Modifications of the EEG frequency pattern in humans related to a single neurofeedback session

We studied changes in the frequency pattern of EEG related to a single session of biological feedback by the EEG characteristics (neurofeedback, NFB) directed toward an increase in the ratio of α/θ spectral powers (SPs) (an experimental group; 30 subjects) and to a session of the supposedly indifferent acoustic influence (listening to a musical background; 30 persons). A standard technique of EEG recording was used; the loudness of white noise overlapping the musical background served as an NFB signal. EEG was recorded from the C3 and C4 leads. Within the examined experimental group, an NFB session elicited a trend toward statistically insignificant decreases in the SPs of δ, α, and β rhythms and increases in the SPs of θ and γ EEG components. Listening to a supposedly neutral musical background by the control group, with no attempts at self-control of the SPs of EEG rhythms, was followed by rather clear unidirectional (partially significant) decreases in the SPs of θ, α, β, and γ components; the δ activity in the left hemisphere decreased, while in the right hemisphere it increased. In general, results of the single NFB session were characterized by a high interindividual variability, which can be related mostly to the specificities of psychophysiological characteristics of the personality of the tested subject. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 37, Nos. 5/6, pp. 443–451, September–December, 2005.     

Biofeedback and Dance Performance: A Preliminary Investigation

Alpha-theta neurofeedback has been shown to produce professionally significant performance improvements in music students. The present study aimed to extend this work to a different performing art and compare alpha-theta neurofeedback with another form of biofeedback: heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback. Twenty-four ballroom and Latin dancers were randomly allocated to three groups, one receiving neurofeedback, one HRV biofeedback and one no intervention. Dance was assessed before and after training. Performance improvements were found in the biofeedback groups but not in the control group. Neurofeedback and HRV biofeedback benefited performance in different ways. A replication with larger sample sizes is required.     

Correlations between the psychological peculiarities of an individual and the efficacy of a single neurofeedback session (by the EEG characteristics)

Modifications of different EEG rhythms induced by a single neurofeedback session (by the EEG characteristics) directed toward an increase in the ratio of the spectral powers (SPs) of the α vs θ oscillations were compared with the psychological characteristics of the tested subjects (the group included 30 persons). A generally accepted neurofeedback technique was used; the intensity of acoustic white noise served as the feedback signal. EEG potentials were recorded from the C3 and C4 leads. Psychological testing was carried out using Eysenck’s (EPQ), Rusalov’s (OST), and (16 PF) questionnaires. The directions of changes in the SPs of EEG frequency components were found to significantly correlate with some individuality-related peculiarities of the tested subjects. The SP of the δ rhythm correlated with the EPQ scale “neuroticism,” OST scale “social plasticity,” and 16 PF factors H (“parmia”), I (“premsia”), and Q₃ (“self-control of behavior”). The SP of the θ component demonstrated correlations with the OST scales “ergisity,” “plasticity,” and “social temp” and with 16 PF factors M (“autia”), Q₄ (“frustration”), and Q1 (“exvia”). The SP of the α rhythm correlated with 16 PF factors Q₃ (“self-control of behavior”), G (“strength of superEgo”), O (“hypothymia”), L (“protension”), and N (“shrewdness”). The SP of the β rhythm correlated with the OST scale “emotionality,” while that of the γ rhythm showed correlations with the 16 PF indices L (“protension”) and M (“autia”). Changes in the ratio of the α vs θ SPs correlated with the EPQ scale “neuroticism.” Thus, our data confirm the statement that a high individual variability of the results of a single (first in the series) neurofeedback session is to a great extent related to peculiarities of the individual psychological pattern of the subject. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 239–247, May–June, 2006.     

The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback and Stimulant Drugs in Treating AD/HD: Part II. Replication

This study replicated T. R. Rossiter and T. J. La Vaque (1995) with a larger sample, expanded age range, and improved statistical analysis. Thirty-one AD/HD patients who chose stimulant drug (MED) treatment were matched with 31 patients who chose a neurofeedback (EEG) treatment program. EEG patients received either office (n = 14) or home (n = 17) neurofeedback. Stimulants for MED patients were titrated using the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). EEG (effect size [ES] = 1.01–1.71) and MED (ES = 0.80–1.80) groups showed statistically and clinically significant improvement on TOVA measures of attention, impulse control, processing speed, and variability in attention. The EEG group demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvement on behavioral measures (Behavior Assessment System for Children, ES = 1.16–1.78, and Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scales, ES = 1.59). TOVA gain scores for the EEG and MED groups were not significantly different. More importantly, confidence interval and nonequivalence null hypothesis testing confirmed that the neurofeedback program produced patient outcomes equivalent to those obtained with stimulant drugs. An effectiveness research design places some limitations on the conclusions that can be drawn.     

