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Gurr C, Splittgerber M, Puonti O, Siemann J, Luckhardt C, Pereira HC, Amaral J, Crisóstomo J, Sayal A, Ribeiro M, Sousa D, Dempfle A, Krauel K, Borzikowsky C, Brauer H, Prehn-Kristensen A, Breitling-Ziegler C, Castelo-Branco M, Salvador R, Damiani G, Ruffini G, Siniatchkin M, Thielscher A, Freitag CM, Moliadze V, Ecker C. Neuroanatomical Predictors of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)-Induced Modifications in Neurocognitive Task Performance in Typically Developing Individuals. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1372232024. [PMID: 38548336 PMCID: PMC11140687 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1372-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique gaining more attention in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Due to the phenotypic heterogeneity of NDDs, tDCS is unlikely to be equally effective in all individuals. The present study aimed to establish neuroanatomical markers in typically developing (TD) individuals that may be used for the prediction of individual responses to tDCS. Fifty-seven male and female children received 2 mA anodal and sham tDCS, targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFCleft), right inferior frontal gyrus, and bilateral temporoparietal junction. Response to tDCS was assessed based on task performance differences between anodal and sham tDCS in different neurocognitive tasks (N-back, flanker, Mooney faces detection, attentional emotional recognition task). Measures of cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) were derived from 3 Tesla structural MRI scans. Associations between neuroanatomy and task performance were assessed using general linear models (GLM). Machine learning (ML) algorithms were employed to predict responses to tDCS. Vertex-wise estimates of SA were more closely linked to differences in task performance than measures of CT. Across ML algorithms, highest accuracies were observed for the prediction of N-back task performance differences following stimulation of the DLPFCleft, where 65% of behavioral variance was explained by variability in SA. Lower accuracies were observed for all other tasks and stimulated regions. This suggests that it may be possible to predict individual responses to tDCS for some behavioral measures and target regions. In the future, these models might be extended to predict treatment outcome in individuals with NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Gurr
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main 60528, Germany
| | - Maike Splittgerber
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Oula Puonti
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark
| | - Julia Siemann
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Protestant Hospital Bethel, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld 33617, Germany
| | - Christina Luckhardt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main 60528, Germany
| | - Helena C Pereira
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences applied to Health (ICNAS), Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal
| | - Joana Amaral
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences applied to Health (ICNAS), Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal
| | - Joana Crisóstomo
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences applied to Health (ICNAS), Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Sayal
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences applied to Health (ICNAS), Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal
| | - Mário Ribeiro
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences applied to Health (ICNAS), Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal
| | - Daniela Sousa
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences applied to Health (ICNAS), Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal
| | - Astrid Dempfle
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Kerstin Krauel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg 39130, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Halle-Jena- Magdeburg, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Christoph Borzikowsky
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Hannah Brauer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Integrative Psychiatry Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Alexander Prehn-Kristensen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Integrative Psychiatry Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Carolin Breitling-Ziegler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg 39130, Germany
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences applied to Health (ICNAS), Faculty of Medicine, Academic Clinical Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Michael Siniatchkin
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Protestant Hospital Bethel, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld 33617, Germany
| | - Axel Thielscher
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main 60528, Germany
| | - Vera Moliadze
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Christine Ecker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main 60528, Germany
