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International Journal of... Dec 2014We present the first quantitative characterization of electrodermal activity (EDA) patterns on the wrists of healthy adults during sleep using dry electrodes. We compare...
We present the first quantitative characterization of electrodermal activity (EDA) patterns on the wrists of healthy adults during sleep using dry electrodes. We compare the new results on the wrist to the prior findings on palmar or finger EDA by characterizing data measured from 80 nights of sleep consisting of 9 nights of wrist and palm EDA from 9 healthy adults sleeping at home, 56 nights of wrist and palm EDA from one healthy adult sleeping at home, and 15 nights of wrist EDA from 15 healthy adults in a sleep laboratory, with the latter compared to concurrent polysomnography. While high frequency patterns of EDA called "storms" were identified by eye in the 1960s, we systematically compare thresholds for automatically detecting EDA peaks and establish criteria for EDA storms. We found that more than 80% of the EDA peaks occurred in non-REM sleep, specifically during slow-wave sleep (SWS) and non-REM stage 2 sleep (NREM2). Also, EDA amplitude is higher in SWS than in other sleep stages. Longer EDA storms were more likely to occur in the first two quarters of sleep and during SWS and NREM2. We also found from the home studies (65 nights) that EDA levels were higher and the skin conductance peaks were larger and more frequent when measured on the wrist than when measured on the palm. These EDA high frequency peaks and high amplitude were sometimes associated with higher skin temperature, but more work is needed looking at neurological and other EDA elicitors in order to elucidate their complete behavior.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Galvanic Skin Response; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Microelectrodes; Polysomnography; Sleep Stages; Wireless Technology; Wrist; Young Adult
PubMed: 25286449
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2014.09.011 -
Reproduction, Fertility, and Development Sep 2019The aim of this study was to evaluate whether paternal exposure to bupropion hydrochloride (BUP), an inhibitor of dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake, would affect the...
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether paternal exposure to bupropion hydrochloride (BUP), an inhibitor of dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake, would affect the postnatal development of offspring. Male mice were divided into a BUP-treated (40mgkg-1day-1 by gavage, 45 days) or control (saline by gavage, 45 days) group (n=20 in each group). From Day 35 to Day 45 of treatment, males were allowed to mate with drug-naïve female mice. Postnatal development of the offspring (both sexes) was evaluated from Postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND60. Physical development parameters (weight gain, body length, incisor eruption, pinna detachment), anogenital distance, vaginal opening, reflexes (palmar grasp, surface righting, negative geotaxis and adult gait) and some behavioural parameters (locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviour) were altered in the offspring of BUP-treated males. The results demonstrate that paternal exposure to BUP induces long-lasting changes in the postnatal development of the offspring.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Behavior, Animal; Bupropion; Female; Growth and Development; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Paternal Exposure; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Reflex
PubMed: 31270008
DOI: 10.1071/RD18403 -
Behavioural Brain Research Aug 2017Currently, one of the important causes of brain injury in new-borns is the neonatal anoxia which impacts the perinatology services worldwide. Animal models of anoxia...
Currently, one of the important causes of brain injury in new-borns is the neonatal anoxia which impacts the perinatology services worldwide. Animal models of anoxia have been used to assess its effects at cellular and behavioural levels in all ages, but few studies focus on sex differences. This study aimed to investigate some physical parameters of development, sensorimotor alterations, early neurological reflexes as well as the density of cells in motor and sensorimotor cerebral cortex of adolescent rats submitted to neonatal anoxia. The results presented significant differences in most of the evaluated parameters, such as body weight and lenght, medio-lateral head axis, eruption of superior incisor, palmar grasp, auditory startle, negative geotaxis, showing that neonatal anoxia affects physical parameters and neurological development, with sex differences. Cellular analysis revealed decreased amount of neurons in motor cortex and primary sensory hind limb and forelimb regions in anoxic group, along with gender difference, as compared to control groups. There is an important rationale for performing early assessment of sensorimotor deficits as there is similarity of the model with high risk human neonates and the sequelae in later life periods, which can be inferred from the present results with suggestion of a possible correlation between sensorimotor development delay and cellular changes in sensorimotor cortex. Furthermore, these observed sex dependent alterations certainly will address further studies and should be considered especially in treatments and strategies to avoid or minimize the neonatal anoxic effects.
Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Asphyxia Neonatorum; Avoidance Learning; Body Weight; Cell Death; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Hand Strength; Hypoxia; Male; Motor Activity; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reflex; Sensorimotor Cortex; Sex Characteristics; Vibrissae
PubMed: 28709915
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.07.009 -
Journal of the Neurological Sciences Sep 2021Delirium is a common complication in acute ischemic stroke, possibly caused by alterations in the regulation of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system. We investigated...
Delirium is a common complication in acute ischemic stroke, possibly caused by alterations in the regulation of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system. We investigated whether such an association could be demonstrated with two easy-to-use measurement techniques: Measurement of palmar skin conductance level (SCL) and pupillometry measuring the dilation velocity in the pupillary light reflex (PLR). The cohort study included 64 patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke. During the study period (median 4.1 days, interquartile range 2.1 days) patients were assessed for delirium once daily as well as with measurements of SCL and PLR up to twice daily. SCL and PLR during delirium were lower than without delirium present. For SCL the unadjusted difference was -40.8% (95% CI (-55.1 to -22.0), P value <.001) and for PLR the unadjusted difference was -0.22 mm/s (95% CI (-0.42 to -0.01), P value = .041). The results demonstrate changes in sympathetic autonomic nervous system regulation during delirium in acute stroke patients.
Topics: Autonomic Nervous System; Brain Ischemia; Cohort Studies; Delirium; Humans; Reflex, Pupillary; Stroke
PubMed: 34284172
DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117582 -
Scandinavian Journal of Pain Oct 2018Background and aims The subjective nature of pain makes objective, quantitative measurements challenging. The current gold standard for evaluating pain is patient...
Background and aims The subjective nature of pain makes objective, quantitative measurements challenging. The current gold standard for evaluating pain is patient self-reporting using the numeric rating scale (NRS) or Visual Analog Scale. Skin conductance responses per second (SCR) measured in the palmar region reflect the emotional part of the autonomous nervous system. SCR ≥0.20 have been shown to indicate moderate or severe pain in the postoperative setting. We examined whether SCR can detect procedure-related pain before major surgery. Methods In 20 patients being prepared for major surgery SCR was recorded before and during arterial cannulation, after induction of anaesthesia, and on the first postoperative day. Self-reported pain was evaluated using NRS. NRS >3 was considered to represent moderate or severe pain. Results NRS was 0 [0-0] before arterial cannulation, increasing to 5 [3-6] during arterial cannulation (p<0.05). Before arterial cannulation SCR was 0.27 [0.20-0.27], increasing to 0.33 [0.30-0.37] during arterial cannulation (p<0.01). On the first postoperative day both SCR and reported pain indicated no more than mild pain, SCR 0.13 [0.00-0.20] and NRS 2.0 [0.5-2.0]. The sensitivity of SCR to indicate moderate or severe pain (NRS >3) was 0.93 (0.68-1.0) and specificity was 0.33 (0.25-0.35) when the cut-off established in the postoperative setting (SCR ≥0.20) was used on all data. Conclusions SCR increased during arterial cannulation. Before major surgery the SCR was above the threshold demonstrated to indicate pain in the postoperative setting, even without painful stimuli and no reported pain. Using the threshold established for postoperative pain, SCR cannot reliably discriminate between pain and other stressors before major surgery. Implications Before major surgery, the diagnosis of moderate or severe pain should not be made based on SCR ≥0.20.
Topics: Female; Galvanic Skin Response; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Norway; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative; Pain, Procedural; Perioperative Period; Self Report; Sensitivity and Specificity; Visual Analog Scale
PubMed: 30048238
DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2018-0088 -
European Journal of Pediatrics Jun 2016The aims of this study were to compare the skin conductance (SC) of newborns with opiate-induced neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) to that of unexposed newborns and to...
