Neurosciences最新文献

{"title":"Wearable Sensor Technology and Biomechanical Gait Analysis in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Review with Implications for the Saudi Healthcare System.","authors":"Abdullah H Alzahrani","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2802","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2802","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stroke remains a major cause of disability worldwide, with gait impairment affecting up to 80% of survivors and contributing to long-term dependence, fall risk, and reduced quality of life. In Saudi Arabia, stroke incidence is rising, with a significant burden on younger populations and disparities in access to post-stroke rehabilitation services. Conventional gait analysis tools rely on expensive, specialized laboratory equipment, which limits their availability in low-resource and rural settings. Recent advances in wearable sensor technologies, including inertial measurement units, pressure insoles, and electromyography systems, offer portable, scalable, and cost-efficient options for assessing gait in real-world environments. These systems can offer continuous monitoring, tele-rehabilitation, and personalized feedback, aligning with global shifts toward digital health oversight. This review explores the application of wearable sensor-based gait analysis in post-stroke rehabilitation, highlighting sensor modalities, clinical utility, implementation challenges, and opportunities, particularly in Saudi Arabia, to strengthen rehabilitation services and optimize patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 3","pages":"244-254"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340605/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148405195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sub-Regional Motor-Somatosensory Connectivity and Lifespan Plasticity in Functional Networks.","authors":"Adnan A S Alahmadi","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2804","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2804","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To determine how cytoarchitectonically defined subdivisions of the primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and supplementary motor area (SMA) reorganize their integration with large-scale brain networks during healthy aging. This study investigated the lifespan trajectories of functional connectivity within cytoarchitectonically defined subregions of the primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and supplementary motor area (SMA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of resting-state fMRI data from 150 healthy individuals (aged 23-80 years), stratified into young, middle-aged, and older groups. Data were sourced from the Southwest University Adult Lifespan Dataset (SALD) and analyzed between June 2024 and June 2025. Using the Jülich Brain Atlas, we defined seed regions for the M1 (BA4a, BA4p), premotor cortex (6d1-3), PSC (BA1-3), and SMA (pre-SMA, SMA proper). Functional coupling was calculated between these seeds and canonical large-scale networks, including the default mode (DMN), salience, dorsal attention, and frontoparietal systems.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our analysis identified distinct age-dependent connectivity patterns. While all groups maintained robust motor-somatosensory coupling, older adults exhibited a significant loss of network segregation. Specifically, younger adults displayed strong sensorimotor integration with negative DMN coupling, whereas older adults showed widespread, diffuse positive connectivity across the DMN and frontoparietal networks. Middle-aged participants presented a transitional profile with expanded salience network interactions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Aging is associated with a gradual shift from segregated sensorimotor processing to a more dedifferentiated, globally connected architecture. These findings highlight the importance of analyzing specific cytoarchitectonic subdivisions to detect subtle compensatory neuroplasticity mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 3","pages":"262-271"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340598/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148405200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Depression Among Patients with Epilepsy in Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Mothana Y Al Jabr, Aryam M Alenizi, Faisal S Aleisa, Mazen A Alghamdi, Noura I Alfehaid, Muteb M Alqahtani, Abbas S Almutair","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2799","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2799","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the pooled prevalence of depression among epilepsy patients and find the associated demographics and psychosocial factors. Mood disorders are significant comorbidity between patients diagnosed with epilepsy, adversely influencing quality of life and complicating disease management. However, the incidence, prevalence, and associated risk factors of depression in patients diagnosed with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia are not well elucidated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This review was employed used studies retrieved from medical databases and the Saudi Digital Library. Observational and cross-sectional studies assessing depression between patients diagnosed with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia were included. Data were analyzed using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation model for pooled events using random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics, and publication bias was determined by Egger's test and visualized via funnel plots.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eleven articles were included, with 2,534 patients with epilepsy from various Saudi Arabian regions. The pooled incidence rate of depression between patients diagnosed with epilepsy was 33%. Subgroup analyses showed incidence rates of 20.1% for mild degree, 14.9% for moderate degree, and 6.6% for severe degree depression. No statistically significant association was found between male participants, generalized epilepsy, and depression.