The gene C9orf72 harbors a non-coding hexanucleotide repeat expansion known to cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. While previous studies have estimated the length of this repeat expa…
Tag: Sensory and Motor Systems
Effect of somatosensory electrical stimulation on hand choice
Hand choice, an unconscious decision, is influenced by target-related information, but if these are non-informative, the choice will be approximately 50-50. In this equilibrium situation, non-target information may also aid in decision-making, but no research has demonstrated this. Now, researchers have investigated the effect of somatosensory stimulation on motor decisions in healthy participants. The results… Continue reading Effect of somatosensory electrical stimulation on hand choice
How humans continuously adapt while walking stably
Researchers have developed a model that explains how humans adapt continuously during complex tasks, like walking, while remaining stable. The findings were detailed in a recent paper published in the journal Nature Communications authored by Nidhi Seethapathi, an assistant professor in MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences; Barrett C. Clark, a robotics software engineer… Continue reading How humans continuously adapt while walking stably
How the brain prevents us from falling
This post is adapted from an MIT research news story. *** As we navigate the world, we adapt our movement in response to changes in the environment. From rocky terrain to moving escalators, we seamlessly modify our movements to maximize energy efficiency and our reduce risk of falling. The computational principles underlying this phenomenon, however,… Continue reading How the brain prevents us from falling
Split-second insights from the brain’s dual-stream visual system
In this issue of Neuron, Thompson et al. demonstrate that the brain’s dual-stream architecture enables zero-shot recognition of novel objects and scenes, highlighting the role of motor signals from eye movements as both inputs to and outputs from cognitive computation.
Private Medicare Plans Must Cover Biogen’s ALS Drug, US Agency Says
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has directed private insurers providing Medicare Advantage plans to cover Biogen’s amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drug… Reuters Health Information
Dendritic Spines of Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons of the Aging Somatosensory Cortex Exhibit Reduced Volumetric Remodeling
Impairments in synaptic dynamics and stability are observed both in neurodegenerative disorders and in the healthy aging cortex, which exhibits elevated dendritic spine turnover and decreased long-term stability of excitatory connections at baseline, as well as an altered response to plasticity induction. In addition to the discrete gain and loss of synapses, spines also change… Continue reading Dendritic Spines of Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons of the Aging Somatosensory Cortex Exhibit Reduced Volumetric Remodeling
Defects in Exosome Biogenesis Are Associated with Sensorimotor Defects in Zebrafish vps4a Mutants
Mutations in human VPS4A are associated with neurodevelopmental defects, including motor delays and defective muscle tone. VPS4A encodes a AAA-ATPase required for membrane scission, but how mutations in VPS4A lead to impaired control of motor function is not known. Here we identified a mutation in zebrafish vps4a, T248I, that affects sensorimotor transformation. Biochemical analyses indicate… Continue reading Defects in Exosome Biogenesis Are Associated with Sensorimotor Defects in Zebrafish vps4a Mutants
Disruption of the Autism-Associated Pcdh9 Gene Leads to Transcriptional Alterations, Synapse Overgrowth, and Defective Network Activity in the CA1
Protocadherins, a family of adhesion molecules with a crucial role in cell–cell interactions, have emerged as key players in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In particular, growing evidence links genetic alterations in the protocadherin 9 (PCDH9) gene with autism spectrum disorder and major depressive disorder. Furthermore, Pcdh9 deletion induces neuronal defects in the mouse somatosensory cortex,… Continue reading Disruption of the Autism-Associated Pcdh9 Gene Leads to Transcriptional Alterations, Synapse Overgrowth, and Defective Network Activity in the CA1
Barriers to Tofersen Therapy for Variant SOD1 -Mediated ALS
This Viewpoint advocates for the accelerated adoption of tofersen therapy to treat patients with variant SOD1-mediated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and describes the current barriers to treatment.