13 research outputs found

    Shedding light on cortical control of movement

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    Multi-channel NIRS of the primary motor cortex to discriminate hand from foot activity

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    Item does not contain fulltextThe poor spatial resolution of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) makes it difficult to distinguish two closely located cortical areas from each other. Here, a combination of multi-channel NIRS and a centre of gravity (CoG) approach (widely accepted in the field of transcranial magnetic stimulation; TMS) was used to discriminate between closely located cortical areas activated during hand and foot movements. Similarly, the possibility of separating the more anteriorly represented discrete movements from rhythmic movements was studied. Thirteen healthy right-handed subjects performed rhythmic or discrete ('task') hand or foot ('extremity') tapping. Hemodynamic responses were measured using an 8-channel NIRS setup. For oxyhemoglobin (OHb) and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb), a CoG was determined for each condition using the mean hemodynamic responses and the coordinates of the channels. Significant hemodynamic responses were found for hand and foot movements. Based on the HHb responses, the NIRS-CoG of hand movements was located 0.6 cm more laterally compared to the NIRS-CoG of foot movements. For OHb responses no difference in NIRS-CoG was found for 'extremity' nor for 'task'. This is the first NIRS study showing hemodynamic responses for isolated foot movements. Furthermore, HHb responses have the potential to be used in multi-channel NIRS experiments requiring differential activation of motor cortex areas linked to either hand or foot movements

    TMS: a navigator for NIRS of the primary motor cortex?

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    Contains fulltext : 96387.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive optical imaging technique, which is increasingly used to measure hemodynamic responses in the motor cortex. The location at which the NIRS optodes are placed on the skull is a major factor in measuring the hemodynamic responses optimally. In this study, the validity of using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in combination with a 3D motion analysis system to relocate the TMS derived position was tested. In addition, the main goal was to quantify the advantage of using TMS to locate the optimal position in relation to the most commonly used EEG C3 position. Markers were placed on the TMS coil and on the head of the subject. In eleven subjects, a TMS measurement was performed to determine the individual motor-evoked potential center-of-gravity (MEP-CoG). This procedure was repeated in nine subjects to test the validity. Subsequently, hemodynamic responses were measured at the MEP-CoG position and at the C3 position during a thumb abduction and adduction task. On average, the MEP-CoG location was located 19.2mm away from the C3 position. The reproducibility study on the MEP-CoG relocation procedure revealed no systematic relocations. No differences in early and delayed hemodynamic responses were found between the C3 and MEP-CoG position. These results indicate that using TMS for NIRS optodes positioning on the motor cortex does not result in higher hemodynamic response amplitudes. This could be explained if NIRS and TMS assess slightly different functions

    Cortical control of normal gait and precision stepping: an fNIRS study

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    Item does not contain fulltextRecently, real time imaging of the cortical control of gait became possible with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). So far, little is known about the activations of various cortical areas in more complex forms of gait, such as precision stepping. From previous work on animals and humans one would expect precision stepping to elicit extra activity in the sensorimotor cortices (S1/M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), as well as in prefrontal cortices (PFC). In the current study, hemodynamic changes in the PFC, SMA, M1, and S1 were measured with fNIRS. In contrast to previous fNIRS gait studies, the technique was optimized by the use of reference channels (to correct for superficial hemodynamic interference). Eleven subjects randomly performed ten trials of treadmill walking at 3 km/h (normal walking) and ten trials of 3 km/h treadmill walking on predefined spots for the left and right foot presented on the treadmill (precision stepping). The walking trials of approximately 35 seconds were alternated with rest periods of 25-35 seconds consisting of quiet standing. The PFC revealed profound activation just prior to the onset of both walking tasks. There was also extra activation of the PFC during the first half of the task period for precision stepping. The SMA showed mainly increased activation prior to the start of both tasks. In contrast, the sensorimotor cortex did not show a change in activation during either task as compared to a condition of standing. The SMA, M1, and S1 revealed no significant differences between normal walking and precision stepping. It was concluded that fNIRS is suited to record the planning and initiation of gait. The lack of M1/S1 activation during gait suggests that even in the current precision stepping task the control of ongoing gait depended mostly on subcortical automatisms, while motor cortex contributions did not differ between standing and walking.8 p

    Multi-channel NIRS of the primary motor cortex to discriminate hand from foot activity

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    Item does not contain fulltextThe poor spatial resolution of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) makes it difficult to distinguish two closely located cortical areas from each other. Here, a combination of multi-channel NIRS and a centre of gravity (CoG) approach (widely accepted in the field of transcranial magnetic stimulation; TMS) was used to discriminate between closely located cortical areas activated during hand and foot movements. Similarly, the possibility of separating the more anteriorly represented discrete movements from rhythmic movements was studied. Thirteen healthy right-handed subjects performed rhythmic or discrete ('task') hand or foot ('extremity') tapping. Hemodynamic responses were measured using an 8-channel NIRS setup. For oxyhemoglobin (OHb) and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb), a CoG was determined for each condition using the mean hemodynamic responses and the coordinates of the channels. Significant hemodynamic responses were found for hand and foot movements. Based on the HHb responses, the NIRS-CoG of hand movements was located 0.6 cm more laterally compared to the NIRS-CoG of foot movements. For OHb responses no difference in NIRS-CoG was found for 'extremity' nor for 'task'. This is the first NIRS study showing hemodynamic responses for isolated foot movements. Furthermore, HHb responses have the potential to be used in multi-channel NIRS experiments requiring differential activation of motor cortex areas linked to either hand or foot movements

