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Stecher R, Kaiser D. Representations of imaginary scenes and their properties in cortical alpha activity. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12796. [PMID: 38834699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63320-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Imagining natural scenes enables us to engage with a myriad of simulated environments. How do our brains generate such complex mental images? Recent research suggests that cortical alpha activity carries information about individual objects during visual imagery. However, it remains unclear if more complex imagined contents such as natural scenes are similarly represented in alpha activity. Here, we answer this question by decoding the contents of imagined scenes from rhythmic cortical activity patterns. In an EEG experiment, participants imagined natural scenes based on detailed written descriptions, which conveyed four complementary scene properties: openness, naturalness, clutter level and brightness. By conducting classification analyses on EEG power patterns across neural frequencies, we were able to decode both individual imagined scenes as well as their properties from the alpha band, showing that also the contents of complex visual images are represented in alpha rhythms. A cross-classification analysis between alpha power patterns during the imagery task and during a perception task, in which participants were presented images of the described scenes, showed that scene representations in the alpha band are partly shared between imagery and late stages of perception. This suggests that alpha activity mediates the top-down re-activation of scene-related visual contents during imagery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rico Stecher
- Mathematical Institute, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Geography, Justus Liebig University Gießen, 35392, Gießen, Germany.
| | - Daniel Kaiser
- Mathematical Institute, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Geography, Justus Liebig University Gießen, 35392, Gießen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Gießen, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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2
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Chiang H, Mudar RA, Dugas CS, Motes MA, Kraut MA, Hart J. A modified neural circuit framework for semantic memory retrieval with implications for circuit modulation to treat verbal retrieval deficits. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3490. [PMID: 38680077 PMCID: PMC11056716 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3490] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Word finding difficulty is a frequent complaint in older age and disease states, but treatment options are lacking for such verbal retrieval deficits. Better understanding of the neurophysiological and neuroanatomical basis of verbal retrieval function may inform effective interventions. In this article, we review the current evidence of a neural retrieval circuit central to verbal production, including words and semantic memory, that involves the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), striatum (particularly caudate nucleus), and thalamus. We aim to offer a modified neural circuit framework expanded upon a memory retrieval model proposed in 2013 by Hart et al., as evidence from electrophysiological, functional brain imaging, and noninvasive electrical brain stimulation studies have provided additional pieces of information that converge on a shared neural circuit for retrieval of memory and words. We propose that both the left inferior frontal gyrus and fronto-polar regions should be included in the expanded circuit. All these regions have their respective functional roles during verbal retrieval, such as selection and inhibition during search, initiation and termination of search, maintenance of co-activation across cortical regions, as well as final activation of the retrieved information. We will also highlight the structural connectivity from and to the pre-SMA (e.g., frontal aslant tract and fronto-striatal tract) that facilitates communication between the regions within this circuit. Finally, we will discuss how this circuit and its correlated activity may be affected by disease states and how this circuit may serve as a novel target engagement for neuromodulatory treatment of verbal retrieval deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsueh‐Sheng Chiang
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
- School of Behavioral and Brain SciencesThe University of Texas at DallasRichardsonTexasUSA
| | - Raksha A. Mudar
- Department of Speech and Hearing ScienceUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
| | - Christine S. Dugas
- School of Behavioral and Brain SciencesThe University of Texas at DallasRichardsonTexasUSA
| | - Michael A. Motes
- School of Behavioral and Brain SciencesThe University of Texas at DallasRichardsonTexasUSA
| | - Michael A. Kraut
- Department of Radiology and Radiological ScienceJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - John Hart
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
- School of Behavioral and Brain SciencesThe University of Texas at DallasRichardsonTexasUSA
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3
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Contemori G, Oletto CM, Battaglini L, Bertamini M. On the relationship between foveal mask interference and mental imagery in peripheral object recognition. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232867. [PMID: 38471562 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2867] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
A delayed foveal mask affects perception of peripheral stimuli. The effect is determined by the timing of the mask and by the similarity with the peripheral stimulus. A congruent mask enhances performance, while an incongruent one impairs it. It is hypothesized that foveal masks disrupt a feedback mechanism reaching the foveal cortex. This mechanism could be part of a broader circuit associated with mental imagery, but this hypothesis has not as yet been tested. We investigated the link between mental imagery and foveal feedback. We tested the relationship between performance fluctuations caused by the foveal mask-measured in terms of discriminability (d') and criterion (C)-and the scores from two questionnaires designed to assess mental imagery vividness (VVIQ) and another exploring object imagery, spatial imagery and verbal cognitive styles (OSIVQ). Contrary to our hypotheses, no significant correlations were found between VVIQ and the mask's impact on d' and C. Neither the object nor spatial subscales of OSIVQ correlated with the mask's impact. In conclusion, our findings do not substantiate the existence of a link between foveal feedback and mental imagery. Further investigation is needed to determine whether mask interference might occur with more implicit measures of imagery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Contemori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Luca Battaglini
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Bertamini
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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4
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Lambert KJM, Chen YY, Donoff C, Elke J, Madan CR, Singhal A. Handedness effects on imagery of dominant- versus non-dominant-hand movements: An electroencephalographic investigation. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:3286-3298. [PMID: 37501346 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16096] [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: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Mental representations of our bodies are thought to influence how we interact with our surroundings. We can examine these mental representations through motor imagery, the imagination of movement using scalp EEG recordings. The visual modality of motor imagery emphasises 'seeing' the imagined movement and is associated with increased activity in the alpha rhythm (8-14 Hz) measured over the occipital regions. The kinaesthetic modality emphasises 'feeling' the movement and is associated with decreased activity in the mu rhythm (8-14 Hz) measured over the sensorimotor cortices. These two modalities can be engaged in isolation or together. We recorded EEG activity while 37 participants (17 left-hand dominant) completed an objective hand motor imagery task. Left-handers exhibited significant activity differences between occipital and motor regions only during imagery of right-hand (non-dominant-hand) movements. This difference was primarily driven by less oscillatory activity in the mu rhythm, which may reflect a shift in imagery strategy wherein participants placed more effort into generating the kinaesthetic sensations of non-dominant-hand imagery. Spatial features of 8-14 Hz activity generated from principal component analysis (PCA) provide further support for a strategy shift. Right-handers also exhibited significant differences between alpha and mu activity during imagery of non-dominant movements. However, this difference was not primarily driven by either rhythm, and no differences were observed in the group's PCA results. Together, these findings indicate that individuals imagine movement differently when it involves their dominant versus non-dominant hand, and left-handers may be more flexible in their motor imagery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J M Lambert
