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Kakuszi B, Szuromi B, Tóth M, Bitter I, Czobor P. Alterations in resting-state gamma-activity is adults with autism spectrum disorder: A High-Density EEG study. Psychiatry Res 2024; 339:116040. [PMID: 38901364 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of symptoms that include deficits in social cognition and difficulties with social interactions. Neural oscillations in the EEG gamma band have been proposed as an important candidate neurobiological marker of higher order cognitive processes and social interactions. We investigated resting-state gamma-activity of patients with ASD (n=23) in order to delineate alterations as compared to typically developing (TD) subjects (n=24). EEG absolute power was examined in the gamma (30-100Hz) frequency band. We found significantly reduced spectral power across the entire gamma range in the ASD group. The decrease was most pronounced over the inferior-frontal and temporo-parietal junction areas. We also found a significant decrease in gamma-activity over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, especially in the left side. Since these brain areas have been associated with social functioning, the reduced gamma-activity in ASD may represent a cortical dysfunction that could underlie a diminished capacity to interpret socially important information, thereby interfering with social functioning. The alterations we found may lend support for an improved diagnosis. Furthermore, they can lead to focused therapies, by targeting the dysfunctional brain activity to improve social cognitive and interaction abilities that are compromised in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitta Kakuszi
- Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | - Máté Tóth
- Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Bitter
- Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pál Czobor
- Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest, Hungary
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2
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Wynn SC, Townsend CD, Nyhus E. The role of theta and gamma oscillations in item memory, source memory, and memory confidence. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14602. [PMID: 38715221 PMCID: PMC11330366 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Theta and gamma oscillations have been linked to episodic memory processes in various studies. Both oscillations seem to be vital for processes guided by the medial temporal lobe, such as the retrieval of information from memory. While theta oscillations increase with successful memory, it is unclear what the unique contribution of theta is to various subcomponents of memory. On the other hand, memory-related gamma oscillations have been mainly reported in the hippocampus, leaving the role of neocortical gamma in memory underexplored. In this study, we investigated how unique variability in memory accuracy and memory confidence contributes to fluctuations in theta and gamma power. To this end, we recorded EEG from 54 participants while they performed a source memory task. From this task we obtained their item memory accuracy, source memory accuracy, item memory confidence, and source memory confidence. These behavioral measures were put in a trial-by-trial linear mixed effects model to uncover their unique contribution to the oscillatory power in frontal and parietal regions. Our results are in line with the involvement of theta oscillations in both memory accuracy and confidence, but seem to indicate a main role for theta oscillations in memory-related confidence. In addition, we found that gamma oscillations play various roles in memory processing, dependent on brain region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syanah C Wynn
- Neuroimaging Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, USA
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher D Townsend
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Erika Nyhus
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, USA
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3
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Duarte IC, Dionísio A, Oliveira J, Simões M, Correia R, Dias JA, Caldeira S, Redondo J, Castelo-Branco M. Neural underpinnings of ethical decisions in life and death dilemmas in naïve and expert firefighters. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13222. [PMID: 38851794 PMCID: PMC11162493 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63469-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
When a single choice impacts on life outcomes, faculties to make ethical judgments come into play. Here we studied decisions in a real-life setting involving life-and-death outcomes that affect others and the decision-maker as well. We chose a genuine situation where prior training and expertise play a role: firefighting in life-threatening situations. By studying the neural correlates of dilemmas involving life-saving decisions, using realistic firefighting situations, allowed us to go beyond previously used hypothetical dilemmas, while addressing the role of expertise and the use of coping strategies (n = 47). We asked the question whether the neural underpinnings of deontologically based decisions are affected by expertise. These realistic life-saving dilemmas activate the same core reward and affective processing network, in particular the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and amygdala, irrespective of prior expertise, thereby supporting general domain theories of ethical decision-making. We found that brain activity in the hippocampus and insula parametrically increased as the risk increased. Connectivity analysis showed a larger directed influence of the insula on circuits related to action selection in non-experts, which were slower than experts in non rescuing decisions. Relative neural activity related to the decision to rescue or not, in the caudate nucleus, insula and anterior cingulate cortex was negatively associated with coping strategies, in experts (firefighters) suggesting practice-based learning. This shows an association between activity and expert-related usage of coping strategies. Expertise enables salience network activation as a function of behavioural coping dimensions, with a distinct connectivity profile when facing life-rescuing dilemmas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel C Duarte
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Dionísio
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Oliveira
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marco Simões
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Center for Informatics and Systems of University of Coimbra (CISUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Correia
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Center for Informatics and Systems of University of Coimbra (CISUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana A Dias
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Salomé Caldeira
- Centre for Prevention and Treatment of Psychological Trauma (CPTTP), Department of Psychiatry, Coimbra University Hospital Centre (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Redondo
- Centre for Prevention and Treatment of Psychological Trauma (CPTTP), Department of Psychiatry, Coimbra University Hospital Centre (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Wildner F, Neuhäusel TS, Klemz A, Kovács R, Ulmann L, Geiger JRP, Gerevich Z. Extracellular ATP inhibits excitatory synaptic input on parvalbumin positive interneurons and attenuates gamma oscillations via P2X4 receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1635-1653. [PMID: 38073073 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE P2X4 receptors (P2X4R) are ligand gated cation channels that are activated by extracellular ATP released by neurons and glia. The receptors are widely expressed in the brain and have fractional calcium currents comparable with NMDA receptors. Although P2X4Rs have been reported to modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity, their involvement in shaping neuronal network activity remains to be elucidated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We investigated the effects of P2X receptors at network and synaptic level using local field potential electrophysiology, whole cell patch clamp recordings and calcium imaging in fast spiking parvalbumin positive interneurons (PVINs) in rat and mouse hippocampal slices. The stable ATP analogue ATPγS, selective antagonists and P2X4R knockout mice were used. KEY RESULTS The P2XR agonist ATPγS reversibly decreased the power of gamma oscillations. This inhibition could be antagonized by the selective P2X4R antagonist PSB-12062 and was not observed in P2X4-/- mice. The phasic excitatory inputs of CA3 PVINs were one of the main regulators of the gamma power. Associational fibre compound excitatory postsynaptic currents (cEPSCs) in CA3 PVINs were inhibited by P2X4R activation. This effect was reversible, dependent on intracellular calcium and dynamin-dependent internalization of AMPA receptors. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The results indicate that P2X4Rs are an important source of dendritic calcium in CA3 PVINs, thereby regulating excitatory synaptic inputs onto the cells and presumably the state of gamma oscillations in the hippocampus. P2X4Rs represent an effective target to modulate hippocampal network activity in pathophysiological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Wildner
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tim S Neuhäusel
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Klemz
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Kovács
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lauriane Ulmann
