Resting vagally-mediated heart rate variability in the laboratory is associated with momentary negative affect and emotion regulation in daily life.

Vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) is a physiological index reflecting parasympathetic activity that has been linked to emotion regulation (ER) capacity. However, very limited research has examined associations of physiological indices of regulation such as vmHRV with emotional functioning in daily life. The few studies that exist have small samples sizes and typically focus on only a narrow aspect of ER or emotional functioning. In this study, we examined associations between vmHRV assessed in the laboratory and emotional/mental health functioning in daily life using a 7-day ecological momentary assessment design in 303 adult community participants. We hypothesized that higher resting vmHRV would be associated with higher positive affect (PA), lower negative affect (NA), less affective variability, greater well-being, fewer dysphoria symptoms, greater use of engagement ER strategies, and less use of avoidance ER strategies, as assessed in daily life. Results revealed that higher resting vmHRV in the laboratory (as indexed by both high frequency heart rate variability, HF-HRV, and the root mean of successive square deviations between heart beats, RMSSD) was significantly associated with less frequent use of avoidance ER strategies in daily life. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed, including the association of vmHRV with negatively valenced, rather than positively valenced, daily life experiences.

Evidence for enemy release in invasive common dace Leuciscus leuciscus in Ireland: a helminth community survey and systematic review.

Invasive species lose parasites in the process of invasion and tend to be less parasitized than conspecifics in the native range and sympatric native species in the invasive range (enemy release). We evaluated enemy release in an invasive freshwater fish in Ireland, common dace Leuciscus leuciscus, using helminth parasite community surveys at the core and front of the invasive range of common dace. Furthermore, we undertook a systematic literature review of helminth infection in common dace across its native range in Great Britain and Europe and invasive range in Ireland. The helminth parasite community survey revealed that invasive common dace were infected with fewer helminth species at the invasion front than at the core. Four helminth taxa - Acanthocephala, Monogenea, Digenea and Nematoda - were present in dace at the invasion core compared to only a single helminth species (Pomphorhynchus tereticollis) at the front. The systematic review revealed that invasive common dace in Ireland hosted fewer species of helminths than common dace in the native range. We report a total of three helminth species in common dace in Ireland compared to 24 in Great Britain and 84 in Continental Europe. Our results support the hypotheses that invasive populations are less parasitized than native populations and that more recently established populations host fewer parasites. However, we demonstrate that invasive species may continue to experience release from parasites long after initial invasion.

Core information set for informed consent to surgery for oral or oropharyngeal cancer: A mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a core information set for informed consent to surgery for oral/oropharyngeal surgery. A core information set is baseline information rated important by patients and surgeons and is intended to improve patients' understanding of the intended procedure. DESIGN: A mixed-methods study. Systematic reviews of scientific and written healthcare literature, qualitative interviews and observations, Delphi surveys, and group consensus meetings identified information domains of importance for consent. SETTING: A regional head and neck clinic in the United Kingdom. Questionnaire participants were recruited from around the UK. PARTICIPANTS: Patients about to undergo, or who had previously undergone, surgery for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. Healthcare professionals involved in the management of head and neck cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was a core information set. RESULTS: Systematic reviews, interviews and consultation observations yielded 887 pieces of information that were categorised into 87 information domains. Survey response rates were 67% (n = 50) and 71% (n = 52) for patient and healthcare professional groups in round one. More than 90% responded in each group in the second round. Healthcare professionals were more likely to rate information about short-term or peri-operative events as important while patients rated longer term issues about survival and quality of life. The consensus-building process resulted in an agreed core information set of 13 domains plus two procedure-specific domains about tracheostomy and free-flap surgery. CONCLUSION: This study produced a core information set for surgeons and patients to discuss before surgery for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. Future work will optimise ways to integrate core information into routine consultations.

Attacking 22 entries in rugby union: running demands and differences between successful and unsuccessful entries.

