8 research outputs found
Revealing a novel nociceptive network that links the subthalamic nucleus to pain processing
Pain is a prevalent symptom of Parkinson's disease, and is effectively treated by deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, the link between pain and the STN remains unclear. In the present work, we report that STN neurons exhibit complex tonic and phasic responses to noxious stimuli using in vivo electrophysiology in rats. We also show that nociception is altered following lesions of the STN, and characterize the role of the superior colliculus and the parabrachial nucleus in the transmission of nociceptive information to the STN, physiologically from both structures and anatomically in the case of the parabrachial nucleus. We show that STN nociceptive responses are abnormal in a rat model of PD, suggesting their dependence on the integrity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. The STN-linked nociceptive network we reveal is likely to be of considerable clinical importance in neurological diseases involving a dysfunction of the basal ganglia
Cumulative Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Regional Left Ventricular Function and Reserve: Progressive Long-Axis Dysfunction with Compensatory Radial Changes
Background: The risk factors that contribute to atherosclerosis also predict clinical heart failure, but it
is unclear how they affect myocardial function. Aims were to assess if major cardiovascular risk factors
cause subclinical myocardial dysfunction in asymptomatic subjects. Methods: We measured regional
left ventricular (LV) function at rest and during dobutamine stress echocardiography in 246 subjects
(54 ± 12 years, 54% men) analyzed in five groups according to the presence of six risk factors (diabetes,
hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, smoking, and family history; age was similar in the five groups). LV
longitudinal function was assessed from the mean velocities of four basal segments, and radial function
from the velocities of the basal posterior wall. Results: Risk factors did not affect LV ejection fraction, but
longitudinal systolic velocity decreased progressively with the number of risk factors, at rest (6.8 ± 1.3 vs.
6.2 ± 1.6 vs. 5.8 ± 1.5 vs. 5.4 ± 1.3 vs. 5.3 ± 1.3 cm/sec, for the five groups, respectively) and at
peak stress (14.3 ± 3.3 vs. 12.9 ± 3.2 vs. 11.8 ± 3.4 vs. 11.3 ± 2.6 vs. 11.1 ± 2.3 cm/sec) (both
P < 0.0001). Radial systolic velocity increased according to the number of risk factors (P < 0.01). By
multivariate regression, determinants of reduced longitudinal systolic velocity at rest were body mass
index, diastolic blood pressure, age, and fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.57, r2 = 0.32, P < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Asymptomatic subjects have impaired LV long-axis function at rest and during stress,
according to their number of major cardiovascular risk factors. Global LV systolic function is maintained
by compensatory increases in radial function. These changes provide new targets for preclinical diagnosis
and for monitoring responses to preventive strategies. Echocardiography 2011;28:813-820