- IGF, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jörg R P Geiger
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoltan Gerevich
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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5
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Wynn SC, Townsend CD, Nyhus E. The role of theta and gamma oscillations in item memory, source memory, and memory confidence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.18.562880. [PMID: 37905099 PMCID: PMC10614855 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.18.562880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Theta and gamma oscillations have been linked to episodic memory processes in various studies. Both oscillations seem to be vital for processes guided by the medial temporal lobe, such as the retrieval of information from memory. While theta oscillations increase with successful memory, it is unclear what the unique contribution of theta is to various subcomponents of memory. On the other hand, memory-related gamma oscillations have been mainly reported in the hippocampus, leaving the role of neocortical gamma in memory underexplored. In the current study, we explored how unique variability in memory accuracy and memory confidence contributes to fluctuations in theta and gamma power. To this end, we recorded EEG from 54 participants while they performed a source memory task. From this task we obtained their item memory accuracy, source memory accuracy, item memory confidence, and source memory confidence. These behavioral measures were put in a trial-by-trial linear mixed effects model to uncover their unique contribution to the oscillatory power in frontal and parietal regions. Our results are in line with the involvement of theta oscillations in both memory accuracy and confidence, but seem to indicate a main role for theta oscillations in memory-related confidence. In addition, we found that gamma oscillations play various roles in memory-processing, dependent of brain region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syanah C Wynn
- Neuroimaging Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, United States
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher D Townsend
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Erika Nyhus
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, United States
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6
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Lee TL, Lee H, Kang N. A meta-analysis showing improved cognitive performance in healthy young adults with transcranial alternating current stimulation. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2023; 8:1. [PMID: 36593247 PMCID: PMC9807644 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-022-00152-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation used for improving cognitive functions via delivering weak electrical stimulation with a certain frequency. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of tACS protocols on cognitive functions in healthy young adults. We identified 56 qualified studies that compared cognitive functions between tACS and sham control groups, as indicated by cognitive performances and cognition-related reaction time. Moderator variable analyses specified effect size according to (a) timing of tACS, (b) frequency band of simulation, (c) targeted brain region, and (b) cognitive domain, respectively. Random-effects model meta-analysis revealed small positive effects of tACS protocols on cognitive performances. The moderator variable analyses found significant effects for online-tACS with theta frequency band, online-tACS with gamma frequency band, and offline-tACS with theta frequency band. Moreover, cognitive performances were improved in online- and offline-tACS with theta frequency band on either prefrontal and posterior parietal cortical regions, and further both online- and offline-tACS with theta frequency band enhanced executive function. Online-tACS with gamma frequency band on posterior parietal cortex was effective for improving cognitive performances, and the cognitive improvements appeared in executive function and perceptual-motor function. These findings suggested that tACS protocols with specific timing and frequency band may effectively improve cognitive performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Lee Lee
- Department of Human Movement Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
- Neuromechanical Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Hanall Lee
- Department of Human Movement Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
- Neuromechanical Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Nyeonju Kang
- Department of Human Movement Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea.
- Neuromechanical Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea.
- Division of Sport Science & Sport Science Institute, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea.
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7
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Wang RWY, Liu IN. Temporal and electroencephalography dynamics of surreal marketing. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:949008. [PMID: 36389218 PMCID: PMC9648353 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.949008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Event-related spectral perturbation analysis was employed in this study to explore whether surreal image designs containing metaphors could influence product marketing effects, including consumers' product curiosity, product comprehension, product preference, and purchase intention. A total of 30 healthy participants aged 21-30 years were recruited. Neurophysiological findings revealed that lower gamma, beta, and theta spectral powers were evoked in the right insula (Brodmann Area 13) by surreal marketing images. This was associated, behaviorally, with the manifestation of higher product curiosity and purchase intention. Based on previous research, the brain functions of this area include novelty, puzzle-solving, and cravings for reward caused by cognitive overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina W. Y. Wang
- Department of Design, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Design Perceptual Awareness Laboratory, Taiwan Building Technology Center, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - I-Ning Liu
- Department of Design, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Design Perceptual Awareness Laboratory, Taiwan Building Technology Center, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan
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8
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Chen XJ, Kwak Y. Contribution of the sensorimotor beta oscillations and the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuitry during value-based decision making: A simultaneous EEG-fMRI investigation. Neuroimage 2022; 257:119300. [PMID: 35568351 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In decision neuroscience, the motor system has primarily been considered to be involved in executing choice actions. However, a competing perspective suggests its engagement in the evaluation of options, traditionally considered to be performed by the brain's valuation system. Here, we investigate the role of the motor system in value-based decision making by determining the neural circuitries associated with the sensorimotor beta oscillations previously identified to encode decision options. In a simultaneous EEG-fMRI study, participants evaluated reward and risk associated with a forthcoming action. A significant sensorimotor beta desynchronization was identified prior to and independent of response. The level of beta desynchronization showed evidence of encoding the reward levels. This beta desynchronization covaried, on a trial-by-trial level, with BOLD activity in the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuitry. In contrast, there was only a weak covariation within the valuation network, despite significant modulation of its BOLD activity by reward levels. These results suggest that the way in which decision variables are processed differs in the valuation network and in the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuitry. We propose that sensorimotor beta oscillations indicate incentive motivational drive towards a choice action computed from the decision variables even prior to making a response, and it arises from the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Jie Chen
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Youngbin Kwak
