scholarly journals Neurological conditions caused by microgravity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiza de Lima Pereira ◽  
Ana Flávia Silva e Sousa ◽  
Anderson Pedrosa Mota Júnior ◽  
Giovanna Martins Romão Rezende ◽  
Marcella Ferreira Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Movement Time ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorders ◽  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Space Flights ◽  
Space Motion Sickness ◽  
Electromagnetic Resonance

Background: Since Space Tourism is closer to reality, a review of the most prevalent neurological pathologies in microgravity is needed. Objective: Review major neurological afflictions in astronauts. Methods: Research into bibliographic reviews at PubMed, using the descriptors “astronauts” and “neurological disorders” Results: Several neurological alterations, such as ataxy, intracranial hypertension (ICH), neuromuscular disorders, ocular disturbances and changes in cognitive functions were assigned to a microgravity environment. Astronauts returning from space presented ICH; being the main pathophysiology hypothesis referred to a change in the liquor dynamics as a result of venous drainage obstruction and hematoencephalic barrier. Also, gravity doesn’t act on the neurovestibular system during space flights. This phenomenon can lead to Space Motion Sickness, situation in which astronauts report balance, coordination and sight disturbances, as well as movement illusions. A subset of this syndrome, called Space Movement Disorder, may occur; which includes symptoms, such as flushing, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and malaise. Based on electromagnetic resonance, the occurrence of problems with movement time, balance, spatial working memory and motor coordination after the return of the space crew suggests alterations in cerebellum’s function and structure, which is responsible for the coordination and the fine motor control. Conclusion: Most studies presented disruptions of the neurofunctional homeostasis, for instance, changes in functional connectivity while in rest and alterations of the white and grey matter in sensor motor, somatosensory and cognitive regions of the brain.

scholarly journals Visuo-motor integration, vision perception and attention in mTBI patients. Preliminary findings

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250598
Author(s):  
Mariagrazia Benassi ◽  
Davide Frattini ◽  
Sara Garofalo ◽  
Roberto Bolzani ◽  
Tony Pansell
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Attention ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Motor Ability ◽  
Critical Flicker Fusion ◽  
Visuomotor Coordination ◽  
Form Recognition ◽  
Flicker Fusion

Patients with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) often report difficulties in motor coordination and visuo-spatial attention. However, the consequences of mTBI on fine motor and visuo-motor coordination are still not well understood. We aimed to evaluate whether mTBI had a concomitant effect on fine motor ability and visuo-motor integration and whether this is related to visual perception and visuo-spatial attention impairments, including patients at different symptoms stage. Eleven mTBI patients (mean age 22.8 years) and ten healthy controls participated in the study. Visuo-motor integration of fine motor abilities and form recognition were measured with the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration test, motion perception was evaluated with motion coherence test, critical flicker fusion was measured with Pocket CFF tester. Visuo-spatial was assessed with the Ruff 2 & 7 Selection Attention Test. mTBI patients showed reduced visuo-motor integration, form recognition, and motor deficits as well as visuo-spatial attention impairment, while motion perception and critical flicker fusion were not impaired. These preliminary findings suggest that the temporary brain insults deriving from mTBI compromise fine motor skills, visuomotor integration, form recognition, and visuo-spatial attention. The impairment in visuo-motor coordination was associated with speed in visuo-attention and correlated with symptoms severity while motor ability was correlated with time since concussion. Given the strong correlation between visuomotor coordination and symptom severity, further investigation with a larger sample seems warranted. Since there appeared to be differences in motor skills with respect to symptom stage, further research is needed to investigate symptom profiles associated with visuomotor coordination and fine motor deficits in mTBI patients.

scholarly journals The Differential Effects of Acute Right- vs. Left-Sided Vestibular Deafferentation on Spatial Cognition in Unilateral Labyrinthectomized Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Tin Nguyen ◽  
Gi-Sung Nam ◽  
Jin-Ju Kang ◽  
Gyu Cheol Han ◽  
Ji-Soo Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Cognition ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Spatial Navigation ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
Lesion Side ◽  
Unilateral Labyrinthectomy

This study aimed to investigate the disparity in locomotor and spatial memory deficits caused by left- or right-sided unilateral vestibular deafferentation (UVD) using a mouse model of unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) and to examine the effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on the deficits over 14 days. Five experimental groups were established: the left-sided and right-sided UL (Lt.-UL and Rt.-UL) groups, left-sided and right-sided UL with bipolar GVS with the cathode on the lesion side (Lt.-GVS and Rt.-GVS) groups, and a control group with sham surgery. We assessed the locomotor and cognitive-behavioral functions using the open field (OF), Y maze, and Morris water maze (MWM) tests before (baseline) and 3, 7, and 14 days after surgical UL in each group. On postoperative day (POD) 3, locomotion and spatial working memory were more impaired in the Lt.-UL group compared with the Rt.-UL group (p < 0.01, Tamhane test). On POD 7, there was a substantial difference between the groups; the locomotion and spatial navigation of the Lt.-UL group recovered significantly more slowly compared with those of the Rt.-UL group. Although the differences in the short-term spatial cognition and motor coordination were resolved by POD 14, the long-term spatial navigation deficits assessed by the MWM were significantly worse in the Lt.-UL group compared with the Rt.-UL group. GVS intervention accelerated the vestibular compensation in both the Lt.-GVS and Rt.-GVS groups in terms of improvement of locomotion and spatial cognition. The current data imply that right- and left-sided UVD impair spatial cognition and locomotion differently and result in different compensatory patterns. Sequential bipolar GVS when the cathode (stimulating) was assigned to the lesion side accelerated recovery for UVD-induced spatial cognition, which may have implications for managing the patients with spatial cognitive impairment, especially that induced by unilateral peripheral vestibular damage on the dominant side.

