<p>Photomicrographs of representative Nissl-stained coronal sections containing the ventral... more <p>Photomicrographs of representative Nissl-stained coronal sections containing the ventral portion of the dentate gyrus taken from a control rat (<b>A</b>), from a rat in the behavioral status epilepticus (BSE) group (<b>B</b>) and from a kainate-treated rat that had not experienced behavioral status epilepticus (no-BSE; <b>C</b>). Note that the density of neurons in the dentate hilus is dramatically reduced in the rat that experienced behavioral SE (<b>B</b>). In striking contrast, most of the neurons of the ventral hilus are preserved in the rat from the no-BSE group (<b>C</b>). Scale bar shown in (<b>B</b>) = 250 µm.</p
<p>The y-axis represents the mean (±SEM) step-through latencies during training trial as we... more <p>The y-axis represents the mean (±SEM) step-through latencies during training trial as well as on the retention trial given 24 h later. Note that rats which did not show behavioral signs of status epilepticus following the treatment with kainate (no-BSE group) showed lower retention scores than did control rats. In contrast, rats that had experienced behavioral status epilepticus (BSE group) showed increased baseline entry latency, but appeared normal on the retention test. *<i>p</i><0.05 vs. control group.</p
<p>The x-axes represent the total numbers of neurons in the dentate hilus (<b>A</b... more <p>The x-axes represent the total numbers of neurons in the dentate hilus (<b>A</b>, <b>B</b>), and hippocampal CA3 (<b>C</b>, <b>D</b>) and CA1 (<b>E</b>, <b>F</b>) pyramidal fields in control and kainate-treated rats. The y-axes represent the percentages of savings during water maze training, i.e. the differences, in %, between the mean distances swum by rats on the first four trials and on the last four trials (<b>A</b>, <b>C</b>, <b>E</b>), and the percentages of time spent by rats in the training quadrant of the water maze during the probe trial (<b>B</b>, <b>D</b>, <b>F</b>). Data obtained from 6 animals randomly selected from each group (final n = 18) were used in the correlational analyses. Correlation coefficients are shown at the bottom of each plot and dashed lines represent 95% confidence intervals.</p
<p>Photomicrographs of representative Nissl-stained coronal sections containing the dentate... more <p>Photomicrographs of representative Nissl-stained coronal sections containing the dentate gyrus, CA3 and CA1 hippocampal fields taken from a control rat (<b>A</b>), from a rat in the behavioral status epilepticus (BSE) group (<b>B</b>) and from a kainate-treated rat that had not experienced behavioral status epilepticus (no-BSE; <b>C</b>). Note that the density of neurons in the dentate hilus is considerably reduced in the rats with (<b>B</b>) and without (<b>C</b>) behavioral SE when compared to the control rat (<b>A</b>). Note also dramatic loss of the CA3 and especially CA1 neurons in the rat from the BSE group; neurons in the CA2 field are relatively preserved (<b>B</b>). Scale bar shown in (<b>B</b>) = 200 µm.</p
<p>The y-axis represents the distances travelled by rats during the 5-min testing sessions ... more <p>The y-axis represents the distances travelled by rats during the 5-min testing sessions in the outer and inner zones of the open-field apparatus, and in the central zone and open and closed arms of the plus-maze apparatus. Note that rats who had experienced behavioral status epilepticus (BSE group) traveled longer distances in the outer and inner zones of the open field when compared to control rats and rats that had not experienced behavioral status epilepticus (no-BSE group), respectively. In the plus-maze test, rats in the BSE group spent more time in the open arms of the apparatus than rats in the other two groups. *<i>p</i><0.05 vs. control group and <sup>#</sup><i>p</i><0.05 vs. no-BSE group. Data are presented as the mean±SEM.</p
<p>The y-axes represent the total numbers of neurons (mean±SD) in the dentate hilus and hip... more <p>The y-axes represent the total numbers of neurons (mean±SD) in the dentate hilus and hippocampal CA3 and CA1 pyramidal fields in control rats and in kainate-treated rats with and without behavioral status epilepticus (BSE group and no-BSE group, respectively). The number of hilar neurons is reduced in both groups of kainate-treated rats when compared to control group. Note that the number of cells in the CA3 and CA1 pyramidal regions was strikingly reduced in rats from the BSE group, but not in those from the no-BSE group. Dentate hilus: *<i>p</i><0.05 for no-BSE group vs. control group and <i>p</i><0.01 for BSE group vs. control group; CA3 and CA1 fields: *<i>p</i><0.001 vs. control group and <sup>#</sup><i>p</i><0.001 vs. no-BSE group.</p
