Academic achievement and healthy lifestyle habits in primary school children: an interventional study.

Purposes: First, to examine the relationship between primary school children's academic achievement and healthy lifestyle habits. Second, to evaluate the effectiveness of two different 5-month physical education interventions (traditional physical education vs. coordinative physical education) on children's academic achievement. Third, to examine whether variations of anthropometric variables, fitness level, gross motor coordination, physical activity level, sedentary time, attentional performance, fruit and vegetable consumption, meal frequency and type of physical education intervention could predict children's academic achievement variations. Methods: Before and after the intervention, Italian language and mathematics skills, anthropometric variables (weight, height, body fat percentage, BMI), physical fitness (aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility), gross motor coordination, attentional performance (processing speed, concentration performance, performance accuracy, attentional and inhibitory control), physical activity level, sedentary time and eating habits (meal frequency, fruit and vegetable consumption) were assessed in 161 Italian primary school children, randomly assigned to a traditional physical education group or to a coordinative physical education group. Results: Physical activity level, gross motor coordination and aerobic fitness moderately predicted mathematics skill (R2 = 17%). Moreover, physical activity level, aerobic fitness and muscular strength moderately predicted Italian language skill (R2 = 21%). Intervention type differently affected academic achievement. Specifically, Italian language and mathematics skills significantly improved only after traditional intervention. Fruit consumption increase was positively associated with the improvement in academic achievement. Coordinative physical education intervention was associated with a lower probability of improvement in Italian language and mathematical skills. Conclusion: Motor ability and lifestyle habits may have a positive influence on academic achievement in children. Unexpectedly, traditional physical education intervention resulted to be more effective on both Italian language and mathematical skills.

Antiaris africana aqueous extract inhibits chronic demyelination and seizures in mice.

Demyelinating diseases are commonly associated with epileptic seizures and have limited management options. Hence, the need to investigate potential options for management of such seizures. Antiaris Africana extract (AE) was investigated for effect in chronic demyelinating seizures. Cuprizone treatment induced short but frequent spike discharges in mice. Antiaris Africana extract (300 mg/kg) treatment abolished epileptiform discharges. Cuprizone administration caused severe demyelination in the corpus callosum. After the demyelination phase, myelin content decreased to 22.86 ± 1.92 % in the cuprizone-only group. However, there was an increase to 52.14 ± 3.91 % in cuprizone-only group and 62.00 ± 2.78 % in the Antiaris africana extract group respectively, after a 4-week cuprizone cessation period. Treatment with AE and LEV visibly altered myelin growth. Antiaris africana extract treatment produced significant (P < 0.001, F (3, 16) = 698.4) increase in locomotor activity similar to LEV (P < 0.001,F (2, 12) = 678.7) and DZP (P < 0.001, F (2, 12) = 620.4) and improved beam traversal time (18.71 ± 2.244 s; 95 % CI: 13.22-24.20) while causing significantly (P < 0.05, F (2, 15) = 6.667) fewer stepping errors. Antiaris africana extract inhibits seizures induced by chronic demyelination and has beneficial effects on motor coordination.

