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Cataldo I, Burkauskas J, Dores AR, Carvalho IP, Simonato P, De Luca I, Gómez-Martínez MÁ, Melero Ventola AR, Demetrovics Z, Szabo A, Ábel KE, Shibata M, Kobayashi K, Fujiwara H, Arroyo-Anlló EM, Martinotti G, Barbosa F, Griskova-Bulanova I, Pranckeviciene A, Bowden-Jones H, Esposito G, Corazza O. An international cross-sectional investigation on social media, fitspiration content exposure, and related risks during the COVID-19 self-isolation period. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 148:34-44. [PMID: 35093805 PMCID: PMC8782623 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
With the global COVID-19 pandemic, governments from many countries in the world implemented various restrictions to prevent the SARS-Cov-2 virus's spread, including social distancing measures, quarantine, in-home lockdown, and the closure of services and public spaces. This led to an in-creased use of social media platforms to make people feel more connected, but also to maintain physical activity while self-isolating. Concerns about physical appearance and the desire to keep or reach a muscular and toned ideal body, might have further reinforced the engagement in fitness-related social media activities, like sharing progresses in training achievements or following more fitness contents on popular profiles. To better understand the underlying relation among these factors, the present study investigates 729 responses to the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and their association to social media usage and compares the results cross-culturally in five countries (Spain, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Japan, and Hungary). Findings highlight significant differences between males and females, espe-cially in regard to the time spent online (U = 477.5, p = 0.036). Greater levels of appearance anxiety were associated with the exposure to fitness-related contents on social media. These results strongly confirm the previously highlighted association between fitspiration media and body image anxiety predominantly in females. Clinical implications and future considerations in terms of prevention and treatment in a situation of global emergency are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.
| | - Julius Burkauskas
- Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania,School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Artemisa R. Dores
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal,School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irene P. Carvalho
- Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health Department and CINTESIS, School of Medicine, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pierluigi Simonato
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Ilaria De Luca
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
| | | | | | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar,Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Szabo
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Mami Shibata
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kei Kobayashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironobu Fujiwara
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan,Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Society Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Saitama, Japan
| | - Eva Maria Arroyo-Anlló
- Department of Psychobiology, Neuroscience Institute of Castilla-León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Science “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inga Griskova-Bulanova
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Aiste Pranckeviciene
- Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy,Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Ornella Corazza
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy,School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK
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Shibata M, Burkauskas J, Dores AR, Kobayashi K, Yoshimura S, Simonato P, De Luca I, Cicconcelli D, Giorgetti V, Carvalho IP, Barbosa F, Monteiro C, Murai T, Gómez-Martínez MA, Demetrovics Z, Ábel KE, Szabo A, Ventola ARM, Arroyo-Anlló EM, Santos-Labrador RM, Griskova-Bulanova I, Pranckeviciene A, Bersani G, Fujiwara H, Corazza O. Exploring the Relationship Between Mental Well-Being, Exercise Routines, and the Intake of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Comparison Across Sport Disciplines. Front Psychol 2021; 12:689058. [PMID: 34295291 PMCID: PMC8290335 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.689058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Physical distancing under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on lifestyles, including exercise routines. In this study, we examined the relationship between mental health and addictive behaviors, such as excessive exercise and the use of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) across 12 sport disciplines. Materials and methods: A large cross-sectional sample of the adult population (N = 2,295) was surveyed. The mean age was 33.09 (SD = 11.40). The number of male participants was 668 (30.0%). The use of IPEDs was assessed in conjunction with psychometric measures such as the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI) and the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI). The participants were grouped into activity group (AG) and non-activity group (NAG) according to the presence or absence of their exercise habits. The results were compared between these groups, as well as across sport disciplines, while taking into account the relationship between different psychological measures and IPEDs consumption. Results: The frequency of IPEDs use was higher among AG (34.6%) than NAG (14.6%), although AG participants reported less history of addictions (7.1%) than NAG (11.8%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that scores equal to or above cutoff points, in both the EAI and AAI, predicted the IPEDs use. Regarding the differences across the various sport disciplines, those who were involved in practicing Weight Lifting and Cross Fit were found to be more at risk of excessive exercising and more inclined to use a wide range of IPEDs. Conclusions: Although exercise could help to increase well-being and prevent addictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, our results show that those in the AG are particularly vulnerable to excessive IPEDs use. Sport disciplines associated with higher EAI and AAI scores have also shown a higher tendency to excessive IPEDs use. Furthermore, the factor of having above the cutoff scores in EAI or AAI in each sport could indicate larger IPEDs consumption regardless of the discipline. In light of the current findings, it is necessary to better define the "non-excessive" levels of exercise in various sport disciplines and an adequate intake of IPEDs to ensure the safety and well-being of people during a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Shibata
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Julius Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Palanga, Lithuania
| | - Artemisa R Dores