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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Estiveira J, Dias C, Costa D, Castelhano J, Castelo-Branco M, Sousa T. An Action-Independent Role for Midfrontal Theta Activity Prior to Error Commission. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:805080. [PMID: 35634213 PMCID: PMC9131421 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.805080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Error-related electroencephalographic (EEG) signals have been widely studied concerning the human cognitive capability of differentiating between erroneous and correct actions. Midfrontal error-related negativity (ERN) and theta band oscillations are believed to underlie post-action error monitoring. However, it remains elusive how early monitoring activity is trackable and what are the pre-response brain mechanisms related to performance monitoring. Moreover, it is still unclear how task-specific parameters, such as cognitive demand or motor control, influence these processes. Here, we aimed to test pre- and post-error EEG patterns for different types of motor responses and investigate the neuronal mechanisms leading to erroneous actions. We implemented a go/no-go paradigm based on keypresses and saccades. Participants received an initial instruction about the direction of response to be given based on a facial cue and a subsequent one about the type of action to be performed based on an object cue. The paradigm was tested in 20 healthy volunteers combining EEG and eye tracking. We found significant differences in reaction time, number, and type of errors between the two actions. Saccadic responses reflected a higher number of premature responses and errors compared to the keypress ones. Nevertheless, both led to similar EEG patterns, supporting previous evidence for increased ERN amplitude and midfrontal theta power during error commission. Moreover, we found pre-error decreased theta activity independent of the type of action. Source analysis suggested different origin for such pre- and post-error neuronal patterns, matching the anterior insular cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, respectively. This opposite pattern supports previous evidence of midfrontal theta not only as a neuronal marker of error commission but also as a predictor of action performance. Midfrontal theta, mostly associated with alert mechanisms triggering behavioral adjustments, also seems to reflect pre-response attentional mechanisms independently of the action to be performed. Our findings also add to the discussion regarding how salience network nodes interact during performance monitoring by suggesting that pre- and post-error patterns have different neuronal sources within this network.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Estiveira
- CIBIT – Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- ICNAS – Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Camila Dias
- CIBIT – Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- ICNAS – Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Costa
- CIBIT – Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- ICNAS – Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Castelhano
- CIBIT – Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- ICNAS – Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- CIBIT – Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- ICNAS – Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC – Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Sousa
- CIBIT – Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- ICNAS – Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Teresa Sousa,
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Rusiniak M, Bornfleth H, Cho JH, Wolak T, Ille N, Berg P, Scherg M. EEG-fMRI: Ballistocardiogram Artifact Reduction by Surrogate Method for Improved Source Localization. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:842420. [PMID: 35360180 PMCID: PMC8960642 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.842420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For the analysis of simultaneous EEG-fMRI recordings, it is vital to use effective artifact removal tools. This applies in particular to the ballistocardiogram (BCG) artifact which is difficult to remove without distorting signals of interest related to brain activity. Here, we documented the use of surrogate source models to separate the artifact-related signals from brain signals with minimal distortion of the brain activity of interest. The artifact topographies used for surrogate separation were created automatically using principal components analysis (PCA-S) or by manual selection of artifact components utilizing independent components analysis (ICA-S). Using real resting-state data from 55 subjects superimposed with simulated auditory evoked potentials (AEP), both approaches were compared with three established BCG artifact removal methods: Blind Source Separation (BSS), Optimal Basis Set (OBS), and a mixture of both (OBS-ICA). Each method was evaluated for its applicability for ERP and source analysis using the following criteria: the number of events surviving artifact threshold scans, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), error of source localization, and signal variance explained by the dipolar model. Using these criteria, PCA-S and ICA-S fared best overall, with highly significant differences to the established methods, especially in source localization. The PCA-S approach was also applied to a single subject Berger experiment performed in the MRI scanner. Overall, the removal of BCG artifacts by the surrogate methods provides a substantial improvement for the analysis of simultaneous EEG-fMRI data compared to the established methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Rusiniak
- Research Department, BESA GmbH, Gräfelfing, Germany
- *Correspondence: Mateusz Rusiniak,
| | | | - Jae-Hyun Cho
- Research Department, BESA GmbH, Gräfelfing, Germany
| | - Tomasz Wolak
- Bioimaging Research Center, World Hearing Center of the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Nicole Ille
- Research Department, BESA GmbH, Gräfelfing, Germany
| | - Patrick Berg
- Research Department, BESA GmbH, Gräfelfing, Germany
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11
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Castelhano J, Duarte I, Bernardino I, Pelle F, Francione S, Sales F, Castelo-Branco M. Intracranial recordings in humans reveal specific hippocampal spectral and dorsal vs. ventral connectivity signatures during visual, attention and memory tasks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3488. [PMID: 35241722 PMCID: PMC8894428 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07225-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive brain recordings using many electrodes across a wide range of tasks provide a unique opportunity to study the role of oscillatory patterning and functional connectivity. We used large-scale recordings (stereo EEG) within and beyond the human hippocampus to investigate the role of distinct frequency oscillations during real-time execution of visual, attention and memory tasks in eight epileptic patients. We found that activity patterns in the hippocampus showed task and frequency dependent properties. Importantly, we found distinct connectivity signatures, in particular concerning parietal-hippocampal connectivity, thus revealing large scale synchronization of networks involved in memory tasks. Comparing the power per frequency band, across tasks and hippocampal regions (anterior/posterior) we confirmed a main effect of frequency band (p = 0.002). Gamma band activity was higher for visuo-spatial memory tasks in the anterior hippocampus. Further, we found that alpha and beta band activity in posterior hippocampus had larger modulation for high memory load visual tasks (p = 0.004). Three functional connectivity task related networks were identified: (dorsal) parietal-hippocampus (visual attention and memory), ventral stream- hippocampus and hippocampal-frontal connections (mainly tasks involving face recognition or object based search). These findings support the critical role of oscillatory patterning in the hippocampus during visual and memory tasks and suggests the presence of task related spectral and functional connectivity signatures. These results show that the use of large scale human intracranial recordings can validate the role of oscillatory and functional connectivity patterns across a broad range of cognitive domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Castelhano
- ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBIT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Duarte
- ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Bernardino
- ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBIT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Federica Pelle
- Claudio Munari Epilepsy Surgery Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Francione
- Claudio Munari Epilepsy Surgery Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal. .,CIBIT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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12
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A Crucial Role of the Frontal Operculum in Task-Set Dependent Visuomotor Performance Monitoring. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0524-21.2021. [PMID: 35165200 PMCID: PMC8896555 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0524-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
For adaptive goal-directed action, the brain needs to monitor action performance and detect errors. The corresponding information may be conveyed via different sensory modalities; for instance, visual and proprioceptive body position cues may inform about current manual action performance. Thereby, contextual factors such as the current task set may also determine the relative importance of each sensory modality for action guidance. Here, we analyzed human behavioral, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) data from two virtual reality-based hand-target phase-matching studies to identify the neuronal correlates of performance monitoring and error processing under instructed visual or proprioceptive task sets. Our main result was a general, modality-independent response of the bilateral frontal operculum (FO) to poor phase-matching accuracy, as evident from increased BOLD signal and increased source-localized gamma power. Furthermore, functional connectivity of the bilateral FO to the right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) increased under a visual versus proprioceptive task set. These findings suggest that the bilateral FO generally monitors manual action performance; and, moreover, that when visual action feedback is used to guide action, the FO may signal an increased need for control to visuomotor regions in the right PPC following errors.
