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In an immersive virtual environment, it was investigated how the perception of body kinetics contributes to social distance behavior when the facial expression and other physical properties of a social interaction partner cannot be perceived. Based on point light displays, both the subject and the social interaction partner were depicted as stick figures, both moving simultaneously in the same space. In addition, the effects of relevant psychological factors of the perceiver on social distance behavior were examined. The results were consistent with those from studies with facial expressions or realistic full-body interactants. A greater distance was maintained from characters with emotionally negative expressions of body kinetics. Stationary objects stimuli, which were also included in the study, were mostly passed closer than neutral agents. However, the results are not entirely clear and require further investigation. Depressive symptom burden and factors mainly related to anxiety and avoidance showed effects on social distance in an IVE. The CID, a test often used to assess the interpersonal distance at which a person is comfortable, correlated with that overt behavior. In summary, the results of the study provide experimental evidence that the perception of body kinetics has a similarly significant influence on the regulation of social distance as, for example, facial affect. Implementing this study in real life would be incredibly complex, if not impossible. It is interesting to see that the comparatively simple method used in this study to create and operate an immersive virtual environment turned out to be suitable for studying at least simple types of social behavior based on body movements., Author(s): Gebhard Sammer [sup.1] [sup.2] , Christoph Ruprecht [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.8664.c, 0000 0001 2165 8627, CognitiveNeuroScience at the Centre for Psychiatry, Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen, , Klinikstraße [...]

One major characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is problems with social interaction and communication. The present study explored ASD-related alterations in perceiving emotions expressed via body movements. 16 participants with ASD and 16 healthy controls observed video scenes of human interactions conveyed by point-light displays. They rated the valence of the depicted emotions in terms of their intensity and judged their confidence in their ratings. Results showed that healthy participants rated emotional interactions displaying positive emotionality as being more intense and were more confident about their ratings than ASD subjects. Results support the idea that patients with ASD have an altered perception of emotions. This extends research on subjective features (intensity, confidence) of emotion perception to the domain of emotional body movements and kinematics.

Objectives: Bilateral stimulation is a core element of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, a psychotherapeutic intervention for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Promising previous findings showed measurable physiological effects of bilateral stimulation in healthy individuals, but studies that replicated these findings in PTSD patients are sparse. Methods: 23 patients with PTSD and 30 healthy controls were confronted with affective standard scripts (pleasant, neutral, unpleasant) while bilateral tactile stimulation was applied. Monolateral and no stimulation served as control conditions. Noise-induced startle reflex response (valence measure) and galvanic skin response (arousal measure) were used for physiological responses and the valence and arousal scale of the Self-Assessment-Manikin for subjective responses. Results: Both groups showed a subjective distress reduction for unpleasant scripts and a subjective attention increase for positive scripts under bilateral stimulation. In healthy individuals, this was also for physiological measures, and a general startle-reducing effect of bilateral stimulation in the absence of affective stimuli was found. In PTSD patients, however, the effects were restricted on the subjective level, and no concomitant physiological effects were observed. Conclusions and significance: The findings indicate, that generalizing the effects of BLS in healthy individuals to PTSD patients may be problematic. The hereinreported group differences can be explained by PTSD-specific peculiarities in emotion processing and cognitive processing style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐harming behavior is a core symptom of borderline personality disorder. Self‐report studies show a correlation between a lack of self‐reported negative feelings toward self‐cutting cues and the likelihood of future self‐destructive behavior. Despite these findings, there has so far been insufficient investigation into the implicit emotional processes evoked by this stimulus type. Forty patients with borderline personality disorder and 35 healthy controls between 20 and 50 years of age were confronted with pictures of self‐cutting cues and affective reference pictures. A startle reflex paradigm was used for measuring implicit emotional responses, and the Self‐Assessment Manikin was used for subjective responses. In line with previous studies, the patients rated the self‐cutting pictures significantly less negatively than healthy individuals. On the physiological level, a significant startle inhibition was observed, indicating an activation of the behavioral approach system. A more detailed analysis showed that this startle inhibition effect was specific to scary pictures, whereas no such effect was observed for bloody wounds and self‐cutting instruments. For pleasant standard pictures, in contrast, no startle reflex inhibition and no increase in emotional arousal parameters were found. The data replicate the findings of previous studies, demonstrating a generally diminished emotional reactivity to pleasant stimuli in patients with borderline personality disorder. In addition, a physiological approach reaction to self‐cutting pictures was found, especially for the scary pictures. These results might indicate a positive identification with the long‐lasting consequences of self‐cutting behavior in the patients. Implications for therapy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Numerous studies indicate impaired reward-related learning in individuals with schizophrenia, with various factors such as illness duration, medication, disease severity, and level of analysis (behavioral or neurophysiological data) potentially confounding the results. Patients with schizophrenia who are treated with second-generation antipsychotics have been found to have a less affected reward system. However, this finding does not explain the neural dysfunctions observed in previous studies. This study aimed to address the open question of whether the less impaired reward-related behavior is associated with unimpaired task-related functional connectivity or altered task-related functional connectivity. Methods: The study included 23 participants diagnosed within the schizophrenia spectrumand 23 control participantsmatched