JNP Podcasts: Recent Episodes
jneurophysiol
In this episode, coauthor Mélanie Henry highlights the findings of the newly published study, “Influence of Age and Feedback Modality on the Proprioceptive Sense of Force: Insights from Motor Unit Recordings.” She discusses how different types of feedback—auditory vs. visual—affect force-reproduction accuracy across age groups. Surprisingly, middle-aged and older adults performed better with auditory feedback, an improvement linked to increased motor unit coherence in the beta band. Tune in to explore how aging influences proprioception, how the brain adapts to different sensory inputs, and what this means for motor control and rehabilitation strategies.
Influence of age and feedback modality on the proprioceptive sense of force: insights from motor unit recordingsMélanie Henry, Abdulkerim Darendeli, Taylor Tvrdy, Sajjad Daneshgar, and Roger M. EnokaJournal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:4, 1103-1115
In this episode, coauthor Gretchen Seif discusses her recently published study, “Neurophysiological Effects of Latent Trigger Point Dry Needling on Spinal Reflexes.” Dive into the fascinating world of deep dry needling (DDN) as she highlights its impact on spinal reflexes in the triceps surae. Dr. Seif breaks down the study's key findings—including unchanged H reflex responses and increased soleus inhibition immediately and 72 hours post-DDN—along with the observed gains in ankle range of motion. Learn how these differential effects on excitatory and inhibitory reflexes reveal the complex spinal-level mechanisms of DDN and what it could mean for clinical practice.
Neurophysiological effects of latent trigger point dry needling on spinal reflexesGretchen Seif, Alan M. Phipps, Joseph M. Donnelly, Blair H. S. Dellenbach, and Aiko K. ThompsonJournal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:1, 288-298
In this episode, coauthor Karoline Martins dos Santos discusses the recently published research, "Insulin activates parasympathetic hepatic-related neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus through mTOR signaling." The study investigates the complex role of insulin in regulating hepatic glucose production, focusing on how insulin influences specific brain regions. While it's known that insulin reduces liver glucose production, the precise mechanisms and brain areas involved have remained unclear. Dr. Martins dos Santos explains how insulin activates parasympathetic hepatic-related neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVNhepatic) and how this process relies on mTOR signaling.
Insulin activates parasympathetic hepatic-related neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus through mTOR signalingKaroline Martins dos Santos, Sandy E. Saunders, Vagner R. Antunes, and Carie R. BoychukJournal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:1, 320-332
In this episode, coauthor Lei Zhang explores the research titled "Estimating descending activation patterns from EMG in fast and slow movements using a model of the stretch reflex." Lei introduces a novel method that directly estimates descending activation from electromyographic (EMG) signals and arm kinematics by inverting a model of the spinal stretch reflex—without relying on muscle models or an arm dynamics model. This innovative approach uncovers how movement speed influences the time structure of descending activation, while also highlighting the crucial role of the spinal stretch reflex in movement generation.
Estimating descending activation patterns from EMG in fast and slow movements using a model of the stretch reflexLei Zhang and Gregor SchönerJournal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:1, 162-176
In this episode, coauthor Megan Goar discusses the recently published research titled "Light touch alters vestibular-evoked balance responses: insights into dynamics of sensorimotor reweighting." The research uncovers how minimal fingertip contact (light touch) during balance tasks can reduce the impact of electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) on body sway. Not only does this touch alter sway magnitude, but it also reveals a high-frequency center of pressure element, tied to vestibular inputs, that is typically unseen in free-standing postures. Ms. Goar explains how these findings highlight the central nervous system’s remarkable ability to adaptively reweight sensorimotor processes to optimize balance control.
Light touch alters vestibular-evoked balance responses: insights into dynamics of sensorimotor reweightingMegan H. Goar, Michael Barnett-Cowan, and Brian C. HorslenJournal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:1, 142-161
In this episode, coauthor Ernesto Bedoy discusses their recently published research, "Improving Localization and Measurements of M-Waves Using High-Density Surface Electromyography." The study presents an innovative approach to enhancing the measurement of evoked potentials through high-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG). By incorporating spatial filters and ultrasound imaging, the research significantly improves the precision and localization of evoked potentials, providing a more accurate method for assessing motor pathway integrity. These advancements hold promise for developing better tools to detect and treat neurological deficits, offering a significant contribution to the field of neurophysiological research.
Improving localization and measurements of M-waves using high-density surface electromyographyErnesto H. Bedoy, Efrain A. Guirola Diaz, Ashley N. Dalrymple, Isaiah Levy, Thomas Hyatt, Darcy M. Griffin, George F. Wittenberg, and Douglas J. WeberJournal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:1, 299-309
In this episode, coauthor Obaid U. Khurram discusses their recently published research, "Hypercapnia Impacts Neural Drive and Timing of Diaphragm Neuromotor Control." The study explores the complex neuromotor control of the diaphragm muscle (DIAm) under hypercapnic conditions, an area that has not been fully understood. Dr. Khurram explains how hypercapnia increases motor unit recruitment and discharge rates, indicating an enhanced respiratory drive. The research also reveals how hypercapnia affects the postinspiratory (descending) ramp of diaphragm EMG activity, shortening it to facilitate faster respiratory rates. Tune in for valuable insights into the physiological mechanisms of diaphragm function and adaptation in response to elevated carbon dioxide levels.
Hypercapnia impacts neural drive and timing of diaphragm neuromotor controlObaid U. Khurram, Maximilian J. Kantor-Gerber, Carlos B. Mantilla, and Gary C. SieckJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:6, 1966-1976
In this episode, coauthors Maria Knikou and Abdullah M. Sayed Ahmad discuss their research on "Transspinal stimulation downregulates flexion reflex pathways during walking in healthy humans." The study investigates how transspinal stimulation over the thoracolumbar region affects reflex pathways during walking, revealing its ability to suppress the tibialis anterior flexion reflex at varying frequencies (15, 30, and 50 Hz).
Transspinal stimulation downregulates flexion reflex pathways during walking in healthy humansMaria Knikou and Abdullah M. Sayed AhmadJournal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:2, 530-538
In this episode, coauthor Arun V. Krishnan highlights the article titled "Impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on axonal function in diabetic peripheral neuropathy." Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is known to be relentlessly progressive and irreversible. Prospective studies in 24 participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) demonstrated improvements in clinical neuropathy scores, nerve conduction studies, and axonal excitability recordings. Analysis of axonal excitability recordings revealed the mechanism for GLP-1RA improvement in DPN were changed consistent with improvements in Na+/K+–ATPase pump function, and this was supported by mathematical modeling.
Impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on axonal function in diabetic peripheral neuropathyRoshan Dhanapalaratnam, Tushar Issar, Ann M. Poynten, Kerry-Lee Milner, Natalie C. G. Kwai, and Arun V. KrishnanJournal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:1, 14-21
Join coauthors Rika Dimitrova and Kaymie Shiozawa in this podcast where they dive deep into their research on human balance control. In this episode, they explore the insights of three papers: "Frequency-domain patterns in foot-force line-of-action: an emergent property of standing balance control," "Human foot force suggests different balance control between younger and older adults," and "Human foot force informs balance control strategies when standing on a narrow beam."
Their work uncovers a novel, closed-form analytical result that links the frequency-domain patterns of foot force to the body’s neuromotor control during quiet standing. The podcast delves into the complexities of balance control in different age groups, demonstrating how older adults adapt their balance strategies to compensate for muscle weakness, relying more on neural feedback. With a focus on foot-ground force interactions, the duo breaks down how these findings can provide a new balance assessment tool, highlighting its significance in both research and real-world applications.
Additionally, Dr. Sugimoto-Dimitrova and Dr. Shiozawa discuss the challenges of maintaining balance in more demanding conditions—such as standing on a narrow beam—and explore how biomechanics and neural control work together to stabilize the body.
Frequency-domain patterns in foot-force line-of-action: an emergent property of standing balance controlRika Sugimoto-Dimitrova, Kaymie Shiozawa, Kreg G. Gruben, and Neville HoganJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:5, 1445-1456
Human foot force suggests different balance control between younger and older adultsKaymie Shiozawa, Rika Sugimoto-Dimitrova, Kreg G. Gruben, and Neville HoganJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:5, 1457-1469
Human foot force informs balance control strategies when standing on a narrow beamKaymie Shiozawa, Marta Russo, Jongwoo Lee, Neville Hogan, and Dagmar SternadJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:4, 1302-1314
In this episode of the Journal of Neurophysiology's Podcast Series, coauthor Igor A. Fernandes discusses the research titled "Does a Single Oral Administration of Amiloride Affect Spontaneous Arterial Baroreflex Sensitivity and Blood Pressure Variability in Healthy Young Adults?" This study builds on preclinical models that suggest amiloride (AMD), a nonselective antagonist of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), may impair baroreflex sensitivity and disrupt blood pressure regulation. Igor explains how the research team translated these findings to human subjects, investigating the effects of acute oral ingestion of AMD on blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity in healthy young adults. Surprisingly, the study found that, contrary to preclinical evidence, AMD did not impair spontaneous arterial baroreflex sensitivity or blood pressure variability in humans. Tune in to explore the implications of these findings for understanding blood pressure regulation and the role of ASICs in humans. Does a single oral administration of amiloride affect spontaneous arterial baroreflex sensitivity and blood pressure variability in healthy young adults?Igor A. Fernandes, Jon Stavres, Takuto Hamaoka, Qudus A. Ojikutu, Jeann L. Sabino-Carvalho, Lauro C. Vianna, J. Carter Luck, Cheryl Blaha, Aimee E. Cauffman, Paul C. Dalton, Michael D. Herr, Victor Ruiz-Velasco, Zyad J. Carr, Piotr K. Janicki, and Jian CuiJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:3, 922-928
In this episode of the Journal of Neurophysiology's Podcast Series, coauthor Caroline Simpkins discusses the research titled "Ballet Practice Improves Neuromuscular and Biomechanical Responses to an Unexpected Standing-Slip in Older Adults." This study is the first to examine how older ballet dancers respond to an unexpected external slip while standing. Caroline shares fascinating findings that reveal how older ballet dancers have a reduced fall risk compared to their nondancer peers. This improved stability is attributed to quicker neuromuscular reactions, allowing dancers to execute a more effective recovery step and maintain greater balance against backward falls. Tune in to learn how ballet practice can enhance balance and reduce fall risk in older adults. Ballet practice improves neuromuscular and biomechanical responses to an unexpected standing-slip in older adultsCaroline Simpkins and Feng YangJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:4, 1115-1125
In this episode of the Journal of Neurophysiology's Podcast Series, coauthor Natasha G. Boyes delves into her recently published research, "Interaction of Simultaneous Hypoxia and Baroreflex Loading on Control of Sympathetic Action Potential Subpopulations." This study explores the complex interaction between baroreflex loading and peripheral chemoreflex activation in regulating the sympathetic nervous system. Dr. Boyes explains how chemoreflex activation buffers baroreflex-induced reductions in sympathetic activity and reveals that baroreflex loading significantly alters sympathetic action potential clusters, even in the presence of chemoreflex signals. Tune in to hear how this research provides new insights into the dominant role of the arterial baroreflex in controlling medium-sized sympathetic neurons amidst competing stressors. Interaction of simultaneous hypoxia and baroreflex loading on control of sympathetic action potential subpopulationsNatasha G. Boyes, Stephen A. Klassen, Sarah E. Baker, Wayne T. Nicholson, Michael J. Joyner, J. Kevin Shoemaker, and Jacqueline K. LimbergJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:3, 1087-1097
In this episode, coauthors Andriy S. Kozlov, Johnny Reilly, and John D. Goodwin discuss their recently published research titled "Bidirectional Generative Adversarial Representation Learning for Natural Stimulus Synthesis." The authors introduce a groundbreaking artificial neural network that generates animal vocalization waveforms and interpolates between them to create new, realistic vocalizations. The team shares how their synthetic stimuli drive auditory cortical neurons in mice just as effectively as natural vocalizations, producing receptive field features with equal predictive power. Tune in as Andriy, Johnny, and John explain the significance of their findings and the potential implications of this innovative technology for sensory neuroscience.
Bidirectional generative adversarial representation learning for natural stimulus synthesisJohnny Reilly, John D. Goodwin, Sihao Lu, and Andriy S. KozlovJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:4, 1156-1169
In this episode, coauthor Jonathan M. Wood provides an in-depth overview of the recently published research titled "Explicit and Implicit Locomotor Learning in Individuals with Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke." The study explores how motor learning, which involves both implicit and explicit processes, is affected in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. These two types of learning, which typically work together in daily life and rehabilitation, may be disrupted after a stroke. Using a locomotor task designed to isolate contributions from both processes, alongside computational modeling, the research reveals that chronic stroke leads to deficits in both explicit and implicit locomotor learning. Join Jonathan as he discusses the findings and their implications for understanding motor recovery post-stroke. Explicit and implicit locomotor learning in individuals with chronic hemiparetic strokeJonathan M. Wood, Elizabeth Thompson, Henry Wright, Liam Festa, Susanne M. Morton, Darcy S. Reisman, and Hyosub E. KimJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:4, 1172-1182
In this JNP MicroPodcast, Yuan Zhang highlights the recently published research titled "The Execution of Saccadic Eye Movements Suppresses Visual Processing of Both Color and Luminance in the Early Visual Cortex of Humans." The study reveals how saccadic eye movements—rapid shifts in eye position—suppress the processing of both luminance and chromatic stimuli in the early visual cortex. Yuan breaks down how the research uses a contrast response model to show that saccades reduce response gain, rather than altering contrast gain, pointing to a multiplicative mechanism that affects both the parvocellular and magnocellular pathways. Tune in for a concise overview of these intriguing findings and their implications for visual processing.
