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Escolà-Gascón Á. Our brains sense the future through a new quantum-like implicit learning mechanism. Brain Res Bull 2024; 216:111048. [PMID: 39128676 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.111048] [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: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imagine if our brains could unconsciously predict future events. This study explores this concept, presenting evidence for an inherent 'foreseeing' ability, termed anomalous cognition (AC). We introduce a new experimentally verifiable approach to explain anomalous information anticipation (AIA), a type of AC, based on an innovative, quantum-like model of implicit learning, grounded in Nonlocal Plasticity Theory (NPT). METHODS Our research involved 203 participants using methods such as continuous flash suppression, random dot motion, and advanced 3D EEG neuroimaging, along with IBM quantum random event generators for precise measurements across 144 trials. These trials tested contingencies between undetectable sensory stimuli and dot movements, focusing on participants' prediction abilities. The design conditions were strictly experimental, violating fundamental classical learning principles, particularly reflex conditioning. If these principles were immutable, their violation would prevent any systematic behavioral changes, resulting in random responses. This violation was implemented through two quantum physics concepts: the mathematical principle of nonlocality and entanglement. RESULTS Despite the sensory stimulus being inaccessible, our results showed a significant prediction between the contingencies and an increase in AIA accuracy, with explained variances between 25 % and 48 %. EEG findings supported this, showing a positive link between brain activity in specific regions and AIA success. Electrochemical activations were detected in the posterior occipital cortex, the intraparietal sulcus, and the medial temporal gyri. AIA hits exceeded the threshold value corresponding to one standard deviation above the expected mean, showing moderate effect sizes in the experimental group (Cohen's d = 0.461). Analyzing the learning curve using the derivation technique, we identified the acceleration point of the wave function, indicating systematic implicit learning. This result showed that from repetition 63 onwards, AIA hits increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that, despite violating fundamental classical learning principles, cognitive processes produced changes in participants' responses susceptible to neuromodulation, considering quantum physics principles of nonlocality and entanglement (both present in NPT). We discuss (a) why the priming effect does not explain the significant results; (b) the potential discovery of a new form of quantum-like implicit learning, which could scientifically resolve phenomena associated with anomalous cognitions (e.g., AIA); and (c) future research directions, including potential applications and clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álex Escolà-Gascón
- Department of Quantitative Methods and Statistics, Comillas Pontifical University, established by the Holy See, Vatican City State.
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Liuzzi P, Cassioli T, Secci S, Hakiki B, Scarpino M, Burali R, di Palma A, Toci T, Grippo A, Cecchi F, Frosini A, Mannini A. A neurophysiological profiling of the heartbeat-evoked potential in severe acquired brain injuries: A focus on unconsciousness. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:4201-4216. [PMID: 38797841 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16394] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Unconsciousness in severe acquired brain injury (sABI) patients occurs with different cognitive and neural profiles. Perturbational approaches, which enable the estimation of proxies for brain reorganization, have added a new avenue for investigating the non-behavioural diagnosis of consciousness. In this prospective observational study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the topological patterns of heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEP) between patients experiencing a prolonged disorder of consciousness (pDoC) and patients emerging from a minimally consciousness state (eMCS). A total of 219 sABI patients were enrolled, each undergoing a synchronous EEG-ECG resting-state recording, together with a standardized consciousness diagnosis. A number of graph metrics were computed before/after the HEP (Before/After) using the R-peak on the ECG signal. The peak value of the global field power of the HEP was found to be significantly higher in eMCS patients with no difference in latency. Power spectrum was not able to discriminate consciousness neither Before nor After. Node assortativity and global efficiency were found to vary with different trends at unconsciousness. Lastly, the Perturbational Complexity Index of the HEP was found to be significantly higher in eMCS patients compared with pDoC. Given that cortical elaboration of peripheral inputs may serve as a non-behavioural determinant of consciousness, we have devised a low-cost and translatable technique capable of estimating causal proxies of brain functionality with an endogenous, non-invasive stimulus. Thus, we present an effective means to enhance consciousness assessment by incorporating the interaction between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and central nervous system (CNS) into the loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piergiuseppe Liuzzi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
- Istituto di BioRobotica, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Sara Secci
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
| | - Bahia Hakiki
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Rachele Burali
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Tanita Toci
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Cecchi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Frosini
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
- Dipartimento di Matematica Ulisse Dini, Università di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Mannini
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Florence, Italy
