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Wehrman J, Sorensen S, De Lissa P, Badcock N. EPOC outside the shield: comparing the performance of a consumer-grade EEG device in shielded and unshielded environments. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2021; 7. [PMID: 33482647 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/abdf37] [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: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Low-cost, portable electroencephalography (EEG) devices have become commercially available in the last 10 years. One such system, Emotiv's EPOC, has been modified to allow event-related potential (ERP) research. Although the EPOC has been shown to provide data comparable to research-grade equipment and has been used in real-world settings, how EPOC performs without the electrical shielding, commonly used in research-grade laboratories, is yet to be systematically tested. In the current article we address this gap by conducting a simple EEG experiment in shielded and unshielded contexts. Participants (n = 13, mean age = 23.2 years, SD = 7.9) monitored the presentation of human versus wristwatch faces, responding whether the images were inverted or not. This method elicited the face-sensitive N170 ERP. In both shielded and unshielded contexts, the N170 amplitude was larger when participants viewed human faces and peaked later when a human face was inverted. More importantly, Bayesian analysis showed no difference in the N170 measured in the shielded and unshielded contexts. Further, the signal recorded in both contexts was highly correlated. The EPOC appears to reliably record EEG signals without a purpose-built electrically-shielded room.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Wehrman
- Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, AUSTRALIA
| | - Sidsel Sorensen
- Macquarie University, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2122, AUSTRALIA
| | - Peter De Lissa
- Universitat Freiburg, Macqaurie University, Freiburg, 2122, GERMANY
| | - Nicholas Badcock
- University of Western Australia, Macquarie University, Perth, New South Wales, 2122, AUSTRALIA
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Petit S, Badcock NA, Grootswagers T, Rich AN, Brock J, Nickels L, Moerel D, Dermody N, Yau S, Schmidt E, Woolgar A. Toward an Individualized Neural Assessment of Receptive Language in Children. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2020; 63:2361-2385. [PMID: 32640176 PMCID: PMC7116229 DOI: 10.1044/2020_jslhr-19-00313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose We aimed to develop a noninvasive neural test of language comprehension to use with nonspeaking children for whom standard behavioral testing is unreliable (e.g., minimally verbal autism). Our aims were threefold. First, we sought to establish the sensitivity of two auditory paradigms to elicit neural responses in individual neurotypical children. Second, we aimed to validate the use of a portable and accessible electroencephalography (EEG) system, by comparing its recordings to those of a research-grade system. Third, in light of substantial interindividual variability in individuals' neural responses, we assessed whether multivariate decoding methods could improve sensitivity. Method We tested the sensitivity of two child-friendly covert N400 paradigms. Thirty-one typically developing children listened to identical spoken words that were either strongly predicted by the preceding context or violated lexical-semantic expectations. Context was given by a cue word (Experiment 1) or sentence frame (Experiment 2), and participants either made an overall judgment on word relatedness or counted lexical-semantic violations. We measured EEG concurrently from a research-grade system, Neuroscan's SynAmps2, and an adapted gaming system, Emotiv's EPOC+. Results We found substantial interindividual variability in the timing and topology of N400-like effects. For both paradigms and EEG systems, traditional N400 effects at the expected sensors and time points were statistically significant in around 50% of individuals. Using multivariate analyses, detection rate increased to 88% of individuals for the research-grade system in the sentences paradigm, illustrating the robustness of this method in the face of interindividual variations in topography. Conclusions There was large interindividual variability in neural responses, suggesting interindividual variation in either the cognitive response to lexical-semantic violations and/or the neural substrate of that response. Around half of our neurotypical participants showed the expected N400 effect at the expected location and time points. A low-cost, accessible EEG system provided comparable data for univariate analysis but was not well suited to multivariate decoding. However, multivariate analyses with a research-grade EEG system increased our detection rate to 88% of individuals. This approach provides a strong foundation to establish a neural index of language comprehension in children with limited communication. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12606311.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Petit
- Perception in Action Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Nicholas A. Badcock
- Perception in Action Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Australia
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tijl Grootswagers
- Perception in Action Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Anina N. Rich
- Perception in Action Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Jon Brock
