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Biomedical subjects

F J Rubia

Publications and source records attributed to F J Rubia.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Two-Hz wide EEG bands in Alzheimer's disease.

Twenty Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients in a mild to moderate stage of the disease and 20 control subjects were compared in 17 2-Hz wide bands from the electrodes 01, 02, P3, P4, T5, T6, F3, F4, F7, F8, Fp1, and Fp2. Differences reached statistical significance for 0-2 and 4-6 Hz bands, where AD patients presented highest power values. The AD group was divided into two groups according to the stage of disease. Both groups of patients presented 0-2 Hz increase in frontal, right parieto-temporal, and occipital areas. The increase in 4-6 Hz band was mainly over frontal areas in both groups and over left parietal region in moderate AD patients. These results and those relative to dominant frequency and crossover frequency between groups are discussed according to previous results with conventional and 2-Hz wide bands in AD patients in a severe stage of the disease.

Aged↗

Brain mapping in dysphonemic dyslexia: in resting and phonemic discrimination conditions.

Topographic mapping of EEG bands and alpha asymmetry were analyzed during resting conditions and an auditory phonemic discrimination task (APD) in carefully screened samples of 9.0- to 12-year-old control and dysphonemic-sequencing dyslexic children. The EEG was recorded over the entire scalp, with a linked ears reference. We found: (1) no differences between groups during resting conditions in any frequency band analyzed; (2) a left hemisphere alpha responsiveness in dyslexic children during the APD condition; and (3) a beta 2 decrease in the left posterior quadrant in dyslexics during the APD condition. We conclude that the lower alpha and beta 2 responsiveness may be due to a diminished cortical reactivity and may be related to intrinsic disorganization of the neural processors associated directly with the APD task demands, the alpha activity reflecting poor attention to an external stimuli source and the beta 2 decrease reflecting an unusual processing associated with the linguistic cognitive requirements.

Auditory Perception↗

Topography of mobility and complexity parameters of the EEG in Alzheimer's disease.

Mobility and complexity, Hjorth's parameters of the electroencephalogram (EEG), were calculated in 16 electrodes in a group of 14 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 14 healthy controls. Mobility was decreased in the AD group, differences reaching high levels of significance over all the electrodes. Complexity was increased significantly in the AD group only in five electrodes. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for mobility at each electrode, considering only those AD patients with the lowest cognitive impairment. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were 100% at all the electrodes. Specificity and positive predictive value at several electrodes reached highly acceptable proportions, such as 71% or more for the former, and 64% or more for the latter. Implications of mobility in the early diagnosis of AD are discussed.

Aged↗

Topographic maps of brain electrical activity in primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type and multiinfarct dementia.

The topography of the electroencephalographic (EEG) pattern of ten patients with primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type, ten multiinfarct dementia patients, and ten age-matched controls was compared during three different behavioral conditions: resting condition with eyes open (EO), memorizing a list of words (M), and recalling the same list of words (R). Results indicate that the alpha frequency band does not show significant changes. On the other hand, the theta band could be considered an important factor in the differential diagnosis of the primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type, showing a higher power over right posterior regions in this group of patients compared with the multiinfarct dementia patients under different behavioral conditions.

Aged↗

Comparative analysis of cerebellar unit discharge patterns in the decerebrate cat during passive movements.

1) The present experiments were undertaken to study how information about the parameters of a passive movement is processed at different neuronal levels of the cat cerebellar cortex. The analysis has been performed by recording extracellularly in the intermediate part of the cerebellar anterior lobe from presumed mossy fibres, presumed granule cells, and Purkinje cells with simple spikes and complex spikes. 2) The discharge patterns obtained during passive movements of the cat's forepaw were characterized by components which could be related to dynamic or static parameters of the movement. With respect to the occurrence of dynamic responses, patterns were classified according to a statistically derived measure in three different types. By using the same statistical measure, discharge patterns were additionally classified into two subgroups according to their response components reflecting static parameters. Within the patterns a clearcut relationship between dynamic and static components was observed. The corresponding distributions are shown and discussed. 3) A very interesting result of the classification of cerebellar discharge patterns is that the distribution of the different types depended on the level of integration within the cerebellar cortex. Patterns of the low scale integrated cerebellar input (mossy fibre-system), as well as those of granule cells (the first cerebellar computational niveau), reflected both static and dynamic movement parameters. At the Purkinje cell level (a level with a high degree of convergence) the discharge patterns are characterized predominantly by dynamic responses. 4) The interrelationship between complex- and simple spikes of Purkinje cells was tested by different methods: a) By analyzing the paired values of the mean complex-(CS) and simple spike (SS) discharge probabilities of 110 Purkinje cells a scatter was obtained, indicating an underlying hyperbolic relation (prob(CS) = a/(prob(SS]b). Thus, a high CS discharge probability is accompanied by a low SS probability and vice versa. b) The timelocked complex- and simple spike responses were studied by comparing the similarity of their responses. All combinations of complex- and simple spike patterns were observed, ranging from a sign correct similarity to a mirror image similarity. The distribution of the measure for similarity shows that the mirror image predominated. c) The individual simple spike discharge probability is characterized by a pause evoked by the occurrence of a complex spike event. The simple spike discharge probabilities during an interval preceding and following a complex spike event were compared.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Cerebellar unit responses of the mossy fibre system to passive movements in the decerebrate cat. I. Responses to static parameters.

