Early Alpha Reactivity is Associated with Long-Term Mental Fatigue Behavioral Impairments.

The quantitative analysis of electroencephalogram (qEEG) is a suitable tool for mental fatigue (MF) assessment. Here, we evaluated the effects of MF on behavioral performance and alpha power spectral density (PSD) and the association between early alpha PSD reactivity and long-term behavioral MF impairments. Nineteen right-handed adults (21.21 ± 1.77 years old) had their EEG measured during five blocks of the visual oddball paradigm (~ 60 min). A paired t-test was used to compare first and last block values of cognitive performance and alpha PSD. The sample was divided into high (HAG) and low alpha group (LAG) by early alpha PSD median values. The behavioral performance of the HAG and LAG was compared across the blocks by a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures (groups and blocks). MF impairs general behavioral performance and increases alpha PSD. The HAG presents more behavioral impairment when compared to LAG across the task. Simple linear regression between early alpha PSD and behavioral performance across the task can predict 19 to 39% of variation in general behavior impairment by MF. In conclusion, MF induction impairs general behavioral and increases alpha PSD. The other finding was that higher alpha PSD reactivity is associated to higher long-term behavioral impairments of MF. This work contributes to existing knowledge of MF by providing evidence that the possibility of investigating early electrophysiological biomarkers to predict long-term MF impairments.

N2 event-related potential component is associated with cardiac autonomic tone regulation during mental fatigue.

Mental fatigue alters cognitive performance and autonomic regulation. The neurovisceral model proposes that forebrain structures associated to cognitive control abilities influences heart rate variability. Parasympathetic mediated heart rate variability indices reduction during mental fatigue experience is well-described in previous studies, but the contribution of heart-brain axis to cardiac autonomic adaptation remains unknown. This study investigates the association between root mean square of successive differences between RR intervals (rMSSD) and N2 event-related potential component during visual prolonged odd/ball task (≅ 60min.). The comparison between task blocks shows that rMSSD (p = 0.004) and N2 (p = 0.04) decreased with time on task. Pearson correlation shows that ΔrMSSD is associated with ΔN2 (p = 0.007). Our results support the neurovisceral integration model showing that cognitive control contributes to cardiac autonomic tone adaptation during mental fatigue experience.

A relação entre a prática regular de videogames e atenção sustentada / The relationship between regular video game practice and sustained attention

A atenção sustentada é um domínio cognitivo presente em atividades essenciais na rotina de jovens universitários que dispendem muitas horas em sala de aula, concentrando a atenção em aulas expositivas, realização de exercícios e estudos para provas. Este estudo investigou a relação entre a prática regular com videogames e a habilidade de atenção sustentada avaliada através do CPT II. Colaboraram com a pesquisa 122 universitários da região metropolitana de Florianópolis, divididos entre jogadores de videogame de ação e não ação, bem como não jogadores. Os participantes responderam uma bateria de testes, incluindo a avaliação da atenção sustentada, mapeamento de dados sociodemográficos e hábitos com videogames. Os resultados demonstram que, ao controlar o impacto de variáveis intervenientes, não se constatou diferença atencional entre os grupos. A comparação entre sexos apresentou significância com relação ao desempenho atencional, em que os homens tendem a responder mais rápido e mulheres cometem menos erros. Os achados sugerem que a prática regular com videogames não possui relação com desempenho atencional e pesquisas futuras devem investigar impactos de variáveis intervenientes, como a comparação entre sexos.

Sustained attention is a cognitive domain present in essential activities in the routine of young university students who spend many hours in the classroom, focusing attention on lectures, performing exercises and studying for tests. This study investigated the relationship between regular practice with video games and the sustained attention skill assessed through CPT II. 122 university students from the metropolitan region of Florianópolis collaborated with the research, divided between action and non-action video game players, as well as non-players. Participants performed a battery of tests, including the assessment of sustained attention, mapping of sociodemographic data and habits with video games. The results demonstrate that, when controlling the impact of intervening variables, there was no attentional difference between the groups. The comparison between sexes was significant in terms of attentional performance, in which men tend to respond faster and women make fewer mistakes. The findings suggest that regular practice with video games is not related to attentional performance and future research should investigate the impacts of intervening variables, such as such as sex comparison.

Adaptações do cérebro durante uma tarefa de longa duração: Um estudo de Potencial Relacionado a Evento / Brain adaptations during a long-time task: An Event-Related Potential (ERP) study

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é investigar o efeito da demanda cognitiva prolongada na modulação do Potencial Relacionado a Evento (ERP) em um paradigma de controle inibitório. Os dados foram coletados em 19 voluntários destros, com a média de idade de 21,21 (±1,77) anos, que realizaram o paradigma do Go/NoGo durante 50 minutos, com gravação sincronizada do eletroencefalograma para obtenção dos ERPs. O efeito do tempo de realização da tarefa provocou alterações significativas nas variáveis subjetivas, de desempenho cognitivo e nas amplitudes máximas dos componentes N2 e P3. Nossos resultados sugerem que quando nosso cérebro está submetido a demandas cognitivas extensas, ocorrem adaptações para a manutenção do desempenho comportamental através da estratégia de realocação de recursos energéticos.