UNLABELLED
The aims of this study were to compare the skin conductance (SC) of newborns with opiate-induced neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) to that of unexposed newborns and to evaluate the potential of SC readings to detect distress in the context of NAS objectively. The SC of 12 newborns with NAS and 12 unexposed newborns was measured at nine specific times during their first 6 weeks of life. The number of SC fluctuations per second (NSCF/s), the amplitude of SC fluctuation, and the mean level of SC were recorded and analyzed. The SC of newborns treated for symptoms of NAS differed significantly from the SC of unexposed newborns with regard to the NSCF/s (p = 0.04). With the mean level of SC, we observed an interaction between groups over time (p value for interaction = 0.02). With increasing postnatal age, we observed higher values in all three SC parameters.
CONCLUSION
The NSCF/s and the mean level of SC appear to be suitable to reflect the distress of newborns suffering from NAS. As it is known that the sensitivity of SC increases with the level of stress experienced, its potential to indicate elevated stress levels in infants with NAS should be investigated in future studies evaluating different therapy regimens.
WHAT IS KNOWN
• Skin conductance is a result of the filling of palmar and plantar sweat glands innervated by the sympathetic nervous system • Skin conductance can be used as a measure of stress and pain in newborns What is New: • Skin conductance of newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) differs significantly from the SC of non-substance-exposed newborns during the first 6 weeks of life • Skin conductance appears to reflect the increased distress of infants with NAS.
Topics: Adult; Analgesics, Opioid; Case-Control Studies; Female; Galvanic Skin Response; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; Opioid-Related Disorders; Pain; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 27026377
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-016-2716-8 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022The most traditional sites for electrodermal activity (EDA) data collection, palmar locations such as fingers or palms, are not usually recommended for ambulatory...
The most traditional sites for electrodermal activity (EDA) data collection, palmar locations such as fingers or palms, are not usually recommended for ambulatory monitoring given that subjects have to use their hands regularly during their daily activities, and therefore, alternative sites are often sought for EDA data collection. In this study, we collected EDA signals ( = 23 subjects, 19 male) from four measurement sites (forehead, back of neck, finger, and inner edge of foot) during cognitive stress and induction of mild motion artifacts by walking and one-handed weightlifting. Furthermore, we computed several EDA indices from the EDA signals obtained from different sites and evaluated their efficiency to classify cognitive stress from the baseline state. We found a high within-subject correlation between the EDA signals obtained from the finger and the feet. Consistently high correlation was also found between the finger and the foot EDA in both the phasic and tonic components. Statistically significant differences were obtained between the baseline and cognitive stress stage only for the EDA indices computed from the finger and the foot EDA. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic curve for cognitive stress detection showed a higher area-under-the-curve for the EDA indices computed from the finger and foot EDA. We also evaluated the robustness of the different body sites against motion artifacts and found that the foot EDA location was the best alternative to other sites.
Topics: Artifacts; Data Collection; Foot; Galvanic Skin Response; Humans; Male; Motion
PubMed: 35590866
DOI: 10.3390/s22093177 -
Spinal Cord Series and Cases 2018We present a case of a previously asymptomatic and highly functional individual whose critical degenerative stenosis was exacerbated by recent trauma (motor vehicle...
INTRODUCTION
We present a case of a previously asymptomatic and highly functional individual whose critical degenerative stenosis was exacerbated by recent trauma (motor vehicle accident), resulting in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 57-year-old African-American man with no significant past medical history presented to the Orthopaedic Surgery outpatient clinic with mild neck discomfort, stiffness, and bilateral hand numbness 4 days after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. He ambulated without assistive devices and displayed a tandem gait pattern with normal cadence. He was minimally tender to palpation at the posterior cervical midline and paraspinal musculature with motor and sensory function intact bilaterally. Reflexes were hypoactive at C5, C6, C7, L4, and S1 bilaterally with positive Babinski signs bilaterally. Imaging revealed degenerative changes, spinal stenosis, and cord compression. The patient eventually underwent posterior cervical decompression and fusion from the C3 to the C6 level, with the only reported complication being transient loss of somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) signals intra-operatively. In the postoperative period, the patient complained of stiffness in his left shoulder, elbow, and hand, as well as left hand palmar numbness and an inability to make a full fist. His complaints were managed with medication and physical therapy.
DISCUSSION
This case report highlights the point that stenosis that occurs slowly over time is often well compensated, and patients are commonly asymptomatic at first glance. Often times, acute events tip patients from being asymptomatic to symptomatic, generally warranting invasive intervention to prevent further insults from causing permanent damage.
