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Leong C, Lin Y, Zhang J, Yuan Z. How Time Pressure Modulates Individual Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Chunk Memory in Chess Games. Neuroscience 2024:S0306-4522(24)00219-7. [PMID: 38851380 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.05.026] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies on the chess game demonstrated that chess experts strongly rely on the activation of memory chunks to manifest accurate decision-making. Although the chunk memory might be affected by temporal constraints, it is unclear why the performance of chess experts is not significantly dropped under time pressure. In this study, our objective is to examine the variations in cognitive neural mechanisms between chess experts and novices under time pressure. The underlying cognitive neural mechanism was carefully inspected by accessing the chess game performance between 20 local experienced and 20 inexperienced chess players with 1-minute and 5-minute time constraints. In addition, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recordings were carried out for each individual from the two groups while playing a 1-minute or 5-minute chess game. It was discovered that under temporal constraints, players exhibited different patterns of functional connectivity in frontal-parietal regions, suggesting that temporal stress can enhance segmentation processes in chess games. In particular, the experienced group exhibited significantly enhanced functional connectivity networks under time pressure including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and postcentral gyrus, which demonstrated the important role of the segmentation process for experienced players under time pressure. Our study found that experienced players were able to enhance recall, reorganize, and integrate chunks to improve chess performance under time pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantat Leong
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Yuwen Lin
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China; Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zhen Yuan
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.
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Long K, Zhang X, Wang N, Lei H. Event-related prefrontal activations during online video game playing are modulated by game mechanics, physiological arousal and the amount of daily playing. Behav Brain Res 2024; 469:115038. [PMID: 38705282 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115038] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
There is a trend to study human brain functions in ecological contexts and in relation to human factors. In this study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to record real-time prefrontal activities in 42 male university student habitual video game players when they played a round of multiplayer online battle arena game, League of Legends. A content-based event coding approach was used to analyze regional activations in relation to event type, physiological arousal indexed by heart rate (HR) change, and individual characteristics of the player. Game events Slay and Slain were found to be associated with similar HR and prefrontal responses before the event onset, but differential responses after the event onset. Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) activation preceding the Slay onset correlated positively with HR change, whereas activations in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and rostral frontal pole area (FPAr) preceding the Slain onset were predicted by self-reported hours of weekly playing (HoWP). Together, these results provide empirical evidence to support the notion that event-related regional prefrontal activations during online video game playing are shaped by game mechanics, in-game dynamics of physiological arousal and individual characteristics the players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehong Long
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xuzhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Ningxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China
| | - Hao Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.
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Cheraghi P, Hekmatpour D, Rafiei F, Ansari J. A comparison between effects of sudoku and mandala painting on anxiety of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. J Family Med Prim Care 2024; 13:431-437. [PMID: 38605776 PMCID: PMC11006075 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_411_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Once diagnosed with breast cancer, many women may experience psychological complications, such as anxiety. The grueling treatments that such patients may undergo, for example, chemotherapy, not only cause specific complications for them but also increase their anxiety level. A technique to manage these psychological consequences in patients with breast cancer is to play Sudoku or do Mandala painting. Purpose This study aimed to compare the effects of Sudoku and Mandala painting on the anxiety level of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methodology This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 patients with breast cancer in Arak, Iran. The patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling, and then they were assigned to one of the Mandala painting or Sudoku groups using block randomization. The data were collected using a demographics form and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). All participants in both groups completed the research questionnaires before the intervention. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS-26. Results The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test anxiety scores in both Sudoku and Mandala painting groups (P = 0.0001). The difference between the pre-test and post-test mean anxiety scores was 6.09 ± 4.02 in the Sudoku group and 48.93 ± 13.8 in the Mandala painting group. The results of the inter-group comparison also showed a significant difference between the two groups in post-test mean anxiety score (P = 0.0001), proving that Mandala painting was more effective in reducing the anxiety of patients. Conclusion Mandala painting was more effective than Sudoku in reducing the anxiety level of patients with breast cancer. It can be hence concluded that Mandala painting can be used as a relaxing art therapy technique in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvaneh Cheraghi
- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Rafiei
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamshid Ansari
- Radiation Oncology, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
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Mei X, Zou CJ, Hu J, Liu XL, Zheng CY, Zhou DS. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in elderly patients with four types of dementia. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:203-214. [PMID: 37303929 PMCID: PMC10251357 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i5.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is commonly used to study human brain function by measuring the hemodynamic signals originating from cortical activation and provides a new noninvasive detection method for identifying dementia.
