The European Journal Of Neuroscience[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Cannabidiol Limits Early Aβ-Induced Glial Activation and Preserves Synaptic Integrity in Primary Mouse Hippocampal Neuron-Glia Cultures.
Salgado KDCB, de Albuquerque ALS, Pedrosa TCF … +4 more , Cota AAB, Talvani A, Oliveira LAM, Nogueira KOPC
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42331352 · Publisher ↗
Alzheimer's disease (AD) initiates with subtle neuroimmune alterations that precede overt synaptic loss and neuronal death, yet the early sequence linking Aβ exposure to glial activation remains incompletely understood....
Alzheimer's disease (AD) initiates with subtle neuroimmune alterations that precede overt synaptic loss and neuronal death, yet the early sequence linking Aβ exposure to glial activation remains incompletely understood. To capture early neuroimmune dynamics with greater physiological relevance, we employed primary mixed neuron-glia cultures derived from the hippocampi of postnatal day 1 (P1) mice. Unlike conventional coculture systems, these hippocampal mixed cultures preserve intrinsic neuron-astrocyte-microglia communication and recapitulate key features of the in vivo hippocampal microenvironment. Using this model, we investigated whether cannabidiol (CBD) modulates the initial pathogenic events triggered by Aβ during a 24h simultaneous cotreatment in cell culture. Aβ exposure induced robust hippocampal glial activation, oxidative stress, and elevated levels of proinflammatory mediators, particularly IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Notably, hippocampal synaptic and neurogenic markers (5HTA, Gria1, GRIN1, DCX, PSD-95) remained largely unaltered at this early stage, revealing a temporal dissociation in which glial-driven inflammation precedes synaptic dysfunction. CBD significantly attenuated inflammatory and oxidative responses and prevented Aβ-induced cellular damage, indicating engagement of endocannabinoid-related mechanisms that constrain early hippocampal glial reactivity. Although CBD did not fully normalize all glial alterations, it preserved hippocampal synaptic integrity and halted progression toward neuronal dysfunction. Together, these findings identify early hippocampal glial inflammation as a primary target of CBD and provide mechanistic insight into the temporal sequence linking Aβ exposure to neuroimmune activation. These results highlight early glial responses as a critical window for therapeutic intervention and support cannabinoid-based strategies to modulate the initial stages of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
Sex-Dependent Effects of CSF1R-Mediated Myeloid Cell Depletion in a Mouse Model of Multiple System Atrophy.
Battis K, Mante M, Naumann I … +6 more , Andert M, Kim HY, Xiang W, Rissman RA, Winkler J, Hoffmann A
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42315936 · Full text
Sex-dependent differences in neurodegenerative disorders are becoming increasingly relevant in diagnosis and development of therapeutic targets. Although multiple system atrophy (MSA), a devastating and rapidly progressi...
Sex-dependent differences in neurodegenerative disorders are becoming increasingly relevant in diagnosis and development of therapeutic targets. Although multiple system atrophy (MSA), a devastating and rapidly progressing atypical parkinsonian disorder, is distributed equally among sexes, sex-specific differences have been reported regarding autonomic dysfunctions, severity of motor symptoms, and survival rate, suggesting a need for sex-specific treatment approaches. Neuroinflammation is a prominent hallmark in MSA pathology. Distinct activation patterns and increased phagocytosis of central nervous system (CNS) myeloid cells were observed, indicating a damaging role in this disease. In our previous study, we showed that colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R)-mediated depletion of myeloid cells in a mouse model of MSA led to a two-faced outcome, comprised of a prolonged survival and delayed onset of neurological dystonia-like symptoms, but also an aggravated motor phenotype and loss of dopaminergic neurons. Here, we re-analyzed our previous findings to study sex-specific effects in MSA in the presence and absence of CNS myeloid cells. Intriguingly, myeloid cell depletion was initially more effective in male animals. Although no sex-specific effects were detected in motor behavior, the occurrence of dystonia-like neurological symptoms was reduced, and neuronal loss was alleviated in male animals. Together, our findings provide insight into sex-specific differences of CSF1R-mediated myeloid cell depletion in MSA, emphasizing the need to study sex-specific treatment strategies in neurodegenerative disorders.
