Single-trial EEG analysis reveals burst structure during photic driving.

OBJECTIVE: Photic driving in the human visual cortex evoked by intermittent photic stimulation is usually characterized in averaged data by an ongoing oscillation showing frequency entrainment and resonance phenomena during the course of stimulation. We challenge this view of an ongoing oscillation by analyzing unaveraged data. METHODS: 64-channel EEGs were recorded during visual stimulation with light flashes at eight stimulation frequencies between 7.8 and 23 Hz for fourteen healthy volunteers. Time-frequency analyses were performed in averaged and unaveraged data. RESULTS: While we find ongoing oscillations in the averaged data during intermittent photic stimulation, we find transient events (bursts) of activity in the unaveraged data. Both resonance and entrainment occur for the ongoing oscillations in the averaged data and the bursts in the unaveraged data. CONCLUSIONS: We argue that the continuous oscillations in the averaged signal may be composed of brief, transient bursts in single trials. Our results can also explain previously observed amplitude fluctuations in averaged photic driving data. SIGNIFICANCE: Single-trial analyses might consequently improve our understanding of resonance and entrainment phenomena in the brain.

An appraisal to Hans Berger by the time of his 150th birthday: the human EEG and tales of blood flow, heat and brain waves / Um ensaio sobre o aniversário de 150 anos de Hans Berger: uma história de sangue, calor e ondas cerebrais

Abstract More than 100 years of research have passed by and still the human electroencephalogram (EEG) remains a puzzle to be solved. Starting from his studies on plethysmography until his theories on brain thermodynamics, Hans Berger was able to refine his method of recording cortical signs with the apparatus at his disposal in an ordinary neuropsychiatric yard towards an early account of human EEG. This review is an appraisal of his contribution to the field of modern neurophysiology.

Resumo Mais de 100 anos se passaram e o eletroencefalograma humano (EEG) continua sendo um enigma a ser desvendado. A partir de seus estudos sobre pletismografia até suas teorias sobre termodinâmica cerebral, Hans Berger conseguiu refinar seu método de registro da atividade elétrica cortical com os equipamentos a sua disposição em uma ala psiquiátrica comum produzindo uma descrição acurada do EEG humano. Esta revisão é um breve resumo de sua contribuição para o campo da neurofisiologia moderna.

An Overview on Electrophysiological and Neuroimaging Findings in Dyslexia.

Objective: Dyslexia is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by inaccurate and slow word recognition. This article reviews neural correlates of dyslexia from both electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies. Method : In this brief review, we provide electrophysiological and neuroimaging evidence from electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in dyslexia to understand functional and structural brain changes in this condition. Results: In both electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies, the most frequently reported functional impairments in dyslexia include aberrant activation of the left hemisphere occipito-temporal cortex (OTC), temporo-parietal cortex (TPC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and cerebellar areas. EEG studies have mostly highlighted the important role of lower frequency bands in dyslexia, especially theta waves. Furthermore, neuroimaging studies have suggested that dyslexia is related to functional and structural impairments in the left hemisphere regions associated with reading and language, including reduced grey matter volume in the left TPC, decreased white matter connectivity between reading networks, and hypo-activation of the left OTC and TPC. In addition, neural evidence from pre-reading children and infants at risk for dyslexia show that there are abnormalities in the dyslexic brain before learning to read begins. Conclusion: Advances in comprehending the neural correlates of dyslexia could bring closer translation from basic to clinical neuroscience and effective rehabilitation for individuals who struggle to read. However, neuroscience still has great potential for clinical translation that requires further research.

Acupuncture for Attenuating Frontal Lobe α Band Asymmetry Induced by Anger: a pilot study.

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that anger can lead to frontal lobe α (8-13 Hz) band asymmetry (FAA) in electroencephalogram (EEG), in accordance with motivational direction. This pilot study aimed to investigate the impact of acupuncture on FAA elicited by anger. Methods: Thirty-four right-handed participants scoring above 75 points on the Novaco Anger Scale were included. Baseline EEG signals were recorded for eight minutes using a 32-channel cap under comfortable conditions. Anger was induced through a nine-minute sequence of Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations (ATSS) task. Following that, participants received acupuncture at GB20 and GB21 for 10 minutes. Fast Fourier transform was employed for frequency analysis, and repeated measure ANOVA was conducted for statistical analysis. Results: The results revealed that participants exhibited significantly higher FAA (p = 0.026), particularly in the left hemisphere, after the ATSS task sequence compared to the baseline. During acupuncture treatment, the greater left-sided FAA was significantly reduced (p = 0.027) and reversed. Upon the cessation of acupuncture, FAA returned to a value between the baseline and the anger-evoked stage (p = 0.046). Conclusion: The EEG results of this study revealed that anger stimulation induced an increase in left-sided FAA, which was effectively alleviated by acupuncture. This led to an immediate restoration of FAA asymmetry induced by anger. These findings suggest the potential of acupuncture as a treatment option for reducing FAA associated with anger.