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13
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Dias C, Costa D, Sousa T, Castelhano J, Figueiredo V, Pereira AC, Castelo-Branco M. A neuronal theta band signature of error monitoring during integration of facial expression cues. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12627. [PMID: 35194525 PMCID: PMC8858578 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Error monitoring is the metacognitive process by which we are able to detect and signal our errors once a response has been made. Monitoring when the outcome of our actions deviates from the intended goal is crucial for behavior, learning, and the development of higher-order social skills. Here, we explored the neuronal substrates of error monitoring during the integration of facial expression cues using electroencephalography (EEG). Our goal was to investigate the signatures of error monitoring before and after a response execution dependent on the integration of facial cues. We followed the hypothesis of midfrontal theta as a robust neuronal marker of error monitoring since it has been consistently described as a mechanism to signal the need for cognitive control. Also, we hypothesized that EEG frequency-domain components might bring advantage to study error monitoring in complex scenarios as it carries information from locked and non-phase-locked signals. A challenging go/no-go saccadic paradigm was applied to elicit errors: integration of facial emotional signals and gaze direction was required to solve it. EEG data were acquired from twenty healthy participants and analyzed at the level of theta band activity during response preparation and execution. Although theta modulation has been consistently demonstrated during error monitoring, it is still unclear how early it starts to occur. We found theta power differences at midfrontal channels between correct and error trials. Theta was higher immediately after erroneous responses. Moreover, before response initiation we observed the opposite: lower theta preceding errors. These results suggest theta band activity not only as an index of error monitoring, which is needed to enhance cognitive control, but also as a requisite for success. This study adds to previous evidence for the role of theta band in error monitoring processes by revealing error-related patterns even before response execution in complex tasks, and using a paradigm requiring the integration of facial expression cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Dias
- CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Costa
- CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Sousa
- CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Castelhano
- CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Verónica Figueiredo
- CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Andreia C. Pereira
- CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,ICNAS - Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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14
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Positive hysteresis in emotion recognition: Face processing visual regions are involved in perceptual persistence, which mediates interactions between anterior insula and medial prefrontal cortex. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 22:1275-1289. [PMID: 35857280 PMCID: PMC9622546 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-022-01024-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Facial emotion perception can be studied from the point of view of dynamic systems whose output may depend not only on current input but also on prior history - a phenomenon known as hysteresis. In cognitive neuroscience, hysteresis has been described as positive (perceptual persistence) or negative (fatigue of current percept) depending on whether perceptual switching occurs later or earlier than actual physical stimulus changes. However, its neural correlates remain elusive. We used dynamic transitions between emotional expressions and combined behavioral assessment with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the underlying circuitry of perceptual hysteresis in facial emotion recognition. Our findings revealed the involvement of face-selective visual areas - fusiform face area (FFA) and superior temporal sulcus (STS) - in perceptual persistence as well as the right anterior insula. Moreover, functional connectivity analyses revealed an interplay between the right anterior insula and medial prefrontal cortex, which showed to be dependent on the presence of positive hysteresis. Our results support the hypothesis that high-order regions are involved in perceptual stabilization and decision during perceptual persistence (positive hysteresis) and add evidence to the role of the anterior insula as a hub of sensory information in perceptual decision-making.
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15
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Reading and Calculation Neural Systems and Their Weighted Adaptive Use for Programming Skills. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:5596145. [PMID: 34394339 PMCID: PMC8360733 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5596145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Software programming is a modern activity that poses strong challenges to the human brain. The neural mechanisms that support this novel cognitive faculty are still unknown. On the other hand, reading and calculation abilities represent slightly less recent human activities, in which neural correlates are relatively well understood. We hypothesize that calculus and reading brain networks provide joint underpinnings with distinctly weighted contributions which concern programming tasks, in particular concerning error identification. Based on a meta-analysis of the core regions involved in both reading and math and recent experimental evidence on the neural basis of programming tasks, we provide a theoretical account that integrates the role of these networks in program understanding. In this connectivity-based framework, error-monitoring processing regions in the frontal cortex influence the insula, which is a pivotal hub within the salience network, leading into efficient causal modulation of parietal networks involved in reading and mathematical operations. The core role of the anterior insula and anterior midcingulate cortex is illuminated by their relation to performance in error processing and novelty. The larger similarity that we observed between the networks underlying calculus and programming skills does not exclude a more limited but clear overlap with the reading network, albeit with differences in hemispheric lateralization when compared with prose reading. Future work should further elucidate whether other features of computer program understanding also use distinct weights of phylogenetically “older systems” for this recent human activity, based on the adjusting influence of fronto-insular networks. By unraveling the neural correlates of program understanding and bug detection, this work provides a framework to understand error monitoring in this novel complex faculty.
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16
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Philiastides MG, Tu T, Sajda P. Inferring Macroscale Brain Dynamics via Fusion of Simultaneous EEG-fMRI. Annu Rev Neurosci 2021; 44:315-334. [PMID: 33761268 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-100220-093239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the instrumentation and signal processing for simultaneously acquired electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) have enabled new ways to observe the spatiotemporal neural dynamics of the human brain. Central to the utility of EEG-fMRI neuroimaging systems are the methods for fusing the two data streams, with machine learning playing a key role. These methods can be dichotomized into those that are symmetric and asymmetric in terms of how the two modalities inform the fusion. Studies using these methods have shown that fusion yields new insights into brain function that are not possible when each modality is acquired separately. As technology improves and methods for fusion become more sophisticated, the future of EEG-fMRI for noninvasive measurement of brain dynamics includes mesoscale mapping at ultrahigh magnetic resonance fields, targeted perturbation-based neuroimaging, and using deep learning to uncover nonlinear representations that link the electrophysiological and hemodynamic measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marios G Philiastides
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8AD, Scotland;
| | - Tao Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Paul Sajda
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Radiology and the Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA;
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17
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Jiang H, Hua L, Dai Z, Tian S, Yao Z, Lu Q, Popov T. Spectral fingerprints of facial affect processing bias in major depression disorder. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 14:1233-1242. [PMID: 31850496 PMCID: PMC7057280 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In major depressive disorder (MDD), processing of facial affect is thought to reflect a perceptual bias (toward negative emotion, away from positive emotion, and interpretation of neutral as emotional). However, it is unclear to what extent and which specific perceptual bias is represented in MDD at the behavior and neuronal level. The present report examined 48 medication naive MDD patients and 41 healthy controls (HCs) performing a facial affect judgment task while magnetoencephalography was recorded. MDD patients were characterized by overall slower response times and lower perceptual judgment accuracies. In comparison with HC, MDD patients exhibited less somatosensory beta activity (20–30 Hz) suppression, more visual gamma activity (40–80 Hz) modulation and somatosensory beta and visual gamma interaction deficit. Moreover, frontal gamma activity during positive facial expression judgment was found to be negatively correlated with depression severity. Present findings suggest that perceptual bias in MDD is associated with distinct spatio-spectral manifestations on the neural level, which potentially establishes aberrant pathways during facial emotion processing and contributes to MDD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiteng Jiang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Lingling Hua
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Zhongpeng Dai
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.,Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Shui Tian
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.,Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zhijian Yao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Qing Lu
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.,Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Tzvetan Popov
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
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18
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Oscillations in the auditory system and their possible role. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:507-528. [PMID: 32298712 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
GOURÉVITCH, B., C. Martin, O. Postal, J.J. Eggermont. Oscillations in the auditory system, their possible role. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV XXX XXX-XXX, 2020. - Neural oscillations are thought to have various roles in brain processing such as, attention modulation, neuronal communication, motor coordination, memory consolidation, decision-making, or feature binding. The role of oscillations in the auditory system is less clear, especially due to the large discrepancy between human and animal studies. Here we describe many methodological issues that confound the results of oscillation studies in the auditory field. Moreover, we discuss the relationship between neural entrainment and oscillations that remains unclear. Finally, we aim to identify which kind of oscillations could be specific or salient to the auditory areas and their processing. We suggest that the role of oscillations might dramatically differ between the primary auditory cortex and the more associative auditory areas. Despite the moderate presence of intrinsic low frequency oscillations in the primary auditory cortex, rhythmic components in the input seem crucial for auditory processing. This allows the phase entrainment between the oscillatory phase and rhythmic input, which is an integral part of stimulus selection within the auditory system.