The Effect of the Temporal Position of a Gap on Its Automatic Detection.
Omidvar S, Campbell K, Alain C … +2 more , Aiken S, Koravand A
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42310868 · Full text
The presentation of a rarely occurring auditory stimulus that contains a silent interval (or gap) among a sequence of frequently occurring stimuli that do not contain a gap can elicit a negative-going event-related poten...
The presentation of a rarely occurring auditory stimulus that contains a silent interval (or gap) among a sequence of frequently occurring stimuli that do not contain a gap can elicit a negative-going event-related potential known as the deviant-related negativity (DRN). This study investigated how the temporal position of the gap (i.e., temporal distance from stimulus onset) influences DRN amplitude using a novel multideviant paradigm. Seventeen young adults were presented with a sequence in which six gap deviants alternated with a standard stimulus. The standard stimulus was a 500-ms duration white noise burst. The deviants were constructed by inserting a gap in six different temporal positions, ranging from 15 to 400 ms after stimulus onset. In different conditions, gap duration was either 10 or 30 ms. Participants were also presented with single-deviant sequences in which the gap occurred at 100 or 300 ms. The amplitude of the DRN was larger for 30 ms than for 10-ms duration gaps; however, it was much reduced for gaps occurring at 300 or 400 ms after stimulus onset. There was no significant difference in DRN amplitude between the multideviant and single-deviant paradigms. These results confirm the hypothesis that auditory integration occurs within a limited temporal window of less than 300 ms. Moreover, the multideviant paradigm elicited DRN responses of comparable amplitude to those in the single-deviant paradigm, highlighting its potential as an efficient tool for assessing temporal processing.
Tackling Anxiety- and Stress-Related Freezing of Gait in People With Parkinson's Disease (TACKLING-FOG): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Vissers G, Tosserams A, Duits AA … +5 more , van der Heide A, Bloem BR, Helmich RC, Young WR, Nonnekes J
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42310830 · Full text
Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common and disabling symptom in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD), characterized by paroxysmal episodes where there is an inability to step effectively, despite attempting to do so. Anxiety...
Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common and disabling symptom in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD), characterized by paroxysmal episodes where there is an inability to step effectively, despite attempting to do so. Anxiety and stress exacerbate FOG, particularly in situations where people with FOG anticipate not being in control of their movements. Some people with PD use compensatory strategies that target anxiety and stress to improve FOG. However, tailored strategies to ameliorate anxiety- and stress-related FOG have never been evaluated in a systematic manner. We describe the study protocol of the TACKLING-FOG trial, which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel 4-week Managing the Mental State intervention in reducing FOG-related anxiety and stress to improve FOG. We also aim to identify the key determinants influencing the response to the intervention. This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a waitlist control group. Forty participants with PD who experience anxiety- or stress-related FOG will be included. All participants receive a baseline measurement and are subsequently randomized to the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group immediately receives four weekly sessions of the Managing the Mental State intervention, whereas the control group enters a waitlist period. Afterwards, both groups are reassessed. Next, the intervention group enters a 10-week follow-up period, while the control group receives the intervention, is reassessed, and enters the follow-up period. Both groups receive a final measurement at the end of the follow-up. The primary outcome is the percentage of time frozen during a home-based walking course that includes self-selected FOG "hotspots." Secondary outcomes involve the percentage of time frozen during the same trajectory under elevated stress conditions and during a standardized FOG-provoking protocol. Additionally, heart rate is collected as a physiological marker of stress and anxiety, and questionnaires are administered to assess domains that may improve in response to the intervention, including anxiety, quality of life, and self-esteem. TACKLING-FOG will be the first RCT to examine the use of tailor-made behavioral strategies to tackle anxiety- and stress-related FOG in people with PD. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT06302309. Registered on March 8, 2024.
Experiences of Anxiety and Its Relationship to Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease: A Qualitative Study.
Vissers G, Young WR, Nonnekes J
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42310513 · Full text
Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) with substantial impact on mobility and quality of life. Anxiety is frequently implicated in triggering or worsening FOG, yet the lived expe...
Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) with substantial impact on mobility and quality of life. Anxiety is frequently implicated in triggering or worsening FOG, yet the lived experience of this interaction remains poorly understood. This study explored how individuals with PD reflect on the interaction between anxiety and FOG following an anxiety-focused intervention, aiming to better understand how and why this interaction develops and impacts daily life. A thematic analysis was conducted using semistructured interviews with 12 individuals with PD who reported daily FOG episodes influenced by anxiety or stress. Interviews were conducted during the final session of a behavioral intervention targeting anxiety related to FOG. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed iteratively to identify patterns of meaning. Five overarching themes emerged. First, participants described how anxiety was linked to a gradual loss of confidence in their walking abilities, driven by perceived loss of control, unpredictability of FOG, and feelings of vulnerability. Second, regaining control over walking was mentioned to reduce anxiety, either through having a compensatory strategy available in case of a freezing episode, or through contextual factors (e.g., being in the dopaminergic ON state). Third, anxiety typically developed gradually alongside the progression of FOG and the concomitant decline in confidence during walking, but could also intensify following negative events, such as falls. Fourth, anxiety was reported to divert attentional resources toward potential threats and make it more difficult to focus on strategies for managing FOG. Finally, many participants engaged in avoidance behaviors, causing negative downstream effects such as limiting social participation and physical activity. These findings highlight the importance of early recognition, as well as the potential for interventions that enhance confidence to help reduce anxiety surrounding FOG.
Speech Neurophysiology in Realistic Contexts: Big Hype or Big Leap?
Di Liberto GM, Ip EYJ
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42309989 · Full text
Understanding the neural basis of speech communication is essential for uncovering how sounds are translated into meaning, how that changes with development, ageing and speech-related deficits, as well as contributing to...
Understanding the neural basis of speech communication is essential for uncovering how sounds are translated into meaning, how that changes with development, ageing and speech-related deficits, as well as contributing to brain-computer interfaces research. While traditional neurophysiological studies have relied on simplified, controlled paradigms, recent advances have shifted the field towards more ecologically valid approaches. Here, we describe the evolving landscape of experimental designs in speech neurophysiology, from discrete to continuous stimuli and from socially isolated listening to dynamic, multiagent communication. Realistic paradigms in that space challenge conventional methods, offering richer insights into neural encoding, functional brain mapping and neural entrainment. At the same time, they introduce significant analytical and technical complexities, particularly when incorporating social interaction. By synthesising findings across studies, we highlight how these ecologically valid speech paradigms have been contributing to refining theories of language processing and open new avenues for research. In doing so, this review critically evaluates of whether the move towards realism in speech neurophysiology represents a technological trend or a transformative leap in understanding the neural underpinnings of speech communication.
Multifiber Array-Based Photometry System for Multiregional Functional Mapping in the Mouse Brain.
Bradai M, Merkler M, Gil G … +2 more , Davie R, Sakata S
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42306926 · Full text
Mesoscopic functional brain mapping is essential for a better understanding of various brain functions and dysfunctions. However, accessing distributed neural circuits in mammalian brain regions remains a significant cha...
Mesoscopic functional brain mapping is essential for a better understanding of various brain functions and dysfunctions. However, accessing distributed neural circuits in mammalian brain regions remains a significant challenge. While fiber photometry is a versatile optical approach, existing methods often suffer from invasiveness and limited scalability. Here we present an affordable multifiber array (MFA)-based photometry system to monitor neural signals across multiple regions. Our system comprises a custom-designed MFA utilizing 50-μm diameter optical fibers and off-the-shelf optical components. To demonstrate the system's versatility, we monitored GABAergic population activity using jGCaMP8s across multiple brain regions in head-fixed, awake mice. By combining this approach with pupillometry, we identified state-dependent, region-specific GABAergic dynamics. Our MFA-based photometry system opens new avenues for investigating state-dependent neural dynamics at the mesoscopic level. To facilitate wider adoption, all code and resources are publicly available on GitHub (https://github.com/Sakata-Lab/MFA).
Rapid Multimuscle Cortical Mapping of the Upper Limb: Activity Reveals Intralimb Gradients.
Boyles R, Kiatwongwanich N, Vicente M … +1 more , Strutton PH
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42304172 · Full text
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) mapping provides valuable insight into corticospinal organisation and plasticity, but conventional protocols are often too time-consuming to be practical in clinical settings. This...