<p>(<b>A</b>) The y-axis represents the mean swim distance (±SEM) in centimeter... more <p>(<b>A</b>) The y-axis represents the mean swim distance (±SEM) in centimeters to reach a hidden platform throughout the acquisition of the water maze task. The data were averaged across seven blocks of four consecutive trials each (the x-axis). Note that the performance of rats that had experienced behavioral status epilepticus (BSE group) on this task was extremely poor. However, spatial learning of the rats that showed no convulsive status epilepticus (no-BSE group) was also considerably impaired. *<i>p</i><0.0001 for BSE group vs. control group and <i>p</i><0.001 for no-BSE group vs. control group; <sup>#</sup><i>p</i><0.05 vs. no-BSE group. (<b>B</b>) The y-axes represent the percentage of time spent by rats in the training quadrant of the water maze during the probe trial and the number of times they swam through the zone where the platform had been located (platform crossings). Unlike control rats, rats in the BSE group did not show a preference for the training quadrant of the water maze and were impaired in their ability to localize the former platform position. However, the acuity of spatial search was also impaired in the no-BSE rats, as indicated by the fact that they crossed the former platform position less frequently than did control rats. *<i>p</i><0.05 for no-BSE group vs. control group and <i>p</i><0.01 for BSE group vs. control group; <sup>#</sup><i>p</i><0.05 vs. no-BSE group. Data are presented as the mean±SEM.</p
Neuropeptides are implicated in control of lateralized processes in the brain. A unilateral brain... more Neuropeptides are implicated in control of lateralized processes in the brain. A unilateral brain injury (UBI) causes the contralesional sensorimotor deficits. To examine whether opioid neuropeptides mediate UBI
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Studies in animal models of epilepsy revealed compromised serotonin (5-HT) transmission between t... more Studies in animal models of epilepsy revealed compromised serotonin (5-HT) transmission between the raphe nuclei and the brain limbic system. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of epilepsy on the structural integrity of the dorsal (DR) and median (MnR) raphe nuclei and on the morphology of serotonergic fiber terminals in the dentate gyrus (DG), infralimbic cortex (IL) and medial septum (MS). The study was performed in adult Wistar rats using the kainate (9.5 mg/kg) status epilepticus (SE) model. Four months post-SE, the brainstem sections of the animals were immunostained for 5-HT, whereas the forebrain sections were immunostained for serotonin transporter (SERT). Stereological analysis revealed that epileptic rats, as compared with controls, had approximately 30% less 5-HT-stained cells in the interfascicular part of the DR, but twice as many 5-HT-stained cells in the MnR. Another finding was the reorganization of the 5-HT fiber network in all target areas analyzed, as indicated by the rightward shift of the density-size distribution histograms of SERT-stained fiber varicosities. Nonlinear regression analysis of these histograms revealed that SERT-stained varicosities were represented by two subpopulations characterized by distinct cross-sectional areas. The areal density of the small-sized varicosities was decreased in the DG (hilus and molecular layer), IL cortex (layers II/III) and MS, while that of the larger-sized varicosities was increased. The present results support the
Partial depletion of septohippocampal cholinergic cells reduces seizure susceptibility, but does ... more Partial depletion of septohippocampal cholinergic cells reduces seizure susceptibility, but does not mitigate hippocampal neurodegeneration in the kainate model of epilepsy,
Prior studies showed that epilepsy can be associated with reorganization of the septohippocampal ... more Prior studies showed that epilepsy can be associated with reorganization of the septohippocampal cholinergic fiber system. Using the kainate model of epilepsy, we wished to further examine the structural integrity of the mesopontine tegmental nuclei (pedunculopontine, PPN, and laterodorsal, LDT), which provide the cholinergic input to the thalamus. It was found that the total numbers of the PPN and LDT cells immunoreactive to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter did not differ between control and epileptic rats. However, the cholinergic cells had enlarged perikarya in epileptic rats. We further examined the effects of epilepsy on the distribution pattern of cholinergic fiber varicosities in the parafascicular nucleus, one of the principal thalamic targets of PPN projections. The density of cholinergic varicosities, represented by two distinct populations, was increased in epileptic rats. These data provide the first morphological evidence for structural alterations in mesopontine...
