PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “sensory function”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Functional reorganization of sensory pathways in the rat spinal dorsal horn following peripheral nerve injury.

Functional reorganization of sensory pathways in the rat spinal dorsal horn following sciatic nerve transection was examined using spinal cord slices with an attached dorsal root. Slices were obtained from animals whose sciatic nerve had been transected 2-4 weeks previously and compared to sham-operated controls. Whole-cell recordings from substantia gelatinosa neurones in sham-operated rats, to which nociceptive information was preferentially transmitted, revealed that dorsal root stimulation sufficient to activate A afferent fibres evoked a mono- and/or polysynaptic EPSC in 111 of 131 (approximately 85%) neurones. This is in contrast to the response following A fibre stimulation, where monosynaptic EPSCs were observed in 2 of 131 (approximately 2%) neurones and polysynaptic EPSCs were observed in 18 of 131 (approximately 14%) neurones. In sciatic nerve-transected rats, however, a polysynaptic EPSC following stimulation of A afferents was elicited in 30 of 37 (81%) neurones and a monosynaptic EPSC evoked by A afferent stimulation was detected in a subset of neurones (4 of 37, approximately 11%). These observations suggest that, following sciatic nerve transection, large myelinated A afferent fibres establish synaptic contact with interneurones and transmit innocuous information to substantia gelatinosa. This functional reorganization of the sensory circuitry may constitute an underlying mechanism, at least in part, for sensory abnormalities following peripheral nerve injuries.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1993

Are age and education independent correlates of the Mini-Mental State Exam performance of community-dwelling elderly?

We examined the effects of selected health conditions and sensory functions, socioeconomic status, age, and education on cognitive functioning in 3,974 community-dwelling individuals aged 65-84 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the independent and joint effects of these variables on borderline (Mini-Mental State Exam [MMSE] of 22-25) and poor (MMSE of < or = 21) functioning relative to adequate functioning (MMSE of 26-30). The effect of age and of education on MMSE performance was relatively stable, even after adjusting for age- and education-related health conditions and sensory impairments that also influenced level of cognitive functioning. These conditions included poor vision, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, depression, stroke (in 65-74-year-olds), and low socioeconomic status (in 75-84-year-olds). Education did not modify the effect of these variables on MMSE performance. Additional studies elucidating further the mechanisms that relate these sociodemographic factors to cognitive performance are warranted, as are studies of the relationship between these factors and the incidence of cognitive impairment.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

A prospective study on changes in the sensibility of the oral mucosa and the mucosa of the upper lip after Le Fort I osteotomy.

A prospective study on 21 patients was performed in order to investigate the changes in the sensibility of the oral mucosa and the mucosa of the upper lip after a Le Fort I osteotomy. Patients were followed-up 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. The sensibility of the mucosa was tested using electrical sensimetry (Laitinen, 1987). The teeth were tested with carbon dioxide snow (Obwegeser and Steinhäuser, 1963). A picture of the marked hypoaesthetic area was performed and magnified 1:1 if a hypoaesthesia of the cutaneous distribution of the infraorbital nerve was found. The area was measured using a Macintosh II CX computer. It was demonstrated, that after 3 months the infraorbital nerve regained its function completely. The greater palatine nerve and the posterior superior alveolar nerve demonstrated an incomplete recovery of sensory function after 6 months. After 6 months 92.8% of the teeth reacted to carbon dioxide snow. Within the first 6 months postoperatively, no pulpe necrosis was observed. No correlation could be found between the amount of anterior maxillary movement and the degree of hypoaesthesia of the infraorbital nerve. Dentate Le Fort I osteotomies showed a better sensory regeneration of the greater palatine nerve than edentulous Le Fort I osteotomies. After Le Fort I osteotomies in 2 parts, more hypoaesthesia of the greater palatine nerve was observed than after Le Fort I osteotomies in 1 part. After miniplate osteosynthesis, more hypoaesthesia of the posterior superior alveolar nerve was observed than after wire osteosynthesis. The results are discussed and compared with the results found in the literature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Clonidine prolongs the effect of ropivacaine for axillary brachial plexus blockade.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of adding clonidine to ropivacaine, for axillary brachial plexus blockade, on the onset and duration of sensory and motor block and duration of analgesia. METHODS: In a prospective randomised double blind placebo controlled study axillary brachial plexus blockade was performed in 50 patients using 40 ml ropivacaine 0.75%. Group (A) had 150 microg clonidine and Group (B) 1 ml normal saline added to the local anesthetic. Sensory function was tested using pinprick (sharp sensation, blunt sensation or no sensation) and temperature with an ice cube compared with the opposite arm, (cold/not cold). Motor function was assessed using a modified Bromage scale. Postoperative analgesia was standardised. Onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia, postoperative pain score, and analgesic requirement were compared. RESULTS: The clonidine patients showed an increase in duration of sensory loss from 489 min to 628 min with a mean difference of 138 min (95% confidence interval of 90 to 187 min), motor blockade from 552 min to 721 min with a mean difference of 170 min (95% confidence interval of 117 to 222 min), and analgesia from 587 min to 828 min with mean difference of 241 min (95% confidence interval of 188 to 294 min). There was no difference in onset time. No side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: The addition of 150 microg of clonidine to ropivacaine, for brachial plexus blockade, prolongs motor and sensory block and analgesia, without an increased incidence of side effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Touching on somatosensory specializations in mammals.