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Lyndsey Nickels
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Denise Moerel
- Perception in Action Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Nadene Dermody
- Perception in Action Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Shu Yau
- School of Psychology & Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Western Australia
- University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Elaine Schmidt
- Child Language Lab, Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University, Australia
- Medical Research Council (UK), Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexandra Woolgar
- Perception in Action Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Australia
- Medical Research Council (UK), Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Lau-Zhu A, Lau MPH, McLoughlin G. Mobile EEG in research on neurodevelopmental disorders: Opportunities and challenges. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2019; 36:100635. [PMID: 30877927 PMCID: PMC6534774 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2019.100635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mobile electroencephalography (mobile EEG) represents a next-generation neuroscientific technology – to study real-time brain activity – that is relatively inexpensive, non-invasive and portable. Mobile EEG leverages state-of-the-art hardware alongside established advantages of traditional EEG and recent advances in signal processing. In this review, we propose that mobile EEG could open unprecedented possibilities for studying neurodevelopmental disorders. We first present a brief overview of recent developments in mobile EEG technologies, emphasising the proliferation of studies in several neuroscientific domains. As these developments have yet to be exploited by neurodevelopmentalists, we then identify three research opportunities: 1) increase in the ease and flexibility of brain data acquisition in neurodevelopmental populations; 2) integration into powerful developmentally-informative research designs; 3) development of innovative non-stationary EEG-based paradigms. Critically, we address key challenges that should be considered to fully realise the potential of mobile EEG for neurodevelopmental research and for understanding developmental psychopathology more broadly, and suggest future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Lau-Zhu
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Michael P H Lau
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gráinne McLoughlin
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Stavropoulos KKM, Carver LJ. An Electrophysiology Protocol to Measure Reward Anticipation and Processing in Children. J Vis Exp 2018:58348. [PMID: 30346407 PMCID: PMC6235422 DOI: 10.3791/58348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a protocol designed to measure the neural correlates of reward in children. The protocol allows researchers to measure both reward anticipation and processing. Its purpose is to create a reward task that is appropriate for young children with and without autism while controlling reward properties between two conditions: social and nonsocial. The current protocol allows for comparisons of brain activity between social and nonsocial reward conditions while keeping the reward itself identical between conditions. Using this protocol, we found evidence that neurotypical children demonstrate enhanced anticipatory brain activity during the social condition. Furthermore, we found that neurotypical children anticipate social reward more robustly than children with autism diagnoses. As the task uses snacks as a reward, it is most appropriate for young children. However, the protocol may be adapted for use with adolescent or adult populations if snacks are replaced by monetary incentives. The protocol is designed to measure electrophysiological events (event-related potentials), but it may be customized for use with eye-tracking or fMRI.
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Distinct ERP profiles for auditory processing in infants at-risk for autism and language impairment. Sci Rep 2018; 8:715. [PMID: 29335488 PMCID: PMC5768787 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-19009-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial for the formulation of effective intervention programs. Language deficits may be a hallmark feature of ASD and language delay observed in ASD shows striking similarities to that observed in children with language impairment (LI). Auditory processing deficits are seen in both LI and ASD, however, they have not previously been compared directly using Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) in the two at-risk populations. This study aims to characterize infants at-risk for ASD (HR-ASD) at the electrophysiological level and to compare them with infants at-risk for LI (HR-LI) and controls, to find specific markers with predictive value. At 12-month-old, auditory processing in HR-ASD, HR-LI and controls was characterized via ERP oddball paradigm. All infants were then evaluated at 20 months, to investigate the associations between auditory processing and language/ASD-related outcomes. In both HR-ASD and HR-LI, mismatch response latency was delayed compared to controls, whereas only HR-ASD showed overall larger P3 amplitude compared to controls. Interestingly, these ERP measures correlated with later expressive vocabulary and M-CHAT critical items in the whole sample. These results may support the use of objective measurement of auditory processing to delineate pathophysiological mechanisms in ASD, as compared to LI.