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Kei Kobayashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sayaka Yoshimura
- Department of Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry, Habilitation and Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Organization for Promotion of Neurodevelopmental Disorder Research, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Pierluigi Simonato
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria De Luca
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Dorotea Cicconcelli
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Giorgetti
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Irene P Carvalho
- Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health Department and CINTESIS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Monteiro
- Department of Psychometrics, Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Toshiya Murai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar
| | | | - Attila Szabo
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Eva Maria Arroyo-Anlló
- Department of Psychobiology, Neuroscience Institute of Castilla-León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Inga Griskova-Bulanova
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Aiste Pranckeviciene
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Palanga, Lithuania
| | - Giuseppe Bersani
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Hironobu Fujiwara
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan.,Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Society Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ornella Corazza
- Organization for Promotion of Neurodevelopmental Disorder Research, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Dores AR, Carvalho IP, Burkauskas J, Simonato P, De Luca I, Mooney R, Ioannidis K, Gómez-Martínez MÁ, Demetrovics Z, Ábel KE, Szabo A, Fujiwara H, Shibata M, Ventola ARM, Arroyo-Anlló EM, Santos-Labrador RM, Griskova-Bulanova I, Pranckeviciene A, Kobayashi K, Martinotti G, Fineberg NA, Barbosa F, Corazza O. Exercise and Use of Enhancement Drugs at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicultural Study on Coping Strategies During Self-Isolation and Related Risks. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:648501. [PMID: 33776822 PMCID: PMC7988429 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.648501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Little is known about the impact of restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on self-image and engagement in exercise and other coping strategies alongside the use of image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) to boost performance and appearance. Objectives: To assess the role of anxiety about appearance and self-compassion on the practice of physical exercise and use of IPEDs during lockdown. Methods: An international online questionnaire was carried out using the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) in addition to questions on the use of IPEDs. Results: The sample consisted of 3,161 (65% female) adults from Italy (41.1%), Spain (15.7%), the United Kingdom (UK) (12.0%), Lithuania (11.6%), Portugal (10.5%), Japan (5.5%), and Hungary (3.5%). The mean age was 35.05 years (SD = 12.10). Overall, 4.3% of the participants were found to engage in excessive or problematic exercise with peaks registered in the UK (11.0%) and Spain (5.4%). The sample reported the use of a wide range of drugs and medicines to boost image and performance (28%) and maintained use during the lockdown, mostly in Hungary (56.6%), Japan (46.8%), and the UK (33.8%), with 6.4% who started to use a new drug. Significant appearance anxiety levels were found across the sample, with 18.1% in Italy, 16.9% in Japan, and 16.7% in Portugal. Logistic regression models revealed a strong association between physical exercise and IPED use. Anxiety about appearance also significantly increased the probability of using IPEDs. However, self-compassion did not significantly predict such behavior. Anxiety about appearance and self-compassion were non-significant predictors associated with engaging in physical exercise. Discussion and Conclusion: This study identified risks of problematic exercising and appearance anxiety among the general population during the COVID-19 lockdown period across all the participating countries with significant gender differences. Such behaviors were positively associated with the unsupervised use of IPEDs, although no interaction between physical exercise and appearance anxiety was observed. Further considerations are needed to explore the impact of socially restrictive measures among vulnerable groups, and the implementation of more targeted responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemisa R. Dores
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irene P. Carvalho
- Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health Department and CINTESIS, School of Medicine, Porto, Portugal
| | - Julius Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Pierluigi Simonato
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria De Luca
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Roisin Mooney
- Medical Sciences Division, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Ioannidis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar
| | | | - Attila Szabo
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hironobu Fujiwara
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
- Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Society Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Saitama, Japan
| | - Mami Shibata
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Eva Maria Arroyo-Anlló
- Department of Psychobiology, Neuroscience Institute of Castilla-León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Inga Griskova-Bulanova
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Aiste Pranckeviciene
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Kei Kobayashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Science “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Naomi A. Fineberg
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ornella Corazza
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Arroyo-Anlló EM, Beauchamps M, Ingrand P, Neau JP, Gil R. Lexical Priming in Alzheimer's Disease and Aphasia. Eur Neurol 2013; 69:360-5. [DOI: 10.1159/000347223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lexical priming was examined in patients with Alzheimer's disease and in aphasic patients. Control participants were divided into young and elderly [cf. Arroyo-Anlló et al.: Eur J Cogn Psychol 2004;16:535-553]. For lexical priming, a word-stem completion task was used. Normal elderly participants had lexical priming scores that were significantly lower than those of young individuals. Analysis of covariance with age and educational level as covariates showed that the control participants, aphasic and Alzheimer patients did not differ significantly on the lexical priming task. Our results suggest that performance in the lexical priming task diminishes with physiological aging, but is not significantly affected by mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease or by fluent or non-fluent aphasia.
