Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
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Comparative Study
Comparison of spherical and realistically shaped boundary element head models for transcranial magnetic stimulation navigation.
MRI-guided real-time transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) navigators that apply electromagnetic modeling have improved the utility of TMS. However, their accuracy and speed depends on the assumed volume conductor geometry. Spherical models found in present navigators are computationally fast but may be inaccurate in some areas. Realistically shaped boundary-element models (BEMs) could increase accuracy at a moderate computational cost, but it is unknown which model features have the largest influence on accuracy. Thus, we compared different types of spherical models and BEMs. ⋯ Realistically shaped BEMs may increase TMS navigation accuracy in several brain areas, such as in prefrontal regions often targeted in clinical applications.
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Comparative Study
Effects of non-pharmacological pain treatments on brain states.
To (1) evaluate the effects of a single session of four non-pharmacological pain interventions, relative to a sham tDCS procedure, on pain and electroencephalogram- (EEG-) assessed brain oscillations, and (2) determine the extent to which procedure-related changes in pain intensity are associated with changes in brain oscillations. ⋯ The results provide new findings regarding the unique effects of four non-pharmacological treatments on pain and brain activity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A machine learning approach using EEG data to predict response to SSRI treatment for major depressive disorder.
The problem of identifying, in advance, the most effective treatment agent for various psychiatric conditions remains an elusive goal. To address this challenge, we investigate the performance of the proposed machine learning (ML) methodology (based on the pre-treatment electroencephalogram (EEG)) for prediction of response to treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication in subjects suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). ⋯ The proposed approach offers the potential to improve the treatment of major depression and to reduce health care costs.
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In some anti-ganglioside antibody-mediated neuropathies, human and experimental data suggest a common pathogenic mechanism of dysfunction/disruption at the node of Ranvier resulting in a pathophysiologic continuum from transitory nerve conduction failure to axonal degeneration. The traditional classification of polyneuropathies into demyelinating or axonal may generate some confusion in the electrophysiological diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome subtypes associated with anti-ganglioside antibodies. ⋯ Moreover the term axonal may be misleading as it is commonly associated to axonal degeneration and not to a transitory, promptly reversible, dysfunction of the excitable axolemma. To focus on the site of nerve injury and overcome the classification difficulties, we propose the new category of nodo-paranodopathy which seems appropriate to various acute and chronic neuropathies associated with anti-ganglioside antibodies and we think better systematizes the neuropathies characterized by an autoimmune attack targeting the nodal region.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Deficient muscle activation in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and abnormal hand postures: an electromyographic evaluation.
Motor abnormalities in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) are common and often characterized by a restricted active range of motion (AROM) and an increased resistance to passive movements, whereby the affected body part preferably adopts an abnormal posture. The objective of the present study was to obtain a better understanding of the factors that are associated with these abnormal postures and limitations of the AROM, and to investigate whether these motor impairments reflect dystonia. ⋯ We hypothesize that structural alterations in skeletal muscle tissue and pain-induced adaptations of motor function may contribute to the observed motor impairments. Our findings may have important clinical implications, since commonly prescribed treatments are aimed at reducing excessive muscle contraction.