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Involvement of previous memory in learning and the transfer effect
258
Posters session 2 / International Journal of Psychophysiology 69 (2008) 242–275
pronounced on the side of the clinical symptoms of patients with stage I on the Hoehn and Yahr's scale. After four weeks of dopamine agonist therapy the state of the patients was improved. Along with less pronounced hypokinesia, rigidity and tremor the mean saccade latency and the percentage of the multistep saccades also decreased. Our results show that saccadic eye movement registration may be used as a promising technique for diagnosis and medication control of Parkinson's disease. That is to say that the percentage of the multistep saccades is the simplest quantitative indicator of the saccadic system dysfunction during Parkinson's disease. The research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Humanities, project No. 08-06-00362а.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.177 Potential role of interleukin-6 in pathogenesis of fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) and effects of immunomodulating therapy D.S. Kasatkin a, N.N. Spirin b, A.A. Kostylev c Yaroslavl Municipal Policlinic #5, Yaroslavl, Russia b Yaroslavl Medical Academy, Yaroslavl, Russia c Yaroslavl Municipal Clinical Hospital #8, Yaroslavl, Russia
a
Background and objectives: Autoimmune process in MS plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of some clinical symptoms of disease such as emotional and psychological changes. Stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines' receptors (IL-1b, IL-2) leads to “sickness behavior” [Montkowski A. et al.,1997] with lack of energy, depression and somnolency [Connor T.J. et al.,1998, Dunn A.J. et al.,1999, Lacosta S. et al., 1999]. Anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) have another effect such as increase of anxiety [von Kanel R., 2006], shortening of night sleep [Kubota T., 2001], decrease of fatigue and depression [Capuron L., 2001]. Immunomodulatory therapy (glatiramer acetate, beta-interferon) influences on cytokine balance and at the same time could lead to psychological changes. Methods: Forty-six MS patients (aged 18–49 years; confidence interval (c.i) is 28.3–34.9 years (□ b 0.01); 14 men and 32 women) with the length of disease 1.0–9.6 years (c.i. 2.9–6.6; □ b 0.01) and EDSS score 1.5–4.0 (c.i. 2.3–3.0; □ b 0.01) were enrolled to the study. Nineteen patients were treated by Copaxone and twenty seven by beta-interferon for one year. All individuals have completed Malkova's Asthenia Scale (AS), Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Scale (MFIS) and Zung Depression Scale (ZDS) twice (on the start of therapy and after one year). The level of interleukins (IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12) have been twice measured by ELISA (Bender Medsystems). In statistical processing we applied nonparametric methods, such as Spirmen's correlation analysis, Kruskel–Wallis ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U-test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov two-sample test. Results and conclusion: Immunomodulating therapy influences on psychological presentations of MS. We have found that intensity of depression (ZDS, р = 0.015) and fatigue (MFIS, р b 0.001) was increasing by the beta-interferon therapy. Beta-interferon therapy was closely associated with the increasing of IL6 level (р = 0.060). In contrary, patients, who received Copaxone, demonstrated the reduction of fatigue level (MFIS, р = 0.001), which interface with the decreasing of the IL-6 level (р = 0.050). We have also found a strong correlation between the rate of fatigue and IL-6 level (r = 0.28, p = 0.038). Thus, the level of IL-6 may be a common basis for the known anti-fatigue and anti-depressive effect of Copaxone.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.178 Involvement of previous memory in learning and the transfer effect A.A. Sozinov a, R.G. Averkin b, Yu.V. Grinchenko a, Yu.I. Alexandrov a Institute of Psychology, RAS, Moscow, Russia b University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
a
Learning of one behavioral task after another is characterized by the transfer effect. It shows the extent to which memory formed earlier is involved in learning. In the frames of systemic psychophysiology (Shvyrkov, 1995; Alexandrov et al., 1997), it is proposed that learning requires formation of new systems (systemic specialization of neurons), as well as modifications within systems that were formed earlier (accomodative reconsolidation; Alexandrov, 2005). Here we aimed at describing the transfer effect in terms of
