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Introduzione: Le pratiche di assessment funzionale sono uno strumento prezioso per profilare atleti e adattare i metodi di allenamento alle esigenze individuali. Un aspetto cruciale ma, ad oggi, ancora in via di sviluppo riguarda la valutazione delle abilità neurocognitive necessarie per ottimizzare la performance sportiva (Aidman, 2017; Memmert, 2009; Park et al., 2015). Secondo l’ipotesi dell’efficienza neurale (Li & Smith, 2021), l’efficienza nell'esecuzione del gesto atletico si accompagnerebbe a un incremento specifico della connettività, della sincronizzazione e/o della specializzazione delle strutture neurali coinvolte nella sua pianificazione, implementazione e gestione. A partire da tale premessa, abbiamo testato un compito ecologico dedicato alla valutazione delle abilità di attenzione spaziale in atleti di sport da combattimento, utilizzando una metodologia di neuroassessment integrato (Crivelli & Balconi, 2022). Metodo: Per lo studio sono stati reclutati 40 atleti agonisti non-professionisti, di cui 20 praticanti sport da combattimento (SC; boxe, kick-boxing) e 20 praticanti altri sport (AS; tra cui pallacanestro, tennis, orienteering). I partecipanti hanno completato un protocollo di neuroassessment in cui sono state testate le funzioni attentive tramite compiti computerizzati integrati con registrazioni elettrofisiologiche, in particolare elettroencefalografia (EEG) e potenziali evento-relati (ERPs). Nello specifico, per le abilità di attenzione spaziale è stato utilizzato un compito cueing ecologico e digitalizzato, in cui i partecipanti dovevano bloccare colpi di mano e di piede provenienti da varie posizioni, preceduti da cue valide o non valide. Risultati: L'analisi dei dati ha rivelato, nel gruppo di atleti SC, tempi di risposta ridotti, accompagnati da una diminuzione dell'ampiezza del componente ERPs P3 parietale, per i trial con cue valida rispetto trial con cue non valida. Inoltre, si è riscontrato, per i trial con cue non valida

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Item does not contain fulltext, A growing body of research has shown that a unilateral alteration in the sense of limb ownership is associated with the cooling of a limb's temperature. However, the recent emergence of contradictory results calls into question the existence of a relationship between this physiological reaction and the sense of body ownership. In the light of evidence that the malleability of the sense of hand ownership differs based on the preferential motor use of the hand to which the illusion is applied, one might observe the same lateralised pattern in the skin temperature cooling. In particular, if skin temperature change is a signature of body ownership, we expected a stronger illusion and reduction in skin temperature when altering ownership alteration of the left hand compared to the right hand in dextral individuals. To test this hypothesis, we selectively perturbated body ownership of the left or right hand in 24 healthy participants in different experimental sessions using the Mirror-Box Illusion (MBI) paradigm. Participants were asked to tap synchronously or asynchronously at a constant rhythm with their left and right index fingers against two parallel mirrors while looking at their reflected right/left hand. Skin temperature was measured before and after each MBI application, and explicit judgments of ownership and proprioceptive drift were collected. The results showed a consistent cooling of the hand's temperature only when the illusion was performed on the left hand. Proprioceptive drift exhibited the same pattern. In contrast, the explicit judgment of ownership of the reflected hand was similar across the two hands. These data provide evidence in favor of a specific laterality effect of the physiological response to an induced alteration of body part ownership. Moreover, they highlight the possibility of a direct link between proprioception and skin temperature.

Contains fulltext : 298970.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access), Objective: Graphic perseveration in target-cancellation tasks has been frequently described in patients with right brain damage and unilateral spatial neglect. Conversely, among patients with dementia, the spontaneous production of complex graphic perseverations, as well as their triggers and modulating factors, have been poorly understood. Here we describe the case of RM, a patient with Alzheimer's dementia, who produced a rich pattern of complex graphic perseverations at target-cancellation tasks, especially with abstract target stimuli, i.e., lines. Method: We developed an ad-hoc behavioral paradigm to investigate patient RM's performance at two versions of a target-cancellation task: fork-cancellation and line-cancellation. In both versions, RM was asked to cross the blue targets, while crossing a red target was considered a false alarm, as a proxy of incorrect response inhibition capacity. Moreover, we classified the presence and intensity of two other graphic perseverative behaviors, i.e., additional marks and scribble perseveration. Results: Complex graphic perseverations and false alarms were more frequent in the line-compared to the fork-cancellation trials. Conversely, the semantic nature of the task did not differentially modulate the occurrence of additional marks and scribble perseverations. Conclusions: We argue that the breakdown of RM's executive functioning at the semantic-representational level was a prerequisite for such complex graphic perseverations to occur. Furthermore, we provide hints on the potential modulatory effects of stimulus concreteness on the expression of such complex productive behavior., 10 p.

