Updates on temporomandibular joint reconstruction following ablative surgery.

Purpose Of Review: Considerations regarding reconstruction of the temporomandibular junction (TMJ) following ablation have been underreported in head and neck surgery literature. Here, we discuss the complexity of reconstructing this unique joint and highlight the benefits and drawbacks of free tissue transfer. Additionally, we address the growing role of customized alloplastic implants and virtual surgical planning technologies in TMJ reconstruction.

Neural ensemble dynamics in trunk and hindlimb sensorimotor cortex encode for the control of postural stability.

The cortex has a disputed role in monitoring postural equilibrium and intervening in cases of major postural disturbances. Here, we investigate the patterns of neural activity in the cortex that underlie neural dynamics during unexpected perturbations. In both the primary sensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortices of the rat, unique neuronal classes differentially covary their responses to distinguish different characteristics of applied postural perturbations; however, there is substantial information gain in M1, demonstrating a role for higher-order computations in motor control.

Exercise therapy guides cortical reorganization after midthoracic spinal contusion to enhance control of lower thoracic muscles, supporting functional recovery.

Postural control is critical for locomotion, allowing for gait changes, obstacle avoidance and navigation of rough terrain. A major problem after spinal cord injury (SCI) is regaining the control of balance to prevent falls and further injury. While the circuits for locomotor pattern generation reside in the spinal cord, postural control consists of multiple, complex networks that interact at the spinal, brainstem and cortical levels.

Early Intervention via Stimulation of the Medial Septal Nucleus Improves Cognition and Alters Markers of Epileptogenesis in Pilocarpine-Induced Epilepsy.

Over one-third of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy are refractory to medication. In addition, anti-epileptic drugs often exacerbate cognitive comorbidities. Neuromodulation is an FDA treatment for refractory epilepsy, but patients often wait >20 years for a surgical referral for resection or neuromodulation.

Effect of spinal cord injury on neural encoding of spontaneous postural perturbations in the hindlimb sensorimotor cortex.

Supraspinal signals play a significant role in compensatory responses to postural perturbations. Although the cortex is not necessary for basic postural tasks in intact animals, its role in responding to unexpected postural perturbations after spinal cord injury (SCI) has not been studied. To better understand how SCI impacts cortical encoding of postural perturbations, the activity of single neurons in the hindlimb sensorimotor cortex (HLSMC) was recorded in the rat during unexpected tilts before and after a complete midthoracic spinal transection.

Antidepressant treatment history and drug-placebo separation in a placebo-controlled trial in major depressive disorder.

Rationale: A history of antidepressant treatment may predispose subjects toward placebo nonresponse in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in major depressive disorder (MDD).

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine self-reported prior antidepressant treatment and response in relationship to clinical outcome in an 8-week randomized trial of reuptake inhibitor antidepressant medication (MED) versus placebo (PBO) administered along with limited supportive care.

Methods: Chi-square and MMRM analyses examined MED vs.