Complex Systems/en

After the previous chapters, we should now be able to recognize that, both in modern physics and in biology, a "Complex System" is a multi-component dynamic system composed of different subsystems that typically interact with each other. Such systems are typically studied through "holistic" investigation methodologies or as "total" computation of the behaviotruurs of the individual subsystems, together with their mutual interactions; these can be described analytically through mathematical models, rather than, in a "reductionist" manner (i.e. by breaking down and analysing the system in its components). Typical of Complex Systems, are the concepts of self-organization and "Emerging Behaviour".

In this chapter we will expose some contents in favour of this more stochastic and complex vision of the neuromotor functions of the masticatory system.

 

Article by  Gianni Frisardi

 

Preliminary Consideration

In recent years, parallel developments in different disciplines have focused on what has been called "Connectivity", a concept used to understand and describe the "Complex Systems". The conceptualizations and functionalisations of connectivity have evolved widely within their disciplinary boundaries, but there are clear similarities in this concept and in its application across the disciplines. However, any implementation of the concept of connectivity involves both ontological and epistemological constraints, which lead us to wonder if there is a type or set of connectivity approaches that could be applied to all disciplines. In this review, we explore four ontological and epistemological challenges in using connectivity to understand complex systems from the point of view of very different disciplines.

In the Chapter 'Connectivity and Complex Systems', we will finally introduce the concept of:

1. defining the fundamental unit for the study of connectivity;
2. splitting the structural connectivity from functional connectivity;
3. understanding of emerging behaviour; and
4. measuring connectivity.

We have now to consider the complex profile of the masticatory function, to be able to talk about "connectivity"

Only in later times the importance of the mastication function became evident as a Complex System; it become clear because of its interaction with a multitude of other Nervous Centers and Systems (CNS), which are also distant from a functional point of view.. The mastication function, indeed, has always been considered a peripheral ad isolated function with reference to the phonetics and chewing. Following this interpretation, there have been countless points of view that focused, and still focus, on the diagnosis and rehabilitation of Mastication exclusively in the maxillaries, by excluding any multi-structural correlation.

This kind of approach denotes a clear 'reductionism' in the contents of the system itself: in biology, it is more realistic to consider the functionality of systems such as "Complex Systems" that do not operate in a linear way. These systems employ a stochastic approach, in which the interaction of the various constituents generates an ‘Emergent Behaviour’ (EB) of the same system.

«In this approach, it is not enough to analyse a single constituent element to interpret the EB of the system: an integrated analysis of all constituent components needs to be undertaken, both in time and in space. »

The paradigmatic result reverses the tendency to consider the masticatory system as a simple kinematic organ, and goes well beyond the traditional mechanistic procedure of Classical Gnathology.

This aspect also introduces a type of indeterministic profile of biological functions, in which the function of a system presents itself as a network of multiple related elements. In addition to interpreting its state, this system should be stimulated from the outside to analyse the evoked response, as it is typical of indeterministic systems.

It is, therefore, essential to switch from a simple and linear model of dental clinic to a Stochastic Complex model of masticatory neurophysiology.

Figure 1: EMG trace representing a vestibular evoked potential recorded on the masseter muscles. Note that p11 and n21 indicate the potential latency at 11 and 21 ms from the acoustic stimulus

As a confirmation of this more complex and integrated approach to interpret the functions of mastication, a study is presented here where the profile of a "Neural Complex System" emerges. In the mentioned study, the organic and functional connection of the vestibular system with the trigeminal system was analysed. . Acoustic stimuli may evoke EMG-reflex responses in the masseter muscle called Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs). Even if these results were previously attributed to the activation of the cochlear receptors (high intensity sound), these can also activate the vestibular receptors. Since anatomical and physiological studies, both in animals and humans, have shown that masseter muscles are a target for vestibular entrances, the authors of this study have reassessed the vestibular contribution for the masseteric reflexes. This is a typical example of a base-level complex system as it consists of only two cranial nervous systems but, at the same time, interacting by activating mono- and polysynaptic circuitry (Figure 1).

It would be appropriate at this point to introduce some topics related to the above mentioned concepts, which would clarify the rationale of the Masticationpedia project. This would introduce the chapters which are at the core of the project.

Hence, the object is:

«Mastication and Cognitive Processes, as well as Brainstem and Mastication
these will expand in additional essential topics, such as the "Segmentation of the Trigeminal Nervous System" in the last chapter, 'Extraordinary Science'.»

Mastication and Cognitive Processes

In recent years, mastication has been a topic of discussion about the maintenance and support effects of cognitive performance.

