Mapping language from MEG beta power modulations during auditory and visual naming

Electroencephalography neurofeedback (EEG-NFB) training can induce changes in the power of targeted EEG bands. The objective of this study is to enhance and evaluate the specific changes of EEG power spectral density that the brain-machine interface (BMI) users can reliably generate for power augmentation through EEG-NFB training. First, we constructed an EEG-NFB training system for power augmentation. Then, three subjects were assigned to three NFB training stages, based on a 6-day consecutive training session as one stage. The subjects received real-time feedback from their EEG signals by a robotic arm while conducting flexion and extension movement with their elbow and shoulder joints, respectively. EEG signals were compared with each NFB training stage. The training results showed that EEG beta (12–40 Hz) power increased after the NFB training for both the elbow and the shoulder joints’ movements. EEG beta power showed sustained improvements during the 3-stage training, which revealed that even the short-term training could improve EEG signals significantly. Moreover, the training effect of the shoulder joints was more obvious than that of the elbow joints. These results suggest that NFB training can improve EEG signals and clarify the specific EEG changes during the movement. Our results may even provide insights into how the neural effects of NFB can be better applied to the BMI power augmentation system and improve the performance of healthy individuals.

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Cochlear activity in silent cue-target intervals shows a theta-rhythmic pattern and is correlated to attentional alpha and theta modulations

BMC Biology ◽

10.1186/s12915-021-00992-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Moritz Herbert Albrecht Köhler ◽

Gianpaolo Demarchi ◽

Nathan Weisz

Keyword(s):

Selective Attention ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Attentional Focus ◽

Theta Activity ◽

Superior Olivary Complex ◽

Rhythmic Pattern ◽

Auditory Input ◽

Auditory Selective Attention ◽

Beta Power ◽

Cortical Regions

AbstractBackgroundA long-standing debate concerns where in the processing hierarchy of the central nervous system (CNS) selective attention takes effect. In the auditory system, cochlear processes can be influenced via direct and mediated (by the inferior colliculus) projections from the auditory cortex to the superior olivary complex (SOC). Studies illustrating attentional modulations of cochlear responses have so far been limited to sound-evoked responses. The aim of the present study is to investigate intermodal (audiovisual) selective attention in humans simultaneously at the cortical and cochlear level during a stimulus-free cue-target interval.ResultsWe found that cochlear activity in the silent cue-target intervals was modulated by a theta-rhythmic pattern (~ 6 Hz). While this pattern was present independently of attentional focus, cochlear theta activity was clearly enhanced when attending to the upcoming auditory input. On a cortical level, classical posterior alpha and beta power enhancements were found during auditory selective attention. Interestingly, participants with a stronger release of inhibition in auditory brain regions show a stronger attentional modulation of cochlear theta activity.ConclusionsThese results hint at a putative theta-rhythmic sampling of auditory input at the cochlear level. Furthermore, our results point to an interindividual variable engagement of efferent pathways in an attentional context that are linked to processes within and beyond processes in auditory cortical regions.

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Alpha/beta power decreases during episodic memory formation predict the magnitude of alpha/beta power decreases during subsequent retrieval

Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2021.107755 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 153 ◽

pp. 107755

Author(s):

Benjamin J. Griffiths ◽

María Carmen Martín-Buro ◽

Bernhard P. Staresina ◽

Simon Hanslmayr ◽

Tobias Staudigl

Keyword(s):

Episodic Memory ◽

Memory Formation ◽

Beta Power ◽

Alpha Beta

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Neurophysiological and behavioural effects of conventional and high definition tDCS

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87371-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fabio Masina ◽

Giorgio Arcara ◽

Eleonora Galletti ◽

Isabella Cinque ◽

Luciano Gamberini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Response Times ◽