AIM To investigate the fNIRS imaging technique and its clinical application in differential diagnosis of subtype dementias including frontotemporal lobe dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
METHODS Four patients with different types of dementia were examined with fNIRS during two tasks and a resting state. We adopted the verbal fluency task, working memory task and resting state task. Each patient was compared on the same task. We conducted and analyzed the fNIRS data using a general linear model and Pearson’s correlation analysis.
RESULTS Compared with other types of dementias, fNIRS showed the left frontotemporal and prefrontal lobes to be poorly activated during the verbal fluency task in frontotemporal dementia. In Lewy body dementia, severe asymmetry of prefrontal lobes appeared during both verbal fluency and working memory tasks, and the patient had low functional connectivity during a resting state. In PDD, the patient’s prefrontal cortex showed lower excitability than the temporal lobe during the verbal fluency task, while the prefrontal cortex showed higher excitability during the working memory task. The patient with AD showed poor prefrontal and temporal activation during the working memory task, and more activation of frontopolar instead of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
CONCLUSION Different hemodynamic characteristics of four types of dementia (as seen by fNIRS imaging) provides evidence that fNIRS can serve as a potential tool for the diagnosis between dementia subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Mei
- Key Lab, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chen-Jun Zou
- Department of Geriatric, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Geriatric, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Li Liu
- Key Lab, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Cheng-Ying Zheng
- Department of Geriatric, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Zhou
- Key Lab, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang Province, China
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Pozzi FE, Appollonio I, Ferrarese C, Tremolizzo L. Can Traditional Board Games Prevent or Slow Down Cognitive Impairment? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:829-845. [PMID: 37638443 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230473] [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] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional board games can entail significant skills encompassing several cognitive functions across different domains. Therefore, they may potentially represent effective cognitive interventions in the aging population with or without Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia. OBJECTIVE We aimed at verifying the hypothesis that traditional board games can prevent or slow down cognitive decline, through a systematic review on traditional board games and dementia. METHODS We searched five databases with tailored search strings. We included studies assessing the impact of board games on elderly subjects at risk of or suffering from cognitive impairment, or subjects with cognitive impairment irrespective of age. Studies where the effect of board games was not separated by cards or other games were excluded. A meta-analysis was performed for specific cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes. RESULTS Board games improved mental function, as measured by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (p = 0.003) and Mini-Mental State Examination (p = 0.02). Ska and Go improved Trail Making Test -A, while Mahjong improved executive functions. There was no consistent effect across different games on Digit Span or Categorical Fluency. Chess improved quality of life measured with the WHO-QoL-OLD scale (p < 0.00001). Mahjong temporarily improved depressive symptoms. Go increased BDNF levels and left middle temporal gyrus and bilateral putamen metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Traditional board games may slow global cognitive decline and improve the quality of life in elderly subjects. Different games have varying impacts on specific cognitive domains, possibly mediated by functional and biological factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ildebrando Appollonio
- Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrarese
- Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucio Tremolizzo
- Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Fuentes-García JP, Leon-Llamas JL, Gusi N, Villafaina S. Are there neurophysiological differences behind the play of different chess modalities?: An international grandmaster case study. Physiol Behav 2022; 255:113918. [PMID: 35858672 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113918] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The study of mental load is an emerging research topic in the field of sport sciences. In the sport of chess, there is a need to understand the mental demands of the sport of chess in order to manage training loads. The present study aimed to analyze the electrical brain pattern of an elite chess player during different chess games: 15 + 10, blindfold 15 + 10, lightning game, and problem-solving chess tasks. The participant was a male 33-year-old chess player with 2562 points of ELO and more than 26 years of chess experience, training between 3 and 4 h a day. The 15 + 10 game consisted of 15 min + 10 s increment per move. In the blindfold game, the participant cannot see the positions of the pieces and does not touch them. In the lightning game, the participant played four consecutive one minute game. In addition, two high-level, two low-level, and two medium-level chess problems were performed. Electroencephalographic (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) responses were measured to assess the electrical brain pattern and autonomic modulation respectively. The participant won both games at 15 + 10 (normal and blindfold), lost three and drew one of the four lightning games, solved the two low-level and the two medium-level problems and solved one of the two high-level problems. Although in both games the player achieved victory the average player move quality measured with both pure analysis and analysis with additional limitations were lower in 15 + 10 blindfold game than in 15 + 10 game. Increments in theta and alpha power spectrums can be observed during the most demanding chess games (blindfold chess, lightning game, and the chess problem at difficult- level). Furthermore, the highest alpha power spectrum values can be observed during blindfold chess. In conclusion, this is the first study investigating the EEG pattern of a International Chess Grandmaster during a blindfold chess game. We found that in the chess games where lower performance is exhibited, theta and alpha power spectrums increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pedro Fuentes-García
- Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte. Av. De Universidad s/n, 10003, Caceres, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Leon-Llamas
- Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte. Av. De Universidad s/n, 10003, Caceres, Spain.