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is commonly utilized in team sports, including rugby union. It has been used to describe the average running demands of rugby union. This has afforded an enhanced understanding of the physical fitness requirements for players. However, research in team sports has suggested that training players relative to average demands may underprepare them for certain scenarios within the game. To date, no research has investigated the running demands of attacking 22 entries in rugby union. Additionally, no research has been undertaken to determine whether differences exist in the running intensity of successful and unsuccessful attacking 22 entries in rugby union. The first aim of this study was to describe the running intensity of attacking 22 entries. The second aim of this study was to investigate whether differences exist in the running intensity of successful and unsuccessful attacking 22 entries. Running intensity was measured using meters per minute (m min-1 ) for (a) total distance, (b) running distance, (c) high-speed running distance, and (d) very high-speed running distance. This study provides normative data for the running intensity of attacking 22 entries in rugby union. Forwards achieved greater high-speed running intensity in successful (3.6 m min-1 ) compared to unsuccessful (1.8 m min-1 ) attacking 22 entries. Forwards should try and achieve greater high-speed running intensity in attacking 22 entries to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes during this period of gameplay.

Seropositivity for NT5c1A antibody in sporadic inclusion body myositis predicts more severe motor, bulbar and respiratory involvement.

OBJECTIVES: To explore phenotypic differences between individuals with sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) who are seropositive for the NT5c1A antibody compared with those who are seronegative. METHODS: Cross-sectional clinical, serological and functional analysis in 25 consecutive participants with sIBM. RESULTS: All participants met criteria for clinically defined or probable sIBM. 18 of 25 participants with sIBM (72%) were seropositive for the NT5c1A antibody. No differences between median age and duration of illness between the two groups were seen. Females have higher odds of being seropositive (OR=2.30). Participants with seropositive sIBM took significantly longer to get up and stand (p=0.012). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of distance covered on a 6 min walk. Seropositive participants were more likely to require assistive devices such as a walker or wheelchair for mobility (OR=23.00; p=0.007). A number of secondary (exploratory) outcomes were assessed. NT5c1A seropositive sIBM cases had lower total Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score and MRC sum score on the right (p=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Participants with the NT5c1A antibody were significantly more likely to have symptoms of dysphagia (OR=10.67; p=0.03) and reduced forced vital capacity (p=0.005). Facial weakness occurred in 50% of seropositive participants while it was only seen in 14% of seronegative participants. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the small sample size limits definite conclusions, our cross-sectional study showed seropositivity to the NT5c1A antibody is associated with greater motor and functional disability in sIBM. The study also suggests more prominent bulbar, facial and respiratory involvement in individuals positive for NT5c1A antibodies.

Predicted increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma induction associated with sunbed exposure habits.

BACKGROUND: Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is recognized as the principal environmental cause of skin cancer. In particular, the risk of induction of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been shown to increase with cumulative exposure to UVR. Models of risk of SCC induction have been developed but these do not include the use of sunbeds. OBJECTIVES: To explore the links between sunbed exposure and risk of SCC induction. METHODS: To this end, the values of published on-site UVR levels emitted from sunbeds were used to provide real measured sunbed exposure levels to inform the model. The model incorporated three conditions of exposure: day-to-day, holiday and sunbed exposure. The risks associated with different exposure scenarios were implemented in the model. Baseline exposure comprised day-to-day and holiday exposure. Relative risk (RR) was defined as the risk of SCC induction from (sunbed + baseline dose)/baseline dose. RESULTS: The RR of SCC induction from estimated median sunbed exposure output [176 standard erythemal dose (SED) per year; 20-35 years of age] in addition to median baseline sun exposure level (166 SED year + 85.5 SED per year holiday) was 1.9 (90% risk increase) up to 55 years of age. A higher sunbed exposure (302 SED per year; 20-35 years of age) produced an RR value of 2.8 (180% increase) at 55 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that a risk model for SCC of the skin has been developed that includes estimated sunbed doses derived from measured irradiance data. The model demonstrates that the additional risk associated with sunbed use may be significant, particularly when high-output, fast-tan sunbeds are used.

