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Biomedical subjects

A Kokoszka

Publications and source records attributed to A Kokoszka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Monitoring of scoliosis surgery with epidurally recorded motor evoked potentials (D wave) revealed false results.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the mechanism behind D wave amplitude changes after surgical correction of scoliosis. METHODS: We collected D wave and muscle MEP data from 93 patients (78 female, 15 male, age range 4-19 years, mean age 15.9 years), who underwent surgical correction of scoliosis. D waves were recorded via a catheter electrode inserted epidurally through the flavectomy. Muscle MEPs from lower limb muscles were also recorded. Muscle MEPs/D wave were elicited by short trains/single transcranial electrical stimuli. SEPs were elicited through bilateral percutaneous stimulation of the tibial nerves at the ankle and an averaged response from 100 to 200 single sweeps were recorded over the scalp at Cz'/Fz. In addition, we analyzed intraoperatively obtained X-ray images of the spine in 9 patients and preoperative spinal MRI in two of those nine. RESULTS: After surgical correction of scoliosis in 25 of 93 (27%) patients, the D wave amplitude changed by more than 20% of its baseline value. A decremental change occurred in 21 (84%) and an incremental change in 4 (16%) patients. D wave decrements of more than 50% were observed in 5 patients without significant SEP changes in any of these cases. In 9 patients, intraoperatively obtained X-rays of the spine (before and after correction of spine curvature) showed no catheter displacement. Muscle MEPs did not change and postoperative sensory-motor status was normal. In 2 patients, preoperative MRI revealed displacement of the spinal cord towards the concave side of the scoliotic curvature. CONCLUSIONS: During scoliosis surgery, D wave amplitude changes should be interpreted cautiously until the definitive cause(s) of these changes are found. One possible mechanism to explain D wave changes during scoliosis correction could involve rotation of the spinal cord within the spinal canal, and the relative position of the epidural recording catheter (ERC). Rotation of the spinal cord after correction of scoliosis could introduce a new relationship between the ERC and the corticospinal tracts (CTs). Due to high incidence of false D wave amplitude changes we suggest that this methodology should not be used to assess the functional integrity of the CTs during scoliosis surgery. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides new insight into the methodology of D wave monitoring as well as strong evidence of a high incidence of false positive results using D wave monitoring during surgical correction of scoliosis.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2001

Alexithymia in schizophrenia: an exploratory study.

This study assessed a relationship between alexithymia and schizophrenia suggested by reports based on small samples of patients. Here, 50 outpatients with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia were compared with 50 pair-matched healthy subjects. Alexithymia was measured by the Polish version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. The mean total score was significantly higher in the schizophrenia group (M = 52.3, SD = 13.47) than in the healthy controls (M = 45.8, SD = 11.39, p < .02). This replicates earlier findings showing that a group of patients with paranoid schizophrenia have higher scores on alexithymia scales than healthy controls. There seems a need for a comprehensive examination of relations between alexithymia and other concepts denoting pathology of affect in schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Mental organization according to the metabolism of information model and its mathematical description.

This paper outlines the concept of information metabolism, based on the structural organization of the biological cell. It was considered a model of states of consciousness (Kokoszka, 1993b) and human experiences (Kokoszka, 1999) reported earlier. The improved version of the graphical model is presented along with its preliminary description in the terms of dynamic systems. The possible application of the model to the design of artificial networks and into psychotherapeutic diagnosis discussed.

Brain↗
PubMed2000

Preliminary evidence for diurnal fluctuations in visual imagery.

In a repeated measures design, the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ; Marks, 1973) was administrated to 10 participants each half hour in a single day between 8:00 and 20:00. The questionnaire was also administrated on four consecutive days following the original administration at 8:00, 14:00 and 20:00. These results were then fitted to a model with the superposition of two cosinusoidal functions. An analysis of the results suggested the coexistence of ultradian and circadian cycles in the determination of the vividness of visual imagery.

Activity Cycles↗
PubMed1999

Defense mechanisms in alexithymia.

The Polish version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Defense Mechanisms Questionnaire were completed by 387 university students. Scores on alexithymia correlate significantly with scores on the whole group of 12 immature defenses (Pearson r = .39, p < .001) and with scores on such individual immature defense mechanisms as Autistic Fantasy (r = .39), Somatization (r = .37), Projection (r = .32), and Displacement (r = .32). These results support other findings indicating that alexithymia is significantly associated with immature ego defenses.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Information metabolism as a model of human experiences.

This paper presents Kepiński's concept of "information metabolism", which attempts to describe processing of the information as an analogy of energy metabolism. It is a biological model based upon the structural organization of the cell. The following terms: control center, boundaries, functional structures, centers of elimination and centers of energy are considered here. The model is complementary to computational models, which are helpful in research and theoretical studies, but not useful in interpersonal contacts. The model of information metabolism aims at explanation of relations between psychological and somatic processes and helps in understanding of psychotherapeutic processes.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Fluctuations in hypnotic susceptibility and imaging ability over a 16-hour period.

