivity/inattention interaction in four brain clusters: right temporoparietal-opercular region (p < 0.01, Cohen's d = −0.24), bilateral anterior and mid-cingulum (p < 0.05, Cohen's d = −0.18), right cerebellum and fusiform (p < 0.05, Cohen's d = −0.20) and left frontal superior and middle gyri (p < 0.05, Cohen's d = −0.26). Higher symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention were associated with lower GMV in all four brain clusters in boys, and with higher GMV in the temporoparietal-opercular and cerebellar-fusiform clusters in girls. Conclusions Using a large, sex-balanced and community-based sample, our study lends support to the idea that externalizing symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention may be associated with different neural structures in male and female adolescents. The brain regions we report have been associated with a myriad of important cognitive functions, in particular, attention, cognitive and motor control, and timing, that are potentially relevant to understand the behavioural manifestations of hyperactive and inattentive symptoms. This study highlights the importance of considering sex in our efforts to uncover mechanisms underlying psychopathology during adolescence.

scholarly journals Sex differences in neural and behavioral signatures of cooperation revealed by fNIRS hyperscanning

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Baker ◽  
Ning Liu ◽  
Xu Cui ◽  
Pascal Vrticka ◽  
Manish Saggar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Behavioral Signatures ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
The Right ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Researchers from multiple fields have sought to understand how sex moderates human social behavior. While over 50 years of research has revealed differences in cooperation behavior of males and females, the underlying neural correlates of these sex differences have not been explained. A missing and fundamental element of this puzzle is an understanding of how the sex composition of an interacting dyad influences the brain and behavior during cooperation. Using fNIRS-based hyperscanning in 111 same- and mixed-sex dyads, we identified significant behavioral and neural sex-related differences in association with a computer-based cooperation task. Dyads containing at least one male demonstrated significantly higher behavioral performance than female/female dyads. Individual males and females showed significant activation in the right frontopolar and right inferior prefrontal cortices, although this activation was greater in females compared to males. Female/female dyad’s exhibited significant inter-brain coherence within the right temporal cortex, while significant coherence in male/male dyads occurred in the right inferior prefrontal cortex. Significant coherence was not observed in mixed-sex dyads. Finally, for same-sex dyads only, task-related inter-brain coherence was positively correlated with cooperation task performance. Our results highlight multiple important and previously undetected influences of sex on concurrent neural and behavioral signatures of cooperation.

scholarly journals Anatomical Study of Intrahemispheric Association Fibers in the Brains of Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajussp.)

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellen Christina Malheiros Borges ◽  
Hisao Nishijo ◽  
Tales Alexandre Aversi-Ferreira ◽  
Jussara Rocha Ferreira ◽  
Leonardo Ferreira Caixeta
Keyword(s):  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
Anatomical Study ◽  
Lateral View ◽  
Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus ◽  
Cognitive Behaviors ◽  
Behavioral Studies ◽  
Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus ◽  
Association Fibers ◽  
The Brain

Previous studies suggest that the complexity of fiber connections in the brain plays a key role in the evolutionary process of the primate brain and behaviors. The patterns of brain fiber systems have been studied in detail in many nonhuman primates, but not inSapajussp. Behavioral studies indicated thatSapajussp. (bearded capuchins) show highly cognitive behaviors such as tool use comparable to those in other nonhuman primates. To compare the brain fiber systems in capuchins with those in other nonhuman primates and humans, the intrahemispheric fibers systems in 24 cerebral hemispheres ofSapajuswere dissected by a freezing-thawing procedure. Dissection of the hemispheres in lateral view indicated short arcuate fibers, uncinate fasciculus, and inferior longitudinal fasciculus, while that in a medial view indicated short arcuate fibers, the cingulum united with the superior longitudinal fasciculus, and inferior longitudinal fasciculus. The results showed that the fiber systems inSapajusare comparable to those in rhesus and humans, except for a lack of independent superior longitudinal fasciculus and cingulum inSapajus.

The Advancement of Neuroimaging Research Investigating Developmental Stuttering

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deryk S. Beal
Keyword(s):  
Speech Production ◽  
Fast Rate ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Current State ◽  
Developmental Stuttering ◽  
The Brain ◽  
State Of The Field

We are amassing information about the role of the brain in speech production and the potential neural limitations that coincide with developmental stuttering at a fast rate. As such, it is difficult for many clinician-scientists who are interested in the neural correlates of stuttering to stay informed of the current state of the field. In this paper, I aim to inspire clinician-scientists to tackle hypothesis-driven research that is grounded in neurobiological theory. To this end, I will review the neuroanatomical structures, and their functions, which are implicated in speech production and then describe the relevant differences identified in these structures in people who stutter relative to their fluently speaking peers. I will conclude the paper with suggestions on directions of future research to facilitate the evolution of the field of neuroimaging of stuttering.

scholarly journals Orexin receptor blockers: A tool for lowering alcohol intake and alcohol addictive behavior in the light of preclinical studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 959-969
Author(s):  
Kamila Czora-Poczwardowska ◽  
Radosław Kujawski ◽  
Julia Słyńko-Krzyżostaniak ◽  
Przemysław Ł. Mikołajczak ◽  
Michał Szulc
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Selective Reduction ◽  
Optimization Methods ◽  
Sugar Solution ◽  
Behavioral Studies ◽  
Potential Efficacy ◽  
Bioactive Ligands ◽  
Receptor Blockers ◽  
Rats And Mice ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a severe and globally widespread neurological and psychiatric problem. The treatment with currently used drugs often does not bring the expected effect. New optimization methods or directions in pharmacotherapy are still being sought. The group of bioactive ligands, targeted at neuropeptides called orexins (OXs) and their receptors (OXRs), affects a number of functions including ingestion, sleep-wake regulation, as well as the brain reward system which is the basis of addiction. The purpose of this paper is to systematize the knowledge in the field of preclinical behavioral studies on rodents (rats and mice) in several models of alcohol consumption using the OXRs antagonists. The results of the experiments indicated a potential efficacy of particular OXRs antagonists in the AUD treatment, especially those selectively blocking the OX1R. Among them, SB-334867 in the lowest effective dose of 3 mg/kg i.p. was most studied, as shown in the model of two-bottle choice using C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, this compound did not affect the reduction of cognitive functions. GSK1059865 was also involved in the selective reduction of ethanol intake, and simultaneously did not alter the consumption of sugar solution. The other group of selective OX2R antagonists, such as TCS-OX2-29 and LSN2424100, was less efficient. In summary, the OX1R antagonists proved to have the potential in AUD therapy, not only through the reduction of ethanol consumption but also in the treatment of coexisting behavioral and physiological disorders, such as insomnia and anxiety.

scholarly journals Rhythm and its perception in the central nervous system

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (03) ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
B. Ried ◽  
G. Rodrigues ◽  
E. Gama
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Rhythm Perception ◽  
Subcortical Structures ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Data Bases ◽  
International Data ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

AbstractRhythm works as an organizing principle in all sorts/manner of human behavior and perception. Several sciences investigate rhythm, trying to unveil the mechanisms of its perception and its neural correlates. In order to assess the knowledge available from 2001 to 2011, we conducted a review into five international data bases using the keywords “rhythm” and “perception“. 17 original research papers were found whose indings were fairly inconclusive and unable to precisely locate one single rhythm processing area in the brain, but found activations in both cortical and subcortical structures and the cerebellum. However, methods were found to be fairly diverse and often terminologically inconsistent, which hampers comparison between studies. Conclusions: the former vision of rhythm perception in the brain as occurring in a network has been conirmed.

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