Activation of Dopamine 4 Receptor Subtype Enhances Gamma Oscillations in Hippocampal Slices of Aged Mice.

Aim: Neural network oscillation at gamma frequency band (γ oscillation, 30-80 Hz) is synchronized synaptic potentials important for higher brain processes and altered in normal aging. Recent studies indicate that activation of dopamine 4 receptor (DR4) enhanced hippocampal γ oscillation of young mice and fully recovered the impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity of aged mice, we determined whether this receptor is involved in aging-related modulation of hippocampal γ oscillation.

Methods: We recorded γ oscillations in the hippocampal CA3 region from young and aged C57bl6 mice and investigated the effects of dopamine and the selective dopamine receptor (DR) agonists on γ oscillation.

Effects of paired associated stimulation with different stimulation position on motor cortex excitability and upper limb motor function in patients with cerebral infarction.

Objective: To investigate the effects of paired associated stimulation (PAS) with different stimulation position on motor cortex excitability and upper limb motor function in patients with cerebral infarction.

Method: A total of 120 volunteers with cerebral infarction were randomly divided into four groups. Based on conventional rehabilitation treatment, the PAS stimulation group was given the corresponding position of PAS treatment once a day for 28 consecutive days.

Effects of combined rTMS and visual feedback on the rehabilitation of supernumerary phantom limbs in a patient with spinal cord injury: A case report.

Background: Supernumerary phantom limb (SPL) caused by spinal cord injury (SCI) has previously been reported in several studies. However, the mechanisms and management of SPL in SCI patients are still not fully understood. Herein, we report a rare case of SPL in a patient with incomplete SCI.

Paired associative stimulation improves synaptic plasticity and functional outcomes after cerebral ischemia.

Paired associative stimulation is a relatively new non-invasive brain stimulation technique that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. The effects of paired associative stimulation on the excitability of the cerebral cortex can vary according to the time interval between the transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. We established a model of cerebral ischemia in rats via transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Effect of Paired Associative Stimulation on Motor Cortex Excitability in Rats.

Paired associative stimulation (PAS), combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electrical peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) in pairs with an optimal interstimulus interval (ISI) in between, has been shown to influence the excitability of the motor cortex (MC) in humans. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study was designed to explore an optimal protocol of PAS, which can modulate the excitability of MC in rats, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Astrocytes Proliferation and nNOS Expression in Neuropathic Pain Rats.

This study investigated the effects of different frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on chronic neuropathic pain in rats. The behavior of rats with experimental chronic neuropathic pain was observed, and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) and the activation and proliferation of astrocytes in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn were detected. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operated group, sham-rTMS group, 1 Hz group and 20 Hz group (8 rats in each group).

[Analysis of correlative factors affecting IIEF-5 scores of type 2 diabetic patients].

Objective: To investigate the correlative factors affecting the IIEF-5 scores of the patient with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A total of 149 T2DM patients were investigated for the relationships between their IIEF-5 score and such factors as age, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2hPG, insulin (INS), GHbA1c, C-peptide, nitric oxide (NO), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), the ratio of testosterone to estradiol (T/E), erythrocyte aldose reductase (AR), drinking, smoking, concomitant diseases, complications and medication.

Results: The scores of the groups of smoking, complication, medication and concomitant disease were significantly lower than those of the controls.