Biology subjects

Paradisi, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Paradisi, P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A microcircuit model of astrocytic potassium buffering and neural synchronization

Neural synchronization is fundamental to brain function and, when it becomes excessive, underlies pathological conditions such as epilepsy. Among brain regions, the temporal lobes, and the hippocampus in particular, exhibit the highest epileptogenic potential, with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy representing the most prevalent form of the condition in humans. Within the hippocampus, extracellular potassium dynamics are central to non-synaptic epileptiform activity, and astrocytic potassium buffering mechanisms have emerged as key regulators of network excitability. Yet the specific contributions of astrocytic gap-junction coupling and potassium spatial buffering to neuronal synchronization across different spatial scales remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we developed a microcircuit biophysical model consisting of two astrocyte-neuron modules, each comprising one astrocyte coupled to five neurons. Astrocyte-neuron interactions are mediated exclusively through shared extracellular potassium dynamics. Using a reduced astrocyte model that captures both local membrane and syncytial potassium buffering, we systematically investigated how astrocytic potassium handling shapes neuronal activity patterns and inter-module synchronization. Our results demonstrate that astrocytes prevent the emergence of pathological states -- such as sustained ictal activity and depolarization block, by stabilizing extracellular potassium levels. Furthermore, we show that astrocytic gap-junction coupling strength critically regulates phase synchronization between neuronal modules: stronger coupling promotes inter-module synchrony under physiological conditions, whereas impaired astrocytic function drives networks toward pathological hypersynchronization when extracellular potassium is elevated. These findings support the hypothesis that astrocytic networks impose modularity on hippocampal neuronal assemblies, and suggest that astrocytic connexins may represent a relevant therapeutic target in epilepsy and other disorders characterized by aberrant neural synchronization. Author summary

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Exploring Dance Movement Therapy as a Novel Approach to Improving Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Older Adults

A decline in cardiac autonomic control, as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV), is considered a natural component of ageing. However, physical exercise and dancing can be effective in preventing/reversing this decline. Aim of this study was to verify whether Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), which uses dance, movement, body awareness and embodied interpersonal communication to promote well-being, improves vagally-mediated HRV, which has been linked to physical and mental health, in a sample of people aged over 65. To this purpose, HRV-derived vagal and sympathetic indices, obtained by electrocardiogram signals, as well as tonic skin conductance level, which is a marker of tonic sympathetic activity, recorded during two rest sessions that preceded and followed a 8-week DMT activity, were compared through repeated measures analysis of variance. Results showed post-DMT changes in HRV-derived vagal parameters in the time, frequency and nonlinear domains. More specifically, the root mean square of the successive differences between RR intervals (RMSSD), the high frequency power (HF) and the standard deviation of the beat-to-beat changes in RR intervals (short-term HRV) (SD1) were higher in the post-than pre-DMT session. Conversely, no changes were found in HRV sympathetic indices nor in skin conductance level. The post-DMT improvement in vagally-mediated HRV in healthy old people is a new finding and we argue that this beneficial effect may be due to DMTs ability to enhance social interaction and promote well-being.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

The Impact of Dance Movement Therapy on Subjective Well-Being and Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adults

Undertaking physical and social activities such as dance and music have positive effects on the mental well-being, cognitive and physical abilities of older people. Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is a complementary practice that uses dance and movement to stimulate creativity, enabling individuals to engage in positive interpersonal connections within a group. Therapeutic approaches involving DMT have been proven to promote positive mental health outcomes in various patient groups. This study aimed to evaluate the possible efficacy of DMT on the subjective perceptions of quality of life, satisfaction with life, and personal well-being of a sample of healthy adults aged over 65. Participants (n=25; females=17) took part in an 8-week DMT cycle on a once-weekly basis. The DMT cycle was preceded and followed by a one-hour session during which participants filled out the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQoL-BRIEF), the Satisfaction With LifeScale (SWLS), and the Wellbeing Index (PWI) scale. Comparison of pre- and post-DMT scores by repeated measures ANalysis Of VAriance (rmANOVA) showed a positive effect of DMT, especially in terms of overall quality of life and social relationships. Participants in the over-70s age group who showed significantly lower scores than their younger counterparts in terms of overall quality of life, Social subscale, and PWI, exhibited analogous DMT-related changes. Our findings suggest that DMT has the potential to foster a shared positive state of mind among older individuals, thereby facilitating social interaction not only among the elderly population but also among its most senior members.

neuroscience↗