    Preserved foot motor cortex in patients with complete spinal cord injury: a functional near-infrared spectroscopic study

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    Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Since the brain is intact, persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI) might benefit from a brain-computer interface (BCI) to improve mobility by making use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to use fNIRS to detect contralateral primary motor cortex activity during attempted foot movements in participants with complete SCI. METHODS: A 6-channel fNIRS, including 2 reference channels, measured relative concentration changes of oxy- (HbO) and deoxy-hemoglobin (HbR) in the contralateral motor cortex for the right foot. Seven subjects, studied within 18 months after injury, performed 12 trials of attempted right foot and real hand movements. RESULTS: T tests revealed significant HbO and HbR responses of the left motor cortex for attempted foot movements, but not for right hand movements. A 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a larger decrease in HbR for attempted foot movements compared to hand movements. Individual results show major interindividual differences in (number of) channels activated and the sensitive chromophore (HbR or HbO). CONCLUSIONS: On group level, activity in the motor cortex of the foot can be measured with fNIRS in patients with complete SCI during attempted foot movements and might in principle be used in future BCI studies and applications

    Foot lengthening and shortening during gait: a parameter to investigate foot function?

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    INTRODUCTION: Based on the windlass mechanism theory of Hicks, the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) flattens during weight bearing. Simultaneously, foot lengthening is expected. However, changes in foot length during gait and the influence of walking speed has not been investigated yet. METHODS: The foot length and MLA angle of 34 healthy subjects (18 males, 16 females) at 3 velocities (preferred, low (preferred -0.4 m/s) and fast (preferred +0.4 m/s) speed were investigated with a 3D motion analysis system (VICON((R))). The MLA angle was calculated as the angle between the second metatarsal head, the navicular tuberculum and the heel in the local sagittal plane. Foot length was calculated as the distance between the marker at the heel and the 2nd metatarsal head. A General Linear Model for repeated measures was used to indicate significant differences in MLA angle and foot length between different walking speeds. RESULTS: The foot lengthened during the weight acceptance phase of gait and shortened during propulsion. With increased walking speed, the foot elongated less after heel strike and shortened more during push off. The MLA angle and foot length curve were similar, except between 50% and 80% of the stance phase in which the MLA increases whereas the foot length showed a slight decrease. CONCLUSION: Foot length seems to represent the Hicks mechanism in the foot and the ability of the foot to bear weight. At higher speeds, the foot becomes relatively stiffer, presumably to act as a lever arm to provide extra propulsion

    Effect of a metatarsal pad on the forefoot during gait

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    Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Metatarsal pads are frequently prescribed for patients with metatarsalgia to reduce pain under the distal metatarsal heads. Several studies showed reduced pain and reduced plantar pressure just distal to the metatarsal pad. However, only part of the pain reduction could be explained by the decrease in plantar pressure under the forefoot. Therefore, an alternative hypothesis is proposed that pain relief is related to a widening of the foot and the creation of extra space between the metatarsal heads. This study focused on the effect of a metatarsal pad on the geometry of the forefoot by studying forefoot width and the height of the second metatarsal head. METHODS: Using a motion analysis system, 16 primary metatarsalgia feet and 12 control feet were measured when walking with and without a metatarsal pad. RESULTS: A significant mean increase of 0.60 mm in forefoot width during the stance phase was found when a metatarsal pad was worn. During midstance, the mean increase in forefoot width was 0.74 mm. In addition, walking with a metatarsal pad revealed an increase in the height of the second metatarsal head (mean, 0.62 mm). No differences were found between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of increased forefoot width and the height of the second metatarsal head produced by the metatarsal pad results in an increase in space between the metatarsal heads. This extra space could play a role in pain reduction produced by a metatarsal pad

    Midterm survival analysis of a cemented dual-mobility cup combined with bone impaction grafting in 102 revision hip arthroplasties.

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    Item does not contain fulltextINTRODUCTION: Revision hip arthroplasty is associated with higher dislocation rates than primary hip arthroplasty. A dual-mobility cup (DMC) can reduce this risk. Another problem is destruction of the acetabulum, induced by aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. Bone impaction grafting (BIG) can be used to reconstruct these defects, but is usually performed with cemented all polyethylene cups. The purpose of this study is to evaluate midterm cup survival and dislocation rate for the combination of BIG and DMC. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2013, 96 patients received 102 DMCs combined with BIG of the acetabulum during revision surgery. These data were first compared with a control group, consisting of 59 cases from the same hospital receiving a cemented all polyethylene cup combined with BIG. In addition, the control group was expanded with 41 cases operated on in 2007 in 'an orthopaedic centre of excellence', resulting in a 'combined control group' of 100 patients. Log-rank tests and chi-square tests were used to compare survival and dislocation rates, respectively. RESULTS: Cumulative survival of the DMC was 95.8% (range 3 months-7 years). This was comparable to the survival in the control groups (96.5% and 94.7%). The dislocation rate of 2.9% (3/102) in the dual-mobility group was lower (p = 0.02) compared to the dislocation rate of 11.8% (7/59) in the control group, but not (p = 0.12) compared to 8% in the combined control group (8/100). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that combining a DMC with BIG does not compromise outcome in terms of midterm survival of the cup.1 maart 201
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