Textured insoles may improve some gross motor balance measures but not endurance measures in children with motor coordination issues. A randomised controlled feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND: Motor coordination concerns are estimated to affect 5%-6% of school-aged children. Motor coordination concerns have variable impact on children's lives, with gait and balance often affected. Textured insoles have demonstrated positive impact on balance and gait in adults with motor coordination disorders related to disease or the ageing process. The efficacy of textured insoles in children is unknown. Our primary aim was to identify the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial involving children with motor control issues. The secondary aim was to identify the limited efficacy of textured insoles on gross motor assessment balance domains and endurance in children with movement difficulties. METHODS: An assessor-blinded, randomised feasibility study. We advertised for children between the ages of 5-12 years, with an existing diagnosis or developmental coordination disorder or gross motor skill levels assessed as 15th percentile or below on a norm-referenced, reliable and validated scale across two cities within Australia. We randomly allocated children to shoes only or shoes and textured insoles. We collected data across six feasibility domains; demand (recruitment), acceptability (via interview) implementation (adherence), practicality (via interview and adverse events), adaptation (via interview) and limited efficacy testing (6-min walk test and balance domain of Movement ABC-2 at baseline and 4 weeks). RESULTS: There were 15 children randomised into two groups (eight received shoes alone, seven received shoes and textured insoles). We experienced moderate demand, with 46 potential participants. The insoles were acceptable, however, some parents reported footwear fixture issues requiring modification. The 6-min walk test was described as problematic for children, despite all but one child completing. Social factors impacted adherence and footwear wear time in both groups. Families reported appointment locations and parking impacting practicality. Underpowered, non-significant small to moderate effect sizes were observed for different outcome measures. Improvement in balance measures favoured the shoe and insole group, while gait velocity increase favoured the shoe only group. CONCLUSION: Our research indicates that this trial design is feasible with modifications such as recruiting with a larger multi-disciplinary organisation, providing velcro shoe fixtures and using a shorter timed walk test. Furthermore, progressing to a larger well-powered randomised control trial is justified considering our preliminary, albeit underpowered, efficacy findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12624000160538.

Cysteamine HCl Administration Impedes Motor and Olfactory Functions, Accompanied by a Reduced Number of Dopaminergic Neurons, in Experimental Mice: A Preclinical Mimetic Relevant to Parkinson's Disease.

Cysteamine hydrochloride (Cys-HCl) has been established as a potent ulcerogenic agent of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. GI dysfunction and olfactory deficits are the most common clinical symptoms of many movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Cys-HCl has been shown to interfere with dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for motor, olfactory, and cognitive functions. However, the reports on the effect of Cys-HCl treatment on the behavioral aspects and functions of the dopamine system appear to be inconsistent. Therefore, we revisited the impact of Cys-HCl on the motor function in experimental mice using a battery of behavioral tests, such as the pole test (PT), beam-walking test (BWT), and rotarod test (RDT), while the olfactory ability and cognitive functions were examined through the buried-food test (BFT) and Y-maze test. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of Cys-HCl on the number of dopaminergic tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells in the substantia nigra (SN) and olfactory bulb (OB) of the experimental mice using immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that Cys-HCl administration in the mice induced significant impairments in their motor balance and coordination, as their movement-related performances were markedly reduced in terms of the behavioral tasks. Mice exposed to Cys-HCl showed pronounced reductions in their odor discrimination abilities as well as cognitive impairments. Strikingly, the number of TH-positive neurons was found to be reduced in the SN and OB of the Cys-HCl-treated group, which is a bonafide neuropathogenic hallmark of PD. This study highlights the potential neurotoxic effects of Cys-HCl in experimental brains and suggests further investigation into its role in the pathogenesis of Parkinsonism.

Structured neurological soft signs examination reveals motor coordination deficits in adults diagnosed with high-functioning autism.

Neurological soft signs (NSS), discrete deficits in motor coordination and sensory integration, have shown promise as markers in autism diagnosis. While motor impairments, partly associated with core behavioral features, are frequently found in children with autism, there is limited evidence in adults. In this study, NSS were assessed in adults undergoing initial diagnosis of high-functioning autism (HFA), a subgroup difficult to diagnose due to social adaptation and psychiatric comorbidity. Adults with HFA (n = 34) and 1:1 sex-, age-, and intelligence-matched neurotypical controls were administered a structured NSS examination including motor, sensory, and visuospatial tasks. We showed that adults with HFA have significantly increased motor coordination deficits compared with controls. Using hierarchical cluster analysis within the HFA group, we also identified a subgroup that was particularly highly affected by NSS. This subgroup differed from the less affected by intelligence level, but not severity of autism behavioral features nor global psychological distress. It remains questionable whether motor impairment represents a genuinely autistic trait or is more a consequence of factors such as intelligence. Nevertheless, we conclude that examining NSS in terms of motor coordination may help diagnose adults with HFA and identify HFA individuals who might benefit from motor skills interventions.

