scholarly journals A Kiosk Station for the Assessment of Multiple Cognitive Domains and Enrichment of Monkeys

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thilo Womelsdorf ◽  
Christopher Thomas ◽  
Adam Neumann ◽  
Marcus Watson ◽  
Kianoush Banaie Boroujeni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Animal Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Visual Tasks ◽  
Versatile Tool ◽  
Controlling Behavior ◽  
Individual Consistency

AbstractBackgroundNonhuman primates (NHPs) are self-motivated to perform cognitive tasks on touchscreens in their animal housing setting. To leverage this ability, fully integrated hardware and software solutions are needed, that work within housing and husbandry routines while also spanning cognitive task constructs of the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC).New MethodWe describe a Kiosk Station (KS-1) that provides robust hardware and software solutions for running cognitive tasks in cage-housed NHPs. KS-1 consists of a frame for mounting flexibly on housing cages, a touchscreen animal interface with mounts for receptables, reward pumps and cameras, and a compact computer cabinet with an interface for controlling behavior. Behavioral control is achieved with a unity3D program that is virtual-reality capable, allowing semi-naturalistic visual tasks to assess multiple cognitive domains.ResultsKS-1 is fully integrated into the regular housing routines of monkeys. A single person can operate multiple KS-1s. Monkeys engage with KS-1 at high motivation and cognitive performance levels at high intra-individual consistency.Comparison with Existing MethodsKS-1 is optimized for flexible mounting onto standard apartment cage systems. KS-1 has a robust animal interface with options for gaze/reach monitoring. It has an integrated user interface for controlling multiple cognitive task using a common naturalistic object space designed to enhance task engagement. All custom KS-1 components are open-sourced.ConclusionsKS-1 is a versatile tool for cognitive profiling and enrichment of cage-housed monkeys. It reliably measures multiple cognitive domains which promises to advance our understanding of animal cognition, inter-individual differences and underlying neurobiology in refined, ethologically meaningful behavioral foraging contexts.

scholarly journals A Kiosk Station for the Assessment of Multiple Cognitive Domains and Cognitive Enrichment of Monkeys

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thilo Womelsdorf ◽  
Christopher Thomas ◽  
Adam Neumann ◽  
Marcus R. Watson ◽  
Kianoush Banaie Boroujeni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Animal Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Visual Tasks ◽  
Controlling Behavior ◽  
Cognitive Enrichment ◽  
Individual Consistency

Nonhuman primates (NHP’s) are self-motivated to perform cognitive tasks on touchscreens in their animal housing setting. To leverage this ability, fully integrated hardware and software solutions are needed that work within housing and husbandry routines while also spanning cognitive task constructs of the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC). Here, we detail such an integrated robust hardware and software solution for running cognitive tasks in cage-housed NHP’s with a cage-mounted Kiosk Station (KS-1). KS-1 consists of a frame for mounting flexibly on housing cages, a touchscreen animal interface with mounts for receptables, reward pumps, and cameras, and a compact computer cabinet with an interface for controlling behavior. Behavioral control is achieved with a Unity3D program that is virtual-reality capable, allowing semi-naturalistic visual tasks to assess multiple cognitive domains.KS-1 is fully integrated into the regular housing routines of monkeys. A single person can operate multiple KS-1’s. Monkeys engage with KS-1 at high motivation and cognitive performance levels at high intra-individual consistency. KS-1 is optimized for flexible mounting onto standard apartment cage systems and provides a new design variation complementing existing cage-mounted touchscreen systems. KS-1 has a robust animal interface with options for gaze/reach monitoring. It has an integrated user interface for controlling multiple cognitive tasks using a common naturalistic object space designed to enhance task engagement. All custom KS-1 components are open-sourced.In summary, KS-1 is a versatile new tool for cognitive profiling and cognitive enrichment of cage-housed monkeys. It reliably measures multiple cognitive domains which promises to advance our understanding of animal cognition, inter-individual differences, and underlying neurobiology in refined, ethologically meaningful behavioral foraging contexts.

scholarly journals Five-factor model personality traits and cognitive function in five domains in older adulthood

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelina R. Sutin ◽  
Yannick Stephan ◽  
Martina Luchetti ◽  
Antonio Terracciano
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Numeric Reasoning

