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A TinyOS-enabled MICA2-based wireless neural interface.

Existing approaches used to develop compact low-power multichannel wireless neural recording systems range from creating custom-integrated circuits to assembling commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) PC-based components. Custom-integrated-circuit designs yield extremely compact and low-power devices at the expense of high development and upgrade costs and turn-around times, while assembling COTS-PC-technology yields high performance at the expense of large system size and increased power consumption. To achieve a balance between implementing an ultra-compact custom-fabricated neural transceiver and assembling COTS-PC-technology, an overlay of a neural interface upon the TinyOS-based MICA2 platform is described. The system amplifies, digitally encodes, and transmits neural signals real-time at a rate of 9.6 kbps, while consuming less than 66 mW of power. The neural signals are received and forwarded to a client PC over a serial connection. This data rate can be divided for recording on up to 6 channels, with a resolution of 8 bits/sample. This work demonstrates the strengths and limitations of the TinyOS-based sensor technology as a foundation for chronic remote biological monitoring applications and, thus, provides an opportunity to create a system that can leverage from the frequent networking and communications advancements being made by the global TinyOS-development community.

Amplifiers, Electronic↗

Formation of regulatory patterns during signal propagation in a Mammalian cellular network.

We developed a model of 545 components (nodes) and 1259 interactions representing signaling pathways and cellular machines in the hippocampal CA1 neuron. Using graph theory methods, we analyzed ligand-induced signal flow through the system. Specification of input and output nodes allowed us to identify functional modules. Networking resulted in the emergence of regulatory motifs, such as positive and negative feedback and feedforward loops, that process information. Key regulators of plasticity were highly connected nodes required for the formation of regulatory motifs, indicating the potential importance of such motifs in determining cellular choices between homeostasis and plasticity.

Algorithms↗

Cerebral interregional correlations of associative language processing: a positron emission tomography activation study using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose.

Even though there have been numerous positron emission tomography (PET) activation studies on the perfusional and metabolic bases of language processing, little is known about the intracerebral functional network of language and cognitive processes. It was the aim of this study to investigate the cerebral interregional correlations during voluntary word association versus word repetition in healthy subjects to gain insight into the functional connectivity of associative speech processing. Due to individual variability in functional anatomy, the study protocol was designed as an averaged single-subject study. Eight healthy volunteers performed a verbal association task during fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET scanning. Two different tasks were performed in randomized order: (a) word repetition (after auditory presentation of nouns) as a control condition, and (b) word association (after auditory presentation of nouns) as a specific semantic activation. The regional metabolic rate of glucose (rMRGlu) was calculated after brain regionalization [112 regions of interest on individual 3D flash magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] and PET/MRI realignment. Statistical analysis was performed for comparison of association and repetition and for calculation of interregional correlation coefficients during both tasks. Compared with word repetition, word association was associated with significant increases in rMRGlu in the left prefrontal cortex, the left frontal operculum (Broca's area) and the left insula, indicating involvement of these areas in associative language processing. Decreased rMRGlu was found in the left posterior cingulum during word association. During word repetition, highly significant negative correlations were found between the left prefrontal cortex, the contralateral cortex areas and the ipsilateral posterior cingulum. These negative correlations were almost completely eliminated during the association task, suggesting a functional decoupling of the strict intercorrelation pattern.

Adult↗

Crossmodal integration for perception and action.

The integration of information from different sensory modalities has many advantages for human observers, including increase of salience, resolution of perceptual ambiguities, and unified perception of objects and surroundings. Several behavioral, electrophysiological and neuroimaging data collected in various tasks, including localization and detection of spatial events, crossmodal perception of object properties and scene analysis are reviewed here. All the results highlight the multiple faces of crossmodal interactions and provide converging evidence that the brain takes advantages of spatial and temporal coincidence between spatial events in the crossmodal binding of spatial features gathered through different modalities. Furthermore, the elaboration of a multimodal percept appears to be based on an adaptive combination of the contribution of each modality, according to the intrinsic reliability of sensory cue, which itself depends on the task at hand and the kind of perceptual cues involved in sensory processing. Computational models based on bayesian sensory estimation provide valuable explanations of the way perceptual system could perform such crossmodal integration. Recent anatomical evidence suggest that crossmodal interactions affect early stages of sensory processing, and could be mediated through a dynamic recurrent network involving backprojections from multimodal areas as well as lateral connections that can modulate the activity of primary sensory cortices, though future behavioral and neurophysiological studies should allow a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms.