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19
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Kostandyan M, Park HRP, Bundt C, González-García C, Wisniewski D, Krebs RM, Boehler CN. Are all behavioral reward benefits created equally? An EEG-fMRI study. Neuroimage 2020; 215:116829. [PMID: 32283272 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Reward consistently boosts performance in cognitive tasks. Although many different reward manipulations exist, systematic comparisons are lacking. Reward effects on cognitive control are usually studied using monetary incentive delay (MID; cue-related reward information) or stimulus-reward association (SRA; target-related reward information) tasks. While for MID tasks, evidence clearly implicates reward-triggered global increases in proactive control, it is unclear how reward effects arise in SRA tasks, and in how far such mechanisms overlap during task preparation and target processing. Here, we address these questions with simultaneous EEG-fMRI using a Stroop task with four different block types. In addition to MID and SRA blocks, we used an SRA-task modification with reward-irrelevant cues (C-SRA) and regular reward-neutral Stroop-task blocks. Behaviorally, we observed superior performance for all reward conditions compared to Neutral, and more pronounced reward effects in the SRA and C-SRA blocks, compared to MID blocks. The fMRI data showed similar reward effects in value-related areas for events that signaled reward availability (MID cues and (C-)SRA targets), and comparable reward modulations in cognitive-control regions for all targets regardless of block type. This result pattern was echoed by the EEG data, showing clear markers of valuation and cognitive control, which only differed during task preparation, whereas reward-related modulations during target processing were again comparable across block types. Yet, considering only cue-related fMRI data, C-SRA cues triggered preparatory control processes beyond reward-unrelated MID cues, without simultaneous modulations in typical reward areas, implicating enhanced task preparation that is not directly driven by a concurrent neural reward-anticipation response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haeme R P Park
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium; Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia; School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carsten Bundt
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | | | - David Wisniewski
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Ruth M Krebs
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - C Nico Boehler
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
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20
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Castelhano J, Duarte IC, Ferreira C, Duraes J, Madeira H, Castelo-Branco M. The role of the insula in intuitive expert bug detection in computer code: an fMRI study. Brain Imaging Behav 2019; 13:623-637. [PMID: 29744802 PMCID: PMC6538820 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-018-9885-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Software programming is a complex and relatively recent human activity, involving the integration of mathematical, recursive thinking and language processing. The neural correlates of this recent human activity are still poorly understood. Error monitoring during this type of task, requiring the integration of language, logical symbol manipulation and other mathematical skills, is particularly challenging. We therefore aimed to investigate the neural correlates of decision-making during source code understanding and mental manipulation in professional participants with high expertise. The present fMRI study directly addressed error monitoring during source code comprehension, expert bug detection and decision-making. We used C code, which triggers the same sort of processing irrespective of the native language of the programmer. We discovered a distinct role for the insula in bug monitoring and detection and a novel connectivity pattern that goes beyond the expected activation pattern evoked by source code understanding in semantic language and mathematical processing regions. Importantly, insula activity levels were critically related to the quality of error detection, involving intuition, as signalled by reported initial bug suspicion, prior to final decision and bug detection. Activity in this salience network (SN) region evoked by bug suspicion was predictive of bug detection precision, suggesting that it encodes the quality of the behavioral evidence. Connectivity analysis provided evidence for top-down circuit “reutilization” stemming from anterior cingulate cortex (BA32), a core region in the SN that evolved for complex error monitoring such as required for this type of recent human activity. Cingulate (BA32) and anterolateral (BA10) frontal regions causally modulated decision processes in the insula, which in turn was related to activity of math processing regions in early parietal cortex. In other words, earlier brain regions used during evolution for other functions seem to be reutilized in a top-down manner for a new complex function, in an analogous manner as described for other cultural creations such as reading and literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao Castelhano
- ICNAS/CIBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel C Duarte
- ICNAS/CIBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Ferreira
- ICNAS/CIBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joao Duraes
- CISUC-DEIS, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- ICNAS/CIBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal. .,CNC.IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
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21
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Rennó-Costa C, Teixeira DG, Soltesz I. Regulation of gamma-frequency oscillation by feedforward inhibition: A computational modeling study. Hippocampus 2019; 29:957-970. [PMID: 30990954 PMCID: PMC6744957 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Throughout the brain, reciprocally connected excitatory and inhibitory neurons interact to produce gamma-frequency oscillations. The emergent gamma rhythm synchronizes local neural activity and helps to select which cells should fire in each cycle. We previously found that such excitation-inhibition microcircuits, however, have a potentially significant caveat: the frequency of the gamma oscillation and the level of selection (i.e., the percentage of cells that are allowed to fire) vary with the magnitude of the input signal. In networks with varying levels of brain activity, such a feature may produce undesirable instability on the time and spatial structure of the neural signal with a potential for adversely impacting important neural processing mechanisms. Here we propose that feedforward inhibition solves the latter instability problem of the excitation-inhibition microcircuit. Using computer simulations, we show that the feedforward inhibitory signal reduces the dependence of both the frequency of population oscillation and the level of selection on the magnitude of the input excitation. Such a mechanism can produce stable gamma oscillations with its frequency determined only by the properties of the feedforward network, as observed in the hippocampus. As feedforward and feedback inhibition motifs commonly appear together in the brain, we hypothesize that their interaction underlies a robust implementation of general computational principles of neural processing involved in several cognitive tasks, including the formation of cell assemblies and the routing of information between brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Rennó-Costa
- Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
- Digital Metropolis Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Daniel Garcia Teixeira
- Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
- Digital Metropolis Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
- Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Ivan Soltesz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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22
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Batashvili M, Staples PA, Baker I, Sheffield D. Exploring the relationship between gamma-band activity and maths anxiety. Cogn Emot 2019; 33:1616-1626. [DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2019.1590317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian Baker
- Psychology Department, University of Derby, Derby, UK
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23
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Cabral-Calderin Y, Wilke M. Probing the Link Between Perception and Oscillations: Lessons from Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation. Neuroscientist 2019; 26:57-73. [PMID: 30730265 PMCID: PMC7003153 DOI: 10.1177/1073858419828646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Brain oscillations are regarded as important for perception as they open and close time windows for neural spiking to enable the effective communication within and across brain regions. In the past, studies on perception primarily relied on the use of electrophysiological techniques for probing a correlative link between brain oscillations and perception. The emergence of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) provides the possibility to study the causal contribution of specific oscillatory frequencies to perception. Here, we review the studies on visual, auditory, and somatosensory perception that employed tACS to probe the causality of brain oscillations for perception. The current literature is consistent with a causal role of alpha and gamma oscillations in parieto-occipital regions for visual perception and theta and gamma oscillations in auditory cortices for auditory perception. In addition, the sensory gating by alpha oscillations applies not only to the visual but also to the somatosensory domain. We conclude that albeit more refined perceptual paradigms and individualized stimulation practices remain to be systematically adopted, tACS is a promising tool for establishing a causal link between neural oscillations and perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuranny Cabral-Calderin
- MEG Unit, Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Resilience Center, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Melanie Wilke
- Department of Cognitive Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany.,DFG Center for Nanoscale Microscopy & Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
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24
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Tracking perceptual decision mechanisms through changes in interhemispheric functional connectivity in human visual cortex. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1242. [PMID: 30718636 PMCID: PMC6362201 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37822-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of long-range integration mechanisms underlying visual perceptual binding and their link to interhemispheric functional connectivity, as measured by fMRI, remains elusive. Only inferences on anatomical organization from resting state data paradigms not requiring coherent binding have been achieved. Here, we used a paradigm that allowed us to study such relation between perceptual interpretation and functional connectivity under bistable interhemispheric binding vs. non-binding of visual surfaces. Binding occurs by long-range perceptual integration of motion into a single object across hemifields and non-binding reflects opponent segregation of distinct moving surfaces into each hemifield. We hypothesized that perceptual integration vs. segregation of surface motion, which is achieved in visual area hMT+, is modulated by changes in interhemispheric connectivity in this region. Using 7T fMRI, we found that perceptual long-range integration of bistable motion can be tracked by changes in interhemispheric functional connectivity between left/right hMT+. Increased connectivity was tightly related with long-range perceptual integration. Our results indicate that hMT+ interhemispheric functional connectivity reflects perceptual decision, suggesting its pivotal role on long-range disambiguation of bistable physically constant surface motion. We reveal for the first time, at the scale of fMRI, a relation between interhemispheric functional connectivity and decision based perceptual binding.
