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PubMed2006

Quantum-like brain: "Interference of minds".

We present a contextualist statistical realistic model for quantum-like representations in physics, cognitive science, and psychology. We apply this model to describe cognitive experiments to check quantum-like structures of mental processes. The crucial role is played by interference of probabilities for mental observables. Recently one such experiment based on recognition of images was performed. This experiment confirmed our prediction on the quantum-like behavior of mind. In our approach "quantumness of mind" has no direct relation to the fact that the brain (as any physical body) is composed of quantum particles. We invented a new terminology "quantum-like (QL) mind." Cognitive QL-behavior is characterized by a nonzero coefficient of interference lambda. This coefficient can be found on the basis of statistical data. There are predicted not only cos theta-interference of probabilities, but also hyperbolic cosh theta-interference. This interference was never observed for physical systems, but we could not exclude this possibility for cognitive systems. We propose a model of brain functioning as a QL-computer (there is a discussion on the difference between quantum and QL computers).

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Short-term and long-term memory in elderly patients with NIDDM.

OBJECTIVE: To determine cognitive and memory dysfunction associated with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and its relationship with depression, metabolic control, and serum lipids. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied a well-characterized group of 20 elderly patients with NIDDM and 22 control subjects with normal glucose tolerance recruited from a larger population-based sample. In addition to clinical and laboratory examinations, self-rating questionnaires that assess minor psychiatric disorder (General Health Questionnaire) and depression (Zung scale) were completed by patients and control subjects. Memory was examined with digit and block-span tests, word-list learning, Heaton Visual Memory Test, and Moss Visual Span Test. Executive functions were examined by Trail-Making A and B test and by Verbal and Category Fluency Tests. Visuoconstructive reasoning was examined with the block design subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. RESULTS: The NIDDM patients showed preserved memory span, but poor performance in learning tasks compared with control subjects. The patients recalled no fewer words than the control subjects, but the process of of learning seemed to be different in the two groups. The recognition of the learned words was not impaired. Elevated serum total and very-low-density lipoprotein triglyceride levels, measured either before examinations or 5 or 10 years earlier, were associated with effects on retrieval from semantic memory in NIDDM patients. CONCLUSIONS: The NIDDM patients had impaired control of their learning processes. Elevated serum triglyceride levels may be related to control of mental processing in diabetic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Vigilance--its EEG determination].

The definition of vigilance was based primarily on criteria of overt behaviour and concomitant electrographic patterns of functional states as well as on psychometrically tested performance. It turned out that the combination of well defined electroencephalographic activity patterns is an utile and reliable measure for the classification of different vigilance levels, even when there is no experimental testing of performance possible or the observation of behaviour misleading. We know today defined mixtures of characteristic regional EEG activities for the estimation on different levels of vigilance between supervigilance and subvigilance. There are however also deviations from regularly observed combinations of signs with dissociations between behaviour, performance and EEG-activity patterns. For the theory of vigilance one can use the analyses of topological and chronological organization of EEG-activities as starting point. Not only characteristic frequency mixtures are correlated with given vigilance levels; moreover the diffusion of regional activities interfering with all other regional activities builds up the socalled "vigilance profile". This profile varies with time slowly or quickly. The regular topological process distribution of activities is commonly the expression of a dominating mental process interfering with other submental processes. The chronological variations of vigilance profiles show their dynamism with transitions from fixed, strictly bound interest or "concentration" on selected objects to freely fluctuating interest, rapidly jumping from object to the other.

Alpha Rhythm↗
PubMed1997

The differential diagnosis of ritual abuse allegations.

