Neuroscience Perspective Research Articles

Gabriela Mistral’s (Im)possible Return to Chile from a Neurosciences Perspective

This article analyzes the ambiguity of an imaginary homecoming in Poema de Chile and Lagar by Gabriela Mistral, written while the Chilean poet was living abroad. In these works, her longing for Chile materializes through highly detailed perceptual scenes. Hinged on a neuroscience perspective, the analysis applies a vision of memory as a creative rather than reproductive process, the category of imagery and fMRI observation of neural networks in memory and poetry creation. The hypothesis states that the creation of a poem, for Mistral and under certain circumstances, would translate into the activation of a multiperceptual mental imagery that allows her to travel through time and space to relive atmospheres, situations, and natural elements of her longed-for homeland. However, in Mistral’s case this imaginary journey is quite ambivalent, since it carries the intuition of its own impossibility and converges in the subject’s drive to disintegrate within the sensory elements remembered in the poems.

Labyrinthine and Neuroscientific Impact of Schizophrenia in the Criminal Justice System.

Schizophrenia, a complex neuropsychiatric condition, manifests with severe neurobiological and psychosocial symptoms, including psychosis, cognitive dysfunction, and social withdrawal. Neuroscience links these symptoms to synaptic malfunctions and neurotransmitter dysregulation, leading to a profound disconnection from reality. The disorder significantly affects cognitive, affective, and behavioral functions, causing considerable neuropsychological distress and functional impairments. The interplay of schizophrenia with the criminal justice system is complex, often exacerbating psychiatric stigma and introducing challenging neuroethical dilemmas. From neuroscientific perspective, schizophrenia symptoms are classified into 'positive' (hyperfunctioning or distortion of normal mental processes) and 'negative' (reduction or loss of mental functions). Each category presents distinct medico-legal challenges. Studies, including those from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness, highlight the importance of identifying neurobiological and psychosocial factors that increase the risk of criminal justice involvement, stressing the necessity of addressing concurrent disorders like substance use disorders. This convergence underscores the need for a delicate balance between therapeutic interventions and legal responsibility, advocating for policy reforms and neuroscience-based research initiatives. Such efforts are crucial for improving the management of schizophrenia within the criminal justice system, focusing on both the medical and societal aspects of the disorder.

Ice Breaking Creating Fun Learning Perspectives on Learning Psychology and Neuroscience at MI Muhammadiyah 1 Ponorogo

This article discusses ice breaking in creating a fun learning perspective on neuroscience and learning psychology. This research is a field research on empirical experiences at the basic education level. The habit of using ice breaking at MI Muhamadiyah 1 Ponorogo has been going on for a long time, it has been held in all classes and at all levels, the results have a significant impact on improving the learning process and results. This article explains the various types of ice breaking that are used, that from a neuroscience perspective, ice breaking makes students' brains fresh, so that the brain will concentrate and will easily absorb information in the learning process. While in the perspective of learning psychology, ice breaking in the learning process will make students not feel bored in learning, can increase learning motivation and make students active and creative in the learning process. A conducive and pleasant climate makes everything that students learn easier and more fun for students.

Implementation of Neuroscience-Based Multiple Intelligences Theory: To Improve the Intelligence of Students in Ma'had

The development of the flow of Arabic knowledge at the pesantren level (Madrasah Aliyah, Madrasah Diniyah, and Madrasah Ta'wiliyah). Demanding increased Arabic learning to santri. However, this is inversely proportional to the fact that students are declining in developing Arabic mufrodat and linguistics material. This study aims to analyze the Arabic language learning model based on multiple intelligences from a neuroscience perspective. The setting of this research is located in the Himmatul ‘Amilin Islamic Boarding School in Yogyakarta. The subjects of this research consisted of the leaders of Islamic boarding schools, musyrif, and ustadz. Subject selection was carried out using the purposive sampling technique to obtain objective and valid data. The approach in this research is to use a case study-based qualitative method. Researchers in collecting data using observation methods, direct interviews, and documentation. The data analysis technique was followed by Milies and Huberman, namely by displaying data, reducing data, and verifying data. The results of this study explain that learning Arabic based on multiple intelligences increases the intelligence of students in learning Arabic mufradat and linguistics (mufradat, Arabic morphology, and Arabic syntax). From some of the material taught, namely about everyday mufradat and understanding of shorof in the isim file chapter. In this case, multiple intelligences are combined with neuroscientific theory between the interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence centers in the right brain and left brain. This research has implications for the improvement and development of students in understanding Arabic material (quwaidul arabiyah) in today's Islamic boarding schools.

