680 research outputs found

    Image and Evidence: The Study of Attention through the Combined Lenses of Neuroscience and Art

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    : Levy, EK 2012, ‘An artistic exploration of inattention blindness’, in Frontiers Hum Neurosci, vol. 5, ISSN=1662-5161.Full version unavailable due to 3rd party copyright restrictions.This study proposed that new insights about attention, including its phenomenon and pathology, would be provided by combining perspectives of the neurobiological discourse about attention with analyses of artworks that exploit the constraints of the attentional system. To advance the central argument that art offers a training ground for the attentional system, a wide range of contemporary art was analysed in light of specific tasks invoked. The kinds of cognitive tasks these works initiate with respect to the attentional system have been particularly critical to this research. Attention was explored within the context of transdisciplinary art practices, varied circumstances of viewing, new neuroscientific findings, and new approaches towards learning. Research for this dissertation required practical investigations in a gallery setting, and this original work was contextualised and correlated with pertinent neuroscientific approaches. It was also concluded that art can enhance public awareness of attention disorders and assist the public in discriminating between medical and social factors through questioning how norms of behaviour are defined and measured. This territory was examined through the comparative analysis of several diagnostic tests for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), through the adaptation of a methodology from economics involving patent citation in order to show market incentives, and through examples of data visualisation. The construction of an installation and collaborative animation allowed participants to experience first-hand the constraints on the attentional system, provoking awareness of our own “normal” physiological limitations. The embodied knowledge of images, emotion, and social context that are deeply embedded in art practices appeared to be capable of supplementing neuroscience’s understanding of attention and its disorders

    A Biosymtic (Biosymbiotic Robotic) Approach to Human Development and Evolution. The Echo of the Universe.

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    In the present work we demonstrate that the current Child-Computer Interaction paradigm is not potentiating human development to its fullest – it is associated with several physical and mental health problems and appears not to be maximizing children’s cognitive performance and cognitive development. In order to potentiate children’s physical and mental health (including cognitive performance and cognitive development) we have developed a new approach to human development and evolution. This approach proposes a particular synergy between the developing human body, computing machines and natural environments. It emphasizes that children should be encouraged to interact with challenging physical environments offering multiple possibilities for sensory stimulation and increasing physical and mental stress to the organism. We created and tested a new set of computing devices in order to operationalize our approach – Biosymtic (Biosymbiotic Robotic) devices: “Albert” and “Cratus”. In two initial studies we were able to observe that the main goal of our approach is being achieved. We observed that, interaction with the Biosymtic device “Albert”, in a natural environment, managed to trigger a different neurophysiological response (increases in sustained attention levels) and tended to optimize episodic memory performance in children, compared to interaction with a sedentary screen-based computing device, in an artificially controlled environment (indoors) - thus a promising solution to promote cognitive performance/development; and that interaction with the Biosymtic device “Cratus”, in a natural environment, instilled vigorous physical activity levels in children - thus a promising solution to promote physical and mental health

    Evaluating the role of social attention in the causal path to Autism Spectrum Disorder

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    This thesis evaluated the evidence for the hypothesis that early disruptions in social attention are involved in the causal pathway to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The sample included infants at high and low familial risk for neurodevelopmental disorders participating in a prospective longitudinal study, and their family members. Five studies were conducted to test whether social attention atypicalities precede the onset of behavioural symptoms and whether they are related to familial, genetic and epigenetic burden for ASD. Chapter 2 examined neural correlates of attention measured with multi-channel electroencephalography in 8-month-old infants attending to faces and non-social stimuli, in relation to outcomes at age 3. Chapter 3 used structural equation modelling to investigate whether disruptions in neural response have cascading effects on learning from the environment via looking behaviour. Next, to further understand whether disruptions in social attention lie between genetic risk and ASD phenotype, Chapter 4 examined the association between ability to detect eye-gaze direction in a familial sample, severity of ASD symptoms and polygenic risk for ASD. Chapter 5 explored these patterns earlier in development, looking at the relationship between social attention at 14 months of age and familial burden, polygenic risk and parentreport traits of ASD and ADHD. Finally, Chapter 6, leveraging DNA methylation data, explored whether epigenetic signals were associated with early neural and behavioural correlates of social attention as well as developmental change leading to atypical outcome. Taken together, this work examined in depth the multifaceted nature of social attention, pointing to neural and behavioural atypicalities at critical time points as promising targets for cognitive and affective interventions. Furthermore, it pioneers future work integrating genetics, epigenetics and early neurocognitive measures of social attention in large prospective longitudinal studies of individuals at increased vulnerability for neurodevelopmental disorders, to shed light on the developmental mechanisms underlying the emergence of ASD

