Impaired working memory updating affects memory for emotional and non-emotional materials the same way: evidence from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Divergent input patterns to the central lateral amygdala play a duet in fear memory formation

Somatostatin (SOM)-expressing neurons in the central lateral amygdala (CeL) are responsible for fear memory learning, but the circuit and molecular mechanisms underlying this biology remain elusive. Here, we found that glutamatergic neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB) directly dominated the activity of CeLSOM neurons, and that selectively inhibiting the LPBGlu→CeLSOM pathway suppressed fear memory acquisition. By contrast, inhibiting CeL-projecting glutamatergic neurons in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) interfered with consolidation-related processes. Notably, CeLSOM-innervating neurons in the LPB were modulated by presynaptic cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), and knock down of CB1Rs in LPB glutamatergic neurons enhanced excitatory transmission to the CeL and partially rescued the impairment in fear memory induced by CB1R activation in the CeL. Overall, our study reveals the mechanisms by which CeLSOM neurons mediate the formation of fear memories during fear conditioning in mice, which may provide a new direction for the clinical research of fear-related disorders.

Psychological distress among healthcare professionals in Mbarara, following the 2022 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

The 2022 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak occurred at a time when Uganda was still battling the social and psychological challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; placing health care professionals (HCPs) at a much higher risk of developing psychological distress. Psychological distress among HCPs can cause decreased workplace productivity and ineffective management of their patients. The current study aimed to investigate and understand psychological distress among HCPS in Mbarara city in Southwestern Uganda following the 2022 EVD outbreak.

METHOD

We enrolled 200 HCPs through convenient sampling from one private and one public health facility in Mbarara city in Southwestern Uganda, in a cross-sectional convergent parallel mixed method approach where qualitative and quantitative data were collected concurrently. Quantitative data, utilizing the Kessler Psychological Distress (K10) Scale, provided us with a quantitative measure of the prevalence of psychological distress among HCPs, and were analyzed using STATA version 16. Qualitative data, on the other hand, offered deeper insights into the nature, perceptions, and contextual factors influencing this distress, and were analyzed using emergent theme analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of psychological distress was 59.5% and it was higher among females (63.9%) compared to males (36.1%). HCPs vividly expressed distress and anxiety, with heightened suspicion that every patient might be an EVD carrier, creating a pervasive sense of unsafety in the workplace. However, the outbreak had an educational affect where concerns about the announcement of another EVD outbreak were diverse, with HCPs expressing anxiety, despair, and dissatisfaction with the country's management of potential outbreaks.

CONCLUSION

High levels of psychological distress were experienced by HCPs in Southwestern Uganda as a result of the 2022 EVD pandemic. HCPs express a wide range of feelings, such as dread, anxiety, despair, pessimism, and discontent with the way the outbreaks are handled throughout the nation. We recommend implementation of comprehensive psychosocial support programs tailored to the unique needs of HCPs, including counseling services, stress management workshops, and peer support networks.

Cognitive Correlates of Risky Decision-Making in Individuals with and without ADHD: A Meta-analysis

This meta-analytic study aims to investigate the cognitive correlates of risky decision-making in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typically developing (TD) individuals. A systematic analysis of existing literature was conducted, encompassing 38 studies (496 ADHD and 1493 TD). Findings revealed a consistent propensity for riskier decision-making in individuals with ADHD, supported by significant correlations with attention, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, time perception, and working memory. The study underscores the relevance of these cognitive functions in shaping decision-making tendencies, with nuanced patterns observed within the ADHD and TD subgroups. Individuals with ADHD often demonstrate altered patterns of correlation, reflecting the specific cognitive challenges characteristic of the disorder.

The effect of comprehensive working memory training on executive functions and behavioral symptoms in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of working memory training on executive functions and behavioral symptoms in children with ADHD. Thirty children with ADHD were randomly assigned to active control or Active Memory Intervention (AMIN) group. Executive functions and rating scales were used for assessment in three baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up sessions. The results show AMIN improves working memory and inhibitory control as well as ameliorates ADHD symptoms at home and school. Working memory training is beneficial and transferable intervention in children with ADHD.