Highlights Effects of kainate on hippocampal structure and function are dose-dependent Seroto... more Highlights Effects of kainate on hippocampal structure and function are dose-dependent Serotonin depletion worsens neurological outcome after kainate treatment Low levels of serotonin is one of the major risk factors for epilepsy
The septohippocampal cholinergic neurotransmission has long been implicated in seizures, but litt... more The septohippocampal cholinergic neurotransmission has long been implicated in seizures, but little is known about the structural features of this projection system in epileptic brain. We evaluated the effects of experimental epilepsy on the areal density of cholinergic terminals (fiber varicosities) in the dentate gyrus. For this purpose, we used two distinct post-status epilepticus rat models, in which epilepsy was induced with injections of either kainic acid or pilocarpine. To visualize the cholinergic fibers, we used brain sections immunostained for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter. It was found that the density of cholinergic fiber varicosities was higher in epileptic rats versus control rats in the inner and outer zones of the dentate molecular layer, but it was reduced in the dentate hilus. We further evaluated the effects of kainate treatment on the total number, density and soma volume of septal cholinergic cells, which were visualized in brain sections stained for ...
Treating rats with kainic acid induces status epilepticus (SE) and leads to the development of be... more Treating rats with kainic acid induces status epilepticus (SE) and leads to the development of behavioral deficits and spontaneous recurrent seizures later in life. However, in a subset of rats, kainic acid treatment does not induce overt behaviorally obvious acute SE. The goal of this study was to compare the neuroanatomical and behavioral changes induced by kainate in rats that developed convulsive SE to those who did not. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with kainic acid and tested behaviorally 5 months later. Rats that had experienced convulsive SE showed impaired performance on the spatial water maze and passive avoidance tasks, and on the context and tone retention tests following fear conditioning. In addition, they exhibited less anxiety-like behaviors than controls on the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests. Histologically, convulsive SE was associated with marked neuron loss in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 fields, and in the dentate hilus. Rats that had not experienced convulsive SE after kainate treatment showed less severe, but significant impairments on the spatial water maze and passive avoidance tasks. These rats had fewer neurons than control rats in the dentate hilus, but not in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 fields. Correlational analyses revealed significant relationships between spatial memory indices of rats and neuronal numbers in the dentate hilus and CA3 pyramidal field. These results show that a part of the animals that do not display intense behavioral seizures (convulsive SE) immediately after an epileptogenic treatment, later in life, they may still have noticeable structural and functional changes in the brain.
Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies, 2022
In this chapter, the authors write about the processes of biofeedback, giving an insight about th... more In this chapter, the authors write about the processes of biofeedback, giving an insight about the sensors that might be used, the overall concept of biofeedback, as well as the evidence regarding the effectiveness of neurofeedback for the treatment of mental disorders.The main goal is to provide those introducing to the biofeedback as a self-regulation technique, used now for more than 50 years, with concise information about the sensors that might be used to detect the most common measured responses, the main types of physiological biofeedback, and the state-of-the-art evidence about neurofeedback as a form of brain training for individuals with the most prevalent mental disorders. Biofeedback and neurofeedback are guided therapies that include a vast and rowing variety of methodologies aimed to return information to the individual, regarding the physiological functions of the organism itself, in order to enable the modification of those otherwise considered unconscious physiologi...
Mood disorders and major depression are frequently comorbid with epilepsy. While the nature of th... more Mood disorders and major depression are frequently comorbid with epilepsy. While the nature of this comorbidity is not fully understood, multiple lines of evidence suggest that changes in serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission may be an underlying mechanism. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic epilepsy in rats can be associated with loss of 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe (DR) nuclear complex, the main source of 5-HT projections to the cerebral cortex, which would help to explain respective behavioral deficits. Epilepsy was induced using the kainate model of status epilepticus in adult Wistar rats. After a 3-month recovery period, all kainate-treated rats that had experienced status epilepticus showed spontaneous seizures and reduced sucrose preference (anhedonia), a core symptom of depression. No changes in the forced swim test were detected. The total numbers of 5-HT immunoreactive cells were estimated in all DR subdivisions of control and epileptic rats. Interesting...