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of prolonged cognitive demand in Event Related Potential (ERP) modulation in inhibitory control paradigm. Data were collected in 19 right-handed volunteers with mean age of 21.21 (±1,77) years who performed the Go/NoGo paradigm for 50 minutes, with synchronized electroencephalogram recording to obtain the ERPs. The time on task effect induced significant changes in subjective variable, cognitive performance and maximum amplitudes of the N2 and P3 component. Our results suggest that when our brain is subjected to extensive cognitive demands, there are adaptations to maintain the behavioral performance through strategy reallocation of energy resources.

Top-down vs. Bottom-up: alterações no processamento de informações durante a indução de fadiga mental / Top-down vs. bottom-up: alterations in information processing during mental fatigue induction

A Fadiga Mental (FM) ocorre durante ou após um período prolongado de demanda cognitiva repetitiva somado a recompensas insatisfatórias. Este estudo pretende investigar alterações no processamento de informações top-down e bottom-up nocontrole inibitório durante a indução de FM através do protocolo de tarefa cognitiva por tempo prolongado. Participaram do experimento 19 sujeitos (9 homens) com idades entre 18 e 24 anos (M=21,21 DP=1,77), submetidos ao paradigma Go/NoGo contendo cinco blocos de 250 tentativas com intervalos de 30 segundos entre blocos, totalizando 50 minutos de atividade. A ANOVA para medidas repetidas sugere efeito significativo do tempo de realização da tarefa no aumento no tempo de reação do processamento top-down, F4,15 = 3,66, p<0,05, no número de erros por omissão, F4,15 = 4,75, p<0,05, e uma redução no tempo de resposta do processamento bottom-up, F4,15 = 5,39, p<0,05. Estes achados sugerem que a realização de uma tarefa cognitiva durante um período prolongado provoca prejuízo significativo no desempenho cognitivo, com ênfase no processamento de informações top-down, não impedindo a realização de um comportamento, mas prejudicando sua qualidade de execução.

Mental Fatigue (FM) occurs during or after a prolonged period of repetitivecognitive demand coupled with unsatisfactory rewards. This study intends toinvestigate changes in the processing of top-down and bottom-up information oninhibitory control during FM induction through the cognitive task protocol for aprolonged time. A total of 19 subjects (9 males) aged 18 to 24 years (M = 21.21 SD= 1.77) were submitted to the Go / NoGo paradigm containing five blocks of 250trials with 30-second intervals between blocks, totalizing 50 minutes of activity.The ANOVA for repeated measures suggests a significant effect of the time ofaccomplishment of the task in the increase in the time of reaction of the top-downprocessing, F4,15 = 3.66, p <0.05, in the number of errors by default, F4,15 = 4.75, p<0.05, and a reduction in response time of bottom-up processing, F4.15 = 5.39, p<0.05. These findings suggest that performing a cognitive task over a prolongedperiod causes significant impairment in cognitive performance, with an emphasison top-down information processing, not hindering the performance of a behaviorbut impairing its quality of execution.

Processos cognitivos de experts: contribuições da psicologia, neurociência e tendências de pesquisa / Cognitive processes in experts: contributions from psychology, neuroscience and research trends

Um indivíduo detentor de intensa habilidade e conhecimento específicos em uma determinada área denomina-se expert. Historicamente, a civilização esteve interessada na investigação de sujeitos com performances diferenciadas no campo do esporte, ciência e arte. Os objetivos deste trabalho são ilustrar investigações científicas sobre a formação de experts, destacando as contribuições da psicologia e da neurociência, bem como realizar uma projeção de possíveis tendências de pesquisa. Para realizar esta revisão de literatura, os termos "Expert", "Alta Performance", "Eletroencefalograma (EEG)" e "Psicofisiologia" foram pesquisados nas bases de dados PubMed, ScienceDirect e Scielo de maneira individual e combinada nos idiomas Inglês e Português. Percebeu-se que cada período apresentou contribuições significativas na compreensão do desenvolvimento de um expert,complementando-se a partir do avanço metodológico e tecnológico que permitiram a elaboração de respostas mais profundas sobre o funcionamento cognitivo de experts. As tendências de pesquisa estão vinculadas à utilização de tecnologias de monitoramento do sistema nervoso para avaliação e compreensão dos processos cognitivos em experts, bem como no desenvolvimento de métodos de treinamento baseados em intervenções que interferem no funcionamento do sistema nervoso

An expert can be described as a person with intense skill and specific knowledge in a particular area. Historically, civilization has been interested in the investigation of subjects with different performances in sport, science and art. This paper aims to illustrate scientific research on the training of experts, highlighting the contributions of psychology and neuroscience and present a projection of possible research trends. To perform this literature review, the terms "Expert", "High Performance", "Electroencephalogram (EEG)" and "Psychophysiology" were searched in the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scielo databases individually and combined in English and Portuguese. Each period presented significant contributions in the expert development understanding, complemented by the methodological and technological advance that allowed the elaboration of more complex hypoteshis on the cognitive functioning of experts. Research trends are related to nervous system monitoring technologies to evaluate and understand cognitive processes in experts, as well the training methods based on interventions that interfere direcly in nervous system functioning.