Abstract Background Five-factor model (FFM) personality traits have been associated consistently with risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Less is known about how these traits are associated with functioning in specific domains of cognitive function in older adulthood. Methods Participants (N = 2865) were drawn from the 2016 Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol sub-study of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Participants completed a battery of cognitive tasks that measured performance in five domains: Memory (eight tasks), speed-attention-executive (five tasks), visuospatial ability (three tasks), fluency (one task), and numeric reasoning (one task). Participants completed an FFM personality measure as part of the regular HRS assessment in either 2014 or 2016. Linear regression was used to examine the association between the traits and each cognitive task and composite scores for the five domains, controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, and education. We also tested whether the associations were moderated by these sociodemographic factors or mental status. Results Neuroticism was associated with worse performance on all of the cognitive tasks. Conscientiousness was associated with better performance across all five cognitive domains, although not necessarily with every task. Openness and Agreeableness were associated with better performance in all domains, except for numeric reasoning. Extraversion was associated with better speed-attention-executive and fluency. There was no robust evidence that the association between personality and cognition was moderated by sociodemographic characteristics or global cognitive function. Conclusions Personality traits have pervasive associations with functioning across five cognitive domains. Consistent with the literature on personality and risk of ADRD, Neuroticism and Conscientiousness were associated with cognitive performance in the expected direction in all domains. Extraversion was the only trait that showed domain-specific associations. The present research supports models of personality and health in the context of cognition and suggests that personality is associated with intermediate markers of cognitive health.

Studying the effect of Heartfulness Meditation on Brain Activity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pallavi Gupta ◽  
Jahnavi Mundluru ◽  
Arth Patel ◽  
Shankar Pathmakanthan
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Logical Thinking ◽  
Meditation Practice ◽  
Guided Relaxation

Long-term meditation practice is increasingly recognized for its health benefits. Heartfulness meditation represents a quickly growing set of practices that is largely unstudied. Heartfulness is unique in that it is a meditation practice that focuses on the Heart. It helps individuals to connect to themselves and find inner peace. In order to deepen ones’ meditation, the element of Yogic Energy (‘pranahuti’) is used as an aid during meditation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether consistent EEG effects of Heartfulness meditation be observed in sixty experienced Heartfulness meditators, each of whom attended 6 testing sessions. In each session, participants performed three conditions: a set of cognitive tasks, Heartfulness guided relaxation, and Heartfulness Meditation. Participants during the cognitive portion were required to answer questions that tested their logical thinking (Cognitive Reflective Test) and creative thinking skills. (Random Associative Test) The order of condition was randomly counter balanced across six sessions. It was hypothesized that Heartfulness meditation would bring increased alpha (8-12Hz) brain activity during meditation and better cognitive task scores in sessions where the tasks followed meditation. Heartfulness meditation produces a significant decrease in brain activity (as indexed by higher levels of alpha during the early stages of meditation. As the meditation progressed deep meditative state (as indexed by higher levels of delta) were observed until the end of the condition.  This lead to the conclusion that Heartfulness Meditation produces a state that is clearly distinguishable from effortful problem solving. 

A Shaping Procedure to Modulate Two Cognitive Tasks to Improve a Sensorimotor Rhythm-Based Brain-Computer Interface System

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro da Silva-Sauer ◽  
Luis Valero-Aguayo ◽  
Francisco Velasco-Álvarez ◽  
Álvaro Fernández-Rodríguez ◽  
Ricardo Ron-Angevin
Keyword(s):  
Interaction Effect ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Brain Computer Interface ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Computer Interface ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Task Load ◽  
Mental Demand ◽  
Shaping Procedure

AbstractThis study aimed to propose an adapted feedback using a psychological learning technique based on Skinner’s shaping method to help the users to modulate two cognitive tasks (right-hand motor imagination and relaxed state) and improve better control in a Brain-Computer Interface. In the first experiment, a comparative study between performance in standard feedback (N = 9) and shaping method (N = 10) was conducted. The NASA Task Load Index questionnaire was applied to measure the user’s workload. In the second experiment, a single case study was performed (N = 5) to verify the continuous learning by the shaping method. The first experiment showed significant interaction effect between sessions and group (F(1, 17) = 5.565; p = .031) which the shaping paradigm was applied. A second interaction effect demonstrates a higher performance increase in the relax state task with shaping procedure (F(1, 17) = 5. 038; p = .038). In NASA-TXL an interaction effect was obtained between the group and the cognitive task in Mental Demand (F(1, 17) = 6, 809; p = .018), Performance (F(1, 17) = 5, 725; p = .029), and Frustration (F(1, 17) = 9, 735; p = .006), no significance was found in Effort. In the second experiment, a trial-by-trial analysis shows an ascendant trend learning curve for the cognitive task with the lowest initial acquisition (relax state). The results suggest the effectiveness of the shaping procedure to modulate brain rhythms, improving mainly the cognitive task with greater initial difficulty and provide better interaction perception.

