Publications

Recently, several studies have started to explore covert visuospatial attention as a control signal for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Covert visuospatial attention represents the ability to change the focus of attention from one point in the space without overt eye movements. Nevertheless, the full potential and possible applications of this paradigm remain relatively unexplored. Voluntary covert visuospatial attention might allow a more natural and intuitive interaction with real environments as neither stimulation nor gazing is required. In order to identify brain correlates of covert visuospatial attention, classical approaches usually rely on the whole α-band over long time intervals. In this work, we propose a more detailed analysis in the frequency and time domains to enhance classification performance. In particular, we investigate the contribution of α sub-bands and the role of time intervals in carrying information about visual attention. Previous neurophysiological studies have already highlighted the role of temporal dynamics in attention mechanisms. However, these important aspects are not yet exploited in BCI. In this work, we studied different methods that explicitly cope with the natural brain dynamics during visuospatial attention tasks in order to enhance BCI robustness and classification performances. Results with ten healthy subjects demonstrate that our approach identifies spectro-temporal patterns that outperform the state-of-the-art classification method. On average, our time-dependent classification reaches 0.74 ± 0.03 of the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve (AUC) value with an increase of 12.3% with respect to standard methods (0.65 ± 0.4). In addition, the proposed approach allows faster classification (<1 instead of 3 s), without compromising performances. Finally, our analysis highlights the fact that discriminant patterns are not stable for the whole trial period but are changing over short time intervals. These results support the hypothesis that visual attention information is actually indexed by subject-specific α sub-bands and is time dependent. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Authors: publisher Time-dependent approach for single trial classification of covert visuospatial attention; 2012 Chair Noninvas Brain Machine Interface; Chair Noninvas Brain Machine Interface

Journal: Time-dependent approach for single trial classification of covert visuospatial attention

Published: Tonin, L; Leeb, R; Millán, JD;

DOI: false

Abstract ▼

Volume: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-2560/9/4/045011/pdf Pages: 109900823||109900823||109900823-bronze

Keywords: 2012

Background: The provision of sufficient basal insulin to normalize fasting plasma glucose levels may reduce cardiovascular events, but such a possibility has not been formally tested. Methods: We randomly assigned 12,537 people (mean age, 63.5 years) with cardiovascular risk factors plus impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or type 2 diabetes to receive insulin glargine (with a target fasting blood glucose level of ≤95 mg per deciliter [5.3 mmol per liter]) or standard care and to receive n-3 fatty acids or placebo with the use of a 2-by-2 factorial design. The results of the comparison between insulin glargine and standard care are reported here. The coprimary outcomes were nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes and these events plus revascularization or hospitalization for heart failure. Microvascular outcomes, incident diabetes, hypoglycemia, weight, and cancers were also compared between groups. Results: The median follow-up was 6.2 years (interquartile range, 5.8 to 6.7). Rates of incident cardiovascular outcomes were similar in the insulin-glargine and standard-care groups: 2.94 and 2.85 per 100 person-years, respectively, for the first coprimary outcome (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94 to 1.11; P = 0.63) and 5.52 and 5.28 per 100 person-years, respectively, for the second coprimary outcome (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.11; P = 0.27). New diabetes was diagnosed approximately 3 months after therapy was stopped among 30% versus 35% of 1456 participants without baseline diabetes (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64 to 1.00; P = 0.05). Rates of severe hypoglycemia were 1.00 versus 0.31 per 100 person-years. Median weight increased by 1.6 kg in the insulin-glargine group and fell by 0.5 kg in the standard-care group. There was no significant difference in cancers (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.13; P = 0.97). Conclusions: When used to target normal fasting plasma glucose levels for more than 6 years, insulin glargine had a neutral effect on cardiovascular outcomes and cancers. Although it reduced new-onset diabetes, insulin glargine also increased hypoglycemia and modestly increased weight.

