Papers by manuel menzocchi
To evaluate if the cerebellum takes part in the process of consolidation of the memory traces rel... more To evaluate if the cerebellum takes part in the process of consolidation of the memory traces related to navigation, we tested in a Morris water maze two groups of male rats, chronically implanted for injection into the cerebellar nuclei of saline or muscimol (MU), a GABAA agonist with a transient inhibitory action. During the acquisition phase (Place test) animals were trained to find a submerged escape platform by the use of distal cues in a protocol of 8 trials/day (2 blocks of 4 trials) for 5 days, and injected immediately after. A Probe test was applied before Place test; the time spent in the area where the platform was previously located is an index of consolidation.Based on histology, MU-treated animals were sorted in: (a) dorsal dentate group (DDN) and (b) ventromedial dentate group (VMDN), in which the injected drug reached also the vestibular nuclei. In the place test, the VMDN showed versus controls (C), longer latencies in reaching the platform in the first block of each day, indicating a less efficient retention. In the probe test, C and DDN showed a gradual increase of time spent in reference quadrant up to values around 40% at day 4 while the VMDN remained around the value of 25 %, regarded as casual distribution. Results seem to exclude a role of the cerebellum trough the dentate nucleus in the process of spatial memory consolidation, at least at the time span of our protocol, and suggest that such a role could be exerted trough the vestibular system
Experimental Brain Research, 2012
Archives Italiennes De Biologie, Jan 9, 2013
The cognitive trait of hypnotizability, associated with the proneness to accept suggestions, exhi... more The cognitive trait of hypnotizability, associated with the proneness to accept suggestions, exhibits several physiological correlates including the modulation of sensorimotor integration and, in particular, of postural control. In this respect, we have shown that, at eyes closure, healthy subjects with high hypnotizability scores (highs) having their feet 2 cm apart show larger and faster body sway with respect to low hypnotizable individuals (lows). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether hypnotizability modulates body sway during slightly more demanding and very difficult postural conditions such as feet together bipedal posture and one legged stance, respectively. The Center of Pressure (CoP) Area, mean Velocity, the CoP mean position (Xmean, Ymean) and its variability (SDx, SDy) in the frontal and sagittal planes were acquired in 18 highs (9 females) and 18 lows (9 females). Results showed that the previously observed lows' smaller and slower body sway was not present any longer. Nonetheless, hypnotizability interacted with gender in the modulation of the variability of the CoP movement in the frontal plane during both the bipedal feet together posture and one legged stance, as significant gender differences were observed only among lows. In conclusion, results confirm a role of hypnotizability in sensorimotor integration and support the relevance of hypnotic assessment in clinical settings, as hypnotizability may be responsible for part of the postural variability.
The Cerebellum, 2015
The susceptibility to hypnosis, which can be measured by scales, is not merely a cognitive trait.... more The susceptibility to hypnosis, which can be measured by scales, is not merely a cognitive trait. In fact, it is associated with a number of physiological correlates in the ordinary state of consciousness and in the absence of suggestions. The hypnotizability-related differences observed in sensorimotor integration suggested a major role of the cerebellum in the peculiar performance of healthy subjects with high scores of hypnotic susceptibility (highs). In order to provide behavioral evidence of this hypothesis, we submitted 20 highs and 21 low hypnotizable participants (lows) to the classical cerebellar Prism Adaptation Test (PAT). We found that the highs' performance was significantly less accurate and more variable than the lows' one, even though the two groups shared the same characteristics of adaptation to prismatic lenses. Although further studies are required to interpret these findings, they could account for earlier reports of hypnotizability-related differences in postural control and blink rate, as they indicate that hypnotizability influences the cerebellar control of sensorimotor integration.
The susceptibility to hypnosis, which can be measured by scales, is not merely a cognitive trait... more The susceptibility to hypnosis, which can be measured by scales, is not merely a cognitive trait. In fact, it is associated with a number of physiological correlates in the ordinary state of consciousness and in the absence of suggestions. The hypnotizability-related differences observed in sensorimotor integration suggested a major role of the cerebellum in the peculiar performance of healthy subjects with high scores of hypnotic susceptibility (highs). In order to provide behavioral evidence of this hypothesis, we submitted 20 highs and 21 low hypnotizable participants (lows) to the classical cerebellar Prism Adaptation Test (PAT). We found that the highs' performance was significantly less accurate and more variable than the lows' one, even though the two groups shared the same characteristics of adaptation to prismatic lenses. Although further studies are required to interpret these findings, they could account for earlier reports of hypnotizability-related differences in postural control and blink rate, as they indicate that hypnotizability influences the cerebellar control of sensorimotor integration.
