Temporal expectation hastens decision onset but does not affect evidence quality

ABSTRACTThe ability to predict the timing of forthcoming events, known as temporal expectation, has a strong impact on human information processing. Although there is growing consensus that temporal expectations enhance the speed and accuracy of perceptual decisions, it remains unclear whether they affect the decision process itself, or non-decisional (sensory / motor) processes. Here, healthy human participants (N = 21; 18 female) used predictive auditory cues to anticipate the timing of low-contrast visual stimuli they were required to detect. Modelling of the behavioral data using a prominent sequential sampling model indicated that temporal expectations speeded up non-decisional processes but had no effect on decision formation.Electrophysiological recordings confirmed and extended this result: temporal expectations hastened the onset of a neural signature of decision formation, but had no effect on its build-up rate. Anticipatory alpha-band power was modulated by temporal expectation, and co-varied with intrinsic trial-by-trial variability in behavioral and neural signatures of the onset latency of the decision process. These findings highlight how temporal predictions optimize our interaction with unfolding sensory events.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTemporal expectation enhances performance, but the locus of this effect remains debated. Here, we contrasted the two dominant accounts: enhancement through (1) expedited decision onset, or (2) an increase in the quality of sensory evidence. We manipulated expectations about the onset of a dim visual target using a temporal cueing paradigm, and probed the locus of the expectation effect with two complementary approaches: drift diffusion modeling of behavior, and estimation of the onset and progression of the decision process from a supramodal accumulation-to-bound signal in simultaneously measured EEG signals. Behavioral modeling and neural data provided strong, converging evidence for an account in which temporal expectations enhance perception by speeding up decision onset, without affecting evidence quality.

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Spatial Attention and Temporal Expectation Exert Differential Effects on Visual and Auditory Discrimination

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn_a_01567 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (8) ◽

pp. 1562-1576 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anna Wilsch ◽

Manuel R. Mercier ◽

Jonas Obleser ◽

Charles E. Schroeder ◽

Saskia Haegens

Keyword(s):

Spatial Attention ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Spatial Information ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Stimulus Presentation ◽

Response Speed ◽

Auditory Task ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Temporal Expectation ◽

Human Participants

Anticipation of an impending stimulus shapes the state of the sensory systems, optimizing neural and behavioral responses. Here, we studied the role of brain oscillations in mediating spatial and temporal anticipations. Because spatial attention and temporal expectation are often associated with visual and auditory processing, respectively, we directly contrasted the visual and auditory modalities and asked whether these anticipatory mechanisms are similar in both domains. We recorded the magnetoencephalogram in healthy human participants performing an auditory and visual target discrimination task, in which cross-modal cues provided both temporal and spatial information with regard to upcoming stimulus presentation. Motivated by prior findings, we were specifically interested in delta (1–3 Hz) and alpha (8–13 Hz) band oscillatory state in anticipation of target presentation and their impact on task performance. Our findings support the view that spatial attention has a stronger effect in the visual domain, whereas temporal expectation effects are more prominent in the auditory domain. For the spatial attention manipulation, we found a typical pattern of alpha lateralization in the visual system, which correlated with response speed. Providing a rhythmic temporal cue led to increased postcue synchronization of low-frequency rhythms, although this effect was more broadband in nature, suggesting a general phase reset rather than frequency-specific neural entrainment. In addition, we observed delta-band synchronization with a frontal topography, which correlated with performance, especially in the auditory task. Combined, these findings suggest that spatial and temporal anticipations operate via a top–down modulation of the power and phase of low-frequency oscillations, respectively.

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Sex-related differences in response to masseteric injections of glutamate and nerve growth factor in healthy human participants

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93171-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abdelrahman M. Alhilou ◽

Akiko Shimada ◽

Camilla I. Svensson ◽

Peter Svensson ◽

Malin Ernberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nmda Receptors ◽

Nerve Fiber ◽

Masseter Muscle ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Nerve Fibers ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Neurophysiological Mechanisms ◽

