Learning different task spaces: how explored density aligns the Quiet Eye.

In the current study, predictions of a theoretical account to the explanation of the Quiet Eye (QE) were investigated. To this end, by manipulating the learning environment, participants (n = 52) learned an underhand throwing task which required to explore task-solution spaces of low vs. high density over a 4-week training phase (640 training trials). Although throwing performance was improved, surprisingly, in posttest and retention test shorter QE durations were found. It is speculated that on a short-time learning scale this effect might be explained by more efficient information processing. Moreover, a trend was observed which suggests that-in line with the inhibition hypothesis-when exploring high-density task-solution spaces longer QE durations are required. However, the rather small effect sizes necessitate further research, which will allow to manipulate the response-effect mappings more directly as, for example, in virtual environments

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Realitätsübergreifendes Training im Leistungssport

Trainerinnen und Trainer waren schon früh daran interessiert, technologische Hilfsmittel in die Trainingsabläufe einzubinden. Damit können unter anderem die Leistungsreserven ihrer Sportlerinnen und Sportler ermittelt oder die Trainingsmaßnahmen optimiert werden. Bislang fanden sich keine Evidenzen darüber, dass die Leistungen, welche in einem audiovisuellen Setting vermittelt wurden, auf den Wettkampf transferiert werden können. Die bisher verwendeten zweidimensionalen Methoden haben den Nachteil, relevante Reize aus der Umwelt nicht ausreichend vermitteln zu können, und erschweren so ein reales Bewegungsverhalten des Nutzers. Moderne realitätsübergreifende Methoden wie die virtuelle oder erweiterte Realität stellen eine Möglichkeit dar, bestimmte Trainingsinhalte in einer sicheren, jederzeit erreichbaren Umgebung unter kontrollierten Bedingungen zu absolvieren. In der Literatur finden sich positive Transfereffekte für das Training in einer virtuellen Umwelt. Die Anzahl der sensorischen und motorischen Eigenschaften, die das Training und die Transferaufgabe gemeinsam haben, scheinen dabei Einfluss auf die Stärke des Transfereffekts zu haben. Reales Training soll keinesfalls durch das virtuelle Training ersetzt werden, sondern kann dieses ergänzen. Die Vielzahl unterschiedlicher methodischer Vorgehensweisen und Techniken, die sich ausschließlich auf virtual reality (VR) beschränken, lässt es nicht zu, eine Systemempfehlung abzugeben. Aufgrund der fortschreitenden technischen Entwicklung des Leistungssport 2.0 wird Trainern und Fachverbänden ein tiefgreifendes Verständnis im Umgang mit Computersystemen und eine enge Zusammenarbeit mit Facheinrichtungen (z. B. Universitäten, Fachhochschulen) empfohlen

Analysis of the Influence of microRNAs in Lithium Response in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common, highly heritable neuropsychiatric disease characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. Lithium is the best-established long-term treatment for BD, even though individual response is highly variable. Evidence suggests that some of this variability has a genetic basis. This is supported by the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) of lithium response to date conducted by the International Consortium on Lithium Genetics (ConLiGen). Recently, we performed the first genome-wide analysis of the involvement of miRNAs in BD and identified nine BD-associated miRNAs. However, it is unknown whether these miRNAs are also associated with lithium response in BD. In the present study, we therefore tested whether common variants at these nine candidate miRNAs contribute to the variance in lithium response in BD. Furthermore, we systematically analyzed whether any other miRNA in the genome is implicated in the response to lithium. For this purpose, we performed gene-based tests for all known miRNA coding genes in the ConLiGen GWAS dataset (n = 2,563 patients) using a set-based testing approach adapted from the versatile gene-based test for GWAS (VEGAS2). In the candidate approach, miR-499a showed a nominally significant association with lithium response, providing some evidence for involvement in both development and treatment of BD. In the genome-wide miRNA analysis, 71 miRNAs showed nominally significant associations with the dichotomous phenotype and 106 with the continuous trait for treatment response. A total of 15 miRNAs revealed nominal significance in both phenotypes with miR-633 showing the strongest association with the continuous trait (p = 9.80E-04) and miR-607 with the dichotomous phenotype (p = 5.79E-04). No association between miRNAs and treatment response to lithium in BD in either of the tested conditions withstood multiple testing correction. Given the limited power of our study, the investigation of miRNAs in larger GWAS samples of BD and lithium response is warranted