    Optimization of near-infrared spectroscopy-based neurofeedback for use in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

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    Die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-HyperaktivitĂ€tsstörung (ADHS) zĂ€hlt zu den am hĂ€ufigsten vorkommenden psychischen Störungen im Kindes- und Jugend-, aber auch im Erwachsenenalter, ca. 2,5-5% der Weltbevölkerung sind davon betroffen. Die Erkrankung wirkt sich in drei Kernbereichen aus: HyperaktivitĂ€t, ImpulsivitĂ€t und Unaufmerksamkeit, mit tiefgreifenden BeeintrĂ€chtigungen in verschiedenen Bereichen des Lebens, am deutlichsten in der Schule, bei der Arbeit und in interpersonellen Beziehungen. Es existieren verschiedene BehandlungsansĂ€tze, welche die vielseitige Symptomatologie der ADHS anzugehen versuchen. Die Medikation stellt dabei die gĂ€ngigste Behandlungsmethode dar, ist jedoch nicht selten mit Nebenwirkungen verbunden. Die Methode des Neurofeedbacks (NF) ist zwar unlĂ€ngst kein neuartiges Verfahren mehr, ist aber eine Behandlungsmethode, welche, aufgrund der fraglichen Wirksamkeit, in den letzten Jahren viele Diskussionen anregt hat. Da die Methode jedoch an der Schnittstelle zur Verhaltenstherapie und der neusten neurophysiologischen Forschung liegt, bietet sie die Möglichkeit fortwĂ€hrend um die aktuellsten wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse erweitert zu werden. Die vorliegende Dissertation strebt die Optimierung des NIRS-basierten NF Paradigmas zur Behandlung von ADHS durch die Untersuchung folgender Punkte an: 1) Wie können NIRS-basierte Paradigmen in VR implementiert werden? 2) Welche sind die zugrundeliegenden Mechanismen, die fĂŒr einen erfolgreichen NF Trial und Paradigma verantwortlich sind? 3) Wie können Methoden kombiniert werden um NF Paradigmen weiter zu entwickeln? Die Dissertation umfasst vier Studien. In Studie 1 untersuchten wir die EffektivitĂ€t eines Nahinfrarotspektroskopie-(NIRS)-basierten NF Paradigmas, realisiert im virtuellen Klassenzimmer, zur Behandlung hoch-impulsiver UniversitĂ€tsstudenten. In Studie 2 wurde ein ’Standard’- NIRS-basiertes NF Paradigma fĂŒr ADHS in seinen Einzelteilen ĂŒberprĂŒft und Empfehlungen fĂŒr die Weiterentwicklung eines NF Studiendesigns diskutiert sowie Netzwerke, welche mit Erfolg und Misserfolg bei NF Trials assoziiert sind, untersucht. In Studie 3 untersuchten wir das post-Fehlerverhalten bei ADHS-Patienten im Vergleich zu gesunden Kontrollpersonen (healthy controls, HC). Im Einzelnen betrachteten wir die ’P300-informed’ NIRS-Analyse um die Unterschiede zwischen ADHS-Patienten und HC genauer zu untersuchen. ZusĂ€tzlich wurde die Studie konzipiert um die EffektivitĂ€t von EEG/NIRS fĂŒr den zukĂŒnftigen Einsatz in einem multimodalen NF Studiendesign fĂŒr ADHS zu ĂŒberprĂŒfen. In Studie 4 wird das Studiendesign fĂŒr eine großangelegte und momentan laufende Studie mit Schulkindern mit ADHS beschrieben, in welcher das Paradigma aus Studie 1 zum Einsatz kommt. Dies liefert eine erste Zusammenfassung ĂŒber die umfangreiche Datenerhebung, welche zu neuen Erkenntnissen bei NIRS-NF bei ADHS fĂŒhren soll

