Concepts in Space: Enhancing Lexical Search With a Spatial Diversity Prime

Cognitive Science, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 47(8)

Опубликована: Авг. 1, 2023

Informed by theories of embodied cognition, in the present study, we designed a novel priming technique to investigate impact spatial diversity and script direction on searching through concepts both English Persian (i.e., two languages with opposite directions). First, participants connected target dot either one other (linear condition) or multiple dots (diverse from left right (rightward (leftward computer touchscreen using their dominant hand's forefinger. Following prime, they were asked generate as many words possible two-letter cues (e.g., "lo" → "love," "lobster") 20 s. We hypothesized that greater diversity, consistency direction, should facilitate conceptual search result higher number word productions. In languages, production performance was superior for diverse prime relative linear suggesting lexical memory is facilitated diversity. Although some effects observed directionality not consistent across experiments did correlate direction. This pattern results suggests promotes paths can improve retrieval lends empirical support cognition framework, which relations play crucial role system.

Язык: Английский

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Frequency-specific modulation of oscillatory activity in the rat auditory cortex by vagus nerve stimulation

Brain stimulation, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 16(5), С. 1476 - 1485

Опубликована: Сен. 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Gain neuromodulation mediates perceptual switches: evidence from pupillometry, fMRI, and RNN Modelling

Опубликована: Янв. 25, 2024

Perceptual updating has been proposed to rely upon evolving activity within a recurrent, distributed thalamocortical network whose interconnections are modulated by bursts of ascending neuromodulatory neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline. To test this hypothesis mechanistically, we leveraged combination pupillometry, fMRI and recurrent neural modelling an ambiguous figures task. Qualitative shifts in the perceptual interpretation image were associated with peaks pupil diameter, indirect readout phasic tone. We hypothesized that increases tone led gain alteration so causally mediate switches. hypothesis, trained perform analogous categorisation task, then manipulated RNN mimic effect As predicted, observed earlier shift function heightened gain. Leveraging low-dimensional dynamics, developed two novel predictions: switches should co-occur brain state velocity flattened energy landscape dynamics. used dimensionality-reduced summaries whole-brain dynamics independently confirm each these predictions. These results support role system large-scale reconfigurations abrupt changes perception.

Язык: Английский

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Brain-wide impacts of sedation on spontaneous activity and auditory processing in larval zebrafish

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 30, 2024

Abstract Despite their widespread use, we have limited knowledge of the mechanisms by which sedatives mediate effects on brain-wide networks. This is, in part, due to technical challenge observing activity across large populations neurons normal and sedated brains. In this study, examined sedative dexmedetomidine, its antagonist atipamezole, spontaneous brain dynamics auditory processing zebrafish larvae. Our brain-wide, cellular-resolution calcium imaging reveals, for first time, regions involved these network-scale individual that are affected within those regions. Further analysis reveals a variety dynamic changes at baseline, including marked reductions activity, correlation, variance. The variance represent “quieter” state during sedation, an effect causes highly correlated evoked system stand out more than it does un-sedated We also observe reduction response latencies suggesting removal leaves core pathway free impingement from other non-auditory information. Finally, describe less network with higher energy barrier lower probability transitions sedation. total, our shows sedation leads quieter, stable, brain, against background, responses become sharper prominent. Significance Statement Animals’ states constantly fluctuate environment context, leading perception behavioral choices. Alterations perception, sensorimotor gating, selection hallmarks numerous neuropsychiatric disorders, but circuit- network-level underpinnings alterations poorly understood. Pharmacological alters responsiveness provides controlled repeatable manipulation studying underlying circuitry. Here, show larval dexmedetomidine reduces locomotion portions behavior intact. computationally model levels neurons, local circuits, networks lead altered sensory

Язык: Английский

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Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation enhances short-latency afferent inhibition via cholinergic system activation

Research Square (Research Square), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 22, 2024

Abstract The present study examined the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), as indirect biomarker cholinergic system activation. 24 healthy adults underwent intermittent taVNS (30 sec on/30 off, 30 min) or continuous at a frequency 25 Hz along with earlobe temporary (15 min in 15 were performed random order. efficiency which motor evoked potential amplitudes from abductor pollicis brevismuscle by transcranial magnetic was attenuated preceding median conditioning stimulus compared before taVNS, immediately after and minutes taVNS. Continuous significantly increased SAI post-stimulation to baseline. A positive correlation (Pearson coefficient = 0.563, p 0.004) observed between baseline changes These results suggest that increases activity nervous system, evidenced increase SAI. In particular, more pronounced those lower initial This provides fundamental insight into clinical for dysfunction.

Язык: Английский

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