Adult mouse basal forebrain harbors two distinct cholinergic populations defined by their electrophysiology

We performed whole-cell recordings from basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons in transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under the control of the choline acetyltransferase promoter. BF cholinergic neurons can be differentiated into two electrophysiologically identifiable subtypes: early and late firing neurons. Early firing neurons (∼70%) are more excitable, show prominent spike frequency adaptation and are more susceptible to depolarization blockade, a phenomenon characterized by complete silencing of the neuron following initial action potentials. Late firing neurons (∼30%), albeit being less excitable, could maintain a tonic discharge at low frequencies. In voltage clamp analysis, we have shown that early firing neurons have a higher density of low voltage activated (LVA) calcium currents. These two cholinergic cell populations might be involved in distinct functions: the early firing group being more suitable for phasic changes in cortical acetylcholine release associated with attention while the late firing neurons could support general arousal by maintaining tonic acetylcholine levels

The link between learning performance, immobility in the forced swim test, and hippocampal glia

Aim: To obtain maximal translational insights from animal models of depression, we need to know the meaning of behavioral parameters of animal models. The extent of construct and face validities of behavioral despair in the form of behavioral immobility in forced swim test (FST) is disputed. In this study, learning performance in a dual solution T-Maze and immobility on the 2nd day of FST was compared to shed light on this debate. Furthermore, we aimed to inspect the relationship between hippocampal glial densities and behaviors observed. Method: Twelve adult male Sprague Dawley rats were tested in the dual-solution T-Maze and in FST. Subsequently, hippocampal slices were obtained, astrocyte and microglia cells were stained, and the densities were calculated for each subject. Results: The rats utilized different learning strategies to solve the T-Maze. But irrespective of strategy, the rats that exhibited an overall efficiency in their learning performance, remained immobile for longer durations on the 2nd day of the FST. No significant relationship was detected between hippocampal microglia and behavioral indices in T-Maze and FST. However, we detected a significant positive correlation with CA1 astrocyte density and T-Maze learning and dentate gyrus CA1 astrocyte density and headshake behavior in FST. Conclusions: The subjects showing a better cognitive performance in the T-Maze were immobile longer in the FST. This observation raises doubts about immobility as depression index and posits that it might reflect better learning. Our results also suggest that hippocampal glia cell types are differentially involved in cognition and affect

Electrodiagnostic features of sciatic neuropathy: Six-year referral center experience

Introduction: Sciatic neuropathy is one of the most important neuropathies of the lower extremity. Although electromyography (EMG) is useful for detecting and localizing neurologic damage, assessing the severity of neuropathy, determining prognoses, and detecting confounding or accompanying neurologic pathologies, electrodiagnostic analyses of sciatic neuropathy are rare in the literature. Methods: The EMG database between 2017 and 2022 was reviewed. Neurophysiologic data of 58 patients who were electrophysiologically diagnosed as having sciatic neuropathy were included in the study. The adult patient group was divided into three groups, injection trauma, noninjection trauma, and other etiologies for subgroup analyze. Pediatric patients were not divided into subgroups because of their limited number. Results: Sciatic neuropathy was found in nine patients in the pediatric group, and 48 patients in the adult group. Sciatic neuropathy was left sided in six (66.7%) pediatric patients and 25 (52%) adult patients. It was bilateral in one adult patient. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of nerve conduction studies. No statistically significant difference was found in the needle EMG of the gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior (TA), and biceps femoris short-head muscles (P = 0.78, P = 0.32, and P = 0.14, respectively). In both injection and noninjection trauma patients, the most common needle EMG findings in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle were detected as grade 2. Grades 3 and 4 findings were observed predominantly in peroneal division innervated TA and biceps femoris short-head muscles. Conclusion: The most common etiology of sciatic neuropathy in adults was injection-related trauma. The peroneal division is more prone to injury in sciatic neuropathy in the context of sciatic variations. Consequently, we considered that the degree of damage in noninjection traumas might be higher in both distal and proximal segments compared with injection traumas

A Rare Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Childhood: Benign Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholestasis

