Sensory evoked potentials in patients with Rett syndrome through the lens of animal studies: Systematic review

ObjectiveSystematically review the abnormalities in event related potential (ERP) recorded in Rett Syndrome (RTT) patients and animals in search of translational biomarkers of deficits related to the particular neurophysiological processes of known genetic origin (MECP2 mutations).MethodsPubmed, ISI Web of Knowledge and BIORXIV were searched for the relevant articles according to PRISMA standards.ResultsERP components are generally delayed across all sensory modalities both in RTT patients and its animal model, while findings on ERPs amplitude strongly depend on stimulus properties and presentation rate. Studies on RTT animal models uncovered the abnormalities in the excitatory and inhibitory transmission as critical mechanisms underlying the ERPs changes, but showed that even similar ERP alterations in auditory and visual domains have a diverse neural basis. A range of novel approaches has been developed in animal studies bringing along the meaningful neurophysiological interpretation of ERP measures in RTT patients.ConclusionsWhile there is a clear evidence for sensory ERPs abnormalities in RTT, to further advance the field there is a need in a large-scale ERP studies with the functionally-relevant experimental paradigms.SignificanceThe review provides insights into domain-specific neural basis of the ERP abnormalities and promotes clinical application of the ERP measures as the non-invasive functional biomarkers of RTT pathophysiology.     

玻璃体切割术前闪光视网膜电图与术后视力的关系

目的 :探讨玻璃体切割术前 F- ERG与术后视力的关系。方法 :对 5 0例行玻璃体切割手术的患者进行术前 F- ERG的测定 ,术后 2周对其视力进行测定 ,利用 SPSS软件包进行统计学处理。结果 :术前 F- ERG的 a波振幅与术后视力呈正相关 ;术前 F- ERG的 b波振幅与术后视力呈正相关 ;E值 ( E=La+ Lb/Aa+ Ab)与术后视力呈负相关 ;E小于等于 3.0者与 E大于 3.0组术后视力差异有显著性 ( P<0 .0 0 5 )。结论 :玻璃体切割术前进行正确的 F- ERG分析 ,有助于玻璃体切割术后视力的预测。     

Figure-Ground Segregation at Contours: a Neural Mechanism in the Visual Cortex of the Alert Monkey

An important task of vision is the segregation of figure and ground in situations of spatial occlusion. Psychophysical evidence suggests that the depth order at contours is defined early in visual processing. We have analysed this process in the visual cortex of the alert monkey. The animals were trained on a visual fixation task which reinforced foveal viewing. During periods of active visual fixation, we recorded the responses of single neurons in striate and prestriate cortex (areas V1, V2, and V3/V3A). The stimuli mimicked situations of spatial occlusion, usually a uniform light (or dark) rectangle overlaying a grating texture of opposite contrast. The direction of figure and ground at the borders of these rectangles was defined by the direction of the terminating grating lines (occlusion cues). Neuronal responses were analysed with respect to figure-ground direction and contrast polarity at such contours. Striate neurons often failed to respond to such stimuli, or were selective for contrast polarity; others were non-selective. Some neurons preferred a certain combination of figure-ground direction and contrast polarity. These neurons were rare both in striate and prestriate cortex. The majority of neurons signalled figure-ground direction independent of contrast polarity. These neurons were only found in prestriate cortex. We explain these responses in terms of a model which also explains neuronal signals of illusory contours. These results suggest that occlusion cues are used at an early level of processing to segregate figure and ground at contours.     

A clinical and radiological two‐year follow‐up study of maxillary overdentures on osseointegrated implants

In order to satisfy the need to restore the aesthetics, phonetics and comfort and to facilitate optimal hygiene procedures, 20 edentulous patients were treated with a new concept of overdenture therapy on implants ad modum Brånemark. After 24±3.5 months the patients were re‐examined. They were asked to answer a questionnaire and use a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to give their opinion on the prosthetic treatment. The results indicate that an implant‐retained overdenture in the maxilla with this design can satisfy the patients needs in aesthetics, phonetics and comfort and can 1 facilitate oral hygiene measures.     

