2018-01-17T14:29:00Z EPrints http://cogprints.org/images/sitelogo.gif http://cogprints.org/ 2014-08-24T21:07:30Z 2015-04-20T11:40:47Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/9756 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/9756 2014-08-24T21:07:30Z

Patients with Uner Tan syndrome (UTS) exhibit habitual quadrupedal locomotion (QL), intellectual disability, dysarthric speech and truncal ataxia. Examination of cognitive ability in this syndrome has not yet been demonstrated in the scientific literature. Aims: (i) To analyze the cognitive abilities of the siblings with UTS; (ii) to assess the grade of their ataxia in relation to cerebellar disorders; (iii) to measure the metabolic activities of various cerebral regions in comparison with healthy individuals; (iv) to detect the interrelationships among all of the measured variables (IQ test scores, ataxia scores, cerebro-cerebellar areas and their metabolic activity levels) to reveal the holistic activity of the brain. The Minimental State Examination (MMSE) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-R) were applied to the affected cases and healthy subjects. Cerebellar disorders were assessed by the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). Brain MRI scans were performed and cerebro-cerebellar areas were measured on MRI scans, including their metabolic activities (SUV), measured by positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. MMSE and WAIS-R scores both correlated with cerebro-cerebellar areas. Cerebello-vermial areas and their metabolic activities were significantly smaller in patients than in normal controls; areas of the remaining structures were not significantly different between patients and healthy subjects. Brain areas significantly inter-correlated: ICARS negatively correlated with WAIS-R,MMSE scores, SUV, and cerebro-cerebellar areas, which significantly correlated with each other. The results suggested (i) ICARS may not only be a test for cerebellar disorders, but also may be related to global functioning of all of the cerebro-cerebellar regions; (ii) ICARS, WAIS-R and MMSE may be measures of emergent properties of the holistic activity of the brain; (iii) the psychomotor disorders in UTS may be related to decreased brain metabolism.

Prof. Dr. Uner Tan unertan37@yahoo.com 2011-12-16T00:08:51Z 2011-12-16T00:08:51Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/7747 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/7747 2011-12-16T00:08:51Z

Neuroeconomic conditions for “rational addiction” (Becker and Murphy, 1988) have been unknown. This paper derived the conditions for “rational addiction” by utilizing a nonlinear time-perception theory of “hyperbolic” discounting, which is mathematically equivalent to the q-exponential intertemporal choice model based on Tsallis' statistics. It is shown that (i) Arrow-Pratt measure for temporal cognition corresponds to the degree of irrationality (i.e., Prelec’s “decreasing impatience” parameter of temporal discounting) and (ii) rationality in addicts is controlled by a nondimensionalization parameter of the logarithmic time-perception function. Furthermore, the present theory illustrates the possibility that addictive drugs increase impulsivity via dopaminergic neuroadaptation without increasing irrationality. Future directions in the application of the model to studies in neuroeconomics are discussed.

Ph.D Taiki Takahashi 2009-03-28T09:32:58Z 2011-03-11T08:57:19Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6382 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6382 2009-03-28T09:32:58Z

NO ABSTRACT: This is 750 word encyclopedia entry

Dr. H. Stefan Bracha h.bracha@va.gov Caitlin Macy Stacy M. Lenze Jessica M. Shelton Michelle Tsang-Mui-Chung 2011-12-16T00:10:00Z 2011-12-16T00:10:00Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/7713 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/7713 2011-12-16T00:10:00Z

The brain's sensitivity to unexpected outcomes plays a fundamental role in an organism's ability to adapt and learn new behaviors. Emerging research suggests that midbrain dopaminergic neurons encode these unexpected outcomes. We used microelectrode recordings during deep brain stimulation surgery to study neuronal activity in the human substantia nigra (SN) while patients with Parkinson's disease engaged in a probabilistic learning task motivated by virtual financial rewards. Based on a model of the ...

K.A. Zaghloul J.A. Blanco C.T. Weidemann K. McGill J.L. Jaggi G.H. Baltuch M.J. Kahana 2010-05-04T22:12:43Z 2011-03-11T08:57:37Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6839 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6839 2010-05-04T22:12:43Z

The results let us suppose that there are at least three periodical phenomena of HRV in frequency range related with mental status. Two of them have not been discovered and physiologically explained yet. The most powerful of these phenomena relates to mental status. It has frequencies from 0.25 to 0.5 1/beat and peak 0.35 1/beat. Despite of difference of the peak frequencies the waves of factor loadings are overlapped. Therefore, regression models would be more fit for useful evaluation of mental status, rather then power of spectral density within any frequency range.

