Hyperexcitability of neural network is a key neurophysiological mechanism in several neurological disorders including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus. Although standard paradigm of pharmacological management ...Hyperexcitability of neural network is a key neurophysiological mechanism in several neurological disorders including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus. Although standard paradigm of pharmacological management of them is to suppress this hyperexcitability, such as having been exemplified by the use of certain antiepileptic drugs, their frequent refractoriness to drug treatment suggests likely different pathophysiological mechanism. Because the pathogenesis in these disorders exhibits a transition from an initial activity loss after injury or sensory deprivation to subsequent hyperexcitability and paroxysmal discharges, this process can be regarded as a process of functional compensation similar to homeostatic plasticity regulation, in which a set level of activity in neural network is maintained after injury-induced activity loss through enhanced network excitability. Enhancing brain activity, such as cortical stimulation that is found to be effective in relieving symptoms of these disorders, may reduce such hyperexcitability through homeostatic plasticity mechanism. Here we review current evidence of homeostatic plasticity in the mechanism of acquired epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus and the effects and mechanism of cortical stimulation. Establishing a role of homeostatic plasticity in these disorders may provide a theoretical basis on their pathogenesis as well as guide the development and application of therapeutic approaches through electrically or pharmacologically stimulating brain activity for treating these disorders.展开更多
In this paper, we review the current state- of-the-art techniques used for understanding the inner workings of the brain at a systems level. The neural activity that governs our everyday lives involves an intricate co...In this paper, we review the current state- of-the-art techniques used for understanding the inner workings of the brain at a systems level. The neural activity that governs our everyday lives involves an intricate coordination of many processes that can be attributed to a variety of brain regions. On the surface, many of these functions can appear to be controlled by specific anatomical structures; however, in reality, numerous dynamic networks within the brain contribute to its function through an interconnected web of neuronal and synaptic pathways. The brain, in its healthy or pathological state, can therefore be best understood by taking a systems-level approach. While numerous neuroengineering technologies exist, we focus here on three major thrusts in the field of systems neuroengineering： neuroimaging, neural interfacing, and neuromodulation. Neuroimaging enables us to delineate the structural and functional organization of the brain, which is key in understanding how the neural system functions in both normal and disease states. Based on such knowledge, devices can be used either to communicate with the neural system, as in neural interface systems, or to modulate brain activity, as in neuromodulation systems. The consideration of these three fields is key to the development and application of neuro-devices. Feedback-based neuro-devices require the ability to sense neural activity （via a neuroimaging modality） through a neural interface （invasive or noninvasive） and ultimately to select a set of stimulation parameters in order to alter neural function via a neuromodulation modality. Systems neuroengineering refers to the use of engineering tools and technologies to image, decode, and modulate the brain in order to comprehend its functions and to repair its dysfunction. Interactions between these fields will help to shape the future of systems neuroengineering--to develop neurotechniques for enhancing the understanding of whole- brain function and dysfunction, and the management of neurological and mental disorders.展开更多
Some studies document that odorants influence in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and neurophysiological brain activity. Odors compounds can act on the neuroendocrine system, neurotransmitters and neur...Some studies document that odorants influence in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and neurophysiological brain activity. Odors compounds can act on the neuroendocrine system, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, influencing psychological behavior as well as body function. The study was conducted in 20 individuals in each test to analyze the effects of essential oil inhalation on psychomotor performance in the healthy volunteers. Two tests were performed in the present study （1） SLCT （six letter cancellation test） and （2） DLST （digit letter substitution test）. These tests were carded out for the assessment of psychopharmacological activity of essential oil of Rosa damascena Mill., in healthy young human individuals belonging to the age group 18 to 22 years. The results of the psychomotor performance test in healthy human individuals revealed that there was improvement in psychomotor functions.展开更多
基金supported by grants from National Basic Research Program of China(2015CB856400,2015CB351701)The National Natural Science Foundation of China(81501158,31730039,31671133)+1 种基金The National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipment Development Project(ZDYZ2015-2)The Chinese Academy of Sciences Strategic Priority Research Program B grants(XDBS32000000)~~
文摘在睡眠剥夺(sleep deprivation,SD)过程中,人类大脑的神经活动和警觉水平如何受到影响,尤其是感觉运动和视觉系统,目前仍是研究的热点.静息状态功能磁共振成像(resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging,rf MRI)作为一种反映人脑自发活动的非侵入式成像技术,在睡眠剥夺的研究中得到了广泛应用.本研究采用9次重复rf MRI和心理运动警觉任务(psychomotor vigilance task,PVT),以探索23名志愿者在整个36 h的睡眠剥夺过程中神经活动和警觉水平的变化.采用基于PVT的平均反应时间(mean reaction time,MRT)和失效率(lapses ratio,LR)评估警觉水平的变化;采用基于rf MRI的区域同质性(region homogeneity,Re Ho)和低频波动幅度(amplitude of low frequency fluctuation,ALFF)评估大脑神经活动变化.结果表明,感觉运动网络(sensorimotor network,SMN)和视觉区域(visual network,VN)是受到睡眠剥夺影响最严重的区域.我们采用组独立成分分析(group independent component analysis,GICA)将视觉相关区域划分为视觉Ⅰ区、视觉Ⅱ区、视觉关联区,并从解剖自动标记(anatomical automatic labeling,AAL)模板中提取运动感觉相关区域,包括中央前/中央后回、中央旁小叶和辅助运动区.研究发现,睡眠剥夺后16~30 h脑神经活动及警惕性下降.采用2×3重复测量方差分析,探讨睡眠压力、昼夜节律及其交互作用对感觉运动相关和视觉相关脑区神经活动的影响.观察到睡眠压力与交互作用对感觉运动相关区域和视觉相关区域有显著影响.采用皮尔逊相关系数评估警觉水平变化与感觉运动相关和视觉相关脑区神经活动变化的关系.睡眠剥夺期间所有感觉运动相关区域的神经活动变化与警觉变化均存在显著的相关关系.研究结果证实,睡眠剥夺从第一天24:00开始改变SMN和VN的警戒水平和神经活动,睡眠压力和昼夜节律在睡眠剥夺期间调节SMN和VN的神经活动.此外,昼夜节律的效应受到睡眠压力的显著调节.感觉运动相关区域和视觉相关区域的增强导致他们远程连接的减弱,这可能是睡眠剥夺期间响应时间变慢的原因.
