Closed-Loop Neurofeedback of α Synchrony during Goal-Directed Attention

α Oscillations in sensory cortex, under frontal control, desynchronize during attentive preparation. Here, in a selective attention study with simultaneous EEG in humans of either sex, we first demonstrate that diminished anticipatory α synchrony between the mid-frontal region of the dorsal attention network and ventral visual sensory cortex [frontal-sensory synchrony (FSS)] significantly correlates with greater task performance. Then, in a double-blind, randomized controlled study in healthy adults, we implement closed-loop neurofeedback (NF) of the anticipatory α FSS signal over 10 d of training. We refer to this closed-loop experimental approach of rapid NF integrated within a cognitive task as cognitive NF (cNF). We show that cNF results in significant trial-by-trial modulation of the anticipatory α FSS measure during training, concomitant plasticity of stimulus-evoked α/θ responses, as well as transfer of benefits to response time (RT) improvements on a standard test of sustained attention. In a third study, we implement cNF training in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), replicating trial-by-trial modulation of the anticipatory α FSS signal as well as significant improvement of sustained attention RTs. These first findings demonstrate the basic mechanisms and translational utility of rapid cognitive-task-integrated NF.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT When humans prepare to attend to incoming sensory information, neural oscillations in the α band (8–14 Hz) undergo desynchronization under the control of prefrontal cortex. Here, in an attention study with electroencephalography, we first show that frontal-sensory synchrony (FSS) of α oscillations during attentive preparation significantly correlates with task performance. Then, in a randomized controlled study in healthy adults, we show that neurofeedback (NF) training of this α FSS signal within the attention task is feasible. We show that this rapid cognitive NF (cNF) approach engenders plasticity of stimulus-evoked neural responses, and improves performance on a standard test of sustained attention. In a final study, we implement cNF in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), replicating the improvement of sustained attention found in adults.     

An autopsy case of sudden death in a patient with sickle cell disease

An autopsy finding of sudden death due to disseminated intra-vascular sickling of RBCs in a young adult male from Madhya Pradesh while undergoing army recruitment rally, is reported because of its rarity in this part of the country.     

EEG Correlates of Action Observation in Humans

To investigate electrophysiological correlates of action observation electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded while participants observed repetitive biological (human) or non-biological movements (at a rate of 2 Hz). Steady-state evoked potentials were analyzed and their neural sources were investigated using low resolution electromagnetic tomography analysis (LORETA). Results revealed significantly higher activation in the primary motor and premotor cortex, supplementary motor area as well as the posterior parietal cortices during observation of biological movements, supporting mirror properties of cortical motor neurons. In addition interregional communication was analyzed. Increased coherence for distributed networks at delta (0.5–4 Hz) and lower alpha (8–10 Hz) frequencies were obtained suggesting integration and functional coupling between the activated cortical regions during human action observation.     

Análisis de resultados del Programa Externo de Control de Calidad SEIMC. Año 2008

The External Quality Control Program of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) include controls for bacteriology, serology, mycology, parasitology, mycobacteria and virology. This article present the most relevant conclusions and lessons from the 2008 controls. As a whole, the results obtained in 2008 confirm the excellent skill and good technical standards of the microbiology laboratories in Spain found in previous editions. However, a few deviations can be obtained in any laboratory, even in clinically relevant determinations. Once again, the results of this program highlighted the need to implement both internal an external controls in order to assure the maximal quality of the microbiological tests.