Properties of vocalization- and gesture-combinations in the transition to first words

This article has been published in a revised form in Journal of Child Language http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0305000915000343. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Cambridge University Press 2015Gestures and vocal elements interact from the early stages of language development, but the role of this interaction in the language learning process is not yet completely understood. The aim of this study is to explore gestural accompaniment’sinfluence on the acoustic properties of vocalizations in the transition to first words. Eleven Spanish children aged 0; 9 to 1; 3 were observed longitudinally in a semi-structured play situation with an adult. Vocalizations were analyzed using several acoustic parameters based on those described by Oller et al. (2010). Results indicate that declarative vocalizations have fewer protosyllables than imperative ones, but only when they are produced with a gesture. Protosyllables duration and f(0) are more similar to those of mature speech when produced with pointing and declarative function than when produced with reaching gestures and imperative purposes. The proportion of canonical syllables produced increases with age, but only when combined with a gestur

The upside-down self: One's own face recognition is affected by inversion

One's own face is recognized more efficiently than any other face, although the neural mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain poorly understood. Considering the extensive visual experience that we have with our own face, some authors have proposed that self-face recognition involves a more analytical perceptual strategy (i.e., based on face features) than other familiar faces, which are commonly processed holistically (i.e., as a whole). However, this hypothesis has not yet been tested with brain activity data. In the present study, we employed an inversion paradigm combined with event-related potential (ERP) recordings to investigate whether the self-face is processed more analytically. Sixteen healthy participants were asked to identify their own face and a familiar face regardless of its orientation, which could either be upright or inverted. ERP analysis revealed an enhanced amplitude and a delayed latency for the N170 component when faces were presented in an inverted orientation. Critically, both the self and a familiar face were equally vulnerable to the inversion effect, suggesting that the self-face is not processed more analytically than a familiar face. In addition, we replicated the recent finding that the attention-related P200 component is a specific neural index of self-face recognition. Overall, our results suggest that the advantage for self-face processing might be better explained by the engagement of self-related attentional mechanisms than by the use of a more analytical visuoperceptual strategyThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (UAMA13-4E- 2192) and FEDER/Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU)—National Research Agency (AEI) (PGC2018-100682- B- I00), and the Community of Madrid (SAPIENTIA-CM H2019/HUM-570), under agreement with the Autonomous University of Madrid (2017-T2/ SOC-5569; SI1-PJI- 2019- 00011

Neural modulations of interference control over conscious perception

The relation between attention and consciousness is a highly debated topic in Cognitive Neuroscience. Although there is an agreement about their relationship at the functional level, there is still no consensus about how these two cognitive processes interact at the neural level. According to the gateway hypothesis (Posner, 1994), attention filters the information accessing to consciousness, resulting in both neural and functional modulations. Contrary to this idea, the cumulative influence hypothesis (Tallon-Baudry, 2012) proposes that both attention and consciousness independently impact decision processes about the perception of stimuli. Accordingly, we could observe an interaction between attention and consciousness at the behavioral level, but not at the neural level. Previous studies have shown that alerting and orienting networks of attention modulate participants’ ability to verbally report near-threshold visual stimuli both at behavioral and neural levels, supporting the gateway hypothesis over the cumulative influence hypothesis. The impact of the executive control network of attention on conscious perception, however, has only been explored behaviorally (Colás et al., 2017). In the present study, we employed high-density encephalography to investigate the neural basis of the interaction between executive attention and conscious perception. We presented a classical Stroop task concurrently with a detection task of near-threshold stimuli. In two separate sessions, we manipulated the proportion of congruent and incongruent Stroop stimuli. We found that the Stroop-evoked N2 potential (usually associated to conflict detection and localized in the anterior cingulate cortex) was modulated by both conflict detection and conscious perception processes. These results suggest that the relation between executive control and conscious perception lies in frontal lobe regions associated to conflict detection, supporting the gateway hypothesis over the cumulative influence hypothesisThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [research project PSI2014–58681-P to Ana B. Chica; Ramón y Cajal Fellowship to Ana B. Chica, RYC-2011-09320

The ‘Narcissus Effect’: Top-down alpha-beta band modulation of face-related brain areas during self-face processing