Animals↗

Quantitative analysis of the dendritic morphology of corticocortical projection neurons in the macaque monkey association cortex.

The polymodal association areas of the primate cerebral cortex are heavily interconnected and play a crucial role in cognition. Area 46 of the prefrontal cortex in non-human primates receives direct inputs from several association areas, among them the cortical regions lining the superior temporal sulcus. We examined whether projection neurons providing such a corticocortical projection differ in their dendritic morphology from pyramidal neurons projecting locally within area 46. Specific sets of corticocortical projection neurons were identified by in vivo retrograde transport in young macaque monkeys. Full dendritic arbors of retrogradely labeled neurons were visualized in brain slices by targeted intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow, and reconstructed three-dimensionally using computer-assisted morphometry. Total dendritic length, numbers of segments, numbers of spines, and spine density were analyzed in layer III pyramidal neurons forming long projections (from the superior temporal cortex to prefrontal area 46), as well as local projections (within area 46). Sholl analysis was also used to compare the complexity of these two groups of neurons. Our results demonstrate that long corticocortical projection neurons connecting the temporal and prefrontal cortex have longer, more complex dendritic arbors and more spines than pyramidal neurons projecting locally within area 46. The more complex dendritic arborization of such neurons is likely linked to their participation in cortical networks that require extensive convergence of multiple afferents at the cellular level.

Animals↗

Longitudinal functional network connectivity changes across the clinical stages of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion carriers.

INTRODUCTION: Intrinsic functional connectivity network abnormalities in C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion carriers emerge during the asymptomatic phase, yet longitudinal studies remain limited. We examined cross-sectional abnormalities and longitudinal connectivity changes across clinical stages. METHODS: We analyzed task-free functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and structural MRI data in 36 asymptomatic (aSxC9), 17 prodromal (proC9), and 29 symptomatic (SxC9) carriers, and 107 healthy controls (HCs). Functional networks previously found altered in C9orf72, including salience, sensorimotor, default mode, and medial pulvinar thalamic networks, were examined. Associations between longitudinal connectivity and gray matter decline with baseline neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations and symptom severity were assessed. RESULTS: aSxC9 and SxC9 showed longitudinal connectivity changes within specific networks. In aSxC9, connectivity changes correlated with baseline NfL. In proC9 and SxC9, changes in connectivity and gray matter were associated with baseline NfL and symptom severity. DISCUSSION: C9orf72 expansion carriers demonstrate stage-specific network connectivity changes.

Humans↗

Task and content modulate amygdala-hippocampal connectivity in emotional retrieval.

The ability to remember emotional events is crucial for adapting to biologically and socially significant situations. Little is known, however, about the nature of the neural interactions supporting the integration of mnemonic and emotional information. Using fMRI and dynamic models of effective connectivity, we examined regional neural activity and specific interactions between brain regions during a contextual memory retrieval task. We independently manipulated emotional context and relevance of retrieved emotional information to task demands. We show that retrieval of emotionally valenced contextual information is associated with enhanced connectivity from hippocampus to amygdala, structures crucially involved with encoding of emotional events. When retrieval of emotional information is relevant to current behavior, amygdala-hippocampal connectivity increases bidirectionally, under modulatory influences from orbitofrontal cortex, a region implicated in representation of affective value and behavioral guidance. Our findings demonstrate that both memory content and behavioral context impact upon large scale neuronal dynamics underlying emotional retrieval.

