Neuropsychological Theory Research Articles

Hypoactivation and Dysconnectivity of a Frontostriatal Circuit During Goal-Directed Planning as an Endophenotype for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

BackgroundThe symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been postulated to result from impaired executive functioning and excessive habit formation at the expense of goal-directed control and have been objectively demonstrated using neuropsychological tests in such patients. This study tested whether there is functional hypoactivation as well as dysconnectivity of discrete frontostriatal pathways during goal-directed planning in patients with OCD and in their unaffected first-degree relatives. MethodsIn total, 21 comorbidity-free patients with OCD, 19 clinically asymptomatic first-degree relatives of these patients, and 20 control participants were tested on a functional magnetic resonance optimized version of the Tower of London task. Group differences in brain activation during goal-directed planning were measured together with associated frontostriatal functional connectivity. ResultsPatients with OCD and their clinically asymptomatic relatives manifested hypoactivation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during goal-directed planning coupled with reduced functional connectivity between this cortical region and the basal ganglia (putamen). ConclusionsHypoactivation of cortical regions associated with goal-directed planning and associated frontostriatal dysconnectivity represent a candidate endophenotype for OCD. These findings accord with abnormalities in neural networks supporting the balance between goal-directed and habitual behavior, with implications for recent neuropsychological theories of OCD and the major neurobiological model for this disorder.

Toward a taxonomic model of attention in effortful listening

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in studying listening effort. Research on listening effort intersects with the development of active theories of speech perception and contributes to the broader endeavor of understanding speech perception within the context of neuroscientific theories of perception, attention, and effort. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the problem, researchers vary widely in their precise conceptualization of the catch-all term listening effort. Very recent consensus work stresses the relationship between listening effort and the allocation of cognitive resources, providing a conceptual link to current cognitive neuropsychological theories associating effort with the allocation of selective attention. By linking listening effort to attentional effort, we enable the application of a taxonomy of external and internal attention to the characterization of effortful listening. More specifically, we use a vectorial model to decompose the demand causing listening effort into its mutually orthogonal external and internal components and map the relationship between demanded and exerted effort by means of a resource-limiting term that can represent the influence of motivation as well as vigilance and arousal. Due to its quantitative nature and easy graphical interpretation, this model can be applied to a broad range of problems dealing with listening effort. As such, we conclude that the model provides a good starting point for further research on effortful listening within a more differentiated neuropsychological framework.

Decision making in structure of self-regulation of persons with mental disorders at assessment of capacity

The paper is based on the conception of Luria's neuropsychological theory, the conception of self-regulation (Nikolaeva V.V.), the model of decision making (Kornilova T.V.), methodological basis of psychological and psychiatric assessment of capacity of The Serbsky State Scientific Center for Social and Forensic Psychiatry (Kharitonova N.K.).Research goalTo study neuropsychological factors in persons with mental disorders who are involves in forensic assessment of capacity and find out correlation between decision-making and neuropsychological factors.Research subjectThe three levels of self-regulation (the level of regulation of mental status, the operational level, the motivational level) and the role of decision making in this structure in persons with mental disorders who are involves in forensic assessment of capacity.The research methodsNeuropsychological methods by Luria A.R., patopsychological methods for assessment Higher Psychological Functions (Zeigarnik B.V.), Melbourne decision making questionnaire (a Russian adaptation, Kornilova T.V.).According to Luria's neuropsychological theory, series of the basic neuropsychological methods include: (1) determine arithmetic task using an algorithm, (2) tests for study of praxis and gnosis, (3) tests for study of memory and attention, (4) test for study of comprehension of logical-grammatic expressions.Results– The three levels of self-regulation correspond to the three functional brain's areas (according to Luria's neuropsychological theory)– Decision making correlation with factors of the third brain‘s area (the frontal lobe)The conclusionsOur research considers neuropsychological factors like possible medical criterion for assessment of capacity.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

Rehabilitation Treatment In Aphasia Caused By Stroke(Review)