| | - Narcis Gusi
- Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte. Av. De Universidad s/n, 10003, Caceres, Spain
| | - Santos Villafaina
- Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte. Av. De Universidad s/n, 10003, Caceres, Spain; Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
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Yu L, Feng J, Zhou C, Zhu X, Lou X, Yang J, Qi H, Li J. Cognitive Function Mainly Shaped by Socioeconomic Status Rather Than Chronic Hypoxia in Adolescents at High Altitude. High Alt Med Biol 2022; 23:223-231. [PMID: 35833789 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2022.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Yu, Linyang, Jinqing Feng, Chen Zhou, Xiaohan Zhu, Xiaobin Lou, Jian Yang, Haiying Qi, and Jia Li. Cognitive function mainly shaped by socioeconomic status rather than chronic hypoxia in adolescents at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 23:000-000, 2022. Background: The study evaluated cognitive function in relation to the changes in brain tissue oxygenation in three groups of high school students from different socioeconomic regions including Tibetans in Jiuzhi and Lhasa (both at 3,600 m), and Han in Beijing (44 m). Methods: Jiuzhi, Lhasa, and Beijing Group included 21 Tibetans, 24 Tibetans, and 23 Han, respectively. Wechsler Intelligence Scale was used for cognitive evaluation. Functional near infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the changes of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) during the cognitive assessment. Gross domestic product (GDP) was used to indicate the socioeconomic status. Results: All the cognitive scores were significantly lower in the two high altitude groups compared with the Beijing Group (p < 0.001). The scores in Jiuzhi Group were significantly lower compared with the Lhasa Group (p < 0.001). The changes in oxy-Hb in channels 6 and 15 in both high-altitude groups were significantly greater compared with the Beijing Group (p < 0.05), without significant difference between the two high-altitude groups. GDP was significantly correlated with all the scores (p < 0.001), but not altitude. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment occurs in adolescents at high altitude, being severer in Jiuzhi Group compared with the Lhasa Group. The lower performance in both high-altitude groups require greater brain activity over-compensated by cerebral oxygen delivery as indicated by the changes in oxy-Hb. The cognitive scores were significantly correlated with GDP rather than altitude. Cognitive function in adolescents at high altitude is not limited by chronic hypoxia, but mainly shaped by socioeconomic determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyang Yu
- Clinical Physiology Laboratory, Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinqing Feng
- Clinical Physiology Laboratory, Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Beijing Jiaoyangzhixin Education Consulting Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohan Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobin Lou
- Clinical Physiology Laboratory, Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Haiying Qi
- Division of Electrophysiology, Women and Children's Hospital of Qinghai Province, Xining, China
| | - Jia Li
- Clinical Physiology Laboratory, Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Liang D, Qiu L, Duan X, Chen H, Liu C, Gong Q. Training-Specific Changes in Regional Spontaneous Neural Activity Among Professional Chinese Chess Players. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:877103. [PMID: 35712460 PMCID: PMC9195868 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.877103] [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: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Our previous reports reflected some aspects of neuroplastic changes from long-term Chinese chess training but were mainly based on large-scale intrinsic connectivity. In contrast to functional connectivity among remote brain areas, synchronization of local intrinsic activity demonstrates functional connectivity among regional areas. Until now, local connectivity changes in professional Chinese chess players (PCCPs) have been reported only at specific hubs; whole-brain-based local connectivity and its relation to training profiles has not been revealed. Objectives To investigate whole-brain local connectivity changes and their relation to training profiles in PCCPs. Methods Regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis of rs-fMRI data from 22 PCCPs versus 21 novices was performed to determine local connectivity changes and their relation to training profiles. Results Compared to novices, PCCPs showed increased regional spontaneous activity in the posterior lobe of the left cerebellum, the left temporal pole, the right amygdala, and the brainstem but decreased ReHo in the right precentral gyrus. From a whole-brain perspective, local activity in areas such as the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum and the caudate correlated with training profiles. Conclusion Regional homogeneity changes in PCCPs were consistent with the classical view of automaticity in motor control and learning. Related areas in the pattern indicated an enhanced capacity for emotion regulation, supporting cool and focused attention during gameplay. The possible participation of the basal ganglia-cerebellar-cerebral networks, as suggested by these correlation results, expands our present knowledge of the neural substrates of professional chess players. Meanwhile, ReHo change occurred in an area responsible for the pronunciation and reading of Chinese characters. Additionally, professional Chinese chess training was associated with change in a region that is affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Liang
- School of Physical Education and Sports Exercise, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Sports Science Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihua Qiu
- Department of Radiology, The Second People’s Hospital of Yibin, Yibin, China
