NeuroCognitive Institute

The general linear model (GLM) has been widely used in research, where the error term has been treated as noise. However, compelling evidence suggests that in biological systems, the target variables may possess their innate variances. A modified GLM was proposed to explicitly model biological variance and nonbiological noise. Using the expectation and maximization (EM) scheme can distinguish biological variance from noise, termed EMSEV (EM for separating variances). The performance of EMSEV was evaluated by varying noise levels, dimensions of the design matrix, and covariance structures of the target variables. The deviation between EMSEV outputs and the predefined distribution parameters increased with noise level. With a proper initial guess, when the noise magnitude and the variance of the target variables were similar, there were deviations of 3% and 10%-16% in the estimated mean and covariance of the target variables, respectively, along with a 1.7% deviation in noise estimation. EMSEV appears promising for distinguishing signal variance from noise in biological systems. The potential applications and implications in biological science and statistical inference are discussed.

Abstract While the Jendrassik maneuver (JM) is commonly used in neurology to enhance monosynaptic reflexes such as the knee-jerk reflex, its interaction with cognitive processes like motor imagery (MI) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of JM, MI, and their combination on the left flexor carpi radialis (FCR) H-reflex and cortical electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. Twenty healthy participants completed four tasks: resting, MI (imagining squeezing a tennis ball with the left hand), JM (squeezing a tennis ball with the right hand), and JM combined with MI (JM&MI). The FCR H-reflex was elicited with median nerve stimulation, and EEG changes were analyzed through event-related potentials and modulations of the mu rhythm. Surprisingly, JM performed with the right hand did not affect the contralateral H-reflex. MI of the left hand decreased the H-reflex in the right FCR. JM and MI significantly modulated cortical activity. Event-related desynchronization (ERD) of the mu-rhythm occurred during both JM and MI, and it was contralateral to the physical contraction or imagery. Bilateral ERD was observed during JM&MI. Cortical responses to nerve stimulation (P100, N100 and P300 components) varied by task, and during JM the P100 and P300 components correlated with strength of mu-rhythm ERD.

Abstract Neurodevelopmental disorders, including Rett Syndrome (RTT), have no functional cure and cause substantial levels of disability. Neuroinflammation is now strongly associated with both neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, providing a strong rationale for development of novel therapeutics targeting common neuroinflammatory mechanisms. RTT is caused by mutations in the methylated DNA binding factor MECP2. Mecp2 -deficient ( Mecp2 -KO) mice, which have been extensively characterized as a mouse model of RTT, exhibit high levels of neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and severe neurological symptoms similar to RTT patients. KIT-13 is a novel plasmalogen derivative being developed for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders including RTT. This study evaluated KIT-13 in both cell-based and in vivo models for its potential to inhibit neuroinflammation and address underlying mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as effects on RTT-like neurological symptoms in the RTT mouse model. Oral administration of KIT-13 to Mecp2 -KO mice significantly reduced neurological symptoms assessed by a composite score evaluating mobility, gait, hindlimb clasping, tremor, breathing, and general condition and improved the life span of the RTT model mice. In addition, KIT-13 suppressed mitochondrial DNA leakage associated with Mecp2 deficiency, and significantly suppressed neuroinflammation as measured by microglial cell morphology. These results suggest that KIT-13 may be a promising therapeutic agent for RTT and other neuroinflammation-related diseases.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with hypoactivity in the frontoparietal (FP) system and hyperactivity in the limbic (LM) system. The widely accepted limbic-cortical dysregulation model has recently been extended by the concept of imbalanced reciprocal suppression between these 2 systems. This study investigates the refined theoretical framework. Neuroimaging datasets from 60 MDD and 60 healthy controls were obtained from the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression database, including structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI). The cerebral cortex was parcellated using the modular analysis and similarity measurements (MOSI) technique. For each node, the average amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (avgALFF) and nodal strength were calculated. Correlation analyses were conducted to establish an adjacency matrix and assess the relationship between nodal power and strength. The results indicated that the LM system in MDD displayed higher partition numbers and avgALFF (P < 0.005). A significant negative correlation between nodal strength and power was replicated (P < 1E-10), suggesting that greater functional input enhances regional neural suppression. Notably, MDD participants exhibited a higher negative correlation between FP nodal power and LM-FP connectivity (stronger suppression) but a lower negative correlation between LM nodal power and FP-LM connectivity (weaker suppression). These findings support the theory of abnormal cortical signal organization and reciprocal suppression in MDD.

Lazër Shantoja lindi në Shkodër më 2 shtator 1892, në një familje tradicionalisht të shquar për patriotizëm, intelektualizëm dhe kontribut në fushën e albanologjisë. Orator, poet lirik, eseist, përkthyes, i mbiquajtur “famullitari i pianofortit”, Shantoja do kujtohet sidomos si përkthyesi i veprave të mëdha të Gëtes, Shilerit dhe Hajnes. Shkrimet e Shantojës mbetën të shpërndara ndër gazeta e revista. Në 2005, nën kujdesin e Arben Ndrecës, shkrimet e tij u përmblodhën në “Vepra”, Lazër Shantoja dhe u botuan nga Botime Françeskane.&#x0D; Pjesa është marrë nga libri “Vepra” e Lazër Shantojës, si një udhëpërshkrim, ku Shantoja sjell edhe përshtypjen e tij për Elbasanin. Për herë të parë ky shkrim është botuar te Tomorri, 29 mars 1941.

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Free accessAbstractFirst published online May 22, 2018WCNR 2018 Oral AbstractsVolume 32, Issue 4-5https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968318765497