Activity of the positive and negative reinforcement motivation systems and baseline arterial blood pressure in humans.

The aim of the present work was to identify possible associations between individual balances in the activity of the positive and negative reinforcement motivation systems using a method based on emotional modulation of the startle reaction (EMSR) by motivationally significant emotionally positive and negative contextual visual stimuli and measures of cardiovascular system activity. Studies were performed using healthy males (mean age 30.29 +/- 9.8 years) with normal and first-episode excessive increases in arterial blood pressure (systolic blood pressure to greater than 140 mmHg, diastolic to greater than 90 mmHg). Cluster analysis of EMSR data identified groups of individuals with different activity profiles for the positive and negative reinforcement systems. Groups of subjects with changes in the balance of activity towards a lower level of positive reinforcement system activity (smaller startle reflexes to positive contextual stimuli) or a higher level of negative reinforcement system activity (larger startle reactions to threatening contextual stimuli) showed significantly greater baseline SBP and DBP. The possible mechanisms of the modulatory influences of the balance of system activities on autonomic vascular regulatory processes are discussed.

[Individual variability of cardiovascular reactivity during protective cardiac reflex in humans].

Fail of fast recovering to normal state after aversive event is the key feature of individual intolerance to emotional stress. Within the framework of this idea, dynamics of the arterial blood pressure reactivity was studied studied using defensive reaction of the cardiac defense response elicited by strong aversive acoustic stimuli. Dynamical patterns of cardiovascular responses observed in this reaction makes made it possible to perform affective chronometry of defensive arousal. Healthy male volunteers with normal arterial blood pressure and patients with firstly diagnosed and untreated essential hypertension were studied. The beat-by-beat dynamics of blood pressure values were registered by means of finger-cuff Finapres technology. It was shown that among healthy individuals with normal resting blood pressure values hyperreactive persons with delayed late systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases ocurred. It was suggested that similiarity of delayed pressor effects ofhypereactive healthy individuals and those of hypertension patients incate a high risk of essential hypertension in highly reactive individuals.

[Activity balance in behavioural inhibition and behavioural approach systems and rest blood pressure in humans].

The study determined the contribution of activity balance of the two motivational systems, i.e. appetitive and defensive, into mechanisms of blood pressure (BP) regulation in humans. Average age of participants was 30.29 +/- 9.8 years. Men having the BP within normal range and the individuals with firstly diagnosed increased arterial blood pressure up to abnormal values were selected. Using the method of emotional modulation of the startle reflex (EMSR) by different profiles of the EMSR. The participants with shifted balance toward enhanced activity of defensive system (amplified probe startle by unpleasant context) or shifted balance toward low activity of appetitive system (decrease or inhibition of the probe startle by pleasant context) had significantly increased BP in resting. Putative mechanisms of the revealed phenomena are discussed.

Neurophysiological correlates of induced discrete emotions in humans: an individually oriented analysis.

Studies on 30 right-handed subjects addressed EEG characteristics (62 channels) in conditions of laboratory simulation of induced emotions of happiness, joy, anger, disgust, fear/anxiety, and sadness. Induced emotions were found to produce, along with common features, individual patterns in the distribution of amplitude-frequency EEG characteristics. Induced positive and negative discrete emotions were characterized by interhemisphere activatory asymmetry in the theta-2 (4-6 Hz), alpha-2 (10-12 Hz), and beta-1 (12-18 Hz) ranges. Experience of the emotions of joy, anger, and disgust occurred on the background of asymmetrical increases in activity in the anterior cortex of the left hemisphere in the theta-2 range, suggesting a leading role for the activity of these areas in realizing the cognitive components of emotional reacting. In addition, some high-ergicity negative emotions evoked combined alpha-2 and beta-1 desynchronization (disgust) or beta-1 desynchronization (fear/anxiety) in the right parietal-temporal cortex, suggesting its involvement in the mechanisms of non-specific emotional activation. These data provide evidence that each of these emotions is characterized by its own individual pattern in the distribution of the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the EEG and, on the other hand, that series of ranges and cortical areas show similar but different (in terms of intensity) effects in response to emotional activation for emotions of different flavor.

Analysis of evoked EEG synchronization and desynchronization during perception of emotiogenic stimuli: association with autonomic activation processes.