Amygdala↗

Gap junctions and neurological disorders of the central nervous system.

Gap junctions are intercellular channels which directly connect the cytoplasm between neighboring cells. In the central nervous system (CNS) various kinds of cells are coupled by gap junctions, which play an important role in maintaining normal function. Neuronal gap junctions are involved in electrical coupling and may also contribute to the recovery of function after cell injury. Astrocytes are involved in the pathology of most neuronal disorders, including brain ischemia, Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. In the pathology of brain tumors, gap junctions may be related to the degree of malignancy and metastasis. However, the role of connexins, gap junctions and hemichannels in the pathology of the diseases in the CNS is still ambiguous. Of increasing importance is the unraveling of the function of gap junctions in the neural cell network, involving neurons, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes. A better understanding of the role of gap junctions may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches to treating diseases of the CNS.

Animals↗

Anterograde axonal transport, transcytosis, and recycling of neurotrophic factors: the concept of trophic currencies in neural networks.

Traditional views of neurotrophic factor biology held that trophic factors are released from target cells, retrogradely transported along their axons, and rapidly degraded upon arrival in cell bodies. Increasing evidence indicates that several trophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), can move anterogradely along axons. They can escape the degradative pathway upon internalization and are recycled for future uses. Internalized ligands can move through intermediary cells by transcytosis, presumably by endocytosis via endosomes to the Golgi system, by trafficking of the factor to dendrites or by sorting into anterograde axonal transport with subsequent release from axon terminals and uptake by second- or third-order target neurons. Such data suggest the existence of multiple "trophic currencies," which may be used over several steps in neural networks to enable nurturing relationships between connected neurons or glial cells, not unlike currency exchanges between trading partners in the world economy. Functions of multistep transfer of trophic material through neural networks may include regulation of neuronal survival, differentiation of phenotypes and dendritic morphology, synapse plasticity, as well as excitatory neurotransmission. The molecular mechanisms of sorting, trafficking, and release of trophic factors from distinct neuronal compartments are important for an understanding of neurotrophism, but they present challenging tasks owing to the low levels of the endogenous factors.

Animals↗

Deforming the hippocampal map.

To investigate conjoint stimulus control over place cells, Fenton et al. (J Gen Physiol 116:191-209, 2000a) recorded while rats foraged in a cylinder with 45 degrees black and white cue cards on the wall. Card centers were 135 degrees apart. In probe trials, the cards were rotated together or apart by 25 degrees . Firing field centers shifted during these trials, stretching and shrinking the cognitive map. Fenton et al. (2000b) described this deformation with an ad hoc vector field equation. We consider what sorts of neural network mechanisms might be capable of accounting for their observations. In an abstract, maximum likelihood formulation, the rat's location is estimated by a conjoint probability density function of landmark positions. In an attractor neural network model, recurrent connections produce a bump of activity over a two-dimensional array of cells; the bump's position is influenced by landmark features such as distances or bearings. If features are chosen with appropriate care, the attractor network and maximum likelihood models yield similar results, in accord with previous demonstrations that recurrent neural networks can efficiently implement maximum likelihood computations (Pouget et al. Neural Comput 10:373-401, 1998; Deneve et al. Nat Neurosci 4:826-831, 2001).

Action Potentials↗

Abnormal effective connectivity of dopamine D2 receptor binding in schizophrenia.

Receptor binding has been examined region by region in both in vitro and in vivo studies, but less attention has been paid to the connectivity of regional receptor binding despite the fact that neurophysiological studies have indicated an extensive inter-regional connectivity. In this study, we investigated the connectivity of regional dopamine D2 receptor binding in positron emission tomography data from 10 drug-naive patients with schizophrenia and 19 healthy controls. We applied a structural equation method to regional receptor binding. The results indicated that the network models of the patients and normal subjects were significantly different. As to the individual path coefficients, (a) connectivity between cortical regions was different between groups; (b) connectivity from the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and thalamus to the anterior cingulate differed from that in controls; and (c) connectivity from the prefrontal cortex to the anterior cingulate and thalamus via the hippocampus was observed in normal subjects but not in patients. These results suggest that a systems-level change reflected in the connectivity of D2 receptor binding is present in schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Multicolor "DiOlistic" labeling of the nervous system using lipophilic dye combinations.

