Daniel E. Sheer

Focused Arousal, 40-Hz EEG, and Dysfunction

There is a considerably body of information on the concept of attention in the mainstream of cognitive psychology (Estes, 1976; Lachman, Lachman, & Ruther-ford, 1979; Norman, 1976; Solso, 1975; Weimer & Palermo, 1982), in specialized extensions of such psychology (Broadbent, 1971;Kahneman, 1973; Riley & Leith, 1976; Posner, 1980), and in the brain-behavior literature (Kinsbourne, 1973; Mirsky & Orren, 1977; Mountcastle, Andersen, & Motter, 1981; Naatanen, 1982; Posner, 1975; Weinberger, 1971). Its complexity is indicated in one way by the various modifying adjectives used to identify different aspects of attention, more or less dissociated by behavioral operations: intensive attention (Berlyne, 1960), selective attention (Treisman, 1969), voluntary attention (Kahneman, 1973), sustained attention (Douglas, 1974), and focused attention (Shriffin, 1975), among others. In neuropsychology, almost every brain impairment involves a deficit in some aspect of attention, both because of its multifunctional character and because it is directly involved in such cognitive processing as perception, memory, and learning.

Electrophysiological evidence of lateralized disturbances in children with learning disabilities

This study used an electrophysiological measurement operation to investigate lateralized processing deficits associated with academic learning-disability subtypes. Fast frequency EEG activity in the 36-44 hertz (Hz) band was recorded from reading-disabled (RLD), arithmetic-disabled (ALD), and nondisabled control children engaged in verbal and nonverbal cognitive tasks. The control group, but neither LD group, exhibited a task-dependent shift in lateralization of 40 Hz EEG; the RLD subjects generated proportionately less left-hemisphere 40 Hz activity than control or ALD subjects during the verbal task; and the ALD subjects generated proportionately less right-hemisphere activity than control or RLD subjects during the nonverbal task. These results indicate that lateralized processing deficits are associated with different types of disabilities, and provide external validation of learning-disability classifications based on academic performance patterns.

Biofeedback training of 40-Hz EEG in humans.

This study was a preliminary evaluation of biofeedback training of human subjects to control high-frequency EEG responses in the 35- to 45-Hz (40-Hz) and 21- to 31-Hz ranges. A total of 22 adult males divided into three groups were successfully trained for increases or suppression of 40-Hz EEG, or increases of 21- to 31-Hz EEG. Dissociation of rates of 40-Hz EEG recorded from scalp leads and 40-Hz EMG responses from prominent muscle contaminators, and partial dissociation of 40-Hz and 21- to 31-Hz EEG responses were noted. After biofeedback training, 8 subjects demonstrated increases and suppression of 40-Hz EEG without feedback. No consistent descriptors of subjective experiences accompanying EEG changes were reported by subjects in any of the groups. The study suggests the utility of biofeedback procedures in research on high-frequency EEG activity.

Biofeedback Training of 40-Hz EEG and Behavior

The use of operant training techniques to control electrical brain activity is relatively recent, dating back some ten years to the beginning of the present series of publications (Mulholland 1968). As is generally true of new research, there is a focus on questions about the basic process itself—definitive training procedures, transfer and concomitant effects and, not the least of it, skepticism about the reliability of the phenomenon itself. The ever-accelerating literature reflected, in part, in a handbook (Barber et al. 1971a), in a recent bibliography (Butler and Stoyva 1973), and in a series of annual reviews (Barber et al. 1971b, Stoyva et al. 1972, Shapiro et al. 1973), has both clarified some issues and raised additional questions.

Survey of training programs in clinical neuropsychology

Reported the results of a survey of the membership of the International Neuropsychology Society with regard to patterns of training in clinical neuropsychology. Considerable variations in pre- and postdoctoral training and internship programs were found.

Maintenance and generalization of 40-Hz EEG biofeedback effects

Maintenance of conditioning of 40-Hz EEG activity was investigated in six adults 1 to 3 years after they had experienced biofeedback training to increase 40-Hz EEG. Subjects were first retrained to alternately increase and suppress 40-Hz EEG. All six subjects achieved a preset performance criterion in 16–20 minutes. Five of these subjects also subsequently demonstrated significant control of 40-Hz EEG without feedback. The sixth subject did not demonstrate control after 76 minutes and four sessions of attempted retraining with feedback. Transfer of 40-Hz EEG control to a problem-solving task was tested in all subjects in a final session. Cognitive test items were presented and subjects were instructed to alternately increase and suppress 40-Hz EEG while solving the problems. Rates of 40-Hz EEG in suppression periods during problem solving were significantly greater than during suppression periods without problems. No significant differences in problem-solving performance were found comparing 40-Hz increase and suppression periods. This study supports previous research suggesting an association between 40-Hz EEG and mental activity, and suggests methods for further study of transfer of EEG biofeedback effects.

BEHAVIOR AND 40-C/SEC. ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY IN THE BRAIN

A 40-c/sec. rhythmic electrical activity occurs in various rhinencephalic structures, auditory and visual cortex of the cat with the acquisition of a behavioral response during learning.

Effects of hypothalamic and amygdaloid chemical stimulation on appetitive behavior in the cat

Sixteen adult cats were chronically implanted unilaterally with cannulae in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamus and basolateral amygdala. Adrenergic and cholinergic drug stimulation with norepinephrine and carbachol, respectively, produced significant dose-dependent blockage of both food and water intakes. These data contrast with other studies which have reported that the cat does not show changes in patterns of feeding and drinking following hypothalamic and limbic chemical stimulation.

Biofeedback Treatment in Psychosomatic Illness

In spite of the fact that the field of biofeedback is now well into its second decade, few studies have documented the long-term effectiveness for reducing clinical symptomatology in psychosomatic illness. Integration of those that have been conducted is complicated by the varying treatment modalities, lengths of training, and lengths of follow-up periods employed by the investigators. Moreover, the definition of “success” is necessarily an arbitrary and subjective one, susceptible to the influence of both the patient’s and the evaluator’s expectations. Recognizing these potential sources of error exist, one can nevertheless make some statements regarding long-term effectiveness.

Hypothalamic anticholinergic inhibition of eating and drinking in the cat

Preoptic and anterior hypothalamic injections of three concentrations of atropine sulfate in the cat resulted in a dose-related decrease in food and water intake. Water intake was more effectively inhibited by atropine than was food intake, which was suppressed only at the highest concentration employed. Results were interpreted as being consistent with behavioral effects of hypothalamic lesions and somewhat less related to “chemically coded” behaviors in the cat.