Itga5-PTEN signaling regulates striatal synaptic strength and motor coordination in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is marked by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to motor and cognitive dysfunctions. The molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic alterations in PD remain elusive, with a focus on the role of Itga5 in synaptic integrity and motor coordination and TAT-Itga5 was designed to suppress PTEN activity in this investigation. Methods: This study utilized MPTP-induced PD animal models to investigate the expression and role of Itga5 in the striatum. Techniques included quantitative PCR, Western blotting, immunostaining, CRISPR-CasRx-mediated knockdown, electrophysiological assays, behavioral tests, and mass spectrometry. Results: Itga5 expression was significantly reduced in MPTP-induced PD models. In these models, a marked decrease in dendritic spine density and a shift towards thinner spines in striatal GABA neurons were observed, suggesting impaired synaptic integration. Knockdown of Itga5 resulted in reduced dendritic branching, decreased mushroom spines, and increased thin spines, altering synaptic architecture. Electrophysiological analyses revealed changes in action potential and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents, indicating altered synaptic transmission. Motor behavior assessments showed that Itga5 deficiency led to impairments in fine motor control and coordination. Furthermore, Itga5 was found to interact with PTEN, affecting AKT signaling crucial for synaptic development and motor coordination. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Itga5 plays a critical role in maintaining synaptic integrity and motor coordination in PD. The Itga5-PTEN-AKT pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for addressing synaptic and motor dysfunctions in PD.

Cerebellar Roles in Motor and Social Functions and Implications for ASD.

The cerebellum, traditionally linked to voluntary motor coordination, is now recognized for its role in nonmotor functions, including cognitive and social behaviors. This expanded understanding is vital for identifying neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), where cerebellar abnormalities are common. Recent research has identified specific cerebellar circuits contributing to these diverse functions, revealing interconnected pathways that regulate both motor and social behaviors. The cerebellum communicates extensively with the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and limbic structures through converging and diverging pathways, integrating sensory and motor information to fine-tune outputs and influence higher-order functions. Mouse models have been instrumental in dissecting cerebellar functions, with studies using genetic and neuroanatomical techniques to manipulate specific circuits and observe behavioral outcomes. Disruptions in cerebellar pathways can lead to motor deficits and social impairments, mirroring human neurodevelopmental disorders. This review explores the anatomical and functional organization of cerebellar pathways in mice, their role in behavior, and the implications of cerebellar dysfunction in disorders such as ASD. Understanding these pathways enhances knowledge of cerebellar contributions to behavior and informs therapeutic strategies for cerebellar and neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing the integral role of the cerebellum in motor and social functions.

Head movements induced by voluntary neck flexion stabilize sensorimotor synchronization of the finger to syncopated auditory rhythms.

