Statistics and Probability (1)
Epidemiology & Infection (1)
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (1)
International Neuropsychological Society INS (1)
Influence of Physical Activity on Human Sensory Long-Term Potentiation
Nicola Smallwood, Meg J. Spriggs, Christopher S. Thompson, Carolyn C. Wu, Jeff P. Hamm, David Moreau, Ian J. Kirk
Journal: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 21 / Issue 10 / November 2015
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 November 2015, pp. 831-840
A growing body of literature has explored the influence of physical activity on brain structure and function. While the mechanisms of this relationship remain largely speculative, recent research suggests that one of the effects of physical exercise is an increase in synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP). This has not yet been explored directly in humans due to the difficulty of measuring LTP non-invasively. However, we have previously established that LTP-like changes in visual-evoked potentials (VEPs) can be measured in humans. Here, we investigated whether physical fitness status affects the degree of visual sensory LTP. Using a self-report measure of physical activity, participants were split into two groups: a high-activity group, and a low-activity group. LTP was measured and compared between the two groups using the previously established electroencephalography-LTP paradigm, which assesses the degree to which the N1b component of the VEP elicited by a sine grating is potentiated (enhanced) following a rapid "tetanic" presentation of that grating. Both groups demonstrated increased negativity in the amplitude of the N1b component of the VEP immediately after presentation of the visual "tetanus," indicating potentiation. However, after a 30-min rest period, the N1b for the high-activity group remained potentiated while the N1b for the low-activity group returned to baseline. This study presents the first evidence for the impact of self-reported levels of physical activity on LTP in humans, and sheds light on potential neurological mechanisms underlying the relationship between physical fitness and cognition. (JINS, 2015, 21, 831–840)
Spatial and temporal epidemiology of sporadic human cases of Escherichia coli O157 in Scotland, 1996–1999
G. T. INNOCENT, D. J. MELLOR, S. A. McEWEN, W. J. REILLY, J. SMALLWOOD, M. E. LOCKING, D. J. SHAW, P. MICHEL, D. J. TAYLOR, W. B. STEELE, G. J. GUNN, H. E. TERNENT, M. E. J. WOOLHOUSE, S. W. J. REID, on behalf of the Wellcome Trust-funded IPRAVE Consortium
Journal: Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 133 / Issue 6 / December 2005
In Scotland, between 1995 and 2000 there were between 4 and 10 cases of illness per 100000 population per year identified as being caused by Escherichia coli O157, whereas in England and Wales there were between 1 and 2 cases per 100000 population per year. Within Scotland there is significant regional variation. A cluster of high rate areas was identified in the Northeast of Scotland and a cluster of low rate areas in central-west Scotland. Temporal trends follow a seasonal pattern whilst spatial effects appeared to be distant rather than local. The best-fit model identified a significant spatial trend with case rate increasing from West to East, and from South to North. No statistically significant spatial interaction term was found. In the models fitted, the cattle population density, the human population density, and the number of cattle per person were variously significant. The findings suggest that rural/urban exposures are important in sporadic infections.