neuronal specialization pattern that provides evidence of how these two processes were on during learning. Single-unit activity was recorded in 9 rabbits from posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). The animals were trained to get food by ring pulling and by pedal pressing with different intervals between ring-pulling acquisition and introduction of pedal-pressing: either less than 3 h (“short-interval” group, SI; 5 rabbits), or more than three days (“long-interval” group, LI; 4 rabbits). We assessed the number of N-neurons — the neurons specialized in relation to the new behavioral acts formed during the experiment. Most of the N-neurons were similarly involved in both ways of behavior. The rest of the neurons had activations in different acts, in either ring-pulling, or pedal-pressing. The number of the latter cells was significantly smaller in the LI, than in the SI. On the basis of the obtained data we assume that the memory being formed for ring-pulling is used for the learning of pedal-pressing (transferred) to a smaller degree in the SI, than in the LI. However, the transfer effect revealed via behavioral measures was similar in the two groups. Hence, even if the transfer effect seems independent of the interval between learning periods for two tasks, the extent to which memory is involved in learning is different. We assume that in the SI the consolidation process, related to one learning, is less completed by the start of the next learning, than in the LI. Since anterior and posterior cingulate cortical areas are proposed to be parts of the “primacy” and the “recency” systems, correspondingly (Gabriel, 1993), it is of interest to reveal neuronal bases of qmemory transferq phenomenon by comparison of these data to the one obtained in the PCC at the earlier stages of learning. Supported: RFBR (08-04-00100a); President's Grant for Leading Scientific Schools NSh-602.2008.6.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.179 The EEG complexity, psychic processes and behavior A.A. Mekler Institute of Human Brain Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of PositronEmission Tomography, Saint Petersburg, Russia Many modern EEG studies, based on the complexity theory, use the correlation dimension of EEG's reconstructed attractor (D2) as a quantitative characteristic. Researchers consider this value as a measure of EEG's complexity, and interpret it as a brain functioning variability or, sometime, as a correlate of independent cells assemblies number. On the ground of our studies, as well as literature reports, one can see direct relation between EEG's complexity and complexity of behavior or psychic processes. Here are results of two data sets processing. First data set is EEG's, recorded from adults in the study on EEG correlates of positive and negative emotions (S. Danko, N. Bechtereva, N. Shemiakina, 2003). In this study EEG's were recorded from 22 adults in 5 states: one with open eyes, relaxed, and four with closed: relaxed arousal, time counting, positive emotions abiding and negative emotions abiding. Emotions were stimulated via so called internal induction — person under study was asked to recall most pleasant or most unpleasant episodes in his life. Another data set is EEG's from preschool children (92 subjects), recorded in relaxed arousal with closed eyes (A. Mekler, E. Bolotova (Vishnevetskaya), 2006). It is well known, that maturating brain resolves more and more complicated tasks in all life spheres. Behavioral complexity increases as well as the mental one. We have calculated D2 of EEG's from children and adults. D2 of adults' EEG was significantly higher. Comparison of D2 of EEG's, recorded in different states, gave the following results. When eyes are open, brain has to process much more information, than with closed eyes, cognition become more complex too. And D2 is significantly higher. Recalling of emotionally colored situations also led to D2 increasing — up to the value when eyes are open. D2 in positive emotions was slightly higher than in negative. The same result in difference between positive and negative emotions effects was obtained implementing visual emotion stimulation (Aftanas, 2000). And it is well known, that persons, who feel positive emotions, have more varied behavioral repertoire, than persons, who feel negative ones. In the state of time counting D2 is higher than in relaxed state, but less than in emotional recalling. Judging these results and results, published by many other researchers, we can regard “complexity” as the universal term for physiological and psychic processes description. Author is grateful to S. Danko for provided adults' EEG recordings.
