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Physiological effects and brain protection by hypothermia and cerebrolysin after moderate forebrain ischemia in rats.

The "therapeutic window" of neuroprotective intervention due to hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries are initial disturbances of the neuronal function in regions of only moderate decrease of local cerebral blood flow (ICBF). Because of limited effects of single therapeutic principles therapeutic combinations should be tested. Neuroprotective effects of mild hypothermia and the nootropic drug Cerebrolysin (Cerebrolysin, EBEWE, Austria) on ICBF and development of brain edema were used. Four groups of adult Wistar rats (untreated and Cerebrolysin treated animals with 35 degrees C and 37 degrees C rectal temperature) were subjected to moderate forebrain ischemia by permanent bilateral carotid artery ligation for 6 h. The ICBF was measured continuously in the frontal and the occipital cortex by a 2-channel Laser Doppler flowmeter. The ECoG was derived from 4 ECoG leads above the frontal and occipital cortex and quantified by spectral analysis. Six hours after the onset of ischemia, the function of the blood-brain barrier to proteins was determined by staining with Evans Blue, the animals were sacrificed and the brain water content was estimated by gravimetry. Permanent bilateral carotid artery ligation led to an abrupt ICBF reduction to between 40-50% of baseline levels. Within a few minutes, however, the ICBF increased again to 50-80% of the baseline. The reduced spectral band power of the ECoG was correlated with the decreased ICBF values (p < 0.05) that indirectly indicated changes in the energy state of the neurons (p < 0.05). Changes in the ECoG appeared only with a delay of approximately 4 sec after the onset of ICBF reduction. Six hours after the onset of ischemia, a cytotoxic brain edema was shown in the frontoparietal cortex and hippocampus. Reducing the temperature by 2 degrees C diminished the decrease in ICBF between 10 min and 2 h after the onset of ischemia (p < 0.05). This effect was noted in the frontal but not in the occipital cortex. Furthermore, mild hypothermia prevented the loss of ECoG spectral power in the beta, alpha and theta bands (p < 0.05) as well as the development of cytotoxic brain edema. Cerebrolysin prevented the development of brain edema, too, both under normo- and hypothermic conditions. The ICBF was restored to higher levels in the occipital cortex in comparison both to the normothermic Cerebrolysin treated and hypothermic untreated rats (p < 0.05). This effect of Cerebrolysin was associated with only slight changes in ECoG, indicating that the neuronal activity state and the energy supply was obviously not decisively influenced. In conclusion, moderate ICBF reduction in rats to about 50-80% of baseline values was detectable in the ECoG by using spectral analysis. This reduction led to the development of cytotoxic brain edema in rats within 6 h. Thus, hypothermia prevents the development of cytotoxic brain edema. Cerebrolysin enhanced the effects of hypothermia on ICBF reduction and on the development of brain edema.

Amino Acids↗

Perception of surface slant from oriented textures.

When a surface covered with a regular texture is viewed in perspective, the projected texture provides a number of cues to 3D surface orientation. For oriented textures, one cue is perspective convergence: symmetry lines that are parallel along the surface project to lines that vary systematically in orientation. We investigated the contribution of perspective convergence to perception of 3D slant and tested whether slant from convergence depends on oriented spectral components. Subjects judged the sign of slant about a vertical axis of rotation. Textures were composed of filled circles in three spatial arrangements: a hex grid with symmetry lines at 0 and +/-60 deg relative to the tilt direction (aligned condition), a hex grid with symmetry lines at 90 and +/-30 deg (perpendicular condition), and random arrangements with similar average spacing (isotropic condition). The two hex grid textures differed in the amount of spectral energy present in the tilt direction (horizontal) but were otherwise closely matched. Slant discrimination thresholds for monocular stimuli were higher for isotropic textures than for either of the two hex grid textures and were higher for the perpendicular texture than for the aligned texture. In a second experiment, we measured the weight given to texture relative to binocular slant information for cue conflict stimuli (+/-5 deg). Weights were found to agree with individual subjects' monocular thresholds, in accordance with optimal estimation theory. We conclude that the visual system uses perspective convergence to perceive slant and that effective use of convergence requires the presence of spectral components aligned with the tilt direction.

Cues↗

Estimation of the blood Doppler frequency shift by a time-varying parametric approach.

