scholarly journals Extreme precision in rhythmic interaction is enabled by role-optimized sensorimotor coupling: analysis and modelling of West African drum ensemble music

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1835) ◽  
pp. 20200331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nori Jacoby ◽  
Rainer Polak ◽  
Justin London

Human social interactions often involve carefully synchronized behaviours. Musical performance in particular features precise timing and depends on the differentiation and coordination of musical/social roles. Here, we study the influence of musical/social roles, individual musicians and different ensembles on rhythmic synchronization in Malian drum ensemble music, which features synchronization accuracy near the limits of human performance. We analysed 72 recordings of the same piece performed by four trios, in which two drummers in each trio systematically switched roles (lead versus accompaniment). Musical role, rather than individual or group differences, is the main factor influencing synchronization accuracy. Using linear causal modelling, we found a consistent pattern of bi-directional couplings between players, in which the direction and strength of rhythmic adaptation is asymmetrically distributed across musical roles. This differs from notions of musical leadership, which assume that ensemble synchronization relies predominantly on a single dominant personality and/or musical role. We then ran simulations that varied the direction and strength of sensorimotor coupling and found that the coupling pattern used by the Malian musicians affords nearly optimal synchronization. More broadly, our study showcases the importance of ecologically valid and culturally diverse studies of human behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Synchrony and rhythm interaction: from the brain to behavioural ecology’.

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan C. Ipser ◽  
Gregory G. Brown ◽  
Amanda Bischoff-Grethe ◽  
Colm G. Connolly ◽  
Ronald J. Ellis ◽  
...  

AbstractHIV-associated cognitive impairments are prevalent, and are consistent with injury to both frontal cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. The current study aimed to assess the association of HIV infection with functional connections within the frontostriatal network, circuitry hypothesized to be highly vulnerable to HIV infection. Fifteen HIV-positive and 15 demographically matched control participants underwent 6 min of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI). Multivariate group comparisons of age-adjusted estimates of connectivity within the frontostriatal network were derived from BOLD data for dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), dorsal caudate and mediodorsal thalamic regions of interest. Whole-brain comparisons of group differences in frontostriatal connectivity were conducted, as were pairwise tests of connectivity associations with measures of global cognitive functioning and clinical and immunological characteristics (nadir and current CD4 count, duration of HIV infection, plasma HIV RNA). HIV – associated reductions in connectivity were observed between the DLPFC and the dorsal caudate, particularly in younger participants (<50 years, N=9). Seropositive participants also demonstrated reductions in dorsal caudate connectivity to frontal and parietal brain regions previously demonstrated to be functionally connected to the DLPFC. Cognitive impairment, but none of the assessed clinical/immunological variables, was also associated with reduced frontostriatal connectivity. In conclusion, our data indicate that HIV is associated with attenuated intrinsic frontostriatal connectivity. Intrinsic connectivity of this network may therefore serve as a marker of the deleterious effects of HIV infection on the brain, possibly via HIV-associated dopaminergic abnormalities. These findings warrant independent replication in larger studies. (JINS, 2015, 21, 1–11)


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-91
Author(s):  
Jean Small

Theatre Pedagogy holds that cognition is body-based. Through performance the body’s unconscious procedural memory learns. This information learned through repeated interaction with the world is transmitted to the brain where it becomes conscious knowledge. Theatre Pedagogy in this case study is based on the implementation of a Caribbean cultural art form in performance, in order to teach Francophone language and literature at the postsecondary level in Jamaica. This paper describes the experience of “doing theatre” with seven university students to learn the French language and literature based on an adaptation of two of Birago Diop’s folktales. In the process of learning and performing the plays, the students also understood some of the West African cultural universals of life which cut across the lives of learners in their own and in foreign cultural contexts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s249-s249
Author(s):  
F. Pastoriza ◽  
L. Galindo ◽  
A. Mané ◽  
D. Bergé ◽  
N. Pujol ◽  
...  

