Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Ctrl Code (Proactive Brain State Regulation: a closed-loop brain-state dependent stimulation approach)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2019-01-07 al 2021-01-06
Post-conflict attention adjustments: A test for proactive mechanisms reflected in frontal-parietal oscillations. Manuela Ruzzoli, Robin A. A. Ince, Antonino Vallesi, Gregor Thut (pre-registration document: https://osf.io/s9zn5/?view_only=4832300a128847a08dd729a2cc2fb70c)
In this experiment, we adopted a modified version of the Attention Network Test (ANT) (Figure 1), in which a spatial cue prompts attention orienting in preparation of a Flanker stimulus. Electrophysiological and behavioural data were collected from 73 participants. The analysis is still in progress. Data and analysis codes will be made public upon publication (check link above).
Experiment 2
In this experiment, we planned to use the data from experiment 1 to train a classifier to detect alpha power (8-12 Hz) imbalance between hemispheres as a signature of attention deployment. The classifier would be used in a cl-BSDS training where cognitive conflict trigger attention at need. The global pandemic in 2020 delayed data collection in experiment 1 and impacted the execution of experiment 2, which could not be realised yet.
Experiment 3
The influence of occipito-parietal alpha phase on motor preparation and visual processing. Domenica Veniero, Alessio Fracasso, Gregor Thut, Manuela Ruzzoli (pre-registration document: https://osf.io/nb5zw/)
As part of a collaboration with members of the University of Glasgow and as side work of the current project, a third experiment was implemented before the pandemic, whose scientific aims are tangential to the current project. Experiment 3 aims at testing the role of the phase of spontaneous oscillatory activity recorded by EEG in relation to subsequent visual, motor, or visuo-motor responses. Electro-physiological, eye movement and behavioural data were collected from 27 participants. The analysis is still in progress. Data and analysis codes will be made public upon publication (check the link above). Experiment 3 entered the project as a mitigation measure.
1) Scientifically, it constitutes an effective 'reality check' for the functional role of brain oscillations in shaping flexible cognition, possibly generating new testable hypotheses towards a better understanding of the mind-brain relationship.
2) Methodologically, Ctrl code overcomes the standard offline approach in Cognitive Neuroscience and promotes an explanatory framework that exploits spontaneous brain states at time t to favour behaviour at time t+1.
3) Technologically, due to its cross-disciplinary nature, tapping into advanced EEG analysis methods, modern technology (cl-BSDS), and interfacing with cognitive neuroscience (attention and cognitive conflict), Ctrl code will adopt a hypothesis-driven proactive cl-BSDS framework for promoting attention boosting in real-time.
4) Translationally, this offers an original and unique opportunity of translating neuroscience into applications: by reliably reading-out behaviourally relevant brain activity and capitalising on its natural dynamics to promote optimal brain states.
5) Socially and clinically, in contrast to standard approaches which are reactive to past brain states or need extensive training (neuro-feedback), it will probe the feasibility for person-centred solutions towards a new generation of attention boosting applications for cognitive development, ageing or clinical treatment. Ctrl Code will be a proactive system controlled by spontaneous brain dynamics, overcoming other closed-loop approaches which have used simple sounds or task difficulty modulation for attention boosting.