The Impact of Cognitive Load on Volitional Running

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 1179-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan J. Blakely ◽  
Kyle Wilson ◽  
Paul N. Russell ◽  
William S. Helton
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
High Load ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Running Speed ◽  
Original Experiment ◽  
The Impact

The effects of physical activity on cognition and the effects of cognitive load on physical activity are complex. Both the nature of the physical activity and cognitive task may influence the interactive effects of performing a physical task while also performing a cognitive task. In a previous study examining the impact of increasing cognitive load on outdoor running speed and the impact of outdoor running on cognitive performance, Blakely et al. (2015) found running speed decreased as cognitive load increased. They also found that the impact of running itself on cognitive performance occurred when the cognitive task was itself demanding (high cognitive load). In the current study we expanded on this previous research by improving the experimental task to rule out peripheral sensory, not central or executive, interference and by incorporating heart rate measures and VO2 max estimates. Twelve runners completed five conditions, two seated cognitive tasks (one low load and one high load), two dual running cognitive tasks and one run only. Results were similar to the original experiment, as the cognitive task became more difficult, voluntary running speed decreased. Also the effects of running on cognitive performance (counting) were found only when the cognitive task was high load.

scholarly journals Multiscale Entropy of Cardiac and Postural Control Reflects a Flexible Adaptation to a Cognitive Task

Entropy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estelle Blons ◽  
Laurent Arsac ◽  
Pierre Gilfriche ◽  
Veronique Deschodt-Arsac
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Temporal Structure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Multiscale Entropy ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
High Entropy ◽  
Stable Conditions

In humans, physiological systems involved in maintaining stable conditions for health and well-being are complex, encompassing multiple interactions within and between system components. This complexity is mirrored in the temporal structure of the variability of output signals. Entropy has been recognized as a good marker of systems complexity, notably when calculated from heart rate and postural dynamics. A degraded entropy is generally associated with frailty, aging, impairments or diseases. In contrast, high entropy has been associated with the elevated capacity to adjust to an ever-changing environment, but the link is unknown between entropy and the capacity to cope with cognitive tasks in a healthy young to middle-aged population. Here, we addressed classic markers (time and frequency domains) and refined composite multiscale entropy (MSE) markers (after pre-processing) of heart rate and postural sway time series in 34 participants during quiet versus cognitive task conditions. Recordings lasted 10 min for heart rate and 51.2 s for upright standing, providing time series lengths of 500–600 and 2048 samples, respectively. The main finding was that entropy increased during cognitive tasks. This highlights the possible links between our entropy measures and the systems complexity that probably facilitates a control remodeling and a flexible adaptability in our healthy participants. We conclude that entropy is a reliable marker of neurophysiological complexity and adaptability in autonomic and somatic systems.

scholarly journals Alterations in heart-brain interactions under mild stress during a cognitive task are reflected in entropy of heart rate dynamics

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Estelle Blons ◽  
Laurent M. Arsac ◽  
Pierre Gilfriche ◽  
Heather McLeod ◽  
Veronique Lespinet-Najib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Central Question ◽  
Integration Model ◽  
Heart Rate Dynamics ◽  
Healthy Participants

AbstractMany people experience mild stress in modern society which raises the need for an improved understanding of psychophysiological responses to stressors. Heart rate variability (HRV) may be associated with a flexible network of intricate neural structures which are dynamically organized to cope with diverse challenges. HRV was obtained in thirty-three healthy participants performing a cognitive task both with and without added stressors. Markers of neural autonomic control and neurovisceral complexity (entropy) were computed from HRV time series. Based on individual anxiety responses to the experimental stressors, two subgroups were identified: anxiety responders and non-responders. While both vagal and entropy markers rose during the cognitive task alone in both subgroups, only entropy decreased when stressors were added and exclusively in anxiety responders. We conclude that entropy may be a promising marker of cognitive tasks and acute mild stress. It brings out a new central question: why is entropy the only marker affected by mild stress? Based on the neurovisceral integration model, we hypothesized that neurophysiological complexity may be altered by mild stress, which is reflected in entropy of the cardiac output signal. The putative role of the amygdala during mild stress, in modulating the complexity of a coordinated neural network linking brain to heart, is discussed.

scholarly journals Asymmetric interference between cognitive task components and concurrent sensorimotor coordination

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 330-342
Author(s):  
Joshua Baker ◽  
Antonio Castro ◽  
Andrew K. Dunn ◽  
Suvobrata Mitra
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Tracking Task ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
State Monitoring ◽  
Sensorimotor Coordination ◽  
Dual Tasking ◽  
Task Conditions