Introduction of Neuroscientific Perspectives and Treatment Implications in Couple Therapy -Focusing on the Vulnerability Cycle Model-

본 연구의 목적은 신경과학적 관점의 도입을 통해 국내 커플치료에 적용할 수 있는 방안을 모색하고 시사점을 도출하는 것이다. 본 연구의 목적을 위해 신경과학, 심리치료와 커플치료 관련 선행연구를 문헌 고찰을 통해 분석하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 심리치료 분야에서는 최근 신경과학적 관점의 도입이 부각되고 있으며, 이는 커플치료 분야에서의 신경과학적 관점 도입에 교량 역할을 수행한다. 둘째, 커플치료에서의 신경과학적 관점은 커플의 갈등 문제를 다루는 데 효과적인 관점을 제공한다. 셋째, ‘취약성 싸이클 모형’은 커플의 취약성과 생존전략이 순환되는 교착상태를 다룸으로써 커플치료 과정에 구체적인 접근 전략을 제공할 수 있다. 넷째, ‘취약성 싸이클 모형’은 기존 가족치료의 이론적 모델들과 다양하게 접목시켜 현장에서 활용될 가능성을 지니고 있다. 본 연구는 커플치료에서의 신경과학적 관점의 도입이 커플치료의 외연 확장과 더불어 내담자의 치료 개입에 효율성 증진에 기여할 수 있음을 살펴볼 수 있었다는 데 의의가 있다.

CA2 orchestrates hippocampal network dynamics.

The hippocampus is composed of various subregions: CA1, CA2, CA3, and the dentate gyrus (DG). Despite the abundant hippocampal research literature, until recently, CA2 received little attention. The development of new genetic and physiological tools allowed recent studies characterizing the unique properties and functional roles of this hippocampal subregion. Despite its small size, the cellular content of CA2 is heterogeneous at the molecular and physiological levels. CA2 has been heavily implicated in social behaviors, including social memory. More generally, the mechanisms by which the hippocampus is involved in memory include the reactivation of neuronal ensembles following experience. This process is coordinated by synchronous network events known as sharp-wave ripples (SWRs). Recent evidence suggests that CA2 plays an important role in the generation of SWRs. The unique connectivity and physiological properties of CA2 pyramidal cells make this region a computational hub at the core of hippocampal information processing. Here, we review recent findings that support the role of CA2 in coordinating hippocampal network dynamics from a systems neuroscience perspective.

Creative Imagination in Islamic Education Neuroscience Perspective

This article aims to develop creative imagination thinking in students with neuroscience-based learning based on Islamic learning. This research is a type of librarian research. In the golden period that occurs for children, all aspects can develop rapidly so that it requires stimulation that can optimize it, one of which is creative imagination. As it is known that this creative imagination has not been developed too much in education, even imagination is a distraction in children's learning. However, many historical scientists put forward creative imagination. This shows that creative imagination is not a learning disorder but a way to optimize thinking patterns and brain function to the fullest. Such as activities in learning that can provide a stimulus to children's imaginations such as playing music, singing prayers, making unique paintings, etc

The relationship of psychological health and primary emotional traits in medical students

Introduction Several studies have called for attention to medical students’ well-being. Building on the neuroevolutionary affective neuroscience perspective that views primary emotional systems as central to well-being and the foundation of personality, this study investigated the facets of medical students’ psychological well-being that are challenged and the relationships between emotional traits, psychological well-being, and depression. Methods In a single-center cross-sectional study, medical students’ primary emotional traits (SEEKING, FEAR, ANGER, SADNESS, CARE, PLAY and Spirituality), psychological well-being dimensions (autonomy, environmental mastery, positive relations, self-acceptance, purpose in life, and personal growth), and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scale; the Psychological Well-being Scale, which provides normative data; and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results Compared with the normative data, the medical students perceived lower psychological autonomy, positive relations, and self-acceptance but higher purpose in life. The medical students’ emotional traits were related to specific psychological well-being facets and depression. SEEKING and, inversely, FEAR were related to well-being across dimensions and depressive symptoms. Conclusion Our findings are the first to show a link between emotional traits and specific facets of psychological health in medical students. Thus, this study encourages medical teachers to set learning environments that target multiple facets of well-being that harness primary emotional traits.

Main Man, Rain Man

The titular character of the movie Rain Man is an autistic savant, and the movie centers on his relationship with his non-autistic but selfish brother. Particularly memorable scenes involve the brothers' travels; they initially lacked empathy and understanding toward each other, but they learn and expand their relationship as they spend time together. In this manuscript, I provide examples of truly amazing visual and mathematic abilities among some high-functioning autistic savants, and I introduce several hypotheses regarding the mechanisms that may underlie autism spectrum disorder, from a neuroscience perspective. The significance of these hypotheses and the current research directions are also discussed.

