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Dietze N, Horstmann G, Poth CH. Alerting effects require the absence of surprise. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2024; 245:104239. [PMID: 38582020 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Ongoing actions are interrupted for a brief period of time whenever salient and expectancy-discrepant stimuli (surprise stimuli) interfere with the present task set. By contrast, salient stimuli (alerting cues) preceding targets can facilitate behaviour by reducing time to initiate actions. Both phenomena seem to be at odds with each other as actions are either impaired or facilitated. Therefore, in the present study, we asked how surprise and alerting effects interact. In two experiments, participants performed choice reaction tasks without any prior knowledge of the impending alerting cue. After a baseline period of trials without an alerting cue, the alerting cue was presented for the first time. It was found that the initial presentation of the alerting cue significantly slowed down reaction times. However, after just a single trial this impairment went away. This reveals that the beneficial effects of alerting for action presuppose that alerting cues are expected and represented in the top-down task set. As such, the present findings challenge the standard view of phasic alerting as a bottom-up and entirely stimulus-driven phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Dietze
- Neuro-Cognitive Psychology and Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Gernot Horstmann
- Neuro-Cognitive Psychology and Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christian H Poth
- Neuro-Cognitive Psychology and Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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2
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Kattlun F, Hertel E, Geis C, Scherag A, Wickel J, Finke K. Persistent neurocognitive deficits in cognitively impaired survivors of sepsis are explained by reductions in working memory capacity. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1321145. [PMID: 38449763 PMCID: PMC10915060 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1321145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Mounting evidence suggests that many cognitively impaired sepsis survivors show long-term neurocognitive deficits in neuropsychological tasks. To date, the underlying mechanisms of these deficits are insufficiently understood. Based on previous evaluations we hypothesized that visual attention and working memory may be affected in a sample of cognitively impaired sepsis survivors. Methods We utilized psychophysical whole-and partial-report paradigms based on the computational theory of visual attention (TVA) to determine (i) whether sepsis survivors show changes in basic parameters of visual attention and working memory, (ii) whether the affected parameters are related to neuropsychological test results in a standard battery in sepsis survivors and matched healthy control participants, (iii) whether between-group differences in these basic parameters of visual attention could account for underperformance of sepsis survivors in neuropsychological tests when adjusting for potentially relevant clinical variables. Results We showed that, in sepsis survivors, the maximum number of elements consciously maintained in an instant, i.e. the working memory storage capacity K, is reduced (sepsis survivors: M = 3.0; healthy controls: M = 3.4). Moreover, K explained variance in neurocognitive outcomes -17% in attentional and 16 % in executive functions - in a standard neuropsychological battery. The association remained stable when adjusting for clinical variables. Discussion Thus, in our sample of cognitively impaired sepsis survivors, a reduction in working memory capacity seems to be a critical determinant of the neurocognitive sequelae. It should be the subject of future work on mechanisms but may also serve as surrogate outcome measure in interventional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Kattlun
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Hertel
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Geis
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - André Scherag
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Medical Statistics, Computer and Data Sciences, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Jonathan Wickel
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Hervig MES, Toschi C, Petersen A, Vangkilde S, Gether U, Robbins TW. Theory of visual attention (TVA) applied to rats performing the 5-choice serial reaction time task: differential effects of dopaminergic and noradrenergic manipulations. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:41-58. [PMID: 36434307 PMCID: PMC9816296 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06269-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Attention is compromised in many psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While dopamine and noradrenaline systems have been implicated in ADHD, their exact role in attentional processing is yet unknown. OBJECTIVES We applied the theory of visual attention (TVA) model, adapted from human research, to the rat 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) to investigate catecholaminergic modulation of visual attentional processing in healthy subjects of high- and low-attention phenotypes. METHODS Rats trained on the standard 5CSRTT and tested with variable stimulus durations were treated systemically with noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic agents (atomoxetine, methylphenidate, amphetamine, phenylephrine and atipamezole). TVA modelling was applied to estimate visual processing speed for correct and incorrect visual perceptual categorisations, independent of motor reaction times, as measures of attentional capacity. RESULTS Atomoxetine and phenylephrine decreased response frequencies, including premature responses, increased omissions and slowed responding. In contrast, methylphenidate, amphetamine and atipamezole sped up responding and increased premature responses. Visual processing speed was also affected differentially. Atomoxetine and phenylephrine slowed, whereas methylphenidate and atipamezole sped up, visual processing, both for correct and incorrect categorisations. Amphetamine selectively improved visual processing for correct, though not incorrect, responses in high-attention rats only, possibly reflecting improved attention. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the application of TVA to the 5CSRTT provides an enhanced sensitivity to capturing attentional effects. Unexpectedly, we found overall slowing effects, including impaired visual processing, following drugs either increasing extracellular noradrenaline (atomoxetine) or activating the α1-adrenoceptor (phenylephrine), while also ameliorating premature responses (impulsivity). In contrast, amphetamine had potential pro-attentional effects by enhancing visual processing, probably due to central dopamine upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona El-Sayed Hervig
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Chiara Toschi
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anders Petersen
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe Vangkilde
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Gether
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trevor W. Robbins
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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4
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Bjork JM, Keyser-Marcus L, Vassileva J, Ramey T, Houghton DC, Moeller FG. Attentional function and inhibitory control in different substance use disorders. Psychiatry Res 2022; 313:114591. [PMID: 35533472 PMCID: PMC9177751 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Attentional function in substance use disorder (SUD) is not well understood. To probe attentional function in SUD as a function of primary substance of abuse, we administered the attentional network task (ANT) to 44 individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder (CoUD), 49 individuals with Cannabis Use Disorder (CaUD), 86 individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and 107 controls with no SUD, along with the stop-signal task (SST). The ANT quantifies the effects of (temporal) alerting cues and (spatial) orienting cues to reduce reaction time (RT) to targets, as well as probing how conflicting (target-incongruent) stimuli slow RT. The SST quantifies individuals' ability to inhibit already-initiated motor responses. After controlling for sex representation and age, OUD and CaUD participants showed blunted alerting effects compared to controls, whereas CaUD and CoUD participants showed greater stimulus conflict (flanker) effects. Finally, CoUD participants showed a trend toward increased orienting ability. In SST performance, no SUD group showed a prolonged stop-signal reaction compared to controls. However, the OUD group (and CoUD group at trend level) showed prolonged "go" RT to targets and reduced hit rates. These data indicate differences in attentional function in persons with SUD as a function of the primary substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Bjork
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,Address correspondence to: James M. Bjork, Associate Professor, Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 203 E Cary St, Room 202, Richmond, Virginia 23219, Phone: (301) 351-4143,
| | - Lori Keyser-Marcus
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jasmin Vassileva
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Tatiana Ramey
- Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David C. Houghton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences & Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - F. Gerard Moeller
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Martin SL, Jones AKP, Brown CA, Kobylecki C, Whitaker GA, El-Deredy W, Silverdale MA. Altered Pain Processing Associated with Administration of Dopamine Agonist and Antagonist in Healthy Volunteers. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030351. [PMID: 35326306 PMCID: PMC8946836 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Striatal dopamine dysfunction is associated with the altered top-down modulation of pain processing. The dopamine D2-like receptor family is a potential substrate for such effects due to its primary expression in the striatum, but evidence for this is currently lacking. Here, we investigated the effect of pharmacologically manipulating striatal dopamine D2 receptor activity on the anticipation and perception of acute pain stimuli in humans. Participants received visual cues that induced either certain or uncertain anticipation of two pain intensity levels delivered via a CO2 laser. Rating of the pain intensity and unpleasantness was recorded. Brain activity was recorded with EEG and analysed via source localisation to investigate neural activity during the anticipation and receipt of pain. Participants completed the experiment under three conditions, control (Sodium Chloride), D2 receptor agonist (Cabergoline), and D2 receptor antagonist (Amisulpride), in a repeated-measures, triple-crossover, double-blind study. The antagonist reduced an individuals’ ability to distinguish between low and high pain following uncertain anticipation. The EEG source localisation showed that the agonist and antagonist reduced neural activations in specific brain regions associated with the sensory integration of salient stimuli during the anticipation and receipt of pain. During anticipation, the agonist reduced activity in the right mid-temporal region and the right angular gyrus, whilst the antagonist reduced activity within the right postcentral, right mid-temporal, and right inferior parietal regions. In comparison to control, the antagonist reduced activity within the insula during the receipt of pain, a key structure involved in the integration of the sensory and affective aspects of pain. Pain sensitivity and unpleasantness were not changed by D2R modulation. Our results support the notion that D2 receptor neurotransmission has a role in the top-down modulation of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Martin
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6GX, UK
- The Human Pain Research Group, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (A.K.P.J.); (C.A.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anthony K. P. Jones
- The Human Pain Research Group, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (A.K.P.J.); (C.A.B.)
| | - Christopher A. Brown
- The Human Pain Research Group, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (A.K.P.J.); (C.A.B.)
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Christopher Kobylecki
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Department of Neurology, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Salford M6 8HD, UK; (C.K.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Grace A. Whitaker
- Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federico Santa María Technical University, Valparaíso 1680, Chile;
| | - Wael El-Deredy
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería en Salud, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso 1680, Chile;
| | - Monty A. Silverdale
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Department of Neurology, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Salford M6 8HD, UK; (C.K.); (M.A.S.)
