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Non-pharmacological methods for influencing memory consolidation during sleep
Němcová, Monika ; Kopřivová, Jana (advisor) ; Honc, Ondřej (referee)
Sleep plays vital role in many physiological processes of the human body, including the consolidation of memory. The beneficial effects of sleep on memory consolidation have long been known, but only in the last two decades the knowledge of the relationship between sleep and memory has been used to develop interventions to improve memory consolidation during sleep. Two of these approaches are the focus of this work: closed-loop auditory stimulation (CLAS) and targeted memory reactivation (TMR). They are of particular clinical interest, as they are non- pharmacological, which minimizes the risk of dependence and abuse. In addition, they do not impose exogenous force fields on the brain and are, therefore, considered safer than other similar interventions. The aim of this work is to describe CLAS and TMR in detail, to investigate which factors influence their efficacy, and to discuss their clinical potential in the treatment of memory- related disorders.
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Creating snoezelen room for pupils with severe mental and combined disabilities
Hůrková, Lucie ; Volemanová, Marja Annemiek (advisor) ; Šumníková, Pavlína (referee)
The thesis deals with the creation of Snoezelen room, its characteristics and properties. He is more closely involved with the creation of snoezelen for pupils with mental and combined disabilities who are trained in special primary schools. The work describes the target group, defines the snoezelen method and describes its origin and development in our country and abroad. The main goal of the thesis is to explain to the reader how the rooms are created and what it is necessary to know before deciding to launch the snoezelen room. This information was used mainly by special teachers who operate snoezelena in facilities where they work in schools. The thesis also touches on the topic of education at special schools, methods of working with these pupils and describes types of expressive therapies, therapies, basal stimulation and sensory stimulation. The thesis also reflects the Snoezelen-MSE qualification course in theory and practice, which was the main source. The output of the thesis is a proposed room model, description of equipment and activities that are suitable for working with disadvantaged pupils.
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The effect of stress in early ontogeny on behavioural characteristics of rodents
Chumová, Petra ; Landová, Eva (advisor) ; Petrásek, Tomáš (referee)
Postnatal stress and sensory stimulation are major factors causing the acute changes in development of neuroendocrine system that can influence the expression of behavioural phenotype in adult rodents. Variability of early life environment and stress affect the development of individual through the changes of maternal care. The amount and quality of maternal care influence the function of HPA axis and stress hormone levels in pups during the hyporesponsive period, which provides them lesser vulnerability against the potential impact of stressors. This mechanism is crucial for physiological development of hippocampus, amygdale and prefrontal cortex, the brain regions that are highly important for regulation of adult behaviour. The absence of maternal care and social contact in postnatal and early weaning ontogeny are possibly the biggest stressors in rodents. While neonatal handling (brief maternal separation) has mainly positive effects on the development of emotional and cognitive abilities, prolonged and repeated maternal separation and early weaning result in stress-response alterations and long-lasting impairments in many behavioural traits mediated by the lack of maternal care. This thesis summarizes current knowledge of endocrinological and behavioural consequences of early postnatal stress...
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Effects of early-life stress on development of cognitive abilities
Lukavská, Markéta ; Landová, Eva (advisor) ; Svoboda, Jan (referee)
Stress is a major factor affecting both current and long-term performance of the organism to certain situations. Stress can hormonally influence some neuronal axis, particularly frontal lobe, hippocampus and amygdale, through the activation of HPA axis and its feedback. Changes in these regions of the brain during postnatal ontogeny can significantly affect individual behaviour and cognition. The mentioned effect of stress on cognitive functions is influenced, in particular, by the timing of the impact of stress due to postnatal ontogeny of the above mentioned regions of the brain. In addition to this timing is necessary to take into account a whole range of other factors such as predictability and the level of control above stress situations. A summary of all of these factors affects the specific impact on cognition of the individual will be a stressor. An acute or a long-term mild stress (i. e. sensory stimulation) increases the individual's cognitive abilities. On the contrary, too strong, non-predictable or uncontrollable stress has a negative effect on cognitive performance. Unfortunately, it is not easy to determine a reliable marker of the stress situation. In the postnatal period in mammals, we meet with the so-called hypo-responsive period which is characterized by stress resistance and...
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