Alexander Fingelkurts

Publications

• 3.77

  Impact points

  Mind as a nested operational architectonics of the brain: Comment on "Neuroontology, neurobiological naturalism, and consciousness: A challenge to scientific reduction and a solution" by Todd E. Feinberg.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts

  Physics of life reviews. 11/2011; 9(1):49-50.
• 2.14

  Impact points

  EEG oscillatory states as neuro-phenomenology of consciousness as revealed from patients in vegetative and minimally conscious states.

  Alexander A Fingelkurts, Andrew A Fingelkurts, Sergio Bagnato, Cristina Boccagni, Giuseppe Galardi

  Consciousness and cognition. 11/2011; 21(1):149-69.

  The value of resting electroencephalogram (EEG) in revealing neural constitutes of consciousness (NCC) was examined. We quantified the dynamic repertoire, duration and oscillatory type of EEG microstates in eyes-closed rest in relation to the degree of expression of clinical self-consciousness. For ... [more] The value of resting electroencephalogram (EEG) in revealing neural constitutes of consciousness (NCC) was examined. We quantified the dynamic repertoire, duration and oscillatory type of EEG microstates in eyes-closed rest in relation to the degree of expression of clinical self-consciousness. For NCC a model was suggested that contrasted normal, severely disturbed state of consciousness and state without consciousness. Patients with disorders of consciousness were used. Results suggested that the repertoire, duration and oscillatory type of EEG microstates in resting condition quantitatively related to the level of consciousness expression in brain-damaged patients and healthy-conscious subjects. Specifically, results demonstrated that (a) decreased number of EEG microstate types was associated with altered states of consciousness, (b) unawareness was associated with the lack of diversity in EEG alpha-rhythmic microstates, and (c) the probability for the occurrence and duration of delta-, theta- and slow-alpha-rhythmic microstates were associated with unawareness, whereas the probability for the occurrence and duration of fast-alpha-rhythmic microstates were associated with consciousness. In conclusion, resting EEG has a potential value in revealing NCC. This work may have implications for clinical care and medical-legal decisions in patients with disorders of consciousness.

• Toward operational architectonics of consciousness: basic evidence from patients with severe cerebral injuries.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Sergio Bagnato, Cristina Boccagni, Giuseppe Galardi

  Cognitive processing. 10/2011;

  Although several studies propose that the integrity of neuronal assemblies may underlie a phenomenon referred to as awareness, none of the known studies have explicitly investigated dynamics and functional interactions among neuronal assemblies as a function of consciousness expression. In order to ... [more] Although several studies propose that the integrity of neuronal assemblies may underlie a phenomenon referred to as awareness, none of the known studies have explicitly investigated dynamics and functional interactions among neuronal assemblies as a function of consciousness expression. In order to address this question, EEG operational architectonics analysis (Fingelkurts and Fingelkurts 2001, 2008) was conducted in patients in minimally conscious (MCS) and vegetative states (VS) to study the dynamics of neuronal assemblies and operational synchrony among them as a function of consciousness expression. We found that in minimally conscious patients and especially in vegetative patients neuronal assemblies got smaller, their life span shortened and they became highly unstable. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the extent/volume and strength of operational synchrony among neuronal assemblies was smallest or even absent in VS patients, intermediate in MCS patients, and highest in healthy fully conscious subjects. All findings were similarly observed in EEG alpha as well as beta1 and beta2 frequency oscillations. The presented results support the basic tenets of operational architectonics theory of brain-mind functioning and suggest that EEG operational architectonics analysis may provide an objective and accurate means of assessing signs of (un)consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries. Therefore, this methodological approach may complement the existing "gold standard" of behavioral assessment of this population of challenging patients and inform the diagnostic and treatment decision-making processes.
• 2.55

  Impact points

  Persistent operational synchrony within brain default-mode network and self-processing operations in healthy subjects.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts

  Brain and cognition. 03/2011; 75(2):79-90.

