The relationship of theory and methodology in EEG studies of mental activity
Section snippets
The interaction of theory and methodology in the development of EEG studies of mental activity
In the study of the physiological mechanisms of mental processes, psychophysiology, as a multidisciplinary science, deals with psychological and physiological phenomena of different natures and different levels of organization. Their comparability is a basic methodological problem. For this reason, the role of integrating psychophysiological theory to reflect the specifics of this paradigm is of crucial importance. Approaching the ‘comparability problem’ entails a theoretical integration of
Cortical activation, EEG topography and neuropsychological theory
In the early 70s, the author initiated a psychophysiological study of human mental activity tentatively grounded on the two most advanced theories, which, at that time, promoted physiological and psychological research that would lead to a systemic account of brain functioning (Lazarev et al., 1977). The first theory was the neurophysiological concept of the spatial organization of brain electrical activity which proposed that the correlations between oscillatory processes in different cortical
The multidimensionality of functional states and EEG frequency bands
A spatial approach to the analysis of the EEG has become very popular since the late 80s due to the development of computerized EEG brain imaging techniques (Etevenon et al., 1985, Lehmann, 1987). Topographic mapping of task-related desynchronization (or synchronization) of EEG rhythms reveals quite detailed mosaics of activation processes during various mental and motor tasks (Pfurtscheller et al., 1988, Petsche et al., 1988, Gevins, 1998). However, this line of research is currently
The factor structure of EEG frequency and amplitude parameters
In our view, the first step in the search for an adequate description of the functional states of the brain in terms of EEG measures should be to ascertain whether the spectral power in each frequency band is functionally homogeneous and independent of parameters in the other bands. In fact, there is a quantitative tool that is well-suited for resolving this problem, namely, factor analysis. This method of statistical analysis is much used in psychology but it is seldom applied in EEG studies.
EEG factors and the structure of functional states of mental activity
The separation of independent sources of the variance of EEG parameters can contribute to psychophysiological methodology or theory only through meaningful interpretation of the factors and by their generalization to some known phenomenology. We tackled this problem by means of psychological testing on the basis of the neuropsychological theory as per our previous research. The application of the same ‘contrasting’ intellectual and motor tests (Lazarev et al., 1977, Lazarev, 1978, Lazarev, 1998a
Functional states, individual differences and mental disorders
The concept of the multidimensional structure of the temporary functional states of the brain can be generalized to the study of constitutional individual differences embracing these two very different branches of psychophysiology which are not often mentioned together. The EEG Factors discussed above were revealed on the basis of the interindividual variations of the primary EEG parameters together with the ‘interstate’ variations and demonstrated stability in widely varying conditions. These
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope that the line of research discussed above may have served to illustrate the great practical value of a theoretical framework that can furnish experimental tools, facilitate result interpretation and increase the meaning and significance of the findings in different research areas. In the process, new ideas and new areas for future research emerge. It is noteworthy that the proposed multidimensional structure of the functional states of mental activity is a
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Experimental-design Specific Changes in Spontaneous EEG and During Intermittent Photic Stimulation by High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
2020, NeuroscienceCitation Excerpt :Such changes would be specific to overall experimental design, e.g. drowsiness/alertness, subject coaching, time span, etc.; and would overlay any real effects of active or sham stimulation conditions. For example, effects of active or sham HD-tDCS could be interpreted as reversing time related increases in alpha and decreases in delta bands together with a right-side alpha prevalence corresponding to the well-known patterns of drowsiness-to-wakefulness transition (Lindsley, 1960; Butler and Glass, 1974; Santamaria and Chiappa, 1987; Hiroshige and Dorokhov, 1997; Lazarev, 2006). Sham (current ramp up-down) outcomes in background EEG were distinct from the no-stimulation arm and can reflect either the perception of current or a cortical response to short current stimulation and polarization – comparison of asymmetry and other changes across conditions can provide insight into which of these mechanisms is more probable.
Visuospatial information processing load and the ratio between parietal cue and target P3 amplitudes in the Attentional Network Test
2017, Neuroscience LettersCitation Excerpt :The latter might be a general and comprehensive psychophysiological measure that includes various aspects of information processing (such as perception, attention, working memory, etc.), which could be separated in further investigations by manipulating experimental paradigm. The cognitive workload could be considered akin to Lindsley's local cortical activation in the EEG studies of mental activity [25,26]. During the performance of the ANT [22], the ratios between the late cue and the late target ERP components in the parietal and frontal areas were compared, in order to examine the regional differences in the processing of visuospatial information.
EEG-guided meditation: A personalized approach
2015, Journal of Physiology ParisCitation Excerpt :Usually, a statistically significant deviation of qEEG parameters from a normalized reference range is indicative of dysfunctions and/or abnormalities associated with neurological, developmental, and psychiatric disorders (Thatcher and Lubar, 2008). Numerous studies demonstrated that qEEG characteristics can confound functionally different psychophysiological determinants (for the review see Lazarev, 2006). Given the extensive data on frequency-dependent functional meaning of EEG oscillatory activity (John et al., 1977; Arroyo et al., 1993; Klimesch, 1996, 1999; Klimesch et al., 1998; Pfurtscheller et al., 1996; Bullock, 1997; Doppelmayr et al., 1998; Basar, 1998, 1999, 2008; Gevins, 1998, 2002; Pulvermuller et al., 1999; Basar et al., 2001a,b,c; Knyazev et al., 2005), different aspects of EEG oscillatory activity may help reveal which types of brain functioning are involved in mental activity.
EEG oscillatory states as neuro-phenomenology of consciousness as revealed from patients in vegetative and minimally conscious states
2012, Consciousness and CognitionCitation Excerpt :Keeping in mind that during the phase of loss of consciousness (under anesthesia) the number of EEG microstates is reduced (Flohr, 1991; Steyn-Ross, Steyn-Ross, & Sleigh, 2004) we hypothesize that the number of EEG microstates (indexed by SP types) will be reduced considerably in patients with disorders of consciousness (both, MCS and VS). Additionally, considering that in the literature different EEG oscillations were attributed to conscious awareness (for delta: Karakas, Erzengin, & Basar, 2000; for theta: Klimesch et al., 2001; for alpha: Babiloni, Vecchio, Miriello, Romani, & Rossini, 2006; Başar & Güntekin, 2009; Knyazev, 2007; Rusalova, 2005; Shaw, 2003; for beta: Lazarev, 2006; Rusalova, 2005; Sokolov, 1963) we aimed to reveal which of the EEG oscillations within a broad frequency range (1–30 Hz) are associated with consciousness or unawareness. We used the analytic model for neural constitutes of consciousness (see Section 1.3) to examine which EEG oscillations are associated with consciousness: contribute to EEG microstates in the order of NORM ⩾ MCS > VS; and which EEG oscillations are associated with the biological needs of the organism, the orienting reflexes and/or unawareness: contribute to EEG microstates in the order of NORM ⩽ MCS < VS.
Natural world physical, brain operational, and mind phenomenal space-time
2010, Physics of Life ReviewsMorphology and dynamic repertoire of EEG short-term spectral patterns in rest: Explorative study
2010, Neuroscience Research