Neuroplasticity Theory Research Articles

Effects of Second Language Acquisition on Executive Functioning in Older Adults in France

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of second language acquisition on executive functioning in older adults in France. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Research on second language acquisition in older adults in France indicates that learning a new language can boost cognitive abilities like problem-solving and multitasking. It enhances memory retention and cognitive flexibility, vital for maintaining mental acuity. Language learning stimulates brain regions linked to executive functions, potentially reducing cognitive decline and offering protective benefits against neurodegenerative diseases in aging populations. These findings highlight the cognitive advantages of bilingualism among older adults in France. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Bilingual advantage hypothesis, cognitive reserve theory & neuroplasticity theory may be used to anchor future studies on the effects of second language acquisition on executive functioning in older adults in France. Encourage lifelong learning programs that include SLA courses for older adults in France. Advocate for the inclusion of SLA programs in public health initiatives aimed at promoting cognitive health among older adults. Policy frameworks should support funding and infrastructure for community-based language learning initiatives.

NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION EFFECT ON WRIST SPASTICITY AND FUNCTION IN POST-STROKE PATIENT WITH UPPER EXTREMITY RECOVERY EXERCISE

Background : Stroke is still a major health problem in the world and cause disability. Spasticity is one of the disability problems in stroke patients, which is more common in the wrist muscles. Recovery of spasticity is quite difficult and there is no definitive treatment that can speed up the recovery. Electrical stimulation is one of the rehabilitation intervensions that is believed to be able to recover spasticity based on neuroplasticity theory. There has been no consensus for the method of electrical stimulation that can give rise to optimal effects in stroke patients. New studies are still needed to determine effective therapeutic programs. Objective : The study aims to determine the effectiveness of the use of Wrist Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) against the recovery of spasticity and functional degrees of post-stroke patients who receive upper extremity recovery exercise (URE). Methods : The study used a randomized controlled trial. The study sample was stroke patients who are treated at dr. Saiful Anwar hospital policlinic. The study involved 30 post-stroke patients who were randomized into NMES combined with URE groups (15 patients) and URE groups (15 patients). Modified Asworth Scale and Fugl-Meyer Assesment of Upper Extremity total were measured before and after interventions. Modified Asworth Scale (MAS) is a scale than use for measure spasticity degree and have very good realibility. Fugl-Meyer Assesment Scaletha (FMA) is a scale for measure fungsionality of extremities which also have good realibility. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) device is BTL-5000 series. Results : NMES combined with URE can reduce the degree of spasticity and increase the functional degree of the wrist in post-stroke patients significantly (p<0.05). URE can also significantly reduce the degree of spasticity and increase the functional degree of the wrist (p<0.05). NMES compared to URE futher reduced the degree of spasticity and increased the functional degree of the wrist in post-stroke patients insignificantly (p>0.05). Conclusion : The mean decrease in the degree of spasticity and increase in functional degree in the NMES group combined with URE measured by MAS scale showing that degree of spasticity with sig 0,101 > alpha (0,05) is not significant, but the mean decrease MAS in the NMES with URE group is bigger than group URE alone. The mean decrease in the degree of spasticity and increase in functional degree in the NMES group combined with URE measured by FMA scale showing that degree of spasticity with sig 0,787 > alpha (0,05) is also not significant, but the mean decrease FMA in the NMES with URE group is bigger than URE alone. This results mean that there is a significant score decrease in spasticity and increase of fungsionality degree before and after URE grop and there is not significant different score using NMES and URE group in MAS and FMA scale.

Exercise-induced neuroplasticity: a new perspective on rehabilitation for chronic low back pain.

Chronic low back pain patients often experience recurrent episodes due to various peripheral and central factors, leading to physical and mental impairments, affecting their daily life and work, and increasing the healthcare burden. With the continuous advancement of neuropathological research, changes in brain structure and function in chronic low back pain patients have been revealed. Neuroplasticity is an important mechanism of self-regulation in the brain and plays a key role in neural injury repair. Targeting neuroplasticity and regulating the central nervous system to improve functional impairments has become a research focus in rehabilitation medicine. Recent studies have shown that exercise can have beneficial effects on the body, such as improving cognition, combating depression, and enhancing athletic performance. Exercise-induced neuroplasticity may be a potential mechanism through which exercise affects the brain. This article systematically introduces the theory of exercise-induced neuroplasticity, explores the central effects mechanism of exercise on patients with chronic low back pain, and further looks forward to new directions in targeted neuroplasticity-based rehabilitation treatment for chronic low back pain.

Influence of Bilingualism on Cognitive Abilities in Children in China

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of bilingualism on cognitive abilities in children in China. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Research on bilingualism and cognitive abilities in children in China has indicated several significant findings. Studies suggest that bilingualism can enhance executive functioning skills, such as cognitive flexibility and attention control, leading to improved problem-solving abilities. Additionally, bilingual children often demonstrate advanced metalinguistic awareness and language development, with proficiency in both their native language and a second language. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Bilingual advantage hypothesis, socio-cultural theory & neuroplasticity theory may be used to anchor future studies on influence of bilingualism on cognitive abilities in children in China. Implement evidence-based instructional strategies educators should incorporate evidence-based instructional strategies that capitalize on the cognitive benefits of bilingualism. Advocate for bilingual education policies. Policymakers should advocate for the implementation of bilingual education policies that support language minority students' cognitive development.

Impairment in acquisition of conditioned fear in people with depressive symptoms.

Depression is one of the primary global public health issues, and there has been a dramatic increase in depression levels among young people over the past decade. The neuroplasticity theory of depression postulates that a malfunction in neural plasticity, which is responsible for learning, memory, and adaptive behavior, is the primary source of the disorder's clinical manifestations. Nevertheless, the impact of depression symptoms on associative learning remains underexplored. We used the differential fear conditioning paradigm to investigate the effects of depressive symptoms on fear acquisition and extinction learning. Skin conductance response (SCR) is an objective evaluation indicator, and ratings of nervousness, likeability, and unconditioned stimuli (US) expectancy are subjective evaluation indicators. In addition, we used associability generated by a computational reinforcement learning model to characterize the skin conductance response. The findings indicate that individuals with depressive symptoms exhibited significant impairment in fear acquisition learning compared to those without depressive symptoms based on the results of the skin conductance response. Moreover, in the discrimination fear learning task, the skin conductance response was positively correlated with associability, as estimated by the hybrid model in the group without depressive symptoms. Additionally, the likeability rating scores improved post-extinction learning in the group without depressive symptoms, and no such increase was observed in the group with depressive symptoms. The study highlights that individuals with pronounced depressive symptoms exhibit impaired fear acquisition and extinction learning, suggesting a possible deficit in associative learning. Employing the hybrid model to analyze the learning process offers a deeper insight into the associative learning processes of humans, thus allowing for improved comprehension and treatment of these mental health problems.

Effective Connectivity Changes among Brain Hierarchical Architecture of Pre-Supplementary Motor Area in Taxi Drivers

Much effort has been devoted towards the identification of brain areas recruited during driving—as one of the most common motor skills of human beings. However, how driving experience impacts on the brain’s intrinsic functional architecture has not been fully investigated. Using resting-state fMRI data collected from 20 taxi drivers and 20 nondrivers, this paper asks whether there exists specific brain network integration encoding driving behavior. First, to address this, we proposed a general framework combining whole-brain functional connectivity analysis with effective connectivity analysis based on spectral Dynamic Causal Modeling. The validation results indicated that the application of this framework could effectively discover the brain network that best explained the observed BOLD fluctuations. Second, by segmenting supplementary motor area (SMA) into pre-SMA and SMA proper sub-regions, we used the above framework and discovered a hierarchical architecture with pre-SMA located at the higher level in both driver and control groups. Third, we further evaluated the possibility that driving behavior could be encoded by directed connections among the hierarchy, and found that the effective connectivity from pre-SMA to left superior frontal gyrus could distinguish drivers from nondrivers with a sensitivity of 80%. Our findings provide a new paradigm for analyzing the brain’s intrinsic functional integration, and may shed new light on the theory of neuroplasticity that training and experience can remodel the patterns of correlated spontaneous brain activity between specific processing regions. Meanwhile, from a methodological advantage perspective, our proposed framework takes the functional connectivity results as a prior, enabling subsequent spectral DCM to efficiently assess functional integration at a whole-brain scale, which is not available by only using other DCM methods, such as stochastic DCM or the State-of-the-Art multimodal DCM.

Fostering a growth mindset in secondary mathematics classrooms in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT In a search for tools to support students to change towards growth mindsets, interventions were implemented by 17 teachers and their 512 students in 21 classes in 10 different secondary schools. The interventions consisted of classroom material explaining the theory of neuroplasticity and mindset to students, specific teaching methods, and student activities. Data were collected through a mindset questionnaire for students, interviews with students and teachers, and lesson observations. The change in average mindset scores of students showed a tendency to a more growth mindset after the interventions. More importantly, in the interviews and questionnaires right after the interventions, students and teachers indicated that their attitudes in the classroom with respect to mathematics changed, as became clear by their language use and their working with more trust and care. These findings indicate the importance of fostering growth mindsets to make mathematics accessible for all students.

Effects of Overlapping Action of Clinically Applied Rehabilitation Interventions Based on the Theory of Neuroplasticity

This study was invested to investigate the effects of a treatment method that can apply the theory of neurorehabilitation for rehabilitation treatment of stroke patients on spasticity, balance ability, and walking ability. In this study, 30 people diagnosed by a rehabilitation medicine specialist were divided into experimental group A and experimental group B through a random assignment method. Experimental group A received extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the paralyzed lower extremity after proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation treatment, and experimental group B received non-gravity treadmill training after proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation treatment. All treatments were performed 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and pre- and post-evaluation were conducted. Spasticity, gait speed, dynamic balance ability, and ankle angle were measured to evaluate the treatment effect. In the results of the study, the decrease in spasticity was statistically significantly higher in experimental group A than in experimental group B, and the improvement in walking speed and dynamic balance ability was statistically significantly higher in experimental group B than in experimental group A. In addition, the change in ankle angle was greater in experimental group A than in experimental group B. In conclusion, various treatment methods should be applied simultaneously to improve the quality of life and quickly return to society in stroke patients.

Four theories support a hypothesis that cannabis may be a treatment for female orgasmic disorder

ABSTRACT Introduction Cannabis helps women orgasm who have difficulty orgasming and enhances the frequency and quality of women's orgasm. Studies have not yet shown if cannabis helps women orgasm who have female orgasmic disorder (FOD). Up to 41% of women worldwide suffer from FOD and the percentage of women suffering from FOD has not changed in 50 years. Objective The objective of this literature review is to present theories that support a hypothesis that cannabis may help women who have lifelong, acquired, or situational FOD. There is only one empirically validated treatment for lifelong FOD and no empirically validated treatments for acquired or situational FOD. Method Literature Review Results The dishabituation theory presents that Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), causes a dishabituating effect. Information processing of higher brain structures under the influence of THC reduces the routine represented by habits. Multiple studies have established the habits of cognitive distraction during sexual activity may distract a woman from her sensations and ability to orgasm. The theoretical rationale for the dishabituation theory proposes that THC could dishabituate the habit of being cognitively distracted and may explain why women who had never experienced an orgasm discovered they could orgasm when using cannabis before sex and why women who reported difficulty experiencing orgasm said it was easier to experience orgasm while using cannabis before sex. Neuroplasticity theory is a broad theory to describe how the human brain grows, changes, and rewires. Cannabis and endocannabinoids, the cannabinoids created by the human body, are increasingly recognized for their roles in neural development processes, including brain cell growth and neuroplasticity. The theoretical rationale for the neuroplasticity theory is that this theory may explain why some women learn to orgasm while using cannabis before sex and, once they learned to orgasm, found that they no longer required cannabis. The multi-modal treatment theory proposes that cannabis can treat multiple symptoms and conditions simultaneously. Multi-modal treatment is a broad area of study that involves combining two or more modalities targeting different aspects of a disease. The theoretical rationale for the multi-modal treatment theory is that this theory may explain why women who use cannabis for any reason may decrease their FOD. One researcher found that cannabis use decreased sexual dysfunction by up to 21% and that the reason women used cannabis had little to do with sexual functioning. The amygdala reduction theory proposes that cannabis can reduce the activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear responses to threats. Hypervigilance, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are responses of the amygdala and commonly impair sexual response. The theoretical rationale for the amygdala reduction theory is that reduced amygdala activity can positively affect FOD. A reduction in anxiety associated with a sexual encounter could improve experiences and lead to improved orgasm and satisfaction. Conclusion Theories and anecdotal evidence from the existing body of cannabis, sex and women's orgasm research support that cannabis may be a treatment for FOD. Research needs to be conducted to evaluate cannabis as a treatment for FOD. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no. A consultant, employee (part time or full time) or shareholder is among the authors (Dr. Tishler is President and COO of inhaleMD, Inc. he is one of my dissertation advisors).

MIRROR THERAPY IN PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC PRACTICE FOR RECOVERY OF THE MOTOR FUNCTION OF THE UPPER LIMB IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE

Cerebrovascular diseases occupy a major place among socially significant diseases due to high morbidity, mortality and severe disability. Bulgaria is one of the first places in the world in these indicators. Timely and properly applied, physiotherapy has a positive effect on their independence and self-care. Modern physiotherapy is based on the theory of neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain to change adaptively with significant changes in the body and the environment. Mirror therapy is a contemporary approach to restoring the function of the upper limb after a stroke. It is based on the principle of stimulating movement in the affected limb through visual signals coming from the other side of the body. This aroused the interest to develop and implement a program and methodology of its application, including mirror therapy. The aim of the study was: To develop and implement a physiotherapy program and methodology of its application, including mirror therapy, to improve motor function of the upper limb in the recovery of patients with ischemic brain disease and to study the effect of its application. The present study was conducted in the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of the University Hospital "Medica-Russe" in the period from January 2019 to June 2020. Of the patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke, were formed two groups - control and experimental. Ten patients were included in each group. The presented own results make it possible to analyze the effect of the applied complex physiotherapy program and mirror therapy in the late recovery period.

Enhancement of capability for motor imagery using vestibular imbalance stimulation during brain computer interface

Objective. Motor imagery (MI), based on the theory of mirror neurons and neuroplasticity, can promote motor cortical activation in neurorehabilitation. The strategy of MI based on brain-computer interface (BCI) has been used in rehabilitation training and daily assistance for patients with hemiplegia in recent years. However, it is difficult to maintain the consistency and timeliness of receiving external stimulation to neural activation in most subjects owing to the high variability of electroencephalogram (EEG) representation across trials/subjects. Moreover, in practical application, MI-BCI cannot highly activate the motor cortex and provide stable interaction owing to the weakness of the EEG feature and lack of an effective mode of activation. Approach. In this study, a novel hybrid BCI paradigm based on MI and vestibular stimulation motor imagery (VSMI) was proposed to enhance the capability of feature response for MI. Twelve subjects participated in a group of controlled experiments containing VSMI and MI. Three indicators, namely, activation degree, timeliness, and classification accuracy, were adopted to evaluate the performance of the task. Main results. Vestibular stimulation could significantly strengthen the suppression of α and β bands of contralateral brain regions during MI, that is, enhance the activation degree of the motor cortex (p< 0.01). Compared with MI, the timeliness of EEG feature-response achieved obvious improvements in VSMI experiments. Moreover, the averaged classification accuracy of VSMI and MI was 80.56% and 69.38%, respectively. Significance. The experimental results indicate that specific vestibular activity contributes to the oscillations of the motor cortex and has a positive effect on spontaneous imagery, which provides a novel MI paradigm and enables the preliminary exploration of sensorimotor integration of MI.