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher Donoff
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jonah Elke
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Anthony Singhal
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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5
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Nam H, Kim JM, Choi W, Bak S, Kam TE. The effects of layer-wise relevance propagation-based feature selection for EEG classification: a comparative study on multiple datasets. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1205881. [PMID: 37342822 PMCID: PMC10277566 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1205881] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The brain-computer interface (BCI) allows individuals to control external devices using their neural signals. One popular BCI paradigm is motor imagery (MI), which involves imagining movements to induce neural signals that can be decoded to control devices according to the user's intention. Electroencephalography (EEG) is frequently used for acquiring neural signals from the brain in the fields of MI-BCI due to its non-invasiveness and high temporal resolution. However, EEG signals can be affected by noise and artifacts, and patterns of EEG signals vary across different subjects. Therefore, selecting the most informative features is one of the essential processes to enhance classification performance in MI-BCI. Methods In this study, we design a layer-wise relevance propagation (LRP)-based feature selection method which can be easily integrated into deep learning (DL)-based models. We assess its effectiveness for reliable class-discriminative EEG feature selection on two different publicly available EEG datasets with various DL-based backbone models in the subject-dependent scenario. Results and discussion The results show that LRP-based feature selection enhances the performance for MI classification on both datasets for all DL-based backbone models. Based on our analysis, we believe that it can broad its capability to different research domains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tae-Eui Kam
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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D’Angelo M, Frassinetti F, Cappelletti M. The Role of Beta Oscillations in Mental Time Travel. Psychol Sci 2023; 34:490-500. [PMID: 37067986 DOI: 10.1177/09567976221147259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain processes short-interval timing but also allows people to project themselves into the past and the future (i.e., mental time travel [MTT]). Beta oscillations index seconds-long-interval timing (i.e., higher beta power is associated with longer durations). Here, we used parietal transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to investigate whether MTT is also supported by parietal beta oscillations and to test the link between MTT and short intervals. Thirty adults performed a novel MTT task while receiving beta and alpha tACS, in addition to no stimulation. Beta tACS corresponded to a temporal underestimation in past but not in future MTT. Furthermore, participants who overestimated seconds-long intervals also overestimated temporal distances in the past-projection MTT condition and showed a stronger effect of beta tACS. These data provide a unique window into temporal perception, showing how beta oscillations may be a common mechanism for short intervals and MTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano D’Angelo
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Institute of Castel Goffredo
| | - Francesca Frassinetti
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Institute of Castel Goffredo
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna
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7
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Task prioritization modulates alpha, theta and beta EEG dynamics reflecting proactive cognitive control. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15072. [PMID: 36064572 PMCID: PMC9445103 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19158-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Most neuroscientific studies investigating mental effort apply unspecific effort allocation paradigms. In contrast, the present EEG study targets specific effort allocation during task prioritization. Twenty-eight participants performed a cued number classification task during the retention interval of a working memory task including retrospective cues. One of two possible number classifications was done per trial. Each trial started with a cue indicating which of the two tasks would be more important in the upcoming trial. Subjects were told to engage in both tasks, but to concentrate on the important one. Feedback given at the end of each trial was calculated based on task performance, with scores obtained from the relevant task being tripled. Participants performed significantly better in either task when it was important compared to when not. Task prioritization modulates theta, alpha and beta oscillations, predominantly during task preparation. Multivariate pattern analysis revealed that the exact type of the two possible number classifications was decodable, however, decoding accuracy did not depend on task importance. Hemispheric alpha power asymmetries indicating attentional orienting between working memory representations also did not depend on task importance. The findings suggest that task prioritization primarily affects proactive cognitive control on a superordinate level.
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8
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Clements GM, Gyurkovics M, Low KA, Beck DM, Fabiani M, Gratton G. Dynamics of alpha suppression and enhancement may be related to resource competition in cross-modal cortical regions. Neuroimage 2022; 252:119048. [PMID: 35248706 PMCID: PMC9017396 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the face of multiple sensory streams, there may be competition for processing resources in multimodal cortical area devoted to establishing representations. In such cases, alpha oscillations may serve to maintain the relevant representations and protect them from interference, whereas theta band activity may facilitate their updating when needed. It can be hypothesized that these oscillations would differ in response to an auditory stimulus when the eyes are open or closed, as intermodal resource competition may be more prominent in the former than in the latter case. Across two studies we investigated the role of alpha and theta power in multimodal competition using an auditory task with the eyes open and closed, respectively enabling and disabling visual processing in parallel with the incoming auditory stream. In a passive listening task (Study 1a), we found alpha suppression following a pip tone with both eyes open and closed, but subsequent alpha enhancement only with closed eyes. We replicated this eyes-closed alpha enhancement in an independent sample (Study 1b). In an active auditory oddball task (Study 2), we again observed the eyes open/eyes closed alpha pattern found in Study 1 and also demonstrated that the more attentionally demanding oddball trials elicit the largest oscillatory effects. Theta power did not interact with eye status in either study. We propose a hypothesis to account for the findings in which alpha may be endemic to multimodal cortical areas in addition to visual ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M Clements
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA; Psychology Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, USA.
| | - Mate Gyurkovics
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Kathy A Low
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Diane M Beck
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA; Psychology Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - Monica Fabiani
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA; Psychology Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - Gabriele Gratton
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA; Psychology Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820, USA.
