Self-regulation of brain oscillations as a treatment for aberrant brain connections in children with autism

Pineda, Jaime A.; Juavinett, Ashley L.; Datko, M.

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2012.08.031

Cited by 37 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 151 publications

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“…Nonetheless, the positive correlation reveals that participants who showed higher improvement of speeded reading also demonstrated increased bilateral temporal alpha coherence, in addition to the general increase in coherence observed in dyslexia. Some researchers aimed at normalizing brain activity (and consequently ameliorating behavioral and cognitive deficits) in various developmental disorders by suppressing hyper-connectivity (Pineda et al, 2012). Similarly, in stroke rehabilitation, applying brain stimulation to inhibit inappropriate activity of non-specialized areas has been argued to offer an effective avenue of treatment (Naeser et al, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in cerebellar activity and inter-hemispheric coherence accompany improved reading performance following Quadrato Motor Training

Ben‐Soussan

Avirame

Glicksohn

et al. 2014

Front. Syst. Neurosci.

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Dyslexia is a multifactorial reading deficit that involves multiple brain systems. Among other theories, it has been suggested that cerebellar dysfunction may be involved in dyslexia. This theory has been supported by findings from anatomical and functional imaging. A possible rationale for cerebellar involvement in dyslexia could lie in the cerebellum’s role as an oscillator, producing synchronized activity within neuronal networks including sensorimotor networks critical for reading. If these findings are causally related to dyslexia, a training regimen that enhances cerebellar oscillatory activity should improve reading performance. We examined the cognitive and neural effects of Quadrato Motor Training (QMT), a structured sensorimotor training program that involves sequencing of motor responses based on verbal commands. Twenty-two adult Hebrew readers (12 dyslexics and 10 controls) were recruited for the study. Using Magnetoencephalography (MEG), we measured changes in alpha power and coherence following QMT in a within-subject design. Reading performance was assessed pre- and post-training using a comprehensive battery of behavioral tests. Our results demonstrate improved performance on a speeded reading task following one month of intensive QMT in both the dyslexic and control groups. Dyslexic participants, but not controls, showed significant increase in cerebellar oscillatory alpha power following training. In addition, across both time points, inter-hemispheric alpha coherence was higher in the dyslexic group compared to the control group. In conclusion, the current findings suggest that the combination of motor and language training embedded in QMT increases cerebellar oscillatory activity in dyslexics and improves reading performance. These results support the hypothesis that the cerebellum plays a role in skilled reading, and begin to unravel the underlying mechanisms that mediate cerebellar contribution in cognitive and neuronal augmentation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in cerebellar activity and inter-hemispheric coherence accompany improved reading performance following Quadrato Motor Training

Ben‐Soussan

Avirame

Glicksohn

et al. 2014

Front. Syst. Neurosci.

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“…In the last decade, advance in cognitive neuroscience research has led to the development of intervention and treatments that rely on neurobiological principles. For example, neurofeedback (NF) training has emerged as an intervention based on operant conditioning that results in self-regulation of brain’s electrical oscillations, and it is believed that NF produces positive behavioral changes in ASD children by normalizing the aberrant connections within and between neural circuits, although its precise mechanisms are not well understood (Pineda et al, 2012). By grounding in known anatomical (e.g., mirror neuron system) and functional markers (e.g., mu rhythms) of ASD, NF training holds promise to support current treatments for this complex disorder.…”

Section: Brain Connectivity Research In Autism: Implications and Futumentioning

confidence: 99%

The Implications of Brain Connectivity in the Neuropsychology of Autism

2014

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Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has been associated with atypical brain functioning. Functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) studies examining neural networks in autism have seen an exponential rise over the last decade. Such investigations have led to characterization of autism as a distributed neural systems disorder. Studies have found widespread cortical underconnectivity, local overconnectivity, and mixed results suggesting disrupted brain connectivity as a potential neural signature of autism. In this review, we summarize the findings of previous fcMRI studies in autism with a detailed examination of their methodology, in order to better understand its potential and to delineate the pitfalls. We also address how a multimodal neuroimaging approach (incorporating different measures of brain connectivity) may help characterize the complex neurobiology of autism at a global level. Finally, we also address the potential of neuroimaging-based markers in assisting neuropsychological assessment of autism. The quest for a biomarker for autism is still ongoing, yet new findings suggest that aberrant brain connectivity may be a promising candidate.

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“…Neurofeedback with normative feedback has been used in autism to target improvement in the mirror neuron system [174] or aberrant functional connectivity [175]. EEG features have been identified that can have implications in reshaping behavioral planning [176, 177].…”

Section: Future Bci Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workshops of the Fifth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting: Defining the Future

Huggins

Guger

Allison

et al. 2014

Brain-Computer Interfaces

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The Fifth International Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Meeting met June 3–7th, 2013 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California. The conference included 19 workshops covering topics in brain-computer interface and brain-machine interface research. Topics included translation of BCIs into clinical use, standardization and certification, types of brain activity to use for BCI, recording methods, the effects of plasticity, special interest topics in BCIs applications, and future BCI directions. BCI research is well established and transitioning to practical use to benefit people with physical impairments. At the same time, new applications are being explored, both for people with physical impairments and beyond. Here we provide summaries of each workshop, illustrating the breadth and depth of BCI research and high-lighting important issues for future research and development.

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Self-regulation of brain oscillations as a treatment for aberrant brain connections in children with autism

Cited by 37 publications

References 151 publications

Changes in cerebellar activity and inter-hemispheric coherence accompany improved reading performance following Quadrato Motor Training

Changes in cerebellar activity and inter-hemispheric coherence accompany improved reading performance following Quadrato Motor Training

The Implications of Brain Connectivity in the Neuropsychology of Autism

Workshops of the Fifth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting: Defining the Future

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