scholarly journals Clinical-enabled aspects after Neurotoxoplasmosis in a patient with immunosuppression: a case report

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrielle Galanti ◽  
Verônia Corrêa César Rodrigues ◽  
Daniela Maria Ribeiro Vaz ◽  
Ana Paula Oliveira Borges
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Right Cerebral Hemisphere ◽  
The Right ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Background: Neurotoxoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma Gondii, frequent in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome who become immunosuppressed by the presence of the disease. It can be presented by one or more brain abscesses, encephalitis or ventriculitis. Objectives: case report of a volunteer after neurological sequelae of neurotoxoplasmosis in order to highlight the relevant findings for a neurofunctional rehabilitation. Design and setting: This is an observational, cross-sectional case report type study conducted at the Clínica Escola de Fisioterapia of the University of Franca (UNIFRAN), with CEP approval (CAAE 83164918.2.0000.5495). Methods: Female patient, 53 years old. In the physiotherapy sector, neurological evaluation of the components was performed: sensitivity, movement, tone, reflexes, motor coordination, balance and gait. Balance and gait were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, the Standing and Walking Test and the Dynamic Walking Index. Results: After clinical investigation, neurological toxoplasmosis infection was found in the right cerebral hemisphere. The physiotherapeutic evaluation showed the presence of left hemiparesis, the presence of spastic hypertonia, patellar and achilles hyperreflexia, the absence of fine motor skills and the presence of a reaping gait. The BSE result was 32 points, the TUG was 10.3 seconds and IMD was 20 points. Conclusion: The compromises found have an impact on the functionality of the volunteer. This study emphasizes the valorization of neurofunctional physiotherapeutic semiology for a treatment proposal that promotes greater functional independence.

Executive Function, Dexterity, and Discharge Disposition in Older Intensive Care Unit Survivors

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 484-488
Author(s):  
Maya N. Elías ◽  
Cindy L. Munro ◽  
Zhan Liang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Dimensional Change ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Discharge Disposition

Background Dexterity is a component of motor function. Executive function, a subdomain of cognition, may affect dexterity in older adults recovering from critical illness after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU). Objectives To explore associations between executive function (attention and cognitive flexibility) and dexterity (fine motor coordination) in the early post-ICU period and examine dexterity by acuity of discharge disposition. Methods The study involved 30 older adults who were functionally independent before hospitalization, underwent mechanical ventilation in the ICU, and had been discharged from the ICU 24 to 48 hours previously. Dexterity was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Toolbox (NIHTB) Motor Battery 9-Hole Pegboard Dexterity Test (PDT); attention, with the NIHTB Cognition Battery Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (FICAT); and cognitive flexibility, with the NIHTB Cognition Battery Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (DCCST). Exploratory regression was used to examine associations between executive function and dexterity (fully corrected T scores). Independent-samples t tests were used to compare dexterity between participants discharged home and those discharged to a facility. Results FICAT (β = 0.375, P = .03) and DCCST (β = 0.698, P = .001) scores were independently and positively associated with PDT scores. Further, PDT scores were worse among participants discharged to a facility than among those discharged home (mean [SD], 26.71 [6.14] vs 36.33 [10.30]; t24 = 3.003; P = .006). Conclusions Poor executive function is associated with worse dexterity; thus, dexterity may be a correlate of both post-ICU cognitive impairment and functional decline. Performance on dexterity tests could identify frail older ICU survivors at risk for worse discharge outcomes.

scholarly journals Assessment of Speech and Fine Motor Coordination in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

IEEE Access ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 127535-127545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Talkar ◽  
James R. Williamson ◽  
Daniel J. Hannon ◽  
Hrishikesh M. Rao ◽  
Sophia Yuditskaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Fine Motor Coordination

Effect of chronic cocaine use on fine motor coordination tested during ophthalmic vitreoretinal simulated performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 132 ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
Marina Roizenblatt ◽  
Thiago Marques Fidalgo ◽  
Murilo Polizelli ◽  
Natasha Ferreira Santos da Cruz ◽  
Arnaldo Roizenblatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Cocaine Use ◽  
Simulated Performance ◽  
Chronic Cocaine ◽  
Fine Motor Coordination

Automated Diabetes Testing Device for the One-Armed/Disabled Patient

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Abdallah ◽  
Brandon Heid ◽  
Hajra Khan ◽  
Nigil Valikodath
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Glucose Level ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Testing Device ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Glucose Testing ◽  
Blood Glucose Testing

We were approached by an amputee diabetic to build a device that could test blood sugar with the use of only one arm. Originally, this product was client based only. It was designed for an elderly diabetic amputee such that the device would allow him to single-handedly manage his blood glucose testing without any extra assistance from other persons. Although this was originally a client-specific device, it is expected to have a broader market based on the prevalence of arm amputations among the diabetic patient population. Statistics reveal that over 80,000 amputations are performed each year in the United States on people with diabetes. [1] The target audience is also intended for older individuals who suffer from having limited fine motor coordination due to conditions such as arthritis. Diabetic patients must test their glucose level several times a day, and therefore it is absolutely critical to have a glucose-testing device that allows a user to test his or her glucose-level with no trouble. This device would provide these diabetic patients with access to a more convenient and user-friendly system that would allow an individual to test his or her blood glucose level with ease.

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