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6
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Ang YS, Cusin C, Petibon Y, Dillon DG, Breiger M, Belleau EL, Normandin M, Schroder H, Boyden S, Hayden E, Levine MT, Jahan A, Meyer AK, Kang MS, Brunner D, Gelda SE, Hooker J, El Fakhri G, Fava M, Pizzagalli DA. A multi-pronged investigation of option generation using depression, PET and modafinil. Brain 2022; 145:1854-1865. [PMID: 35150243 PMCID: PMC9166534 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Option generation is a critical process in decision making, but previous studies have largely focused on choices between options given by a researcher. Consequently, how we self-generate options for behaviour remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated option generation in major depressive disorder and how dopamine might modulate this process, as well as the effects of modafinil (a putative cognitive enhancer) on option generation in healthy individuals. We first compared differences in self-generated options between healthy non-depressed adults [n = 44, age = 26.3 years (SD 5.9)] and patients with major depressive disorder [n = 54, age = 24.8 years (SD 7.4)]. In the second study, a subset of depressed individuals [n = 22, age = 25.6 years (SD 7.8)] underwent PET scans with 11C-raclopride to examine the relationships between dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability and individual differences in option generation. Finally, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover study of modafinil (100 mg and 200 mg), was conducted in an independent sample of healthy people [n = 19, age = 23.2 years (SD 4.8)] to compare option generation under different doses of this drug. The first study revealed that patients with major depressive disorder produced significantly fewer options [t(96) = 2.68, P = 0.009, Cohen's d = 0.54], albeit with greater uniqueness [t(96) = -2.54, P = 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.52], on the option generation task compared to healthy controls. In the second study, we found that 11C-raclopride binding potential in the putamen was negatively correlated with fluency (r = -0.69, P = 0.001) but positively associated with uniqueness (r = 0.59, P = 0.007). Hence, depressed individuals with higher densities of unoccupied putamen D2/D3 receptors in the putamen generated fewer but more unique options, whereas patients with lower D2/D3 receptor availability were likely to produce a larger number of similar options. Finally, healthy participants were less unique [F(2,36) = 3.32, P = 0.048, partial η2 = 0.16] and diverse [F(2,36) = 4.31, P = 0.021, partial η2 = 0.19] after taking 200 mg versus 100 mg and 0 mg of modafinil, while fluency increased linearly with dosage at a trend level [F(1,18) = 4.11, P = 0.058, partial η2 = 0.19]. Our results show, for the first time, that option generation is affected in clinical depression and that dopaminergic activity in the putamen of patients with major depressive disorder may play a key role in the self-generation of options. Modafinil was also found to influence option generation in healthy people by reducing the creativity of options produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen-Siang Ang
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Social and Cognitive Computing Department, Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138632, Singapore
| | - Cristina Cusin
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Yoann Petibon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Daniel G Dillon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Micah Breiger
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Emily L Belleau
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Marc Normandin
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Hans Schroder
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sean Boyden
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Emma Hayden
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - M Taylor Levine
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Aava Jahan
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ashley K Meyer
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Min Su Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Devon Brunner
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Steven E Gelda
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jacob Hooker
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Georges El Fakhri
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Maurizio Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Correspondence to: Diego A. Pizzagalli, PhD McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA E-mail:
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Grazioli S, Rosi E, Mauri M, Crippa A, Tizzoni F, Tarabelloni A, Villa FM, Chiapasco F, Reimers M, Gatti E, Bertella S, Molteni M, Nobile M. Patterns of Response to Methylphenidate Administration in Children with ADHD: A Personalized Medicine Approach through Clustering Analysis. CHILDREN 2021; 8:children8111008. [PMID: 34828721 PMCID: PMC8623097 DOI: 10.3390/children8111008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Individual responses to methylphenidate (MPH) can significantly differ in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in terms of the extent of clinical amelioration, optimal dosage needed, possible side effects, and short- and long-term duration of the benefits. In the present repeated-measures observational study, we undertook a proof-of-concept study to determine whether clustering analysis could be useful to characterize different clusters of responses to MPH in children with ADHD. We recruited 33 children with ADHD who underwent a comprehensive clinical, cognitive, and neurophysiological assessment before and after one month of MPH treatment. Symptomatology changes were assessed by parents and clinicians. The neuropsychological measures used comprised pen-and-paper and computerized tasks. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure cortical hemodynamic activation during an attentional task. We developed an unsupervised machine learning algorithm to characterize the possible clusters of responses to MPH in our multimodal data. A symptomatology improvement was observed for both clinical and neuropsychological measures. Our model identified distinct clusters of amelioration that were related to symptom severity and visual-attentional performances. The present findings provide preliminary evidence that clustering analysis can potentially be useful in identifying different responses to MPH in children with ADHD, highlighting the importance of a personalized medicine approach within the clinical framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Grazioli
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Eleonora Rosi
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Maddalena Mauri
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
- PhD in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Crippa
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Federica Tizzoni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Arianna Tarabelloni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Filippo Maria Villa
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Federica Chiapasco
- MD Course in Medicine and Surgery, Humanitas University, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Milan, Italy; (F.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Maria Reimers
- MD Course in Medicine and Surgery, Humanitas University, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Milan, Italy; (F.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Erika Gatti
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Silvana Bertella
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Maria Nobile
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (S.G.); (M.M.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (A.T.); (F.M.V.); (E.G.); (S.B.); (M.M.); (M.N.)
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8
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Van Puyvelde M, Van Cutsem J, Lacroix E, Pattyn N. A State-of-the-Art Review on the Use of Modafinil as A Performance-enhancing Drug in the Context of Military Operationality. Mil Med 2021; 187:52-64. [PMID: 34632515 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Modafinil is an eugeroic drug that has been examined to maintain or recover wakefulness, alertness, and cognitive performance when sleep deprived. In a nonmilitary context, the use of modafinil as a nootropic or smart drug, i.e., to improve cognitive performance without being sleep deprived, increases. Although cognitive performance is receiving more explicit attention in a military context, research into the impact of modafinil as a smart drug in function of operationality is lacking. Therefore, the current review aimed at presenting a current state-of-the-art and research agenda on modafinil as a smart drug. Beside the question whether modafinil has an effect or not on cognitive performance, we examined four research questions based on the knowledge on modafinil in sleep-deprived subjects: (1) Is there a difference between the effect of modafinil as a smart drug when administered in repeated doses versus one single dose?; (2) Is the effect of modafinil as a smart drug dose-dependent?; (3) Are there individual-related and/or task-related impact factors?; and (4) What are the reported mental and/or somatic side effects of modafinil as a smart drug? METHOD We conducted a systematic search of the literature in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, using the search terms "Modafinil" and "Cognitive enhance*" in combination with specific terms related to the research questions. The inclusion criteria were studies on healthy human subjects with quantifiable cognitive outcome based on cognitive tasks. RESULTS We found no literature on the impact of a repeated intake of modafinil as a smart drug, although, in users, intake occurs on a regular basis. Moreover, although modafinil was initially said to comprise no risk for abuse, there are now indications that modafinil works on the same neurobiological mechanisms as other addictive stimulants. There is also no thorough research into a potential risk for overconfidence, whereas this risk was identified in sleep-deprived subjects. Furthermore, eventual enhancing effects were beneficial only in persons with an initial lower performance level and/or performing more difficult tasks and modafinil has an adverse effect when used under time pressure and may negatively impact physical performance. Finally, time-on-task may interact with the dose taken. DISCUSSION The use of modafinil as a smart drug should be examined in function of different military profiles considering their individual performance level and the task characteristics in terms of cognitive demands, physical demands, and sleep availability. It is not yet clear to what extent an improvement in one component (e.g., cognitive performance) may negatively affect another component (e.g., physical performance). Moreover, potential risks for abuse and overconfidence in both regular and occasional intake should be thoroughly investigated to depict the trade-off between user benefits and unwanted side effects. We identified that there is a current risk to the field, as this trade-off has been deemed acceptable for sleep-deprived subjects (considering the risk of sleep deprivation to performance) but this reasoning cannot and should not be readily transposed to non-sleep-deprived individuals. We thus conclude against the use of modafinil as a cognitive enhancer in military contexts that do not involve sleep deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Van Puyvelde
- VIPER Research Unit, Department of LIFE, Royal Military Academy, Brussels 1000, Belgium.,Brain, Body and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium.,Clinical & Lifespan Psychology, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Van Cutsem
- VIPER Research Unit, Department of LIFE, Royal Military Academy, Brussels 1000, Belgium.,MFYS-BLITS, Department of Human Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Emilie Lacroix
- VIPER Research Unit, Department of LIFE, Royal Military Academy, Brussels 1000, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Pattyn
- VIPER Research Unit, Department of LIFE, Royal Military Academy, Brussels 1000, Belgium.,MFYS-BLITS, Department of Human Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium
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9
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Hersey M, Bacon AK, Bailey LG, Coggiano MA, Newman AH, Leggio L, Tanda G. Psychostimulant Use Disorder, an Unmet Therapeutic Goal: Can Modafinil Narrow the Gap? Front Neurosci 2021; 15:656475. [PMID: 34121988 PMCID: PMC8187604 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.656475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of individuals affected by psychostimulant use disorder (PSUD) has increased rapidly over the last few decades resulting in economic, emotional, and physical burdens on our society. Further compounding this issue is the current lack of clinically approved medications to treat this disorder. The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a common target of psychostimulant actions related to their use and dependence, and the recent availability of atypical DAT inhibitors as a potential therapeutic option has garnered popularity in this research field. Modafinil (MOD), which is approved for clinical use for the treatment of narcolepsy and sleep disorders, blocks DAT just like commonly abused psychostimulants. However, preclinical and clinical studies have shown that it lacks the addictive properties (in both behavioral and neurochemical studies) associated with other abused DAT inhibitors. Clinical availability of MOD has facilitated its off-label use for several psychiatric disorders related to alteration of brain dopamine (DA) systems, including PSUD. In this review, we highlight clinical and preclinical research on MOD and its R-enantiomer, R-MOD, as potential medications for PSUD. Given the complexity of PSUD, we have also reported the effects of MOD on psychostimulant-induced appearance of several symptoms that could intensify the severity of the disease (i.e., sleep disorders and impairment of cognitive functions), besides the potential therapeutic effects of MOD on PSUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Hersey