动态脑电图与常规脑电图应用于病毒性脑炎诊断的效果分析

目的:探讨动态脑电图与常规脑电图应用于病毒性脑炎的应用价值。方法:选取150例病毒性脑炎患者,随机分为两组,每组各75例,常规脑电图(REEG)组采用常规脑电图检查,动态脑电图(AEEG)组采用动态脑电图检查;观察并记录脑电图异常率,不同程度病情脑电图异常率的例数,评价动态脑电图与常规脑电图对病毒性脑炎的检测灵敏度和准确度。结果:AEEG组检出的脑电图异常率明显高于REEG组(P0.05)。不同程度病情脑电图检出的患者比例,两组相比,差异没有统计学意义(F=-0.085,P0.05)。REEG组中,轻度与中度病毒性脑炎检出率相比,差异没有统计学意义(P0.05),中度与重度病毒性脑炎检出率相比,差异没有统计学意义(P0.05),重度病毒性脑炎检出率明显高于轻度(P0.05)。AEEG组中,轻度与中度病毒性脑炎检出率相比,差异没有统计学意义(P0.05),重度病毒性脑炎检出率明显高于中度和轻度(P0.05),AEEG组重度病毒性脑炎检出率明显高于REEG组(P0.05)。结论:动态脑电图作为一种无创性检查,对于病毒性脑炎具有极好的检出率,灵敏度高,适用于病毒性脑膜炎的早期辅助诊断。     

Effects of 2G and 3G mobile phones on human alpha rhythms: Resting EEG in adolescents,young adults,and the elderly

The present study was conducted to determine whether adolescents and/or the elderly are more sensitive to mobile phone (MP)‐related bioeffects than young adults, and to determine this for both 2nd generation (2G) GSM, and 3rd generation (3G) W‐CDMA exposures. To test this, resting alpha activity (8–12 Hz band of the electroencephalogram) was assessed because numerous studies have now reported it to be enhanced by MP exposure. Forty‐one 13–15 year olds, forty‐two 19–40 year olds, and twenty 55–70 year olds were tested using a double‐blind crossover design, where each participant received Sham, 2G and 3G exposures, separated by at least 4 days. Alpha activity, during exposure relative to baseline, was recorded and compared between conditions. Consistent with previous research, the young adults' alpha was greater in the 2G compared to Sham condition, however, no effect was seen in the adolescent or the elderly groups, and no effect of 3G exposures was found in any group. The results provide further support for an effect of 2G exposures on resting alpha activity in young adults, but fail to support a similar enhancement in adolescents or the elderly, or in any age group as a function of 3G exposure. Bioelectromagnetics 31:434–444, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effect of cold stimulation of the arm fingers on the spectral/coherent EEG characteristics in humans

Examination of modifications of EEG in humans induced by cold stimulation of the arm fingers showed that the EEG frequency composition noticeably depended on this thermal influence (in the relaxed state with no movements or during realization of voluntary cyclic movements by the fingers of another arm). In the resting state, cold stimulation mostly induced intensification of the delta activity, while, when coinciding with the performance of voluntary movements, it also resulted in increases in the powers of oscillations of the alpha1 and beta1 ranges. The structure of changes in the coefficients of coherence under the influence of cooling also depended on the conditions of testing (in the resting state or during motor activity). Therefore, the effect of tonic cold stimulation on the interaction between synchronizing and desynchronizing cerebral systems and interrelations between different cortical zones was modified under conditions of realization of a motor function. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 268–270, May–June, 2008.     

Discourse on the development of EEG diagnostics and biofeedback for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders

This article presents a review of work that my colleagues and I have been doing during the past 15 years developing a rationale for the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and treatment of ADHD employing EEG biofeedback techniques. The article first briefly reviews the history of research and theory for understanding ADHD and then deals with the development of EEG and event-related potential (ERP) assessment paradigms and treatment protocols for this disorder, including our work and that of others who have replicated our results. Illustrative material from our current research and child case studies is included. Suggestions for future experimental and clinical work in this area are presented and theoretical issues involving the understanding of the neurophysiological and neurological basis of ADHD are discussed.Over the years, many people have been involved both in my laboratory and at Southeastern Biofeedback Institute working with me in developing this area; I wish to acknowledge some of them. They are specifically Dr. Margaret Shouse and Dr. Chris Mann, who have been involved in the initial and recent stages of my research; Ms. Jennifer Samples, who has worked with us in the Institute for many years and has helped us in training many of the children that have benefited from EEG biofeedback. I would especially wish to acknowledge the skill and dedication of Judith O. Lubar, of Southeastern Biofeedback Institute, who has worked with me clinically in terms of developing treatment protocols for ADHD biofeedback and who has trained many of the children who have successfully completed EEG Biofeedback. I would like to acknowledge the generous help of the Lexicor Corporation of Boulder, Colorado who have provided support and instrumentation for recent studies in this area. Mr. Rod Bunn and Mr. Robert Muenchen, who have provided computer support, programming, and statistical assistance in evaluating data in various studies, are gratefully acknowledged. Some of this research was supported by a grant under the ESEA Title IV-C Program for the handicapped. I also gratefully acknowledge Children's Hospital of Knoxville, TN, who have provided essential contract support for our laboratory at the University of Tennessee.     

Comparison of full-length versus ligand binding domain constructs in cell-free and cell-based peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha assays

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) is the nuclear receptor responsible for regulating genes that control lipid homeostasis. Because of this role, PPARalpha has become a target of interest for the development of drugs to treat diseases such as dyslipidemia, obesity, and atherosclerosis. Assays currently employed to determine potency and efficacy of potential drug candidates typically utilize a truncated form of the native receptor, one which lacks the entire N-terminal region of the protein. The amino terminus, containing the regions that encode the ligand-independent activation function AF-1 and DNA binding domains, is highly structured and contributes significantly to the overall tertiary structure of the native protein. We report that differences in PPARalpha full-length and ligand binding domain constructs result in differences in binding affinity for coactivator peptides but have little effect on potency of agonists in both cell-free and cell-based nuclear receptor assays.     

Mutation of amino acids in the alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase motif affects enzyme activity and Km for donor and acceptor substrates

Alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferases (FucT) share a conserved amino acid sequence designated the alpha 1,3 FucT motif that has been proposed to be important for nucleotide sugar binding. To evaluate the importance of the amino acids in this motif, each of the alpha 1,3 FucT motif amino acids was replaced with alanine (alanine scanning mutagenesis) in human FucT VI, and the resulting mutant proteins were analyzed for enzyme activity and kinetically characterized in those cases in which the mutant protein had sufficient activity. Two of the mutant proteins were inactive, six had less than 1% of wild-type activity, and four had approximately 10-50% of wild-type enzyme activity. Three of the mutant proteins with significant enzyme activity had substantially larger Km (5 to 15 times) for GDP-fucose than FucT VI wild-type enzyme. The fourth mutant protein with significant enzyme activity (S249A) had a Km at least 10 times larger than wild-type FucT VI for the acceptor substrate, with only a slightly larger (2-3 times) Km for GDP-fucose. Thus mutation of any of the amino acids within the alpha 1,3 FucT motif to Ala affects alpha 1,3-FucT activity, and substitution of Ala for some of the alpha 1,3 FucT motif amino acids results in proteins with altered kinetic constants for both the acceptor and donor substrates. Secondary structure prediction suggests a helix-loop-helix fold for the alpha 1,3 FucT motif, which can be used to rationalize the effects of mutations in terms of 3D structure.     

卡马西平与丙戊酸钠对儿童癫痫部分性发作脑电图的临床对照研究

目的:探究卡马西平与丙戊酸钠对儿童癫痫部分发作患儿发作脑电图影响,并实施组间对照研究。方法:选择2017年1月至2020年1月于我院接受治疗的81例癫痫部分性发作患儿为研究对象,按照其接受治疗的差异将其分为卡马西平组(40例)和丙戊酸钠组(41例),对比两组患儿接受药物治疗后脑电图以及脑电地形图变化情况。结果:(1)卡马西平组患儿接受治疗后脑电图检测显示间歇期痫样活动减少≥50%者占比高达67.50%(27/40),而丙戊酸钠组占比仅为43.90%(18/41),两组比较差异明显(P<0.05);(2)脑电背景活动变化比较显示,治疗后卡马西平组患儿α波无影响者占比65.00%,明显高于丙戊酸钠组36.59%,同时丙戊酸钠组患儿δ波数(20 s内)药物治疗后变化较卡马西平组更为明显;(3)脑电功率比较显示,卡马西平组患儿治疗后仅θ频段相对功率出现明显变化(P<0.05),但丙戊酸钠组患儿α频段相对功率、θ频段相对功率和θ频段绝对功率均出现明显变化(P<0.05)。结论:丙戊酸钠应用于儿童癫痫部分性发作时患儿脑电背景活动会明显变慢,甚至有出现间歇期痫样放电的风险,而卡马西平相对更为稳定,对患儿脑电图的影响更小,安全性更高。     