Nine out of 10 sunbeds in England emit ultraviolet radiation levels that exceed current safety limits.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight is recognized as the principal cause of skin cancer. Moreover, sunbeds have been classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Despite this, there is a shortage of objective data on UV exposure levels in sunbeds in England. OBJECTIVES: We set out to measure UV emission levels in sunbeds at sites around England, and to compare these levels with both current standards and natural sunlight. METHODS: Between October 2010 and February 2011, UV spectra were measured on site from a total of 402 artificial tanning units in England. Measurement instrumentation was calibrated, traceable to the National Physical Laboratory. Compliance with the relevant British and European standard was determined, and a skin-cancer weighting factor was used to compare the carcinogenic potential of sunbeds with that of sunlight. RESULTS: For compliance with the European standard, erythemal-effective irradiance should not exceed 0·3 W m(-2). The values that we measured ranged between 0·10 and 1·32 W m(-2) with a mean of 0·56 ± 0·21 W m(-2) . Only 10% of sunbeds surveyed were within the recommended limit. Application of the skin-cancer weighting factor produced values that varied from 0·17 to 2·52 W m(-2) with a mean of 0·99 ± 0·41 W m(-2). The comparable value for Mediterranean noon day sun was 0·43 W m . CONCLUSIONS: Nine out of 10 sunbeds surveyed throughout England emitted levels of UV radiation that exceed the maximum levels contained within the European standard. Moreover, the skin cancer risk for comparable times of exposure was up to six times higher than that for Mediterranean sunlight. This situation is unacceptable and stricter control measures must be put in place.

Daily experiences and adolescent affective wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: The CHESS model.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in adolescents' increased exposure to daily experiences of risk factors for depression and anxiety (e.g., loneliness). Intensive longitudinal studies examining daily experiences during the pandemic have revealed short-term and long-term consequences on youth mental health. Although evidence suggests small average increases in adolescent depression and anxiety, most of the story is in variability: increases are higher for youth and families with greater pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities and fewer socioeconomic resources, whereas increases are lower when social or financial support and positive coping and health behaviors are available and employed. Public health and economic policies should be mindful of youth mental health risks and actively promote known mental health supports, including family economic resources, access to mental healthcare, and social connection.

Decentering from Emotions in Daily Life: Dynamic Associations with Affect, Symptoms, and Wellbeing.

Decentering is thought to be protective against a range of psychological symptoms, but little is known about the outcomes of decentering as a momentary state in daily life. We used ecological momentary assessment (42 reports across one week) to examine the temporal ordering of the associations of decentering with affect, dysphoria, participant-specific idiographic symptoms, and wellbeing. We also hypothesized that greater decentering predicts less inertia (persistence) of each variable, and weakens the association of affect with dysphoria, idiographic symptoms, and wellbeing. Results in 345 community participants indicated that decentering and these variables were mutually reinforcing over time, and that greater decentering was associated with less inertia of negative affect and dysphoria. Decentering generally predicted reduced impact of positive and negative affect on dysphoria symptoms, but results were mixed when predicting idiographic symptoms or wellbeing. Clinical implications and refinements for theory on decentering are discussed.

Dysphoria and well-being in daily life: Development and validation of ecological momentary assessment scales.

Assessment of internalizing symptoms has generally relied on cross-sectional and retrospective self-reports, but ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is increasingly used to capture quick fluctuations in symptoms, enhance ecological validity, and improve recall accuracy. However, there are very few measures of internalizing symptoms that have been validated for use in EMA designs. In Study 1, we chose candidate items for EMA short forms of the Dysphoria and Well-Being scales from the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms (IDAS), based on principal factor analyses and internal consistency analyses conducted on aggregated cross-sectional datasets (total N = 8,876). In Study 2, we tested the items using an EMA design in a sample of college students (N = 279) oversampled for elevated neuroticism. Scale structure, reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity (regarding baseline IDAS scales, baseline affect, and EMA affect) were evaluated at the within- and between-person levels using multilevel structural equation modeling. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in separate subsamples revealed the expected two-factor structure, yielding a four-item Well-Being scale and a five-item Dysphoria scale. Both scales showed acceptable to good internal consistency, strong convergent validity, and generally adequate discriminant validity. However, some associations of the new scales with EMA affect (i.e., Dysphoria with negative affect; Well-Being with positive affect) were very strong at the between-person level, such that they were not empirically distinct. Overall, this study provides an initial validation of brief EMA-IDAS Dysphoria and Well-Being scales that can be used in research or clinical settings, with particular utility for capturing within-person, dynamic effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Training and match load in professional rugby union: Do contextual factors influence the training week?

