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O4: Frequency-specific insight into memory for digits
Abstracts of Oral Presentations / Clinical Neurophysiology 125, Supplement 1 (2014) S1–S339
third process called aggregated function. Hence, behavioral habituation to pain in neonates is better observed, therefore, by an aggregate function between sensitization and habituation while habituation was clear to the physiological parameter AUC. This observed phenomenon still needs more studies utilizing the psychophysical approach. Reference: [1] J. Colombo, J. E. Frick, S.A. Gorman, J. Exp. Child Psychol. 70 26-53 (1997).
Synaptic plasticity: development and developmental disorder O4 Frequency-specific insight into memory for digits M. Feurra 1 , G. Galli 1 , E.F. Pavone 2 , A. Rossi 1 , S. Rossi 1 University of Siena, 53100, Italy, Department of Neuroscience, Siena, Italy; 2 Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
S29
As compared to healthy controls, fMRI reveals activation of left cerebellar lobules III and IX (x = −14, y = −34, z = −22, and x = −6, y = −60, z = −56, respectively; MNI coordinates), representing a midline shift of cerebellar activity. Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis shows that, as in normalcy, the left cerebellum interacts with a region in the right STS (x = 44, y = −24, z = 0), but located more anteriorly than in healthy participants. Conclusions: The outcome indicates a remarkable potential for recovery of biological motion perception after removal of a left cerebellar tumor that appears to be mediated by topographical cerebro-cerebellar network reorganization. The findings open a window for further research on functional compensation and plasticity after cerebellar damage.
From syndromes and pathology to genes and treatment – the turning world of hereditary myopathies
1
Question: The digit span is one of the most widely used memory tests in clinical and experimental neuropsychology. In the forward version, sequences of digits of increasing length have to be reproduced in the order in which they are presented, whereas in the backward version items must be reproduced in the reversed order. The forward task is thought to reflect verbal working memory capacity, and the backward task primarily taxes executive functioning resources. Here, we assessed whether transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) can increase healthy individuals’ verbal memory span. Methods: Online imperceptibly weak electrical currents in the alpha (10 Hz), beta (20 Hz), theta (5 Hz) and gamma (40 Hz) range, as well as a sham stimulation, were randomly delivered over the left lateral posterior parietal cortex, an area which has been previously associated with digit span performance. Each session of stimulation lasted 3-3.5 minutes. Results: In the forward digit span, stimulation in the beta range significantly increased the number of items recalled, confirming the critical role of beta rhythm in the maintenance and rehearsal of information in working memory. Only minor effects of tACS were observed in the backward task. Conclusions: These results provide one of the first evidence that tACS can have enhancing effects on memory, even on a relatively stable trait as memory span capacity. Our findings thus pave the way for clinical application of this technique in patients with memory disorders.
O5 Cerebro-cerebellar plasticity underlying recovery of body motion perception A. Sokolov 1,2 , M. Erb 3 , W. Grodd 4 , M. Tatagiba 2 , R. Frackowiak 1 , M. Pavlova 5 1 Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Département des Neurosciences Cliniques, Lausanne, Switzerland; 2 University of Tuebingen Medical School, Department of Neurosurgery, Tuebingen, Germany; 3 University of Tuebingen Medical School, Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Tuebingen, Germany; 4 University Hospital Aachen, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Aachen, Germany; 5 University of Tuebingen Medical School, Department of Pediatric Neurology and Child Development, Children’s Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany Question: Intact visual perception of body motion is indispensable for motor learning and social cognition. Recent data suggest specifical impairment of biological motion processing through lesions to the left lateral cerebellum (Sokolov et al. Cereb Cortex 2010), apparently through perturbation of communication with the right superior temporal sulcus, STS (Sokolov et al. Neuroimage 2012), a key structure within the action observation network. However, compensatory potential of this circuitry remains unknown. Methods: To this end, we conducted follow-up assessment of visual sensitivity to point-light biological motion in a patient SL with left cerebellar dysplastic gangliocytoma (WHO grade I), and six healthy matched controls. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and effective connectivity were used to assess underlying brain network plasticity. Results: Preoperative visual sensitivity to biological motion in patient SL was significantly lower than in healthy matched controls (χ2 =9.54, p<0.01). Sensitivity substantially improved at 8 months (χ2 =15.12, p<0.001) and attained the level of controls at 24 months after neurosurgery (χ2 =1, n.s.).
