Biology subjects

Davenport, E. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Davenport, E. M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Somatosensory gating dysfunction is masked by cognitive variability in cognitively impaired individuals

Disruptions in somatosensory processing have been observed in cognitive impairment (CI), suggesting that alterations in sensory processing may emerge earlier during cognitive decline than previously recognized. Somatosensory gating (SG) is an automatic inhibitory mechanism that protects neural resources by suppressing responses to redundant, non-behaviorally relevant stimuli. Prior work has demonstrated exaggerated gamma SG and response amplitudes in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) of individuals with Alzheimers disease-confirmed pathology, and these effects were masked by variability in attention/executive function performance. However, whether similar relationships are present during earlier stages of cognitive decline, such as CI, remains unclear. Herein, 63 cognitively healthy older adults (CH; mean age = 59.9 {+/-} 8.6 years) and 32 individuals with CI (mean age = 62.4 {+/-} 8.8 years) underwent magnetoencephalography (MEG) while completing a paired-pulse SG paradigm designed to probe inhibitory sensory processing. MEG oscillatory responses were source-imaged using a beamformer. Time series data were extracted from the peak voxel to quantify oscillatory dynamics and SG. Neuropsychological testing was conducted to assess attention/executive function. After controlling for attention/executive function variance, exaggerated gamma SG was observed in adults with CI compared with CH adults (p < 0.05). Additionally, adults with CI exhibited increased beta peak frequency following the second stimulation (p < 0.01) and a group-by-age interaction for theta SG in S1 (p < 0.05). Together, these results suggest somatosensory abnormalities are present in earlier stages of cognitive decline and highlight a dynamic interaction between sensory processing and cognitive systems during this decline.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Reduced Somatosensory Oscillatory Dynamics and Inhibition in Moderate-to-Severe Nociceptive Pain

Nociceptive pain is the most common pain condition, and moderate-to-severe nociceptive pain substantially impacts daily functioning, constituting a significant public health burden. Despite this, most studies investigating the neural mechanisms underlying somatosensory processing and inhibition have focused on other pain conditions (e.g., neuropathic, nociplastic, or mixed pain). Thus, the extent to which neural aberrancies detected in these other populations extend to or differentiate from nociceptive pain conditions remains largely unknown. In this study, 29 individuals with moderate-to-severe nociceptive pain (MSNP) and 47 pain-free (PF) controls underwent magnetoencephalography (MEG) alongside a paired-pulse somatosensory stimulation paradigm to examine somatosensory cortical processing and functional inhibition. Pain status and intensity were determined using validated pain questionnaires, painDETECT and PROMIS-29, respectively. MEG oscillatory responses were source localized via a beamformer to the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and time series data were extracted from the peak voxel to quantify the dynamics of somatosensory gating (SG; index of cortical inhibitory processing), oscillatory response power, and spontaneous power. We found that adults with MSNP exhibit aberrant theta SG in contralateral S1 compared to PF controls, reflecting reduced functional inhibition of innocuous stimulus processing in this region. Additionally, individuals with MSNP demonstrated exaggerated gamma responses but blunted alpha responses in contralateral S1 to innocuous stimulation. Finally, individuals with MSNP were characterized by weaker spontaneous alpha in contralateral S1 that scaled with self-reported pain intensity. Together, these findings suggest that experiencing MSNP is associated with disrupted somatosensory and cortical inhibitory processing.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Age-Related Alterations in Multispectral Somatosensory Gating: Evidence for Partial Compensation in Attentional Performance

Healthy cognitive aging involves selective changes, with relative preservation of some domains and decline in others, particularly attention, inhibitory control, and executive function. Somatosensory gating (SG) refers to the brains ability to suppress neural responses to redundant tactile input, conserving resources for relevant stimuli and reflects pre-attentive and inhibitory mechanisms. Prior region-of-interest studies have shown age-related reductions in gamma SG within contralateral primary somatosensory cortex (S1), and modulation of theta, alpha, and beta SG by attention in young adults. However, whole-brain, multispectral age effects remain unclear. In this study, 63 middle-to-older aged adults (38 females; mean age = 59.9 {+/-} 8.6 years) underwent magnetoencephalography during a paired-pulse somatosensory paradigm. SG was quantified as attenuation of the neural response to the second stimulus relative to the first. Time-frequency analyses identified theta (4-7 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), beta (15-25 Hz), and gamma (30-90 Hz) oscillatory responses, and band-specific voxel-wise whole-brain gating maps assessed age-related effects. Attention/executive function was also measured. Results showed significant age-related increases in gamma SG in the contralateral supplementary motor area. Mediation analyses suggested this increase partially offsets age-related declines in attention/executive function, consistent with a partial compensatory mechanism. Additionally, theta SG in contralateral S1 increased with age. These findings demonstrate frequency- and region-specific age-related alterations in SG, suggesting that older adults may recruit enhanced inhibitory mechanisms, particularly in higher-order sensorimotor regions, to support cognitive function.

neuroscience↗