Authors: publisher Basal insulin and cardiovascular and other outcomes in dysglycemia; 2012 Dept Med; Populat Hlth Res Inst; Dept Med

Journal: Basal Insulin and Cardiovascular and Other Outcomes in Dysglycemia

Published: Gerstein, HC; Bosch, J; Dagenais, GR; Díaz, R; Jung, HJ; Maggioni, AP; Pogue, J; Probstfield, J; Ramachandran, A; Riddle, MC; Rydén, LE; Yusuf, S;

DOI: false

Abstract ▼

Volume: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa1203858?articleTools=true

Keywords: 2012

Introduction: The clinical course of late-onset Pompe disease is heterogeneous, and new clinical outcome measures are needed to evaluate enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Methods: We correlated the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Walton and Gardner-Medwin (WGM) score, and GSGC (Gait, Stairs, Gower, Chair) scores in 40 patients. Results: At baseline, the GSGC score correlated with both WGM (P < 0.001, n = 33) and 6MWT (P < 0.001, n = 26). After 1 year of ERT, we observed a significant change in gait, stairs and chair performance on the GSGC scale. The 6MWT significantly increased from 319 to 371 meters in 32 patients, and the WGM score was reduced. Conclusions: GSGC is a group of functional tests that requires only a few minutes to perform, therefore, this score might be a good indicator to be used in future studies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Authors: repository New motor outcome function measures in evaluation of Late-Onset Pompe disease before and after enzyme replacement therapy; 2012 Dept Neurosci; Dept Neurosci; Dept Publ Hlth & Neurosci; Osped Maggiore Policlin; Dept Neurosci Psychiat & Anaesthesiol; Dept Neurol Sci & Vis; Univ Hosp; Dept Neuromuscular Dis; IBM CNR Pneumol 1; Neuromuscular Unit; Ctr Neuromuscular Dis

Journal: cc-by

Published: Angelini, C; Semplicini, C; Ravaglia, S; Moggio, M; Comi, GP; Musumeci, O; Pegoraro, E; Tonin, P; Filosto, M; Servidei, S; Morandi, L; Crescimanno, G; Marrosu, G; Siciliano, G; Mongini, T; Toscano, A;

DOI: false

Abstract ▼

Volume: Angelini||Semplicini||Ravaglia||Moggio||Comi||Musumeci||Pegoraro||Tonin||Filosto||Servidei||Morandi||Crescimanno||Marrosu||Siciliano||Mongini||Toscano||Sette||Tugnoli||Parini||Rigoldi||Donati||Gasperini||Vercelli||Barca||Di Giacopo||Pasanisi||Bembi||Lucchini||Piras||Ricci||Di Iorio||Diodato||Carubbi||Ariatti Pages: 109486218||104532509||104532509||103618674||109486218||104638537||109420305||112304867||103893880||104639508||109521754||107934033||103618674-green

Keywords: 2012

AREA MIN. 09 – Ingegneria industriale e dell’informazione – ITA||AUT||ESP||IND

Authors: AREA MIN. 09 - Ingegneria industriale e dell'informazione; ITA; AUT; ESP; IND; title_year; MATCH; 1775143536569; 1

Published: Proceedings of the TOBI Workshop III

AREA MIN. 09 – Ingegneria industriale e dell’informazione – ITA||AUT||CHE||DEU||ESP||GBR

Authors: AREA MIN. 09 - Ingegneria industriale e dell'informazione; ITA; AUT; CHE; DEU; ESP; GBR; title_year; MATCH; 1775143626825; 1

Published: Proceedings of the TOBI Workshop III

AREA MIN. 09 – Ingegneria industriale e dell’informazione – ITA||AUT||CHE||ESP||GBR||GRC

Authors: AREA MIN. 09 - Ingegneria industriale e dell'informazione; ITA; AUT; CHE; ESP; GBR; GRC; ERROR; 1775143580410; 1

Published: Proceedings of the TOBI Workshop III

5

Authors: publisher Virtual reality for the rehabilitation of the upper limb motor function after stroke: A prospective controlled trial; 2013 Dept Stat