An elegant study performed through _fMR and positron emission tomography (PET) has shown that mastication leads to an increase in cortical blood flow and activates the additional somatosensory cortex, motor motor and insular, as well as the striatum, the thalamus, and the cerebellum. Mastication right before performing a cognitive task increases oxygen levels in the blood (BOLD of the fMRI signal) in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, important structures involved in learning and memory, thereby improving the performance task. Previous epidemiological studies have shown that a reduced number of residual teeth, incongruous use of prosthetics, and a limited development of the mandibular force are directly related to the development of dementia, further supporting the notion that mastication contributes to maintaining cognitive functions..

A recent study has provided further evidence in support of the interaction between masticatory processes, learning and memory, focusing on the function of the hippocampus that is essential for the formation of new memories. An occlusal disharmony, such as loss of teeth and increases in the vertical occlusal dimension, causes bruxism or pain to the mastication muscles and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Hence, to describe the impaired function of the hippocampus in a reduced situation or abnorme masticatory function, the authors employed an animal model (mice) called ‘Molarless Senescence-Accelerated Prone’ (SAMP8) in order to make a parallelism on man. In SAMP8 mice, to which the occlusion was modified, increasing the occlusal vertical dimension of about 0.1 mm with dental materials showed that the occlusal disharmony disrupts learning and memory. These animals showed an age-dependent deficit in space learning at Morris’s water. 

Increasing the vertical dimension of the bite in SAMP8 mice decreases the number of pyramidal cells and the numbers of their dendritic spines. It also increases the hypertrophy and hyperplasia fibrillar protein acid in astrocytes in the regions of the CA1 and CA3 hippocampus.. In rodents and monkeys, occlusal disharmonies induced through an increase in the vertical dimension with acrylic increases on the incisors or the insertion of bite-plane in the jaw are associated with increased urinary cortisol levels and elevated plasma levels of corticosterone, suggesting that occlusal disharmony is also a source of stress.

In support of this notion, SAMP8 mice with learning deficits show a marked increase in the plasma levels of corticosterone and subregulation of GR and GRmRNA of the hippocampus. The occlusal disharmony also affects catecholaminergic activity. Alternating the closure of the bite by inserting an acrylic bite-plane on the lower incisors leads to an increase in levels of dopamine and noradrenaline in the hypothalamus and the frontal cortex, and decreases in thyroxinaydroxylase, GTP cyclohydrochloride, and immunoreactive serotonin in the cerebral cortex and the caudate nucleus, in the nigra substance, in the locus ceruleus, and in the dorsal raphe nucleus, which are similar to chronic stress-induced changes. These changes in the catecolaminergic and serotonergic systems, induced by occlusal disharmonies, clearly affect the innervation of the hippocampus. The conditions of increasing the vertical dimension alter neurogenesis and lead to apoptosis in the ippocampal gyrus by decreasing the expression of the ippocampal brain derived from neurotrophic factors: all this could contribute to the changes in observed learning in animals with occlusal disharmony.

Brainstem and Mastication

Figure 2: Segmentation of Trigeminal Nervous System

The brainstem district is a relay area that connects the upper centres of the brain, the cerebellum, and the spinal cord, and provides the main sensory and motor innervation of the face, head, and neck through the cranial nerves.

This plays a determining role in regulation of respiration, locomotion, posture, balance, excitement (including intestinal control, bladder, blood pressure, and heart rate). It is responsible for regulating numerous reflexes, including swallowing, coughing, and vomiting. The brainstem is controlled by higher Cerebral Centers from cortical and subcortical regions, including the Basal Ganglia Nuclei and Diencephal, as well as feedback loops from the cerebellum and spinal cord. Neuromodulation can be achieved by the ‘classical’ mode of glutammatergic neurotransmitters and GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) through a primary excitation and inhibition of the ‘anatomical network’, but can also be achieved through the use of transmitters acting on G-proteins. These neuromodulators include the monoamine (serotonine, noradrenaline, and dopamine) acetylcholine, as also glutamate and GABA. In addition, not only do neuropeptides and purines act as neuromodulators: so do other chemical mediators too, like Growth Factors which might have similar actions.

The neural network described above does not end with the only correlation between trigeminal somatosensory centres and other motor areas but also strays into the amigdaloidei processes through a correlation with the trigeminal brainstem area. The amygdala becomes active from fear, playing an important role in the emotional response to life-threatening situations. When lab rats feel threatened, they respond by biting ferociously. The force of the bite is regulated by the motor nuclei of the trigeminal system and trigeminal brainstem Me5.The Me5 transmits proprioceptive signals from the Masticatory muscles and parodontal ligaments to trigeminal nuclei and motors. Central Amygdaloid Nucleus (ACe) projections send connections to the trigeminal motor nucleus and reticular premotor formation and directly to the Me5.

To confirm this, in a study conducted among mice, the neurons in the Central Amigdaloide nucleus (ACe) were marked after the injection of a retrograde tracer(Fast Blue), in the caudal nucleus of the Me5, indicating that the Amigdaloians send direct projections to the Me5, and suggest that the amygdala regulates the strength of the bite by modifying the neuronal activity in the Me5 through a neural facilitation.

