Spontaneous Movements (spontaneous + movement)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Supraspinal input is dispensable to generate glycine-mediated locomotive behaviors in the zebrafish embryo

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
Gerald B. Downes
Abstract The anatomy of the developing zebrafish spinal cord is relatively simple but, despite this simplicity, it generates a sequence of three patterns of locomotive behaviors. The first behavior exhibited is spontaneous movement, then touch-evoked coiling, and finally swimming. Previous studies in zebrafish have suggested that spontaneous movements occur independent of supraspinal input and do not require chemical neurotransmission, while touch-evoked coiling and swimming depend on glycinergic neurotransmission as well as supraspinal input. In contrast, studies in other vertebrate preparations have shown that spontaneous movement requires glycine and other neurotransmitters and that later behaviors do not require supraspinal input. Here, we use lesion analysis combined with high-speed kinematic analysis to re-examine the role of glycine and supraspinal input in each of the three behaviors. We find that, similar to other vertebrate preparations, supraspinal input is not essential for spontaneous movement, touch-evoked coiling, or swimming behavior. Moreover, we find that blockade of glycinergic neurotransmission decreases the rate of spontaneous movement and impairs touch-evoked coiling and swimming, suggesting that glycinergic neurotransmission plays critical yet distinct roles for individual patterns of locomotive behaviors. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source]


Dual enantioselective effect of the insecticide bifenthrin on locomotor behavior and development in embryonic,larval zebrafish

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2010
Meiqing Jin
Abstract Bifenthrin (BF) is a synthetic pyrethroid that targets the nervous system of insects and may have adverse effects on the behavior and development of nontarget organisms. However, no reports have been issued on the effects of different enantiomers on locomotor behavior for synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) in zebrafish, and whether locomotor activity is associated with the developmental toxicities remains unclear. In this study, enantioselectivity of BF (1S and 1R) on the acute locomotor activity and developmental toxicities of embryonic,larval zebrafish were first evaluated. The results indicated that 1R -BF was more toxic, causing morphological impairments, with a 96-h median effective concentration (EC50) of 226,µg/L for pericardial edema and 145,µg/L for curved body axis. Administration of 20,µg/L of one enantiomer of BF had differential effects on the locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae at 4 d postfertilization (dpf) under alternating light and dark conditions. Larvae treated with 1R -BF were not sensitive to the alteration of light to dark, and the locomotor activities were reduced to a level similar to that observed in light, which otherwise increased rapidly and markedly. However, 1S -BF did not alter the general pattern of zebrafish response to the light or dark compared with the control. The results demonstrated that the differential effects on development might have contributed to the enantioselectivity in the locomotor activity. The consistency of enantioselectivity with insecticidal activity may also indicate a common mode of action. Furthermore, 1R -BF accelerated the spontaneous movement and hatching process, whereas 1S -BF seemed to be inhibitory. The results suggest the need to link behavioral changes to developmental toxicities in order to achieve more comprehensive health risk assessments of chiral pesticides. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1561,1567. © 2010 SETAC [source]


Complete Recovery From Intractable Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, CRPS-Type I, Following Anesthetic Ketamine and Midazolam

PAIN PRACTICE, Issue 2 2007
Ralph-Thomas Kiefer MD
Abstract Objective: To describe the treatment of an intractable complex regional pain syndrome I (CRPS-I) patient with anesthetic doses of ketamine supplemented with midazolam. Methods: A patient presented with a rapidly progressing contiguous spread of CRPS from a severe ligamentous wrist injury. Standard pharmacological and interventional therapy successively failed to halt the spread of CRPS from the wrist to the entire right arm. Her pain was unmanageable with all standard therapy. As a last treatment option, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and treated on a compassionate care basis with anesthetic doses of ketamine in gradually increasing (3,5 mg/kg/h) doses in conjunction with midazolam over a period of 5 days. Results: On the second day of the ketamine and midazolam infusion, edema, and discoloration began to resolve and increased spontaneous movement was noted. On day 6, symptoms completely resolved and infusions were tapered. The patient emerged from anesthesia completely free of pain and associated CRPS signs and symptoms. The patient has maintained this complete remission from CRPS for 8 years now. Conclusions: In a patient with severe spreading and refractory CRPS, a complete and long-term remission from CRPS has been obtained utilizing ketamine and midazolam in anesthetic doses. This intensive care procedure has very serious risks but no severe complications occurred. The psychiatric side effects of ketamine were successfully managed with the concomitant use of midazolam and resolved within 1 month of treatment. This case report illustrates the effectiveness and safety of high-dose ketamine in a patient with generalized, refractory CRPS. [source]