1) Experiments were designed to detect how static parameters of natural, passive hand movements are encoded and integrated within the cerebellar cortex. For this purpose unit activity was recorded extracellularly from presumed mossy fibres (MF), presumed granule cells (GrC) and from Purkinje cells (PC) discharging with simple spikes (SS) and complex spikes (CS). With respect to the PC, our interest was focussed primarily on the SS activity. The recordings were performed in the intermediate part of the cerebellar anterior lobe of decerebrate cats. The animal's forepaw was passively moved around the wrist joint by an electronically controlled device. The movements were exactly reproducible so that peristimulus time histograms of the unit activity could be constructed. 2) At the input level (MF) and at the first level of integration within the cerebellar cortex (GrC), patterns with similar discharge characteristics were found. Such patterns could, to a limited extent, also be detected at the cerebellar output (SS of PC). However, in most cases of SS discharge, patterns were found with weak correlation between the tonic activity and static parameters of the movements. 3) Absolute paw position, amplitude, and duration of movements were found to be related over wide ranges to the activities of MF and GrC. Absolute position is directly encoded by tonic discharge during the low or high holding phases. Beside this, units were found without a correlation between the tonic discharge and the position of the nonmoving paw. However, in these units it was sometimes observed that the information about the momentary position or the information about the mean position was sometimes conveyed exclusively during the proceeding upward or downward movement. Thus, information about static parameters was transmitted only at times when a dynamic parameter (such as velocity) occurred. This type of position information encoding is termed "indirect mode of transmission". 4) A specific relationship between SS unit activity of PC and the absolute position of the forepaw or amplitude of the movement could be found primarily by using multiple ramps instead of single ramp movements. This was observed even if both types of ramp movements had the same velocity, individual amplitude, and tested range. However, on multiple ramp movements the paw generally remained for a shorter period at a specific position level as compared to the single ramp movements. 5) Apart from this timing phenomenon, a late movement response was observed, which results in a specific type of position information encoding on multiple ramp functions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Distribution of neurons in the main cuneate nucleus projecting to the inferior olive in the cat. Evidence that they differ from those directly projecting to the cerebellum.

The distribution in the main cuneate nucleus of cells projecting to the inferior olive and the intermediate zone of the cerebellar anterior lobe were compared by means of double retrograde labeling methods in the cat. The tracer combinations were either Fast Blue and Diamidino Yellow Dihydrochloride; or horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat germ agglutinin and Diamidino Yellow Dihydrochloride. Neurons in the caudal, middle and rostral subdivisions of the main cuneate nucleus project to the inferior olive. Differences exist, however, in its number and location along the rostrocaudal extent of the nucleus. Cells projecting to the inferior olive predominate in the caudal and middle subdivisions, where they concentrate ventrally. No cells in the "clusters region" project to the inferior olive. Main cuneate nucleus neurons projecting to the cerebellum concentrate rostral to the obex, bordering the external cuneate nucleus and partially intermixing with the rostrally located cells projecting to the inferior olive. However, no double-labeled cells were found. The results indicate that the main cuneate nucleus projections to the inferior olive and cerebellar anterior lobe originate from different populations of neurons with high specific locations within the nucleus. This finding is in agreement with previous studies suggesting that each of the main cuneate nucleus targets receives its input from a distinct population of neurons within the nucleus.

Animals↗

Cerebellar feedback signals of a passive hand movement in the awake monkey.

From three intact and awake monkeys, 149 Purkinje cells and 44 presumed mossy fibres were recorded in the intermediate part of the cerebellar anterior lobe, and this activity was analyzed with regard to different parameters of a passive hand movement. The tonic discharge rate of the simple spikes (SS) varied according to different joint positions only in a single Purkinje cell, whereas such a position relation was found in nine out of 44 presumed mossy fibres. A phasic increase of the complex spike (CS) discharge rate of Purkinje cells in response to passive wrist movements usually occurred within 100 ms after movement onset. However, in some units a phase of increased CS rate was observed which lasted for the whole movement duration. The amount of this phasic increase in the CS rate depended on the acceleration of movement, but the SS response to movements of different velocity remained unchanged.

Afferent Pathways↗

Simple and complex spike activity of cerebellar Purkinje cells during active and passive movements in the awake monkey.

