A Primary Role for Nucleus Accumbens and Related Limbic Network in Vocal Tics

トゥレット障害の発症メカニズム解明に新展開 --音声チック症状を呈する霊長類モデルを開発--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2016-01-21.Inappropriate vocal expressions, e.g., vocal tics in Tourette syndrome, severely impact quality of life. Neural mechanisms underlying vocal tics remain unexplored because no established animal model representing the condition exists. We report that unilateral disinhibition of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) generates vocal tics in monkeys. Whole-brain PET imaging identified prominent, bilateral limbic cortico-subcortical activation. Local field potentials (LFPs) developed abnormal spikes in the NAc and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Vocalization could occur without obvious LFP spikes, however, when phase-phase coupling of alpha oscillations were accentuated between the NAc, ACC, and the primary motor cortex. These findings contrasted with myoclonic motor tics induced by disinhibition of the dorsolateral putamen, where PET activity was confined to the ipsilateral sensorimotor system and LFP spikes always preceded motor tics. We propose that vocal tics emerge as a consequence of dysrhythmic alpha coupling between critical nodes in the limbic and motor networks

Crystal Structure Analysis of C60 Low Temperature Phase by Electron Crystallography with Cryo-TEM (STATES AND STRUCTURES-Crystal Information Analysis)

The crystal structure of C60 at liquid helium temperature was examined by electron diffraction method using an imaging plate and cryo-TEM. The R factor could be reduced to a certain amount by assuming a multi-component crystal. Disorder in the crystal might be an important factor as well as dynamical scattering effect to be considered in electron crystallography for analyzing structures of thin crystals

Polymerization Process of 1,6-di(N-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadiyne Epitaxially Grown Films Studied by Cryo-TEM (STATES NAD STRUCTURES-Crystal Information Analysis)

Thin films of 1,6-di(N-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadiyne (DCHD) grown epitaxially on (0 0 1) surface of KCl through vacuum-deposition were examined on their polymerization process induced by heat treatment. The structural changes due to polymerization in the films were investigated by electron diffraction and high resolution (HREM) cryo-TEM

Cognitive and physical benefits of a game‐like dual‐task exercise among the oldest nursing home residents in Japan

Abstract Introduction Dual‐task (DT) exercise can act as a substitute, which can help improve both physical and cognitive functions. Thus, this study investigated the effects of a game‐like cognitive DT exercise called “Synapsology” (SYNAP) among the oldest residents of a nursing home. Methods Participants (aged 85–97 years) were assigned to the intervention group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 12). The intervention group underwent 60‐minute sessions, twice a week for 24 weeks. Results A comparison of the Mini‐Mental State Examination scores and six physical function tests, before and after the intervention, shows that the SYNAP had a positive impact on the cognitive and physical functions among the intervention group. Discussion These findings suggest that SYNAP may help maintain or improve cognitive and physical functions among older adults compared to no interventions. Therefore, SYNAP would act as a beneficial tool amidst a “superaging” society like Japan