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Pasculli G, Busan P, Jackson ES, Alm PA, De Gregorio D, Maguire GA, Goodwin GM, Gobbi G, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris RL. Psychedelics in developmental stuttering to modulate brain functioning: a new therapeutic perspective? Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1402549. [PMID: 38962146 PMCID: PMC11221540 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1402549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental stuttering (DS) is a neurodevelopmental speech-motor disorder characterized by symptoms such as blocks, repetitions, and prolongations. Persistent DS often has a significant negative impact on quality of life, and interventions for it have limited efficacy. Herein, we briefly review existing research on the neurophysiological underpinnings of DS -specifically, brain metabolic and default mode/social-cognitive networks (DMN/SCN) anomalies- arguing that psychedelic compounds might be considered and investigated (e.g., in randomized clinical trials) for treatment of DS. The neural background of DS is likely to be heterogeneous, and some contribution from genetically determinants of metabolic deficiencies in the basal ganglia and speech-motor cortical regions are thought to play a role in appearance of DS symptoms, which possibly results in a cascade of events contributing to impairments in speech-motor execution. In persistent DS, the difficulties of speech are often linked to a series of associated aspects such as social anxiety and social avoidance. In this context, the SCN and DMN (also influencing a series of fronto-parietal, somato-motor, and attentional networks) may have a role in worsening dysfluencies. Interestingly, brain metabolism and SCN/DMN connectivity can be modified by psychedelics, which have been shown to improve clinical evidence of some psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.) associated with psychological constructs such as rumination and social anxiety, which also tend to be present in persistent DS. To date, while there have been no controlled trials on the effects of psychedelics in DS, anecdotal evidence suggests that these agents may have beneficial effects on stuttering and its associated characteristics. We suggest that psychedelics warrant investigation in DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pasculli
- Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering (DIAG), La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Italian Society of Psychedelic Medicine (Società Italiana di Medicina Psichedelica–SIMePsi), Bari, Italy
| | | | - Eric S. Jackson
- Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Per A. Alm
- Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- IRCCS, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Gerald A. Maguire
- School of Medicine, American University of Health Sciences, Signal Hill, CA, United States
- CenExel CIT Research, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Guy M. Goodwin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Erritzoe
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L. Carhart-Harris
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Psychedelics Division, Neuroscape, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Cardone P, Alnagger N, Annen J, Bicego A, Gosseries O, Martial C. Psychedelics and disorders of consciousness: the current landscape and the path forward. Neurosci Conscious 2024; 2024:niae025. [PMID: 38881630 PMCID: PMC11179162 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niae025] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Modern medicine has been shaken by the surge of psychedelic science that proposes a new approach to mitigate mental disorders, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Clinical trials to investigate whether psychedelic substances can treat psychiatric conditions are now underway, yet less discussion gravitates around their use in neurological disorders due to brain injury. One suggested implementation of brain-complexity enhancing psychedelics is to treat people with post-comatose disorders of consciousness (DoC). In this article, we discuss the rationale of this endeavour, examining possible outcomes of such experiments by postulating the existence of an optimal level of complexity. We consider the possible counterintuitive effects of both psychedelics and DoC on the functional connectivity of the default mode network and its possible impact on selfhood. We also elaborate on the role of computational modelling in providing complementary information to experimental studies, both contributing to our understanding of the treatment mechanisms and providing a path towards personalized medicine. Finally, we update the discourse surrounding the ethical considerations, encompassing clinical and scientific values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Cardone
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau2, University Hospital of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Naji Alnagger
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau2, University Hospital of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Jitka Annen
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau2, University Hospital of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
- Department of Data Analysis, University of Ghent, Henri Dunantlaan 1, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Aminata Bicego
- Sensation and Perception Research Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau2, University Hospital of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
- Sensation and Perception Research Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Martial
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau2, University Hospital of Liège, Avenue de l'hôpital 11, Liège 4000, Belgium
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Murray CH, Frohlich J, Haggarty CJ, Tare I, Lee R, de Wit H. Neural complexity is increased after low doses of LSD, but not moderate to high doses of oral THC or methamphetamine. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1120-1128. [PMID: 38287172 PMCID: PMC11109226 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01809-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Neural complexity correlates with one's level of consciousness. During coma, anesthesia, and sleep, complexity is reduced. During altered states, including after lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), complexity is increased. In the present analysis, we examined whether low doses of LSD (13 and 26 µg) were sufficient to increase neural complexity in the absence of altered states of consciousness. In addition, neural complexity was assessed after doses of two other drugs that significantly altered consciousness and mood: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 7.5 and 15 mg) and methamphetamine (MA; 10 and 20 mg). In three separate studies (N = 73; 21, LSD; 23, THC; 29, MA), healthy volunteers received placebo or drug in a within-subjects design over three laboratory visits. During anticipated peak drug effects, resting state electroencephalography (EEG) recorded Limpel-Ziv complexity and spectral power. LSD, but not THC or MA, dose-dependently increased neural complexity. LSD also reduced delta and theta power. THC reduced, and MA increased, alpha power, primarily in frontal regions. Neural complexity was not associated with any subjective drug effect; however, LSD-induced reductions in delta and theta were associated with elation, and THC-induced reductions in alpha were associated with altered states. These data inform relationships between neural complexity, spectral power, and subjective states, demonstrating that increased neural complexity is not necessary or sufficient for altered states of consciousness. Future studies should address whether greater complexity after low doses of LSD is related to cognitive, behavioral, or therapeutic outcomes, and further examine the role of alpha desynchronization in mediating altered states of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor H Murray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of Los Angeles, California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| | - Joel Frohlich