Human Participants ◽

Positive Correlations

AbstractThe neurophysiological mechanisms underlying NGF-induced masseter muscle sensitization and sex-related differences in its effect are not well understood in humans. Therefore, this longitudinal cohort study aimed to investigate the effect of NGF injection on the density and expression of substance P, NMDA-receptors and NGF by the nerve fibers in the human masseter muscle, to correlate expression with pain characteristics, and to determine any possible sex-related differences in these effects of NGF. The magnitude of NGF-induced mechanical sensitization and pain during oral function was significantly greater in women than in men (P < 0.050). Significant positive correlations were found between nerve fiber expression of NMDA-receptors and peak pain intensity (rs = 0.620, P = 0.048), and expression of NMDA-receptors by putative nociceptors and change in temporal summation pain after glutamate injection (rs = 0.561, P = 0.003). In women, there was a significant inverse relationship between the degree of NGF-induced mechanical sensitization and the change in nerve fiber expression of NMDA-receptors alone (rs = − 0.659, P = 0.013), and in combination with NGF (rs = − 0.764, P = 0.001). In conclusion, women displayed a greater magnitude of NGF-induced mechanical sensitization that also was associated with nerve fibers expression of NMDA-receptors, when compared to men. The present findings suggest that, in women, increased peripheral NMDA-receptor expression could be associated with masseter muscle pain sensitivity.

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Decoupling countermands nonselective response inhibition during selective stopping

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00495.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Corey George Wadsley ◽

John Cirillo ◽

Arne Nieuwenhuys ◽

Winston D Byblow

Keyword(s):

Response Inhibition ◽

Interference Effect ◽

Complex Form ◽

Functional Coupling ◽

Response Preparation ◽

Response Delay ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Human Participants ◽

Goal Directed Behavior ◽

Effector Response

Response inhibition is essential for goal-directed behavior within dynamic environments. Selective stopping is a complex form of response inhibition where only part of a multi-effector response must be cancelled. A substantial response delay emerges on unstopped effectors when a cued effector is successfully stopped. This stopping-interference effect is indicative of nonselective response inhibition during selective stopping which may, in-part, be a consequence of functional coupling. The present study examined selective stopping of (de)coupled bimanual responses in healthy human participants of either sex. Participants performed synchronous and asynchronous versions of an anticipatory stop-signal paradigm across two sessions while mu (µ) and beta (β) rhythm were measured with electroencephalography. Results showed that responses were behaviorally decoupled during asynchronous go trials and the extent of response asynchrony was associated with lateralized sensorimotor µ and β desynchronization during response preparation. Selective stopping produced a stopping-interference effect and was marked by a nonselective increase and subsequent rebound in prefrontal and sensorimotor β. In support of the coupling account, stopping-interference was smaller during selective stopping of asynchronous responses, and negatively associated with the magnitude of decoupling. However, the increase in sensorimotor β during selective stopping was equivalent between the stopped and unstopped hand irrespective of response synchrony. Overall, the findings demonstrate that decoupling facilitates selective stopping after a global pause process and emphasizes the importance of considering the influence of both the go and stop context when investigating response inhibition.

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Absence of systematic relationships between REMS duration episodes and spectral power Delta and Ultra-Slow bands in contiguous NREMS episodes in healthy humans

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00020.2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 110 (1) ◽

pp. 162-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

O. Le Bon ◽

P. Linkowski

Keyword(s):

Spectral Power ◽

Sleep Cycle ◽

Consecutive Series ◽

Sleep Regulation ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Sleep Quantity ◽

Healthy Humans ◽

Crucial Component ◽

Sleep Physiology ◽

Human Participants

Previous studies in animals and humans have reported correlations between the durations of rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) episodes and immediately preceding or subsequent non-REMS (NREMS) episodes. The relationship between these two types of sleep is a crucial component in understanding the regulation and neurophysiology of ultradian alternations that occur during sleep. Although the present study replicated previous studies, we also measured NREMS in terms of spectral power Delta and Ultra-Slow bands in addition to duration in examining correlations. The spectral power Delta band, also known as slow-wave activity, measures sleep quantity and is believed to reflect sleep physiology better than mere episode durations. The Ultra-Slow spectral power band was analyzed in parallel. Healthy human participants of both sexes ( n = 26, age range 15–45 yr, n = 12 female) were carefully selected to participate in two consecutive series of home polysomnograms performed after 2 nights of habituation to the equipment. In the analyses, REMS episode durations (minutes) were compared with immediately preceding and immediately subsequent NREMS episodes (Delta and Ultra-Slow power) in each sleep cycle. REMS episode duration was more strongly correlated with preceding NREMS episodes than with subsequent NREMS episodes. However, in most cases, no correlations were observed in either direction. One ultradian sleep regulation hypothesis, which is based on stronger correlations between REMS and subsequent NREMS episode durations, holds that the main purpose of REMS is to reactivate NREMS during each sleep cycle. The present results do not support that hypothesis.