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Amanda K. Bacon
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lydia G. Bailey
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark A. Coggiano
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Amy H. Newman
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Clinical Psychoneuroendo- crinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gianluigi Tanda
- Medication Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Penning MD, Ruiz-Rizzo AL, Redel P, Müller HJ, Salminen T, Strobach T, Behrens S, Schubert T, Sorg C, Finke K. Alertness Training Increases Visual Processing Speed in Healthy Older Adults. Psychol Sci 2021; 32:340-353. [DOI: 10.1177/0956797620965520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated whether alertness training in healthy older adults increases visual processing speed (VPS) and whether functional connectivity in the cingulo-opercular network predicts training gain. Using the theory of visual attention, we derived quantitative estimates of VPS before and after training. In Study 1, 75 healthy older adults participated in alertness training, active-control training, or no training ( n = 25 each). A significant Group × Session interaction indicated an increase in VPS in the alertness-training group but not in the control group, despite VPS not differing significantly between groups before training. In Study 2, 29 healthy older adults underwent resting-state functional MRI and then participated in alertness training. Pretraining functional connectivity in the cingulo-opercular network correlated with the individual training-induced change in VPS. In conclusion, results indicate that alertness training improves visual processing in older adults and that functional connectivity in the cingulo-opercular network provides a neural marker for predicting individual training gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie D. Penning
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | | | - Petra Redel
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Hermann J. Müller
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Tiina Salminen
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
| | - Tilo Strobach
- Department of Psychology, Medical School Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Behrens
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Tübingen
| | - Torsten Schubert
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Department of Psychology, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
| | - Christian Sorg
- TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Technische Universität München
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München
- Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, University Hospital Jena, Germany
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11
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Repantis D, Bovy L, Ohla K, Kühn S, Dresler M. Cognitive enhancement effects of stimulants: a randomized controlled trial testing methylphenidate, modafinil, and caffeine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:441-451. [PMID: 33201262 PMCID: PMC7826302 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05691-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONAL At all times humans have made attempts to improve their cognitive abilities by different means, among others, with the use of stimulants. Widely available stimulants such as caffeine, but also prescription substances such as methylphenidate and modafinil, are being used by healthy individuals to enhance cognitive performance. OBJECTIVES There is a lack of knowledge on the effects of prescription stimulants when taken by healthy individuals (as compared with patients) and especially on the effects of different substances across different cognitive domains. METHODS We conducted a pilot study with three arms in which male participants received placebo and one of three stimulants (caffeine, methylphenidate, modafinil) and assessed cognitive performance with a test battery that captures various cognitive domains. RESULTS Our study showed some moderate effects of the three stimulants tested. Methylphenidate had positive effects on self-reported fatigue as well as on declarative memory 24 hours after learning; caffeine had a positive effect on sustained attention; there was no significant effect of modafinil in any of the instruments of our test battery. All stimulants were well tolerated, and no trade-off negative effects on other cognitive domains were found. CONCLUSIONS The few observed significant positive effects of the tested stimulants were domain-specific and of rather low magnitude. The results can inform the use of stimulants for cognitive enhancement purposes as well as direct further research to investigate the effects of stimulants on specific cognitive domains that seem most promising, possibly by using tasks that are more demanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Repantis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Leonore Bovy
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kathrin Ohla
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Dresler
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Nootropics are drugs used to either treat or benefit cognition deficits. Among this class, methylphenidate is a popular agent, which acts through indirect dopaminergic and noradrenergic agonism and, therefore, is proposed to enhance performance in catecholamine-dependent cognitive domains such as attention, memory and prefrontal cortex-dependent executive functions. However, investigation into the efficacy of methylphenidate as a cognitive enhancer has yielded variable results across all domains, leading to debate within the scientific community surrounding its off-label use in healthy individuals seeking scholaristic benefit or increased productivity. Through analysis of experimental data and methodological evaluation, it is apparent that there are dose-, task- and domain-dependent considerations surrounding the use of methylphenidate in healthy individuals, whereby tailored dose administration is likely to provide benefit on an individual basis dependent on the domain of cognition in which benefit is required. Additionally, it is apparent that there are subjective effects of methylphenidate, which may increase user productivity irrespective of cognitive benefit. Whilst there is not extensive study in healthy older adults, it is plausible that there are dose-dependent benefits to methylphenidate in older adults in selective cognitive domains that might improve quality of life and reduce fall risk. Methylphenidate appears to produce dose-dependent benefits to individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but the evidence for benefit in Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia is inconclusive. As with any off-label use of pharmacological agents, and especially regarding drugs with neuromodulatory effects, there are inherent safety concerns; epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests there are sympathomimetic, cardiovascular and addictive considerations, which might further restrict their use within certain demographics.
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The off-prescription use of modafinil: An online survey of perceived risks and benefits. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227818. [PMID: 32023288 PMCID: PMC7001904 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive enhancing drugs are claimed to improve cognitive functions such as learning and attention. However, little is known presently about the characteristics of off-prescription cognitive enhancing drug users or their perceived everyday experience with these drugs. As modafinil is the most commonly used off-prescription cognitive enhancing drug, the current study aimed to provide a detailed profile of modafinil users and their experiences and perceptions of this drug. To this end, an online survey, targeting cognitive enhancing drug users and students, was advertised on forum sites. Information was obtained regarding demographic data, illicit drug use, psychiatric diagnosis and experience of modafinil. Of the 404 respondents, 219 reported taking modafinil. Of these the majority were male, American or British, university-educated and currently employed, with a mean age of 27. Overall, modafinil was perceived by users as being safe. Modafinil users reported higher levels of illicit drug use and psychiatric diagnosis than would be expected from population-based data. More frequent reported modafinil use was associated with higher numbers of perceived benefits whilst reported frequency of use was not associated with the number of perceived risks. There was also a tentative link between the reported use of modafinil and the reported presence of psychiatric disorders, largely depression and anxiety. Respondents who had reported a psychiatric diagnosis declared higher subjective benefits of modafinil. This may suggest further beneficial effects of modafinil or it may reflect insufficient medical treatment for psychiatric disorders in some people. Overall, the findings of the current study should be beneficial in informing clinicians and legislative bodies about the modafinil user profile and how modafinil is perceived.
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14
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Low AM, Vangkilde S, le Sommer J, Fagerlund B, Glenthøj B, Jepsen JRM, Bundesen C, Petersen A, Habekost T. Visual attention in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder before and after stimulant treatment. Psychol Med 2019; 49:2617-2625. [PMID: 30560740 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718003628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which frequently persists into adulthood. The primary goal of the current study was to (a) investigate attentional functions of stimulant medication-naïve adults with ADHD, and (b) investigate the effects of 6 weeks of methylphenidate treatment on these functions. METHODS The study was a prospective, non-randomized, non-blinded, 6-week follow-up design with 42 stimulant medication-naïve adult patients with ADHD, and 42 age and parental education-matched healthy controls. Assessments included measures of visual attention, based on Bundesen's Theory of Visual Attention (TVA), which yields five precise measures of aspects of visual attention; general psychopathology; ADHD symptoms; dyslexia screening; and estimates of IQ. RESULTS At baseline, significant differences were found between patients and controls on three attentional parameters: visual short-term memory capacity, threshold of conscious perception, and to a lesser extent visual processing speed. Secondary analyses revealed no significant correlations between TVA parameter estimates and severity of ADHD symptomatology. At follow-up, significant improvements were found specifically for visual processing speed; this improvement had a large effect size, and remained when controlling for re-test effects, IQ, and dyslexia screen performance. There were no significant correlations between changes in visual processing speed and changes in ADHD symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS ADHD in adults may be associated with deficits in three distinct aspects of visual attention. Improvements after 6 weeks of medication are seen specifically in visual processing speed, which could represent an improvement in alertness. Clinical symptoms and visual attentional deficits may represent separate aspects of ADHD in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Marie Low
- Deparment of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe Vangkilde
- Deparment of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julijana le Sommer
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Fagerlund
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birte Glenthøj
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Mental Health Services, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Bundesen
- Deparment of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Petersen
- Deparment of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Habekost
- Deparment of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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van den Noort M, Vermeire K, Bosch P, Staudte H, Krajenbrink T, Jaswetz L, Struys E, Yeo S, Barisch P, Perriard B, Lee SH, Lim S. A Systematic Review on the Possible Relationship Between Bilingualism, Cognitive Decline, and the Onset of Dementia. Behav Sci (Basel) 2019; 9:E81. [PMID: 31340609 PMCID: PMC6680432 DOI: 10.3390/bs9070081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A systematic review was conducted to investigate whether bilingualism has a protective effect against cognitive decline in aging and can protect against dementia. We searched the Medline, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and ERIC databases with a cut-off date of 31 March, 2019, thereby following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocol. Our search resulted in 34 eligible studies. Mixed results were found with respect to the protective effect of bilingualism against cognitive decline. Several studies showed a protective effect whereas other studies failed to find it. Moreover, evidence for a delay of the onset of dementia of between 4 and 5.5 years in bilingual individuals compared to monolinguals was found in several studies, but not in all. Methodological differences in the set-up of the studies seem to explain these mixed results. Lifelong bilingualism is a complex individual process, and many factors seem to influence this and need to be further investigated. This can be best achieved through large longitudinal studies with objective behavioral and neuroimaging measurements. In conclusion, although some evidence was found for a cognitive reserve-enhancing effect of lifelong bilingualism and protection against dementia, to date, no firm conclusions can be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurits van den Noort
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
- Brussels Institute for Applied Linguistics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium.