Neuropeptides are implicated in control of lateralized processes in the brain. A unilateral brain... more Neuropeptides are implicated in control of lateralized processes in the brain. A unilateral brain injury (UBI) causes the contralesional sensorimotor deficits. To examine whether opioid neuropeptides mediate UBI
<p>Photomicrographs of representative Nissl-stained coronal sections containing the ventral... more <p>Photomicrographs of representative Nissl-stained coronal sections containing the ventral portion of the dentate gyrus taken from a control rat (<b>A</b>), from a rat in the behavioral status epilepticus (BSE) group (<b>B</b>) and from a kainate-treated rat that had not experienced behavioral status epilepticus (no-BSE; <b>C</b>). Note that the density of neurons in the dentate hilus is dramatically reduced in the rat that experienced behavioral SE (<b>B</b>). In striking contrast, most of the neurons of the ventral hilus are preserved in the rat from the no-BSE group (<b>C</b>). Scale bar shown in (<b>B</b>) = 250 µm.</p
<p>The y-axis represents the mean (±SEM) step-through latencies during training trial as we... more <p>The y-axis represents the mean (±SEM) step-through latencies during training trial as well as on the retention trial given 24 h later. Note that rats which did not show behavioral signs of status epilepticus following the treatment with kainate (no-BSE group) showed lower retention scores than did control rats. In contrast, rats that had experienced behavioral status epilepticus (BSE group) showed increased baseline entry latency, but appeared normal on the retention test. *<i>p</i><0.05 vs. control group.</p
<p>The x-axes represent the total numbers of neurons in the dentate hilus (<b>A</b... more <p>The x-axes represent the total numbers of neurons in the dentate hilus (<b>A</b>, <b>B</b>), and hippocampal CA3 (<b>C</b>, <b>D</b>) and CA1 (<b>E</b>, <b>F</b>) pyramidal fields in control and kainate-treated rats. The y-axes represent the percentages of savings during water maze training, i.e. the differences, in %, between the mean distances swum by rats on the first four trials and on the last four trials (<b>A</b>, <b>C</b>, <b>E</b>), and the percentages of time spent by rats in the training quadrant of the water maze during the probe trial (<b>B</b>, <b>D</b>, <b>F</b>). Data obtained from 6 animals randomly selected from each group (final n = 18) were used in the correlational analyses. Correlation coefficients are shown at the bottom of each plot and dashed lines represent 95% confidence intervals.</p
<p>Photomicrographs of representative Nissl-stained coronal sections containing the dentate... more <p>Photomicrographs of representative Nissl-stained coronal sections containing the dentate gyrus, CA3 and CA1 hippocampal fields taken from a control rat (<b>A</b>), from a rat in the behavioral status epilepticus (BSE) group (<b>B</b>) and from a kainate-treated rat that had not experienced behavioral status epilepticus (no-BSE; <b>C</b>). Note that the density of neurons in the dentate hilus is considerably reduced in the rats with (<b>B</b>) and without (<b>C</b>) behavioral SE when compared to the control rat (<b>A</b>). Note also dramatic loss of the CA3 and especially CA1 neurons in the rat from the BSE group; neurons in the CA2 field are relatively preserved (<b>B</b>). Scale bar shown in (<b>B</b>) = 200 µm.</p
<p>The y-axis represents the distances travelled by rats during the 5-min testing sessions ... more <p>The y-axis represents the distances travelled by rats during the 5-min testing sessions in the outer and inner zones of the open-field apparatus, and in the central zone and open and closed arms of the plus-maze apparatus. Note that rats who had experienced behavioral status epilepticus (BSE group) traveled longer distances in the outer and inner zones of the open field when compared to control rats and rats that had not experienced behavioral status epilepticus (no-BSE group), respectively. In the plus-maze test, rats in the BSE group spent more time in the open arms of the apparatus than rats in the other two groups. *<i>p</i><0.05 vs. control group and <sup>#</sup><i>p</i><0.05 vs. no-BSE group. Data are presented as the mean±SEM.</p
<p>The y-axes represent the total numbers of neurons (mean±SD) in the dentate hilus and hip... more <p>The y-axes represent the total numbers of neurons (mean±SD) in the dentate hilus and hippocampal CA3 and CA1 pyramidal fields in control rats and in kainate-treated rats with and without behavioral status epilepticus (BSE group and no-BSE group, respectively). The number of hilar neurons is reduced in both groups of kainate-treated rats when compared to control group. Note that the number of cells in the CA3 and CA1 pyramidal regions was strikingly reduced in rats from the BSE group, but not in those from the no-BSE group. Dentate hilus: *<i>p</i><0.05 for no-BSE group vs. control group and <i>p</i><0.01 for BSE group vs. control group; CA3 and CA1 fields: *<i>p</i><0.001 vs. control group and <sup>#</sup><i>p</i><0.001 vs. no-BSE group.</p
