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Brain Sciences
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Underlying Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Function and Brain to Muscle Connectivity
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Underlying Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Function and Brain to Muscle Connectivity

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuromuscular and Movement Disorders".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2023) | Viewed by 8422

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Soha Saleh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering Research, Advanced Rehabilitation Neuroimaging Laboratory, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, NJ 07936, USA
Interests: neurophysiology; neuroimaging; rehabilitation; brain injury; stroke; mobility; balance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neuromuscular control involves the integration of information between the central and peripheral nervous systems to control movement through coordinated muscle activity. Understanding this control system is important in sports to improve the efficiency of task performance and in neurorehabilitation to treat the consequential effects of neurological and neuromuscular disorders on mobility and balance. To date, there are still many unanswered questions related to the underlying mechanisms of neuromuscular function and how it is modulated by disease and treatment. A poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms of neuromuscular function contributes to delays in making significant progress in the rehabilitation of individuals with sports injuries or movement disorders.

This Special Issue aims to host research that focuses on studying the mechanisms of neuromuscular function and the communication between the central nervous system and muscles using advanced technologies. Topics are not restricted to research related to specific patient populations but it is required that the research contribute to better understanding of the underlying causes of mobility and balance deficits.

We welcome innovative research that applies state-of-the-art technology to understand the neurophysiology of neuromuscular function and motor recovery in aging populations, and in populations with disorders in the central nervous system (stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), etc.) or the peripheral nervous system (autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathy, muscular dystrophy, etc.). We are accepting original research studies, clinical reports, reviews, perspectives, and opinion articles.

Dr. Soha Saleh
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • electrophysiology
  • electromyography
  • neuromuscular junction
  • peripheral neurons
  • neuromuscular diseases
  • balance
  • mobility
  • motor neurons
  • central nervous system
  • neuronal firing

