scholarly journals Low beta power reflects perceived temporal probabilities for uncertain future events

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Tavano ◽  
Erich Schröger ◽  
Sonja A. Kotz

SummaryHumans tend to use elapsed time to increase the perceived probability that an impending event – e.g., the Go sign at a traffic light - will occur soon. This prompts faster reactions for longer waiting times (hazard rate effect). Which neural processes reflect instead the perceived probability of uncertain future events? We recorded behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) data while participants detected a target tone, rarely appearing at one of three successive positions of a repeating five-tone sequence with equal probability. Pre-stimulus oscillatory power in the low betaband range (Beta 1: 15-19 Hz) predicted the hazard rate of response times to the uncertain target, suggesting it encodes abstract estimates of a potential event onset. Informing participants about the target’s equiprobable distribution endogenously suppressed the hazard rate of response times. Beta 1 power still predicted behavior, validating its role in contextually estimating temporal probabilities for uncertain future events.HighlightsElapsed time to an uncertain future target increases response speed (Hazard rate).Pre-stimulus low beta-band (Beta 1: 15-19 Hz) power predicts the hazard rate to uncertain targets.Beta 1 power predicts response times even when elapsed time is factored out.eTOC BlurbTavano et al. show that pre-stimulus low beta band (15-19 Hz) power predicts response times to an uncertain future target, even before its occurrence and under different prior knowledge conditions, suggesting it reflects contextual, subjective estimates of potential future events.

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (50) ◽  
pp. e2103702118
Author(s):  
Jacob A. Westerberg ◽  
Elizabeth A. Sigworth ◽  
Jeffrey D. Schall ◽  
Alexander Maier

Visual search is a workhorse for investigating how attention interacts with processing of sensory information. Attentional selection has been linked to altered cortical sensory responses and feature preferences (i.e., tuning). However, attentional modulation of feature selectivity during search is largely unexplored. Here we map the spatiotemporal profile of feature selectivity during singleton search. Monkeys performed a search where a pop-out feature determined the target of attention. We recorded laminar neural responses from visual area V4. We first identified “feature columns” which showed preference for individual colors. In the unattended condition, feature columns were significantly more selective in superficial relative to middle and deep layers. Attending a stimulus increased selectivity in all layers but not equally. Feature selectivity increased most in the deep layers, leading to higher selectivity in extragranular layers as compared to the middle layer. This attention-induced enhancement was rhythmically gated in phase with the beta-band local field potential. Beta power dominated both extragranular laminar compartments, but current source density analysis pointed to an origin in superficial layers, specifically. While beta-band power was present regardless of attentional state, feature selectivity was only gated by beta in the attended condition. Neither the beta oscillation nor its gating of feature selectivity varied with microsaccade production. Importantly, beta modulation of neural activity predicted response times, suggesting a direct link between attentional gating and behavioral output. Together, these findings suggest beta-range synaptic activation in V4’s superficial layers rhythmically gates attentional enhancement of feature tuning in a way that affects the speed of attentional selection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Masina ◽  
Giorgio Arcara ◽  
Eleonora Galletti ◽  
Isabella Cinque ◽  
Luciano Gamberini ◽  
...  

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.


2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 396-396
Author(s):  
Peter Janssen ◽  
Michael N Shadlen
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Sicong Liu ◽  
Jillian M. Clements ◽  
Elayna P. Kirsch ◽  
Hrishikesh M. Rao ◽  
David J. Zielinski ◽  
...  

Abstract The fusion of immersive virtual reality, kinematic movement tracking, and EEG offers a powerful test bed for naturalistic neuroscience research. Here, we combined these elements to investigate the neuro-behavioral mechanisms underlying precision visual–motor control as 20 participants completed a three-visit, visual–motor, coincidence-anticipation task, modeled after Olympic Trap Shooting and performed in immersive and interactive virtual reality. Analyses of the kinematic metrics demonstrated learning of more efficient movements with significantly faster hand RTs, earlier trigger response times, and higher spatial precision, leading to an average of 13% improvement in shot scores across the visits. As revealed through spectral and time-locked analyses of the EEG beta band (13–30 Hz), power measured prior to target launch and visual-evoked potential amplitudes measured immediately after the target launch correlate with subsequent reactive kinematic performance in the shooting task. Moreover, both launch-locked and shot/feedback-locked visual-evoked potentials became earlier and more negative with practice, pointing to neural mechanisms that may contribute to the development of visual–motor proficiency. Collectively, these findings illustrate EEG and kinematic biomarkers of precision motor control and changes in the neurophysiological substrates that may underlie motor learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaghaygh Akhtari ◽  
Taraneh Sowlati ◽  
Verena C Griess

Abstract Economic viability is one of the main considerations in bioenergy and biofuel projects and is impacted by uncertainty in biomass availability, cost, and quality, and bioenergy and biofuel demand and prices. One important aspect of decisionmaking under uncertainty is the viewpoint of the decision maker towards risk, which is overlooked in the biomass supply chain management literature. In this paper, we address this gap by evaluating alternative supply chain designs taking into account uncertain future conditions resulting from changes in biomass availability and cost, and bioproduct and energy prices. Three decision rules, maximax, minimax regret, and maximin, representing, respectively, optimistic, opportunistic, and pessimistic perspectives, are used for evaluation. It is assumed that the decision maker has knowledge about the potential future events, but the likelihood of their occurrence is unknown. According to the results of the case study, investment in bioenergy and biofuel conversion facilities was recommended based on optimistic and opportunistic viewpoints. Production of both bienergy and biofuels would not be profitable under pessimistic conditions. Therefore, investment in only bienergy facilities was prescribed under pessimistic conditions.


