[Relationships between the Flexibility of Cognitive Performance and the Response of Alpha-Rhythm in the Go/NoGo Task].

During the experiments, healthy subjects (n = 35) completed Go/NoGo task with a set towards the recognition of negative face expression; the visual stimuli were set in the middle of a 16-second-long interval between target (face) and triggering stimuli. The local changes in low-frequency alpha-oscillations in response to stimuli (desynchronization after a positive Go stimulus and synchronization after an inhibitory NoGo stimulus) take place in posterior frontal and anterior temporal lobes of the left hemisphere, i.e., in cortical areas directly involved in speech processes. In subjects with flexible set towards recognition, we observed synchronization of alpha-rhythm after inhibitory NoGo stimulus; in subjects with more stable set, this did not occur. Thus, we obtained new experimental data confirming that induced synchronization of alpha-oscillations reflects the enhancement of descending inhibitory control of the prefrontal cortex.

[Changes of Alpha Cortical Potentials Spatial Synchronization on Value Go/NoGo Stimuli].

At healthy people (n = 35) on model of the cognitive set on an angry face is shown: introduction of positive and negative coordinated stimuli Go/NoGo in the inter-stimuli interval can change considerably the top-down positive and negative influences of prefrontal cortex on the cortical areas participating in a visual perception and by that to influence plasticity of the set. The cortical topography of the top-down influences in response to NoGo is determined by local changes of power of fluctuations of potentials in alpha rhythm range. Changes of spatial synchronization of alpha potentials occurs only in their low-frequency range, depending on the level of plasticity of the set. At its rigid forms coherent communications between prefrontal and other cortical zones it is obviously more expressed in the left hemisphere. Apparently at rigid forms of cognitive activity left-side cortical activation with more essential involvement of speech, semantic functions, plays the compensating role.

[Changes of the alpha-rhythm after introducing stimuli Go/NoGo in the context of experiments with a set to an angry face].

At healthy adults is (n = 35) in the middle of 16 second pauses between target (faces) and starting stimuli conditioning signals Go/NoGo. Lack of essential changes of flexibility of the set after introduction of an additional cognitive task is explained by enhansment of the induced synchronization of an alpha rhythm in time intervals between target, conditioning and starting stimuli. The increase of alpha potentials synchronization reflect the top-down inhibitory control suppressing effect of irrelevant factors, and that facilitating processing of significant information. In the range of time between NoGo and starting stimuli locally in a motor zone of cortex of only the left hemisphere (C3, FC3) the induced synchronization of low-frequency and especially high-frequency alpha rhythm is registered. One more experimental confirmation of the theory on the brake nature of this electrophysiological phenomenon is obtained. Used in physiology of the highest nervous activity of concept about internal or conditional inhibition is considered within the theory of top-down inhibitory control from prefrontal cortex.

[The spatial synchronization and power of the alpha and theta rhythm after action of signals Go/NoGo].

At adult healthy subjects (n = 35) in pause between the target (facial expression) and triggering stimuli showed the conditioning signals of Go/NoGo defining significants of triggering stimulus. The low-frequency alpha rhythm reacts to stimuli Go/NoGo in the left hemisphere more strongly. The coherence of low-frequency alpha potentials on 5-7 second after positive and negative conditioning (Go/NoGo) stimuli increases. Just before the triggering stimulus irrespective of their sign, confirms situation that development of a differentiation demands not less functional activity, than positive conditional reaction. Modulation of cortical activity is connected generally with the talamo-cortical system of selective attention. The coherence a theta rhythm increases after action of positive conditioning signal in the medial cortical areas. It is linked with the function of emotional memory.

[The role of the top-down inhibitory control in providing flexibility of cortical processes of recognition of emotional face expression].

On the ground of own and those found in literature it is argued that the neural mechanism of implicit estimation of time intervals between significant visual events should be considered in the framework of top-down cognitive control. Based on that view, putative mechanism of active inhibition are considered. Based on the set model on recognition of emotionally negative face expression it is shown that implicit estimation of time intervals between significant visual events plays an important role in providing flexibility of cognitive processes.

[Psychophysiological signs of high-flexible forms of set on the emotionally negative facial expression].

In a series of studies of influence of past experience on an recognition of emotionally negative facial expression where obtained experimental facts which we consider as the formation signs of under certain conditions high-plastic cognitive (flexible) sets ("not fixed sets", according to D.N. Uznadze) when there switching or updating was not accompanied by illusory distortion of recognition. The studies of this form of set revealed: 1--the induced reaction of synchronization of a teta-rhythm to target stimulus was larger, than in cases with rigid set; 2--the induced reaction of an alpha rhythm to target stimulus is expressed in its synchronization, at the others cases--in a desynchronization; 3--at increase in a time interval between target and trigger stimuli observe alpha rhythm synchronization in the prestimulus period and in time intervals between them, at other cases it wasn't observed; 4--at children this form of set observed at the age of 10-11 years when "mature" set on an facial expression is formed.