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25
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Pivik R, Andres A, Tennal KB, Gu Y, Downs H, Bellando BJ, Jarratt K, Cleves MA, Badger TM. Resting gamma power during the postnatal critical period for GABAergic system development is modulated by infant diet and sex. Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 135:73-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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26
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Wang RWY, Chen YC, Liu IN, Chuang SW. Temporal and spectral EEG dynamics can be indicators of stealth placement. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9117. [PMID: 29904124 PMCID: PMC6002479 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27294-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Stealth placement marketing, where consumers are unaware that they are being marketed to, attempts to reduce the audiences' resistance to traditional persuasive advertising. It is a form of advertising that involves targeted exposure of brands or products incorporated in other works, usually with or without explicit reference to the brands or products. Brand placement can be presented in different visual and auditory forms in video programs. The present study proposed that different 'representations' (i.e., representable or non-representable) and 'sounds' (i.e., speech or musical sound) of brand placement can affect the viewers' perception of the brand. Event-related potential results indicated significant differences in P1, N1, P2, N270, and P3. Further, event-related spectral perturbation results indicated significant differences in theta, alpha, beta, and gamma (30-100 Hz), in the right parietal, right occipital area, and limbic lobe. 'Non-representable' or 'speech sound' brand placement induced significant temporal and spectral EEG dynamics in viewers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina W Y Wang
- Design Perceptual Awareness Lab (D:PAL), National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan.
- The Department of Industrial and Commercial Design, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Chung Chen
- Design Perceptual Awareness Lab (D:PAL), National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan
- The Department of Industrial and Commercial Design, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Ning Liu
- Design Perceptual Awareness Lab (D:PAL), National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan
- The Department of Industrial and Commercial Design, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Wen Chuang
- Design Perceptual Awareness Lab (D:PAL), National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan
- Taiwan Building Technology Center, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan
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Silva G, Duarte IC, Bernardino I, Marques T, Violante IR, Castelo-Branco M. Oscillatory motor patterning is impaired in neurofibromatosis type 1: a behavioural, EEG and fMRI study. J Neurodev Disord 2018; 10:11. [PMID: 29566645 PMCID: PMC5863896 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-018-9230-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurofibromatosis type1 (NF1) is associated with a broad range of behavioural deficits, and an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission has been postulated in this disorder. Inhibition is involved in the control of frequency and stability of motor rhythms. Therefore, we aimed to explore the link between behavioural motor control, brain rhythms and brain activity, as assessed by EEG and fMRI in NF1. Methods We studied a cohort of 21 participants with NF1 and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls, with a finger-tapping task requiring pacing at distinct frequencies during EEG and fMRI scans. Results We found that task performance was significantly different between NF1 and controls, the latter showing higher tapping time precision. The time-frequency patterns at the beta sub-band (20–26 Hz) mirrored the behavioural modulations, with similar cyclic synchronization/desynchronization patterns for both groups. fMRI results showed a higher recruitment of the extrapyramidal motor system (putamen, cerebellum and red nucleus) in the control group during the fastest pacing condition. Conclusions The present study demonstrated impaired precision in rhythmic pacing behaviour in NF1 as compared with controls. We found a decreased recruitment of the cerebellum, a structure where inhibitory interneurons are essential regulators of rhythmic synchronization, and in deep brain regions pivotally involved in motor pacing. Our findings shed light into the neural underpinnings of motor timing deficits in NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto Silva
- CNC.IBILI, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,ICNAS, CIBIT, Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Catarina Duarte
- CNC.IBILI, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,ICNAS, CIBIT, Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Bernardino
- CNC.IBILI, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Tânia Marques
- CNC.IBILI, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês R Violante
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- CNC.IBILI, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal. .,ICNAS, CIBIT, Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
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28
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Ramsøy TZ, Skov M, Christensen MK, Stahlhut C. Frontal Brain Asymmetry and Willingness to Pay. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:138. [PMID: 29662432 PMCID: PMC5890093 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Consumers frequently make decisions about how much they are willing to pay (WTP) for specific products and services, but little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying such calculations. In this study, we were interested in testing whether specific brain activation—the asymmetry in engagement of the prefrontal cortex—would be related to consumer choice. Subjects saw products and subsequently decided how much they were willing to pay for each product, while undergoing neuroimaging using electroencephalography. Our results demonstrate that prefrontal asymmetry in the gamma frequency band, and a trend in the beta frequency band that was recorded during product viewing was significantly related to subsequent WTP responses. Frontal asymmetry in the alpha band was not related to WTP decisions. Besides suggesting separate neuropsychological mechanisms of consumer choice, we find that one specific measure—the prefrontal gamma asymmetry—was most strongly related to WTP responses, and was most coupled to the actual decision phase. These findings are discussed in light of the psychology of WTP calculations, and in relation to the recent emergence of consumer neuroscience and neuromarketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Z Ramsøy
- Neurons Inc., Holbæk, Denmark.,Singularity University, Sunnyvale, CA, United States.,Center for Decision Neuroscience, Department of Marketing, Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Martin Skov
- Center for Decision Neuroscience, Department of Marketing, Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Maiken K Christensen
- Center for Decision Neuroscience, Department of Marketing, Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Carsten Stahlhut
- Section for Cognitive Systems, Department of Informatics and Mathematical Modelling, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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29
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Castelhano J, Tavares P, Mouga S, Oliveira G, Castelo-Branco M. Stimulus dependent neural oscillatory patterns show reliable statistical identification of autism spectrum disorder in a face perceptual decision task. Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:981-989. [PMID: 29554581 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.01.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Electroencephalographic biomarkers have been widely investigated in autism, in the search for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic outcome measures. Here we took advantage of the information available in temporal oscillatory patterns evoked by simple perceptual decisions to investigate whether stimulus dependent oscillatory signatures can be used as potential biomarkers in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS We studied an extensive set of stimuli (9 categories of faces) and performed data driven classification (Support vector machine, SVM) of ASD vs. Controls with features based on the EEG power responses. We carried out an extensive time-frequency and synchrony analysis of distinct face categories requiring different processing mechanisms in terms of non-holistic vs. holistic processing. RESULTS We found that the neuronal oscillatory responses of low gamma frequency band, locked to photographic and abstract two-tone (Mooney) face stimulus presentation are decreased in ASD vs. the control group. We also found decreased time-frequency (TF) responses in the beta band in ASD after 350 ms, possibly related to motor preparation. On the other hand, synchrony in the 30-45 Hz band showed a distinct spatial pattern in ASD. These power changes enabled accurate classification of ASD with an SVM approach. SVM accuracy was approximately 85%. ROC curves showed about 94% AUC (area under the curve). Combination of Mooney and Photographic face stimuli evoked features enabled a better separation between groups, reaching an AUC of 98.6%. CONCLUSION We identified a relative decrease in EEG responses to face stimuli in ASD in the beta (15-30 Hz; >350 ms) and gamma (30-45 Hz; 55-80 Hz; 50-350 ms) frequency ranges. These can be used as input of a machine learning approach to separate between groups with high accuracy. SIGNIFICANCE Future studies can use EEG time-frequency patterns evoked by particular types of faces as a diagnostic biomarker and potentially as outcome measures in therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Castelhano