Posters session 2 / International Journal of Psychophysiology 69 (2008) 242–275
pronounced on the side of the clinical symptoms of patients with stage I on the Hoehn and Yahr's scale. After four weeks of dopamine agonist therapy the state of the patients was improved. Along with less pronounced hypokinesia, rigidity and tremor the mean saccade latency and the percentage of the multistep saccades also decreased. Our results show that saccadic eye movement registration may be used as a promising technique for diagnosis and medication control of Parkinson's disease. That is to say that the percentage of the multistep saccades is the simplest quantitative indicator of the saccadic system dysfunction during Parkinson's disease. The research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Humanities, project No. 08-06-00362а.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.177 Potential role of interleukin-6 in pathogenesis of fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) and effects of immunomodulating therapy D.S. Kasatkin a, N.N. Spirin b, A.A. Kostylev c Yaroslavl Municipal Policlinic #5, Yaroslavl, Russia b Yaroslavl Medical Academy, Yaroslavl, Russia c Yaroslavl Municipal Clinical Hospital #8, Yaroslavl, Russia
a
Background and objectives: Autoimmune process in MS plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of some clinical symptoms of disease such as emotional and psychological changes. Stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines' receptors (IL-1b, IL-2) leads to “sickness behavior” [Montkowski A. et al.,1997] with lack of energy, depression and somnolency [Connor T.J. et al.,1998, Dunn A.J. et al.,1999, Lacosta S. et al., 1999]. Anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) have another effect such as increase of anxiety [von Kanel R., 2006], shortening of night sleep [Kubota T., 2001], decrease of fatigue and depression [Capuron L., 2001]. Immunomodulatory therapy (glatiramer acetate, beta-interferon) influences on cytokine balance and at the same time could lead to psychological changes. Methods: Forty-six MS patients (aged 18–49 years; confidence interval (c.i) is 28.3–34.9 years (□ b 0.01); 14 men and 32 women) with the length of disease 1.0–9.6 years (c.i. 2.9–6.6; □ b 0.01) and EDSS score 1.5–4.0 (c.i. 2.3–3.0; □ b 0.01) were enrolled to the study. Nineteen patients were treated by Copaxone and twenty seven by beta-interferon for one year. All individuals have completed Malkova's Asthenia Scale (AS), Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Scale (MFIS) and Zung Depression Scale (ZDS) twice (on the start of therapy and after one year). The level of interleukins (IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12) have been twice measured by ELISA (Bender Medsystems). In statistical processing we applied nonparametric methods, such as Spirmen's correlation analysis, Kruskel–Wallis ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U-test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov two-sample test. Results and conclusion: Immunomodulating therapy influences on psychological presentations of MS. We have found that intensity of depression (ZDS, р = 0.015) and fatigue (MFIS, р b 0.001) was increasing by the beta-interferon therapy. Beta-interferon therapy was closely associated with the increasing of IL6 level (р = 0.060). In contrary, patients, who received Copaxone, demonstrated the reduction of fatigue level (MFIS, р = 0.001), which interface with the decreasing of the IL-6 level (р = 0.050). We have also found a strong correlation between the rate of fatigue and IL-6 level (r = 0.28, p = 0.038). Thus, the level of IL-6 may be a common basis for the known anti-fatigue and anti-depressive effect of Copaxone.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.178 Involvement of previous memory in learning and the transfer effect A.A. Sozinov a, R.G. Averkin b, Yu.V. Grinchenko a, Yu.I. Alexandrov a Institute of Psychology, RAS, Moscow, Russia b University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
a
Learning of one behavioral task after another is characterized by the transfer effect. It shows the extent to which memory formed earlier is involved in learning. In the frames of systemic psychophysiology (Shvyrkov, 1995; Alexandrov et al., 1997), it is proposed that learning requires formation of new systems (systemic specialization of neurons), as well as modifications within systems that were formed earlier (accomodative reconsolidation; Alexandrov, 2005). Here we aimed at describing the transfer effect in terms of