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Effect of standardized aqueous extract of Withania somniferaon tests of cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy human participants

Pharmacognosy Research ◽

10.4103/0974-8490.122912 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 12 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Usharani Pingali ◽

Raveendranadh Pilli ◽

Nishat Fatima

Keyword(s):

Aqueous Extract ◽

Psychomotor Performance ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Human Participants

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Verbal Decision Analysis: Foundations and Trends

Advances in Decision Sciences ◽

10.1155/2013/697072 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Helen M. Moshkovich ◽

Alexander I. Mechitov

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Psychology ◽

Organizational Behavior ◽

Decision Analysis ◽

Decision Process ◽

Applied Mathematics ◽

Processing System ◽

Human Information Processing ◽

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis ◽

Organizational Environments ◽

Verbal Decision Analysis

The primary goal of research in multiple criteria decision analysis is to develop tools to help people make more reasonable decisions. In many cases, the development of such tools requires the combination of knowledge derived from such areas as applied mathematics, cognitive psychology, and organizational behavior. Verbal Decision Analysis (VDA) is an example of such a combination. It is based on valid mathematical principles, takes into account peculiarities of human information processing system, and fits the decision process into existing organizational environments. The basic underpinnings of Verbal Decision Analysis are demonstrated by early VDA methods, such as ZAPROS and ORCLASS. New trends in their later modifications are discussed. Published applications of VDA methods are presented to support the findings.

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NaV1.5 knockout in iPSCs: a novel approach to study NaV1.5 variants in a human cardiomyocyte environment

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96474-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marion Pierre ◽

Mohammed Djemai ◽

Hugo Poulin ◽

Mohamed Chahine

Keyword(s):

Contractile Activity ◽

Somatic Tissue ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Ipsc Line ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Electrophysiological Recordings ◽

Cardiac Sodium Channel ◽

Induced Pluripotent ◽

Genomic Editing

AbstractCardiomyocytes derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-CMs) successfully reproduce the mechanisms of several channelopathies. However, this approach involve cell reprogramming from somatic tissue biopsies or genomic editing in healthy iPSCs for every mutation found and to be investigated. We aim to knockout (KO) NaV1.5, the cardiac sodium channel, in a healthy human iPSC line, characterize the model and then, use it to express variants of NaV1.5. We develop a homozygous NaV1.5 KO iPSC line able to differentiate into cardiomyocytes with CRISPR/Cas9 tool. The NaV1.5 KO iPSC-CMs exhibited an organized contractile apparatus, spontaneous contractile activity, and electrophysiological recordings confirmed the major reduction in total Na+ currents. The action potentials (APs) exhibited a reduction in their amplitude and in their maximal rate of rise. Voltage optical mapping recordings revealed that the conduction velocity Ca2+ transient waves propagation velocities were slow. A wild-type (WT) NaV1.5 channel expressed by transient transfection in the KO iPSC-CMs restored Na+ channel expression and AP properties. The expression of NaV1.5/delQKP, a long QT type 3 (LQT3) variant, in the NaV1.5 KO iPSC-CMs showed that dysfunctional Na+ channels exhibited a persistent Na+ current and caused prolonged AP duration that led to arrhythmic events, characteristics of LQT3.

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Antioxidant Activity with Increased Endogenous Levels of Vitamin C, E and A Following Dietary Supplementation with a Combination of Glutathione and Resveratrol Precursors

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12113224 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 3224 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Priscilla Biswas ◽

Cinzia Dellanoce ◽

Alessandra Vezzoli ◽

Simona Mrakic-Sposta ◽

Mauro Malnati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Supplements ◽

Immune Status ◽

Inflammatory Marker ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Positive Outcome ◽

Redox Status ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Human Participants ◽

Endogenous Synthesis

The effects of two different dietary supplements on the redox status of healthy human participants were evaluated. The first supplement (GluS, Glutathione Synthesis) contains the precursors for the endogenous synthesis of glutathione and the second (GluReS, Glutathione and Resveratrol Synthesis) contains in addition polydatin, a precursor of resveratrol. To assess the influence of GluS and GluReS on the redox status, ten thiol species and three vitamins were measured before (t0) and after 8 weeks (t1) of dietary supplementation. An inflammatory marker, neopterin, was also assessed at the same time points. Both supplements were highly effective in improving the redox status by significantly increasing the reduced-glutathione (GSH) content and other reduced thiol species while significantly decreasing the oxidized species. The positive outcome of the redox status was most significant in the GluRes treatment group which also experienced a significant reduction in neopterin levels. Of note, the endogenous levels of vitamins C, E and A were significantly increased in both treatment groups, with best results in the GluReS group. While both dietary supplements significantly contributed to recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory outcomes, the effects of GluReS, the combination of glutathione and resveratrol precursors, were more pronounced. Thus, dietary supplementation with GluReS may represent a valuable strategy for maintaining a competent immune status and a healthy lifespan.

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