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A study investigated electroencephalographic (EEG) differences between children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with reading disabilities (ADHD + RD) (n=20) or without (n=20), and 20 controls. Results indicate differences found in the ADHD + RD group represent an electrophysiological component associated with the reading disability that is independent of ADHD EEG divergences. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Tested whether alpha power in different sub-bands is selectively related to intelligence. For 74 Austrian subjects, the EEG was recorded during a resting session and 2 different intelligence tests were performed. Findings show a strong positive correlation between intelligence and alpha power. (SLD)

Compared face recognition ability in young children with autism to that of children with typical development and developmental delay. Took electroencephalographic recordings of brain activity while children viewed pictures of their mothers and unfamiliar females, and familiar and unfamiliar toys. Found that autistic children showed no differences in high-density brain event-related potentials to familiar or unfamiliar faces, although familiar objects were distinguished from unfamiliar ones. (JPB)

Used event-related dense-sensor EEG recording techniques to examine the time course of language switching during a visually-cued naming task in which bilingual participants named digits in either their first or second language. Switch-related modulation of ERP components was evident over parietal and frontal cortices, and in the latter case showed an asymmetry across first and second languages. (Author/VWL)

This study investigated the cognitive processes of student teachers using electroencephalography (EEG) methodology. Results suggest that learning the computer-supported multimedia lessons was demanding yet provoked less transfer of information between brain areas and had no beneficial influence on the amount of learned material when compared to learning from text. (Contains 66 references.) (Author/LRW)

Used quantitative electroencephalogram analysis to examine difference in brain wave activity of attention deficit disorders (ADD) with and without hyperactivity while completing a computerized task measuring a variety of constructs associated with attention and impulsivity. Found that although behavioral ratings confirmed differential characteristics, EEG findings did not differentiate between ADD with and without hyperactivity. (Author/KB)

Examined behavioral inhibition and psychophysiological markers of frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry for children identified at 4 months as at-risk for later inhibition. Found that 4-month temperament predicted inhibition over first 2 years and behavioral reticence at 4. Infants remaining inhibited displayed EEG asymmetry as early as 9 months. Changes in inhibition were related to nonparental care. (KB)

Describes how electroencephalogram (EEG) data are collected and how brain function is measured. Discusses studies on the effects of music experiences with adult subjects and studies focusing on the effects of music training on EEG activity of children and adolescents. Considers the implications of the studies and the future directions of this research. (CMK)

Introduces the issue theme of Music Educators Journal on music and the brain summarizing the articles in this special focus. Offers an overview of neuromusical research and articulates some basic premises derived from the studies focusing on topics such as the resilience of the musical brain and that the musical brain operates at birth. (CMK)

Studied differences in cognitive processes related to creativity and intelligence using EEG coherence and power measures in the lower and upper alpha bands. Results of 2 experiments involving 49 and 48 right-handed student teachers suggest that creativity and intelligence are different abilities that also differ in the neurological activity displayed by individuals while solving open or closed problems. (SLD)

Examined contribution of EEG findings in the classification and treatment of attention deficit and related behavioral problems in children. Found that quantitative EEG methods disclosed patterns of abnormality in children with ADD, suggested improved guidelines for pharmacological treatment, and introduced neurofeedback, a behavioral treatment for ADD. Reviewed objective findings and theoretical models for both treatments. (Author/DLH)

Presents details of Instant Alert Hypnosis procedure as an adjunct to neurotherapy in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Discusses AD/HD diagnostic issues, demographics, traditional treatments, neurological basis, EEG assessment, implications for the use of hypnosis, and the efficacy and promise of neurotherapy with and without Instant Alert Hypnosis. (Author/DLH)

Tested use of instant alert hypnosis on 16 children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. Found that EEG beta-theta ratio means were significantly higher in trials of neurotherapy combined with alert hypnosis than neurotherapy alone. Beta was significantly enhanced, whereas theta was inhibited. Identified improved treatment efficacy and reduced time in treatment as clinical implications. (Author/DLH)

Examined whether the atypical pattern of brain activity found in infants of depressed mothers generalized to situations not involving the mother. Found that 13- to 15-month-olds of depressed mothers exhibited reduced left--relative to right--frontal activity during baseline and during interactions with mother and familiar experimenter. This atypical brain activity pattern generalizes to a variety of situations. (Author/KB)

Tested whether tonic EEG power is related to memory performance by analyzing ongoing EEG for 60 subjects in 5 experimental conditions. Subjects with good memory performance had significantly larger upper alpha power, but less theta and lower alpha power. Also discusses findings for subjects good at calculation. (SLD)

Fourteen chronically depressed female adolescents listened to rock music for a 23-minute session. EEG was recorded and saliva samples were collected to determine the effects of the music on stress hormone cortisol levels. No differences were reported for mood state; however, cortisol levels decreased and relative right-frontal activation was attenuated. (Author/MKA)

Electroencephalographic power spectra were studied in two poor-reading adolescent groups (n=38), dysphonetic and phonetic. Significant Group x Hemisphere effects were found in the alpha and beta bands, with the phonetic group showing right greater than left asymmetry. Results suggest more circumscribed and mature processing in the phonetically abler poor readers, since normal adult readers also show this same asymmetry. (Author/DB)