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9
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Riels K, Ramos Campagnoli R, Thigpen N, Keil A. Oscillatory brain activity links experience to expectancy during associative learning. Psychophysiology 2021; 59:e13946. [PMID: 34622471 PMCID: PMC10150413 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Associating a novel situation with a specific outcome involves a cascade of cognitive processes, including selecting relevant stimuli, forming predictions regarding expected outcomes, and updating memorized predictions based on experience. The present manuscript uses computational modeling and machine learning to test the hypothesis that alpha-band (8-12 Hz) oscillations are involved in the updating of expectations based on experience. Participants learned that a visual cue predicted an aversive loud noise with a probability of 50%. The Rescorla-Wagner model of associative learning explained trial-wise changes in self-reported noise expectancy as well as alpha power changes. Experience in the past trial and self-reported expectancy for the subsequent trial were accurately decoded based on the topographical distribution of alpha power at specific latencies. Decodable information during initial association formation and contingency report recurred when viewing the conditioned cue. Findings support the idea that alpha oscillations have multiple, temporally specific, roles in the formation of associations between cues and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kierstin Riels
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Rafaela Ramos Campagnoli
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Nina Thigpen
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Andreas Keil
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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10
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Revankar GS, Kajiyama Y, Hattori N, Shimokawa T, Nakano T, Mihara M, Mori E, Mochizuki H. Prestimulus Low-Alpha Frontal Networks Are Associated with Pareidolias in Parkinson's Disease. Brain Connect 2021; 11:772-782. [PMID: 33858200 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2020.0992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pareidolias are visual phenomena wherein ambiguous, abstract forms or shapes appear meaningful due to incorrect perception. In Parkinson's disease (PD), patients susceptible to visual hallucinations experience visuo-perceptual deficits in the form of pareidolias. Although pareidolias necessitate top-down modulation of visual processing, the cortical dynamics of internally generated perceptual priors on these visual misperceptions is unknown. Objectives: To study prestimulus-related electroencephalography (EEG) spectral and network abnormalities in PD patients experiencing pareidolias. Methods: Twenty-one PD in-patients and 10 age-matched controls were evaluated. Neuropsychological assessments included tests for cognition, attention, and executive functions. Pareidolias were quantified by using the "noise pareidolia test" with simultaneous EEG recording. The PD patients were subdivided into two groups-those with high pareidolia counts (n = 10) and those without (n = 11). The EEG was analyzed 1000 msec before stimulus presentation in the spectral domain (theta, low-alpha, and high-alpha frequencies) with corresponding graph networks to evaluate network properties. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and multiple regression to evaluate the differences. Results: The PD patients with high pareidolia counts were older with lower scores on neuropsychological tests. Their prestimulus EEG low-alpha band showed a tendency toward higher frontal activity (p = 0.07). Graph networks showed increased normalized clustering coefficient (p = 0.05) and lower frontal degree centrality (p = 0.005). These network indices correlated positively to patients' pareidolia scores. Discussion: We suggest that pareidolias in PD are a consequence of an abnormal top-down modulation of visual processing; they are defined by their frontal low-alpha spectral and network alterations in the prestimulus phase due to a dissonance between patients' internally generated mental processing with external stimuli. Impact statement Pareidolias in Parkinson's disease (PD) are considered to be promising early markers of visual hallucinations and an indicator of PD prognosis. In certain susceptible PD patients, pareidolias can be evoked and studied. Here, via electroencephalography, we aimed at understanding this visual phenomenon by studying how neural information is processed before stimulus presentation in such patients. Using spectral and graph network measures, we revealed how top-down modulated internally generated processes affect visual perception in patients with pareidolias. Our findings highlight how prestimulus network alterations in the frontal cortex shape poststimulus pareidolic manifestations in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajanan S Revankar
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuta Kajiyama
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Noriaki Hattori
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Shimokawa
- Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohito Nakano
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Mihara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Kawasaki Medical College, Okayama, Japan
| | - Etsuro Mori
- Department of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideki Mochizuki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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Königsmark VT, Bergmann J, Reeder RR. The Ganzflicker experience: High probability of seeing vivid and complex pseudo-hallucinations with imagery but not aphantasia. Cortex 2021; 141:522-534. [PMID: 34172274 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There are considerable individual differences in visual mental imagery ability across the general population, including a "blind mind's eye", or aphantasia. Recent studies have shown that imagery is linked to differences in perception in the healthy population, and clinical work has found a connection between imagery and hallucinatory experiences in neurological disorders. However, whether imagery ability is associated with anomalous perception-including hallucinations-in the general population remains unclear. In the current study, we explored the relationship between imagery ability and the anomalous perception of pseudo-hallucinations (PH) using rhythmic flicker stimulation ("Ganzflicker"). Specifically, we investigated whether the ability to generate voluntary imagery is associated with susceptibility to flicker-induced PH. We additionally explored individual differences in observed features of PH. We recruited a sample of people with aphantasia (aphants) and imagery (imagers) to view a constant red-and-black flicker for approximately 10 min. We found that imagers were more susceptible to PH, and saw more complex and vivid PH, compared to aphants. This study provides the first evidence that the ability to generate visual imagery increases the likelihood of experiencing complex and vivid anomalous percepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varg T Königsmark
- Institute of Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Bergmann
- Department of Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Reshanne R Reeder
- Institute of Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK.
