Alpha Neurofeedback Training in Elite Soccer Players Trained in Groups.

Neurofeedback training is applied in the world of sports as a means to improve athletes' performance. Training sessions are usually organized on an individual basis, one at a time. Here we investigated if the training could also be organized in groups.

EEG theta and beta power spectra in adolescents with ADHD versus adolescents with ASD + ADHD.

Attention problems are common in youngsters with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as in adolescents with combined autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. However, it is unknown whether there is psychophysiological overlap and/or a difference in electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra between ADHD and comorbid ASD and ADHD (ASD + ADHD), on and off stimulant medication. To explore potential differences and overlap, measures of theta and beta power in adolescents diagnosed with ADHD (n = 33) versus adolescents with combined ASD + ADHD (n = 20), categorized by stimulant medication use (57 % of the total sample), were compared.

Feasibility of eyes open alpha power training for mental enhancement in elite gymnasts.

This study focuses on a novel, easy to use and instruction-less method for mental training in athletes. Previous findings suggest that particular mental capacities are needed for achieving peak performance; including attentional control, focus, relaxation and positive affect. Electroencephalography (EEG) alpha brain activity has been associated with neural inhibition during processes of selective attention, for improving efficiency in information processing.

The time-course of alpha neurofeedback training effects in healthy participants.

The time-course of alpha neurofeedback training (NFT) was investigated in 18 healthy participants who received 15 sessions of training (eyes open), each consisting of three training periods (data are from Van Boxtel et al., 2012). Here we report on the within- and between-session training effects using multilevel analyses.

Cardiac reactivity and stimulant use in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders with comorbid ADHD versus ADHD.

A large number of youngsters with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) display comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. However, previous studies are not conclusive whether psychophysiological correlates, like cardiac reactivity, are different for ASD with comorbid ADHD (ASD+) compared to ADHD. Therefore, the current study investigated (dis)similarities in cardiac reactivity and attention task performance.

A novel self-guided approach to alpha activity training.

Fifty healthy participants took part in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in which they were either given auditory alpha activity (8-12Hz) training (N=18), random beta training (N=12), or no training at all (N=20). A novel wireless electrode system was used for training without instructions, involving water-based electrodes mounted in an audio headset. Training was applied approximately at central electrodes.

Diagnosis of fetal rubella infection by nucleic acid hybridization.

The efficacy of nucleic acid hybridization for the diagnosis of rubella infection in experimental and clinical materials was compared with immunoblot and virus isolation techniques. Our results showed that nucleic acid hybridization is specific and rapid but gives false-negative results when compared with conventional virus isolation in some experimental although not in clinical materials so far examined. For this reason, a failure to demonstrate rubella virus in fetal specimens by this method alone cannot yet be taken as a sole criterion for ruling out fetal rubella infection.

A sol-particle immunoassay for determination of anti-rubella antibodies; development and clinical validation.

A sol-particle immunoassay (SPIA) was developed for determination of anti-rubella antibodies. The test is based on antibody-coated gold sol particles, which may agglutinate in the presence of rubella haemagglutinin antigen. The agglutination which gives a decrease in optical density can be inhibited by specific antibodies present in sera incubated with the immunochemical reagents.

Clinical validation of an antibody-capture anti-rubella IgM-ELISA.

An antibody-capture IgM-ELISA using monoclonal antibodies for conjugate was subjected to clinical validation with respect to sensitivity and specificity. In 103 serum specimens, known to contain anti-rubella IgM by a sucrose density gradient method, IgM was found by the ELISA in 99 sera. In a second study, 16 out of 17 acute rubella infections were detected by the IgM-ELISA.

A novel assay for the quantitative determination of lipoprotein-X (LP-X) in serum.

A new, fast and simple quantitative LP-X assay is described. The method selectively removes apoB-containing lipoproteins by precipitation with specific antibodies. To the supernatant, a precipitation system for LP-X, viz.

A simple and efficient method for raising steroid antibodies in rabbits.

The production of estradiol antibodies by two immunization procedures was monitored by means of an enzyme-immunoassay. Procedure A consisted of three intramuscular injections given at two-week intervals, followed by five intravenous booster injections and procedure B consisted of multiple intradermal injections given once. Procedure A gave much higher antibody titer.