Mental chronometry using latency-resolved functional MRI

Vascular responses to neural activity are exploited as the basis of a number of brain imaging techniques. The vascular response is thought to be too slow to resolve the temporal sequence of events involved in cognitive tasks, and hence, imaging studies of mental chronometry have relied on techniques such as the evoked potential. Using rapid functional MRI (fMRI) of single trials of two simple behavioral tasks, we demonstrate that while the microvascular response to the onset of neural activity is delayed consistently by several seconds, the relative timing between the onset of the fMRI responses in different brain areas appears preserved. We examined a number of parameters that characterize the fMRI response and determined that its onset time is best defined by the inflection point from the resting baseline. We have found that fMRI onset latencies determined in this manner correlate well with independently measurable parameters of the tasks such as reaction time or stimulus presentation time and can be used to determine the origin of processing delays during cognitive or perceptual tasks with a temporal accuracy of tens of milliseconds and spatial resolution of millimeters.

Root Xylem Embolisms and Refilling. Relation to Water Potentials of Soil, Roots, and Leaves, and Osmotic Potentials of Root Xylem Sap1

Embolism and refilling of vessels was monitored directly by cryomicroscopy of field-grown corn (Zea mays L.) roots. To test the reliability of an earlier study showing embolism refilling in roots at negative leaf water potentials, embolisms were counted, and root water potentials (Ψroot) and osmotic potentials of exuded xylem sap from the same roots were measured by isopiestic psychrometry. All vessels were full at dawn (Ψroot −0.1 MPa). Embolisms were first seen in late metaxylem vessels at 8 am. Embolized late metaxylem vessels peaked at 50% at 10 am (Ψroot −0.1 MPa), fell to 44% by 12 pm (Ψroot −0.23 MPa), then dropped steadily to zero by early evening (Ψroot −0.28 MPa). Transpiration was highest (8.5 μg cm−2 s−1) between 12 and 2 pm when the percentage of vessels embolized was falling. Embolized vessels were refilled by liquid moving through their lateral walls. Xylem sap was very low in solutes. The mechanism of vessel refilling, when Ψroot is negative, requires further investigation. Daily embolism and refilling in roots of well-watered plants is a normal occurrence and may be a component of an important hydraulic signaling mechanism between roots and shoots.

Detection of synchrony in the activity of auditory nerve fibers by octopus cells of the mammalian cochlear nucleus

The anatomical and biophysical specializations of octopus cells allow them to detect the coincident firing of groups of auditory nerve fibers and to convey the precise timing of that coincidence to their targets. Octopus cells occupy a sharply defined region of the most caudal and dorsal part of the mammalian ventral cochlear nucleus. The dendrites of octopus cells cross the bundle of auditory nerve fibers just proximal to where the fibers leave the ventral and enter the dorsal cochlear nucleus, each octopus cell spanning about one-third of the tonotopic array. Octopus cells are excited by auditory nerve fibers through the activation of rapid, calcium-permeable, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate receptors. Synaptic responses are shaped by the unusual biophysical characteristics of octopus cells. Octopus cells have very low input resistances (about 7 MΩ), and short time constants (about 200 μsec) as a consequence of the activation at rest of a hyperpolarization-activated mixed-cation conductance and a low-threshold, depolarization-activated potassium conductance. The low input resistance causes rapid synaptic currents to generate rapid and small synaptic potentials. Summation of small synaptic potentials from many fibers is required to bring an octopus cell to threshold. Not only does the low input resistance make individual excitatory postsynaptic potentials brief so that they must be generated within 1 msec to sum but also the voltage-sensitive conductances of octopus cells prevent firing if the activation of auditory nerve inputs is not sufficiently synchronous and depolarization is not sufficiently rapid. In vivo in cats, octopus cells can fire rapidly and respond with exceptionally well-timed action potentials to periodic, broadband sounds such as clicks. Thus both the anatomical specializations and the biophysical specializations make octopus cells detectors of the coincident firing of their auditory nerve fiber inputs.

Electrogram analysis and pacing are complimentary for recognition of abnormal conduction and far-field potentials during substrate mapping of infarct-related ventricular tachycardia.