The execution of saccadic eye movements suppresses visual processing of both color and luminance in the early visual cortex of humansYuan Zhang, Matteo Valsecchi, Karl R. Gegenfurtner, and Jing ChenJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:6, 1156-1167
In this episode of the JNP Micro Podcast series, coauthor Yiwei D. Gong sheds light on their Editorial Focus regarding the research titled "Dorsomedial Hypothalamus-Raphe Pallidus-Cardiac Sympathetic Pathway Mediates Electroacupuncture Intervention of Stress-Induced Tachycardia" by Wang et al. This important study addresses the management of chronic stress—an area with significant treatment gaps that can contribute to tachycardia. Yiwei discusses how lifestyle therapies like meditation, physical activity, and neurostimulation through electroacupuncture can help manage prodromal symptoms and reduce elevated sympathetic tone. By confirming the effects of electroacupuncture on heart rate in humans, this research holds potential clinical relevance for preventing chronic tachycardia, which could ultimately impact conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy.
Does electroacupuncture reducing heart rate rebalance autonomic nervous system?Stephanie C. Tjen-A-Looi, Yiwei D. Gong, and Shaista MalikJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:5, 945-947
Join coauthor Carlos A. Velázquez-Vargas in this insightful episode as he delves into the research titled "Working Memory Constraints for Visuomotor Retrieval Strategies." Discover how humans adapt to feedback perturbations in various visuomotor rotation tasks by tapping into their working memory for successful solutions. Carlos explains the use of a Bayesian latent-mixture model to uncover the impact of guessing and low-precision memories on performance as the number of memorized solutions increases. Tune in to learn how extended practice can help overcome these constraints by enhancing long-term memory retrieval, paving the way for improved visuomotor skills.
Working memory constraints for visuomotor retrieval strategiesCarlos A. Velázquez-Vargas and Jordan A. TaylorJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:2, 347-361
In this episode, coauthor James A. Jones dives into the study titled "Comparison of unitary synaptic currents generated by indirect and direct pathway neurons of the mouse striatum." This research is notable as it’s the first to examine synaptic currents from single identified direct and indirect pathway striatal neurons targeting individual globus pallidus externus (GPe) neurons.
Jones highlights how each GPe neuron integrates inputs from both pathways, revealing that while most striatal neurons generate relatively small synaptic currents, a subset is powerful enough to make a significant impact on GPe activity. This finding underscores the collective influence of striatal neurons and raises intriguing questions about the dynamics of synaptic transmission in basal ganglia circuits. The implications for understanding movement and behavioral control are profound, making this study a crucial addition to the field.
Article Citation:
Comparison of unitary synaptic currents generated by indirect and direct pathway neurons of the mouse striatumJames A. Jones, Jacob Peña, Rostislav I. Likhotvorik, Brandon I. Garcia-Castañeda, and Charles J. WilsonJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:5, 914-936
In this podcast coauthor Kripa Chitre discusses the recently published article titled "Beadex, the Drosophila LIM only protein, is required for the growth of the larval neuromuscular junction." A novel role for Beadex (Bx) regulates the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structure and function in a tissue-specific manner. Bx is expressed in a subset of Toll-6-expressing neurons and is involved in regulating synaptic span and physiology, possibly through its negative interaction with Highwire (Hiw). The findings of this study provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying NMJ development and function and warrant further investigation to understand the role of Bx in these processes fully.
Article Citation:Beadex, the Drosophila LIM only protein, is required for the growth of the larval neuromuscular junctionKripa Chitre, Subhash Kairamkonda, Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Saumitra Yadav, Vimlesh Kumar, Sujit K. Sikdar, and Upendra NongthombaJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:2, 418-432
In this podcast, coauthor Alden Shoup dives into the methods and resources outlined in their paper "Rejuvenating silicon probes for acute neurophysiology." Discover how they are tackling the issue of degraded probe performance and providing a solution to extend their lifespan.
Article Citation:
Rejuvenating silicon probes for acute neurophysiologyAlden M. Shoup, Natasha Porwal, Mohammad Amin Fakharian, Paul Hage, Simon P. Orozco, and Reza ShadmehrJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:1, 308-315
In this podcast, author Hellen Kyler delves into her mini-review article on the multisensory and multidimensional nature of object representation. Explore the fascinating findings from fMRI experiments and the impact of 2-D vs. 3-D objects on neural activation and behavior.
Article Citation:
The multisensory and multidimensional nature of object representationHellen KylerJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:1, 130-133
In this podcast, coauthor Mohamed H. Mousa highlights the newly published research titled "Onion skin is not a universal firing pattern for spinal motoneurons: simulation study." The study reports two contrasting schemes, namely the "onion skin" and the "AHP" regarding the relationship between MUs firing rates and recruitment order. Previous studies have examined these schemes phenomenologically, imposing one scheme on the firing-recruitment relationship. Here, the authors employed a high-fidelity computational model that prioritizes biological fidelity and heterogeneity to investigate motoneuron firing schemes without bias towards either scheme. Their objective findings offer an explanation for the longstanding dichotomy on MU firing patterns.
Article Citation:
Onion skin is not a universal firing pattern for spinal motoneurons: simulation studyMohamed H. Mousa, Nathan P. Wages, and Sherif M. ElbasiounyJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:1, 240-258
In this episode, Savanna-Rae H. Fahoum discusses the recently published research titled "Neuropeptide Modulation of Bidirectional Internetwork Synapses" where they used rhythmic neuronal networks in the crab to study internetwork interactions. Neuromodulation can enable neurons to simultaneously coordinate with separate networks. Both recruitment into and coordination with, a second network can occur via modulation of internetwork synapses. Alternatively, recruitment can occur via modulation of intrinsic ionic currents. Savanna-Rae H. Fahoum and Dawn M. Blitz find that the same neuropeptide previously determined to modulate intrinsic currents also modulates bidirectional internetwork synapses that are typically ineffective. Thus, complementary modulatory peptide actions enable recruitment, and coordination of a neuron into a second network.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00149.2024
In this episode, Justin W. Andrushko discusses the recently published research titled "Activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales with handgrip force in humans." In this study, the authors used a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm to show that activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales linearly with increasing force during a handgrip task. These findings directly support recently proposed hypotheses that the reticulospinal tract may play an important role in modulating force production in humans.
Article Citation:
Activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales with handgrip force in humansTyler L. Danielson, Layla A. Gould, Jason M. DeFreitas, Rob J. MacLennan, Chelsea Ekstrand, Ron Borowsky, Jonathan P. Farthing, and Justin W. AndrushkoJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:5, 807-814
In this episode of JNP's micro podcasts, Jessica R. Whitaker-Fornek of the University of Michigan Medical School discusses the recently published research titled "Inhibitory synaptic transmission is impaired in the Kölliker-Fuse of male, but not female, Rett syndrome mice."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Kölliker-Fuse (KF) neurons in acute brain slices from male Rett syndrome (RTT) mice receive reduced inhibitory synaptic inputs compared with wild-type littermates. In female RTT mice, inhibitory transmission was not different in KF neurons compared with controls. The results from this study show that sex-specific alterations in synaptic transmission occur in the KF of RTT mice.
Inhibitory synaptic transmission is impaired in the Kölliker-Fuse of male, but not female, Rett syndrome miceJessica R. Whitaker-Fornek, Paul M. Jenkins, and Erica S. LevittJournal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:6, 1578-1587
In this episode Mark F. Walker of Case Western Reserve University, discusses the recently published research titled "Short-term learning of the vestibulo-ocular reflex induced by a custom interactive computer game."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of a customized computer game to induce motor learning in the high-frequency rotational vestibulo-ocular reflex. It provides a physiological basis for the deployment of this technology to clinical vestibular rehabilitation.
Article Citation:
Short-term learning of the vestibulo-ocular reflex induced by a custom interactive computer gameQi Li, Honglu Xu, Weicong Chen, Andrew Su, Michael J. Fu, and Mark F. WalkerJournal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:1, 16-27
In this podcast Brittany Heintz Walters of Seattle University discusses the recently published research titled "Visual feedback and declines in attention are associated with altered visual strategy during a force-steadiness task in older adults."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study contributes novel findings of age-related changes in visual strategy and associations with attentional deficits during hand motor tasks. Older adults used fewer saccades than young adults and with higher versus lower gain visual feedback during a force-steadiness task. A subset of older adults used an altered visual strategy when allocating attention across multiple tasks. Given that this subset demonstrated attentional deficits, the altered visual strategy could serve to indicate motor and/or cognitive impairments.
Article Citation:
Visual feedback and declines in attention are associated with altered visual strategy during a force-steadiness task in older adultsBrittany Heintz Walters, Wendy E. Huddleston, Kristian O’Connor, Jinsung Wang, Marie Hoeger Bement, and Kevin G. KeenanJournal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:5, 1309-1320
In this podcast Dr. Peka Christova of The Neuroimaging Research Group, Brain Sciences Center discusses the recently published Short Report titled "Changes of gray matter volumes of subcortical regions across the lifespan: a Human Connectome Project study."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Christova et al. report mixed effects of age on subcortical grey matter volume (GMV) during lifespan (n = 2458, 5-90 yr old, 1113 male, 1345 female). Striatal and cerebellar GMVs decreased linearly with age, more steeply in males. In contrast, GMVs of the amygdala, pallidum, thalamus, ventral diencephalon, and brainstem changed in a quadratic fashion, increasing first and decreasing afterward, with males peaking earlier than females in all regions but the brainstem where they peaked at nearly the same time.
Article Citation:
Changes of gray matter volumes of subcortical regions across the lifespan: a Human Connectome Project studyPeka Christova and Apostolos P. GeorgopoulosJournal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:5, 1303-1308
In this episode, Lydiane Lauzier of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi discusses the recently published article “Variation of corticospinal excitability during kinesthetic illusion induced by musculotendinous vibration.”
New and Noteworthy:
The modulation of corticospinal excitability when perceiving a vibration (VIB)-induced kinesthetic illusion evolves dynamically over time. This modulation might be linked to the delayed occurrence and progressive increase in strength of the illusory perception in the first seconds after VIB start. Different spinal/cortical mechanisms could be at play during VIB, depending on the tested muscle, presence/absence of an illusion, and the specific timing at which corticospinal drive is tested pre/post VIB.
Article Citation:
Variation of corticospinal excitability during kinesthetic illusion induced by musculotendinous vibration
Lydiane Lauzier, Marie-Pier Perron, Laurence Munger, Émilie Bouchard, Jacques Abboud, François Nougarou, and Louis-David Beaulieu
Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:5, 1118-1125
In this podcast, author Jian Carlo Nocon (Boston University) discusses the recently published research titled "A robust and compact population code for competing sounds in auditory cortex."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY
Little is known about how populations of neurons within cortical circuits encode sensory stimuli in the presence of competing stimuli at other spatial locations. Here, the authors investigate this problem in auditory cortex using a recently proposed information-theoretic approach. They found a small subset of neurons nearly maximizes information about target sounds in the presence of competing maskers, approaching information levels for isolated stimuli, and provides a noise-robust code for sounds in a complex auditory scene.
Article Citation:
A robust and compact population code for competing sounds in auditory cortex
Jian Carlo Nocon, Jake Witter, Howard Gritton, Xue Han, Conor Houghton, and Kamal Sen
Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:3, 775-787
In this podcast coauthor Daniel Free of Brigham Young University talks about the recently published article titled “Essential tremor accentuates the pattern of tremor-band coherence between upper limb muscles.”
NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research characterized the relationships in tremor-band activity between the 15 major superficial upper limb muscles of persons with essential tremor by quantifying the proportion of shared activity (coherence) in the tremor band and by characterizing phase differences between these muscles during various tasks. From the authors observations, they conclude that tremor enhances the coherence between muscle pairs throughout the upper limb in a pattern that reflects functional relationship between them.
Article Citation:
Essential tremor accentuates the pattern of tremor-band coherence between upper limb muscles
Daniel B. Free, Ian Syndergaard, Adam C. Pigg, Silvia Muceli, Johanna Thompson-Westra, Karin Mente, Carine W. Maurer, Dietrich Haubenberger, Mark Hallett, Dario Farina, and Steven K. Charles
Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 129:3, 524-540
In this podcast Nick Kitchen and Jisung Yuk of Pennsylvania State University discuss the recently published manuscript “Bilateral arm movements are coordinated via task-dependent negotiations between independent and codependent control, but not by a “coupling” control policy.”
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Minimization of performance and control costs and efferent coupling between bilaterally homologous muscle groups have been separately hypothesized to describe patterns of bimanual coordination. Here, we address whether the mechanisms mediating independent and codependent control between limbs can be weighted for successful task performance. Using bilaterally asymmetric visuomotor gain perturbations, we show bimanual coordination can be characterized as a negotiation along a spectrum between extremes of independent and codependent control, but not efferent control coupling.
Article Citation:
Bilateral arm movements are coordinated via task-dependent negotiations between independent and codependent control, but not by a “coupling” control policy
Nick M. Kitchen, Jisung Yuk, Andrzej Przybyla, Robert A. Scheidt, and Robert L. Sainburg
Journal of Neurophysiology
2023 130:3, 497-515
Margaret Chow and Celia Fernandez Brillet of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine discuss the recently published manuscript titled "Binocular 3-D otolith-ocular reflexes: responses of chinchillas to natural and prosthetic stimulation after ototoxic injury and vestibular implantation."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Previous studies to expand the scope of prosthetic stimulation of the otolith end organs showed that selective stimulation of the utricle and saccule is possible. This article further defines those possibilities by characterizing a diseased animal model and subsequently studying its responses to electrical stimulation alone and in combination with mechanical motion. We show that we can partially restore responses to tilt and translation in animals with unilateral gentamicin ototoxic injury and contralateral surgical disruption.
Article Citation:
Binocular 3-D otolith-ocular reflexes: responses of chinchillas to natural and prosthetic stimulation after ototoxic injury and vestibular implantation
Margaret R. Chow, Celia Fernandez Brillet, Kristin N. Hageman, Dale C. Roberts, Andrianna I. Ayiotis, Razi M. Haque, and Charles C. Della Santina
Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 129:5, 1157-1176
In this paper first author Kelly H. Lee, and Alex Prosserman, an expert in the field discuss the recently published article titled “Cholinergic depolarization recruits a persistent Ca2+ current in Aplysia bag cell neurons.”
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ionotropic acetylcholine receptors mediate brief synaptic communication, including in bag cell neurons of the sea snail Aplysia. However, this study demonstrates that cholinergic depolarization can open a voltage-gated persistent Ca2+ current, which extends the bag cell neuron response to acetylcholine. Bursting in these neuroendocrine cells results in hormone release and egg laying. Thus, this emphasizes the role of ionotropic signaling in reaching a depolarized level to engage Ca2+ influx and perpetuating the activity necessary for behavior.