Dr Valery Mukhin Valery.Mukhin@gmail.com 2009-02-13T01:12:55Z 2011-03-11T08:57:18Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6345 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6345 2009-02-13T01:12:55Z

The “hypervigilance, escape, struggle, tonic immobility” evolutionarily hardwired acute peritraumatic response sequence is important for clinicians to understand. Our commentary supplements the useful article on human tonic immobility (TI) by Marx, Forsyth, Gallup, Fusé and Lexington (2008). A hallmark sign of TI is peritraumatic tachycardia, which others have documented as a major risk factor for subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). TI is evolutionarily highly conserved (uniform across species) and underscores the need for DSM-V planners to consider the inclusion of evolution theory in the reconceptualization of anxiety and PTSD. We discuss the relevance of evolution theory to the DSM-V reconceptualization of acute dissociativeconversion symptoms and of epidemic sociogenic disorder(epidemic “hysteria”). Both are especially in need of attention in light of the increasing threat of terrorism against civilians. We provide other pertinent examples. Finally, evolution theory is not ideology driven (and makes testable predictions regarding etiology in “both directions”). For instance, it predicted the unexpected finding that some disorders conceptualized in DSM-IV-TR as innate phobias are conditioned responses and thus better conceptualized as mild forms of PTSD. Evolution theory may offer a conceptual framework in DSM-V both for treatment and for research on psychopathology.

Dr. H. Stefan Bracha h.bracha@va.gov Dr. Jack D. Maser jmaser@ucsd.edu 2009-02-13T01:14:04Z 2011-03-11T08:57:18Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6344 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6344 2009-02-13T01:14:04Z

THIS IS A COMMENTARY/LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THUS THERE IS NO ABSTRACT

Dr. H. Stefan Bracha h.bracha@va.gov Dr. Kentaro Hayashi 2006-12-03Z 2011-03-11T08:56:42Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5267 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5267 2006-12-03Z

Source amnesia is an explicit memory (declarative) disorder, particularly episodic, where source or contextual information concerning facts is severely distorted and/or unable to be recalled. This paper reviews the literature on source amnesia, including memory distrust syndrome, and its accepted correlation with the medial diencephalic system and the temporal lobes, and the suggested linkage between the frontal lobes, including special interest with the prefrontal cortex. Posthypnotic induction was the first presentation of source amnesia identified in the literature. The Wisconsin Cart Sorting Test (WCST), Positron Emission Topography (PET), Phonemic Verbal Fluency Test, Stroop Color Word Interference Test, and explicit and implicit memory tests are defined and linked to empirical research on amnesiacs.

Shaheen Emmanuel Lakhan slakhan 2006-12-22Z 2011-03-11T08:56:45Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5324 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5324 2006-12-22Z

A total of 236 awakenings corresponding to 169 individuals have been analysed by means of a 31-item questionnaire. It has been demonstrated that anxiety upon awakening is a multidimensional phenomenon that can be assessed with an adequate factor validity (KMO = .906). The internal structure of the questionnaire used in this study shows the need of distinguishing two general manifestations of anxiety. The first one is due to excess of activation, while the second is due to a failure in the expected restorative-reactivating effect of sleep. Statistically significant differences have been observed in connection with the individuals’ gender, age, frequency of nightmares, or by the fact of awakening spontaneously or not.

I Iñigo Saez-Uribarri 2008-07-24T09:55:13Z 2011-03-11T08:57:09Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6146 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6146 2008-07-24T09:55:13Z

The substantiation for microwave voice transmission development, which can be isolated to an individual, prompts review of the correlation between microwave bioeffects and schizophrenia. These correlations are extensive. Studies of both conditions report short-term and spatial memory deficit, time estimation changes, deficits in sequencing, coordination deficit, numerous electrophysiologic changes, startle decrease, neurotransmitter changes, hormone alterations, immune alterations, mitochondria deficits, lipid phosphorylation decrease, lipid peroxidation, deleterious histologic change in disease reduced brain areas, activation of hallucination involved brain areas, and ocular disease. Schizophrenia findings correlate with microwave bioeffects so extensively as to indicate a congruence, and appear to implicate a microwave involvement with enough patients to be remarkable in study results. The development of methods to exclude microwave means in psychosis is imperative, and research is proposed.