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de Wit B, Badcock NA, Grootswagers T, Hardwick K, Teichmann L, Wehrman J, Williams M, Kaplan DM. Neurogaming Technology Meets Neuroscience Education: A Cost-Effective, Scalable, and Highly Portable Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory for Neuroscience. JOURNAL OF UNDERGRADUATE NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION : JUNE : A PUBLICATION OF FUN, FACULTY FOR UNDERGRADUATE NEUROSCIENCE 2017; 15:A104-A109. [PMID: 28690430 PMCID: PMC5480837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Active research-driven approaches that successfully incorporate new technology are known to catalyze student learning. Yet achieving these objectives in neuroscience education is especially challenging due to the prohibitive costs and technical demands of research-grade equipment. Here we describe a method that circumvents these factors by leveraging consumer EEG-based neurogaming technology to create an affordable, scalable, and highly portable teaching laboratory for undergraduate courses in neuroscience. This laboratory is designed to give students hands-on research experience, consolidate their understanding of key neuroscience concepts, and provide a unique real-time window into the working brain. Survey results demonstrate that students found the lab sessions engaging. Students also reported the labs enhanced their knowledge about EEG, their course material, and neuroscience research in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca de Wit
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD)
| | - Nicholas A. Badcock
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD)
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC)
| | - Tijl Grootswagers
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD)
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC)
| | - Katherine Hardwick
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD)
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC)
| | - Lina Teichmann
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD)
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC)
| | - Jordan Wehrman
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD)
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC)
| | - Mark Williams
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD)
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC)
| | - David Michael Kaplan
- Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD)
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC)
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Jack A, Pelphrey K. Annual Research Review: Understudied populations within the autism spectrum - current trends and future directions in neuroimaging research. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2017; 58:411-435. [PMID: 28102566 PMCID: PMC5367938 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions that vary in both etiology and phenotypic expression. Expressions of ASD characterized by a more severe phenotype, including autism with intellectual disability (ASD + ID), autism with a history of developmental regression (ASD + R), and minimally verbal autism (ASD + MV) are understudied generally, and especially in the domain of neuroimaging. However, neuroimaging methods are a potentially powerful tool for understanding the etiology of these ASD subtypes. SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY This review evaluates existing neuroimaging research on ASD + MV, ASD + ID, and ASD + R, identified by a search of the literature using the PubMed database, and discusses methodological, theoretical, and practical considerations for future research involving neuroimaging assessment of these populations. FINDINGS There is a paucity of neuroimaging research on ASD + ID, ASD + MV, and ASD + R, and what findings do exist are often contradictory, or so sparse as to be ungeneralizable. We suggest that while greater sample sizes and more studies are necessary, more important would be a paradigm shift toward multimodal (e.g. imaging genetics) approaches that allow for the characterization of heterogeneity within etiologically diverse samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Jack
- Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, The George Washington University, Ashburn, VA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
| | - Kevin Pelphrey
- Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, The George Washington University, Ashburn, VA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
- Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., USA
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Theofanopoulou C. Implications of Oxytocin in Human Linguistic Cognition: From Genome to Phenome. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:271. [PMID: 27378840 PMCID: PMC4906233 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurohormone oxytocin (OXT) has been found to mediate the regulation of complex socioemotional cognition in multiple ways both in humans and other animals. Recent studies have investigated the effects of OXT in different levels of analysis (from genetic to behavioral) chiefly targeting its impact on the social component and only indirectly indicating its implications in other components of our socio-interactive abilities. This article aims at shedding light onto how OXT might be modulating the multimodality that characterizes our higher-order linguistic abilities (vocal-auditory-attentional-memory-social systems). Based on evidence coming from genetic, EEG, fMRI, and behavioral studies, I attempt to establish the promises of this perspective with the goal of stressing the need for neuropeptide treatments to enter clinical practice.
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