Dynamic networks of cortico-muscular interactions in sleep and neurodegenerative disorders.

The brain plays central role in regulating physiological systems, including the skeleto-muscular and locomotor system. Studies of cortico-muscular coordination have primarily focused on associations between movement tasks and dynamics of specific brain waves. However, the brain-muscle functional networks of synchronous coordination among brain waves and muscle activity rhythms that underlie locomotor control remain unknown. Here we address the following fundamental questions: what are the structure and dynamics of cortico-muscular networks; whether specific brain waves are main network mediators in locomotor control; how the hierarchical network organization relates to distinct physiological states under autonomic regulation such as wake, sleep, sleep stages; and how network dynamics are altered with neurodegenerative disorders. We study the interactions between all physiologically relevant brain waves across cortical locations with distinct rhythms in leg and chin muscle activity in healthy and Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects. Utilizing Network Physiology framework and time delay stability approach, we find that 1) each physiological state is characterized by a unique network of cortico-muscular interactions with specific hierarchical organization and profile of links strength; 2) particular brain waves play role as main mediators in cortico-muscular interactions during each state; 3) PD leads to muscle-specific breakdown of cortico-muscular networks, altering the sleep-stage stratification pattern in network connectivity and links strength. In healthy subjects cortico-muscular networks exhibit a pronounced stratification with stronger links during wake and light sleep, and weaker links during REM and deep sleep. In contrast, network interactions reorganize in PD with decline in connectivity and links strength during wake and non-REM sleep, and increase during REM, leading to markedly different stratification with gradual decline in network links strength from wake to REM, light and deep sleep. Further, we find that wake and sleep stages are characterized by specific links strength profiles, which are altered with PD, indicating disruption in the synchronous activity and network communication among brain waves and muscle rhythms. Our findings demonstrate the presence of previously unrecognized functional networks and basic principles of brain control of locomotion, with potential clinical implications for novel network-based biomarkers for early detection of Parkinson's and neurodegenerative disorders, movement, and sleep disorders.

Neuroimaging Approach: Effects of Hot and Cold Germinated Wheat Beverages on Electroencephalographic (EEG) Activity of the Human Brain.

Neuroimaging studies using electroencephalography (EEG) have been crucial in uncovering brain activity in sensory perception, emotion regulation, and decision-making. Despite tea's global popularity, its temperature-related neural basis remains underexplored. This study investigated the effect of hot and cold germinated wheat beverages (HB and CB) in changes of brain waves using EEG. Four distinct approaches and topographical assessments were performed to gain deeper insights into the impact of EEG signals in the human brain. The four approaches showed different impacts of HB and CB intake, as all EEG spectral powers increased after drinking HB and decreased after consumption of CB. Significant increases in delta and theta waves were observed as a result of drinking HB, but significant decreases in alpha and beta waves were observed after drinking CB. The topographic maps illustrate the significant effects of HB more prominently than those of CB, displaying greater changes in delta, theta, and beta. These findings suggest the intake of HB is probably related to relaxation, calmness, mindfulness and concentration, while the intake of CB is related to alertness, attention, and working memory. Ultimately, the neuroscientific approaches provided in this study could advance consumer-based research on beverage consumption.

A Study of Brain Function Characteristics of Service Members at High Risk for Accidents in the Military.

Military accidents are often associated with stress and depressive psychological conditions among soldiers, and they often fail to adapt to military life. Therefore, this study analyzes whether there are differences in EEG and pulse wave indices between general soldiers and three groups of soldiers who have not adapted to military life and are at risk of accidents. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire and a device that can measure EEG and pulse waves, and data analysis was performed using SPSS. The results showed that the concentration level and brain activity indices were higher in the general soldiers and the soldiers in the first stage of accident risk. The body stress index was higher for each stage of accident risk, and the physical vitality index was higher for general soldiers. Therefore, it can be seen that soldiers who have not adapted to military life and are at risk of accidents have somewhat lower concentration and brain activity than general soldiers, and have symptoms of stress and lethargy. The results of this study will contribute to reducing human accidents through EEG and pulse wave measurements not only in the military but also in occupations with a high risk of accidents such as construction.

