The EEG Signature of Emotionally Gifted- Hypermirroring Children- The mu-Rhythm, the Mirroring Frequency of the Brain?

Studying human infants will increase our understanding of the nature, origins and function of neural mirroring mechanisms. Human infants are prolific imitators. Infant imitation indicates observation–execution linkages in the brain prior to language and protracted learning. Investigations of neural aspects of these linkages in human infants have focused on the sensorimotor mu rhythm in the electroencephalogram, which occurs in the alpha frequency range over central electrode sites. Recent results show that the infant mu rhythm is desynchronized during action execution as well as action observation. Current work is elucidating properties of the infant mu rhythm and how it may relate to prelinguistic action processing and social understanding. Here, we consider this neuroscience research in relation to developmental psychological theory, particularly the ‘Like-Me’ framework, which holds that one of the chief cognitive tasks of the human infant is to map the similarity between self and other. We elucidate the value of integrating neuroscience findings with behavioural studies of infant imitation, and the reciprocal benefit of examining mirroring mechanisms from an ontogenetic perspective.

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Pinging the Brain with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reveals Cortical Reactivity in Time and Space

10.1101/2019.12.18.880989 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sangtae Ahn ◽

Flavio Fröhlich

Keyword(s):

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Target Location ◽

Single Pulse ◽

Corticospinal Excitability ◽

Mu Rhythm ◽

Time And Space ◽

Mechanistic Investigation ◽

The Brain

AbstractSingle-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) elicits an evoked electroencephalography (EEG) potential (TMS-evoked potential, TEP), which is interpreted as direct evidence of cortical reactivity to TMS. Thus, combining TMS with EEG may enable the mechanistic investigation of how TMS treatment paradigms engage network targets in the brain. However, there remains a central controversy about whether the TEP is a genuine marker of cortical reactivity to TMS or the TEP is contaminated by responses to peripheral somatosensory and auditory inputs. Resolving this controversy is of great significance for the field and will validate TMS as a tool to probe networks of interest in cognitive and clinical neuroscience. Here, we delineated the TEP’s cortical origins by localizing successive TEP components in time and space and modulating them subsequently with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We collected both motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and TEPs elicited by suprathreshold single-pulse TMS to the left primary motor cortex (M1). We found that the earliest TEP component (P25) was localized on the TMS target location (left M1) and the following TEP components (N45 and P60) largely were localized on the primary somatosensory cortex, which may reflect afferent input by hand-muscle twitches. The later TEP components (N100, P180, and N280) largely were localized to the auditory cortex. To casually test that these components reflect cortical and corticospinal excitability, we applied tDCS to the left M1. As hypothesized, we found that tDCS modulated cortical and corticospinal excitability selectively by modulating the pre-stimulus mu-rhythm oscillatory power. Together, our findings provide causal evidence that the early TEP components reflect cortical reactivity to TMS.

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PECULIARITIES OF EEG DIAGNOSTICS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Ulyanovsk Medico-biological Journal ◽

10.34014/2227-1848-2021-2-69-82 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 69-82

Author(s):

D.I. Chizh ◽

E.V. Petrova ◽

V.S. Muzhikov ◽

E.N. Obedkina

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Rett Syndrome ◽

Mirror Neurons ◽

Alpha Rhythm ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Mu Rhythm ◽

Brain Functioning ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Autistic Disorders ◽