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Depression mood is highly prevalent between patients diagnosed with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia, with significant variations observed across gender, regions, and clinical characteristics. Our findings spotlight in the need for integrated mental health screening and interventions within epilepsy care. Addressing stigma, optimizing medication management, and enhancing psychosocial support could substantially improve outcomes for this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 3","pages":"207-219"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340597/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148405047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Subliminal Priming Effects on Motor and Cognitive Performance: Pilot Evidence With Implications for Neurorehabilitation.","authors":"Rehab E Aljuhni, Ghader A Alqadhi, Saud A Alhassan, Sultan A Alanazi","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2803","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2803","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate whether subliminal priming modalities (visual, auditory, or word-based) influence motor and cognitive performance in healthy young adults, and whether these effects vary by gender.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 30 healthy adults were assigned to visual, auditory, or word-based priming using single-blind, stratified randomization. Subliminal stimuli were presented for 50 ms. Motor outcomes included reaction time on dominant (RT-R) and non-dominant (RT-L) sides, comfortable and maximal walking speeds measured by the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and functional mobility assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Cognitive performance assessed using the Trail Making Test (TMT). Outcomes were measured immediately before and after priming.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant main effects or interactions were observed for RT-R, comfortable walking speed, TUG, or TMT. There was a significant main effect of priming modality for maximal 10MWT speed (p = 0.044, ηp² = 0.23). Significant priming modality × gender interactions were observed for maximal 10MWT (p = 0.044, ηp² = 0.23) and RT-L (p = 0.026, ηp² = 0.26). Estimated marginal means indicated modality-specific performance changes by gender.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Subliminal priming produced modest gender-dependent effects on maximal walking speed and reaction time. These preliminary findings indicate selective sensitivity of high-demand motor tasks to subliminal cues, warranting further investigation using larger sample sizes and clinical populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 3","pages":"255-261"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340606/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148405226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Free-Hand Technique and Neuronavigation in Intraventricular Shunt Catheter Placement.","authors":"Ümit Kocaman, Durmuş O Karakoyun, Emre Çavuşoğlu","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2793","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the accuracy and clinical outcomes of proximal catheter placement using neuronavigation guidance versus the traditional free-hand technique in patients undergoing ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a single-surgeon, before-after cohort study: free-hand cases (2013-2019) and neuronavigation cases (2020-2024). Ethics approval was obtained (İzmir Bakİrçay University; Approval No. 2407; 20 Aug 2025). The primary endpoint was a composite of first-attempt ventricular entry and absence of postoperative day-1 (POD1) Grade-3 malposition. Secondary endpoints included grades, 12-month proximal tip dysfunction, and operative duration.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty-two patients were included (neuronavigation N = 24; free-hand N = 28). Composite success was 100% (24/24) with neuronavigation versus 64.3% (18/28) free-hand (RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.16-2.03; p = 0.00095), risk difference +35.7% (NNT≈3). Grade-3 malposition occurred in 0% (0/24) versus 32.1% (9/28) (p = 0.002); Grades 1-2 (no Grade-3) were 100% versus 67.9% (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.12-1.89). Optimal (Grade-1) placement was 70.8% versus 32.1% (RR 2.20, 95% CI 1.21-4.00; p = 0.0115). Twelve-month proximal tip dysfunction occurred in 8.3% versus 25.0% (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.08-1.46). Operative time was longer with neuronavigation by +10.49 minutes (95% CI +7.40 to +13.58).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this before-after, single-surgeon series, neuronavigation improved first-pass success and eliminated malposition, with an approximate 10-minute time penalty; multicenter confirmation is warranted. Given the retrospective, historically controlled design, residual confounding and time-related practice changes may persist; nonetheless, the magnitude of effect supports considering neuronavigation when resources and workflow allow in routine practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 2","pages":"164-173"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13197990/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148157380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations of Regional White Matter Hyperintensities Severity with Different Visual Rating Scales and Domain-Specific Cognitive Impairment.","authors":"Xiaolu Zheng, Sipei Pan, Yi Man, Zhenghao Shi","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2790","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2790","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the association between regional white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) severity and domain-specific cognitive impairment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed 95 WMHs patients retrospectively and evaluated cognitive function. We quantified regional WMHs severity using the Scheltens Rating Scale (SRS) and Cholinergic Pathways Hyper intensities Scale (CHIPS). According to the regional WMHs scores, we divided the patients for intergroup comparisons of WMHs severity with domain-specific cognitive scores via the nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Neither the SRS nor the CHIPS total scores showed statistically correlation with cognitive scores (p > 0.05). However, in the bands lateral ventricles of periventricular hyperintensities (PVH-BLV) on the SRS, patients in the higher score groups had lower Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) total scores and total language scores (p < 0.05). Their Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total scores and orientation scores were also lower (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the corona radiata-left anterior (CR-LA) on the CHIPS, patients in the higher total score groups had lower MMSE attention and calculation scores, and total language scores (p < 0.05). Furthermore, their MoCA total scores, orientation scores (p < 0.01), and attention scores (p < 0.05) were also lower.