The use of rodent models to better characterize the relationship among epilepsy, sleep, and memory.

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, is known to be associated with impaired sleep and memory. Although the specific mechanisms underlying these impairments are uncertain, the known role of sleep in memory consolidation suggests a potential relationship may exist between seizure activity, disrupted sleep, and memory impairment. A possible mediator in this relationship is the sleep spindle, the characteristic electroencephalographic (EEG) feature of non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep in humans and other mammals.

Differentiation of High-Grade Glioma and Intracranial Metastasis Using Volumetric Diffusion Tensor Imaging Tractography.

Objective: A reliable, noninvasive method to differentiate high-grade glioma (HGG) and intracranial metastasis (IM) has remained elusive. The aim of this study was to differentiate between HGG and IM using tumoral and peritumoral diffusion tensor imaging characteristics.

Methods: A semiautomated script generated volumetric regions of interest (ROIs) for the tumor and a peritumoral shell at a predetermined voxel thickness.

High-grade Gliomas Exhibit Higher Peritumoral Fractional Anisotropy and Lower Mean Diffusivity than Intracranial Metastases.

Differentiating high-grade gliomas and intracranial metastases through non-invasive imaging has been challenging. Here, we retrospectively compared both intratumoral and peritumoral fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) measurements between high-grade gliomas and metastases. Two methods were utilized to select peritumoral region of interest (ROI).

MATSAP: An automated analysis of stretch-attend posture in rodent behavioral experiments.

Stretch-attend posture (SAP) occurs during risk assessment and is prevalent in common rodent behavioral tests. Measuring this behavior can enhance behavioral tests. For example, stretch-attend posture is a more sensitive measure of the effects of anxiolytics than traditional spatiotemporal indices.

Gradient Index Microlens Implanted in Prefrontal Cortex of Mouse Does Not Affect Behavioral Test Performance over Time.

Implanted gradient index lenses have extended the reach of standard multiphoton microscopy from the upper layers of the mouse cortex to the lower cortical layers and even subcortical regions. These lenses have the clarity to visualize dynamic activities, such as calcium transients, with subcellular and millisecond resolution and the stability to facilitate repeated imaging over weeks and months. In addition, behavioral tests can be used to correlate performance with observed changes in network function and structure that occur over time.