Human Physiology 

About: Human Physiology is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Electroencephalography. It has an ISSN identifier of 0362-1197. Over the lifetime, 2447 publications have been published receiving 8552 citations.

Changes in cortical activity in altered states of consciousness: The study of meditation by high-resolution EEG

Abstract: The specific features of the topology of spectral powers and coherent interregional interrelation- ships in the narrow, individually determined δ -, θ -, α 1 -, α 2 - , and α 3 -frequency bands were studied by means of high-resolution EEG (62 channels) in novice and experienced meditators (NMs and EMs) at rest and under the conditions of generation of an altered state of consciousness characterized by inactivation of cognitive activity and the occurrence of a positive emotional experience of happiness. EMs in the meditation-free state were found to be characterized by a shift in the values of the individual α frequency to a lower-frequency region of the spectrum, along with higher, compared to NMs, θ -, α 1 -, α 2 - , and α 3 -band power values, which probably reflects the cumulative character of the influence of long-term meditative practice. The effective achievement of altered states of consciousness in EMs was associated with an increase in the local θ - and α 1 powers in the anterior cortical areas, as well as long-distance coherence between the prefrontal and posterior associative cor- tex with the formation of a center of gravity in the left prefrontal region (lead AF 3 ). According to the data of the correlation analysis of the EEG power values and the data of subjective scaling of the meditation state, the θ - power values were positively associated with positive emotional experiences and negatively associated with the level of mental activity. The results of this study are consistent with current concepts that the θ and α activities in narrow frequency bands reflect the activity of multifunctional neuronal networks selectively associated with processes of cognitive and affective activity.

Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Space Medicine

Abstract: Space medicine was one of the first fields of science and practice to use the analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) for obtaining new scientific information and solving the tasks of exercising medical control over humans working under extreme conditions. The theoretical basis of HRV analysis and different approaches to the assessment of the data obtained are presented in the work. The technique for HRV analysis with regard to the specifics of space studies is described. The results of investigations at different stages of the space flight, including the use of Holter monitoring, are presented. Special attention is given to the results of the investigations in a long-term 14-month space flight. The adaptation to long-term weightlessness was shown to be of a multistep character with the gradual involvement of additional regulatory mechanisms.

Study of the brain organization of creativity: II. Positron-emission tomography data

Abstract: This work was aimed at studying the brain organization of creative thinking (creativity). By means of positron-emission tomography (PET) the localization of the activated brain areas was studied in 16 healthy subjects during psychological performance to a variable degree involving creative thinking. Brain correlates of creativity were obtained. They were represented by the regions of activity changes localized in the prefrontal cortical areas of both hemispheres (Brodmann’s fields 8–11 and 45–47). A correlation between activation of the brain structures and the index of subjective task difficulty was revealed.