    Brain-Computer Interface

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    Brain-computer interfacing (BCI) with the use of advanced artificial intelligence identification is a rapidly growing new technology that allows a silently commanding brain to manipulate devices ranging from smartphones to advanced articulated robotic arms when physical control is not possible. BCI can be viewed as a collaboration between the brain and a device via the direct passage of electrical signals from neurons to an external system. The book provides a comprehensive summary of conventional and novel methods for processing brain signals. The chapters cover a range of topics including noninvasive and invasive signal acquisition, signal processing methods, deep learning approaches, and implementation of BCI in experimental problems

    Recent Applications in Graph Theory

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    Graph theory, being a rigorously investigated field of combinatorial mathematics, is adopted by a wide variety of disciplines addressing a plethora of real-world applications. Advances in graph algorithms and software implementations have made graph theory accessible to a larger community of interest. Ever-increasing interest in machine learning and model deployments for network data demands a coherent selection of topics rewarding a fresh, up-to-date summary of the theory and fruitful applications to probe further. This volume is a small yet unique contribution to graph theory applications and modeling with graphs. The subjects discussed include information hiding using graphs, dynamic graph-based systems to model and control cyber-physical systems, graph reconstruction, average distance neighborhood graphs, and pure and mixed-integer linear programming formulations to cluster networks

    Neurocognitive Development of the Resolution of Selective Visuo-Spatial Attention: Functional MRI Evidence From Object Tracking

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    Our ability to select relevant information from the environment is limited by the resolution of attention – i.e., the minimum size of the region that can be selected. Neural mechanisms that underlie this limit and its development are not yet understood. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed during an object tracking task in 7- and 11-year-old children, and in young adults. Object tracking activated canonical fronto-parietal attention systems and motion-sensitive area MT in children as young as 7 years. Object tracking performance improved with age, together with stronger recruitment of parietal attention areas and a shift from low-level to higher-level visual areas. Increasing the required resolution of spatial attention – which was implemented by varying the distance between target and distractors in the object tracking task – led to activation increases in fronto-insular cortex, medial frontal cortex including anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and supplementary motor area, superior colliculi, and thalamus. This core circuitry for attentional precision was recruited by all age groups, but ACC showed an age-related activation reduction. Our results suggest that age-related improvements in selective visual attention and in the resolution of attention are characterized by an increased use of more functionally specialized brain regions during the course of development

    Web Health Application for ADHD Monitoring (WHAAM): Context-Driven Framework

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    The Framework (FW) summarizes the experiences and vision of the WHAAM project partners, providing the basis for the development of the WHAAM app and online services. There are many approaches to the treatment of ADHD, with excellent resources available. This FW is a working tool based on partners' experiences, inspiring subsequent project activities. It is divided into three parts: part A explores general issues related to ADHD, focusing on key life contexts such as school, family, and social relationships. Each context is explored in terms of assessment, intervention and support. Part B delves into the relationship between ICT use and ADHD treatment. Finally, Part C briefly explains the main features of the WHAAM app, including functionality and interfaces. The WHAAM project considers the app and online service accessible via PC and mobile devices as a significant advancement in monitoring process management

    Efficacy of Cognitive Training Intervention with a Coaching Component on Attention and Response Control in Emerging Adults

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    Cognitive training, a nonpharmacological intervention for attention and learning-related difficulties, is a promising treatment option for emerging adults. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of a cognitive training program with a coaching component on measures of attention and response control in university students. Between 2014 and 2017, 39 students with reported attention concerns engaged in a cognitive training program over ten weeks (20 sessions) at a university counseling center. Differences in participants’ attention and response control as measured by the IVA-2 Continuous Performance Test (CPT) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Demographic data, including clinician experience and school classification (e.g., freshman and sophomore), were also used to predict scores on the criterion measure. Findings showed that participants significantly improved on sustained attention, response control, and a combined measure of attention and response control after completing the program. Further, results from a regression analysis revealed that clinician experience and school classification did not significantly predict attention and response control outcomes. This dissertation study supports a growing body of research surrounding the efficacy of cognitive training, particularly those programs that incorporate a coaching element, in emerging adult populations
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