  Based on the theoretical analysis of self-consciousness concepts, we hypothesized that the spatio-temporal pattern of functional connectivity within the default-mode network (DMN) should persist unchanged across a variety of different cognitive tasks or acts, thus being task-unrelated. This supposit... [more] Based on the theoretical analysis of self-consciousness concepts, we hypothesized that the spatio-temporal pattern of functional connectivity within the default-mode network (DMN) should persist unchanged across a variety of different cognitive tasks or acts, thus being task-unrelated. This supposition is in contrast with current understanding that DMN activated when the subjects are resting and deactivated during any attention-demanding cognitive tasks. To test our proposal, we used, in retrospect, the results from our two early studies (Fingelkurts, 1998; Fingelkurts et al., 2003). In both studies for the majority of experimental trails we indeed found a constellation of operationally synchronized cortical areas (indexed as DMN) that was persistent across all studied experimental conditions in all subjects. Furthermore, we found three major elements comprising this DMN: two symmetrical occipito-parieto-temporal and one frontal spatio-temporal patterns. This new data directly supports the notion that DMN has a specific functional connotation - it provides neurophysiologic basis for self-processing operations, namely first-person perspective taking and an experience of agency.
• 4.41

  Impact points

  Life or death: prognostic value of a resting EEG with regards to survival in patients in vegetative and minimally conscious States.

  Alexander A Fingelkurts, Andrew A Fingelkurts, Sergio Bagnato, Cristina Boccagni, Giuseppe Galardi

  PloS one. 01/2011; 6(10):e25967.

  To investigate the potentially prognostic value of a resting state electroencephalogram (EEG) with regards to the clinical outcome from vegetative and minimally conscious states (VS and MCS) in terms of survival six months after a brain injury. We quantified a dynamic repertoire of EEG oscillations ... [more] To investigate the potentially prognostic value of a resting state electroencephalogram (EEG) with regards to the clinical outcome from vegetative and minimally conscious states (VS and MCS) in terms of survival six months after a brain injury. We quantified a dynamic repertoire of EEG oscillations in resting condition with eyes closed in patients in VS and MCS. The exact composition of EEG oscillations was assessed by analysing the probability-classification of short-term EEG spectral patterns. Results demonstrated that (a) the diversity and the variability of EEG for Non-Survivors were significantly lower than for Survivors; and (b) a higher probability of mostly delta and slow-theta oscillations occurring either alone or in combination were found during the first assessment for patients with a bad outcome (i.e., those who died) within six months of an injury compared to patients who survived. At the same time, patients with a good outcome (i.e., those who survived) after six months post-injury had a higher probability of mostly fast-theta and alpha oscillations occurring either alone or in combination during the first assessment when compared to patients who died within six months of an injury. Resting state EEGs properly analysed may have a potentially prognostic value with regards to the outcome from VS or MCS in terms of survival six months after a brain injury. This work may have implications for clinical care, rehabilitative programmes and medical-legal decisions for patients with impaired consciousness states after being in a coma due to acute brain injuries.
• 2.46

  Impact points

  "Machine" consciousness and "artificial" thought: an operational architectonics model guided approach.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Carlos F H Neves

  Brain research. 12/2010; 1428:80-92.

  Instead of using low-level neurophysiology mimicking and exploratory programming methods commonly used in the machine consciousness field, the hierarchical operational architectonics (OA) framework of brain and mind functioning proposes an alternative conceptual-theoretical framework as a new direct... [more] Instead of using low-level neurophysiology mimicking and exploratory programming methods commonly used in the machine consciousness field, the hierarchical operational architectonics (OA) framework of brain and mind functioning proposes an alternative conceptual-theoretical framework as a new direction in the area of model-driven machine (robot) consciousness engineering. The unified brain-mind theoretical OA model explicitly captures (though in an informal way) the basic essence of brain functional architecture, which indeed constitutes a theory of consciousness. The OA describes the neurophysiological basis of the phenomenal level of brain organization. In this context the problem of producing man-made "machine" consciousness and "artificial" thought is a matter of duplicating all levels of the operational architectonics hierarchy (with its inherent rules and mechanisms) found in the brain electromagnetic field. We hope that the conceptual-theoretical framework described in this paper will stimulate the interest of mathematicians and/or computer scientists to abstract and formalize principles of hierarchy of brain operations which are the building blocks for phenomenal consciousness and thought.
• 2.14

  Impact points

  Topographic mapping of rapid transitions in EEG multiple frequencies: EEG frequency domain of operational synchrony.

