Neural correlates of consciousness (NCCs) represent the physiological processes related to consciousness and awareness. Consciousness is theorized as a recurrent process of integration between separate but specialized brain areas. Previous research has used electroencephalography (EEG) to locate NCCs of sensory awareness in vision through event-related potentials (ERPs). Two ERP components thought to represent visual awareness are the visual awareness negativity (VAN) and late positivity (LP). VAN and LP have been extensively studied, yet little research has been conducted in other sensory modalities. In this study, the presence of an auditory awareness negativity (AAN) and associated LP is investigated in 23 subjects using EEG. To avoid false positives in data analysis, two research hypotheses were preregistered. The results indicate that auditory LP does occur, but that AAN does not, in hypothesized intervals. However, the data suggest that AAN may occur at a later interval. Possible attributes of the later interval are discussed. In sum, the data provide results consistent with recurrent theories of sensory awareness.

Auditiv mismatch negativity (MMN) är en neurologisk hjärnrespons som visar hur känslig hjärnan är för auditiva förändringar. Perceptuell load teorin argumenterar att krävande visuella sökuppgifter eliminerar auditiva distraktorer från att bearbetas i arbetsminnet. Syftet är att observera event-related potential (ERP) händelser för att se om avvikande ljud exkluderas under hög visuell belastning. Ett korsmodalt uppmärksamhetstest utfördes där deltagarna (N = 26) fick utföra en visuell sökuppgift med två svårighetsgrader samtidigt som de skulle ignorera tonfrekvenser som spelades upp i bakgrunden. Resultatet visade auditiv MMN-respons under både låg och hög visuell belastning. Det fanns ingen tydlig skillnad på MMN mellan låg och hög belastning. Hörselcortex registrerade en avvikande ton i oddball och att samma ton fanns i kontroll-upplägget. Argument för att distraktorer bearbetas under kontrollerad uppmärksamhet. Ytterligare studier med större stickprov och olika ljudfrekvenser, naturliga och icke naturliga, krävs för att se hur ljuden påverkar bearbetningsprocessen.

Mounting evidence has suggested that structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and other areas within the medial-frontal cortex are part of a reinforcement learning system responsible for the optimization of behaviour (Holroyd & Coles, 2002). However, we also learn without reinforcement and it has been less clear what neural structures are recruited in these instances. The P300 component of the human event-related brain potential (ERP) has been intensely researched in regards to context updating and the processing of novel stimuli (Spencer, Dien, & Donchin, 2001). Here, I sought to elaborate on the role of the P300 ERP component in implicit learning of stimulus frequencies – learning driven by the stimulus itself and not reward feedback. I propose over the course of three experiments that I have provided evidence indicating that the P300 and its neural sources play a role in feedback-free learning mechanisms. Specifically, in a feedback-free paradigm participants are shown to learn stimulus frequencies. While this occurs, P300 amplitude scales in line with participant behaviour and stimulus frequency. A common trend is revealed in how quickly this amplitude scaling occurs, suggesting further mechanisms are at play. Trial-by-trial analysis ultimately shows that behavioural prediction error formula and neural correlate prediction errors utilize a nearly identical function. These trends hold even in a passive auditory task in which the participant is fully distracted. / Graduate

Processos de recuperação de memórias são frequentemente investigados através de técnicas de monitoração da atividade cerebral. Na presente tese, é desenvolvido inicialmente um exame sobre a utilização no Brasil de uma ferramenta chamada Potenciais Relacionados ao Evento (PRE). Em seguida, são descritos dois estudos que investigaram processos de recuperação de items neutros associados a contextos emocionais versus contextos neutros. Em ambos os PREs foram extraídos. Através do estudo de revisão sobre PRE no Brasil, constatou-se que esta abordagem de pesquisa ainda é pouco desenvolvida neste país. Através dos outros dois estudos, demonstrou-se a presença de dois efeitos emocionais: um efeito de início rápido (200 ms) e um tardío (iniciando entre 500 e 800 ms). Estes efeitos sugerem que o cérebro responde a items associados a contextos emocionais antes de realizar um processo de recuperação envolvendo a consciência, e indicam que os processos pós-recuperação são modulados pela propriedade emocional dos items. / Memory retrieval processes are frequently investigated by brain monitoring techniques. In the present dissertation, a review on the state of the art of Event-related potentials (ERP) research in Brazil is initially conducted. It is followed by the report of two ERP studies investigating the retrieval processes of neutral items associated to emotional versus neutral contexts. The exam of the Brazilian ERP research demonstrated that this approach still needs to be properly developed in this country. Both ERP studies demonstrated the presence of two main emotional ERP effects: an early onset effect (200 ms) and a late onset effect (onsetting between 500 and 800 ms). These effects suggest that the brain reacts to items associated to emotional contexts before the onset of conscious retrieval processes. They also indicate that post-retrieval processes are modulated by the emotional properties acquired by the items.

Parents and Children Making Connections – Highlighting Attention (PCMC-A) is a dual-generation intervention program for families from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds that includes parenting training for parents and attention training for preschool-aged children. PCMC-A has been shown to impact brain function for selective attention in children, the ability to enhance relevant information and suppress competing, distracting information. With the goal of increasing our understanding of how PCMC-A operates to promote gains in child brain function for selective attention, the main objective of this dissertation was to test intervention-related changes in supportive parenting behaviors as an explanatory mechanism for the effect of PCMC-A on neural indices of selective attention. To better understand the profile of those who benefit from PCMC-A to different extents, we also examined moderators of the effect of PCMC-A on supportive parenting and on child brain function for selective attention. These questions were examined as part of the randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of PCMC-A on Head Start preschoolers and their parents, employing a multi-method approach. We found that participation in PCMC-A led to increases in specific aspects of supportive parenting behaviors coded from observed parent-child interactions, which were moderated by child and mother characteristics at the pre-assessment, including mother reports of child behavior problems, child age, and maternal interactive language use. We also replicated with a larger sample an effect of PCMC-A on child selective attention measured using the event-related potential technique, which was moderated by mother reports of child social skills at the pre-assessment. Even though we documented changes in both of these outcomes as a function of PCMC-A, we did not find evidence that changes in supportive parenting explained gains in child selective attention, suggesting that other explanatory mechanisms may be at play. Together, the findings of the present dissertation characterize the effect of PCMC-A on supportive parenting behaviors and child selective attention, begin to paint a picture of the families who benefit most and least from this intervention, and contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms through which PCMC-A impacts child brain function for selective attention. This dissertation includes unpublished co-authored material.

Processos de recuperação de memórias são frequentemente investigados através de técnicas de monitoração da atividade cerebral. Na presente tese, é desenvolvido inicialmente um exame sobre a utilização no Brasil de uma ferramenta chamada Potenciais Relacionados ao Evento (PRE). Em seguida, são descritos dois estudos que investigaram processos de recuperação de items neutros associados a contextos emocionais versus contextos neutros. Em ambos os PREs foram extraídos. Através do estudo de revisão sobre PRE no Brasil, constatou-se que esta abordagem de pesquisa ainda é pouco desenvolvida neste país. Através dos outros dois estudos, demonstrou-se a presença de dois efeitos emocionais: um efeito de início rápido (200 ms) e um tardío (iniciando entre 500 e 800 ms). Estes efeitos sugerem que o cérebro responde a items associados a contextos emocionais antes de realizar um processo de recuperação envolvendo a consciência, e indicam que os processos pós-recuperação são modulados pela propriedade emocional dos items. / Memory retrieval processes are frequently investigated by brain monitoring techniques. In the present dissertation, a review on the state of the art of Event-related potentials (ERP) research in Brazil is initially conducted. It is followed by the report of two ERP studies investigating the retrieval processes of neutral items associated to emotional versus neutral contexts. The exam of the Brazilian ERP research demonstrated that this approach still needs to be properly developed in this country. Both ERP studies demonstrated the presence of two main emotional ERP effects: an early onset effect (200 ms) and a late onset effect (onsetting between 500 and 800 ms). These effects suggest that the brain reacts to items associated to emotional contexts before the onset of conscious retrieval processes. They also indicate that post-retrieval processes are modulated by the emotional properties acquired by the items.

abstract: A converging operations approach using response time distribution modeling was adopted to better characterize the cognitive control dynamics underlying ongoing task cost and cue detection in event based prospective memory (PM). In Experiment 1, individual differences analyses revealed that working memory capacity uniquely predicted nonfocal cue detection, while proactive control and inhibition predicted variation in ongoing task cost of the ex-Gaussian parameter associated with continuous monitoring strategies (mu). In Experiments 2A and 2B, quasi-experimental techniques aimed at identifying the role of proactive control abilities in PM monitoring and cue detection suggested that low ability participants may have PM deficits during demanding tasks due to inefficient monitoring strategies, but that emphasizing importance of the intention can increase reliance on more efficacious monitoring strategies that boosts performance (Experiment 2A). Furthermore, high proactive control ability participants are able to efficiently regulate their monitoring strategies under scenarios that do not require costly monitoring for successful cue detection (Experiment 2B). In Experiments 3A and 3B, it was found that proactive control benefited cue detection in interference-rich environments, but the neural correlates of cue detection or intention execution did not differ when engaged in proactive versus reactive control. The results from the current set of studies highlight the importance of response time distribution modeling in understanding PM cost. Additionally, these results have important implications for extant theories of PM and have considerable applied ramifications concerning the cognitive control processes that should be targeted to improve PM abilities. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Psychology 2015

There are multiple factors that influence auditory steaming. Some, like frequency separation or rate of presentation, have effects that are well understood while others remain contentious. Human behavioural studies and event-related potential (ERP) studies have shown dissociation between a pre-attentive sound segregation process and an attention-dependent process in forming perceptual objects and streams. This thesis first presents a model that synthetises the processes involved in auditory object creation. It includes sensory feature extraction based on research by Bregman (1990), sensory feature binding through an oscillatory neural network based on work by Wang (1995; 1996; 1999; 2005; 2008), work by Itti and Koch (2001a) for the saliency map, and finally, work by Wrigley and Brown (2004) for the architecture of single feature processing streams, the inhibition of return of the activation and the attentional leaky integrate and fire neuron. The model was tested using stimuli and an experimental paradigm used by Carlyon, Cusack, Foxton and Robertson (2001). Several modifications were then implemented to the initial model to bring it closer to psychological and cognitive validity. The second part of the thesis furthers the knowledge available concerning the influence of the time spent attending to a task on streaming. Two deviant detection experiments using triplet stimuli are presented. The first experiment is a follow-up of Thompson, Carlyon and Cusack (2011) and replicated their behavioural findings, showing that the time spent attending to a task enhances streaming, and that deviant detection is easier when one stream is perceived. The ERP results showed double decisions markers indicating that subjects may have made their deviant detection based on the absence of the time delayed deviant and confirmed their decision with its later presence. The second experiment investigated the effect of the time spent attending to the task in presence of a continuity illusion on streaming. It was found that the presence of this illusion prevented streaming in such a way that the pattern of the triplet was strengthened through time instead of separated into two streams, and that the deviant detection was easier the longer the subjects attended to the sound sequence.

No description available.

INTRODUÇÃO: Lesões cerebrais isquêmicas ocorrem em índices bastante significativos, podendo levar a alterações cognitivas de graus variados, cujas repercussões clínicas podem ser de extrema gravidade para os pacientes acometidos. Para avaliar as conseqüências destas lesões nos aspectos funcionais, pode-se utilizar um dos componentes dos potenciais evocados auditivos relacionados a eventos, o Mismatch Negativity (MMN). OBJETIVOS: verificar se o MMN é capaz de detectar mudanças eletrofisiológicas em gerbils submetidos à isquemia cerebral e a hipotermia; verificar se o treinamento auditivo pode gerar mudanças eletrofisiológicas detectáveis pelo MMN, e comparar as latências do potencial com as células sobreviventes do hipocampo de gerbils submetidos à isquemia e a hipotermia. MÉTODOS: Estudo 1: 44 gerbils (Meriones Unguiculatus) adultos foram anestesiados com halotano e submetidos à isquemia cerebral através da oclusão bilateral das carótidas por sete minutos, e à captação do MMN. Os animais foram divididos nos grupos SHAM, HIPO, NORMO e HIPER, de acordo com a temperatura a que foram submetidos. Estudo 2: 28 gerbils foram submetidos a uma sessão de treinamento auditivo com duração de 300 segundos em caixa de esquiva com gerador de eletrochoque, e ao registro do MMN. Estudo 3: foi captado o MMN de 27 gerbils e, após terem sido sacrificados, foi realizada a quantificação de células sobreviventes da região CA1 do hipocampo através de cortes histológicos. RESULTADOS: Estudo 1: houve 100% de presença do MMN no grupo HIPO, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos SHAM e HIPO. Estudo 2: não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as latências do MMN antes e depois do treinamento auditivo. Estudo 3: observou-se maior número de células sobreviventes no hipocampo nos animais do grupo HIPO, e foi detectada baixa correlação entre o número de células sobreviventes e a latência do MMN. CONCLUSÕES: o MMN detectou as mudanças eletrofisiológicas geradas pelo efeito neuroprotetor da hipotermia, porém, o protocolo do treinamento auditivo utilizado neste estudo não gerou mudanças neurais nos animais que pudessem ser detectadas pelo MMN, e foi observada baixa correlação entre a latência do MMN e o número de células sobreviventes na região CA1 do hipocampo de gerbils submetidos à isquemia e a hipotermia. / INTRODUCTION: Significant ischemic cerebral lesions may result in cognitive disorders of varying degrees, with clinical repercussions that could be extremely severe for the affected patients. In order to evaluate the consequences of such lesions upon functional aspects, one of the components of event-related auditory evoked potentials, the Mismatch Negativity (MMN), may be used. AIM: to verify whether the MMN is able to identify electrophysiological changes in gerbils submitted to cerebral ischemia and hypothermia; to verify if auditory training may generate electrophysiological changes detectable by MMN, and to compare the potential\'s latencies with the surviving cells of the hippocampus of gerbils submitted to cerebral ischemia and hypothermia. METHODS: Study 1: 44 adult gerbils (Meriones Unguiculatus) were sedated with halothane and underwent cerebral ischemia through bilateral occlusion of the carotids for seven minutes, and the MMN was registered. Animals were divided in four groups, SHAM, HIPO, NORMO and HIPER, according to the temperature they were exposed. Study 2: 28 gerbils underwent a session of auditory training of 300 seconds in a passive shuttle box with an electroshock generator, and the MMN was registered. Study 3: the MMN of 27 gerbils were registered and after their scarifice, the amount of surviving cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was quantified through histological cuts. RESULTS: Study 1: the MMN was 100% present in the HIPO group, there was no significant statistical difference between groups SHAM and HIPO. Study 2: there was no significant statistical difference between the MMN latencies before and after the auditory training. Study 3: a greater number of surviving cells was observed in the hippocampus of animals from group HIPO, and a low correlation between the number of surviving cells and the MMN latency was detected. CONCLUSIONS: MMN detected electrophysiological changes generated by the neuroprotector effect of hypothermia, nevertheless the auditory training protocol used in this study did not generate neural changes in the animals that could be detected by MMN, and a low correlation between the MMN latency and the number of surviving cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of gerbils submitted to ischemia and hypothermia was observed.