Aphasia is a relatively common language disorder, occurring in about 25% of all stroke patients. The ultimate aim of aphasia treatment is to improve patients oral and written language abilities and to facilitate their participation in everyday communication. Over the last decades, a range of approaches in aphasia therapy have been introduced, based on cognitive neuropsychological models, psycholinguistic theories, and socio-pragmatic approaches. In view of the range of different approaches and findings of therapy studies, the challenge for therapists is to decide which approach is the most appropriate one for an aphasic individual at a specific stage of recovery.The Findings showed that, therapy plan for aphasic individuals involves selecting the therapeutic approach most appropriate for dealing with a particular type of disorder, degree of severity, stage of recovery and the extent of the patient's participation in social life. A framework of aphasia treatment is outlined which considers the rehabilitation process at the various stages of recovery, and Different approaches are combined into a comprehensive treatment regimen which differentiates three stages of recovery: the acute, post-acute, and chronic stage. Also ,The intensive therapy in the treatment of language disorders have a great effect, and Brain imaging studies have shown that the linguistic reorganization of a damaged brain is aided by intensive speech therapy even in the chronic phase.

Moving Forward with the BAS

One of the hottest topics in neuroscience is the study of brain-behavioural circuits underlying the processing of reward-related stimuli. A growing body of studies has shed new light on the neural structure of this reward system. In this paper, we discuss the significance of these studies from the perspective of a neuropsychological theory of personality, namely the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST). RST assumes that variation in sensitivity/reactivity of the reward system is the cause of individual differences in approach motivation (e.g. desire or need for achievement, persistence, and positive emotionality). Within RST, these individual differences are contained in the construct of the Behavioural Approach System (BAS). However, there is an ongoing debate as regards the nature of the BAS. This fact motivated us to review the latest refinements in the neuroscience of the BAS in the context of the reward system. In this review, we identity four distinctive aspects of the BAS: wanting, incentive motivation, striving and liking. Their behavioural effects are compared with the behavioural manifestations of testosterone, dopamine, serotonin and endogenous opioids, respectively. We conclude that the unidimensional view of the BAS is overly oversimplified; and we suggest that it should be studied as a multidimensional construct and, by implication, so too should the reward system.

Examining the relationship between language and learning: Insights from the serial reaction time task

Examining the relationship between language and learning: Insights from the serial reaction time task

Channel Division Based Multiple Classifiers Fusion for Emotion Recognition Using EEG signals

With the rapid development of computer technology, pervasive computing and wearable devices, EEG-based emotion recognition has gradually attracted much attention in affecting computing (AC) domain. In this paper, we propose an approach of emotion recognition using EEG signals based on the weighted fusion of multiple base classifiers. These base classifiers based on SVM are constructed using a channel division mechanism according to the neuropsychological theory that different brain areas are differ in processing intensity of emotional information. The outputs of channel base classifiers are integrated by a weighted fusion strategy which is based on the confidence estimation on each emotional label by each base classifier. The evaluation on the DEAP dataset shows that our proposed multiple classifiers fusion method outperforms individual channel base classifiers and the feature fusion method for EEG-based emotion recognition.

The Neuropsychology of Autism - A Focus on Three Major Theories

Autism is a developmental disorder that is biological in origin with a behavioural definition.Numerous neuropsychological theories have been suggested to explain the triad of impairments in autism. In this paper we have discussed the neuropsychology of autism with emphasis on the three frequently researched cognitive theories related to the impairments in Theory of Mind, Executive Function skills andCentral Coherence. Each of the theories explains some aspects of the disorder but it is in combination that their explanatory power seems to increase. Focus of future research needs to be on the interactions between these neuropsychological deficits.

A glance at potential neuropsychological theories and explanations for the higher creative functioning of Leonardo da Vinci

IntroductionIt has been universally regarded that Leonardo da Vinci was one of the all time geniuses in terms of his contribution to art and sciences. A number of theories have been proposed to explain his genius that range from neurological, psychological uniqueness, and enhanced functional intelligence.AimThe primary aim is to explore these theories in detail and register their pros and cons alongside contextualizing their credibility and weightage against the extant evidence in science.MethodA detailed literature search has been undertaken to identify variety of models and theories either:– dealing with neurological, psychological or neuro-philosophical explanations;– have been proposed by psychiatrist or psychologist and neurologists pertaining to Leonardo's brain or mind;– theories around occult and religion have been excluded.DiscussionThe results are synthesized and presented in a tabular form. The discussion expands on the various theories and the relevance of Leonardo da Vinci to the merging unified field of neurology, psychology, technology and philosophy (consciousness studies)Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