  Alexander A Fingelkurts, Andrew A Fingelkurts

  Neuroscience research. 11/2010; 68(3):207-24.

  This paper describes for the first time the phenomenon of spatio-temporal mapping of interchannel temporal coincidences of rapid transition processes (RTPs) in multiple EEG frequencies. It is suggested that RTPs in multiple EEG frequencies found in different EEG channels could reflect the process of... [more] This paper describes for the first time the phenomenon of spatio-temporal mapping of interchannel temporal coincidences of rapid transition processes (RTPs) in multiple EEG frequencies. It is suggested that RTPs in multiple EEG frequencies found in different EEG channels could reflect the process of switching between brain operations performed by different neuronal assemblies. Systematic non-random temporal coincidences among RTPs found in those EEG channels could reflect functional (operational) synchrony. However, until now there have been no studies examining the existence of systematic RTPs synchronization among different EEG channels in a frequency domain. Therefore functional synchrony based on precise (point to point) temporal coincidence of RTPs found in different EEG channels and comparison with surrogate data were estimated. Findings of the present study demonstrated for the first time that non-random temporal coincidence of RTPs in EEG multiple frequencies exist for both closed and open eyes conditions. Each of the states had its own distinguished peculiarities. Similarity of the main peculiarities of operational synchrony found in EEG frequency domain (the present study) with EEG amplitude and phase domains (previous studies) permitted us to conclude that operational synchrony is a universal phenomenon in brain activity. Therefore, patterns of interaction between the cortical areas, which are usually calculated with classical cross-correlation and coherence analysis, may be complemented with operational synchrony.
• 3.77

  Impact points

  Emergentist monism, biological realism, operations and brain-mind problem: Reply to comments on "Natural world physical, brain operational, and mind phenomenal space-time" by An.A. Fingelkurts, Al.A. Fingelkurts, C.F.H. Neves.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Carlos F H Neves

  Physics of life reviews. 06/2010; 7(2):264-8.
• 3.77

  Impact points

  Natural world physical, brain operational, and mind phenomenal space-time.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Carlos F H Neves

  Physics of life reviews. 06/2010; 7(2):195-249.

  Concepts of space and time are widely developed in physics. However, there is a considerable lack of biologically plausible theoretical frameworks that can demonstrate how space and time dimensions are implemented in the activity of the most complex life-system - the brain with a mind. Brain activit... [more] Concepts of space and time are widely developed in physics. However, there is a considerable lack of biologically plausible theoretical frameworks that can demonstrate how space and time dimensions are implemented in the activity of the most complex life-system - the brain with a mind. Brain activity is organized both temporally and spatially, thus representing space-time in the brain. Critical analysis of recent research on the space-time organization of the brain's activity pointed to the existence of so-called operational space-time in the brain. This space-time is limited to the execution of brain operations of differing complexity. During each such brain operation a particular short-term spatio-temporal pattern of integrated activity of different brain areas emerges within related operational space-time. At the same time, to have a fully functional human brain one needs to have a subjective mental experience. Current research on the subjective mental experience offers detailed analysis of space-time organization of the mind. According to this research, subjective mental experience (subjective virtual world) has definitive spatial and temporal properties similar to many physical phenomena. Based on systematic review of the propositions and tenets of brain and mind space-time descriptions, our aim in this review essay is to explore the relations between the two. To be precise, we would like to discuss the hypothesis that via the brain operational space-time the mind subjective space-time is connected to otherwise distant physical space-time reality.
• 3.05

  Impact points

  Alpha rhythm operational architectonics in the continuum of normal and pathological brain states: current state of research.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts

  International journal of psychophysiology : official journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology. 03/2010; 76(2):93-106.