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 3056 KiB  
Article
Another Way to Confuse Motor Control: Manual Technique Supposed to Shorten Muscle Spindles Reduces the Muscular Holding Stability in the Sense of Adaptive Force in Male Soccer Players
by Frank N. Bittmann, Silas Dech and Laura V. Schaefer
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(7), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13071105 - 21 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1043
Abstract
Sensorimotor control can be impaired by slacked muscle spindles. This was shown for reflex responses and, recently, also for muscular stability in the sense of Adaptive Force (AF). The slack in muscle spindles was generated by contracting the lengthened muscle followed by passive [...] Read more.
Sensorimotor control can be impaired by slacked muscle spindles. This was shown for reflex responses and, recently, also for muscular stability in the sense of Adaptive Force (AF). The slack in muscle spindles was generated by contracting the lengthened muscle followed by passive shortening. AF was suggested to specifically reflect sensorimotor control since it requires tension-length control in adaptation to an increasing load. This study investigated AF parameters in reaction to another, manually performed slack procedure in a preselected sample (n = 13). The AF of 11 elbow and 12 hip flexors was assessed by an objectified manual muscle test (MMT) using a handheld device. Maximal isometric AF was significantly reduced after manual spindle technique vs. regular MMT. Muscle lengthening started at 64.93 ± 12.46% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). During regular MMT, muscle length could be maintained stable until 92.53 ± 10.12% of MVIC. Hence, muscular stability measured by AF was impaired after spindle manipulation. Force oscillations arose at a significantly lower level for regular vs. spindle. This supports the assumption that they are a prerequisite for stable adaptation. Reduced muscular stability in reaction to slack procedures is considered physiological since sensory information is misled. It is proposed to use slack procedures to test the functionality of the neuromuscular system, which is relevant for clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underlying Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Function and Brain to Muscle Connectivity)
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13 pages, 1257 KiB  
Article
Carbamazepine for Chronic Muscle Pain: A Retrospective Assessment of Indications, Side Effects, and Treatment Response
by Tabea M. Dyong, Burkhard Gess, Christina Dumke, Roman Rolke and Maike F. Dohrn
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13010123 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2053
Abstract
Myopathies fall under the umbrella of rare diseases, however, muscle pain is a relevant, under-recognized symptom with limited treatment options. Carbamazepine is an oral sodium channel blocker approved for the treatment of seizures and neuropathic pain. In 54 individuals receiving carbamazepine for muscle [...] Read more.
Myopathies fall under the umbrella of rare diseases, however, muscle pain is a relevant, under-recognized symptom with limited treatment options. Carbamazepine is an oral sodium channel blocker approved for the treatment of seizures and neuropathic pain. In 54 individuals receiving carbamazepine for muscle pain, we retrospectively assessed the subjective treatment response, side effects, and reasons for carbamazepine discontinuation. The underlying diagnoses leading to muscle pain were diverse, ranging from metabolic (n = 5) and other hereditary (n = 9) to acquired (n = 2) myopathies and myotonia syndromes (n = 22). Under carbamazepine (daily dose 254 ± 138 mg), patients reported a significant reduction of pain, quantified by an 11-point numeric rating scale (−1.9 ± 1.8, p < 0.001). Compared to age- and sex-matched controls, our sensory assessment revealed a significant dysfunction of Aδ-nerve fibers in patients with chronic muscle pain. Neuropathic pain components identified by the painDETECT questionnaire or quantitative sensory testing did not seem to influence the reported treatment response. Side effects (n = 18) such as fatigue, elevated liver enzymes, and diarrhea, as well as lack of pain improvement (n = 6), led to carbamazepine discontinuation in 44.4% (24/54). Mediated by dysfunctional Aδ-nerve fibers, muscle pain is common in a variety of myopathies. Carbamazepine may reduce pain levels, but comes with therapy-limiting side effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underlying Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Function and Brain to Muscle Connectivity)
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12 pages, 1671 KiB  
Article
Alterations in Cortical Activation among Soccer Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability during Drop-Jump Landing: A Preliminary Study
by Xiaoya Zhang, Wanrongyu Su, Bin Ruan and Yu Zang
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(5), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12050664 - 19 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2008
Abstract
Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common peripheral joint injury and there is still no consensus on the mechanisms. It is necessary to investigate electrocortical parameters to provide clinical insight into the functional alterations of brain activity after an ankle sprain, which [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common peripheral joint injury and there is still no consensus on the mechanisms. It is necessary to investigate electrocortical parameters to provide clinical insight into the functional alterations of brain activity after an ankle sprain, which would greatly affect the implementation of rehabilitation plans. The purpose of this study was to assess cortical activation characteristics during drop-jump landing among soccer athletes with CAI. Methods: A total of 24 participants performed the drop-jump landing task on a force platform while wearing a 64-channel EEG system. The differences of power spectral density (PSD) in theta and alpha (alpha-1 and alpha-2) bands were analyzed between two groups (CAI vs. CON) and between two limbs (injured vs. healthy). Results: CAI participants demonstrated significantly higher theta power at the frontal electrode than that in healthy control individuals (F(1,22) = 7.726, p = 0.011, η2p = 0.260). No difference in parietal alpha-1 and alpha-2 power was found between groups (alpha-1: F(1,22) = 0.297, p = 0.591, η2p = 0.013; alpha-2: F(1,22) = 0.118, p = 0.734, η2p = 0.005). No limb differences were presented for any frequency band in selected cortical areas (alpha-1: F(1,22) = 0.149, p = 0.703, η2p = 0.007; alpha-2: F(1,22) = 0.166, p = 0.688, η2p = 0.007; theta: F(1,22) = 2.256, p = 0.147, η2p = 0.093). Conclusions: Theta power at the frontal cortex was higher in soccer athletes with CAI during drop-jump landing. Differences in cortical activation provided evidence for an altered neural mechanism of postural control among soccer athletes with CAI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underlying Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Function and Brain to Muscle Connectivity)
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12 pages, 1226 KiB  
Case Report
A Novel Core Strengthening Intervention for Improving Trunk Function, Balance and Mobility after Stroke
by Rakesh Pilkar, Akhila Veerubhotla, Oluwaseun Ibironke and Naphtaly Ehrenberg
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(5), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12050668 - 20 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2354
Abstract
This paper a novel core-strengthening intervention (CSI) delivered using the AllCore360°, a device that targets trunk muscles through a systematic, high-intensity rotating-plank exercise. Three individuals (age: 61.7 ± 3.2 years; range: 58–64 years) with post-stroke hemiplegia participated in 12-sessions of the CSI. The [...] Read more.
This paper a novel core-strengthening intervention (CSI) delivered using the AllCore360°, a device that targets trunk muscles through a systematic, high-intensity rotating-plank exercise. Three individuals (age: 61.7 ± 3.2 years; range: 58–64 years) with post-stroke hemiplegia participated in 12-sessions of the CSI. The participants completed up to 142 rotating planks at inclination angles (IAs) that ranged from 40° to 65°, over 12 sessions. The interventional effects on the functional outcomes of trunk performance, balance and mobility were assessed using the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test, the 10-m walk test (10MWT), and the 6-min walk test (6MWT). Postural outcomes were assessed using the center of pressure (CoP) data recorded during quiet standing on a balance platform, and neuromuscular outcomes were assessed using electromyography (EMG) during AllCore360° rotations. All participants completed the CSI (minimum of 120 rotations), demonstrating the feasibility of the CSI in chronic stroke. The CoP data suggested improved lateral control of posture during standing across participants (averaging an over 30% reduction in lateral sway), while the EMG data revealed the ability of the CSI to systematically modulate trunk muscle responses. In summary, the current investigation presents the feasibility of a novel delivery method for core strengthening to maximize rehabilitation outcomes in the chronic phase of stroke. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underlying Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Function and Brain to Muscle Connectivity)
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