The Brain

Autism spectrum disorders are now occupying an increasingly large niche among childhood diseases and, according to some experts, have the potential to become a pandemic. Unlike many other disorders, autism spectrum disorders do not have a clear, unified mechanism, either at the cellular, molecular or structural levels. Currently, much literature is devoted to this topic, but there is no scientific consensus about the true reason. Despite a similar clinical picture, the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of these disorders can be different: from dysontogenesis and genetic mutations to exogenous factors. This article presents EEG patterns for various phenotypes and causes of autistic disorders. The functional variability of the brain functioning at different stages of the disease is observed. Theta rhythm (long-lasting and correlating with regression periods) dominates in the EEG picture of autistic disorders in Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome and atypical childhood psychosis. This fact makes it possible to assume that the pattern is peculiar to severe autistic disorders. In case of mild autism spectrum disorders or during remission, the beta-rhythm index and the sensorimotor rhythm increase. The alpha rhythm is often abnormal and falls off the age norms in frequency characteristics. Alpha rhythm indicates a favorable prognosis for patients with autism spectrum disorders. The functional variability of the brain functioning at different disease stages was observed. Keywords: autism spectrum disorders, autism, EEG, Kanner's syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, Rett syndrome, infantile psychosis, atypical autism, mirror neurons, mu rhythm. Расстройства аутистического спектра в настоящее время занимают все большую нишу в структуре детских заболеваний и, по мнению некоторых специалистов, принимают масштабы эпидемии. В отличие от многих других известных расстройств расстройства аутистического спектра не имеют четкого единого механизма ни на клеточном, ни на молекулярном, ни на структурном уровнях. В настоящее время имеется большое количество работ, посвященных данной теме, но ученые так и не пришли к единому мнению об истинной причине. Несмотря на схожую клиническую картину этиопатогенетические механизмы развития данных расстройств могут быть различными: от явлений дизонтогенеза и генетических мутаций до влияния экзогенных факторов. В данной статье представлены ЭЭГ-паттерны при различных фенотипах и причинах возникновения аутистических расстройств. Прослежена функциональная изменчивость работы мозга в различные стадии заболевания. В ЭЭГ-картине аутистических нарушений при синдроме Мартна – Белла, синдроме Ретта и атипичном детском психозе преобладает тета-ритм, как длительно, так и во взаимосвязи с периодами регресса, что дает возможность предполагать, что данный паттерн присущ тяжелым аутистическим расстройствам. При более легких расстройствах аутистического спектра или в периоды ремиссии увеличивается индекс бета-ритма, наблюдается нарастание сенсомоторного ритма. Альфа-ритм зачастую носит нерегулярный характер и несколько отстает по частотных характеристикам от возрастных норм. Наличие альфа-ритма свидетельствует о благоприятном прогнозе у пациентов с РАС. Прослежена функциональная изменчивость работы мозга в различные стадии заболевания. Ключевые слова: расстройства аутистического спектра, аутизм, ЭЭГ, синдром Каннера, синдром Аспергера, синдром Ретта, инфантильный психоз, атипичный аутизм, зеркальные нейроны, мю-ритм.

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METHODS FOR CORRECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM BASED ON BIOLOGICAL FEEDBACK BY EEG

Scientific Notes of V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University. Biology. Chemistry ◽

10.37279/2413-1725-2021-7-1-124-140 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (73) (1) ◽

pp. 124-140

Author(s):

D. V. Pavlenko ◽

E. N. Chuyan ◽

V. B. Pavlenko

Keyword(s):

Brain Connectivity ◽

Genetic Disorders ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

World Health ◽

Synaptic Organization ◽

Mu Rhythm ◽

And Migration ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Brain

The article provides an overview of scientific works devoted to methods of correcting the development of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) based on EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback). According to the World Health Organization, one in 160 children are currently diagnosed with ASD. In 2018, about 0.1 % of the child population in Russia suffered from autism. Moreover, the incidence of the disease is increasing every year. Genetic disorders are the most likely cause of ASD. Dysfunctions of 69 genes are highly likely to cause ASD. Most of these genes are pleiotropic. They affect the proliferation, differentiation and migration of nerve cells, the growth of axons and synaptogenesis, the synthesis of neurotransmitters and the development of receptors for them. Several genes involved in the development of ASD undergo epigenetic modifications under the influence of the environment and pathogens. The key in the onset of ASD is probably a violation of the synaptic pruning process. Pruning is necessary to reduce redundant connections and improve the efficiency of the central nervous system. Based on this, the researchers put forward a hypothesis explaining the symptoms of ASD as a result of a violation of structural and functional brain connectivity. Such disturbances are likely to cause abnormalities in the functioning of the brain mirror system (BMS). Disorders of the synaptic organization of the brain correlate with indicators of cognitive, emotional and behavioral tests, EEG characteristics. The study of phase coherence in several EEG frequency ranges demonstrated the presence of global hypo- and local hyper-connectivity in patients with ASD. The absence of suppression or desynchronization of the mu rhythm may indicate a malfunction of the BMS. The child’s brain is highly plastic. Therefore, early corrective intervention can improve the developmental outcomes of a child with ASD. Modern research demonstrates the possibility of effective application of neurofeedback for the correction of the disease. One of the strategies is the use of neurofeedback trainings to reduce anxiety in children with ASD. Another strategy is aimed at regulating the coherence of EEG signals. Researchers consider the most promising strategy for learning mu rhythm modulation using neurofeedback. This neurofeedback protocol affects the functioning of the BMS. According to the research results, after the neurofeedback trainings, the normalization of the functional cerebral connectivity according to the mu rhythm was established. Further research in this direction can become the basis for the most effective methods of treating ASD.