Head movements that are synchronized with musical rhythms often emerge during musical activities, such as hip hop dance. Although such movements are known to affect the meter and pulse perception of complex auditory rhythms, no studies have investigated their contribution to the performance of sensorimotor synchronization (SMS). In the present study, participants listened to syncopated auditory rhythms and flexed their dominant hand index finger in time with the perceived pulses (4/4 meters). In the first experiment (Exp. 1), the participants moved their heads via voluntary neck flexion to the pulses in parallel with finger SMS (Nodding condition, ND). This performance was compared with finger SMS without nodding (Without Nodding condition, WN). In the second experiment (Exp. 2), we investigated the specificity of the effect of head SMS on finger SMS confirmed in Exp. 1 by asking participants to flex their bilateral index fingers to the pulses (Bimanual condition, BM). We compared the performance of dominant hand finger SMS between the BM and ND conditions. In Exp. 1, we found that dominant hand finger SMS was significantly more stable (smaller standard deviation of asynchrony) in the ND versus WN condition (p < 0.001). In Exp. 2, dominant hand finger SMS was significantly more accurate (smaller absolute value of asynchrony) in the ND versus BM condition (p = 0.037). In addition, the stability of dominant hand finger SMS was significantly correlated with the index of phase locking between the pulses and head SMS across participants in the ND condition (r = -0.85, p < 0.001). In contrast, the stability of dominant hand finger SMS was not significantly correlated with the index of phase locking between pulses and non-dominant hand finger SMS in the BM condition (r = -0.25, p = 0.86 after multiple comparison correction). These findings suggest that SMS modulation depends on the motor effectors simultaneously involved in synchronization: simultaneous head SMS stabilizes the timing of dominant hand finger SMS, while simultaneous non-dominant hand finger SMS deteriorates the timing accuracy of dominant hand finger SMS. The present study emphasizes the unique and crucial role of head movements in rhythmic behavior.

Visualizing simultaneous eye-hand movements in a MATLAB dashboard.

Eye-hand coordination (EHC) is crucial to our daily activities, and its underlying mechanisms are being intensely studied. The analysis of simultaneous eye and hand movements can provide valuable insights into EHC, particularly for individuals struggling with dexterous control, such as might be caused by stroke or traumatic brain injuries. Despite advancements in motion-capture and eye tracking technologies, there is currently no automated method for visualizing concurrent eye- and hand-movement data. To address this need, we have developed a MATLAB-based dashboard designed for near instantaneous analysis and visualization of eye and hand-tracking data. This paper introduces the design of the dashboard and presents experimental results obtained from its application, leveraging simulated data inspired by our recent work in stroke. This testing suggests that our solution has the potential to significantly aid in understanding and investigating EHC by providing side-by-side and time-locked comparison of eye/hand movements along with their timing and spatio-temporal errors, offering novel opportunities for research and clinical applications.•Continuous eye movement data is collected throughout the experiment•Continuous hand movement data is collected throughout the experiment•Combine datasets and display time-locked eye-hand data in a single dashboard.

No Evidence of Sensory Neuropathy in a Traditional Mouse Model of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide and is diagnosed based on motor impairments. Non-motor symptoms are also well-recognised in this disorder, and peripheral neuropathy is a frequent but poorly appreciated non-motor sign. Studying how central and peripheral sensory systems are affected can contribute to the development of targeted therapies and deepen our understanding of the pathophysiology of PD. Although the cause of sporadic PD is unknown, chronic exposure to the pesticide rotenone in humans increases the risk of developing the disease. Here, we aimed to investigate whether peripheral neuropathy is present in a traditional model of PD. Mice receiving intrastriatal rotenone showed greatly reduced dopamine terminals in the striatum and a reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the Substantia nigra pars compacta and developed progressive motor impairments in hindlimb stepping and rotarod but no change in spontaneous activity. Interestingly, repeated testing using gold-standard protocols showed no change in gut motility, a well-known non-motor symptom of PD. Importantly, we did not observe any change in heat, cold, or touch sensitivity, again based upon repeated testing with well-validated protocols that were statistically well powered. Therefore, this traditional model fails to replicate PD, and our data again reiterate the importance of the periphery to the disorder.

Feasibility of Somato-Cognitive Coordination Therapy Using Virtual Reality for Patients with Advanced Severe Parkinson's Disease.

 This feasibility study enrolled 20 patients with advanced severe Parkinson's disease (PD) to evaluate somato-cognitive coordination therapy (SCCT) using virtual reality. Focusing on the safety and tolerability of SCCT, 17 patients (76±9 years old and 64.7% male) completed the 3-month trial. Key observations included absence of adverse events and tolerability of the participants to SCCT despite initial apprehensions and minor adjustments in medication. Physical functions showed no significant deterioration, suggesting the safety of SCCT. In conclusion, SCCT emerges as feasible and well-tolerated intervention in advanced severe PD, requiring further research to assess its therapeutic efficacy.

