scholarly journals The Influence of Thermal Alterations on Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Neuromuscular Function during a Fatiguing Task

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Cyle Phillips ◽  
Derek Verbrigghe ◽  
Alex Gabe ◽  
Brittany Jauquet ◽  
Claire Eischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Water Immersion ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Neuromuscular Function ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Ratings Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
And Task

The purpose of this study was to examine prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation, neuromuscular function, and perceptual measures in response to a fatiguing task, following thermal alterations of an exercising arm. Nineteen healthy adults completed three experimental sessions. At baseline, participants performed maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the elbow flexors. Next, participants submerged their right arm in a water bath for 15 min. Cold (C), neutral (N), and hot (H) water temperatures were maintained at 8, 33, and 44 °C, respectively. Following water immersion, participants performed an isometric elbow flexion contraction, at 20% of their MVIC, for 5 min. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), muscular discomfort, and task demands were assessed. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure activation (oxygenation) of the PFC during the fatiguing task. Reductions in MVIC torque at the end of the fatiguing task were greater for the H (25.7 ± 8.4%) and N (22.2 ± 9.6%) conditions, compared to the C condition (17.5 ± 8.9%, p < 0.05). The increase in oxygenation of the PFC was greater for the H (13.3 ± 4.9 μmol/L) and N (12.4 ± 4.4 μmol/L) conditions, compared to the C condition (10.3 ± 3.8 μmol/L, p < 0.001) at the end of the fatiguing task. The increase in RPE, muscular discomfort, and task demands were greater in the H condition compared to the N and C conditions (p < 0.01). These results indicate that precooling an exercising arm attenuates the rise in PFC activation, muscle fatigue, and psychological rating during a fatiguing task.

scholarly journals Utilizing Inter-Subject Variability to Assess Performance and Brain Activity During Complex Task Learning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratusha Reddy ◽  
Patricia A Shewokis ◽  
Kurtulus Izzetoglu
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Complex Task ◽  
Intersubject Variability ◽  
Training Simulator ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract With tasks becoming more mentally focused and operators being required to conduct multiple tasks simultaneously, it is important to not only acquire direct measurements from the brain, but also account for changes in performance and brain activity as a function of intersubject variability and task demands. Such methodology is particularly important when evaluating skill acquisition and transfer during training on a complex and ecologically valid task. To evaluate the aforementioned factors, we implemented a search and surveillance task (scanning an assigned area and identifying targets) using a high-fidelity Unmanned Aerial System operator training simulator, acquired brain activity changes via a portable functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) sensor array, and had novice participants (N = 13) undergo three sessions of easy difficulty followed by two harder difficulty sessions. Behavioral performance results indicated no significant change in scan or target find performance across easy sessions when intersubject variability was not accounted for. However, accounting for intersubject variability indicated that some individuals improved their scan performance, and they deteriorated their target find performance (Attention-focused group), while others deteriorated their scan performance, and they improved their target find performance (Accuracy-focused group). fNIRS results displayed that both groups exhibited a decrease in brain activity across easy sessions within the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC) and right anterior medial PFC (RAMPFC), while activity in left anterior medial prefrontal cortex (LAMPFC) increased in the Attention-focused group and decreased in the Accuracy-focused group. In both groups, transitioning to hard sessions resulted in a decrease in performance. The Attention-focused group displayed an increase in brain activity within LDLPFC, RAMPFC and LAMPFC, while the Accuracy-focused group displayed an increase in brain activity within LDLPFC, no change within RAMPFC and a decrease within LAMPFC. These results suggest that the Attention-focused group was able to acquire and transfer the skills needed to efficiently complete the scan task, while remaining engaged in a target find task. Alternatively, the Accuracy-focused group was engaged only on acquiring the skills needed to efficiently complete the target find task. In conclusion, these results suggest that utilizing intersubject variability as relevant information rather than noise improves assessments of skill acquisition and transfer during training on a complex task.

Making social neuroscience less WEIRD: Using fNIRS to measure neural signatures of persuasive influence in a Middle East participant sample

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Burns ◽  
Lianne N. Barnes ◽  
Ian A. McCulloh ◽  
Munqith M. Dagher ◽  
Emily B. Falk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Social Neuroscience ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Neuropsychological Functions ◽  
Arabic Speaking

