Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences最新文献_第6页

Shallow recurrent decoders for neural and behavioural dynamics. 用于神经和行为动力学的浅循环解码器。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0461

Amy Rude, J Nathan Kutz

{"title":"Shallow recurrent decoders for neural and behavioural dynamics.","authors":"Amy Rude, J Nathan Kutz","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0461","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0461","url":null,"abstract":"Machine learning algorithms are affording new opportunities for building bio-inspired and data-driven models characterizing neural activity. Critical to understanding decision-making and behaviour is quantifying the relationship between the activity of neuronal population codes and individual neurons. We leverage a SHallow REcurrent Decoder (SHRED) architecture for mapping the dynamics of population codes to individual neurons and other proxy measures of neural activity and behaviour. SHRED is constructed from a temporal sequence model, which encodes the temporal dynamics of limited sensor data in multiple scenarios, and a shallow decoder, which reconstructs the corresponding high-dimensional neuronal and/or behavioural states. It is a robust and flexible sensing strategy which allows for decoding the diversity of neural measurements with only a few sensor measurements. Thus, estimates of whole-brain activity, behaviour and individual neurons can be constructed with only a few neural time-series recordings. Several examples in this article further highlight the potential of leveraging non-invasive or minimally invasive measurements to estimate large-scale brain dynamics. We empirically demonstrate the capabilities of the method on a number of model organisms including Caenorhabditis elegans, mouse, zebrafish and human biolocomotion. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13583487/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148984630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The economic burden of functional neurological disorder. 功能性神经障碍的经济负担。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0470

Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, Joanne L Baker, Jisan Afrin

{"title":"The economic burden of functional neurological disorder.","authors":"Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, Joanne L Baker, Jisan Afrin","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0470","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0470","url":null,"abstract":"We provide an analysis of the economic burden of functional neurological disorder (FND). For a condition that is complex to diagnose and treat, estimating its true prevalence and incidence can be challenging. This estimation challenge has economic implications in terms of directing healthcare and other resources to mitigate the burden of FND. Existing economic analysis is limited, with most studies ignoring the wider social costs of FND, which are believed to be considerably higher than direct healthcare costs. This, in turn, affects the reliability of cost-effectiveness analysis. Using a number of existing studies, we provide an analysis of some of the challenges in estimating the true costs of FND. We revisit the debate around the appropriateness of cost-effectiveness analysis using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) versus other frameworks, particularly generalised risk-adjusted cost-effectiveness (GRACE), in diseases like FND and its equity implications. Finally, we discuss how the probable underestimation of the economic burden of FND stifles innovation and dampens investment in promising technology. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13644776/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148983103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Investigating mechanisms and monitoring outcomes in functional neurological disorder: the unrealized potential of digital remote monitoring technologies. 调查机制和监测结果在功能性神经障碍：数字远程监测技术未实现的潜力。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0471

Susannah Pick, Matthew Hotopf

{"title":"Investigating mechanisms and monitoring outcomes in functional neurological disorder: the unrealized potential of digital remote monitoring technologies.","authors":"Susannah Pick, Matthew Hotopf","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0471","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0471","url":null,"abstract":"Functional neurological disorder (FND) is characterized by involuntary, distressing neurological symptoms that are distinguishable from other neurological diagnoses in presentation, aetiology and mechanisms. Significant disability, impaired quality-of-life and substantial healthcare resource utilization often result from the disorder, yet its underlying mechanisms have not been proven empirically. Importantly, long-term clinical trajectories and predictive markers have been understudied in FND cohorts. Inadequate funding of large-scale mechanistic and longitudinal research, methodological limitations and the absence of standardized outcome measures necessitate development of innovative solutions. Digital remote monitoring technologies (dRMTs), which have been shown to be valuable across a range of other neurological and psychiatric disorders, may have substantial potential to address these research challenges in FND, yet this potential is currently unrealized. We propose that dRMTs could be harnessed to monitor subjective and/or objective functional neurological and associated symptoms, mechanistic variables and important outcome domains, with excellent temporal precision, flexibility and external validity. These methods could allow precise characterization of both short- and long-term fluctuations in FND symptoms, the influences on them and their impact on patients. Such data would strengthen mechanistic models, improve outcome prediction and facilitate personalized FND clinical management in this underserved population. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13644777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148984636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Imaging biomarkers in functional neurological disorders. 功能性神经障碍的成像生物标志物。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0472