视频脑电图鉴别诊断癫痫患者睡眠障碍、认知障碍的临床价值研究

目的:探讨视频脑电图诊断癫痫患者睡眠障碍、认知障碍的临床价值。方法:选取2014年1月~2016年12月在我院神经内科进行诊治的癫痫患者236例作为癫痫组,另选取同期的健康患者家属或者其他健康体检者236例作为正常对照组,对两组进行视频脑电图联合睡眠参数分析;并对癫痫组视频脑电图联合认知参数进行分析。结果:癫痫组睡眠Ⅰ~Ⅱ期时间显著长于正常对照组且具有统计学差异(P=0.000),睡眠Ⅲ~Ⅳ期时间显著短于正常对照组且具有统计学差异(P=0.000),睡眠时相转换频率、觉醒指数均显著高于正常对照组且均具有统计学差异(P=0.000);清醒期、睡眠期不同痫样放电指数(IED)的WAIS-RC IQ和WMS-RC MQ均具有统计学差异(P0.05),10%IED≤50%者的WAIS-RC IQ和WMS-RC MQ均显著低于1%IED≤10%者且均具有统计学差异(P0.05),IED 10%可能是痫样放电影响患者认知功能的最低阈值。结论:视频脑电图在癫痫患者睡眠障碍、认知障碍识别中具有重要的临床价值。     

视频脑电图和影像学检查对继发性癫痫患儿的诊断价值研究

目的:研究视频脑电图(V-EEG)和影像学检查对继发性癫痫患儿的诊断价值。方法:选取从2014年3月到2017年4月在我院接受诊治的癫痫患儿168例纳入本次研究。分别对所有患儿实施V-EEG和核磁共振成像(MRI)诊断,比较两种方式的诊断价值。结果:168例患儿中,V-EEG监测到154例有异常的脑电信号,其中120例有痫样放电,V-EEG显示痫样放电分布在左侧和右侧导联的比例较双侧导联明显更高(P0.05),MRI检测结果显示,140例患儿有颅内有关结构的病变亦或是发育异常,28例未发现异常。168例患儿中,发作类型为单纯部分型者72例,占比最高,为42.86%;主要病因中,颅内感染的发作类型以全身型为主,占11.31%。脑梗塞的发作类型以单纯部分型为主,占8.33%。颅内软化灶的发作类型以复杂部分型为主,占6.55%。颅内肿瘤的发作类型以单纯部分型为主,占6.55%。MRI定位主要在单侧,其中左侧占38.10%,右侧占29.76%;而经V-EEG监测显示异常放电154例,占91.67%,其中颅内感染和脑梗塞以及颅内肿瘤和颅内软化灶的阳性检出比例最高,分别为24.40%,13.10%,11.90%和10.71%。V-EEG诊断灵敏度和特异度均明显高于MRI(P0.05)。结论:V-EEG较MRI对继发性癫痫患儿的诊断价值更高,能够更加准确地提供诊断结果数据,值得在临床诊治过程中给予推广和应用。     

Mice lacking alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase IX demonstrate disappearance of Lewis x structure in brain and increased anxiety-like behaviors

The 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine [Lewis x (Le(x)), CD15, SSEA-1] carbohydrate structure is expressed on several glycolipids, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans of the nervous system and has been implicated in cell-cell recognition, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal migration during development. To characterize the functional role of Le(x) carbohydrate structure in vivo, we have generated mutant mice that lack alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase IX (Fut9(-/-)). Fut9(-/-) mice were unable to synthesize the Le(x) structure carried on glycoproteins and glycolipids in embryonic and adult brain. However, no obvious pathological differences between wild-type and Fut9(-/-) mice were found in brain. In behavioral tests, Fut9(-/-) mice exhibited increased anxiety-like responses in dark-light preference and in elevated plus maze tests. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the number of calbindin-positive neurons was decreased in the basolateral amygdala in Fut9(-/-) mice. These observations indicated that the carbohydrates synthesized by Fut9 play critical roles in functional regulations of interneurons in the amygdalar subdivisions and suggested a role for the Le(x) structure in some aspects of emotional behavior in mice.     