Doppler ultrasound is widely used in medical applications to extract the blood Doppler flow velocity in the arteries via spectral analysis. The spectral analysis of non-stationary signals and particularly Doppler signals requires adequate tools that should present both good time and frequency resolutions. It is well-known that the most commonly used time-windowed Fourier transform, which provides a time-frequency representation, is limited by the intrinsic trade-off between time and frequency resolutions. Parametric methods have then been introduced as an alternative to overcome this resolution problem. However, the performance of those methods deteriorates when high non-stationarities are present in the Doppler signal. For the purpose of accurately estimating the Doppler frequency shift, even when the temporal flow velocity is rapid (high non-stationarity), we propose to combine the use of the time-varying autoregressive (AR) method and the (dominant) pole frequency. This proposed method performs well in the context where non-stationarities are very high. A comparative evaluation has been made between classical (FFT based) and AR (both block and recursive) algorithms. Among recursive algorithms we test an adaptive recursive method as well as a time-varying recursive method. Finally, the superiority of the time-varying parametric approach in terms of frequency tracking and delay in the frequency estimate is illustrated for both simulated and in vivo Doppler signals.

Algorithms↗

A quantitative analysis approach for cardiac arrhythmia classification using higher order spectral techniques.

Ventricular tachyarrhythmias, in particular ventricular fibrillation (VF), are the primary arrhythmic events in the majority of patients suffering from sudden cardiac death. Attention has focused upon these articular rhythms as it is recognized that prompt therapy can lead to a successful outcome. There has been considerable interest in analysis of the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) in VF centred on attempts to understand the pathophysiological processes occurring in sudden cardiac death, predicting the efficacy of therapy, and guiding the use of alternative or adjunct therapies to improve resuscitation success rates. Atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are other types of tachyarrhythmias that constitute a medical challenge. In this paper, a high order spectral analysis technique is suggested for quantitative analysis and classification of cardiac arrhythmias. The algorithm is based upon bispectral analysis techniques. The bispectrum is estimated using an autoregressive model, and the frequency support of the bispectrum is extracted as a quantitative measure to classify atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Results show a significant difference in the parameter values for different arrhythmias. Moreover, the bicoherency spectrum shows different bicoherency values for normal and tachycardia patients. In particular, the bicoherency indicates that phase coupling decreases as arrhythmia kicks in. The simplicity of the classification parameter and the obtained specificity and sensitivity of the classification scheme reveal the importance of higher order spectral analysis in the classification of life threatening arrhythmias. Further investigations and modification of the classification scheme could inherently improve the results of this technique and predict the instant of arrhythmia change.

Algorithms↗

Accuracy of combined two-dimensional echocardiography and continuous wave Doppler recordings in the estimation of pressure gradient in right ventricular outlet obstruction.

Fifteen patients (median age 8.5 years) with fixed right ventricular outflow tract obstruction were evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiographically directed continuous wave Doppler ultrasound within 24 hours of cardiac catheterization. Pulmonary artery blood velocity measurements were determined from a real time spectral display of pulmonary artery flow profile and converted to pressure drop utilizing a modified Bernoulli equation. Use of both parasternal and subcostal imaging permitted more accurate detection of maximal flow velocity than did use of either approach alone. Gradients estimated from Doppler recordings correlated well with those measured at cardiac catheterization (correlation coefficient = 0.95, standard error of the estimate = 7.9 mm Hg) with a trend to slight underestimation of gradient in more severe obstruction. In three patients with combined valvular and subvalvular stenosis and one patient with right ventricular outlet obstruction due totally to a ventricular septal aneurysm, Doppler estimation of gradient provided an accurate assessment of total right ventricular-pulmonary artery gradient. Thus, continuous wave Doppler ultrasound combined with two-dimensional echocardiography provides a reliable noninvasive method of estimating pressure gradient in patients with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Adolescent↗

Phase recovery from a single fringe pattern using an orientational vector-field-regularized estimator.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the phase recovery from a single fringe pattern with closed fringes can be properly performed if the modulo 2pi fringe orientation is estimated. For example, the fringe pattern in quadrature can be efficiently obtained in terms of the orientational phase spatial operator using fast Fourier transformations and a spiral phase spectral operator in the Fourier space. The computation of the modulo 2pi fringe orientation, however, is by far the most difficult task in the global process of phase recovery. For this reason we propose the demodulation of fringe patterns with closed fringes through the computation of the modulo 2pi fringe orientation using an orientational vector-field-regularized estimator. As we will show, the phase recovery from a single pattern can be performed in an efficient manner using this estimator, provided that it requires one to solve locally in the fringe pattern a simple linear system to optimize a regularized cost function. We present simulated and real experiments applying the proposed methodology.