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) mapping provides valuable insight into corticospinal organisation and plasticity, but conventional protocols are often too time-consuming to be practical in clinical settings. This study aimed to refine a rapid, multimuscle TMS mapping protocol capable of comprehensively characterising upper limb motor representations, including both distal and proximal muscles, and to examine how stimulation intensity and voluntary muscle activity shape cortical map metrics and motor evoked potential (MEP) latency. Nineteen healthy adults underwent neuronavigated TMS mapping of eight upper limb muscles using a rapid random walk protocol. Cortical maps were acquired at multiple stimulation intensities referenced to the motor threshold of the first dorsal interosseous muscle, both at rest and during a task requiring low levels of muscle activity. Map area, volume and centre of gravity were quantified using relative and absolute thresholds, alongside automated analysis of MEP onset latency. Cortical representations showed stable somatotopic organisation across conditions, with proximal-muscle centres of gravity located more medially than distal muscles. Increasing stimulation intensity preferentially expanded distal muscle map area and volume, whereas voluntary muscle activity selectively facilitated proximal-muscle representations, even after controlling for background muscle activity. These effects revealed a clear proximal-distal gradient in the physiological modulation of cortical maps. MEP latencies were shorter for proximal muscles and during active contraction. At rest, latency increased with distance from the map centre for several muscles, but this spatial gradient was abolished or inverted during voluntary activity. These findings demonstrate that rapid, multimuscle cortical mapping is feasible and yields physiologically meaningful metrics across the upper limb. The results highlight a functional dissociation between proximal and distal representations and underscore the importance of combining high-intensity resting and active mapping conditions to obtain a complete assessment of corticospinal integrity, with direct relevance for future clinical studies in neurological populations.
Enhanced Contour-Deviant Mismatch Negativity and Mnemonic Representations in Older Musicians.
Bugos JA, Chow R, Mo S … +2 more , Rosenbaum RS, Alain C
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42304167 · Full text
Instrumental music performance is associated with enhanced perceptual processing as evidenced by auditory discrimination and speech-in-noise perception. However, little is known about the extent to which auditory percept...
Instrumental music performance is associated with enhanced perceptual processing as evidenced by auditory discrimination and speech-in-noise perception. However, little is known about the extent to which auditory perceptual processes support cognition in aging. We investigated whether music training enhances perceptual precision in 26 older amateur and professional musicians (62-85 years, 16 females) and 25 older nonmusicians (61-82 years, 13 females). Participants completed a novel auditory mnemonic discrimination paradigm while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. The mismatch negativity (MMN), an event-related potential of change detection, was measured during a passive auditory oddball paradigm with standard and deviant pure-tone sequences differing in pitch contour. Participants subsequently completed an incidental memory test for oddball stimuli (i.e., targets) among similar lure sequences (matched for frequency but differing in contour) and dissimilar foil sequences (differing in frequency and contour), as well as a back-to-back perceptual discrimination task. Musicians showed enhanced amplitudes, left-lateralized MMN source activity, and increased memory discriminability for targets relative to lures and foils, effects that were not explained by perceptual discrimination ability or MMN amplitude. No group differences were found in neural or behavioral measures on a mnemonic discrimination task involving everyday visual objects. Our results clarify the role of music training on precision in perception and auditory memory in older musicians compared with nonmusicians. Our findings underscore the contribution of musical engagement to perception and memory to the development of cognitive reserve in aging.
Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease: A Heterogeneous Phenomenon Across Assessment Tools.
Duysens J, Smits-Engelsman B
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42270312 · Full text
Freezing of gait (FOG) is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), yet uncertainty remains regarding the optimal criterion for identifying freezers. Self-reported FOG and performance-based FOG assessments are widely used, but...