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12
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Mu oscillations and motor imagery performance: A reflection of intra-individual success, not inter-individual ability. Hum Mov Sci 2021; 78:102819. [PMID: 34051665 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2021.102819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mu oscillations (8-13 Hz), recorded over the human motor cortex, have been shown to consistently suppress during both the imagination and performance of movements; however, its functional significance in the imagery process is currently unclear. Here we examined human electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillations in the context of motor imagery performance as measured by imagery success within participants and imagery ability between participants. We recorded continuous EEG activity while participants performed the Test of Ability in Movement Imagery (TAMI), an objective test of motor imagery task. Results demonstrated that mu oscillatory activity significantly decreased during successful as compared to unsuccessful imagery trials. However, the extent of reduction in mu oscillations did not correlate with overall imagery ability as measured by the total TAMI score. These findings provide further support for the involvement of mu oscillations in indexing motor imagery performance and suggest that mu oscillations may reflect important processes related to imagery accuracy, processes likely related to those underlying overt motor production and motor understanding.
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13
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Rocha HA, Marks J, Woods AJ, Staud R, Sibille K, Keil A. Re-test reliability and internal consistency of EEG alpha-band oscillations in older adults with chronic knee pain. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:2630-2640. [PMID: 32947197 PMCID: PMC7815204 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chronic pain studies investigating the ability to detect sensory processing differences related to thalamic gating using electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha have yielded conflicting results. Alpha's basic psychometric properties in pain populations requires further study. The present study reports on the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of EEG alpha power in older adults with chronic knee pain. METHODS Repeated EEG alpha power measurements were taken of older adults (N = 31) with chronic knee pain across two sessions separated by a ten-day period associated with a pilot clinical trial study. Recordings included resting periods (eyes open and eyes closed) as well as periods involving a pain management activity. RESULTS Most single alpha-power measures and all within-participant averages of alpha obtained within a session showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.7) and satisfactory-to-excellent re-test reliability (Pearson's rs > 0.6) of both alpha power and alpha blocking (eyes closed minus eyes open) across repeated conditions. CONCLUSIONS EEG alpha power seems mostly reliable and consistent, particularly when participants' eyes are closed, after a period of habituation, and when alpha measures are averaged as within-participant estimates. SIGNIFICANCE This analysis suggests that within-subject averages of EEG alpha are the most reliable for developing indices of chronic knee pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold A Rocha
- Institute on Aging, University of Florida, FL, USA; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, FL, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Florida, FL, USA.
| | - John Marks
- Institute on Aging, University of Florida, FL, USA; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, FL, USA
| | - Adam J Woods
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL, USA
| | - Roland Staud
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, FL, USA
| | - Kimberly Sibille
- Institute on Aging, University of Florida, FL, USA; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, FL, USA
| | - Andreas Keil
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, FL, USA
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14
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Left hemispheric α band cerebral oscillatory changes correlate with verbal memory. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14993. [PMID: 32929146 PMCID: PMC7490359 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72087-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Event-related synchronisation (ERS) and event-related desynchronisation (ERD) have been observed via magnetoencephalography (MEG) in the language-dominant hemisphere. However, the relationship between ERS/ERD and clinical language indices is unclear. Therefore, the present study evaluated brain activity utilising MEG during a verb generation task in 36 subjects and determined ERS/ERD power values in θ, α, β, low γ and high γ frequency bands. To measure clinical language indices, we adopted Wechsler Memory Scale-revised. We observed ERD in the α band from the bilateral occipital to the left central brain region, in the β band from the bilateral occipital to the left frontal region and in the low γ band a high-power signal in the left frontal region. We also observed ERS in the θ band in bilateral frontal region and in the high γ band in bilateral occipital region. Furthermore, we found a significant negative correlation between α-band ERD power at the left postcentral gyrus and medial superior frontal gyrus and verbal memory score (correlation coefficients = − 0.574 and − 0.597, respectively). These results suggest that individuals with lower linguistic memory have less desynchronised α-band ERD power and α-band ERD power in the left hemisphere may be a neurophysiological biomarker for verbal memory.
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15
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Guan Y, Keil A, Farrar MJ. Electrophysiological dynamics of false belief understanding and complementation syntax in school-aged children: Oscillatory brain activity and event-related potentials. J Exp Child Psychol 2020; 198:104905. [PMID: 32623146 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2020.104905] [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: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A large body of research in developmental psychology has been devoted to the ongoing debate over which aspects of language are fundamental to false belief understanding (FBU). A key proposal from de Villiers and colleagues proposes the essential role of complementation syntax in FBU development. The current study, using scalp electroencephalography (EEG), addressed one opposing hypothesis purporting that complementation is redundant to FBU by characterizing the electrophysiological correlates of FBU and complementation syntax in school-age children. Time-frequency decomposition showed robust parieto-occipital low beta (12-16 Hz) power reduction in the belief versus complementation conditions. This divergence was also supported by event-related potentials (ERPs), with parieto-occipital late slow waves around 600 to 900 ms distinguishing belief and complementation conditions. The false belief condition generated the lowest behavioral response accuracy, suggesting that it is the most challenging condition. Together, the current findings provide evidence showing that complementation is not redundant to FBU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Guan
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Andreas Keil
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - M Jeffrey Farrar
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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16
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Razumnikova O, Khoroshavtseva E. Imbalance between Emotionally Negative and Positive Life Events Retrieval and the Associated Asymmetry of Brain Activity. Behav Sci (Basel) 2019; 10:E18. [PMID: 31905845 PMCID: PMC7017031 DOI: 10.3390/bs10010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained focusing on a negative assessment of life events can create negative background and changes in the emotional feedback to new information. In this regard, it is important to assess the balance between self-assessment of emotional memories and their reflection in brain activity. The study was aimed at exploring the brain activity using electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis in six frequency ranges from delta to beta2 during the retrieval of positive or negative emotional memory compared with the resting state. According to ANOVA results, the most informative for differentiation of emotions were the alpha2 and beta2 rhythms with greater synchronization effect for positive than for negative emotions. The memory retrieval, regardless of the valence of emotions, was accompanied by alpha1 desynchronization at the posterior cortex. Self-assessment of the memory intensity was not significantly different due to emotion valences. However, the scores of positive emotions were related positively with beta2 oscillations at the left anterior temporal site, whereas for negative emotions, at the right one. Thus, the emotional autobiographical memory is reflected by activation processes in the visual cortex and areas associated with multimodal information processing, whereas differentiation of the valence of emotions is presented by the high-frequency oscillations at the temporal cortex areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Razumnikova
- Department of Psychology and Pedagogic, Novosibirsk State Technical University, Novosibirsk 630073, Russia;
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17