Article Citation:
Cholinergic depolarization recruits a persistent Ca2+ current in Aplysia bag cell neurons
Kelly H. Lee, David E. Wassef, Eammon K. MacNeil, and Neil S. Magoski
Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 129:5, 1045-1060
In this podcast Dr. Elijah Haynes and Dr. Jennifer Jakobi of the University of British Columbia Okanagan, and Dr. Jayne Kalmar of the Wilfrid Laurier University discuss the recently published Systematic Review titled “A systematic review of how cannabinoids affect motoneuron output.” This scoping review involved the synthesis of evidence from literature published before August 2022 about the effects of cannabinoids on quantifiable measures of motoneuron output. It contributes to understanding the effects of endocannabinoids on synaptic integration at the motoneuron and modulation of motor output.
Article Citation:
A systematic review of how cannabinoids affect motoneuron output
Elijah M. K. Haynes, Jayne M. Kalmar, Mathew Vis-Dunbar, Kathryn M. Crosby, Angitha Mriduraj, and Jennifer M. Jakobi
Journal of Neurophysiology
2023 130:2, 247-263
In this podcast co lead author Alexander M. Zero of The University of Western Ontario discusses the recently published research titled "Motor unit firing rates in young and very old adult males during an isokinetic fatiguing task and short-term recovery in the anconeus muscle."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Maximal motor unit firing rates were recorded during an isokinetic fatiguing protocol and short-term recovery in young and very old adult males. Prior studies were limited to isometric fatiguing tasks. Despite the old being ∼37% weaker and less fatigable, anconeus rates during elbow extension declined with fatigue and recovered similarly to young males. Therefore, it is unlikely that greater fatigue resistance of very old males during isokinetic contractions is related to differences in motor unit rates.
Article Citation:
Motor unit firing rates in young and very old adult males during an isokinetic fatiguing task and short-term recovery in the anconeus muscleAlexander M. Zero, Eric A. Kirk, Kevin J. Gilmore, and Charles L. RiceJournal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:1, 179-188
In this podcast Robert E. Kass of Carnegie Mellon University discusses the recently published review article titled "Identification of interacting neural populations: methods and statistical considerations."
Abstract: As improved recording technologies have created new opportunities for neurophysiological investigation, emphasis has shifted from individual neurons to multiple populations that form circuits, and it has become important to provide evidence of cross-population coordinated activity. We review various methods for doing so, placing them in six major categories while avoiding technical descriptions and instead focusing on high-level motivations and concerns. Our aim is to indicate what the methods can achieve and the circumstances under which they are likely to succeed. Toward this end, we include a discussion of four cross-cutting issues: the definition of neural populations, trial-to-trial variability and Poisson-like noise, time-varying dynamics, and causality.
Article Citation:
Identification of interacting neural populations: methods and statistical considerationsRobert E. Kass, Heejong Bong, Motolani Olarinre, Qi Xin, and Konrad N. UrbanJournal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:3, 475-496
In this podcast Xiaoxuan Ren, Ilhan Bok, Adam Vareberg, and Prof. Aviad Hai of the University of Wisconsin-Madison discuss their recently published Innovative Methodology titled "Stimulation-mediated reverse engineering of silent neural networks."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY We introduce a new concept for reverse engineering silent neuronal networks using a supervised learning algorithm combined with stimulation. We quantify the performance of the algorithm and the precision of deriving synaptic weights in inhibitory and excitatory subpopulations. We then show that stimulation enables deciphering connectivity of heterogeneous circuits fed with real electrode array recordings, which could extend in the future to deciphering connectivity in broad biological and artificial neural networks.
Article Citation:
Stimulation-mediated reverse engineering of silent neural networks Xiaoxuan Ren, Ilhan Bok, Adam Vareberg, and Aviad Hai Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 129:6, 1505-1514
In our latest podcast Prof. Apostolos P. Georgopoulos discusses recently published Short Report titled "Changes of cortical gray matter volume during development: a Human Connectome Project study."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY We report mixed effects of age on cortical gray matter volume during development in a large sample of 649 participants studied in an identical manner (6–21 yr old, 299 males, 350 females). Volumes of 30/35 cortical areas decreased with age, temporal pole increased, and pericalcarine and hippocampal cortex (hippocampus, parahippocampal, and entorhinal) did not change. These findings were very similar in both sexes and provide a solid base for assessing region-specific cortical changes during development.
Article Citation:
Changes of cortical gray matter volume during development: a Human Connectome Project study Peka Christova and Apostolos P. Georgopoulos Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:1, 117-122
In this podcast Dr. Todd Silverstein of Willamette University discusses his recently published review titled "Lee’s “Transmembrane Electrostatically-Localized Proton” model does NOT offer a better understanding of neuronal transmembrane potentials."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this manuscript I critique a 2020 J. Neurophysiol. paper by James W. Lee. His TELP hypothesis 1) mispredicts the resting neuron’s excess of external chloride; 2) predicts the preponderance of surface H+ over Na+ using ΔG° rather than ΔG; 3) mispredicts the dependence of the neuronal resting potential on external [Na+], [K+], and [Cl−]; 4) neither cites experimental results nor proposes experiments to test his hypothesis; and 5) presents a problematic characterization of the purpose of myelin.
Article Citation:
Lee’s “Transmembrane Electrostatically-Localized Proton” model does NOT offer a better understanding of neuronal transmembrane potentials Todd P. Silverstein Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:1, 123-127
In this micro podcast Mitchell Adrien St. Pierre and Minoru Shinohara of the Georgia Institute of Technology discuss their recently published manuscript "Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation at nonspecific timings during training can compromise motor adaptation in healthy humans."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Adding vagus nerve stimulation via implanted electrodes during motor training can facilitate motor recovery in disabled animals and humans. No study examined the effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) during training on neuromotor adaptation in healthy humans. We have found that adding tVNS at nonspecific timings during motor skill training can compromise motor adaptation but not transfer in healthy humans.
Article Citation:
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation at nonspecific timings during training can compromise motor adaptation in healthy humans Mitchell Adrien St. Pierre and Minoru Shinohara Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:1, 212-223
In this micro podcast Dr. Tea Lulic-Kuryllo and Dr. David Lipps of the University of Michigan discuss their recently published research titled "Assessing shoulder muscle stretch reflexes following breast cancer treatment and postmastectomy breast reconstruction."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Shoulder muscle stretch reflexes may be impacted following postmastectomy breast reconstruction and chemoradiation. Here, we examined short- and long-latency shoulder muscle stretch reflexes in two experiments following common breast reconstruction procedures and chemoradiation. We show impairments in pectoralis major stretch reflexes following postmastectomy breast reconstruction and pectoralis major and deltoid muscle stretch reflexes following chemoradiation. These findings indicate that breast cancer treatments alter the regulation of shoulder muscle stretch reflexes.
Citation
Assessing shoulder muscle stretch reflexes following breast cancer treatment and postmastectomy breast reconstruction Tea Lulic-Kuryllo, Joshua M. Leonardis, Adeyiza O. Momoh, and David B. Lipps Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 129:4, 914-926
In this podcast Aiko Thompson and Alan Phipps of the Medical University of South Carolina talk about their recently published manuscript titled "Altered cutaneous reflexes to non-noxious stimuli in the triceps surae of people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury"
NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study examined modulation of the triceps surae cutaneous reflexes during standing and walking and the relationship between cutaneous and H-reflexes in people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). In people with SCI, the normal task-dependent, nerve-specific modulation of triceps cutaneous reflexes was missing. Cutaneous and H-reflexes were not correlated. Together with other spinal reflexes, cutaneous reflexes may serve as important biomarkers for the state of spinal interneuronal pathways.
Citation
Altered cutaneous reflexes to non-noxious stimuli in the triceps surae of people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury Alan M. Phipps and Aiko K. Thompson Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 129:3, 513-523
In this podcast Johannes Keyser(Justus Liebig University Giessen) and Leonie Oostwoud Wijdenes (Radboud University Nijmegen) talk about their recently published research "Late integration of vision and proprioception during perturbed reaches."
NEW & NOTEWORTHY Both visual and proprioceptive signals provide information about arm state during reaching. By perturbing the perceived, but not the actual, position of the hand in both modalities using visual disturbances and muscle vibration, we examined multimodal integration and state estimation during reaching. Our results suggest that the early reach corrections are based on separate state estimates from the two sensory modalities and only later are based on a combined state estimate.
Citation:
Late integration of vision and proprioception during perturbed reaches Johannes Keyser, W. Pieter Medendorp, Leonie Oostwoud Wijdenes, and Luc P. J. Selen Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 129:6, 1282-1292
Adalee J. Lube and Bruce Carlson of Washington University in St. Louis discuss their recently published manuscript "Spike timing-dependent plasticity alters electrosensory neuron synaptic strength in vitro but does not consistently predict changes in sensory tuning in vivo" in our newest micro podcast series.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY We replicated behaviorally relevant temporal patterns of synaptic activity in vitro and used the same patterns during sensory stimulation in vivo. There was a Hebbian spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) pattern in vitro, but sensory responses in vivo did not shift according to STDP predictions. Analysis suggests that this disparity is influenced by differences in polysynaptic activity, including inhibitory interneurons. These results suggest that STDP rules at synapses in vitro do not necessarily apply to circuits in vivo.
Citation:
Spike timing-dependent plasticity alters electrosensory neuron synaptic strength in vitro but does not consistently predict changes in sensory tuning in vivo
Adalee J. Lube, Xiaofeng Ma, and Bruce A. Carlson Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 129:5, 1127-1144
Listen to our new micro podcast series where authors, Nicholas J. Burgraff and Jan-Marino (Nino) Ramirez of the Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute discuss their recently published research "Inspiratory rhythm generation is stabilized by Ih".
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In this podcast senior author Prof. Warren Grill of Duke University discusses his published manuscript "The cortical evoked potential corresponds with deep brain stimulation efficacy in rats" with Editor in Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. In this paper the authors characterize a new potential biomarker for deep brain stimulation (DBS), the cortical evoked potential (cEP), and demonstrate that it exhibits a robust correlation with motor behaviors as a function of stimulation frequency. The cEP may thus be a useful clinical biomarker for changes in motor behavior. This work also provides insight into the cortical mechanisms of DBS, suggesting that motor behaviors are strongly affected by the rate of antidromic spike failure during DBS.
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In this podcast authors Prof. Albrecht Stroh of the University Medical Center and Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research in Mainz and Dr. Miriam Schwalm of Massachusetts Institute of Technology discuss their recently published manuscript Functional States Shape the Spatiotemporal Representation of Local and Cortex-wide Neural Activity in Mouse Sensory Cortex with Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Nino Ramirez. The authors work, which was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Washington, compares the cortical representation of two distinct functional states, based on optical and electrophysiological signals, locally recorded in the primary visual and somatosensory area, and wide-field camera imaging of the entire mouse cortex. The authors examined intrinsic and stimulus-evoked neuronal activity under both states and show state-dependent signal propagation modes. As different types of anesthesia as well as different behavioral states show characteristics similar to the two states the authors described, these experiments serve as a model for cortical information processing and explain response variability of neural networks under seemingly constant conditions, which is relevant for a variety of neurophysiological studies.
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In this podcast, Prof. Leslie Kay of The University of Chicago and Associate Editor for the Journal of Neurophysiology discusses her review article “COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction: a looming wave of dementia?” with Editor in Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. We find ourselves in the middle of a global “experiment” on the mechanisms of dementia and the relationship between our sense of smell and our ability to think. In many diseases that end in dementia, one of the early signs is olfactory dysfunction, often associated with degeneration in the olfactory bulb. More than 15 million people worldwide experience persistent COVID-19 olfactory changes, possibly caused by olfactory bulb damage. These data suggest a wave of post-COVID dementia in the coming decades, similar to the type of dementia seen in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. We can seize this gruesome opportunity to understand the involvement of the olfactory system in cognitive health. This will require intense study and increased resources to find treatments for smell dysfunction.
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In this podcast, senior author Dr. Joseph Galea of the University of Birmingham discusses his recently published manuscript "The dissociable effects of reward on sequential motor behavior" with Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Nino Ramirez. Joseph M. Galea, et al.'s research provides a mechanistic framework for how reward influences motor behavior. Specifically, the authors show that instantaneous improvements in speed and accuracy are driven by reward presented in the form of money, while knowledge of performance through performance feedback leads to training-based improvements. Importantly, combining both maximized performance gains and led to improvements in movement quality through fusion, which describes an optimization process during which sequential movements blend into a single action. Take a listen today!
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In this podcast coauthors Dr. Jonas M.D. Enander of Lund University and Dr. Gerald E. Loeb of the University of Southern California discuss their companion papers titled “A Model for Self-Organization of Sensorimotor Function: The Spinal Monosynaptic Loop" and "Spinal Interneuronal Integration” with Editor in Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. In the first paper the authors present a model of a simple but biologically realistic musculoskeletal system with spindle primary afferents that become selectively connected to homonymous beta motoneurons as a result of Hebbian adaptation. The second paper models a later stage of spinal cord development in which populations of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons similarly develop patterned connectivity involving a complete set of somatosensory afferents, motoneurons and each other. Without any a priori defined connectivity or organization, Hebbian learning driven by spontaneous, fetal-like motor activity results in the emergence of well-functioning spinal circuits whose connectivity patterns resemble those observed in the adult mammalian spinal cord. The authors suggest that genetic transcriptomes that appear during development may specify phases and rules for adaptive development rather than muscle-specific wiring patterns. The emergent behavior of their model system has important implications for the evolution of new species and potential applications for bio-inspired robots.
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What is the nature of autonomic signals and how do they shape introception? This study presents a new method for evaluating cardiac interoceptive ability, measuring sensitivity to naturalistic changes in the number of heartbeats over time periods. The results of this research show participants have an overall tendency towards sensing fewer heartbeats during higher heart rates. This likely reflects the influence of changing heartbeat strength on cardiac interoception at rest, which should be taken into account when evaluating cardiac interoceptive ability and its relationship to anxiety and psychosomatic conditions. Take a listen to this podcast as Dr. Sarah Garfinkel of the University College London discusses the recently published research “Sensitivity to changes in rate of heartbeats as a measure of interoceptive ability” with Editor-in-Chief Professor Nino Ramirez.