Background: Rugby union demands a multifaceted approach to training, given the multiple physical and technical attributes required to play the sport. Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the distribution of training throughout the week and investigate how this may be influenced by match-related factors. Methods: Training load data (session Rating of Perceived Exertion [sRPE], total distance and high-speed running [HSR]) were collected from six professional English rugby teams during the 2017/18 season. Five contextual factors were also recorded including: standard of opposition, competition type, result of previous fixture, surface type, and match venue. Results: The day prior to matches demonstrated the lowest training load (101 AU (95% CIs: 0-216 AU), 1 047 m (95% CIs:1 128-1 686 m) and 59 m (95% CIs: 0-343 m), respectively), while four days prior to the match demonstrated the highest training load (464 AU (95% CIs: 350-578), 2 983 m (95% CIs: 2 704-3 262m) and 234m (95% CIs: 0-477m), respectively). Of the five contextual factors, competition type was the only variable that demonstrated greater than trivial findings, with training before European fixtures the lowest stimulus across the four different competition types. Standard of opposition, previous result, surface type and venue had only trivial effects on training load (effect sizes = -0.13 to 0.15). Conclusion: Future studies should outline the distribution of other training metrics, including contact and collision training. This study provides a multi-club evaluation that demonstrates the variety of loading strategies prior to competitive match play and highlights competition type as the most influential contextual factor impacting the average training load.

Atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits angiotensin II-stimulated proliferation in fetal cardiomyocytes.

The role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in regulating fetal cardiac growth is poorly understood. Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates proliferation in fetal sheep cardiomyocytes when growth is dependent on the activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. We hypothesized that ANP would suppress near-term fetal cardiomyocyte proliferation in vitro and inhibit both the MAPK and PI3K pathways. Forty-eight hour 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake (used as an index of proliferation) was measured in cardiomyocytes isolated from fetal sheep (135 day gestational age) in response to 100 nm Ang II with or without ANP (0.003-100 nm) or 1 microm 8-bromo-cGMP. The effects of these compounds on the MAPK and PI3K pathways were assessed by measuring extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT phosphorylation following 10 min of treatment with Ang II, ANP or 8-bromo-cGMP. In right ventricular myocytes (RV), the lowest dose of ANP (0.003 nm) inhibited Ang II-stimulated BrdU uptake by 68%. Similarly, 8-bromo-cGMP suppressed Ang II-stimulated proliferation by 62%. The same effects were observed in left ventricular (LV) cardiomyocytes but the RV was more sensitive to the inhibitory effects of ANP than the LV (P < 0.0001). Intracellular cGMP was increased by 4-fold in the presence of 100 nm ANP. Ang II-stimulated ERK and Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by 100 nm ANP. The activity of ANP may in part be cGMP dependent, as 8-bromo-cGMP had similar effects on the cardiomyocytes.

Reduced systolic pressure load decreases cell-cycle activity in the fetal sheep heart.

The fetal heart is highly sensitive to changes in mechanical load. We have previously demonstrated that increased cardiac load can stimulate cell cycle activity and maturation of immature cardiomyocytes, but the effects of reduced load are not known. Sixteen fetal sheep were given either continuous intravenous infusion of lactated Ringer solution (LR) or enalaprilat, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor beginning at 127 days gestational age. After 8 days, fetal arterial pressure in the enalaprilat-infused fetuses (23.8 +/- 2.8 mmHg) was lower than that of control fetuses (47.5 +/- 4.7 mmHg) (P < 0.0001). Although the body weights of the two groups of fetuses were similar, the heart weight-to-body weight ratios of the enalaprilat-infused fetuses were less than those of the LR-infused fetuses (5.6 +/- 0.5 g/kg vs. 7.0 +/- 0.6 g/kg, P < 0.0001). Dimensions of ventricular myocytes were not different between control and enalaprilat-infused fetuses. However, there was a significant decrease in cell cycle activity in both the right ventricle (P < 0.005) and the left ventricle (P < 0.002) of the enalaprilat-infused fetuses. Thus, we conclude a sustained reduction in systolic pressure load decreases hyperplastic growth in the fetal heart.

Ecological validity of trait emotion regulation strategy measures.