Dichotic listening abilities among liturgical teachers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church

ABSTRACT This study examines patterns of ear advantage and attentional capacity among religious teachers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church versus adults who are not religious teachers. Religious education, rooted mainly in Christianity and Islam, has a long history in Ethiopia. Most of such education has been practised through recitations and oral presentations, which demand perceptual vigour particularly on the part of the teachers. The present study employed a dichotic listening paradigm, using monosyllabic word and CV-syllables listening tasks, administered in three attentional conditions: non-forced (NF), forced-right (FR) and forced-left (FL). 54 right-handed male adults (27 teachers and 27 non-teachers) served as participants. Percentages of correct responses per ear, as well as Laterality Index (LI) were calculated and analysed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical procedure. Results showed that, on both listening tasks, the religious teachers demonstrated a higher ear advantage in all conditions, indicative of stronger language asymmetry (in non-forced condition) and better ability to focus on one specific ear (in forced conditions). The findings of the present study are very much in support of the theory of neuroplasticity in human cognition (Konorski, 1948).

Associations of parental depression during adolescence with cognitive development in later life in China: A population-based cohort study.

Prior research has underscored negative impacts of perinatal parental depression on offspring cognitive performance in early childhood. However, little is known about the effects of parental depression during adolescence on offspring cognitive development. This study used longitudinal data from the nationally representative China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The sample included 2,281 adolescents aged 10-15 years (the median age was 13 years with an interquartile range between 11 and 14 years) in 2012 when their parents were surveyed for depression symptoms with the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The sample was approximately balanced by sex, with 1,088 females (47.7%). We examined the associations of parental depression in 2012 with offspring cognitive performance (measured by mathematics, vocabulary, immediate word recall, delayed word recall, and number series tests) in subsequent years (i.e., 2014, 2016, and 2018) using linear regression models, adjusting for various offspring (i.e., age, sex, and birth order), parent (i.e., parents' education level, age, whether living with the offspring, and employment status), and household characteristics (i.e., place of residence, household income, and the number of offspring). We found parental depression during adolescence to be significantly associated with worse cognitive performance in subsequent years, in both crude and adjusted models. For example, in the crude models, adolescents whose mothers had depression symptoms in 2012 scored 1.0 point lower (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.2 to -0.8, p < 0.001) in mathematics in 2014 compared to those whose mothers did not have depression symptoms; after covariate adjustment, this difference marginally reduced to 0.8 points (95% CI: -1.0 to -0.5, p < 0.001); the associations remained robust after further adjusting for offspring earlier cognitive ability in toddlerhood (-1.2, 95% CI: -1.6, -0.9, p < 0.001), offspring cognitive ability in 2012 (-0.6, 95% CI: -0.8, -0.3, p < 0.001), offspring depression status (-0.7, 95% CI: -1.0, -0.5, p < 0.001), and parents' cognitive ability (-0.8, 95% CI: -1.2, -0.3, p < 0.001). In line with the neuroplasticity theory, we observed stronger associations between maternal depression and mathematical/vocabulary scores among the younger adolescents (i.e., 10-11 years) than the older ones (i.e., 12-15 years). For example, the association between maternal depression and 2014 vocabulary scores was estimated to be -2.1 (95% CI: -2.6, -1.6, p < 0.001) in those aged 10-11 years, compared to -1.2 (95% CI: -1.6, -0.8, p < 0.001) in those aged 12-15 years with a difference of 0.9 (95% CI: 0.2, 1.6, p = 0.010). We also observed a stronger association of greater depression severity with worse mathematical scores. The primary limitations of this study were the relatively high attrition rate and residual confounding. In this study, we observed that parental depression during adolescence was associated with adverse offspring cognitive development assessed up to 6 years later. These findings highlight the intergenerational association between depression in parents and cognitive development across the early life course into adolescence.

