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Tan E, Troller-Renfree SV, Morales S, Buzzell GA, McSweeney M, Antúnez M, Fox NA. Theta activity and cognitive functioning: Integrating evidence from resting-state and task-related developmental electroencephalography (EEG) research. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 67:101404. [PMID: 38852382 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The theta band is one of the most prominent frequency bands in the electroencephalography (EEG) power spectrum and presents an interesting paradox: while elevated theta power during resting state is linked to lower cognitive abilities in children and adolescents, increased theta power during cognitive tasks is associated with higher cognitive performance. Why does theta power, measured during resting state versus cognitive tasks, show differential correlations with cognitive functioning? This review provides an integrated account of the functional correlates of theta across different contexts. We first present evidence that higher theta power during resting state is correlated with lower executive functioning, attentional abilities, language skills, and IQ. Next, we review research showing that theta power increases during memory, attention, and cognitive control, and that higher theta power during these processes is correlated with better performance. Finally, we discuss potential explanations for the differential correlations between resting/task-related theta and cognitive functioning, and offer suggestions for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enda Tan
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA; Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA.
| | | | - Santiago Morales
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, CA 90007, USA
| | - George A Buzzell
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, FL 33199, USA
| | - Marco McSweeney
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Martín Antúnez
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Nathan A Fox
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA; Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
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Keshavarzi M, Mandke K, Macfarlane A, Parvez L, Gabrielczyk F, Wilson A, Goswami U. Atypical beta-band effects in children with dyslexia in response to rhythmic audio-visual speech. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 160:47-55. [PMID: 38387402 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have reported atypical delta phase in children with dyslexia, and that delta phase modulates the amplitude of the beta-band response via delta-beta phase-amplitude coupling (PAC). Accordingly, the atypical delta-band effects in children with dyslexia may imply related atypical beta-band effects, particularly regarding delta-beta PAC. Our primary objective was to explore beta-band oscillations in children with and without dyslexia, to explore potentially atypical effects in the beta band in dyslexic children. METHODS We collected EEG data during a rhythmic speech paradigm from 51 children (21 control; 30 dyslexia). We then assessed beta-band phase entrainment, beta-band angular velocity, beta-band power responses and delta-beta PAC. RESULTS We found significant beta-band phase entrainment for control children but not for dyslexic children. Furthermore, children with dyslexia exhibited significantly faster beta-band angular velocity and significantly greater beta-band power. Delta-beta PAC was comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION Atypical beta-band effects were observed in children with dyslexia. However, delta-beta PAC was comparable in both dyslexic and control children. SIGNIFICANCE These findings offer further insights into the neurophysiological basis of atypical rhythmic speech processing by children with dyslexia, suggesting the involvement of a wide range of frequency bands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Keshavarzi
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom.
| | - Kanad Mandke
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
| | - Annabel Macfarlane
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
| | - Lyla Parvez
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Gabrielczyk
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Wilson
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
| | - Usha Goswami
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
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Alhamdan AA, Murphy MJ, Crewther SG. Visual Motor Reaction Times Predict Receptive and Expressive Language Development in Early School-Age Children. Brain Sci 2023; 13:965. [PMID: 37371443 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13060965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Proficiency of multisensory processing and motor skill are often associated with early cognitive, social, and language development. However, little research exists regarding the relationship between multisensory motor reaction times (MRTs) to auditory, visual and audiovisual stimuli, and classical measures of receptive language and expressive vocabulary development in school-age children. Thus, this study aimed to examine the concurrent development of performance in classical tests of receptive (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; abbreviated as PPVT) and expressive vocabulary (Expressive Vocabulary Test; abbreviated as EVT), nonverbal intelligence (NVIQ) (determined with the aid of Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices; abbreviated as RCPM), speed of visual-verbal processing in the Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN) test, Eye-Hand Co-ordination (EHC) in the SLURP task, and multisensory MRTs, in children (n = 75), aged between 5 and 10 years. Bayesian statistical analysis showed evidence for age group differences in EVT performance, while PPVT was only different for the youngest group of children aged 5-6, supporting different developmental trajectories in vocabulary acquisition. Bayesian correlations revealed evidence for associations between age, NVIQ, and vocabulary measures, with decisive evidence and a higher correlation (r = 0.57 to 0.68) between EVT, MRT tasks, and EHC visuomotor processing. This was further supported by regression analyses indicating that EVT performance was the strongest unique predictor of multisensory MRTs, EHC, and RAN time. Additionally, visual MRTs were found to predict both receptive and expressive vocabulary. The findings of the study have important implications as accessible school-based assessments of the concurrent development of NVIQ, language, and multisensory processing; and hence as rapid and timely measures of developmental and neurodevelopmental status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areej A Alhamdan
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Department of Psychology, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Melanie J Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Sheila G Crewther
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
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Xu F, Xu Y, Wang Y, Niu K, Li Y, Wang P, Li Y, Sun J, Chen Q, Wang X. Language-related brain areas in childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes studied with MEG. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 152:11-21. [PMID: 37257319 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS) typically indicate cognitive impairment with widespread speech impairment. We explored how epilepsy affects language-related brain areas and areas in their vicinity. METHODS Twenty-two children with SeLECTS and declined verbal comprehension (DVC), 21 with SeLECTS and normal verbal comprehension (NVC), and 23 healthy controls (HCs) underwent high-sampling magnetoencephalography recordings. According to a previous study, 24 language-related regions of interest were selected bilaterally, and the relative spectral power was estimated using a minimum norm estimate. RESULTS The highest mean power spectral density was observed in the delta band for the DVC group, in the theta band for the NVC group, and in the alpha band for HCs within language-specific brain regions. The distinctions between the DVC and NVC groups in the delta and theta frequency bands were primarily concentrated in the right linguistic brain area. CONCLUSIONS Children with SeLECTS may have developmental problems in language-related brain areas, with different developmental levels observed in the DVC, NVC, and HC groups. The DVC group could have inferior speech comprehension due to a more significant number of seizures and more left-sided spike locations. SIGNIFICANCE Children having SeLECTS showed impaired brain maturation, leading to associated language impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Xu
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingfan Wang
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai Niu
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yihan Li
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanzhang Li
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jintao Sun
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiqi Chen
- Country MEG Center, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoshan Wang
- Country Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Lum JAG, Clark GM, Bigelow FJ, Enticott PG. Resting state electroencephalography (EEG) correlates with children's language skills: Evidence from sentence repetition. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2022; 230:105137. [PMID: 35576738 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2022.105137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous neural oscillatory activity reflects the brain's functional architecture and has previously been shown to correlate with perceptual, motor and executive skills. The current study used resting state electroencephalography to examine the relationship between spontaneous neural oscillatory activity and children's language skills. Participants in the study were 52 English-speaking children aged around 10-years. Language was assessed using a sentence repetition task. The main analysis revealed resting state theta power negatively correlated with this task. No significant correlations were found in the other studied frequency bands (delta, alpha, beta, gamma). As part of typical brain development, spontaneous theta power declines across childhood and adolescence. The negative correlation observed in this study may therefore be indicating children's language skills are related to the maturation of theta oscillations. More generally, the study provides further evidence that oscillatory activity in the developing brain, even at rest, is reliably associated with children's language skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrad A G Lum
- School of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Gillian M Clark
- School of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Felicity J Bigelow
- School of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Peter G Enticott
- School of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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