Posttraumatic stress, visual working memory, and visual imagery in military personnel

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by disruptions to cognitive functioning. Two studies were conducted to examine the relevance of military-related PTSD to two cognitive functions - visual working memory and visual imagery. Participants were military personnel who reported their PTSD diagnosis history and completed a self-administered screening tool for PTSD, the PTSD Checklist - Military Version. In Study 1, 138 personnel also completed a memory span task and a 2-back task using colored words in which Stroop interference was introduced via the semantic content of the words. In Study 2, a separate group of 211 personnel completed measures of perceived imagery vividness and spontaneous use of visual imagery. Interference effects on working memory in PTSD-diagnosed military personnel were not replicated. However, ANCOVA and structural equation modelling revealed that PTSD-intrusions were associated with poorer working memory whereas PTSD-arousal was associated with spontaneous use of visual imagery. We interpret these results as evidence that intrusive flashbacks disrupt working memory performance not by limiting memory capacity nor by interfering directly with memory functions such as inhibition, but by adding internal noise in the form of task-irrelevant memories and emotions. Visual imagery appears to be unrelated to these flashbacks but with arousal symptoms of PTSD, perhaps in the form of flashforwards about feared/anticipated threats.

Male and female impairments in odor span are observed in a rat model of PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with neural and behavioral alterations in response to trauma exposure, including working memory impairments. Rodent models of PTSD have not fully investigated chronic or reactive working memory deficits, despite clinical relevance. The present study uses footshock to induce a posttraumatic stress state in male and female rats and evaluates the effect of footshock and trauma-paired odor cues on working memory performance in the odor span task. Results demonstrate the emergence of chronic deficits in working memory among animals exposed to footshock by 3 wk after traumatic stress. The presentation of a trauma-paired odor cue was associated with further decrement in working memory performance for male animals. Furthermore, anxiety-like behaviors associated with the PTSD-like phenotype could predict the degree of working memory impairment in response to the trauma-paired odor cue. This study enhances validation of an existing rodent model of PTSD through replication of the clinical observations of working memory deficits associated with PTSD and provides novel insight into effects in female rodents. This will facilitate work to probe underlying mechanistic dysregulation of working memory following footshock trauma exposure and future development of novel treatment strategies.

Emotional working memory training improves cognitive inhibitory abilities in individuals with borderline personality trait: A randomized parallel-group trial

BACKGROUND

Cognitive inhibition impairment is one of the causes of impulsive behaviors in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study aimed to investigate the effect of emotional working memory training (EWMT) on cognitive inhibition in individuals with a clinically significant borderline personality trait.

METHODS

In a randomized, parallel-group trial, 40 individuals with borderline personality trait, were selected out of 1000 screened individuals and were randomly assigned to the experimental (N = 20) and waiting-list control (N = 20) groups based on the score on the Borderline Personality Scale and the follow-up Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of EWMT and the control group did not receive any intervention (waiting list). Participants completed the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) and Go/No-Go task Before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

EWMT significantly reduced reaction time of incongruent trials in the SCWT and commission errors in the Go/No-Go task after the intervention only in the experimental group. Furthermore, the interference score in SCWT and commission error rate at the post-intervention time were significantly lower for the experimental vs the waitlist group.

LIMITATIONS

The single-blind design and absence of follow-up measures.

CONCLUSIONS

EWMT can improve cognitive inhibition in individuals with borderline personality trait and could be used for therapeutic purposes of impulsivity behavior in BPD.

Inhibitory Control Training Improves Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Externalizing Behavior

BACKGROUND

Based on dysexecutive function theory of Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inhibitory control plays a crucial role in ADHD symptoms and respective behavioral problems.

METHODS

In the present study, 30 preschoolers with ADHD were recruited in a random clinical trial design in two control and intervention groups. The Flanker and Go/No-Go tasks, Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale, and Child Behavior Checklist were used for assessment at baseline, after the intervention, and 1-month follow-up sessions. The program for attentive rehabilitation of inhibition and selective attention (PARISA) was used for intervention in 10-12 sessions.

