Multiscale neural connectivity during human sensory processing in the brain

Abstract

Stimulus-related brain activity is considered using wavelet-based analysis of neural interactions between occipital and parietal brain areas in alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (15-30 Hz) frequency bands. We show that human sensory processing related to the visual stimuli perception induces brain response resulted in different ways of parieto-occipital interactions in these bands. In the alpha frequency band the parieto-occipital neuronal network is characterized by homogeneous increase of the interaction between all interconnected areas both within occipital and parietal lobes and between them. In the beta frequency band the occipital lobe starts to play a leading role in the dynamics of the occipital-parietal network: The perception of visual stimuli excites the visual center in the occipital area and then, due to the increase of parieto-occipital interactions, such excitation is transferred to the parietal area, where the attentional center takes place. In the case when stimuli are characterized by a high degree of ambiguity, we find greater increase of the interaction between interconnected areas in the parietal lobe due to the increase of human attention. Based on revealed mechanisms, we describe the complex response of the parieto-occipital brain neuronal network during the perception and primary processing of the visual stimuli. The results can serve as an essential complement to the existing theory of neural aspects of visual stimuli processing.

BCI for a brain state control in a dual-task paradigm

“…Finally, many studies evidence that visual information processing along with an increase in β-activity simultaneously inhibits α-wave activity. According to our recent study [Maksimenko et al, 2018b], an increase of visual attention causes a percept-related increase in β-activity with an accompanying decrease in α-activity.…”

“…According to the existing works on human attention during the visual information processing, including our recent papers [Maksimenko et al, 2017;Maksimenko et al, 2018b], visual attention is associated with the activation of an "attentional center" in the parietal cortex, which operates at 15-30 Hz frequencies [Laufs et al, 2006], i.e., increased visual attention activates the βwaves in the parietal area. In addition, visual stimuli processing strengthens connectivity between occipital and parietal areas in α and β frequency bands [Michalareas et al, 2016;Buffalo et al, 2011], that in turn causes a growth of β-activity in occipital cortex.…”

Inter-layer competition in adaptive multiplex network

“…Furthermore, competition between layers is ubiquitous in real world networks, e.g. in urban mobile networks, and in neuroscience when describing the processes occurring both in local neuron networks and during the interaction between different parts of the brain [19][20][21], in particular interactions between dynamical timescales in the neural network [22]. In this paper we study how the competition between network layers can influence the structural and dynamical features of multiplex networks.…”

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for the Classification of Motor-Related Brain Activity on the Sensor-Level

“…The proposed system can serve as a sensor of motor activity to be used for neurorehabilitation after severe brain injuries, including traumas and strokes. different brain areas (e.g., event-related synchronization/desynchronization) on a sensor level provide important information about the current state of the nervous system and cognitive brain ability [7][8][9][10]. Particular brain states are associated with motor brain activity during either real or imaginary movement.Revealing specific features of spatial brain cortex activity related to real motions and motor imagery of different limbs can be essential not only for basic research in neuroscience, but also for applications in medicine to improve the quality of life of post-traumatic and post-stroke patients using brain-computer interfaces (BCI) for rehabilitation [11][12][13] or to control prostheses and exoskeletons [14].…”

“…The proposed system can serve as a sensor of motor activity to be used for neurorehabilitation after severe brain injuries, including traumas and strokes. different brain areas (e.g., event-related synchronization/desynchronization) on a sensor level provide important information about the current state of the nervous system and cognitive brain ability [7][8][9][10]. Particular brain states are associated with motor brain activity during either real or imaginary movement.…”