PubMed: 30479837
DOI: 10.1038/s41394-018-0138-8 -
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi Nov 2014To explore the symptoms of autonomic dysfunction and sympathetic skin response (SSR) abnormality in patients of motor neuron disease (MND).
OBJECTIVE
To explore the symptoms of autonomic dysfunction and sympathetic skin response (SSR) abnormality in patients of motor neuron disease (MND).
METHODS
The clinical features of autonomic dysfunction were collected as follows: dermal numbness or pruritus, parahidrosis, xerostomia, salivation, abnormal skin temperature, orthostatic hypotension, mydriasis, ptosis or abnormal pupillary light reflex, constipation, voiding dysfunction and sexual dysfunction. SSR was performed and the results were judged according to the normal range of our laboratory. Abnormality rate in MND patients was calculated. The relationship between clinical symptoms and SSR parameters were analyzed statistically.
RESULTS
Among a total of 142 MND patients, the symptom incidences of autonomic dysfunction were as follows: dermal numbness (53.5%), dermal pruritus (15.5%), parahidrosis (10.6%), xerostomia (9.1%), salivation (2.1%), abnormal skin temperature (14.8%), orthostatic hypotension (2.1%), constipation (16.2%), voiding dysfunction (9.9%) and sexual dysfunction (1.4%). Abnormal SSR was found in 51/142 (35.9%) patients, including 12(8.5%) in palmar and 47(33.1%) in plantar. The features of abnormal SSR included delayed latency of palmar (P < 0.05) and decreased amplitudes of both palmar and plantar compared with normal ranges (P < 0.01 respectively). The group of patients with lumbosacral onset had a higher abnormal rate of SSR than those of other onset sites. There was no significant correlation between clinical symptoms and abnormal SSR parameters.
CONCLUSION
The patients of MND exhibit autonomic dysfunctions of skin, gland secretion, cardiovascular system and sphincters. Some of them show abnormal SSR with prolonged latency and decreased amplitude. The abnormalities of SSR are not related to clinical features of autonomic dysfunction. Those with an onset of lower limbs have a higher rate of abnormal SSR.
Topics: Body Temperature; Foot; Galvanic Skin Response; Humans; Motor Neuron Disease; Skin
PubMed: 25604222
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Developmental... Aug 2014Plants that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) have been reported as contaminants of pastures and food, as well as being used in herbal medicine. PAs are responsible...
Plants that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) have been reported as contaminants of pastures and food, as well as being used in herbal medicine. PAs are responsible for poisoning events in livestock and human beings. The aim of this present study was to evaluate effects of prenatal exposure to integerrimine N-oxide, the main PA found in the butanolic residue (BR) of Senecio brasiliensis, on both physical and behavioral parameters of Wistar rat offspring. The toxicity and maternal behavior were also evaluated. For this, pregnant Wistar rats received integerrimine N-oxide from the BR of Senecio brasiliensis, by gavage, on gestational days 6-20 (during organogenesis and fetal development period) at doses of 3, 6 and 9 mg/kg. During treatment, maternal body weight gain, and food and water intake were evaluated. After parturition, maternal behavior and aggressive maternal behavior were analyzed. In addition, physical development and behavioral assessments were observed in both male and female pups. Results showed that prenatal exposure to integerrimine N-oxide of S. brasiliensis induced maternal toxicity, impairment in maternal behavior and aggressive maternal behavior, mainly in the highest dose group. Between sexes comparison of pups showed loss of body weight, delayed physical development such as pinna detachment, hair growth, eruption of incisor teeth, eye and vaginal openings. These pups also showed a delay of palmar grasp, surface righting reflex, negative geotaxis and auditory startle reflexes. Thus, prenatal exposure to integerrimine N-oxide induces maternal toxicity, impairment of maternal care and delayed in physical and behavioral development of the offspring.
Topics: Age Factors; Aggression; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Body Weight; Developmental Disabilities; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Exploratory Behavior; Female; Male; Maternal Behavior; Motor Activity; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids; Rats; Statistics, Nonparametric
PubMed: 24881561
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2014.05.007