Specialized species often reveal general principles of brain organization and provide systems for analysis of sensory function. Subterranean species dependent on touch have particularly large somatosensory areas with modular cortical representations of sensory surfaces. Some species have added cortical areas to processing networks, have developed tactile foveas and have superior colliculi primarily devoted to somatosensation rather than vision. Recent studies reveal surprisingly large cortical representations of oral structures in primates and mole-rats. Cortical modules represent a range of different sensory surfaces in rodents, star-nosed moles and primates, indicating that similar developmental mechanisms operate in diverse species. Finally, manipulation of patterning genes in mice suggests evolutionary mechanisms for producing the specialized corticies of subterranean species.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed2002

Effect of doxazosin on stretch-activated adenosine triphosphate release in bladder urothelial cells from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Recent data suggest that the bladder urothelium may have a sensory function by way of release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during stretch, which then acts as a sensory neurotransmitter. Because benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can give rise to irritative (hypersensory) voiding patterns, we questioned whether the bladder urothelium from patients with BPH released more ATP during in vitro stretch and whether doxazosin, an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor blocker, affects this purinergic mechanism. METHODS: Bladder urothelial biopsies from patients with BPH (n = 4) and controls (n = 4) were cultured using established techniques. In vitro stretch was performed with a Flexcell 2000 device that uses vacuum to deform the cell growth surface to impart a stretch force. Doxazosin (5 microM and 20 microM) was added to cells, and supernatants were collected at various points for ATP assay. ATP was assayed using the luciferin-luciferase reaction. ATP data were normalized to the time 0 value and expressed as a percentage of the baseline value. RESULTS: After 96 hours of stretch, the BPH urothelial cells released significantly more ATP than did the control urothelial cells (62.6% +/- 11.2% versus 24.2% +/- 5.4%, P = 0.005) and nonstretched BPH urothelial cells (62.6% +/- 11.2% versus 15.1% +/- 5.1%, P = 0.004). The augmented release of ATP by stretched BPH bladder urothelial cells was completely blocked by treatment with 20 microM doxazosin. CONCLUSIONS: Irritative voiding secondary to BPH may arise from increased ATP release by bladder urothelium during stretch. Doxazosin inhibits ATP release by way of an unknown mechanism that may or may not involve the alpha1-adrenoreceptor. Treatment for hypersensory voiding symptoms secondary to BPH might also target the urothelial purinergic pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1983

Effects of age and education on the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery performance of selected populations.

A number of studies have reported effects of age and education on neuropsychological test performance, finding these effects to different degrees on different tasks. The present study examines effects of age and education on Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery performance. Forty normal, 38 schizophrenic, and 38 nonpsychotic psychiatric subjects and 40 brain-damaged subjects in groups matched for age, education and sex were tested. Performance on each Luria-Nebraska scale was correlated with age and education in each diagnostic group and correlations were also calculated using scores adjusted for the age and education of individual subjects. Normal subjects showed significant education effects on all scales, with age-declines on "fluid" but not on "crystallized" functions. Schizophrenics showed education effects only on "crystallized" academic skills and showed age declines consistently on sensory functions. The brain-damaged and nonpsychotic psychiatric groups generally showed little age or education effect on test performance. The significance of these findings and methodological issues are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Characterization of acute whiplash-associated disorders.