Everyday cognitive tasks are frequently performed under dual-task conditions alongside continuous sensorimotor coordinations (CSCs) such as driving, walking, or balancing. Observed interference in these dual-task settings is commonly attributed to demands on executive function or attentional resources, but the time course and reciprocity of interference are not well understood at the level of information-processing components. Here we used electrophysiology to study the detailed chronometry of dual-task interference between a visual oddball task and a continuous visuomanual tracking task. The oddball task’s electrophysiological components were linked to underlying cognitive processes, and the tracking task served as a proxy for the continuous cycle of state monitoring and adjustment inherent to CSCs. Dual-tasking interfered with the oddball task’s accuracy and attentional processes (attenuated P2 and P3b magnitude and parietal alpha-band event-related desynchronization), but errors in tracking due to dual-tasking accrued at a later timescale and only in trials in which the target stimulus appeared and its tally had to be incremented. Interference between cognitive tasks and CSCs can be asymmetric in terms of timing as well as affected information-processing components. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Interference between cognitive tasks and continuous sensorimotor coordination (CSC) has been widely reported, but this is the first demonstration that the cognitive operation that is impaired by concurrent CSC may not be the one that impairs the CSC. Also demonstrated is that interference between such tasks can be temporally asymmetric. The asynchronicity of this interference has significant implications for understanding and mitigating loss of mobility in old age, and for rehabilitation for neurological impairments.

Cognitive Task Performance Time During Tracking

1981 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 576-580
Author(s):  
David M. Ings ◽  
James R. Buck
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Time Variability ◽  
Tracking Accuracy ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Time System ◽  
Performance Time ◽  
Cognitive Task Performance ◽  
Task Types

This study was a test on the feasibility of creating a synthetic time system for cognitive tasks performing during flying. Four types of cognitive tasks were employed (coding, verifying, calculating, and identifying; each at two levels of complexity). Compensatory tracking was performed at two levels of difficulty where RMS statistics were taken within and between the discrete cognitive tasks. The task types and complexity levels were found to significantly affect the performance time (accounting for about 50% of the time variability) and the tracking accuracy. However tracking accuracy was also affected by other factors. Results of this research support the feasibility of a synthetic time system for the class of tasks.

scholarly journals T189. FREE THYROXIN CONCENTRATIONS MODERATE THE RESPONSE TO A COGNITIVE REMEDIATION THERAPY IN PEOPLE WITH EARLY PSYCHOSIS: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S303-S304
Author(s):  
Francesc Estrada ◽  
Josep Maria Crosas ◽  
Maribel Ahuir ◽  
Sara Pérez ◽  
Wanda Zabala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Early Psychosis ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Cognitive deficits are a common cause of functional disability in people with psychotic disorders. Cognitive remediation produces moderate improvements in cognitive performance in people with schizophrenia, although there is variability in the responses between patients. As previous longitudinal studies suggest that free thyroxin (FT4) levels influence attention cognitive tasks in patients with early psychosis, we aimed to conduct a pilot study to explore whether thyroid hormones might predict the response to cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) in patients with first-episode psychosis. Methods 27 patients (8 women; 19 men) with first-episode psychosis aged between 18 and 35 years old were randomized to receive a computerized CRT for three months (2 sessions/week) (N=14) or treatment as usual (TAU) (N=13). A full cognitive battery (CANTAB Schizophrenia) was administered at baseline and follow-up (3 months later, after the CRT/TAU period). Plasma levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and FT4 were measured. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Correlation analyses were conducted to explore the association between TSH and FT4 levels and cognitive changes over time. An ANOVA for repeated measures was used to compare longitudinal changes over time by the experimental group while adjusting for TSH and FT4 levels. Significance was defined as p<0.05. Results TSH concentrations were not associated with cognitive changes over time. FT4 concentrations were associated with cognitive worsening over time in cognitive tasks dealing with reaction time (simple median movement time [r= 0.60, p= 0.003]; simple median reaction time [r= 0.44, p= 0.039]), sustained attention (signal detection for the rapid visual processing task [r= -0.46, p= 0.028]) and verbal memory (immediate recognition [r= -0.54, p= 0.008]; delayed recognition [r= -0.48, p= 0.019]). The ANOVA for repeated measures did not show time by group effects although a time by FT4 significant effect was found for cognitive tasks dealing with these cognitive domains (p<0.05 for all). Discussion Although a direct effect of the CRT on cognitive improvement was not found, baseline FT4 concentrations appeared to predict the response to CRT in people with early psychosis. Significant associations were found for cognitive domains dealing with attention processes, which are in accordance with previous studies exploring the association between thyroid function and cognitive functioning in early psychotic patients. Our preliminary findings suggest that the determination of thyroid function status might be important for establishing which patients could show cognitive improvements over time. If these results are replicated in larger studies, the determination of thyroid status might help identify those individuals more prone for showing cognitive improvements, and allowing the implementation of a personalized medicine approach in the field of cognitive rehabilitation in psychosis.

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