Journal Article↗

Is reduced baroreflex gain a component of the metabolic syndrome? Insights from the LINOSA study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between insulin resistance and baroreflex gain (BRS) in the context of the metabolic syndrome. DESIGN: Observational population study. PATIENTS: We studied the healthy population of a small Mediterranean island (Linosa, about 0.5 square miles, 450 inhabitants) where genetic, psychosocial and behavioral bias is likely to be minimal for historical and social reasons. MEASURES: Baroreflex gain (BRS, by the frequency domain alpha index) and indices of autonomic regulation of the sino-atrial (SA) node derived from spectral analysis of RR interval variability were obtained, together with metabolic and behavioral indicators in the 144 participating subjects (age range 20-82 years). Carotid artery thickness (CCA) was also obtained with computer-aided ultrasound techniques. Insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and subjects divided in tertiles accordingly. RESULTS: BRS appeared to be reduced progressively with increasing levels of HOMA (respectively, 21.0 +/- 2.6, 17.7 +/- 1.7, 15.7 +/- 1.9 ms/mmHg, P < 0.03), while spectral indices of autonomic SA regulation appeared to be only insignificantly affected. Conversely, CCA was significantly increased with increasing HOMA (P < 0.024). Furthermore, BRS appeared to be significantly correlated with various elements of the metabolic syndrome, with CCA and abdominal obesity showing the strongest link. CONCLUSIONS: In an otherwise healthy population, BRS, but not spectrally derived indices of SA node autonomic regulation, are progressively reduced with increasing severity of insulin resistance, possibly as a consequence of attendant carotid artery thickening.

Adult↗

Boar sperm proacrosin infrared investigation: secondary structure analysis after autoactivation and suramin binding.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the secondary structure of boar sperm proacrosin at p2H 5.5, to determine the structural changes following protein autoactivation to beta-acrosin at p2H 8.0 and to study the effect of suramin binding on the protein secondary structure. At p2H 5.5, proacrosin contents of alpha-helix, beta-sheet, turns, and unordered structures were estimated to be 9, 49-51, 16-18, and 24%, respectively. At p2H 8.0, the protein was partially insoluble; spectral analysis of the soluble fraction, which contained beta-acrosin, showed an overall secondary structure quite similar to that of proacrosin at p2H 5.5. However, p2H 8.0 spectra of the soluble protein (beta-acrosin), together with the thermal denaturation experiments, indicated that, compared to proacrosin, beta-acrosin showed an increased content of beta-sheets exposed to the solvent as well as a different tertiary structure. Proacrosin/suramin interaction at p2H 5.5 resulted in the formation of soluble and insoluble complexes and the relevant infrared spectra showed only minor differences with respect to the native proacrosin. However, the thermal denaturation curves revealed that suramin induced a destabilization of proacrosin structure. The data also indicated that suramin could modify the interaction characteristics of proacrosin aspartyl and glutamyl residues, thus suggesting competition of suramin with these two residues for ionic interactions.

Acrosin↗

The long and short of it: branch lengths and the problem of placing the New Zealand short-tailed bat, Mystacina.

The taxonomic position of the endemic New Zealand bat genus Mystacina has vexed systematists ever since its erection in 1843. Over the years the genus has been linked with many microchiropteran families and superfamilies. Most recent classifications place it in the Vespertilionoidea, although some immunological evidence links it with the Noctilionoidea (=Phyllostomoidea). We have sequenced 402 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for M. tuberculata (Gray in Dieffenbach, 1843), and using both our own and published DNA sequences for taxa in both superfamilies, we applied different tree reconstruction methods to find the appropriate phylogeny and different methods of estimating confidence in the parts of the tree. All methods strongly support the classification of Mystacina in the Noctilionoidea. Spectral analysis suggests that parsimony analysis may be misleading for Mystacina's precise placement within the Noctilionoidea because of its long terminal branch. Analyses not susceptible to long-branch attraction suggest that the Mystacinidae is a sister family to the Phyllostomidae. Dating the divergence times between the different taxa suggests that the extant chiropteran families radiated around and shortly after the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. We discuss the biogeographical implications of classifying Mystacina within the Noctilionoidea and contrast our result with those classifications placing Mystacina in the Vespertilionoidea, concluding that evidence for the latter is weak.