RESULTS

Findings showed an improvement in prepotent inhibition and interference control in the intervention group. Furthermore, the hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms were ameliorated, and the externalizing behavioral problems were improved after the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Inhibitory control in preschoolers with ADHD is trainable, and the training gain could be transferred to ADHD symptoms and externalizing behavior.

Is Processing Speed (Gs) related to Hyperactivity (As a Narrow Cognitive Area of Gps): A Dimensional Approach to Heterogeneity of Clinical and WISC-IV Cognitive Profiles in ADHD From RDoC/HiTOP Perspective

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between symptomatology and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) cognitive profiles in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), taking into account clinical heterogeneity.

METHOD

The WISC-IV was administered to 60 children aged 6 to 13 years with ADHD who had not previously taken psychotropic medication. Conners Teacher-Rating Scale (CTRS-R/L) and Conners Parent-Rating Scale (CPRS-R/L) were completed by parents and teachers.

RESULTS

We found a statistically significant positive correlation between the symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity and PSI (Processing Speed Index). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the CTRS-R/L's DSM-IV Inattentive subscale and PRI (Perceptual Reasoning Index). No relationship was found between the inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity symptomatology with Working Memory Index (WMI). WMI stood out as the most frequently reported weakness among the four index scores.

CONCLUSION

Considering the relationship between the cognitive domains of RDoC (Research Domain Criteria) and dimensions of HiTOP with the ADHD symptom clusters, the assessment of cognitive and behavioral symptoms may be useful for phenotyping ADHD. According to the CHC (Cattell-Horn-Carroll) theory; the positive correlation level between PSI, which is accepted as Gs, and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms in people with ADHD may be due to the fact that hyperactivity is one of the narrow cognitive domains of Gps.

Impaired functional cortical networks in the theta frequency band of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder during auditory-cognitive processing

Impaired cognitive function related to intrusive memories of traumatic experiences is the most noticeable characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); nevertheless, the brain mechanism involved in the cognitive processing is still elusive. To improve the understanding of the neuropathology in PTSD patients, we investigated functional cortical networks that are based on graph theory, by using electroencephalogram (EEG). EEG signals, elicited by an auditory oddball paradigm, were recorded from 53 PTSD patients and 39 healthy controls (HCs). Source signals in 68 regions of interests were estimated using EEG data for each subject using minimum-norm estimation. Then, using source signals of each subject, time-frequency analysis was conducted, and a functional connectivity matrix was constructed using the imaginary part of coherence, which was used to evaluate three global-level (strength, clustering coefficient, and path length) and two nodal-level (strength and clustering coefficients) network indices in four frequency bands (theta, alpha, low-beta, and high-beta). The relationships between the network indices and symptoms were evaluated using Pearson's correlation. Compared with HCs, PTSD patients showed significantly reduced spectral powers around P300 periods and significantly altered network indices (diminished strength and clustering coefficient, and prolonged path length) in theta frequency band. In addition, the nodal strengths and nodal clustering coefficients in theta band of PTSD patients were significantly reduced, compared with those of HCs, and the reduced nodal clustering coefficients in parieto-temporo-occipital regions had negative correlations with the symptom scores (Impact of Event Scale-Revises, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory). The characterization of this disrupted pattern improves the understanding of the neuropathophysiology underlying the impaired cognitive function in PTSD patients.

Association between spatial working memory and Re-experiencing symptoms in PTSD

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Few studies have evaluated the link between working memory (WM) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Further, it is unknown whether this relationship is accounted for by other relevant variables including negative affect, emotional dysregulation, or general non-WM-related cognitive control deficits, which are associated with PTSD. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a computerized WM task could predict PTSD symptomology incrementally beyond the contribution of other relevant variables associated with PTSD.