BACKGROUND Mapping to identify scar-related ventricular tachycardia re-entry circuits during sinus rhythm focuses on sites with abnormal electrograms or pace-mapping findings of QRS morphology and long stimulus to QRS intervals. We hypothesized that (1) these methods do not necessarily identify the same sites and (2) some electrograms are far-field potentials that can be recognized by pacing. METHODS AND RESULTS From 12 patients with coronary disease and recurrent ventricular tachycardia undergoing catheter ablation, we retrospectively analyzed electrograms and pacing at 546 separate low bipolar voltage (<1.5 mV) sites. Electrograms were characterized as showing evidence of slow conduction if late potentials (56%) or fractionated potentials (76%) were present. Neither was present at (13%) sites. Pacing from the ablation catheter captured 70% of all electrograms. Higher bipolar voltage and fractionation were independent predictors for pace capture. There was a linear correlation between the stimulus to QRS duration during pacing and the lateness of a capturing electrogram (P<0.001), but electrogram and pacing markers of slow conduction were discordant at 40% of sites. Sites with far-field potentials, defined as those that remained visible and not captured by pacing stimuli, were identified at 48% of all pacing sites, especially in areas of low bipolar voltage and late potentials. Initial radiofrequency energy application rendered 74% of targeted sites electrically unexcitable. CONCLUSIONS Far-field potentials are common in scar areas. Combining analysis of electrogram characteristics and assessment of pace capture may refine identification of substrate targets for radiofrequency ablation.

Chemistry of Late Quaternary sediments and their interstitial waters of sediment cores from the Nort-West African continental margin

In the sediments of the NW African continental margin the mainly biogenic carbonate constituents become increasingly diluted with terrigenous material as one approaches the coast, as indicated by the carbonate-CO2 content, the Al2O3/SiO2-ratios, and the presence of ammonia fixed to alumino-silicates, predominantly to illites. In the norther area of the investigation - off Cape Blanc and Cape Bojador . the terrigenous constituents are mainly quartz from the Sahara Desert, whereas in the south - off Senegal - more alumino-silicates as clay minerals are admixed with the carbonate constituents. The organic carbon content of the continental slope sediments off Senegal is higher than in samples of the continental rise or of the preservation of organic matter as a result of high production and relatively rapid sedimentation. The zone of manganese-oxide enrichment follows the redox potential of + 330 mV from the surface (0-5 cm) into the sediments (20-30 cm deep) at 2000--3000 m and 3700 m of water depths, respectively. At shallower water depths, low redox potentials preclude deposition of manganese oxides and cause their mobilization from the sediments. About 1/3 of the total sedimentary Zn and 1/4 of the Cu is associated with the carbonate mineral fraction, probably in calcium phosphate overgrowths as a result of the mineralization of phosphorus-containing organic matter. Besides the precipitation of calcium phosphate, the mineralization of organic matter mediated by bacterial sulfate reduction also results in calcium carbonate precipitation and the exchange of ammonia for potassium on illites. Because of these simultaneous reactions, the depth distribution of all mineralization constituents in the interstitial water can be determined using the actual molar carbon-to-nitrogen-to phosphorus ratios of the sedimentary organic matter. The amount of sulfide sulfur in this process indicates the predominance of bacterial sulfate reduction in the sediments off NW Africa. This process also preferentially decomposes nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing organic compounds so organic matter deficient in these elements is characteristic for the rapidly accumulating sediments than today, indicating there was increased production of organic carbon compounds and more favorable conditions of their preservations. During the last interglacial times conditions were similar to those to today. This differentiation with time has also been observed in sediments from the Argentine Basin and from slope off South India indicating perhaps world-wide environmental changes throughout Late Quaternary times.

Glutamate transporter localization does not correspond to the temporary functional recovery and late degeneration after acute ocular ischemia in rats

