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PubMed1996

Perinatal stimulation and adaptation of the neonate.

The present report describes psychobiological studies of behavior around the time of birth. An adaptive, ecological perspective is presented in which stimulation of the fetus and newborn is purported to instigate adaptive postpartum behavior. Studies describing the perinatal sensory environment are reviewed, with a consideration of emergent sensory function of the fetus. It is asserted that afferent input associated with parturition perturbs the fetus and neonate, producing a general arousal state that facilitates breathing, suckling, and early learning. The view developed herein is that perinatal sensory input induces and canalizes the newborn's behavior, thereby regulating adaptive postpartum function. Deviations in afferent input may alter ontogenetic trajectories and compromise developmental outcome by reducing availability of conditions necessary for adequate postpartum adaptation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1980

Responses of pineal photoreceptors in the brook and rainbow trout.

Electron microscopy of the pineal receptor cells in light- and dark-adapted brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis and the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, revealed no significant differences in the tubular and filamentous elements of the inner segment, neck and supranuclear regions. However, changes in synaptic relations between the photoreceptor and nerve cell were induced by light and darkness. In the light-adapted state, the synaptic relationship between axon terminals and photoreceptor basal processes predominates, while in darkness the synapses between photoreceptor basal processes and ganglion cell dendrites are more prominent. Further, in darkness, the photoreceptor basal processes show a number of synaptic vesicles and synaptic ribbons. These findings suggest that the sensory function of the fish pineal is enhanced during darkness but inhibited by light, and that the synaptic relationships are involved in the control of sensory activity in the pineal photoreceptor and ganglion cells. These results corroborate those of electrophysiological studies in that the maximal spontaneous discharge frequency of the ganglion cells occurs in the dark, and it also shows a burst when light is removed. The "typical" chemical synapse between the axon terminal and the photoreceptor basal process in light seems to function as an inhibitor.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2005

Changes in cerebral functional organization during cognitive development.

It has been just under a decade since contemporary neuroimaging tools, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, were first applied to developmental questions. These tools provide invaluable information on how brain anatomy, function and connectivity change during development. Studies using these methods with children and adolescents show that brain regions that support motor and sensory function mature earliest, whereas higher-order association areas, such as the prefrontal cortex, which integrate these functions, mature later.

Cerebral Cortex↗

PubMed1991

Intraoperative monitoring for tethered spinal cord syndrome.

Functions of the lower extremities and bowel and bladder must be monitored during releasing surgery for tethered spinal cord syndrome, because neural elements are embedded in lipoma or anomalous tissues. Evoked muscle action potentials of the external anal sphincter muscle, external urethral sphincter muscle, and lower extremity muscles can indicate promptly whether or not neural elements are involved before the surgeon releases or cuts the tissue for cord release. It is also important to monitor vesical pressure because of different types of innervation from the external urethral and anal sphincters, in spite of slow reaction times of vesical pressure elevation. Evoked muscle action potentials indicate only motor function; therefore, it is more appropriate to record evoked spinal cord potentials from the spinal cord above a lumbosacral operative field, because sensory function can also be monitored. Evoked muscle action potentials are an easy and extremely sensitive monitoring system; nevertheless, monitoring of vesical pressure and evoked spinal cord potentials should also be done to achieve optimum monitoring. For the past 5 years, 10 patients have undergone cord-release surgery with such a monitoring system, and the results indicate no exacerbating case.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Visual functions after perinatal macular haemorrhage.

Perinatal macular haemorrhage has been suggested as being a cause of amblyopia and strabismus. 39 of 48 children with macular haemorrhage after birth were examined at the age of 5 years. The study comprised visual acuity with E-test types and cycloplegic refraction. Binocular function was evaluated by cover test, and 4d-prism test. Fixation was studied by an ophthalmoscope with a central dark star. Sensory function was estimated by Schober test and Worth 4-dot-test. The observations gave no support to the existence of organic amblyopia or strabismus following perinatal macular haemmorrhage.