Within-subject variability for hypnotic susceptibility as measured by the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A and for imaging ability as measured by the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire was determined over a 16-hour period. Half of the subjects were day persons, those most alert during daytime hours (as determined by the Alertness Questionnaire); the remaining subjects were night persons. For day persons, hypnotic susceptibility was greatest at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; for night persons, susceptibility was greatest at 1:00 p.m. and between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Imaging ability also varied as a function of time of administration. However, these peak periods occurred before and after hypnotic susceptibility peaks. Such a pattern was interpreted as indicating the possible existence of an ultradian cycle for imaging ability.

Activity Cycles↗
PubMed1994

A rationale for a multilevel model of relaxation.

A Three dimensional evolutionary leveled model of the main states of consciousness is offered as a rationale for relaxation. "Relaxing states" and "relaxation response states--Differentiated Waking States of Consciousness" are distinguish on the horizontal plane according to the integrated model of the main states of consciousness. It is proposed that states of consciousness in relaxation could be considered also on vertical evolutionary dimension described according to neo-Jacksonian theory in terms of the metabolism of information. The model opens perspectives for the description of dynamic fluctuations of states of consciousness during relaxation in terms of the main states of consciousness, i.e., REM-sleep, NREM-sleep, Ordinary Waking States of Consciousness, Differentiated Waking States of Consciousness, as well as in terms of dissolution (regression) and evolution on the vertical developmental dimension. It is illustrated by the discussion on meditation and hyponosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Information metabolism as a model of consciousness.

Kepinski's model of "information metabolism" is a biological model which is based on the structural organization of the cell and which attempts to describe information processing in analogy to energy metabolism. The terms of control center, information transmission and transformation, energy requirements and boundaries are considered. The principles of this model are explained. The original model is extended by addition of an integrated model of the main states of consciousness and a developmental model of information metabolism. Concepts of protective mechanisms of information metabolism are developed.

Consciousness↗
PubMed1992

Experience of peripheral temperature change during hypnotic analgesia.

Many Ss who experience hypnotic analgesia in a portion of their body often report that it is accompanied by sensations of coldness in the affected area. Experiments were conducted to determine if such reports are the result of a physical change in peripheral temperature or are due to psychological factors. When analgesia was induced in a limb or in the back of the neck, a concomitant physical change in temperature was not observed. Ss did report experiencing coldness, however, in the affected body part. Such experiences were attributed to associations that Ss developed between numbness or analgesia and a drop in peripheral temperature. As a result, coldness as an associate of hypnotic analgesia is suggested as a manipulation check for the presence of such sensation reduction.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Relaxation as an altered state of consciousness: a rationale for a general theory of relaxation.

A general theory of relaxation is presented. It is based on an integrated model of the main states of consciousness, which enables one to differentiate "techniques for relaxing" leading to the "relaxing states" and "meditative techniques" leading to the differentiated waking states of consciousness. These latter include specific "only the relaxation response states" and the "ultraconsciousness states". Each state is described along the following dimensions: of biological rhythms, i.e., Sleep-Wakefulness and the Basic Rest-Activity Cycle; brain hemispheric activity; the threshold of the extero- and interoceptive stimuli reception; perceptual dominance of stimuli from external or internal sources; spontaneous versus goal-oriented imagination activity, i.e., passive or active state of mind; feed-back relation with the surroundings.

Arousal↗
PubMed1991

The axiological dimension of psychiatric contact.

This article is a general reflection on psychiatric contact considered from the metatheoretical standpoint of the philosophy of science and axiology. It is inspired by the axiological dilemma of Polish psychiatry and the possibility that similar problems may arise in other countries, including the United States. The author analyzes the relation between theoretical knowledge about people and the rules of psychiatric contact and emphasizes that this contact has primary ethical components. The professional and personal spheres of psychiatric contact are distinguished and described. In addition, psychiatric contact is differentiated from educational contact--that is, in the sense of influence on development--and from psychological counseling. Finally, the dangers and limitations of psychiatric treatment based on ideology are mentioned.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Axiological aspects of comparing psychotherapy and meditation.

This article is a general reflection on meditation and psychotherapy considered from the metatheoretical standpoint of the philosophy of science and axiology. It is concluded that in practice they differ in respect of functions, goals, and relation between participants. While the traditional aim of psychotherapy is to restore health, that of meditation is self-development through a specific way of life and practices. The master passes on his discipline a definite system of values and philosophy of life, whereas the therapist assists the patient in eliminating pathological symptoms through psychotherapeutic maneuver. The pitfalls of unwarranted interpretation of scientific data on meditation are presented.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dynamic systems theory approach to consciousness.

The review of the main existing approaches to consciousness in the literature indicates that consciousness is multileveled and that humans have an ability to experience a wide range of its various states. The common views of the main approaches to consciousness are identified and considered in a three-dimensional model of states of consciousness developed by Kokoszka. This model is then described and discussed using a mathematical terms of dynamic systems theory. Since mathematics is an accepted tool for the description of the physical world, the congruence of psychological and mathematical models is understood as a meaningful support to the psychological one. Connections of the models with artificial neural networks and some applications in psychology are considered.

Consciousness↗