Rethinking the neurosurgical approach to brain disorders from the network neuroscience perspective

Rethinking the neurosurgical approach to brain disorders from the network neuroscience perspective

From Neuroimaging to Computational Modeling of Burnout: The Traditional versus the Fuzzy Approach—A Review

Occupational burnout, manifested by emotional exhaustion, lack of a sense of personal achievement, and depersonalization, is not a new phenomenon, but thusfar, there is no clear definition or diagnostic guidelines. The aim of this article wasto summarize all empirical studies to date that have used medical neuroimaging techniques to provide evidence or links regarding changes in brain function in occupational burnout syndrome from a neuroscientific perspective, and then use these to propose a fuzzy-based computational model of burnout.A comprehensive literature search was conducted in two major databases (PubMed and Medline Complete). The search period was 2006–2021, and searches were limited to the English language. Each article was carefully reviewed and appropriately selected on the basis of raw data, validity of methods used, clarity of results, and scales for measuring burnout. The results showed that the brain structures of patients with job burnout that are associated with emotion, motivation, and empathy weresignificantly different from healthy controls. These altered brain regions included the thalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, caudate, striatum, dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, inferior frontal cingulate cortex, middle frontal cingulate cortex, temporoparietal junction, and grey matter. Deepening our understanding of how these brain structures are related to burnout will pave the way for better approaches fordiagnosis and intervention. As an alternative to the neuroimaging approach, the paper presents a late proposal of the PLUS (personal living usual satisfaction) parameter. It is based on a fuzzy model, wherein the data source is psychological factors—the same or similar to the neuroimaging approach. As the novel approach to searching for neural burnout mechanisms, we have shown that computational models, including those based on fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks, can play an important role in inferring and predicting burnout. Effective computational models of burnout are possible but need further development to ensure accuracy across different populations. There is also a need to identify mechanisms and clinical indicators of chronic fatigue syndrome, stress, burnout, and natural cognitive changes associated with, for example, ageing, in order to introduce more effective differential diagnosis and screening.

A computational neuroscience perspective on subjective wellbeing within the active inference framework

Understanding and promoting subjective wellbeing (SWB) has been the topic of increasing research, due in part to its potential contributions to health and productivity. To date, the conceptualization of SWB has been grounded within social psychology and largely focused on self-report measures. In this paper, we explore the potentially complementary tools and theoretical perspectives offered by computational neuroscience, with a focus on the active inference (AI) framework. This framework is motivated by the fact that the brain does not have direct access to the world; to select actions, it must instead infer the most likely external causes of the sensory input it receives from both the body and the external world. Because sensory input is always consistent with multiple interpretations, the brain’s internal model must use background knowledge, in the form of prior expectations, to make a “best guess” about the situation it is in and how it will change by taking one action or another. This best guess arises by minimizing an error signal representing the deviation between predicted and observed sensations given a chosen action—quantified mathematically by a variable called free energy (FE). Crucially, recent proposals have illustrated how emotional experience may emerge within AI as a natural consequence of the brain keeping track of the success of its model in selecting actions to minimize FE. In this paper, we draw on the concepts and mathematics in AI to highlight how different computational strategies can be used to minimize FE—some more successfully than others. This affords a characterization of how diverse individuals may adopt unique strategies for achieving high SWB. It also highlights novel ways in which SWB could be effectively improved. These considerations lead us to propose a novel computational framework for understanding SWB. We highlight several parameters in these models that could explain individual and cultural differences in SWB, and how they might inspire novel interventions. We conclude by proposing a line of future empirical research based on computational modelling that could complement current approaches to the study of wellbeing and its improvement.

The functions of sleep: A cognitive neuroscience perspective

This Special Feature explores the various purposes served by sleep, describing current attempts to understand how the many functions of sleep are instantiated in neural circuits and cognitive structures. Our feature reflects current experts' opinions about, and insights into, the dynamic processes of sleep. In the last few decades, technological advances have supported the updated view that sleep plays an active role in both cognition and health. However, these roles are far from understood. This collection of articles evaluates the dynamic nature of sleep, how it evolves across the lifespan, becomes a competitive arena for memory systems through the influence of the autonomic system, supports the consolidation and integration of new memories, and how lucid dreams might originate. This set of papers highlights new approaches and insights that will lay the groundwork to eventually understand the full range of functions supported by sleep.

Neuroscience on breaking bad news: Effects of physicians' response on patient emotion and trust.

