Direct and indirect connections between cochlear root neurons and facial motor neurons: Pathways underlying the acoustic pinna reflex in the albino rat

Cochlear root neurons (CRNs) are involved in the acoustic startle reflex, which is widely used in behavioral models of sensorimotor integration. A short-latency component of this reflex, the auricular reflex, promotes pinna movements in response to unexpected loud sounds. However, the pathway involved in the auricular component of the startle reflex is not well understood. We hypothesized that the auricular reflex is mediated by direct and indirect inputs from CRNs to the motoneurons responsible for pinna movement, which are located in the medial subnucleus of the facial motor nucleus (Mot7). To assess whether there is a direct connection between CRNs and auricular motoneurons in the rat, two neuronal tracers were used in conjunction: biotinylated dextran amine, which was injected into the cochlear nerve root, and Fluoro-Gold, which was injected into the levator auris longus muscle. Under light microscopy, close appositions were observed between axon terminals of CRNs and auricular motoneurons. The presence of direct synaptic contact was confirmed at the ultrastructural level. To confirm the indirect connection, biotinylated dextran amine was injected into the auditory-responsive portion of the caudal pontine reticular nucleus, which receives direct input from CRNs. The results confirm that the caudal pontine reticular nucleus also targets the Mot7 and that its terminals are concentrated in the medial subnucleus. Therefore, it is likely that CRNs innervate auricular motoneurons both directly and indirectly, suggesting that these connections participate in the rapid auricular reflex that accompanies the acoustic startle reflex. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Silent Period-Dentate, Edentulous, and Patients With Craniomandibular Dysfunction

Background: The record of electrical activity of elevator muscles in mandible is important for the evaluation of muscular potency and diagnosis of neuromuscular pathologies, which allows prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to define silent periods (SPs) and the importance in dentistry and compare the SPs in masticatory muscles of dentate and edentulous patients wearing prosthesis considering the presence or absence of craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD).Materials and Methods: Literature review in PubMed database.Discussion: Silent periods are isolated pulses of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the primary motor cortex during voluntary muscular activity that generates an interruption of muscular activity for hundredths of milliseconds. The SP duration depends on the patient (dentate or edentulous), type of stimulus, and presence of CMD.Conclusions: The SP is higher in complete edentulous patients and in individuals with occlusal disharmonies than in dentate patients without CMDs. The treatment of CMDs through occlusal therapy decreases SP duration.

Nigriventrine: A low molecular mass neuroactive compound from the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A influência da música nas atividades físicas e sua impressão no corpo e nos estados de ânimo

Numerous studies in physical education and music's area have been conducted to improve the quality of life and health of people, all of them under physiological, psychological and social fields. Thus, when properly analyzed, both Areas are connected, because the movement itself, main subject of physical education, has a close proximity to the rhythm, an essential element of music. That's why it is important to discover the benefits of this relationship, because, in many of its practices, physical education makes use of music, for example, in aerobic gymnastic and dance classes. As a consequence, this study aims to investigate, through literature, the influence of music in physical activities and its imprinting in the states of mind and body of practitioners, as well as clarify the criteria for choice of songs that are used in such practice. This research occurred under literary explore, done through theoretical analysis of the thematic. At first place, a contextualization of the auditory system and its relationship with the music and the perception of sound were made, then the main theme was explored. The music, even before generate and influence motor and psychic movements in the human body, is already moving in space, because it is formed through vibrations of molecules. It is decoded first as a movement from the ears, and then decoded as sound, when in the brain. It is important to worry about sounds at high intensities and also with those which are outside the hearing thresholds within physical activities involving music, because they may be harmful to health and also to states of mind. As far as music and movement is concerned, they are closely linked, and the human being has an instinctive sense of rhythm that can be seen when listening to music, because the motor cortex is also activated. Therefore, it is important to work the sound and body movement together, because in practice they are inseparable and they contribute greatly to...

Uso de Redes Neurais ARTMAP Nebulosas para a classificação de padrões em sinais ECoG relacionados ao movimento dos dedos

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS