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Ostrowski J, Rose M. Increases in pre-stimulus theta and alpha oscillations precede successful encoding of crossmodal associations. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7895. [PMID: 38570599 PMCID: PMC10991485 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
A central aspect of episodic memory is the formation of associations between stimuli from different modalities. Current theoretical approaches assume a functional role of ongoing oscillatory power and phase in the theta band (3-7 Hz) for the encoding of crossmodal associations. Furthermore, ongoing activity in the theta range as well as alpha (8-12 Hz) and low beta activity (13-20 Hz) before the presentation of a stimulus is thought to modulate subsequent cognitive processing, including processes that are related to memory. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that pre-stimulus characteristics of low frequency activity are relevant for the successful formation of crossmodal memory. The experimental design that was used specifically allowed for the investigation of associative memory independent from individual item memory. Participants (n = 51) were required to memorize associations between audiovisual stimulus pairs and distinguish them from newly arranged ones consisting of the same single stimuli in the subsequent recognition task. Our results show significant differences in the state of pre-stimulus theta and alpha power between remembered and not remembered crossmodal associations, clearly relating increased power to successful recognition. These differences were positively correlated with memory performance, suggesting functional relevance for behavioral measures of associative memory. Further analysis revealed similar effects in the low beta frequency ranges, indicating the involvement of different pre-stimulus-related cognitive processes. Phase-based connectivity measures in the theta band did not differ between remembered and not remembered stimulus pairs. The findings support the assumed functional relevance of theta band oscillations for the formation of associative memory and demonstrate that an increase of theta as well as alpha band oscillations in the pre-stimulus period is beneficial for the establishment of crossmodal memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostrowski
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Michael Rose
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Rogala J, Dreszer J, Malinowska U, Waligóra M, Pluta A, Antonova I, Wróbel A. Stronger connectivity and higher extraversion protect against stress-related deterioration of cognitive functions. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17452. [PMID: 34465808 PMCID: PMC8408208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96718-5] [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: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we attempted to define the relationship between: EEG activity, personality and coping during lockdown. We were in a unique situation since the COVID-19 outbreak interrupted our independent longitudinal study. We already collected a significant amount of data before lockdown. During lockdown, a subgroup of participants willingly continued their engagement in the study. These circumstances provided us with an opportunity to examine the relationship between personality/cognition and brain rhythms in individuals who continued their engagement during lockdown compared to control data collected well before pandemic. The testing consisted of a one-time assessment of personality dimensions and two sessions of EEG recording and deductive reasoning task. Participants were divided into groups based on the time they completed the second session: before or during the COVID-19 outbreak ‘Pre-pandemic Controls’ and ‘Pandemics’, respectively. The Pandemics were characterized by a higher extraversion and stronger connectivity, compared to Pre-pandemic Controls. Furthermore, the Pandemics improved their cognitive performance under long-term stress as compared to the Pre-Pandemic Controls matched for personality traits to the Pandemics. The Pandemics were also characterized by increased EEG connectivity during lockdown. We posit that stronger EEG connectivity and higher extraversion could act as a defense mechanism against stress-related deterioration of cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Rogala
- Bioimaging Research Center, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw, Poland. .,The Center for Systemic Risk Analysis, Faculty of "Artes Liberales", University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Joanna Dreszer
- The Center for Systemic Risk Analysis, Faculty of "Artes Liberales", University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Urszula Malinowska
- Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej Im. Marcelego Nenckiego, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Waligóra
- Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej Im. Marcelego Nenckiego, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Pluta
- Faculty of Psychology, The University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ingrida Antonova
- Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej Im. Marcelego Nenckiego, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Wróbel
- The Center for Systemic Risk Analysis, Faculty of "Artes Liberales", University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej Im. Marcelego Nenckiego, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Philosophy, Faculty of Epistemology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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van der Cruijsen J, Manoochehri M, Jonker ZD, Andrinopoulou ER, Frens MA, Ribbers GM, Schouten AC, Selles RW. Theta but not beta power is positively associated with better explicit motor task learning. Neuroimage 2021; 240:118373. [PMID: 34246767 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurophysiologic correlates of motor learning that can be monitored during neurorehabilitation interventions can facilitate the development of more effective learning methods. Previous studies have focused on the role of the beta band (14-30 Hz) because of its clear response during motor activity. However, it is difficult to discriminate between beta activity related to learning a movement and performing the movement. In this study, we analysed differences in the electroencephalography (EEG) power spectra of complex and simple explicit sequential motor tasks in healthy young subjects. The complex motor task (CMT) allowed EEG measurement related to motor learning. In contrast, the simple motor task (SMT) made it possible to control for EEG activity associated with performing the movement without significant motor learning. Source reconstruction of the EEG revealed task-related activity from 5 clusters covering both primary motor cortices (M1) and 3 clusters localised to different parts of the cingulate cortex (CC). We found no association between M1 beta power and learning, but the CMT produced stronger bilateral beta suppression compared to the SMT. However, there was a positive association between contralateral M1 theta (5-8 Hz) and alpha (8-12 Hz) power and motor learning, and theta and alpha power in the posterior mid-CC and posterior CC were positively associated with greater motor learning. These findings suggest that the theta and alpha bands are more related to motor learning than the beta band, which might merely relate to the level of perceived difficulty during learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris van der Cruijsen
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Mana Manoochehri
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, 2628 DS Delft, Netherlands
| | - Zeb D Jonker
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands; Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Neuroscience, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands; Rijndam Rehabilitation Center, 3015 LJ Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Maarten A Frens
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Neuroscience, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gerard M Ribbers
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands; Rijndam Rehabilitation Center, 3015 LJ Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alfred C Schouten
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, 2628 DS Delft, Netherlands; University of Twente, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, 7522 NB Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Ruud W Selles
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands; Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Isla AG, Balleza-Tapia H, Fisahn A. Efficacy of preclinical pharmacological interventions against alterations of neuronal network oscillations in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review. Exp Neurol 2021; 343:113743. [PMID: 34000250 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite the development of multiple pharmacological approaches over the years aimed at treating Alzheimer's Disease (AD) only very few have been approved for clinical use in patients. To date there still exists no disease-modifying treatment that could prevent or rescue the cognitive impairment, particularly of memory aquisition, that is characteristic of AD. One of the possibilities for this state of affairs might be that the majority of drug discovery efforts focuses on outcome measures of decreased neuropathological biomarkers characteristic of AD, without taking into acount neuronal processes essential to the generation and maintenance of memory processes. Particularly, the capacity of the brain to generate theta (θ) and gamma (γ) oscillatory activity has been strongly correlated to memory performance. Using a systematic review approach, we synthesize the existing evidence in the literature on pharmacological interventions that enhance neuronal theta (θ) and/or gamma (γ) oscillations in non-pathological animal models and in AD animal models. Additionally, we synthesize the main outcomes and neurochemical systems targeted. We propose that functional biomarkers such as cognition-relevant neuronal network oscillations should be used as outcome measures during the process of research and development of novel drugs against cognitive impairment in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo G Isla
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Akademiska Stråket 1, J10:30, 17164 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hugo Balleza-Tapia
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Akademiska Stråket 1, J10:30, 17164 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - André Fisahn
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Akademiska Stråket 1, J10:30, 17164 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Single-Trial Kernel-Based Functional Connectivity for Enhanced Feature Extraction in Motor-Related Tasks. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21082750. [PMID: 33924672 PMCID: PMC8069819 DOI: 10.3390/s21082750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Motor learning is associated with functional brain plasticity, involving specific functional connectivity changes in the neural networks. However, the degree of learning new motor skills varies among individuals, which is mainly due to the between-subject variability in brain structure and function captured by electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Here, we propose a kernel-based functional connectivity measure to deal with inter/intra-subject variability in motor-related tasks. To this end, from spatio-temporal-frequency patterns, we extract the functional connectivity between EEG channels through their Gaussian kernel cross-spectral distribution. Further, we optimize the spectral combination weights within a sparse-based ℓ2-norm feature selection framework matching the motor-related labels that perform the dimensionality reduction of the extracted connectivity features. From the validation results in three databases with motor imagery and motor execution tasks, we conclude that the single-trial Gaussian functional connectivity measure provides very competitive classifier performance values, being less affected by feature extraction parameters, like the sliding time window, and avoiding the use of prior linear spatial filtering. We also provide interpretability for the clustered functional connectivity patterns and hypothesize that the proposed kernel-based metric is promising for evaluating motor skills.
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