The outbreak of COVID-19, due to restrictions on patients' access to hospitals, makes patient mental health a severe problem to solve, especially for cancer patients. Delivering bad news has become one of the abilities that physicians need to improve. Former research has proposed communication strategies like SPIKES to respond to patients' emotions. However, existing strategies lack systematic and structural responses to different cues and concerns of patients. This study aims to investigate whether and how the response styles of information delivery, empathy, and authority affect patient emotions and trust in order to present a structural response system. Furthermore, we explore the correlation between strategies and EEG markers to moderate emotions and trust. This research selects different scenarios and strategies in the context of breast cancer and performs two experiments. First, we performed a behavioral experiment with 93 medical students and 15 breast cancer patients. Moreover, an EEG experiment with 53 students via video stimuli was conducted to explore the moderate function between strategies and emotions/trust. We use time-frequency analysis and the repeated measure ANOVA method to explore the association between strategy and EEG components. Furthermore, we perform a GLM method to investigate the relationship between EEG components and patient emotion and trust. For the first time, this study proposes the strategy matrix. The response strategies NPIm and NRIa play important roles in this system. In behavioral experiments, information delivery, empathy, and authority strategy significantly affect emotions and trust. The scenario is significant as a moderator. In the EEG experiment, strategy NPIm has more correlation with parietal alpha power than other strategies, and parietal alpha power has a significant effect on emotions, which verifies that empathy-related cerebral activities affect emotions and trust. According to the strategy matrix, physicians could apply strategy ERIa in most scenarios, and strategy NRIa in many scenarios, which means information provision is significant when it comes to responding to patients' cues and concerns. The most important strategy that physicians need to avoid is the authority strategy. Refusing to respond to patients' cues and concerns may cause their dislike. Moreover, through the EEG experiment, we verify that empathy affects emotions and trust from a neuroscience perspective and propose parietal alpha and frontal alpha as neuro-markers to moderate emotions and trust. Physicians could adjust strategies through these EEG markers.

Reposition Malaysian’s Social Neuroscience Life Cycle Paradigm to Resolve the Midlife Mystic

This investigation examines, via phenomenological qualitative analysis, on the agony of midlife progression shocked many underwent, when march in to the beclouded forty unprepared due to society knowledge deficiency on the existent of midlife phase. Thus, the key research objective is to reposition the subject of life cycle paradigm by setting a new psychosocial parameter for each life phase by defining it from the social neuroscience perspective, so that to devise a new model of social neuroscience life cycle paradigm for Malaysian. A qualitative inquiry on the individual’s lived phenomenological experiences within the social structure is done by face to face interview, then snow ball to people around them by survey form. A total of N=221 Malaysian participated voluntarily by answering three fundamental questions to elicit their personal life experience on the social neuroscience dimensions. The answer is scripted for thematic analysis and tested by SPSS. 68% of data collected from people originated from other states, thus the statistic could then be considered as Malaysia’s. Three major finding resulted. Firstly, there are four episodes life cycle of life span on one’s whole life, yet only 15.4% of Malaysian acknowledge the existent of midlife episode as a process and majority (76%) define life process as a simple three episode process. Secondly, the accretion of 11 social neuroscience dimensions in one’s life course, and reveals a mystical existent of social assumed illusion on midlife as steady stage outwardly with specialised skills, which has wrapped up their inward neuroscience struggle of vulnerability that need emotional regulation of this latent effect. Thirdly, when the two finding are mixed, a new look of Malaysian social neuroscience life cycle paradigm named as “The 28,000 days of four episodes social neuroscience life cycle” is born and presenting a new era for whole life transition analysis. The two immediate contribution of this study produces a new era concept that has walked Malaysian from knowledge darkness of life episodes by elevating life cycle paradigm into a new level on social neuroscience aspects, and, invented a crisis predictability to curb the hidden explosive crisis dynamic, though not able to eliminate it during midlife. Process from here, next research should be on a bigger quantitative scale research dynamic of psychosocial factors which trigger specifically hidden midlife crisis knowledge deficiency.

Neurocognitive Trends in the Structural-Functional Model of the Lexical-Semantic Way of Word Formation

The article analyzes traditional views of Ukrainian linguists on the consideration/disregard of neurocognitive factors in the lexical-semantic way of word formation (hereinafter “LSWWF”). The relevance of the article lies in a pronounced divergence in the views, as well as in the contradictions in the interpretation of polysemy as a result of this type of word formation. Research methods include analysis of definitions and basic theories, comparison, extrapolation of a neuroscientific perspective on the cognitive nature of metaphorical generation of new meanings on traditional (structural and functional) approaches to linguistic phenomena. The article proves that Ukrainian linguistics involves prerequisites and basics of cognitive subject-based explanation of secondary semantics, present since the Soviet period, and lacks categorical and methodological tools for its interpretation. Besides, the authors of the article suggest some compromise solutions to these contradictions without completely abandoning traditional views on word formation. The international relevance of the article is seen in its attempts to reconsider the significant traditional achievements of Eastern European linguistics (on the example of Ukraine) in the context of objective natural neurocognitive views on key linguistic processes, in particular LSWWF.