[Changes of the l and upper alpha frequency oscillating during time intervals between meaningful visual stimuli].

In healthy adults (n = 35) was used the model of the cognitive set to emotionally negative facial expression ("angry face"). In order to load the working memory was lengthened the time interval between target (face) and trigger stimuli. In cases of the flexible set (no errors in recognition of facial expression was accompanied switching or updating the set) the induced high frequency alpha oscillations (10.5-13 Hz) were more pronounced than in subjects with the rigid set (six and more errors). The role of the "top-down cognitive control" in providing flexible form of cognitive sets are discussed.

[Induced synchronization of alpha rhythm in the time intervals between the visual stimuli at different degrees of set flexibility].

In healthy adults (n = 35) was used the model the set study of recognition angry facial expression. The load on working memory by extending the interstimuli time up to 16 sec between the target (facial image) and starting (spot light) stimuli does not lead to a significant slowdown of switching of the set. Differences in the magnitude of the induced synchronization of the alpha rhythm in interstimulus period obtained in the subjects with the change in recognition of emotional facial expressions and the subjects "without errors". At the last group synchronization is clearly more pronounced. The implementation of successive cognitive acts is modulated by selective attention, whichis evident in the level of changes the induced synchronization/desynchronization of alpha range potential. The proposed mechanism "inhibitory control" provides the flexibility of cognitive processes by suppressing effect on cortical processes irrelevant factors during interstimulation pauses. This "protective" mechanism, we believe due to little effect of the loading on working memory.

[Dynamics of induced EEG in the intervals between a target and trigger stimuli during formation of a set to emotionally negative facial expression].

A visual set was used as a model to study the influence of the increased memory load on the recognition of facial expression in 70 healthy adults. In order to additionally load the working memory, we lengthened the time gap between target (faces) and trigger stimuli. Such a lengthening from 1 to 8 s resulted in an increase of set plasticity (fewer mistakes in facial expression recognition). It also led to a reduction of the reaction time and less number of contrast illusions in recognition. We analyzed theta- and alpha-band EEG changes during individual segments of the time gap and suggested that repeated trials with a certain fixed interval between stimuli formed an inner representation of the interval duration. This inner representation up-regulates the visual attention in case of anticipation of a relevant event (stimulus) and down-regulates the attention when the stimulus is not expected. In case of the plastic set, the induced EEG synchronization in the alpha band is stronger in the trials with correct recognition in the middle of the inter-stimulus time gap. We think this synchronization reflects the action of the top-down cognitive control that suppresses the influence of irrelevant information on the brain activity. Theta-band dynamics in the inter-stimulus time gap can be associated with the emotional strain caused by the fact that a person had to retain in memory (for several seconds) the result of facial expression recognition.

[Development of function of the recognition of angry face expression in children of 5-11 years old].

At children 5-6, 7-8 and 10-11 years on model of cognitive set are revealed age features of influence of last experience on perception of a face expression. At children of 5-6 years rigid set on an angry face was experimentally formed: at a testing stage show set-shifting caused large number of erroneous recognition of face expression of perseverative type (assimilative illusions). Plasticity of the set raises in 7-8-year age and considerably the number of assimilative illusions decreases. On 10-11 years sets doesn't differ essentially from adult people on plasticity and a ratio of number of assimilative and contrast illusions. Changes of spatial synchronization of electric potentials teta- and alpha ranges of frequencies in all age groups it is observed generally at a stage of formation of set. On all age groups strong correlation between bioelectric data and features of the set on a face expression is revealed. These data supports the hypothesis that cortiko-hippocampal and fronto-thalamic functional systems of integration of a brain activity participate in the organization of a set on an emotional face expression and provide cognitive flexibility.

[Changes in the spatial synchronization of neocortical potentials in interstimulus intervals during formation of a set to emotionally negative facial expression].

The model of cognitive set to emotionally negative facial expression was used in the study (35 young healthy subjects) of EEG events in a 8-second interval between the target and triggering stimuli. Coherence of brain potentials recorded from different cortical areas of the right and left brain hemispheres in the alpha and theta bands was analyzed in time segments within pre- and poststimulus intervals. A certain dynamics in the spatial synchronization in the alpha-band was revealed, which might reflect modulation of selective attention in time periods of the cognitive process providing its plasticity and set shift in response to a change in the situation. It is suggested that the source of attention modulation is the inner representation of the intervals between significant stimuli formed in the prefrontal cortex as a result of learning. Analysis of changes in the spatial synchronization in the theta band at individual stages of the set to angry face suggests that the corticohippocampal system is not directly involved in the time interval estimation but is linked to the emotional memory.