Adaptation to optical prisms (Prismatic Adaptation, PA) displacing the visual scene laterally, on one side of visual space, is both a procedure for investigating visuo-motor plasticity and a powerful tool for the rehabilitation of Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN). Two processes are involved in PA: i) recalibration (the reduction of the error of manual pointings toward the direction of the prism-induced displacement of the visual scene); ii) the successive realignment after prisms’ removal, indexed by the Aftereffects (AEs, in egocentric straight-ahead pointing tasks, the deviation in a direction opposite to the visual displacement previously induced by prisms). This study investigated the role of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) of the right hemisphere in PA and AEs, by means of low frequency repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). Proprioceptive and Visuo-proprioceptive egocentric straight-ahead pointing tasks were used to assess the presence and magnitude of AEs. The primary right visual cortex (V1) was also stimulated, to assess the selectivity of the PPC effects on the two processes of PA (recalibration and realignment) in comparison with a cortical region involved in visual processing. Results showed a slower adaptation to prisms when rTMS was delivered before PA, regardless of target site (right PPC or V1). AEs were reduced only by PPC rTMS applied before or after PA, as compared to a sham stimulation. These findings suggest a functional and neural dissociation between realignment and recalibration. Indeed, PA interference was induced by rTMS to both the PPC and V1, indicating that recalibration is supported by a parieto-occipital network. Conversely, AEs were disrupted only by rTMS delivered to the PPC, thus unveiling a relevant role of this region in the development and maintenance of the realignment.

We focused on job interviews as critical examples of complex social interaction in orga-nizational contexts. We aimed at investigating the effect of face-to-face vs. computer-mediated interaction, of role (candidate, recruiter), and of the interview phase (introductory, attitudinal, techni-cal, conclusive) on intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity measures and autonomic synchronization. Twenty expert recruiters and potential candidates took part in a hyperscanning investigation. Namely, electroencephalography (delta, theta, alpha, beta bands) and autonomic (skin-conductance, heart-rate) data were collected in candidate-recruiter dyads during a simulated job interview and then concurrently analyzed. Analyses highlighted a link between face-to-face condition and greater intra-/inter-brain connectivity indices in delta and theta bands. Furthermore, intra-brain and inter-brain connectivity measures were higher for delta and theta bands in the final interview phases compared to the first ones. Consistently, autonomic synchronization was higher during the final interview phases, specifically in the face-to-face condition. Finally, recruiters showed higher intra-brain connectivity in the delta range over frontal and temporoparietal areas, while candidates showed higher intra-brain connectivity in the theta range over frontal areas. Findings highlight the value of hyperscanning investigations in exploring social attunement in professional contexts and hint at their potential to foster neuroscience-informed practices in human resource management processes.

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Prism adaptation (PA) is used to investigate visuo-motor plasticity and to rehabilitate the syndrome of Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN). After PA, participants show aftereffects (AEs), contralateral to the side of the optical displacement in several tasks. This study explored the features of these AEs, specifically the “egocentric” versus “allocentric, object-based”, reference frames involved, and their time course. In three experiments, healthy participants adapted to prismatic lenses inducing a horizontal displacement of the visual field. In Experiment #1, participants adapted to rightward displacing prisms. Four tasks were used requiring repeated pointings towards the participant's subjective egocentric straight-ahead, with the availability of proprioceptive or visual-proprioceptive signals, and, in some conditions, of an external allocentric visual frame (i.e., a rectangular paper sheet). Experiment #2 explored the role of the position of the allocentric frame, with AEs being tested by straight-ahead and frame bisection tasks, requiring pointing toward the external visual frame, placed in different positions of the working space. An egocentric visual proprioceptive task was administered after prism removal and after the execution of the allocentric tasks, to assess the effectiveness of the PA, as indexed by the AEs, and their persistence up to the end of the administration of the allocentric tasks. Experiment #3 differed from #2 in that participants adapted to leftward displacing lenses. Consistent with evidence from USN patients, in Experiment #1, in the egocentric tasks, AEs lasting up to 30 min after PA were found. In Experiment #2, AEs in “allocentric” tasks did not occur, regardless of frame position. Experiment #3 showed AEs in both the “egocentric” and the “allocentric” tasks, with the latter being minor in size. These findings illustrate that the spatial reference systems modulated by PA in extra-personal space primarily operate in spatial “egocentric”