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Tanu, Kakkar D. Influence of Emotional Imagery on Risk Perception and Decision Making in Autism Spectrum Disorder. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-019-09822-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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18
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Panitz C, Keil A, Mueller EM. Extinction-resistant attention to long-term conditioned threat is indexed by selective visuocortical alpha suppression in humans. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15809. [PMID: 31676781 PMCID: PMC6825167 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52315-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous electrophysiological studies in humans have shown rapid modulations of visual attention after conditioned threat vs. safety cues (<500 ms post-stimulus), but it is unknown whether this attentional prioritization is sustained throughout later time windows and whether it is robust to extinction. To investigate sustained visual attention, we assessed visuocortical alpha suppression in response to conditioned and extinguished threat. We reanalysed data from N = 87 male participants that had shown successful long-term threat conditioning and extinction in self reports and physiological measures in a two-day conditioning paradigm. The current EEG time-frequency analyses on recall test data on Day 2 revealed that previously threat-conditioned vs. safety cues evoked stronger occipital alpha power suppression from 600 to 1200 ms. Notably, this suppression was resistant to previous extinction. The present study showed for the first time that threat conditioning enhances sustained modulation of visuocortical attention to threat in the long term. Long-term stability and extinction resistance of alpha suppression suggest a crucial role of visuocortical attention mechanisms in the maintenance of learned fears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Panitz
- University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Keil
- University of Florida, Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, 3063 Longleaf Road, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA
| | - Erik M Mueller
- University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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19
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Scarpelli S, D'Atri A, Bartolacci C, Mangiaruga A, Gorgoni M, De Gennaro L. Oscillatory EEG Activity During REM Sleep in Elderly People Predicts Subsequent Dream Recall After Awakenings. Front Neurol 2019; 10:985. [PMID: 31620069 PMCID: PMC6763554 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Several findings underlined that the electrophysiological (EEG) background of the last segment of sleep before awakenings may predict the presence/absence of dream recall (DR) in young subjects. However, little is known about the EEG correlates of DR in elderly people. Only an investigation found differences between recall and non-recall conditions during NREM sleep EEG in older adults, while—surprisingly—no EEG predictor of DR was found for what concerns REM sleep. Considering REM sleep as a privileged scenario to produce mental sleep activity related to cognitive processes, our study aimed to investigate whether specific EEG topography and frequency changes during REM sleep in elderly people may predict a subsequent recall of mental sleep activity. Twenty-one healthy older volunteers (mean age 69.2 ± 6.07 SD) and 20 young adults (mean age 23.4 ± 2.76 SD) were recorded for one night from 19 scalp derivations. Dreams were collected upon morning awakenings from REM sleep. EEG signals of the last 5 min were analyzed by the Better OSCillation algorithm to detect the peaks of oscillatory activity in both groups. Statistical comparisons revealed that older as well as young individuals recall their dream experience when the last segment of REM sleep is characterized by frontal theta oscillations. No Recall (Recall vs. Non-Recall) × Age (Young vs. Older) interaction was found. This result replicated the previous evidence in healthy young subjects, as shown in within- and between-subjects design. The findings are completely original for older individuals, demonstrating that theta oscillations are crucial for the retrieval of dreaming also in this population. Furthermore, our results did not confirm a greater presence of the theta activity in healthy aging. Conversely, we found a greater amount of rhythmic theta and alpha activity in young than older participants. It is worth noting that the theta oscillations detected are related to cognitive functioning. We emphasize the notion that the oscillatory theta activity should be distinguished from the non-rhythmic theta activity identified in relation to other phenomena such as (a) sleepiness and hypoarousal conditions during the waking state and (b) cortical slowing, considered as an EEG alteration in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Scarpelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Aurora D'Atri
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Bartolacci
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Gorgoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi De Gennaro
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
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20
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Premkumar P, Santo MGE, Onwumere J, Schürmann M, Kumari V, Blanco S, Baker J, Kuipers E. Neural responses to criticism and praise vary with schizotypy and perceived emotional support. Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 145:109-118. [PMID: 31116957 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizotypy is a latent organisation of a cluster of personality styles, such as magical thinking, disorganisation and anhedonia, which are in the normal range of the psychosis continuum. Schizotypy relates to an increased likelihood of perceiving expressed emotion (EE). EE is characterised by criticism, rejection, and emotional over-involvement and less warmth from a close relative. Neuroimaging studies have found normal frontal lobe activation to EE-criticism in people with high schizotypy. Alternatively, electroencephalography measures emotion processing, such as frontal theta power and occipital alpha power. Frontal theta power responds to cognitive and affective processes and occipital alpha power denotes less consciousness and emotional attention. This study aimed to determine the relation of these electroencephalography responses during criticism and praise to perceived emotional support. Participants (n = 32) representing the full (low-to-high) range of positive schizotypy listened to and rated the self-relevance of EE-like criticism and praise and affectively neutral comments while undergoing electroencephalography. Participants completed self-report measures of schizotypy, depression and anxiety. A subset of those with a high positive schizotypy score (n = 22) completed a measure of perceived EE - lack of emotional support. Higher perceived EE - lack of emotional support correlated with lower frontal theta power and lower occipital alpha power during criticism and praise in schizotypal participants. The findings suggest that these neural responses may relate to less perceived emotional support in people with high schizotypy, of which a reduction of frontal theta power denotes less emotional arousal and lower occipital alpha power denotes more alertness to emotional information may relate to less perceived emotional support in people with high schizotypy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preethi Premkumar
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Miguel Granja Espírito Santo
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK; School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Juliana Onwumere
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
| | | | - Veena Kumari
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Life and Health Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Stephanie Blanco
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Joshua Baker
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Elizabeth Kuipers
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
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21
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Miskovic V, Bagg JO, Ríos M, Pouliot JJ. Electrophysiological and phenomenological effects of short-term immersion in an altered sensory environment. Conscious Cogn 2019; 70:39-49. [PMID: 30826717 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We examined the spontaneous cerebral electrophysiology and phenomenology during short-term perceptual deprivation consisting of an edgeless visual field combined with monotonous auditory input that eliminated potential grounding cues (multimodal Ganzfeld). Subjects (N = 22) were instructed to self-report perceptual fading using a button press. Relaxed wakefulness with closed eyes and viewing of a time-varying stimulus array served as control conditions. The power of parieto-occipital alpha rhythms during perceptual deprivation was midway between the eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions, with a state-specific frequency acceleration. Oscillatory alpha power remained enhanced in the multimodal Ganzfeld relative to viewing time-varying signals, despite no indication of diminished brain arousal. Subjects experienced a range of perceptual phenomena while in the altered sensory environment and individuals with faster alpha oscillations self-reported a greater number of fading episodes. We suggest that alpha-band electroencephalogram (EEG) dynamics signal internally oriented mentation in response to brief perceptual deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Miskovic
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Binghamton, United States.
