TITLE:
Analysis of Brain-Neuromuscular Synchronization and Coupling Strength in Muscular Dystrophy after NPT Treatment
AUTHORS:
Elio Conte, Ken Ware, Riccardo Marvulli, Giancarlo Ianieri, Marisa Megna, Sergio Conte, Leonardo Mendolicchio, Enrico Pierangeli
KEYWORDS:
Chaos Analysis, Muscular Dystrophy, Brain Synchronization Analysis, Generalized Mutual Information, Surface Electromyography, EEG
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Neuroscience,
Vol.5 No.4,
August
6,
2015
ABSTRACT: We perform an analysis of
brain-neuromuscular synchronization and coupling strength in muscular dystrophy
before and after NPT treatment. In order to estimate with accuracy the level of
brain synchronization, we introduce and use the method of the cross GMI that
was elaborated by Pompe. The finality is to account for the nonlinear chaotic
dynamic contributions that regulate the dynamics. We find that this method is
excellent and it may be applied in such case of sEMG and EEG study as well as
at a general neurological level. By it we arrive to quantify the coupling
strength and synchronization first between two muscular sections (left and
right trapezes) and after between Brain activity, as recorded by the EEG, and
the trapezes. We compare the results before and after the NPT treatment and we
find that the improvement obtained following such treatment is very consistent.
We have now in progress other studies relating in particular the application of
such new methodologies to other more serious pathologies as the HSP (Hereditary
Spastic Paraplegia).