O6 Comparison of CMAP duration in CIM and other myopathies D. Konn, D. Allen, R. Arunachalam, S. Hammans Southampton Hospitals, Clinical Neurophysiology, Southampton, United Kingdom Question: Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) duration has previously been shown to frequently be prolonged in Critical Illness Myopathy (CIM) [1,2]. Recording prolonged CMAPs in the Intensive Care setting may aid the diagnosis of CIM [2]. Here, we investigate whether the CMAP duration is prolonged in inflammatory myopathy, and myopathy of other cause (“non-inflammatory”), and compare these to results previously found in CIM [2]. Methods: We collected data from EMGs performed in our department since April 2007 on 43 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of myopathy. CMAP duration in the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and abductor hallucis (AH) muscles were collected. We compared CMAP durations in the “inflammatory” group to the “non-inflammatory group” and to a group of normal controls [2]. Results: We collected CMAP durations from APB in 33 patients, and from AH in 36 patients. The mean CMAP duration was significantly longer in the “inflammatory” group than in the controls in APB (6.4 ms (range 5–9.5, SD 1.2) v 5.0 ms (range 3.9–6.3, SD 0.6) p=0.0008) and in AH (6.0 ms (range 4–9.4, SD 1.3) v 5 ms (range 3.2–6.7, SD 0.9) p=0.020). The mean CMAP duration was also significantly longer in the “inflammatory” group than in the “non-inflammatory” group, in APB (p=0.034) and in AH (p=0.040). There was no significant difference in the duration of the CMAPs between the “non-inflammatory” group and the controls in APB (5.46 ms (SD 1.22) v 5.0 ms (SD 0.6) p=0.88) nor in AH (5.05 ms (SD 1.3) v 5.0 ms (SD 0.9) p=0.14) Conclusion: The findings suggest that CMAPs can be mildly prolonged in inflammatory myopathies. This may suggest an element of muscle membrane dysfunction in these conditions. This CMAP prolongation is small compared to in CIM, where the mean CMAP duration was 9 ms in APB and 9.4 ms in AH [2]. Prolongation of the CMAP duration to greater than about 9 ms seems to be fairly specific to CIM. Furthermore, the lack of prolongation of CMAPs in the non-inflammatory myopathies reinforces the potential use of prolongation of CMAPs as a diagnostic tool in CIM. References: [1] Goodman BP et al. Prolonged compound muscle action potential duration in critical illness myopathy. Muscle Nerve 2009;40:1040-2. [2] Allen D et al. Critical Illness Myopathy: Further evidence from musclefiber excitability studies of an acquired channelopathy. Muscle Nerve 2008;37:14-22.
third process called aggregated function. Hence, behavioral habituation to pain in neonates is better observed, therefore, by an aggregate function between sensitization and habituation while habituation was clear to the physiological parameter AUC. This observed phenomenon still needs more studies utilizing the psychophysical approach. Reference: [1] J. Colombo, J. E. Frick, S.A. Gorman, J. Exp. Child Psychol. 70 26-53 (1997).
Synaptic plasticity: development and developmental disorder O4 Frequency-specific insight into memory for digits M. Feurra 1 , G. Galli 1 , E.F. Pavone 2 , A. Rossi 1 , S. Rossi 1 University of Siena, 53100, Italy, Department of Neuroscience, Siena, Italy; 2 Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
S29
As compared to healthy controls, fMRI reveals activation of left cerebellar lobules III and IX (x = −14, y = −34, z = −22, and x = −6, y = −60, z = −56, respectively; MNI coordinates), representing a midline shift of cerebellar activity. Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis shows that, as in normalcy, the left cerebellum interacts with a region in the right STS (x = 44, y = −24, z = 0), but located more anteriorly than in healthy participants. Conclusions: The outcome indicates a remarkable potential for recovery of biological motion perception after removal of a left cerebellar tumor that appears to be mediated by topographical cerebro-cerebellar network reorganization. The findings open a window for further research on functional compensation and plasticity after cerebellar damage.
From syndromes and pathology to genes and treatment – the turning world of hereditary myopathies
1
Question: The digit span is one of the most widely used memory tests in clinical and experimental neuropsychology. In the forward version, sequences of digits of increasing length have to be reproduced in the order in which they are presented, whereas in the backward version items must be reproduced in the reversed order. The forward task is thought to reflect verbal working memory capacity, and the backward task primarily taxes executive functioning resources. Here, we assessed whether transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) can increase healthy individuals’ verbal memory span. Methods: Online imperceptibly weak electrical currents in the alpha (10 Hz), beta (20 Hz), theta (5 Hz) and gamma (40 Hz) range, as well as a sham stimulation, were randomly delivered over the left lateral posterior parietal cortex, an area which has been previously associated with digit span performance. Each session of stimulation lasted 3-3.5 minutes. Results: In the forward digit span, stimulation in the beta range significantly increased the number of items recalled, confirming the critical role of beta rhythm in the maintenance and rehearsal of information in working memory. Only minor effects of tACS were observed in the backward task. Conclusions: These results provide one of the first evidence that tACS can have enhancing effects on memory, even on a relatively stable trait as memory span capacity. Our findings thus pave the way for clinical application of this technique in patients with memory disorders.