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xujun Duan
- Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Huafu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengyi Liu
- School of Physical Education and Sports Exercise, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Sports Science Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
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Saikia MJ, Besio WG, Mankodiya K. The Validation of a Portable Functional NIRS System for Assessing Mental Workload. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21113810. [PMID: 34072895 PMCID: PMC8199260 DOI: 10.3390/s21113810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems have the potential to image the brain in naturalistic settings. Experimental studies are essential to validate such fNIRS systems. Working memory (WM) is a short-term active memory that is associated with the temporary storage and manipulation of information. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) brain area is involved in the processing of WM. We assessed the PFC brain during n-back WM tasks in a group of 25 college students using our laboratory-developed portable fNIRS system, WearLight. We designed an experimental protocol with 32 n-back WM task blocks with four different pseudo-randomized task difficulty levels. The hemodynamic response of the brain was computed from the experimental data and the evaluated brain responses due to these tasks. We observed the incremental mean hemodynamic activation induced by the increasing WM load. The left-PFC area was more activated in the WM task compared to the right-PFC. The task performance was seen to be related to the hemodynamic responses. The experimental results proved the functioning of the WearLight system in cognitive load imaging. Since the portable fNIRS system was wearable and operated wirelessly, it was possible to measure the cognitive load in the naturalistic environment, which could also lead to the development of a user-friendly brain–computer interface system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manob Jyoti Saikia
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Walter G Besio
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Kunal Mankodiya
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
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Villafaina S, Castro MA, Pereira T, Carvalho Santos A, Fuentes-García JP. Neurophysiological and autonomic responses of high and low level chess players during difficult and easy chess endgames - A quantitative EEG and HRV study. Physiol Behav 2021; 237:113454. [PMID: 33971186 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to analyze the heart rate variability (HRV) and the electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectrum in low and high performance chess players during easy and difficult chess endgames. A total of 28 chess players participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were divided into two groups according to their ELO level (rating system used by the international chess federation): 1) high level chess players (more than 1600 of ELO score); and 2) low level chess players (ELO less than 1599 of ELO score). Chess players had to complete two easy and two difficult endgames while the electroencephalographic activity and heart rate variability were assessed. High level chess players exhibit more alpha EEG power spectrums (p-value>0.05) during difficult than during easy chess endgames in the occipital area (O1 and O2 electrodes). Moreover, high performance players showed a reduced autonomic modulation (p-value>0.05) during the difficult chess endgames which low performance players did not reach. These results could suggest that high level chess players adapt their neurophysiological response to the task demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santos Villafaina
- Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Avda: Universidad S/N, 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Maria António Castro
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical and Engineering Materials and Processes, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Telmo Pereira
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Ashlesh P, Deepak KK, Preet KK. Role of prefrontal cortex during Sudoku task: fNIRS study. Transl Neurosci 2020; 11:419-427. [PMID: 33335780 PMCID: PMC7718610 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sudoku is a popular cognitively stimulating leisure-time activity. Many studies have been directed toward finding an algorithm to solve Sudoku, but the investigation of the neural substrates involved in Sudoku has been challenging. Methods Sudoku task was divided into two steps to understand the differential function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) while applying heuristic rules. PFC activity was recorded at 16 optode locations using functional near infrared spectroscopy. Classical two-way analysis of variance as well as general linear model-based approach was used to analyze the data from 28 noise-free recordings obtained from right-handed participants. Results Post hoc analysis showed a significant increase in oxyhemoglobin concentrations and decrease in deoxyhemoglobin concentrations at all 16 optode locations during step 1 (3 × 3 subgrids) and step 2 (easy level 9 × 9 Sudoku) when compared with the rest (p < 0.0001). Contrasting the step 2 - step 1 revealed that medial regions of PFC were preferentially activated. Conclusion Both the medial and lateral regions of PFC are activated during Sudoku task. However, the medial regions of PFC play a differential role, especially when we consider searching and selecting the heuristic rules. Thus, Sudoku may be used for cognitive remediation training in neuropsychiatric disorders involving PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patil Ashlesh
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, India
| | - Kishore K Deepak
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Kochhar Kanwal Preet
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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