Approach to verification of psychometric test results by integrating the methods of tempometry and video-oculography

One of the function of psychometrics is to assess hidden properties in persons as trasmitters of meanings to predict their behaviour under certain specific situational conditions with reference to the measured parameters. When the survey participants recourse to deliberate distortion of their answers in order to increase social acceptability thereof, then there is a great probability that the evaluation and predictions of their behavior will not be relevant. the answer-response processing algorithms envisioned in standardized tests are often ineffective when it comes to detection of intentional distortion; and this in fact is the problem that requires resolution. An approach to solve this problem is proposed. A tool suitable for implementation of the proposed approach is described. the results obtained by means of using the toolkit Video Tsvetomer are illustrated.

Power spectral densities of electroencephalographic theta and alpha frequency waves during information processing of language comprehension

A cross sectional study was conducted to assess electroencephalograph (EEG) Power Spectral Densities (PSD) of alpha and theta frequency bands for an integrative functional role of working memory (WM) in the architectonics of a synthesized and coordinated communication system as exemplified by the observable phenomenon of the evolved structured Language of Human Mind by using Visuo-Spatial Delayed Match to Sample (DMTS) task. The analysis exhibited significant Event Related Synchronization (ERS) along theta wave-form at temporal region along with Lateral Asymmetry Index (LAI) of Alpha Event Related Desynchronization (ERD) at parietal region suggestive of the phenomenal singularity of ERS of theta along temporal regions that seems to be intricately interwoven onto the spectacle of LAI of alpha ERD, presumably evolving a synthesized enveloped working memory, along the virtual phase-space of Human Mind and eventually translating into the comprehensible means of communication of Humans, i.e., Language.

Processing speed and clinical features of schizophrenia: comparison between men and women

Evidence about differences in processing speed (PS) performance between men and women with schizophrenia is inconclusive. Moreover, PS deconstruction into its subcomponents has not been compared among sexes. The aim of this study was to compare PS and its subcomponents (i.e., response processing – RP; accuracy – AC; and psychomotor speed - PmS) performance between men and women with schizophrenia and to explore its associations with clinical variables. Fiftysix patients (36 men, 20 women) were recruited. The PS domain tasks from the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery were used. Women outperformed men in RP and AC but were slower in PmS. For men, correlations were found between functionality, RP and AC; age of onset was associated with AC; in women, illness duration and symptomatology correlated with AC. Sex-related differences regarding PS performance in schizophrenia resemble those observed in healthy individuals. Remediation strategies should consider sex differences in PS for more accurate interventions.

Mirroring and brain connectivity of gesture observation

Non-verbal communication involves di rent channels, as gestures, to communicate different information. The present study aims investigating the electrophysiological (EEG) correlates underlying the use of affective, social, and informative gestures during gesture observation by an encoder (who observed to reproduce the gestures successively) and decoder (who simply observed the gestures). Mirroring mechanisms were considered for a gesture observation task. Results showed an increase of frontal alpha, delta, and theta brain responsiveness and intra-brain connectivity for affective and social gestures. and of posterior (temporo-parietal) alpha activity and alpha and delta intra-brain connectivity for informative ones. Concerning inter-agents' role, similar responses were found for all gestures. Regarding gesture valence, an increase of delta and theta activity was observed for positive gestures on the left cerebral side. This study, therefore, revealed the function of gestures' type and valence in influencing individuals' brain activity, showing the presence of mirroring mechanisms underlying gesture observation.

Interoception as a social alarm amplification system. What multimethod (EEG-fNIRS) integrated measures can tell us about interoception and empathy for pain?

We examined whether the modulation of Interoceptive Attentiveness (IA) influences the cortical correlates of observation of pain in others. Healthy participants observed painful/non-painful stimuli while brain response [oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb; HHb), and electroencephalographic cortical oscillations] was measured. Participants were divided into experimental (EXP) and control group: EXP group was required to focus on its interoceptive correlates during the task. Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) scale was administered to test empathic traits. Focusing on prefrontal cortex activity, theta band and O2Hb in the right frontal hemisphere while observing painful stimuli positively correlates in the EXP. Delta band and O2Hb in left frontal hemisphere for non-painful stimuli positively correlates in controls. IRI (Perspective Taking and Empathic Concern subscales) and right frontal activity for painful stimuli negatively correlates in the EXP. Findings were discussed in light of the modulating role of IA in enhancing the negative experience of observing pain in others.

Unravelling competitors’ brain-andbody correlates. The two-persons social neuroscience approach to study competition

Competition refers to a condition for which an individual or a group strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others. It follows that, unlike cooperation, the gain of one foresees the loss of the other. Most accounts have focused on the individual and social cognitive mechanisms featuring cooperative/competitive behavior, however, a fascinating question regards the neurophysiological correlates of competitive social phenomenon. What happens at a neural and peripheral level in the brain-and-body system of two people engaged in a competitive dynamic? The combination of multiple neuroscientific techniques adopted to unveil the individual and social complexity of competition leads us discussing a more recent and promising paradigm in neuroscience, the hyperscanning. In the social neuroscience field, hyperscanning allowed shifting from a single-person to a two-persons perspective and can open new opportunities to study interpersonal brain-and-body connectivity during competitive social interactions in increasingly ecological contexts.

The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT): normative data for the Italian population

The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) is a neuropsychological instrument designed to measure attention, working memory and speed of information processing in a complex manner. It is currently used to evaluate different neurological diseases. the purpose of this study was to establish PASAT normative data for the healthy Italian population using the standardized methodology of Equivalents Scores. the brief PASAT auditory version included in the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite was administered to 146 healthy Italian participants, distributed for gender (70 men; 76 women), age (range 18-83) and education (8-19). We found that age and education, but not gender, were significant PASAT score predictors. PASAT normative Italian data may represent a useful application for clinicians and researchers to document mild executive deficits in different neurological populations.

Correlation between behavioral alterations and dopamine changes in mice experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii

The mechanism of the parasite to induce alterations in host behavior is suggested due to changes in the dopaminergic system. This study aims to clarify the effects of latent toxoplasmosis on infected mice's behavior and to assess the dopamine neurotransmitter in their brains. Experimental infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and monitoring of behavioral alterations in mice using open field and hole-board tests were carried. Mice were sacrificed, then brains histo-pathologically and neuro-chemically assessed. Open field test revealed a decrease in locomotion in both infected mice genders, whereas the hole-board test displayed an increased level of exploration only by infected female mice. Significant changes in the dopamine concentration in the brain with regard to status of infection were detected. The results suggest an association between T. gondii infection and changes in the behavior. Neuromodulators may represent an ideal mechanism by which T. gondii, at least in part of the expression, can influence the behavior of the infected animal or even human host.