in terms of age, sex, and education. Participants underwent an MRI while performing a monetary incentive delay task and a social incentive delay task. The collected data were analyzed in terms of behavior and functional connectivity. Results: Both groups exhibited a main effect of reward type on behavioral performance, indicating faster reaction times in the social incentive delay task, but no main effect of reward level. Altered functional connectivity was observed in predictable brain regions within the patient group, depending on the chosen paradigm, but not when compared to healthy individuals. Discussion: In addition to expected slower response times, patients with schizophrenia demonstrated similar response patterns to control participants at the behavioral level. The similarities in behavioral data may underlie different connectivity patterns. Our findings suggest that perturbations in reward processing do not necessarily imply disturbances in underlying connectivities. Consequently, we were able to demonstrate that patients with schizophrenia are indeed capable of exhibiting goal-directed, reward-responsive behavior, although there are differences depending on the type of reward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairments related to changes in deep gray matter and other brain regions occur in up to 70% of people with multiple sclerosis. But do such brain changes also occur in patients without significant cognitive impairment? Eighteen participants with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and fifteen healthy controls participated in this study. Cognitive status, depression, and fatigue were assessed using the Multiple Sclerosis Inventory of Cognition (MUSIC), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). fMRI was recorded while a participant performed the modified attention network test (ANT). The effects of ANT executive attention network on hemodynamic activation of a priori defined regions of interest, including the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), thalamus, caudate nucleus, pallidum, and putamen were studied. The individual lesion load was estimated. For fMRI data analysis a general linear model with randomization statistics including threshold-free cluster enhancement as implemented in the FSL software was used. Participants with RRMS showed reduced activation of the executive attention network in the hippocampus, pallidum, and ACC. The thalamus was involved in both group activations but did not differ between groups. In summary, functional changes in the brain can also be demonstrated in RRMS patients without cognitive deficits. The affected brain regions can best be assigned to the attention network for executive control. This association could likely serve as a biological indicator of susceptibility to imminent cognitive impairment in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Following cardiac surgery, postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) is a common complication that can impair the quality of life and increase mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether early postoperative cognitive training can decrease POCD after cardiac surgery. METHODS The study was a multi-centred, two-arm, randomized (1:1 ratio), controlled trial involving older patients undergoing elective heart valve surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Recruitment took place at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the Kerckhoff-Clinic in Bad Nauheim (Germany) and the University-Hospital in Giessen (Germany). The patients were randomized to either a paper-and-pencil-based cognitive training group or a standard rehabilitation care control group. The cognitive training started 1 week after surgery and lasted about 3 weeks until discharge from rehabilitation. To detect POCD, neuropsychological functions were assessed prior to surgery, upon discharge from rehabilitation (primary outcome), and 3 months after discharge (secondary outcome). Data were primarily analysed in a per-protocol fashion. RESULTS The frequency of POCD at discharge from rehabilitation (training group, n  = 37; control group, n  = 44) was 50% in the control group and 19% in the training group (χ2[1] = 8.45, P  = 0.004; odds ratio = 4.29, 95% confidence interval [1.56–11.80]). Three months after the cognitive training (training group, n  = 33; control group, n  = 34), POCD frequency was 29% in the control group and 6% in the training group (χ2[1] = 6.21, P  = 0.013; odds ratio = 6.46, 95% confidence interval [1.29–32.28]). CONCLUSIONS Since our cognitive training showed beneficial effects, it could be a promising method to prevent POCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Constant Installation of Present Orientation and Safety (CIPOS) is a Eye Movements Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)-derived technique, which is often used to prepare for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It differs from the latter by involving cyclically recurring exercises in reorientation to the present, interspersed between brief periods of exposure to the traumatic material. While EMDR is well established as a therapeutic method, the efficacy and mechanisms of action of CIPOS have not been investigated so far. In this pilot study, an experimental setting was used to record the subjective and physiological effects of the CIPOS intervention compared to a control condition with pure mental exposition. Methods: The study was performed on 30 healthy volunteers aged from 20 to 30 years. Distress was induced using audio files of subjectively stressful situations. Subjective distress was measured via the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUD), while physiological indicators (noise-induced startle reflex, skin conductance level) were used as measures for objective stress. For each condition, pre- and post-intervention comparisons were calculated. Results: In both groups, startle reflex potentiation and mean skin conductance level significantly decreased. In the group with CIPOS intervention, but not in the control group, a significant decrease in the SUD value was found. Conclusion and significance: The results show that the CIPOS technique is as effective as pure mental exposition in reducing physiological stress. In addition, a superiority in reducing subjective distress (indicating a simplified reassessment of the stressful material) was found compared to pure mental exposition. Possible explanations of these effects are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the current know, ledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurring spontaneously. (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychological means, and (d) caused by diseases. The emphasis is laid on psychological and neurobiological approaches. The phenomenological analysis of the multiple ASC resulted in 4 dimensions by which they can be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiological approach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by a compromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemical and metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, and techniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.

