Thalamic Gap Junctions Control Local Neuronal Synchrony and Influence Macroscopic Oscillation Amplitude during EEG Alpha Rhythms.

Although EEG alpha (α; 8-13 Hz) rhythms are often considered to reflect an "idling" brain state, numerous studies indicate that they are also related to many aspects of perception. Recently, we outlined a potential cellular substrate by which such aspects of perception might be linked to basic α rhythm mechanisms. This scheme relies on a specialized subset of rhythmically bursting thalamocortical (TC) neurons (high-threshold bursting cells) in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) which are interconnected by gap junctions (GJs).

Influence of air ambulance doctors on on-scene times, clinical interventions, decision-making and independent paramedic practice.

Background: Critics of air ambulance doctors question their contribution and believe on-scene time is prolonged. Two helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) models operate in the West Midlands, one with doctors and the other without. A study was undertaken to compare on-scene time, management and decision-making between the two units.

Evidence for electrical synapses between neurons of the nucleus reticularis thalami in the adult brain in vitro.

It has been conclusively demonstrated in juvenile rodents that the inhibitory neurons of the nucleus reticularis thalami (NRT) communicate with each other via connexin 36 (Cx36)-based electrical synapses. However, whether functional electrical synapses persist into adulthood is not fully known. Here we show that in the presence of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonists, trans-ACPD (100 muM) or DHPG (100 muM), 15% of neurons in slices of the adult cat NRT maintained in vitro exhibit stereotypical spikelets with several properties that indicate that they reflect action potentials that have been communicated through an electrical synapse.

Pain management in sickle cell disease.

Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder characterized by recurrent 'crisis' pain, which is the most common reason for repeated hospital admission. The nature of this pain, however, is poorly understood, and the pain is often sub-optimally managed.

Methods: A focus group format, interpreted using thematic analysis, was used to gain a greater understanding of the barriers that SCD patients face in managing their pain and their perceptions of the treatment that they receive from healthcare professionals.

Nucleus- and species-specific properties of the slow (<1 Hz) sleep oscillation in thalamocortical neurons.

The slow (<1 Hz) rhythm is an electroencephalogram hallmark of resting sleep. In thalamocortical neurons this rhythm correlates with a slow (<1 Hz) oscillation comprising recurring UP and DOWN membrane potential states. Recently, we showed that metabotropic glutamate receptor activation brings about an intrinsic slow oscillation in thalamocortical neurons of the cat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in vitro which is identical to that observed in vivo.