Two Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were trained to pursue a target light signal by moving the hand at the wrist joint. Additionally, a d.c. motor could be attached to the lever in order to perform similar passive movements. During performance of the task, single Purkinje cells were recorded from the intermediate part of the cerebellar anterior lobe. Electromyographic activity of the flexor and extensor muscles of the forearm was recorded simultaneously. Passive hand movements evoked changes in the complex spike and simple spike discharge of Purkinje cell. The complex spike responded most sensitively to the beginning of the movement; the activity pattern had phasic character and could be related specifically to the movement direction. The simple spike response was usually weak and hence revealed-less specific relations. During active movements the simple spike frequency change was generally stronger than during passive movements and reached a maximum (or minimum) at the beginning of hand deflexion. The complex spike activity during active movements was characterized by a contrast between the time phases before and after the movement onset. In most of the cases, where a phase of increased activity stopped at the movement onset, the sensory feed-back signal seen during passive movements was cancelled. The possible consequences of the convergence of the complex and simple spike signal for the motor control function of the cerebellum are discussed.

Action Potentials↗

Spatial distribution of afferent information to the anterior lobe of the cat's cerebellum.

In the decerebrate cat discharges of Purkinje cells with simple and complex spikes as well as granule cell discharges in the c1-zone of lobules Va, b and c of the cerebellar anterior lobe were analyzed during a passive movement of the cat's forepaw. Penetrations were made 50 micrometers apart along the mediolateral and parasagittal directions, the depth never exceeding 500 micrometers. The response of the Purkinje cells to the climbing fiber input was surprisingly constant, while simple spike responses of the same cells showed a great variability to the same input. The variability between granule cell discharges recorded at a 50 micrometer distance from each other was similar to that of the simple spikes of the Purkinje cell. It is assumed that because of a patchy distribution of excited granule cells, two neighbouring Purkinje cells may receive a different information via their parallel fiber inputs. This difference is considered to be responsible for the great variability of their responses to mossy fiber inputs.

Afferent Pathways↗

Information about peripheral events conveyed to the cerebellum via the climbing fiber system in the decerebrate cat.

Discharges of Purkinje cells (PCs) with simple (SS) and complex spikes (CS) in the c1-zone of lobule Vc of the anterior lobe of the cerebellar cortex were analyzed in the decerebrate cat during a passive movement of the cat forepaw. The CS of the PC responded differentially and/or proportionally to the position of the extremity, amplitude of the movement, velocity and acceleration. Inphase and outphase responses of the climbing fiber (CF) system to sinusoidal movements could depend on the position of the extremity within the operational range. From these results we deduce that peripheral events can be signalled by the CF system. The possible function of the interaction between the two inputs at the PC level is discussed.

Animals↗

Vagal representation in the cerebellum of the cat.

The cervical vagus nerve (VN) was electrically stimulated in Nembutal-anaesthetized cats. The responses recorded from the cerebellar surface were found in lob. V and VI in a bilateral sagittal strip perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the folia. At a longer latency, potentials were also found in the paramedian lobule. Field potential analysis confirmed the existence of a sagittal strip in the deep parts of the lobules. The distribution of these potentials and their field potential profiles indicate that they are transmitted through the climbing fiber (CF) system. Experiments with local anaesthetics and deafferentation support our view that the potentials described in the vermis by Dell and Olson (1951) could be originated extracerebellarly. A strong parallelism was found between the amplitude of the cerebellar responses and the amplitude of the group B1 component of the vagal afferent potentials, having a conduction velocity between 4 and 20 m/s. The pathway by which the vagal afferents reach the inferior olive and the functional significance of these afferents are discussed.

Action Potentials↗

Discharge patterns of Purkinje cells activated through the climbing fiber system by stimulation of somatic and visceral afferents.

Extracellular recordings were obtained from single Purkinje cells (PC) in the intermediate part of the lobule V and VI of the cerebellar cortex in cats anaesthetized with Nembutal. A number of PC responded with a "complex spike" (CS) to stimulation of both the superficial radial nerve (SRN) and the vagus nerve (VN). By suppressing the transmission of mossy fiber (MF) inputs through manipulation of the level of anaesthesia, attention was paid to the "simple spike" (SS) activity after the CS. Modality-specific differences were found in the length of the post-CS pause, the presence of a post-pause rebound, the effect of pre-CS SS firing rate on pause duration and in the frequency and regularity of post-pause SS discharge. We concluded that these differences arouse from the location of the PC within the climbing fiber (CF) sagittal strip and from the differential activation of the inhibitory interneurons. We propose that modification of SS activity following a CS represents a possible means of information transmission by the CF system.

Afferent Pathways↗

Responses of cerebellar units to a passive movement in the decerebrate cat.

The responses of mossy fibers (MF), granular cells (GrC) and Purkinje cells (PC) were recorded in the cerebellum of the decerebrate cat during a passive movement about the forepaw wrist joint. Three main discharge patterns containing information about all the static and dynamic parameters of the movement were found. Simultaneous recording of complex spikes (CS) and simple spikes (SS) showed that the activity of PC can be modulated through either MF or CF input channels alone or both together. In the latter case SS and CS discharge most commonly showed an opposite behavior, in which the increase of the frequency of one type of spike was accompanied by a decrease of the frequency of the other type. Both inputs displayed tonic and phasic characteristics and all the qualitative discharge patterns observed. Therefore it was concluded that aside from differences in the discharge frequency, both inputs are able to directly signal peripheral events.

Animals↗