scholarly journals Rhythmic tapping difficulties in adults who stutter: a deficit in Central Clock and/or Motor Implementation?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneke Slis ◽  
Christophe Savariaux ◽  
Pascal Perrier ◽  
Maeva Garnier
Keyword(s):  
Musical Training ◽  
Phase Locking ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Time Estimation ◽  
Motor Deficit ◽  
Motor Execution ◽  
External Stimulation ◽  
Central Clock ◽  
Adults Who Stutter ◽  
Reaction Task

The study aims to better understand the origin of increased tapping variability and inaccuracy in people who stutter during paced and un-paced tapping. The overall question is to what extent these timing difficulties are related to a central clock deficit, a deficit in motor execution, or both.Finger tapping behavior of 16 adults who stutter (PWS) with different levels of musical training was compared with performance of 16 matching controls (PNS) in three finger tapping synchronization tasks ― a simple 1:1 isochronous pattern, a complex non-isochronous pattern, and a 4 tap:1 beat isochronous pattern ―, a continuation task (without external stimulation), and a reaction task involving aperiodic and unpredictable patterns. The results show that PWS exhibited larger negative asynchrony (expressed as phase angles), and increased synchronization variability (expressed as phase locking values) in paced tapping tasks, and that these differences from the PNS group were modulated by rhythmic complexity and musical training. The tapping asynchrony with a simple isochronous pattern correlated significantly with the average inter-tap duration, and with tap reaction times during the reaction task. The synchronization variability with a simple isochronous pattern correlated significantly with both the central clock and motor implementation variances as extracted during un-paced tapping, according to the Wing and Kristofferson’s model of timing.The results support the idea that increased tapping variability of PWS is associated with both a central clock and a motor execution deficit. The greater Negative Mean Asynchrony of PWS does not appear to be attributable to a deficit in time estimation but rather to a motor deficit. Several models and theories related to deficits in sensorimotor integration were considered to explain the interactions with beat strength, pattern complexity, and musical training.

scholarly journals Can the occipital alpha-phase speed up visual detection through a real-time EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI)?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Vigué-Guix ◽  
Luis Morís Fernández ◽  
Mireia Torralba Cuello ◽  
Manuela Ruzzoli ◽  
Salvador Soto-Faraco
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Brain Computer Interface ◽  
Phase Locking ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Time Estimation ◽  
Alpha Phase ◽  
Computer Interface ◽  
Α Phase

ABSTRACTElectrical brain oscillations reflect fluctuations in neural excitability. Fluctuations in the alpha band (α, 8-12 Hz) in the occipito-parietal cortex are thought to regulate sensory responses, leading to cyclic variations in visual perception. Inspired by this theory, some past and recent studies have addressed the relationship between α-phase from extra-cranial EEG and behavioural responses to visual stimuli in humans. The latest studies have used offline approaches to confirm α-gated cyclic patterns. However, a particularly relevant implication is the possibility to use this principle online for real-time neurotechnology, whereby stimuli are time-locked to specific α-phases leading to predictable outcomes in performance. Here we aimed at providing a proof-of-concept for such real-time neurotechnology. Participants performed a speeded response task to visual targets that were presented upon a real-time estimation of the α-phase via an EEG closed-loop brain-computer interface (BCI). We predicted, according to the theory, a modulation of reaction times (RTs) along the α-cycle. Our BCI system achieved reliable trial-to-trial phase-locking of stimuli to the phase of individual occipito-parietal α-oscillations. Yet, the behavioural results did not support a consistent relation between RTs and the phase of the α-cycle neither at group nor single participant levels. We must conclude that although the α-phase might play a role in perceptual decisions from a theoretical perspective, its impact on EEG-based BCI application appears negligible.

Ultrastructural identification of three types of sensory setae on copepod antennae

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 956-957
Author(s):  
T. M. Weatherby ◽  
P.H. Lenz
Keyword(s):  
Phase Locking ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Calanoid Copepods ◽  
Marine Food Webs ◽  
Dendritic Membrane ◽  
Ultrastructural Characterization

Crustaceans, as well as other arthropods, are covered with sensory setae and hairs, including mechanoand chemosensory sensillae with a ciliary origin. Calanoid copepods are small planktonic crustaceans forming a major link in marine food webs. In conjunction with behavioral and physiological studies of the antennae of calanoids, we undertook the ultrastructural characterization of sensory setae on the antennae of Pleuromamma xiphias.Distal mechanoreceptive setae exhibit exceptional behavioral and physiological performance characteristics: high sensitivity (<10 nm displacements), fast reaction times (<1 msec latency) and phase locking to high frequencies (1-2 kHz). Unusual structural features of the mechanoreceptors are likely to be related to their physiological sensitivity. These features include a large number (up to 3000) of microtubules in each sensory cell dendrite, arising from or anchored to electron dense rods associated with the ciliary basal body microtubule doublets. The microtubules are arranged in a regular array, with bridges between and within rows. These bundles of microtubules extend far into each mechanoreceptive seta and terminate in a staggered fashion along the dendritic membrane, contacting a large membrane surface area and providing a large potential site of mechanotransduction.

