scholarly journals A Bridge between the Breath and the Brain: Synchronization of Respiration, a Pupillometric Marker of the Locus Coeruleus, and an EEG Marker of Attentional Control State

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1324
Author(s):  
Michael Christopher Melnychuk ◽  
Ian H. Robertson ◽  
Emanuele R. G. Plini ◽  
Paul M. Dockree
Keyword(s):  
Locus Coeruleus ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Phase Synchronization ◽  
Oscillatory System ◽  
Coupling Mechanism ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
Frontal Midline Theta ◽  
Attentional System ◽  
Control State

Yogic and meditative traditions have long held that the fluctuations of the breath and the mind are intimately related. While respiratory modulation of cortical activity and attentional switching are established, the extent to which electrophysiological markers of attention exhibit synchronization with respiration is unknown. To this end, we examined (1) frontal midline theta-beta ratio (TBR), an indicator of attentional control state known to correlate with mind wandering episodes and functional connectivity of the executive control network; (2) pupil diameter (PD), a known proxy measure of locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic activity; and (3) respiration for evidence of phase synchronization and information transfer (multivariate Granger causality) during quiet restful breathing. Our results indicate that both TBR and PD are simultaneously synchronized with the breath, suggesting an underlying oscillation of an attentionally relevant electrophysiological index that is phase-locked to the respiratory cycle which could have the potential to bias the attentional system into switching states. We highlight the LC’s pivotal role as a coupling mechanism between respiration and TBR, and elaborate on its dual functions as both a chemosensitive respiratory nucleus and a pacemaker of the attentional system. We further suggest that an appreciation of the dynamics of this weakly coupled oscillatory system could help deepen our understanding of the traditional claim of a relationship between breathing and attention.

scholarly journals A Bridge Between the Breath and the Brain: Synchronization of Respiration, a Pupillometric Marker of the Locus Coeruleus, and an EEG Marker of Attentional Control State

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Christopher Melnychuk ◽  
Ian H. Robertson ◽  
Emanuele R.G. Plini ◽  
Paul M. Dockree
Keyword(s):  
Locus Coeruleus ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Phase Synchronization ◽  
Oscillatory System ◽  
Coupling Mechanism ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
Frontal Midline Theta ◽  
Attentional System ◽  
Control State

Yogic and meditative traditions have long held that the fluctuations of the breath and the mind are intimately related. While respiratory modulation of cortical activity and attentional switching are established, the extent to which electrophysiological markers of attention exhibit synchronization with respiration is unknown. To this end, we examined 1) frontal midline theta-beta ratio, an indicator of attentional control state known to correlate with mind wandering episodes and functional connectivity of the executive control network; 2) pupil diameter (PD), a known proxy measure of locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic activity; and 3) respiration for evidence of phase synchronization and information transfer (multivariate Granger causality) during quiet restful breathing. Our results indicate that both TBR and PD are simultaneously synchronized with the breath, suggesting an underlying oscillation of an attentionally relevant electrophysiological index that is phase-locked to the respiratory cycle which could have the potential to bias the attentional system into switching states. We highlight the LC’s pivotal role as a coupling mechanism between respiration and TBR, and elaborate on its dual functions as both a chemosensitive respiratory nucleus and a pacemaker of the attentional system. We further suggest that an appreciation of the dynamics of this weakly coupled oscillatory system could help deepen our understanding of the traditional claim of a relationship between breathing and attention.

scholarly journals Pupil diameter tracks changes in control state predicted by the adaptive gain theory of locus coeruleus function

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Gilzenrat ◽  
Sander Nieuwenhuis ◽  
Marieke Jepma ◽  
Jonathan D. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Locus Coeruleus ◽  
Pupil Diameter ◽  
Control State

Multinephron dynamics on the renal vascular network

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (1) ◽  
pp. F88-F102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald J. Marsh ◽  
Anthony S. Wexler ◽  
Alexey Brazhe ◽  
Dmitri E. Postnov ◽  
Olga V. Sosnovtseva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Phase Synchronization ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vascular Network ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
Symmetric Model ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Electrical Signals

Tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) and the myogenic mechanism combine in each nephron to regulate blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Both mechanisms are nonlinear, generate self-sustained oscillations, and interact as their signals converge on arteriolar smooth muscle, forming a regulatory ensemble. Ensembles may synchronize. Smooth muscle cells in the ensemble depolarize periodically, generating electrical signals that propagate along the vascular network. We developed a mathematical model of a nephron-vascular network, with 16 versions of a single nephron model containing representations of both mechanisms in the regulatory ensemble, to examine the effects of network structure on nephron synchronization. Symmetry, as a property of a network, facilitates synchronization. Nephrons received blood from a symmetric electrically conductive vascular tree. Symmetry was created by using identical nephron models at each of the 16 sites and symmetry breaking by varying nephron length. The symmetric model achieved synchronization of all elements in the network. As little as 1% variation in nephron length caused extensive desynchronization, although synchronization was maintained in small nephron clusters. In-phase synchronization predominated among nephrons separated by one or three vascular nodes and antiphase synchronization for five or seven nodes of separation. Nephron dynamics were irregular and contained low-frequency fluctuations. Results are consistent with simultaneous blood flow measurements in multiple nephrons. An interaction between electrical signals propagated through the network to cause synchronization; variation in vascular pressure at vessel bifurcations was a principal cause of desynchronization. The results suggest that the vasculature supplies blood to nephrons but also engages in robust information transfer.

Frontal Midline Theta Is a Specific Indicator of Optimal Attentional Engagement During Skilled Putting Performance

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 470-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Chun Kao ◽  
Chung-Ju Huang ◽  
Tsung-Min Hung
Keyword(s):  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Brain Region ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Theta Activity ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Golf Putting ◽  
Skilled Performance ◽  
Frontal Brain ◽  
Attentional Engagement ◽  
Frontal Midline Theta

The purpose of this study was to determine whether frontal midline theta activity (Fmθ), an indicator of top-down sustained attention, can be used to distinguish an individual’s best and worst golf putting performances during the pre-putt period. Eighteen golfers were recruited and asked to perform 100 putts in a self-paced simulated putting task. We then compared the Fmθ power of each individual’s 15 best and worst putts. The results indicated that theta power in the frontal brain region significantly increased in both best and worst putts, compared with other midline regions. Moreover, the Fmθ power significantly decreased for the best putts compared with the worst putts. These findings suggest that Fmθ is a manifestation of sustained attention during a skilled performance and that optimal attentional engagement, as characterized by a lower Fmθ power, is beneficial for successful skilled performance rather than a higher Fmθ power reflecting excessive attentional control.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory coupling analyses: a review

2013 ◽  
Vol 371 (1997) ◽  
pp. 20120191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Schulz ◽  
Felix-Constantin Adochiei ◽  
Ioana-Raluca Edu ◽  
Rico Schroeder ◽  
Hariton Costin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Phase Synchronization ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Nonlinear Prediction ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Driver Response ◽  
Biological Time ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Coupling ◽  
Medical Analysis

Recently, methods have been developed to analyse couplings in dynamic systems. In the field of medical analysis of complex cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory systems, there is growing interest in how insights may be gained into the interaction between regulatory mechanisms in healthy and diseased persons. The couplings within and between these systems can be linear or nonlinear. However, the complex mechanisms involved in cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory regulation very likely interact with each other in a nonlinear way. Recent advances in nonlinear dynamics and information theory have allowed the multivariate study of information transfer between time series. They therefore might be able to provide additional diagnostic and prognostic information in medicine and might, in particular, be able to complement traditional linear coupling analysis techniques. In this review, we describe the approaches (Granger causality, nonlinear prediction, entropy, symbolization, phase synchronization) most commonly applied to detect direct and indirect couplings between time series, especially focusing on nonlinear approaches. We will discuss their capacity to quantify direct and indirect couplings and the direction (driver–response relationship) of the considered interaction between different biological time series. We also give their basic theoretical background, their basic requirements for application, their main features and demonstrate their usefulness in different applications in the field of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory coupling analyses.

scholarly journals Cross-frequency synchronization connects networks of fast and slow oscillations during visual working memory maintenance

eLife ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Siebenhühner ◽  
Sheng H Wang ◽  
J Matias Palva ◽  
Satu Palva
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Working Memory ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Phase Synchronization ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Gamma Oscillations ◽  
Frequency Synchronization ◽  
Neuronal Processing ◽  
Gamma Frequencies ◽  
Frequency Phase

Neuronal activity in sensory and fronto-parietal (FP) areas underlies the representation and attentional control, respectively, of sensory information maintained in visual working memory (VWM). Within these regions, beta/gamma phase-synchronization supports the integration of sensory functions, while synchronization in theta/alpha bands supports the regulation of attentional functions. A key challenge is to understand which mechanisms integrate neuronal processing across these distinct frequencies and thereby the sensory and attentional functions. We investigated whether such integration could be achieved by cross-frequency phase synchrony (CFS). Using concurrent magneto- and electroencephalography, we found that CFS was load-dependently enhanced between theta and alpha–gamma and between alpha and beta-gamma oscillations during VWM maintenance among visual, FP, and dorsal attention (DA) systems. CFS also connected the hubs of within-frequency-synchronized networks and its strength predicted individual VWM capacity. We propose that CFS integrates processing among synchronized neuronal networks from theta to gamma frequencies to link sensory and attentional functions.

