Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Symmetry

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Life Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 16494

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Special Issue Editors

Department of STAPS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, ZA Bastillac Sud, 11 rue Morane Saulnier, 65000 Tarbes, France
Interests: neurophysiology; electrophysiology; neurosciences; plasticity of the motor function; plasticity of the postural function
Indian Scientific Education and Technology (ISET) Foundation, Lucknow 226002, India
Interests: neuroscience; Alzheimer's disease; natural products; therapeutic; drug discovery; oxidative stress; nutraceuticals
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurosciences, neurophysiology and symmetry. Why is symmetry (inter-limb) so particular to human movement and posture? Is it because symmetry is not systematically observed between the two limbs from the perspective of motor or postural behaviour? Is it because symmetry between the two limbs influences motor performance and limits the risk of injury and falls in sportspeople, healthy, elderly, frail and pathological subjects as part of professional, sports and leisure activities as well as activities of daily life? Is it rather a systematic search for possible inter-limb asymmetry in the context of the optimisation of motor performance or the rehabilitation of functional abilities? Inter-limb symmetry or asymmetry may occur as a function of motor experience (e.g., high versus low), the nature of movements (e.g., specialised versus non-specialised), the environmental context (e.g., easy versus difficult motor tasks), individual/intrinsic factors (e.g., proprioception, hemispheric laterality, motor output) and the limb dominance effect. However, on the one hand, the finer details of motor and postural symmetry or asymmetry have not yet been fully identified in terms of information perception, central integration and movement command and control. On the other hand, the neural mechanisms involved are also not fully understood at the different neurological levels (peripheral, spinal, subcortical and cortical). Therefore, exploratory research is needed in order to understand symmetry or asymmetry in terms of human movement and posture. Here we call for papers which address why and how symmetry or asymmetry affects the motor and postural behaviour.

Prof. Dr. Thierry Paillard
Dr. Sandeep Kumar Singh
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • symmetry
  • asymmetry
  • motor behaviour
  • postural balance
  • movement
  • posture
  • limb dominance
  • inter-limb relative motion
  • laterality

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 180 KiB  
Editorial
Asymmetry of Movement and Postural Balance and Underlying Functions in Humans
by Thierry Paillard
Symmetry 2023, 15(3), 759; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15030759 - 20 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1409
Abstract
Human movements and posture often show lateral asymmetries. Although symmetry [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Symmetry)