Amblyopia↗

PubMed1995

Transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emissions in traumatic brain injury.

Behavioral audiometry may be of limited value for those patients who have incurred significant brain injury and remain unresponsive to auditory stimuli. Even the more "objective" tests such as auditory brainstem response (ABR) and acoustic reflex testing may be inadequate tools to assess peripheral auditory function when significant brainstem injury has occurred. Determination of peripheral hearing becomes important because rehabilitation strategies are anchored to the knowledge of sensory function prior to implementing appropriate plans of intervention. We present the usefulness of otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing to further evaluate the cochlear function in a patient with traumatic brain injury who was subsequently inconsistent in response to sound.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2004

Anorectal dysfunction increases with time following radiation therapy for carcinoma of the prostate.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the prevalence and pathophysiology of anorectal dysfunction up to 2 yr following radiation therapy (RT) for localized carcinoma of the prostate. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients, median age 68 (range 60-82) yr with localized prostate carcinoma randomly assigned to one of two radiation dose schedules, underwent evaluation of the following variables of anorectal function before RT, as well as 4-6 wk and 1 and 2 yr after its completion: (1) symptoms, (2) anorectal motility, (3) anorectal sensory function, and (4) anal sphincteric morphology. RESULTS: There was a persistent increase in anorectal symptoms after RT. At 2 yr, bowel frequency, urgency, and fecal incontinence were increased in 50%, 47%, and 26% of patients, respectively. After RT, there were progressive reductions of (1) basal anal pressures, (2) anal pressures in response to squeeze and increased intra-abdominal pressure, (3) rectal compliance, and (4) rectal volumes associated with sensory perception and the desire to defecate. The thickness of the external anal sphincter increased with time after RT. No difference was observed between the patients in the two radiation dose schedules. CONCLUSIONS: Anorectal dysfunction following RT for prostate carcinoma is an underestimated cause of morbidity, which progresses with time. The prevalence and pathophysiology of anorectal dysfunction is similar after treatment with two commonly used radiation dose schedules.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Sensory receptor-like cells in the human foetal vomeronasal organ.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) was studied in ten human foetuses, 12 to 36 weeks old. At 12 to 23 weeks, it was lined by a smooth pseudostratified epithelium, with neurone-specific enolase (NSE) positive cells looking like olfactory receptors. Clusters of NSE-positive cells were seen in relation with the posterosuperior end of the organ and along nerve fascicles in the nasal septum. At 36 weeks, the organ was lined by a respiratory epithelium and did not show any receptor-like cells; some pear-shaped NSE-positive cells of unknown significance were seen at the upper part of the respiratory epithelium. Our results suggest that during the early foetal period, the VNO could have some, as yet unknown, sensory function.

Female↗

PubMed1985

Treatment of stroke with opiate antagonists--effects of exogenous antagonists and dynorphin 1-13.

We studied the effects of acute and long-term, continuous administration of six opioid compounds--naloxone, naltrexone, diprenorphine, leucine enkephalin, dynorphin 1-13, and dynorphin 3-13--on neurologic function, survival, and infarct size in a feline model of acute focal cerebral ischemia. Acutely, naloxone, naltrexone, and diprenorphine significantly improved motor function over baseline scores; the other drugs and saline (control) had no effect. In the long-term condition, no substance administered significantly affected level of consciousness, sensory function, or pupillary reactions. Naloxone, naltrexone, and dynorphin 1-13 significantly prolonged survival (p less than 0.1); the other substances had no effect. Evaluations of cat brains postmortem showed that the infarcts involved the sensory and motor cortex, internal capsule, and caudate nucleus. Infarct size was unaltered by any treatment administered; results among groups were remarkably similar. In evaluations of opiate receptor binding characteristics, high-affinity binding of ekylketocyclozocine was significantly reduced in the right (occluded) side of the cortex. Dynorphin 1-13 given 8 h postocclusion but before sacrifice increased this binding affinity to the previous level in non-occluded cortex. The observed protective effect of dynorphin 1-13 warrants further investigation. Our results support the involvement of endogenous opioid peptides in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia and suggest that, administered appropriately, opiate antagonists may be useful in the treatment of focal ischemic neurologic deficits.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

The combined sensate radical forearm and iliac crest free flaps for reconstruction of significant glossectomy-mandibulectomy defects.