Comparative Study of the Activity of Brain Behavioral Systems in Methamphetamine and Opiate Dependents

Background:Substance dependency is a major problem for the general health of a society. Different approaches have investigated the substance dependency in order to explain it. Gray’s reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) is an advanced and important neuropsychological theory in this area.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare three systems of the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory the behavioral activation system (r-BAS), the revised behavioral inhibition system (r-BIS), and the revised fight/flight/freezing system (r-FFFS) between patients dependent on methamphetamine and opiates, and a group of controls.Patients and Methods:This research was a causal-comparative study that was conducted in the first six months of 2012. The population of the study was males of Mashhad city, who were dependent on methamphetamine or opiates, and ruling out psychotic disorders and prominent Axis II. Twenty-five people were selected by the convenient sampling method. Also, 25 non-dependent people from the patients’ relatives were selected and matched for the variables of age, gender, and education to participate in this study. Participants were evaluated using a structured clinical interview (SCID) for DSM-IV, demographic questionnaire information, and a Jackson-5 questionnaire (2009). Data were analyzed by Chi-square, K-S, and independent t-test.Results:The methamphetamine dependent group had a higher sensitivity in the r-BAS, r-BIS, and the r-Fight and r-Freezing systems compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in r-Flight between the two groups (P > 0.05). “The scores of r-BIS were also significantly higher in the methamphetamine-dependent group than the opioid-dependent and control groups. For the r-Fight variable, the methamphetamine-dependent group was higher than the opioid-dependent group”.Conclusions:The personality patterns of patients dependent on methamphetamines were different from the controls. These people have a high sensitivity to punishment cues, such as being compared in social conditions and a tendency for reinforcement and reward, because of their higher sensitivity in the behavioral inhibition and activation systems.

What is in the feedback? Effect of induced happiness vs. sadness on probabilistic learning with vs. without exploration.

According to dominant neuropsychological theories of affect, emotions signal salience of events and in turn facilitate a wide spectrum of response options or action tendencies. Valence of an emotional experience is pivotal here, as it alters reward and punishment processing, as well as the balance between safety and risk taking, which can be translated into changes in the exploration-exploitation trade-off during reinforcement learning (RL). To test this idea, we compared the behavioral performance of three groups of participants that all completed a variant of a standard probabilistic learning task, but who differed regarding which mood state was actually induced and maintained (happy, sad or neutral). To foster a change from an exploration to an exploitation-based mode, we removed feedback information once learning was reliably established. Although changes in mood were successful, learning performance was balanced between the three groups. Critically, when focusing on exploitation-driven learning only, they did not differ either. Moreover, mood valence did not alter the learning rate or exploration per se, when titrated using complementing computational modeling. By comparing systematically these results to our previous study (Bakic et al., 2014), we found that arousal levels did differ between studies, which might account for limited modulatory effects of (positive) mood on RL in the present case. These results challenge the assumption that mood valence alone is enough to create strong shifts in the way exploitation or exploration is eventually carried out during (probabilistic) learning. In this context, we discuss the possibility that both valence and arousal are actually necessary components of the emotional mood state to yield changes in the use and exploration of incentives cues during RL.

Action-Transferred Navigation Technique Design Approach Supporting Human Spatial Learning

We propose a new action-transferred design approach by which the benefits of embodied cognition and activity can be realized to enhance spatial learning and usability for navigating virtual spaces. The action-transferred design approach is supported by theories of learning, action-perception, and neuropsychology. These theories help us understand how human action can be transferred to different body parts for improving the usability of interaction techniques and why the acquired spatial knowledge using the transferred action may remain the same independent of the used body parts. The finger-walking-in-place (FWIP) navigation technique is used as a design example to demonstrate the concept of the action-transferred design approach. Leveraging 3D immersive virtual reality technology, we performed an empirical study to evaluate the performance of the action-transferred FWIP navigation technique in terms of spatial knowledge acquisition. The FWIP navigation technique was compared with a full-body-based walking-like (sensor-fusion walking-in-place; SF-WIP) navigation technique and a well-known, convenient (Joystick) navigation technique using a common input device, that is, a wand with a joystick. Both the action-transferred and the full-body-based navigation techniques were more effective for spatial learning than the navigation technique using the common input device. However, only the action-transferred FWIP navigation technique can provide users with the convenience of navigating with their fingers. These results suggest that the action-transferred design approach is useful in designing a navigation technique supporting users' spatial learning performance more effectively and conveniently. Possible design implications for broader applications are discussed and indicate that the action-transferred design approach is worth further study.