  In the present study, we explore the operational architectonics of alpha activity in different normal and pathological brain states. Aggregated analysis of a set of diverse previously conducted EEG/MEG experimental studies was performed within the same methodological and conceptual framework. It was... [more] In the present study, we explore the operational architectonics of alpha activity in different normal and pathological brain states. Aggregated analysis of a set of diverse previously conducted EEG/MEG experimental studies was performed within the same methodological and conceptual framework. It was shown that the characteristics of short alpha activity periods (segments), as well as the spatial structural synchrony of alpha activity, changed considerably in accordance with the type of brain functional state, stimulation, cognitive task, pharmacological influence, and the type of pathology. The results of this study suggest that particular neurophysiological pattern(s) of cortex alpha activity indicates a resting state network, which is characterized by well-defined structure in both the temporal as well as the spatial domain. The optimal functional state of the brain depends upon a delicate metastable balance between local specialized processes and their global integration. Excess or lack of either component would be a deviation from the optimal condition and can lead to pathology. The fact that all observed results were significantly different from surrogate EEG data reflects a non-occasional nature of spatio-temporal dynamics in the operational architectonics of alpha activity. Better understanding of the specific ways in which disrupted dynamics of different characteristics of alpha-generating neuronal assemblies (and their functional connectivity) may underlie neuro/psychopathology might suggest new targets for therapeutic agents.

• Brain, mind and language functional architectures.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Giorgio Marchetti

  The open neuroimaging journal. 01/2010; 4:26-9.

  The interaction between brain and language has been investigated by a vast amount of research and different approaches, which however do not offer a comprehensive and unified theoretical framework to analyze how brain functioning performs the mental processes we use in producing language and in unde... [more] The interaction between brain and language has been investigated by a vast amount of research and different approaches, which however do not offer a comprehensive and unified theoretical framework to analyze how brain functioning performs the mental processes we use in producing language and in understanding speech. This Special Issue addresses the need to develop such a general theoretical framework, by fostering an interaction among the various scientific disciplines and methodologies, which centres on investigating the functional architecture of brain, mind and language, and is articulated along the following main dimensions of research: (a) Language as a regulatory contour of brain and mental processes; (b) Language as a unique human phenomenon; (c) Language as a governor of human behaviour and brain operations; (d) Language as an organizational factor of ontogenesis of mentation and behaviour.

• Mind operational semantics and brain operational architectonics: a putative correspondence.

  Giulio Benedetti, Giorgio Marchetti, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Andrew A Fingelkurts

  The open neuroimaging journal. 01/2010; 4:53-69.

  Despite allowing for the unprecedented visualization of brain functional activity, modern neurobiological techniques have not yet been able to provide satisfactory answers to important questions about the relationship between brain and mind. The aim of this paper is to show how two different but com... [more] Despite allowing for the unprecedented visualization of brain functional activity, modern neurobiological techniques have not yet been able to provide satisfactory answers to important questions about the relationship between brain and mind. The aim of this paper is to show how two different but complementary approaches, Mind Operational Semantics (OS) and Brain Operational Architectonics (OA), can help bridge the gap between a specific kind of mental activity-the higher-order reflective thought or linguistic thought-and brain. The fundamental notion that allows the two different approaches to be jointly used under a common framework is that of operation. According to OS, which is based on introspection and linguistic data, the meanings of words can be analyzed in terms of elemental mental operations (EOMC), amongst which those of attention play a key role. Linguistic thought is made possible by special kinds of elements, which OS calls "correlators", which have the function of tying together the other elements of thought, which OS calls "correlata" (a "correlational network" that is, a sentence, is so formed). Therefore, OS conceives of linguistic thought as a hierarchy of operations of increasing complexity. Likewise, according to OA, which is based on the joint analysis of cognitive and electromagnetic data (EEG and MEG), every conscious phenomenon is brought to existence by the joint operations of many functional and transient neuronal assemblies in the brain. According to OA, the functioning of the brain is always operational (made up of operations), and its structure is characterized by a hierarchy of operations of increasing complexity: single neurons, single assemblies of neurons, synchronized neuronal assemblies or Operational Modules (OM), integrated or complex OMs. The authors put forward the hypothesis that the whole level of OS's description (EOMC, correlators, and correlational networks) corresponds to the level of OMs (or set of them) of different complexity within OA's theory: EOMC could correspond to simple OMs, correlators to complex OMs and the correlational network to a set of simple and complex OMs. Finally, a set of experiments is proposed to verify the putative correspondence between OS and OA and prove the existence of an integrated continuum between brain and mind.