Inhibition processing is an inherent part of cognitive and behavioral control. The aim of the present study was to develop and investigate psychometric criteria of an experimental paradigm that combines Stroop interference and negative priming, both of which involve inhibitory processes. We adopted a Stroop matching paradigm assessing interference control and implemented a negative priming condition. A nonclinical community sample of 94 volunteers performed this Stroop Negative Priming Matching paradigm. Since timing plays a role in priming, the interval between the prime and the probe has been varied in length (500 ms, 800 ms, and 3000 ms). The main results showed both, effects of Stroop interference and negative priming, as indicated by reaction times and incorrect responses. Reduced time pressure showed an effect on response speed and accuracy, but no interaction with interference and priming effects occurred. Reliability computed as internal consistency was generally high and did not differ between Stroop interference and negative priming scales. Retest-reliability was best for the prime–probe interval of 3000 ms. Concluding, the Stroop negative priming matching task provides reliable and directly comparable assessment of Stroop interference and negative priming effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysfunctional social communication is one of the most stable characteristics in patients with schizophrenia that also affects quality of life. Interpreting abstract speech and integrating nonverbal modalities is particularly affected. Considering the impact of communication on social life but failure to treat communication dysfunctions with usual treatment, we will investigate the possibility to improve verbal and non-verbal communication in schizophrenia by applying a multimodal speech-gesture training (MSG training). Here we describe the newly developed MSG training program and the study design for the first clinical investigation. The intervention contains perceptive rating (match/mismatch of sentence and gesture) and memory tasks (n-back tasks), imitation and productive tasks (e.g., SG fluency—similar to verbal fluency where words are accompanied by gesture). In addition, we offer information about gesture as meta-learning element as well as homework for reasons of transfer to everyday life as part of every session. In the MSG training intervention, we offer eight sessions (60 min each) of training. The first pilot study is currently conducted as a single-center, randomized controlled trial of speech-gesture intervention versus wait-list control with a follow-up. Outcomes are measured through pre-post-fMRI and standardized psychological questionnaires comparing two subject groups (30 patients with schizophrenia and 30 healthy controls). Patients and healthy controls are randomized in two intervention groups (with 20 being in the wait-training group and 10 in the training-follow-up group). With our study design we will be able to demonstrate the beneficial effect of the MSG training intervention on behavioral and neural levels. Clinical Trial Registration: DRKS.de, identifier DRKS00015118. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence that the neural response to increasing working memory (WM) load is modulated by age and performance level. For a valid interpretation of these effects, however, it is important to understand, whether and how they are related to gray matter atrophy. In the current work, we therefore used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to examine the association between age, performance level, spatial WM load-related brain activation and gray matter volume in 18 younger high-performers (YHP), 17 younger low-performers (YLP), 17 older high-performers (OHP), and 18 older low-performers (OLP). In multiple sub regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), load-related activation followed a linear trend with increasing activation at increasing load in all experimental groups. Results did not reveal differences between the sub groups. Older adults additionally showed a pattern of increasing activation from low to medium load but stable or even decreasing activation from medium to high load in other sub regions of the PFC (quadratic trend). Quadratic trend related brain activation was higher in older than in younger adults and in OLP compared to OHP. In OLP, quadratic trend related brain activation was negatively correlated with both performance accuracy and prefrontal gray matter volume. The results suggest an efficient upregulation of multiple PFC areas as response to increasing WM load in younger and older adults. Older adults and particularly OLP additionally show dysfunctional response patterns (i.e., enhanced quadratic trend related brain activation compared to younger adults and OHP, respectively) in other PFC clusters being associated with gray matter atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language and action have been thought of as closely related. Comprehending words or phrases that are related to actions commonly activates motor and premotor areas, and this comprehension process interacts with action preparation and/or execution. However, it remains unclear whether comprehending action-related language interacts with action observation. In the current study, we examined whether the observation of tool-use gesture subjects to interaction with language. In an electroencephalography (EEG) study (n = 20), participants were presented with video clips of an actor performing tool-use (TU, e.g., hammering with a fist) and emblematic (EM, e.g., the thumb up sign for ‘good job’) gestures accompanied by either comprehensible German (G) or incomprehensible Russian sentences (R). Participants performed a semantic judging task, evaluating whether the co-speech gestures were object- or socially-related. Behavioral results from the semantic task showed faster response for the TU versus EM gestures only in the German condition. For EEG, we found that TU elicited beta power decrease (~ 20 Hz) when compared to EM gestures, however this effect was reduced when gestures were accompanied by German instead of Russian sentences. We concluded that the processing of action-related sentences might facilitate gesture observation, in the sense that motor simulation required for TU gestures, as indexed by reduced beta power, was modulated when accompanied by comprehensible German speech. Our results corroborate the functional role of the beta oscillations during perception of hand gestures, and provide novel evidence concerning language-motor interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]