Body sway modulation by hypnotizability and gender during low and high demanding postural conditions., Sep 1, 2013
The cognitive trait of hypnotizability, associated with the proneness to accept suggestions, exhi... more The cognitive trait of hypnotizability, associated with the proneness to accept suggestions, exhibits several physiological correlates including the modulation of sensorimotor integration and, in particular, of postural control. In this respect, we have shown that, at eyes closure, healthy subjects with high hypnotizability scores (highs) having their feet 2 cm apart show larger and faster body sway with respect to low hypnotizable individuals (lows). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether hypnotizability modulates body sway during slightly more demanding and very difficult postural conditions such as feet together bipedal posture and one legged stance, respectively. The Center of Pressure (CoP) Area, mean Velocity, the CoP mean position (Xmean, Ymean) and its variability (SDx, SDy) in the frontal and sagittal planes were acquired in 18 highs (9 females) and 18 lows (9 females). Results showed that the previously observed lows' smaller and slower body sway was not present any longer. Nonetheless, hypnotizability interacted with gender in the modulation of the variability of the CoP movement in the frontal plane during both the bipedal feet together posture and one legged stance, as significant gender differences were observed only among lows. In conclusion, results confirm a role of hypnotizability in sensorimotor integration and support the relevance of hypnotic assessment in clinical settings, as hypnotizability may be responsible for part of the postural variability.
To evaluate if the cerebellum takes part in the process of consolidation of the memory traces rel... more To evaluate if the cerebellum takes part in the process of consolidation of the memory traces related to navigation, we tested in a Morris water maze two groups of male rats, chronically implanted for injection into the cerebellar nuclei of saline or muscimol (MU), a GABAA agonist with a transient inhibitory action. During the acquisition phase (Place test) animals were trained to find a submerged escape platform by the use of distal cues in a protocol of 8 trials/day (2 blocks of 4 trials) for 5 days, and injected immediately after. A Probe test was applied before Place test; the time spent in the area where the platform was previously located is an index of consolidation.
Based on histology, MU-treated animals were sorted in: (a) dorsal dentate group (DDN) and (b) ventromedial dentate group (VMDN), in which the injected drug reached also the vestibular nuclei.
In the place test, the VMDN showed versus controls (C), longer latencies in reaching the platform in the first block of each day, indicating a less efficient retention. In the probe test, C and DDN showed a gradual increase of time spent in reference quadrant up to values around 40% at day 4 while the VMDN remained around the value of 25 %, regarded as casual distribution.
Results seem to exclude a role of the cerebellum trough the dentate nucleus in the process of spatial memory consolidation, at least at the time span of our protocol, and suggest that such a role could be exerted trough the vestibular system.
Self building is a classical philosophical topic. The debate has been focused from the start on t... more Self building is a classical philosophical topic. The debate has been focused from the start on the relation between mind and body; materialistic and non-identity approaches have been considered. From a naturalistic perspective, this study assumes that sensorimotor processes are the nuclei for building personal identity and conjectures self building based on the possible parallel/interactive development of sensorimotor and cognitive individual traits. An experimental paradigm aimed at assessing the role of the cognitive trait of hypnotizability in sensorimotor integration is hereby set forth as an example of the possible contribution of neuroscientific/behavioural studies to this discussion.