Purpose: To determine whether the localization of retinal glutamate transporters is affected by retinal ischaemia and whether their ability to transport glutamate decreases with the progression of ischemic retinal and optic nerve degeneration. Methods: Retinal ischemia was induced in rats by acutely increasing the intraocular pressure (IOP, 110 mmHg/60 min). Reperfusion was permitted for periods up to 60 days post-ischemia. Functional evaluation was performed by monitoring the pupil light reflexes (PLRs) and electroretinograms (flash, flicker ERG and oscillatory potentials). Glutamate transporter localization and D-aspartate (glutamate analogue) uptake were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Intense immunoreactivity for the retinal glutamate transporters (GLAST, GLT1, EAAC1 and EAAT5) was observed at all time points after the insult, despite severe retinal degeneration. D-aspartate was also normally accumulated in the ischemic retinas. Ten days post-operatively the PLR ratio (ratio = indirect/direct PLR = 34 +/- 7(.)5%) was significantly less than the pre-operative value (pre-op = 76(.)7 +/- 2 (.)6%, p < 0(.)05). However, 25 and 35 days post-operatively PLR ratios did not differ significantly from pre-operative values (44(.)4 +/- 6(.)9 and 53(.)8 +/- 9(.)6%, p > 0(.)05). Forty-five and 60 days post-operatively the PLR ratio declined again and was significantly lower than the pre-operative value (33(.)8 + 8(.)7 and 26(.)2 + 8(.)9%, p < 0(.)05). Statistical analysis revealed that all tested ERG components had significantly higher values at 32, but not at 42 and 58 days post-operatively when compared to the first time point recorded post-operatively (10 days). Conclusions: While retinal glutamate transport is compromised during an acute ischemic insult, consequent retinal recovery and degeneration are not due to a change in the excitatory amino acid transporter localization or D-aspartate (glutamate analogue) uptake. Rat retina and optic nerve are capable of spontaneous, but temporary, functional recovery after an acute ischemic insult. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of check and field size on the visual evoked magnetic response to a pattern shift stimulus

A decrease in the check size of a pattern shift stimulus increases the latency and amplitude of the visual evoked potential (VEP) P100. In addition, for a given check size, decreasing the size of the stimulus field increases the latency and amplitude of the P100. These results imply that the central regions of the retina make a significant contribution to the generation of the electrical P100. However, the corresponding magnetic P100m may have a different origin. We have studied the effects of check and field size on the P100m in five normal subjects using a DC-Squid, second-order gradiometer. Magnetic responses were recorded at the positive maximum of the P100m over the occipital scalp to six check sizes (10-100') presented in a large (13 degrees 34') and small (5 degrees 14') field and to a large check (100') presented in seven field sizes (1 degree 45' - 15 degrees 10'). No responses were recorded to any check size with a small field. Decreasing the check size presented in a large field increased latency of the P100m by approx. 30 ms while the amplitude of the response decreased with the largest reduction occurring between 70' and 12' checks. Using a large check, latency increased and amplitude decreased as the field size was reduced. The latency changes in response to check and field size were similar to those described for the VEP although the magnitudes of the magnetic changes were greater. Unlike the VEP, amplitude responses were maximal when large checks were presented in a large stimulus field. This suggests that regions outside the central retina make a more significant contribution to the visual evoked magnetic response than they do to the VEP, and that the P100m may be useful clinically in the study of diseases that affect the more peripheral regions of the retina.

Chronotopographical analysis of the pattern onset visual evoked magnetic response (VEMR):Implications for waveform peak identification

The topography of the visual evoked magnetic response (VEMR) to a pattern onset stimulus was studied in five normal subjects using a single channel BTi magnetometer. Topographic distributions were analysed at regular intervals following stimulus onset (chronotopograpby). Two distinct field distributions were observed with half field stimulation: (1) activity corresponding to the C11 m which remains stable for an average of 34 msec and (2) activity corresponding to the C111 m which remains stable for about 50 msec. However, the full field topography of the largest peak within the first 130 msec does not have a predictable latency or topography in different subjects. The data suggest that the appearance of this peak is dependent on the amplitude, latency and duration of the half field C11 m peaks and the efficiency of half field summation. Hence, topographic mapping is essential to correctly identify the C11 m peak in a full field response as waveform morphology, peak latency and polarity are not reliable indicators. © 1993.

Topographic mapping and source localization of the pattern onset visual evoked magnetic response

The topography of the visual evoked magnetic response (VEMR) to a pattern onset stimulus was investigated using 4 check sizes and 3 contrast levels. The pattern onset response consists of three early components within the first 200ms, CIm, CIIm and CIIIm. The CIIm is usually of high amplitude and is very consistent in latency within a subject. Half field (HF) stimuli produce their strongest response over the contralateral hemisphere; the RHF stimulus exhibiting a lower positivity (outgoing field) and an upper negativity (ingoing field), rotated towards the midline. LHF stimulation produced the opposite response, a lower negative and an upper positive. Larger check sizes produce a single area of ingoing and outgoing field while smaller checks produce on area of ingoing and outgoing field over each hemisphere. Latency did not appear to vary with change in contrast but amplitudes increased with increasing contrast. A more detailed topographic study incorporating source localisation procedures suggested a source for CIIm - 4cm below the scalp, close to the midline with current flowing towards the lateral surface. Similar depth and position estimates but with opposite polarity were obtained for the pattern shift P100m previously. Hence, the P100m and the CIIm may originate in similar areas of visual cortex but reveal different aspects of visual processing. © 1992 Human Sciences Press, Inc.

