Neural patterns of the implicit association test

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) is a reaction time based categorization task that measures the differential associative strength between bipolar targets and evaluative attribute concepts as an approach to indexing implicit beliefs or biases. An open question exists as to what exactly the IAT measures, and here EEG (Electroencephalography) has been used to investigate the time course of ERPs (Event-related Potential) indices and implicated brain regions in the IAT. IAT-EEG research identifies a number of early (250–450 ms) negative ERPs indexing early-(pre-response) processing stages of the IAT. ERP activity in this time range is known to index processes related to cognitive control and semantic processing. A central focus of these efforts has been to use IAT-ERPs to delineate the implicit and explicit factors contributing to measured IAT effects. Increasing evidence indicates that cognitive control (and related top-down modulation of attention/perceptual processing) may be components in the effective measurement of IAT effects, as factors such as physical setting or task instruction can change an IAT measurement. In this study we further implicate the role of proactive cognitive control and top-down modulation of attention/perceptual processing in the IAT-EEG. We find statistically significant relationships between D-score (a reaction-time based measure of the IAT-effect) and early ERP-time windows, indicating where more rapid word categorizations driving the IAT effect are present, they are at least partly explainable by neural activity not significantly correlated with the IAT measurement itself. Using LORETA, we identify a number of brain regions driving these ERP-IAT relationships notably involving left-temporal, insular, cingulate, medial frontal and parietal cortex in time regions corresponding to the N2- and P3-related activity. The identified brain regions involved with reduced reaction times on congruent blocks coincide with those of previous studies

Modifying executive function and self-regulatory behaviours in developmental dyslexia: cognitive and neural bases of response inhibition

Dyslexia is characterised by impaired reading, but socio-emotional problems typically co-occur (1). It is also associated with response inhibition (RI) impairments at the behavioural (2,3) and neural levels as indexed by reduced response-inhibition related P3 amplitude (4). Studies have shown that variability in RI is predictive of the severity of reading and socio-emotional problems in dyslexia (2,5), suggesting that RI may underpin these issues. RI appears modifiable at the behavioural and neural levels with training (6,7). Therefore, RI training may improve RI (behavioural & neural), and reduce reading and socio-emotional problems in dyslexia. No study to date has explored whether RI is modifiable in dyslexia and whether training transfers to reduced symptoms

Virtual reality distraction for acute pain in children

Background Virtual reality (VR) computer technology creates a simulated environment, perceived as comparable to the real world, with which users can actively interact. The eDectiveness of VR distraction on acute pain intensity in children is uncertain. Objectives To assess the eDectiveness and adverse eDects of virtual reality (VR) distraction interventions for children (0 to 18 years) with acute pain in any healthcare setting. Search methods We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and four trial registries to October 2019. We also searched reference lists of eligible studies, hand searched relevant journals and contacted study authors. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including cross-over and cluster-RCTs, comparing VR distraction to no distraction, non-VR distraction or other VR distraction. Data collection and analysis We used standard Cochrane methodological processes. Two reviewers assessed risk of bias and extracted data independently. The primary outcome was acute pain intensity (during procedure, and up to one hour post-procedure). Secondary outcomes were adverse eDects, child satisfaction with VR, pain-related distress, parent anxiety, rescue analgesia and cost. We used GRADE and created 'Summary of findings' tables. Main results We included 17 RCTs (1008 participants aged four to 18 years) undergoing various procedures in healthcare settings. We did not pool data because the heterogeneity in population (i.e. diverse ages and developmental stages of children and their diDerent perceptions and reactions to pain) and variations in procedural conditions (e.g. phlebotomy, burn wound dressings, physical therapy sessions), and consequent level of pain experienced, made statistical pooling of data impossible. We narratively describe results. We judged most studies to be at unclear risk of selection bias, high risk of performance and detection bias, and high risk of bias for small sample sizes. Across all comparisons and outcomes, we downgraded the certainty of evidence to low or very low due to serious study limitations and serious or very serious indirectness. We also downgraded some of the evidence for very serious imprecision