Animals↗

Electromyographic evaluation of back muscle fatigue with repeated sustained contractions of different strengths.

The aim of the study was to obtain information on changes in surface electromyograms from the lumbar erector spinae muscles during fatiguing isometric contractions. Four male subjects held different target extension forces to fatique in a prone position under carefully controlled biomechanical conditions. Standard deviations of the distribution of EMG amplitudes (RMS values), autoregressive (AR) time series models of the 15th order and spectral densities were computed. At lower force levels, i.e., at about 50 to 100 Nm or 20-40% of estimated maximum voluntary contraction force (MVC), RMS values significantly decreased over time; at the highest level examined (on average 162 Nm), they increased. Over all force levels, the explained variances of AR models increased and mean power frequencies (MPF) decreased with increasing force. The first and second AR coefficients also exhibited significant changes, depending on both contraction time and strength. The AR time series structure of EMGs during short isometric test contractions at the lowest force level within 30 s after the failure point clearly indicated muscle fatigue and some differences remained in their dependence on the preceding force. The results suggest a concept of 'selective fatigue', and provide a basis for refined electromyographic evaluation of back muscle fatigue. Such an evaluation has to consider the force history preceding the failure point, or serious errors become unavoidable. The increase in RMS values does not constitute a criterion of back muscle fatigue at low force levels. AR time series models are recommended for the description of fatigue-induced electromyographic changes.

Adult↗

New technique for time series analysis combining the maximum entropy method and non-linear least squares method: its value in heart rate variability analysis.

A new technique for time series analysis, which is a combination of the maximum entropy method (MEM) for spectral analysis and the non-linear least squares method (LSM) for fitting analysis, is described. In this technique, the MEM power spectral density (MEMPSD) is calculated using a very large lag that could diminish the lag dependence of dominant periods estimated by the MEM analysis. The validity of this large lag is confirmed by the LSM, given that the ten dominant MEM periods are known quantities. To validate the MEM plus LSM technique, it is compared with autoregressive (AR) modelling, by analysing heart rate variability under pharmacological interventions (phenylephrine and trinitroglycerine), using 16 young males. The results indicate that the MEMPSD, when compared with the ARPSD, has numerous periods that could reproduce the original time series much more accurately, as revealed by the LSM analysis. However, both the low- and high-frequency powers with MEMPSD and ARPSDs shift in the expected directions in accordance with the pharmacological effects on the cardiovascular system. The implications of these results are discussed from the theoretical and practical standpoints of the MEM plus LSM technique, compared with AR modelling.

Adolescent↗

Diagnosis of carotid stenosis by bruit spectral analysis.

Bruit spectral analysis provides an improved noninvasive method of quantifying the severity of carotid stenosis, and the method of Lees estimates the residual luminal diameter. Although the analysis required is complex, the test can be easily performed using the Spectraview, a microcomputer-based device which records and processes the sound information. The present study evaluated 44 cervical bruits in patients and found that in 84 percent of the vessels the estimated luminal size was within 1 mm of the angiographic lumen. Although substantial experience is required to obtain the maximum diagnostic accuracy, work with the technique during 18 months indicates that is provides more information from arterial bruits thn traditional phonoangiography.

Aged↗

Observation of anomalous diffusion in excised tissue by characterizing the diffusion-time dependence of the MR signal.

This report introduces a novel method to characterize the diffusion-time dependence of the diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) signal in biological tissues. The approach utilizes the theory of diffusion in disordered media where two parameters, the random walk dimension and the spectral dimension, describe the evolution of the average propagators obtained from q-space MR experiments. These parameters were estimated, using several schemes, on diffusion MR spectroscopy data obtained from human red blood cell ghosts and nervous tissue autopsy samples. The experiments demonstrated that water diffusion in human tissue is anomalous, where the mean-square displacements vary slower than linearly with diffusion time. These observations are consistent with a fractal microstructure for human tissues. Differences observed between healthy human nervous tissue and glioblastoma samples suggest that the proposed methodology may provide a novel, clinically useful form of diffusion MR contrast.