The influence of age on the pattern and flash visual evoked magnetic response (VEMR)

The visual evoked magnetic response (VEMR) was measured over the occipital cortex to pattern and flash stimuli in 86 normal subjects aged 15-86 years. The latency of the major positive component (outgoing magnetic field) to the pattern reversal stimulus (P100M) increased with age, particularly after 55 years, while the amplitude of the P100M decreased more gradually over the lifespan. By contrast, the latency of the major positive component to the flash stimulus (P2M) increased more slowly with age after about 50 years, while its amplitude may have decreased in only a proportion of the elderly subjects. The changes in the P100M with age may reflect senile changes in the eye and optic nerve, e.g. senile miosis, degenerative changes in the retina or geniculostriate deficits. The P2M may be more susceptible to senile changes in the visual cortex. The data suggest that the contrast channels of visual information processing deteriorate more rapidly with age than the luminance channels.

Effects of inducer continuity on auditory stream segregation:comparison of physical and perceived continuity in different contexts

The factors influencing the stream segregation of discrete tones and the perceived continuity of discrete tones as continuing through an interrupting masker are well understood as separate phenomena. Two experiments tested whether perceived continuity can influence the build-up of stream segregation by manipulating the perception of continuity during an induction sequence and measuring streaming in a subsequent test sequence comprising three triplets of low and high frequency tones (LHL-…). For experiment 1, a 1.2-s standard induction sequence comprising six 100-ms L-tones strongly promoted segregation, whereas a single extended L-inducer (1.1 s plus 100-ms silence) did not. Segregation was similar to that following the single extended inducer when perceived continuity was evoked by inserting noise bursts between the individual tones. Reported segregation increased when the noise level was reduced such that perceived continuity no longer occurred. Experiment 2 presented a 1.3-s continuous inducer created by bridging the 100-ms silence between an extended L-inducer and the first test-sequence tone. This configuration strongly promoted segregation. Segregation was also increased by filling the silence after the extended inducer with noise, such that it was perceived like a bridging inducer. Like physical continuity, perceived continuity can promote or reduce test-sequence streaming, depending on stimulus context.

Build-up of the tendency to segregate auditory streams:resetting effects of single deviant tones

The tendency to hear a sequence of alternating low (L) and high (H) frequency tones as two streams can be increased by a preceding induction sequence, even one composed only of same-frequency tones. Four experiments used such an induction sequence (10 identical L tones) to promote segregation in a shorter test sequence comprising L and H tones. Previous studies have shown that the build-up of stream segregation is usually reduced greatly when a sudden change in acoustic properties distinguishes all of the induction tones from their test-sequence counterparts. Experiment 1 showed that a single deviant tone, created by altering the final inducer (in frequency, level, duration, or replacement with silence) reduced reported segregation, often substantially. Experiment 2 partially replicated this finding, using changes in temporal discrimination as a measure of streaming. Experiments 3 and 4 varied the size of a frequency change applied to the deviant tone; the extent of resetting varied with size only gradually. The results suggest that resetting begins to occur once the change is large enough to be noticeable. Since the prior inducers always remained unaltered in the deviant-tone conditions, it is proposed that a single change actively resets the build-up evoked by the induction sequence.

The influence of age on the pattern and flash visual evoked field

We have investigated the effect of ageing on the visual system using the relatively new technique of magentoencephalography (MEG). This technique measures the magnetic signals produced by the visual system using a SQUID magnetometer. The magnetic visual evoked field (VEF) was measured over the occipital cortex to pattern and flash stimuli in 86 normal subjects aged 15 - 86 years. Factors that influenced subject defocussing or defixating the stimulus or selective attention were controlled as far as possible. The latency of the major positive component to the pattern reversal stimulus (P100M) increased with age particularly after the age of 55 years while the amplitude of the P100M decreased over the life span. The latency of the major flash component (P2M) increased much more slowly with age, while its amplitude decreased in only a proportion of elderly subjects. Changes in the P100M with age may reflect senile changes in the eye and optic nerve, e.g. senile miosis or degenerative changes in the retina. The P2M may be more susceptible to senile changes in the retina. The data suggest that the spatial frequency channels deteriorate more rapidly with age than the luminance channels and that MEG may be an effective method of studying ageing in the visual system.