Non-immersive 3D virtual stimulus alter the time production task performance and increase the EEG theta power in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

AIM: The study investigated the cortical activity changes and time production task performance induced by changes in motion speed of a non-immersive 3D virtual stimulus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one individuals were participated in the crossover study with the visual-time reproduction task under three-speed conditions: original, slow and fast virtual stimulus. In addition, the electroencephalographic analysis of the theta band power in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was done simultaneously with time production task execution. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that in the slow speed condition, there is an increase in the error in the time production task after virtual reality (p < 0.05). There is also increased EEG theta power in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in all speed conditions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We propose that the modulations of speed of virtual stimulus may underlie the accumulation of temporal pulses, which could be responsible for changes in the performance of the production task of the time intervals and a substantial increase in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity related to attention and memory, acting in cognitive domains of supraseconds.

Virtual reality exposure therapy for neuro-psychomotor recovery in adults: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the virtual reality applications in the subjects' neuro-psychomotor functions rehabilitation with motor and/or neuropsychiatric impairment. METHODS: The search was carried out in nine databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS, and SciELO), from December 2017 to March 2019. An additional manual search was performed, taking into consideration references of the included papers, through the same eligibility criteria. The methodological quality of the included papers was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two papers were selected by the initial screening, but only 33 studies participated in the final inclusion in the study (11 clinical trials and 14 experimental studies). The data extracted were: the proposed objective, the sample population, the neurological condition treated, the VR modality used in the procedures and the study intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality supports the rehabilitation process of neuro-psychomotor functions, allowing potential gains in the patients' recovery. Therefore, its development facilitates its availability and access in the future.Implications for rehabilitationIt has minimal adverse effects during the virtual therapies performance, such as the presence of vertigo related to cybersickness conditions, suggesting virtual reality as a safe rehabilitation tool, compared to other therapies.Virtual reality use is useful and effective in helping the rehabilitation process of motor, cognitive and psychosocial functions.It plays a role as an adjunctive and complementary therapy in the neuro-psychomotor rehabilitation process to obtain a clinically significant result.

The role of low-frequency rTMS in the superior parietal cortex during time estimation.

The low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) application has been associated with changes in cognitive processes embedded during time perception tasks. Although several studies have investigated the influence of neuromodulation on time perception, the effect of the 1-Hz rTMS application on the superior parietal cortex is not clearly understood. This study analyzes the effect of the low-frequency rTMS on time estimation when applied in the parietal medial longitudinal fissure. For the proposed study, 20 subjects were randomly selected for a crossover study with two conditions (sham and 1 Hz). Our findings reveal that participant underestimate 1-s time interval and overestimate 4-s and 9-s time intervals after 1-Hz rTMS (p ≤ 0.05). We conclude that the 1-Hz rTMS in the parietal medial longitudinal fissure delays short interval and speed up long time intervals. This could be due to the effect of parietal inhibition on the attentional level and working memory functions during time estimation.

Análise do tempo de reação simples e do paradigma oddball em estudantes antes e após participação em atividades acadêmicas: uma análise da neurociência aplicada a educação / Analysis of simple reaction time and the oddball paradigm in students before and after participation in academic activities: an analysis of neuroscience applied to education

Introdução: O tempo de reação é uma medida que indica o tempo que uma pessoa leva para iniciar um movimento. Há situações em que o tempo de reação encontra-se alterado, comprometendo o processamento da informação, com diminuição na detecção, transmissão e processamento dos estí­mulos. Objetivo: Investigar o tempo de reação visual em acadêmicos antes e após atividades avaliativas, nas diversas disciplinas. Metodologia: 50 acadêmicos foram analisados antes e após atividades avaliativas por meio do tempo de reação simples e paradigma oddball. Resultados: Com relação ao tempo de reação simples, o tempo de reação visual antes das atividades avaliativas foi menor que após, em contradição com o paradigma oddball. Verificou-se que a média geral do tempo de reação simples para prova prática foi maior comparado às demais, já no paradigma oddball verificou-se que a média geral para apresentação de seminário foi maior, comparado às demais. Conclusão: Diferenças significativas no tempo de reação simples e tempo de reação segundo paradigma oddball foram encontrados entre acadêmicos antes e após atividades avaliativas. Porém no tempo de reação simples foram encontrados valores menores antes das atividades, quando comparados com após, e o contrário foi encontrado no paradigma oddball. (AU)