Mr. John J. McMurtrey 2006-08-01Z 2011-03-11T08:56:33Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5035 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5035 2006-08-01Z

The Paleolithic-Threat hypothesis reviewed here posits that habitual efferent fainting can be traced back to fear-induced allelic polymorphisms that were selected into some genomes of anatomically, mitochondrially, and neurally modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) in the Mid-Paleolithic because of the survival advantage they conferred during periods of inescapable threat. We posit that during Mid-Paleolithic warfare an encounter with “a stranger holding a sharp object” was consistently associated with threat to life. A heritable hard- wired or firm-wired (prepotentiated) predisposition to abruptly increase vagal tone and collapse flaccidly rather than freeze or attempt to flee or fight in response to an approaching sharp object, a minor injury, or the sight of blood, polymorphism for the hemodynamically “paradoxical” flaccid- immobility in response to these stimuli may have increased some non-combatants’ chances of survival. This is consistent with the unusual age and sex pattern of fear-induced fainting. The Paleolithic-Threat hypothesis also predicts a link to various hypo-androgenic states (e.g. low dehydroxyepiandrosterone-sulfate. We offer five predictions testable via epidemiological, clinical, and ethological/primatological methods. The Paleolithic-Threat hypothesis has implications for research in the aftermath of man-made disasters, such as terrorism against civilians, a traumatic event in which this hypothesis predicts epidemics of fear-induced fainting

Dr. Stefan Bracha Adam S. Bracha Dr. Andrew E. Williams Tyler C. Ralston Jennifer M. Matsukawa 2006-08-01Z 2011-03-11T08:56:32Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5029 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5029 2006-08-01Z

n/a

Dr. Stefan Bracha Andrew E. Williams Adam S. Bracha 2006-07-23Z 2011-03-11T08:56:32Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5014 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5014 2006-07-23Z

This article reviews the existing evolutionary perspectives on the acute stress response habitual faintness and blood-injection-injury type-specific phobia (BIITS phobia). In this article, an alternative evolutionary perspective, based on recent advances in evolutionary psychology, is proposed. Specifically, that fear-induced faintness (eg, fainting following the sight of a syringe, blood, or following a trivial skin injury) is a distinct Homo sapiens-specific extreme-stress survival response to an inescapable threat. The article suggests that faintness evolved in response to middle paleolithic intra-group and inter-group violence (of con-specifics) rather than as a pan-mammalian defense response, as is presently assumed. Based on recent literature, freeze, flight, fight, fright, faint provides a more complete description of the human acute stress response sequence than current descriptions. Faintness, one of three primary physiological reactions involved in BIITS phobia, is extremely rare in other phobias. Since heritability estimates are higher for faintness than for fears or phobias, the author suggests that trait-faintness may be a useful complement to trait-anxiety as an endophenotype in research on the human fear circuitry. Some implications for the forthcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition as well as for clinical, health services, and transcriptomic research are briefly discussed

Dr. H. Stefan Bracha 1 2009-03-04T03:22:32Z 2011-03-11T08:57:19Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6365 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/6365 2009-03-04T03:22:32Z