neuronal specialization pattern that provides evidence of how these two processes were on during learning. Single-unit activity was recorded in 9 rabbits from posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). The animals were trained to get food by ring pulling and by pedal pressing with different intervals between ring-pulling acquisition and introduction of pedal-pressing: either less than 3 h (“short-interval” group, SI; 5 rabbits), or more than three days (“long-interval” group, LI; 4 rabbits). We assessed the number of N-neurons — the neurons specialized in relation to the new behavioral acts formed during the experiment. Most of the N-neurons were similarly involved in both ways of behavior. The rest of the neurons had activations in different acts, in either ring-pulling, or pedal-pressing. The number of the latter cells was significantly smaller in the LI, than in the SI. On the basis of the obtained data we assume that the memory being formed for ring-pulling is used for the learning of pedal-pressing (transferred) to a smaller degree in the SI, than in the LI. However, the transfer effect revealed via behavioral measures was similar in the two groups. Hence, even if the transfer effect seems independent of the interval between learning periods for two tasks, the extent to which memory is involved in learning is different. We assume that in the SI the consolidation process, related to one learning, is less completed by the start of the next learning, than in the LI. Since anterior and posterior cingulate cortical areas are proposed to be parts of the “primacy” and the “recency” systems, correspondingly (Gabriel, 1993), it is of interest to reveal neuronal bases of qmemory transferq phenomenon by comparison of these data to the one obtained in the PCC at the earlier stages of learning. Supported: RFBR (08-04-00100a); President's Grant for Leading Scientific Schools NSh-602.2008.6.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.179 The EEG complexity, psychic processes and behavior A.A. Mekler Institute of Human Brain Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of PositronEmission Tomography, Saint Petersburg, Russia Many modern EEG studies, based on the complexity theory, use the correlation dimension of EEG's reconstructed attractor (D2) as a quantitative characteristic. Researchers consider this value as a measure of EEG's complexity, and interpret it as a brain functioning variability or, sometime, as a correlate of independent cells assemblies number. On the ground of our studies, as well as literature reports, one can see direct relation between EEG's complexity and complexity of behavior or psychic processes. Here are results of two data sets processing. First data set is EEG's, recorded from adults in the study on EEG correlates of positive and negative emotions (S. Danko, N. Bechtereva, N. Shemiakina, 2003). In this study EEG's were recorded from 22 adults in 5 states: one with open eyes, relaxed, and four with closed: relaxed arousal, time counting, positive emotions abiding and negative emotions abiding. Emotions were stimulated via so called internal induction — person under study was asked to recall most pleasant or most unpleasant episodes in his life. Another data set is EEG's from preschool children (92 subjects), recorded in relaxed arousal with closed eyes (A. Mekler, E. Bolotova (Vishnevetskaya), 2006). It is well known, that maturating brain resolves more and more complicated tasks in all life spheres. Behavioral complexity increases as well as the mental one. We have calculated D2 of EEG's from children and adults. D2 of adults' EEG was significantly higher. Comparison of D2 of EEG's, recorded in different states, gave the following results. When eyes are open, brain has to process much more information, than with closed eyes, cognition become more complex too. And D2 is significantly higher. Recalling of emotionally colored situations also led to D2 increasing — up to the value when eyes are open. D2 in positive emotions was slightly higher than in negative. The same result in difference between positive and negative emotions effects was obtained implementing visual emotion stimulation (Aftanas, 2000). And it is well known, that persons, who feel positive emotions, have more varied behavioral repertoire, than persons, who feel negative ones. In the state of time counting D2 is higher than in relaxed state, but less than in emotional recalling. Judging these results and results, published by many other researchers, we can regard “complexity” as the universal term for physiological and psychic processes description. Author is grateful to S. Danko for provided adults' EEG recordings.