Dear Colleagues,

Electrophysiological measurements of brain function allow high temporal resolution of information processing, thereby showing dysfunctions during the rest state and during cognitive tasks. Signal processing techniques characterize various aspects of brain dynamics and identify the neural mechanisms that underlie complex neurocognitive disorders and deficits. EEG features are sensitive indicators of pathophysiological processes associated with various neurocognitive deficits. The analysis of electroencephalographic event-related potentials (ERP) from healthy people and from patient groups with various neurocognitive disorders is important for understanding neurocognitive phenomena. Methods for diagnosis through neural networks can use various machine learning algorithms, as well as deep neural networks from the analysis of electrode signals. For this topic, we welcome authors to contribute research articles that illustrate such methods for the classification of patients and for diagnosing the presence of diseases by comparison with control groups. The training facilitates bottom-up processing of auditory/visual information in the sensory system and improves top-down cognitive inhibition of the novelty/saliency detection system. Functional integration leads to a reorganization of cerebral cortices, including auditory, visual and motor areas. It also improves self-control and self-evaluation related to higher brain cognitive functions, while addressing the deficits in attention and awareness that accompany neurological and psychiatric disorders. Differences in functional roles between primary and non-primary auditory areas in the left and right hemispheres help to understand the auditory semiology of some epileptic seizures, as well as the neural substrate of hemispheric specialization for language. Anticipatory attention involves transient top-down control signals that establish more stable neural states, thus allowing selective sensory processing. Electrophysiological correlates of spatial attentional focusing, such as occipital alpha lateralization and the decision-related alpha increase in central scalp regions reflect cortical inhibition of the processes for decision making and lead to the expression of volitional attention. Therefore, the main goal of this topic is to provide the reader with a wide overview of current knowledge about electrophysiological methods, auditory and visual processing, long-term training to improve sensorimotor skills, and the functional integration of information related to multimodal sensory perception and motor performance. We welcome original research reports, review articles, communications, and perspectives in all the above-described fields pertinent to the topic.

Dr. Juliana Dushanova
Guest Editor