scholarly journals A dynamic systems approach to bimanual coordination in stroke: implications for rehabilitation and research

Medicina ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Sleimen-Malkoun ◽  
Jean-Jacques Temprado ◽  
Eric Berton

During the last 30 years, the dynamic systems approach to coordination patterns contributed to shed new lights on the principles governing interlimb coordination, its dynamics, and its neural basis, predominantly in healthy people. In the present paper, we aim to show how these concepts could provide a theoretical and a methodological framework to address bimanual coordination dysfunction and rehabilitation in stroke patients. Compared to conventional approaches to research and rehabilitation in stroke, the one proposed in this paper is original since it seeks to assess and improve the impaired limb through (and in) coordination tasks. We concretely envisage a number of implications of the “dynamic systems” view to understand the behavioral consequences of intrinsic asymmetries (due to central nervous system injury) on bimanual dynamics in stroke and to identify how to exploit the central nervous system plasticity and self-organizing properties for recovering more adaptive coordinated movements. We conclude that more interest should be accorded to bimanual coordination assessment and rehabilitation in stroke. In this respect, the dynamical systems approach provides interesting insights and valuable tools. Experimental and clinical studies are still needed in order to elaborate fi rm and founded guidelines for therapy.

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13
Author(s):  
James B. Talmage ◽  
Jay Blaisdell

Abstract Injuries that affect the central nervous system (CNS) can be catastrophic because they involve the brain or spinal cord, and determining the underlying clinical cause of impairment is essential in using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), in part because the AMA Guides addresses neurological impairment in several chapters. Unlike the musculoskeletal chapters, Chapter 13, The Central and Peripheral Nervous System, does not use grades, grade modifiers, and a net adjustment formula; rather the chapter uses an approach that is similar to that in prior editions of the AMA Guides. The following steps can be used to perform a CNS rating: 1) evaluate all four major categories of cerebral impairment, and choose the one that is most severe; 2) rate the single most severe cerebral impairment of the four major categories; 3) rate all other impairments that are due to neurogenic problems; and 4) combine the rating of the single most severe category of cerebral impairment with the ratings of all other impairments. Because some neurological dysfunctions are rated elsewhere in the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, the evaluator may consult Table 13-1 to verify the appropriate chapter to use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 1233-1238
Author(s):  
Teresa San-Miguel ◽  
Lara Navarro ◽  
Beatriz Sánchez-Sendra ◽  
Javier Megías ◽  
Lisandra Muñoz-Hidalgo ◽  
...  

Abstract Primary meningeal melanocytomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system. Although they are considered benign neoplasms, some reports describe recurrent rates up to 45%. Little is known about their genetic and epigenetic landscape because of their infrequency. Even less has been described about markers with prognostic value. Here we describe a patient who developed a primary meningeal melanocytoma, suffered 3 recurrences in a period of 6 years and died of the tumor. The genetic and epigenetic changes explored confirmed GNAQ mutation as an initiating event. We found an epigenetic alteration of GSTP1, a feature that has recently been described in meningiomas, from the beginning of the disease. In addition, there was loss of heterozygosity in BRCA1 beginning in the second recurrence that was linked to an increase in the proliferation index; this suggested a progression pathway similar to the one described in uveal melanomas. These findings underscore the necessity of further research focused on these tumors.


1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 1818-1826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geneviève G. Payen ◽  
Michelle Hubert ◽  
Yves Turquier ◽  
Claudio Rubiliani ◽  
Colette Chassard-Bouchaud

Experimental infestations of young Carcinus with Sacculina carcini indicate that the ventral ganglionic mass (VGM) is the first "target" of the parasite roots into the host tissues. As in pubescent crabs naturally parasitized, either with or without an external visceral sac, the roots penetrate and invade that area of the central nervous system during the first month of infestation.Ultrastructural study of the developing roots, in contact with the VGM, leads to the conclusion that apart from a few embryonic characters, the root cells show a cytostructure similar to the one that has been observed in the roots naturally parasitizing pubescent crabs, whether the external visceral sac is present or not.In the two cases of infestation the roots which cross the neurolemma bring about a marked disorganization of ganglia in consequence of the alteration of the neuroglia, neuropiles and neurosecretory areas.An action of the parasite at a distance, i.e. in the absence of contact of the roots with the ganglia, also occurs. It is especially marked as early as 1 month after infestation by a degeneration of the secretory perikarya.A thin sheath of connective tissue is sometimes visible between the growing roots and the VGM of juvenile crabs. However, the existence of that tissue cannot be definitely attributed to a host defense reaction.No effect of the developing parasite on the already differentiated external sex characters of the host has been noticed within the limits of the experiments.