Effects of Structured Physical Activity on Motor Fitness in Preschool Children.

The aim was to investigate the impact of a specific structured movement activities (SMA) program compared to free play activity (FRP) on the strength, speed, agility, coordination, and balance of motor fitness (MF) in 6-year-old boys and girls. A total of 53 children (24 boys, 29 girls) were randomly allocated to either the SMA group or the FRP group. Both group activities were administered three times a week over a 6-month period. MF variables were assessed before (pre-) and after (post-) using tests: the flamingo balance (FLA), the standing long jump (SLJ), plate tapping (PTT), the obstacle course backwards (OCB), and the shuttle run 4 × 5 m (SRT). At the post-test, the SMA program resulted in significant (p < 0.05) improvements in OCB, PTT, SLJ, and SRT tasks. For FRP, a noteworthy improvement was observed only in OCB (ES = 0.45, p < 0.05). An ANCOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction (F = 21.71-52.41, η2 = 0.258-0.512, p < 0.01) for OCB, PTT, and SRT, favoring SMA over FRP. The present findings suggest that SMA may be more effective than FRP when aiming to develop motor coordination, agility, and speed of movement in children.

Moniz Game: Usability and User Experience Evaluation of a Musical Game for Motor Coordination.

Purpose: The objective of this research was to develop a musical digital game for rehabilitation of upper limb and to verify its usability and user experience with professionals in the field (physical therapists). Materials and Methods: Thirty working professionals were recruited to evaluate the system. The usability was evaluated with the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the user experience was verified with the Game Flow scale. Results: The overall score of the SUS scale was 88.67 (±9.129); this score is interpreted as "Best Imaginable" (86-100). The user experience rating had most of its domains equal or higher than 4, which indicates that all the requirements for a good user experience were present in the game. Conclusions: The Moniz Game proved to be a game with good usability and can be a tool for application in clinical practice regarding motor coordination. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of the Moniz Game on motor coordination in patients with neurological dysfunctions.

Muscle Recruitment Strategies in a Redundant Task: Age Differences Through Network Analyses.

There are numerous studies comparing young and old adults in terms of muscle coordination in standard tasks (e.g., walking, reaching) and small variations of them. These tasks might hide differences: individuals would converge to similar behavior as they practice these throughout life. Also, we are unaware of studies that considered the muscle recruitment nested dynamics. For this reason, our study evaluated how young and old women coordinate and control the movement system while performing an unusual redundant motor control task through the network physiology approach. We acquired electromyographic signals from nine leg muscles of the dominant and non-dominant limbs during maximum voluntary isometric contractions (knee extension and flexion) and co-contraction bouts. Our results showed that young participants presented higher peak torque output, with similar EMG variability, compared to older participants. Considering firing rate frequencies, old and young women demonstrated different traits for network clustering and efficiency for the task. Age seems to affect muscle coordination at higher frequencies, even with a similar number of muscle synergies, indicating that younger women might have more integrated synergies than older women. The findings also point to differential muscle coordination adaptability.

Motor behavior induced by bergamot essential oil in experimental tasks is differentially modulated by pretreatment with metabotropic glutamate receptor 2/3 or 5 antagonists.