Freezing of gait (FOG) is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), yet uncertainty remains regarding the optimal criterion for identifying freezers. Self-reported FOG and performance-based FOG assessments are widely used, but their relative value is unclear. This study compared four different tools for identifying freezing and how these classifications relate to simple functional tests feasible in home or clinical environments. The participants with PD completed four FOG-related assessments (two movement disorder society-unified Parkinson's disease rating scale [MDS-UPDRS] items and two observations during Parkinson's disease functional movement battery [PD-FUNC] items). Based on the outcomes, individuals were classified as freezers (positive on at least two tools), occasional freezers (nonzero score on one indicator), or nonfreezers (zero on all tools). Disease severity was recorded using Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) staging. Groups were compared using the PD-FUNC test battery, which includes rotation, dexterity, balance, and locomotion tasks. Analyses were adjusted for disease severity. Additionally, a 5-year longitudinal case study illustrated fluctuations in FOG-related and functional performance over time. As expected, freezing was the most prevalent in advanced disease (H&Y Stage 3). However, up to 40% of those classified as freezers were in earlier stages (H&Y Stages 1 and 2). After adjustment for disease severity, only a small subset of PD-FUNC items differentiated groups. Post hoc analysis of these items showed that significant differences were limited to comparisons between freezers and nonfreezers. Freezers required more time to complete a 360° rotation. Unexpectedly, typing speed, a dexterity measure, also differed significantly between freezers and nonfreezers. Occasional freezers showed higher MDS-UPDRS Part III scores compared with nonfreezers, whereas Part II scores displayed a graded increase across groups. The longitudinal case study demonstrated recurrent periods of reported freezing and severe falls that coincided with prolonged rotation times, followed by recovery periods linked with return to physical activity. Combining multiple indicators improves the identification of FOG and reveals that freezing is present even in earlier PD stages. Simple PD-FUNC items, particularly rotation time and typing speed, distinguish freezers from nonfreezers after adjusting for disease severity. The case study highlights that reported freezing may occur in discrete periods, often associated with falls, but recovery is possible and appears related to resumption of physical activity. These findings support the clinical utility of PD-FUNC for monitoring FOG-related functional changes over time.
Effortful Control and Cortical Brain Structure in 5-Year-Old Children: Findings From the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study.
Frantti M, Tuulari JJ, Nolvi S … +11 more , Nordenswan E, Copeland A, Kumpulainen V, Silver E, Merisaari H, Saukko E, Kataja EL, Korja R, Karlsson L, Karlsson H, Pulli EP
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42267464 · Full text
The aim of this study was to explore the associations between an aspect of self-regulation (SR), effortful control (EC) and cortical brain structure in 5-year-old children. Efficient EC is a predictor of many attributes...
The aim of this study was to explore the associations between an aspect of self-regulation (SR), effortful control (EC) and cortical brain structure in 5-year-old children. Efficient EC is a predictor of many attributes and important outcomes in life, such as social-emotional functioning, finance, psychiatric and somatic health. The early brain correlates of EC are not widely studied, and a better understanding of them would aid in understanding how self-regulatory capacities emerge over development. Participants (N = 155) were a part of the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study in Finland. T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance images were processed using FreeSurfer. The data were statistically analysed with a vertex-wise general linear model. At the age of 5 years, EC was assessed via parental report using The Children's Behaviour Questionnaire. We found positive associations between EC and cortical volume in the left supramarginal region and in the right inferior temporal region. We also found positive associations between EC and surface area on the left hemisphere in the superior parietal region. We extended the previous literature by shedding light on early structural brain correlates of EC in a large sample of typically developing 5-year-olds. The main results differed significantly from previous findings in older children. The results were only present with questionnaire- and not task-based evaluation of EC. Both questionnaire and task-based evaluations are required to consider different aspects of EC and SR. In addition, longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the neural underpinnings of SR throughout development.
Within- and Between-Channel Gaps Elicit Mismatch Negativity in the Aging Brain.
Duda V, Devraj-Kizuk S, Ogier E
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42265564 · Full text
This study examined how older and younger adults process silent gaps in auditory stimuli by recording cortical evoked potentials using a multi-deviant paradigm that is compared to a psychophysical gap detection task. Par...
