scholarly journals Within and Between-person Correlates of the Temporal Dynamics of Resting EEG Microstates

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Zanesco ◽  
Brandon G. King ◽  
Alea C. Skwara ◽  
Clifford D. Saron

AbstractMicrostates reflect transient brain states resulting from the activity of synchronously active brain networks that predominate in the broadband EEG time series. Despite increasing interest in understanding how the functional organization of the brain varies across individuals, or the extent to which its spatiotemporal dynamics are state dependent, comparatively little research has examined within and between-person correlates of microstate temporal parameters in healthy populations. In the present study, neuroelectric activity recorded during eyes-closed rest and during simple visual fixation was segmented into a time series of transient microstate intervals. It was found that five data-driven microstate configurations explained the preponderance of topographic variance in the EEG time series of the 374 recordings (from 187 participants) included in the study. We observed that the temporal dynamics of microstates varied within individuals to a greater degree than they differed between persons, with within-person factors explaining a large portion of the variance in mean microstate duration and occurrence rate. Nevertheless, several individual differences were found to predict the temporal dynamics of microstates. Of these, age and gender were the most reliable. These findings suggest that not only do the rich temporal dynamics of whole-brain neuronal networks vary considerably within-individuals, but that microstates appear to differentiate persons based on trait individual differences. The current findings suggest that rather than focusing exclusively on between-person differences in microstates as measures of brain function, researchers should turn their attention towards understanding the factors contributing to within-person variation.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Gu ◽  
Kurt P Schulz ◽  
Jin Fan ◽  
Yihong Yang

Abstract The functional organization of the human brain adapts dynamically in response to a rapidly changing environment. However, the relation of these rapid changes in functional organization to cognitive functioning is not well understood. This study used a graph-based time-frame modularity analysis approach to identify temporally recurrent functional configuration patterns in neural responses to an n-back working memory task during fMRI. Working memory load was manipulated to investigate the functional relevance of the identified brain states. Four distinct brain states were defined by the predominant patterns of activation in the task-positive, default-mode, sensorimotor, and visual networks. Associated with escalating working memory load, the occurrence of the task-positive state and the probability of transitioning into this state increased. In contrast, the occurrence of the default-mode and sensorimotor states and the probability of these 2 states transitioning away from the task-positive state decreased. The task-positive state occurrence rate and the probability of transitioning from the default-mode state back to the task-positive state explained a significant and unique portion of the variance in task performance. The results demonstrate that dynamic brain activities support successful cognitive functioning and may have heuristic value for understanding abnormal cognitive functioning associated with multiple neuropsychiatric disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Raven ◽  
Sara J. Aton

Brain states such as arousal and sleep play critical roles in memory encoding, storage, and recall. Recent studies have highlighted the role of engram neurons–populations of neurons activated during learning–in subsequent memory consolidation and recall. These engram populations are generally assumed to be glutamatergic, and the vast majority of data regarding the function of engram neurons have focused on glutamatergic pyramidal or granule cell populations in either the hippocampus, amygdala, or neocortex. Recent data suggest that sleep and wake states differentially regulate the activity and temporal dynamics of engram neurons. Two potential mechanisms for this regulation are either via direct regulation of glutamatergic engram neuron excitability and firing, or via state-dependent effects on interneuron populations–which in turn modulate the activity of glutamatergic engram neurons. Here, we will discuss recent findings related to the roles of interneurons in state-regulated memory processes and synaptic plasticity, and the potential therapeutic implications of understanding these mechanisms.


1993 ◽  
Vol 76 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1089-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Richard Ferraro

The present article describes a demonstration experiment used in a large introductory psychology class pertaining to mental imagery ability. The experiment is effective in providing a concrete instance of mental imagery as well as an effective discussion regarding individual differences and gender differences in imagery ability.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily S Nichols ◽  
Marc F Joanisse

We investigated the extent to which second-language (L2) learning is influenced by the similarity of grammatical features in one’s first language (L1). We used event-related potentials to identify neural signatures of a novel grammatical rule - grammatical gender - in L1 English speakers. Of interest was whether individual differences in L2 proficiency and age of acquisition (AoA) influenced these effects. L2 and native speakers of French read French sentences that were grammatically correct, or contained either a grammatical gender or word order violation. Proficiency and AoA predicted Left Anterior Negativity amplitude, with structure violations driving the proficiency effect and gender violations driving the AoA effect. Proficiency, group, and AoA predicted P600 amplitude for gender violations but not structure violations. Different effects of grammatical gender and structure violations indicate that L2 speakers engage novel grammatical processes differently from L1 speakers and that this varies appreciably based on both AoA and proficiency.