A neural basis of rational inattention models: consistency of cognitive cost with the mutual information criterion.

The rational inattention model has recently attracted much attention as a promising candidate to model bounded rationality in the research field of decision-making and game theory. However, in contrast to this energetic promotion of the theoretical works, empirical verification of the validity of the RI model has not progressed much. Furthermore, to our knowledge, the central assumption of the RI model, that the amount of mutual information obtained from signals adequately represents the cognitive cost of information, has not been tested from a neuroscientific perspective. The purpose of the present study was to test whether the amount of mutual information adequately represents the cognitive cost of information from a neuroscientific perspective. We proposed a sequential investment task, in which the two main models of RI can be treated simultaneously in a more realistic experimental environment. We used a model-fitting approach to analyze the subjective information cost, and compared the model parameters representing the information cost with the concentration of oxidized hemoglobin in the brain blood. Our results showed that the cost parameter λ of the stochastic choice type model, which fits the behavioral data of the present experiment better than the Kalman filter type model, was significantly positively correlated with the activation status of the rostral prefrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The cognitive cost represented by the amount of mutual information employed in the RI model is consistent with the activation of brain regions associated with cognitive cost, and, thus, indirectly supports the assumption of the RI model.

The Fun Imperative During Learning: A Neuroscientific Perspective

The search for the optimal learning environment is a journey that draws on various domains of study; neuroscience opens a window into the functioning of the brain and so provides crucial information for educators. The purpose of this desk research is twofold: firstly, to offer knowledge on the biology of the learning process that demonstrates the importance of fun during learning and secondly, to explore the practical implications of this knowledge. The review of literature offers an understanding of brain plasticity during learning, the functions of the different parts of the brain and the biochemical changes which connect learning and fun. This research is intended for practitioners, and so it attempts to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Finally, the paper proposes the idea of using a Fun Barometer to help educators gauge the climate of a learning context.

Differences in brain activations between micro- and macro-expressions based on electroencephalography.

Micro-expressions can reflect an individual’s subjective emotions and true mental state and are widely used in the fields of mental health, justice, law enforcement, intelligence, and security. However, the current approach based on image and expert assessment-based micro-expression recognition technology has limitations such as limited application scenarios and time consumption. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, this study is the first to explore the brain mechanisms of micro-expressions and their differences from macro-expressions from a neuroscientific perspective. This can be a foundation for micro-expression recognition based on EEG signals. We designed a real-time supervision and emotional expression suppression (SEES) experimental paradigm to synchronously collect facial expressions and electroencephalograms. Electroencephalogram signals were analyzed at the scalp and source levels to determine the temporal and spatial neural patterns of micro- and macro-expressions. We found that micro-expressions were more strongly activated in the premotor cortex, supplementary motor cortex, and middle frontal gyrus in frontal regions under positive emotions than macro-expressions. Under negative emotions, micro-expressions were more weakly activated in the somatosensory cortex and corneal gyrus regions than macro-expressions. The activation of the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) was stronger in micro-expressions under positive than negative emotions. The reason for this difference is that the pathways of facial control are different; the production of micro-expressions under positive emotion is dependent on the control of the face, while micro-expressions under negative emotions are more dependent on the intensity of the emotion.

Optimizing the social utility of judicial punishment: An evolutionary biology and neuroscience perspective.

Punishment as a response to impairment of individual or group welfare may be found not only among humans but also among a wide range of social animals. In some cases, acts of punishment serve to increase social cooperation among conspecifics. Such phenomena motivate the search for the biological foundations of punishment among humans. Of special interest are cases of pro-social punishment of individuals harming others. Behavioral studies have shown that in economic games people punish exploiters even at a cost to their own welfare. Additionally, neuroimaging studies have reported activity during the planning of such punishment in brain areas involved in the anticipation of reward. Such findings hint that there is an evolutionarily honed basic drive to punish social offenders. I argue that the transfer of punishment authority from the individual to the group requires that social offenders be punished as a public good, even if such punishment is not effective as retribution or deterrent. Furthermore, the social need for punishment of offenders has implications for alternatives to incarceration, publicity of punishment, and judicial structure.