ObjectiveExplore the basis of cortical morphometry in patients with schizophrenia and non-affected siblings by Magnetic Resonance Structural analyzing cortical thickness.MethodsTwenty-nine patients with schizophrenia treated with atypical antipsychotics and clinically stable in the last 6 months were recruited. Twenty-three not affected siblings of patients with schizophrenia and 37 healthy volunteers were recruited. Magnetic Resonance Structural was performed. FreeSurfer the brain imaging software package for analysis of Cortical Thickness is used. In the analysis of group differences in cortical thickness (CT) with the general linear model (GLM), the P-value was established in 0003 following the Bonferroni correction to control for multiple comparisons (seven regions of interest a priori in each hemisphere).ResultsSignificant differences in cortical thickness between patients and healthy controls. Differences between groups were calculated by general linear model (GLM) with age and sex as covairables (Table 1).ConclusionsIn applying the correction for multiple comparisons, differences in bilateral-lateral orbitofrontal, medial orbitofrontal-right and left temporal transverse frontal cortex are significant. Our study replicates previous findings and provides further evidence of abnormalities in the cerebral cortex, particularly in the frontal and temporal regions, being characteristic of schizophrenia.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.AcknowledgementsL. Galindo is a Rio-Hortega-fellowship-(ISC-III; CM14/00111).


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Perna ◽  
Jessica Temple

Background. Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes have different pathophysiologies and possibly different long-term cerebral and functional implications. Hemorrhagic strokes expose the brain to irritating effects of blood and ischemic strokes reflect localized or diffuse cerebral vascular pathology.Methods. Participants were individuals who suffered either an ischemic (n=172) or hemorrhagic stroke (n=112) within the past six months and were involved in a postacute neurorehabilitation program. Participants completed three months of postacute neurorehabilitation and the Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 (MPAI-4) at admission and discharge. Admission MPAI-4 scores and level of functioning were comparable.Results. Group ANOVA comparisons show no significant group differences at admission or discharge or difference in change scores. Both groups showed considerably reduced levels of productivity/employment after discharge as compared to preinjury levels.Conclusions. Though the pathophysiology of these types of strokes is different, both ultimately result in ischemic injuries, possibly accounting for lack of findings of differences between groups. In the present study, participants in both groups experienced similar functional levels across all three MPAI-4 domains both at admission and discharge. Limitations of this study include a highly educated sample and few outcome measures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 3380-3389
Author(s):  
Timothy J Andrews ◽  
Ryan K Smith ◽  
Richard L Hoggart ◽  
Philip I N Ulrich ◽  
Andre D Gouws

Abstract Individuals from different social groups interpret the world in different ways. This study explores the neural basis of these group differences using a paradigm that simulates natural viewing conditions. Our aim was to determine if group differences could be found in sensory regions involved in the perception of the world or were evident in higher-level regions that are important for the interpretation of sensory information. We measured brain responses from 2 groups of football supporters, while they watched a video of matches between their teams. The time-course of response was then compared between individuals supporting the same (within-group) or the different (between-group) team. We found high intersubject correlations in low-level and high-level regions of the visual brain. However, these regions of the brain did not show any group differences. Regions that showed higher correlations for individuals from the same group were found in a network of frontal and subcortical brain regions. The interplay between these regions suggests a range of cognitive processes from motor control to social cognition and reward are important in the establishment of social groups. These results suggest that group differences are primarily reflected in regions involved in the evaluation and interpretation of the sensory input.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-367
Author(s):  
N.V. Zhaboedova ◽  
A.A. Khodakovsky

In the article, on the model of subarachnoid hemorrhage, some biochemical aspects of the cerebroprotective effect of an industrial sample of an ampoule 1.0% solution of ademol are disclosed, namely its effect on carbohydrate and energy metabolism, the state of antioxidant systems, the activity of lipoperoxidation processes, and the functioning of the L-arginine / NO system in rat brain as possible metabolitotropic components of its protective effect on brain neurons. Severe subarachnoid hemorrhage was created under conditions of propofol anesthesia by injection of heparinized autologous blood (0.1 ml / kg volume) through a catheter located in the subarachnoid space. We used the Student t parametric criterion, W. White nonparametric criterion, Ť Wilcoxon paired criterion — to determine significant changes in the dynamics within the group. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Using the example of the acute period of subarachnoid hemorrhage, it was established that ademol is able to eliminate brain energy deficiency (increase the content of adenosine triphosphoric acid and pyruvate in the brain while increasing the energy charge relative to the control pathology samples by an average of 45.1, 42.9 and 22.0%, p<0.05) reduce lactic acidosis (reduce the lactate content by 31.9%, p<0.05), eliminate the manifestations of oxidative stress (reduce the level of malondialdehyde and carbonyl groups of proteins on average by 30.5 and 18.8%, against the background of an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase by 42.1, 25.2 and 37.6%, respectively, p<0.05), simulate the exchange of nitric monoxide (increase the activity of NO synthase with a simultaneous increase in the content of NO L-arginine donor on average by 14.0 and 44.0%, respectively, p<0.05). In these properties, ademol significantly exceeded the effectiveness of solutions of amantadine and magnesium sulfate.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake L Rosenbaum ◽  
Nicole A Chiota-McCollum ◽  
Claire McKinley ◽  
Julia K Krupa ◽  
James F Meschia ◽  
...  

