Since it is more than quite likely that the editor of the Association’s newsletter experienced some fidgeting while preparing this edition, it is possible that some readers also could undergo something comparable while reading it. According to an article that was published in the October 2019 issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience, psychologists have ascribed fidgeting to boredom, a form of stress relief, or perhaps as a subconscious way to increase memory. Also, fidgeting may take place even when one seemingly is engaged actively in a task. It is unclear, however, the process by which fidgets go about modulating their neural activity across the brain. Certain brain regions drive actions (such as motor cortex) and many others receive this information (such as sensory areas), in part to distinguish self-generated from movements that are not self-generated. Investigators who participated in the study reported in the aforementioned publication show that in expert mice performing a task, movements that are not task-related dominate the single-trial neural activity. This finding is exciting because it underlines why measuring behavior and other variables are key for exploring the neural code. Apart from whatever value might be associated with this discovery, as an aside it also might be somewhat comforting to know that somewhere out there, a group of expert mice is working on our behalf to enhance a more human-oriented understanding of neural activity.

More Articles from October 2019 TRENDS

THE VALUE OF GLANCING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR

Indicates why it is worthwhile to examine professional literature archives to learn more about present day challenges involving both allied health and genomics. Read More

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Susan Hanrahan offers her thoughts on recently completing a two-year term as ASAHP President. Read More

THE DANCE OF LEGISLATION

A book published in 1973 bearing this title shows how over the decades, certain patterns continue to remain in effect. Read More

HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS

Discusses recent efforts to curtail waste, fraud, and abuse in programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, along with some reflections on how to reduce administrative expenditures. Read More

DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Summarizes new activity in the regulatory domain, plus recently introduced legislation to protect students when colleges close and reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Read More

QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)

Death Rates By Marital Status For Adults Age 25 And Older: United States, 2010-2017
Prevalence Of Screening For Social Determinants Of Health
Hierarchical Encoding Of Attended Auditory Objects In Multi-Talker Speech Perception
Exergaming And Virtual Reality For Health: Implications For Cardiac Rehabilitation Read More

AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY

Preparing The Current And Future Health Care Workforce For Interprofessional Practice
Integrating Social Care Into The Delivery Of Health Care
Older Americans’ Views On Navigating The Health Care System
Survey On State And Local Income, Poverty, And Health Insurance Statistics Read More

EVIDENCE FOR LATINO PREFERENCES FOR METAPHOR AND ANALOGY

Mentions how a stronger liking for and a desire to connect with individuals who use metaphoric speech can have an impact on the quality of health care services. Read More

PARKINSON’S DISEASE AFFECTS WOMEN AND MEN DIFFERENTLY

Refers to a recognition that the two groups differ in the risk of developing this disease, how it progresses, and survivor rates. Read More

LEARNING ABOUT FIDGETING WHILE FIDGETING

Despite efforts by parents and teachers to discourage children from fidgeting, this form of behavior may persist in adulthood, while a clearer understanding of its neural origins is enhanced by contributions made by expert mice. Read More