Self-related information, such as one's own face, is prioritized by our cognitive system. Whilst recent theoretical developments suggest that this is achieved by an interplay between bottom-up and top-down attentional mechanisms, their underlying neural dynamics are still poorly understood. Furthermore, it is still matter of discussion as to whether these attentional mechanisms are truly self-specific or instead driven by face familiarity. To address these questions, we used EEG to record the brain activity of twenty-five healthy participants whilst identifying their own face, a friend's face and a stranger's face. Time-frequency analysis revealed a greater sustained power decrease in the alpha and beta frequency bands for the self-face, which emerged at late latencies and was maintained even when the face was no longer present. Critically, source analysis showed that this activity was generated in key brain regions for self-face recognition, such as the fusiform gyrus. As in the Myth of Narcissus, our results indicate that one's own face might have the potential to hijack attention. We suggest that this effect is specific to the self and driven by a top-down attentional control mechanism, which might facilitate further processing of personally relevant events.This work was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) , Spain (ID: UAMA13-4E-2192) and the ,Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (ID: PGC2018-100682-B-I00). O. Jensen was further supported by the Wellcome Trust Investigator Award in Science, UK (grant 207550), a James S. McDonnell Foundation US (grants 220020328 and 220020448) and the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award, U

Is your own face more than a highly familiar face?

This study aimed to elucidate whether distinct early processes underlie the perception of our own face. Alternatively, self-face perception might rely on the same processes that realize the perception of highly familiar faces. To this end, we recorded EEG activity while participants performed a facial recognition task in which they had to discriminate between their own face, a friend’s face, and an unknown face. We analyzed the event-related potentials (ERPs) to characterize the time course of neural processes involved in different stages of self-face recognition. Our results show that the N170 component was not sensitive to self-face. In contrast, the subsequent P200 component distinguished between self-face and the other faces. Finally, N250 amplitude increased as a function of face familiarity. Overall, our data suggest that self-face recognition neither emerges at the first stage of the encoding of facial information nor at a later stage when familiarity is processed. Rather, the distinctive processing of self-face arises at an intermediate stage (~200 ms), as indicated by a lower P200 amplitude. This could be taken as an indicator that self-face recognition is facilitated by a reduced need for attentional resources. In sum, our results suggest that self-face is more than a highly familiar faceThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (UAMA13-4E-2192). C.P. was supported by the MINECO (FJCI-2015-24782

Oscillatory brain activity in the time frequency domain associated to change blindness and change detection awareness

Despite the importance of change detection (CD) for visual perception and for performance in our environment, observers often miss changes that should be easily noticed. In the present study, we employed time–frequency analysis to investigate the neural activity associated with CD and change blindness (CB). Observers were resented with two successive visual displays and had to look for a change in orientation in any one of four sinusoid gratings between both displays. Theta power increased widely over the scalp after the second display when a change was consciously detected. Relative to nochange and CD, CB was associated with a pronounced theta power enhancement at parietal-occipital and occipital sites and broadly distributed alpha power suppression during the processing of the prechange display. Finally, power suppressions in the beta band following the second display show that, even when a change is not consciously detected, it might be represented to a certain degree. These results showthe potential of time–frequency analysis to deepen our knowledge of the temporal curse of the neural events underlying CD. The results further reveal that the process resulting in CB begins even before the occurrence of the change itself.This study was supported by two grants from the Spanish MEC (SEJ2007-61397 and PSI2010-21427)

Oscillatory Brain Activity in the Time Frequency Domain Associated to Change Blindness and Change Detection Awareness

Despite the importance of change detection (CD) for visual perception and for performance in our environment, observers often miss changes that should be easily noticed. In the present study, we employed time-frequency analysis to investigate the neural activity associated with CD and change blindness (CB). Observers were presented with two successive visual displays and had to look for a change in orientation in any one of four sinusoid gratings between both displays. Theta power increased widely over the scalp after the second display when a change was consciously detected. Relative to no-change and CD, CB was associated with a pronounced theta power enhancement at parietal-occipital and occipital sites and broadly distributed alpha power suppression during the processing of the prechange display. Finally, power suppressions in the beta band following the second display show that, even when a change is not consciously detected, it might be represented to a certain degree. These results show the potential of time-frequency analysis to deepen our knowledge of the temporal curse of the neural events underlying CD. The results further reveal that the process resulting in CB begins even before the occurrence of the change itself.This study was supported by two grants from the Spanish MEC (SEJ2007-61397 and PSI2010-21427)S