High hypnotizability is associated with peculiar attentional and imagery abilities. In highly hypnotizable individuals (Highs), postural control, which is modulated by attention in the general population, is more independent from sensory information than in low hypnotizable subjects (Lows). Moreover, imagery of specific sensory contexts has shown a quasi perceptive role in the Highs’ postural behaviour. Moreover, locomotion requires a complex sensorimotor integration and is modulated by attention; the aim of the study was to find out whether it is differentially modulated in Highs and Lows by visual suppression, changes in the neck proprioceptive input, bilateral vestibular impairment and cognitive load. Thus, Highs and Lows were asked to walk straight ahead, blindfolded, in basal conditions (face forward), during real and imagined right/left head rotation, real and imagined backward head extension, mental computation. The results showed that Highs detected deviations from the straight trajectory better than Lows. Their walking direction was more straight during basal conditions and less influenced than Lows’ by mental computation and real/imagined rotation of the head. Bilateral vestibular impairment did not induce major alteration in the walking direction in both groups. The results confirm a lower dependence of Highs on sensory inputs, although this cannot be definitely attributed to a better internal representation of space or to higher behavioural automaticity. However, hypnotizability accounts for a part of the variability in veering direction during sensory alteration and cognitive load, which suggests that hypnotic susceptibility might contribute to the identification of an individual sensorimotor self. An overview of the structures and mechanisms possibly involved in the observed hypnotizability-related differences in controlling locomotion is hereby illustrated. The experimental results have been interpreted in order to reject any dualistic approach in terms of the nature of mind and to emphasize the role of multidisciplinary scientific contributions to the philosophical debate. The novelty of the present study consists of the proposal of a sensori-motor self at the basis of a more complex Self referring to body ownership, self agency, self consciousness.
volume realizzato con il contributo di: Comune di Noto
Experimental Brain …, Jan 1, 2011
Experimental Brain …, Jan 1, 2011
European journal of …, Jan 1, 2010
Hypnotizability is a cognitive trait measured by standard scales and associated with peculiar phy... more Hypnotizability is a cognitive trait measured by standard scales and associated with peculiar physiological responses to cognitive and physical stimulations. Hypnotizability-related differences can also be observed in non-hypnotic state and in the absence of specific suggestions. In the normal bipedal stance subjects with high hypnotizability (Highs) exhibit a higher tolerance of alteration of the visual and leg/neck proprioceptive input with respect to low hypnotizable individuals (Lows). Aim of the study was to investigate whether this characteristic represents a disadvantage during highly demanding postural tasks. Sixteen Highs and 16 Lows of both genders participated in an experimental session consisting of maintaining balance while standing with open or closed eyes on a seesaw platform allowing roll movements. The results did not show significant differences between Highs and Lows in inclination area and time, with the exception of a greater ability of Highs with respect to Lows when they began the task displacing the body weight from the left to the right leg. Thus, high hypnotizability does not represent a disadvantage for balance control during highly demanding postural tasks. Together with previous studies, the present findings suggest that the Highs' postural control might shift from a very "economic", preeminently centrally driven functioning mode, characteristic of easy postural tasks, to an efficaciously periphery-controlled mode, required by difficult postural tasks.
… journal of clinical and …, Jan 1, 2010
Body sway and locomotion are differentially modulated in high (highs) and low (lows) hypnotizable... more Body sway and locomotion are differentially modulated in high (highs) and low (lows) hypnotizable subjects undergoing alteration of visual and neck/leg proprioceptive inputs. The study's aim was to investigate whether partial impairment of vestibular information due to backward head extension affects postural (Study 1) and locomotor behavior (Study 2) differentially in highs and lows. Results showed that, at variance with the visual and proprioceptive modalities, vestibular inactivation did not induce major differences between the 2 groups, with the exception of improvement in walking straight across consecutive trials, which was observed only in highs. The article presents an overview of the structures and mechanisms possibly involved in the observed hypnotizability-related differences in motor control and suggests that hypnotic susceptibility might be a relevant factor in neuro-rehabilitative treatments because it accounts for part of the variability in the sensorimotor self.
Intl. Journal of Clinical …, Jan 1, 2009
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Papers by manuel menzocchi
Based on histology, MU-treated animals were sorted in: (a) dorsal dentate group (DDN) and (b) ventromedial dentate group (VMDN), in which the injected drug reached also the vestibular nuclei.
In the place test, the VMDN showed versus controls (C), longer latencies in reaching the platform in the first block of each day, indicating a less efficient retention. In the probe test, C and DDN showed a gradual increase of time spent in reference quadrant up to values around 40% at day 4 while the VMDN remained around the value of 25 %, regarded as casual distribution.
Results seem to exclude a role of the cerebellum trough the dentate nucleus in the process of spatial memory consolidation, at least at the time span of our protocol, and suggest that such a role could be exerted trough the vestibular system.