Supraspinal input is dispensable to generate glycine-mediated locomotive behaviors in the zebrafish embryo

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
Gerald B. Downes
Abstract The anatomy of the developing zebrafish spinal cord is relatively simple but, despite this simplicity, it generates a sequence of three patterns of locomotive behaviors. The first behavior exhibited is spontaneous movement, then touch-evoked coiling, and finally swimming. Previous studies in zebrafish have suggested that spontaneous movements occur independent of supraspinal input and do not require chemical neurotransmission, while touch-evoked coiling and swimming depend on glycinergic neurotransmission as well as supraspinal input. In contrast, studies in other vertebrate preparations have shown that spontaneous movement requires glycine and other neurotransmitters and that later behaviors do not require supraspinal input. Here, we use lesion analysis combined with high-speed kinematic analysis to re-examine the role of glycine and supraspinal input in each of the three behaviors. We find that, similar to other vertebrate preparations, supraspinal input is not essential for spontaneous movement, touch-evoked coiling, or swimming behavior. Moreover, we find that blockade of glycinergic neurotransmission decreases the rate of spontaneous movement and impairs touch-evoked coiling and swimming, suggesting that glycinergic neurotransmission plays critical yet distinct roles for individual patterns of locomotive behaviors. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source]


Spontaneous facial motility in infancy: A 3D kinematic analysis

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
Jordan R. Green
Abstract Early spontaneous orofacial movements have rarely been studied experimentally, though the motor experiences gained from these behaviors may influence the development of motor skills emerging for speech. This investigation quantitatively describes developmental changes in silent, spontaneous lip and jaw movements from 1 to 12 months of age using optically based 3D motion capture technology. Twenty-nine typically developing infants at five ages (1, 5, 7, 9, and 12 months) were studied cross-sectionally. Infants exhibited spontaneous facial movements at all ages studied. Several age-related changes were detected in lip and jaw kinematics: the occurrence of spontaneous movements increased, movement speed increased, the duration of movement epochs decreased and movement coupling among different facial regions increased. Additionally, evidence for stereotypic movements was not strong. The present findings suggest that, during the first year of life, early spontaneous facial movements undergo significant developmental change in the direction of skill development for speech. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 48: 16,28, 2006. [source]


Fatal encephalitis in a patient with refractory celiac disease presenting with myorhythmia and carpal spasm

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 3 2007
Elliot L. Dimberg MD
Abstract We report the case of a woman with refractory celiac disease who developed abnormal spontaneous movements of the extremities and face consistent with myorhythmia. Investigation led to a diagnosis of encephalitis, confirmed by postmortem examination. The movements were likely caused by nonparaneoplastic encephalitis associated with refractory celiac disease. Etiologic and diagnostic considerations and treatment options are discussed. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source]


Spinal cord injury at birth: a hidden causative factor

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2008
Jesper Fenger-Gron
Abstract A case of perinatally acquired spinal cord injury (SCI) is presented. The foetus was vigorous until birth, the breech presented and delivery was performed by a non-traumatic Caesarean section. The infant displayed symptoms of severe SCI but diagnosis was delayed due to severe co-morbidity. Diagnostic considerations are briefly reviewed. Ventilatory support was withdrawn at the age of 20 days when the infant had still not exhibited any respiratory effort or spontaneous movements. Autopsy revealed a serious congenital malalignment of the upper cervical vertebrae and at the histological examination extensive reactive changes were observed in the same area. To our knowledge such findings have not been published previously. Conclusion: In cases of serious perinatally acquired SCI, claim of malpractice is often apparent. In this case a hidden congenital malformation of the cervical vertebrae was revealed, highlighting the need of careful postmortem examinations in such cases. [source]