| | - Katrien Vermeire
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
| | - Peggy Bosch
- Psychiatric Research Group, LVR-Klinik Bedburg-Hau, 47511 Bedburg-Hau, Germany
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Heike Staudte
- Psychiatric Research Group, LVR-Klinik Bedburg-Hau, 47511 Bedburg-Hau, Germany
| | - Trudy Krajenbrink
- Department of Medicine, Neurology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lars Jaswetz
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Esli Struys
- Brussels Institute for Applied Linguistics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Sujung Yeo
- College of Oriental Medicine, Sang Ji University, Wonju 26339, Korea
| | - Pia Barisch
- Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Benoît Perriard
- Department of Medicine, Neurology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Sook-Hyun Lee
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Sabina Lim
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
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16
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Rattray B, Martin K, Hewitt A, Cooper G, McDonald W. Effect of acute modafinil ingestion on cognitive and physical performance following mental exertion. Hum Psychopharmacol 2019; 34:e2700. [PMID: 31173409 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Modafinil is a psychostimulant that has been shown to enhance cognitive and physical performance. Given its long half-life, it may provide operational advantages if it can improve tolerance to the deleterious effects of prolonged mental exertion. METHODS Physically active males (n = 13, 23 ± 4 years, peak oxygen consumption 45.3 ± 3.2 ml kg-1 min-1 ) took part in a placebo controlled, double-blind randomised crossover study to investigate if modafinil could improve cognitive and physical performance following a prolonged period of mental exertion. RESULTS Overall modafinil improved performance on a task of executive function over time (p = .023; η2 = 0.376) but did not improve subsequent physical endurance performance (mean difference 2.3 ± 11.5%, p = .50), despite improvement in 10 out of the 13 participants. Task demand was reported as lower with modafinil, although perceptual measures of fatigue and motivation did not consistently improve. Heart rate during submaximal exercise was higher (134 ± 11 vs. 119 ± 14 bpm, p < .001), and sleep was reduced (5.5 ± 1.4 vs. 7.5 ± 1.4 hr, p < .001) and less efficient (64 ± 13 vs. 83 ± 9%, p < .001) compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS Operationally, modafinil may offer advantages given the established longer half-life than other psychostimulants, despite the variable response. The impact of higher heart rates and disrupted sleep on performance must also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Rattray
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Kristy Martin
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Alex Hewitt
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Cooper
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Warren McDonald
- Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Adalio CJ, Owens EB, McBurnett K, Hinshaw SP, Pfiffner LJ. Processing Speed Predicts Behavioral Treatment Outcomes in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominantly Inattentive Type. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 46:701-711. [PMID: 28791531 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-017-0336-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychological functioning underlies behavioral symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with all forms of ADHD are vulnerable to working memory deficits and children presenting with the inattentive form of ADHD (ADHD-I) appear particularly vulnerable to processing speed deficits. As ADHD-I is the most common form of ADHD presented by children in community settings, it is important to consider how treatment interventions for children with ADHD-I may be affected by deficits in processing speed and working memory. We utilize data collected from 199 children with ADHD-I, aged 7 to 11 years, who participated in a randomized clinical trial of a psychosocial-behavioral intervention. Our aims are first to determine whether processing speed or working memory predict treatment outcomes in ADHD-I symptom severity, and second whether they moderate treatment effects on ADHD-I symptom severity. Results of linear regression analyses reveal that baseline processing speed significantly predicts posttreatment ADHD-I symptom severity when controlling for baseline ADHD-I symptom severity, such that better processing speed is associated with greater symptom improvement. However, predictive effects of working memory and moderation effects of both working memory and processing speed are not supported in the present study. We discuss study limitations and implications of the relation between processing speed and treatment benefits from psychosocial treatments for children with ADHD-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Adalio
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Tolman Hall #1650, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1650, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Tolman Hall #1650, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1650, USA
| | - Keith McBurnett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., Box 0984, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Stephen P Hinshaw
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Tolman Hall #1650, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1650, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., Box 0984, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Linda J Pfiffner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave., Box 0984, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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Three weeks of SSRI administration enhances the visual perceptual threshold - a randomized placebo-controlled study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:1759-1769. [PMID: 30623228 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5158-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The serotonergic system has been repeatedly linked to visual attention in general, but the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on specific components of visual attention remain unknown. Changes in distinct perceptual and cognitive processes are not readily evident in most attention paradigms. OBJECTIVE In this study, we isolate basic components of visual attention to investigate potential effects of longer-term SSRI administration on non-emotional aspects of visual attention in healthy males. METHODS In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design, 32 young healthy males were tested on multiple attentional parameters, before and after a 3-week SSRI intervention with fluoxetine (40 mg daily) or placebo. Data were modeled with a computational theory of visual attention to derive independent estimates of five distinct components of visual attention. RESULTS The SSRI intervention selectively and significantly lowered the threshold for conscious visual perception. Specifically, we demonstrate that this improvement does not stem from a general increase in the speed of visual processing, as previously suggested, but specifically from a change in the perceptual threshold. CONCLUSIONS The study provides a novel description of the attentional dynamics affected by SSRI, while supporting previous findings on attentional effects of SSRI. Furthermore, it accentuates the utility of employing accuracy-based measures of attentional performance when conducting psychopharmacological research.
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Effect of ADHD medication in male C57BL/6J mice performing the rodent Continuous Performance Test. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:1839-1851. [PMID: 30656365 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-5167-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The rodent Continuous Performance Test (rCPT) is a novel rodent paradigm to assess attention and impulsivity that resembles the human CPT. This task measures the rodents' ability to discriminate between target and non-target stimuli. The effect of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication on rCPT performance in mice remains to be fully characterized. OBJECTIVE To investigate the predictive validity of the mouse rCPT by studying the effects of ADHD medication methylphenidate, atomoxetine, amphetamine, guanfacine, and modafinil in four behavioral subgroups based on performance and impulsivity levels. METHODS Two cohorts of male C57BL/6J mice were used, and the effect of treatment was tested in a variable stimulus duration probe. Performance and impulsive subgroups were made based on discriminability and percentage premature responses, respectively. RESULTS Methylphenidate, atomoxetine, and amphetamine improved performance in the low-performing animals, with no effect in the high-performers. These improvements were a result of increased hit rate and/or decreased false-alarm rate. Furthermore, these drugs decreased percentage premature responses in the high-impulsive group. Methylphenidate, guanfacine, and modafinil increased premature responses in the low-impulsive group. Modafinil impaired performance in the high-performers by increasing false-alarm rate. CONCLUSION The effect of ADHD treatment was dependent on baseline, as seen by increases in performance for the low-performers and decreases in impulsivity for the high-impulsive animals. These results agree with clinical data and may support the inverted U-shaped arousal-performance theory. The rCPT combined with behavioral separation into subgroups has high predictive validity, and our study is a step forward towards establishing the clinical translatability of the rCPT.
