Neuroscience letters
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Neuroscience letters · Sep 2002
Developmental sequence in the acquisition of anticipation during a new co-ordination in a bimanual load-lifting task in children.
The aim of this experiment was to test the capacity of children to develop anticipation at various stages of their growth. We studied the learning process of an artificial co-ordination by means of a procedure of double unloading in two groups of children, and a group of adults. ⋯ A difference in learning dynamics, but also in the final level of performance, is reported between children aged 5-6 and children aged 7-8 years. The improvement occurring at the age of 7 years probably indicates maturation of internal representations, favourable to the faster setting up of operational anticipated control.
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We used non-linear analysis to investigate the dynamical properties underlying the EEG in the model of Sahaja Yoga meditation. Non-linear dimensional complexity (DCx) estimates, indicating complexity of neuronal computations, were analyzed in 20 experienced meditators during rest and meditation using 62-channel EEG. When compared to rest, the meditation was accompanied by a focused decrease of DCx estimates over midline frontal and central regions. ⋯ The DCx estimates negatively correlated with theta-2 and alpha-1 and positively with beta-3 (22-30 Hz) band power. It is suggested that meditative experience, characterized by less complex dynamics of the EEG, involves 'switching off' irrelevant networks for the maintenance of focused internalized attention and inhibition of inappropriate information. Overall, the results point to the idea that dynamically changing inner experience during meditation is better indexed by a combination of non-linear and linear EEG variables.