Irene Lozzi, Cristina Concetti, Selma Aybek Rusca

{"title":"Imaging biomarkers in functional neurological disorders.","authors":"Irene Lozzi, Cristina Concetti, Selma Aybek Rusca","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0472","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0472","url":null,"abstract":"Recent advances in neuroimaging have significantly reshaped our understanding of functional neurological disorder (FND), shifting the focus from structural damage to dysfunctional brain networks. Building on Charcot's early intuition of a 'functional lesion', this review traces the evolution of neuroimaging research in FND, from its historical roots to current developments. We synthesize findings from structural and functional imaging studies, highlighting alterations in brain regions involved in motor control, self-agency and emotion regulation. Task-based fMRI studies have shown atypical activation in areas such as the supplementary motor area, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporo-parietal junction, supporting the notion of impaired voluntary motor control. Additionally, changes in the amygdala and periaqueductal grey point to the role of emotional dysregulation. Structural imaging reveals grey and white matter alterations, while machine learning applied to resting-state connectivity shows promise for biomarker development. Emerging evidence also suggests that genetic and epigenetic factors-particularly within oxytocinergic and serotonergic systems-may contribute to individual vulnerability. We argue for a multi-modal approach integrating neuroimaging, genetics and computational methods to advance both the diagnosis and treatment of FND. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13583484/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148984638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Neurofeedback for functional neurological disorders: future directions for research and clinical practice. 功能性神经系统疾病的神经反馈：未来研究和临床实践方向。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0468

Daniela Di Basilio, Alexander J Casson, Anthony Jones

{"title":"Neurofeedback for functional neurological disorders: future directions for research and clinical practice.","authors":"Daniela Di Basilio, Alexander J Casson, Anthony Jones","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0468","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0468","url":null,"abstract":"Functional neurological disorder (FND) is increasingly conceptualized as a disorder of network-level dysfunction involving altered salience processing, impaired motor intention-execution coupling and disrupted self-agency. Despite advances in multi-disciplinary rehabilitation, a proportion of individuals experience persistent or fluctuating symptoms, highlighting the need for mechanistically informed adjunctive interventions. Neurofeedback, a closed-loop technique enabling individuals to modulate neural activity in real time, offers a theoretically grounded approach to targeting dysfunctional circuits implicated in FND. This opinion article synthesizes current neuroscientific models of FND with evidence from neurofeedback research in motor, affective and pain-related conditions. We examine modality-target considerations (e.g. electroencephalography versus functional magnetic resonance imaging), learning mechanisms including operant and associative paradigms and the relevance of network-based interventions for heterogeneous FND phenotypes. Given the limited direct evidence in FND, we critically appraise methodological variability in existing neurofeedback applications and outline pragmatic steps towards greater standardization, including transparent reporting of neural targets, feedback modality, training dose and transfer assessment. We also discuss translational challenges, including integration within established physiotherapy frameworks, patient-centred personalization and digitally enabled delivery models. While empirical evidence remains preliminary, neurofeedback represents a biologically informed and potentially scalable intervention that warrants systematic investigation within multi-disciplinary FND care pathways. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13644786/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148984637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

At-home limbic-targeted transcranial electrical stimulation during sleep: a feasibility study in healthy adults. 健康成人睡眠期间家用边缘定向经颅电刺激的可行性研究

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0466

Kyle Morgan, Phan Luu, Roma Shusterman, Damian Persico, Alexei Doncov, Shijing Zhou, Steven Shofner, Don Tucker

{"title":"At-home limbic-targeted transcranial electrical stimulation during sleep: a feasibility study in healthy adults.","authors":"Kyle Morgan, Phan Luu, Roma Shusterman, Damian Persico, Alexei Doncov, Shijing Zhou, Steven Shofner, Don Tucker","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0466","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0466","url":null,"abstract":"Deep sleep (N3) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are critical for memory and emotional regulation and are often disrupted in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Recent work suggests that focal limbic slow oscillations may provide a target for transcranial electrical stimulation (TES). This study evaluated the feasibility of low-intensity, limbic-targeted TES during sleep and its effects on sleep architecture in healthy adults. A total of 17 healthy participants completed a sham-controlled intervention using an at-home TES device. Stimulation was synchronized with N2 onset, and an overnight electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Sleep stage durations and proportions were compared between TES and off conditions. Limbic-targeted TES was associated with longer total sleep time than the off condition. A repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated a significant main effect of condition without a significant condition × sleep-stage interaction. Planned pairwise comparisons showed longer absolute N3 and REM sleep durations during TES, whereas only REM increased as a proportion of total sleep time. Participants tolerated the device well, and blinding was maintained. Limbic-targeted TES was feasible to administer during sleep in a natural home environment and was associated with increased total sleep time. These findings provide preliminary evidence of sleep-architecture modulation and support further investigation in larger studies and clinical populations. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13583489/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148984628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Advancing human sensorimotor research through modular robotics: the case of the HRX-1. 通过模块化机器人技术推进人类感觉运动研究：以HRX-1为例。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0464