This study examined how older and younger adults process silent gaps in auditory stimuli by recording cortical evoked potentials using a multi-deviant paradigm that is compared to a psychophysical gap detection task. Participants passively listened to pairs of noise markers separated by silent intervals. Markers were either spectrally identical (within-channel) or spectrally distinct (between-channel) narrowband noises. Seven gap durations served as deviants in a multi-deviant sequence. The deviance-related negativity (DRN) and the P2/P3a were recorded from fronto-central electrodes. Thirty-two participants with normal hearing or minimal hearing loss participated in this study. They were separated into an older adult (mean age = 63 years) and younger adult (mean age = 24 years) group. Gapped deviants elicited DRN in both within- and between-channel conditions. Age effects emerged in the DRN and peak-to-peak DRN-P2/P3a measure. Older adults showed longer DRN latencies and reduced amplitudes compared to the younger group. Condition effects showed contrasting DRN latency patterns between groups. P2/P3a responses alone did not show any condition or age-specific effects. Behavioral gap detection thresholds did not differ across conditions in older adults. Overall, results demonstrate that electrophysiological indices reveal subtle neural alterations in temporal resolution that may precede behavioral decline.
The Effects of Different Attentional Focus During Walking on Prefrontal Cortical Activation in Young Healthy Adults.
Grain T, Ozsancak C, Bonnal J … +2 more , Auzou P, Prieur F
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42264551 · Full text
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of four attentional walking conditions on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation, an approach that has not previously been investigated. We hypothesized that DL...
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of four attentional walking conditions on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation, an approach that has not previously been investigated. We hypothesized that DLPFC activation and perceived workload would be higher, and gait performance more disrupted, during walking with internal focus or divided attention compared to walking with external focus or without focus instructions. Participants performed four walking conditions with different attentional orientations. The conditions were presented in a randomized order and were conducted with block design. A deleterious effect of internal focus and divided attention was observed on gait performance, indicating that internal focus induced more conscious control interfering with automatic control processes of gait and that, for divided attention, participants were inclined to focus on the cognitive task to the detriment of gait. We observed significant DLPFC activation for each of the tasks but no significant difference when we compared them with each other. Internal focus and divided attention led to significantly higher mental demand, suggesting that they required greater involvement of cognitive resources, but no significantly higher DLPFC activation was observed, suggesting that young adults sacrificed enough gait performance to avoid excessive resource demands. For each of the four tasks, a significantly higher level of activity was detected in the left DLPFC which is one of the regions involved in attentional refreshment.
Multisensory Attenuation of the Pupil Light Response in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children.
Brittenham C, Vanneau T, Molholm S
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42261644 · Publisher ↗
Autonomic responses to sensory stimuli are altered in autism, yet little is known about how multisensory input modulates these responses. This study examined whether auditory stimuli affect the pupil light reflex (PLR),...
Autonomic responses to sensory stimuli are altered in autism, yet little is known about how multisensory input modulates these responses. This study examined whether auditory stimuli affect the pupil light reflex (PLR), a parasympathetically driven response to light, in autistic and non-autistic children. Pupillometry was used to measure responses to visual-only (V), auditory-only (A), and audiovisual (AV) stimuli in 72 children aged 8-14 years (34 non-autistic, 38 autistic). We hypothesized that auditory input would attenuate pupil constriction in non-autistic children in the AV condition and that this cross-modal modulation might differ in autism, reflecting altered sensory-autonomic functioning. Across groups, results revealed a consistent pattern: auditory stimuli elicited pupil dilation, visual stimuli evoked constriction and simultaneous AV stimuli led to attenuated constriction relative to visual-only trials. This attenuation lends support to prior findings of multisensory attenuation of the PLR. Time-binned analysis revealed a group effect during the 500-1000 ms post-stimulus window: autistic children showed significantly more positive baseline-corrected pupil responses across conditions (i.e., less constriction in V/AV and greater dilation in A), suggesting group differences in the dynamic trajectory of the pupil response. Contrary to expectations, autistic and non-autistic children did not differ significantly on peak constriction or constriction latency within visual conditions. Offering insight into how autistic individuals integrate sensory information and regulate arousal, these findings support the presence of cross-modal modulation of the PLR and suggest that auditory signals influence early-stage visual-autonomic processing similarly across groups.
How to Foster Challenging Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Can Philosophy Support Neuroscientists?
Kunze M, Brun C, Badaut J … +6 more , Darnaudéry M, Gross F, Peltier L, Pradeu T, Sarto-Jackson I, Konsman JP
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42252691 · Full text
New conceptual and technological developments bring neuroscientists closer to other disciplines and other fields in neuroscience with different traditions. Although some neuroscientists may underrate the potential benefi...