The large majority of social neuroscience research uses WEIRD populations – participants from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic locations. This makes it difficult to claim whether neuropsychological functions are universal or culture specific. In this study, we demonstrate one approach to addressing the imbalance by using portable neuroscience equipment in a study of persuasion conducted in Jordan with an Arabic-speaking sample. Participants were shown persuasive videos on various health and safety topics while their brain activity was measured using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Self-reported persuasiveness ratings for each video were then recorded. Consistent with previous research conducted with American subjects, this work found that activity in the dorsomedial and ventromedial prefrontal cortex predicted how persuasive participants found the videos and how much they intended to engage in the messages’ endorsed behaviors. Further, activity in the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex was associated with persuasiveness ratings, but only in participants for whom the message was personally relevant. Implications for these results on the understanding of the brain basis of persuasion and on future directions for neuroimaging in diverse populations are discussed.

scholarly journals Classification of Prefrontal Cortex Activity Based on Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Data upon Olfactory Stimulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 701
Author(s):  
Cheng-Hsuan Chen ◽  
Kuo-Kai Shyu ◽  
Cheng-Kai Lu ◽  
Chi-Wen Jao ◽  
Po-Lei Lee
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Kernel Functions ◽  
Olfactory Stimulation ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Hemodynamic Response Function ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Data Set

The sense of smell is one of the most important organs in humans, and olfactory imaging can detect signals in the anterior orbital frontal lobe. This study assessed olfactory stimuli using support vector machines (SVMs) with signals from functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) data obtained from the prefrontal cortex. These data included odor stimuli and air state, which triggered the hemodynamic response function (HRF), determined from variations in oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) and deoxyhemoglobin (deoxyHb) levels; photoplethysmography (PPG) of two wavelengths (raw optical red and near-infrared data); and the ratios of data from two optical datasets. We adopted three SVM kernel functions (i.e., linear, quadratic, and cubic) to analyze signals and compare their performance with the HRF and PPG signals. The results revealed that oxyHb yielded the most efficient single-signal data with a quadratic kernel function, and a combination of HRF and PPG signals yielded the most efficient multi-signal data with the cubic function. Our results revealed superior SVM analysis of HRFs for classifying odor and air status using fNIRS data during olfaction in humans. Furthermore, the olfactory stimulation can be accurately classified by using quadratic and cubic kernel functions in SVM, even for an individual participant data set.

scholarly journals Comparison of Activation in the Prefrontal Cortex of Native Speakers of Mandarin by Ability of Japanese as a Second Language Using a Novel Speaking Task

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Li Cong ◽  
Hideki Miyaguchi ◽  
Chinami Ishizuki
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Strong Inhibition ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
High Level

Evidence shows that second language (L2) learning affects cognitive function. Here in this work, we compared brain activation in native speakers of Mandarin (L1) who speak Japanese (L2) between and within two groups (high and low L2 ability) to determine the effect of L2 ability in L1 and L2 speaking tasks, and to map brain regions involved in both tasks. The brain activation during task performance was determined using prefrontal cortex blood flow as a proxy, measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). People with low L2 ability showed much more brain activation when speaking L2 than when speaking L1. People with high L2 ability showed high-level brain activation when speaking either L2 or L1. Almost the same high-level brain activation was observed in both ability groups when speaking L2. The high level of activation in people with high L2 ability when speaking either L2 or L1 suggested strong inhibition of the non-spoken language. A wider area of brain activation in people with low compared with high L2 ability when speaking L2 is considered to be attributed to the cognitive load involved in code-switching L1 to L2 with strong inhibition of L1 and the cognitive load involved in using L2.

Social hyperscanning with fNIRS

Gesture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 196-222
Author(s):  
Michela Balconi ◽  
Angela Bartolo ◽  
Giulia Fronda
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Gestural Communication ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Posterior Parietal

Abstract The interest of neuroscience has been aimed at the investigation of the neural bases underlying gestural communication. This research explored the intra- and inter-brain connectivity between encoder and decoder. Specifically, adopting a “hyperscanning paradigm” with the functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) cerebral connectivity in oxygenated (O2Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin levels were revealed during the reproduction of affective, social, and informative gestures of different valence. Results showed an increase of intra- and inter-brain connectivity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for affective gestures, in superior frontal gyrus for social gestures and in frontal eyes field for informative gestures. Moreover, encoder showed a higher intra-brain connectivity in posterior parietal areas more than decoder. Finally, an increasing of inter-brain connectivity more than intra-brain (ConIndex) was observed in left regions for positive gestures. The present research has explored how the individuals neural tuning mechanisms turn out to be strongly influenced by the nature of specific gestures.

