Trigeminal, Visceral and Vestibular Inputs May Improve Cognitive Functions by Acting through the Locus Coeruleus and the Ascending Reticular Activating System: A New Hypothesis.

摘要: It is known that sensory signals sustain the background discharge of ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) which includes noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons and controls level attention alertness. Moreover, LC influence brain metabolic activity, gene expression inflammatory processes. As a consequence control ARAS/LC, stimulation channel may potential neuronal activity trophic state all over brain, supporting cognitive functions exerting neuroprotective action. On other hand, an imbalance same input on two sides lead to asymmetric hemispheric excitability, leading impairment in functions. Among inputs drive ARAS, those arising from trigeminal region, visceral organs and, possibly, vestibular seem be particularly relevant regulating their activity. The trigeminal, ARAS/LC explain why these signals: (1) affect sensorimotor are not directly related specific informational content; (2) effective relieving symptoms some pathologies, thus prompting peripheral activation systems as complementary approach for treatment impairments neurodegenerative disorders.