Carpal tunnel syndrome and benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis are rare conditions in childhood. Benign intrahepatic cholestasis is characterized by repeated self-limited attacks of cholestasis that can start at any age and last from weeks to months. The patients are asymptomatic between these attacks. We report a 16 year-old male patient with benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis who developed carpal tunnel syndrome during a cholestatic attack. He was admitted with complaints of jaundice, pruritus and pain, tingling and muscle weakness in both hands for 15 days. Nerve conduction studies revealed findings compatible with carpal tunnel syndrome. He was started on ursodeoxycholic acid, fat soluble vitamins and cholestyramine and cholestasis regressed after four weeks of therapy. With the improvement of cholestasis, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome also disappeared. In conclusion, benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis can be a rare cause of carpal tunnel syndrome in childhood. We also advocate treating the underlying disease as an appropriate conservative treatment before surgery.WoSScopu

Effects of exercise and electrical stimulation on lumbar stabilization in asymptomatic subjects: A comparative study

WOS: 000322248400006PubMed ID: 23893140BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Segmental stabilization training and electrical stimulation are used as a treatment for patients with low back pain. There is limited information on the efficacy of two interventions in the literature. In this study, the efficacy of the two interventions on the multifidus muscle activation and fatigue, segmental stabilization training and electrical stimulation, were examined and compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our sample consists of 30 asymptomatic individuals, randomly assigned to one of three groups: the group that was given segmental stabilization training, the group that was given electrical stimulation and the control group that received no treatment. The muscle activity and fatigability of the multifidus were recorded by the surface electromyography before and after the intervention. RESULTS: No difference is detected for any of the multifidus muscle activation and fatigue characteristics either within or between groups. CONCLUSION: Both techniques did not improve multifidus activation capacity. An effort at submaximal and maximal level affects and increases the activity of multifidus

Tracking Pain In Resting State Networks In Patients With Hereditary And Diabetic Neuropathy

Introduction: Chronic pain is associated with maladaptive plastic changes in the brain. It is usually more prominent in acquired pathologies of nerve fibers as in diabetic neuropathy despite less severe degeneration than hereditary neuropathies. Based on clinical differences concerning pain perception, we hypothesized that functional connectivity analysis would reveal distinct patterns in resting-state networks in these groups. Methods: Ten diabetic patients with painful neuropathy (5F/5M; mean age=50.10 +/- 6.05 years), 10 patients with hereditary neuropathy (5F/5M; mean age=37.80 +/- 14.01 years), 18 age-and gender-matched healthy controls (eight for painful diabetic neuropathy and 10 for hereditary neuropathy) and seven diabetic controls without painful neuropathy were enrolled in the study. All subjects (n=45) underwent a 5-min resting-state scan in a 3T magnetic resonance scanner. The images were analyzed with seed-based functional connectivity method. The group-level maps of the default mode network and insula-cingulate network were identified for each group. Results: Patients with hereditary neuropathy displayed increased connectivity between left insula and left anterior cingulate cortex and inversely correlated activity between left insula and left inferior parietal lobule compared to their controls. In patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, the major findings were the increased connectivity between left anterior cingulate cortex and posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus, and the increased connectivity between medial prefrontal cortex and left medial temporal region compared to their controls. Conclusion: This study revealed that hereditary and diabetic painful neuropathy patients exhibit different patterns of functional connectivity. The clinical differences in these groups regarding the presence of neuropathic pain may relate to this difference in cortical organization.Wo

Congenital Mirror Movements In Gorlin Syndrome: A Case Report With Dti And Functional Mri Features

Congenital mirror movements are rare conditions that define the inability to perform unimanual movements. Gorlin syndrome, also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is a genetic disorder with multiple nevi predisposing to basal cell carcinoma, odontogenic keratocysts, and skeletal malformations. Herein we report on an adolescent patient with Gorlin syndrome and coexisting congenital mirror movements. To our knowledge, this is the first patient in the literature who has both of these very rare conditions.WoSScopu

Giant Cell Myositis Associated With Myasthenia Gravis And Thymoma

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