A-9 Examining Neural Variability during Dual-Task Walking and Cortical Thickness in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1048-1048
Author(s):  
Daliah Ross ◽  
Mark E Wagshul ◽  
Meltem Izzetoglu ◽  
Roee Holtzer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Single Task ◽  
Mobility Impairments ◽  
Neural Variability

Abstract Objective Greater intraindividual variability (IIV) in behavioral and cognitive performance is a risk factor for adverse outcomes but research concerning IIV in neural signal is scarce. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we showed that IIV in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) levels in the prefrontal cortex increased from single task (Single-Task-Walk–STW; Single-Task-Alpha–STA) to Dual-Task-Walk (DTW) conditions in older adults. Herein, we predicted that, consistent with the neural inefficiency hypothesis, reduced cortical thickness would be associated with greater increases in IIV in fNIRS-derived HbO2 from single tasks to DTW when adjusting for behavioral performance. Method Participants were right-handed older adults without dementia recruited from the community (N = 55; M(SD) age = 74.84(4.97); %female = 49.1). Neuroimaging included fNIRS for HbO2 levels in the prefrontal cortex during tasks and MRI for cortical thickness. IIV was operationalized using the SD of fNIRS-derived HbO2 observations assessed during a 30-s interval in each experimental condition. Results Moderation analyses, assessed through linear mixed effects models, revealed that in several frontal (p &lt; 0.02), parietal (p &lt; 0.02), temporal (p &lt; 0.01), and occipital (p &lt; 0.01) regions, thinner cortex was associated with greater increases in HbO2 IIV from the single tasks to DTW. Conclusion Reduced cortical thickness was associated with inefficient increases in IIV in fNIRS-derived HbO2 from single tasks to dual-task walking. Worse IIV in gait performance under DTW predicts adverse mobility outcomes. Reduced cortical thickness and worse IIV of fNIRS-derived HbO2 during DTW are possible brain mechanisms that explain the risk of developing mobility impairments in aging and disease populations.

Evaluation of fNIRS Signal Components Elicited by Cognitive and Hypercapnic Stimuli

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratusha Reddy ◽  
Meltem Izzetoglu ◽  
Patricia Shewokis ◽  
Michael Sangobowale ◽  
Ramon Diaz-Arrastia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Hemispheric Differences ◽  
Functional Versus ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Global Response ◽  
Very Low Frequency ◽  
Systemic Responses ◽  
And Task

Abstract Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurements are confounded by signal components originating from multiple physiological causes, whose activities may vary temporally and spatially (across tissue layers, and regions of the cortex). Furthermore, the stimuli can induce evoked effects, which may lead to over or underestimation of the actual effect of interest. Here, we conducted a temporal, spectral, and spatial analysis of fNIRS signals collected during cognitive and hypercapnic stimuli to characterize effects of functional versus systemic responses. We utilized wavelet analysis to discriminate physiological causes and employed long and short source-detector separation (SDS) channels to differentiate tissue layers. Multi-channel measures were analyzed further to distinguish hemispheric differences. The results highlight cardiac, respiratory, myogenic, and very low frequency (VLF) activities within fNIRS signals. Regardless of stimuli, activity within VLF band had the largest contribution to the overall signal. The systemic activities dominated the measurements from the short SDS channels during cognitive stimulus, but not hypercapnic stimulus. Importantly, results indicate that characteristics of fNIRS signals vary with type of the stimuli administered as cognitive stimulus elicited variable responses between hemispheres in VLF band and task-evoked temporal effect in VLF, myogenic and respiratory bands, while hypercapnic stimulus induced a global response across both hemispheres.

scholarly journals Interpersonal Synchrony Special Issue The role of anterior prefrontal cortex (area 10) in face-to-face deception measured with fNIRS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Pinti ◽  
Andrea Devoto ◽  
Isobel Greenhalgh ◽  
Ilias Tachtsidis ◽  
Paul W Burgess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Lie Detection ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Interpersonal Synchrony ◽  
Anterior Prefrontal Cortex

Abstract Anterior prefrontal cortex (PFC, Brodmann area 10) activations are often, but not always, found in neuroimaging studies investigating deception, and the precise role of this area remains unclear. To explore the role of the PFC in face-to-face deception, we invited pairs of participants to play a card game involving lying and lie detection while we used functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to record brain activity in the PFC. Participants could win points for successfully lying about the value of their cards or for detecting lies. We contrasted patterns of brain activation when the participants either told the truth or lied, when they were either forced into this or did so voluntarily and when they either succeeded or failed to detect a lie. Activation in the anterior PFC was found in both lie production and detection, unrelated to reward. Analysis of cross-brain activation patterns between participants identified areas of the PFC where the lead player’s brain activity synchronized their partner’s later brain activity. These results suggest that during situations that involve close interpersonal interaction, the anterior PFC supports processing widely involved in deception, possibly relating to the demands of monitoring one’s own and other people’s behaviour.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document