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Dresler M, Sandberg A, Bublitz C, Ohla K, Trenado C, Mroczko-Wąsowicz A, Kühn S, Repantis D. Hacking the Brain: Dimensions of Cognitive Enhancement. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:1137-1148. [PMID: 30550256 PMCID: PMC6429408 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In an increasingly complex information society, demands for cognitive functioning are growing steadily. In recent years, numerous strategies to augment brain function have been proposed. Evidence for their efficacy (or lack thereof) and side effects has prompted discussions about ethical, societal, and medical implications. In the public debate, cognitive enhancement is often seen as a monolithic phenomenon. On a closer look, however, cognitive enhancement turns out to be a multifaceted concept: There is not one cognitive enhancer that augments brain function per se, but a great variety of interventions that can be clustered into biochemical, physical, and behavioral enhancement strategies. These cognitive enhancers differ in their mode of action, the cognitive domain they target, the time scale they work on, their availability and side effects, and how they differentially affect different groups of subjects. Here we disentangle the dimensions of cognitive enhancement, review prominent examples of cognitive enhancers that differ across these dimensions, and thereby provide a framework for both theoretical discussions and empirical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dresler
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour , Radboud University Medical Centre , Nijmegen 6525 EN , The Netherlands
| | - Anders Sandberg
- Future of Humanity Institute , Oxford University , Oxford OX1 1PT , United Kingdom
| | | | - Kathrin Ohla
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Cognitive Neuroscience (INM3) , Forschungszentrum Jülich , Jülich 52428 , Germany
| | - Carlos Trenado
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf 40225 , Germany
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors , TU Dortmund , Dortmund 44139 , Germany
| | | | - Simone Kühn
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development , Berlin 14195 , Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , University Clinic Hamburg Eppendorf , Hamburg 20246 , Germany
| | - Dimitris Repantis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin 12203 , Germany
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Marshall CA, Brodnik ZD, Mortensen OV, Reith MEA, Shumsky JS, Waterhouse BD, España RA, Kortagere S. Selective activation of Dopamine D3 receptors and norepinephrine transporter blockade enhances sustained attention. Neuropharmacology 2019; 148:178-188. [PMID: 30633928 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Catecholamine transmitters dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) regulate prefrontal cortical (PFC) circuit activity and PFC-mediated executive functions. Accordingly, pharmacological agents that influence catecholamine neurotransmission exert prominent effects on cognition. Many such agents are used clinically to treat attention disorders. For example, methylphenidate blocks DA and NE reuptake and is the leading choice for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment. Recently, we have designed SK609 - a selective small molecule agonist of the DA D3 receptor (D3R). In this study, we further characterized SK609's ability to selectively inhibit the reuptake of NE by NE transporters (NET). Our results indicate SK609 selectively inhibits NET with a Ki value of ∼500 nM and behaves as a NET substrate. Systemic dosing of SK609 (4 mg/kg; i.p.) in naïve rats produced a 300% and 160% increase in NE and DA, respectively, in the PFC as measured by microdialysis. Based on these neurochemical results, SK609 was tested in a PFC-dependent, visually-guided sustained attention task in rats. SK609 improved performance in a dose-dependent manner with a classical inverted-U dose response function with a peak effect at 4 mg/kg. SK609's peak effect was blocked by a pre-treatment with either the D2/D3R antagonist raclopride (0.05 mg/kg; i.p) or the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin (0.25 mg/kg; i.p), confirming a role for both DA and NE in promoting sustained attention. Additionally, SK609 improved sustained attention more prominently among low-performing animals. Doses of SK609 (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) associated with cognitive enhancement did not produce an increase in spontaneous locomotor activity, suggesting a lack of side effects mediated by DA transporter (DAT) activity. These results demonstrate that the novel catecholaminergic modulator SK609 has the potential to treat sustained attention deficits without affecting DAT activity, distinguishing it from amphetamines and methylphenidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Marshall
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zachary D Brodnik
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ole V Mortensen
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maarten E A Reith
- Department of Psychiatry and of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Jed S Shumsky
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Barry D Waterhouse
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Neurscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA
| | - Rodrigo A España
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sandhya Kortagere
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Brem AK, Sensi SL. Towards Combinatorial Approaches for Preserving Cognitive Fitness in Aging. Trends Neurosci 2018; 41:885-897. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Haupt M, Sorg C, Napiórkowski N, Finke K. Phasic alertness cues modulate visual processing speed in healthy aging. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 70:30-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Ruiz-Rizzo AL, Sorg C, Napiórkowski N, Neitzel J, Menegaux A, Müller HJ, Vangkilde S, Finke K. Decreased cingulo-opercular network functional connectivity mediates the impact of aging on visual processing speed. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 73:50-60. [PMID: 30317033 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The neural factors that account for the visual processing speed reduction in aging are incompletely understood. Based on previous reports of age-related decreases in the intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) within the cingulo-opercular network and its relevance for processing speed, we hypothesized that these decreases are associated with age-related reductions in visual processing speed. We used a whole-report task and modeling based on Bundesen's "theory of visual attention" to parameterize visual processing speed in 91 healthy participants aged from 20 to 77 years. iFC was estimated using independent component analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data. From the clusters within the cingulo-opercular network exhibiting age-related decreased iFC, we found a cluster in the left insula to be particularly associated with visual processing speed and to mediate the age effect on visual speed. This mediation was not observed for age-related decreased iFC in other networks or for other attentional parameters. Our results point to the iFC in the cingulo-opercular network, represented by the left insula, as being a relevant marker for visual processing speed changes in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana L Ruiz-Rizzo
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, GSN LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Christian Sorg
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München, Munich, Germany; TUM-Neuroimaging Center, TUM-NIC, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Natan Napiórkowski
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, GSN LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Neitzel
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, GSN LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aurore Menegaux
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, GSN LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hermann J Müller
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, GSN LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Signe Vangkilde
- Department of Psychology, Center for Visual Cognition, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Ruiz-Rizzo AL, Neitzel J, Müller HJ, Sorg C, Finke K. Distinctive Correspondence Between Separable Visual Attention Functions and Intrinsic Brain Networks. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:89. [PMID: 29662444 PMCID: PMC5890144 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Separable visual attention functions are assumed to rely on distinct but interacting neural mechanisms. Bundesen's “theory of visual attention” (TVA) allows the mathematical estimation of independent parameters that characterize individuals' visual attentional capacity (i.e., visual processing speed and visual short-term memory storage capacity) and selectivity functions (i.e., top-down control and spatial laterality). However, it is unclear whether these parameters distinctively map onto different brain networks obtained from intrinsic functional connectivity, which organizes slowly fluctuating ongoing brain activity. In our study, 31 demographically homogeneous healthy young participants performed whole- and partial-report tasks and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Report accuracy was modeled using TVA to estimate, individually, the four TVA parameters. Networks encompassing cortical areas relevant for visual attention were derived from independent component analysis of rs-fMRI data: visual, executive control, right and left frontoparietal, and ventral and dorsal attention networks. Two TVA parameters were mapped on particular functional networks. First, participants with higher (vs. lower) visual processing speed showed lower functional connectivity within the ventral attention network. Second, participants with more (vs. less) efficient top-down control showed higher functional connectivity within the dorsal attention network and lower functional connectivity within the visual network. Additionally, higher performance was associated with higher functional connectivity between networks: specifically, between the ventral attention and right frontoparietal networks for visual processing speed, and between the visual and executive control networks for top-down control. The higher inter-network functional connectivity was related to lower intra-network connectivity. These results demonstrate that separable visual attention parameters that are assumed to constitute relatively stable traits correspond distinctly to the functional connectivity both within and between particular functional networks. This implies that individual differences in basic attention functions are represented by differences in the coherence of slowly fluctuating brain activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana L Ruiz-Rizzo
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Neitzel
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hermann J Müller
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,School of Psychological Science, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Sorg
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of General and Experimental Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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Mihailov E, Savulescu J. Social Policy and Cognitive Enhancement: Lessons from Chess. NEUROETHICS-NETH 2018; 11:115-127. [PMID: 29937945 PMCID: PMC5978818 DOI: 10.1007/s12152-018-9354-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Should the development of pharmacological cognitive enhancers raise worries about doping in cognitively demanding activities? In this paper, we argue against using current evidence relating to enhancement to justify a ban on cognitive enhancers using the example of chess. It is a mistake to assume that enhanced cognitive functioning on psychometric testing is transferable to chess performance because cognitive expertise is highly complex and in large part not merely a function of the sum specific sub-processes. A deeper reason to doubt that pharmacological cognitive enhancers would be as significant in mind sports is the misleading parallel with physical enhancement. We will make the case that cognitive performance is less mechanical in nature than physical performance. We draw lessons from this case example of chess for the regulation of cognitive enhancement more generally in education and the professions. Premature regulation runs the risk of creating a detrimental culture of suspicion that ascribes unwarranted blame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilian Mihailov
- Research Centre in Applied Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei no. 204, 060024 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Suite 8, Littlegate House, St Ebbes Street, Oxford, OX1 1PT UK
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Single-session transcranial direct current stimulation induces enduring enhancement of visual processing speed in patients with major depression. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2017; 267:671-686. [PMID: 28039551 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-016-0761-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Attentional deficits are considered key cognitive symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD) arising from abnormal activation patterns within dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) alertness networks. Altering these activity patterns with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) might thus ameliorate alertness-dependent cognitive deficits in MDD patients. In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study, we investigated the effect of a single session of anodal tDCS (2 mA) applied to the left dlPFC on different parameters of visual attention based on Bundesen's theory of visual attention (Psychol Rev 97(4):523-547, 1990) in a group of 20 patients with MDD and a control group of 20 healthy participants. The parametric attention assessment took place before, immediately after and 24 h after tDCS intervention. It revealed a selective impairment in visual processing speed as a primary functional deficit in MDD at baseline assessment. Furthermore, a significant stimulation condition × time point interaction showed that verum tDCS over the left dlPFC resulted in a processing speed enhancement 24 h post-stimulation in MDD patients. In healthy control participants, we did not find similar tDCS-induced effects. Our results suggest that even a single session of tDCS over the dlPFC can induce enduring neurocognitive benefits that indicate an amelioration of cortical under-arousal in MDD patients in a time frame beyond that of immediate, excitability increases that are directly induced by the current.