METHODS

Thirty veterans were eligible to complete emotional symptom questionnaires, a heart-rate variability measure, and computerized tasks (i.e., emotional Stroop and automated complex span tasks). A three-stage hierarchical regression was conducted with the PCL-5 total score and symptom clusters (i.e., re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative cognition/mood) as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Results revealed that only the re-experiencing symptom cluster was significantly predicted by executive, verbal, and visuospatial WM tasks, which explained an additional 29.7% of the variance over and above other relevant variables. Most notably, the visuospatial task was the only WM task that significantly explained PCL-5 re-experiencing symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

This study was based on a small sample of veterans with PTSD and causality cannot be determined with this cross-sectional study.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results suggest that deficits in visuospatial WM are significantly associated with PTSD re-experiencing symptoms after controlling for other relevant variables. Further research should evaluate whether an intervention to improve visuospatial WM capacity can be implemented to reduce re-experiencing symptoms.

Working memory, cortical dopamine tone, and frontoparietal brain recruitment in post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) leads to impairments in both cognitive and affective functioning. Animal work suggests that chronic stress reduces dopamine tone, and both animal and human studies argue that changes in dopamine tone influence working memory, a core executive function. These findings give rise to the hypothesis that increasing cortical dopamine tone in individuals with greater PTSD symptomatology should improve working memory performance. In this pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, 30 US military veterans exhibiting a range of PTSD severity completed an emotional working memory task. Each subject received both placebo and the catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibitor tolcapone, which increases cortical dopamine tone, in randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced fashion. Mnemonic discriminability (calculated with d', an index of the detectability of working memory signals) and response bias were evaluated in the context of task-related brain activations. Subjects with more severe PTSD showed both greater tolcapone-mediated improvements in d' and larger tolcapone-mediated reductions in liberally-biased responding for fearful stimuli. FMRI revealed that tolcapone augmented activity within bilateral frontoparietal control regions during the decision phase of the task. Specifically, tolcapone increased cortical responses to fearful relative to neutral stimuli in higher severity PTSD subjects, and reduced cortical responses to fearful stimuli for lower severity PTSD subjects. Moreover, tolcapone modulated prefrontal connectivity with areas overlapping the default mode network. These findings suggest that enhancing cortical dopamine tone may represent an approach to remediating cognitive and affective dysfunction in individuals with more severe PTSD symptoms.

PTSD: Past, present and future implications for China

There has been a long history since human beings began to realize the existence of post-traumatic symptoms. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a diagnostic category adopted in 1980 in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Ⅲ, described typical clusters of psychiatric symptoms occurring after traumatic events. Abundant researches have helped deepen the understanding of PTSD in terms of epidemiological features, biological mechanisms, and treatment options. The prevalence of PTSD in general population ranged from 6.4% to 7.8% and was significantly higher among groups who underwent major public traumatic events. There has been a long way in the studies of animal models and genetic characteristics of PTSD. However, the high comorbidity with other stress-related psychiatric disorders and complexity in the pathogenesis of PTSD hindered the effort to find specific biological targets for PTSD. Neuroimage was widely used to elucidate the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of PTSD. Functional MRI studies have showed that PTSD was linked to medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and sub-cortical structures like amygdala and hippocampus, and to explore the functional connectivity among these brain areas which might reveal the possible neurobiological mechanism related to PTSD symptoms. For now, cognitive behavior therapy-based psychotherapy, including combination with adjunctive medication, showed evident treatment effects on PTSD. The emergence of more effective PTSD pharmacotherapies awaits novel biomarkers from further fundamental research. Several natural disasters and emergencies have inevitably increased the possibility of suffering from PTSD in the last two decades, making it critical to strengthen PTSD research in China. To boost PTSD study in China, the following suggestions might be helpful: (1) establishing a national psychological trauma recover project, and (2) exploring the mechanisms of PTSD with joint effort and strengthening the indigenized treatment of PTSD.

Program for attention rehabilitation and strengthening (PARS) improves executive functions in children with attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention is improved through cognitive rehabilitation. The purpose of the present study was the evaluation of the effect of a paper and pencil program for attention rehabilitation and strengthening (PARS) in children with ADHD. Thirty children with ADHD were randomly divided into two equal intervention and control groups. The intervention group received 12-15 sessions of intervention through PARS. Sustained, selective, and shifting attention, inhibitory control, and working memory were assessed by Persian attention registration, Stroop, color trail making, Go/No-Go, and 1- back tests. Analyses indicated that the experimental group, in comparison with the control group, showed improved selective and sustained attention and the training effects transfers to executive functions, inhibitory control and working memory. The result is discussed in the light of transferability of training effects from attention to executive functions.