We describe a technique for rapid labeling of a large number of cells in the nervous system with many different colors. By delivering lipophilic dye-coated particles to neuronal preparations with a "gene gun," individual neurons and glia whose membranes are contacted by the particles are quickly labeled. Using particles that are each coated with different combinations of various lipophilic dyes, many cells within a complex neuronal network can be simultaneously labeled with a wide variety of colors. This approach is most effective in living material but also labels previously fixed material. In living material, labeled neurons continue to show normal synaptic responses and undergo dendritic remodeling. This technique is thus useful for studying structural plasticity of neuronal circuits in living preparations. In addition, the Golgi-like labeling of neurons with many different colors provides a novel way to study neuronal connectivity.

Animals↗

Reentry and the problem of integrating multiple cortical areas: simulation of dynamic integration in the visual system.

Studies of the cerebral cortex, particularly those of the visual system, demonstrate the existence of multiple, anatomically segregated and functionally specialized cortical areas. There is no evidence that these areas, which are linked by a network of reciprocal connections, are coordinated by a higher-order center. The visual image that we perceive, however, seems to be unified and coherent. In this article, we address the problem of integration posed by these observations. In an extension of our previous work, we develop a dynamic model of reentry. Reentry is a process of parallel and recursive signaling along ordered anatomical connections that achieves integration by giving rise to constructive and correlative properties within and among maps. We present and test a computer model simulating nine functionally segregated visual areas organized into three streams for form, color, and motion. The model receives visual input consisting of camera images of objects of different shapes and colors. We show the specialized response properties of the areas in the three streams. A computational strategy involving a phase variable is introduced to represent explicitly the dynamics of short-term temporal correlations among thousands of units distributed across different areas. We then illustrate constructive and correlative consequences of reentry within a system of reciprocal intra- and interareal connections by two examples taken from psychophysics: generation of form from motion and motion capture. The model solves the so-called "binding problem" through short-term correlations, which serve to link similar object features within a simulated cortical area and to bind multiple attributes of one or more objects across several areas, including a nontopographic one. Integration emerges from cooperative effects within and among the specialized areas. These effects lead to a simple output, a simulated foveation response, that is used as a basis for conditioning. Reward is mediated by the activation of a saliency system that is modeled on diffuse projection systems in the brain. As a result, the visual cortical model carries out foveation responses to input stimuli that require the dynamic conjunction and discrimination of form, color, and location for successful performance.

Animals↗

Unsupervised learning and adaptation in a model of adult neurogenesis.

Adult neurogenesis has long been documented in the vertebrate brain and recently even in humans. Although it has been conjectured for many years that its functional role is related to the renewing of memories, no clear mechanism as to how this can be achieved has been proposed. Using the mammalian olfactory bulb as a paradigm, we present a scheme in which incorporation of new neurons proceeds at a constant rate, while their survival is activity-dependent and thus contingent on new neurons establishing suitable connections. We show that a simple mathematical model following these rules organizes its activity so as to maximize the difference between its responses and can adapt to changing environmental conditions in unsupervised fashion, in agreement with current neurophysiological data.

Action Potentials↗

Immunohistochemical distribution and partial characterization of FLFQPQRFamidelike peptides in the central nervous system of rats.