Recently, advances in technology and learning methods have allowed the development of new training practices within the workplace. This was made possible, in particular, by digital-learning, which allowed trainers and users to share knowledge in any place and time. Furthermore, digitallearning has made it possible to give rise to more economical, practical, and realistic training addressing many people at the same time. The possibilities offered by digital-learning have also been explored by neuroscience, interested in applying neuroscientific models of learning and cognition to implement increasingly effective and useful e-learning programs. In addition, the contribution of neuroscience in improving digital-learning also includes the possible use of neuroscientific techniques for the assessment and monitoring of learning outcome and quality. This, therefore, leads to an increasingly deepening of the investigation of neuroscientific methods and techniques that could be useful for improving the digital-learning field.

The fourth industrial revolution focuses on automation and on designing intelligent and responsive systems. Industry 4.0 represents a long-term development strategy, where efficiency is increased via the integrated analysis of large streams of data and the optimization of human-technology interactions.

Introduction: Mounting evidence shows that mental training activities aimed at increasing self-awareness and self-regulation can better psychophysical wellbeing, as well as on neurocognitive efficiency. Nevertheless, the commitment required by traditional approaches to such activities often discourages their implementation as prevention tools with elderly users. Integrating traditional interventions and new technologies might help to achieve this goal. Objectives: The study aims at evaluating the effects on cognitive control and self-regulation of a mindfulness protocol supported by a wearable neurofeedback device, comparing young-adults and elderly people. Methods: Participants completed a three-week experimental (EXP) or control (CONT) training protocol, with daily sessions of practice. The EXP protocol was based on breathing awareness practices executed with the support of the wearable neurofeedback device. In the CONT protocol, participants completed breathing practices while listening to ambient sounds with no feedback. Stress, anxiety and mood levels, cognitive skills, and physiological markers (EEG and autonomic indices) of neurocognitive efficiency and stress were assessed pre-/post-training. Results: Both young and elderly participants completing the experimental protocol showed a post-training improvement in executive control, a reduction in perceived stress levels, and an improvement of psychophysiological markers of stress regulation. In addition, young participants presented an improvement of EEG markers of attention regulation, while elderly participants showed an improvement of EEG markers of affective regulation and a reduction of subclinical depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Findings highlights the potential of integrating traditional interventions and new technologies in order to promote subjective well-being and neurocognitive enhancement, especially with elderly users.

Introduction: Recently, clinical models based on neuroscientific evidence have highlighted the detrimental role of executive functions impairments in negatively contributing to the functional decline of patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Yet, despite these potential implications, the screening tools that are typically used to assess such impairments are not specific for patients presenting addiction and are not able to properly sketch their dysfunctional executive control profile. Objectives: This study aimed at testing the clinical potential of a novel screening battery for neurocognitive disorders in addiction. Methods: The screening battery was tested on 151 patients with SUD and 55 control subjects. The battery consisted of five neuropsychological tests tapping on verbal and working memory, focused attention, and cognitive flexibility and two computerized neurocognitive tasks (Stroop and Go/No-go tasks adapted for the evaluation of interference inhibition, executive control, and attention bias towards drugs of abuse). Results: Statistical analyzes showed worse cognitive performance in patients with SUD compared to controls, both at neuropsychological tests of cognitive flexibility, focused attention and verbal memory and at neurocognitive tasks, suggesting the presence of deficit of regulatory mechanisms involved in inhibition and orientation of attention/cognitive resources. These results were also confirmed by second-level analyses where the role of age and education as potential moderators was checked, suggesting the robustness of the tested measures. Conclusions: The results further stress the link between specific executive impairments and SUD and suggest the potential of the battery as a quick yet valid neurocognitive screening tool.