Dennis E. O. Larsson, Giulia Esposito, Hugo D. Critchley, Zoltan Dienes, and Sarah N. Garfinkel
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In this podcast the authors Dr. Shlomit Beker and Dr. Sophie Molholm of Albert Einstein College of Medicine discuss their recently published manuscript titled “Oscillatory entrainment mechanisms and anticipatory predictive processes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)” with Editor-in-Chief Prof. Jan-Marino (Nino) Ramirez. In their paper they, along with co-author John Foxe, used EEG and behavior to index predictive processes in children with ASD. A condition in which an auditory target was cued by a rhythmically predictable sequence of visual stimuli was compared to a condition in which the visual cues were absent. Neurophysiological measures of predictive processing, namely preparatory activity and neural entrainment were impaired in the ASD group, whereas behavioral measures of predictive processing were intact. When sensory events are presented in a predictable temporal pattern, performance and neuronal responses in ASD may be governed more by the occurrence of the events themselves and less by their anticipated timing. Listen today!
Check out the article here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00329.2021
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In this podcast author Dr. Jessica Thompson of the University of Oxford discusses her recently published manuscript titled "Forms of explanation and understanding for neuroscience and artificial intelligence" with Editor-in-Chief Prof. Jan-Marino (Nino) Ramirez and Associate Editor Dr. John W. Krakauer. Much of the controversy evoked by the use of deep neural networks as models of biological neural systems amount to debates over what constitutes scientific progress in neuroscience. In order to discuss what constitutes scientific progress, one must have a goal in mind (progress towards what?). One such long term goal is to produce scientific explanations of intelligent capacities (e.g., object recognition, relational reasoning). I argue that the most pressing philosophical questions at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence are ultimately concerned with defining the phenomena to be explained and with what constitute valid explanations of such phenomena. I propose that a foundation in the philosophy of scientific explanation and understanding can scaffold future discussions about how an integrated science of intelligence might progress. Towards this vision, I review relevant theories of scientific explanation and discuss strategies for unifying the scientific goals of neuroscience and AI.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00195.2021
Listen as coauthors Dr. Corinna Gebehart and Prof. Ansgar Büschges of the University of Cologne talk about their recently published manuscript "Temporal Differences between Load and Movement Signal Integration in the Sensorimotor Network of an Insect Leg" with Editor-in-Chief Prof. Jan-Marino (Nino) Ramirez. In this podcast the authors discuss temporal differences in the processing of two distinct sensory modalities generated by the sensorimotor network and affecting motor output. The authors found that the reported temporal differences in sensory processing and signal integration improve our understanding of sensory network computation and function in motor control.
Corinna Gebehart, Ansgar Büschges
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00399.2021
In our latest podcast Prof. Nino Ramirez discusses Experimental Biology 2022 with Central Nervous System section's, Dr. Janice Urban, Chair of the Steering Committee. Listen now to learn about what is coming up for CNS at Experimental Biology, along with new call for papers the journal will be launching after Experimental Biology. For more information on Experimental Biology 2022 please go to www.experimentalbiology.org . To learn more about the journal and section please go to www.physiology.org. If you are interested in submitting a manuscript and have questions, please email Jami Jones at jjones@physiology.org
What are the most important classes of anesthetics and their use? Do anesthetics affect GABA-A receptor expression or composition? In this podcast author Dr. Robert Pearce of the University of Wisconsin-Madison discusses these questions and more as he goes over his recent research titled “ Hippocampal β2-GABA-A receptors mediate LTP suppression by etomidate and contribute to long-lasting feedback but not feedforward inhibition of pyramidal neurons” with Editor-in-Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. Etomidate exerts its anesthetic actions through GABA-A receptors. But exactly how does this prevent memories from being formed? Here, using a hippocampal brain slice model, Dr. Pearce and his colleagues showed that GABA-A receptors that incorporate the β2 subunit are essential to LTP suppression by etomidate. They also showed that although these receptors are found primarily on interneurons, β2-GABA-A receptors on pyramidal neurons do contribute to long-lasting inhibition, through feedback, but not feedforward, circuits. Their results have direct implications for understanding how anesthetics block memory formation, and also more generally how inhibitory circuits control learning and memory.
Alexander G. Figueroa, Claudia Benkwitz, Gabe Surges, Nicholas Kunz, Gregg E. Homanics, and Robert A. Pearce
Hippocampal β2-GABAA receptors mediate LTP suppression by etomidate and contribute to long-lasting feedback but not feedforward inhibition of pyramidal neurons
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00303.2021
Most of us have heard about the Flight and Fight response and the activation of the sympathetic system. But, what is often overlooked is the sheer complexity of sympathetic activation as it differentially and specifically modulates different organ systems. Different stressors activate and inhibit specific target organs, including specific muscle groups. Understanding the mechanisms how the central and peripheral nervous system interacts to control such a highly differentiated sympathetic response is challenging and we are just beginning to get a first taste of this fascinating task that our nervous system accomplishes without us being aware of it. Given the complexity of sympathetic control it should not be surprising that it can also fail and become a source of dysautonomia and other disorders. In this podcast, senior author Professor Philip Millar of the University of Guelph discusses the orchestration of the sympathetic activation with Editor-in-Chief Professor Nino Ramirez. They base their discussion on the author’s recently published manuscript “Muscle sympathetic single-unit responses during rhythmic handgrip exercise and isocapnic hypoxia in males: the role of sympathoexcitation magnitude”. Listening to this podcast you will gain not only insights into this particular manuscript, but it will raise your awareness of the astonishingly differentiated sympathetic activation in health and disease. You will also learn how microneurography can be used to characterize specific subpopulations of muscle sympathetic single units as they are activated and inhibited during mild sympathoexcitatory stress. Listen today!
Anthony V. Incognito, André L. Teixeira, Brooke M. Shafer, Massimo Nardone, Tyler D. Vermeulen, Glen E. Foster, and Philip J. Millar Muscle sympathetic single-unit responses during rhythmic handgrip exercise and isocapnic hypoxia in males: the role of sympathoexcitation magnitude Journal of Neurophysiology
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00678.2020
In this podcast coauthors Dr. Adam Goodworth of Westmont College and Dr. Sandra Saavedra of the University of Hartford discuss their manuscript titled “Postural mechanisms in moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy” with Editor in Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability in children. People with moderate-to-severe CP are typically non-ambulatory and have major impairments in trunk postural control. Dr. Saavedra has tremendous clinical experience in treating children with CP and shares in this podcast her clinical insights and why she realized how important it is to collaborate with engineers to better help children with CP. Dr. Goodworth is an inventor and engineer who closely works with Dr. Saavedra to understand the postural challenges faced by children with CP. Together they published the first systems identification study to investigate postural responses to external stimulus. They hypothesize at how the atypical postural control system functions with use of an experimentally validated feedback model.
Adam Goodworth and Sandra Saavedra
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00549.2020
In our current society, multimedia use is particularly prevalent. It has become increasingly normal to multitask, which requires cognitive flexibility. How do we focus without getting fatigued at the same time? Would you think that the data on fatigability bears information about possible changes in people with “burnout” or other forms of “fatigue”? What is happening in our brain when we fatigue by pursuing our daily tasks? Author, Professor Christian Beste of Dresden University of Technology discusses these questions and more with Editor in Chief Professor Jan-Marino (Nino) Ramirez in our latest podcast. Cognitive flexibility is an essential prerequisite for goal-directed behavior and daily observations already show that it deteriorates when one is engaged in a task for (too) long time. Yet, the neural mechanisms underlying such fatigability effect in cognitive flexibility are poorly understood. We examined how theta, alpha and beta frequency event-related synchronization and desynchronization processes during a cued memory-based task switching are modulated by time-on-task effects. We put special emphasis on the examination of functional neuroanatomical regions being associated with these modulations using EEG-beamforming. We show clear declines in task switching performance (increased switch costs) with time on task. For processes occurring before rule switching or repetition processes, we show that anticipatory attentional sampling and selection mechanisms associated with fronto-parietal structures are modulated by time on task effects, but also sensory areas (occipital cortex) show fatigability-dependent modulations. After target stimulus presentation, the allocation of processing resources for response selection as reflected by theta-related activity in parietal cortices is compromised with time-on-task. Similarly, seem to a concomitant increase in alpha and beta band related attentional processing or gating mechanisms in frontal and occipital regions. Yet, considering the behavioral data showing an apparent decline in performance, this probably compensatory increase is still insufficient to allow reasonable performance. The same is likely the case for processes occurring before rule switching or repetition processes. Comparative analyses show that modulations of alpha band activity are as strongly modulated by fatigability as theta band activity. Implications of these findings for theoretical concepts on fatigability are discussed.
Shijing Yu, Moritz Mückschel, and Christian Beste
Read the manuscript here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00228.2021
What are the common features of force detection in vertebrates, insects and walking machines? Do the sense organs signal different force qualities at different joints? In the podcast coauthors Professor Sasha Zill of Marshall University, Dr. Nicholas Szcecinski of the University of West Virginia and Professor Ansgar Büschges of the University of Cologne join Editor in Chief Professor Nino Ramirez to delve deeper into their manuscript titled “Evaluation of force feedback in walking using joint torques as 'naturalistic' stimuli.” Sensory encoding of forces during walking by campaniform sensilla was characterized in stick insects using waveforms of joint torques calculated by inverse dynamics as mechanical stimuli. Tests using the mean joint torque and torques of individual steps showed the system is highly sensitive to force dynamics (dF/dt). Use of 'naturalistic' stimuli can reproduce characteristics of sensory discharges seen in freely walking insects, such as load transfer among legs.
Sasha N. Zill, Chris J. Dallmann, Nicholas S. Szczecinski, Ansgar Büschges, and Josef Schmitz Journal of Neurophysiology https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00120.2021
What are the explicit and implicit processes that contribute to motor learning in visuomotor adaptation tasks? In this podcast authors, Prof Jordan Taylor of Princeton University and Dr. Carlo Campagnoli of the University of Leeds discuss their recently published manuscript “Taking aim at the perceptual side of motor learning: Exploring how explicit and implicit learning encode perceptual error information through depth vision” by Campagnoli, et al with Editor in Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. The authors of this manuscript leveraged a classic sensorimotor adaptation task to perform a first systematic assessment of the role of perceptual cues in the estimation of an error signal in the 3D space during motor learning. We crossed two conditions presenting different amounts of depth information, with two manipulations emphasizing explicit and implicit learning processes. Explicit learning responded to the visual conditions, consistent with perceptual reports, while implicit learning appeared to be independent of them.
Read the article: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00153.2021
What is Pompe disease? What are the current treatment options and their limitations, such as enzyme replacement therapy? What insights can you gain in animal models, and how similar is the disease progression in the mouse vs the human patient? In this podcast authors Dr. Dave Fuller and Dr. Barbara Smith, of the University of Florida, discuss their recently published manuscript with Editor in Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. This case study offered a unique opportunity to investigate longitudinal changes in phrenic neurophysiology in an individual with severe, ventilator-dependent, late-onset Pompe disease. Additional diaphragm and neural tissue histology upon autopsy confirmed significant neuromuscular degeneration, and it provided novel insights regarding rostral to caudal variability in neuropathology. These findings suggest that a successful treatment approach for ventilator-dependent Pompe disease should target the central nervous system, in addition to skeletal muscle.
Neuroscience #JNPPodcastSeries #JNeurophysiol
David D. Fuller, Jorge A. Trejo-Lopez, Anthony T. Yachnis, Michael D. Sunshine, Sabhya Rana, Victoria E. Bindi, Barry J. Byrne, and Barbara K. Smith
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00190.2021
How do factors like advancing age and hearing loss impact auditory processing in the human brain? In this podcast, author Dr. Jana Van Canneyt of the University of Leuven discusses the recently published manuscript “Cortical compensation for hearing loss, but not age, in neural tracking of the fundamental frequency of the voice” with Editor in Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. Previous studies disagree on the effects of age and hearing loss on the neurophysiological processing of the fundamental frequency of the voice (f0), in part due to confounding effects. Using a novel electrophysiological technique, natural speech stimuli, and controlled study design, we quantified and disentangled the effects of age and hearing loss on neural f0 processing. We uncovered evidence for underlying neurophysiological mechanisms, including a cortical compensation mechanism for hearing loss, but not for age.
Jana Van Canneyt, Jan Wouters, and Tom Francart Read the manuscript here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00156.2021
What are the neuronal mechanisms that are the neuronal mechanisms implicated in Schizophrenia? Why is the SRKO mouse such a great model? How does it compare to other models of Schizophrenia in general and NMDA hypofunction in particular? In this podcast Editor in Chief Professor Nino Ramirez and author, Dr. John Gray (University of California, Davis) discusses his manuscript titled “Increased excitation-inhibition balance and loss of GABAergic synapses in the serine racemase knockout model of NMDA receptor hypofunction”. Recently, disruption of E/I balance has become an area of considerable interest for psychiatric research. Here, we report a reduction in inhibition in the serine racemase KO mouse model of schizophrenia that increases E/I balance and enhances synaptically-driven neuronal excitability. This reduced inhibition was driven cell-autonomously in pyramidal cells lacking serine racemase, suggesting a novel mechanism for how chronic NMDA receptor hypofunction can disrupt information processing in schizophrenia. Listen to learn more about this fascinating study.
Shekib A. Jami, Scott Cameron, Jonathan M. Wong, Emily R. Daly , A. Kimberley McAllister, and John A. Gray
Read the manuscript here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00661.2020
What types of proprioceptors are involved in insect locomotion? Insects have an exoskeleton, mammals have an endoskeleton. What are the implications for proprioception and locomotion in general? What are the advantages of studying proprioception in animals with an exoskeleton?
In this podcast, senior author Prof. Ansgar Buschges and first author Ms. Corinna Gebehart address these questions with Editor-in-Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. They discuss their recently published manuscript, titled "Distributed Processing of Load and Movement Feedback in the Premotor Network Controlling an Insect Leg Joint."
