Theta Rhythm Involved in First Language Semantic Retrieval
Posted by Eric W Thompson at 12/23/2007 1:27 PM and is filed under academic excellence,brainwave entrainment,Ken Wilber,left temporal lobe,science of consciousness,integral theory,theta rhythm,language processing 
Recent studies have revealed predominant Alpha (8-12 Hz) and Theta (4-7.5 Hz) rhythms in first language semantic information processing. One such study observed a power increase in the Theta bandwidth within the left temporal area in response to open class (OC) words. Open class words, as used in linguistics, are words not considered essential to a language; they change over time. Closed class (CC) words, however, typically do not change over time. OC words, then, are much more contextually dependent than are CC words.
An inference that could be made from this observation is that the left temporal area is involved in interpeting shared contextual symbolic meaning, and Theta mediates the retrieval of such meaning. Viewed from Ken Wilber's 4 Quadrant model, it would appear that the Theta bandwidth within the left temporal lobe mediates recognition of Lower Right quadrant (LR) referents (i.e., symbolic language) and Lower Left (LL) cultural meaning of those referents. For elementary students struggling with first language acquisition--particularly era-dependent vocabulary, Theta stimulation of the left temporal lobe before, during and after study periods could prove to be very useful.
Metanoia is presently researching and developing several entrainent programs for students (Student Excellence Series: one each for elementary, high school, and university students) which will more than likely incorporate this methodology. These kinds of findings are exciting, and we're equally excited about doing further research and devloping programs to help students excel.
Bastiaansen, Marcel C.M., Marieke van der Linden,
Interesting read.
I especially like your idea of stimulating specific areas of the brain dealing with whatever the student will have to study. I imagine that as we begin to know more about neurological structures and there respective functions, stimulating certain areas when need will be the next logical step.
One method that could be used to stimulate those areas would be entrainment (using vibration to bring the brain into certain states - much like two tunning forks responding to each other vibration). Typically sound is used, but now there is something called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in which electromagnetic fields are used.
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Thanks for your comment. Yes, I agree that rTMS is a promising new field and is particularly useful for entrainment, since it allows specific brain sites to be stimulated at the exclusion of others. In that regard, audio entrainment has definite limitations. As such, I am working on unique ways to combine magnetic, audio, and photic entrainment, so as to effectively enhance specific contemplative, cognitive, and emotional functions.
We're developing a device that uses weak magnetic pulses driven by isochronic signals. Also underway is a form of photic entrainment designed to simulate the brain's random-firing neural process.
I perused your TMS page and found it quite interesting. I agree with you that TMS is still a very important technology in the stuidy and enhancement of consciousness, even though Persinger typically reduces all mystical experiences down to neuronal processes. Such reduction is equivalent to saying that a television's circuitry "causes" the television programming. The programming is actually nonlocal, but if we supercharge the TV's circuitry, we will obviously be able to pick up new channels and receive them more clearly.
Thanks again,
Eric
Consciousness Studies Online
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