Biology subjects

Bar, R. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Bar, R. J..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Oculomotor dance learning task: Implications for audio-visual cued spatial learning

Motor sequence learning involves the coordination of both oculomotor and manual motor systems through the practiced repetition of a fixed sequence of actions. This study aims to address whether a sequence-based learning paradigm centered on the visual-motor system can feasibly be measured while listening to music (Bar and DeSouza 2016). It aims to develop a new visual-motor-based learning paradigm with music, potentially promoting neuroplasticity and creating new interventional tools, building upon prior research that shows behavioural and putative neural changes following dance-based neurorehabilitation in people with Parkinsons disease (Bearss et al. 2024). Eye movements of 10 participants (8 female, 2 male) were tracked using the Eyelink 1000 Plus system during a 68-second eye-dance sequence. The experiment consisted of a learning phase, where participants observed the sequence five times with 30-second breaks, and a performance phase, where they performed the sequence five times from memory on a grey screen without visual cues. Music was incorporated into both phases to aid memorization of the 4 spatial locations. After each performance, the participant was shown a visual reinforcer and asked for their thoughts on how well they executed the dance. A visual reinforcer flashes one of three different colours: red, yellow, or green. Each colour corresponds to how many steps in the dance a participant performed correctly, with key points being: under one third, between one to two thirds, and over two thirds of total steps correct. Participants were scored based on timing of the steps as well for exact (1.00), good (0.66), slightly off (0.33) or missed (0) steps. Data was analyzed using R4.3.1, MATLAB, and Experiment Builder: Data Viewer software. Results showed a significant improvement in performance accuracy between the first session (g1; M = 40%, SD = 7.2%) and the last session (g5; M = 69.7%, SD = 22.8%). A repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of session on performance accuracy, F(4, 36) = 6.99, p < 0.001, {superscript 2}G = 0.26, indicating that accuracy significantly improved over sessions. Post-hoc Bonferroni comparisons showed that accuracy in later sessions was significantly higher than earlier sessions, suggesting a defined learning curve and consolidation of performance pattern across repeated practice. Similarly, there was significant improvement in timing accuracy between the first session g1; M = 0.29, SD = 0.06) and the fifth session (g5; M = 0.46, SD = 0.12). A repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of session on timing precision, F(4, 36) = 11.67, p < 0.001, {superscript 2}G = 0.25, indicating significant improvements in temporal control and coordination over sessions. Post-hoc Bonferroni comparisons showed that timing precision significantly improved between early and late sessions (e.g, g1-g4, p <0.01; g1-g5, p < 0.001), suggesting a defined learning curve and increase in precision across repeated practice. These findings suggest that visual-motor-based interventions have the potential to enhance motor and non-motor symptoms like depression and anxiety for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons Disease (PD). The results provide a foundation for developing targeted therapies that integrate learning paradigms to improve functional outcomes, warranting further exploration of their long-term efficacy.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Weekly dance training over eight months reduces depression and correlates with fMRI brain signals in subcallosal cingulate gyrus (SCG) for people with Parkinson's Disease: An observational study

Depression affects 280 million people globally and is considered a prodromal feature for increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinsons disease (PD). With age-related neurodegeneration on the rise, its important to consider non-invasive, inexpensive interventions such as dance. Dance has emerged as a complementary treatment that may support adaptive neuroplasticity while diminishing motor and non-motor symptoms including depression. Although dance has been shown to impact brain structures and functions with improvements in motor and psychological symptoms, the neural mechanisms underlying depression/mood remain elusive. Our observational study tracks the relationship between depression scores and functional neuroimaging measures for subgenual cingulate gyrus (SCG). While learning choreography over an 8-month period, 34 dancers [23 people with PD] completed GDS questionnaires before and after their community dance classes. Seventeen of these dancers had BOLD fMRI scans conducted using learning-related protocols to examine underlying neural mechanisms for moving to music over 4 times points of learning. A significant decrease in depression scores correlated with a reduced BOLD signal from SCG, a putative node in the neural network of depression. Conclusions: This is the first study to clearly find a correlation with a neural substrate involved in mood changes as a function of dance for PD. Not only do the results contribute to understanding neural mechanisms involved in adaptive plasticity with a learning task, but they also uncover reduced activity within SCG during longitudinal therapeutic dance interventions. These results are especially illuminating since SCG is a controversial target in deep brain stimulation (DBS) used in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Investigating Affective and Motor Improvements with Dance in Parkinson’s Disease

BackgroundResearch has supported the notion that dance alleviates motor symptoms for people with Parkinsons disease (PD) illustrated by observed improvements in gait, balance, and quality of life. However, what remains unclear is whether engaging in weekly dance classes also positively influences nonmotor symptoms of PD, such as affect regulation (mood).\n\nObjectivesTo examine depressive symptoms of participants in a dance program for people with PD, and to extend previous findings on the topics for motor symptoms.\n\nMethodsPeople with PD (n=23) and age-matched healthy controls (n=11) between the ages of 58-75 (M=67.91, SD=5.43) participated in a weekly Dance for PD(R) class. Nonmotor symptoms of PD were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), administered at three time points over the 1st year of a newly-developed dance program. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) were also administered at three time points to assess motor function.\n\nResultsLongitudinal mixed methods analysis showed significant improvements in GDS scores, when examining effects of the dance class over the time, with a significant main effect of time (p < 0.01) and condition: pre/post dance class (p < 0.025). Significant improvements were also observed across the motor tests of BBS (p < 0.001) and TUG (p < 0.001) measurements.\n\nConclusionOur findings suggest dance can facilitate positive improvements in both motor and mood related symptoms of PD. These findings show important nonmotor effects of dance as an adjunct treatment for mood that may reduce the burden of this disease.

physiology↗