Algorithms↗

Solvatochromic, spectroscopic and DFT studies of a novel synthesized dye: l-(4-Dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(5H-phenanthridine-6-ylidene)-ethanone (6-KMPT).

A novel solvatochromic l-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(5H-phenanthridine-6-ylidene)-ethanone (6-KMPT) dye was synthesized and characterized by means of NMR, IR, mass spectroscopies. Also, it was studied using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic methods in a broad range of solvents. UV-vis results showed that increasing 6-KMPT concentration dose not cause molecular aggregation in chloroform. Varying the temperature in the range from 25 to 55 degrees C dose not have a significant effect on the characteristics bands of the molecule. However, in the presence of surfactant SDS the UV-vis spectrum undergoes drastic alteration. This phenomenon is related to the removal of hydrogen atom from nitrogen atom of phenanthridine moiety. Fluorescence spectroscopic results showed that 6-KMPT has an appreciable fluorescence quantum yield. The effect of excitation wavelength, concentration of 6-KMPT, concentration of oxygen and surfactants (SDS, C(16)TAB, CPC, Brij-35) were studied. Further results showed that the fluorescent behavior of 6-KMPT can be attributed to planarity induced by intramolecular hydrogen bonding which can in turn be destroyed by anionic surfactant SDS. Results showed that oxygen and SDS can be operate as fluorescence quencher compounds for 6-KMPT and Stern-Volmer plot showed a straight line. Fluorescence polarization and anisotropy of 6-KMPT in chloroform strongly depend on concentration. The 6-KMPT exhibits solvent-induced spectral band shifts. By using Lippert equation, the change of dipole moment of 6-KMPT molecule upon excitation was estimated as 6.39 D. Furthermore, absorption, fluorescence emission, Stokes shift values and fluorescence quantum yield (Phi(F)) of 6-KMPT in different solvents of polarity were determined. Maximum Phi(F) value of 0.372 for 6-KMPT molecule was found in ethanol solvent with a Stokes shift of 2446.8 cm(-1). The results of DFT calculations showed that tautomer 2c (enol) energetically is more stable than tautomer 2b (keto) in gas phase whereas it was vice versa in CHCl(3).

Chloroform↗

Emission spectra of HCN/HNC in the 2-5 microm range of astrophysical interest.

Emission from H12C14N observed with a Fourier transform spectrometer from a radio-frequency excited plasma is reported in the 2400-3400 cm(-1) spectral range of astrophysical interest. The molecular constants, for 21 vibration-rotation bands are given, as well as estimates of the first-order Herman-Wallis coefficients for 11 bands. These constants are derived from about 900 observed transitions in HCN, and are used to generate a sequential linelist of about 1400 calculated line positions, within a standard deviation equal to 3 x 10(-4) cm(-1). The relative intensities of the observed lines are also reported, as well as those for the nu1 band of H14N12C, at 3650 cm(-1), simultaneously observed from the same plasma.

Hydrogen Cyanide↗

1,8-Naphthalimides in phosphorescent organic LEDs: the interplay between dopant, exciplex, and host emission.