Evidenze scientifiche dimostrano che attività di mental training atte a incrementare consapevolezza e auto-regolazione possono avere un effetto sul benessere fisico e mentale, con ricadute anche sull’efficienza neurocognitiva. Ciononostante, l’impegno richiesto da tali attività ne scoraggia l’implementazione, in ottica preventiva, con utenza anziana. Integrare in-terventi tradizionali e nuove tecnologie aiuterebbe al raggiungimento di questo scopo. Lo studio mira a valutare gli effetti sulle abilità cognitive e di autoregolazione di un intervento mindfulness-based supportato da wearable devices in grado di fornire feedback sulle modificazioni fisiologiche associate alla pratica, in un campione di giovani-adulti e di anziani. En-trambi i gruppi hanno preso parte a un percorso della durata di tre settimane, con attività giornaliere di durata incrementa-le. Gli specifici effetti del training per i due gruppi sono stati valutati con un disegno pre-post. In particolare, è stata valu-tata la modulazione dei livelli di stress, ansia e umore, delle abilità cognitive, e di marcatori fisiologici (EEG e indici au-tonomici) di efficienza neurocognitiva e di risposta da stress. Per entrambi i gruppi, le analisi hanno evidenziato: un mi-glioramento del controllo esecutivo, sebbene evidenziato da differenti test neuropsicologici; una riduzione dei livelli di stress percepito; e un sistematico miglioramento dei marcatori psicofisiologici di regolazione della risposta da stress. I partecipanti giovani hanno poi presentato un miglioramento dei marcatori EEG di regolazione attentiva, mentre i parteci-panti anziani hanno presentato un miglioramento dei marcatori EEG di regolazione affettiva e una riduzione della sinto-matologia depressiva subclinica. Lo studio mette in luce il potenziale dell’integrazione di interventi tradizionali e nuove tecnologie sia in ottica di promozione del benessere soggettivo sia di potenziamento neurocognitivo, in particolare con utenza anziana.

Le pratiche di mindfulness hanno sollevato l’interesse delle neuroscienze riguardo agli effetti sulla riduzione dello stress e sul funzionamento cognitivo. Il presente studio vuole valutare gli effetti di un training di empowerment neurocognitivo nel life span, comparando manager over-50 con un campione di giovani studenti, popolazioni a cui solitamente è richiesto uno sforzo cognitivo quotidiano e la gestione di stress elevato. Manager over-50 e giovani studenti hanno svolto un trai-ning di due settimane che consisteva nello svolgimento tramite un wearable device di pratiche quotidiane di mindfulness. Un gruppo di controllo attivo, invece, ha svolto un percorso di meditazione senza l’ausilio del wearable device. Per la va-lutazione dell’efficacia sono state comparate due fasi di valutazione, prima e dopo il training. In ognuna sono state misu-rate l’attività corticale e autonomica in condizioni di resting-state e task/related, a completamento dell’assessment cogni-tivo tramite misure comportamentali, neuropsicologiche e psicometriche. I risultati mostrano un’efficacia del training in termini di diminuzione dei livelli di ansia in entrambi i gruppi rispetto ai controlli, mentre di stress percepito e fatica so-prattutto nella fascia over-50. L’efficacia del training viene inoltre riflessa da una maggiore variabilità cardiaca, ovvero da focus e controllo dell’arousal in condizioni stressanti rispetto al gruppo di controllo; questo è più evidente negli studenti, che presentano anche una diminuzione dei tempi di risposta alla performance attentiva. Dal punto di vista dell’attivazione cerebrale, i manager presentano un maggiore aumento dell’indice alpha/beta e dell’alpha block, indicando un bilancia-mento tra rilassamento e attivazione e una maggiore reattività del sistema cerebrale. Il presente training può dunque esse-re utile per l’empowerment cognitivo e la gestione dello stress coprendo un’ampia fascia d’età, fino alla prevenzione del decadimento cognitivo.

Emotional empathy plays a crucial role in social intra-species and inter-species interactions. However the role of interspecies interactions and of some personality components was underestimated. The present research explored electrophysiological correlates of affective processing in relation to emotionally valenced human-human (HH) and human-animal (HA) interactions. Further, we explored the link between such cortical responses and personality empathic profile as measured by the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Both HH and HA interactions was associated to a significant increase of N300 and P300 deflections in response to positive and negative compared with neutral interactions. However, whereas N300 was mainly influenced by stimuli valence and was frontally distributed, P300 seemed to be mainly modulated by the stimuli attentional relevance and showed even a posterior distribution. Finally, a significant association was found between emotional empathy trait (BEES) and N300 amplitude. Results are discussed in light of the significance of empathic traits in mediating species-specific and speciesaspecific relationships.