• Editorial: EEG Phenomenology and Multiple Faces of Short-term EEG Spectral Pattern.

  Al A Fingelkurts, An A Fingelkurts

  The open neuroimaging journal. 01/2010; 4:111-3.

  An electroencephalogram (EEG) signal is extremely nonstationary, highly composite and very complex, all of which reflects the underlying integral neurodynamics. Understanding the EEG "grammar", its internal structural organization would place a "Rozetta stone" in researchers'... [more] An electroencephalogram (EEG) signal is extremely nonstationary, highly composite and very complex, all of which reflects the underlying integral neurodynamics. Understanding the EEG "grammar", its internal structural organization would place a "Rozetta stone" in researchers' hands, allowing them to more adequately describe the information processes of the brain in terms of EEG phenomenology. This Special Issue presents a framework where short-term EEG spectral pattern (SP) of a particular type is viewed as an information-rich event in EEG phenomenology. It is suggested that transition from one type of SP to another is accompanied by a "switch" between brain microstates in specific neuronal networks, or in cortex areas; and these microstates are reflected in EEG as piecewise stationary segments. In this context multiple faces of a short-term EEG SP reflect the poly-operational structure of brain activity.

• Short-term EEG spectral pattern as a single event in EEG phenomenology.

  Al A Fingelkurts, An A Fingelkurts

  The open neuroimaging journal. 01/2010; 4:130-56.

  Spectral decomposition, to this day, still remains the main analytical paradigm for the analysis of EEG oscillations. However, conventional spectral analysis assesses the mean characteristics of the EEG power spectra averaged out over extended periods of time and/or broad frequency bands, thus resul... [more] Spectral decomposition, to this day, still remains the main analytical paradigm for the analysis of EEG oscillations. However, conventional spectral analysis assesses the mean characteristics of the EEG power spectra averaged out over extended periods of time and/or broad frequency bands, thus resulting in a "static" picture which cannot reflect adequately the underlying neurodynamic. A relatively new promising area in the study of EEG is based on reducing the signal to elementary short-term spectra of various types in accordance with the number of types of EEG stationary segments instead of using averaged power spectrum for the whole EEG. It is suggested that the various perceptual and cognitive operations associated with a mental or behavioural condition constitute a single distinguishable neurophysiological state with a distinct and reliable spectral pattern. In this case, one type of short-term spectral pattern may be considered as a single event in EEG phenomenology. To support this assumption the following issues are considered in detail: (a) the relations between local EEG short-term spectral pattern of particular type and the actual state of the neurons in underlying network and a volume conduction; (b) relationship between morphology of EEG short-term spectral pattern and the state of the underlying neurodynamical system i.e. neuronal assembly; (c) relation of different spectral pattern components to a distinct physiological mechanism; (d) relation of different spectral pattern components to different functional significance; (e) developmental changes of spectral pattern components; (f) heredity of the variance in the individual spectral pattern and its components; (g) intra-individual stability of the sets of EEG short-term spectral patterns and their percent ratio; (h) discrete dynamics of EEG short-term spectral patterns. Functional relevance (consistency) of EEG short-term spectral patterns in accordance with the changes of brain functional state, cognitive task and with different neuropsychopathologies is demonstrated.
• 2.14

  Impact points

  Morphology and Dynamic Repertoire of EEG Short-Term Spectral Patterns in Rest: Explorative Study.