<p>(<b>A</b>) The y-axis represents the mean swim distance (±SEM) in centimeter... more <p>(<b>A</b>) The y-axis represents the mean swim distance (±SEM) in centimeters to reach a hidden platform throughout the acquisition of the water maze task. The data were averaged across seven blocks of four consecutive trials each (the x-axis). Note that the performance of rats that had experienced behavioral status epilepticus (BSE group) on this task was extremely poor. However, spatial learning of the rats that showed no convulsive status epilepticus (no-BSE group) was also considerably impaired. *<i>p</i><0.0001 for BSE group vs. control group and <i>p</i><0.001 for no-BSE group vs. control group; <sup>#</sup><i>p</i><0.05 vs. no-BSE group. (<b>B</b>) The y-axes represent the percentage of time spent by rats in the training quadrant of the water maze during the probe trial and the number of times they swam through the zone where the platform had been located (platform crossings). Unlike control rats, rats in the BSE group did not show a preference for the training quadrant of the water maze and were impaired in their ability to localize the former platform position. However, the acuity of spatial search was also impaired in the no-BSE rats, as indicated by the fact that they crossed the former platform position less frequently than did control rats. *<i>p</i><0.05 for no-BSE group vs. control group and <i>p</i><0.01 for BSE group vs. control group; <sup>#</sup><i>p</i><0.05 vs. no-BSE group. Data are presented as the mean±SEM.</p
Neuropeptides are implicated in control of lateralized processes in the brain. A unilateral brain... more Neuropeptides are implicated in control of lateralized processes in the brain. A unilateral brain injury (UBI) causes the contralesional sensorimotor deficits. To examine whether opioid neuropeptides mediate UBI
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Studies in animal models of epilepsy revealed compromised serotonin (5-HT) transmission between t... more Studies in animal models of epilepsy revealed compromised serotonin (5-HT) transmission between the raphe nuclei and the brain limbic system. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of epilepsy on the structural integrity of the dorsal (DR) and median (MnR) raphe nuclei and on the morphology of serotonergic fiber terminals in the dentate gyrus (DG), infralimbic cortex (IL) and medial septum (MS). The study was performed in adult Wistar rats using the kainate (9.5 mg/kg) status epilepticus (SE) model. Four months post-SE, the brainstem sections of the animals were immunostained for 5-HT, whereas the forebrain sections were immunostained for serotonin transporter (SERT). Stereological analysis revealed that epileptic rats, as compared with controls, had approximately 30% less 5-HT-stained cells in the interfascicular part of the DR, but twice as many 5-HT-stained cells in the MnR. Another finding was the reorganization of the 5-HT fiber network in all target areas analyzed, as indicated by the rightward shift of the density-size distribution histograms of SERT-stained fiber varicosities. Nonlinear regression analysis of these histograms revealed that SERT-stained varicosities were represented by two subpopulations characterized by distinct cross-sectional areas. The areal density of the small-sized varicosities was decreased in the DG (hilus and molecular layer), IL cortex (layers II/III) and MS, while that of the larger-sized varicosities was increased. The present results support the
Partial depletion of septohippocampal cholinergic cells reduces seizure susceptibility, but does ... more Partial depletion of septohippocampal cholinergic cells reduces seizure susceptibility, but does not mitigate hippocampal neurodegeneration in the kainate model of epilepsy,
Prior studies showed that epilepsy can be associated with reorganization of the septohippocampal ... more Prior studies showed that epilepsy can be associated with reorganization of the septohippocampal cholinergic fiber system. Using the kainate model of epilepsy, we wished to further examine the structural integrity of the mesopontine tegmental nuclei (pedunculopontine, PPN, and laterodorsal, LDT), which provide the cholinergic input to the thalamus. It was found that the total numbers of the PPN and LDT cells immunoreactive to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter did not differ between control and epileptic rats. However, the cholinergic cells had enlarged perikarya in epileptic rats. We further examined the effects of epilepsy on the distribution pattern of cholinergic fiber varicosities in the parafascicular nucleus, one of the principal thalamic targets of PPN projections. The density of cholinergic varicosities, represented by two distinct populations, was increased in epileptic rats. These data provide the first morphological evidence for structural alterations in mesopontine...
