Neuroscience
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Stress can either strengthen coping strategies or enhance the risk of depression and anxiety. Synaptic plasticity is one of the key brain functions that can be affected by stress. We have previously shown that early-life stress in the form of maternal separation (MS) impairs functional synaptic plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), i.e., long-term potentiation (LTP), in adolescent rats. ⋯ Moreover, for many studied parameters, such as induction of cFos and Arc mRNA and protein and activation of BDNF, GDNF and NCAM mRNA, MS rats showed diminished, vague or absent responses to acute VEH/CORT compared with those of control rats. These results suggest that previous early-life stress experiences may induce adaptive plasticity within the mPFC, which influences the response to acute stress challenge and coping strategies in adolescents. Depending on the specific environmental context, this phenomenon may lead to either future vulnerability or future resilience to stress-related psychopathologies.
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Blast exposure can cause various auditory disorders including tinnitus, hyperacusis, and other central auditory processing disorders. While this is suggestive of pathologies in the central auditory system, the impact of blast exposure on central auditory processing remains poorly understood. ⋯ Furthermore, the frequency map in the primary auditory cortex was distorted. These changes may contribute to central auditory processing disorders.
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There is a growing body of evidence pointing at several types of motor abnormalities found in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this article we review findings stemming from different paradigms, and suggest an interweaving approach to the different stages involved in the motor regulation process. We start by reviewing various aspects of motor abnormalities found in ADHD and related brain mechanisms. ⋯ Additionally we discuss EMG-Biofeedback interventions targeted at feedback on motor activity. Further we review physical activity and motor interventions aimed at improving motor difficulties, associated with ADHD. These kinds of interventions are shown to be helpful not only in aspects of physical ability, but also in enhancing cognition and executive functioning.
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Despite evidence that Sensorimotor Rhythm (SMR) and beta1 neurofeedback have distinct cognitive enhancement effects, it remains unclear whether their amplitudes can be independently enhanced. Furthermore, demands for top-down attention control, postural restraint and maintenance of cognitive set processes, all requiring low-beta frequencies, might masquerade as learning and confound interpretation. The feasibility of selectively enhancing SMR and beta1 amplitudes was investigated with the addition of a random frequency control condition that also requires the potentially confounding cognitive processes. ⋯ Interestingly, SMR and beta1 amplitude increased across sessions in the three groups suggesting unspecific effects of neurofeedback in the low beta frequency band. Moreover, there was no clear evidence of frequency specificity associated with either SMR or beta1 training. Some methodological limitations may underpin the divergent results with previous studies.
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Despite the success of neurofeedback treatment in many cases, the variability in the efficacy of the treatment is high, and some studies report that a significant proportion of subjects does not benefit from it. Quantifying the extent of this problem is difficult, as many studies do not report the variability among subjects. ⋯ A possible explanation for treatment ineffectiveness lies in the necessity to adapt the treatment protocol to the individual subject. We therefore discuss the use of personalized neurofeedback protocols as a potential way to reduce the inefficacy problem.