STUDY DESIGN: An experimental study of motor and sensory function and psychological distress in subjects with acute whiplash injury. OBJECTIVES: To characterize acute whiplash injury in terms of motor and sensory systems dysfunction and psychological distress and to compare subjects with higher and lesser levels of pain and disability. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Motor system dysfunction, sensory hypersensitivity, and psychological distress are present in chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD), but little is known of such factors in the acute stage of injury. As higher levels of pain and disability in acute WAD are accepted as signs of poor outcome, further characterization of this group from those with lesser symptoms is important. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Motor function (cervical range of movement [ROM], joint position error [JPE]; activity of the superficial neck flexors [EMG] during a test of cranio-cervical flexion), quantitative sensory testing (pressure, thermal pain thresholds, and responses to the brachial plexus provocation test), and psychological distress (GHQ-28, TAMPA, IES) were measured in 80 whiplash subjects (WAD II or III) within 1 month of injury, as were 20 control subjects. RESULTS: Three subgroups were identified in the cohort using cluster analysis based on the Neck Disability Index: those with mild, moderate, or severe pain and disability. All whiplash groups demonstrated decreased ROM and increased EMG compared with the controls (all P < 0.01). Only the moderate and severe groups demonstrated greater JPE and generalized hypersensitivity to all sensory tests (all P < 0.01). The three whiplash subgroups demonstrated evidence of psychological distress, although this was greater in the moderate and severe groups. Measures of psychological distress did not impact on between group differences in motor or sensory tests. CONCLUSIONS: Acute whiplash subjects with higher levels of pain and disability were distinguished by sensory hypersensitivity to a variety of stimuli, suggestive of central nervous system sensitization occurring soon after injury. These responses occurred independently of psychological distress. These findings may be important for the differential diagnosis of acute whiplash injury and could be one reason why those with higher initial pain and disability demonstrate a poorer outcome.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1989

Locus coeruleus-pineal melatonin interactions and the pathogenesis of the "on-off" phenomenon associated with mood changes and sensory symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

The "on-off" phenomenon has been reported to occur in more than 50% of patients with Parkinson's disease after 5 years of treatment with levodopa. Several recent studies have reported an association between the "on-off" phenomenon, concurrent mood changes and sensory symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. In these reports, "off" was associated with exacerbation of depression, anxiety and sensory symptoms, while "on" was accompanied by normalization of mood with occasional elation and attenuation in the severity of the sensory symptoms. These observations suggest that the biological mechanisms of the "on-off" interact with mechanisms regulating mood and sensory functions. The "on-off" phenomenon may be related to primary degenerative changes in the locus coeruleus (LC). The emergence of mood changes and sensory symptoms associated with the "on-off" may be facilitated by deregulation of LC-pineal melatonin functions. Administration of noradrenergic agents may be beneficial in attenuating the severity of the motor dyskinesias of the "on-off" while serotonergic drugs alone or in combination with melatonin-release enhancing agents may be useful in the management of the mood changes and sensory symptoms.

Affect↗
PubMed1986

Age differences in sensory and cognitive function in elderly Nepalese.

This paper describes age differences in sensory and cognitive function in a cross-sectional sample of 117 Nepalese men aged 50 to 88 years living in a traditional agrarian society. The prevalence of impairment of vision, hearing, vibration sensitivity, and cognitive function is progressively higher in successively older age categories in this society as it is in Western industrial societies. This has practical consequences for everyday life. Men with vision impairment are less likely to retain the esteemed social role of head of an extended household. Men with visual and hearing impairment leave their household compounds less frequently, have less frequent social contacts outside their households, and remain inactive a greater proportion of the time. In this technologically simple society without modern medical remedies, vision and hearing impairments are associated with social roles and daily activity patterns that foster economic and political dependence and social isolation.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Impaired sensory-motor nerve function in the isolated mesenteric arterial bed of streptozotocin-diabetic and ganglioside-treated streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

1. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with streptozotocin (65 mg kg-1, i.p.) to induce diabetes. Subgroups of age-matched control and streptozotocin-treated rats were given daily injections of mixed brain bovine gangliosides (60 mg kg-1 body weight, i.p.). At eight weeks after treatment mesenteric arterial beds from rats in each of the four groups were isolated and perfused and the function of perivascular nerves (sympathetic and sensory-motor), endothelium and smooth muscle was assessed. 2. Values for basal tone of mesenteric beds from diabetic and diabetic-ganglioside rats were significantly lower than those of the control and control-ganglioside-treated rats. Perfusion pressures at basal tone were 25.55 +/- 0.8 (n = 11), 22.58 +/- 1.5 (n = 12), 28.42 +/- 1.6 (n = 12) and 30.67 +/- 1.9 (n = 12) mmHg for diabetic, diabetic-ganglioside, control and control-ganglioside-treated rats respectively. 3. There was no difference between the groups with respect to vasoconstrictor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation, or to doses of noradrenaline. Vasoconstrictor responses to potassium chloride were also similar between the groups. 4. Perivascular nerve stimulation in the presence of the sympathetic blocker guanethidine (3 microM), with tone of the preparation raised with methoxamine (3-100 microM), elicited frequency-dependent vasodilatation of mesenteric arterial beds due to transmitter release from sensory-motor nerves. Sensory-motor nerve-induced vasodilator responses of mesenteric arterial beds from streptozotocin-diabetic and ganglioside-treated diabetic rats were significantly smaller than those of mesenteric beds from the controls (untreated and ganglioside-treated). Vasodilator responses to exogenously applied calcitonin gene-related peptide, the principal vasodilator transmitter released from these nerves, were not different between the groups. Vasodilator responses to the sensory neurotoxin capsaicin were also not different between the groups.5. Endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to acetylcholine were similar between the groups as were those to the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside.6. These results indicate that streptozotocin-induced diabetes produces marked impairment of sensory motor nerve function in the rat mesenteric arterial bed. The significantly lower basal perfusion pressures of mesenteric beds from diabetic rats compared to controls may be a reflection of sympathetic dysfunction, but no differences were apparent from the vasoconstrictor responses produced when sympathetic nerves were electrically stimulated. There was no evidence for changes in endothelial vasodilator function, or smooth muscle vasodilator and vasoconstrictor function. Ganglioside treatment did not modify any aspect of vascular function of mesenteric beds from streptozotocin-diabetic or control rats.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2004

Polycystins and mechanosensation in renal and nodal cilia.

The external surfaces of the human body, as well as its internal organs, constantly experience different kinds of mechanical stimulations. For example, tubular epithelial cells of the kidney are continuously exposed to a variety of mechanical forces, such as fluid flow shear stress within the lumen of th nephron. The majority of epithelial cells along the nephron, except intercalated cells, possess a primary cilium, an organelle projecting from the cell's apical surface into the luminal space. Despite its discovery over 100 years ago, the primary cilium's function continued to elude researchers for many decades. However, recent studies indicate that renal cilia have a sensory function. Studies on polycystic kidney disease (PKD) have identified many of the molecular players, which should help solve the mystery of how the renal cilium senses fluid flow. In this review, we will summarize the recent breakthroughs in PKD research and discuss the role(s) of the polycystin signaling complex in mediating mechanosensory function by the primary cilium of renal epithelium as well as of the embryonic node.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Phytotherapy for functional dyspepsia: a review of the clinical evidence for the herbal preparation STW 5.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders such as functional (or non-ulcer) dyspepsia are characterized by a broad spectrum of symptoms referred to the upper abdomen without a detectable cause utilizing routine diagnostic measures. It is now believed that disordered gut function (including abnormalities like disturbances of motility such as postprandial fundic relaxation, gastric emptying and disturbed visceral sensory function) play a key role for the manifestation of these disorders. The underlying pathophysiology is not yet fully understood. However, the available data suggest that a number of factors may contribute to the manifestation of symptoms. These factors include environmental factors such as acute infections as trigger event, psychological stressors that may precede acute exacerbations and a genetic predisposition. Considering the large number of mechanisms, a treatment targeting a single mechanism is unlikely to be effective in all patients. Indeed, chemically defined treatments usually gain a 10-15% superiority over placebo. In recent years placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated superiority of a commercial multicomponent herbal preparation, STW 5, with the trade name Iberogast, for the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. This phytopharmacon is a combination of nine plant extracts each with a number of different active constituents. Pharmacological studies have shown different effects of the single plant extracts on the (molecular) mechanisms which are discussed as underlying the manifestation of symptoms. Various well-controlled clinical trials have independently confirmed clinical efficacy and safety. The clinically efficacy of this multicomponent herbal preparation questions the current trend of highly targeted drug molecules that usually target one single receptor population while it has not been shown that a single receptor group plays a pivotal role for the control of symptoms. Herbal medicines are obtained from various plants and contain complex extracts with a large number of different active substances. While there are only limited head-to-head comparisons with conventional chemically defined medications, the combination of extracts with various gastrointestinal active ingredients appears to be advantageous for a heterogeneous condition such as functional dyspepsia.

Antiemetics↗
PubMed2000

Adenosine triphosphate-evoked currents in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons obtained from rat embryos: desensitization kinetics and modulation of glutamate release.