Proprioception is crucial for motor control in legged animals. The authors show the extent to which processing of movement (fCO) and load (CS) signals overlaps in the local premotor network of an insect leg. Multimodal signals converge onto the same set of interneurons, and our knowledge about distributed, antagonistic processing is extended to incorporate multiple modalities within one perceptual neuronal framework.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/jn.00090.2021
Neuroscience #JNPPodcastSeries
Why is it important to study the cuneate nucleus/proprioception in the brain? In this podcast authors, Dr. Lee Miller and Mr. Christopher Versteeg talk with our guest host, Associate Editor Professor Robert Brownstone, about their recently published article on “Encoding of limb state by single neurons in the cuneate nucleus of awake monkeys.” The cuneate nucleus (CN) is the somatosensory gateway into the brain, and only recently has it been possible to record these signals from an awake animal. The authors recorded single CN neurons in monkeys and found proprioceptive CN neurons appear to receive input from very few muscles. In addition, the sensitivity of proprioceptive CN neurons to movement changes reliably during reaching, relative to passive arm perturbations. Sensitivity is generally increased, but not exclusively so, as though CN "spotlights" critical proprioceptive information during reaching. Is the CN affected by different receptor origins of signals and/or different muscles? Listen and find out.
Christopher Versteeg, Joshua M. Rosenow, Sliman J. Bensmaia, and Lee E. Miller Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00568.2020
The Journal of Neurophysiology would like to dedicate the following podcast to Dr. Richard Gray. Dr. Gray passed away at the age of 68 on September 4, 2021.
How are potassium channels regulated? How ubiquitous are sodium-dependent potassium channels? In this podcast Editor-in-Chief Professor Nino Ramirez and authors Drs. Richard Gray and Daniel Johnston discuss their manuscript titled “Sodium sensitivity of KNa channels in mouse CA1 neurons.”. In this podcast, the authors discuss KNa channels in mouse hippocampal CA1 neurons. Excised inside-out patches showed the channels to be prevalent and active in most patches. Cell-attached recordings from intact neurons, however, showed little channel activity. Increasing cytoplasmic sodium in intact cells showed a small effect on channel activity compared to that seen in inside-out excised patches. Blockade of the Na+/K+ pump with ouabain, however, restored the activity of the channels to that seen in inside-out patches. The results emphasize the power of the Na+/K+ pump in maintaining a normally low concentration of intracellular Na+.
Sodium sensitivity of KNa channels in mouse CA1 neurons
Volume 125Issue 5 May 2021 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00064.2021
neuroscience #JNPPodcastSeries
Auditory and visual information are processed differently by the brain, especially when it comes to space. In vision, the retina senses the locations of images with respect to where the eyes are pointing. In hearing, the cues our brains use to localize sound tell us where the sound is positioned with respect to the head and ears. How then do we perceive space as unified? In particular, how do our brains compensate for eye movements that constantly shift the relationship of the visual and auditory scenes?
In this podcast Editor in Chief Nino Ramirez and author Jennifer Groh discuss the manuscript titled “Compensating for a shifting world: evolving reference frames of visual and auditory signals across three multimodal brain areas” by Caruso et al. Models for visual-auditory integration posit that visual signals are eye-centered throughout the brain, while auditory signals are converted from head-centered to eye-centered coordinates. In the manuscript they show instead that both modalities largely employ hybrid reference frames: neither fully head- nor eye-centered. Across three hubs of the oculomotor network (intraparietal cortex, frontal eye field, and superior colliculus) visual and auditory signals evolve from hybrid to a common eye-centered format via different dynamics across brain areas and time.
Valeria C. Caruso, Daniel S. Pages, Marc A. Sommer, and Jennifer M. Groh
neuroscience @jmgrohneuro
Check out the article here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00385.2020
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In this podcast Editor in Chief Nino Ramirez and Associate Editor Prof. John Krakauer discuss JNP’s new manuscript type the Neurocene. The Neurocene is a narrative that explores accelerating developments in the field of neuroscience, placing them in their historical and present context. Authors should provide a personalized and thoughtful viewpoint of a topic that does not seek to either provide definitive proof or a final conclusion.
This long-form scientific essay may focus on cultural currents, books and biography, philosophy and the history of science, and on puzzles, paradoxes, and controversies within the field of neuroscience itself. The article is meant to be inclusive, and the only stipulation is that the essay be written with longevity in mind - they should be read with equal pleasure and interest decades after their publication date.
For more information on the Journal of Neurophysiology's manuscript types click here: https://journals.physiology.org/jn/article-types
neuroscience
In this podcast Editor in Chief Nino Ramirez and senior author, Professor Haouzi of Pennsylvania State University discuss the paper titled “Respiratory effects of low and high doses of fentanyl in control and β-arrestin 2 deficient mice”. When life-threatening doses of fentanyl are used in mice, the beta-arrestin2 pathway appears to play a critical role in the recovery from an opioid overdose. This observation calls into question the use of G protein-biased μ-opioid receptor agonists, as a strategy for safer opioid analgesic drugs.
Check out the article here: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/jn.00711.2020
neuroscience
What is sensorimotor adaptation? Why do the authors use this term rather than motor learning? What are some of the key features of sensorimotor adaptation, and in particular, why is the focus here on error-based learning? How do the author's results change the way we think about how visual uncertainty impacts adaptation?
Out of the University of California, Professor Richard Ivry and JT Tsay discuss their recently published manuscript titled “The effect of visual uncertainty on implicit motor adaptation.” Sensorimotor adaptation is influenced by both the size and variance of error information. In the present study, we varied visual uncertainty and error size in a factorial manner and evaluated their joint effect on adaptation, using a feedback method that avoids inherent limitations with standard visuomotor tasks. Uncertainty attenuated adaptation but only when the error was small. This striking interaction highlights a novel constraint for models of sensorimotor adaptation.
Check out the article here: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jn.00493.2020
neuroscience #JNPPodcastSeries
What features of a sound does the brain perceive as a pitch? What is the role of rhythm in music? In this podcast Dr. Nancy Kanwisher ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and PhD candidate Dana Boebinger (Harvard University) discuss how music-selective neural populations are clearly present in people without musical training, demonstrating that they are a fundamental and widespread property of the human brain. The authors then discuss how music-selective neural populations respond strongly to music from unfamiliar genres as well as music with rhythm but little pitch information, suggesting that they are broadly responsive to music as a whole.
Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00588.2020
neuroscience
In this podcast Editor in Chief Nino Ramirez discusses JNP’s new article type Neurovision with Prof. John Krakauer of Johns Hopkins University and Prof. Reza Shadmehr of Johns Hopkins University. Neurovision articles aim to move science forward and point out bottlenecks in our understanding of the field. They resemble review articles, but with the inclusion of original data. The presence of new original data is meant to inspire new experiments and ideas. These articles will serve as blueprints, and guides for future research. JNP is inviting leading neuroscientists to write articles in this format, which will serve as templates moving forward.
For more information on the Journal of Neurophysiology's manuscript types click here: https://journals.physiology.org/jn/article-types
neuroscience
In this podcast Dr. Greg Horwitz of the University of Washington discuses double-opponent cells in macaque area V1, a class of neurons that respond to spatial chromatic contrast in visual scenes. What information they carry is debated because their receptive field organization has not been characterized thoroughly. Using white noise analysis and statistical model comparisons, De and Horwitz show that many double-opponent receptive fields can be captured by either a Gabor model or a center-with-an-asymmetric-surround model but not by a difference-of-Gaussians model.
Read the article here:
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/jn.00547.2020
In this episode Editor in Chief Prof. Ramirez is joined by Prof Stroh of the University of Mainz and Prof. Totah of the University of Helsinki to discus the manuscript titled "Synchronous spiking associated with prefrontal high gamma oscillations evokes a 5 Hz-rhythmic modulation of spiking in locus coeruleus." Prof. Nelson Totah highlights the main conceptual advances in their paper and talks about what motivated them to focus on top down control exerted by PFC on LC. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is thought to control activity in the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC). Prior anatomical and prefrontal stimulation studies demonstrated the potential for PFC-LC interactions; however, it is unknown what types of PFC activity affect the LC. In this podcast, the author talks about the transient increases in PFC high gamma power and associated changes in PFC unit-pair synchrony that are a potential sign of top-down control over the LC.
Nelson K. Totah, Nikos K. Logothetis, Oxana Eschenko
Also discussed: McCormick, D. A., Nestvogel, D. B. & He, B. J. Neuromodulation of Brain State and Behavior. Annu Rev Neurosci 43, 1–25 (2020)
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00677.2020
The topographic organization of skilled movements seem to be particularly plastic. The author describes how they addressed this issue in their study, and what methods they used. The motor cortex is topographically organized into maps of different body parts. We used to think that the function of motor cortex was to drive individual muscles, but more recently we have learned that it is also organized to make complex movements. In this podcast Prof. Cam Teskey of the University of Calgary discuses in detail the emergence and topography of complex movement representation, as well as their plasticity during development.
neuroscience #JNPPodcastSeries
Anna C. Singleton, Andrew R. Brown & G. Campbell Teskey
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00531.2020
What does it take to recover walking after a spinal cord injury? If you could replicate this supraspinal control – what aspects would you need? In this podcast Prof Sten Grillner talks about the spinal mechanisms that coordinate locomotion and the interaction between the different sensory mechanisms that help coordinate the locomotor movements and the central locomotor network.
Sten Grillner
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00656.2020 @neuroscience
In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief, Nino Ramirez talks with Dr. Marc Schmidt (University of Pennsylvania) about his Research Article which explores recent theories of norepinephrine (NE) function regarding the stimulation of the norepinephrine function that NE can act directly on the motor system to influence the transition between exploratory and exploitative behavioral strategies. Learn how the songbird can act directly on a "cortical" motor area and cause a switch between exploratory and exploitative behavior. Read the article:
"Regulation of vocal precision by noradrenergic modulation of a motor nucleus"
Marc F Schmidt, Zachary Phillip Sheldon, Christina B. Castelino, Chris M. Glaze, Steve Bibu, Elvina Yau
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00154.2020
Have you ever wondered how the brain encodes information? How do you crack a code produced within the brain? What are the changes in practicing and performing during development and aging? In this podcast the authors talk about the differences between practice and performance. Be sure to listen to the end for our special guest.
S. E. Palmer, B. D. Wright, A. J. Doupe, and M. H. Kao
Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00034.2019 @neuroscience
In this podcast Editor in Chief Nino Ramirez interviews first author Justine Clery and senior author Stefan Everling about an insightful new Research Article by Clery et al. Learn more about the advantages of the marmosets as a primate model system for studying primate neuroscience. The authors talk about using somatosensory stimulation combined with functional MRI in awake marmosets to reveal the topographic body representation in areas S1, S2, thalamus and putamen. They showed the existence of a body representation organization within the thalamus and the cingulate cortex by computing functional connectivity maps from seeds defined in S1/S2 using resting-state fMRI data. This non-invasive approach will be essential for chronic studies by guiding invasive recording and manipulation techniques.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00480.2020
@JustineClery @Yuki26147815 @andpru #neuroscience
Have you ever wondered how the brain controls reaching movements, whether mice can perfect a reaching movement and cease making errors, which would resemble a “hot-hand” a phenomenon that has been proposed and discussed in Basketball. What about perfecting reaching movements in the violin? In this podcast Editor-in-Chief Nino Ramirez talks with Dr. Abby Person (University of Colorado), senior author of the study entitled “online control of reach accuracy in mice”. This study uses statistical machine learning and kinematic characterization to identify the canonical features of reaching movements that are conserved in mice and primates. Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00324.2020 @personal_neuro
In this podcast, new Editor-in-Chief Nino Ramirez talks with Dr. Monica Gorassini (University of Alberta) about her recent article which employed a "new method of estimating synaptic drive to multiple, simultaneously recorded motor units" in order to explore the contribution of persistent inward currents to self-sustained firing across motoneuron size. This article was also featured in August's issue of APSselect!
"Estimation of self-sustained activity produced by persistent inward currents using firing rate profiles of multiple motor units in humans"
Babak Afsharipour, Nagib Manzur, Jennifer Duchcherer, Keith F. Fenrich, Christopher K. Thompson, Francesco Negro, Katharina A. Quinlan, David J. Bennett, and Monica A. Gorassini
Published online June 26, 2020.
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00194.2020.
How does a common Parkinson's Disease-linked mutation affect stress response? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Christopher Guevara, Dr. Bridget Matikainen-Ankney, Dr. Deanna Benson, and Dr. George Huntley (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) about their Rapid Report article, which explored this question in a mouse model of the LRRK2-G2019S mutation. Listen to learn about evidence of how "G2019S alters the magnitude and direction of behavioral responses to stress that may reflect unique modifications of adaptive plasticity in cells and circuits implicated in psychopathology in humans."
LRRK2 mutation alters behavioral, synaptic, and nonsynaptic adaptations to acute social stress Christopher A. Guevara, Bridget A. Matikainen-Ankney, Nebojsa Kezunovic, Katherine LeClair, Alexander P. Conway, Caroline Menard, Meghan E. Flanigan, Madeline Pfau, Scott J. Russo, Deanna L. Benson,* and George W. Huntley, Published online June 16, 2020. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00137.2020.
In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Dr. Andrea Meredith and Dr. Hans Moldenhauer about their article which compares the effects of different mutations (N999S and D434G) which are associated with the recently-identified neurological disorder called KCNMA1-linked channelopathy. This research was also featured in Episode 4 of the Netflix and New York Times documentary series Diagnosis. Listen to learn about BK channels, gain-of-function mutations, and important clinical implications of this research!
Comparative gain-of-function effects of the KCNMA1-N999S mutation on human BK channel properties Hans J. Moldenhauer, Katia K. Matychak, and Andrea L. Meredith, Published online February 4, 2020. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00626.2019.
What exactly is corporeal awareness, and how does breathing contribute to this form of self-consciousness? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Alessandro Monti, Dr. Giuseppina Porciello, Dr. Gaetano Tieri, and Dr. Salvatore M. Aglioti (Sapienza Università di Roma and IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia) about their Rapid Report article, which combined respiration recordings with immersive virtual reality to explore this question. Listen to learn about the embreathment illusion, which emerged from this unique experimental design.