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula Tavares
- Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Mouga
- Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Unidade de Neurodesenvolvimento e Autismo do Serviço do Centro de Desenvolvimento da Criança, Pediatric Hospital, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Guiomar Oliveira
- Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Unidade de Neurodesenvolvimento e Autismo do Serviço do Centro de Desenvolvimento da Criança, Pediatric Hospital, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal; University Clinic of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Centro de Investigação e Formação Clínica, Pediatric Hospital, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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30
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Uji M, Wilson R, Francis ST, Mullinger KJ, Mayhew SD. Exploring the advantages of multiband fMRI with simultaneous EEG to investigate coupling between gamma frequency neural activity and the BOLD response in humans. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 39:1673-1687. [PMID: 29331056 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We established an optimal combination of EEG recording during sparse multiband (MB) fMRI that preserves high-resolution, whole-brain fMRI coverage while enabling broad-band EEG recordings which are uncorrupted by MRI gradient artefacts (GAs). We first determined the safety of simultaneous EEG recording during MB fMRI. Application of MB factor = 4 produced <1°C peak heating of electrode/hardware during 20 min of GE-EPI data acquisition. However, higher SAR sequences require specific safety testing, with greater heating observed using PCASL with MB factor = 4. Heating was greatest in the electrocardiogram channel, likely due to it possessing longest lead length. We investigated the effect of MB factor on the temporal signal-to-noise ratio for a range of GE-EPI sequences (varying MB factor and temporal interval between slice acquisitions). We found that, for our experimental purpose, the optimal acquisition was achieved with MB factor = 3, 3mm isotropic voxels, and 33 slices providing whole head coverage. This sequence afforded a 2.25 s duration quiet period (without GAs) in every 3 s TR. Using this sequence, we demonstrated the ability to record gamma frequency (55-80 Hz) EEG oscillations, in response to right index finger abduction, that are usually obscured by GAs during continuous fMRI data acquisition. In this novel application of EEG-MB fMRI to a motor task, we observed a positive correlation between gamma and BOLD responses in bilateral motor regions. These findings support and extend previous work regarding coupling between neural and hemodynamic measures of brain activity in humans and showcase the utility of EEG-MB fMRI for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Uji
- Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH), School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ross Wilson
- Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH), School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Susan T Francis
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre (SPMIC), School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Karen J Mullinger
- Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH), School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre (SPMIC), School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen D Mayhew
- Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH), School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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31
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Castelhano J, Duarte IC, Abuhaiba SI, Rito M, Sales F, Castelo-Branco M. Cortical functional topography of high-frequency gamma activity relates to perceptual decision: an Intracranial study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186428. [PMID: 29073154 PMCID: PMC5657999 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
High-frequency activity (HFA) is believed to subserve a functional role in cognition, but these patterns are often not accessible to scalp EEG recordings. Intracranial studies provide a unique opportunity to link the all-encompassing range of high-frequency patterns with holistic perception. We tested whether the functional topography of HFAs (up to 250Hz) is related to perceptual decision-making. Human intracortical data were recorded (6 subjects; >250channels) during an ambiguous object-recognition task. We found a spatial topography of HFAs reflecting processing anterior dorsal and ventral streams, linked to decision independently of the type of processed object/stimulus category. Three distinct regional fingerprints could be identified, with lower gamma frequency patterns (<45Hz) dominating in the anterior semantic ventral object processing and dorsoventral integrating networks and evolving later, during perceptual decision phases, than early sensory posterior patterns (60-250Hz). This suggests that accurate object recognition/perceptual decision-making is related to distinct spatiotemporal signatures in the low gamma frequency range.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Castelhano
- CIBIT, ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Coimbra Portugal
- IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel C. Duarte
- CIBIT, ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Coimbra Portugal
- IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sulaiman I. Abuhaiba
- CIBIT, ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Coimbra Portugal
- IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | | | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- CIBIT, ICNAS, University of Coimbra, Coimbra Portugal
- IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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32
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Simoes M, Direito B, Lima J, Castelhano J, Ferreira C, Couceiro R, Carvalho P, Castelo-Branco M. Correlated alpha activity with the facial expression processing network in a simultaneous EEG-fMRI experiment. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017; 2017:2562-2565. [PMID: 29060422 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2017.8037380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between EEG and fMRI data is poorly covered in the literature. Extensive work has been conducted in resting-state and epileptic activity, highlighting a negative correlation between the alpha power band of the EEG and the BOLD activity in the default-mode-network. The identification of an appropriate task-specific relationship between fMRI and EEG data for predefined regions-of-interest, would allow the transfer of interventional paradigms (such as BOLD-based neurofeedback sessions) from fMRI to EEG, enhancing its application range by lowering its costs and improving its flexibility. In this study, we present an analysis of the correlation between task-specific alpha band fluctuations and BOLD activity in the facial expressions processing network. We characterized the network ROIs through a stringent localizer and identified two clusters on the scalp (one frontal, one parietal-occipital) with marked alpha fluctuations, related to the task. We then check whether such power variations throughout the time correlate with the BOLD activity in the network. Our results show statistically significant negative correlations between the alpha power in both clusters and for all the ROIs of the network. The correlation levels have still not met the requirements for transferring the protocol to an EEG setup, but they pave the way towards a better understand on how frontal and parietal-occipital alpha relates to the activity of the facial expressions processing network.