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We found that WMHs severity in the deep white matter, especially PVH-BLV and anterior CR, was negatively correlated with multiple cognitive domain functions. These findings suggest that in clinical practice, it's more beneficial to predict potential cognitive impairment by assessing regional WMHs severity.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 2","pages":"140-148"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13197993/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148157433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neuroinflammation at the Crossroads of Neurodegeneration: The Roles of Microglia and Astrocytes in Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.","authors":"Mohannad A Almikhlafi","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2786","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2786","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. This review explores the underlying mechanisms of neuroinflammation, with a focus on the roles of microglia, astrocytes, peripheral immune cell infiltration, and cytokine release. The complex interplay between oxidative stress and chronic inflammation accelerates neurodegeneration, contributing to disease progression. Microglial activation, initially protective, becomes harmful when sustained over time, driving chronic inflammation. Similarly, astrocytes once considered passive are now recognized for their active involvement in both inflammatory and neuroprotective responses, depending on their activation state. Prolonged activation of microglia and astrocytes compromises blood-brain barrier integrity, facilitating immune cell infiltration and amplifying inflammatory cascades, thereby worsening neuronal damage. We also detail the molecular mediators of the vicious cycle linking oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, including redox-sensitive transcription factors and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the reviewed mechanisms highlight a pathogenic feedback loop, wherein oxidative stress and neuroinflammation fuel each other through NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways, suggesting that dual-target therapeutic strategies may be most effective. This review synthesizes evidence to propose that the failure to resolve neuroinflammation, driven by a self-reinforcing loop between oxidative stress and glial dysfunction, represents a critical, targetable node common to PD, AD, and MS.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 2","pages":"89-107"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13198008/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148157456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Science First, Formatting Second: Is It Feasible to Adopt a Free-Format Submission Policy?","authors":"Anas Alyazidi","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2797","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2797","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 2","pages":"191-192"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13198009/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148157090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of the Ventral Tegmental Area in Reward and Addiction: A Comprehensive Review.","authors":"Emad Ali Albadawi","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2787","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2787","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a central hub in reward and motivation, integrating heterogeneous neuronal populations and projection-defined circuits to regulate learning, decision-making, and addiction. This review synthesizes anatomical organization and cellular diversity (dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons, including multitransmitter co-release), and maps major efferent pathways constituting the mesolimbic and mesocortical systems. We highlight computational roles of VTA activity, including reward prediction errors, incentive salience, and context memory integration, and summarize drug class-specific mechanisms that perturb VTA output. We then outline time-dependent neuroadaptations across mesocorticolimbic networks and discuss therapeutic implications spanning pharmacological, behavioral, and emerging circuit-targeted interventions. Together, these perspectives frame the VTA as a projection- and state-dependent controller whose dysfunction underlies core features of substance use disorders and other reward-related psychopathologies, pointing toward precision, circuit-informed treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 2","pages":"108-126"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13198007/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148157165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epilepsy and Cluster C Personality Disorders: A Saudi Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Mohammed A Aljaffer, Ahmad H Almadani, Ayedh H Alghamdi, Mohammad N Aljarba, Azzam A Alotaibi, Mohammed A Alorayyidh, Abdulaziz M Alawwad, Rakan S Alromayan, Faisal M Alkhunein, Sohaila A Alshimemeri, Bandar N Aljafen","doi":"10.17712/1658-3183.2794","DOIUrl":"10.17712/1658-3183.2794","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with profound impacts on various aspects of life. It may lead to significant medical and psychiatric comorbidities, one of which is personality disorders (PDs). This study aims to assess the prevalence of Cluster C PDs among adult patients with epilepsy (PWE) at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This cross-sectional study, conducted between January 2024 and April 2025, enroled 360 adult PWE using convenience sampling. The study tool included the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders criteria, along with additional demographic and epilepsy-related questions developed by the research team.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cluster C PDs were identified in 30. 6% of the participants. Obsessive-compulsive PD was the most prevalent (17. 8%), followed by avoidant PD (9.7%). No significant gender difference was found in the prevalence of PDs (p > 0.05). Educational level and employment status were significantly associated with PDs (p=0.036 and 0.014, respectively). Participants with PDs had a longer mean epilepsy duration than those without PDs (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cluster C PDs are prevalent among PWE, with lower educational levels, longer epilepsy duration, and unemployment being significantly associated with a higher prevalence. Screening for PDs among PWE is therefore warranted to enable earlier detection and intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":19284,"journal":{"name":"Neurosciences","volume":"31 2","pages":"174-180"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13198005/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148157385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}