Changes in resting-state functionally connected parieto-frontal networks after videogame practice

Neuroimaging studies provide evidence for organized intrinsic activity under task-free conditions. This activity serves functionally relevant brain systems supporting cognition. Here, we analyze changes in resting-state functional connectivity after videogame practice applying a test–retest design. Twenty young females were selected from a group of 100 participants tested on four standardized cognitive ability tests. The practice and control groups were carefully matched on their ability scores. The practice group played during two sessions per week across 4 weeks (16 h total) under strict supervision in the laboratory, showing systematic performance improvements in the game. A group independent component analysis (GICA) applying multisession temporal concatenation on test–retest resting-state fMRI, jointly with a dual-regression approach, was computed. Supporting the main hypothesis, the key finding reveals an increased correlated activity during rest in certain predefined resting state networks (albeit using uncorrected statistics) attributable to practice with the cognitively demanding tasks of the videogame. Observed changes were mainly concentrated on parietofrontal networks involved in heterogeneous cognitive functions.

Objective Assessment of Olfactory Function Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging=Estudio objetivo del olfato mediante resonancia magnética funcional

Objective: To show the results of a device that generates automated olfactory stimuli suitable for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments. Material and methods: Te n normal volunteers, 5 women and 5 men, were studied. The system allows the programming of several sequences, providing the capability to synchronise the onset of odour presentation with acquisition by a trigger signal of the MRI scanner. The olfactometer is a device that allows selection of the odour, the event paradigm, the time of stimuli and the odour concentration. The paradigm used during fMRI scanning consisted of 15-s blocks. The odorant event took 2 s with butanol, mint and coffee. Results: We observed olfactory activity in the olfactory bulb, entorhinal cortex (4%), amygdala (2.5%) and temporo-parietal cortex, especially in the areas related to emotional integration. Conclusions: The device has demonstrated its effectiveness in stimulating olfactory areas and its capacity to adapt to fMRI equipment.RESUMEN Objetivo: Mostrar los resultados del olfatómetro capaz de generar tareas olfativas en un equipo de resonancia magnética funcional (fMRI). Material y métodos: Estudiamos 10 sujetos normales: 5 varones y 5 mujeres. El olfatómetro está dise ̃ nado para que el estímulo que produce se sincronice con el equipo de fMRI mediante la se ̃ nal desencadenante que suministra el propio equipo. El olfatómetro es capaz de: selec- cionar el olor, secuenciar los distintos olores, programar la frecuencia y duración de los olores y controlar la intensidad del olor. El paradigma utilizado responde a un dise ̃ no de activación asociada a eventos, en el que la duración del bloque de activación y de reposo es de 15 s. La duración del estímulo olfativo (butanol, menta o café) es de 2 segundos, durante toda la serie que consta de 9 ciclos. Resultados: Se ha observado reactividad (contraste BOLD) en las diferentes áreas cerebrales involucradas en las tareas olfativas: bulbo olfatorio, córtex entorrinal (4%), amigdala (2,5%) y córtex temporoparietal. Las áreas relacionadas con integración de las emociones tienen una reactividad mayor. Conclusiones: El dispositivo propuesto nos permite controlar de forma automática y sincronizada los olores necesarios para estudiar la actividad de las áreas olfatorias cerebrales mediante fMRI.

Structural changes after videogame practice related to a brain network associated with intelligence

Here gray and white matter changes after four weeks of videogame practice were analyzed using optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM), cortical surface and cortical thickness indices, and white matter integrity computed from several projection, commissural, and association tracts relevant to cognition. Beginning with a sample of one hundred young females, twenty right handed participants were recruited for the study and assigned to a practice or a control group carefully matched by their general cognitive ability scores. After the first scan, the practice group played ‘Professor Layton and The Pandora's Box’ 4 h per week during four weeks. A second scan was obtained at the end of practice and intelligence was measured again. Image analyses revealed gray and white matter changes in the practice group. Gray matter changes theoretically relevant for intelligence were observed for the practice group mainly in frontal clusters (Brodmann areas 9 and 10) and also in smaller parietal and temporal regions. White matter findings were focused in the hippocampal cingulum and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus. These gray and white matter changes presumably induced by practice did not interact with intelligence tests' scores.

Escenas del siglo de las luces, drama en tres actos y en verso.

Mode of access: Internet.

Dictionarium Aelij Antonij Nebrisensis... imo quadruplex eiusdem antiqui dictionarij supplementum... /

Descripción basada en CCPB.

Joannis Alvari Qevetii ... Quaestionum Juris publice tractctarum libri V.

Mode of access: Internet.

Discursos leidos en las recepciones públicas que ha celebrado desde 1847 la Real Academia Española.

Contiene: Discursos de ingreso de Alejandro Oliván, Nicomedes Pastor Díaz y Juan Eugenio Hartzenbusch, con contestación de Francisco Martínez de la Rosa. Discurso de Juan Donoso Cortés, con contestación de Francisco Martínez de la Rosa. Discurso de José Joaquín de Mora, con contestación de Antonio Gil y Zárate. Discurso de Javier de Quinto, con contestación del Duque de Frías. Discurso de Fermín de la Puente y Apecechea, con contestación de Joaquín Francisco Pacheco. Discurso de José Caveda, con contestación del Marqués de Pidal. Discurso de Antonio Ferrer del Río, con contestación de Juan Eugenio Hartzenbusch.

Curso completo ó Diccionario universal de agricultura teórica, práctica, económica, y de medicina rural y veterinaria /

Grab. calcogr. antes de la port. t. 1: retr. del aut., "Migl. Gamborino la gravo". El resto grab. pleg. distribuídos en el texto "Migl. Gamborino" y "Navia"

Historia de España : desde los tiempos primitivos hasta la mayoria de la Reina Doña Isabel II /

Mode of access: Internet.

Principios constitucionales aplicados al proyecto de ley fundamental presentado a las Cortes por la comisión nombrada al efecto /

Mode of access: Internet.

Des pertes séminales involontaires /

Suppl. and v.2-3, published also by L. Castel, Montpellier.

Talēng phāi /

At head of title: Bǣp sō̜n ʻān čhintakrawī niphon.

Ensayo sobre el catolicismo, el liberalismo y el socialismo : considerados en sus principios fundamentales /

Mode of access: Internet.

[Juicio crítico acerca de la existencia del amonio] : discurso leído en la Universidad Central /

Mode of access: Internet.

La última noche de Camoens : drama original en un acto y en verso /

Mode of access: Internet.