Background: Cooperation and competition were compared in the present study. Brain correlates (electroencephalography, EEG frequency band, delta, theta, alpha, and beta) and hemodynamic measure of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS, O2Hb) were acquired during a joined cooperative (Experiment 1) or competitive (Experiment 2) task. Subjects were required to match each other's cognitive performance (cooperation) or to make better than others (competition) in terms of accuracy (error rate, ER) and response time (RT). In addition, a personality trait measure (behavioral activation system, BAS) was used to distinguish subjects based on their rewarding attitude. Self-perception of social ranking and real performance were considered in response to subjects' performance (that was artificially manipulated to show an increasing or decreasing profile during the task). Results: An increased left prefrontal cortical (PFC) responsiveness was found for subjects who had higher BAS rating in case of both cooperation and competition conditions. Moreover, subjects with higher BAS ratings showed greater frontal left activity during the cooperative task. These subjects also concomitantly perceived an increasing in social ranking and improved their performance. Conclusions: Present results demonstrated that some trait components (BAS) and cooperative condition induce a positive self-representation in term of ranking and a best way to perform the task, as underlined by self-perception and cognitive outcomes. Indeed the higher BAS trait proved to be related with the representation of higher social ranking and with the perception of improved cognitive outcomes, with also a significant increased left PFC activity in cooperative contexts.

Event-related responses are spatial-temporal patterns of physiological responses associated with neural population activity, elicited by external or internal stimuli. Indeed the function of neural systems depends on dynamic spatial and temporal patterns of activation within linked networks of excitable cells. In the human brain, most purposeful function is mediated by correlated activity in substantial populations of neurons. The physical and physiological consequences of this activity can be detected with noninvasive measurement techniques, including electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). In the present article we will consider a range of methods, and the major focus will be on neural electromagnetic measurement (NEM) techniques (MEG and EEG) and noninvasive measurements of neural population responses. These methods have challenges and limitations for localizing the source of neural responses, but the excellent temporal resolution of these responses can be exploited by clever experimental paradigms to probe the dynamic interactions between multiple cortical regions. We underline that these interactions serve as the basis of information processing and control by the human brain.

Executive functions tend to decrease their efficiency during the physiological aging process. Nevertheless, cognitive and brain reserves are thought to act as protective factors against cognitive decline. Then, the re-activation of cognitive and neural networks by means of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) may help in maintaining those reserves and improving functional profiles. The present research investigates the effect of prefrontal NIBS in empowering executive functions and electrophysiological attention responses in healthy elderly people. Twenty-two volunteers have been assigned to a control or NIBS group. The NIBS protocol (anodal transcranial direct current stimulation) lasted eight weeks (three sessions per week), with twice-weekly administration of tasks tapping on executive functions. Participants’ cognitive and electrophysiological profiles were assessed at the beginning, after the treatment period, and after six months. Data analyses showed interesting positive modulations in post-intervention performances for the NIBS group – specifically in tests tapping on executive functions and automatic electrophysiological attention responses. Besides, participants’ subjective reports of improvement in everyday functioning, behavioral and electrophysiological evidences suggest that a moderately intensive NIBS protocol might help in empowering specific cognitive functions even in healthy aging.

Transient losses of consciousness and muscular tone that characterize syncope are due to a sudden decrease of blood flow to the brain. Nevertheless, in part of patients reporting syncope episodes, the classic diagnostic process does not lead to a proper organic etiology – e.g. neutrally mediated or cardiac. Psychological non-organic factors like emotional dysregulation or anxiety mechanisms might act as triggers for those clinical manifestations. Given the link between affective experience and sympathetic-parasympathetic autonomic system, this research aims at investigating the hypothesis of a psychogenic etiopathogenesis and at sketching a clearer picture of affective responses in syncope. Control (healthy volunteers) and clinical (syncope patients with no organic etiology) groups were presented with arousing affective visual stimuli and assessed by psychometric tests. In order to explore both automatic and conscious processing of affective information, we recorded participants’ psychophysiological responses (autonomic and EEG) and subjective appraisal ratings (valence and arousal). The comparison of psychometric, electrophysiological and autonomic data across patients and control subjects showed anomalous response profiles, with partially incongruent autonomic automatic psychophysiological responses and conscious appraisal ratings. While the dysregulation of psychophysiological responsivity might characterize syncope profiles, the complexity of clinical pictures suggest that different non-organic syncope subtypes may exist.

note al testo, bibliografia di A. Petagine; lessico: le voci abstractio, causa, cerebrum, communis, cor, corpus, diffinitio, disputatio, intellectus, manus, questio, sciencia, species intelligibilis, subiectum, uniuersalis sono a cura di A. Petagine