Two peptides that are structurally related to the molluscan tetrapeptide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRF-NH2) were recently isolated from bovine brain extract (Yang et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:7757-7761, '85). These peptides have an attenuating effect on morphine-induced analgesia when injected intracerebroventricularly in rats. Antisera against the two peptides--an octapeptide, Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-NH2 (F8F-NH2), and an octadecapeptide, Ala-Gly-Glu-Gly-Leu-Ser-Ser-Pro-Phe-Trp-Ser-Leu-Ala-Ala-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe- NH2 (A18F-NH2)--were raised in rabbits and characterized with standard radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemical blocking controls. This study was aimed at localizing neurons in the rat brain that contain immunoreactivity for these peptides. Cryostat sections of normal and colchicine-treated Sprague-Dawley rat brains were incubated with the specific antisera and the immunoreactivity was visualized by the PAP or the FITC method. Immunoreactive neurons were detected in the hypothalamus and nucleus of the solitary tract. Relatively dense networks of fibers and terminals were observed in the lateral parabrachial nucleus and in the nucleus of the solitary tract. Fibers and terminals were also seen in the lateral septum, amygdala, hypothalamus, neurohypophysis, thalamus, periaqueductal gray, and several medullary nuclei. In these areas the immunoreactivity was abolished when the antisera were incubated with the corresponding synthetic peptides F8F-NH2 and A18F-NH2. Preincubation of the antisera with neuropeptide Y (NPY) did not affect the staining. The results suggest that there are neurons in the rat brain that contain F8F-NH2- and A18F-NH2-like peptides. The neuronal system described here may have a role in the regulation of autonomic functions, such as hypothalamic control and respiratory functions. The neuronal connections of the cells containing F8F-NH2- and A18F-NH2-like peptides remain to be studied.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Generation of theta oscillations by weakly coupled neural oscillators in the presence of noise.

Neuronal oscillations are a robust phenomenon occurring in a variety of brain regions despite considerable amounts of noise. In this article classical phase-response theory is generalized to the case of noisy weak-coupling regimes by deriving an iterated map for the asynchrony of spikes in an oscillation cycle. Two criteria are introduced to check the validity of our approximations: One criterion tests the assumption that all neurons fire exactly once per cycle, the other criterion tests for linearity. The framework is applied to stellate cells of the medial entorhinal cortex layer II. We find that rhythmogenesis is more robust in the case of excitatory noise as compared to inhibitory noise. It is shown that a network of stellate cells can also act as a generator of theta if the neurons are connected via a fast-oscillating network of inhibitory interneurons.

Action Potentials↗

The connections of the trigeminal and facial motor nuclei in the brain of the carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as revealed by anterograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase.

The connections of the rostral and caudal parts of the trigeminal and facial motor nuclei in the carp were studied with the horseradish peroxidase technique. Following ionophoretic peroxidase injections in these motor nuclei, retrogradely labeled cells were observed together with anterogradely labeled motor cell processes. Several cellular areas in thalamus, cerebellum and medulla oblongata were shown to project to the V and VII motor nuclei. Labeled cells were found in the inferior lobe and the glomerular complex of the thalamus. In the medulla oblongata, cells in the descending trigeminal nucleus, reticular nuclei and motor nuclei other than those injected were labeled. Besides these conspicuous projections several smaller connections were also found. These findings are discussed on their significance to respiratory function. Anterogradely labeled cellular processes constitute a relatively simple network of fiber connections between the various motor nuclei and the reticular nuclei of the brainstem. This apparently dendritic system of the bulbar motor complex shows a certain degree of similarity to the structure of the motor system in the spinal cord, and might play a role in the coordinated control of the muscular system.

Animals↗

Online workbenches for neural network connections.

The nervous system is the most complex object we know of. It is a spatially distributed, functionally differentiated network formed by axonal connections between defined neuron populations and effector cells. Computer science provides exciting new tools for archiving, analyzing, synthesizing, and modeling on the Web vast amounts of frequently conflicting and incomplete qualitative and quantitative data about the organization and molecular mechanisms of neural networks. To optimize conceptual advances in systems neuroscience, it is important for the research and publishing communities to embrace three exercises: using defined nomenclatures; populating databases; and providing feedback to developers about improved design, performance, and functionality of knowledge management systems and associated visualization tools.

Animals↗