Ildar Farkhatdinov, Joshua Brown, Aaron Yurkewich, Etienne Burdet

{"title":"Advancing human sensorimotor research through modular robotics: the case of the HRX-1.","authors":"Ildar Farkhatdinov, Joshua Brown, Aaron Yurkewich, Etienne Burdet","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0464","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0464","url":null,"abstract":"The HRX-1 is a single-degree-of-freedom, direct-drive, modular and reconfigurable robotic device designed for investigating human sensorimotor control. By examining its use, this case study highlights the opportunities offered by modular, portable and user-centred open-source design approaches for sensorimotor diagnostics and basic neuromechanics research. The robot's architecture enables simple and rapid reconfiguration, allowing researchers to explore a wide range of experimental questions. When combined with muscle electromyography, functional electrical stimulation and electroencephalography, the system enables investigation of how muscles respond to external forces and how the brain coordinates the responses. These multimodal approaches also support the development of novel movement-assistive strategies for neuromotor rehabilitation. Clinical applications include studies of brain activity patterns in children with dystonia, upper-limb rehabilitation after stroke and therapy for patients with functional neurological disorders. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13583492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148984631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Towards a domain-general mechanistic model of fatigue: application to Functional Neurological Disorder. 疲劳的领域通用机制模型：在功能性神经障碍中的应用。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0462

Glenn R Wylie

{"title":"Towards a domain-general mechanistic model of fatigue: application to Functional Neurological Disorder.","authors":"Glenn R Wylie","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0462","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0462","url":null,"abstract":"Fatigue is a central symptom in individuals with functional neurological disorder (FND), yet few studies have investigated fatigue in this population. While this may be surprising, given the importance of fatigue in FND, it is nevertheless understandable, given that fatigue has historically been difficult to study. However, the tools of cognitive neuroscience have allowed researchers to begin to understand fatigue as never before. Here, I review recent advances in the field of fatigue research, ranging from experimental design to objective and subjective measures of fatigue to a network of brain areas that has shown sensitivity to fatigue. Taken together, these metrics support the idea that fatigue is a signal the brain generates when the reward received no longer merits the effort required. I conclude by arguing that the application of this domain-general mechanistic model of fatigue, using objective and subjective dependent measures, is likely to provide important insights into the fatigue that is so pervasive in FND. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13644778/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148983830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Functional neurological disorder, suggestion and virtual reality: neuroanatomical and computational perspectives. 功能性神经障碍，暗示和虚拟现实：神经解剖学和计算视角。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0467

Quinton Deeley

{"title":"Functional neurological disorder, suggestion and virtual reality: neuroanatomical and computational perspectives.","authors":"Quinton Deeley","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0467","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0467","url":null,"abstract":"This Opinion piece addresses links between functional neurological disorder, hypnosis and suggestion, and their potential modulation by virtual reality (VR) in neuroanatomical and computational terms. The cortical hierarchy provides an anatomical basis for differing neurocognitive and computational theories applied to suggested effects and functional symptoms-hierarchical predictive coding, top-down cortical feedback and signal routing, and attractor dynamics. Each theory views the brain as a graded anatomical hierarchy with bidirectional influences between levels. Each considers that representations privileged by heightened attention (whether by cognitive control or automatic processes) alter the pre-conscious 'editing' of experience to generate suggested effects and functional symptoms. This occurs through an increase in top-down signals relative to bottom-up signals across the cortical hierarchy, resulting in enhanced activation of selected neuronal populations in intermediate levels. This alters the interpretation of bottom-up signals or radically misrepresents the presence or absence of bottom-up signals to higher levels. By contrast, VR influences experience by simulating the bottom-up effects of veridical sensory input to sensory processing streams. Despite the shared framework of the cortical hierarchy, the theories differ in important respects. Implications for future research and combining suggestions and VR to treat functional symptoms are considered. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13644782/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148984633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

C-low threshold mechanoreceptors: a novel target for health-tech in an increasingly touch-deprived world. c -低阈值机械感受器：在日益缺乏触觉的世界中，医疗技术的新目标。

IF 4.7

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0463

Francis McGlone

{"title":"C-low threshold mechanoreceptors: a novel target for health-tech in an increasingly touch-deprived world.","authors":"Francis McGlone","doi":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0463","DOIUrl":"10.1098/rstb.2024.0463","url":null,"abstract":"This article describes the putative role of a population of unmyelinated cutaneous nerves that respond optimally to a caressing touch. Massaging touch is of course 'digital', dating back to its use by ancient civilizations for its therapeutic properties, where it was found to promote healing, relieve pain, reduce stress and improve overall well-being. What was then non-verifiable 'alternative medicine' is now verifiable 'touch medicine' with the discovery of a population of cutaneous mechanosensitive c-low threshold mechanoreceptors (C-LTMRs) that preferentially encode gentle dynamic touch, projecting centrally to dorsal posterior insular cortex. They are understood to provide a singular vital protective function across the lifespan, from the nurturing touch of the mother to end-of-life palliative care. Early life touch deprivation causes lifelong adverse neurodevelopmental consequences, with recent evidence finding a potential neuroregenerative and neuroprotective role for C-LTMR stimulation in dementia, brain damage, stress resilience and schizophrenia. By analogy with the vital role vitamins play in physical health, affective touch and its neuronal substrate, the C-LTMRs, can be described as 'vitamin-T' for neurological health. A case is made here for their therapeutic influence in functional neurological disorders. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Digital healthcare for the management of functional neurological disorders'.","PeriodicalId":520748,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences","volume":"381 1958","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13648195/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148984627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0