The role of dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in the processing of emotional dimensions

The ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are two major prefrontal regions that usually interact in serving different cognitive functions. On the other hand, these regions are also involved in cognitive processing of emotions but their contribution to emotional processing is not well-studied. In the present study, we investigated the role of these regions in three dimensions (valence, arousal and dominance) of emotional processing of stimuli via ratings of visual stimuli performed by the study participants on these dimensions. Twenty- two healthy adult participants (mean age 25.21 ± 3.84 years) were recruited and received anodal and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (1.5 mA, 15 min) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in three separate sessions with an at least 72-h interval. During stimulation, participants underwent an emotional task in each stimulation condition. The task included 100 visual stimuli and participants were asked to rate them with respect to valence, arousal, and dominance. Results show a significant effect of stimulation condition on different aspects of emotional processing. Specifically, anodal tDCS over the dlPFC significantly reduced valence attribution for positive pictures. In contrast, anodal tDCS over the vmPFC significantly reduced arousal ratings. Dominance ratings were not affected by the intervention. Our results suggest that the dlPFC is involved in control and regulation of valence of emotional experiences, while the vmPFC might be involved in the extinction of arousal caused by emotional stimuli. Our findings implicate dimension-specific processing of emotions by different prefrontal areas which has implications for disorders characterized by emotional disturbances such as anxiety or mood disorders.

Hot and cold executive functions in the brain: A prefrontal-cingular network

Executive functions, or cognitive control, are higher-order cognitive functions needed for adaptive goal-directed behaviours and are significantly impaired in majority of neuropsychiatric disorders. Different models and approaches are proposed for describing how executive functions are functionally organised in the brain. One popular and recently proposed organising principle of executive functions is the distinction between hot (i.e. reward or affective-related) versus cold (i.e. purely cognitive) domains of executive functions. The prefrontal cortex is traditionally linked to executive functions, but on the other hand, anterior and posterior cingulate cortices are hugely involved in executive functions as well. In this review, we first define executive functions, their domains, and the appropriate methods for studying them. Second, we discuss how hot and cold executive functions are linked to different areas of the prefrontal cortex. Next, we discuss the association of hot versus cold executive functions with the cingulate cortex, focusing on the anterior and posterior compartments. Finally, we propose a functional model for hot and cold executive function organisation in the brain with a specific focus on the fronto-cingular network. We also discuss clinical implications of hot versus cold cognition in major neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, substance use disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism) and attempt to characterise their profile according to the functional dominance or manifest of hot-cold cognition. Our model proposes that the lateral prefrontal cortex along with the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex are more relevant for cold executive functions, while the medial-orbital prefrontal cortex along with the ventral anterior cingulate cortex, and the posterior cingulate cortex are more closely involved in hot executive functions. This functional distinction, however, is not absolute and depends on several factors including task features, context, and the extent to which the measured function relies on cognition and emotion or both.

ADHD subtype-specific cognitive correlates and association with self-esteem: a quantitative difference

BACKGROUND

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a major neurodevelopmental disorder with heterogeneous symptoms, subtypes, and cognitive deficits. Cognitive deficits are central to ADHD pathophysiology and one potential source of heterogeneity in ADHD. Subtype-specific cognitive correlates are not, however, well-studied. We explored cognitive correlates of ADHD subtypes based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) scores. We also assessed subtype-specific self-esteem rating in ADHD subtypes and explored its association with cognitive correlates.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-nine children with ADHD (80.6% boy, 19.4% girl) were categorized into the predominantly "hyperactive (ADHD-H)", "inattentive (ADHD-I)" and "combined (ADHD-C)" subtype based on their symptoms and scores on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL) and Conners Parent-Rating Scale (CPRS-RS). They were then individually administrated the WISC-IV and completed a self-esteem inventory. Group differences in the WISC-IV indices and their predictability in discriminating ADHD subtypes were analyzed.