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33
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Costa GN, Duarte JV, Martins R, Wibral M, Castelo-Branco M. Interhemispheric Binding of Ambiguous Visual Motion Is Associated with Changes in Beta Oscillatory Activity but Not with Gamma Range Synchrony. J Cogn Neurosci 2017; 29:1829-1844. [PMID: 28654360 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
In vision, perceptual features are processed in several regions distributed across the brain. Yet, the brain achieves a coherent perception of visual scenes and objects through integration of these features, which are encoded in spatially segregated brain areas. How the brain seamlessly achieves this accurate integration is currently unknown and is referred to as the "binding problem." Among the proposed mechanisms meant to resolve the binding problem, the binding-by-synchrony hypothesis proposes that binding is carried out by the synchronization of distant neuronal assemblies. This study aimed at providing a critical test to the binding-by-synchrony hypothesis by evaluating long-range connectivity using EEG during a motion integration visual task that entails binding across hemispheres. Our results show that large-scale perceptual binding is not associated with long-range interhemispheric gamma synchrony. However, distinct perceptual interpretations were found to correlate with changes in beta power. Increased beta activity was observed during binding under ambiguous conditions and originates mainly from parietal regions. These findings reveal that the visual experience of binding can be identified by distinct signatures of oscillatory activity, regardless of long-range gamma synchrony, suggesting that such type of synchrony does not underlie perceptual binding.
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Yang P, Fan C, Wang M, Li L. A Comparative Study of Average, Linked Mastoid, and REST References for ERP Components Acquired during fMRI. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:247. [PMID: 28529472 PMCID: PMC5418232 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, average reference (AR), and digitally linked mastoid (LM) are popular re-referencing techniques in event-related potential (ERP) analyses. However, they may introduce their own physiological signals and alter the EEG/ERP outcome. A reference electrode standardization technique (REST) that calculated a reference point at infinity was proposed to solve this problem. To confirm the advantage of REST in ERP analyses of synchronous EEG-fMRI studies, we compared the reference effect of AR, LM, and REST on task-related ERP results of a working memory task during an fMRI scan. As we hypothesized, we found that the adopted reference did not change the topography map of ERP components (N1 and P300 in the present study), but it did alter the task-related effect on ERP components. LM decreased or eliminated the visual working memory (VWM) load effect on P300, and the AR distorted the distribution of VWM location-related effect at left posterior electrodes as shown in the statistical parametric scalp mapping (SPSM) of N1. ERP cortical source estimates, which are independent of the EEG reference choice, were used as the golden standard to infer the relative utility of different references on the ERP task-related effect. By comparison, REST reference provided a more integrated and reasonable result. These results were further confirmed by the results of fMRI activations and a corresponding EEG-only study. Thus, we recommend the REST, especially with a realistic head model, as the optimal reference method for ERP data analysis in simultaneous EEG-fMRI studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yang
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu, China
| | - Chenggui Fan
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu, China
| | - Min Wang
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu, China
| | - Ling Li
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu, China
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Distinct preference for spatial frequency content in ventral stream regions underlying the recognition of scenes, faces, bodies and other objects. Neuropsychologia 2016; 87:110-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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36
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The salience network dynamics in perceptual decision-making. Neuroimage 2016; 134:85-93. [PMID: 27079535 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that the network consisting of the right anterior insula (rAI), left anterior insula (lAI) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) is activated in sensory stimulus-guided goal-directed behaviors. This network is often known as the salience network (SN). When and how a sensory signal enters and organizes within SN before reaching the central executive network including the prefrontal cortices is still a mystery. Previous electrophysiological studies focused on individual nodes of SN, either on dACC or rAI, have reports of conflicting findings of the earliest cortical activity within the network. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies are not able to answer these questions in the time-scales of human sensory perception and decision-making. Here, using clear and noisy face-house image categorization tasks and human scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recordings combined with source reconstruction techniques, we study when and how oscillatory activity organizes SN during a perceptual decision. We uncovered that the beta-band (13-30Hz) oscillations bound SN, became most active around 100ms after the stimulus onset and the rAI acted as a main outflow hub within SN for easier decision making task. The SN activities (Granger causality measures) were negatively correlated with the decision response time (decision difficulty). These findings suggest that the SN activity precedes the executive control in mediating sensory and cognitive processing to arrive at visual perceptual decisions.
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Simoes S, Lima J, Direito B, Castelhano J, Ferreira C, Carvalho P, Castelo-Branco M. Feature analysis for correlation studies of simultaneous EEG-fMRI data: A proof of concept for neurofeedback approaches. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016; 2015:4065-8. [PMID: 26737187 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2015.7319287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The identification and interpretation of facial expressions is an important feature of social cognition. This characteristic is often impaired in various neurodevelopmental disorders. Recent therapeutic approaches to intervene in social communication impairments include neurofeedback (NF). In this study, we present a NF real-time functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rt-fMRI), combined with electroencephalography (EEG) to train social communication skills. In this sense, we defined the right Superior Temporal Sulcus as our target region-of-interest. To analyze the correlation between the fMRI regions of interest and the EEG data, we transposed the sources located at the nearest cortical location to the target region. We extracted a set of 75 features from EEG segments and performed a correlation analysis with the brain activations extracted from rt-fMRI in the right pSTS region. The finding of significant correlations of simultaneously measured signals in distinct modalities (EEG and fMRI) is promising. Future studies should address whether the observed correlation levels between local brain activity and scalp measures are sufficient to implement NF approaches.
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Castelhano J, Bernardino I, Rebola J, Rodriguez E, Castelo-Branco M. Oscillations or Synchrony? Disruption of Neural Synchrony despite Enhanced Gamma Oscillations in a Model of Disrupted Perceptual Coherence. J Cogn Neurosci 2015; 27:2416-26. [DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_00863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that neural synchrony underlies perceptual coherence. The hypothesis of loss of central perceptual coherence has been proposed to be at the origin of abnormal cognition in autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder linked with autism, and a clearcut model for impaired central coherence. We took advantage of this model of impaired holistic processing to test the hypothesis that loss of neural synchrony plays a separable role in visual integration using EEG and a set of experimental tasks requiring coherent integration of local elements leading to 3-D face perception. A profound reorganization of brain activity was identified. Neural synchrony was reduced across stimulus conditions, and this was associated with increased amplitude modulation at 25–45 Hz. This combination of a dramatic loss of synchrony despite increased oscillatory activity is strong evidence that synchrony underlies central coherence. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that dissociation between amplitude and synchrony is reported in a human model of impaired perceptual coherence, suggesting that loss of phase coherence is more directly related to disruption of holistic perception.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eugenio Rodriguez
- 2Max-Planck for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- 3Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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