Author(s):  
Mónika Ambrus

This chapter analyses the ‘risk dispositief’ of the European Court of Human Rights and explores the ways in which the Court governs risk. It begins with an exploration of the specific features of governing uncertain future events that are adopted by the Court, including the identification of the forms of risk that the Court incorporates in its mode of governance and the manner in which it allocates responsibility for these risks. It then examines the manner in which the Court’s risk dispositief creates new subjectivities and redefine relationships. The Foucauldian concept of governmentality provides the theoretical framework for exploring the Court’s risk dispositief, and provides a tool for analyzing the Court’s techniques of risk governmentality. The ultimate purpose of this enquiry is to ascertain how the Court addresses risk-related complaints and how it conceptualises risk in different contexts.


Author(s):  
Dengbo He ◽  
Birsen Donmez

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate how anticipatory driving is influenced by distraction. Background The anticipation of future events in traffic can allow potential gains in recognition and response times. Anticipatory actions (i.e., control actions in preparation for potential traffic changes) have been found to be more prevalent among experienced drivers in simulator studies when driving was the sole task. Despite the prevalence of visual-manual distractions and their negative effects on road safety, their influence on anticipatory driving has not yet been investigated beyond hazard anticipation. Methods A simulator experiment was conducted with 16 experienced and 16 novice drivers. Half of the participants were provided with a self-paced visual-manual secondary task presented on a dashboard display. Results More anticipatory actions were observed among experienced drivers; experienced drivers also exhibited more efficient visual scanning behaviors as indicated by higher glance rates toward and percent times looking at cues that facilitate the anticipation of upcoming events. Regardless of experience, those with the secondary task displayed reduced anticipatory actions and paid less attention toward anticipatory cues. However, experienced drivers had lower odds of exhibiting long glances toward the secondary task compared to novices. Further, the inclusion of glance duration on anticipatory cues increased the accuracy of a model predicting anticipatory actions based on on-road glance durations. Conclusion The results provide additional evidence to existing literature supporting the role of driving experience and distraction engagement in anticipatory driving. Application These findings can guide the design of in-vehicle systems and guide training programs to support anticipatory driving.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilknur Telkes ◽  
Jennifer Durphy ◽  
Octavian Adam ◽  
Nataly Raviv ◽  
Julie G Pilitsis

Abstract INTRODUCTION One of the biggest limitations of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy is the stimulation induced side effects due to restricted size of functional areas in subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the proximity of structures. The segmented DBS lead technology aims to address this problem by delivering more selected, focal modulation via smaller, directional contacts. However, the DBS programming becomes more complex and time-consuming for clinical feasibility. Here in this pilot study, we investigated the spectral power distribution of directional local field potentials (LFPs) in STN and their relationship to motor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS We recorded 8-channel intraoperative LFPs in 9 PD patients at resting and during stimulation OFF. Power-frequency spectra were computed for all individual contacts and then grouped according to which anatomical directions they are facing. Beta (13-20 Hz/20-35 Hz) and alpha (7-12 Hz) band powers were calculated and their correlation to preoperative UPDRS-3 scores (51.7 ± 21.9 d before the DBS surgery) and the clinical programming were evaluated. RESULTS The average depth-frequency maps demonstrated different spectral dynamics across anterior, medial, and lateral directions. Patients with severe tremor compared to nontremor subjects showed higher beta power in anterior and lateral directions. Beta band power were positively correlated with the tremor severity and significantly correlated with clinical stimulation amplitude (mA) in anterior direction (P < .05). Correlation analysis between beta power and the other UPDRS-3 items such as bradykinesia/rigidity or postural instability and gait disturbance did not show clear trends towards a direction. CONCLUSION Given that testing all possible combinations of contact pairs and stimulation parameters is not feasible in a single clinic visit, spatio-spectral dynamics obtained from intraoperative recordings of LFPs might be used as an initial marker to select optimal contact (s). LFPs carry pathological signatures of PD and they might provide a functional use to predict optimal stimulation parameters in future. These features as well as higher frequency and cross-coupling dynamics of LFPs need to be studied in detail with larger subject populations.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Schubring ◽  
Harald T Schupp

Abstract The study of brain oscillations associated with emotional picture processing has revealed conflicting findings. Although many studies observed a decrease in power in the alpha- and lower beta band, some studies observed an increase. Accordingly, the main aim of the present research series was to further elucidate whether emotional stimulus processing is related to an increase or decrease in alpha/beta power. In Study 1, participants (N = 16) viewed briefly presented (150 ms) high-arousing erotic and low-arousing people pictures. Picture presentation included a passive viewing condition and an active picture categorization task. Study 2 (N = 16) replicated Study 1 with negative valence stimuli (mutilations). In Study 3 (N = 18), stimulus materials of Study 1 and 2 were used. The main finding is that high-arousing pictures (erotica and mutilations) are associated with a decrease of power in the alpha/beta band across studies and task conditions. The effect peaked in occipitoparietal sensors between 400 and 800 ms after stimulus onset. Furthermore, a late (&gt;1000 ms) alpha/beta power increase to mutilation pictures was observed, possibly reflecting top–down inhibitory control processes. Overall, these findings suggest that brain oscillations in the alpha/beta-band may serve as a useful measure of emotional stimulus processing.


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