Changes in the spectral power and coherence of the EEG alpha rhythm in humans performing grasp efforts by the right and left arm

We compared changes in the EEG indices in healthy dextral volunteers performing static force grasps by the arm. Three test modes were used: (i) performance of two successive grasps by the dominant (right) arm (test A), (ii) performance of two successive grasps by the subdominant (left) arm (test B), and (iii) performance of the grasps first by the right arm and then by the left arm (test C). Fourteen, six, and nine persons took part in tests A–C, respectively. In the course of grasps performed by the right and left arms, bilateral increases in synchronization within the alpha 1 and alpha 2 ranges were frequently observed in occipital regions in both the first and repeated grasps (P < 0.05). Consecutive grasps by the right arm were accompanied by clear desynchronization in a few anterior and central leads. Alpha 2 desynchronization was observed in both realizations of the left-arm grasps (test B) performed by some subjects, but intragroup modifications were not significant in this case. The coherence coefficients of the alpha 2 rhythm in most cases increased for symmetric leads from the right and left hemispheres in the course of grasps by both the right and left hands. The effect of intensification of interhemisphere links was manifested in the anterior and central cortical regions; this fact showed that interhemisphere interaction increases in the course of the static effort. Changes in the coherence coefficients for the alpha 2 range in the performance of the grasp efforts by the right arm and the left arm were most clear in the posterotemporal (P = 0.02), parietal (P = 0.05), and anterofrontal (P = 0.06) lead pairs. Thus, we demonstrated the dependence between the side of performance of the muscle effort in the mode close to isometric and lateralization of the EEG modifications. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 235–238, May–June, 2006.     

The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback and Stimulant Drugs in Treating AD/HD: Part I. Review of Methodological Issues

The paper examines major criticisms of AD/HD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) neurofeedback research using T. R. Rossiter and T. J. La Vaque (1995) as an exemplar and discusses relevant aspects of research methodology. J. Lohr, S. Meunier, L. Parker, and J. P. Kline (2001), D. A. Waschbusch and G. P. Hill (2001), and J. P. Kline, C. N. Brann, and B. R. Loney (2002) criticized Rossiter and La Vaque for (1) using an active treatment control; (2) nonrandom assignment of patients; (3) provision of collateral treatments; (4) using nonstandardized and invalid assessment instruments; (5) providing artifact contaminated EEG feedback; and (6) conducting multiple non-alpha protected t tests. The criticisms, except those related to statistical analysis, are invalid or are not supported as presented by the authors. They are based on the critics' unsubstantiated opinions; require redefining Rossiter and La Vaque as an efficacy rather than an effectiveness study; or reflect a lack of familiarity with the research literature. However, there are broader issues to be considered. Specifically, what research methodology is appropriate for studies evaluating the effectiveness of neurofeedback and who should make that determination? The uncritical acceptance and implementation of models developed for psychotherapy, pharmacology, or medical research is premature and ill-advised. Neurofeedback researchers should develop models that are appropriate to the technology, treatment paradigms, and goals of neurofeedback outcome studies. They need to explain the rationale for their research methodology and defend their choices.     

Over-expression of microRNA-494 up-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression via PI3K/Akt pathway and protects against hypoxia-induced apoptosis

Background

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is one of the key regulators of hypoxia/ischemia. MicroRNA-494 (miR-494) had cardioprotective effects against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury, but its functional relationship with HIF-1α was unknown. This study was undertaken to determine if miR-494 was involved in the induction of HIF-1α.

Results

Quantitative RT-PCR showed that miR-494 was up-regulated to peak after 4 hours of hypoxia in human liver cell line L02. To investigate the role of miR-494, cells were transfected with miR-494 mimic or miR-negative control, followed by incubation under normoxia or hypoxia. Our results indicated that overexpression of miR-494 significantly induced the expression of p-Akt, HIF-1α and HO-1 determined by qRT-PCR and western blot under normoxia and hypoxia, compared to negative control (p < 0.05). While {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 treatment markedly abolished miR-494-inducing Akt activation, HIF-1α and HO-1 increase under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions (p < 0.05). Moreover, apoptosis detection using Annexin V indicated that overexpression of miR-494 significantly decreased hypoxia-induced apoptosis in L02 cells, compared to control (p < 0.05). MiR-494 overexpression also decreased caspase-3/7 activity by 1.27-fold under hypoxia in L02 cells.

Conclusions

Overexpression of miR-494 upregulated HIF-1α expression through activating PI3K/Akt pathway under both normoxia and hypoxia, and had protective effects against hypoxia-induced apoptosis in L02 cells. Thus, these findings suggested that miR-494 might be a target of therapy for hepatic hypoxia/ischemia injury.