The cortical apparatus involved in performing autonomic responses in conditions of emotional activation has received little study. The aim of the present work was to assess the dynamics of evoked EEG synchronization and desynchronization at different frequency ranges during the perception of emotiogenic visual stimuli depending on the extent of accompanying autonomic activation as measured by skin galvanic responses. Studies were performed on 33 students (all right-handed) aged 18-28 years. Difference between subjects with weak (SGR(-)) and strong (SGR(+)) skin galvanic responses were seen only in the theta1 range (4-6 Hz). At the stage at which emotiogenic information was perceived (the first second after the start of stimulus presentation), both groups showed similar dynamics of increases in evoked synchronization in the parietal-temporal-occipital areas of the cortex, with greater involvement of the right hemisphere. From the second second to the end of presentation (2-6 sec), emotiogenic signals gave significantly greater levels of evoked synchronization in these cortical areas as compared with neutral stimuli, and only in the SGR(+) group. These data provide evidence for the involvement of the posterior areas of the cortex of the right hemisphere in the mechanisms of motivational attention and sympathetic activation.

Analysis of evoked EEG synchronization and desynchronization in conditions of emotional activation in humans: temporal and topographic characteristics.

Studies in 20 healthy right-handed subjects analyzed evoked EEG synchronization and desynchronization in the delta, theta1, theta2, alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2, beta3, and gamma ranges in response to sequential presentation of stimuli from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) with low, medium, and high emotional activation impact. Each signal presentation was accompanied by subjective scaling of the extent of its emotional impact. EEG traces were recorded in 62 channels as signals were presented. These experiments showed that the degree of emotional impact of the signal was significantly associated with increases in evoked synchronization in the delta, theta1, theta2, beta1, beta3, and gamma ranges and with the effects of combined changes in evoked synchronization and desynchronization in the alpha2 frequency range. The interhemisphere distribution of evoked changes in power provided evidence that not only the posterior areas of the right hemisphere were involved in analyzing the emotional significance of images, as indicated by changes in evoked theta1 and theta2 synchronization and alpha2 desynchronization, but also the anterior areas of the left hemisphere, as indicated by changes in evoked theta2 synchronization. From the standpoint of affective chronometry, the earliest discrimination of the emotional content of stimuli, regardless of the sign of the emotion, occurred in the lower theta range and was seen at 0-600 msec after the start of stimulus presentation. This process was delayed 600-1000 msec in the theta2, alpha2, and gamma ranges.

[Neurophysiological correlates of induced discrete emotions in humans: an individual analysis]. / Neirofiziologicheskie korreliaty vyzvannykh émotsii u cheloveka: individual'no orienitovannyi analiz.

The present study addressed EEG pattering during experimentally manipulated emotion. Film clips previously shown to induce happiness,joy, anger, disgust, fear/anxiety, sadness, as well as neutral control films, were presented to 30 university students while a 62-channel EEG was recorded, and a self-reported effect was described. Analyses revealed both emotion-specific and emotion-unspecific EEG pattering for the emotions under study. Induced positive and negative emotions were accompanied by hemispheric activation asymmetries in theta-2, alpha-2, and beta-1 EEG frequency bands. Emotions of joy and disgust induced lateralized a theta-2 power increase in anterior-temporal and frontal regions of the left hemisphere reflecting involvement of cognitive mechanisms in the emotional processing. Negative emotions of disgust and fear/anxiety were characterized by alpha-2 and beta-1 desynchronization of the right temporal-parietal cortex, suggesting its involvement in modulation of the emotion-related arousal.

[Event-related synchronization and desynchronization of EEG during perception of emotional stimuli: association with autonomous nervous system activity]. / Analiz vyzvannoi sinkhronizatsii i desinkhronizatsii EEG v usloviiakh vospriiatiia émotsiogennykh stimulov: sviaz' s protsessami vegetativnoi aktivatsii.

Up to now, mechanisms of neurovisceral integration are not clear. The main objective of the present investigation consisted in studying cortical concomitants of sympathetic activity during emotional perception. The 62-channel EEG and skin conductance response (SCR) were recorded while right-handed healthy participants (n-33) viewed sequentially presented neutral, pleasant, and unpleasant pictures. The event-related synchronization (ERS) and desynchronization were measured in different frequency bands. Relying on median split of SCR amplitudes elicited by the presented stimuli the participants were segregated into groups with low (SCR-) and high (SCR+) autonomous activity. In was revealed that group differences were associated with power changes in the low (4-6 Hz) theta band only. For both groups in the early test period (up to 1 s after stimulus onset), emotional vs. neutral stimuli induced larger theta-ERS over posterior cortical regions with greater impact on the right parieto-temporo-occipital regions. At the later phases (2-6 s after stimulus onset), only the SCR group retained emotion-related greater right hemisphere synchronization. It is concluded that the right parieto-temporo-occipital cortex mediates mechanisms of motivated attention and sympathetic activation.