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Chiang H, Mudar RA, Dugas CS, Motes MA, Kraut MA, Hart J. A modified neural circuit framework for semantic memory retrieval with implications for circuit modulation to treat verbal retrieval deficits. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3490. [PMID: 38680077 PMCID: PMC11056716 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Word finding difficulty is a frequent complaint in older age and disease states, but treatment options are lacking for such verbal retrieval deficits. Better understanding of the neurophysiological and neuroanatomical basis of verbal retrieval function may inform effective interventions. In this article, we review the current evidence of a neural retrieval circuit central to verbal production, including words and semantic memory, that involves the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), striatum (particularly caudate nucleus), and thalamus. We aim to offer a modified neural circuit framework expanded upon a memory retrieval model proposed in 2013 by Hart et al., as evidence from electrophysiological, functional brain imaging, and noninvasive electrical brain stimulation studies have provided additional pieces of information that converge on a shared neural circuit for retrieval of memory and words. We propose that both the left inferior frontal gyrus and fronto-polar regions should be included in the expanded circuit. All these regions have their respective functional roles during verbal retrieval, such as selection and inhibition during search, initiation and termination of search, maintenance of co-activation across cortical regions, as well as final activation of the retrieved information. We will also highlight the structural connectivity from and to the pre-SMA (e.g., frontal aslant tract and fronto-striatal tract) that facilitates communication between the regions within this circuit. Finally, we will discuss how this circuit and its correlated activity may be affected by disease states and how this circuit may serve as a novel target engagement for neuromodulatory treatment of verbal retrieval deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsueh‐Sheng Chiang
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
- School of Behavioral and Brain SciencesThe University of Texas at DallasRichardsonTexasUSA
| | - Raksha A. Mudar
- Department of Speech and Hearing ScienceUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
| | - Christine S. Dugas
- School of Behavioral and Brain SciencesThe University of Texas at DallasRichardsonTexasUSA
| | - Michael A. Motes
- School of Behavioral and Brain SciencesThe University of Texas at DallasRichardsonTexasUSA
| | - Michael A. Kraut
- Department of Radiology and Radiological ScienceJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - John Hart
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
- School of Behavioral and Brain SciencesThe University of Texas at DallasRichardsonTexasUSA
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Wang Z, Gallegos J, Tippett D, Onyike CU, Desmond JE, Hillis AE, Frangakis CE, Caffo B, Tsapkini K. Baseline functional connectivity predicts who will benefit from neuromodulation: evidence from primary progressive aphasia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.19.24305354. [PMID: 38699365 PMCID: PMC11065007 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.19.24305354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Identifying the characteristics of individuals who demonstrate response to an intervention allows us to predict who is most likely to benefit from certain interventions. Prediction is challenging in rare and heterogeneous diseases, such as primary progressive aphasia (PPA), that have varying clinical manifestations. We aimed to determine the characteristics of those who will benefit most from transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) using a novel heterogeneity and group identification analysis. Methods We compared the predictive ability of demographic and clinical patient characteristics (e.g., PPA variant and disease progression, baseline language performance) vs. functional connectivity alone (from resting-state fMRI) in the same cohort. Results Functional connectivity alone had the highest predictive value for outcomes, explaining 62% and 75% of tDCS effect of variance in generalization (semantic fluency) and in the trained outcome of the clinical trial (written naming), contrasted with <15% predicted by clinical characteristics, including baseline language performance. Patients with higher baseline functional connectivity between the left IFG (opercularis and triangularis), and between the middle temporal pole and posterior superior temporal gyrus, were most likely to benefit from tDCS. Conclusions We show the importance of a baseline 7-minute functional connectivity scan in predicting tDCS outcomes, and point towards a precision medicine approach in neuromodulation studies. The study has important implications for clinical trials and practice, providing a statistical method that addresses heterogeneity in patient populations and allowing accurate prediction and enrollment of those who will most likely benefit from specific interventions.
