title: Preliminary pilot fMRI study of neuropostural optimization with a noninvasive asymmetric radioelectric brain stimulation protocol in functional dysmetria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed changes in functional dysmetria (FD) and in brain activation observable by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a leg flexion-extension motor task following brain stimulation with a single radioelectric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) pulse, according to the precisely defined neuropostural optimization (NPO) protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy volunteers were assessed using fMRI conducted during a simple motor task before and immediately after delivery of a single REAC-NPO pulse. The motor task consisted of a flexion-extension movement of the legs with the knees bent. FD signs and brain activation patterns were compared before and after REAC-NPO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A single 250-millisecond REAC-NPO treatment alleviated FD, as evidenced by patellar asymmetry during a sit-up motion, and modulated activity patterns in the brain, particularly in the cerebellum, during the performance of the motor task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Activity in brain areas involved in motor control and coordination, including the cerebellum, is altered by administration of a REAC-NPO treatment and this effect is accompanied by an alleviation of FD.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mura
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castagna
authors.forename: Vania
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fontani
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rinaldi