OBJECTIVE: Because psychiatrists do not have a consistent way to classify and define the forms of child abuse that may be mistaken for ritual abuse, the objective of this paper is to create a comprehensive differential diagnosis of allegations of ritual abuse. METHOD: The authors reviewed 60 articles, chapters, and books that contained allegations of ritual abuse or behaviors that might be mistaken for ritual abuse, that were made by patients or caretakers. RESULTS: This paper clarifies the behaviors that represent or may be mistaken for ritual abuse: Cult-based ritual abuse, pseudoritualistic abuse, activities by organized satanic groups, repetitive psychopathological abuse, sexual abuse by pedophiles, child pornography portraying ritual abuse, distorted memory, false memory, false report due to a severe mental disorder, pseudologia phantastica, adolescent behavior simulating ritual abuse, epidemic hysteria, deliberate lying, and hoaxes. CONCLUSIONS: The differential diagnosis of allegations of ritual abuse is important in both clinical and forensic psychiatry. In some cases, it will not be possible to tell whether a particular allegation is factual or what the underlying mental processes are. It is important to separate the role of the mental health professional as therapist from the role as an expert witness in court.

Child↗
PubMed1987

Dependence and narcissistic resistances in the psychoanalytic process.

This paper describes narcissistic resistances, defining them on the basis of their effect on the mental processes involved in the analytic interaction. Based on the different resistance patterns observed, I describe two clinical configurations, here called 'autistic' and 'narcissistic' pattern, correlating their defensive mechanisms with their psychopathological and transference characteristics. The hypothesis is proposed, that the resolution, through interpretation, of a narcissistic resistance, frequently gives way to associations centred on denial of dependence, or the catastrophic consequences of it being accepted; and present clinical material in support of these assertions. I describe the countertransferential vicissitudes posed by these resistances to the analyst; and also advance some tentative ideas regarding the identification processes of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cerebral systems in the pathogenesis of endogenous psychoses. 1974.

Mental process imply a harmonious functioning of psychic systems, assembled into larger units, psychic spheres (Table 1). Their neurophysiological representatives are brain systems of areas and pathways (Figs 1-4). Under functional and/or organic disturbances these systems originate the leading mental symptoms (Table 2) characterizing the diverse endogenous psychoses: hence, the latter's distinctive patterns. Accordingly, understanding and classification of psychoses should rest on the pathogenic dynamisms, not on clinical description. This is why Kleist's and Leonhard's conceptions of the endogenous psychoses surpass any other to exist. Kleist stands among the founders of psychiatry, by describing the "degeneration psychoses" and many single psychoses, as well as redefining, isolating and clarifying the progressive ones, later on renamed as schizophrenias (Table 3). Such pathogenic criterion may also be useful to define mental conditions other than psychoses, as hysteria, neuroses and psychopathic inferiority (Tables 4 and 5). One should consider here, besides the psychic systems and spheres involved, the way they were caught and the corresponding developmental phase. In Kleist's "degeneration psychoses"--cyclic or episodic (Table 6) the systems and spheres are disturbed by functional transient processes due to latent dispositions, while his and Leonhard's schizophrenias (Table 7) show a rather progressive, deteriorating course. The nature of the disorder is itself genetically determined, as is either its confinement to one sphere or its spreading out. The spread out pattern, while exceptional in schizophrenia, represents a rule for the "degeneration psychoses", in discussant's mind. Both groups may have symptoms alike by involvement of the same sphere (Table 8), but proper diagnosis is reached by taking pathogenesis into consideration.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1983

Latent network theory: scheduling of processes in sentence verification and the Stroop effect.

A method for analyzing reaction times (RTs) in tasks involving both sequential and concurrent processing is proposed. Tasks are analyzed with the method by selectively prolonging mental processes, as with the additive factor method. Falsifiable predictions about the changes in RT produced by prolonging processes are derived by drawing on the theory of scheduling. Under certain conditions, which frequently arise in practice, one can determine for a given pair of processes whether they are executed sequentially or concurrently. If one process precedes another, one can often determine which comes first. One can also construct intervals within which the process durations lie. Two experiments are analyzed using the method. One, by Holyoak, Dumais, and Moyer, is on a sentence-verification task involving associated and unassociated items. The other experiment is on the Stroop effect and supports the single-channel hypothesis that a subject makes only one decision at a time. The data suggest that in the color-naming task the decision about the word precedes the decision about the color, whereas in the word-naming task the order of the decisions is reversed.

Association↗
PubMed1993

[On a comparison between the theory of movement and the theory of Karma in Vaiśesika system in ancient India].