[Theta and alpha-band EEG spatial synchronization under the conditions of visual set, formed to an angry face expression. A study of 5-11-year-old children].

EEG coherence in theta and alpha bands during set-forming and set-shifting was studied in 5-6-year-old (n=18) and 10-11-year-old (n=25) children. Set was formed to visual stimuli (facial photos with emotionally negative expression). Younger children displayed smaller coherence values, especially in the right hemisphere, than older ones. We also revealed differences in theta and alpha band coherence in cases of a rigid and a plastic set. For example, EEG-coherence values were smaller when cognitive processes were relatively rigid (i.e., in a case of a slower set-shifting). A strong correlation between electrophysiological and behavioral data supports the hypothesis that cortico-hippocampal and fronto-thalamic brain integration systems participate in facial expression recognition and provide cognition flexibility.

[Cognitive control in recognition of emotionally negative face in 5-10-year-old children].

We used the experimental model of cognitive visual set, designed by D.N. Uznadze, to study the influence of previous experience on emotional face expression recognition in pre-school (6.1 +/- 0.3 years) and elementary school (10.5 +/- 0.1 years) children. Our results suggest that the ability to form a cognitive set to an angry face expression develops in ontogenesis in strong concordance with functional maturation of prefrontal cortex that takes place at the age of approximately 10 years. At this age children display almost the same level of set plasticity and a similar kind of erroneous perceptions during set actualization as grown-ups. Children of younger age (6.1 +/- 0.3 years) display more perceverative erroneous perceptions, or assimilative illusions (probably of a priming origin), than the above mentioned groups. We consider this to be a result of a more strong influence of previous experience in their case.

[Changes in face expression recognition caused by additional visual-spatial load].

Changes in face expression recognition and EEG synchronization arising from additional load on working memory were studied in healthy adults. Two types of additional task--semantic and visuospatial--were used to load working memory in an experiment with a visual set, formed to facial stimuli. During perception of new facial stimuli, both these types of additional task caused an increase of erroneous face expression recognitions in the form of assimilative illusions. Alpha-band (8-10 Hz) EEG synchronization analysis revealed that additional memory load causes a decrease of frontal attention system input in set-forming and set-shifting. As for theta-band (4-7 Hz) synchronization, it changed ambiguously at additional memory load--in right fronto-temporal region coherence function decreased; other coherence connections, especially intra-hemispheric and in the left hemisphere, increased. At issue is the crucial role of fronto-thalamic and cortico-hippocampal systems in plasticity of visual sets formed to facial expressions.

[Induced synchronization/desynchronization of the theta and alpha cortical electrical activity to a face stimuli with increasing visual working memory load].

Using a cognitive set to emotional facial expression as a model, induced synchronization/desynchronization of the cortical theta- and alpha-activities were studied in adult healthy people under conditions of increased load on the working memory (additional task of the verbal stimuli recognition). A correlation was found between behavioral (increase in the set rigidity) and electrophysiological (decrease of the induced theta-rhythm synchronization) data. A hypothesis is suggested that the earlier revealed increase in the tonic prestimulus theta-activity and suppression of the poststimulus phasic activation of the cortico-hippocampal system are one of the mechanisms of the decrease in plasticity of the cognitive function of the emotional facial expression recognition under conditions of the increased load on the working memory. Reciprocal relations between two functional systems of the brain activity integration (cortico-hippocampal and fronto-thalamic) in the process of recognition of emotional facial expression are discussed.

[Induced cortical electrical activity during different time-spans between warning and target stimuli].

A certain alpha-band EEG dynamics was revealed in healthy adults (n = 16) at the interval between a warning and a target stimulus in a simple visuospatial task (subjects were instructed to locate a specific letter in the table of letters). Two series of experiment--either with a 2-sec or a 9-sec inter-stimulus interval were conducted, each consisting of 60 trials. In both series, we observed an induced desynchronization of low alpha (8-10 Hz) at the first second after the warning stimulus and its desynchronization just before the target stimulus. In series with a 9-sec inter-stimulus interval at the 4-6 s of it we observed an alpha-band synchronization, especially distinct in high alpha (10.5-13 Hz). This synchronization gradually reduced towards the end of the inter-stimulus interval. We consider the above changes in alpha-band spectral power during the inter-stimulus interval to be induced by "inner impulsations" caused by an internal representation (set) of the stimuli time-sequence. Changes in the level of cognitive control during the inter-stimulus interval cause increases and decreases in fronto-thalamic system activity, which are manifested in changes of alpha-band spectral power. Analysis of theta-band dynamics suggests that cortico-hippocampal system doesn't participate in this process.