Research on emotion regulation (ER) strategies has often relied on trait self-report measures, where individuals retrospectively report their tendency to engage in a specific strategy. Although this method is convenient and useful in many clinical and research settings, it is subject to a number of response and memory biases and may not accurately reflect ER as it is naturalistically employed in daily life. We examined the ecological validity of 10 self-report measures of ER strategies (i.e., acceptance, behavioral avoidance, experiential avoidance, expressive suppression, procrastination, reappraisal, reflection, rumination, savoring, social support) with their reported daily use in intensive longitudinal designs in two samples (109 students, 135 treatment-seeking adults). Zero-order correlations revealed convergence between most trait measures and their daily ER strategy counterparts. However, analyses evaluating the specificity of trait measures in their associations with daily ER strategies (both zero-order and multivariate) did not support trait measures' discriminant validity. Rather, correlations between trait measures and factors of the between-person variance in daily ER strategies suggest that most ER trait measures may reflect broader tendencies to use or not use avoidance strategies in daily life. Implications for research using trait measures of ER strategies and recommendations for ER strategy assessment are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

A comparison of decentering across demographic groups and meditation experience: Support for the measurement invariance of the Experiences Questionnaire.

Theory and prior research suggests that decentering-an objective, distanced perspective on one's internal experiences-may vary based upon characteristics such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and meditation experience. However, little is known about whether decentering measures are comparable in their meaning and interpretation when administered to individuals with different group membership (e.g., men or women; younger or older adults, etc.). The current study examined the measurement invariance of the Experiences Questionnaire (Fresco et al., 2007), a commonly used measure of decentering, evaluating age, gender, race/ethnicity, and meditation experience in three samples (students, community members, and clinical participants). Each sample was tested separately to assess the generalizability of results. The Experiences Questionnaire demonstrated full or partial measurement invariance in all cases, suggesting that scores are not biased based upon group membership and may be compared across individuals who vary in age, race/ethnicity, gender, and meditation experience. The current study also examined mean differences in decentering by groups, finding some evidence that decentering scores are higher for men, racial/ethnic minorities, older adults, and individuals with more meditation experiences. Implications are discussed for assessing decentering in diverse samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Dopamine modulates temporal dynamics of feedforward inhibition in rat prefrontal cortex in vivo.

Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons project to pyramidal cells and interneurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). At the microcircuit level, interneurons gate inputs to a network and regulate/pattern its outputs. Whereas several in vitro studies have examined the role of DA on PFC interneurons, few in vivo data are available. In this study, we show that DA influences the timing of interneuron firing. In particular, DA had a reductive influence on interneuron spontaneous firing, which in the context of the excitatory response of interneurons to hippocampal electrical stimulation, lead to a temporal focalization of the interneuron response. This suggests that the reductive influence of DA on interneuron excitability is responsible for filtering out weak excitatory inputs. The increase in the temporal precision of interneuron firing is a mechanism by which DA can modulate the temporal dynamics of feedforward inhibition in PFC circuits and can thereby influence cognitive information processing.

The contributions of affective traits and emotion regulation to internalizing disorders: Current state of the literature and measurement challenges.

Dysfunctional affective processes are central to the experience of internalizing disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, and related disorders). Specifically, extreme positive affect and elevated negative affect each have unique and robust patterns of associations with internalizing symptoms. This article examines affect as both an individual difference and a within-person dynamic process that unfolds over time. Recent research is reviewed that clarifies the hierarchical structure of affect and facet-level associations with symptoms, affect-laden traits that confer risk for internalizing psychopathology, models of emotion regulation, and how emotion regulation abilities and strategies contribute to or detract from psychological well-being. Several measurement challenges in this literature are identified and discussed, including possible conceptual and content overlap, mood-state distortion, naturalistic assessment in daily life, and the benefits and limitations of self-reported affective experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

The structure of common emotion regulation strategies: A meta-analytic examination.

