New Citations | Neuroscience Studies with BIOPAC

Effects of MDMA on attention to positive social cues for behavioral disorders

The psychostimulant drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) reportedly produces distinctive feelings of empathy, closeness with others and increased social behavior. Researchers are exploring the potential of this chemical for treatment of psychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examines the psychophysiological responses with EMG100C amplifiers, an MP Series Data Acquisition System, and AcqKnowledge software.

Read the full study: MDMA: Effects of MDMA on attention to positive social cues and pleasantness of affective touch (Anya K. Bershad, Leah M. Mayo, Kathryne Van Hedger, Francis McGlone, Susannah C. Walker, Harriet de Wit)

Political Ads: Comparing the Effects of Physiology and Self‑reported Emotion

Many scholars have expressed interest in the impact of televised campaign ads on emotion and political participation. However prior research on emotion and participation relies exclusively on self-reported measures. Using an EDA100C and the MP Series Data Acquisition System to measure skin conductance, this study explores physiological arousal, as a strong predictor of citizens’ willingness to participate in politics.

Read the full study: Motivating Participation Through Political Ads: Comparing the Effects of Physiology and Self‑reported Emotion (Kristyn L. Karl)

Sleep Is a Refreshing Process: An fNIRS Study

Sleep is known to be the critical active period where the body and brain is refreshed for the next day. Using an fNIR system, this study tracks hemodynamics to measure cognition during the REM sleep stage.

Read the full study: Sleep Is a Refreshing Process: An fNIRS Study (Adile Oniz, Gonca Inanc, Serhat Taslica, Cagdas Guducu, Murat Ozgoren)