The loss of motor and sensory function of the tongue following ablative surgery has a devastating effect on oral function. At the present time, there is no way to restore lost tongue musculature following partial glossectomy. The use of sensate cutaneous flaps has been shown to restore sensory feedback to reconstructed areas of the oral cavity. No single composite flap supplies a sensate soft-tissue component together with an osseous component of sufficient bone stock for functional mastication. In this article, the combination of the radial forearm free flap with the iliac crest osteocutaneous or osteomyocutaneous free flap is reported. The radial forearm free flap was used to resurface the resected portion of the tongue to provide maximum mobility and sensation. The lingual nerve was the recipient nerve for anastomosis to the antebrachial cutaneous nerves in all but one case. The iliac bone was used to reconstruct the mandible, with the iliac skin paddle or the internal oblique muscle used to reconstruct the neoridge. This combination of flaps was used in 10 patients. There was one flap failure due to vascular kinking from "piggybacking" the iliac crest to the distal end of the radial forearm flap. As a result, the use of two separate sets of recipient vessels is now advocated. Although a single composite free flap offers an excellent form of oromandibular reconstruction in most cases, it has been shown that oral function deteriorates when large areas of anesthesia are present in the oral cavity. We believe that this combination of two free flaps offers an opportunity for superior function in select patients with significant glossectomy and/or large mucosal defects.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2005

Potential occupational health problems for dentists in Flanders, Belgium.

The aim of this study was to gather data on occupational health effects among Flemish dentists. A questionnaire on various potential health effects was sent out to randomly selected Flemish dentists. Pilot experimental studies were performed on hearing and sensory function of the fingers on small groups of dentists. Audiometric data of both ears, gathered with an interval of 10 years, were analysed. Sensory tests of the fingers were performed for dominant and non-dominant hands in relation to exposure time to (ultra)sonic equipment. Positive responses for the questionnaire were as follows: low back pain, 54% (stress-correlated); vision problems, 52.3% (age-correlated); infections, 9%; allergies, 22.5% (mainly latex); stress level was scored 7 on a scale from 0 to 10; diminished sensitivity of the fingertips, 6% and auditory disorders, 19.6%. Pilot audiometric data showed a hearing loss at 4,000 Hz for the left ear, presumably indicative of occupational noise trauma. The two-point discrimination ability of the dominant hand tended to diminish in line with the number of years of practice. Dentists in Flanders were found to suffer from various health-related problems. More elaborate studies are required to provide more details on the risks for occupational hearing impairment and vibration hand neuropathy and to determine whether the problems described were related to the practice of dentistry.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

[Evidence-based medicine and phytotherapy for functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic analysis of evidence for the herbal preparation Iberogast].

Functional gastrointestinal disorders like functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome are characterized by more or less specific symptoms and the absence of structural lesions to explain symptoms. Other studies suggest that abnormalities of specific gut function are linked to manifestation of symptoms. These abnormalities include disturbances of motility such as postprandial fundic relaxation, gastric emptying and disturbed visceral sensory function. The underlying pathophysiology is not fully understood. However, various studies point towards hereditary (or molecular) factors modified by environmental factors. Considering this broad spectrum of factors it is conceivable that treatments targeting a single mechanism are most likely to improve symptoms only in patients with a disturbance linked to this mechanism. Thus overall efficacy in the whole patient population is limited. Indeed, superiority of chemically defined treatments targeting a single receptor yield a benefit over placebo of between 10 and 15%. In recent years well-controlled studies have demonstrated superiority of specific herbal preparations. This in particular held true for combinations of various plant extracts or herbal extracts with a number of different active ingredients. However, efficacy of herbal treatment for functional GI disorders cannot be taken for granted and these drugs need to be rigorously tested for efficacy and safety. In this context, same standards apply as for conventional chemically defined medications.