The action of a human body is composed of a series of momentary movements caused by a volitional effort on the human in the Vaiśesika system. According to the theory of Karma in the Vaiśesika system, when an action is done by a person, it leaves an ethical potency, so called karmā'saya on one's mind. When the potency, karmā'saya is accompanied with the other potency, affliction so called kle'sa in one's mind, it grows up as the seed of a plant and bears the fruit of it. Any person who has the fruit of karmā'saya in one's mind, is made to experience joy or sorrow in the future in accordance with the judgement of the Creator about the fruit of karmā'saya. The affliction is the emotional potency caused by ignorance, e.g. avarice. On the other hand, the first movement of matter is produced by the movement of a mover through the special contact, so called nodana. The first movement produces the vega (the power of motion) in the moved matter. Through nodana, the movement and the vega are correlatively increased. The nodana is impulsive contact, acting between a mover and the moved matter. As I have shown in my paper, "On the theory of movement in Vaiśesika system iin ancient India (II)", the above process of movements of matter through nodana is very similar to the mental process of remembrance of a person. The growing process of the ethical potency, karmā'saya in a person's mind is, however, different to the above process of movements of matter. The intensity of the vega is "temporarily" increased through the contact, nodana, but the karmā'saya is "perpetually" grown by the potency, affliction until the karmā'saya bears the fruit of it.

History, Ancient↗
PubMed1997

Authority, autonomy, responsibility and authorisation: with specific reference to adolescent mental health practice.

Standards for professional training and practice are defined by accrediting organisations or statutory bodies. These describe the arena in which the practitioner may speak with authority. The sphere of authorised practice is further delineated by the external resources available. Within this explicit framework, unconscious mental processes can affect the professional response in potentially adverse ways. This is particularly important in mental health practice. Professionals must be prepared to examine their own responses on this basis in order to enhance their knowledge of the patient and minimise the possibilities of the patient becoming the victim of the professional's own psychopathology. The maintenance of such a position in an institution or organisation requires a similar process within its structure in order to provide the necessary setting and define the limits of good practice. In this paper, the field of adolescent mental health is specifically examined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Contribution of spontaneous EEG to understanding cognitive functions].

Probability mapping of amplitude and coherence based on spectral analysis of the on-going EEG turned out to yield information on the cooperation of brain areas during cognitive processes. The method is based on comparing these two parameters during the performance of a mental task with the respective values of the EEG at rest before and after the task. For each of six frequency bands, spanning and entire EEG spectrum, the signs of significant changes of these parameters at the recording electrodes (19) and between all recording sites (19 x 18) are entered into schematic maps, representing the brain as seen from both sides and from the top. The results have proved to be largely task-specific for mental processes in both groups and individual studies. They are considered as electrical manifestations of differential attention. Since they may encompass EEG periods of even several minutes, these maps allow observations of average EEG characteristics even in complex, long-lasting mental accomplishments. The usefulness of the method is illustrated by four examples: doing mental arithmetic, listening to and composing music, simultaneous interpretation and contemplating and memorizing pictures.

Action Potentials↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Classical and quantum dynamics on p-adic trees of ideas.

We propose mathematical models of information processes of unconscious and conscious thinking (based on p-adic number representation of mental spaces). Unconscious thinking is described by classical cognitive mechanics (which generalizes Newton's mechanics). Conscious thinking is described by quantum cognitive mechanics (which generalizes the pilot wave model of quantum mechanics). The information state and motivation of a conscious cognitive system evolve under the action of classical information forces and a new quantum information force, namely, conscious force. Our model might provide mathematical foundations for some cognitive and psychological phenomena: collective conscious behavior, connection between physiological and mental processes in a biological organism, Freud's psychoanalysis, hypnotism, homeopathy. It may be used as the basis of a model of conscious evolution of life.

Cognition↗
PubMed1994

The mind's "I": children's conception of the mind as an active agent.