The “embreathment” illusion highlights the role of breathing in corporeal awareness Alessandro Monti, Giuseppina Porciello, Gaetano Tieri, and Salvatore M. Aglioti, Published online January 17, 2020. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00617.2019.
How does estradiol acutely facilitate sex differences in striatum-dependent behaviors? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Dr. Amanda Krentzel and Dr. John Meitzen (both from North Carolina State University) about their study which investigated this question in adult rats. Listen to learn about sex differences, medium spiny neurons, glutamatergic signaling, and more.
Also be sure to check out the parallel episode of The Brain That Named Itself podcast, which discusses this study in a way that is acessible to non-scientists: https://brainthatnameditself.com/episode-14-science-interlude
Estradiol rapidly modulates excitatory synapse properties in a sex- and region-specific manner in rat nucleus accumbens core and caudate-putamen Amanda A. Krentzel, Lily R. Barrett, and John Meitzen Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online September 13, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00264.2019.
The "interference effect" occurs during a bimanual response when one hand is abruptly cued to stop, resulting in a significant delay in the actions of the other hand. But what neural mechanisms underlie this effect? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Corey Wadsley, Dr. John Cirillo, and Dr. Winston Byblow (all from the University of Auckland) about their recent article, which investigates whether the interference effect is the consequence of between-hand coupling. Listen to learn about the role of GABA-mediated networks, movement preparation, paradoxical findings and more!
Between-hand coupling during response inhibition Corey George Wadsley, John Cirillo, and Winston D Byblow Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online July 24, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00310.2019.
The marmoset is a promising new model for study of neurophysiological basis of behavior in primates. But will researchers ever be able to obtain enough trials per session to improve the practical utility of this model? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Ehsan Sedaghat-Nejad, Paul Hage, and Dr. Reza Shadmehr (all from Johns Hopkins University) about their Innovative Methodology article, which introduces new behavioral training and neurophysiological protocols aimed at increasing the number of trials per session while recording from the cerebellum. Listen to learn about training efficacy, targeted multi-channel recording, and more!
Behavioral training of marmosets and electrophysiological recording from the cerebellum Ehsan Sedaghat-Nejad, David J Herzfeld, Paul Hage, Kaveh Karbasi, Tara Palin, Xiaoqin Wang, and Reza Shadmehr Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online August 7, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00389.2019.
Previous studies have reported primary auditory cortex plasticity following vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with a sound. Does this phenomenon extend to other fields in the auditory pathway? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Dr. Michael S. Borland and Dr. Crystal Engineer (both from the University of Texas at Dallas) about their recent study, which is the first to to document both cortical and subcortical plasticity following VNS-sound pairing. Listen to learn about auditory plasticity, potential therapies for auditory processing disorders, and more!
Pairing vagus nerve stimulation with tones drives plasticity across the auditory pathway Michael S. Borland, Will A. Vrana, Nicole A. Moreno, Elizabeth A. Fogarty, Elizabeth P. Buell, Sven Vanneste, Michael P. Kilgard, and Crystal T. Engineer Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online July 29, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00832.2018.
What is the role of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) in olfactory processing? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Thomas Heinbockel (Howard University) and Alex Straiker (Indiana University, Bloomington) about their recent study in mice, which revealed that CB1 is involved in the regulation of glomerular activity in the main olfactory bulb (MOB). Listen to learn about the endocannabinoid system, mitral cells, implications for olfactory behavior, and more!
Cannabinoid receptor-mediated modulation of inhibitory inputs to mitral cells in the main olfactory bulb Ze-Jun Wang, Sherry Shu-Jung Hu, Heather B. Bradshaw, Liqin Sun, Ken Mackie, Alex Straiker, and Thomas Heinbockel Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online August 13, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00100.2018.
What roles do renal sensory nerves play in a renal-nerve dependent mouse model of hypertension? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Jason Ong and Sean Stocker (both from the University of Pittsburgh) about their recent study, which explored this question in 2-Kidney 1-Clip (2K1C) mice. Listen to learn about regulation of arterial blood pressure, potential treatments for hypertension, and more!
Renal Sensory Nerves Increase Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Blood Pressurein 2-Kidney 1-Clip Hypertensive Mice Jason Ong, Brian J. Kinsman, Alan F. Sved, Brittany Marie Rush, Roderick J. Tan, Marcelo D. Carattino, and Sean D. Stocker Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online May 15, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00173.2019.
Our ability to perceive and discriminate textures is based on the processing of high-frequency vibrations generated on the fingertip as it is scanned across a surface. But how do we process tactile information when we simultaneously experience different cues at separate locations on the body? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Jeff Yau about his recent study which found that vibrations experienced on one hand always systematically modulated the perception of vibrations on the other hand. Listen to learn about somatosensory interactions, the role of hand position in tactile perception, and more!
Somatosensory interactions reveal feature-dependent computations Md. Shoaibur Rahman and Jeffrey M Yau Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online April 10, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00168.2019.
Our brains must maintain a representation of the world over a period of time much longer than the typical lifetime of the biological components producing that representation. How does the brain handle this challenge at the synaptic level? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Dan Acker about his recent study that tackled this question. Listen to learn about the importance of synaptic strength, modeling memory processes, and applications for machine learning!
Stable memory and computation in randomly rewiring neural networks Daniel Acker, Suzanne Paradis, and Paul Miller Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online April 10, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00534.2018.
What are the neural mechanisms of skill acquisition? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Xiao Zhou (Carnegie Mellon University) and Steve Chase (Carnegie Mellon University) about their recent study, which leveraged a brain-computer interface learning paradigm to track the neural reorganization occurring throughout the full time course of motor skill learning lasting several weeks. Listen to learn about the distinct types of reorganization, BCI techniques, the relationship between motor error and skill learning, and more!
Distinct types of neural reorganization during long-term learning Xiao Zhou, Rex N. Tien, Sadhana Ravikumar, and Steven M. Chase Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online March 29, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00466.2018.
Numerous studies have linked disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms with amyloid-β (Aβ), a key pathological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease (AD). While previous evidence suggests that Aβ initiates AD pathogenesis, tau, another major hallmark of AD, seems to drive neurodegeneration. Recent studies imply that sleep-wake cycles affect brain tau more significantly than Aβ levels, leading to accelerated AD progression and cognitive decline. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Shen Ning (Boston University; Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Mass General and Harvard) and Mehdi Jorfi (Mass General and Harvard) about their NeuroForum article, which discusses the importance of these recent findings.
Beyond the sleep-amyloid interactions in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis Shen Ning and Mehdi Jorfi Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online March 13, 2019. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00118.2019.
How does the motor cortex, with neurons that have a limited activity range, function effectively under the widely varying conditions required during everyday life? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Dr. Stephanie Naufel Thacker, Dr. Josh Glaser, and Dr. Lee Miller about their recent study out of Northwestern University, which explored this question using EMG over a range of conditions. This article was also chosen for the January 2019 issue APSselect. Listen to learn about nonlinearity in the motor system, brain-computer interface decoders, EMG methodology, and more!
A muscle-activity-dependent gain between motor cortex and EMG Stephanie Naufel, Joshua I. Glaser, Konrad P. Kording, Eric J. Perreault, and Lee E. Miller Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online December 26, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00329.2018.
How do complex brain networks develop during adolescence? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Dr. Paul Briley and Dr. Peter Liddle (both from the University of Nottingham) about their recent study which employed magnetoencephalography to assess beta frequency oscillations in higher-order cognitive and sensory networks. This article was also chosen for the December 2018 issue APSselect. Listen to learn about the functional connectivity, brain development, MEG methodology, and more!
Development of human electrophysiological brain networks Paul M. Briley, Elizabeth B. Liddle, Madeleine J. Groom, Helen J. F. Smith, Peter G. Morris, Giles L. Colclough, Matthew J. Brookes, and Peter F. Liddle Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online December 7, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00293.2018.
The Journal of Neurophysiology was a sponsor of the 2018 Society for the Neural Control of Movement meeting, which was held May 1-4 in Santa Fe, NM, USA. The journal is also publishing an editorial related to this meeting. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with two of the authors of this editorial: Raeed Chowdhury (Northwestern University) and Teja Bollu (Cornell University). Listen to learn about some of the big takeaways from NCM 2018!
Highlights from the 28th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neural Control of Movement Kevin A. Mazurek, Michael Berger, Tejapratap Bollu, Raeed H. Chowdhury, Naveen Elangovan, Irene A. Kuling, M. Hongchul Sohn Journal of Neurophysiology, Article in Press. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00475.2018.
Do sex hormone cycles to alter intrinsic neural electrophysiological properties in the AcbC? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Stephanie Proano and Dr. John Meitzen (both from North Carolina State University) about a recent study which explored the effect of the female estrous cycle on medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens core in adult rats. Listen to learn about neural sex differences, medium spiny neurons, female hormone cycles, and more!
Estrous cycle-induced sex differences in medium spiny neuron excitatory synaptic transmission and intrinsic excitability in adult rat nucleus accumbens core Stephanie Proano, Hannah J. Morris, Lindsey M Kunz, David M Dorris, and John Meitzen Journal of Neurophysiology, Article in Press. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00263.2018.
Is it easier to learn at certain phases in the cardiac cycle? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Tomi Waselius, Dr. Jan Wikgren, Dr. Markku Penttonen, and Dr. Miriam Nokia (all from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland) about their recent study which explored this question in both humans and rabbits. Their article was also chosen for July's issue APSselect. Listen to learn more about the methodologies which these researchers employed, and their findings on how the cardiac cycle modulates higher order processing of external stimuli.
Learning by heart: cardiac cycle reveals an effective time window for learning Tomi Waselius, Jan Wikgren, Hanna Halkola, Markku Penttonen, and Miriam S. Nokia Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online August 15, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00128.2018.
Does an individual's preference for monogamy have some connection to the electrophysiological properties of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Jaime Willett (North Carolina State University) and Dr. Andrea Vogel (Cornell University) about their recent study which explored this question in the prairie vole, one of the few animal models which demonstrate pair bonding. Their article was also chosen for March's APSselect. Listen to learn about prairie vole social behavior, MSN excitability, methodologies for quantifying partner preference, and more!
Nucleus accumbens core medium spiny neuron electrophysiological properties and partner preference behavior in the adult male prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster Jaime A. Willett, Ashlyn G. Johnson, Andrea R. Vogel, Heather B. Patisaul, Lisa A. McGraw, and John Meitzen Journal of Neurophysiology, Published online April 18, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00737.2017.
Listen as Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Johannes Algermissen (Donders Institute, Radboud University) and David Mehler (Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre) about a new NeuroForum which discusses recent work on statistical power in neuroscience studies. They also discuss recent developments meant to address power problems, and offer suggestions to continue the trend of increasing power. Learn about statistical models, effect sizes, new techniques for data collection, career advancement in science, and more!
May the power be with you: Are there highly powered studies in neuroscience, and how can we get more of them? Johannes Algermissen and David Marc Anton Mehler Journal of Neurophysiology, Article in Press. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00765.2017.
In this new podcast based on a recent NeuroForum article, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Dr. Shikha Jain Goodwin (University of Minnesota, soon to be University of Pittsburgh) about a minireview of recent studies which explore what happens to memories formed before neurogenesis in the hippocampus. They also discuss the process of submitting a NeuroForum article, and the experience of transitioning from PhD studies to post-doctoral research. Listen to learn about memory maintenance, conflicting results, career advancement in science, and more!
Neurogenesis: Remembering all or forgetting some Shikha Jain Goodwin Journal of Neurophysiology, Article in Press. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00428.2017.
What is consciousness, and how can we definitively determine whether one is conscious or unconscious? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Dr. A. Vania Apkarian (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine) about new study which investigated these questions by computing a variety of neural information measures in awake and anesthetized rats. This study was also chosen for February's issue of APSselect. Listen to learn about states of consciousness, confounds for neural metrics, BOLD variability, and more!
BOLD temporal variability differentiates wakefulness from anesthesia-induced unconsciousness Alexis T. Baria, Maria V. Centeno, Mariam E. Ghantous, Pei C. Chang, Daniele Procissi, and A. Vania Apkarian Journal of Neurophysiology, published online March 1, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00714.2017.
Is it possible that training the arms may influence the rehabilitation of walking following stroke? If so, how does this occur? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Dr. E. Paul Zehr (University of Victoria, British Columbia) about new study which explores these questions, and which was chosen for February's issue of APSselect. Listen to learn about locomotor central pattern-generating networks, cutaneous reflex modulation, interlimb connectivity, and more!
Rhythmic arm cycling training improves walking and neurophysiological integrity in chronic stroke: the arms can give legs a helping hand in rehabilitation Chelsea Kaupp, Gregory E. P. Pearcey, Taryn Klarner, Yao Sun, Hilary Cullen, Trevor S. Barss, and E. Paul Zehr Journal of Neurophysiology, published online March 9, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00570.2017.
How do the physical parameters of a surface affect the neural perception of roughness? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Chelsea Tymms (NYU) and Dr. Esther Gardner (NYU) about their new study, which was chosen for January's issue of APSselect. This study investigated in human subjects how estimations of roughness vary for precisely defined, 3D-printed surfaces. Listen to learn about parametric modeling of surfaces, the role of papillary ridges in touch, and more!
Tactile perception of the roughness of 3D-printed textures Chelsea Tymms, Denis Zorin, and Esther P. Gardner Journal of Neurophysiology, published online March 1, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00564.2017.
What neural computations play a role in allowing the visual system to recognize similar actions from different persepectives? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Dr. Leyla Isik (MIT) about a new study which uses neural imaging and computational modeling to investigate the ways that defined actions are encoded across changes in viewpoint. Listen to learn about complex visual transformations, computer vision algorithms, the importance of neural timing, and more!
A fast, invariant representation for human action in the visual system Leyla Isik, Andrea Tacchetti, and Tomaso Poggio Journal of Neurophysiology, published online February 13, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00642.2017.
What happens in primary motor cortex inhibitory networks when movement cancellation is forewarned vs. unexpected? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Matthew Cowie, Dr. John Cirillo, and Dr. Winston Byblow (all from the University of Auckland) about a new study which uses informative and uninformative cues along with TMS to investigate long- and short-interval intracortical inhibition during response inhibtion tasks. Listen to learn about the paradigms used, the role of GABA, and more!