Journal: Virtual reality for the rehabilitation of the upper limb motor function after stroke: a prospective controlled trial

Published: Turolla, A; Dam, M; Ventura, L; Tonin, P; Agostini, M; Zucconi, C; Kiper, P; Cagnin, A; Piron, L;

DOI: true

Abstract ▼

Volume: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/1743-0003-10-85 Pages: 112708805||113761682-gold

Keywords: 2013

Background Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) induces prolonged functional changes in the cerebral cortex in normal conditions and in altered states of consciousness. Its therapeutic effects have been variously documented. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the reactivity of electroencephalography (EEG) and the clinical response in six severely brain-injured patients in an altered state of consciousness (minimally conscious state [MCS] or vegetative state [VS]). EEG rhythm and brain excitability were measured before and after a protocol of high-frequency rTMS. Methods All six patients underwent clinical and neurophysiological evaluation before rTMS and immediately thereafter. EEG data in resting state were acquired at the beginning of the exam (T0), after rTMS (T1), and 38 min after rTMS (T2). From these data the power values were computed using Fast Fourier Transform. Results rTMS over the motor cortex induced long-lasting behavioral and neurophysiological modifications in only one patient in MCS. No significant clinical or EEG modifications were detected in any of the other patients, except for changes in motor threshold and motor evoked potential amplitude over the stimulated motor areas. Conclusions The main finding of the study is the correlation between EEG reactivity and clinical response after rTMS. Reappearance of fast activity and an increase in slow activity were noted in the one patient with transitory arousal, whereas no significant reliable changes were observed in the other patients showing no clinical reactivity. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Authors: publisher Effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on brain excitability in severely brain-injured patients in minimally conscious or vegetative state; 2013 Clin Neurophysiol & Funct Neuroimaging Unit; Dept Neurophysiol; Clin Neurophysiol & Funct Neuroimaging Unit

Journal: Effect of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Brain Excitability in Severely Brain-Injured Patients in Minimally Conscious or Vegetative State

Published: Manganotti, P; Formaggio, E; Storti, SF; Fiaschi, A; Battistin, L; Tonin, P; Piccione, F; Cavinato, M;

DOI: true

Abstract ▼

Volume: http://www.brainstimjrnl.com/article/S1935861X13002192/pdf Pages: 113008756||113008756||109941187||113008756||113008756||113008756||113008756||113008756-bronze

Keywords: 2013

Objective. In this work we present – for the first time – the online operation of an electroencephalogram (EEG) brain-computer interface (BCI) system based on covert visuospatial attention (CVSA), without relying on any evoked responses. Electrophysiological correlates of pure top-down CVSA have only recently been proposed as a control signal for BCI. Such systems are expected to share the ease of use of stimulus-driven BCIs (e.g. P300, steady state visually evoked potential) with the autonomy afforded by decoding voluntary modulations of ongoing activity (e.g. motor imagery). Approach. Eight healthy subjects participated in the study. EEG signals were acquired with an active 64-channel system. The classification method was based on a time-dependent approach tuned to capture the most discriminant spectral features of the temporal evolution of attentional processes. The system was used by all subjects over two days without retraining, to verify its robustness and reliability. Main results. We report a mean online accuracy across the group of 70.6 ± 1.5%, and 88.8 ± 5.8% for the best subject. Half of the participants produced stable features over the entire duration of the study. Additionally, we explain drops in performance in subjects showing stable features in terms of known electrophysiological correlates of fatigue, suggesting the prospect of online monitoring of mental states in BCI systems. Significance. This work represents the first demonstration of the feasibility of an online EEG BCI based on CVSA. The results achieved suggest the CVSA BCI as a promising alternative to standard BCI modalities. © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Authors: publisher An online EEG BCI based on covert visuospatial attention in absence of exogenous stimulation; 2013 Chair Noninvas Brain Machine Interface; Chair Noninvas Brain Machine Interface