Four different 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives were examined in phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), i.e., 1,8-naphthalimide, N-phenyl-1,8-naphthalimide, N-2,6-dibromophenyl-1,8-naphthalimide (niBr), and bis-N,N-1,8-naphthalimide. Photoluminescence from all four naphthalimides have violet-blue fluorescence and phosphorescent bands between 550 and 650 nm (visible at 77 K). While all four compounds gave good glassy films when doped with a phosphorescent dopant, only the niBr films remained glassy for extended periods. OLED studies focused on niBr, with two different architectures. One OLED structure (type 1) had the niBr layer as a doped luminescent layer and an undoped niBr layer to act as a hole-blocking layer. The alternate structure (type 2) utilizes a doped CBP layer as the luminescent layer and the niBr layer is used as a hole-blocking layer only (CBP = 4,4'-N,N'-dicarbazolylbiphenyl). Type 1 and 2 OLEDs were prepared with green, yellow, and red emissive phosphorescent dopants (Irppy, btIr, and btpIr, respectively). The dopants were organometallic Ir complexes, previously shown to give highly efficient OLEDs. Of the three dopants, the btpIr-based OLEDs showed the best device performance in both structures (peak efficiencies for type 2: 3.2% and 2.3 lum/W at 6.3 V; type 1: 1.7% and 1.3 lm/W at 6.1 V). The green and yellow dopants gave very similar performance in both type 1 and 2 devices (peak efficiencies are 0.2-0.3%), which were significantly poorer than the btpIr-based OLEDs. The emission spectrum of the btIr- and btpIr-based devices (type 1 and 2) are the same as the solution photoluminescence spectrum of the dopant alone, while the Irppy device gives a broad red emission line (lambda(max) = 640 nm). The red Irppy.niBr emission line is assigned to an Irppy.niBr exciplex. The type 2 Irppy-based device gave a voltage-dependent spectrum, with the red emission observed at low bias (4-8 V), switching over to strong green emission as the bias was raised. All other devices showed bias-independent spectra. Estimates of HOMO, LUMO, and excited-state energies (dopant, niBr, and exciplex) were used to explain the observed spectral properties of these devices. btpIr-based devices emit efficiently from isolated dopant states (external efficiencies = 3.2 %, 2.3 lum/W). Irppy-based devices emit only from exciplex states, with low efficiency (external efficiency = 0.3%). btIr.niBr films have very similar energies for the dopant, exciplex, and niBr triplet states, such that relaxation can go through any of these states, leading to low device efficiency (external efficiency = 0.4%). High device efficiency is achieved only when dopant emission is the dominant pathway for relaxation, since exciplex and niBr triplet states give either weak or no electroluminescence.

Journal Article↗

Sympathetic restraint of baroreflex control of heart period in normotensive and hypertensive subjects.

1. We assessed the effects of changing levels of sympathetic drive on the gain of baroreflex control of the sino-atrial node, in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. 2. Autoregressive spectral and cross-spectral analysis of R-R interval and systolic arterial pressure (non-invasive Finapres method) variabilities providing an estimate of baroreflex gain through the frequency domain index alpha were performed on data from 63 normotensive and 78 mild hypertensive subjects. Subjects were studied at rest and during active orthostatism, which induces sympathetic predominance. Seven control subjects and 14 hypertensive subjects were also studied after chronic atenolol treatment, to attenuate beta-adrenoceptor-mediated responses. 3. In both normotensive and hypertensive subjects, the index alpha was reduced by active standing and increased by chronic beta-adrenoceptor blockade. Furthermore, at rest, the index alpha was correlated with R-R variance and appeared significantly reduced with age. The age-related negative correlation of the index alpha was no longer evident during the standing-induced increase in sympathetic drive, in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. 4. The index alpha, a non-invasive frequency domain estimate of the overall gain of baroreflex control of the sino-atrial node, which appears to be reduced in essential hypertension, is negatively modulated by physiological increases in sympathetic drive, and augmented by pharmacological blockade of beta-adrenoceptors. 5. In essential hypertension the enhanced sympathetic drive present already at rest, and the simultaneous reduction of the gain of baroreflex mechanisms, are the expression of a complex alteration in neural cardiovascular control.

Adult↗

Magnetoencephalographic characterization of sleep spindles in humans.

Sleep spindles in EEG recordings of adults are most prominent over the central and frontal midline regions. Early magnetoencephalographic recordings agreed with conventional EEG findings. However, more recent small-array magnetoencephalography and quantitative EEG studies suggest that the source areas for spindles are more widespread. We used a whole-head 122-channel biomagnetometer to characterize the sources of sleep spindles in four normal volunteers. Parallel interactive and automated multiple dipole spatiotemporal source modeling was conducted on the data sets of 10 spindles from each subject. Principal component analysis was used to estimate the number of sources in interactive source modeling, and singular value decomposition was used in automated dipole modeling. Spectral analysis of the epochs containing sleep spindles was performed. Principal component analysis and singular value decomposition suggested that all sleep spindles were made up of activity from multiple sources. Similarly, interactive and automated multiple dipole source modeling showed that three or more sources were present in 75% of spindle bursts. The sources for sleep spindles localized to all four cerebral lobes. Parietal and frontal lobes were the areas most frequently involved. Interactive source modeling resulted in more frequent temporal lobe than occipital dipole localizations; automated source modeling showed more frequent occipital than temporal sources. Spindle source localizations varied across subjects and across different spindles within subjects. Our results indicate that individual sleep spindles are generated by multiple cortical sources that are widespread within and across individuals.

Adolescent↗