Background: Peritraumatic response, as currently assessed by Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnostic criterion A2, has weak positive predictive value (PPV) with respect to PTSD diagnosis. Research suggests that indicators of peritraumatic autonomic activation may supplement the PPV of PTSD criterion A2. We describe the development and factor structure of the STRS (Shortness of Breath, Tremulousness, Racing Heart, and Sweating), a one page, two-minute checklist with a five-point Likert-type response format based on a previously unpublished scale. It is the first validated self-report measure of peritraumatic activation of the autonomic nervous system. Methods: We selected items from the Potential Stressful Events Interview (PSEI) to represent two latent variables: 1) PTSD diagnostic criterion A, and 2) acute autonomic activation. Participants (a convenience sample of 162 non-treatment seeking young adults) rated the most distressing incident of their lives on these items. We examined the factor structure of the STRS in this sample using factor and cluster analysis. Results: Results confirmed a two-factor model. The factors together accounted for 68% of the variance. The variance in each item accounted for by the two factors together ranged from 41% to 74%. The item loadings on the two factors mapped precisely onto the two proposed latent variables. Conclusion: The factor structure of the STRS is robust and interpretable. Autonomic activation signs tapped by the STRS constitute a dimension of the acute autonomic activation in response to stress that is distinct from the current PTSD criterion A2. Since the PTSD diagnostic criteria are likely to change in the DSM-V, further research is warranted to determine whether signs of peritraumatic autonomic activation such as those measured by this two-minute scale add to the positive predictive power of the current PTSD criterion A2. Additionally, future research is warranted to explore whether the four automatic activation items of the STRS can be useful as the basis for a possible PTSD criterion A3 in the DSM-V.

H. Stefan Bracha h.bracha@va.gov Andrew E. Williams Stephen N. Haynes Edward S Kubany Tyler C. Ralston Jennifer M. Yamashita 2003-02-12Z 2011-03-11T08:55:10Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/2767 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/2767 2003-02-12Z

We investigated the hypothesis that differences in the processing of verbs and nouns are modulated by the presence or absence of a syntactic context. When presented in isolation, no word category differences were observed over the left hemisphere. Verbs elicited slightly stronger magnetic fields than nouns over the right hemisphere. When presented in a minimal syntactic context, nouns elicited stronger fields than verbs over left posterior temporal regions (as indicated by root mean square signals and brain surface current density maps). Analysis of BSCD maps also indicated that verbs in context elicit stronger responses than nouns over left anterior regions.

Christian J. Fiebach Burkhard Maess Angela D. Friederici 2001-06-20Z 2011-03-11T08:54:43Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/1634 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/1634 2001-06-20Z

The aim of this thesis was the examination of the neural bases of dynamic visuo-spatial imagery. In addition to the assessment of brain activity during dy-namic visuo-spatial imagery using single-trial functional magnetic resonance im-aging (fMRI) and slow cortical potentials (SCPs), several methodological issues have been investigated. The theoretical part of this thesis consists of a selective overview of fMRI and SCPs, and of the advantages of their combination for functional neuroimaging (chapter 2). The methodological and empirical chapters include: Ø the presentation of a new, highly accurate and practicable method for the co-registration of MRI- and EEG-data (chapter 3), Ø the description of the increase in the accuracy of SCP mapping resulting from the use of individual electrode coordinates and realistic head models (chapter 4), Ø the description of regional differences in the consistency of brain activity across several executions of the same task type, as assessed by a new analysis con-cept based on single-trial fMRI data (chapter 5), Ø the demonstration of the involvement of premotor regions in dynamic visuo-spatial imagery, as assessed via a combination of single-trial fMRI and SCPs (chapter 6), Ø the description of a combined fMRI-SCP investigation in which earlier findings concerning individual differences in neural efficiency during dynamic imagery could not be replicated (chapter 7).

Claus Lamm 2003-10-04Z 2011-03-11T08:55:21Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/3188 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/3188 2003-10-04Z

Autism is a puzzling and distressing state which affects a considerable number of children world-wide. Autistic children display a range of deficiencies and often present bizarre patterns of behaviour. There is no consensus about the causes or treatment of autism. There may be a genetic element and autism may be a manifestation of errors in the programming of neural development pre- and post-natally. One of the central and most discussed aspects of autism is deficiencies in speech development; absence or distortion of the use of words and of syntax make communication difficult for autistic children. Coupled with their notable lack of social empathy, this intensifies the isolation from which the children suffer. No clearly successful treatment for their language or other difficulties has as yet emerged. Given this, it seems desirable to examine whether the different ideas about the origin and functioning of language offered by the motor theory may be relevant in understanding the nature of autism or suggesting ways in which these unfortunate children might be helped, in tackling their language deficiencies or more widely.