Investigates the influence of Captain's Log, a computerized cognitive-training system, on the behaviors and performance capabilities of severely disturbed children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (N=4). Results support the expectation that children who are most successful in the training would demonstrate the highest levels of generalization of the learned skills. (Author/MKA)

This study examined differences in electroencephalography (EEG) alpha activity between gifted and nongifted Slovenian student-teachers (N=17 each). Gifted students showed greater left hemisphere activation than nongifted subjects in relaxed states, but lower activation during problem solving. The same pattern was observed in overall hemispheric activation during relaxed and problem-solving states. (Author/PB)

Examined electrical brain activity during negative and positive emotion expression in infants of depressed and nondepressed mothers. Found that, compared with infants of nondepressed mothers, infants of depressed mothers exhibited increased EEG activation in the frontal but not parietal region when expressing negative emotions. There were no reliable differences in brain activation during positive or neutral emotion expression. (Author/KB)

In three experiments, differences in EEG alpha activity between 30 gifted and 30 average individuals were studied. Results support the hypothesis that higher alpha power during information processing displayed by gifted individuals may derive from the nonuse of many brain areas not required for the problem at hand. (SLD)

This study, involving 15 nonparental female clients, found that the perceived anxiety and arousal elicited by infant crying were significantly diminished after stress management training. Anxiety measures were strongly correlated with both perceived arousal and the clients' evaluation of infant crying. (Author/JDD)

Electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectra were studied in two poor reader groups (dyslexia and slow learning) and a normal reading group with attention deficit disorder (ADD). In correlational analyses, the combination of greater low beta and less theta power significantly predicted better reading and spelling. Results suggest adequate readers process stimuli more actively than do poor readers. (DB)

This study compared 20 children (ages 8-14) with either autism or receptive developmental language disorder (RDLD) to 10 controls in their ability to detect frequent and infrequent randomly presented auditory stimuli. Only the children with autism demonstrated an abnormally small amplitude of the P3b, a component of the event-related brain potential measure. (Author/DB)

Results of applying the electrophysiological measure of auditory long latency event-related potentials (P3 AERP) on 20 children with central auditory processing disorders before and after a structured treatment program found a significant decrease in P3 latency and a significant increase in P3 amplitude when compared with control subjects who had not received the treatment program. (Author/DB)

The construct validity of Boder's typology of dyslexia was investigated using quantified electroencephalography with 39 children (ages 7-11) during a reading task and at rest. Results supported beta frequency differences in anticipated regions by dyslexia subtype during the reading task. However, the direction of difference hypothesis was not supported. (Author/DB)

Relationships between neuropsychological aberrations and psychological dysfunction were studied for 20 Swedish children (average age around 10 years at first testing) with serious language problems through (1) electroencephalography; (2) brain stem response audiometry; (3) magnetic resonance imaging; and (4) brain electric activity mapping by auditory evoked potential focus detection. (SLD)

Examined the relationship between changes in electroencephalograms and the development of the ability to perform cognitive tasks involving frontal lobe functioning in infants of 7 to 12 months of age. Infants who successfully found a hidden object showed changes in the power of brain electrical activity in the frontal lobe. (BC)

Recorded electroencephalographic activity of infants and adults who heard 1 unique tone in a series of 10 tones. The amplitude of event-related brain potentials in response to the unique tone was smaller, and its latency longer, for infants than for adults. Evoked potentials remained stable across trials. (BC)

In comparison to infants of mothers who had no symptoms of depression, infants of mothers with symptoms exhibited reduced left frontal lobe activity during play and failed to exhibit increased right frontal lobe activity during distress. Infants of symptomatic mothers showed less distress during maternal separation than infants of nonsymptomatic mothers. (BC)

Concludes that television viewing produces brainwave patterns much like those of other waking-state activities and that it is neither predominately an alpha nor a right-brain activity. (FL)

Analysis of retrospective encephalography and background factors of 132 autistic children and adolescents revealed that, with one exception (sex), there was no significant difference in background factors (e.g., socioeconomic status, pregnancy, and birth factors) between autistic Ss with normal and abnormal EEGs. (Author/CL)

Power Spectral Fast Fourier analysis of the scalp electroencephalogram was obtained from six locations in 69 children with learning disabilities without hyperactivity and 34 control children, during baseline and while performing reading, arithmetical, and spatial tasks. Significant EEG power and percent differences for specific frequencies were obtained between groups. (Author/CL)

The use of neurometric techniques for screening of learning disabilities and the subsequent use of electroencephalogram biofeedback techniques provides a solid foundation for helping children with attention deficit disorders to improve markedly their ability to learn and to obtain significant improvements in school performance. (MT)

Cognitive neuroscience assumes that measurement of brain electrical activity should relate to cognition. Brain Electrical Activity Mapping (BEAM), a non-invasive technique, is used to record changes in activity from one brain area to another and is 80 to 90 percent successful in classifying subjects as dyslexic or normal. (MT)

Low-functioning autistic children with age-matched normals, age-matched mentally disabled, and mentally age-matched normal toddlers were tested using a computerized electroencephalographic technique. Autistic Ss showed significantly more slow wave activity and less alpha, as well as less inter- and intrahemispheric asymmetry, than either normal or mentally disabled children. (Author/CL)