[Flexibility of cognitive activity depends on its context].

The main purpose of this survey is to explain the importance of set-shifting for a flexible cognitive activity. Working memory overload may result in set-shifting slowdown, i.e., in a more rigid set and in a less flexible cognitive activity. This effect displays itself in an increase of erroneous perceptions of external stimuli. Set rigidity level also depends on the cognitive activity context (i.e., on the type of external stimuli the person has to deal with). We analyzed EEG-coherence function and induced synchronization/desynchronization responses in theta (4-7 Hz) and low alpha (8-10 Hz) bands. Basing on these data, we discuss the role of tonic and phasic forms of cortico-hippocampal and fronto-thalamic systems' activation in cognitive activity flexibility.

[Influence of the working memory load on the spatial synchronization of prestimulus cortical electrical activity during recognition of facial expression].

The effect of increased working memory load (introduction of additional cognitive task into the context) was studied in adult healthy subjects (n = 35, 16 men, 19 women) in experiments with cognitive set. The EEG coherence in the frequency bands theta (4-7 Hz) and alpha (8-13 Hz), as well as alphal (8-10 Hz) and alpha2 (11-13 Hz) was analyzed and compared to the control data obtained in the experiments without additional memory load. Additional memory load was accompanied by an increase in the rigidity of the set to facial expression and substantial change in the pattern of the spatial synchronization of cortical potentials: coherence of potentials in the theta bands increased between the left and right frontal areas and between the frontal and temporal areas. A hypothesis is suggested that the rigidity of the set to emotionally negative facial expression is associated with the activation of the cortico-hippocampal system, which is justified by a substantial increase in coherence in the theta band in the frontal area known as the key structure in the functioning of cognitive sets. Loading the working memory is associated also with substantial weakening of the spatial synchronization of the low-frequency alpha rhythm, which presumably reflects the increase in the role of the fronto-thalamic system of selective attention in the process of recognition due to redistribution of attention induced by the additional cognitive task included in the context of current activity of a subject.

[EEG spatial synchronization at different set stages in 8-year-old children with different levels of selective attention fronto-thalamic system maturity].

Visual cognitive set was studied in two groups of 8-year-old children: with normal development of fronto-thalamic system (FTS) (n = 21) and with functional immaturity of this system (n = 29). In most of the children with the FTS-immaturity a formed visual set was rigid. EEG was recorded from the frontal, central, temporal, parietal and occipital regions, and coherence function in theta-, alpha- and beta-bands was analyzed. The most vivid differences between two groups of children were revealed at the set actualization stage. If the set was a plastic one, the value of coherence function between frontal and dorsal areas was higher in children with FTS-immaturity, than in "normal" ones. In the group with FTS-immaturity the dependence of coherence function on the set's plasticity was more vivid, than in children without FTS-immaturity. In all children with a rigid set value of coherence function was higher during set formation, actualization and extinction, than at resting condition with eyes opened. In the group with FTS-immaturity the coherence of theta-band considerably increased at the set actualization stage, mainly in the right hemisphere. We consider this to be the evidence of a comparatively bigger role of cortico-hippocampal system and implicit episodic memory the set shifting. Probably these processes compensate the FTS-dysfunction and make a set more plastic.

Evoked synchronization/desynchronization of cortical electrical activity in response to facial stimuli during formation of a set to an emotionally negative expression.

Evoked EEG theta and alpha rhythm synchronization/desynchronization responses to facial stimuli were studied in healthy subjects (n = 35) in an experiment involving formation of a set to an emotionally negative facial expression. The magnitude of the evoked theta activity synchronization response in the group of subjects with the plastic type of set was greater and the latent period was shorter than in the group with the rigid type of set. These differences were particularly clear in the temporal and parietal-occipital areas. A sufficiently high level of the phasic theta potentials synchronization response, reflecting the level of activity of the corticohippocampal feedback system during the perception of facial stimuli, was required for rapid substitution of the set to facial expressions. In subjects with plastic sets, the evoked low-frequency alpha potentials response was apparent as synchronization, while that in subjects of the "rigid" group consisted of desynchronization. These results were interpreted in terms of the concept of Klimesch (2007) that the evoked alpha potentials synchronization response is a measure of inhibition in cognitive activity. The alpha potentials synchronization response reflects the process of inhibitory control, which plays an important coordinating role in organizing the plastic properties of the set in relation to its inhibition when it ceases to correspond to new stimuli. The involvement of the tonic and phasic forms of cortical activation, mediated by the corticohippocampal and frontothalamic brain systems, in the functional organization of the cognitive set to an emotionally negative facial expression is discussed.