RESULTS

We found a quantitative differentiation of cognitive abilities among ADHD subtypes with "working memory" as the most compromised cognitive domain. ADHD-I had the poorest cognitive profile while ADHD-H scored highest in all cognitive domains. Importantly, cognitive abilities were negatively correlated with inattention and positively correlated with hyperactive symptoms. Moreover, self-esteem ratings were positively correlated with the cognitive domains and were rated differently based on the subtypes. ADHD-H, with the highest cognitive strength, reported the highest level of self-esteem among all subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS

ADHD subtype-specific symptoms, cognitive deficits, and self-esteem problems should be considered for precise diagnosis and effective and personalized treatment in ADHD in light of further supporting evidence and assessments. Cognitive interventions might be more compatible with and effective in inattentive and combined subtypes of ADHD. Working memory improving-based interventions can benefit all ADHD subtypes. A supportive educational system in school and providing adjunct supportive interventions should be considered for children with ADHD as well.

Genetic and Neuroimaging Approaches to Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly disabling condition, increasingly recognized as both a disorder of mental health and social burden, but also as an anxiety disorder characterized by fear, stress, and negative alterations in mood. PTSD is associated with structural, metabolic, and molecular changes in several brain regions and the neural circuitry. Brain areas implicated in the traumatic stress response include the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, which play an essential role in memory function. Abnormalities in these brain areas are hypothesized to underlie symptoms of PTSD and other stress-related psychiatric disorders. Conventional methods of studying PTSD have proven to be insufficient for diagnosis, measurement of treatment efficacy, and monitoring disease progression, and currently, there is no diagnostic biomarker available for PTSD. A deep understanding of cutting-edge neuroimaging genetic approaches is necessary for the development of novel therapeutics and biomarkers to better diagnose and treat the disorder. A current goal is to understand the gene pathways that are associated with PTSD, and how those genes act on the fear/stress circuitry to mediate risk vs. resilience for PTSD. This review article explains the rationale and practical utility of neuroimaging genetics in PTSD and how the resulting information can aid the diagnosis and clinical management of patients with PTSD.

Effects of working memory training on emotion regulation: Transdiagnostic review

Working memory training is widely used transdiagnostically to improve cognition. However, more recently, studies using working memory training packages have targeted emotion-regulation outcomes to determine whether far transfer effects can be achieved. A narrative review is conducted of studies that have used standardized computerized working memory training packages across healthy volunteers, affect, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disordered populations with emotion-regulation outcomes. Working memory training has been used in children, adolescents, and adults to improve emotion regulation. Many studies have reported gains in mood as well as emotion-regulation strategies following working memory training, regardless of clinical indication and whether near transfer gains were achieved in cognitive domains. Significant emotion-regulation outcomes include: state and trait anxiety, rumination, brooding, positive appraisal, decreasing maladaptive emotion-regulation strategies, and decreasing intrusive thoughts. It is speculated that these far transfer outcomes from working memory training are possible due to the cognitive and neural overlap between cognitive and affective working memory, and emotion regulation. Working memory training could improve cognitive efficiency, which, in turn, increases the availability of cognitive resources during times when emotion regulation is taxed. Future studies need to consider the role of participant expectancy in predicting outcome measure performance, and including subjective and objective outcomes is paramount to study design. Furthermore, sample sizes require additional attention, given that the current review highlights that individual differences in non-clinical and clinical populations influence the outcomes from working memory training. Working memory training offers a possibility for improving emotion regulation transdiagnostically.