High hypnotizability is associated with peculiar attentional and imagery abilities. In highly hypnotizable individuals (Highs), postural control, which is modulated by attention in the general population, is more independent from sensory information than in low hypnotizable subjects (Lows). Moreover, imagery of specific sensory contexts has shown a quasi perceptive role in the Highs’ postural behaviour. Moreover, locomotion requires a complex sensorimotor integration and is modulated by attention; the aim of the study was to find out whether it is differentially modulated in Highs and Lows by visual suppression, changes in the neck proprioceptive input, bilateral vestibular impairment and cognitive load. Thus, Highs and Lows were asked to walk straight ahead, blindfolded, in basal conditions (face forward), during real and imagined right/left head rotation, real and imagined backward head extension, mental computation. The results showed that Highs detected deviations from the straight trajectory better than Lows. Their walking direction was more straight during basal conditions and less influenced than Lows’ by mental computation and real/imagined rotation of the head. Bilateral vestibular impairment did not induce major alteration in the walking direction in both groups. The results confirm a lower dependence of Highs on sensory inputs, although this cannot be definitely attributed to a better internal representation of space or to higher behavioural automaticity. However, hypnotizability accounts for a part of the variability in veering direction during sensory alteration and cognitive load, which suggests that hypnotic susceptibility might contribute to the identification of an individual sensorimotor self. An overview of the structures and mechanisms possibly involved in the observed hypnotizability-related differences in controlling locomotion is hereby illustrated. The experimental results have been interpreted in order to reject any dualistic approach in terms of the nature of mind and to emphasize the role of multidisciplinary scientific contributions to the philosophical debate. The novelty of the present study consists of the proposal of a sensori-motor self at the basis of a more complex Self referring to body ownership, self agency, self consciousness.
Based on histology, MU-treated animals were sorted in: (a) dorsal dentate group (DDN) and (b) ventromedial dentate group (VMDN), in which the injected drug reached also the vestibular nuclei.
In the place test, the VMDN showed versus controls (C), longer latencies in reaching the platform in the first block of each day, indicating a less efficient retention. In the probe test, C and DDN showed a gradual increase of time spent in reference quadrant up to values around 40% at day 4 while the VMDN remained around the value of 25 %, regarded as casual distribution.
Results seem to exclude a role of the cerebellum trough the dentate nucleus in the process of spatial memory consolidation, at least at the time span of our protocol, and suggest that such a role could be exerted trough the vestibular system.
High hypnotizability is associated with peculiar attentional and imagery abilities. In highly hypnotizable individuals (Highs), postural control, which is modulated by attention in the general population, is more independent from sensory information than in low hypnotizable subjects (Lows). Moreover, imagery of specific sensory contexts has shown a quasi perceptive role in the Highs’ postural behaviour. Moreover, locomotion requires a complex sensorimotor integration and is modulated by attention; the aim of the study was to find out whether it is differentially modulated in Highs and Lows by visual suppression, changes in the neck proprioceptive input, bilateral vestibular impairment and cognitive load. Thus, Highs and Lows were asked to walk straight ahead, blindfolded, in basal conditions (face forward), during real and imagined right/left head rotation, real and imagined backward head extension, mental computation. The results showed that Highs detected deviations from the straight trajectory better than Lows. Their walking direction was more straight during basal conditions and less influenced than Lows’ by mental computation and real/imagined rotation of the head. Bilateral vestibular impairment did not induce major alteration in the walking direction in both groups. The results confirm a lower dependence of Highs on sensory inputs, although this cannot be definitely attributed to a better internal representation of space or to higher behavioural automaticity. However, hypnotizability accounts for a part of the variability in veering direction during sensory alteration and cognitive load, which suggests that hypnotic susceptibility might contribute to the identification of an individual sensorimotor self. An overview of the structures and mechanisms possibly involved in the observed hypnotizability-related differences in controlling locomotion is hereby illustrated. The experimental results have been interpreted in order to reject any dualistic approach in terms of the nature of mind and to emphasize the role of multidisciplinary scientific contributions to the philosophical debate. The novelty of the present study consists of the proposal of a sensori-motor self at the basis of a more complex Self referring to body ownership, self agency, self consciousness.