1 hypothesis about children's developing conception of the mind is that preschoolers are limited to an understanding that persons have internal, mental contents like thoughts and beliefs, whereas older children and adults conceive of the mind itself as an independent, active structure or processor. Adults' conception of the mind in this independent active fashion seems evident in their use of personified mental metaphor (e.g., "My mind tricked me"). 3 studies examined the development and consolidation of this active, personified view. Study 1 provided an analysis of natural language data regarding 1 child's uses of vision words such as see and look from age 2 1/2 to 8 years. We examined the child's use of such words to refer literally to perception (e.g., "I see the TV") and also to refer nonliterally to active mental processes such as comprehension and inference (e.g., "I see what you mean"). Studies 2 and 3 examined 6-, 8-, and 10-year-olds' comprehension and production of mental metaphors. In a metaphor comprehension task, we asked children to interpret personified metaphoric statements about the mind (e.g., "My mind wandered") and 3 comparison domains, mechanics (e.g., "The car is dead"), nature (e.g., "The wind is howling"), and emotion (e.g., "Her heart was smiling"). In an explanation task, we asked children to explain the processes underlying the making of both instant photos and mental images. The findings reveal a developing ability to interpret and produce statements personifying the mind and provide considerable evidence about children's movement toward a conception of the mind as an independent entity deserving reference and conceptualization in its own right.

Child↗
PubMed1998

On the intercorrelation of some frequency and amplitude parameters of the human EEG and its functional significance. Communication II: neurodynamic imbalance in endogenous asthenic-like disorders.

In 67 borderline psychiatric patients suffering from schizotypal/slowly developing schizophrenic disorders and 18 patients suffering from cyclothymia, the factor structure of the period (interval-amplitude) parameters of the EEG proved to be similar to that obtained in normal subjects during mental activity and reported in part I (Lazarev, Int. J. Psychophysiol., 28 (1998) 77-98). However, 51 patients with schizotypal disorders with a predominance of asthenic-like symptomatology, characterized by mild thought disorders with difficulty in focusing attention, were distinguished from normal subjects, cyclothymic patients and other patients of schizotypy without well-defined asthenic symptoms by significantly increased values of EEG Factor II which was positively related to the index-presence in epoch, frequency and regularity of low-amplitude beta-waves, and reduced values of an EEG Factor III which was positively correlated with mean alpha-period and theta-index. According to normative data (part I; Lazarev, Int. J. Psychophysiol., 28 (1998) 77-98), this probably reflects a neurodynamic imbalance between an excess of 'cortical excitation' (Factor II) and a deficit of 'active selective inhibition' (Factor III). This imbalance appears to be opposite to the changes in values of these factors found in normal subjects during focusing attention and motor automation, when compared with relaxed wakefulness. The functional properties of Factors II and III ascribed on the basis of psychological testing suggest that such an imbalance could reflect a predominance of successively organised associative mental processes over the selective inhibition of irrelevant associations. This could cause difficulties in voluntary attention, mental automation and in the performance of simultaneous mental operations. In most cases, there was no difference in Factor I which was positively related to the index, amplitude and regularity of alpha-activity and wave amplitudes in other bands, and negatively related to the indices and mean periods of delta- and theta-waves, the factor presumed to depict 'general activation'.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Rhetoric and the social construction of sickness and healing.

An important element in recent science studies has been the analysis of the social rhetoric involved in the construction of disciplines and knowledge. An explicit use of rhetorical and semiotic frames of reference would illuminate many aspects of the history of medicine and could provide a unifying framework for the field. Medical theories were always intended for use and therefore had to be plausible in the eyes of patients. The interpretation of signs and the construction of explanations lie at the heart of diagnosis, therapy and prognosis. These are usually interactive processes and the efficacy of medical interventions therefore depends upon meaning, narrative and persuasion. Since mental processes are not rigidly separated from bodily functions, trust and expectation have physiological effects that are required for successful healing in all cultures at all times. The conduct of patients and practitioners always turns on the expectation of cure and the establishment of confidence. The efficacy of rhetoric was more readily recognized by practitioners in the past than it has been by social historians of medicine. Once mind-body dualism has been discarded, it can be seen that historians are not studying the context of healing but its very heart.

Disease↗
PubMed2006

Double dissociation between representational personal and extrapersonal neglect.