2011 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brodwyn Fischer

There are numerous historical critiques of elitist educational policies in Brazil, as well as studies of the racial and gender dynamics of education, and scholars have routinely lamented the historical lack of access to schooling among the Brazilian poor. But surprisingly few historians have taken on language and education as durable categories of inequality—created, recognized, legitimized, and acted upon over many generations, constitutive elements in Brazil’s constellation of social difference. This is especially remarkable given the rich and repeated emphasis on language, literacy, and education that characterized debates about Brazilian inequality in the century after independence.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Claudio Babiloni ◽  
Raffaele Ferri ◽  
Giuseppe Noce ◽  
Roberta Lizio ◽  
Susanna Lopez ◽  
...  

Background: In relaxed adults, staying in quiet wakefulness at eyes closed is related to the so-called resting state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms, showing the highest amplitude in posterior areas at alpha frequencies (8–13 Hz). Objective: Here we tested the hypothesis that age may affect rsEEG alpha (8–12 Hz) rhythms recorded in normal elderly (Nold) seniors and patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease (ADMCI). Methods: Clinical and rsEEG datasets in 63 ADMCI and 60 Nold individuals (matched for demography, education, and gender) were taken from an international archive. The rsEEG rhythms were investigated at individual delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands, as well as fixed beta (14–30 Hz) and gamma (30–40 Hz) bands. Each group was stratified into three subgroups based on age ranges (i.e., tertiles). Results: As compared to the younger Nold subgroups, the older one showed greater reductions in the rsEEG alpha rhythms with major topographical effects in posterior regions. On the contrary, in relation to the younger ADMCI subgroups, the older one displayed a lesser reduction in those rhythms. Notably, the ADMCI subgroups pointed to similar cerebrospinal fluid AD diagnostic biomarkers, gray and white matter brain lesions revealed by neuroimaging, and clinical and neuropsychological scores. Conclusion: The present results suggest that age may represent a deranging factor for dominant rsEEG alpha rhythms in Nold seniors, while rsEEG alpha rhythms in ADMCI patients may be more affected by the disease variants related to earlier versus later onset of the AD.


2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (08) ◽  
pp. 2979-2990 ◽  
Author(s):  
FANJI GU ◽  
ENHUA SHEN ◽  
XIN MENG ◽  
YANG CAO ◽  
ZHIJIE CAI

A concept of higher order complexity is proposed in this letter. If a randomness-finding complexity [Rapp & Schmah, 2000] is taken as the complexity measure, the first-order complexity is suggested to be a measure of randomness of the original time series, while the second-order complexity is a measure of its degree of nonstationarity. A different order is associated with each different aspect of complexity. Using logistic mapping repeatedly, some quasi-stationary time series were constructed, the nonstationarity degree of which could be expected theoretically. The estimation of the second-order complexity of these time series shows that the second-order complexities do reflect the degree of nonstationarity and thus can be considered as its indicator. It is also shown that the second-order complexities of the EEG signals from subjects doing mental arithmetic are significantly higher than those from subjects in deep sleep or resting with eyes closed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (01) ◽  
pp. 17-34
Author(s):  
Ajeng Triwuri Widyastuti ; Giosia P. Widjaja

Abstract - The Arab Panjunan kampong serving as the research object happens to be one of the heritage areas of Cirebon Town. This urban kampong has certain ethnic characteristics typical of Arab quarters that make it unique, thus contributing to the rich cultural history of Cirebon. As a heritage area, it is important for this ethnic Arab neighbourhood of Panjunan to draw up an inventory of the specific architectural elements that are still traceable, such as the urban lay-out and its contents as well as the landmarks of this area observed from a physical-spatial angle. The aim of this research project is to find out about this kampong’s various architectural elements that are recognized as such by the locals. This will be the contributing factor in the process of determining which environmental elements can be classified as typical landmarks. The first step taken in the research conducted is field observation in order to establish the elements that have survived in the kampong, including the architectural, social, and cultural ones. The observation related to architectural elements has been identified in accordance with the theory concerning Elements of Urban Design as proposed by Hamid Shirvani in his book The Urban Design Process. The next step is conducting research using the Cognitive Method as applied to the kampong dwellers in Panjunan by way of sketched maps and guided interviews. The respondents, classified based on ethnic heritage (descent) and gender, were requested to describe the environmental elements in this ethnic Arab kampong as far as they could recognize or identify them. Those who experienced difficulties in describing the sketches were assisted by the researcher based on the stories that had been supplied. Based on the acquired data containing these environmental elements, the aspect of memories contained therein was studied by way of interviews linked to the Continuity Theory by Breakwell. Subsequently, an analysis was made of the basis underlying the recognition of these elements based on the Landmark Theory by Kevin Lynch, and classified based on the criteria drawn up by Eko Budihardjo. Through the analysis, it was discovered that Panjunan’s Merah Mosque and its Asy Syafi’i Mosque indeed qualify as as architectural elements that show continuity of memory, gaining validity as iconic elements or landmarks on the regional scale of Cirebon’s ethnic Arab kampong of Panjunan. Keywords : mosque, landmark, recognition, local community, Arab Panjunan kampong


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