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Neophytou K, Williamson K, Herrmann O, Afthinos A, Gallegos J, Martin N, Tippett DC, Tsapkini K. Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2024; 14:391. [PMID: 38672040 PMCID: PMC11048435 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to determine (a) if home-based anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) delivered to the left supramarginal gyrus (SMG) coupled with verbal short-term memory/working memory (vSTM/WM) treatment ("RAM", short for "Repeat After Me") is more effective than sham-tDCS in improving vSTM/WM in patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and (b) whether tDCS effects generalize to other language and cognitive abilities. METHODS Seven PPA participants received home-based a-tDCS and sham-tDCS coupled with RAM treatment in separate conditions in a double-blind design. The treatment task required participants to repeat word spans comprising semantically and phonologically unrelated words in the same and reverse order. The evaluation of treatment effects was carried out using the same tasks as in the treatment but with different items (near-transfer effects) and tasks that were not directly related to the treatment (far-transfer effects). RESULTS A-tDCS showed (a) a significant effect in improving vSTM abilities, measured by word span backward, and (b) a generalization of this effect to other language abilities, namely, spelling (both real words and pseudowords) and learning (retention and delayed recall). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results indicate that vSTM/WM intervention can improve performance in trained vSTM/WM tasks in patients with PPA, especially when augmented with home-based tDCS over the left SMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Neophytou
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Kelly Williamson
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Olivia Herrmann
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Alexandros Afthinos
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Rowan University, 401 Broadway, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Jessica Gallegos
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Nadine Martin
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Temple University, 1701 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
| | - Donna C. Tippett
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 174, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 N. Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 488, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (K.N.); (K.W.); (O.H.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (D.C.T.)
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Strunk K, Weiss S, Müller HM. High-Frequency Language Therapy with Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): A Longitudinal Single-Case Report of Semantic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia (svPPA). Brain Sci 2024; 14:133. [PMID: 38391708 PMCID: PMC10886986 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to investigate whether the combination of semantic feature analysis (SFA) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective in treating word retrieval in the semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) and how long the potential effects last. METHODS A 56-year-old woman diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and svPPA participated in this longitudinal single-subject design. A total of four 2-week stimulation phases were conducted over a 14-month period, each of which was started depending on the participant's language performance. Follow-up testing was conducted shortly after the stimulation period, approximately 2 weeks, and approximately 4 weeks thereafter. RESULTS Significant improvement in word retrieval occurred after SFA and tDCS therapy. Two weeks after the end of each stimulation phase, approx. 80% of the trained words could be named correctly. For the untrained words, also significantly more words were correctly named at follow-ups compared to the baseline. Furthermore, the Boston Naming Test (BNT) demonstrated a significant increase in naming performance and showed that phonological cues facilitated word retrieval compared to semantic cues. CONCLUSION The combination of SFA and tDCS was able to counteract the expected language deterioration of a participant with svPPA. This effect increased until approximately 2 weeks after each intervention. In addition, a generalization of the effect to untrained words was shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Strunk
- Experimental Neurolinguistics Group, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sabine Weiss
- Experimental Neurolinguistics Group, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Inspiration 1, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany
- Clinical Linguistics, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Horst M Müller
- Experimental Neurolinguistics Group, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Chen L, Chen G, Gong X, Fang F. Integrating electric field modeling and pre-tDCS behavioral performance to predict the individual tDCS effect on visual crowding. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:056019. [PMID: 37750681 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acfa8c] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Objective.Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been broadly used to modulate brain activity with both bipolar and high-definition montages. However, tDCS effects can be highly variable. In this work, we investigated whether the variability in the tDCS effects could be predicted by integrating individualized electric field modeling and individual pre-tDCS behavioral performance.Approach.Here, we first compared the effects of bipolar tDCS and 4 × 1 high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) with respect to the alleviation of visual crowding, which is the inability to identify targets in the presence of nearby flankers and considered to be an essential bottleneck of object recognition and visual awareness. We instructed subjects to perform an orientation discrimination task with both isolated and crowded targets in the periphery and measured their orientation discrimination thresholds before and after receiving 20 min of bipolar tDCS, 4 × 1 HD-tDCS, or sham stimulation over the visual cortex. Individual anatomically realistic head models were constructed to simulate tDCS-induced electric field distributions and quantify tDCS focality. Finally, a multiple linear regression model that used pre-tDCS behavioral performance and tDCS focality as factors was used to predict post-tDCS behavioral performance.Main results.We found that HD-tDCS, but not bipolar tDCS, could significantly alleviate visual crowding. Moreover, the variability in the tDCS effect could be reliably predicted by subjects' pre-tDCS behavioral performance and tDCS focality. This prediction model also performed well when generalized to other two tDCS protocols with a different electrode size or a different stimulation intensity.Significance.Our study links the variability in the tDCS-induced electric field and the pre-tDCS behavioral performance in a visual crowding task to the variability in post-tDCS performance. It provides a new approach to predicting individual tDCS effects and highlights the importance of understanding the factors that determine tDCS effectiveness while developing more robust protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Chen
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanpeng Chen
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Xizi Gong
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Fang
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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Grossman M, Seeley WW, Boxer AL, Hillis AE, Knopman DS, Ljubenov PA, Miller B, Piguet O, Rademakers R, Whitwell JL, Zetterberg H, van Swieten JC. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2023; 9:40. [PMID: 37563165 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00447-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is one of the most common causes of early-onset dementia and presents with early social-emotional-behavioural and/or language changes that can be accompanied by a pyramidal or extrapyramidal motor disorder. About 20-25% of individuals with FTLD are estimated to carry a mutation associated with a specific FTLD pathology. The discovery of these mutations has led to important advances in potentially disease-modifying treatments that aim to slow progression or delay disease onset and has improved understanding of brain functioning. In both mutation carriers and those with sporadic disease, the most common underlying diagnoses are linked to neuronal and glial inclusions containing tau (FTLD-tau) or TDP-43 (FTLD-TDP), although 5-10% of patients may have inclusions containing proteins from the FUS-Ewing sarcoma-TAF15 family (FTLD-FET). Biomarkers definitively identifying specific pathological entities in sporadic disease have been elusive, which has impeded development of disease-modifying treatments. Nevertheless, disease-monitoring biofluid and imaging biomarkers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are likely to serve as useful measures of treatment response during trials of disease-modifying treatments. Symptomatic trials using novel approaches such as transcranial direct current stimulation are also beginning to show promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology and Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William W Seeley
- Departments of Neurology and Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Adam L Boxer
- Departments of Neurology and Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Argye E Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Peter A Ljubenov
- Departments of Neurology and Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce Miller
- Departments of Neurology and Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Olivier Piguet
- School of Psychology and Brain and Mind Center, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rosa Rademakers
- VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Stockbridge MD, Elm J, Teklehaimanot AA, Cassarly C, Spell LA, Fridriksson J, Hillis AE. Individual Differences in Response to Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation With Language Therapy in Subacute Stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2023; 37:519-529. [PMID: 37592860 PMCID: PMC10528733 DOI: 10.1177/15459683231190642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be used to improve post-stroke aphasia. However, given the mixed evidence for its efficacy, individual differences may moderate the relative benefit of this strategy. In planned exploratory subgroup analyses, we examined whether age, education, sex, brain-derived neurotrophic factor status, and baseline performance individually impacted improvement in picture naming between baseline and 1 week after the end of the therapy, then whether the combination of factors that predicted recovery of naming and discourse differed for those who received concurrent tDCS. OBJECTIVE Examine whether individual differences influenced the effect of tDCS on language recovery. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, efficacy study of tDCS combined with language therapy for subacute post-stroke aphasia, patients completed an evaluation including the Philadelphia Naming Test and Cookie Theft picture description, which was analyzed for Content Units (CU) and Syllables/CU. Individual factors were examined using linear models including the interaction between treatment group and subgroup. RESULTS Significant interactions were observed between tDCS group and both age and education. The predictors of a positive response to tDCS differed from the predictors of a positive response to language treatment alone. While baseline performance was an important predictor of future performance regardless of treatment group, responses to treatment without tDCS were influenced by age whereas responses to treatment with tDCS were not. CONCLUSIONS Age and education influence the efficacy of different treatment strategies. Refinement of treatment selection is important to the overall individualization and optimization of post-stroke patient care. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02674490.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D. Stockbridge
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Jordan Elm