Formation of the Cognitive Component of Professionally-Oriented Mathematical Competence of Future Radio Specialists in the Context of Neuroplasticity of the Human Brain

The article is devoted to the disclosure of the problem of formation of competencies of future specialists in technical specialties, in particular students of radio engineering specialties. The main concept for the formation of skills and abilities of students is the theory of neuroplasticity of the human brain, which is the basis of all neuropedagogy. The essence of the phenomenon of neuroplasticity of the brain is analyzed in the work, the analysis of works of scientists who investigated the problem of formation of competences of future specialists of technical specialties, in particular formation of mathematical competences is carried out. The concepts of competence and professionally-oriented mathematical competence are specified. The authors singled out in a separate block professionally-oriented mathematical competence as fundamental, which is an integrative formation of mathematical and professional skills. It includes the following components: cognitive, operational-algorithmic, applicable, design components. The cognitive component of professionally-oriented mathematical competence is responsible for the ability to find and accumulate mathematical knowledge. In order to improve the quality of training of future specialists in technical specialties, a methodical system of fundamentalization of mathematical training of future bachelors in the field of electronics and telecommunications has been formed. Elements of test tasks are offered, by means of which the formation of the cognitive component of professionally-oriented mathematical competence was checked. The article makes a detailed description of the statistical verification of the obtained experimental data and the results of the empirical verification of the effectiveness of the method. Mathematical processing of data and their reliability and significance were checked using Fisher's test. The results of the experiment gave grounds to assert that the effectiveness of the proposed methodological system does not depend on the individual personality of the lecturer who introduced the method into the educational process.

Counselors’ Neuroscience Conceptualizations of Depression

The authors conducted the first-ever study into counselor conceptualization of client problems using neuroscience theories. The authors selected an embedded mixed-methods design. Participants (N = 334) provided quantitative demographic information and responded to an open-ended qualitative question regarding a hypothetical situation of a client asking the counselor to explain depression from a neuroscience perspective. The authors coded, tallied, and transformed qualitative responses to quantitative data via frequency counts. Kappa coefficients for the coding team exceeded the threshold for acceptable reliability. Approximately half of the counselors applied neuroscience theories to explain client experiences of depression (57.7%, n = 194), and some counselors integrated multiple neuroscience theories in their response (23.2%, n = 45). The monoamine and neuroplasticity theories were the two most common neuroscience theories for depression. Implications for research and training are discussed.

Approaches of the intensive neurofunctional physiotherapy: A short review

The context of the neurocritical patient is complex and the early intensive physiotherapy approach and during the hospitalization is of extreme importance to the prognostic and to evolution sensorimotor of these patients, or to prevent the relevant complications of immobility, managing the mechanical ventilation or encouraging the neuroplasticity. It is presented in this work the more common neurologic alterations and it particularities. Also, the normotensive physiotherapeutic techniques are showed to provide information about them and meliorates it provokes. The recent theories about the Bo bath method, the neuroplasticity theory, and the theory of restriction movement are showed. In conclusion the importance of the work of physiotherapist is to obtain quality of life for the patients in intensive unit.

Теоретичні засади впровадження компетентнісного підходу у процес фундаментальної математичної підготовки фахівців технічних спеціальностей

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of introducing a competence-based approach to the educational process, in particular with the fundamental mathematical training of specialists in technical specialties. A review of the literature relating to the problem field of the competence-based approach was carried out; the author’s enterpretation of this definition was given. The object of research is the formation of mathematical, professionally-directed mathematical competences of students of technical specialties. The purpose of the article is to reveal the existing approaches to the interpretation of the concepts of competence, competence-based approach, to analyze the implementation of the competence-based approach in the educational process in the context of the theory of neuroplasticity of the human brain, as well as the formation of professionally-directed mathematical competences in the context of this theory. For the formation of a specific competence, several factors are needed: the time period during which the formation of competence takes place, the personality motivation to the formation of competence, the activity of the personality, contributes to the formation of competence, external influential influential factors caused by the teacher's actions. The listed factors of competence formation correspond to the conditions of formation of new neural connections in the human brain, which reflect new ways of thinking and actions, correlate with the concept of brain neuroplasticity. An example of the formation of operational-algorithmic competence in the process of fundamental mathematical training of students of technical specialties is given.