Bergamot essential oil shows anxiolytic-relaxant effects devoid of sedative action and motor impairment typical of benzodiazepines. Considering the potential for clinical of these effects, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms of the phytocomplex. Modulation of glutamate group I and II metabotropic receptors is involved in stress and anxiety disorders, in cognition and emotions and increases locomotor activity and wakefulness. Interestingly, early data indicate that bergamot essential oil modulates glutamatergic transmission in specific manifestations of the central nervous system. The aim of this work is to investigate if selective antagonists of metabotropic glutamate 2/3 and 5 receptors affect behavioral parameters modulated by the phytocomplex. Male Wistar rats were used to measure behavioral parameters to correlate anxiety and motor activity using elevated plus maze (EPM), open field (OF), and rotarod tasks. Bergamot essential oil increases in EPM the time spent in open/closed arms and reduces total number of entries. The essential oil also increases immobility in EPM and OF and not affect motor coordination in rotarod. Pretreatment with the metabotropic glutamate antagonists does not affect the time spent in open/close arms, however, differently affects motor behavior measured after administration of phytocomplex. Particularly, glutamate 2/3 antagonist reverts immobility and glutamate 5 antagonist potentiates this parameter induced by the phytocomplex. Our data show that modulation of both metabotropic glutamate receptors is likely involved in some of behavioral effects of bergamot essential oil.

The relationship between executive function and the association of motor coordination difficulties and social communication deficits in autistic children.

Background: Motor coordination difficulties could contribute to social communication deficits in autistic children. However, the exploration of the mechanism implicated in these claims has been limited by the lack of potential confounders such as executive function (EF). Methods: We investigated the role that EF plays in the relationship between motor coordination and social communication in a school-aged autistic population via a structural model in a statistically robust manner. The results of questionnaires, including the Developmental Coordination Disorder questionnaire, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and the Social Responsiveness Scale, were collected to measure motor coordination, social communication deficits, and EF. Results: A total of 182 autistic children (7.61±1.31 years, 87.9% boys) were included in the final analysis. In the model with EF as a mediator, the total effect (ß=-0.599, P<0.001) and the direct effect (ß=-0.331, P =0.003) of motor coordination function on social communication were both significant among autistic children without intellectual disability (ID), as were indirect effects through EF (ß=-0.268, P<0.001). Conclusion: EF partially mediates the motor coordination and social communication correlation among autistic children. We suggest that motor coordination should be included in the routine evaluation of autistic surveillance and rehabilitation procedures.

Motor, Cognitive, and Behavioral Impairment in TLR3 and TLR9 Deficient Male Mice: Insights into the Non-Immunological Roles of Toll-Like Receptors.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in initiating the innate immune response to infection or injury. Recent studies have uncovered their intriguing functions as moonlighting proteins involved in various biological processes, including development, learning, and memory. However, the specific functions of individual TLRs are still largely unknown. AIMS: We investigated the effects of TLR3 and TLR9 receptor deficiency on motor, cognitive, and behavioral functions during development using genetically modified male mice of different ages. METHODS: We evaluated the motor coordination, anxiety-like behavior, spatial learning, and working memory of male mice lacking the TLR3 and TLR9 genes at different ages (two, four, six, and eight months) using the rotarod, open field, water maze, and T-maze tests. RESULTS: We observed that the deletion of either TLR3 or TLR9 resulted in impaired motor performance. Furthermore, young TLR3-deficient mice exhibited reduced anxiety-like behavior and spatial learning deficits; however, their working memory was unaffected. In contrast, young TLR9-knockout mice showed hyperactivity and a tendency toward decreased working memory. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide valuable insights into the broader roles of the TLR system beyond the innate immune response, revealing its involvement in pathways associated with the central nervous system. Importantly, our results establish a strong association between the endosomal receptors TLR3 and TLR9 and the performance of motor, cognitive, and behavioral tasks that change over time. This study contributes to the growing body of research on the multifaceted functions of TLRs and enhances our understanding of their participation in non-immune-related processes.

Relationship among some coordinative and dynamic strength capabilities and constructive and conceptual thinking among preschool-age children.

