Impact of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on stereoscopic vision and retinal structure in adult amblyopic rodents.

Purpose: The impact of visual deprivation on retinal structure is widely debated. Experimental models, like monocular deprivation through lid suture, provide insights into the consequences of lacking visual experience during development. This deprivation delays primary visual cortex (CV1) maturation due to improper neural connection consolidation, which remains plastic beyond the critical period.

Comparison of Virtual Reality Exergames and Nature Videos on Attentional Performance: A Single-Session Study.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of a single session of a VR exergame () and a VR nature video (Ireland 4K) on attentional performance, using the Flanker and Attentional Blink (AB) tasks. The objective was to assess whether these VR interventions could enhance attentional control, as measured by improvements in response times and accuracy.

Methods: A total of 39 psychology students, aged 19-25, were randomly assigned to one of three groups: VR exergame, VR nature video, or control.

Immersive virtual reality and augmented reality in anatomy education: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this review was to (1) analyze the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (iVR) and augmented reality (AR) as teaching/learning resources (collectively called XR-technologies) for gaining anatomy knowledge compared to traditional approaches and (2) gauge students' perceptions of the usefulness of these technologies as learning tools. This meta-analysis, previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023423017), followed PRISMA guidelines. A systematic bibliographical search, without time parameters, was conducted through four databases until June 2023.

Unveiling the Hidden Challenges: Non-Motor Disorders in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is not just a motor disorder, it is a complex condition that affects every aspect of a patient's life, from cognitive impairment and psychiatric disturbances to autonomic dysfunction and sleep disturbances [...

Visual Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease.

Non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) include ocular, visuoperceptive, and visuospatial impairments, which can occur as a result of the underlying neurodegenerative process. Ocular impairments can affect various aspects of vision and eye movement. Thus, patients can show dry eyes, blepharospasm, reduced blink rate, saccadic eye movement abnormalities, smooth pursuit deficits, and impaired voluntary and reflexive eye movements.

Virtual Reality Applications in Neurorehabilitation: Current Panorama and Challenges.

Central Nervous System Diseases are a leading cause of disability worldwide, posing significant social and economic burdens for patients, their families, caregivers, and society as a whole [...

Virtual reality-based therapy improves balance and reduces fear of falling in patients with multiple sclerosis. a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effect of virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) on balance dimensions and fear of falling in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Secondarily, to determine the most recommendable dose of VRBT to improve balance.

Methods: PubMed Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL and PEDro were screened, without publication date restrictions, until September 30th, 2021.

An Intervention on Anxiety Symptoms in Moderate Alzheimer's Disease through Virtual Reality: A Feasibility Study and Lessons Learned.

(1) Background: Although cognitive impairment is considered the core deficit of dementia, anxiety disorders also have a negative influence on the social and daily life of the affected population. We have explored the exposure of relaxing scenarios in immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) as an intervention strategy for people with moderate Alzheimer's disease. (2) Methods: Three participants were recruited from a day center to participate in a five-week study, which included a Pre- and Post-evaluation with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire (NPI-Q), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the anxiety subdomain of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).

Efficacy of Robot-Assisted Gait Therapy Compared to Conventional Therapy or Treadmill Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Background: Motor, gait and balance disorders reduce functional capabilities for activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Robot-assisted gait therapy (RAGT) is being used to complement conventional therapy (CT) or treadmill therapy (TT) in CP rehabilitation. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effect of RAGT on gait, balance and functional independence in CP children, in comparison to CT or TT.

A Proposal of Cognitive Intervention in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease through an Assembling Game: A Pilot Study.

(1) Background: Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible brain disease, and current treatments are aimed at fighting cognitive decline. We have explored the feasibility of a game-based intervention for people with moderate Alzheimer's disease; (2) Methods: Six participants, five women and one man, were recruited from a day center to participate in a five-week study, which included a re- and post-evaluation with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and INECO Frontal Screening (IFS) tests. Three participants were assigned to the control group and three others to the experimental one.

Virtual Reality-Based Therapy Reduces the Disabling Impact of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Women: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) is a novel therapeutic approach to be used in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The aim of our study is to assess the effect of VRBT to reduce the impact of FMS in outcomes such as pain, dynamic balance, aerobic capacity, fatigue, quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression.

Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted from a bibliographic search in PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science and CINAHL until April 2021 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Non-Immersive Virtual Reality to Improve Balance and Reduce Risk of Falls in People Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

(1) Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of non-immersive virtual reality in reducing falls and improving balance in patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. (2) Methods: The following databases were searched: PUBMED, PEDro, Scielo, CINAHL, Web of Science, Dialnet, Scopus and MEDLINE. These databases were searched for randomized controlled trials published using relevant keywords in various combinations.

