Associations of Voice Metrics with Postural Function in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: This study aimed to explore the potential associations between voice metrics of patients with PD and their motor symptoms.

Methods: Motor and vocal data including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III), Harmonic-Noise Ratio (HNR), jitter, shimmer, and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) were analyzed through exploratory correlations followed by univariate linear regression analyses. We employed these four voice metrics as independent variables and the total and sub-scores of the UPDRS-III as dependent variables.

A new vision of the role of the cerebellum in pain processing.

The cerebellum is a structure in the suprasegmental nervous system classically known for its involvement in motor functions such as motor planning, coordination, and motor learning. However, with scientific advances, other functions of the cerebellum, such as cognitive, emotional, and autonomic processing, have been discovered. Currently, there is a body of evidence demonstrating the involvement of the cerebellum in nociception and pain processing.

Age as an Effect Modifier of the Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) on Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Subjects.

: Evidence suggests that vagus nerve stimulation can modulate heart rate variability (HRV). However, there is a lack of mechanistic studies in healthy subjects assessing the effects of bilateral transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on HRV. Our study aims to investigate how taVNS can influence the HRV response, including the influence of demographic variables in this response.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of conditioned pain modulation and pain in fibromyalgia: CPM as an effect modifier of pain changes over time.

Background And Purpose: Fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with altered descending pain modulatory pathways, which can be assessed through Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM). In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between CPM and self-reported baseline characteristics in patients with fibromyalgia. We also performed a longitudinal analysis exploring CPM as a potential predictor of clinical improvement over time in individuals with FM.

Neuropsychiatric drugs and a neurophysiological marker as predictors of health-related quality of life in patients with phantom limb pain.

Objective: To explore the relationship between sociodemographic, clinical, and neurophysiological variables and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) of patients with phantom limb pain (PLP).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of a previous clinical trial. Univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to model the predictors of HR-QOL.

Evidence of bottom-up homeostatic modulation induced taVNS during emotional and Go/No-Go tasks.

Bilateral transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) - a non-invasive neuromodulation technique - has been investigated as a safe and feasible technique to treat many neuropsychiatric conditions. such as epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Our aim is to investigate the effect of taVNS on neurophysiological processes during emotional and Go/No-Go tasks, and changes in frontal alpha asymmetry.

A Mechanistic Analysis of the Neural Modulation of the Inflammatory System Through Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the antiinflammatory effects of various VNS methods while exploring multiple antiinflammatory pathways.

Materials And Methods: We included clinical trials that used electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve and assessed inflammatory markers up to October 2022. We excluded studies lacking control groups, those with combined interventions, or abstracts without full text.

Cluster analysis in fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

Background: The multifaceted nature of Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) symptoms has been explored through clusters analysis.

Objective: To synthesize the cluster research on FM (variables, methods, patient subgroups, and evaluation metrics).

Methods: We performed a systematic review following the PRISMA recommendations.

Resting-state EEG as Biomarker of Maladaptive Motor Function and Depressive Profile in Stroke Patients.

Investigate the relationship between resting-state EEG-measured brain oscillations and clinical and demographic measures in Stroke patients. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study (DEFINE cohort), Stroke arm, with 85 patients, considering demographic, clinical, and stroke characteristics. Resting-state EEG relative power from delta, theta, alpha, and beta oscillations were measured from the central region.

The cerebellum and its connections to other brain structures involved in motor and non-motor functions: A comprehensive review.

The cerebellum has a large network of neurons that communicate with several brain structures and participate in different functions. Recent studies have demonstrated that the cerebellum is not only associated with motor functions but also participates in several non-motor functions. It is suggested that the cerebellum can modulate behavior through many connections with different nervous system structures in motor, sensory, cognitive, autonomic, and emotional processes.

Physical Exercise for Treating the Anxiety and Depression Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Depression and anxiety are non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Physical exercise is a promising approach to reducing neuropsychological burden. We aimed to comprehensively synthesize evidence regarding the use of exercise for treating depression and anxiety symptoms in PD.

Understanding the Effects of Non-Invasive Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation On EEG and HRV.

Several studies have demonstrated promising results of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in treating various disorders; however, no mechanistic studies have investigated this technique's neural network and autonomic nervous system effects. This study aims to describe how taVNS can affect EEG metrics, HRV, and pain levels. Healthy subjects were randomly allocated into two groups: the active taVNS group and the sham taVNS group.

Physical exercise for treating non-motor symptoms assessed by general Parkinson's disease scales: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that also manifests non-motor symptoms (NMS). Physical exercise is a prominent strategy that can have an impact on NMS; however, the evidence is limited. Our aim was to verify the effects of exercise on NMS, as assessed using general NMS scales.

Understanding the Neuroplastic Effects of Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Animal Models of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is being studied as a feasible intervention for stroke, but the mechanisms by which this non-invasive technique acts in the cortex are still broadly unknown.

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review the current pre-clinical evidence in the auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) neuroplastic effects in stroke.

Methods: We searched, in December of 2022, in Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and Lilacs databases.

Exercise effects on motor function, manual dexterity, and brain oscillatory activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease: Randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Exercise protocols are promising interventions to improve PD symptoms, however, the best modality and its neural correlates are still unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of the aerobic, strength and task-oriented upper-limb exercises in motor function, manual dexterity, and brain oscillations of individuals with PD.

Electroencephalographic Patterns in taVNS: A Systematic Review.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a newer delivery system using a non-invasive stimulation device placed at the ear. taVNS research is focused on clinical trials showing potential therapeutic benefits, however the neurophysiological effects of this stimulation on brain activity are still unclear. We propose a systematic review that aims to describe the effects of taVNS on EEG measures and identify taVNS parameters that can potentially lead to consistent EEG-mediated biomarkers for this therapy.

Recruitment characteristics and non-adherence associated factors of fibromyalgia patients in a randomized clinical trial: A retrospective survival analysis.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a complex pain condition that affects mostly women. Given the disease's lack of understanding, patients report poor adherence to medication and mistrust of medical services. This study aims to describe the recruitment characteristics and non-adherence associated factors of fibromyalgia patients to an RCT.

Neuronal activation of cerebellum functional circuits in motor and non-motor functions in mice.

The cerebellum is involved in the control of balance, movement and the acquisition of motor skills. Scientific and technological advances have shown that the cerebellum also participates in non-motor functions, such as emotional control, memory and language. However, which cerebellar areas and functional circuits are predominantly activated in these different functions is not known.

Barriers and facilitators for clinical trial participation of underrepresented and non-underrepresented fibromyalgia patients: A cross-sectional internet survey.

Background: There is a need of well-powered randomized clinical trials in fibromyalgia. However, challenges for recruitment are presented. This study aims to describe and assess the perception of barriers and facilitators and the associated factors for the participation of underrepresented and non-underrepresented fibromyalgia patients.