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Abeba A. Teklehaimanot
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Christy Cassarly
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Leigh-Ann Spell
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina
| | - Julius Fridriksson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina
| | - Argye E. Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
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Benussi A, Borroni B. Advances in the treatment and management of frontotemporal dementia. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:621-639. [PMID: 37357688 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2228491] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by a wide range of pathological conditions associated with the buildup of proteins such as tau and TDP-43. With a strong hereditary component, FTD often results from genetic variants in three genes - MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors explore abnormal protein accumulation in FTD and forthcoming treatments, providing a detailed analysis of new diagnostic advancements, including innovative markers. They analyze how these discoveries have influenced therapeutic strategies, particularly disease-modifying treatments, which could potentially transform FTD management. This comprehensive exploration of FTD from its molecular underpinnings to its therapeutic prospects offers a compelling overview of the current state of FTD research. EXPERT OPINION Notable challenges in FTD management involve identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and response monitoring. Genetic forms of FTD, particularly those linked to C9orf72 and GRN, show promise, with targeted therapies resulting in substantial progress in disease-modifying strategies. The potential of neuromodulation techniques, like tDCS and rTMS, is being explored, requiring further study. Ongoing trials and multi-disciplinary care highlight the continued push toward effective FTD treatments. With increasing understanding of FTD's molecular and clinical intricacies, the hope for developing effective interventions grows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Borrego-Écija S, Montagut N, Martín-Trias P, Vaqué-Alcázar L, Illán-Gala I, Balasa M, Lladó A, Casanova-Mollà J, Bargalló N, Valls-Solé J, Lleó A, Bartrés-Faz D, Sánchez-Valle R. Multifocal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia Does Not Provide a Clinical Benefit Over Speech Therapy. J Alzheimers Dis 2023:JAD230069. [PMID: 37182884 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a group of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia characterized by language deterioration. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive intervention for brain dysfunction. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of tDCS combined with speech therapy in the three variants of PPA. We evaluate changes in fMRI activity in a subset of patients. METHODS Double-blinded, randomized, cross-over, and sham-controlled tDCS study. 15 patients with PPA were included. Each patient underwent two interventions: a) speech therapy + active tDCS and b) speech therapy + sham tDCS stimulation. A multifocal strategy with anodes placed in the left frontal and parietal regions was used to stimulate the entire language network. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing the results of two independent sets of neuropsychological assessments administered at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 1 month and 3 months after the intervention. In a subsample, fMRI scanning was performed before and after each intervention. RESULTS The interventions were well tolerated. Participants in both arms showed clinical improvement, but no differences were found between active and sham tDCS interventions in any of the evaluations. There were trends toward better outcomes in the active tDCS group for semantic association and reading skills. fMRI identified an activity increase in the right frontal medial cortex and the bilateral paracingulate gyrus after the active tDCS intervention. CONCLUSION We did not find differences between active and sham tDCS stimulation in clinical scores of language function in PPA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Borrego-Écija
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Montagut
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Martín-Trias
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Insitute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lídia Vaqué-Alcázar
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Insitute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Illán-Gala
- Memory Unit, Service of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. Centro de Investigación en Red en enfermedadesneurogenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mircea Balasa
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Lladó
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Casanova-Mollà
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, NeurologyService, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Bargalló
- Radiology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Valls-Solé
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, NeurologyService, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Memory Unit, Service of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. Centro de Investigación en Red en enfermedadesneurogenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Bartrés-Faz
