Source-based neurofeedback methods using EEG recordings: training altered brain activity in a functional brain source derived from blind source separation

A developing literature explores the use of neurofeedback in the treatment of a range of clinical conditions, particularly ADHD and epilepsy, whilst neurofeedback also provides an experimental tool for studying the functional significance of endogenous brain activity. A critical component of any neurofeedback method is the underlying physiological signal which forms the basis for the feedback. While the past decade has seen the emergence of fMRI-based protocols training spatially confined BOLD activity, traditional neurofeedback has utilized a small number of electrode sites on the scalp. As scalp EEG at a given electrode site reflects a linear mixture of activity from multiple brain sources and artifacts, efforts to successfully acquire some level of control over the signal may be confounded by these extraneous sources. Further, in the event of successful training, these traditional neurofeedback methods are likely influencing multiple brain regions and processes. The present work describes the use of source-based signal processing methods in EEG neurofeedback. The feasibility and potential utility of such methods were explored in an experiment training increased theta oscillatory activity in a source derived from Blind Source Separation of EEG data obtained during completion of a complex cognitive task (spatial navigation). Learned increases in theta activity were observed in two of the four participants to complete 20 sessions of neurofeedback targeting this individually defined functional brain source. Source-based EEG neurofeedback methods using Blind Source Separation may offer important advantages over traditional neurofeedback, by targeting the desired physiological signal in a more functionally and spatially specific manner. Having provided preliminary evidence of the feasibility of these methods, future work may study a range of clinically and experimentally relevant brain processes targeting individual brain sources by source-based EEG neurofeedback

Public health social media communications and consumer neuroscience

Consumer neuroscience is an emerging discipline. Potential exists for neurological quantitative research techniques to be used for the development and analysis of public health messages due to limited numbers of successful campaigns. In some instances, highly successful public health marketing campaigns have been designed to address something greater than financial gain and have achieved exceptional reach. This results in increased public awareness using social amplification platforms. Examples of these include action-oriented social media campaigns that ask individuals to act, share, pledge or challenge on behalf of a health or social cause. Neurological and physiological techniques include functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalography, electroencephalography, eye tracking, galvanic skin response, heart rate, facial recognition and implicit association testing. Due to nonconscious decision-making processes these techniques have the potential to identify driving forces behind individuals' decision to become involved in health and social cause marketing campaigns that are unable to be identified with qualitative research methods. In 2014/2015 the Australian Government spent $23.3 million Australian dollars (AUD) on health and social service marketing campaigns, with$19.4 million AUD on health communications, and $3.9 million AUD on social services. These figures are considered conservative as expenditure on marketing campaigns below$250 thousand AUD is excluded. Thus, using consumer neuroscience to inform the design of future public health and social cause communications, which may help to save a life, while reducing expenditure on unsuccessful campaigns, requires greater understanding of the effectiveness of a positive action orientation vs. a fear and shock approach

Using EEG to Examine the Role of Attention, Working Memory, Emotion, and Imagination in Narrative Transportation

This paper presents a study using encephalography (EEG) to investigate consumer responses to narrative videos in energy efficiency social marketing. The purpose is to assess the role of attention, working memory, emotion, and imagination in narrative transportation, and how these stages of narrative transportation are ordered temporally. Design/methodology/approach Consumers took part in an EEG experiment during which they were shown four different narrative videos to identify brain response during specific video segments. Findings The study found that during the opening segment of the videos, attention, working memory, and emotion were high before attenuating with some introspection at the end of this segment. During the story segment of the videos attention, working memory, and emotion were also high, with attention decreasing later on but working memory, emotion, and imagination being evident. Consumer responses to each of the four videos differed. Practical implications The study suggests that narratives can be a useful approach in energy efficiency social marketing. Specifically, marketers should attempt to gain focused attention and invoke emotional responses, working memory, and imagination to help consumers become narratively transported. The fit between story object and story-receiver should also be considered when creating consumer narratives. Social implications Policy makers, and organisations who wish to promote pro-social behaviours such as using energy efficiently, or eating healthily should consider using narratives. Originality/value This research contributes to theory by identifying brain response relating to attention, working memory, emotion, and imagination during specific stages of narrative transportation. The study considers the role of attention, emotion, working memory, and imagination during reception of stories with different objects, and how these may relate to consumers' narrative transportation

ASEAN and the Dynamics of Resistance to Sovereignty Violation:The Case of the Third Indochina War (1978–1991)

