AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-10-31eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025026
Arosh S Perera Molligoda Arachchige, Jad El Choueiri, Francesca Pellicanò, Francesco Laurelli, Gabriel Amorim Moreira Alves, Niccolò Stomeo
{"title":"A review of multiple sclerosis: From pathophysiology to latest therapeutic advances.","authors":"Arosh S Perera Molligoda Arachchige, Jad El Choueiri, Francesca Pellicanò, Francesco Laurelli, Gabriel Amorim Moreira Alves, Niccolò Stomeo","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025026","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration within the central nervous system (CNS). It predominantly affects women and young adults, with environmental and genetic factors contributing to its onset. MS presents a wide range of neurological symptoms due to the scattering of lesions in the CNS, often leading to vision, sensorimotor, and cognitive impairments. The clinical course of MS varies, with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) being the most common, followed by secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation, MRI findings, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, with the McDonald criteria playing a key role in confirming dissemination in time and space. Current treatments, such as disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and steroids, focus on managing relapses and reducing long-term disability. Novel therapies, including remyelination and neuroprotective agents, are showing promise in advancing care. While these medications can slow progression and improve quality of life, MS remains an incurable disease that requires ongoing research to find more effective therapies. Surgical interventions are rare but can address severe symptoms like spasticity and bladder dysfunction, contributing to an overall personalized management approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 4","pages":"514-538"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12782939/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145951343","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-10-21eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025025
Saviana Antonella Barbati, Giuseppe Carota, Konstantinos Partsinevelos, Lucia Di Pietro, Anna Privitera, Vincenzo Cardaci, Andrea Graziani, Renata Mangione, Giuseppe Lazzarino, Barbara Tavazzi, Valentina Di Pietro, Emiliano Maiani, Francesco Bellia, Angela Maria Amorini, Giacomo Lazzarino, Shahid Pervez Baba, Giuseppe Caruso
{"title":"Preclinical evidence and therapeutic perspectives on carnosine for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.","authors":"Saviana Antonella Barbati, Giuseppe Carota, Konstantinos Partsinevelos, Lucia Di Pietro, Anna Privitera, Vincenzo Cardaci, Andrea Graziani, Renata Mangione, Giuseppe Lazzarino, Barbara Tavazzi, Valentina Di Pietro, Emiliano Maiani, Francesco Bellia, Angela Maria Amorini, Giacomo Lazzarino, Shahid Pervez Baba, Giuseppe Caruso","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025025","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is an endogenous dipeptide widely distributed in mammalian tissues, especially skeletal and cardiac muscle cells, and, to a lesser extent, in the brain. While early interest in carnosine was given because of its role in muscle cell metabolism and athletic performance, it has more recently gained attention for its potential application in several chronic diseases. Specifically, brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders have received particular attention, as a marked reduction in carnosine levels has been described in these conditions. Carnosine exerts a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-glycation, metal-chelating, and neuroprotective properties. Mechanistically, it acts by inhibiting the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), buffering cellular pH, and regulating intracellular nitric oxide signaling and mitochondrial function. Its safety profile, the lack of toxicity, and significant side effects support its application for long-term therapeutic use. In this review, we aim to recapitulate and discuss the effects, dosages, and administration routes of carnosine in preclinical <i>in vivo</i> models, with a particular focus on neurodegenerative disorders where it has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, suppress neuroinflammation, modulate protein aggregation, and preserve cognitive function, all key features of neurodegeneration. Despite promising findings, there are gaps in the knowledge on how carnosine affects synaptic plasticity, neuronal remodeling, and other processes that play a central role in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, clinical translation remains challenging due to inconsistencies across <i>in vivo</i> studies in terms of dosage, treatment duration, routes of administration, and disease models, which affect reproducibility and cross-study comparability. Therefore, while carnosine emerges as a multifunctional and well-tolerated molecule, further research is needed to clarify its therapeutic relevance in human diseases. In this review, we also address future perspectives and key methodological challenges that must be overcome to effectively translate carnosine's biological potential into clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 4","pages":"444-513"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12790938/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145958437","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-09-28eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025023
Marta Soler-Gallart, Aitor Galar, Ane Olabarria, Ane López de Aguileta, Aitor Alzaga, Garazi López de Aguileta, Cristina Pulido, Ramon Flecha