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28
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Commentary: Just Say "No". Camb Q Healthc Ethics 2017; 26:701-704. [PMID: 28937352 DOI: 10.1017/s0963180117000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Cropsey KL, Schiavon S, Hendricks PS, Froelich M, Lentowicz I, Fargason R. Mixed-amphetamine salts expectancies among college students: Is stimulant induced cognitive enhancement a placebo effect? Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 178:302-309. [PMID: 28686989 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-medical use of prescription stimulants for cognitive enhancement in college students is increasing, despite evidence showing little benefit in non-clinical populations. The balanced placebo design (BPD) was used to independently evaluate the pharmacologic versus expectancy effects of mixed amphetamine salts on cognitive performance among a non-clinical sample of college-aged students. METHOD Participants were screened and excluded for ADHD and other psychopathologies. A non-clinical sample (N=32) completed four two-hour laboratory sessions and were administered a neurocognitive battery in each session. Medication Assignment (10mg mixed-amphetamine salt (Adderall™) versus placebo) was crossed with Instructional Set (deception versus truth). A within-subjects design was used, such that all participants experienced each of the four conditions of the BPD during one of the four laboratory sessions. RESULTS Participants performed no better than chance in identifying whether they received stimulant or placebo (Belief about Medication Assignment; 47% agreement; κ=-0.047, p=0.590). Participants showed improvement on only two of 31 subtests during active medication. Expecting and receiving stimulants was associated with improved cognitive performance. However, expecting placebo was associated with worse cognitive performance, regardless of the type of medication given. DISCUSSION This study demonstrated that although non-medical use of stimulants does not enhance cognition, expectancies prominently influence cognitive performance. Participants who believed they received active medication both subjectively rated themselves as performing better and objectively performed better on a minority of subtests, independent of medication state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Cropsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center, 1720 2nd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Samantha Schiavon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center, 1720 2nd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Peter S Hendricks
- School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 227L Ryals Public Health Building, 1665 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Morgan Froelich
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center, 1720 2nd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Iga Lentowicz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center, 1720 2nd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Rachel Fargason
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center, 1720 2nd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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Measuring and modeling salience with the theory of visual attention. Atten Percept Psychophys 2017; 79:1593-1614. [PMID: 28537010 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-017-1325-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Baseline-dependent effects of amphetamine on attention are associated with striatal dopamine metabolism. Sci Rep 2017; 7:297. [PMID: 28331177 PMCID: PMC5428442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00437-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulants, such as amphetamine, are widely used to treat attentional deficits. In humans, response to dopaminergic medications is complex with improvement often dependent on baseline performance. Our goal was to determine if attention in rats could be improved by low dose amphetamine in a baseline-dependent manner by examining the relationship between task performance, drug response and monoamine levels in corticostriatal tissue. Firstly, rats performed a signal detection task with varying signal durations before administration of saline, 0.1 or 0.25 mg/kg amphetamine. Following 0.1 mg/kg amphetamine, accuracy in poor performing individuals increased to that of high performing rats. Furthermore, baseline accuracy correlated with the magnitude of improvement after amphetamine. Secondly, neurochemical analysis of monoamine content and gene expression levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dorsal striatum (CPU) was conducted. CPU homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels were increased in poor performers with a significant correlation between the expression of the dopamine transporter gene and baseline accuracy. No changes were found in the PFC. These results indicated poor performance was associated with greater response to amphetamine and altered DA and 5-HT neurotransmitter systems in CPU. These results suggest striatal monoamine function may be fundamental to explaining individual differences in psychostimulant response.
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Fitzpatrick CM, Caballero-Puntiverio M, Gether U, Habekost T, Bundesen C, Vangkilde S, Woldbye DPD, Andreasen JT, Petersen A. Theory of Visual Attention (TVA) applied to mice in the 5-choice serial reaction time task. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:845-855. [PMID: 28070619 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) is widely used to measure rodent attentional functions. In humans, many attention studies in healthy and clinical populations have used testing based on Bundesen's Theory of Visual Attention (TVA) to estimate visual processing speeds and other parameters of attentional capacity. OBJECTIVES We aimed to bridge these research fields by modifying the 5-CSRTT's design and by mathematically modelling data to derive attentional parameters analogous to human TVA-based measures. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were tested in two 1-h sessions on consecutive days with a version of the 5-CSRTT where stimulus duration (SD) probe length was varied based on information from previous TVA studies. Thereafter, a scopolamine hydrobromide (HBr; 0.125 or 0.25 mg/kg) pharmacological challenge was undertaken, using a Latin square design. Mean score values were modelled using a new three-parameter version of TVA to obtain estimates of visual processing speeds, visual thresholds and motor response baselines in each mouse. RESULTS The parameter estimates for each animal were reliable across sessions, showing that the data were stable enough to support analysis on an individual level. Scopolamine HBr dose-dependently reduced 5-CSRTT attentional performance while also increasing reward collection latency at the highest dose. Upon TVA modelling, scopolamine HBr significantly reduced visual processing speed at both doses, while having less pronounced effects on visual thresholds and motor response baselines. CONCLUSIONS This study shows for the first time how 5-CSRTT performance in mice can be mathematically modelled to yield estimates of attentional capacity that are directly comparable to estimates from human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Fitzpatrick
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - M Caballero-Puntiverio
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - U Gether
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T Habekost
- Center for Visual Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - C Bundesen
- Center for Visual Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Vangkilde
- Center for Visual Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - D P D Woldbye
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 3 Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J T Andreasen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Petersen
- Center for Visual Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Weyandt LL, Oster DR, Gudmundsdottir BG, DuPaul GJ, Anastopoulos AD. Neuropsychological functioning in college students with and without ADHD. Neuropsychology 2017; 31:160-172. [PMID: 27831696 PMCID: PMC5280458 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increasing numbers of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are attending college; however, little empirical information is available concerning the functional impairment experienced by these students. Although preliminary studies suggest that college students with ADHD are more likely to experience a variety of psychosocial and academic difficulties compared to their peers without the disorder, findings regarding neuropsychological functioning have been inconsistent with some studies reporting that college students with ADHD perform more poorly on various cognitive and neuropsychological tasks while others report no differences compared to their peers without ADHD. METHOD The purposes of the present study, the Trajectories Related to ADHD in College project, a longitudinal study following the 4-year outcomes of college students with and without ADHD, were to (a) examine the performance of 436 first-year college students with and without ADHD (51.6% female) on measures of executive function (EF) and intelligence and (b) investigate the association of self-reported use of stimulant medication and neuropsychological performance in students with ADHD. Participant data from their first year of involvement in the study were analyzed. RESULTS Participants with ADHD performed more poorly on task-based and self-report EF measures relative to the comparison group. In contrast, no significant group differences were found with respect to intellectual performance. Within the ADHD group, use of prescription stimulant medication was associated with improved performance on some, but not all, neuropsychological tasks. Additional analyses also revealed significant group differences in EF based on clinical diagnostic status. CONCLUSION College students with ADHD demonstrated poorer EF than their peers without ADHD and psychostimulant medication was associated with improved EF performance. No group differences were found with respect to intellectual functioning, Lastly, having one or more comorbid psychiatric diagnoses in addition to ADHD was associated with poorer EF outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - George J DuPaul
- Department of Education and Human Services, Lehigh University
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Caballero-Puntiverio M, Fitzpatrick CM, Woldbye DP, Andreasen JT. Effects of amphetamine and methylphenidate on attentional performance and impulsivity in the mouse 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:272-283. [PMID: 28093027 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116684339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated the effects of conventional attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication in the mouse 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), and rat studies have yielded inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the effects of acute methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMPH) treatment in the mouse 5-CSRTT. METHODS Trained male C57Bl/6J mice were tested in a variable stimulus duration schedule. Effects of AMPH (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg) and MPH (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) on discriminative accuracy, omissions, and premature responses were assessed. Saline treatment data determined high- and low-attentive (LA), and high- and low-impulsive (LI) subgroups according to the upper and lower 30th percentiles, respectively. RESULTS In the LA subgroup accuracy was improved by 0.5 mg/kg AMPH and 2 mg/kg MPH, while no effect was found in the high-attentive (HA) subgroup. Premature responses were increased by 1 mg/kg AMPH and 0.5 mg/kg MPH for all animals, and by 1 mg/kg AMPH for the LI subgroup. CONCLUSIONS The use of variable stimulus duration, along with the division into high- and LA, and high-and LI subgroups, may improve the sensitivity of the 5-CSRTT when investigating drug effects on attention and impulsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Pd Woldbye
- 2 Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Bellebaum C, Kuchinke L, Roser P. Modafinil alters decision making based on feedback history - a randomized placebo-controlled double blind study in humans. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:243-249. [PMID: 27649777 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116668591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Modafinil is becoming increasingly popular as a cognitive enhancer. Research on the effects of modafinil on cognitive function have yielded mixed results, with negative findings for simple memory and attention tasks and enhancing effects for more complex tasks. In the present study we examined whether modafinil, due to its known effect on the dopamine level in the striatum, alters feedback-related choice behaviour. We applied a task that separately tests the choice of previously rewarded behaviours (approach) and avoidance of previously punished behaviours. 18 participants received a single dose of 200 mg modafinil. Their performance was compared to a group of 22 participants who received placebo in a double-blind design. Modafinil but not placebo induced a significant bias towards approach behaviour as compared to the frequency of avoidance behaviour. General attention, overall feedback-based acquisition of choice behaviour and reaction times in high vs low conflict choices were not significantly affected by modafinil. This finding suggests that modafinil has a specific effect on dopamine-mediated choice behaviour based on the history of feedback, while a contribution of noradrenaline is also conceivable. The described change in decision making cannot be considered as cognitive enhancement, but might rather have detrimental effects on decisions in everyday life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bellebaum