Cognitive development after a traumatic brain injury in childhood

Un traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) ocurrido durante la infancia puede incidir notablemente en el proceso de desarrollo cerebral del niño y, como consecuencia, en su desarrollo cognitivo y conductual. Sin embargo, la evolución de las capacidades cognitivas y conductuales tras un TCE en la infancia no es siempre igual, sino que depende de una serie de factores. Diversos estudios han revelado dos grupos principales de factores que interaccionan fuertemente entre sí, factores mórbidos y psicosociales. Esta interacción ha sido denominada hipótesis de doble riesgo, puesto que es la que determina el funcionamiento adaptativo postmórbido. Dentro del grupo de factores mórbidos se incluyen la gravedad del daño cerebral, las variables relacionadas con la edad y las características de la lesión. Entre los factores psicosociales destacan las características cognitivas y conductuales del niño previas al TCE y los factores ambientales, tales como el estatus socioeconómico, el estrés social y los recursos y el modo de funcionamiento de la familia. Por otra parte, las alteraciones que más frecuentemente se observan tras un TCE en la infancia son el enlentecimiento de la velocidad de procesamiento, así como dificultades en diversos procesos cognitivos, como la atención, la memoria, el lenguaje y las funciones ejecutivas. De entre estos procesos, las funciones ejecutivas son especialmente vulnerables, probablemente por el efecto conjunto de diversos factores –elevada prevalencia de daño focal frontal, efecto de desconexión como resultado de la lesión axonal difusa, lenta maduración de las regiones frontales–. Además de su elevada vulnerabilidad, las alteraciones en las funciones ejecutivas como consecuencia de un TCE durante la infancia son especialmente relevantes, ya que podrían estar subyaciendo a algunos de los déficits observados en los ámbitos cognitivo, psicosocial y académico; y un funcionamiento adecuado en todos estos ámbitos es esencial para lograr un comportamiento adaptado al entornoThe occurrence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) during childhood may disrupt ongoing brain development and, consequently, the development of cognitive and behavioural skills. However, cognitive and behavioural outcome after TBI is variable, depending upon morbid and psychosocial factors. The interaction between these two main groups of factors has been labelled the double hazard hypothesis, since it determines the adaptive post commorbid outcome. Morbid factors include severity of brain injury, age related variables, and the characteristics of the damage. Psychosocial factors consist of pre-TBI cognitive and behavioural functioning, socio-economic status, social stress and the family resources. Furthermore, the most frequent impairments after TBI during childhood are slower processing speed and difficulties in several cognitive processes, such as attention, memory, language and executive functions. Among the latter, executive functions are especially vulnerable, most likely due to the joint effect of several factors –high prevalence of focal frontal lesion, disconnection effect resulting from diffuse axonal injury, slow maturation of frontal regions–. Besides this high vulnerability, the impairment of executive functions as a consequence of TBI during childhood is extremely relevant, since it might underlie some of the observed deficits at the cognitive, psychosocial and academic levels. An adequate outcome at all these levels is critical to achieve an adaptive behaviourACR ha sido financiada por la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECI

The neurobiological foundations of learning disabilities

Learning disabilities constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders that involve significant alterations in different cognitive domains (acquisition and use of language, reasoning, mathematical skills, visuospatial abilities, and so forth) that are not accounted for by a low level of intelligence, inadequate sociocultural development or lack of academic opportunities. They result from an alteration in basic psychological processes, developmentally linked to an alteration in the central nervous system. Current functional neuroimaging techniques have made it possible to develop a new type of approach to the neurofunctional foundations underlying these disorders, especially with regard to difficulties in the realm of reading/writing (developmental dyslexia) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which have their highest incidence among the infantile population of school-age children. Development. Neuroimaging studies have revealed a pattern of atypical activity in both kinds of disorders. In the case of dyslexia, alterations have been observed in the perisylvian circuits that underlie the mechanisms involved in reading skills. Studies into ADHD suggest a fronto-striatal dysfunction linked to the difficulties encountered to achieve inhibitory control, as well as alterations in the inferior parietal and posterior temporal cortex. Conclusions. Functional neuroimaging studies have shown that the clinical manifestations of these disorders are not only due to a dysfunction in specific areas of the brain, but also to alterations in the pattern of connectivityLas dificultades de aprendizaje comprenden un grupo heterogéneo de trastornos que implican alteraciones significativas en diferentes dominios cognitivos (adquisición y uso del lenguaje, razonamiento, habilidades matemáticas, visuoespaciales, etc.) no justificadas por bajo nivel intelectual, desarrollo sociocultural inadecuado o falta de oportunidades académicas. Éstas son el resultado de una alteración en los procesos psicológicos básicos, evolutivamente ligados a una alteración del sistema nervioso central. Las actuales técnicas de neuroimagen funcional han permitido un nuevo tipo de acercamiento a las bases neurofuncionales de estos trastornos, particularmente de las dificultades en el ámbito de la lectoescritura (dislexia evolutiva) y del trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH), los cuales tienen el mayor nivel de incidencia en la población escolar infantil. Desarrollo. Los estudios de neuroimagen han revelado un patrón de actividad atípico en ambos tipos de trastorno. En el caso de la dislexia, se han observado alteraciones de los circuitos perisilvianos que sustentan los mecanismos de lectura. Los estudios sobre TDAH sugieren una disfunción frontoestriatal ligada a las dificultades para el control inhibitorio, así como alteraciones en la corteza temporal posterior y parietal inferior. Conclusiones. Los estudios de neuroimagen funcional revelan que las manifestaciones clínicas de estos trastornos no se deben sólo a la disfunción de áreas cerebrales concretas, sino también a alteraciones en el patrón de conectividadAs dificuldades de aprendizagem compreendem um grupo heterogéneo de perturbações que implicam alterações significativas em diferentes domínios cognitivos (aquisição e uso da linguagem, raciocínio, habilidades matemáticas, visuo-espaciais, etc.) não justificadas por baixo nível intelectual, desenvolvimento sócio-cultural inadequado ou falta de oportunidades académicas. Estas são o resultado de uma alteração nos processos psicológicos básicos, evolutivamente ligados a uma alteração do sistema nervoso central. As técnicas actuais de neuroimagem funcional permitiram um novo tipo de abordagem às bases neuro-funcionais destas perturbações, particularmente das dificuldades no âmbito da leitura e da escrita (dislexia evolutiva) e da perturbação por défice de atenção e hiperactividade (PDAH), as quais têm o maior nível de incidência na população escolar infantil. Desenvolvimento. Os estudos das neuroimagens revelaram um padrão de actividade atípico em ambos os tipos de perturbação. No caso da dislexia, foram observadas alterações dos circuitos perisilvícos que sustentam os mecanismos de leitura. Os estudos sobre o PDAH sugerem uma disfunção fronto-estriatal ligada às dificuldades no controlo inibitório, assim como alterações no córtex temporal posterior e parietal inferior. Conclusões. Os estudos de neuroimagem funcional revelam que as manifestações clínicas destas perturbações não se devem apenas à disfunção de áreas cerebrais concretas, como também a alterações no padrão de conectividad

Retinotopic mapping of visual event-related potentials

Visual stimulation is frequently employed in electroencephalographic (EEG) research. However, despite its widespread use, no studies have thoroughly evaluated how the morphology ofthe visual event-related potentials (ERPs) varies according to the spatial location of stimuli. Hence, the purpose of this study was to perform a detailed retinotopic mapping of visual ERPs. We recorded EEG activity while participants were visually stimulated with 60 pattern-reversing checkerboards placed at different polar angles and eccentricities. Our results show five pattern-reversal ERP components. C1 and C2 components inverted polarity between the upper and lower hemifields. P1 and N1 showed higher amplitudes and shorter latencies to stimuli located in the contralateral lower quadrant. In contrast, P2 amplitude was enhanced and its latency was reduced by stimuli presented in the periphery of the upper hemifield. The retinotopic maps presented here could serve as a guide for selecting optimal visuo-spatial locations in future ERP studiesThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation/Economy and Competitiveness (MICINN/MINECO) (PSI2011-26314, PSI2012-34558 and PSI2014-54853-P