Response inhibition activates distinct motor cortical inhibitory processes John Cirillo, Matthew J. Cowie, Hayley J. MacDonald, Winston D. Byblow Journal of Neurophysiology, published online December 6, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00784.2017.
What role does force feedback from Golgi tendon organs play in regulating mechanics during voluntary limb movement? Within the spinal cord, force feedback has excitatory and inhibitory components that co-exist in various combinations based on motor task and integrated with length feedback at the pre-motoneuronal and motoneuronal levels. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Dr. Richard Nichols (Georgia Tech) about a new review article which explores recent research on distributed force feedback and motor control. Listen to learn about historical views, new results, and future work in this important area!
Distributed force feedback in the spinal cord and the regulation of limb mechanics T. Richard Nichols Journal of Neurophysiology, published online December 6, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00216.2017.
Standardized training protocols are necessary in all animal research. However, new technology has allowed automation of training protocol, guaranteeing a greater degree of control and standardization than ever before. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Dr. Michael Berger (German Primate Center), Dr. Antonino Calapai (German Primate Center), and Dr. Valeska Stephan (German Primate Center) about their new across-task unsupervised training (AUT) paradigm for rhesus monkeys in neuroscience research settings. Listen to learn about a recent study on the effectiveness, benefits, and challenges of using the AUT.
Standardized automated training of rhesus monkeys for neuroscience research in their housing environment Michael Berger, Antonino Calapai, Valeska Stephan, Michael Niessing, Leonore Burchardt, Alexander Gail, and Stefan Treue Journal of Neurophysiology, published online November 15, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00614.2017.
What neural circuitry is engaged in the conscious control of breathing? While most neurophysiological research on breathing focuses on the automatic control in the brainstem, a recently-published study provides a novel look at the tracking of the breathing cycle in widespread cortical and limbic sites in humans. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with authors Dr. Jose Herrero (Northwell Health; Feinstein Institute for Medical Research) and Dr. Ashesh Mehta (Northwell Health; Feinstein Institute for Medical Research) about their work. Listen to learn about the recording methods employed, the types of activity discovered, and the implications for volitional control and awareness of breathing.
Breathing above the brain stem: volitional control and attentional modulation in humans Jose L. Herrero, Simon Khuvis, Erin Yeagle, Moran Cerf, and Ashesh D. Mehta Journal of Neurophysiology, published online January 3, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00551.2017.
There is much observational and anecdotal evidence for problems with tactile sensory processing in children with ADHD. However, there have previously been virtually no attempts to rigorously quantify differences in tactile sensitivity, habituation, and discrimination between ADHD and non-ADHD children. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Dr. Nicolaas Puts (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Kennedy Krieger Institute) and Dr. Stewart Mostofsky (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Kennedy Krieger Institute) about a new study which employed recent innovations in neuroimaging to examine whether children with ADHD showed impaired performance on tactile tasks related to GABAergic inhibitory control. Listen to learn about links between ADHD and neural inhibition, the methods used to test tactile performance, and the specific findings of altered tactile processing in children with ADHD.
Altered tactile sensitivity in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Nicolaas A. J. Puts, Ashley D. Harris, Mark Mikkelsen, Mark Tommerdahl, Richard A. E. Edden, and Stewart H. Mostofsky Journal of Neurophysiology, published online November 30, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00087.2017.
What need could there be for either nearest-neighbor relationships or nonuniform distributions of receptor cells in the olfactory epithelium (OE)? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Professor David Coppola (Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia) about a recent article which provides a novel test of the longstanding “sorption hypothesis” and related "fovea hypothesis", which posit that physical properties of odors, such as volatility and water solubility, determine a spatial pattern of stimulation across the OE that could aid odor discrimination. Listen to learn about the empirical and computational methods used to test these hypotheses, and the results which partially undermined the hypotheses!
Tests of the sorption and olfactory "fovea" hypotheses in the mouse David M. Coppola, Brittaney E. Ritchie, and Brent A. Craven Journal of Neurophysiology, published online November 7, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00455.2017.
The efferent vestibular system (EVS) has two effects on afferent activity: 1) increases background afferent discharge; and 2) decreases afferent sensitivity to rotational stimuli. What cellular mechanisms might contribute to these responses? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Lauren Poppi (University of Newcastle, Australia) and Alan Brichta (University of Newcastle, Australia) about their recent article in which they expore the hypothesis that "the reduction in afferent sensitivity was attributed, in part, to the activation of alpha9-containing nAChRs ( 9nAChRs) and small-conductance potassium channels (SK) in vestibular type II hair cells." Listen to learn about their methods, the results, and more!
ACh-induced hyperpolarization and decreased resistance in mammalian type II vestibular hair cells Lauren Ashlee Poppi, Hessam Tabatabaee, Hannah Rose Drury, Phillip Jobling, Robert J Callister, Americo A. Migliaccio, Paivi M Jordan, Joseph Christopher Holt, Richard D Rabbitt, Rebecca Lim, and Alan Martin Brichta Journal of Neurophysiology, published online November 14, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00030.2017.
Can studying an individual patient with camptocormia reveal new information about the neural control of balance and posture? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Rebecca St. George (University of Tasmania) and Fay Horak (Oregon Health and Science University) about the very first "Case Study in Neuroscience" article published in the Journal of Neurophysiology. The authors completed a wide variety of tests and found that "the disorder in this case was due to a disruption in the automatic, tonic drive to the postural muscles and myogenic changes were secondary," which demonstrates a divergence in the neural control of balance and posture.
Case Studies in Neuroscience: A Dissociation of Balance and Posture Demonstrated by Camptocormia Rebecca J. St George, Victor S. Gurfinkel, Jeff Kraakevik, John G. Nutt, Fay B. Horak Journal of Neurophysiology, published online October 4, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00582.2017.
Oscillatory neural activity in different frequency bands and phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) are hypothesized to be biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Might these activity features help explain PD motor dysfunction, and serve as viable targets for closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS)? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with David Escobar Sanabria (Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota) and Luke Johnson (Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota) about a recent study which explored these questions. Their findings helped to characterize these biomarkers across various vigilance states, and to build a foundation for future therapeutic techniques.
Parkinsonism and vigilance: alteration in neural oscillatory activity and phase-amplitude coupling in the basal ganglia and motor cortex David Escobar Sanabria, Luke A. Johnson, Shane D. Nebeck, Jianyu Zhang, Matthew D. Johnson, Kenneth B. Baker, Gregory F. Molnar, Jerrold L. Vitek Journal of Neurophysiology, published online November 3, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00388.2017.
It is thought that myelinated primary afferent fibers switch modality from light touch to pain following injury, which is referred to as dynamic mechanical allodynia (DMA). However, do the firing rates of Aβ afferents affect the intensity of perceived pain during DMA? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Line Loken (UCSF) about a recent study which explored this question. Surprisingly, following capsaicin-induced DMA there was an inverse relationship between Aβ firing rates and unpleasantness, such that brush stimuli that produced low firing rates were most painful and those that elicited high firing rates were rated as pleasant.
Low-threshold mechanoreceptors play a frequency-dependent, dual role in subjective ratings of mechanical allodynia Line Sofie Loken, Eugene Duff, Irene Tracey Journal of Neurophysiology, published online September 27, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00977.2016.
What effects do early psychosocial neglect and institutional rearing have on developing brain networks? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Caterina Stamoulis (Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital) about findings from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project (BEIP). Researchers demonstrated aberrantly connected task-independent brain networks in children that had been raised in Romanian institutions. These findings have profound implicaitons about the developmental and cognitive effects of early institutionalization.
Neuronal networks in the developing brain are adversely modulated by early psychosocial neglect Catherine Stamoulis, Ross E. Vanderwert, Charles H. Zeanah, Nathan A. Fox, Charles A. Nelson Journal of Neurophysiology, published online October 5, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00014.2017.
Recently, sensory gating in the somatosensory system has been linked to deficits in tactile discrimination, which in turn has been linked to impaired walking and balance in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Dave Arpin (University of Louisville) about a new study which sought to examine the neural basis of somatosensory gating and to assess the relationship between somatosensory gating and walking performance in patients with MS and healthy controls.
A reduced somatosensory gating response in individuals with multiple sclerosis is related to walking impairment David J. Arpin, James E. Gehringer, Tony W. Wilson, Max J. Kurz Journal of Neurophysiology, published online July 19, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00260.2017.
There is currently no reliable reversal agent for general anesthesia. However, recent work has shown that three drugs that elevate intracellular cAMP (forskolin, theophylline, and caffeine) accelerate emergence from anesthesia in rats. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Jimmy Xie, Robert Fong, and Aaron Fox (all from the University of Chicago) about a new study that shows that caffeine is effective even at high levels of anesthetic, and which explores the mechanisms underlying this finding.
Caffeine accelerates recovery from general anesthesia via multiple pathways Robert Fong, Suhail Khokhar, Atif N. Chowdhury, Kelvin G. Xie, Josiah Hiu-Yuen Wong, Aaron P. Fox, Zheng Xie Journal of Neurophysiology, published online September 1, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00393.2017.
How can the common synaptic input to a pool of motor neurons be quantified? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Dan Feeney (University of Colorado, Boulder) about the history of quantifying common motor input, a new state-space model approach to the problem, and the experimental findings which validated this model.
A latent low-dimensional common input drives a pool of motor neurons: a probabilistic latent state-space model Daniel F. Feeney, Francois G. Meyer, Nicholas Noone, Roger M. Enoka Journal of Neurophysiology, published online August 2, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00274.2017.
Could fetal ethanol exposure (FAE) affect the way that the taste system responds to ethanol and other flavor components of alcohol? Might this play a role in the increased risk of alcohol abuse following FAE? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Steven Youngentob (University of Tennessee Health Science Center) and John Glendinning (Barnard College, Columbia University) about the history, recent progress, and future of their work exploring taste response to alcohol in rats.
Fetal alcohol exposure reduces responsiveness of taste nerves and trigeminal chemosensory neurons to ethanol and its flavor components John I. Glendinning, Joyce Tang, Ana Paula Morales Allende, Bruce P. Bryant, Lisa Youngentob, Steven L. Youngentob Journal of Neurophysiology, published online May 10, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00108.2017.
Could learning the Tango really help patients with Parkinson's disease? And how could this improvement be quantified? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with the authors of a recent study which used motor module analysis to identify "clinically meaningful improvements on behavioral measures of balance, gait, and disease symptoms after three-weeks of daily Adapted Tango classes". Listen to learn more!
Increased neuromuscular consistency in gait and balance after partnered, dance-based rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease Jessica L. Allen, J. Lucas McKay, Andrew Sawers, Madeleine Eve Hackney, Lena H. Ting Journal of Neurophysiology, published online April 5, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00813.2016.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, disrupting autonomic function. The progressive loss of adequate neural conduction in MS has been shown to cause a wide range of symptomatology, with many patients experiencing a profound heat intolerance known as Uhthoff’s phenomenon. Yet little progress has been made in regards to understanding the effect of MS on the control of thermoregulatory reflex responses, such as skin blood flow and sweating. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and content expert Matthew Muller (Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute) talk with authors Scott Davis (Southern Methodist University) and Dustin Allen (Southern Methodist University) about their work examining the reflex control of thermoregulatory responses to a passive heat stress in individuals with MS. What are some of the challenges facing these types of studies, and what are the next steps to advance this area of research? Listen and find out.
Impaired sweating responses to a passive whole-body heat stress in individuals with multiple sclerosis Dustin R. Allen, Mu Huang, Iqra M. Parupia, Ariana R. Dubelko, Elliot M. Frohman, Scott L. Davis Journal of Neurophysiology, published online March 8, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00897.2016.
Age-related cognitive and neural decline begins in healthy adults in the third decade of life and continues throughout advanced aging. Developing support strategies to prevent declines in brain health and achieve a better quality of life in later years requires identification of the cortical sites and patterns of these age-related neurological changes. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and Associate Editor Sean Stocker (University of Pittsburgh) talk with author Katelyn Wood (University of Western Ontario) about some of the surprising findings in this study exploring the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and forebrain circuitry associated with cardiovascular control. What does this study tell us about the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiac and neural responses in healthy, middle- to older-aged adults? Listen and find out.
High cardiorespiratory fitness in early to late middle age preserves the cortical circuitry associated with brain-heart integration during volitional exercise Katelyn N. Wood, Torri A. Luchyshyn, J. Kevin Shoemaker Journal of Neurophysiology, published online April 1, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00592.2016 .
Our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying signaling of mechanical stimuli by muscle spindles is incomplete. In particular, the ionic conductances that sustain tonic firing during static muscle stretch are unknown. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with researchers Tim Cope (Georgia Institute of Technology) and Dario Carrasco (Georgia Institute of Technology) about their work looking at the distribution of voltage-gated sodium channels in primary sensory endings of mammalian muscle spindles. Is it possible that voltage-gated sodium channels contribute to multiple steps in sensory signaling by muscle spindles? What do their findings tell us and where will they lead to next? Listen and find out.
Distribution of TTX-sensitive voltage-gated sodium channels in primary sensory endings of mammalian muscle spindles Dario Ivan Carrasco, Jacob A. Vincent, Timothy C. Cope Journal of Neurophysiology, published online January 25, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00889.2016 .
Our ability to process the number of events over time, so-called temporal frequency information, allows us to discriminate surface textures by touch or listen to a conversation in a noisy environment. Studies have actually shown that sounds can alter our detection of vibrations and even our subjective experience of textures. How does what we are hearing affect our brain's ability to understand what our hands are feeling? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh), Associate Editor Christos Constantinidis (Wake Forest University), and content expert Carmel Levitan (Occidental College) talk with author Jeff Yau (Baylor College of Medicine) about his work investigating auditory adaptation and tactile frequency perception. Could it be that the neural circuits supporting tactile frequency perception also process auditory signals? Listen and find out.
Auditory adaptation improves tactile frequency perception Lexi E. Crommett, Alexis Pérez-Bellido, Jeffrey M. Yau Journal of Neurophysiology, published online January 11, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00783.2016 .