The dynamic opponent relativity model: an integration and extension of capacity theory and existing theoretical perspectives on the neuropsychology of arousal and emotion.

Arousal theory as discussed within the present paper refers to those mechanisms and neural systems involved in central nervous system activation and more specifically the systems involved in cortical activation. Historical progress in the evolution of arousal theory has led to a better understanding of the functional neural systems involved in arousal or activation processes and ultimately contributed much to our current theories of emotion. Despite evidence for the dynamic interplay between the left and right cerebral hemispheres, the concepts of cerebral balance and dynamic activation have been emphasized in the neuropsychological literature. A conceptual model is proposed herein that incorporates the unique contributions from multiple neuropsychological theories of arousal and emotion. It is argued that the cerebral hemispheres may play oppositional roles in emotion partially due to the differences in their functional specializations and in their persistence upon activation. In the presence of a threat or provocation, the right hemisphere may activate survival relevant responses partially derived from hemispheric specializations in arousal and emotional processing, including the mobilization of sympathetic drive to promote heightened blood pressure, heart rate, glucose mobilization and respiratory support necessary for the challenge. Oppositional processes and mechanisms are discussed, which may be relevant to the regulatory control over the survival response; however, the capacity of these systems is necessarily limited. A limited capacity mechanism is proposed, which is familiar within other physiological systems, including that providing for the prevention of muscular damage under exceptional demand. This capacity theory is proposed, wherein a link may be expected between exceptional stress within a neural system and damage to the neural system. These mechanisms are proposed to be relevant to emotion and emotional disorders. Discussion is provided on the possible role of currently applied therapeutic interventions for emotional disorders.

Editorial: Theories of visual attention-linking cognition, neuropsychology, and neurophysiology.

EDITORIAL article Front. Psychol., 12 June 2015Sec. Cognition Volume 6 - 2015 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00767

Mysterious Faces- Misidentification Syndromes Revised

Introduction Delusional misidentification syndromes are a group of phenomena in which patients incorrectly identify people or objects, or parts of the own body, with the delusional belief that these were replaced or changed. There are different subtypes, however, most authors distinguish them in Capgras Syndrome, Fregoli intermetamorphosis and Double Subjective Syndrome. Objectives/Aim Review these syndromes, addressing some of the neuropsychiatric syndromes related, the various etiological theories of these syndromes, as well as recent neuroanatomical/ neurophysiological data. Methods Literature review on the subject Results Delusional misidentification syndromes have been described in association with other psychiatric disorders in about 60-75% of cases; 25-40% of cases identifies an organic etiology. Neurophysiological and neuroanatomical data support the hypothesis that these syndromes are related to damage or dysfunction of the right hemisphere level. Neuropsychological theories have emerged over time: changes at the level offacial recognition, neuronal damage interrupting circuits which mediate information among the face recognition areas located in the temporal cortex and amygdala, and more recently, changes on the neuropsychological evaluation of the belief system. Conclusions Several etiological theories have been proposed and the evolution of models has followed the functional / organic dichotomy, with particular focus on the Capgras syndrome. Possibly they have been undiagnosed over time. Emphasis should be given to the central importance of neuroanatomical and neuroimaging data to the growing understanding of these syndromes. Despite the current knowledge, they remain real challenges, both from a clinical perspective, whether for research.

Psychometric properties of the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery.