Dyspepsia↗

PubMed1993

Functional development of central nervous system in the rat: ontogeny of nociceptive thresholds.

The functional development of central nervous system (CNS) in the rat has been studied from the 10th to the 45th postnatal day, through a sensory function: nociception. Baseline pain responsiveness has been assessed with the tail-flick procedure. The mean tail-flick latency clearly decreases from the 10th to the 25th day, and remains stationary from this age to 45 days. The maturational processes underlying these reductions of tail-flick latencies in developing rats are discussed.

Aging↗

PubMed1993

Fetal experience revealed by rats: psychobiological insights.

Psychobiological studies of fetal ontogenesis in non-human species, particularly in laboratory rat, now have much to offer students of human development. Psychobiological approaches are 'ecologically' oriented which, for fetal research, implies consideration of the adaptive significance of behavior within the uterine habitat. Consistent with this orientation is a concern for the sensory capabilities of the fetus, especially in relation to the specific forms and levels of stimulation that occur within the uterine milieu. We describe recent advances in these areas, and the impressive range of fetal responses to naturally-occurring (often mother-induced) forms of sensory stimulation. To the psychobiologist, sensory-evoked responses of all kinds constitute the fetus' experience and much has been learned about the roles of such experience in regulating the rate, direction, and form of development. Indeed, experience can be considered a significant, if not neglected, mechanism of development. Finally, we briefly survey some contemporary analyses of the interrelations between developmental and evolutionary processes. We use onset of sensory function (which occurs in a stereotyped sequence in every vertebrate species for which there are data) as a developmental phenotype. Phylogenetic considerations of sensory development are discussed. By identifying and clarifying some of the intellectual questions that guide perinatal research with non-human species, we hope to improve the appreciation of novel insights and interpretive strategies that derive from different approaches. This is bound to enhance the study of human development and to improve the design and use of animal models.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 expression has a negative impact on sensorimotor function following intracerebral haemorrhage in mice.

We investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in a mouse model of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Transcripts encoding nine of the 23 known mammalian MMPs were measured. MMP-12 levels were the most elevated. To evaluate the role of MMP-12 in ICH, haemorrhages were induced in wild-type (WT) and MMP-12 null mice. The results show that MMP-12 null mice exhibited significant functional recovery of forelimb reaching and reduced dependence on the ipsilateral forelimb compared to WT mice. There was also a trend for improved sensory function in the tape removal test. With respect to single pellet skilled reaching, MMP-12 null mice recovered to a level that was not significantly different from sham at 14 and 28 days post-ICH. In contrast, WT animals demonstrated a persistent impairment relative to sham controls throughout the survival period (P < 0.05). The cylinder task revealed a lesion-induced reliance on the ipsilateral forelimb that was apparent at day 7 in both MMP-12 null and WT mice (P < 0.05), but only persisted in WT mice at 14 days post-ICH (P < 0.05). Differences in functional outcome could not be explained by tissue sparing. However, Iba1 immunostaining indicated that more cells bearing macrophage morphology were recruited to the lesion area in WT mice. This is the first study to profile the expression patterns of a number of the known MMPs following ICH in mice. The data indicate that MMP-12 expression following haemorrhagic stroke is deleterious and contributes to the development of secondary injury in this disease.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

[Surgical urinary bladder replacement in cancer].