| | - Jeffrey O Bagg
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Binghamton, United States
| | - Matthew Ríos
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Binghamton, United States
| | - Jourdan J Pouliot
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Binghamton, United States
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22
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Petro NM, Thigpen NN, Garcia S, Boylan MR, Keil A. Pre-target alpha power predicts the speed of cued target discrimination. Neuroimage 2019; 189:878-885. [PMID: 30703522 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human visual system selects information from dense and complex streams of spatiotemporal input. This selection process is aided by prior knowledge of the features, location, and temporal proximity of an upcoming stimulus. In the laboratory, this knowledge is often conveyed by cues, preceding a task-relevant target stimulus. Response speed in cued selection tasks varies within and across participants and is often thought to index efficient selection of a cued feature, location, or moment in time. The present study used a reverse correlation approach to identify neural predictors of efficient target discrimination: Participants identified the orientation of a sinusoidal grating, which was presented in one hemifield following the presentation of bilateral visual cues that carried temporal but not spatial information about the target. Across different analytic approaches, faster target responses were predicted by larger alpha power preceding the target. These results suggest that heightened pre-target alpha power during a cue period may index a state that is beneficial for subsequent target processing. Our findings are broadly consistent with models that emphasize capacity sharing across time, as well as models that link alpha oscillations to temporal predictions regarding upcoming events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M Petro
- Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, B76 East Stadium, Lincoln, NE 68588-2056, USA.
| | | | - Steven Garcia
- Center for the Study of Emotion & Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maeve R Boylan
- Center for the Study of Emotion & Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Andreas Keil
- Center for the Study of Emotion & Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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23
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How the visual brain detects emotional changes in facial expressions: Evidence from driven and intrinsic brain oscillations. Cortex 2018; 111:35-50. [PMID: 30447483 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The processing of facial expressions is often studied using static pictorial cues. Recent work, however, suggests that viewing changing expressions more robustly evokes physiological responses. Here, we examined the sensitivity of steady-state visual evoked potentials and intrinsic oscillatory brain activity to transient emotional changes in facial expressions. Twenty-two participants viewed sequences of grayscale faces periodically turned on and off at a rate of 17.5 Hz, to evoke flicker steady-state visual evoked potentials (ssVEPs) in visual cortex. Each sequence began with a neutral face (flickering for 2290 msec), immediately followed by a face from the same actor (also flickering for 2290 msec) with one of four expressions (happy, angry, fearful, or another neutral expression), followed by the initially presented neutral face (flickering for 1140 msec). The amplitude of the ssVEP and the power of intrinsic brain oscillations were analyzed, comparing the four expression-change conditions. We found a transient perturbation (reduction) of the ssVEP that was more pronounced after the neutral-to-angry change compared to the other conditions, at right posterior sensors. Induced alpha-band (8-13 Hz) power was reduced compared to baseline after each change. This reduction showed a central-occipital topography and was strongest in the subtlest and rarest neutral-to-neutral condition. Thus, the ssVEP indexed involvement of face-sensitive cortical areas in decoding affective expressions, whereas mid-occipital alpha power reduction reflected condition frequency rather than expression-specific processing, consistent with the role of alpha power changes in selective attention.
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24
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Oscillatory brain activity differentially reflects false belief understanding and complementation syntax processing. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 18:189-201. [PMID: 29380292 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-018-0565-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
False belief understanding (FBU) enables people to consider conflicting beliefs about the same situation. While language has been demonstrated to be a correlate of FBU, there is still controversy about the extent to which a specific aspect of language, complementation syntax, is a necessary condition for FBU. The present study tested an important notion from the debate proposing that complementation syntax task is redundant to FBU measures. Specifically, we examined electrophysiological correlates of false belief, false complementation, and their respective true conditions in adults using electroencephalography (EEG), focusing on indices of oscillatory brain activity and large-scale connectivity. The results showed strong modulation of parieto-occipital alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-20 Hz) power by the experimental manipulations, with heightened sustained alpha power reflective of effortful internal processing observed in the false compared to the true conditions and reliable beta power reductions sensitive to mentalizing and/or syntactic demands in the belief versus the complementation conditions. In addition, higher coupling between parieto-occipital regions and widespread frontal sites in the beta band was found for the false-belief condition selectively. The result of divergence in beta oscillatory activity and in connectivity between false belief and false complementation does not support the redundancy hypothesis.
