BRAIN ACTIVITY

Author: CASTRO FERNÁNDEZ ANTONIO.
Year: 2003.
University: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA [www.usc.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.

Summary: The primary purpose of the study described here was to investigate the demonstrations electrophysiological brain associated with spinal cord injury. This has recorded potential brain associated with movement (ie, the first component of the potential of preparation, negative trend, premotora positivity, potential engine, and potential reaferente) in people who had a spinal cord injury and people without spinal cord injury. A total of six groups of subjects skilled, predominantly male adults were surveyed. Three of them were clinical groups were prepared and tried flexionar fingers paralyzed from the lower extremities. One of them (N = 12) had a long history of spinal lesion (over 5 years), a second (N = 10) presented a brief history of spinal cord injury (between one and six months), and third (N = 4 ) consisted of subjects with spina bifida. The other three control groups were without spinal cord injury. Among them there was one (N = 12) which was prepared and carried out the movement sought and the other two groups (N = 10 and N = 4) were prepared to carry out the movement but ultimately not performed. Potential brain associated with the movement were recorded from 20 electrodes located according to the international system 10-20. It also recorded the electrooculograma vertical and horizontal and electromyogram. The results show that the extent of the trend nefativa was higher in participants without spinal cord injury that ended up running the movement than in control subjects who knew in advance that they would not have to carry it out. As the participants with spinal cord injury, those who had a long history of injury expressed uan less negative trend that the control subjects who performed the movement itself, but its extent was similar to the magnitude recorded in the subjects capable of making the movement that just be prepared for llevaro out. In contrast, patients with a brief history of spinal cord injury is not differentiated in any of its two control groups in terms of the negative trend. In both groups with no congenital spinal cord injury, the potential engine registered from the vertex was higher in the group brief history of spinal cord injury in the group long history of spinal cord injury. Potential brain associated with the movement were also registered in patients with spina bífída. In conclusion, spinal cord injury does not affect the existence of potential brain associated with the movement. Generators neural of these indexes electrophysiological remain functionally active although the extent of the negative trend and the potential engine is reduced. Moreover, after spinal cord injury tends to occur brain reorganization that is manifested in a change in the topographic distribution of any of the indicators electrophysiological analyzed.

Author: MORENO MONTES EVA M..
Year: 2004.
University: COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID [www.ucm.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: UNIV. SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA.

Summary: The bilingà ¼ is experiencing a delay in understanding written passages that contain changes in language, as well as delays in work for lexical decision words procedidos a word in another language, suggesting that access to the lexicon is difficult. This thesis describes the results of two studies on the changes of language processing employing the technique of potential evento-relacionados (ERPs). The first experiment compares the brain response generated by the processing of language changes with the response generated by the substitution of synonyms. This produces a wide positivity late (450-850 milesungos) in response to changes in language (positive component late or LPC), contrasting with a N400 in response to changes lexicons (synonyms). This result indicates that, unlike the difficulty of integration semantics causing a synonym, the difficulty of prosecuting a change of language arises at other stages of processing, perhaps more related to an update of context. The second experiment examined the modulation of the response to changes in language in terms of competition and the frequency of use of words relating to each language. It is found again an effect LPC in response to changes in language in both directions. However, for camibos towards the dominant language notes also between 200-400 msegs, a pre-negativity positive effect, which could indicate some initial difficulty processing semantic level where the change in language occurs in this direction. Furthermore, the relative frequency of use of the word in the language exercises a dominant influence on the processing of the word in the language is not dominant, to a greater extent than in the opposite direction, suggesting an asymmetry in controlling the bilingà ¼ and exercises on what needs to be language processed in a situation to occur, or might occur, unexpected changes of language.

Author: VERDES MOREIRAS M. CARMEN.
Year: 2004.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA [www.uab.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: ESCUELA DE POSTGRADO.

Summary: Alcohol clearly can start a dependency and ultimately, the interaction in the brain, between the substance and adaptive processes that take place at neurobiological, neurochemical and molecular, are responsible for the process unit. Therefore, the key to understanding the additions is in the brain. The overall purpose of this study is to identify changes in brain activity that relate to the experience of alcohol, correlated different doses of alcohol administered intravenous routes with the images acquired brain, using the technique of Positron Emission Tomography. Just as the study of those factors that may mediatizar the effects of alcohol on individual behavior, notably the level of expectations to the effects of alcohol and personality traits. The study population consisted of 16 subjects male. To study the neural process that mediates the subjective experience so pleasurable as unpleasant derived from the consumption of alcohol technique was used PET with radiotrazador H2 15O. Two doses were administered intravenously alcohol and assessed the effect of cognitive and subjective. The data obtained in this study suggest that the effects of alcohol on behavior are modulated in a dose-dependent manner by the changes in neuronal activity in different brain regions such as cortex previous cingulado, frontal cortex and cerebellum. Ademáss, an increase in the subjective sensation of dizziness and intoxication in connection with the increased levels of blood alcohol. Specifically, the subjective feeling dizzy appears to be mediated by changes in neuronal activity of cortez orbit forntal, bridge the cerebellum and the rear of the temporary shift means. Finally, it was found that factors dispocisionales, specifically those expectations play an important role in the effects of alcohol, and its manifestation in the neuronal response.