A Systematic Review on the Adult Alpha Brainwave Activity After Essential Oil Inhalation.

Aroma extracts from plant species have been utilized since ancient times for a variety of discomforting circumstances. Aromatherapy is a recognized complementary therapeutic treatment performed in various ways such as massage or dermal application, with its main uses involving relaxation, pain relief, and stress management. Several studies have outlined that inhalation of fragrance may influence the brain function since their components can cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with central nervous system receptors. The aim of this review was to systematically present findings regarding alpha brain wave activity reported exclusively by electroencephalography. The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The PubMed and Scopus databases were screened for relevant papers, based on specific eligibility criteria. The final step of the process resulted in 13 studies published between 1998 and 2021, using different essential oils. Most of the studies revealed the increase of alpha brainwave activity post-essential oil inhalation. Given the proven positive outcomes of increased alpha wave activity on several domains such as cognitive performance and better mental state, further research on the impact of essential oil inhalation is warranted.

Electroencephalography (EEG) Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Index as an Indicator of Children's Emotions in the Three Quran Learning Methods: Visual, Auditory, and Memory.

Objective: Quran memorization is familiar in Indonesia since early childhood (EC) education level and it is reported to have a positive effect on children's emotional state. This study investigates how Quran memorization influences children's emotions in a certain condition using Frontal Alpha Asymmetry (FAA) index. Method : The participants were 4 children aged 5-7 years, studying at Islamic-based schools in Surakarta. The tasks included three methods of Quran learning: visual, by watching videos; auditory, by listening to murattal recitations of the Quran; and memory, by repeating rote. The FAA index measurement used absolute power data obtained from Electroencephalography (EEG) by calculating the natural logarithm (ln [right alpha power] - ln [left alpha power]) from channel F8 and channel F7 respectively. Results: The majority of participants showed a positive FAA index in almost all tasks. The FAA index of various tasks were not significantly different from each other, with P = 0.592 based on Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. The post hoc Mann-Whitney U test does not find any intervention that stands out among the others. Conclusion: Learning the Quran with methods that involve visual, auditory, and memory activities results in positive, happy, motivated and excited feelings in children's emotional state based on the FAA index assessment.

The Role of Sound on Spirituality in Religious Environments and Islamic Architecture by Using EEG.

This present study aims to investigate the effects of the sound pressure level on mosque users' brain waves in the interior of the Nasir al-Mulk mosque in Shiraz. The research hypothesis is based on the fact that the sound pressure level is significantly related to the spiritual sense in the environmental psychology of the mosque. According, in the first step, a survey method is applied, the population of experts is formed, and sound characteristics are ranked using a questionnaire and Friedman's test. Next, the sound pressure level, which obtained the top rank, is selected to be tested and examined. In the second step, using a laboratory method and a brain wave recording device, 6 sound intensities indices were simulated and prepared in the software to carry out the test. The sound used in the present study is "Adhan" since the case study is an Islamic mosque. The test was done in the laboratory and a quiet room. To do the tests, the subjects were asked to sit and the sound was played through headphones for them. The 360-degree image of the mosque was shown to the subjects through virtual reality glasses, and finally, the data obtained from the brain waves recorded by special devices are prepared for review and analysis. The general results of the first step showed that among the characteristics of sound that are effective in creating/enhancing the spiritual sense in the architecture of mosques, sound pressure level obtains the highest score, followed by sound concept, the amplitude of sound, sound quality, sound source, and sound type, respectively. Also, the general results of the analysis of users' brain waves in the second part showed that sound pressure level (40-45 dB) is the most effective level in creating/enhancing a spiritual sense in the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz.

Case report: Cortico-ocular interaction networks in NBA2K.

The sport industry has never seen growth such as eSports'. Using synchronized monitoring of two biological processes on a 25-year-old gamer, we investigated how his brain (via EEG) and eyes (via pupil dilation) interacted dynamically over time as an integrated network during NBA2K playing time. After the spectral decomposition of the different Brain and Eye signals into seven frequency bands, we calculated the bivariate equal-time Pearson's cross-correlation between each pair of EEG/Eye spectral power time series. On average, our results show a reorganization of the cortico-muscular network across three sessions (e.g., new interactions, hemispheric asymmetry). These preliminary findings highlight the potential need for individualized, specific, adaptive, and periodized interventions and encourage the continuation of this line of research for the creation of general theories of networks in eSports gaming. Future studies should recruit larger samples, investigate different games, and explore cross-frequency coordination among other key organ systems.