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Straße 45, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, Santa Monica, California; 2811 Wilshire Blvd # 510, Santa Monica, CA, 90403, USA
| | - Connor J Haggarty
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ilaria Tare
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Royce Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Harriet de Wit
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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Mastrovito D, Liu YH, Kusmierz L, Shea-Brown E, Koch C, Mihalas S. Transition to chaos separates learning regimes and relates to measure of consciousness in recurrent neural networks. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.15.594236. [PMID: 38798582 PMCID: PMC11118502 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Recurrent neural networks exhibit chaotic dynamics when the variance in their connection strengths exceed a critical value. Recent work indicates connection variance also modulates learning strategies; networks learn "rich" representations when initialized with low coupling and "lazier" solutions with larger variance. Using Watts-Strogatz networks of varying sparsity, structure, and hidden weight variance, we find that the critical coupling strength dividing chaotic from ordered dynamics also differentiates rich and lazy learning strategies. Training moves both stable and chaotic networks closer to the edge of chaos, with networks learning richer representations before the transition to chaos. In contrast, biologically realistic connectivity structures foster stability over a wide range of variances. The transition to chaos is also reflected in a measure that clinically discriminates levels of consciousness, the perturbational complexity index (PCIst). Networks with high values of PCIst exhibit stable dynamics and rich learning, suggesting a consciousness prior may promote rich learning. The results suggest a clear relationship between critical dynamics, learning regimes and complexity-based measures of consciousness.
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Gomez-Andres A, Cerda-Company X, Cucurell D, Cunillera T, Rodríguez-Fornells A. Decoding agency attribution using single trial error-related brain potentials. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14434. [PMID: 37668293 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14434] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Being able to distinguish between self and externally generated actions is a key factor influencing learning and adaptive behavior. Previous literature has highlighted that whenever a person makes or perceives an error, a series of error-related potentials (ErrPs) can be detected in the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal, such as the error-related negativity (ERN) component. Recently, ErrPs have gained a lot of interest for the use in brain-computer interface (BCI) applications, which give the user the ability to communicate by means of decoding his/her brain activity. Here, we explored the feasibility of employing a support vector machine classifier to accurately disentangle self-agency errors from other-agency errors from the EEG signal at a single-trial level in a sample of 23 participants. Our results confirmed the viability of correctly disentangling self/internal versus other/external agency-error attributions at different stages of brain processing based on the latency and the spatial topographical distribution of key ErrP features, namely, the ERN and P600 components, respectively. These results offer a new perspective on how to distinguish self versus externally generated errors providing new potential implementations on BCI systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Gomez-Andres
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group [Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL], Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xim Cerda-Company
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group [Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL], Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cucurell
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group [Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL], Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Cunillera
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Rodríguez-Fornells
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group [Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL], Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences (UBNeuro), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
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Frohlich J, Mediano PAM, Bavato F, Gharabaghi A. Paradoxical pharmacological dissociations result from drugs that enhance delta oscillations but preserve consciousness. Commun Biol 2023; 6:654. [PMID: 37340024 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04988-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-frequency (<4 Hz) neural activity, particularly in the delta band, is generally indicative of loss of consciousness and cortical down states, particularly when it is diffuse and high amplitude. Remarkably, however, drug challenge studies of several diverse classes of pharmacological agents-including drugs which treat epilepsy, activate GABAB receptors, block acetylcholine receptors, or produce psychedelic effects-demonstrate neural activity resembling cortical down states even as the participants remain conscious. Of those substances that are safe to use in healthy volunteers, some may be highly valuable research tools for investigating which neural activity patterns are sufficient for consciousness or its absence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Frohlich
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University Hospital and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Pedro A M Mediano
- Department of Computing, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesco Bavato
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alireza Gharabaghi
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University Hospital and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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