Spatial organization of electrical processes in the brain: Problems and solutions

Abstract

Theoretical questions of the spatial organization of electrical activity in the brain are discussed in terms of a multilevel realization of the synergetic principle for formation of functional systems underlying behavior and mental function. The role of the spatial-temporal superimposition of coherent structures of biopotentials in generating fields of increased activity in the cerebral cortex is discussed, these being responsible for integrative and associative functions. A hypothesis is proposed regarding the relationship between the energy and information factors of coherent structures as one of the important characteristics describing the efficiency of energy-informational processes. Emphasis is placed on the need for considering not only linear, but also nonlinear associations of biopotentials in considerations of the form and functional sense of their spatial organization.

Modifications of EEG Related to Directed Perception and Analysis of Olfactory Information in Humans

“…Publications describing the pattern of modifications of electrical activity of the human brain (mostly changes in the characteristics of current EEG) under the influence of olfactory stimulation are fragmentary and, frequently, contradictory [1,[5][6][7][8]. It should be noted that most authors, when estimating EEG modifications, limit themselves to an analysis of spectral power characteristics, while interpretation of the indices of distant synchronization of EEG oscillations is also necessary for estimation of the informational processes realized in the brain [9]. Close relations between olfactory and emotiogenic cerebral structures point to the existence of a few peculiarities of subjective perception of the smells; in particular, smells frequently possess clearly expressed emotional/hedonic estimates ("I like/do not like this smell") [10,11].…”

Electroencephalographic Correlates of Brain States during Verbal Learning: II. Characteristics of EEG Spatial Synchronization

“…For instance, the enhancement of localγ− synchronization ( [18][19][20][21][22][23], etc.) and the increase in spatial EEG synchronization in several frequency bands [24][25][26][27] in various kinds of mental activity may be considered as fragmentary manifestations of a general nonspecific dynamics, the intensity of such manifestations depending on the complexity of the tasks performed by the subjects [28][29][30]. It should be noted that spatial synchronization has been studied insufficiently in this respect.…”

Restoration of hemispherical symmetry of cerebral bioelectric activity in patients with asthenoneurotic syndrome by bioacoustic correction method

“…Various organic damages to the brain, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia disturb the symmetry of bioelectric activity (BEA) in the homologous subdivisions of cerebral hemispheres [1,5,7,8]. By contrast, no deviation in cerebral BEA symmetry was detected in neuroses and some other functional brain disorders [2,3].…”

“…Normal brain is characterized by symmetry in electrical activity of the right and left hemispheres [3,5,7,8]. Various organic damages to the brain, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia disturb the symmetry of bioelectric activity (BEA) in the homologous subdivisions of cerebral hemispheres [1,5,7,8].…”

“…By contrast, no deviation in cerebral BEA symmetry was detected in neuroses and some other functional brain disorders [2,3]. Since quantitative assessment of the relationships between cerebral hemispheres is usually performed with the help of cross-correlation and coherent analyses or by hemispherical asymmetry of various EEG indices, it is a common practice to use short epochs (seconds), when EEG is non-stationary [5,7]. At the same time, to reveal the disturbances in BEA symmetry during functional brain disorders, it is expedient to use longer periods of analysis.…”