BACKGROUND: Although perceptual and representational neglect are frequently associated, the demonstration of a double dissociation between both neglect forms suggests that both rely on different central mechanisms. In addition, perceptual neglect can be selectively observed within personal space or extrapersonal space. However, it is not known whether the latter dissociation also exists in representational neglect. METHODS: The authors investigated this question in two brain-damaged patients with anatomically different lesions sites, using neuropsychological tests specifically designed to assess perceptual and representational neglect in both personal and extrapersonal space. RESULTS: Patients presented a double dissociation with respect to personal and extrapersonal space in representational neglect. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the cerebral networks that process mental space representation use similar principles of space compartmentalization as those used by cerebral networks processing perceived space.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Metabolic control and auditory information processing at altered glucose levels in insulin-dependent diabetes.

Previous work with a visual reaction time (RT) paradigm showed rate of mental processing to be slowed during a state of brain energy depletion (i.e., hypoglycemia). The present study employed an analog auditory RT paradigm to determine if modality differences in processing information might occur in response to glucose alteration. A balanced crossover design was used in which men with insulin-dependent diabetes completed RT tasks of increasing complexity at each of the following glucose levels: hypoglycemia (60 mg/dL), normoglycemia/control (110 mg/dL), and hyperglycemia (300 mg/dL). Results revealed two performance groups. A convergent group displayed slower RT responding during hypoglycemia, consistent with the visual RT pattern of results. A divergent group displayed better responding on one RT measure during hypoglycemia, and generally poorer responding on all RT measures during the other glucose conditions. Subjects in the divergent group maintained more stringent metabolic control and tended to have experienced more episodes of hypoglycemic unconsciousness. The present results provide the first evidence that more stringent metabolic control may be related to generally slower rates of processing auditory information. Possible explanations for these findings include hypotheses of immutable structual derangement, state-dependent performance effects, and a U-shaped response curve.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The delusional misidentification syndromes in patients with and without evidence of organic cerebral disorder: a structured review of case reports.

Two series, each of 50 cases of delusional misidentification reported in the literature, were analyzed in order to study the interaction between organic and functional mental processes. The details of the time course of the development of the delusional misidentification and related mental symptoms, the phenomenology, and evidence of cognitive impairment and/or cerebral damage were recorded. The first series of cases included delusional misidentification either of place, and/or of persons; the second series was limited to cases, published since 1977, with delusional misidentification of person, who had had an electroencephalogram (EEG) and/or computerised tomographic (CT) brain scan. Paranoid delusions, preceding the onset of the delusional misidentifications, were more common in cases without evidence of organic cerebral disorder. In the second series there was good evidence of an inverse relationship between the presence of paranoid delusions preceding the delusional misidentification, and the intensity of organic cerebral disorder; (1) no evidence clinically or on investigation, (2) evident only on investigation, or (3) evident clinically. In the first series delusional misidentification of place was more common in cases with evidence of organic brain disorder, whereas delusional misidentification of person was more common with functional mental disorder. Nevertheless the delusional misidentification was equally likely to involve objects of personal significance whether or not there was evidence of organic cerebral disorder. Paramnesic misidentifications were associated with both memory impairment and disorientation for time.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Medical and psychosocial outcome of children with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.

We report the long-term medical and psychosocial outcome of 13 children with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. One child (8%) died before initial hospital discharge. Of the remaining 12 children, 11 (92%) have been successfully cared for in their natural or foster parents' homes. Home ventilatory support was provided with positive-pressure ventilation, negative-pressure ventilation, or diaphragm pacers. After an initial lengthy hospitalization, children spent little time in the hospital. Severe medical complications were uncommon but included cor pulmonale (one child), poor growth (two children), and seizure disorder (three children). Most children functioned in the slow-learner range of mental processing, with a composite score (Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children) of 78 +/- 20 (SD); two were mentally retarded, and one functioned above the normal range. The children's care givers were assessed as having low levels of psychologic distress (Symptom Checklist 90--Revised) and good coping resources (Coping Resources Inventory) but a high level of marital discord. The children were able to attend school and partake in normal childhood activities. We conclude that with modern techniques for home ventilation, children with CCHS can have a good long-term medical and psychosocial outcome. We speculate that early diagnosis and the prevention of intermittent hypoxia will improve their physical and mental outcome.

Child↗