- 1 Institute for Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lars Kuchinke
- 2 Experimental Psychology & Methods, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,3 Methodology and Evaluation, International Psychoanalytic University Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrik Roser
- 4 Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Gögler N, Papazova I, Oviedo-Salcedo T, Filipova N, Strube W, Funk J, Müller HJ, Finke K, Hasan A. Parameter-Based Evaluation of Attentional Impairments in Schizophrenia and Their Modulation by Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:259. [PMID: 29238310 PMCID: PMC5712554 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attentional dysfunctions constitute core cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia, but the precise underlying neurocognitive mechanisms remain to be elucidated. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study, we applied, for the first time, a theoretically grounded modeling approach based on Bundesen's Theory of Visual Attention (TVA) to (i) identify specific visual attentional parameters affected in schizophrenia and (ii) assess, as a proof of concept, the potential of single-dose anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; 20 min, 2 mA) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to modulate these attentional parameters. To that end, attentional parameters were measured before (baseline), immediately after, and 24 h after the tDCS intervention in 20 schizophrenia patients and 20 healthy controls. RESULTS At baseline, analyses revealed significantly reduced visual processing speed and visual short-term memory storage capacity in schizophrenia. A significant stimulation condition × time point interaction in the schizophrenia patient group indicated improved processing speed at the follow-up session only in the sham condition (a practice effect), whereas performance remained stable across the three time points in patients receiving verum stimulation. In healthy controls, anodal tDCS did not result in a significant change in attentional performance. CONCLUSION With regard to question (i) above, these findings are indicative of a processing speed and short-term memory deficit as primary sources of attentional deficits in schizophrenia. With regard to question (ii), the efficacy of single-dose anodal tDCS for improving (speed aspects of visual) cognition, it appears that prefrontal tDCS (at the settings used in the present study), rather than ameliorating the processing speed deficit in schizophrenia, actually may interfere with practice-dependent improvements in the rate of visual information uptake. Such potentially unexpected effects of tDCS ought to be taken into consideration when discussing its applicability in psychiatric populations. The study was registered at http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=DRKS00011665.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Gögler
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Irina Papazova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Tatiana Oviedo-Salcedo
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Nina Filipova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Strube
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Johanna Funk
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Hermann J Müller
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany.,Hans-Berger-Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
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Visual attention in posterior stroke and relations to alexia. Neuropsychologia 2016; 92:79-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Neural effects of methylphenidate and nicotine during smooth pursuit eye movements. Neuroimage 2016; 141:52-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Turner KM, Burne THJ. Improvement of attention with amphetamine in low- and high-performing rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:3383-94. [PMID: 27469022 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4376-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Attentional deficits occur in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychostimulants are one of the main treatments for attentional deficits, yet there are limited reports of procognitive effects of amphetamine in preclinical studies. Therefore, task development may be needed to improve predictive validity when measuring attention in rodents. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to use a modified signal detection task (SDT) to determine if and at what doses amphetamine could improve attention in rats. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were trained on the SDT prior to amphetamine challenge (0.1, 0.25, 0.75 and 1.25 mg/kg). This dose range was predicted to enhance and disrupt cognition with the effect differing between individuals depending on baseline performance. RESULTS Acute low dose amphetamine (0.1 and 0.25 mg/kg) improved accuracy, while the highest dose (1.25 mg/kg) significantly disrupted performance. The effects differed for low- and high-performing groups across these doses. The effect of amphetamine on accuracy was found to significantly correlate with baseline performance in rats. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that improvement in attentional performance with systemic amphetamine is dependent on baseline accuracy in rats. Indicative of the inverted U-shaped relationship between dopamine and cognition, there was a baseline-dependent shift in performance with increasing doses of amphetamine. The SDT may be a useful tool for investigating individual differences in attention and response to psychostimulants in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karly M Turner
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Thomas H J Burne
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia.
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Richlands, QLD, 4077, Australia.
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Goetghebeur PJ, Swartz JE. True alignment of preclinical and clinical research to enhance success in CNS drug development: a review of the current evidence. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:586-94. [PMID: 27147593 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116645269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system pharmacological research and development has reached a critical turning point. Patients suffering from disorders afflicting the central nervous system are numerous and command significant attention from the pharmaceutical industry. However, given the numerous failures of promising drugs, many companies are no longer investing in or, indeed, are divesting from this therapeutic area. Central nervous system drug development must change in order to develop effective therapies to treat these patients. Preclinical research is a cornerstone of drug development; however, it is frequently criticised for its lack of predictive validity. Animal models and assays can be shown to be more predictive than reported and, on many occasions, the lack of thorough preclinical testing is potentially to blame for some of the clinical failures. Important factors such as translational aspects, nature of animal models, variances in acute versus chronic dosing, development of add-on therapies and understanding of the full dose-response relationship are too often neglected. Reducing the attrition rate in central nervous system drug development could be achieved by addressing these important questions before novel compounds enter the clinical phase. This review illustrates the relevance of employing these criteria to translational central nervous system research, better to ensure success in developing new drugs in this therapeutic area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jina E Swartz
- CNS Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda Development Centre Europe Ltd, London, UK
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Otto MW, Lee J, Hofmann SG, Hearon BA, Smits JAJ, Rosenfield D, Fava M, Wright JH. Examining the efficacy of d-cycloserine to augment therapeutic learning in depression. Contemp Clin Trials 2016; 48:146-52. [PMID: 27094721 PMCID: PMC10999219 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in individual and combined treatments for major depression, issues with non-response and partial-response remain relatively common, motivating the search for new treatment strategies. This study aims to develop one such novel treatment. In this proof-of-concept study, we are investigating whether the treatment enhancing effects of d-cycloserine (DCS) administration can be extended outside the extinction-learning paradigms where they have been primarily examined. Using uniform delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) content via computer-administered interventions for depression, we are assessing the value of pre-session administrations of DCS for retention of therapeutic learning. Recall of this information is evaluated in conjunction with performance on standardized tests of memory recall with both emotional and non-emotional stimuli. Specifically, in a randomized, double-blind trial we will compare the benefits of two pre-session administrations of DCS augmentation to those achieved by similar administrations of modafinil or placebo. Because modafinil is associated with a number of discriminable effects in addition to cognitive enhancement (e.g., feelings of vigor, alertness, positive mood); whereas these effects would not be expected with DCS, we will assess drug context effects in relation to memory augmentation effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Otto
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, United States.
| | - Josephine Lee
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, United States
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, United States
| | - Bridget A Hearon
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, United States
| | - Jasper A J Smits
- Institute for Mental Health Research and Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - David Rosenfield
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, United States
| | - Maurizio Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Jesse H Wright
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, United States
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Bickel WK, Quisenberry AJ, Snider SE. Does impulsivity change rate dependently following stimulant administration? A translational selective review and re-analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1-18. [PMID: 26581504 PMCID: PMC4703435 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4148-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Rate dependence refers to an orderly relationship between a baseline measure of behavior and the change in that behavior following an intervention. The most frequently observed rate-dependent effect is an inverse relationship between the baseline rate of behavior and response rates following an intervention. A previous report of rate dependence in delay discounting suggests that the discounting of delayed reinforcers, and perhaps, other impulsivity measures, may change rate dependently following acute and chronic administration of potentially therapeutic medications in both preclinical and clinical studies. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current paper was to review the effects of stimulants on delay discounting and other impulsivity tasks. METHODS All studies identified from the literature were required to include (1) an objective measure of impulsivity; (2) administration of amphetamine, methylphenidate, or modafinil; (3) presentation of a pre- and postdrug administration impulsivity measure; and (4) the report of individual drug effects or results in groups split by baseline or vehicle impulsivity. Twenty-five research reports were then reanalyzed for evidence consistent with rate dependence. RESULTS Of the total possible instances, 67 % produced results consistent with rate dependence. Specifically, 72, 45, and 80 % of the data sets were consistent with rate dependence following amphetamine, methylphenidate, and modafinil administration, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that rate dependence is a more robust phenomenon than reported in the literature. Impulsivity studies should consider this quantitative signature as a process to determine the effects of variables and as a potential prognostic tool to evaluate the effectiveness of future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- W K Bickel
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA.