人胎视网膜发生的光镜和电镜观察

本文在光镜下观察40例人胎视网膜的发生,在电镜下观察15例人胎视网膜视细胞、双极细胞、节细胞的发育。结果表明:胚胎第9周时神经上皮可分内、外成神经细胞层。第10周时内、外成神经细胞层之间的Chievitz带消失;第11周时节细胞从内成神经细胞层内迁;第13周节细胞与内成神经细胞之间出现内网层;第16周始双极细胞从外成神经细胞层中内迁形成外网层和内核层。第20周后视网膜各层形成。而视细胞、双极细胞、节细胞的超微结构于胎儿8个月后才发育完善。其结构与成人基本相同。     

Compromised late-stage motion processing in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Visual motion processing is compromised in schizophrenia, as shown in deficient velocity discrimination. Processing of motion signals comprises progressive stages along the geniculate-striate-extrastriate-cortex pathway. Based on neurophysiologic and brain lesion studies, a velocity discrimination deficit can implicate early-stage motion processing if it is contrast-dependent or late-stage motion processing if it is contrast-independent. METHODS: To determine which stage underlies the deficient velocity discrimination in schizophrenia, we examined the effects of visual contrast on velocity discrimination. We measured velocity discrimination thresholds in schizophrenia patients (n = 34) and normal control subjects (n = 17) at both low and high contrasts, using each subject's contrast detection threshold to equate contrast levels. RESULTS: Schizophrenia patients showed poor velocity discrimination that improved little with high contrast, whereas normal control subjects showed enhanced velocity discrimination with increased contrast. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that the velocity discrimination deficit in schizophrenia is independent of contrast modulation implicates the later, rather than the earlier, stages of motion processing, which is mediated in the extrastriate cortex.     

TEN YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN LOW VISION PRACTICE

The Low Vision Clinic at the Palmerston North Hospital has now been oerating for 70 years. Over the course of these ten years a number of factors have emerged which can be as readily applied to general ophthalmological practice as to low vision practice. The philosophy of low vision care is one of which all ophthalmologists should be aware and includes factors to be taken into account when dealing with children, people in the workplace, and everyday factors involved in daily living activities, all of which are equally relevant in routine ophthalmological practice. This paper endeavours to share some thoughts on these factors and also discusses means by which the visually handicapped can be helped in areas where specialist low vision services are not readily available.     

Kluver-Bucy综合征

Kluver-Bucy综合征是一种较罕见的神经精神障碍引起的综合征，其特征为视觉失认、口部探索、饮食习惯改变、对视觉刺激过度注意、平静淡漠、性欲增强等，此外还有一些表现如失语、遗忘、痴呆和癫痫可能是人类所特有的。Kluver-Bucy综合征常由双侧颞叶病变引起。     

Synaptic organization of cortico-cortical connections from the primary visual cortex to the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian visual area in the cat

The synaptic organization of the projection from the cat striate visual cortex to the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian cortical area (PMLS) was examined. The anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was iontophorectically delivered into area 17, and anterogradely labeled fibers were revealed in PMLS by means of an immunocytochemical detection method. Most axons and presumptive terminal swellings were found in layers III and IV. The neuronal elements (n = 190) that were postsynaptic to anterogradely labeled boutons were quantitatively analyzed. All anterogradely labeled cortico-cortical boutons (n = 182) established type 1 synapses. The results show that 83% of the postsynaptic targets were dendritic spines, probably belonging to pyramidal cells. Dendritic shafts constituted 17% of the targets. The dendritic shafts postsynaptic to cortico-cortical boutons were studied for the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with a postembedding immunogold method. Most dendritic shafts (85%) that were tested were found to be GABA-positive, demonstrating that they originate from local inhibitory neurons. Taking into account that most postsynaptic targets were spines and extending the results of the immunocytochemical testing to the total population of postsynaptic dendrites, it was calculated that at least 14% of targets originated from GABA-positive cells. Thus cortico-cortical axons establish direct monosynpatic connections mainly with pyramidal and to a lesser extent with GABAergic nonpyramidal neurons in area PMLS, providing both feedforward excitation and feedforward inhibition to a visual associational area known to be involved in the processing of motion information. The results are consistent with previously demonstrated deficits in physiological properties of neurons in PMLS following removal of cortico-cortical afferents.     

用视诱发电位和富里叶变换作视力客观估计

目的:研究用图形视觉诱发电位(PVEP)和离散富里叶变换(DFT)作视力客观估计的方法。方法:检测对象为33只正常眼。用翻转频率为10次/秒,条纹张角分别为30、20、18、12、10、6、4和2弧分的垂直方波光栅图形刺激,记录相应的稳态图形视诱发电位。用离散富里叶交换提取WEP频谱中10Hz成分的幅值。以光栅条纹张角为横坐标、相应的VEP频谱幅值为纵坐标作关系曲线,取阈值附近的近似线性部分的数据点作直线回归,用外推法求得阈值和视力。结果:比较VEP所测之视力与用国际标准视力表所测之视力,可见在本研究中70％的受检眼VEP视力估计较准确。结论:用本研究中的VEP技术客观地测量视力可靠性较高。眼科学报1997;13:59～61。