New conceptual and technological developments bring neuroscientists closer to other disciplines and other fields in neuroscience with different traditions. Although some neuroscientists may underrate the potential benefits of successful interdisciplinary collaborations, others may be unaware of the typical difficulties of such collaborations or are not trained in skills that render them fruitful. Here, we argue that interdisciplinary interactions have long been part of neuroscience, although they are often challenging, because neuroscientists may be confronted with concepts, assumptions, and interpretative horizons that differ from their own. This can lead to misunderstandings and little mutual appreciation. Using the historical development of brain imaging techniques, we distinguish between different types of interdisciplinary interactions and illustrate some of their benefits. In addition, we present various challenges for collaborations at the interface between traditional laboratory-type approaches and those of clinical or computational neuroscience or of ecological field approaches. To address these challenges, we invite neuroscientists to consider philosophers as collaboration partners with complementary expertise, which includes special consideration of language use, underlying assumptions and proficiency in conceptual analysis. This expertise can be used by neuroscientists to increase their understanding and address some difficulties in interdisciplinary interactions more effectively. The benefits of these interactions can be expected to outweigh challenges in the dialogue with philosophers. Importantly, neuroscientists can choose between reading philosophical literature, participating in joint events with philosophers, and integrating philosophers into neuroscience projects. This may allow neuroscientists to explore unforeseen possibilities to improve or initiate collaborations with scientists from other fields and disciplines.
Profiles of Women in Science: Carol A. Mason, Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA.
Joëls M
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42252640 · Publisher ↗
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Cognitive and Emotional Determinants of Subthalamic Oscillations During Freezing While Turning in Parkinson's Disease.
Klocke P, Loeffler MA, Muessler H … +3 more , Ehgoetz Martens KA, Gharabaghi A, Weiss D
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42236313 · Publisher ↗
Freezing of gait (FoG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disabling phenomenon that, beyond motor impairment, involves cognitive and emotional processes. However, their unique mechanisms and contributions to FoG remain unc...
Freezing of gait (FoG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disabling phenomenon that, beyond motor impairment, involves cognitive and emotional processes. However, their unique mechanisms and contributions to FoG remain unclear. In this study, we examined whether the severity of cognitive and emotional symptoms was associated with subthalamic nucleus (STN) oscillatory activity during freezing while turning. Local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded from the STN of 13 individuals with PD during both effective turning and freezing while turning. Given that the modulation of STN-LFPs during cognitive processing predominantly occurs within low-frequency bands, we applied linear mixed-effects models to assess associations between band-specific power during FoG and cognitive performance, measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms, assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. The specificity of these associations was evaluated through additional control analyses that used effective turning instead of freezing while turning. Subthalamic theta power during FoG while turning was positively associated with anxiety severity and negatively associated with MoCA scores, indicating higher theta power in more anxious and cognitively impaired individuals during turn-induced FoG. These findings were specific to FoG while turning, since there was no association between theta and other symptom domains such as depressive symptoms or any of the symptom domains during effective turning. No significant associations were detected with alpha or beta band activity. These findings demonstrate a selective association between anxiety, cognitive impairment, and subthalamic theta activity during FoG while turning, supporting a role for theta band oscillations in cognitive-affective contributions in PD FoG. Further, they add to prior evidence implicating long-range cortico-subthalamic theta synchronization in cognitive control and highlight the negative effects of anxiety on executive function in PD patients with FoG. Therefore, future research should examine whether interventions targeting cognitive control or anxiety may have an influence on theta oscillations and related FoG severity.
Psilocybin Decreases Preference for Large Rewards Accompanied by Increased Activity of Parvalbumin Neurons With Perineuronal Nets in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex.
Houff J, Williams A, Allen O … +3 more , Gisabella B, Pantazopoulos H, Del Arco A
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 Jun · PMID 42226515 · Publisher ↗
Clinical trials suggest that a single dose of psilocybin may be an effective treatment for substance use disorders. Choice impulsivity is a value-based decision-making bias that predicts drug-intake escalation and is com...