- Virginia Tech, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA.
| | - A J Quisenberry
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - S E Snider
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
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Chu R, Shumsky J, Waterhouse BD. Differentiation of rodent behavioral phenotypes and methylphenidate action in sustained and flexible attention tasks. Brain Res 2015; 1641:306-19. [PMID: 26688113 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Methyphenidate (MPH) is the primary drug treatment of choice for ADHD. It is also frequently used off-label as a cognitive enhancer by otherwise healthy individuals from all age groups and walks of life. Military personnel, students, and health professionals use MPH illicitly to increase attention and improve workplace performance over extended periods of work activity. Despite the frequency of its use, the efficacy of MPH to enhance cognitive function across individuals and in a variety of circumstances is not well characterized. We sought to better understand MPH׳s cognitive enhancing properties in two different rodent models of attention. We found that MPH could enhance performance in a sustained attention task, but that its effects in this test were subject dependent. More specifically, MPH increased attention in low baseline performing rats but had little to no effect on high performing rats. MPH exerted a similar subject specific effect in a test of flexible attention, i.e. the attention set shifting task. In this test MPH increased behavioral flexibility in animals with poor flexibility but impaired performance in more flexible animals. Overall, our results indicate that the effects of MPH are subject-specific and depend on the baseline level of performance. Furthermore, good performance in in the sustained attention task was correlated with good performance in the flexible attention task; i.e. animals with better vigilance exhibited greater behavioral flexibility. The findings are discussed in terms of potential neurobiological substrates, in particular noradrenergic mechanisms, that might underlie subject specific performance and subject specific responses to MPH. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Noradrenergic System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Chu
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, United States
| | - Jed Shumsky
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, United States
| | - Barry D Waterhouse
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, United States.
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Caviola L, Faber NS. Pills or Push-Ups? Effectiveness and Public Perception of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancement. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1852. [PMID: 26696922 PMCID: PMC4667098 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We review work on the effectiveness of different forms of cognitive enhancement, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. We consider caffeine, methylphenidate, and modafinil for pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) and computer training, physical exercise, and sleep for non-pharmacological cognitive enhancement (NPCE). We find that all of the techniques described can produce significant beneficial effects on cognitive performance. However, effect sizes are moderate, and consistently dependent on individual and situational factors as well as the cognitive domain in question. Although meta-analyses allowing a quantitative comparison of effectiveness across techniques are lacking to date, we can conclude that PCE is not more effective than NPCE. We discuss the physiological reasons for this limited effectiveness. We then propose that even though their actual effectiveness seems similar, in the general public PCE is perceived as fundamentally different from NPCE, in terms of effectiveness, but also in terms of acceptability. We illustrate the potential consequences such a misperception of PCE can have.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucius Caviola
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford Oxford, UK
| | - Nadira S Faber
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford Oxford, UK ; Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford Oxford, UK
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Modafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects: A systematic review. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:1865-81. [PMID: 26381811 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Modafinil is an FDA-approved eugeroic that directly increases cortical catecholamine levels, indirectly upregulates cerebral serotonin, glutamate, orexin, and histamine levels, and indirectly decreases cerebral gamma-amino-butrytic acid levels. In addition to its approved use treating excessive somnolence, modafinil is thought to be used widely off-prescription for cognitive enhancement. However, despite this popularity, there has been little consensus on the extent and nature of the cognitive effects of modafinil in healthy, non-sleep-deprived humans. This problem is compounded by methodological discrepancies within the literature, and reliance on psychometric tests designed to detect cognitive effects in ill rather than healthy populations. In order to provide an up-to-date systematic evaluation that addresses these concerns, we searched MEDLINE with the terms "modafinil" and "cognitive", and reviewed all resultant primary studies in English from January 1990 until December 2014 investigating the cognitive actions of modafinil in healthy non-sleep-deprived humans. We found that whilst most studies employing basic testing paradigms show that modafinil intake enhances executive function, only half show improvements in attention and learning and memory, and a few even report impairments in divergent creative thinking. In contrast, when more complex assessments are used, modafinil appears to consistently engender enhancement of attention, executive functions, and learning. Importantly, we did not observe any preponderances for side effects or mood changes. Finally, in light of the methodological discrepancies encountered within this literature, we conclude with a series of recommendations on how to optimally detect valid, robust, and consistent effects in healthy populations that should aid future assessment of neuroenhancement.
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Karabacak Y, Sase S, Aher YD, Sase A, Saroja SR, Cicvaric A, Höger H, Berger M, Bakulev V, Sitte HH, Leban J, Monje FJ, Lubec G. The effect of modafinil on the rat dopamine transporter and dopamine receptors D1-D3 paralleling cognitive enhancement in the radial arm maze. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:215. [PMID: 26347626 PMCID: PMC4541367 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of drugs have been reported to increase memory performance modulating the dopaminergic system and herein modafinil was tested for its working memory (WM) enhancing properties. Reuptake inhibition of dopamine, serotonin (SERT) and norepinephrine (NET) by modafinil was tested. Sixty male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into six groups (modafinil-treated 1–5–10 mg/kg body weight, trained and untrained and vehicle treated trained and untrained rats; daily injected intraperitoneally for a period of 10 days) and tested in a radial arm maze (RAM), a paradigm for testing spatial WM. Hippocampi were taken 6 h following the last day of training and complexes containing the unphosphorylated or phosphorylated dopamine transporter (DAT-CC and pDAT-CC) and complexes containing the D1–3 dopamine receptor subunits (D1–D3-CC) were determined. Modafinil was binding to the DAT but insignificantly to SERT or NET and dopamine reuptake was blocked specifically (IC50 = 11.11 μM; SERT 1547 μM; NET 182 μM). From day 8 (day 9 for 1 mg/kg body weight) modafinil was decreasing WM errors (WMEs) in the RAM significantly and remarkably at all doses tested as compared to the vehicle controls. WMEs were linked to the D2R-CC and the pDAT-CC. pDAT and D1–D3-CC levels were modulated significantly and modafinil was shown to enhance spatial WM in the rat in a well-documented paradigm at all the three doses and dopamine reuptake inhibition with subsequent modulation of D1–3-CC is proposed as a possible mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Karabacak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | - Sunetra Sase
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | - Yogesh D Aher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | - Ajinkya Sase
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Ana Cicvaric
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Höger
- Core Unit of Biomedical Research, Division of Laboratory Animal Science and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Himberg Austria
| | - Michael Berger
- Center of Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Harald H Sitte
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann Leban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | - Francisco J Monje
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | - Gert Lubec
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
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Ram SS, Hussainy S, Henning M, Jensen M, Russell B. Prevalence of cognitive enhancer use among New Zealand tertiary students. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015; 35:345-51. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sanyogita Sanya Ram
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety; Monash University; Melbourne Australia
| | - Safeera Hussainy
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety; Monash University; Melbourne Australia
| | - Marcus Henning
- Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Maree Jensen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Bruce Russell
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
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Abstract
In combination with whole report and partial report tasks, the theory of visual attention (TVA) can be used to estimate individual differences in five basic attentional parameters: the visual processing speed, the storage capacity of visual short-term memory, the perceptual threshold, the efficiency of top-down selectivity, and the spatial bias of attentional weighting. TVA-based assessment has been used in about 30 studies to investigate attentional deficits in a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions: (a) neglect and simultanagnosia, (b) reading disturbances, (c) aging and neurodegenerative diseases, and most recently (d) neurodevelopmental disorders. The article introduces TVA based assessment, discusses its methodology and psychometric properties, and reviews the progress made in each of the four research fields. The empirical results demonstrate the general usefulness of TVA-based assessment for many types of clinical neuropsychological research. The method's most important qualities are cognitive specificity and theoretical grounding, but it is also characterized by good reliability and sensitivity to minor deficits. The review concludes by pointing to promising new areas for clinical TVA-based research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Habekost
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Denmark
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Gold BT. Lifelong bilingualism and neural reserve against Alzheimer's disease: a review of findings and potential mechanisms. Behav Brain Res 2015; 281:9-15. [PMID: 25496781 PMCID: PMC4305453 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that initially affects medial temporal lobe circuitry and memory functions. Current drug treatments have only modest effects on the symptomatic course of the disease. In contrast, a growing body of evidence suggests that lifelong bilingualism may delay the onset of clinical AD symptoms by several years. The purpose of the present review is to summarize evidence for bilingualism as a reserve variable against AD and discuss potential underlying neurocognitive mechanisms. Evidence is reviewed suggesting that bilingualism may delay clinical AD symptoms by protecting frontostriatal and frontoparietal executive control circuitry rather than medial temporal lobe memory circuitry. Cellular and molecular mechanisms that may contribute to bilingual cognitive reserve effects are discussed, including those that may affect neuronal metabolic functions, dynamic neuronal-glial interactions, vascular factors, myelin structure and neurochemical signaling. Future studies that may test some of these potential mechanisms of bilingual CR effects are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Gold
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
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50
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Bundesen C, Vangkilde S, Habekost T. Components of visual bias: a multiplicative hypothesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1339:116-24. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claus Bundesen
- Center for Visual Cognition and Department of Psychology; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Signe Vangkilde
- Center for Visual Cognition and Department of Psychology; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Thomas Habekost
- Center for Visual Cognition and Department of Psychology; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
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