Background: Existing research underscores the positive influence of consistent physical activity, fitness, and motor coordination on school-aged children's cognitive and academic performance. However, a gap exists in fully understanding this relationship among preschoolers, a critical age group where the development of cognitive functions is significant. The study aims to expand upon existing evidence that connects motor and cognitive development by examining the correlation between specific motor coordination and physical fitness skills and the development of constructive and conceptual thinking in preschool-aged children. Methods: Data from 56 children aged 4-5 years (mean age 4.5 ± 0.36y), comprising 30 girls and 26 boys, participated in this study. We assessed muscular strength (via standing long jump, wall toss test, flexibility), agility (4 × 5 m shuttle), cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m pacer test), and motor coordination (lateral jumping, platform shifting). Cognitive abilities were measured using the IDS-P. Results: Linear regression models showed that significant predictors of constructive thinking scores were observed solely for flexibility (p = 0.02) and shifting platforms (p = 0.01). Notably, flexibility exhibited a negative relationship (ß = -1.68). In the context of conceptual thinking, significant predictors (p < 0.05) included standing long jump (p = 0.01), jumping laterally (p = 0.005), shifting platforms (p = 0.001), throwing (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Coordination-demanding activities seem to be related considerably to conceptual thinking in preschoolers. Integrating such motor activities into preschool curricula that demand cognitive engagement can positively influence the development of cognitive functions.

The horizontal ladder test (HLT) protocol: a novel, optimized, and reliable means of assessing motor coordination in Sus scrofa domesticus.

Pigs can be an important model for preclinical biological research, including neurological diseases such as Alcohol Use Disorder. Such research often involves longitudinal assessment of changes in motor coordination as the disease or disorder progresses. Current motor coordination tests in pigs are derived from behavioral assessments in rodents and lack critical aspects of face and construct validity. While such tests may permit for the comparison of experimental results to rodents, a lack of validation studies of such tests in the pig itself may preclude the drawing of meaningful conclusions. To address this knowledge gap, an apparatus modeled after a horizontally placed ladder and where the height of the rungs could be adjusted was developed. The protocol that was employed within the apparatus mimicked the walk and turn test of the human standardized field sobriety test. Here, five Sinclair miniature pigs were trained to cross the horizontally placed ladder, starting at a rung height of six inches and decreasing to three inches in one-inch increments. It was demonstrated that pigs can reliably learn to cross the ladder, with few errors, under baseline/unimpaired conditions. These animals were then involved in a voluntary consumption of ethanol study where animals were longitudinally evaluated for motor coordination changes at baseline, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% ethanol concentrations subsequently to consuming ethanol. Consistent with our predictions, relative to baseline performance, motor incoordination increased as voluntary consumption of escalating concentrations of ethanol increased. Together these data highlight that the horizontal ladder test (HLT) test protocol is a novel, optimized and reliable test for evaluating motor coordination as well as changes in motor coordination in pigs.

Elderberry diet enhances motor performance and reduces neuroinflammation-induced cell death in cerebellar ataxia rat models.

Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a condition in which cerebellar dysfunction results in movement disorders such as dysmetria, synergy and dysdiadochokinesia. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of elderberry (EB) diet on the 3-acetylpyridine-induced (3-AP) CA rat model. First, CA rat models were generated by 3-AP administration followed by elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB for 8 consecutive weeks. Motor performance, electromyographic activity and gene expression were then evaluated. The number of Purkinje neurons were evaluated by stereological methods. Immunohistochemistry for the microgliosis, astrogliosis and apoptosis marker caspase-3 was also performed. In addition, the morphology of microglia and astrocytes was assessed using the Sholl analysis method. The results showed that EB diet administration in a 3-AP ataxia model improved motor coordination, locomotor activity and neuro-muscular function, prevented Purkinje neurons degeneration, increased microglia and astrocyte complexity and reduced cell soma size. Moreover, EB diet administration decreased apoptosis in cerebellum of 3-AP ataxic model. In addition, elderberry diet treatment decreased the expression of inflammatory, apoptotic and necroptotic genes and increased the expression of antioxidant-related genes. The results suggest that the EB diet attenuates 3-AP-induced neuroinflammation leading to cell death and improves motor performance. Thus, the EB diet could be used as a therapeutic procedure for CA due to its neuroprotective effects.