Electrophysiological approaches in the study of cognitive development outside the lab

Abstract

The use of human neuroimaging technology provides knowledge about several emotional and cognitive processes at the neural level of organization. In particular, electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques allow researchers to explore high-temporal resolution of the neural activity that underlie the dynamics of cognitive processes. Although EEG research has been mostly applied in laboratory settings, recently a low-cost, portable EEG apparatus was released, which allows exploration of different emotional and cognitive processes during every-day activities. We compared a wide range of EEG measures using both a low-cost portable and a high-quality laboratory system. EEG recordings were done with both systems while participants performed an active task (Go/NoGo) and during their resting-state. Results showed similar waveforms in terms of morphology and amplitude of the ERPs, and comparable effects between conditions of the applied Go/NoGo paradigm. In addition, the contribution of each frequency to the entire EEG was not significantly different during resting-state, and fluctuations in amplitude of oscillations showed long-range temporal correlations. These results showed that low-cost, portable EEG technology can provide an alternative of enough quality for measuring brain activity outside a laboratory setting, which could contribute to the study of different populations in more ecological contexts.

Time‐oriented attention improves accuracy in a paced finger‐tapping task

“…The system has 14 channels placed in locations consistent with the 10-20 montage, and two other additional electrodes located in the mastoids. The Emotiv EPOC+ was specifically validated for auditory ERP recording (Badcock et al, 2013(Badcock et al, , 2015 and also for a wide range of measurements (Pietto et al, 2018). In order to refer the EEG data and the behavioural data to a common time axis, we adapted the Emotiv EPOC+ to receive temporal alignment marks.…”

Sharing an Open Stimulation System for Auditory EEG Experiments Using Python, Raspberry Pi, and HifiBerry

“…Our solution extends their work by allowing all types of (personalized) audio protocols with good sound quality. In addition, such mobile solutions allow for easy combination with available EEG systems, both classic laboratory-based options as well as the newer open source and mobile EEG options ( Pietto et al, 2018 ; Reiser et al, 2019 ). Together, this might significantly increase the study possibilities, both in terms of research capacity in smaller laboratories and for experiments outside the laboratory.…”

Music therapy as social skill intervention for children with comorbid ASD and ID: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Spectral analysis is used to decompose qEEG signals across several minutes into different frequency bands, which are associated with specific functions. The most consistent pattern of findings in the literature is that individuals with ASD show a U-shaped pattern of spectral power relative to controls without ASD [ 9 ]; that is, excessive power is observed at low-frequency (delta, 1-3 Hz and theta, 4–7 Hz) and high-frequency (beta, 13-35 Hz and gamma, > 35 Hz) bands, but reduced power is detected in middle-range frequency band (alpha, 8-12 Hz). The pattern was found with wide topographic distribution, which suggested abnormalities across multiple brain regions.…”

“…In contrast, right-lateralized frontal activity may reflect negative emotions and intention to withdraw. Reduced alpha power in the left frontal area of the scalp in individuals with ASD has also been reported [ 9 ]. The modulation of FAA has been demonstrated in neurofeedback training in individuals with ASD to activate their imitation behaviors [ 11 , 12 ], so this measure is hypothesized to predict and be responsive to social skill interventions.…”