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25
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Pan Y, Li X, Chen X, Ku Y, Dong Y, Dou Z, He L, Hu Y, Li W, Zhou X. ERPs and oscillations during encoding predict retrieval of digit memory in superior mnemonists. Brain Cogn 2017; 117:17-25. [PMID: 28697376 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2017.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have consistently demonstrated that superior mnemonists (SMs) outperform normal individuals in domain-specific memory tasks. However, the neural correlates of memory-related processes remain unclear. In the current EEG study, SMs and control participants performed a digit memory task during which their brain activity was recorded. Chinese SMs used a digit-image mnemonic for encoding digits, in which they associated 2-digit groups with images immediately after the presentation of each even-position digit in sequences. Behaviorally, SMs' memory of digit sequences was better than the controls'. During encoding in the study phase, SMs showed an increased right central P2 (150-250ms post onset) and a larger right posterior high-alpha (10-14Hz, 500-1720ms) oscillation on digits at even-positions compared with digits at odd-positions. Both P2 and high-alpha oscillations in the study phase co-varied with performance in the recall phase, but only in SMs, indicating that neural dynamics during encoding could predict successful retrieval of digit memory in SMs. Our findings suggest that representation of a digit sequence in SMs using mnemonics may recruit both the early-stage attention allocation process and the sustained information preservation process. This study provides evidence for the role of dynamic and efficient neural encoding processes in mnemonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafeng Pan
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xianchun Li
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xi Chen
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yixuan Ku
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yujie Dong
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zheng Dou
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lin He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yi Hu
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Weidong Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Xiaolin Zhou
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 10071, China.
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26
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Benedek M, Stoiser R, Walcher S, Körner C. Eye Behavior Associated with Internally versus Externally Directed Cognition. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1092. [PMID: 28713304 PMCID: PMC5491649 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
What do our eyes do when we are focused on internal representations such as during imagination or planning? Evidence from mind wandering research suggests that spontaneous shifts from externally directed cognition (EDC) to internally directed cognition (IDC) involves oculomotor changes indicative of visual disengagement. In the present study, we investigated potential differences in eye behavior between goal-directed forms of IDC and EDC. To this end, we manipulated the focus of attention (internal versus external) in two demanding cognitive tasks (anagram and sentence generation). IDC was associated with fewer and longer fixations and higher variability in pupil diameter and eye vergence compared to EDC, suggesting reduced visual scanning and higher spontaneous eye activity. IDC was further related to longer blinks, lower microsaccade frequency, and a lower angle of eye vergence. These latter changes appear conducive to attenuate visual input and thereby shield ongoing internal processes from external distraction. Together, these findings suggest that IDC is accompanied by characteristic eye behavior that reflects a decoupling of attention from external events and serves gating out visual input.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Stoiser
- Institute of Psychology, University of GrazGraz, Austria
| | - Sonja Walcher
- Institute of Psychology, University of GrazGraz, Austria
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27
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Bigliassi M, Karageorghis CI, Wright MJ, Orgs G, Nowicky AV. Effects of auditory stimuli on electrical activity in the brain during cycle ergometry. Physiol Behav 2017; 177:135-147. [PMID: 28442333 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The present study sought to further understanding of the brain mechanisms that underlie the effects of music on perceptual, affective, and visceral responses during whole-body modes of exercise. Eighteen participants were administered light-to-moderate intensity bouts of cycle ergometer exercise. Each exercise bout was of 12-min duration (warm-up [3min], exercise [6min], and warm-down [3min]). Portable techniques were used to monitor the electrical activity in the brain, heart, and muscle during the administration of three conditions: music, audiobook, and control. Conditions were randomized and counterbalanced to prevent any influence of systematic order on the dependent variables. Oscillatory potentials at the Cz electrode site were used to further understanding of time-frequency changes influenced by voluntary control of movements. Spectral coherence analysis between Cz and frontal, frontal-central, central, central-parietal, and parietal electrode sites was also calculated. Perceptual and affective measures were taken at five timepoints during the exercise bout. Results indicated that music reallocated participants' attentional focus toward auditory pathways and reduced perceived exertion. The music also inhibited alpha resynchronization at the Cz electrode site and reduced the spectral coherence values at Cz-C4 and Cz-Fz. The reduced focal awareness induced by music led to a more autonomous control of cycle movements performed at light-to-moderate-intensities. Processing of interoceptive sensory cues appears to upmodulate fatigue-related sensations, increase the connectivity in the frontal and central regions of the brain, and is associated with neural resynchronization to sustain the imposed exercise intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Guido Orgs
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
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28
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Lang PJ, McTeague LM, Bradley MM. RDoC, DSM, and the reflex physiology of fear: A biodimensional analysis of the anxiety disorders spectrum. Psychophysiology 2017; 53:336-47. [PMID: 26877123 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Evidence is presented supporting a dimension of defensive reactivity that varies across the anxiety disorder spectrum and is defined by physiological responses during threat-imagery challenges that covary with objective measures of psychopathology. Previous imagery studies of anxiety disorders are reviewed, highlighting that, regardless of contemporary diagnostic convention, reliable psychophysiological patterns emerge for patients diagnosed with circumscribed fear compared to those diagnosed with pervasive anxious-misery disorders. Based on the heuristic outlined by the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative, an exploratory transdiagnostic analysis is presented, based on a sample of 425 treatment-seeking patients from across the spectrum of DSM-IV anxiety diagnoses. Using a composite index of startle reflex and heart rate reactivity during idiographic fear imagery for each patient, a defensive dimension was defined by ranking patients from most defensively reactive to least reactive and then creating five groups of equivalent size (quintile; N = 85). Subsequent analyses showed significant parallel trends of diminishing reactivity in both electrodermal and facial electromyographic reactions across this defensive dimension. Negative affectivity, defined by questionnaire and extent of functional interference, however, showed consistent, inverse trends with defensive reactivity-as reports of distress increased, defensive reactivity was increasingly attenuated. Notably, representatives of each principal diagnosis appeared in each quintile, underscoring the reality of pronounced within-diagnosis heterogeneity in defensive reactivity. In concluding, we describe our new RDoC research project, focusing on the assessment of brain circuit function as it determines hypo/hyperreactivity to challenge-somatic and autonomic-and may relate to patients' stress history and genetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Lang