Highlights Effects of kainate on hippocampal structure and function are dose-dependent Seroto... more Highlights Effects of kainate on hippocampal structure and function are dose-dependent Serotonin depletion worsens neurological outcome after kainate treatment Low levels of serotonin is one of the major risk factors for epilepsy
The septohippocampal cholinergic neurotransmission has long been implicated in seizures, but litt... more The septohippocampal cholinergic neurotransmission has long been implicated in seizures, but little is known about the structural features of this projection system in epileptic brain. We evaluated the effects of experimental epilepsy on the areal density of cholinergic terminals (fiber varicosities) in the dentate gyrus. For this purpose, we used two distinct post-status epilepticus rat models, in which epilepsy was induced with injections of either kainic acid or pilocarpine. To visualize the cholinergic fibers, we used brain sections immunostained for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter. It was found that the density of cholinergic fiber varicosities was higher in epileptic rats versus control rats in the inner and outer zones of the dentate molecular layer, but it was reduced in the dentate hilus. We further evaluated the effects of kainate treatment on the total number, density and soma volume of septal cholinergic cells, which were visualized in brain sections stained for ...
Treating rats with kainic acid induces status epilepticus (SE) and leads to the development of be... more Treating rats with kainic acid induces status epilepticus (SE) and leads to the development of behavioral deficits and spontaneous recurrent seizures later in life. However, in a subset of rats, kainic acid treatment does not induce overt behaviorally obvious acute SE. The goal of this study was to compare the neuroanatomical and behavioral changes induced by kainate in rats that developed convulsive SE to those who did not. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with kainic acid and tested behaviorally 5 months later. Rats that had experienced convulsive SE showed impaired performance on the spatial water maze and passive avoidance tasks, and on the context and tone retention tests following fear conditioning. In addition, they exhibited less anxiety-like behaviors than controls on the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests. Histologically, convulsive SE was associated with marked neuron loss in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 fields, and in the dentate hilus. Rats that had not experienced convulsive SE after kainate treatment showed less severe, but significant impairments on the spatial water maze and passive avoidance tasks. These rats had fewer neurons than control rats in the dentate hilus, but not in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 fields. Correlational analyses revealed significant relationships between spatial memory indices of rats and neuronal numbers in the dentate hilus and CA3 pyramidal field. These results show that a part of the animals that do not display intense behavioral seizures (convulsive SE) immediately after an epileptogenic treatment, later in life, they may still have noticeable structural and functional changes in the brain.
Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies, 2022
In this chapter, the authors write about the processes of biofeedback, giving an insight about th... more In this chapter, the authors write about the processes of biofeedback, giving an insight about the sensors that might be used, the overall concept of biofeedback, as well as the evidence regarding the effectiveness of neurofeedback for the treatment of mental disorders.The main goal is to provide those introducing to the biofeedback as a self-regulation technique, used now for more than 50 years, with concise information about the sensors that might be used to detect the most common measured responses, the main types of physiological biofeedback, and the state-of-the-art evidence about neurofeedback as a form of brain training for individuals with the most prevalent mental disorders. Biofeedback and neurofeedback are guided therapies that include a vast and rowing variety of methodologies aimed to return information to the individual, regarding the physiological functions of the organism itself, in order to enable the modification of those otherwise considered unconscious physiologi...
Mood disorders and major depression are frequently comorbid with epilepsy. While the nature of th... more Mood disorders and major depression are frequently comorbid with epilepsy. While the nature of this comorbidity is not fully understood, multiple lines of evidence suggest that changes in serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission may be an underlying mechanism. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic epilepsy in rats can be associated with loss of 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe (DR) nuclear complex, the main source of 5-HT projections to the cerebral cortex, which would help to explain respective behavioral deficits. Epilepsy was induced using the kainate model of status epilepticus in adult Wistar rats. After a 3-month recovery period, all kainate-treated rats that had experienced status epilepticus showed spontaneous seizures and reduced sucrose preference (anhedonia), a core symptom of depression. No changes in the forced swim test were detected. The total numbers of 5-HT immunoreactive cells were estimated in all DR subdivisions of control and epileptic rats. Interesting...
Neuropeptides are implicated in control of lateralized processes in the brain. A unilateral brain... more Neuropeptides are implicated in control of lateralized processes in the brain. A unilateral brain injury (UBI) causes the contralesional sensorimotor deficits. To examine whether opioid neuropeptides mediate UBI
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