Author: RUZ CÁMARA MARÍA.
Year: 2004.
University: GRANADA [www.ugr.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.

Summary: The research contained in this thesis makes use of the potential of modern techniques brain imaging to investigate the possibility of the existence of subliminal perception and the characteristics of it. The thesis runs through an introduction to the viewpoint of Neuroencia Cognitive, a body formed by the three research projects and a general discussion of the data and findings. The first research project presented uses the technique electroencefalografía high density (HDERP) to study the brain correlates processing semantic cosciente and unconscious. The results show that the perception is not aware is possible and that the foundations of this brain processing are different from the perception cosciente. The other two research projects employing HDERP and Functional Magnetic Resonance (FMRI) to explore the brain areas involved in processing atentivo and not atentivo the words, and the dynamics of these processes. Again, the results show brain foundations and dynamic difernciables for those dependent processes of care and those that take place without their participation. The findings affect the existence of subliminal perception as something separable from pocesamiento conscious.

Author: GONZALEZ GONZALEZ BELEN.
Year: 2004.
University: LA LAGUNA [www.ull.es].
Place of defense: UNVIERSIDAD DE LA LAGUNA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE MEDICINA.

Summary: The oxide nitrico and proteins to intracellular calcium ligadoras: calbindina (CB) and parvalbumina (PV) molecules are important for the development of the central nervous system. Although there are data on changes in activity of these molecules for the development of different nerve centers of unknown species lower its pattern of expression in the troncoencefalo humans during development. We used histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (NADPH-diaforasa) for the different isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), CB, PV and different neuronal and glial markers to identify changes occurring in centers motor, sensory and reticular in mesencéfalo, lump and rachidian bulb, from 14 weeks of gestation (GS) to adult. Our findings show: CB activity precedes the NOS and PV. 2 - The period of maximum activity for the three proteins were found between 22 and 27 GS. 3 - The pattern is established adult usually between 35 GS and the newborn. 4 - The three proteins in different nuclei, showed two patterns of expression and the other a progressive transition. 5-In the olive grove complex lower (IOC), colículo lower (CI) and colículo higher (CS), there has been activity gradients that follow an orientation to the ventromedial dorsolateral for CB & NOS in the IOC, ventrolateral to dorsomedial for PV in the RI and deep to superficial for CB & NOS in the IC. 6, nerve tracts - small cell can be observed immature NADPH-diaforasa positive non-immunoreactive for any NOS isoform, or other markers neural or glial dendríticos until they develop processes that are positive for the neuronal NOS, MAP- 2 and PV.

Author: VERDEJO GARCÍA ANTONIO.
Year: 2005.
University: GRANADA [www.ugr.es].
Place of defense: UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA.
Place of preparation: UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA.

Summary: This dissertation is aimed at exploring neuropsychological correlates and neuroanatómicos abuse of various drugs. Among possible correlates neurocognitivos consumption, we focus mainly on the residual effects (long-term) drug use on the enforcement mechanisms of self-regulation and control behavior (executive functions), and decision-making. It was also investigated the relationship between alterations executive and decision-making and operation of specific brain systems. Four studies were conducted pilot. The first study was conducted to analyze the nature and extent of alterations of the executive functions in individuals policonsumidores of various substances (including cocaine, heroin and alcohol) with respect to a group of individuals controls. To better understand these changes, analyze previously factorial structure of the executive functions. Once known these changes, the sec

Author: CORBERA LÓPEZ SÍLVIA.
Year: 2005.
University: BARCELONA [www.ub.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE MEDICINA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE MEDICINA.

Summary: This dissertation consists of three studies on the neurophysiological changes in auditory processing underlying two pathologies of language development: disfluencia and verbal dyslexia. These studies were carried out by recording brain evoked potentials (PECs). The first study investigated potential disruptions hearing in disfluencia development persistent using the disparity evoked potential (Mismatch Negativity, MMN). The results showed the existence of a deficit of auditory processing specific stimuli speech expressed by differences among the group difluentes and controls the amplitude of the generator supratemporal left SGP auditory MMN. In addition, there was a negative correlation between the degree of fluidity of speech and the extent of generator supratemporal left MMN. However, this study showed that subjects with disfluencia verbal persistent presented specific alterations in the processing of auditory stimuli speech. The second study investigated the possible changes in the auditory dyslexia development, using the potential MMN. The results of this study showed a delay in the latency of potential MMN before contrasts simple auditory stimuli, and also ahead of the talks, namely fomenas. Furthermore, the results revealed in dislexicos the existence of alterations in discrimination temporary stimuli, manifested by differences in the amplitude component MMN and subsequent component P3a found between groups opposed to hearing duration. Thus, the results of this study revealed that subjects with dyslexia have a deficit of developing specific information processing temporary hearing. The third study investigated potential disruptions atencionales auditory dyslexia in development, using the evoked potential P3a or novelty-P3. This study was carried out by conducting a distracting task in which the subjects had to discriminate visual stimuli and ignore distracting sounds novel irrelevant. The results by increasing the breadth and a delay of the components N1/MMN before all auditory stimuli, and alterations in the processes of atencionales dyslexic, delivered by a worse performance and an increase in reaction time in the behavioral task, and a decrease in the amplitude and delay potential P3a to novel stimuli, especially to novel stimuli familiar to the subject. However, this study showed alterations hearing in subjects with dyslexia development.

Author: DOALLO PESADO SONIA.
Year: 2005.
University: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA [www.usc.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSIOLOGÍA.

Summary: The main goal is characterization psicofisiológica the processes of visual attention, mainly targeting and catching the attention, as well as the identification of processes that facilitate or interfere. The review of investigations conducted until now on Evoked Potentials (EP) and visual attention, showed that the vast majority of studies that have addressed the psychophysiological indicators of the direction of visual attention were based on the paradigm guidance covertly developed by Posner. Given these considerations were raised as to the completion of a first experiment using this paradigm in order to determine, through the technique of the EP, the effects facilitators and / or inhibitors targeting atencional voluntary P1 and N1 Of the EP to stimuli preceded by central objective signals (valid 75%), peripheral information (valid 75%) and not peripheral information (valid 50%) at various time delays between the onset of the signal and the beginning of the stimulus goal (SOAs of 100, 300, 500 and 700 ms). Moreover, a significant body of research has defended the relevance of the emotional valence in the right direction and automatic capture of visual attention wing. Thus, it conducted a second experiment in order to clarify, through the technique of the EP, if emotional stimuli have a privileged status to capture care resources, and to what extent this unintentional capture attention located modulated by the burden atencional an important task. We evaluated and the electrophysiological response to negative or neutral emotional sheets submitted on the periphery of the visual field in a position where the burden atencional required for a job relevant in determining plant. The final conclusions of this thesis are summarized in the following: 1 - The automatic capture of care by a signal presented at the periphery of the visual field modulates an optimal processing subsequent stimuli presented in this location in the level reflected by P1 for a brief period following the presentation of the signal (SOA of 100 ms). Once captured the attention, as the SOA increases, this provision does not persist, by contrast, seems observed inhibition of sensory processing at the location indicated. The time course of this effect varies depending on the informational value of the signal: there is a more sustained effect signaling peripheral non-productive (from 300 to 700 ms since its introduction) compared with the more transitory effect (SOA of 500 ms ) found with signs predictive peripheral. This difference may reflect the activation of the voluntary care where the signals are predicting probability with a carving location of the target, which would counteract the inhibitory effect sustained in the location indicated. 2 - The impact of voluntary guidance of care in response to signals are present at the central level processing reflected by the visual component N1. The effect of validity in N1, which produces the facilitation processing discriminative in locating served, it seems to require a certain time delay between the signal and encouraging central objective (of at least 300 ms in the present study) so that you can see, with effect optimal 500 ms after the presentation of the signal. 3 - The automatic capture the attention to visual stimuli is also presented in remote locations not served when they have a negative emotional value. It thus confirms that the negative emotional stimuli appear to have a processing priority compared to neutral stimuli, even in conditions where the top-down control is focused on an important task. These processes are reflected in the modulation of response 8 s electr 476 ofisiológicas the emotional distraction in areas frontocentrales (80-140 ms), parietoccipitales (150-250 ms) and centroparietales (200-280 ms) and its impact on processing sensory information voluntarily attended (reflected in the components P1 and N1). 4 - The allocation of preferential attention to emotional stimuli with negative valence is heavily influenced by the demands of the task atencionales underway, as evidenced by the fact that the responses psychophysiological differentials depending on the valence are only present when the load atencional the main task is low, but not in a position where increasing demands for processing within the focus of attention.

