TY  - JOUR
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite growing evidence validating placebo effects in nausea, little is known about the underlying cortical mechanisms in women and men. Therefore, the present study examined sex differences and electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics of the placebo effect on nausea. METHODS: On 2 consecutive days, 90 healthy subjects (45 females) were exposed to a nauseating visual stimulus. Nausea was continuously rated on an 11-point numeric rating scale, and 32 EEG channels were recorded. On day 2, subjects were randomly allocated to either placebo treatment or no treatment: the placebo group received sham acupuncture, whereas the control group did not receive any intervention. RESULTS: In contrast to the control group, both sexes in the placebo group showed reduced signs for anticipatory nausea in the EEG, indexed by increased frontal lobe and anterior cingulate activity. Among women, the improvement in perceived nausea in the placebo group was accompanied by decreased activation in the parietal, frontal, and temporal lobes. In contrast, the placebo-related improvement of perceived nausea in men was accompanied by increased activation in the limbic and sublobar (insular) lobes. CONCLUSION: Activation of the parietal lobe in women during the placebo intervention may reflect altered afferent activity from gastric mechanoreceptors during nausea-induced tachyarrhythmia, whereas in men, altered interoceptive signals in the insular cortex might play a role. Thus, the results suggest different cerebral mechanisms underlying the placebo effects in men and women, which could have implications for the treatment of nausea.
AU  - Haile, A.*
AU  - Watts, M.*
AU  - Aichner, S.*
AU  - Stahlberg, F.*
AU  - Hoffmann, V.*
AU  - Tschöp, M.H.
AU  - Meissner, K.*
C1  - 65645
C2  - 52847
TI  - Central correlates of placebo effects in nausea differ between men and women.
JO  - Brain Behav.
VL  - 12
IS  - 8
PY  - 2022
SN  - 2162-3279
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Background Dusp8 is the first GWAS-identified gene that is predominantly expressed in the brain and has previously been linked with the development of diabetes type 2 in humans. In this study, we unravel how Dusp8 is involved in the regulation of sucrose reward behavior.Methods Female, chow-fed global Dusp8 WT and KO mice were tested in an observer-independent IntelliCage setup for self-administrative sucrose consumption and preference followed by a progressive ratio task with restricted sucrose access to monitor seeking and motivation behavior. Sixty-three human carriers of the major C and minor T allele of DUSP8 SNP rs2334499 were tested for their perception of food cues by collecting a rating score for sweet versus savory high caloric food.Results Dusp8 KO mice showed a comparable preference for sucrose, but consumed more sucrose compared to WT mice. In a progressive ratio task, Dusp8 KO females switched to a "trial and error" strategy to find sucrose while control Dusp8 WT mice kept their previously established seeking pattern. Nonetheless, the overall motivation to consume sucrose, and the levels of dopaminergic neurons in the brain areas NAcc and VTA were comparable between genotypes. Diabetes-risk allele carriers of DUSP8 SNP rs2334499 preferred sweet high caloric food compared to the major allele carriers, rating scores for savory food remained comparable between groups.Conclusion Our data suggest a novel role for Dusp8 in the perception of sweet high caloric food as well as in the control of sucrose consumption and foraging in mice and humans.
AU  - Baumann, P.
AU  - Schriever, S.C.
AU  - Kullmann, S.
AU  - Zimprich, A.
AU  - Peter, A.
AU  - Gailus-Durner, V.
AU  - Fuchs, H.
AU  - Hrabě de Angelis, M.
AU  - Wurst, W.
AU  - Tschöp, M.H.
AU  - Heni, M.
AU  - Hölter, S.M.
AU  - Pfluger, P.T.
C1  - 60420
C2  - 49249
CY  - 111 River St, Hoboken, Nj 07030 Usa
TI  - Diabetes type 2 risk gene Dusp8 is associated with altered sucrose reward behavior in mice and humans.
JO  - Brain Behav.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
PB  - Wiley
PY  - 2021
SN  - 2162-3279
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Background: It remains a surgical challenge to treat high-grade nerve injuries of the upper extremity. Extra-anatomic reconstructions through the transfer of peripheral nerves have gained clinical importance over the past decades. This contribution outlines the anatomic and histomorphometric basis for the transfer of the superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) to the median nerve (MN) and the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve (SBUN). Methods: The SBRN, MN, and SBUN were identified in 15 specimens and the nerve transfer performed. A favorable site for coaptation was chosen and its location described using relevant anatomical landmarks. Histomorphometric characteristics of donor and target were compared to evaluate the chances of a clinical success. Results: A suitable location for dissecting the SBRN was identified prior to its first bifurcation. Coaptations were possible near the pronator quadratus muscle, approximately 22 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. The MN and SBUN had to be dissected interfasciculary over 82 ± 5.7 mm and 49 ± 5.5 mm, respectively. Histomorphometric analysis revealed sufficient donor-to-recipient axon ratios for both transfers and identified the SBRN as a suitable donor with high axon density. Conclusion: Our anatomic and histomorphometric results indicate that the SBRN is a suitable donor for the MN and SBUN at wrist level. The measurements show feasibility of this procedure and shall help in planning this sensory nerve transfer. High axon density in the SBRN identifies it or its branches an ideal candidate for sensory reanimation of fingers and thumbs.
AU  - Schenck, T.L.*
AU  - Lin, S.*
AU  - Stewart, J.K.*
AU  - Koban, K.C.*
AU  - Aichler, M.
AU  - Rezaeian, F.*
AU  - Giunta, R.E.*
C1  - 49811
C2  - 40964
CY  - Hoboken
TI  - Sensory reanimation of the hand by transfer of the superficial branch of the radial nerve to the median and ulnar nerve.
JO  - Brain Behav.
VL  - 6
IS  - 12
PB  - John Wiley & Sons Inc
PY  - 2016
SN  - 2162-3279
ER  -