Yoga- and meditation-based lifestyle intervention increases neuroplasticity and reduces severity of major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

Current interventions for major depressive disorder (MDD) are suboptimal, and only one third respond to them on initial treatment. Neuroplasticity theories are the basis for several emerging treatments. Evidence on the impact of yoga, a well-known mind-body intervention, on neuroplasticity in MDD is limited. To determine the effects of 12-week yoga- and meditation-based lifestyle intervention (YMLI) on depression severity and systemic biomarkers of neuroplasticity in adult MDD patients on routine drug treatment. A total of 58 MDD patients were randomized into yoga or control group. The severity of depression was assessed with Beck Depression Inventory-II scale (BDI-II). Blood samples were collected before and after intervention for the measurement of the biomarkers that characterize neuroplasticity, including mind-body communicative and cellular health biomarkers. There was a significant decrease [difference between means, (95% CI)] in BDI-II score [-5.83 (-7.27, -4.39), p < 0.001] and significant increase in BDNF (ng/ml) [5.48 (3.50, 7.46), p < 0.001] after YMLI compared to control group. YMLI significantly increased DHEAS, sirtuin 1, and telomerase activity levels, and decreased cortisol, and IL-6 levels, in addition to decreasing DNA damage and balancing oxidative stress. Multiple regression analyses were used to associate neuroplasticity biomarkers with depression severity. A 'post-intervention change in BDNF' x 'group' interaction indicated that yoga group had more BDNF in association with less BDI-II scores relative to controls. Increased sirtuin 1 and telomerase activity and decreased cortisol significantly predicted this association (all p < 0.05). These results suggest that decrease in depression severity after YMLI in MDD is associated with improved systemic biomarkers of neuroplasticity. Thus YMLI can be considered as a therapeutic intervention in MDD management.

Ngrowot Tradition in Neuroscience Study in Luqmaniyah Islamic Boarding School, Yogyakarta

The purpose of this research is to discuss a sacred and a transcendence tradition of ngrowot at PPLQ in the perspective of a medic and a scientific neuroscience. All of data that was correlated with the ngrowot tradition was categorized empirically and scientifically, and then it was analyzed through neuroplasticity theory explaining the brain that can be transformed by behavioral changes. The result of this study explained that the philosophy of ngrowot is theology and food sovereignty. In the modern era, ngrowot becomes a healthy lifestyle for some elite that is called as the “healthy diet”. This research develops food theology in terms of Islamic educational neuroscience into theology of intelligence and the sovereignty of thinking. The theology of intelligence makes ngrowot as tirakat during the learning process in order to get barokah in terms of the intelligence aspects, and get the benefits in the world and the hereafter. The sovereignty of thinking makes ngrowot as laku prihatin so a salafist’s intelligence of ngrowot cannot be easily interrupted by the secular idea that is not appropriate with Islamic spiritual teachings. The behavioral changes of ngrowot believers also implicate to the structure of neuron in the mind. So, ngrowot can be an educational character method, and in the same time, it also develops the intelligence of ngrowot believera in any dimensions.

Let The Drugs Lead The Way! On the Unfolding of a Research Program in Psychiatry

After reports in the late 1950s of a correlation between the effects of psychotropic drugs on mono-amine metabolism and on affective states, it became generally accepted that brain monoaminergic systems contributed to the pathophysiology of depression. After this, psychiatric researchers continued to pursue the neurochemical effects of antidepressants, hoping to gain novel insights into the biology of depression, what researchers themselves have referred to as the "pharmacological bridge." In this way, researchers repeatedly adapted their field's theoretical framework to fit conflicting evidence without challenging underlying and highly questionable assumptions concerning the specificity of psychotropic drug treatments. The result is a series of depression theories in which neuroplasticity theories are the most recent addition. The author uses Imre Lakatos's concept of "research program" to investigate this chronological sequence of theories. It is proposed that for over thirty years the pharmacological bridge provided direction to a psychiatric research program; more recently, however, the pharmacological bridge has come under siege as new laboratory technologies, such as neuroimaging, have increasingly replaced drugs as standard tools to investigate neuropathophysiology. Thus, this work illustrates how the epistemological and technological aspects of research intertwine in the history of psychiatry in general and the field of depression in particular.