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Arroyo-Anlló EM, Ingrand P, Gil R. Procedural learning of semantic categorization: a study of 110 non-disabled individuals. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2007; 2:366-74. [PMID: 19263567 DOI: 10.1080/17483100701602110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This paper describes a cognitive procedural task in order to study procedural learning of semantic categorization. We evaluated age, educational level and gender effects on semantic procedural skill. METHODS The procedural task was developed in our laboratory, applying a manual and serial reaction time paradigm to semantic categorization. We investigated this form of procedural learning in 110 non-disabled subjects. RESULTS We observed an improvement of semantic categorization reaction times (RTs) over time from practice, even with new verbal material to categorize. Age, educational level and gender did not influence procedural learning of semantic categorization but women performed faster than men. The results suggest that semantic categorization is susceptible to procedural training. CONCLUSION The results suggest that semantic categorization is susceptible to procedural training.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Arroyo-Anlló
- Neurosciences Institute of Castilla-Leon, Psychology Faculty of the University of Salamanca, Spain.
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Arroyo-Anlló EM, Gil R, Rosier M, Barraquer-Bordas L. [Procedural learning and neurological disorders]. Rev Neurol 1999; 29:1246-67. [PMID: 10652754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT We review the current state of learning procedures in six neurological conditions: amnesia, Alzheimer-type dementia, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear paralysis and cerebellar pathology. In each condition the conservation or deterioration of different types of ability is specified: motor and percepto-motor abilities were evaluated using different tests such as following a rotating disk or signal, the labyrinth test, percepto-motor adaptation test or tests using paradigms of time of serial reaction; percepto-cognitive abilities evaluated by 'mirror-reading' and cognitive abilities evaluated by the Tower of Hanoi, of Toronto, or of London. CONCLUSION Most of the papers published describe conservation of learning procedures in amnesic syndromes, relatively conserved in Alzheimer's disease and relatively deteriorated in Huntington's disease, in progressive supranuclear paralysis and in cerebellar dysfunction.
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Arroyo-Anlló EM, Gil R, Esperet E, Ingrand P, Barraquer-Bordas L. [Procedural learning in aphasic patients]. Rev Neurol 1998; 27:926-32. [PMID: 9951006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study concerned the procedural learning of semantic categorization. PATIENTS AND METHODS The procedure used was a serial reaction time in an group of aphasic patients. RESULTS Group of aphasic patients performed slower reaction times with more errors than the controls, but everyone manifested a decreasing reaction time, even during new semantic material categorization. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that the semantic categorization could be facilitated by procedural learning. Furthermore, this study suggest that procedural learning of semantic categorisation is at least relatively independent from cerebral structures usually involved a group of aphasic patients.
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Arroyo-Anlló EM, Gil R, Ingrand P, Barraquer-Bordas L. [Cerebral evoked potentials and semantic categorization]. Rev Neurol 1998; 27:795-801. [PMID: 9859154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cerebral evoked potentials represent variations in the electrical activity of the nervous system, excited by a sensory stimulus and which are recorded on the surface. They may be classified as endogenous or exogenous. Amongst the late endogenous evoked potentials (EEP) we may emphasize N400 which seems to represent the linguistic management wave, particularly for semantics. OBJECTIVE To observe the EEP recorded throughout the process of carrying out a task involving sequential semantic categorization. PATIENTS AND METHODS Nine healthy subjects carried out a task based on a paradigm of sequential reaction time (RT), similar to that designed by us in 1994. The data recorded were the RT and EEP at the level of the electrodes Fz, Cz and Pz in five lots of stimuli (in the first four lots the same list of words were repeated and in the fifth and final lot a different, new list appeared). CONCLUSIONS It was seen that only N400 varied during the procedure. This variation was related to familiarity with the task. That is to say that the amplitude of N400 was reduced when the same words were repeated and increased when new words appeared for semantic classification. The reduction in parallel, although not significant for RT, allowed the reduction in N400 alone to be followed whilst the task was carried out. It may be the electrophysiological marker of the process of learning semantic categorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Arroyo-Anlló
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, España.
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