Cognitive rehabilitation in children with attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder: Transferability to untrained cognitive domains and behavior

Transferability of cognitive rehabilitation is a crucial point for efficacy. The purpose of the present study is to determine the transfer effect of cognitive rehabilitation to the untrained cognitive domains and behavior in children with attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Thirty children with ADHD randomly allocated into two intervention and control groups. The intervention group received cognitive rehabilitation in 12-15 sessions. Analyses indicated that the experimental group shows an improvement in the trained domain. The result found a lack of near transfer to selective attention and inhibitory control with a successful far transfer effect to the risky decision making and delay discounting. Furthermore, the transfer occurred to behavioral symptoms of the intervention group. Attention and working memory training decrease delay discounting and delay discounting. The near transfer is not a prerequisite of far transfer. Cognitive rehabilitation can transfer horizontally to other cognitive domains at the same level and vertically to behaviors in a top-down manner.

Akt dependent adult hippocampal neurogenesis regulates the behavioral improvement of treadmill running to mice model of post-traumatic stress disorder

Physical exercise is well-established paradigm for improving adult neurogenesis and brain functions. As considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy, treadmill running could reduce cognitive impairment and psychiatric abnormalities associating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which might associate with the promote effects to adult neurogenesis. In current study, we aimed to address how treadmill exercise benefit adult hippocampal neurogenesis in PTSD model and the underlying molecular mechanism related with Akt signaling. PTSD was induced by exposure to aggressor and treatments were conducted with different intensity of compulsory treadmill running. We observed treadmill running improved hippocampal neurogenesis including proliferation and neural differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). Moreover, behavioral tests showed treadmill could attenuate the cognitive deficit and depressive/anxiety like behaviors in correlating with PTSD model. Moreover, treadmill running recovered the Akt activity in hippocampus. Interrupting treadmill running administrated mice with Akt inhibitor GSK690693 resulted in the blocked the effects of treadmill running to hippocampal neurogenesis and behavioral improvement in PTSD mice model. In conclusion, treadmill running could mediate behavioral functions and improve hippocampal neurogenesis in PTSD model by regulating Akt signaling.

Cognitive training for modifying interpretation and attention bias in depression: Relevance to mood improvement and implications for cognitive intervention in depression

Depressed individuals interpret ambiguous information more negatively and this has been suggested a central component in cognitive models of depression. In this study we investigated the effectiveness of the interpretation modification training on modifying interpretation bias in depression and its association with symptoms reduction. In a double-blind, randomized controlled design, twenty-two depressed individuals (mean age = 19.86, SD = 1.16) were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. They completed 10 sessions of cognitive training with the Ambiguous Hallmark Program (AHP) over 5 weeks. Participants' interpretation bias and their depressive scores were assessed and compared before and after the intervention. Results showed that the AHP significantly decreased negative interpretation in the experimental group. Additionally, a significant decrease in the depressive scores was also observed in the intervention group compared to the control group. We also observed the transfer of learning from the AHP training to another interpretation bias task. The AHP can significantly modify negative interpretations and symptoms in depression providing preliminary supporting evidence for its clinical application especially in mild-to-moderate depression. Improved cognitive control over emotional information and unbiased attention to them could explain effects of the Interpretation modification paradigm. Further studies need to examine the efficacy of the AHP as a potential cognitive intervention in depression.

Sleep-deprivation and autobiographical memory: evidence from sleep-deprived nurses

Negative effects of sleep deprivation on different types of memory are well documented, but the specific effects on autobiographical memory performance are not well studied. In this study, we investigated performance on the autobiographical memory test in a group of sleep-deprived and well-rested nurses. One-hundred participants divided into sleep-deprived (N = 50, 25 females) and well-rested (N = 50, 25 females) groups took part in the study. The sleep-deprived group included night-shift nurses with 8-12 hr sleep deprivation, while the well-rested group had the usual night sleep before performance assessment. All participants were matched for gender, age, education and employment status. They completed depression and anxiety inventories, and underwent the autobiographical memory test, which included 18 cue words with positive, negative and neutral valence. The sleep-deprived group scored significantly higher in depression scores. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) results showed that sleep-deprived participants had a significantly poorer autobiographical memory compared with the well-rested group. Additionally, specific memories were significantly declined in the sleep-deprived group. This group remembered significantly less positive and more negative memories. Findings implicate that sleep deprivation has detrimental effects on autobiographical memory specificity and valence, and is associated with mood dysregulation.