Power Reduction ◽

Alpha Power ◽

High Definition ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

State Dependency ◽

Mixed Effect Models ◽

Beta Power ◽

Neurophysiological Data ◽

Spectrum Density

AbstractHigh-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) seems to overcome a drawback of traditional bipolar tDCS: the wide-spread diffusion of the electric field. Nevertheless, most of the differences that characterise the two techniques are based on mathematical simulations and not on real, behavioural and neurophysiological, data. The study aims to compare a widespread tDCS montage (i.e., a Conventional bipolar montage with extracephalic return electrode) and HD-tDCS, investigating differences both at a behavioural level, in terms of dexterity performance, and a neurophysiological level, as modifications of alpha and beta power as measured with EEG. Thirty participants took part in three sessions, one for each montage: Conventional tDCS, HD-tDCS, and sham. In all the conditions, the anode was placed over C4, while the cathode/s placed according to the montage. At baseline, during, and after each stimulation condition, dexterity was assessed with a Finger Tapping Task. In addition, resting-state EEG was recorded at baseline and after the stimulation. Power spectrum density was calculated, selecting two frequency bands: alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (18–22 Hz). Linear mixed effect models (LMMs) were used to analyse the modulation induced by tDCS. To evaluate differences among the montages and consider state-dependency phenomenon, the post-stimulation measurements were covariate-adjusted for baseline levels. We observed that HD-tDCS induced an alpha power reduction in participants with lower alpha at baseline. Conversely, Conventional tDCS induced a beta power reduction in participants with higher beta at baseline. Furthermore, data showed a trend towards a behavioural effect of HD-tDCS in participants with lower beta at baseline showing faster response times. Conventional and HD-tDCS distinctively modulated cortical activity. The study highlights the importance of considering state-dependency to determine the effects of tDCS on individuals.

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The impact of body posture on intrinsic brain activity: The role of beta power at rest

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0218977 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. e0218977

Author(s):

Brunella Donno ◽

Daniele Migliorati ◽

Filippo Zappasodi ◽

Mauro Gianni Perrucci ◽

Marcello Costantini

Keyword(s):

Brain Activity ◽

Body Posture ◽

Beta Power ◽

Intrinsic Brain Activity ◽

The Impact

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Longitudinal Recordings Reveal Transient Increase of Alpha/Low-Beta Power in the Subthalamic Nucleus Associated With the Onset of Parkinsonian Rest Tremor

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2019.00145 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jan Hirschmann ◽

Omid Abbasi ◽

Lena Storzer ◽

Markus Butz ◽

Christian J. Hartmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Subthalamic Nucleus ◽

Transient Increase ◽

Rest Tremor ◽

Beta Power

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Neural Correlates of Mathematical Problem Solving

International Journal of Neural Systems ◽

10.1142/s0129065715500045 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (02) ◽

pp. 1550004 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Chun-Ling Lin ◽

Melody Jung ◽

Ying Choon Wu ◽

Hsiao-Ching She ◽

Tzyy-Ping Jung

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Spectral Power ◽

Mathematical Problem ◽

Neural Correlates ◽

Mathematical Problem Solving ◽

Single Digit ◽

Beta Power ◽

First Time ◽

Anterior Posterior ◽

Arithmetical Problem Solving

This study explores electroencephalography (EEG) brain dynamics associated with mathematical problem solving. EEG and solution latencies (SLs) were recorded as 11 neurologically healthy volunteers worked on intellectually challenging math puzzles that involved combining four single-digit numbers through basic arithmetic operators (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication) to create an arithmetic expression equaling 24. Estimates of EEG spectral power were computed in three frequency bands — θ (4–7 Hz), α (8–13 Hz) and β (14–30 Hz) — over a widely distributed montage of scalp electrode sites. The magnitude of power estimates was found to change in a linear fashion with SLs — that is, relative to a base of power spectrum, theta power increased with longer SLs, while alpha and beta power tended to decrease. Further, the topographic distribution of spectral fluctuations was characterized by more pronounced asymmetries along the left–right and anterior–posterior axes for solutions that involved a longer search phase. These findings reveal for the first time the topography and dynamics of EEG spectral activities important for sustained solution search during arithmetical problem solving.

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