Key roles of C2/GAP domains in SYNGAP1-related pathophysiology.

Mutations in SYNGAP1 are a common genetic cause of intellectual disability (ID) and a risk factor for autism. SYNGAP1 encodes a synaptic GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that has both signaling and scaffolding roles. Most pathogenic variants of SYNGAP1 are predicted to result in haploinsufficiency.

Multi-shank 1024 channels active SiNAPS probe for large multi-regional topographical electrophysiological mapping of neural dynamics.

Implantable active dense CMOS neural probes unlock the possibility of spatiotemporally resolving the activity of hundreds of single neurons in multiple brain circuits to investigate brain dynamics. Mapping neural dynamics in brain circuits with anatomical structures spanning several millimeters, however, remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate the first CMOS neural probe for mapping intracortical neural dynamics (both LFPs and spikes) in awake, behaving mice from an area >4 mm.

Deep brain electrophysiology in freely moving sheep.

Although rodents are arguably the easiest animals to use for studying brain function, relying on them as model species for translational research comes with its own set of limitations. Here, we propose sheep as a practical large animal species to use for in vivo brain function studies performed in naturalistic settings. We conducted proof-of-principle deep brain electrophysiological recording experiments using unrestrained sheep during behavioral testing.

Techniques for chronic monitoring of brain activity in freely moving sheep using wireless EEG recording.

Background: Large mammals with complex central nervous systems offer new possibilities for translational research into basic brain function. Techniques for monitoring brain activity in large mammals, however, are not as well developed as they are in rodents.

New Method: We have developed a method for chronic monitoring of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in unrestrained sheep.

An EEG Investigation of Sleep Homeostasis in Healthy and CLN5 Batten Disease Affected Sheep.

Unlabelled: Sheep have large brains with human-like anatomy, making them a useful species for studying brain function. Sleep homeostasis has not been studied in sheep. Here, we establish correlates of sleep homeostasis in sheep through a sleep deprivation experiment.

Automated detection and characterisation of rumination in sheep using in vivo electrophysiology.

Rumination is a precisely timed process that occupies a large part of a sheep's day. The complex motor coordination required to chew and swallow means that quantification of rumination may provide a surrogate marker for effective motor function. Here, data from 24h in vivo electrophysiological recordings, collected as part of an earlier study, were reanalysed for chewing- and swallowing-related activity.

Translational neurophysiology in sheep: measuring sleep and neurological dysfunction in CLN5 Batten disease affected sheep.

Creating valid mouse models of slowly progressing human neurological diseases is challenging, not least because the short lifespan of rodents confounds realistic modelling of disease time course. With their large brains and long lives, sheep offer significant advantages for translational studies of human disease. Here we used normal and CLN5 Batten disease affected sheep to demonstrate the use of the species for studying neurological function in a model of human disease.

Understanding the concept of a reflective surface: can sheep improve navigational ability through the use of a mirror?

Mirror image-induced stimulation and the ability to use the mirror to improve navigational ability for the purpose of object location are considered measures of animal cognitive ability. The purpose of this study was to assess these cognitive abilities in sheep (Ovis aries) as part of a larger programme profiling the cognitive ability of this animal species. Three separate groups of sheep [(n = 29); 10 Welsh Mountain, 8 Norfolk Horned and 11 Borderdale] were trained (≥80 % criterion) to locate a salient object (yellow bucket containing cereal-based food) in one of two possible positions, from one of two possible starting points.

The alpha band of the resting electroencephalogram under pulsed and continuous radio frequency exposures.

The effect of GSM-like electromagnetic fields with the resting electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha band activity was investigated in a double-blind cross-over experimental paradigm, testing the hypothesis that pulsed but not continuous radio frequency (RF) exposure would affect alpha activity, and the hypothesis that GSM-like pulsed low frequency fields would affect alpha. Seventy-two healthy volunteers attended a single recording session where the eyes open resting EEG activity was recorded. Four exposure intervals were presented (sham, pulsed modulated RF, continuous RF, and pulsed low frequency) in a counterbalanced order where each exposure lasted for 20 min.

The effect of GSM-like ELF radiation on the alpha band of the human resting EEG.

Mobile phone handsets such as those operating in the GSM network emit extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields ranging from DC to at least 40 kHz. As a subpart of an extended protocol, the influence of these fields on the human resting EEG has been investigated in a fully counter balanced, double blind, cross-over design study that recruited 72 healthy volunteers. A decrease in the alpha frequency band was observed during the 20 minutes of ELF exposure in the exposed hemisphere only.

Simulation of pulsed ELF magnetic fields generated by GSM mobile phone handsets for human electromagnetic bioeffects research.

Human provocation studies that investigate the effects of Global System for Mobiles (GSM) communication systems on the brain have focused on Radio Frequency (RF) exposure. We wish to further extend such study by investigating the effect of both RF and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) field exposure, the latter generated by the GSM handset's battery switching. The use of a commercial handset as an exposure source for such investigations is problematic for a number of reasons and therefore a simulated exposure source, capable of producing both RF and ELF components of exposure, is desirable.

Comparison of the effects of continuous and pulsed mobile phone like RF exposure on the human EEG.

It is not clear yet whether Global System for Mobiles (GSM) mobile phone radiation has the ability to interfere with normal resting brain function. There have been reports that GSM exposure increases alpha band power, and does so only when the signal is modulated at low frequencies (Huber, R., Treyer, V.