The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB) was designed to measure performance accuracy and speed on specific neurobehavioral domains using tests that were previously validated with functional neuroimaging. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the neuropsychological theory used to construct the CNB by confirming the factor structure of the tests composing it. In a large community sample (N = 9,138; age range 8-21), we performed a correlated-traits confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) on the 12 CNB measures of Efficiency (which combine Accuracy and Speed). We then performed EFAs of the Accuracy and Speed measures separately. Finally, we performed a confirmatory bifactor analysis of the Efficiency scores. All analyses were performed with Mplus using maximum likelihood estimation. RESULTS strongly support the a priori theory used to construct the CNB, showing that tests designed to measure executive, episodic memory, complex cognition, and social cognition aggregate their loadings within these domains. When Accuracy and Speed were analyzed separately, Accuracy produced 3 reliable factors: executive and complex cognition, episodic memory, and social cognition, while speed produced 2 factors: tests that require fast responses and those where each item requires deliberation. The statistical "Fit" of almost all models described above was acceptable (usually excellent). Based on the analysis from these large-scale data, the CNB offers an effective means for measuring the integrity of intended neurocognitive domains in about 1 hour of testing and is thus suitable for large-scale clinical and genomic studies.

The Spectra of Soundless Voices and Audible Thoughts: Towards an Integrative Model of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations and Thought Insertion

Patients with psychotic disorders experience a range of reality distortions. These often include auditory-verbal hallucinations (AVHs), and thought insertion (TI) to a lesser degree; however, their mechanisms and relationships between each other remain largely elusive. Here we attempt to establish a integrative model drawing from the phenomenology of both AVHs and TI and argue that they in fact can be seen as ‘spectra’ of experiences with varying degrees of agency and ownership, with ‘silent and internal own thoughts’ on one extreme and ‘fully external and clearly audible voices’ in the absence of a speaker on the other. We believe a spectral model will add emphasis to the continuity of experience and help to better understand how one type of psychotic symptom may interact with another, and put forward the argument that the experience of TI itself is not sufficient to classify as a delusion. In addition we aim to discuss some of the conceptual issues surrounding AVHs and TI with first-person accounts and current philosophical and neuropsychological theories in mind. We propose that the mechanisms behind AVHs and TI are more complex than source-monitoring deficits; indeed, to understand such phenomena one must appreciate that their very ‘existence’ and ‘reality’ as experienced by the individual have much deeper implications and meaning, both philosophically and clinically.

Differences according to Sex in Sociosexuality and Infidelity after Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective. To explore differences according to sex in sociosexuality and infidelity in individuals with TBI and in healthy controls. Participants. Forty-two individuals with mild, moderate, and severe TBI having completed a postacute TBI rehabilitation program, at least six months after injury, and 47 healthy controls. Main Measures. Sociosexual Orientation Inventory-Revised (SOI-R) and Attitudes toward Infidelity Scale. Results. Overall, men score significantly higher than women in sociosexuality. However, there was a nonsignificant trend towards a reduction of sociosexuality levels in men with TBI. Infidelity levels were comparable in healthy controls and individuals with TBI. In individuals with TBI, less acceptance of infidelity was significantly associated with an unrestricted sociosexual orientation, but not in healthy controls. Conclusions. As documented in previous cross-cultural studies, men have higher levels of sociosexuality than women. However, men with TBI showed a tendency towards the reduction of sociosexuality. The possibility of a latent explanatory variable is suggested (e.g., post-TBI neuroendocrinological changes). TBI does not seem to have an impact on infidelity, but individuals with TBI who express less acceptance of infidelity also report a more promiscuous mating strategy regarding their behavior, attitudes, and desire. Theoretical implications are discussed in terms of evolutionary theories of human sexuality and neuropsychology.

Impairment of both languages in late bilinguals with dementia of the Alzheimer type

Neuropsychological theories raise the question if in late bilinguals with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), the second language (L2) may be more impaired than the first (L1). We compared language performance in different tasks of oral comprehension (semantic and syntactic) and production (naming, repetition and fluency) in L1 and L2 in a group of 13 late proficient bilinguals wit DAT immersion, and a matched control group of 12 healthy late bilinguals. Two-way mixed repeated-measure ANOVAs with factors Language and Group revealed main effects of Group (p &lt; .05) indicating that DAT affects all aspects of language. There was no Group × Language interaction, suggesting that DAT affects both languages similarly. Our study thus shows that neurodegenerative diseases affect L1 and L2 in a parallel manner, particularly at the levels of semantic, lexical and syntactic processing. These results speak in favour of a shared L1 and L2 network in late bilinguals.

Empathy, Film, and the Brain

This article discusses the role of empathy based on evolutionary, human developmental, and neuropsychological theories in combination with film theory and analysis in order to explain the film viewer’s emotional reactions primarily to painful fictive scenarios.