This article investigates the history of ASEAN’s relationship to external intervention in regional affairs. It addresses a specific question: What was the basic cause of the success of ASEAN resistance to the Vietnamese challenge to ASEAN’s sovereignty from 1978-1991? ASEAN’s history is understood in terms of a realist theoretical logic, in terms of the relationship between an ASEAN state with the most compelling interests at stake in a given issue, which I call a ‘vanguard state,’ and selected external powers. Using the Third Indochina War (1978–1991) as a case study, this article contends that ASEAN’s ability to resist violations to the sovereignty of Thailand from a Soviet-backed Vietnam is a consequence of high interest convergence between Thailand, and a designated external power, China

Using the P3a to gauge automatic attention to interactive television advertising

This paper is the first step to an understanding of how engagement with interactive television advertisements may increase the relevancy of a brand and therefore facilitate the automatic processing of the brand's logo (measured via the P3a) after viewing the advertisement, compared to non-interactive television ads. Event-related potentials (ERPs) and attitudes were measured in response to advertisement-specific brands. ERP latencies and self-report measures were analysed with mixed design analysis of variance. P3a latency decreased for the brands associated with the longer interactive ads, but remained stable for the brands associated with the normal ads and increased for the control brands. This indicates that automatic attention was greater for those brands which were associated with the longer Dedicated Advertiser Location (DAL) interactive ads in the ad reel. The findings of this analysis suggest that brands associated with interactive ads do have more attention automatically allocated to them

Medical Multimedia and Biomedical Research Applications for the Classroom

Abstract not available

More than just a matter of being in the right place at the right time

Abstract not available

Biological Basis of Personality: VCE Psychology

Abstract not available

Functional Cortical networks associated with personality, emotional intelligence and decision making

Background: Many studies have investigated the neural correlates associated with personality by using a variety of neuroimaging techniques and psychometrics (Kennis et al., 2013). Previous electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have examined the relationship between emotional traits (Stenberg 1995) and personality traits (Takahashi et al 2005). In this EEG based pilot study, a multidisciplinary strategy of combining brain imaging techniques (LORETA) and EEG coherence analysis with psychological constructs was applied to explore the relationships between personality traits. In particular, the relationship between emotional intelligence with participants’ reactions and decision making to rich complex stimuli such as advertising videos was examined. Methods: A preliminary study group of 45 participants, (Mean age 30.8 years SD 11.9 years, Education = 14.8 years SD 1.5 years ) had their EEG recorded with a Quikcap electrode system while watching a series of videos which were selected based on various marketing categories such as, food & drink, community interests, celebrities and social issues. Using the Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test or SUEIT (Stough, Palmer 2001), individuals were categorized into two groupings; those who scored high and low in emotional intelligence (EI). EEG was analyzed offline to remove muscle and ocular artifact. Results: Selected epochs of EEG were then analyzed to produce LORETA and EEG coherence data during decision making. Preliminary findings suggest that participants with high or low emotional intelligence (EI) were receptive to certain types of social issues or visual imagery. This was validated by the associated brain functional connectivity networks for each group. Also, correlations with other personality scales (NEO-PI Costa & McCrae 1992) demonstrated personality types react differently to imagery, content and humor. Discussion/Conclusion: Both LORETA and EEG coherence data demonstrated distinct functional connectivity associated with each group and may help to explain their associated perceptions and behaviors. More specifically, the high EI group demonstrated clear preferences in specific video material when contrasted with the low EI group. The NEO-PI has been used in previous psychophysiology studies of emotional arousability but not with complex social stimuli. The use of a multidisciplinary approach can assist in the identification of the neural networks associated with personality and provide insights into individual differences in perception

Psychophysiological investigations of individual differences using EEG & fMRI

EEG and fMRI were used in two separate studies which investigated the psychophysiological correlates associated with personality and thinking styles using a personality orientations model based on the Jungian four personality functions; the Gountas Personality Orientation (GPO). The GPO measures the strength of each thinking style; Emotion (E), Material (M), Intuitive/Imaginative (I) and Logical (L). The EEG & fMRI studies examined functional distribution of networks and examined whether specific neural networks exist for each orientation. In the first EEG study, 43 participants were tested, while 40 were tested in the fMRI study. Functional activity were correlated with a series of language based tasks and introspection tasks. In support of the EEG study, the fMRI study demonstrated that each thinking style has its own functional neural network during introspection. These data suggest a left hemisphere relationship for the M and L types and a right neural network relationship for E and I types. The implications associated with the findings suggest that specific networks exit for personality related styles of thinking and introspective decision making