scholarly journals Asynchronous non-invasive high-speed BCI speller with robust non-control state detection

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Nagel ◽  
Martin Spüler
Keyword(s):  
Information Transfer ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Intentional Control ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Information Transfer Rate ◽  
State Detection ◽  
Control State

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) enable users to control a computer by using pure brain activity. Recent BCIs based on visual evoked potentials (VEPs) have shown to be suitable for high-speed communication. However, all recent high-speed BCIs are synchronous, which means that the system works with fixed time slots so that the user is not able to select a command at his own convenience, which poses a problem in real-world applications. In this paper, we present the first asynchronous high-speed BCI with robust distinction between intentional control (IC) and non-control (NC), with a nearly perfect NC state detection of only 0.075 erroneous classifications per minute. The resulting asynchronous speller achieved an average information transfer rate (ITR) of 122.7 bit/min using a 32 target matrix-keyboard. Since the method is based on random stimulation patterns it allows to use an arbitrary number of targets for any application purpose, which was shown by using an 55 target German QWERTZ-keyboard layout which allowed the participants to write an average of 16.1 (up to 30.7) correct case-sensitive letters per minute. As the presented system is the first asynchronous high-speed BCI speller with a robust non-control state detection, it is an important step for moving BCI applications out of the lab and into real-life.

scholarly journals The Effects of High Pressure on the Point of No Return in Simulated Penalty Kicks

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Navarro ◽  
Nelson Miyamoto ◽  
John van der Kamp ◽  
Edgard Morya ◽  
Ronald Ranvaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Control Theory ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Qualitative Change ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Point Of No Return ◽  
Attentional Control Theory ◽  
Attentional System ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Short Times

We investigated the effects of high pressure on the point of no return or the minimum time required for a kicker to respond to the goalkeeper’s dive in a simulated penalty kick task. The goalkeeper moved to one side with different times available for the participants to direct the ball to the opposite side in low-pressure (acoustically isolated laboratory) and high-pressure situations (with a participative audience). One group of participants showed a significant lengthening of the point of no return under high pressure. With less time available, performance was at chance level. Unexpectedly, in a second group of participants, high pressure caused a qualitative change in which for short times available participants were inclined to aim in the direction of the goalkeeper’s move. The distinct effects of high pressure are discussed within attentional control theory to reflect a decreasing efficiency of the goal-driven attentional system, slowing down performance, and a decreasing effectiveness in inhibiting stimulus-driven behavior.

scholarly journals P3-476: REDUCED LOCUS COERULEUS INTEGRITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR ATTENTIONAL CONTROL IN OLDER ADULTS WITHOUT DEMENTIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. P1150-P1150
Author(s):  
Alexandra J. Weigand ◽  
Rachel E. Thayer ◽  
Seraphina K. Solders ◽  
Jeremy A. Elman ◽  
Tanya Mikhael ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Locus Coeruleus ◽  
Attentional Control

Supervisory attentional control following carbon monoxide poisoning

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 843-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
KERRY JONES ◽  
GLYNDA JANE KINSELLA ◽  
BEN ONG ◽  
CARLOS SCHEINKESTEL
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ◽  
Attentional Orienting ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Attention System ◽  
Attentional System ◽  
Alteration Of Consciousness ◽  
Healthy Community

This study tested the hypothesis that carbon monoxide poisoning would produce a deficit of attentional control, the supervisory attention system, as indexed by attention switching and attentional scheduling, and that routine attentional orienting would be unaffected. Seventy-three cases of carbon monoxide poisoning were assessed at 3 days and 1 month post poisoning on tasks of attentional orienting, and tasks of the supervisory attention system. The results were compared to a group of 53 healthy community participants. A deficit of the supervisory attentional system was documented on a task of attention switching in survivors of both deliberate and accidental CO poisoning, leaving attentional scheduling intact. There was no deficit of attentional orienting in the current study. Alteration of consciousness was found to predict subsequent supervisory attention system impairment in correlation analyses, and the deficit was persistent for a 1 month follow-up period. (JINS, 2004, 10, 843–850.)

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