[Analysis of elicited EEG synchronization and desynchronization in emotional activation: temporal and topographic characteristics]. / Analiz vyzvannoi sinkhronizatsii i desinkhronizatsii EEG pri émotsional'noi aktivatsii u cheloveka: vremennye i topograficheskie kharakteristiki.

Event-related synchronization (ERS) and desynchronization (ERD) in delta, theta1, theta2, alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2, beta3, and gamma were measured in 20 healthy right-handed subjects in response to IAPS stimuli with low, moderate, and high arousal reactions. The 62-channel EEG was simultaneously recorded while subjects viewed sequentially presented pictures and subjectively rated them after each presentation. The results show that emotionally loaded stimuli induced higher ERS in the delta, theta1, theta2, beta1, beta3, and gamma bands along with combined ERD and ERS effects in alpha2 band. As to hemispheric asymmetries, the effects of emotional arousal were restricted not only to right parietal (theta1 and theta2 ERS, alpha2 ERD) but also to left frontal (theta2 ERS) regions. In terms of affective chronometry, lower theta was the first to catch the affective salience of incoming stimuli (time window 0-600 ms after the stimulus input). For theta2, alpha2, and gamma bands this process was delayed to 600-1000 ms.

[Reflection of the emotion manifestation in effects of evoked EEG synchronization and desynchronization]. / Otrazhenie znaka émotsii v éffektakh vyzvannoi sinkhronizatsii i desinkhronizatsii EEG.

Event-related desynchronization (ERD) and synchronization (ERS) in response to neutral, positive and negative emotional IAPS stimuli were measured in narrow theta, alpha-1, alpha-2 and alpha-3 frequency bands in 22 healthy Ss. A high resolution 62-channel EEG was recorded while subjects viewed a sequence of pictures. The effects of valence discrimination related to hemispheric asymmetries are associated with increased theta and alpha-3 synchronization. Theta ERS revealed a significant valence by hemisphere interaction for anterior temporal leads in the time window of 100-700 ms after stimulus onset indicating a relatively greater right hemisphere ERS for negative and a left hemisphere ERS for positive stimuli in comparison to neutral those. In the alpha-3 band, negative stimuli induced a left hemisphere ERS increase (F7 site) in the time window of 800-1200 ms not observed for neutral and positive stimuli. The results obtained along with the earlier observations on EEG correlates of affective processing challenge the notion that effective anterior hemispheric asymmetries are reflected mainly in the wide alpha frequency band.

Affective picture processing: event-related synchronization within individually defined human theta band is modulated by valence dimension.

Event-related desynchronization (ERD) and synchronization (ERS) in the theta frequency band was measured while subjects viewed stimuli with differing emotional content (from the International Affective Picture System). A significant valence by hemisphere interaction emerged only in the anterior temporal regions, showing relatively greater right hemisphere ERS for negative and left hemisphere ERS for positive stimuli. In turn, in the posterior brain regions affectively valenced vs neutral stimuli prompted larger extent of ERS against the background of the overall right hemisphere dominance in theta synchronization. The findings document that valence discrimination is associated with the early (200-500 ms poststimulus) time-locked synchronized theta activity as well as hemispheric asymmetries in anterior-posterior direction.

Event-related synchronization and desynchronization during affective processing: emergence of valence-related time-dependent hemispheric asymmetries in theta and upper alpha band.

Event-related desynchronization (ERD) and synchronization (ERS) in the individually defined theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, and alpha-3 frequency bands were measured in 22 healthy subjects (Ss) in response to neutral (Neut), emotionally positive (Pos), and negative (Neg) IAPS stimuli. The 62-channel EEG, facial EMG and ECG were simultaneously recorded while subjects viewed sequentially presented pictures and subjectively rated them after each presentation. The obtained findings indicate that differences induced by pictures varying in emotional valence are associated mainly with increased theta and alpha-3 synchronization activity and anterior hemispheric asymmetries. In the anterior temporal leads theta ERS revealed a significant valence by hemisphere interaction showing relatively greater right hemisphere theta ERS for Neg and left hemisphere ERS for Pos stimuli in the time window of 100-700 ms post-stimulus, whereas in the alpha-3 band Neg stimuli induced lateralized time-dependent left hemisphere ERS increased in the time window of 800-1200 ms, were not observed for Neut and Pos stimuli. The obtained results along with earlier observations on EEG correlates of affective processing challenge the notion that affective anterior hemispheric asymmetries are mainly sensitive to wide alpha frequency band. Frequency and time dependence of anterior hemispheric asymmetries in emotional valence discrimination is emphasized.