{"title":"A teacher's perceptions of the impacts of the Zero Violence Brave Club in students' wellbeing.","authors":"Marta Soler-Gallart, Aitor Galar, Ane Olabarria, Ane López de Aguileta, Aitor Alzaga, Garazi López de Aguileta, Cristina Pulido, Ramon Flecha","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025023","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, there has been increasing focus in neuroscience on the influence of social relationships and experience in the brain. Socioneuroscience has been created to make contributions to fully understand the social relations that influence the architecture and functioning of the brain. The scientific literature has shown the impact of the coercive dominant discourse that promotes violent relationships on neural changes that lead to negative health consequences. However, less research has been conducted on the changes produced when violent relationships are overcome and prevented. This article advances in this direction by analyzing a teacher's perception on the impact of the Zero Violence Brave Club (ZVBC) intervention on his students' wellbeing. To that end, data collection through communicative observation was gathered over five months of the ZVBC implementation in a 2nd grade primary school classroom. Our results indicated that, according to the teacher, relationships among students improved from the very first week throughout the implementation, improving the classroom climate, students' motivation, and wellbeing.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 3","pages":"418-433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12521929/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306749","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-09-28eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025024
Jad El Choueiri, Francesca Pellicanò, Lorenzo De Rossi, Victor Gabriel El-Hajj, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Leonardo Di Cosmo, Anthony Abi Chakra, Nakul Gokul Varma, Francesco Laurelli, Maria Pia Tropeano, Zefferino Rossini, Federico Pessina, Gabriele Capo
{"title":"Persistent primitive trigeminal artery in stroke: A review and clinical insights.","authors":"Jad El Choueiri, Francesca Pellicanò, Lorenzo De Rossi, Victor Gabriel El-Hajj, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Leonardo Di Cosmo, Anthony Abi Chakra, Nakul Gokul Varma, Francesco Laurelli, Maria Pia Tropeano, Zefferino Rossini, Federico Pessina, Gabriele Capo","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025024","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The persistent primitive trigeminal artery is the most common remnant of the embryonic carotid-basilar connection. While its anatomy is well documented, its clinical significance in strokes remains debated. Some studies suggest it predisposes ischemia through altered hemodynamics, whereas others report a protective role via collateral circulation. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the anatomy, imaging, and clinical implications of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery in strokes. A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up to March 2025 identified relevant case reports, imaging studies, and clinical series. The artery typically arises from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery, courses alongside the trigeminal nerve, and terminates in the posterior circulation. Classification systems describe variations in its termination, course, and vascular supply. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography angiography are key diagnostic tools, each with their advantages and limitations. Evidence shows two opposing roles: either as a conduit for steal phenomena, turbulent flow, and thromboembolism or as a collateral channel that preserves cerebral perfusion during carotid or vertebrobasilar occlusion. Understanding this vessel's anatomy and potential hemodynamic effects are critical for accurate diagnoses, risk assessments, and treatment planning. Its dual nature highlights the importance of individualized evaluations and further research to clarify its role in strokes.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 3","pages":"434-443"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12521930/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306865","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-09-25eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025021
Arosh S Perera Molligoda Arachchige
{"title":"Rethinking ALS: Current understanding and emerging therapeutic strategies.","authors":"Arosh S Perera Molligoda Arachchige","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025021","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons, which leads to muscle atrophy, spasticity, and ultimately respiratory failure. The etiology of ALS remains unclear, though a combination of genetic and environmental factors is suspected. Advances in understanding ALS pathophysiology, including the role of RNA metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and glutamate toxicity, have paved the way for new research directions. While Riluzole offers limited survival benefits, there is no cure, and treatment remains mostly supportive. This article summarizes the current understanding of ALS in terms of its pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, and treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 3","pages":"391-405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12521932/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306913","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-09-25eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025022
Kiruthika Selvakumar, Lee Wan Fei, Deepak Thazhakkattu Vasu, Nandakumari P Velayan Sabapathy
{"title":"Impact of headache on physical activity levels and dynamic balance among university students.","authors":"Kiruthika Selvakumar, Lee Wan Fei, Deepak Thazhakkattu Vasu, Nandakumari P Velayan Sabapathy","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025022","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Headache disorders are ranked among the top 10 causes of disability worldwide and are notably prevalent within university student populations. This study aimed to (a) assess the prevalence of headaches and their impact among university students, (b) examine the correlation between headaches and dynamic balance, and (c) investigate the correlation between headaches and levels of physical activity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cross-sectional study was conducted at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and involved 471 participants by using convenience sampling. A digital screening questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data and screen the participants. The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and the self-administered short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Long Last 7 Days were conducted by eligible participants. Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Timed Up and Go Dual Task (TUG-DT; Cognitive and Manual) were assessed to measure dynamic balance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A 96.9% response rate was obtained in the study. The prevalence of headaches among university students was 44% (n = 208). Spearman correlation analysis indicated very weak to weak correlations that are not statistically significant between headache severity and physical activity levels (r = 0.064, p > 0.05), or with single-task dynamic balance (r = 0.118, p > 0.05) and manual dual-task balance (r = 0.183, p > 0.05). However, a significant positive correlation was observed between headache severity and cognitive dual-task balance performance (r = 0.292, p < 0.05), indicating that greater headache impact is associated with poorer balance under cognitive dual-task conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Headache prevalence among university students was 44%, higher in females and younger individuals. While headache severity showed no significant correlation with physical activity or most dynamic balance measures, it was significantly associated with impaired balance under cognitive dual-task conditions, indicating a potential impact on motor-cognitive integration.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 3","pages":"406-417"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12521935/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306930","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-09-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025020
Taslim Uddin
{"title":"Oxidative genomic or genotoxic stress in neurodegeneration: Mechanisms and therapeutic avenues.","authors":"Taslim Uddin","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025020","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neurons are especially vulnerable because of their high metabolic activity and limited ability to repair damaged DNA. Oxidative genotoxic stress (OGS), which arises from the buildup of short-lived, highly reactive molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), can damage neuronal DNA and compromise antioxidant defense mechanisms in neurons. OGS induces considerable forms of DNA damage, including genomic instability, DNA strand breaks (single or double), DNA base modifications such as 8-oxoguanine, and epigenetic changes, leading to compromised neuronal functions. Moreover, OGS is a silent player in mitochondrial DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, ROS-mediated OGS is pivotal for initiating and advancing several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinsonism (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). However, there is a significant gap in deciphering the molecular pathways involved in OGS-mediated development of neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, this study focused on the molecular mechanisms by which OGS causes neurodegeneration, with a focus on the contributions of neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and defective DNA repair pathways. Additionally, new therapeutic approaches, such as mitochondrial-targeted medications, antioxidant therapies, gene editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9, and biomarkers for the early diagnosis of these oxidative diseases, have been assessed. A thorough comprehension of these processes opens exciting possibilities for focused treatments in neurodegenerative illnesses.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 3","pages":"369-390"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12521933/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306878","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-08-21eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025019
Lora J Kasselman, Saba Ahmed, Ariel De Leon, Maryann Johnson, Ankita Srivastava, Apoorva Vashisht, Heather A Renna, Thomas Palaia, Aaron Pinkhasov, Allison B Reiss
{"title":"Extracellular vesicles from water kefir can interact with human neurons in vitro: a potential explanation for the role of probiotics consumption in mental health.","authors":"Lora J Kasselman, Saba Ahmed, Ariel De Leon, Maryann Johnson, Ankita Srivastava, Apoorva Vashisht, Heather A Renna, Thomas Palaia, Aaron Pinkhasov, Allison B Reiss","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025019","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Major depressive disorder is one of the most burdensome mental health disorders. Probiotics have been shown to ameliorate depressive symptoms, though the mechanism remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) extracted from the probiotic beverage water kefir could influence gene and protein expression in human-derived neuroblastoma cells in vitro. EVs were extracted from lab-cultured water kefir and a control solution without water kefir grains by ultracentrifugation. Water kefir vesicles were imaged via electron microscopy. Neuroblastoma, microglia, and neuroblastoma-microglia co-cultures were exposed to water kefir EVs or negative control medium. Uptake of water kefir EVs was identified by microscopy. All conditions were quantified for brain derived neurotrophic factor, fractalkine, and synaptophysin RNA and protein. Data were analyzed using factorial ANOVAs with significance set at 0.05. Water kefir vesicles were taken up by neuroblastoma cells, and incubation in neuroblastoma-microglia co-culture resulted in significantly higher levels of fractalkine protein compared to media-only control (p = 0.029). To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify potential interactions between EVs derived from the probiotic beverage water kefir and human neuronal cells. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role played by probiotic-derived EVs in human health.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 3","pages":"351-368"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12521936/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306876","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-07-25eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025018