Research

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7 pages, 231 KiB  
Article
Lateralization Direction, Strength, and Consistency in Juvenile and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Case Control Pilot Study
by Barbara Dobies-Krześniak, Agnieszka Werblińska and Beata Tarnacka
Symmetry 2022, 14(5), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14050888 - 26 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1253
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis that functional laterality features are associated with scoliosis incidence. The study included 59 patients with radiologically confirmed idiopathic scoliosis (mean age 13 years, 41 girls and 18 boys) and 55 controls (mean age [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis that functional laterality features are associated with scoliosis incidence. The study included 59 patients with radiologically confirmed idiopathic scoliosis (mean age 13 years, 41 girls and 18 boys) and 55 controls (mean age 10.5 years, 38 girls and 17 boys). Side dominance was determined by the Lateral Preference Inventory. Direction, strength, and consistency of lateral dominance was obtained. Continuous data were compared by Student’s t-test or U Mann-Whitney test where appropriate. Categorical data were compared by chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test. Groups were significantly different in terms of age (p < 0.001) and dependent variables: height (p < 0.001) and weight (p < 0.001). Lateralization analysis showed some trends, but the results obtained were not statistically significant. Statistical significance of lateralization direction are respectively: for hand (p = 0.364); leg (p = 0.277); eye (p = 0.804); ear (p = 0.938); number of right/left sided participants p = 0.492; p = 0.274; p = 0.387; p = 0.839, and right/mixed/left sided participants p = 0.930; p = 0.233; p = 0.691; p = 0.804. For laterality consistency depending on definition used, p = 0.105; p = 0.108; p = 0.380. The relationship between scoliosis and laterality is not a simple causal relationship and needs further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Symmetry)
14 pages, 964 KiB  
Article
Cerebral Arterial Asymmetries in the Neonate: Insight into the Pathogenesis of Stroke
by Anica Jansen van Vuuren, Michael Saling, Sheryle Rogerson, Peter Anderson, Jeanie Cheong and Mark Solms
Symmetry 2022, 14(3), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14030456 - 24 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1745
Abstract
Neonatal and adult strokes are more common in the left than in the right cerebral hemisphere in the middle cerebral arterial territory, and adult extracranial and intracranial vessels are systematically left-dominant. The aim of the research reported here was to determine whether the [...] Read more.
Neonatal and adult strokes are more common in the left than in the right cerebral hemisphere in the middle cerebral arterial territory, and adult extracranial and intracranial vessels are systematically left-dominant. The aim of the research reported here was to determine whether the asymmetric vascular ground plan found in adults was present in healthy term neonates (n = 97). A new transcranial Doppler ultrasonography dual-view scanning protocol, with concurrent B-flow and pulsed wave imaging, acquired multivariate data on the neonatal middle cerebral arterial structure and function. This study documents for the first-time systematic asymmetries in the middle cerebral artery origin and distal trunk of healthy term neonates and identifies commensurately asymmetric hemodynamic vulnerabilities. A systematic leftward arterial dominance was found in the arterial caliber and cortically directed blood flow. The endothelial wall shear stress was also asymmetric across the midline and varied according to vessels’ geometry. We conclude that the arterial structure and blood supply in the brain are laterally asymmetric in newborns. Unfavorable shearing forces, which are a by-product of the arterial asymmetries described here, might contribute to a greater risk of cerebrovascular pathology in the left hemisphere. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Symmetry)
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8 pages, 1170 KiB  
Article
Effects of Limb Dominance on Postural Balance in Sportsmen Practicing Symmetric and Asymmetric Sports: A Pilot Study
by Mohamed Abdelhafid Kadri, Frédéric Noé, Julien Maitre, Nicola Maffulli and Thierry Paillard
Symmetry 2021, 13(11), 2199; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13112199 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1616
Abstract
The current literature shows no consensus regarding the difference between the dominant leg (D-Leg) and the non-dominant leg (ND-Leg) in terms of postural control. This lack of consensus could stem from motor experience (i.e., symmetric or asymmetric motricity) and/or the physiological state induced [...] Read more.
The current literature shows no consensus regarding the difference between the dominant leg (D-Leg) and the non-dominant leg (ND-Leg) in terms of postural control. This lack of consensus could stem from motor experience (i.e., symmetric or asymmetric motricity) and/or the physiological state induced by physical exercise. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of fatiguing exercise on postural control when standing on the D-Leg and the ND-Leg, in athletes practicing symmetric (SYM) and asymmetric (ASYM) sports. Thirty healthy male participants were recruited and divided into two groups, (SYM n = 15) and (ASYM n = 15, on the basis of the motricity induced by the sport they practice. Monopedal postural control was assessed for the D-Leg and the ND-Leg before and after the fatigue period (which consisted of repeating squats until exhaustion). A force platform was used to calculate the spatio-temporal characteristics of the displacements of the center of foot pressure (COP). A significant fatigue effect was observed in both groups on the D-Leg and the ND-Leg for all the COP parameters. There was a tendency (p = 0.06) between the ASYM and SYM groups on the D-Leg, concerning the relative increase in the COP velocity in the frontal plane after the fatigue period. The fatigue condition disturbed postural control in both the SYM and ASYM groups on the D-Leg and ND-Leg. This disturbing effect related to fatigue tends to be more marked in athletes practicing asymmetric sports than in athletes practicing symmetric sports on the D-Leg. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Symmetry)
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13 pages, 462 KiB  
Article
From Neural Command to Robotic Use: The Role of Symmetry/Asymmetry in Postural and Locomotor Activities
by Mariève Blanchet, Pierre Guertin, Francine Pilon, Philippe Gorce and François Prince
Symmetry 2021, 13(10), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13101773 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1883
Abstract
This article deepens a reflection on why and how symmetry/asymmetry affects the motor and postural behavior from the neural source, uterine development, child maturation, and how the notion of symmetry/asymmetry has been applied to walking robot design and control. The concepts of morphology [...] Read more.
This article deepens a reflection on why and how symmetry/asymmetry affects the motor and postural behavior from the neural source, uterine development, child maturation, and how the notion of symmetry/asymmetry has been applied to walking robot design and control. The concepts of morphology and tensegrity are also presented to illustrate how the biological structures have been used in both sciences and arts. The development of the brain and the neuro-fascia-musculoskeletal system seems to be quite symmetric from the beginning of life through to complete maturity. The neural sources of movements (i.e., central pattern generators) are able to produce both symmetric or asymmetric responses to accommodate to environmental constraints and task requirements. Despite the fact that the human development is mainly symmetric, asymmetries already regulate neurological and physiological development. Laterality and sports training could affect natural musculoskeletal symmetry. The plasticity and flexibility of the nervous system allows the abilities to adapt and compensate for environmental constraints and musculoskeletal asymmetries in order to optimize the postural and movement control. For designing humanoid walking robots, symmetry approaches have been mainly used to reduce the complexity of the online calculation. Applications in neurological retraining and rehabilitation should also be considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Symmetry)
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14 pages, 1076 KiB  
Article
Kinematic Analysis of Lower Limb Joint Asymmetry During Gait in People with Multiple Sclerosis
by Massimiliano Pau, Bruno Leban, Michela Deidda, Federica Putzolu, Micaela Porta, Giancarlo Coghe and Eleonora Cocco
Symmetry 2021, 13(4), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13040598 - 03 Apr 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3554
Abstract
The majority of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS), report lower limb motor dysfunctions, which may relevantly affect postural control, gait and a wide range of activities of daily living. While it is quite common to observe a different impact of the disease on [...] Read more.
The majority of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS), report lower limb motor dysfunctions, which may relevantly affect postural control, gait and a wide range of activities of daily living. While it is quite common to observe a different impact of the disease on the two limbs (i.e., one of them is more affected), less clear are the effects of such asymmetry on gait performance. The present retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the magnitude of interlimb asymmetry in pwMS, particularly as regards the joint kinematics, using parameters derived from angle-angle diagrams. To this end, we analyzed gait patterns of 101 pwMS (55 women, 46 men, mean age 46.3, average Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 3.5, range 1–6.5) and 81 unaffected individuals age- and sex-matched who underwent 3D computerized gait analysis carried out using an eight-camera motion capture system. Spatio-temporal parameters and kinematics in the sagittal plane at hip, knee and ankle joints were considered for the analysis. The angular trends of left and right sides were processed to build synchronized angle–angle diagrams (cyclograms) for each joint, and symmetry was assessed by computing several geometrical features such as area, orientation and Trend Symmetry. Based on cyclogram orientation and Trend Symmetry, the results show that pwMS exhibit significantly greater asymmetry in all three joints with respect to unaffected individuals. In particular, orientation values were as follows: 5.1 of pwMS vs. 1.6 of unaffected individuals at hip joint, 7.0 vs. 1.5 at knee and 6.4 vs. 3.0 at ankle (p < 0.001 in all cases), while for Trend Symmetry we obtained at hip 1.7 of pwMS vs. 0.3 of unaffected individuals, 4.2 vs. 0.5 at knee and 8.5 vs. 1.5 at ankle (p < 0.001 in all cases). Moreover, the same parameters were sensitive enough to discriminate individuals of different disability levels. With few exceptions, all the calculated symmetry parameters were found significantly correlated with the main spatio-temporal parameters of gait and the EDSS score. In particular, large correlations were detected between Trend Symmetry and gait speed (with rho values in the range of −0.58 to −0.63 depending on the considered joint, p < 0.001) and between Trend Symmetry and EDSS score (rho = 0.62 to 0.69, p < 0.001). Such results suggest not only that MS is associated with significantly marked interlimb asymmetry during gait but also that such asymmetry worsens as the disease progresses and that it has a relevant impact on gait performances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Symmetry)
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Review

