A5049426253- Neurological disorders and treatments
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
- Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders
- Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Motor Control and Adaptation
- Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Vestibular and auditory disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research
- Ophthalmology and Eye Disorders
- Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Trigeminal Neuralgia and Treatments
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Glycogen Storage Diseases and Myoclonus
- Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Treatments
- Neurological and metabolic disorders
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
- Neurological diseases and metabolism
- Photoacoustic and Ultrasonic Imaging
Sapienza University of Rome
2016-2025
Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo
2016-2025
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2022
Science Oxford
2018
University of Messina
2014
University College London
2011-2012
University of Ljubljana
2012
Sobell House
2011-2012
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
2011
Recognizing and characterizing bradykinesia is a critical issue in movement disorders. Bradykinesia the core symptom for definition of parkinsonism diagnosis Parkinson's disease (PD) atypical (AP).1-7 To some extent, however, debate on terminology has never been settled.8, 9 literally means slowness movement. However, term still used interchangeably to indicate low amplitude (hypokinesia) or no (akinesia),10 it often apply both voluntary spontaneous/automatic movements.11-13 The current...
Compensatory reorganization of the nigrostriatal system is thought to delay onset symptoms in early Parkinson disease (PD). Here we sought evidence that compensation may be a part more widespread functional sensorimotor networks, including primary motor cortex.Several neurophysiologic measures known abnormal cortex (M1) patients with advanced PD were tested on and less affected side 16 newly diagnosed drug-naive compared age-matched healthy participants. LTP-like effects probed using paired...
Many neurophysiological abnormalities have been described in the primary motor cortex of patients with Parkinson's disease. However, it is unclear whether there any relationship between them and bradykinesia, one cardinal features condition. In present study we aimed to investigate objective measures bradykinesia disease as assessed by means transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques. Twenty-two 18 healthy subjects were enrolled. Objective measurements repetitive finger tapping (amplitude,...
Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have impairment of facial expressivity (hypomimia) and difficulties in interpreting the emotional expressions produced by others, especially for aversive emotions. We aimed to evaluate ability produce recognize others a group PD healthy participants order explore relationship between these two abilities any differences groups participants.Twenty non-demented, non-depressed twenty (HC) matched demographic characteristics were studied. The recognizing was...
In patients with Parkinson's disease, beta (β) and gamma (γ) oscillations are altered in the basal ganglia, this abnormality contributes to pathophysiology of bradykinesia. However, it is unclear whether β γ rhythms at primary motor cortex (M1) level influence Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can modulate cortical by entraining endogenous oscillations. We tested β- γ-tACS on M1 bradykinesia disease analysing kinematic features repetitive finger tapping, including movement...
To evaluate the effects of cerebellar transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) delivered at cerebellar-resonant frequencies, i.e., theta (θ) and gamma (γ), on upper limb motor performance cerebellum-primary cortex (M1) connectivity, as assessed by cerebellar-brain inhibition (CBI), in healthy subjects. Participants underwent cerebellar-tACS while performing three cerebellar-dependent tasks: (i) rhythmic finger-tapping, (ii) arm reaching-to-grasp ('grasping') (iii)...
Abstract Blinking, a motor act consisting of closing and an opening eyelid movement, can be performed voluntarily, spontaneously, reflexly. In this study we investigated the kinematic features voluntary, spontaneous, reflex blinking in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), OFF ON dopaminergic treatment. Patients were asked to blink voluntarily as fast possible. Spontaneous was recorded for minute during which subjects just relaxed. Reflex evoked by electrical stimulation on supraorbital...
Background: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a common movement disorder.Objective: To evaluate possible differences in the demographic and clinical features between primary secondary HFS.Design: In-person interview using standardized questionnaire to collect data.Setting: A multicenter study that included patients with HFS attending 3 Italian academic centers.Patients: Two hundred fourteen HFS.Main Outcome Measure: complete neurological examination assessed current muscle distribution of presence...
In humans, γ oscillations in cortical motor areas reflect asynchronous synaptic activity and contribute to plasticity processes. Parkinson's disease (PD), oscillatory the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network is altered LTP-like elicited by intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) reduced primary cortex (M1). this study, we tested whether transcranial alternating current (tACS) delivered at frequency promotes iTBS-induced M1 PD patients. Sixteen patients (OFF condition) 16 healthy...
Abstract Background A number of neurophysiological abnormalities have been described in patients with Parkinson's disease, but very few longitudinal studies how these change disease progression reported. We describe measures motor cortex inhibition and plasticity at 6 12 mo that we previously reported initial diagnosis. Given the well‐known interindividual variation measures, were particularly concerned within‐subject changes over time. Methods Patients assessed clinically, transcranial...
Abstract Essential tremor (ET) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by bilateral upper limbs action and, possibly, neurological signs of uncertain significance, including voluntary movement abnormalities and cognitive disturbances, i.e., the so-called ‘soft’ configuring ET-plus definition. While motor disturbances often coexist in ET, their interrelationship remains largely unexplored. Here we aim to further investigate relationship between symptoms, objectively assessed through...
Abstract Compensatory mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease are defined as the changes that brain uses to adapt neurodegeneration and progressive dopamine reduction. Motor compensation early could, part, be responsible for a unilateral onset of clinical motor signs despite presence bilateral nigrostriatal degeneration. Although several have been proposed compensatory adaptations disease, underlying pathophysiology is unclear. Here, we investigate by investigating relationship between signs,...
Blinking is a motor act characterized by the sequential closing and opening of eyelids, which achieved through reciprocal activation orbicularis oculi levator palpebrae superioris muscles. This stereotyped movement can be triggered reflexively, occur spontaneously, or voluntarily initiated. During each type blinking, neural control antagonistic interaction between muscles governed partially overlapping circuits distributed across cortical, subcortical, brainstem structures. paper provides...
Patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) often have blinking abnormalities. In this study we examined the kinematic features of voluntary, spontaneous and reflex in 11 patients PSP healthy control subjects. were asked to blink voluntarily as fast possible; was recorded during two 60 s rest periods; evoked by electrical stimulation supraorbital nerve. Eyelid movements SMART analyzer motion system. During voluntary closing opening phases lasted longer than Furthermore, peak velocity...
Abstract Botulinum toxin injections ameliorate dystonic symptoms by blocking the neuromuscular junction and weakening contractions. We asked if botulinum in dystonia patients might also affect integrity of sensorimotor cortical plasticity, one key pathophysiological features dystonia. applied a paired associative stimulation protocol, known to induce long‐term potentiation–like changes primary motor cortex hand area 12 with cervical before 1 3 months after neck muscles. Primary excitability...