Modifying occlusal ratios can alter oral somatosensory functions and the rehabilitative treatments of the Masticatory system should restore somatosensory functions. However, it is unclear why some patients fail to adapt to the masticatory restoration, and sensomotor disorders remain. At first, they would seem to be structural changes, not just functional ones. The primary motor cortex of the face is involved in the generation and control of facial gold movements and sensory inputs or altered motor functions, which can lead to neuroplastic changes in the M1 cortical area.

Conclusive Considerations

In conclusion, it is clear from the premise, that the Masticatory system should be considered not certainly as a system simply governed by mechanical laws, but as a "Complex System" of indeterministic type, where one can quantify the "Emerging Behavior" only after stimulating it and then analysing the response evoked (Figure 2). The Neuronal System also dialogues with its own encrypted machine language (potential action and ionic currents) and, therefore, it is not possible to interpret the symptoms referred to by the patient through natural language.

This concept deepens knowledge of the state of health of a system because it elicits an answer from inside the network — or, at least, from a large part of it — by allocating normal and/or abnormal components of the various nodes of the network. In scientific terms, it also introduces a new paradigm in the study of the Masticatory System: the "Neuro Gnathology Function", that we will meet in due course in the chapter ‘Extraordinary Science’.

Currently, the interpretation of the Emergent Behavior of the Mastication system in dentistry is performed only by analysing the voluntary valley response, through electromyographic recordings ‘EMG interference pattern’, and radiographic and axographic tests (replicators of mandibular movements). These can only be considered descriptive tests.

The paradigm of gnathological descriptive tests faced a crisis years ago: despite an attempt to reorder the various axioms, schools of thought, and clinical-experimental strictness in the field of Temporomandibular Disorders (through the realization of a protocol called "Research Diagnostic Criteria" RDC/TMDs), this paradigm has not yet come to be accepted because of the scientific-clinical incompleteness of the procedure itself. It deserves, however, a particular reference to the RDC/TMD, at least for the commitment that was carried out by the authors and, at the same time, to scroll the limits.

The RDC/TMD protocol was designed and initialized to avoid the loss of ‘standardized diagnostic criteria’ and evaluate a diagnostic standardization of empirical data at disposition. This protocol was supported by the National Institute for Dental Research (NIDR) and conducted at the University of Washington and the Group Health Corporative of Puget Sound, Seattle, Washington. Samuel F. Dworkin, M. Von Korff, and L. LeResche were the main investigators.

To arrive at the formulation of the protocol of the ‘RDC’, a review of the literature of diagnostic methods in rehabilitative dentistry and TMDs, and subjected to validation and reproducibility, has been made. Taxonomic systems were taken into account by Farrar (1972), Eversole and Machado (1985), Bell (1986), Fricton (1989), American Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders (AACD) (1990), Talley (1990), Bergamini and Prayer-Galletti (1990), Truelove (1992), and compared them by granting them to a set of assessment criteria. The evaluation criteria were split into two categories that involve methodological considerations and clinical considerations.

The end of the research came to the elimination, due to a lack of scientific and clinical validation, of a series of instrumental diagnostic methodologies like interferential electromyography (EMG Interference Pattern), Pantography, X-ray diagnostics, etc. These will be described in more detail in the next editions of Masticationpedia. This first target was, therefore, the scientific request of an "objective data"' and not generated by opinions, schools of thought or subjective evaluations of the phenomenon’. During the Workshop of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) of 2008, preliminary results of the RDC/TMDs were presented in the endeavour to validate the project.

The conclusion was that, to achieve a review and simultaneous validation of [RDC/TMD], it is essential that the tests should be able to make a differential diagnosis between TMD patients with pain and subjects without pain, and above all, discriminate against patients with TMD pain from patients with orofacial pain without TMD.

This last article, reconsidering pain as an essential symptom for the clinical interpretation, puts all the neurophysiological phenomenology in the game, not just this. To move more easily at ease in this medical branch, a different scientific-clinical approach is required, one that widens the horizons of competence in fields such as bioengineering and neurobiology.

It is, therefore, essential to focus attention on how to take trigeminal electrophysiological signals in response to a series of triggers evoked by an electrophysiological device, treating data and determining an organic-functional value of the trigeminal and masticatory systems as anticipated by Marom Bikson and coll. in their «Electrical stimulation of cranial nerves in cognition and disease».

We should think of a system that unifies the mastication and neurophysiological functions by introducing a new term: "Neuro-Gnathological Functions"
which will be the object of a dedicated chapter.

Bibliography & references

Masticationpedia is a charity, a not-for-profit organization operating in dentistry medical research,
particularly focusing on the field of the neurophysiology of the masticatory system
 

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