Sensory neurons express purinergic P2X receptors on their central and peripheral terminals as well as their cell bodies. ATP activation of these receptors drives action potential firing and glutamate release with potentially important consequences for sensory function. Here we show ATP-gated currents activated in cultured embryonic dorsal root ganglion neurons have heterogeneity of time-courses comparable to those observed in different subpopulations of acutely dissociated adult dorsal root ganglion neurons. The distribution of time-courses across the population of cultured neurons is strongly influenced by culture conditions. Heterogeneity in ATP current kinetics occurs even though immunocytochemical staining reveals a relatively homogeneous and widespread expression of the P2X2 and P2X3 subunits. We show that the time-courses of ATP-gated currents recorded at the cell bodies are mirrored by the time-courses of transmitter release from the dorsal root ganglion nerve terminals, indicating similar P2X receptor properties on the soma and their associated terminals. Our results illustrate a functional heterogeneity of P2X receptor-mediated currents that is strongly influenced by external factors. This heterogeneity in current kinetics may have implications for neuronal function as it constrains the time-course of ATP-mediated modulation of neurotransmitter release at sensory nerve terminals.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2002

The effect of loss and trauma on substance use behavior in individuals seeking support services after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

In this study, we examined the effect of trauma exposure on substance use behaviors, specifically tobacco and alcohol use, in a group of 84 individuals who sought supportive services after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. A self-report instrument was used to assess demographics, sensory exposure, injury, interpersonal exposure through relationship with victims, peritraumatic reaction, grief, posttraumatic stress, worry about safety, functional impairment, and changes in smoking and drinking. Those who reported increased smoking had higher scores on peritraumatic reaction, grief, posttraumatic stress, worry about safety, and trouble functioning. Those who reported increased alcohol intake had higher scores on injury, peritraumatic reaction, grief, posttraumatic stress, worry about safety, and trouble functioning. Sensory exposure and interpersonal exposure were not significantly different between those with and without increased smoking or drinking. Although no causal relationship can be assumed, our findings indicate an association of grief and posttraumatic stress with increased substance use behaviors in disaster victims.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Survival and neurodevelopmental outcome of young children with medulloblastoma at St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

PURPOSE: Young children treated for medulloblastoma are at especially high risk for morbidity and mortality from their disease and therapy. This study sought to assess the relationship, if any, between patient outcome and M stage. Neuropsychologic and endocrine outcomes were also assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutively diagnosed infants and young children were treated for medulloblastoma at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between November 1984 and December 1995. All patients were treated with the intent of using postoperative chemotherapy to delay planned irradiation. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 2.6 years. Six patients completed planned chemotherapy without progressive disease and underwent irradiation at completion of chemotherapy. Twenty-three children experienced disease progression during chemotherapy and underwent irradiation at the time of progression. The 5-year overall survival rate for the entire cohort was 51% +/- 10%. The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 21% +/- 8%. M stage did not impact survival. All patients lost cognitive function during and after therapy at a rate of -3.9 intelligence quotient points per year (P =.0028). Sensory functions declined significantly after therapy (P =.007). All long-term survivors required hormone replacement therapy and had growth abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The majority of infants treated for medulloblastoma experienced disease progression during initial chemotherapy. However, more than half of these patients can be cured with salvage radiation therapy, regardless of M stage. The presence of metastatic disease did not increase the risk of dying from medulloblastoma. All patients treated in this fashion have significant neuropsychologic deficits. Our experience demonstrates that medulloblastoma in infancy is a curable disease, albeit at a significant cost.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

fMRI reveals large-scale network activation in minimally conscious patients.

BACKGROUND: The minimally conscious state (MCS) resulting from severe brain damage refers to a subset of patients who demonstrate unequivocal, but intermittent, behavioral evidence of awareness of self or their environment. Although clinical examination may suggest residual cognitive function, neurobiological correlates of putative cognition in MCS have not been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that MCS patients retain active cerebral networks that underlie cognitive function even though command following and communication abilities are inconsistent. METHODS: fMRI was employed to investigate cortical responses to passive language and tactile stimulation in two male adults with severe brain injuries leading to MCS and in seven healthy volunteers. RESULTS: In the case of the patient language-related tasks, auditory stimulation with personalized narratives elicited cortical activity in the superior and middle temporal gyrus. The healthy volunteers imaged during comparable passive language stimulation demonstrated responses similar to the patients' responses. However, when the narratives were presented as a time-reversed signal, and therefore without linguistic content, the MCS patients demonstrated markedly reduced responses as compared with volunteer subjects, suggesting reduced engagement for "linguistically" meaningless stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: The first fMRI maps of cortical activity associated with language processing and tactile stimulation of patients in the minimally conscious state (MCS) are presented. These findings of active cortical networks that serve language functions suggest that some MCS patients may retain widely distributed cortical systems with potential for cognitive and sensory function despite their inability to follow simple instructions or communicate reliably.

Acoustic Stimulation↗