Showing papers by "Fortunato Battaglia published in 2016"

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation for chronic pain in the elderly: a pilot study.

Abstract: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that can affect human pain perception. The present open-label, single-arm study investigated whether primary motor cortex anodal tDCS treatment reduces chronic foot pain intensity and improves depression and pain-related anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Ten patients with symptomatic treatment-resistant plantar fasciitis were enrolled in the study. The treatment consisted of anodal tDCS over the motor area of the leg contralateral to the symptomatic foot for 20 min, at 2 mA for 5 consecutive days. Pre-tDCS (T0), post-tDCS (T1), 1 week (T2), and 4 weeks (T3) post-treatment assessments were conducted consisting of the Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity, the Foot Function Index (FFI), the Pain Anxiety Symptom Scale (PASS-20), and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS-17 items). Anodal tDCS treatment induced a significant improvement in pain intensity; FFI and PASS scores that were maintained up to 4 weeks post-treatment. In addition, patients reported taking fewer pain medication tablets following the treatments. Our results indicate that anodal tDCS may be a viable treatment to control pain and psychological comorbidity in elderly patients with treatment-resistant foot pain.

Observation of implied motion in a work of art modulates cortical connectivity and plasticity.

Abstract: Following the discovery of mirror neurons, much attention has been de-voted to understanding the neural responses evoked by observation of implied motion in works of art Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) is commonly involved during observation of movements but the role of the inhibitory and excitatory connections between PMd and primary motor cortex (M1) during observation of implied motion remains uncertain In this study, using high and low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), we examined PMd–M1 connectivity and plasticity during observation of Michelangelo’s frescos with and without implied motion (Sistine Chapel, 1508–1512) We found that observation of implied motion in a painting specifically reduces the activity of inhibitory PMd–M1 connections On the contrary PMd–M1 facilitatory connections, as examined by means of 5-Hz rTMS, were not modulated during observation of the painting Our data suggest that observation of implied motion in a painting modulates PMd–M1 connectivity and plasticity These results are consistent with the hypothesis that art with implied motion might be used as a plasticity-based intervention in rehabilitation

Influence of dual-task on postexercise facilitation: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

Abstract: In this study we investigated the effect of a dual task (DT) comprised of a nonfatiguing leg and foot extension coupled with a calculation task on postexercise facilitation (PEF) of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) tested by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Twelve right-handed healthy subjects participated in the study. They were required to perform a motor task, a cognitive task and a DT. The motor task consisted of extending the right leg and foot for 30 sec at 20% of the maximal voluntary contraction. The cognitive task consisted of a 30-sec backward calculation. In the DT condition, motor and cognitive tasks were performed concurrently. Resting motor threshold and 10 MEPs were collected before and immediately after each task. TMS was delivered to the motor hot spot of the right vastus lateralis and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Results showed that exercise induced a significant PEF in both VL and TA muscles while calculation was not associated with significant PEF. Furthermore, DT was associated with lack of significant PEF in both muscles (VL, 116.1%±9.6%; TA, 115.7%±9%). Our data indicates DT interference on corticospinal excitability after a nonfatiguing exercise. Our experimental paradigm may be used to address postexercise motor cortex plastic adaptations induced by motor and cognitive tasks of different complexity in sport, aging and neuropsychiatric diseases.