Background: The risk for intracranial (IA) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is partially heritable, with evidence mounting in favor of shared genetic risk for both. Methods: The Brain and Aortic Aneurysm Study (BAAS, NCT#17341) at University of Virginia seeks to determine the coprevalence of IA and AAA recruiting patients presenting with an aneurysm at one site and screening for aneurysm at the other. Participants undergo genetic screening and an interview where clinical, demographic, and radiographic data are collected. Recruitment and screening are ongoing, so preliminary demographic data regarding between group differences (IA vs. AAA) are presented. All clinical and demographic data were collected and recorded in REDCap and exported to Excel. We compared a total of 256 participants (IA=164, AAA=92) for demographic factors: age, sex, smoking and past medical history. Results: The AAA cohort was older (70.98 vs. 58.51, p<.001) and more male (79.34% vs. 23.78% p<.001). The AAA cohort had a higher proportion with diabetes mellitus (28.26% vs. 15.24%, p=.012), with hyperlipidemia (67.39% vs. 44.51%, p<.001) and higher smoking pack years (44.07 vs. 17.85, p<.001). The two groups did not differ in proportion with hypertension, coronary artery disease, or peripheral vascular disease (all p>.05). Conclusions: These data suggest that there may be subtle differences in the clinical profile of patients presenting with IA and AAA, especially when considering known aneurysmal risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and smoking history. Further analyses will consider whether these factors modulate the coprevalence of the two types of aneurysms.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Miskovic ◽  
Louis A. Schmidt ◽  
Katholiki Georgiades ◽  
Michael Boyle ◽  
Harriet L. Macmillan

AbstractAlthough the relation between child maltreatment and psychiatric impairment is well documented and preliminary evidence has linked child maltreatment with aberrant cortical connectivity of the left hemisphere, no investigations have attempted to examine these relations in the same study. Here, we examined the links among early adversity, brain connectivity, and functional outcomes. We collected resting regional EEG intra- and interhemispheric α-band (7.5–12.5 Hz) coherence and measures of general psychiatric impairment from a cohort of 38 adolescent females exposed to child maltreatment (Mage = 14.47) and 24 adolescent females not exposed to child maltreatment (Mage = 14.00). Maltreated youths exhibited more left hemisphere EEG coherence than the control youths, suggesting a suboptimal organization of cortical networks. Maltreated participants also showed reduced frontal (anterior) interhemispheric coherence. These differences in brain circuitry remained statistically significant even after controlling for group differences in pubertal status and socioeconomic status. Measures of functional brain connectivity were associated with several subtypes of abuse and neglect. It was important that atypical left hemisphere EEG coherencemediatedthe effects of child maltreatment on levels of psychiatric impairment. The findings are discussed in the context of models linking early adversity to brain function and psychopathology.


2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (6) ◽  
pp. 500-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélie M. Achim ◽  
Martin Lepage

BackgroundNumerous studies have examined the neural correlates of episodic memory deficits in schizophrenia, yielding both consistencies and discrepancies in the reported patterns of results.AimsTo identify in schizophrenia the brain regions in which activity is consistently abnormal across imaging studies of memory.MethodData from 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were combined using a recently developed quantitative meta-analytic approach.ResultsRegions of consistent differential activation between groups were observed in the left inferior prefrontal cortex, medial temporal cortex bilaterally, left cerebellum, and in other prefrontal and temporal lobe regions. Subsequent analyses explored memory encoding and retrieval separately and identified between-group differences in specific prefrontal and medial temporal lobe regions.ConclusionsBeneath the apparent heterogeneity of published findings on schizophrenia and memory, a consistent and robust pattern of group differences is observed as a function of memory processes.


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