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Embedding Ethics in Neural Engineering
Published in Evelyn Brister, Robert Frodeman, A Guide to Field Philosophy, 2020
For example, we ran an early focus group that looked at BCI-controlled exoskeletons, BCI-controlled prosthetics, and the possibility of reanimation of limbs through BCI control. Shortly afterwards, a site visit team encouraged the Center to eliminate the focus on the first two possibilities, given competing work at different institutions. A different site visit team pushed the leadership to better define the Center’s “product,” which led to a move toward “design principles for bidirectional BCI” as opposed to specific devices. In recent years, the focus has shifted to “engineered neural plasticity” as a goal, with different fundamental research groups defined and brought on board. Not all of these changes were drastic, of course, but responding to the pressures to shift in different directions, because of the recommendations of the funders, required flexibility and willingness to adapt on the fly. A project that uses the “old” Center language—e.g., a study looking at how BCI is depicted in the media, as a way to assess how prospective neural device users are likely to think about BCI when they consider entering a research study—might appear out of place within a year due to a shift from “BCI” to “neural devices” more generally (e.g., to capture the spinal stimulation work done by a PI working with human subjects).
Post-traumatic cognitive dysfunction
Published in Hemanshu Prabhakar, Charu Mahajan, Indu Kapoor, Essentials of Anesthesia for Neurotrauma, 2018
Ashima Nehra, Manju Mohanty, Shivani Sharma
The survivors of TBI often have residual deficits in physical functioning that are visible and well accepted by the patients and family. But the cognitive and psychological deficits often remain unrecognized, hence, they significantly impact the quality of life and return to premorbid level of functioning. Therefore, it is essential to develop efficacious programs for prevention and intervention. In recent years neuropsychological rehabilitation has gained importance as a method that has proven to be efficacious.49 It not only addresses the issue of cognitive deficits, but also focus on emotional and behavioral consequences. The role of neuronal plasticity is well recognized and allows the neurons in the brain to compensate for injury and adapt to their environment. Zangwill described three processes of rehabilitation; restoration, substitution, and compensation. Restoration refers to the process of restoring lost or impaired functions; substitution refers to replacing impaired functions by alternate functional strategies; while compensation requires using external sources that help to overcome limitations to a certain extent.50
The Role of Epigenetics
Published in Dr. Ather Muneer, Mood Disorders, 2018
Neuronal plasticity alludes to an array of mechanisms fundamental for brain functioning and represents the ability of this organ to perceive, adapt and respond to a range of internal and external stimuli. It is surmised that such mechanisms may be flawed in major psychiatric disorders and this defect may ultimately increase disease vulnerability.38
An overview of the pharmacotherapeutics for dystonia: advances over the past decade
Published in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2022
O. Abu-hadid, J. Jimenez-Shahed
One of the most interesting hypotheses is that dystonia is a disorder of sensorimotor processing [142]. This concept has gained popularity due to dystonia exacerbation when performing tasks in a ‘particular’ fashion and significant reduction when performing a similar task in a ‘different’ fashion. Further support relates to the frequent presence of certain sensory tricks that can alleviate motor symptoms. Using this concept, pharmacotherapeutics that influence neural plasticity by modulating long-term depression and/or potentiation should be considered. Understanding of the alterations in various sensory modalities that are seen in dystonia has led to evaluating the role of intrafusal muscle spindles, their sensory afferents, and the gamma motor neuron that innervates them. Interestingly, botulinum toxin acts on the neuromuscular junctions of the gamma motor neurons in a similar fashion to how it acts on the alpha motor neurons, implying that botulinum toxin could have a role beyond weakening neuromuscular transmission of extrafusal muscle fibers. Indeed, intramuscular botulinum toxin has been shown in several human studies to alter central sensorimotor processing thereby possibly correcting maladaptive plastic changes [143]. This is postulated to occur either by altering peripheral sensory input to the central nervous system, or from retrograde transport of toxin [142,144].
Editorial to the Monographic Issue: The development of hearing and language during the first years of life
Published in Hearing, Balance and Communication, 2022
Judit Gervain, Patrizia Trevisi
Cross-fertilization between the two research areas is thus timely and has the potential to break new ground in basic research as well as to advance applied, clinical and translational research with a highly positive impact on society. Recent technological advances in both auditory prosthetics and neuroscience have paved the way for this interdisciplinary and synergistic approach. Cochlear implanting, for instance, has provided an unprecedented window into the plasticity of the auditory system and the brain, while various imaging techniques have now made it possible to track neural dynamics in response to sound with previously unequalled temporal and spatial precision both at the auditory periphery and in the central nervous system. Results obtained with these novel techniques all converge to suggest that the development of hearing as well as the development of language have critical periods early in life. Research into this unique window of neural plasticity is thus extremely important.
The fourier M2 robotic machine combined with occupational therapy on post-stroke upper limb function and independence-related quality of life: A randomized clinical trial
Published in Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 2021
Bianca Chinembiri, Zhang Ming, Shang Kai, Zhang Xiu Fang, Chen Wei
Stroke rehabilitation focuses on increasing the brain’s neural plasticity thereby accelerating limb functional recovery. Currently, OT is the mainstay rehabilitation treatment for upper limb dysfunction in post-stroke patients. The OT treatments range from table-top activities to activities of daily living (ADL) simulations under the motor control frame of reference which incorporates the Brunnstrom’s movement approach.10 In this approach, reflex synergy training is progressively applied from mass voluntary movement to normal-isolated movement over 6 stages of motor recovery.10 However, OT is limited by high treatment costs due to prolonged treatment period, increased therapist-patient exhaustion, treatment monotony, stroke heterogeneity, and limited specific treatment resources.11,12 Given the diverse clinical characteristics of stroke, it is challenging for therapists to choose optimal manual manipulation that improves the affected the upper limb.13