Author: COELHO REBELO MAIA LUIS ALBERTO.
Year: 2005.
University: SALAMANCA [www.usal.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGIA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGIA.

Summary: The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the CNS leading the patient to a set semiológico significant, specifically the level of motor and somatosensory demonstrations. The study of cognitive function in patients with MS is a very new field of research, some for 20 years, compared with the descriptions made by Charcot and other clinicians around the year 1868. In our study, we compared the performances of 40 subjects with MS, how Remitente-Recidivante (EM-RR) with the performances of 40 normal subjects, matched by sex, age and schooling. The main instruments used were the Portuguese version of the Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery, the MMSE, the test clock and series graphics Luria. The variable depression was controlled with an inventory of clinical evaluation. The results suggest that found in patients with EM-RR show statistically significant differences in most of the neuropsychological variables considered. So overall, the functional areas most affected in patients with EM-RR, sometimes even at early stages of the evolution of the disease are associated with marked changes in the speed of information processing, memory, intelligence global language , arithmetic skills, executive functioning and motor skills viso-espaciales, changes in personality and mood disorders.

Author: SAAVEDRA ARROYO CRISTINA.
Year: 2005.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE MADRID [www.uam.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.

Summary: The brain electrical activity (evoked potentials) related to the processing of the identity of the faces explicitly (known v.desconocidas) and implicit (when categorize their emotional expression), was reviewed at people in young people, older without cognitive impairment and with greater cognitive impairment (mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease) through four complementary methods (factor analysis of major components, analysis of variance, analysis of topography and topographic analysis with LORETA). The processes of memory associated with the wave N400 showed latencies earliest before the familiar faces, as regards the unknown, in all groups. In people young and old without cognitive impairment were particularly significant processes related to the analysis of perceptual faces (denoted by the waves P100 and N170). In older people with cognitive impairment, particularly those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, there was a significant activity in brain areas Lengthy latencies associated with early perceptual analysis of the faces.

Author: FORN FRIAS CRISTINA.
Year: 2006.
University: JAUME I DE CASTELLON [www.uji.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS HUMANAS Y SOCIALES.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS HUMANAS Y SOCIALES.

Author: Romero López Modesto Jesús.
Year: 2006.
University: SEVILLA [www.us.es].
Place of defense: Facultad de Psicología.
Place of preparation: Facultad de Psicología - Universidad de Sevilla.

Summary: Objectives: To study the process of the emergence of coma patients in coma in severe stroke (LCA). Method: We have evaluated 32 patients admitted to an intensive care unit in a coma original stroke. There has been monitored daily by neuropsicólogos and intensivists and monitored the awakening coma by 8 scales of clinical evaluation of the levels of coma. We have analyzed the following variables: age, gender, residence, index premórbido intelligence estimate, type of stroke, medical complications, paresis, severity of stroke scales used in the ICU, scales coma, moments of evaluation and stay in the ICU. It has used a methodology observational two independent observers. Results: The results show that awakened from a coma for 72% of the patients in the first 12 days since the beginning of coma. The average time for admission to the ICU was 21 days. The variables age, male gender, urban residence and increased IC are estimated prognostic variables for the awakening. Interjueces The reliability is high (ICC> 0.8). The multivariate analysis of the data showed that the ability of orientation stimulating and eye opening indices or markers are forecasting more validity. The scale Eat Near-Coma is offering greater validity prognostic obtained a sensitivity of 95.45% and a specificity of 100%. VicerectoradoConclusiones: You can make a useful clinical monitoring of patients in coma awakening in severe stroke. Some of the observed variables show prognostic value for the measurement of emergency coma.

Author: VERGARA MARTINEZ MARTA.
Year: 2006.
University: LA LAGUNA [www.ull.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE FISICA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGIA.

Summary: This thesis examines the correlation electrophysiological processing subléxico during visual recognition of words. To this end technique was used for the registration of potential related events or PREs. Through this instrument can record, in a non-invasive, electrical signals from the brain associated with the operation information processing. It describes some of the explanatory models and most important impacts in the area of visual recognition of words, especially those relating to sefmentación subléxica during the reading of words in our language. Secondly, we describe the most significant aspects of the neurophysiological bases underlying the electrical signals recorded on the scalp. The findings were presented paradigm in research psicolinguística using the technique for recording PREs, unto with the specific effects in relation to the processing of visual words presented in isolation. The objectives of this research consisieron in electrophysiological evidence processing syllabic in Spanish and German, which presented the four experiments. The first two showed very early processing subléxico and the last two showed late effects probably related to the experimental paradigm applied in them. The conclusion discusses the integration of the results of the current models of visual recognition of words.