Clinical trials suggest that a single dose of psilocybin may be an effective treatment for substance use disorders. Choice impulsivity is a value-based decision-making bias that predicts drug-intake escalation and is commonly associated with substance use disorders. The dorsomedial prefrontal cortex regulates choice impulsivity and is enriched with 5-HT receptors that mediate effects of psilocybin. We hypothesized that psilocybin has long-term (≥ 48 h) effects on choice impulsivity in association with dorsomedial prefrontal cortex inhibitory interneurons with perineuronal nets (PNNs). Male Long Evans rats were trained in a delay discounting task where rats chose between delayed large rewards and immediate small rewards. Forty-eight hours after psilocybin or vehicle injections, delay discounting was assessed and rats' brains processed for microscopy analysis of extracellular matrix (PNNs) together with inhibitory parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and c-Fos as a marker of neuronal activity. Psilocybin acutely increased head-twitch responses. Psilocybin decreased large reward choices and increased the latency to large reward choices 48 h after administration. These effects were independent of delay and therefore not consistent with changes in impulsivity. Psilocybin also increased the density of triple-labelled neurons (PNN + PV + cFos) in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. These results suggest that psilocybin decreases appetitive motivation through the increased activation of PV interneurons with PNNs in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex.
Therapeutic Effects of Cinnamaldehyde on Neuromuscular Function in Rat Parkinson's Model Induced by Rotenone.
Buyukakilli B, Balli E, Arslan M … +1 more , Demirbag HO
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 May · PMID 42210599 · Publisher ↗
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both motor and nonmotor symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA) on central and peripheral...
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both motor and nonmotor symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA) on central and peripheral toxicity in a rotenone-induced rat model of PD. All analyses were conducted on the seventh day after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of rotenone (2 mg/kg). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a key enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, and nuclear receptor-related 1 protein (Nurr1), a transcription factor essential for the differentiation, maturation, and survival of nigral neurons, were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Electrical and mechanical activities were recorded from extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle preparations using electromyography (EMG) and mechanogram, respectively, to evaluate motor function. Histopathological analyses were performed to determine the percentage of normal neurons in the corpus striatum and substantia nigra (SN). Catalase and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in midbrain tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seven days of rotenone exposure induced alterations in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system and neuromuscular function, as demonstrated by behavioral, biochemical, electrophysiological, and histopathological assessments. Importantly, TCA treatment significantly ameliorated many of the deficits observed in rotenone-treated rats. These findings suggest that TCA exerts neuroprotective effects and improves impaired muscle function by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing dopamine levels.
"Nothing" Really Matters: What Omission Responses Reveal About the Predictive Brain.
Yaron A, Shiramatsu TI, Takahashi H … +1 more , Chao ZC
Eur J Neurosci · 2026 May · PMID 42210581 · Publisher ↗
Understanding the brain's predictive machinery requires isolating endogenous activity from responses to external stimulation. Omission paradigms, which study neural responses when expected stimuli are absent, provide thi...
Understanding the brain's predictive machinery requires isolating endogenous activity from responses to external stimulation. Omission paradigms, which study neural responses when expected stimuli are absent, provide this unique window into internal computations. This review synthesizes omission research across species, modalities, and paradigms to reveal how the brain anticipates the world. Across diverse findings, the brain uses explicit learned models to generate detailed, feature-specific representations of expected content. This is evidenced by anticipatory signals in associative areas that peak at omission times and by cortical responses carrying decodable information about missing stimulus features, creating "sensory ghosts" of absent events. These sophisticated computations are complemented by foundational responses emerging rapidly in isolated preparations, reflecting simpler local computations. We propose a framework where omission responses emerge from two cooperative computational styles spanning a mechanistic spectrum. Local Regularity Encoding (LRE) generates fast, automatic signals through intrinsic circuit dynamics like adaptation and rebound, operating within constrained temporal windows. Model-Based Inference (MBI) produces slower, flexible predictions via distributed networks that learn specific "what" and "when" expectations, often requiring attention and top-down control. We organize these findings using empirical signatures including timing constraints, attention dependence, and content-specificity. Our synthesis includes a functional "Omission Atlas" mapping computations onto brain networks, from cerebellar timing scaffolds to hippocampal content predictions. Clinical applications reveal differential vulnerability of these systems in schizophrenia, autism, and neurodevelopmental disorders. This framework provides a unified account of mismatch negativity and related phenomena, offering both theoretical advancement and practical tools for future research into predictive processing mechanisms.
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