O5 Cerebro-cerebellar plasticity underlying recovery of body motion perception A. Sokolov 1,2 , M. Erb 3 , W. Grodd 4 , M. Tatagiba 2 , R. Frackowiak 1 , M. Pavlova 5 1 Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Département des Neurosciences Cliniques, Lausanne, Switzerland; 2 University of Tuebingen Medical School, Department of Neurosurgery, Tuebingen, Germany; 3 University of Tuebingen Medical School, Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Tuebingen, Germany; 4 University Hospital Aachen, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Aachen, Germany; 5 University of Tuebingen Medical School, Department of Pediatric Neurology and Child Development, Children’s Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany Question: Intact visual perception of body motion is indispensable for motor learning and social cognition. Recent data suggest specifical impairment of biological motion processing through lesions to the left lateral cerebellum (Sokolov et al. Cereb Cortex 2010), apparently through perturbation of communication with the right superior temporal sulcus, STS (Sokolov et al. Neuroimage 2012), a key structure within the action observation network. However, compensatory potential of this circuitry remains unknown. Methods: To this end, we conducted follow-up assessment of visual sensitivity to point-light biological motion in a patient SL with left cerebellar dysplastic gangliocytoma (WHO grade I), and six healthy matched controls. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and effective connectivity were used to assess underlying brain network plasticity. Results: Preoperative visual sensitivity to biological motion in patient SL was significantly lower than in healthy matched controls (χ2 =9.54, p<0.01). Sensitivity substantially improved at 8 months (χ2 =15.12, p<0.001) and attained the level of controls at 24 months after neurosurgery (χ2 =1, n.s.).
O6 Comparison of CMAP duration in CIM and other myopathies D. Konn, D. Allen, R. Arunachalam, S. Hammans Southampton Hospitals, Clinical Neurophysiology, Southampton, United Kingdom Question: Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) duration has previously been shown to frequently be prolonged in Critical Illness Myopathy (CIM) [1,2]. Recording prolonged CMAPs in the Intensive Care setting may aid the diagnosis of CIM [2]. Here, we investigate whether the CMAP duration is prolonged in inflammatory myopathy, and myopathy of other cause (“non-inflammatory”), and compare these to results previously found in CIM [2]. Methods: We collected data from EMGs performed in our department since April 2007 on 43 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of myopathy. CMAP duration in the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and abductor hallucis (AH) muscles were collected. We compared CMAP durations in the “inflammatory” group to the “non-inflammatory group” and to a group of normal controls [2]. Results: We collected CMAP durations from APB in 33 patients, and from AH in 36 patients. The mean CMAP duration was significantly longer in the “inflammatory” group than in the controls in APB (6.4 ms (range 5–9.5, SD 1.2) v 5.0 ms (range 3.9–6.3, SD 0.6) p=0.0008) and in AH (6.0 ms (range 4–9.4, SD 1.3) v 5 ms (range 3.2–6.7, SD 0.9) p=0.020). The mean CMAP duration was also significantly longer in the “inflammatory” group than in the “non-inflammatory” group, in APB (p=0.034) and in AH (p=0.040). There was no significant difference in the duration of the CMAPs between the “non-inflammatory” group and the controls in APB (5.46 ms (SD 1.22) v 5.0 ms (SD 0.6) p=0.88) nor in AH (5.05 ms (SD 1.3) v 5.0 ms (SD 0.9) p=0.14) Conclusion: The findings suggest that CMAPs can be mildly prolonged in inflammatory myopathies. This may suggest an element of muscle membrane dysfunction in these conditions. This CMAP prolongation is small compared to in CIM, where the mean CMAP duration was 9 ms in APB and 9.4 ms in AH [2]. Prolongation of the CMAP duration to greater than about 9 ms seems to be fairly specific to CIM. Furthermore, the lack of prolongation of CMAPs in the non-inflammatory myopathies reinforces the potential use of prolongation of CMAPs as a diagnostic tool in CIM. References: [1] Goodman BP et al. Prolonged compound muscle action potential duration in critical illness myopathy. Muscle Nerve 2009;40:1040-2. [2] Allen D et al. Critical Illness Myopathy: Further evidence from musclefiber excitability studies of an acquired channelopathy. Muscle Nerve 2008;37:14-22.