Neural and cognitive correlates of human decision-making in domestic energy usage

Decision-making is a central component of every facet of human life, and is generally understood to be either conscious (deliberate) or automatic (non-deliberate). There has been little research to date on decision-making in the context of domestic energy consumption. Our study elucidated the human processes related to decisions around domestic energy use. In particular, the study investigated the neural and cognitive triggers of decision-making which differentiate between optimal and non-optimal energy consumers. Using EEG (electroencephalography) to assess brain function, we investigated brain activity associated with decisions around energy consumption and in this paper we report results from a study of 30 participants for whom we recorded their neural activity as they made decisions. As well as this, behavioural data related to cognitive processes involved were recorded. By examining this data, we aim to clarify some of the reasons why people make certain decisions about domestic energy consumption

Prismatic adaptation effects on non-spatial and spatial processes in the healthy adult

THESIS 7996The structure of the thesis is broadly based on the hierarchical division of attention into two domains ? intensity and selectivity components of attention (Sturm, 1996; Van Zomeren & Brouwer, 1994). The intensity components of attention (arousal and vigilance) are a requisite for the more complex aspects of attention selectivity (Sturm et al., 2004). Spatial neglect is characterized by impairment in both the intensity (Heilman et al., 1978; Husain & Rorden, 2003; Robertson et al., 1996; Samuelsson et al., 1998) and the selectivity components of attention (Bartolomeo & Chokron, 2002; Posner & Peterson, 1990). In the context of understanding how prism adaptation rehabilitates spatial neglect, researchers have attempted to produce (Michel et al., 2003; Redding & Wallace, 2005) mild neglect-like patterns of behaviour in healthy individuals following prism adaptation. The aim of this thesis was to induce ?neglect-like? patterns of performance in both non-spatial and spatial attentional tasks following left prism adaptation (Berberovic & Mattingley, 2003; Colent et al., 2000; Michel et al., 2003). Chapter 2 examined the adaptation process and aftereffects in sensory motor function. A prismatic aftereffect in both visual and proprioceptive spatial maps was observed post adaptation to either left or right shifting prisms. Adaptation caused re-alignment in the visual (eye) and proprioceptive (hand) systems. Aftereffects were direction specific. Left shifting prisms produced a leftward shift in a visual indication of subjective straightahead (SSA) and an opposite rightward shift in a proprioceptive indication of subjective straight-ahead. Right shifting prisms produced a rightward shift in visual SSA and a leftward shift in proprioceptive SSA. The mechanisms underpinning these prismatic effects are unclear. The thesis investigated chapter by chapter, the effects of adapting to either prism shift on non-spatial and spatial function. Chapters 3 and 4 explored the effects of left prism adaptation (LPA) on the intensity aspects of attention ? arousal and vigilance respectively. Adapting to left shifting prisms significantly impaired right hemisphere arousal and vigilance. Adapting to right shifting prisms (RPA) had no effect on the intensity component of attention. The argument was advanced that LPA impaired arousal and vigilance by depressing right parietal function, and hence ?simulating? neglect-like impairment in non-spatial attention. Chapter 5 examined the effects of adaptation on non-spatial selective attention within hierarchical stimuli. Adaptation to right shifting prisms (RPA) facilitated processing on the global level, indicative of left parietal suppression. LPA did not have any effect on local global processing. Chapters 6 and 7 examined the spatial effects of adaptation ? attentional orienting and reorienting across space. Both prism shifts produced a rightward shift in lateral bias as measured by the greyscales task. This finding was interpreted in terms of right parietal suppression and prismatic effects in the allocentric spatial frame of reference. However, both prism shifts differentially influenced spatial orienting. LPA made it easier to reorient from right space, and RPA made it easier to reorient from left space. The spatial effects of adaptation to either prism shift was interpreted as depression of function in the right and left parietal area following left and right adaptation respectively. The effects of LPA on non-spatial and spatial functions provide insight into the possible mechanisms that underpin visuo-motor adaptation and neglect rehabilitation. These findings were discussed in terms of influencing the fronto-parietal-cerebellar system