  Alexander A Fingelkurts, Andrew A Fingelkurts

  Neuroscience research. 12/2009;

  In the present explorative experimental study, we examined the diversity of electroencephalographic (EEG) short-term spectral patterns (SPs) within a broad frequency band (1.5-30Hz) for healthy adult subjects during closed eyes and open eyes resting conditions. The types of EEG SPs were assessed by ... [more] In the present explorative experimental study, we examined the diversity of electroencephalographic (EEG) short-term spectral patterns (SPs) within a broad frequency band (1.5-30Hz) for healthy adult subjects during closed eyes and open eyes resting conditions. The types of EEG SPs were assessed by counting all identical SPs with peaks in the same frequency bins from the pools of SPs, which were built from all the SPs of the entire EEG signal (all locations) for all subjects separately for closed and open eyes conditions. This study demonstrated that independently of the resting functional state of the brain (closed eyes vs open eyes) (a) the diversity of short-term EEG SP types was limited, (b) the percent distribution of SP types among different categories of SPs (based on morphology of SPs) was constant and (c) the most preferred frequencies were restricted to delta-theta and alpha bands. At the same time, closed eyes and open eyes conditions differed from each other by the percent distribution of different types of SPs. The probabilities for the occurrence of particular SP types were typical for each of the examined conditions with domination of alpha-rhythmical SPs during closed eyes condition and domination of delta-theta-rhythmical SPs during open eyes condition. The findings suggest that the diversity of SPs varies as a function of functional state of the brain during resting conditions. Understanding of the diversity of short-term EEG SP types is important theoretically and practically, and is significant for advancing the interpretation of the EEG signal.

• Is our brain hardwired to produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive God? A systematic review on the role of the brain in mediating religious experience.

  Alexander Fingelkurts, Andrew Fingelkurts

  Cognitive processing. 06/2009;

  To figure out whether the main empirical question "Is our brain hardwired to believe in and produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive and experience God?" is answered, this paper presents systematic critical review of the positions, arguments and controversies of each side of the ... [more] To figure out whether the main empirical question "Is our brain hardwired to believe in and produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive and experience God?" is answered, this paper presents systematic critical review of the positions, arguments and controversies of each side of the neuroscientific-theological debate and puts forward an integral view where the human is seen as a psycho-somatic entity consisting of the multiple levels and dimensions of human existence (physical, biological, psychological, and spiritual reality), allowing consciousness/mind/spirit and brain/body/matter to be seen as different sides of the same phenomenon, neither reducible to each other. The emergence of a form of causation distinctive from physics where mental/conscious agency (a) is neither identical with nor reducible to brain processes and (b) does exert "downward" causal influence on brain plasticity and the various levels of brain functioning is discussed. This manuscript also discusses the role of cognitive processes in religious experience and outlines what can neuroscience offer for study of religious experience and what is the significance of this study for neuroscience, clinicians, theology and philosophy. A methodological shift from "explanation" to "description" of religious experience is suggested. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion between theologians, cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists.

• Phenomenological Architecture Of A Mind And Operational Architectonics Of The Brain: The Unified Metastable Continuum

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Carlos F H Neves

  World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., New Mathematics and Natural Computation (NMNC). 01/2009; 5(01):221-244.

