About the Laboratory

The EEG-ERP Laboratory is devoted to the study of cognitive, emotional, hormonal, and brain functions among different normative and clinical populations. The research conducted focuses on the diverse relationships between behavior and brain functions, as measured with an advanced EEG-ERP system.
The EEG-ERP system enables reception, recording, analysis, and characterization of patterns of the dynamic electrophysiological activity in the brain during exposure to different stimuli and during performance of different tasks that require data processing, decision making, and planning and implementation of responses. Users of the laboratory employ networks of 128 receptor channels (electrodes).
 

Research Areas

1.    Relationships of brain and cognitive functions with hemoglobin and iron levels, and brain and cognitive functions among patients with hematological diseases, such as β-thalassemia major and sickle cell disease. In collaboration with Professor Ariel Koren and Dr. Carina Levin of Emek Medical Center, Afula.
2.    Brain, cognitive, emotional, and hormonal functions among women in advanced stages of pregnancy.
3.    Brain responses (ERP) and physiological responses (blood pressure, pulse, HRV) to associative cards as a therapeutic tool in SEE FAR CBT treatment protocol for anxiety disorders and PTSD. In collaboration with Professor Mooli Lahad, Tel-Hai College.
4.    Different aspects of brain, emotional, cognitive, and hormonal functions among people with ADHD.

Accordion Title Staff and Researchers

Staff and Researchers

Dr. Sivan Raz - Head of the laboratory 
Mail: [email protected] 

Research at the Laboratory

Research at the Laboratory

Accordion Title SEE FAR CBT protocol for PTSD and anxiety disorders

SEE FAR CBT protocol for PTSD and anxiety disorders

SEE FAR CBT is an integrated treatment protocol for PTSD and anxiety disorders, incorporating elements of CBT, somatic experience, and imagery-based methods, particularly fantastic reality (FR). FR is introduced through the use of associative therapeutic cards known as COPE cards. While some initial evidence exists regarding the integration of COPE cards in psychotherapy, further validation is required to determine their capacity to elicit distinct arousal-affective states in observers. In a series of studies, we aim to assess whether exposure to COPE cards induces varying emotional-psychophysiological states through objective physiological measures reflecting autonomic nervous system responses as well as electrophysiological neural activity, employing the Event-Related Potentials technique. This investigation seeks to enhance the validation of COPE cards as a potentially effective tool within the SEE FAR CBT therapeutic process. These studies encompass both normative and clinical populations, with a particular focus on individuals suffering from PTSD resulting from sexual assault.

Accordion Title Symptomatic sickle cell disease (SCD)

Symptomatic sickle cell disease (SCD)

Symptomatic sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most frequent cause of hereditary hemolytic anemia. Hallmarks of this disease include hemolysis, vaso-occlusive episodes, and pain crises, all contributing significantly to the global socio-economic burden. Memantine, an NMDA receptor inhibitor, has been suggested as a novel pharmacological target for prophylactic treatment in this patient population. The primary objectives of this study are to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of low doses of Memantine in adult and adolescent patients with symptomatic SCD, as well as to evaluate its long-term impact on clinical and laboratory parameters. Within this context, our laboratory is particularly focused on investigating the potential effects of Memantine treatment on cognitive function and patterns of brain activity among SCD patients.
Effects of Playing a musical instrument on individuals coping with ADHD
Effects of Playing a musical instrument on individuals coping with ADHD

Accordion Title Effects of playing a musical instrument on individuals coping with ADHD

Effects of playing a musical instrument on individuals coping with ADHD

Playing a musical instrument is considered one of the most intricate activities for the human brain, relying on various cognitive abilities such as attention, working memory, processing speed, and high-level executive functions. Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may often experience challenges related to these cognitive skills. We aim to investigate whether active engagement in playing musical instruments such as the guitar and piano can potentially yield positive effects on the cognitive functions of individuals coping with ADHD. To achieve this objective, we employ various cognitive assessments to compare young adults with ADHD who have undergone extensive and prolonged musical training with a control group of individuals with ADHD who have never had any experience playing a musical instrument.
 

Accordion Title Selected Publications

Selected Publications

Fiterman, O., & Raz, S. (2019). Cognitive, neural and endocrine functioning during late pregnancy: An event-related potentials study. Hormones and Behavior, 116.
Raz, S., Koren, A., & Levin, C. (2019). Attention, response inhibition and brain event-related potentials alterations in adults with beta-thalassemia major. British Journal of Haematology, 186, 580-591. 
Dan, O., Zreik, G., & Raz, S. (2020). The relationship between individuals with fearful-avoidant adult attachment orientation and early neural responses to emotional content: An event-related potentials (ERPs) study. Neuropsychology, 34, 155–167. 
Raz, S., Koren, A., & Levin, C. (2022). Associations between red blood cell indices and iron status and neurocognitive function in young adults: Evidence from memory and executive function tests and event-related potentials. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1517(1), 300–313. 
Raz, S., & Lahad, M. (2022). Physiological indicators of emotional arousal related to ANS activity in response to associative cards for psychotherapeutic PTSD treatment. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13.