Protocol for state-based decoding of hand movement parameters using neural signals.

We present a protocol for decoding kinematic and kinetic parameters from the primary somatosensory cortex during active and passive hand movements in a center-out reaching task using state-based and conventional decoders. We describe steps for preparing data and using the state-based model to classify movement directions into states via feature extraction and predict parameters with regression models (partial least squares and multilinear regression) trained per state. This state-based approach outperforms conventional methods, enhancing accuracy for brain-computer interface applications.

Psychometric Characteristics of the Persian Version of the Opiate Dosage Adequacy Scale (ODAS).

Introduction: The opiate dosage adequacy scale (ODAS) is one of the most common assessment tools in studies on substance use disorders, which evaluates the "adequacy" of opiate medication doses in individuals recruited in maintenance approaches. There is no investigation on the Persian version of this questionnaire in Iran. This research validated a Persian version of the ODAS.

Decoding hand kinetics and kinematics using somatosensory cortex activity in active and passive movement.

Area 2 of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), encodes proprioceptive information of limbs. Several studies investigated the encoding of movement parameters in this area. However, the single-trial decoding of these parameters, which can provide additional knowledge about the amount of information available in sub-regions of this area about instantaneous limb movement, has not been well investigated.

Tramadol Treatment Induces Change in Phospho-Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element-Binding Protein and Delta and Mu Opioid Receptors within Hippocampus and Amygdala Areas of Rat Brain.

Background: Tramadol induces its unique effects through opioid pathways, but the exact mechanism is not known. The study aims to evaluate changes in the level of mu-opioid receptor (µOR), delta-opioid receptor (δOR), and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (p-CREB) in the hippocampus (HPC) and amygdala (AL) areas of tramadol-treated rats.

Methods: For this purpose, a total of 36 male rats were divided into two main groups for chronic or acute tramadol exposure.

Anodal tDCS applied to the left frontal cortex abrogates scopolamine‑induced fear memory deficit via the dopaminergic system.

Evidence suggests that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates conditioned fear memories and has effects on cognitive flexibility via the dopaminergic system. This study examines whether modulation of scopolamine‑induced fear memory deficit by anodal tDCS could be mediated by the dopaminergic system. The male NMRI mice received scopolamine, 30 min before fear conditioning, and showed impaired contextual memory retention.

Cholestasis and behavioral disorders.

Acute and chronic failure in liver function may give rise to cognitive and non-cognitive impairments in the brain, namely hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Liver diseases may cause cholestasis, which is defined as the impaired secretion of bile. It is characterized by the accumulation of substances in plasma that are normally excreted in bile such as bile acids.

Cabergoline in Treatment of Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients and Its Effect on Serum Level of Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Methamphetamine use disorder is an important public health problem, especially in the younger generation, and associated with various psychiatric, cognitive, social, economic, and legal issues. Cabergoline, a drug with dopaminergic properties and long half-life, has been considered for the treatment of stimulant dependence. The systemic use of cabergoline has been shown to increase glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression.

Evaluation of the relationship between the gene expression level of orexin-1 receptor in the rat blood and prefrontal cortex, novelty-seeking, and proneness to methamphetamine dependence: A candidate biomarker.

Background: previous studies have suggested that methamphetamine (METH) abuse may affect orexin regulation. However, the data regarding the relationship between the current level of orexin and the vulnerability to METH abuse are minimal. Here, we have investigated the correlation between the gene expression level of the orexin-1 receptor (OX1R) in the rat prefrontal cortex (PFC) and blood lymphocytes and susceptibility to METH dependence and its impact on novelty-seeking behavior.

The effect of microinjection of CART 55-102 into the nucleus accumbens shell on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in rats: Involvement of the NMDA receptor.

The addictive properties of opioids may be mediated to some extent by cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) in the reward pathway. Moreover, some claims CART interacts with the glutamate system. Here, we evaluated whether intra-nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell infusions of CART induces Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) or Conditioned Place Aversion (CPA) and affects morphine reward.

Correlation among the Behavioral Features in the Offspring of Morphine-Abstinent Rats.

Background: Critical analysis of new evidence in medical sciences relies on statistics in terms of correlation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation coefficients among the behavioral features in the offspring of morphine-abstinent parent(s).

Methods: The offspring of rats with various parental morphine-exposure were divided into four groups including offspring with healthy parents (CTL), offspring with paternal morphine-abstinent (PMA) parent, offspring with maternal morphine-abstinent (MMA) parent, and offspring with both morphine-abstinent (BMA) parents.

Evaluation of dynorphin and kappa-opioid receptor level in the human blood lymphocytes and plasma: Possible role as a biomarker in severe opioid use disorder.

Background: The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system plays an important role in the development of addiction, and dysregulation of this system could lead to abnormal activity in the reward pathway. It has been reported that the expression state of the neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brain is reflected in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs).

Methods: We have evaluated the PBLs and plasma samples of four groups: 1) subjects with severe opioid use disorder (SOD), 2) methadone-maintenance treated (MMT) individuals, 3) long-term abstinent subjects having former SOD, and 4) healthy control subjects (n = 20 in each group).

Acute morphine administration alters the power of local field potentials in mesolimbic pathway of freely moving rats: Involvement of dopamine receptors.

Increasing number of evidence support the role of ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in mediating the opiate effects as the two critical components of brain reward pathway. It is believed that VTA to NAC dopaminergic projections mediate the reinforcing effects induced by opioid drugs. Although numerous studies have investigated mechanisms of reward processing in these brain regions, alterations of local field potentials (LFPs), as an index of total synaptic currents, has not been previously addressed.

Adult rat morphine exposure changes morphine preference, anxiety, and the brain expression of dopamine receptors in male offspring.