Journal: An online EEG BCI based on covert visuospatial attention in absence of exogenous stimulation

Published: Tonin, L; Leeb, R; Sobolewski, A; Millán, JD;

DOI: false

Abstract ▼

Volume: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-2560/10/5/056007/pdf Pages: 109900823||109900823||109900823||109900823-bronze

Keywords: 2013

Objectives: Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) is a rare mitochondrial syndrome, mostly caused by the 8344A>G mitochondrial DNA mutation. Most of the previous studies have been based on single case/family reports or series with few patients. The primary aim of this study was the characterization of a large cohort of patients with the 8344A>G mutation. The secondary aim was revision of the previously published data. Methods: Retrospective, database-based study (Nation-wide Italian Collaborative Network of Mitochondrial Diseases) and systematic revision. Results: Forty-two patients carrying the mutation were identified. The great majority did not have full-blown MERRF syndrome. Myoclonus was present in 1 of 5 patients, whereas myopathic signs and symptoms, generalized seizures, hearing loss, eyelid ptosis, and multiple lipomatosis represented the most common clinical features. Some asymptomatic mutation carriers have also been observed. Myoclonus was more strictly associated with ataxia than generalized seizures in adult 8344A.G subjects. Considering all of the 321 patients so far available, including our dataset and previously published cases, at the mean age of approximately 35 years, the clinical picture was characterized by the following signs/symptoms, in descending order: myoclonus, muscle weakness, ataxia (35%-45% of patients); generalized seizures, hearing loss (25%-34.9%); cognitive impairment, multiple lipomatosis, neuropathy, exercise intolerance (15%-24.9%); and increased creatine kinase levels, ptosis/ophthalmoparesis, optic atrophy, cardiomyopathy, muscle wasting, respiratory impairment, diabetes, muscle pain, tremor, migraine (5%-14.9%). Conclusions: Our results showed higher clinical heterogeneity than commonly thought. Moreover, MERRF could be better defined as a myoclonic ataxia rather than a myoclonic epilepsy. © 2013 American Academy of Neurology.

Authors: Phenotypic heterogeneity of the 8344A>G mtDNA "MERRF" mutation; 2013 Neurol Clin; Neurol Clin; IRCCS Ist Sci Neurol; IRCCS Fdn Ca Granda Osped Maggiore Policlin; Neuropediat & Muscle Disorders Unit; Neuromuscular Unit; Dept Neurosci; Inst Neurol; Child Neurol Unit; Unit Mol Neurogenet

Journal: Phenotypic heterogeneity of the 8344A>G mtDNA "MERRF" mutation

Published: Mancuso, M; Orsucci, D; Angelini, C; Bertini, E; Carelli, V; Comi, GP; Minetti, C; Moggio, M; Mongini, T; Servidei, S; Tonin, P; Toscano, A; Uziel, G; Bruno, C; Ienco, EC; Filosto, M; Lamperti, C; Martinelli, D; Moroni, I; Musumeci, O; Pegoraro, E; Ronchi, D; Santorelli, FM; Sauchelli, D; Scarpelli, M; Sciacco, M; Spinazzi, M; Valentino, ML; Vercelli, L; Zeviani, M; Siciliano, G;

DOI: false

Abstract ▼

Volume: Mancuso||Orsucci||Angelini||Bertini||Carelli||Comi||Minetti||Moggio||Mongini||Servidei||Toninc||Toscano||Uziel||Bruno||Ienco||Filosto||Lamperti||Martinelli||Moroni||Musumeci||Pegoraro||Ronchi||Santorelli||Sauchelli||Scarpelli||Sciacco||Spinazzi||Valentino||Vercelli||Zeviani||Siciliano Pages: 104458839||104458839||112781907||104427007||104534016||113263551||113240986||113699239||110185689||104638385||103618984||113263551||104458839||113699233||110051846||103618984||112781907||104534016||110185689||104638385||113240986||112781907||104427007||113699239||110051846||104458839-closed

Keywords: 2013