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Modulate Alpha Activity: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has been one of numerous investigation methods used for their potential to modulate brain oscillations; however, such investigations have given contradictory results and a lack of standardization. OBJECTIVES: In this systematic review, we aimed to assess the potential of tACS to modulate alpha spectral power. The secondary outcome was the identification of tACS methodologic key parameters, adverse effects, and sensations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies in healthy adults who were receiving active and sham tACS intervention or any differential condition were included. The main outcome assessed was the increase/decrease of alpha spectral power through either electroencephalography or magnetoencephalography. Secondary outcomes were methodologic parameters, sensation reporting, and adverse effects. Risks of bias and the study quality were assessed with the Cochrane assessment tool. RESULTS: We obtained 1429 references, and 20 met the selection criteria. A statistically significant alpha-power increase was observed in nine studies using continuous tACS stimulation and two using intermittent tACS stimulation set at a frequency within the alpha range. A statistically significant alpha-power increase was observed in three more studies using a stimulation frequency outside the alpha range. Heterogeneity among stimulation parameters was recognized. Reported adverse effects were mild. The implementation of double blind was identified as challenging using tACS, in part owing to electrical artifacts generated by stimulation on the recorded signal. CONCLUSIONS: Most assessed studies reported that tACS has the potential to modulate brain alpha power. The optimization of this noninvasive brain stimulation method is of interest mostly for its potential clinical applications with neurological conditions associated with perturbations in alpha brain activity. However, more research efforts are needed to standardize optimal parameters to achieve lasting modulation effects, develop methodologic alternatives to reduce experimental bias, and improve the quality of studies using tACS to modulate brain activity.

Are the EEG microstates correlated with motor and non-motor parameters in patients with Parkinson's disease?

OBJECTIVES: This study compared electroencephalography microstates (EEG-MS) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) to healthy controls and correlated EEG-MS with motor and non-motor aspects of PD. METHODS: This cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted with patients with PD (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 10) matched by sex and age. We recorded EEG-MS using 32 channels during eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions and analyzed the four classic EEG-MS maps (A, B, C, D). Clinical information (e.g., disease duration, medications, levodopa equivalent daily dose), motor (Movement Disorder Society - Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale II and III, Timed Up and Go simple and dual-task, and Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test) and non-motor aspects (Mini-Mental State Exam [MMSE], verbal fluency, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 [PDQ-39]) were assessed in the PD group. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare groups, and Spearman's correlation coefficient to analyze the correlations between coverage of EEG-MS and clinical aspects of PD. RESULTS: The PD group showed a shorter duration of EEG-MS C in the eyes-closed condition than the control group. We observed correlations (rho = 0.64 to 0.82) between EEG-MS B, C, and D and non-motor aspects of PD (MMSE, verbal fluency, PDQ-39, and levodopa equivalent daily dose). CONCLUSION: Alterations in EEG-MS and correlations between topographies and cognitive aspects, quality of life, and medication dose indicate that EEG could be used as a PD biomarker. Future studies should investigate these associations using a longitudinal design.

Commonalities between the Berger Rhythm and spectra differences driven by cross-modal attention and imagination.

When people close their eyes, the power of alpha-band oscillatory brain activity increases. We explored the possibility that this could be related to a suppression of visual processing, rather than being a default dynamic of the visual brain. We recorded brain activity while people meditated with their eyes open or closed, and when people attended to or imagined having auditory or visual experiences. We could decode the attended or imagined modality of experiences based on the spectra of brain activity that prevailed while meditating with open or closed eyes. We also found anecdotal evidence suggesting the strength of imagined sensory experiences may be predicted by the dynamics of neural networks that are responsive to inputs. Overall, our data suggest spectra changes when people close their eyes might relate to a targeted suppression of visual processing, as opposed to being a default state of idle visual brains.

The Use of Electroencephalography as an Informative Tool in Assisting Early Clinical Management after Sport-Related Concussion: a Systematic Review.