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15 pages, 1215 KiB  
Review
The Neurological Asymmetry of Self-Face Recognition
by Aleksandra Janowska, Brianna Balugas, Matthew Pardillo, Victoria Mistretta, Katherine Chavarria, Janet Brenya, Taylor Shelansky, Vanessa Martinez, Kitty Pagano, Nathira Ahmad, Samantha Zorns, Abigail Straus, Sarah Sierra and Julian Paul Keenan
Symmetry 2021, 13(7), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13071135 - 25 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3513
Abstract
While the desire to uncover the neural correlates of consciousness has taken numerous directions, self-face recognition has been a constant in attempts to isolate aspects of self-awareness. The neuroimaging revolution of the 1990s brought about systematic attempts to isolate the underlying neural basis [...] Read more.
While the desire to uncover the neural correlates of consciousness has taken numerous directions, self-face recognition has been a constant in attempts to isolate aspects of self-awareness. The neuroimaging revolution of the 1990s brought about systematic attempts to isolate the underlying neural basis of self-face recognition. These studies, including some of the first fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) examinations, revealed a right-hemisphere bias for self-face recognition in a diverse set of regions including the insula, the dorsal frontal lobe, the temporal parietal junction, and the medial temporal cortex. In this systematic review, we provide confirmation of these data (which are correlational) which were provided by TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and patients in which direct inhibition or ablation of right-hemisphere regions leads to a disruption or absence of self-face recognition. These data are consistent with a number of theories including a right-hemisphere dominance for self-awareness and/or a right-hemisphere specialization for identifying significant social relationships, including to oneself. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Symmetry)
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