Radical cystectomy, where necessary combined with systemic chemotherapy, is currently regarded to be the treatment of choice in invasive bladder cancer. Compared with such procedures as colonic or ileal conduit the construction of a continent intestinal bladder substitution is not associated with any higher risks but offers a considerably better quality of life without significantly extending the duration of surgery. Our experience with the ileal-neobladder with non-reflux uretero-intestinal implantation described by LeDuc, and Kock's the thoroughgoing application principles to form a low pressure reservoir for bladder substitution, encouraged us to believe that a good long-term prognosis with respect to renal function can be expected. About 90% of all patients with ileal-neobladder are continent day and night. About half of them have sensory function and are capable of voiding urine completely by abdominal straining. For invasive bladder cancer, therefore, continent bladder substitution must be generally regarded to be the superior alternative to urinary diversion by conduit.

Colon, Sigmoid↗

PubMed2006

Cutaneous saphenous nerve graft for the treatment of sciatic neurotmesis in a dog.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-year-old Griffon Vendéen was examined because of a 1-month history of right hind limb lameness after a traumatic injury. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Neurologic examination revealed monoplegia and anesthesia of the right hind limb distal to the stifle (femorotibial) joint except for the area supplied by the cutaneous saphenous nerve. Results of electromyographic testing were consistent with a severe lesion of the tibial and peroneal nerves at the level of the stifle joint. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Exploratory surgery revealed an 80-mm-long gap in both the peroneal and tibial branches of the right sciatic nerve. A section of the left cutaneous saphenous nerve was interposed to graft the nerve defects. The dog received joint mechanotherapy and electrophysiologic therapy during the reinnervation process. Ten months after surgery, the dog had recovered almost completely. Neurologic examination revealed diminished flexion of the tarsal and digital joints. Repeat electromyographic testing revealed no abnormal spontaneous electrical activity in the right hind limb musculature, and small compound muscle action potentials were recorded in the right interosseous and cranial tibial muscles. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Without surgical treatment, neurotmesis injury results in poor recovery of motor and sensory functions and may result in amputation. If a nerve defect exists, nerve grafting should be considered, even if the procedure is delayed until well after the injury. The sensory portion of the cutaneous saphenous nerve is a potential source of peripheral nerve for grafting in dogs. Reinnervation is a long-term process and physiologic support and owner involvement are necessary, but nearly complete functional recovery is possible.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Intraoperative monitoring of segmental spinal nerve root function with free-run and electrically-triggered electromyography and spinal cord function with reflexes and F-responses. A position statement by the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Orthodromic ascending somatosensory evoked potentials and antidromic descending neurogenic somatosensory evoked potentials monitor spinal cord sensory function. Transcranial motor stimulation monitors spinal cord motor function but only activates 4-5% of the motor units innervating a muscle. Therefore, 95-96% of the motor spinal cord systems activating the motor units are not monitored. To provide more comprehensive monitoring, 11 techniques have been developed to monitor motor nerve root and spinal cord motor function. These techniques include: 1. neuromuscular junction monitoring, 2. recording free-run electromyography (EMG) for monitoring segmental spinal nerve root function, 3. electrical stimulation to help determine the correct placement of pedicle screws, 4. electrical impedance testing to help determine the correct placement of pedicle screws, 5. electrical stimulation of motor spinal nerve roots, 6. electrical stimulation to help determine the correct placement of iliosacral screws, 7. recording H-reflexes, 8. recording F-responses, 9. recording the sacral reflex, 10. recording intralimb and interlimb reflexes and 11. recording monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes during dorsal root rhizotomy. OBJECTIVE: This paper is the position statement of the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring. It is the practice guideline for the intraoperative use of these 11 techniques. METHODS: This statement is based on information presented at scientific meetings, published in the current scientific and clinical literature, and presented in previously-published guidelines and position statements of various clinical societies. RESULTS: These 11 techniques when used in conjunction with somatosensory and transcranial motor evoked potentials provide a multiple-systems approach to spinal cord and nerve root monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The techniques reviewed in this paper may be helpful to those wishing to incorporate these techniques into their monitoring program.

Electromyography↗