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Tangible User Interface and Mu Rhythm Suppression: The Effect of User Interface on the Brain Activity in Its Operator and Observer

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app7040347 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 347 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kazuo Isoda ◽

Kana Sueyoshi ◽

Ryo Miyamoto ◽

Yuki Nishimura ◽

Yuki Ikeda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

User Interface ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Tangible User Interface ◽

Mu Rhythm ◽

The Brain

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THE ACTIVITY OF THE MIRROR SYSTEM OF THE BRAIN DURING THE PERCEPTION OF SPEECH AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEVEL OF INTELLIGENCE AND EMPATHY

Scientific Notes of V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University. Biology. Chemistry ◽

10.37279/2413-1725-2021-7-1-156-168 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (73) (1) ◽

pp. 156-168

Author(s):

A. A. Portugalskaia ◽

G. Ja. Levenchik ◽

V. B. Pavlenko

Keyword(s):

Mirror Neurons ◽

Alpha Rhythm ◽

Hand Movements ◽

Mu Rhythm ◽

Computer Mouse ◽

Central Regions ◽

Eeg Changes ◽

Cortical Regions ◽

High Level ◽

The Brain

Previously, researchers hypothesized that the emergence of a system of mirror neurons (MNS) in the process of evolution could be a key mechanism that ensured the appearance of speech in humans. The aim of this work was to establish a relationship between the activity of the MNS in the perception of speech messages, indicators of intelligence and empathy. 25 healthy men and women (18–35 years old) were test subjects. We found that when observing hand movements with a computer mouse on a monitor screen and performing such movements independently, the power of EEG mu- and tau rhythms in the central and temporal cortical regions decreased in subjects. Based on this, we consider it probable that a certain contribution to the dynamics of neocortex activity in this situation is made by the activation of neurons in the MNS. Upon presentation of speech utterances to the research participants, the EEG amplitude changed, including in the range of the alpha rhythm. The most pronounced EEG changes developed 0.3–0.5 s after the end of the keywords. The processing of information during the perception of the phrase “I raise my hands and raise my head” in most of the subjects was reflected in the desynchronization of the indicated rhythm. The perception of the absurd phrase «I run around my hands and run around my head» was often accompanied by an increase in EEG oscillations in the range of the alpha rhythm. The perception of such a phrase, including the awareness of its contradiction to common sense, apparently caused stress in memory processes with an attempt to actively inhibit irrelevant information. These processes probably led to an increase in the amplitude of mu and tau rhythms in the central and temporal regions of the neocortex. The subjects with the highest IQs showed the greatest activation of the mu-rhythm when perceiving the correct phrase. When an absurd phrase was perceived, the greatest desynchronization in the central regions of the neocortex developed in subjects with high indices of various dimensions of empathy. Probably people with a high level of empathy, i.e. with a good development of emotional intelligence, they more easily and quickly realized the absurdity of the specified phrase. We consider the obtained results as evidence of the participation of MNS in the perception and awareness of speech messages describing a person’s physical actions.

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Neural Oscillation Associated with Contagious Itch in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11040438 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 438

Author(s):

In-Seon Lee ◽

Kyuseok Kim ◽

Hi-Joon Park ◽

Hyangsook Lee ◽

Won-Mo Jung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Frequency Analysis ◽

Mu Rhythm ◽

Major Health ◽

Time Frequency Analysis ◽

Time Frequency ◽

The Brain ◽

Neurophysiological Basis ◽

Insight Into ◽

Increased Susceptibility

Objective: Itch is an unpleasant sensation associated with an urge to scratch and is a major health care issue associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Contagious itch, i.e., subjective feelings of itchiness induced by watching others’ scratching behavior, is common in patients with AD. Using electroencephalography, we examined alpha (8–13 Hz) oscillations in sensorimotor areas associated with the desire to scratch in patients with AD. Methods: Thirty-six patients with AD and 34 healthy controls (HCs) participated in this study. They evaluated their itch levels after watching short videos of a model scratching or tapping parts of his body. Neural oscillations were recorded from nine electrodes, including those placed over sensorimotor areas. Time–frequency analysis was used to compare mu rhythm suppression over the sensorimotor areas in response to these videos between patients with AD and HCs. Results: The behavioral test showed that the visual stimuli induced increased feelings of itchiness in patients with AD relative to HCs under the tapping and scratching conditions. The time–frequency analysis revealed that mu rhythm suppression in response to scratching images was significantly prominent in patients with AD, but not in HCs. Conclusion: Patients with AD exhibited increased susceptibility to contagious itch. This phenomenon might be related to enhanced mu rhythm suppression in sensorimotor areas of the brain in these patients. Our findings provide new insight into the neurophysiological basis of itch sensations in patients with AD.

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