基金supported in part by the NIH DA039530(to XJ)a grant from the CURE Epilepsy Foundation(to XJ)
文摘Hyperexcitability of neural network is a key neurophysiological mechanism in several neurological disorders including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus. Although standard paradigm of pharmacological management of them is to suppress this hyperexcitability, such as having been exemplified by the use of certain antiepileptic drugs, their frequent refractoriness to drug treatment suggests likely different pathophysiological mechanism. Because the pathogenesis in these disorders exhibits a transition from an initial activity loss after injury or sensory deprivation to subsequent hyperexcitability and paroxysmal discharges, this process can be regarded as a process of functional compensation similar to homeostatic plasticity regulation, in which a set level of activity in neural network is maintained after injury-induced activity loss through enhanced network excitability. Enhancing brain activity, such as cortical stimulation that is found to be effective in relieving symptoms of these disorders, may reduce such hyperexcitability through homeostatic plasticity mechanism. Here we review current evidence of homeostatic plasticity in the mechanism of acquired epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus and the effects and mechanism of cortical stimulation. Establishing a role of homeostatic plasticity in these disorders may provide a theoretical basis on their pathogenesis as well as guide the development and application of therapeutic approaches through electrically or pharmacologically stimulating brain activity for treating these disorders.
基金supported in part by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) (EB006433, EY023101, EB008389,and HL117664)the US National Science Foundation (NSF) (CBET1450956, CBET-1264782, and DGE-1069104),to Bin He
文摘In this paper, we review the current state- of-the-art techniques used for understanding the inner workings of the brain at a systems level. The neural activity that governs our everyday lives involves an intricate coordination of many processes that can be attributed to a variety of brain regions. On the surface, many of these functions can appear to be controlled by specific anatomical structures; however, in reality, numerous dynamic networks within the brain contribute to its function through an interconnected web of neuronal and synaptic pathways. The brain, in its healthy or pathological state, can therefore be best understood by taking a systems-level approach. While numerous neuroengineering technologies exist, we focus here on three major thrusts in the field of systems neuroengineering： neuroimaging, neural interfacing, and neuromodulation. Neuroimaging enables us to delineate the structural and functional organization of the brain, which is key in understanding how the neural system functions in both normal and disease states. Based on such knowledge, devices can be used either to communicate with the neural system, as in neural interface systems, or to modulate brain activity, as in neuromodulation systems. The consideration of these three fields is key to the development and application of neuro-devices. Feedback-based neuro-devices require the ability to sense neural activity （via a neuroimaging modality） through a neural interface （invasive or noninvasive） and ultimately to select a set of stimulation parameters in order to alter neural function via a neuromodulation modality. Systems neuroengineering refers to the use of engineering tools and technologies to image, decode, and modulate the brain in order to comprehend its functions and to repair its dysfunction. Interactions between these fields will help to shape the future of systems neuroengineering--to develop neurotechniques for enhancing the understanding of whole- brain function and dysfunction, and the management of neurological and mental disorders.
文摘Some studies document that odorants influence in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and neurophysiological brain activity. Odors compounds can act on the neuroendocrine system, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, influencing psychological behavior as well as body function. The study was conducted in 20 individuals in each test to analyze the effects of essential oil inhalation on psychomotor performance in the healthy volunteers. Two tests were performed in the present study （1） SLCT （six letter cancellation test） and （2） DLST （digit letter substitution test）. These tests were carded out for the assessment of psychopharmacological activity of essential oil of Rosa damascena Mill., in healthy young human individuals belonging to the age group 18 to 22 years. The results of the psychomotor performance test in healthy human individuals revealed that there was improvement in psychomotor functions.
