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Startle can evoke individuated movements of the fingers; implications for neural control

Description
Startle-evoked-movement (SEM), the involuntary release of a planned movement via a startling stimulus, has gained significant attention recently for its ability to probe motor planning as well as enhance movement of the upper extremity following stroke. We recently showed that hand movements are susceptible to SEM. Interestingly, only coordinated movements…

Startle-evoked-movement (SEM), the involuntary release of a planned movement via a startling stimulus, has gained significant attention recently for its ability to probe motor planning as well as enhance movement of the upper extremity following stroke. We recently showed that hand movements are susceptible to SEM. Interestingly, only coordinated movements of the hand (grasp) but not individuated movements of the finger (finger abduction) were susceptible. It was suggested that this resulted from different neural mechanisms involved in each task; however it is possible this was the result of task familiarity. The objective of this study was to evaluate a more familiar individuated finger movement, typing, to determine if this task was susceptible to SEM. We hypothesized that typing movements will be susceptible to SEM in all fingers. These results indicate that individuated movements of the fingers are susceptible to SEM when the task involves a more familiar task, since the electromyogram (EMG) latency is faster in SCM+ trials compared to SCM- trials. However, the middle finger does not show a difference in terms of the keystroke voltage signal, suggesting the middle finger is less susceptible to SEM. Given that SEM is thought to be mediated by the brainstem, specifically the reticulospinal tract, this suggest that the brainstem may play a role in movements of the distal limb when those movements are very familiar, and the independence of each finger might also have a significant on the effect of SEM. Further research includes understanding SEM in fingers in the stroke population. The implications of this research can impact the way upper extremity rehabilitation is delivered.
ContributorsQuezada Valladares, Maria Jose (Author) / Honeycutt, Claire (Thesis director) / Santello, Marco (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
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Startle-evoked movement in multi-jointed, two-dimensional reaching tasks

Description
Previous research has shown that a loud acoustic stimulus can trigger an individual's prepared movement plan. This movement response is referred to as a startle-evoked movement (SEM). SEM has been observed in the stroke survivor population where results have shown that SEM enhances single joint movements that are usually performed…

Previous research has shown that a loud acoustic stimulus can trigger an individual's prepared movement plan. This movement response is referred to as a startle-evoked movement (SEM). SEM has been observed in the stroke survivor population where results have shown that SEM enhances single joint movements that are usually performed with difficulty. While the presence of SEM in the stroke survivor population advances scientific understanding of movement capabilities following a stroke, published studies using the SEM phenomenon only examined one joint. The ability of SEM to generate multi-jointed movements is understudied and consequently limits SEM as a potential therapy tool. In order to apply SEM as a therapy tool however, the biomechanics of the arm in multi-jointed movement planning and execution must be better understood. Thus, the objective of our study was to evaluate if SEM could elicit multi-joint reaching movements that were accurate in an unrestrained, two-dimensional workspace. Data was collected from ten subjects with no previous neck, arm, or brain injury. Each subject performed a reaching task to five Targets that were equally spaced in a semi-circle to create a two-dimensional workspace. The subject reached to each Target following a sequence of two non-startling acoustic stimuli cues: "Get Ready" and "Go". A loud acoustic stimuli was randomly substituted for the "Go" cue. We hypothesized that SEM is accessible and accurate for unrestricted multi-jointed reaching tasks in a functional workspace and is therefore independent of movement direction. Our results found that SEM is possible in all five Target directions. The probability of evoking SEM and the movement kinematics (i.e. total movement time, linear deviation, average velocity) to each Target are not statistically different. Thus, we conclude that SEM is possible in a functional workspace and is not dependent on where arm stability is maximized. Moreover, coordinated preparation and storage of a multi-jointed movement is indeed possible.
ContributorsOssanna, Meilin Ryan (Author) / Honeycutt, Claire (Thesis director) / Schaefer, Sydney (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12

The distribution and prevalence of viruses in Peromyscus leucopus

Description

This thesis presents a systematic review of viruses found in the Peromyscus leucopus rodent species in North America. Various viruses cause serious illness in humans through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or inhalation of dust contaminated with the virus, with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) being the most…

This thesis presents a systematic review of viruses found in the Peromyscus leucopus rodent species in North America. Various viruses cause serious illness in humans through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or inhalation of dust contaminated with the virus, with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) being the most severe manifestation. Therefore, studying their distribution in rodent populations can inform public health interventions to reduce the risk of transmission. Through a literature review and data analysis, this study found that studying the distribution of viruses in rodents can help identify areas where humans may be at higher risk of contracting the virus, inform public health interventions to reduce the risk of HPS transmissions, and better understand the ecology of the virus and its host species, which can, in turn, inform conservation efforts. Furthermore, monitoring the spread of viruses over time and across regions can help us better understand their epidemiology and potential for future outbreaks, which can inform surveillance and response efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus on human and animal health. Overall, this study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex public health and conservation issues and underscores the need for continued research in this area.
ContributorsJain, Tanishq (Author) / Sterner, Beckett (Thesis director) / Upham, Nathan (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2023-05

The distribution and prevalence of viruses in the rodent species: Peromyscus eremicus, Peromyscus californicus, Peromyscus fraterculus and Osgoodomys banderanus and related implications for human health.

Description

This study highlights the significance of zoonotic diseases, which make up almost 60% of infectious diseases in humans, and their origin from animals. Among mammalian viruses, primates, bats, and rodents have been identified as high-risk carriers. Within the rodent family Cricetidae, the species complex of Peromyscus eremicus, Peromyscus californicus, Peromyscus…

This study highlights the significance of zoonotic diseases, which make up almost 60% of infectious diseases in humans, and their origin from animals. Among mammalian viruses, primates, bats, and rodents have been identified as high-risk carriers. Within the rodent family Cricetidae, the species complex of Peromyscus eremicus, Peromyscus californicus, Peromyscus fraterculus, and Osgoodomys banderanus have been found to play a crucial role in disease transmission. These four species are phylogenetically related and share similar physical appearances and ecological niches. They have been identified as carriers of several zoonotic diseases, including Hantavirus, Arenavirus, Yersinia pestis, and Flavivirus, with a history of spread to humans. Despite their implications for public health, many of these species remain understudied. Thus, this study aims to provide a systematic review of the existing literature on these four species to summarize the findings on virus prevalence and distribution. The review shows that sampling efforts have been uneven and recent efforts have been lacking, with potential undiscovered zoonotic diseases. The concentration of sampling efforts in California and gaps in the literature are concerning, especially with changing agriculture and climate change potentially affecting rodent communities.
ContributorsTariq, Muhamamad (Author) / Sterner, Beckett (Thesis director) / Upham, Nate (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2023-05
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beeler_fall_2021.pdf

ContributorsBeeler, Adeline (Author) / McNally, Mikayla (Co-author) / Schaefer, Sydney (Thesis director) / Lohse, Keith (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2021-12
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beeler-mcnally_fall-2021_thesis-defense-presentation.pdf

ContributorsBeeler, Adeline (Author) / McNally, Mikayla (Co-author) / Schaefer, Sydney (Thesis director) / Lohse, Keith (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2021-12
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Final Thesis Draft (Post Defense)

ContributorsMcNally, Mikayla (Author) / Beeler, Adeline (Co-author) / Schaefer, Sydney (Thesis director) / Lohse, Keith (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor)
Created2021-12
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Honors Thesis Defense Powerpoint

ContributorsMcNally, Mikayla (Author) / Beeler, Adeline (Co-author) / Schaefer, Sydney (Thesis director) / Lohse, Keith (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor)
Created2021-12