Inhibition and Updating, but Not Switching, Predict Developmental Dyslexia and Individual Variation in Reading Ability

To elucidate the core executive function profile (strengths and weaknesses in inhibition, updating, and switching) associated with dyslexia, this study explored executive function in 27 children with dyslexia and 29 age matched controls using sensitive z-mean measures of each ability and controlled for individual differences in processing speed. This study found that developmental dyslexia is associated with inhibition and updating, but not switching impairments, at the error z-mean composite level, whilst controlling for processing speed. Inhibition and updating (but not switching) error composites predicted both dyslexia likelihood and reading ability across the full range of variation from typical to atypical. The predictive relationships were such that those with poorer performance on inhibition and updating measures were significantly more likely to have a diagnosis of developmental dyslexia and also demonstrate poorer reading ability. These findings suggest that inhibition and updating abilities are associated with developmental dyslexia and predict reading ability. Future studies should explore executive function training as an intervention for children with dyslexia as core executive functions appear to be modifiable with training and may transfer to improved reading ability

Cognitive reserve capacity: exploring and validating a theoretical model in healthy ageing

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive reserve (CR) capacity can be viewed as the maximum processing potential of neural systems that support adaptive cognitive performance in age-related cognitive decline. CR is a complex construct that can only be measured indirectly. Proxy measures (e.g., psychosocial/lifestyle variables) are traditionally used to reflect CR. However, strong relationships have been observed between these measures and cognitive functions (e.g., executive function [EF], processing resources [PR], fluid/crystallized abilities); therefore, the organizational structure of indicators implicated in CR remains unclear. The objective of this study was to test a hypothetical, theoretical model of CR capacity that includes both traditional CR proxy indicators and measures of cognitive function [Satz et al. (2011). Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 33(1), 121-130], which remain, as yet, untested. METHOD: Construct validity of the model was investigated in healthy older adults through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA) using data from the Maastricht Ageing Study (MAAS). A secondary CFA was conducted to validate the model using data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). RESULTS: EFA and CFA in MAAS established a two-factor model comprising EF/PR and cumulative cognitive enrichment (CCE), which was further validated in a secondary analysis in TILDA. Convergent and discriminant validity was supported in MAAS (range of R2 = .228-.635; factor correlation confidence interval (CI) = .622, .740) and TILDA (range of R2 = .172-.899; factor correlation CI = .559, .624). CONCLUSIONS: A dual model of CR elucidated the relationships between hypothesized indicators of CR capacity and revealed a two-factor structure suggesting that both control (EF/PR) and representational processes (CCE) are involved in CR capacity

\uc9vacuation des eaux et \ue9rosion sur les chantiers de construction

Also available in English: Drainage and erosion at construction sitesPeer reviewed: NoNRC publication: Ye

Neural and cognitive correlates of human decision-making in domestic energy usage

Decision-making is a central component of every facet of human life, and is generally understood to be either conscious (deliberate) or automatic (non-deliberate). There has been little research to date on decision-making in the context of domestic energy consumption. Our study elucidated the human processes related to decisions around domestic energy use. In particular, the study investigated the neural and cognitive triggers of decision-making which differentiate between optimal and non-optimal energy consumers. Using EEG (electroencephalography) to assess brain function, we investigated brain activity associated with decisions around energy consumption and in this paper we report results from a study of 30 participants for whom we recorded their neural activity as they made decisions. As well as this, behavioural data related to cognitive processes involved were recorded. By examining this data, we aim to clarify some of the reasons why people make certain decisions about domestic energy consumption