Addiction to drugs, including opioids is the result of an interplay between environmental and genetic factors. It has been shown that the progeny of addict people is at higher risk for drug addiction. However, the mechanisms of such trans-generational effects of drugs are not so clear.

Expression of NMDA receptor subunits in human blood lymphocytes: A peripheral biomarker in online computer game addiction.

Background and aims Repeated performance of some behaviors such as playing computer games could result in addiction. The NMDA receptor is critically involved in the development of behavioral and drug addictions. It has been claimed that the expression level of neurotransmitter receptors in the brain may be reflected in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs).

Plasticity after pediatric cochlear implantation: Implication from changes in peripheral plasma level of BDNF and auditory nerve responses.

Introduction: Sensory neural hearing loss could lead to some structural and physiological changes in the auditory pathways, such as alteration in the expression of neurotrophins. These factors, especially Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), play an important role in synaptic functions and experience-related plasticity. Restoring cochlear function after hearing loss is possible through cochlear implantation (CI).

The Effects of Pentoxifylline on Serum Levels of Interleukin 10 and Interferon Gamma and Memory Function in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammation in Rats.

Background: Studies have shown that pentoxifylline (PTX) in addition to protective effects on blood vessels probably has positive influence against the brain inflammation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PTX on serum levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and passive avoidance learning in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in rats.

Materials And Methods: Inflammation was induced by intraperitoneal (i.

Activation and Deactivation of 5-HT1 Receptor of Accumbens Shell Area does not Alter ACPA-induced Aversive Memory Deficit in Male Rat.

Background: Some studies have indicated a close relation between serotonergic and cannabinoidergic systems in several brain regions. Thus, the aim of current study is investigating the effect of 5-HT1 receptors of accumbens shell (Acb shell) on aversive memory deficit induced by ACPA (cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist) using test-retest protocol of elevated plus-maze (EPM) in male Wistar rats.

Method: Bilateral guide cannulae were implanted to allow microinjection of ACPA, CP94253 HCL (5-HT1 receptor agonist agonist) or GR127935 HCL (5-HT1 receptor antagonist).

Evaluation of the CART peptide expression in morphine sensitization in male rats.

The importance of Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide in reinforcing effects of addictive drugs specially alcohol and psychostimulants has been stablished. Involvement of CART peptide in rewarding effects of opioids in brain has recently been reported. Here we have studied the expression of CART mRNA and peptide in the reward pathway in morphine-induced sensitization phenomenon and also evaluated the peptide level fluctuations in CSF and plasma.

Evaluation of CART peptide level in rat plasma and CSF: Possible role as a biomarker in opioid addiction.

It has been shown previously that cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide has a modulatory role and homeostatic regulatory effect in motivation to and reward of the drugs of abuse specially psychostimulants. Recent data also showed that in addition to psychostimulants, CART is critically involved in the different stages of opioid addiction. Here we have evaluated the fluctuations in the level of CART peptide in plasma and CSF in different phases of opioid addiction to find out whether CART can serve as a suitable marker in opioid addiction studies.

Effects of 3 Hz and 60 Hz Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Anxiety-Like Behaviors, Memory Retention of Passive Avoidance and Electrophysiological Properties of Male Rats.

Introduction: The effects of electromagnetic fields on biological organisms have been a controversial and also interesting debate over the past few decades, despite the wide range of investigations, many aspects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF/EMFs) effects including mechanism of their interaction with live organisms and also their possible biological applications still remain ambiguous. In the present study, we investigated whether the exposures of ELF/EMF with frequencies of 3 Hz and 60 Hz can affect the memory, anxiety like behaviors, electrophysiological properties and brain's proteome in rats.

Methods: Male rats were exposed to 3 Hz and 60 Hz ELF/EMFs in a protocol consisting of 2 cycles of 2 h/day exposure for 4 days separated with a 2-day interval.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex enhances working memory.

Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies have unequivocally identified the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as a crucial structure for top-down control of working memory (WM) processes. By modulating the excitability of neurons in a targeted cortical area, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers a unique way to modulate DLPFC function, opening the possibility of WM facilitation. Even though TMS neuromodulation effects over the left DLPFC have successfully improved WM performance in patients with depression and schizophrenia in a multitude of studies, raising the potential of TMS as a safe efficacious treatment for WM deficits, TMS interventions in healthy individuals have produced mixed and inconclusive results.

Deferoxamine Preconditioning of Neural-Like Cells Derived from Human Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Strategy to Promote Their Tolerance and Therapeutic Potential: An In Vitro Study.

Transplantation of neural-like cells is considered as a promising therapeutic strategy developed for neurodegenerative disease in particular for ischemic stroke. Since cell survival is a major concern following cell implantation, a number of studies have underlined the protective effects of preconditioning with hypoxia or hypoxia mimetic pharmacological agents such as deferoxamine (DFO), induced by activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and its target genes. The present study has investigated the effects of DFO preconditioning on some factors involved in cell survival, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis of neural-like cells derived from human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (HWJ-MSCs) in presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

mRNA expression of dopamine receptors in peripheral blood lymphocytes of computer game addicts.

Excessive playing of computer games like some other behaviors could lead to addiction. Addictive behaviors may induce their reinforcing effects through stimulation of the brain dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway. The status of dopamine receptors in the brain may be parallel to their homologous receptors in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs).

Influence of muscarinic receptor modulators on interacerebroventricular injection of arachydonylcyclopropylamide induced antinociception in mice.

The interaction between antinociception induced by CB1 agonist and muscarinic receptor modulators has not been studied yet. In the present study, the effect of pilocarpine (a muscarinic agonist) and atropine (a muscarinic antagonist) on arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA, a CB1 agonist) induced antinociception was studied in mice. In this study the antinociceptive effect of intracerebroventricular administration of ACPA (0.