Virtual Reality-Based Therapy Improves Fatigue, Impact, and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis.

Unlabelled: Patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have a high level of fatigue and a reduced quality of life (QoL) due to the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS). Virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) is being used to reduce disability in PwMS. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of VRBT on fatigue, the impact of MS, and QoL in PwMS.

An Innovative Approach for Online Neuroanatomy and Neurorrehabilitation Teaching Based on 3D Virtual Anatomical Models Using Leap Motion Controller During COVID-19 Pandemic.

After the World Health Organization had declared a pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on March 11, 2020 many governments, including the Government of Spain, declared the state of alarm enforcing a quarantine that have left millions of students confined to their homes. This home confinement has affected students of all levels, including university students, and has forced faculties to adapt online teaching strategies. Thus, traditional classroom face-to-face teaching has suddenly been replaced by online classes.

Gamification as Online Teaching Strategy During COVID-19: A Mini-Review.

The ongoing pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has enforced a shutdown of educative institutions of all levels, including high school and university students, and has forced educators and institutions to adapt teaching strategies in a hasty way. This work reviews the use of gamification-based teaching during the pandemic lockdown through a search in Scopus, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Semantic Scholar databases. A total of 11 papers from Chemistry, Business, Computer Science, Biology, and Medical areas have been identified and included in the present work.

Immersive Virtual Reality in Stroke Patients as a New Approach for Reducing Postural Disabilities and Falls Risk: A Case Series.

Stroke is a neurologic disorder considered the first cause of disability worldwide due to motor, cognitive, and sensorial sequels. Balance dysfunctions in stroke survivors increase the risk of falls and physiotherapeutic rehabilitation is essential to reduce it. Virtual reality (VR) seems to be an alternative to conventional physiotherapy (CT), providing virtual environments and multisensorial inputs to train balance in stroke patients.

Chronic dietary chlorpyrifos causes long-term spatial memory impairment and thigmotaxic behavior.

Little is known about the long-term effects of chronic exposure to low-level organophosphate (OP) pesticides, and the role of neurotransmitter systems, other than the cholinergic system, in mediating OP neurotoxicity. In this study, rats were administered 5mg/kg/day of chlorpyrifos (CPF) for 6 months commencing at 3-months-of-age. The animals were examined 7 months later (at 16-months-of-age) for spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze (MWM) and locomotor activity.

Cognitive and histological disturbances after chlorpyrifos exposure and chronic Aβ(1-42) infusions in Wistar rats.

Exposure to pesticides has been linked to an increased vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases. In order to study whether the exposure to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos renders the brain prone to amyloid-beta peptide deposition and accelerates its neuropathological and behavioural effects, Wistar rats were injected a single subcutaneous dose of chlorpyrifos (250 mg/kg) and subsequently infused with Aβ(1-42) peptide (i.c.

Neuropsychological sequelae from acute poisoning and long-term exposure to carbamate and organophosphate pesticides.

Unlabelled: This research examines the effects of different degrees of pesticide exposure on neuropsychological performance. Exposures varied from acute poisoning coupled with chronic exposure to low or high levels of chronic exposure (defined by years of exposure). A cross-sectional neuropsychological and biochemical study was conducted in greenhouse farmers from southern Spain: data from 24 acutely poisoned workers and 40 non-poisoned but chronically (low or high) exposed sprayers were compared to 26 controls.

Pretraining or previous non-spatial experience improves spatial learning in the Morris water maze of nucleus basalis lesioned rats.

Previous experiments have shown that infusions of ibotenic acid in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) induce a strong impairment in spatial navigation for a hidden platform in the Morris water maze. This effect was initially attributed to a cholinergic deficit, but later studies showed that performance level did not correlate with the degree of cholinergic denervation. Therefore, this impairment is due to a combined cholinergic and non-cholinergic deficit.

Cholinergic receptor blockade in prefrontal cortex and lesions of the nucleus basalis: implications for allocentric and egocentric spatial memory in rats.

In this study we have examined the involvement of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) along with the Nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) in two types of spatial navigation tasks. We evaluated the effects of excitotoxic (ibotenate-induced) lesions of the NBM in an allocentric and an egocentric task in the Morris water maze, using sham operations for a comparison. In both cases we also assessed the effects of local cholinergic receptor blockade in the PFC by infusing the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine (4 or 20 microg).