Sport-related concussion (SRC) is managed primarily through serial clinical evaluations throughout recovery. However, studies suggest that clinical measures may not be suitable to detect subtle alterations in functioning and are limited by numerous internal and external factors. Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used for over eight decades to discern altered function following illnesses and injuries, including traumatic brain injury. This study evaluated the associations between EEG measures and clinical presentation within three-months following SRC. A systematic review of the literature was performed in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science databases following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses guidelines, yielding a total of 13 peer-reviewed articles. Most studies showed low to moderate bias and moderate to high quality. The majority of the existing literature on the impact of concussion within the first 3 months post-injury suggests that individuals with concussion show altered brain function, with EEG abnormalities outlasting clinical dysfunction. Of all EEG biomarkers evaluated, P300 shows the most promise and should be explored further. Despite the relatively high quality of included articles, significant limitations are still present within this body of literature, including potential conflicts of interest and proprietary algorithms, making it difficult to draw strong and meaningful conclusions on the use of EEG in the early stages of SRC. Therefore, further exploration of the relationship between EEG measures and acute clinical presentation is warranted to determine if EEG provides additional benefits over current clinical assessments and is a feasible tool in clinical settings.

Study of EEG alpha wave response on the effects of video-guided deep breathing on pain rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Athletes with chronic ankle pain (CAP) are more inclined to suffer from physical and psychological pain depending on the severity of the injuries, which might trigger the powerless feeling on future sports participation. Therefore, an efficient and simple method is useful to integrate into conventional physiotherapy (CP) for maintaining mental wellness. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to verify the effects and progress of video-guided deep breathing (DB) integrated into CP through study on the changes of alpha waves and pain scale. METHODS: Alpha waves were recorded using an electroencephalogram (EEG) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess pain intensity before and after the intervention (6 weeks). Thirty CAP participants were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: group A for video-guided DB integration into their CP and group B for CP. The effects of pre and post intervention were analyzed using a paired t-test with statistical significance set at p< 0.05. RESULTS: Profound results from the research have shown that the participants who received both the DB+CP revealed a significant increase in alpha wave (p< 0.05) at occipital region. CONCLUSION: The significant result reveals an increase in alpha waves in the occipital region after 6 weeks and indicates that the video-guided DB with a smartphone application is able to produce a change in CAP participants. This supports the DB integration to the CP for altering the pain perception.

Effects of neurofeedback on major depressive disorder: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Background Major depressive disorder is a difficult-to-treat psychological disorder. Approximately 30% of patients with major depressive disorder do not respond to conventional therapies; thus, the efficacy of alternative therapies for treating major depressive disorder, such as neurofeedback, a non-invasive neuromodulation method used in the treatment of psychiatric diseases, must be investigated. Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of neurofeedback in minimizing and treating major depressive disorder and its application as a substitute to or an adjuvant with conventional therapies. Methods We searched for experimental studies published between 1962-2021 in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases and identified 1,487 studies, among which 13 met the inclusion exclusion criteria. Results We noted that not all patients responded to neurofeedback. Based on depression scales, major depressive disorder significantly improved in response to neurofeedback only in a few individuals. Additionally, the number of training sessions did not influence the results. Conclusion Neurofeedback can reduce depression symptoms in patients; however, not all patients respond to the treatment. Therefore, further studies must be conducted to validate the effectiveness of neurofeedback in treating major depressive disorder.

Modulation of brain waves in spinal cord injury patients with pain: cross-sectional analysis / Modulação de ondas cerebrais em pacientes com lesão medular e dor: uma análise transversal / Modulación de ondas cerebrales en pacientes con lesión de médula espinal y dolor: un análisis transversal

ABSTRACT: Objective: This study aimed to describe the encephalographic electrical rhythm pattern of the Alpha wave in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury in the thoracic spine. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted from January to March 2022. A total of 20 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury were included in the study and divided into two groups, with pain symptoms and without pain symptoms. Both groups were submitted for evaluation for population characterization, identification of the presence of pain and the possible presence of signs and symptoms of central sensitization and quantitative electroencephalographic examination. Results: Comparing them, it was possible to observe a reduction of 38.7% (2.69µV; 95%CI 1.28 to 4.09) in the Alpha 2 wave (10-12 Hz) in the group with pain symptoms. This alteration was identified in the parietal lobe, mainly in PZ. Conclusion: We observed a selective reduction of Alpha 2 waves, mainly in the parietal region (PZ), in spinal cord injury patients with pain compared to spinal cord injury patients without pain. Level of Evidence III; Diagnostic Studies.