Fiammetta Iannuzzo, Fabrizio Turiaco, Vincenzo Messina, Alessandro Magazzù Minutoli, Maria Catena Silvestri, Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello, Antonio Bruno
{"title":"Non-invasive brain stimulation for suicidal ideation: a systematic review and metanalysis of the current literature.","authors":"Fiammetta Iannuzzo, Fabrizio Turiaco, Vincenzo Messina, Alessandro Magazzù Minutoli, Maria Catena Silvestri, Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello, Antonio Bruno","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025018","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Data suggests that the available therapeutic tools are still insufficient to deal with suicidality. Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation techniques (NIBS) have entered the recognized guidelines for therapies in psychiatry due to the advantages related to safety and tolerability. The purpose of this review and meta-analysis is to assess if and how NIBS techniques are used and could be effective in the treatment of suicidal ideation. The search included the Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases. The word \"suicide\" was combined with \"NIBS\", \"transcranial magnetic stimulation\" (TMS), \"deep TMS\" and \"transcranial direct current stimulation\". Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. High frequency repetitive TMS (rTMS) protocols were associated with a significant reduction in suicidal ideation, with individual studies reporting improvements ranging from 20% to over 35% on scales such as the scale for suicide ideation (SSI) and the Beck scale of suicide ideation (BSI) (p < 0.01; p < 0.01; p < 0.001). The meta-analysis showed that active rTMS significantly reduced suicidal ideation compared to sham control conditions (Z = 16.79, p < 0.0001). Heterogeneity was high (I² = 99%, chi-square = 473.22, df = 3, p < 0.0001). High frequency rTMS protocols appeared most effective; deep TMS (dTMS) showed mixed results, and only one study utilized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Due to limited data, no meta-analysis was conducted on dTMS or tDCS studies. Although preliminary findings suggest a potential for NIBS techniques to reduce suicidal ideation, the current evidence is limited by the small number of high-quality studies and heterogeneity in the protocols and outcomes. Therefore, conclusions regarding clinical efficacy should be considered tentative.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 3","pages":"332-350"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12521931/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306850","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}
AIMS NeurosciencePub Date : 2025-07-21eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025017
Hadi Mohammadi Nia Samakosh, Maedeh Maktoubian, Seyyed Pedram Rouhani Doost, Rafael Oliveira, Georgian Badicu, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Mahdieh Hassanzadeh, Peyman Amadekhiar, Reza Rezaeain Vaskasi
{"title":"Active and sham transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) plus core stability on the knee kinematic and performance of the lower limb of the soccer players with dynamic knee valgus; two armed randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Hadi Mohammadi Nia Samakosh, Maedeh Maktoubian, Seyyed Pedram Rouhani Doost, Rafael Oliveira, Georgian Badicu, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Mahdieh Hassanzadeh, Peyman Amadekhiar, Reza Rezaeain Vaskasi","doi":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025017","DOIUrl":"10.3934/Neuroscience.2025017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) is a prevalent risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in soccer players, particularly during noncontact mechanisms. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) and core stability exercises have shown promise in enhancing motor control and biomechanical alignment, but their combined effects on DKV remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of active versus sham tDCS combined with core stability exercises on knee kinematic alignment and lower limb performance in young male soccer players with DKV. In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 42 male soccer players (aged 18-25 years) with DKV were randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group (n = 21) or a sham tDCS group (n = 21). Both groups underwent 8 weeks of core stability exercises (3 sessions/week, 30 minutes/session) preceded by 15 minutes of active (2 mA) or sham tDCS targeting the primary motor cortex (M1). The primary outcome was the frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) during a single-leg landing task, measured using 2D video analysis. Secondary outcomes included vertical jump height and 8-hop test time. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. A 2 × 2 mixed-model ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected post hoc tests was used for statistical analysis via SPSS<sub>27</sub>. The active tDCS group showed significantly greater improvements in FPPA (+5.65% vs. +2.26%, p < 0.001, <i>η</i>p² = 0.82), vertical jump height (+25.30% vs. +10.45%, p < 0.001, <i>η</i>p² = 0.75), and 8-hop test time (-21.05% vs. -14.27%, p < 0.001, <i>η</i>p² = 0.68) compared to the sham group. Both groups improved from baseline, but the active tDCS group exhibited larger effect sizes across all outcomes. Active tDCS combined with core stability exercises significantly enhanced knee kinematic alignment and lower limb performance in soccer players with DKV compared to sham tDCS. These findings suggest that neuromodulation, when paired with targeted exercise, is a promising strategy for injury prevention and performance enhancement in athletes. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and applicability to diverse populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":7732,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Neuroscience","volume":"12 3","pages":"312-331"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12521934/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306862","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}