Cognitive Models from MOST-EEG Results

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A Cognitive Model of Brain Function Can Be Quickly Created From MOST-EEG Results

Once data are collected for a given paradigm and experimental manipulation, these data can be processed using the MOST-EEG algorithm to produce data-driven functional anatomical models of brain function.  By relating these functional anatomical models to established neuroscience literature, cognitive models can be created that describe each of the experimental conditions and the differences between experimental conditions.  Cognitive models and the application of MOST-EEG to create them is employed by our corporate entity Applied Brain and Vision Sciences Inc.    

 

 

Because results calculated using the MOST-EEG algorithm provide (1) estimated anatomical loci of activation, and (2) measures of coordination among these loci of activation, they fit appropriately with the next logical task of constructing a cognitive model.  A cognitive model describes 'mental' activities or thought processes in terms of processing 'centers' in our brain that are necessary to facilitate human behaviour such as playing a videogame, reading a book, or walking down the street.  One may or may not be aware of these processes as they occur in our brains.

Using a MOST-EEG -derived Cognitive Model To Understand effects of Pharmaceutical and behavioural manipulation  

To create a cognitive model from MOST-EEG results requires 4 steps.  First, one must determine what areas of the brain are implicated by the localization and volume estimation results of MOST-EEG.  Second, each implicated brain volume is linked to its 'theoretical process' described in established neuroscience literature. Third, these 'processes' are linked together based on MOST-EEG results indicating which brain volumes have significant coordination between them.  The result is a connected block diagram of processes that occurred during the behavioral task in which the EEG data were collected.  Finally, this connected bock diagram should be interpreted in terms of the behavioural task and the psychological parameters of the task.

 

It is useful to further substantiate the cognitive model by relating participant behavioral measures such as trial completion times, stimulus reaction times, and choices made to blocks in the model.  This is easily done by looking for correlative relationships between behavioral measures and measures of brain activation and coordination between brain areas in the MOST-EEG model.

 

A block diagram illustrating how to use MOST-EEG to evaluate the effects on cognition of a pharmaceutical treatment or therapy is illustrated in Figure 1.  This example considers the case that there is a healthy control group involved in the study to determine if a drug therapy actually facilitates normal brain function or if it facilitates compensatory brain function. 

 

 

Figure 1. Illustration of how to use MOST-EEG to evaluate how a pharmaceutical affects brain function and cognition.

 

 

For information describing how a study of cognitive EEG fits in with the established pharmaceutical development pipeline, see our article titled: "Pharmaceutical Development, Repurposing, and Comparisons: How Applied Brain and Vision Sciences Inc. help your company with drug research ".  For more information describing the MOST-EEG analysis methodology and example data see the article titled, "Automated Modeling of Brain Activity using EEG Data".  For more details about how this is applied in industry, see the Applied Brain and Vision Sciences Inc. website.