Robin Allott 2002-01-29Z 2011-03-11T08:54:53Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/2050 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/2050 2002-01-29Z

Introduction: MMN, an electrophysiological measure of auditory working memory, is usually recorded as the difference in the event-related potential (ERP) elicited by a rare deviant and a common standard sound. The amplitude is usually reduced in patients with schizophrenia (refs below). Here we looked at the response in the extreme and most simple case of the deviant being always a novel, different tone on every presentation. We compared the novelty-MMN with clinical symptoms expressed - both measures being made soon after admission and again 2-3 months later just before discharge. Methods: We compared 20 patients (mean age 26y) with a first, second or third episode of schizophrenia on admission with 21 healthy controls (mean age 26y) and were able to repeat the measures with 12 patients at discharge and with 15 controls. An early MMN component (80-140 ms), a later component (140-300 ms) and the P3a were recorded and topography examined after min-max norming from 19 sites. Symptoms were assessed with the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Results: a) Novelty-elicited MMN was not significantly reduced on admission. b) The early component remained unaltered, but the amplitude of the later component decreased significantly during inpatient treatment. While the decrease appeared significant over the left hemisphere in the raw data, the lateral difference was lost after normalizing the data. c) Improved positive symptom ratings were associated with increases of the early component latency, but decreases of the late component latency. d) P3a at Fz showed an increased latency between sessions in the patients but there were no group differences in amplitude. Conclusions: Our results are partially consistent with two other studies using a conventional MMN that showed a lack of MMN normalization where symptoms improved (Schall et al., 1998; Umbricht et al., 1998) - in the present study MMN deteriorated. While trait features have been attributed to conventional MMN reductions in schizophrenia, our results suggest that if novelty responses are impaired in patients with schizophrenia then the differences may be sensitive to state.

Grzella Müller Oades Bender Schall Zerbin Wolstein Sartory 2007-04-04Z 2011-03-11T08:56:49Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5474 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/5474 2007-04-04Z

This paper considers the structure and proximate mechanisms of personality in humans and other animals. Significant similarities were found between personality structures and mechanisms across species in at least two broad traits: Extraversion and Neuroticism. The factor space tapped by these personality dimensions is viewed as a general integrative framework for comparative and evolutionary studies of personality in humans and other animals. Most probably, the cross-species similarities between the most broad personality dimensions like Extraversion and Neuroticism as well as other Big Five factors reflect conservative evolution: constrains on evolution imposed by physiological, genetic and cognitive mechanisms. Lower-order factors, which are more species- and situation-specific, would be adaptive, reflecting correlated selection on and trade-offs between many traits.

Dr. Sergey Budaev 2003-02-12Z 2011-03-11T08:55:09Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/2766 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/2766 2003-02-12Z

(no abstract)

Angela D. Friederici Matthias Schlesewsky Christian J. Fiebach 2005-02-16Z 2011-03-11T08:55:51Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/4094 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/4094 2005-02-16Z

A beam balance is analyzed as a model that describes Weber's law. The mathematical derivations of the torques on a beam balance produce a description that is strictly compatible with that law. The natural relationship of the beam balance model to Weber's law provides for an intuitive understanding of the relationship of Weber's law to sensory and receptor systems. Additionally, this model may offer a simple way to compute perturbations that result from unequal effects on coupled steady state systems. A practical outgrowth from this work is that a relatively simple mathematical description models sensory phenomena and may aid in the understanding of sensory and receptor systems.

Richard G. Lanzara 2013-09-17T14:28:01Z 2013-09-17T14:28:01Z http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/8987 This item is in the repository with the URL: http://cogprints.org/id/eprint/8987 2013-09-17T14:28:01Z

Previous research has shown that parturitionally experienced rats with lateral hypothalamic (LH) lesions that rendered them otherwise aphagic, still ate placenta when it was delivered (pregnant subjects) or presented (nonpregnant subjects). Subsequent studies have shown that some virgin rats are spontaneously attracted to donor placenta, whereas the others clearly avoid it. The present study was designed to demonstrate that the sparing of placentophagia after LH lesions observed in the earlier study was not due merely to the previous ingestion of placenta, per se, or to inadvertent selection for spontaneous placentophages. Virgin placentophages were allowed to consume donor placenta; some were then bred. Prior to parturition or after an equivalent time interval, LH lesions were produced through indwelling electrodes. The next day, not only were the animals with properly placed lesions aphagic to a cookie/milk mash,but none ate delivered or presented placenta.

Dr. Michael Noonan noonan@canisius.edu Dr. Mark B. Kristal kristal@buffalo.edu