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida, USA
| | - Lisa M McTeague
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Margaret M Bradley
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida, USA
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Chen YY, Caplan JB. Rhythmic Activity and Individual Variability in Recognition Memory: Theta Oscillations Correlate with Performance whereas Alpha Oscillations Correlate with ERPs. J Cogn Neurosci 2017; 29:183-202. [DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
During study trials of a recognition memory task, alpha (∼10 Hz) oscillations decrease, and concurrently, theta (4–8 Hz) oscillations increase when later memory is successful versus unsuccessful (subsequent memory effect). Likewise, at test, reduced alpha and increased theta activity are associated with successful memory (retrieval success effect). Here we take an individual-differences approach to test three hypotheses about theta and alpha oscillations in verbal, old/new recognition, measuring the difference in oscillations between hit trials and miss trials. First, we test the hypothesis that theta and alpha oscillations have a moderately mutually exclusive relationship; but no support for this hypothesis was found. Second, we test the hypothesis that theta oscillations explain not only memory effects within participants, but also individual differences. Supporting this prediction, durations of theta (but not alpha) oscillations at study and at test correlated significantly with d′ across participants. Third, we test the hypothesis that theta and alpha oscillations reflect familiarity and recollection processes by comparing oscillation measures to ERPs that are implicated in familiarity and recollection. The alpha-oscillation effects correlated with some ERP measures, but inversely, suggesting that the actions of alpha oscillations on memory processes are distinct from the roles of familiarity- and recollection-linked ERP signals. The theta-oscillation measures, despite differentiating hits from misses, did not correlate with any ERP measure; thus, theta oscillations may reflect elaborative processes not tapped by recollection-related ERPs. Our findings are consistent with alpha oscillations reflecting visual inattention, which can modulate memory, and with theta oscillations supporting recognition memory in ways that complement the most commonly studied ERPs.
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Ji JL, Heyes SB, MacLeod C, Holmes EA. Emotional Mental Imagery as Simulation of Reality: Fear and Beyond-A Tribute to Peter Lang. Behav Ther 2016; 47:702-719. [PMID: 27816082 PMCID: PMC5112008 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This article pays tribute to the seminal paper by Peter J. Lang (1977; this journal), "Imagery in Therapy: Information Processing Analysis of Fear." We review research and clinical practice developments in the past five decades with reference to key insights from Lang's theory and experimental work on emotional mental imagery. First, we summarize and recontextualize Lang's bio-informational theory of emotional mental imagery (1977, 1979) within contemporary theoretical developments on the function of mental imagery. Second, Lang's proposal that mental imagery can evoke emotional responses is evaluated by reviewing empirical evidence that mental imagery has a powerful impact on negative as well as positive emotions at neurophysiological and subjective levels. Third, we review contemporary cognitive and behavioral therapeutic practices that use mental imagery, and consider points of extension and departure from Lang's original investigation of mental imagery in fear-extinction behavior change. Fourth, Lang's experimental work on emotional imagery is revisited in light of contemporary research on emotional psychopathology-linked individual differences in mental imagery. Finally, key insights from Lang's experiments on training emotional response during imagery are discussed in relation to how specific techniques may be harnessed to enhance adaptive emotional mental imagery training in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L Ji
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge
| | | | - Colin MacLeod
- University of Western Australia; Babeş-Bolyai University, Romania
| | - Emily A Holmes
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge; Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.
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Chiang HS, Eroh J, Spence JS, Motes MA, Maguire MJ, Krawczyk DC, Brier MR, Hart J, Kraut MA. Common and differential electrophysiological mechanisms underlying semantic object memory retrieval probed by features presented in different stimulus types. Int J Psychophysiol 2016; 106:77-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Benedek M, Jauk E, Beaty RE, Fink A, Koschutnig K, Neubauer AC. Brain mechanisms associated with internally directed attention and self-generated thought. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22959. [PMID: 26960259 PMCID: PMC4785374 DOI: 10.1038/srep22959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal cognition like imagination and prospection require sustained internally directed attention and involve self-generated thought. This fMRI study aimed to disentangle the brain mechanisms associated with attention-specific and task-specific processes during internally directed cognition. The direction of attention was manipulated by either keeping a relevant stimulus visible throughout the task, or by masking it, so that the task had to be performed “in the mind’s eye”. The level of self-directed thought was additionally varied between a convergent and a divergent thinking task. Internally directed attention was associated with increased activation in the right anterior inferior parietal lobe (aIPL), bilateral lingual gyrus and the cuneus, as well as with extended deactivations of superior parietal and occipital regions representing parts of the dorsal attention network. The right aIPL further showed increased connectivity with occipital regions suggesting an active top-down mechanism for shielding ongoing internal processes from potentially distracting sensory stimulation in terms of perceptual decoupling. Activation of the default network was not related to internally directed attention per se, but rather to a higher level of self-generated thought. The findings hence shed further light on the roles of inferior and superior parietal cortex for internally directed cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Benedek
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Austria, BioTechMed-Graz
| | - Emanuel Jauk
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Austria, BioTechMed-Graz
| | - Roger E Beaty
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
| | - Andreas Fink
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Austria, BioTechMed-Graz
| | - Karl Koschutnig
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Austria, BioTechMed-Graz
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