RESUMO: Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o padrão do ritmo eletroencefalográfico da onda Alfa em pacientes com lesão medular traumática na coluna torácica. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo observacional transversal, realizado no período de janeiro a março de 2022. No total 20 pacientes com lesão medular traumática foram incluídos no estudo e divididos em dois grupos, com sintomas de dor e sem sintomas de dor. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos a avaliação para caracterização populacional, identificação de presença de dor e possível presença de sinais e sintomas de sensibilização central e ao exame Eletroencefalográfico quantitativo. Resultados: Ao compará-los foi possível constatar uma redução de 38,7% (2.69µV; 95%IC 1,28 to 4.09) da onda Alfa 2 (10-12 Hz) do grupo com sintomas de dor. Essa alteração foi identificada no lobo parietal, principalmente em PZ. Conclusão: Observamos uma redução seletiva de ondas Alfa 2, principalmente na região parietal (PZ), em pacientes com lesão medular com dor em relação aos pacientes lesão medular sem dor. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo diagnóstico.

RESUMEN: Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el patrón del ritmo electroencefalográfico de la onda Alfa en pacientes con lesión medular traumática en la columna torácica. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio observacional transversal realizado entre enero y marzo de 2022. En total, se incluyeron 20 pacientes con lesión medular traumática en el estudio, divididos en dos grupos, uno con síntomas de dolor y otro sin síntomas de dolor. Ambos grupos fueron sometidos a evaluación para caracterización poblacional, identificación de presencia de dolor y posible presencia de signos y síntomas de sensibilización central, así como al examen electroencefalográfico cuantitativo. Resultados: Al compararlos, se pudo constatar una reducción del 38,7% (2,69 µV; IC del 95%: 1,28 a 4,09) en la onda Alfa 2 (10-12 Hz) del grupo con síntomas de dolor. Esta alteración se identificó en el lóbulo parietal, principalmente en PZ. Conclusión: Observamos una reducción selectiva de las ondas Alfa 2, principalmente en la región parietal (PZ), en pacientes con lesión medular y dolor en comparación con pacientes con lesión medular sin dolor. Nivel de Evidencia III; Estudios de diagnósticos.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on brain waves, behavioral performance, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common chronic mental and behavioral disorder among children. Some studies showed the lower levels of vitamin D in patients with ADHD compared with the healthy people. Few clinical trials were conducted in this field. The present study will be performed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation in children with ADHD. METHODS: We will conduct a double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on brain waves, behavioral performance, serum nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in 50 patients with ADHD. The intervention group will receive one capsule 50,000 IU vitamin D every week, for 8 weeks. The control group will receive one placebo capsule containing 1000 mg olive oil every week. Electroencephalography will be performed for 10 min using Brain Master Discovery from 19 scalp sites both before the first intervention and the 10 sessions of the therapy. The artifact-free periods of 1-min electroencephalography data will be analyzed for quantitative electroencephalography measures. DISCUSSION: For the first time, this clinical trial will evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on brain waves, serum nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with ADHD. The results of the present clinical trial will provide a better vision about the vitamin D efficacy in patients with ADHD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on 5 November 2020 at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with code number IRCT20200922048802N1 ( https://www.irct.ir/trial/51410 ).

Therapeutic Neuromodulation toward a Critical State May Serve as a General Treatment Strategy.

Brain disease has become one of this century's biggest health challenges, urging the development of novel, more effective treatments. To this end, neuromodulation represents an excellent method to modulate the activity of distinct neuronal regions to alleviate disease. Recently, the medical indications for neuromodulation therapy have expanded through the adoption of the idea that neurological disorders emerge from deficits in systems-level structures, such as brain waves and neural topology. Connections between neuronal regions are thought to fluidly form and dissolve again based on the patterns by which neuronal populations synchronize. Akin to a fire that may spread or die out, the brain's activity may similarly hyper-synchronize and ignite, such as seizures, or dwindle out and go stale, as in a state of coma. Remarkably, however, the healthy brain remains hedged in between these extremes in a critical state around which neuronal activity maneuvers local and global operational modes. While it has been suggested that perturbations of this criticality could underlie neuropathologies, such as vegetative states, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, a major translational impact is yet to be made. In this hypothesis article, we dissect recent computational findings demonstrating that a neural network's short- and long-range connections have distinct and tractable roles in sustaining the critical regime. While short-range connections shape the dynamics of neuronal activity, long-range connections determine the scope of the neuronal processes. Thus, to facilitate translational progress, we introduce topological and dynamical system concepts within the framework of criticality and discuss the implications and possibilities for therapeutic neuromodulation guided by topological decompositions.