Introduction: Reaction time is a measure of how long a person takes to start a movement. There are situations in which the reaction time is altered, compromising the information processing, with a decrease in the detection, transmission and processing of the stimuli. Objective: To investigate the time of visual reaction in academics before and after evaluative activities in different disciplines. Methodology: 50 academics were analyzed before and after evaluative activities through simple reaction time and oddball paradigm. Results: Relative to the time of simple reaction, the visual reaction time before the evaluative activities was smaller than after, in contradiction with the oddball paradigm. It was verified that the general mean of the simple reaction time for practical test was higher compared to the others, already in the oddball paradigm it was verified that the general average for seminar presentation was higher, compared to the others. Conclusion: Significant differences in the time of simple reaction and reaction time according to the oddball paradigm were found among academics before and after evaluative activities. However, in the simple reaction time smaller values were found before the activities, when compared with after, and the opposite was found in the oddball paradigm. (AU)

The BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism Promotes Changes in the Neuronal Integrity and Alters the Time Perception.

Studies at the molecular level aim to integrate genetic and neurobiological data to provide an increasingly detailed understanding of phenotypes related to the synchronization ability and brain oscillations in time perception. Genetic variation as a modifying factor at cellular and neurochemical levels permeates several neurofunctional aspects in time-lapse duration concentrating from milliseconds to hours. Thus, the review presents the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism association in a dynamic frame of brain neurotrophic factor expression in the adaptation, integrity, and neuronal synchronism processes in the ability to estimate multisensory stimuli at different time intervals. Our study aims to understand the molecular aspects involved in a neurobiological domain pertinent to the time judgment, tracing a genetic profile of association with psychometric functions and behavioral performances related to timing stimuli.

Music Therapy and Dance as Gait Rehabilitation in Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Review of Evidence.

AIM: This review aims to demonstrate the efficiency of music and dance for gait improvement and symptom alleviation in Parkinson disease. METHODOLOGY: Studies that analyzed sound stimuli and dance in gait improvement in Parkinson disease were searched through PubMed, Scopus, Doaj, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect databases from November 2017 to April 2018 and repeated in September 2018. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria to synthesize the findings on dance and music performance as a treatment for classical symptoms of Parkinson disease. Five reviews and 40 experimental papers have shown that rhythmic stimulation and dance provide the motor, cognitive, and quality of life benefits for participants with Parkinson disease. Thus, sound stimuli and dance offer satisfactory effects for gait, improving cognitive abilities such as motor control and adjustment and spatial memory. In addition, these new treatment modalities stimulate the elderly population to practice physical exercise, generating well-being and helping self-esteem. CONCLUSION: Dance and music therapy interventions are noninvasive, simple treatment options, which promote gait and cognition.

Prevalence of neurological complications associated with Zika virus in a brazilian metropolis.

The aim of this paper is to study the prevalence of Zika Virus (ZIKV) and the index of its neurological complications. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional epidemiological study. Data were collected through the compulsory notification of suspected ZIKV and its neurological alterations cases. 113 suspected ZIKV cases were reported, most of them in the summer, with a higher prevalence of females and in the fourth decade of life. Among the neurological changes, 15 Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases were reported, with one registered death. As neurological manifestations, most of them started 30 days after a ZIKV infection. No case has been confirmed laboratory. It is necessary to combat the vector, mainly in the summer, to reduce ZIKV infection and its neurological complications, besides instruction to the health professionals about these complications and serological tests requests for an accurate diagnosis.

Genetic influence alters the brain synchronism in perception and timing.

BACKGROUND: Studies at the molecular level aim to integrate genetic and neurobiological data to provide an increasingly detailed understanding of phenotypes related to the ability in time perception. MAIN TEXT: This study suggests that the polymorphisms genetic SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR, 5HTR2A T102C, DRD2/ANKK1-Taq1A, SLC6A3 3'-UTR VNTR, COMT Val158Met, CLOCK genes and GABRB2 A/C as modification factor at neurochemical levels associated with several neurofunctional aspects, modifying the circadian rhythm and built-in cognitive functions in the timing. We conducted a literature review with 102 studies that met inclusion criteria to synthesize findings on genetic polymorphisms and their influence on the timing. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest an association of genetic polymorphisms on behavioral aspects related in timing. However, order to confirm the paradigm of association in the timing as a function of the molecular level, still need to be addressed future research.