The following note deals more especially with observations on inhibition occurring in instances of "reciprocal innervation" obtained as a spinal reflex reaction. My view is that inhibition of this kind is part and parcel of the normal reflex process, so that in a reflex it goes on side by side with excitation of other muscles opposed to those which are inhibited. One main consideration which supported the view is the correspondence of the skin-fields whence the reflex contraction of the one set of muscles and the inhibition of the opposed set of muscles can be elicited. So, also, the correspondence of the afferent nerve-trunks, and of the points of surface of the central nervous system whence are elicited the two effects. But to test the view further, I have now attempted to examine in some particulars the conditions attaching to the initiation, and the course run by the two phenomena under comparable circumstances. I. Even in one and the same spinal region the modes of origination, time-relations, etc., of the several elicitable, e. g ., in the dog's hind limb, the "extensor thrust," the "direct-flexion reflex," the "scratch reflex," differ so greatly for each of the types as compared with the others, that in order to compare the inhibition phenomenon with the excitation phenomenon it is important to take both the phenomena from the same type-reflex. The type-reflex I have taken for the purpose has been the "direct-flexion reflex" of the hind limb.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1128-1133
Author(s):  
Jack Fishman ◽  
Charles Martucci

Assessment of the biological potency of an estrogen in the human has been and remains a formidable task. The problem arises not only from the lack of a readily distinguished physiological endpoint, but also from the diversity of the biological actions of the estrogens. Estrogens exert proliferative effects in recognized target tissues such as endometrium, vagina, and breast,1 and this action is the one commonly associated with the term "estrogenicity." Estrogens, however, also participate in inducing a host of other peripheral responses in tissues such as blood, bone, skin, and others.2 More importantly, the estrogens also exercise major regulatory functions in the central nervous system, including control of pituitary hormone secretion3 and influencing behavior such as food intake4 and sexual receptivity.5 Much attention had been devoted to the design of estrogen structures that would exhibit a specific type of estrogenic activity, such as gonadotropic regulation, without retaining any uterotropic action. Despite the vast numbers of structures synthesized, little clear-cut separation of these activities has been achieved, suggesting that these dual actions of estrogens may be inextricably linked to each other. On the other hand, much effort has also gone into the study of the mechanism of estrogen action in the uterus and in the central nervous system; despite much progress in both directions, little evidence of a commonality between these two responses to estradiol has so far emerged, suggesting that they may not be directly linked. In our studies, we sought to examine whether estradiol metabolism may play a critical role in the expression of the biological activity of the female sex hormone.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 259-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aracy Balbani

Summary Introduction: The cough is the more common respiratory symptom in children and adults. Objective: To present a revision on the neurophysiology and the methods for study of the consequence of the cough, as well as the pharmacotherapy and phonoaudiology therapy of the cough, based on the works published between 2005 and 2010 and indexed in the bases Medline, Lilacs and Library Cochrane under them to keywords “cough” or “anti-cough”. Synthesis of the data: The consequence of the cough involves activation of receiving multiples becomes vacant in the aerial ways and of neural projections of the nucleus of the solitary treatment for other structures of the central nervous system. Experimental techniques allow studying the consequence of the cough to the cellular and molecular level to develop new anti-cough agents. It does not have evidences of that anti-cough exempt of medical lapsing they have superior effectiveness to the one of placebo for the relief of the cough. The phonoaudiology therapy can benefit patients with refractory chronic cough to the pharmacological treatment, over all when paradoxical movement of the vocal folds coexists. Final Comments: The boarding to multidiscipline has basic paper in the etiological diagnosis and treatment of the cough. The otolaryngologist must inform the patients on the risks of the anti-cough of free sales in order to prevent adverse poisonings and effect, especially in children.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (05) ◽  
pp. 329-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Catala

AbstractMeninges have long been considered as a protective and supportive tissue for the central nervous system. Nevertheless, new developmental roles are now attributed to them. The meninges that surround the cerebellum come from the cephalic mesoderm. They are essential for the cerebellum to develop normally. They induce and maintain the basal lamina and glia limitans. In the absence of these structures, the external granular cells of the cerebellum migrate aberrantly and penetrate the subarachnoid space. The molecules involved in the recognition between the cerebellar primordium and the basal lamina belong to two groups in humans: dystroglycan and laminin on the one hand, and GPR56 and collagen III on the other. Finally, molecules secreted by the meninges and acting on the cerebellum begin to be demonstrated; such is the case of SDF1 secreted under the action of FOXC1.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Muntean ◽  
Maria Mota ◽  
Simona Popa ◽  
Adina Mitrea

Abstract Central nervous system, mainly the hypothalamus and the brainstem are importantkeys in glucose homeostasis. Not only do they use glucose as primary fuel for theirfunctioning but they are part of intricate neuronal circuits involved in glucose uptakeand production as was first shown by Claude Bernard. Moreoverelectrophysiological analysis of hypothalamus revealed the existence of glucosensingneurons whose firing rates are controlled by glucose extracellular level. Furtherinformation was obtained regarding the importance of leptin, insulin and free fattyacids as afferent signals received by these neural structures. As for the main efferentpathways, autonomic system is the one connecting CNS with the effector organs (theliver, the pancreas and the adrenal glands).


Author(s):  

Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) is one of the high-grade lymphomas, characterized by a rapid growth. They are usually treated with intensive chemotherapy regimens, being normally chemo-sensitive, but at the expense of high toxicity secondary to treatment. Additionally, the compromise of the central nervous system (CNS) implies a major risk as well as greater toxicity, taking into account a worse clinical prognosis with a requirement of more intensive schemes to achieve control of the disease. This implies doubts in the management of older patients with BL with CNS compromise, in whom toxicity is a limitation to these therapies, and there are no other alternatives that offer better benefit in terms of less frequent or severe adverse events, with similar outcomes in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). Therefore, clarifying cases such as the one we report below allows us to provide a therapeutic alternative for older or unfit patients, in whom the intention of treatment should be to seek a good tumor response, but without ignoring the potential toxicity of chemotherapy.


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