Emotion regulation has been examined extensively with regard to important outcomes, including psychological and physical health. However, the literature includes many different emotion regulation strategies but little examination of how they relate to one another, making it difficult to interpret and synthesize findings. The goal of this meta-analysis was to examine the underlying structure of common emotion regulation strategies (i.e., acceptance, behavioral avoidance, distraction, experiential avoidance, expressive suppression, mindfulness, problem solving, reappraisal, rumination, worry), and to evaluate this structure in light of theoretical models of emotion regulation. We also examined how distress tolerance-an important emotion regulation ability -relates to strategy use. We conducted meta-analyses estimating the correlations between emotion regulation strategies (based on 331 samples and 670 effect sizes), as well as between distress tolerance and strategies. The resulting meta-analytic correlation matrix was submitted to confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses. None of the confirmatory models, based on prior theory, was an acceptable fit to the data. Exploratory factor analysis suggested that 3 underlying factors best characterized these data. Two factors-labeled Disengagement and Aversive Cognitive Perseveration-emerged as strongly correlated but distinct factors, with the latter consisting of putatively maladaptive strategies. The third factor, Adaptive Engagement, was a less unified factor and weakly related to the other 2 factors. Distress tolerance was most closely associated with low levels of repetitive negative thought and experiential avoidance, and high levels of acceptance and mindfulness. We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings and applications to emotion regulation assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record

Hippocampal volume in first-episode psychoses and chronic schizophrenia: a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the hippocampus is a potential site for a neurodevelopmental lesion in schizophrenia. While smaller hippocampal volumes have been described in chronic schizophrenia, there have been few magnetic resonance imaging studies in first-episode psychosis. Furthermore, no studies have examined the specificity of this finding to first-episode schizophrenia, compared with first-episode affective psychosis. METHODS: Hippocampal and whole-brain volumes were estimated using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in 140 controls, 46 patients with chronic schizophrenia, and 32 patients with first-episode psychosis. RESULTS: Patients with chronic schizophrenia and first-episode psychosis had significantly smaller hippocampal volumes as compared with controls. Within the first-episode group, both patients with schizophrenia/schizophreniform psychosis and those with affective psychosis had smaller left hippocampal volumes as compared with controls. Smaller right hippocampal volumes were associated with age and illness duration in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Hippocampal volumes were not correlated with age of illness onset or medication dosage in either patient group. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that smaller hippocampal volumes are present from the onset of illness. While these findings would support the neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia, the finding of smaller left hippocampal volume in patients with first-episode schizophrenia and affective psychosis does not support the prediction that smaller hippocampi are specific to schizophrenia. The association of smaller right hippocampal volumes with increased illness duration in chronic schizophrenia suggests either that there is further neurodegeneration after illness onset or that bilateral small hippocampi predict chronicity.

Correlated multisecond oscillations in firing rate in the basal ganglia: modulation by dopamine and the subthalamic nucleus.

Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that many neurons in the basal ganglia have multisecond (<0.5 Hz) periodicities in firing rate in awake rats. The frequency and regularity of these oscillations are significantly increased by systemically injected dopamine (DA) agonists. Because oscillatory activity should have greater functional impact if shared by many neurons, the level of correlation of multisecond oscillations was assessed by recording pairs of neurons in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata in the same hemisphere, or pairs of globus pallidus neurons in opposite hemispheres in awake, immobilized rats. Cross-correlation (90-180 s lags) and spectral analysis were used to characterize correlated oscillations. Thirty-eight percent of pairs recorded in baseline (n=50) demonstrated correlated multisecond oscillations. Phase relationships were near 0 or 180 degrees. DA agonist injection significantly increased the incidence of correlation (intra- and interhemispheric) to 94% (n=17). After DA agonist injection, phase relationships of globus pallidus/substantia nigra neuron pairs were exclusively concentrated near 180 degrees, and phases of interhemispheric pairs of globus pallidus neurons were concentrated near 0 degrees. After subthalamic nucleus lesion (n=8), the incidence of correlated multisecond oscillations (or of multisecond oscillations per se) was not changed, although the consistent phase relationship between the globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata was disrupted. Subthalamic lesion also blocked apomorphine-induced decreases in oscillatory period and increases in oscillation amplitude, and significantly attenuated apomorphine-induced changes in mean firing rate. The data demonstrate that multisecond oscillations in the basal ganglia can be correlated between nuclei, and that DA receptor activation increases the level of correlation and organizes internuclear phase relationships at these multisecond time scales. While the subthalamic nucleus is not necessary for generating or transmitting these slow oscillations, it is involved in DA agonist-induced modulation of mean firing rate, oscillatory period, and internuclear phase relationship. These data further support a role for DA in modulating coherent oscillatory activity in the basal ganglia, and for the subthalamic nucleus in shaping the effects of DA receptor stimulation on basal ganglia output.