Neurochemical changes in basal ganglia affect time perception in parkinsonians.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is described as resulting from dopaminergic cells progressive degeneration, specifically in the substantia nigra pars compacta that influence the voluntary movements control, decision making and time perception. AIM: This review had a goal to update the relation between time perception and Parkinson's Disease. METHODOLOGY: We used the PRISMA methodology for this investigation built guided for subjects dopaminergic dysfunction in the time judgment, pharmacological models with levodopa and new studies on the time perception in Parkinson's Disease. We researched on databases Scielo, Pubmed / Medline and ISI Web of Knowledge on August 2017 and repeated in September 2017 and February 2018 using terms and associations relevant for obtaining articles in English about the aspects neurobiology incorporated in time perception. No publication status or restriction of publication date was imposed, but we used as exclusion criteria: dissertations, book reviews, conferences or editorial work. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: We have demonstrated that the time cognitive processes are underlying to performance in cognitive tasks and that many are the brain areas and functions involved and the modulators in the time perception performance. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of dopaminergic on Parkinson's Disease is an important research tool in Neuroscience while allowing for the search for clarifications regarding behavioral phenotypes of Parkinson's disease patients and to study the areas of the brain that are involved in the dopaminergic circuit and their integration with the time perception mechanisms.

Genetic polymorphisms associated with circadian rhythm dysregulation provide new perspectives on bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to present a broad view of how genetic polymorphisms in genes that control the rhythmicity and function of circadian rhythm may influence the etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: A bibliographic search was performed to identify and select papers reporting studies on variations in circadian genes and BD. A search of Medline, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science was carried out to review the literature. RESULTS: Several studies provide evidence of contributions of variations in circadian genes to disease etiology, pathophysiological variations and lithium drug response. Dysfunction of the sleep-wake cycle, an important brain function regulator, is indicated as the primary means by which circadian gene variations act in mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Investigations of the effects of circadian genes have suggested that the chronotype offers hope for guiding and improving management of patients with BD. However, BD is a disease of a complex nature and presents multiple endophenotypes determined by different associations between genetics and the environment. Thus, new genomic studies to delimit variations that may help improve the clinical condition of these patients are extremely important.

Neuroplasticity in visual impairments.

The visual acuity loss enables the brain to access new pathways in the quest to overcome the visual limitation and this is wellknown as neuroplasticity which have mechanisms to cortical reorganization. In this review, we related the evidences about the neuroplasticity as well as cortical anatomical differences and functional repercussions in visual impairments. We performed a systematic review of PUBMED database, without date or status publication restrictions. The findings demonstrate that the visual impairment produce a compensatory sensorial effect, in which non-visual areas are related to both cross (visual congenital) and multimodal (late blind) neuroplasticity.

Prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em crianças de seis a dez anos de escolas municipais de área urbana / Prevalence of overweight and obesity in six to ten year-old students from urban county schools

OBJETIVO: Identificar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade e fatores associados em alunos de seis a dez anos das escolas públicas municipais da área urbana de Marialva, no Paraná. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal que utilizou uma amostra aleatória estratificada de 356 alunos. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: índice de massa corpórea, sexo, faixa etária, número de irmãos, atividade física e atividades sedentárias. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva para apresentação da distribuição da amostra nas estratificações. O teste do qui-quadrado foi aplicado para verificar a diferença entre a distribuição da amostra para cada uma das categorias das variáveis. A associação entre as variáveis foi realizada por meio da análise univariada, com razão de prevalência como medida de associação. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de sobrepeso encontrada foi de 20 por cento e a de obesidade de 7 por cento. A maioria dos alunos (72 por cento) não praticava atividade física fora da escola e pouco mais da metade deles (53 por cento) gastava mais de quatro horas por dia em atividades sedentárias. O número de irmãos foi a única variável associada com o excesso de peso (RP=1,64; IC95 por cento=1,10-2,45) para aqueles que tinham apenas um irmão e (RP=1,70; IC95 por cento=1,02-2,84) para os que não tinham irmão, quando comparados àqueles que tinham dois ou mais irmãos. CONCLUSÕES: Observou-se elevada prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade nessa amostra, reforçando a necessidade de mais estudos em crianças residentes em municípios de pequeno porte, assim como de pesquisas e ações que visem prevenir e/ou tratar a obesidade.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated factors among six to ten-year-old students from public county schools in the urban area of Marialva in Paraná, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that used a stratified random sample of 356 students. The following variables were evaluated: body mass index, gender, age, number of siblings, physical activity and sedentary activities. Descriptive statistics was used to verify the distribution of the sample in the strata. The chi-square test was used in order to verify the differences between the distribution of the sample for each category of variables. The association between variables was tested by univariate analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight was 20 percent and obesity, 7 percent. Most students (72 percent) did not practice physical activity outside school and about half of them (53 percent) spent more than four hours a day in sedentary activities. The number of siblings was the only variable associated with excessive weight for those who had only one sibling (PR=1.64; 95 percentCI=1.10-2.45) and for those who had no siblings (PR=1.70; 95 percentCI=1.02-2.84), compared to those who had two or more siblings. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in this sample. Further studies are needed in order to investigate the prevalence of this disease in children living in small Brazilian municipalities, as well as for research and actions to prevent and/or treat obesity.