In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) talks with Davide Filingeri (Loughborough University, UK) about his research into understanding how the human body interacts with our surrounding thermal environments, both physiologically (e.g. body temperature regulation) and perceptually (e.g. perception of temperature, wetness, touch and pain), and on how neurological diseases (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis) alter these physiological functions.
Characteristics of the local cutaneous sensory thermo-neutral zone Davide Filingeri, Hui Zhang, Edward A. Arens Journal of Neurophysiology, published online February 1, 2017. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00845.2016 .
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that manifests in early adulthood. Disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1), a susceptible gene for schizophrenia implicated in neuronal development, brain maturation, and neuroplasticity, is a promising candidate gene for schizophrenia, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its role in the pathogenesis of the disease are still poorly understood. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and Associate Editor Sean Stocker (University of Pittsburgh) talk with author Brian Head (VA San Diego and University of California, San Diego) about the role of caveolin-1, a cholesterol binding and scaffolding protein that regulates neuronal signal transduction and promotes neuroplasticity, in mediating DISC1 expression in neurons in vitro and the hippocampus in vivo. Could this work lead to new treatments for schizophrenia? Listen and find out.
Caveolin-1 regulation of disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 as a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia Adam Kassan, Junji Egawa, Zheng Zhang, Angels Almenar-Queralt, Quynh My Nguyen, Yasaman Lajevardi, Kaitlyn Kim, Edmund Posadas, Dilip V. Jeste, David M. Roth, Piyush M. Patel, Hemal H. Patel, Brian P. Head Journal of Neurophysiology, published online November 2, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00481.2016 .
Humans have a remarkable ability to track and understand speech in unfavorable conditions, such as in background noise, but this ability to understand speech in noise deteriorates with age. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh), Associate Editor Conny Kopp-Schienpflug (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München), and content expert Gregg Recanzone (UC Davis) talk with authors Alessandro Presacco (University of California, Irvine), Jonathan Simon (University of Maryland), and Samira Anderson (University of Maryland) about their investigation into how aging affects midbrain and cortical encoding of speech when presented in quiet and in the presence of a single competing talker. What do the results tells us about the neural mechanisms contributing to impaired speech perception in older adults? Are there pharmacological or other interventions that could help aging-related impairments in speech processing? Listen and find out.
Evidence of degraded representation of speech in noise, in the aging midbrain and cortex
Alessandro Presacco, Jonathan Z. Simon, Samira Anderson
Journal of Neurophysiology, published online August 17, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00372.2016 .
Associate Editors Michele A. Basso (University of California, Los Angeles) and Dan M. Merfeld (Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School) summarize their contributions to our collection of articles on the neural mechanisms related to decision making and discuss the breadth and significance of the topics covered in the collection.
Read our collection of articles on the neural mechanisms of decision making.
Central vagal neurons receive both glycinergic and GABAergic inhibitory inputs at early postnatal timepoints, but adult vagal efferent motoneurons receive only inhibitory GABAergic synaptic inputs. This surely points to the loss of glycinergic inhibitory neurotransmission during postnatal development. But when exactly? Given the prominent role that GABAergic synaptic inputs play in regulating the excitability of vagal efferent motoneurons, this is an important question when considering the potential for developmental dysregulation of inhibitory synapse maturation. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and content expert David Mendelowitz (George Washington University) talk with authors Caitlin Alannah McMenamin and Kirsteen Browning, both from Penn State College of Medicine, about their efforts to determine the critical timepoints and contributions of GABAergic versus glycinergic transmission to neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). Is this developmental transition from glycinergic to GABAergic neurotransmission unique to DMV neurons? What might the clinical significance of this change in inhibitory neurotransmission be? Listen and find out.
Developmental regulation of inhibitory synaptic currents in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in the rat
Caitlin Alannah McMenamin, Laura Anselmi, R. Alberto Travagli, Kirsteen N. Browning
Journal of Neurophysiology, published online July 20, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00249.2016 .
The monthly newsletters for the Journal of Neurophysiology are a great way to discover our latest initiatives and features. You can also find out about upcoming events and meetings. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief, Bill Yates, discusses some of the newest initiatives of the Journal and highlights some of the more popular topics from past newsletters.
Read the July 2016 newsletter.
Transplanted interneurons have potential therapeutic value for treating a variety of neurological disorders, including epilepsy. Yet, a better understanding of how new interneurons integrate into native neural networks is needed to uncover the therapeutic mechanisms behind interneuron-based cell therapy. Seeking to clarify how transplanted interneurons integrate into the neural circuitry of the recipient brain, Scott Baraban and MacKenzie Howard, both from the University of California, San Francisco, measured excitatory synaptic inputs, intrinsic properties, and inhibitory synaptic outputs of fluorescently labeled interneurons derived from embryonic medial ganglionic eminence progenitor cells that had been transplanted into the brains of recipient mice. Listen as Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh), content expert Steven Roper (University of Florida), and author MacKenzie Howard discuss the background and intriguing aspects of this work as well as its translational goals.
Synaptic integration of transplanted interneuron progenitor cells into native cortical networks
MacKenzie Allen Howard, Scott C. Baraban
Journal of Neurophysiology, published online May 25, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00321.2016 .
"This special issue is a testament to the vibrancy of the field that Steve played a major role in shaping."
Listen as Sliman Bensmaia (University of Chicago) recollects working with Steve Hsiao, summarizes his contribution to our collection of articles on the neurophysiology of tactile perception, and discusses the breadth of the somatosensory research represented in the collection.
Read our collection of articles on the neurophysiology of tactile perception.
The mammalian retina conveys the vast majority of information about visual stimuli to two brain regions: the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and the superior colliculus. However, the degree to which retinal ganglion cells send similar or distinct information to these two areas remains unclear. To resolve this ambiguity, Erika Ellis and colleagues used retrograde-labeling techniques to study retinal ganglion cells labeled from the lateral geniculate nucleus, the superior colliculus, or both. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh), and content experts Greg Schwartz (Northwestern University) and Samuel Solomon (University College London) join authors Erika Ellis (Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami) and Gabe Murphy (Allen Institute for Brain Science) in an engaging discussion about strategies to retrogradely label cells in an unbiased, robust, and specific way and several functional differences in the populations of retinal ganglion cells labeled from the two major retinorecipient brains areas. What do these results tell us about the flow of visual information between these areas, and what could these results tells us about human vision in health or disease? Listen and find out.
Shared and distinct retinal input to the mouse superior colliculus and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus
Erika M. Ellis, Gregory Gauvain, Benjamin Sivyer, Gabe J. Murphy
Journal of Neurophysiology, published online May 11, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00227.2016.
Temporal envelope processing is critical for speech comprehension, which is known to be affected by normal aging. While the macaque is an excellent animal model for human cerebral cortical function, few studies have investigated neural processing in the auditory cortex of aged non-human primates. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh), Associate Editor Conny Kopp-Scheinpflug (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München), content expert Robert Frisina (University of South Florida) join lead author Jacqueline Overton (UC Davis Center for Neuroscience) in an engaging discussion about age-related changes in the spiking activity of neurons in primary auditory cortex of aged macaque monkeys. What is the role and importance of rate and temporal codes in representing dynamic auditory stimuli? Listen and find out.
Effects of aging on the response of single neurons to amplitude-modulated noise in primary auditory cortex of rhesus macaque
Jacqueline A. Overton, Gregg H. Recanzone
Journal of Neurophysiology, published June 3, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.01098.2015.
Listen as Jeff Yau (Baylor College of Medicine) describes his experience working with Steve Hsiao at Johns Hopkins University, summarizes his contribution to our collection of articles on the neurophysiology of tactile perception, and discusses the value of this collection for those involved in somatosensory research.
Read our collection of articles on the neurophysiology of tactile perception.
Important insights into neurobiology are gained through comparisons of neural systems and processes across species. By understanding the differences between the nervous systems of animals in relation to their behavior and environmental challenges, we can ascertain how the nervous system integrates information and generates motor responses. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and Associate Editor Patsy Dickinson (Bowdoin College) join lead author Roman Frolov (University of Oulu) in an enlightening discussion on the visual ecology and potassium conductances of photoreceptors in 15 species of various orders of insects characterized by highly variable lifestyles. What can the combination of electrophysiology and visual ecology tells us about Kv channel selection in insects? Listen and find out.
Visual ecology and potassium conductances of insect photoreceptors
Roman Frolov, Esa-Ville Immonen, Matti Weckström
Journal of Neurophysiology, published April 1, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00795.2015.
Imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging seek to estimate neural signals in local brain regions through measurements of hemodynamic activity, but what is the significance of the large vascular fluctuations that accompany this activity, and what impact do these fluctuations have on estimates of neural signals? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and content expert Aniruddha Das (Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons) join authors Andrea Pisauro (University of Glasgow) and Matteo Carandini (University College London) in an engaging discussion about their use of optical imaging in visual cortex of awake mice to characterize these vascular fluctuations. Are these fluctuations just noise, or do they actually reflect variations in the brain state? Listen and find out.
Local and global contributions to hemodynamic activity in mouse cortex
M. Andrea Pisauro, Andrea Benucci, Matteo Carandini
Journal of Neurophysiology, published online March 16, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00125.2016.
Circumventricular organs are specialized brain nuclei that lack a complete blood-brain barrier. These areas contain specialized sensory neurons to detect substances in the circulation to subsequently alter brain function. One such region, the subfornical organ, plays a pivotal role in body fluid homeostasis and autonomic function including neurogenic forms of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and guest expert Alastair Ferguson (Queen's University) join authors Sean Stocker (Penn State College of Medicine), Haley Nation (Penn State College of Medicine) and Brian Kinsman (Penn State College of Medicine) in an engaging discussion about their investigation into whether selective activation of subfornical organ neurons using virally-mediated expression of Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs, or DREADDs, stimulates thirst and salt appetite. Could neurons of the subfornical organ be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of body fluid homeostatic disorders and cardiovascular disease? Listen and find out.
DREADD-induced activation of subfornical organ neurons stimulates thirst and salt appetite
Haley L. Nation, Marvin Nicoleau, Brian J. Kinsman, Kirsteen N. Browning, Sean D. Stocker
Journal of Neurophysiology, published online March 30, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00149.2016.
What is deep brain stimulation? How does it work? Listen as Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Richardson (University of Pittsburgh) discuss this therapeutic technique that has been effective in treating Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, chronic pain, and other diseases. Dr. Richardson also provides some valuable insight into our collection of articles on research related to the neurobiology of deep brain stimulation.
Read our collection of articles on the neurobiology of deep brain stimulation. (Image source: DOI 10.1152/jn.00275.2015)
Exposure to loud sounds damages the auditory periphery and induces maladaptive changes in central parts of the auditory system, but it is still unclear which types of inhibitory interneurons are affected by acoustic trauma. Novák and colleagues used single-unit electrophysiological recording and two-photon calcium imaging in anaesthetized mice to evaluate the effects of acute acoustic trauma on the response properties of neurons in the core auditory cortex. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh), Associate Editor Conny Kopp-Scheinpflug (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) and content expert Jason Middleton (Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center) join authors Josef Syka (Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic) and Ondrej Novák (Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic) in an engaging discussion about their recent study. Is there a selective layer-dependent impact of acute acoustic trauma on the activity of cortical interneurons? Listen and find out.
Immediate manifestation of acoustic trauma in the auditory cortex is layer-specific and cell type-dependent
Ondřej Novák, Ondřej Zelenka, Tomáš Hromádka, Josef Syka
Journal of Neurophysiology, published April 8, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00810.2015.
Cues from social partners activate socially responsive neuromodulatory systems, priming brain regions including sensory systems to process these cues appropriately. However, there has been little investigation of serotonergic fluctuations in sensory regions during ongoing social encounters. To address this issue, Sarah Keesom and Laura Hurley, both researchers at Indiana University, used voltammetry to monitor serotonergic fluctuations in an auditory midbrain nucleus, the inferior colliculus, of male mice (Mus musculus) paired with females, and concurrently measured behaviors of both social partners. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and guest expert Luke Remage-Healey (University of Massachusetts Amherst) join authors Sarah and Laura in an engaging discussion about their recent work on whether serotonergic fluctuations in sensory regions reflect variation within a context like opposite-sex interaction. Could the serotonergic system be a mechanism by which the neurochemical environment of the auditory system is matched to the social milieu? Listen and find out.
Socially induced serotonergic fluctuations in the male auditory midbrain correlate with female behavior during courtship
Sarah M. Keesom, Laura M. Hurley
Journal of Neurophysiology, published April 5, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00742.2015.
Seeking to better understand the role of ipsilateral primary motor cortex during functional motor tasks, Byblow and colleagues examined whether ipsilateral motor evoked potentials (iMEPs) in the biceps brachii would be suppressed by sub-threshold conditioning, thereby demonstrating short-interval intracortical inhibition of iMEPs. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and Associate Editor Monica A. Perez (University of Miami) join authors Winston Byblow (University of Auckland) and Alana McCambridge (University of Auckland) in an engaging discussion about their recent work. Are ipsilateral motor evoked potentials subject to intracortical inhibition? Listen and find out.
Are ipsilateral motor evoked potentials subject to intracortical inhibition? Alana B. McCambridge, James W. Stinear, Winston D. Byblow Journal of Neurophysiology, published January 20, 2016. DOI: 10.1152/jn.01139.2015.
With oculomotor selection, spatial task relevance and visual working memory highly intertwined and sustained by similar cortical structures, how is it possible to distinguish between oculomotor selection and spatial task relevance if task relevant locations always constitute potential saccade targets? Hanning and colleagues designed an experiment to dissociate in humans the contribution of task relevance, oculomotor selection and oculomotor execution to the retention of feature representations in working memory. In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates (University of Pittsburgh) and Associate Editors Christos Constantinidis (Wake Forest School of Medicine) and Michele Basso (University of California at Los Angeles) join authors Nina Hanning (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) and Donatas Jonikaitis (Stanford University School of Medicine) in an engaging discussion about their recent work. Is there an overlapping neural circuitry serving saccade target selection and feature-based working memory that can be dissociated from processes encoding task relevant locations? Listen and find out.
Oculomotor selection underlies feature retention in visual working memory Nina Maria Hanning, Donatas Jonikaitis, Heiner Deubel, Martin Szinte Journal of Neurophysiology, published November 18, 2015. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00927.2015.