Non-linear dynamic complexity of the human EEG during evoked emotions.

The present study examined EEG dimensional complexity (estimated correlation dimension) in 76 healthy volunteers in response to emotionally valenced (i.e. neutral, positive and negative) film clip stimulation. EEG was recorded from 18 sites (10-20 system). We estimated the dimensional complexity by the Grassberger and Procaccia and Skinner's point-wise dimension (PD2i) methods. The results were compared to spectral measures of the EEG. Only the PD2i algorithm (i.e. the one that did not require data stationarity) discriminated among all the three film categories. The main results showed that both negative and positive emotions occurred with higher values (at some posterior locations) of EEG DCx estimates compared to the neutral viewing condition. The topographical differences (frontal vs. posterior temporal) between positive and negative evoked emotions were obtained. There were also some significant direct relationships between dynamic complexity estimates and intensities of subjective emotional feelings. It is concluded that dimensional complexity estimates turned out to be sensitive to subtle aspects of emotional processing not accessible by linear EEG analyses.

Non-linear analysis of emotion EEG: calculation of Kolmogorov entropy and the principal Lyapunov exponent.

For 76 healthy subjects, two non-linear measures, capturing the dynamical properties of the system orbiting within the attractor (i.e. Kolmogorov entropy, K2 and principal Lyapunov exponent, L1), were calculated from EEG segments, corresponding to different states of brain activity, induced by emotionally valenced (i.e. neutral, affective positive and negative) video stimuli. Significantly elevated values of EEG K2 and L1 in response to both positive and negative film categories as compared to neutral one were evidenced. Relying on the obtained findings, it is suggested that increased cortical dynamics, up to a certain level, are probably necessary for emotion functioning.

[Dynamics of electrodermal activity during changes in the hydration of the epidermis: theoretical model]. / Dinamika élektrodermal'noi aktivnosti pri izmenenii gidratatsii épidermisa: teoreticheskaia model'.

The presented theoretical model explains three ways of epidermal hydration changes. These ways are; water movement from both dermal layer and sweat gland ducts to the epidermis, and then, from the epidermis to the air. Epidermal hydration changes influenced electrodermal activity. It was revealed, that epidermal hydration changes impact both amplitudes and latencies of the electrodermal activity.

Nonlinear forecasting measurements of the human EEG during evoked emotions.

Forecasting ability applied to a single EEG time sequence may quantify loss of memory of past brain states. This fundamental property of complex dynamical systems could prove to be an important measure of current brain states. The present study examined nonlinear forecasting (or nonlinear predictability) estimates of the scalp-recorded EEG in 76 healthy volunteers in response to emotionally charged (negative, positive and control neutral) video-clip stimuli. EEG was recorded from 18 sites (10-20 system). The obtained results indicate that the negative emotional impact led to a more predictable EEG dynamics, compared with neutral or positive emotional video content, and this effect was restricted to the posterior cerebral sites. The studied signatures of EEG dynamics succeed also in specific discrimination between effects of positive and negative film categories: significantly more predictable dynamics over posterior cerebral sites in response to negative film category was accompanied by enhanced predictability in answer to positive film category over frontocortical loci. It is concluded that these findings suggest the association of basic cortical nonlinear mechanisms with the specific physiological processes of emotional processing.

[A functional model of the electrical potential of skin]. / Funktsional'naia model' élektricheskogo potentsiala kozhi.

A model of the skin electrical potential has been developed. It contains electrical and functional parameters of the sweating and their dependence on efferent innervation. The analytical expression of the skin electrical potential which explains basic experimental results has been constructed.

[Formation model of the electrical potential of skin]. / Model' formirovaniia élektricheskogo potentsiala kozhi.

A model of the electrical potential form of the skin was discovered. It contained electrical parameters of the epidermis and sweat glands which were connected with those of the sweat. The formula for the electrical potential of the skin are explained by the base type of man's galvanic skin reaction.