Cognitive inhibitory control in children following early childhood music education

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Eve Joret ◽  
Filip Germeys ◽  
Yori Gidron
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Musical Training ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Music Training

The relationship between music training and executive functions has remained inconsistent in previous studies, possibly due to methodological limitations. This study aims to investigate cognitive inhibitory control in children (9–12 years old) with and without musical training, while carefully considering confounding variables. To assess executive functions, the Simon task was used, measuring reaction times (RTs) and error rates on congruent and incongruent trials. Information on important variables such as bilingualism, socio-economic status (SES), music pedagogy and amount of musical training was collected through a parental questionnaire. Furthermore, verbal and non-verbal intelligence were assessed with validated tests to consider their effects as well. The results showed that the samples did not significantly differ in background variables. The analysis of the RT data on the Simon task revealed a significant group × congruency interaction, such that musically trained children showed a reduced magnitude of the congruency effect (RTs on incongruent trials – RTs on congruent trials) compared to non-musicians. To conclude, music training seems to be associated with enhanced cognitive inhibitory control in well-matched samples.

scholarly journals Enlarged Area of Mesencephalic Iron Deposits in Adults Who Stutter

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Liman ◽  
Alexander Wolff von Gudenberg ◽  
Mathias Baehr ◽  
Walter Paulus ◽  
Nicole E. Neef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Performance ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Transcranial Ultrasound ◽  
Motor Deficit ◽  
Childhood Onset ◽  
Walking Test ◽  
Speech Fluency ◽  
Dopaminergic Dysfunction ◽  
Iron Deposits ◽  
Adults Who Stutter

PurposeChildhood onset speech fluency disorder (stuttering) is possibly related to dopaminergic dysfunction. Mesencephalic hyperechogenicity (ME) detected by transcranial ultrasound (TCS) might be seen as an indirect marker of dopaminergic dysfunction. We here determined whether adults who stutter since childhood (AWS) show ME.MethodsWe performed TCS in ten AWS and ten matched adults who never stuttered. We also assessed motor performance in finger tapping and in the 25 Foot Walking test.ResultsCompared to controls, AWS showed enlarged ME on either side. Finger tapping was slower in AWS. Walking cadence, i.e., the ratio of number of steps by time, tended to be higher in AWS than in control participants.DiscussionThe results demonstrate a motor deficit in AWS linked to dopaminergic dysfunction and extending beyond speech. Since iron deposits evolve in childhood and shrink thereafter, ME might serve as an easily quantifiable biomarker helping to predict the risk of persistency in children who stutter.

Reaction Times and Dyslexia

1994 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roderick I. Nicolson ◽  
Angela J. Fawcett
Keyword(s):  
Pure Tone ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Lexical Decisions ◽  
Choice Reaction Task ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Pure Tones ◽  
Stimulus Classification ◽  
Reaction Task

Five groups of children, including two groups of dyslexics (aged 15 and 11 years), were tested on simple reaction, selective choice reaction, and lexical decision tasks. In simple reactions to a pure tone, the dyslexic children responded as quickly as their chronological age controls and significantly faster than their reading age controls. In selective choice reactions to pure tones, the dyslexic children were significantly impaired compared with their chronological age controls and no faster than their reading age controls. This speed impairment obtained even though a selective choice reaction task has only one positive response. In “by-item” analyses of lexical decisions to spoken words, the dyslexic children were significantly impaired compared even with their reading age controls. The pattern of results suggests that at least two factors contribute to slowness of dyslexic children: a general deficit reflected in slower stimulus classification speed and a linguistic deficit reflected in slower lexical access speed.

scholarly journals MEG inter-subject phase-locking of stimulus-driven activity during naturalistic speech listening correlates with musical training

2021 ◽  
pp. JN-RM-0932-20
Author(s):  
Sebastian Puschmann ◽  
Mor Regev ◽  
Sylvain Baillet ◽  
Robert J. Zatorre
Keyword(s):  
Musical Training ◽  
Phase Locking

Music Tempo and Perception of Time: Musically Trained vs Nontrained Individuals

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Miria N. Plastira ◽  
Marios N. Avraamides
Keyword(s):  
Musical Training ◽  
Time Estimation ◽  
Reproduction Task ◽  
Critical Variable ◽  
Equal Duration ◽  
Fast Tempo ◽  
Perception Of Time ◽  
Slow Tempo

Abstract In this experiment we explored the effect of music tempo on the perception of time. Musically trained and nontrained participants carried out a reproduction task with music clips of various durations and tempos. Results revealed that the reproduced durations were longer for fast-tempo music clips than for slow-tempo music clips of equal duration. In addition, short clips were more accurately reproduced compared to longer stimuli. Notably, the error in reproducing the duration of a stimulus was overall lower for musically trained than nontrained participants, but more so for short than long clips. Finally, the accuracy in estimating the duration of the music clips correlated positively with years of musical training, further suggesting that musical training is a critical variable for time estimation.

Impending Electrical Shock Can Affect Response Force in a Simple Reaction Task

1994 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 995-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Jaśkowski ◽  
Marek Wróblewski ◽  
Dorota Hojan-Jezierska
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Simple Reaction Time ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Reaction Time Task ◽  
Response Force ◽  
Simple Reaction Time Task ◽  
Electrical Shock ◽  
Simple Reaction ◽  
Reaction Task

For 20 subjects reaction times and force of response were measured on a simple reaction time task to visual stimuli while activation was manipulated by occasionally delivering a noninformative electrical shock. In blocks in which shocks were delivered, forces of response were larger than those in control blocks without shocks. The results are discussed in terms of Sanders' mode! of stress.

Human Eye Color and Reaction Time

1978 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 503-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Tedford ◽  
W. R. Hill ◽  
Lynn Hensley
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Visual Stimulus ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Nonsignificant Trend ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Eye Color ◽  
Human Eye ◽  
Trend Data ◽  
Iris Pigmentation ◽  
Reaction Task

Response latencies to a visual stimulus were determined for 44 male and 82 female Caucasians. Those with dark eyes had significantly shorter simple (one stimulus) reaction times. Complex (one of four stimuli) reaction times showed a similar, but nonsignificant, trend. Data from an additional 206 male Caucasians on a one-trial non-practiced reaction task followed the same nonsignificant trend. Darker iris pigmentation apparently correlates with shorter reaction times but more strongly on practiced tasks and on those which do not involve accuracy.

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