  In our contribution we will observe phenomenal architecture of a mind and operational architectonics of the brain and will show their intimate connectedness within a single integrated metastable continuum. The notion of operation of different complexity is the fundamental and central one in bridging... [more] In our contribution we will observe phenomenal architecture of a mind and operational architectonics of the brain and will show their intimate connectedness within a single integrated metastable continuum. The notion of operation of different complexity is the fundamental and central one in bridging the gap between brain and mind: it is precisely by means of this notion that it is possible to identify what at the same time belongs to the phenomenal conscious level and to the neurophysiological level of brain activity organization, and what mediates between them. Implications for linguistic semantics, self-organized distributed computing algorithms, artificial machine consciousness, and diagnosis of dynamic brain diseases will be discussed briefly.

• Self-organization of Dynamic Distributed Computational Systems Applying Principles of Integrative Activity of Brain Neuronal Assemblies

  Burmakin Eugene, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Andrew A Fingelkurts

  Algorithms. 01/2009;

  This paper presents a method for self-organization of the distributed systems operating in a dynamic context. We propose the use of a simple biologically (cognitive neuroscience) inspired method for system configuration that allows allocating most of the computational load to off-line in order to im... [more] This paper presents a method for self-organization of the distributed systems operating in a dynamic context. We propose the use of a simple biologically (cognitive neuroscience) inspired method for system configuration that allows allocating most of the computational load to off-line in order to improve the scalability property of the system. The method proposed has less computational burden at runtime than traditional system adaptation approaches.
• 0.86

  Impact points

  Methadone Restores Local and Remote Eeg Functional Connectivity in Opioid-Dependent Patients.

  Andrew A Fingelkurts, Alexander A Fingelkurts, Reetta Kivisaari, Taina Autti, Sergei Borisov, Varpu Puuskari, Olga Jokela, Seppo Kähkönen

  The International journal of neuroscience. 01/2009; 119(9):1469-1493.

  Currently it has been proposed that normal brain function is critically dependent upon a dynamical balance between functions of local neuronal assemblies and global integrative processes. A loss of such metastable balance in favor of either independent or hyper-ordered processing is considered as th... [more] Currently it has been proposed that normal brain function is critically dependent upon a dynamical balance between functions of local neuronal assemblies and global integrative processes. A loss of such metastable balance in favor of either independent or hyper-ordered processing is considered as the reflection of a brain disease. It has been shown that opioid dependence can be characterized as a disease of brain metastable balance, wherein local functional connectivity (synchronicity within neuronal assemblies) increased and remote functional connectivity (synchronicity between neuronal assemblies) decreased. Since methadone may be used as a maintenance treatment for opioid-dependent patients, the aim of this research was to study how methadone would influence the temporal and metastable cortical organization through the measures of local and remote electroencephalogram (EEG) functional connectivity in six opioid-depended patients who manage to complete at least six-month methadone treatment. The present study demonstrated that average parameters of temporal and metastable organization of the cortical dynamics (indexed by local and remote EEG functional connectivity) in such opioid-dependent patients did not differ from normal values of healthy subjects. We interpret these findings as a capability of the methadone to restore a normal temporal and metastable structure of brain activity in opioid-dependent patients after many months of methadone treatment. To our knowledge, present preliminary study is the first where the influence of methadone on temporal and metastable structure of EEG activity is demonstrated.

• Brain and mind operational architectonics and man-made "machine" consciousness.

  Andrew Fingelkurts, Alexander Fingelkurts, Carlos Neves

  Cognitive processing. 11/2008;

  To build a true conscious robot requires that a robot's "brain" be capable of supporting the phenomenal consciousness as human's brain enjoys. Operational Architectonics framework through exploration of the temporal structure of information flow and inter-area interactions within t... [more] To build a true conscious robot requires that a robot's "brain" be capable of supporting the phenomenal consciousness as human's brain enjoys. Operational Architectonics framework through exploration of the temporal structure of information flow and inter-area interactions within the network of functional neuronal populations [by examining topographic sharp transition processes in the scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) on the millisecond scale] reveals and describes the EEG architecture which is analogous to the architecture of the phenomenal world. This suggests that the task of creating the "machine" consciousness would require a machine implementation that can support the kind of hierarchical architecture found in EEG.