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Insitute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Sánchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders Unit. Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institutd'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Sanz Perl Y, Fittipaldi S, Gonzalez Campo C, Moguilner S, Cruzat J, Fraile-Vazquez ME, Herzog R, Kringelbach ML, Deco G, Prado P, Ibanez A, Tagliazucchi E. Model-based whole-brain perturbational landscape of neurodegenerative diseases. eLife 2023; 12:e83970. [PMID: 36995213 PMCID: PMC10063230 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is hindered by lack of interventions capable of steering multimodal whole-brain dynamics towards patterns indicative of preserved brain health. To address this problem, we combined deep learning with a model capable of reproducing whole-brain functional connectivity in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). These models included disease-specific atrophy maps as priors to modulate local parameters, revealing increased stability of hippocampal and insular dynamics as signatures of brain atrophy in AD and bvFTD, respectively. Using variational autoencoders, we visualized different pathologies and their severity as the evolution of trajectories in a low-dimensional latent space. Finally, we perturbed the model to reveal key AD- and bvFTD-specific regions to induce transitions from pathological to healthy brain states. Overall, we obtained novel insights on disease progression and control by means of external stimulation, while identifying dynamical mechanisms that underlie functional alterations in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonatan Sanz Perl
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos AiresBuenos AiresArgentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), CABABuenos AiresArgentina
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San AndrésBuenos AiresArgentina
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sol Fittipaldi
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), CABABuenos AiresArgentina
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San AndrésBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Cecilia Gonzalez Campo
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), CABABuenos AiresArgentina
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San AndrésBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Sebastián Moguilner
- Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo IbáñezSantiagoChile
| | - Josephine Cruzat
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo IbáñezSantiagoChile
| | | | - Rubén Herzog
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo IbáñezSantiagoChile
| | - Morten L Kringelbach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus UniversityÅrhusDenmark
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of MinhoBragaPortugal
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Gustavo Deco
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Computational Neuroscience Group, Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
- Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
- Institució Catalana de la Recerca i Estudis Avancats (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzigGermany
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Pavel Prado
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo IbáñezSantiagoChile
- Escuela de Fonoaudiología, Facultad de Odontología y Ciencias de la Rehabilitación, Universidad San SebastiánSantiagoChile
| | - Agustin Ibanez
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), CABABuenos AiresArgentina
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San AndrésBuenos AiresArgentina
- Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo IbáñezSantiagoChile
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Enzo Tagliazucchi
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos AiresBuenos AiresArgentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), CABABuenos AiresArgentina
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San AndrésBuenos AiresArgentina
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo IbáñezSantiagoChile
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12
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Sheppard SM, Goldberg EB, Sebastian R, Walker A, Meier EL, Hillis AE. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Paired With Verb Network Strengthening Treatment Improves Verb Naming in Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Case Series. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2022; 31:1736-1754. [PMID: 35605599 PMCID: PMC9531928 DOI: 10.1044/2022_ajslp-21-00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There are few evidence-based treatments for language deficits in primary progressive aphasia (PPA). PPA treatments are often adopted from the poststroke aphasia literature. The poststroke aphasia literature has shown promising results using Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST), a behavioral therapy that focuses on improving naming by producing verbs and their arguments in phrases and sentences. Emerging research in poststroke aphasia and PPA has shown promising results pairing behavioral language therapy with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). METHOD This study used a double-blind, within-subjects, sham-controlled crossover design to study the effect of anodal tDCS applied to left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) plus VNeST versus VNeST plus sham stimulation in two individuals with nonfluent variant PPA and one individual with logopenic variant PPA. Participants received two phases of treatment, each with 15 1-hr sessions of VNeST. One phase paired VNeST with tDCS stimulation, and one with sham. For each phase, language testing was conducted at baseline, and at 1 week and 8 weeks posttreatment conclusion. For each participant, treatment efficacy was evaluated for each treatment phase by comparing the mean change in accuracy between baseline and the follow-up time points for naming trained verbs (primary outcome measure), untrained verbs, and nouns on the Object and Action Naming Battery. Mean change from baseline was also directly compared between tDCS and sham phases at each time point. RESULTS Results revealed a different pattern of outcomes for each of the participants. A tDCS advantage was not found for trained verbs for any participant. Two participants with nonfluent variant PPA had a tDCS advantage for generalization to naming of untrained verbs, which was apparent at 1 week and 8 weeks posttreatment. One participant with nonfluent variant also showed evidence of generalization to sentence production in the tDCS phase. CONCLUSION VNeST plus anodal tDCS stimulation of left IFG shows promising results for improving naming in PPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. Sheppard
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Chapman University, Irvine, CA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Emily B. Goldberg
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Rajani Sebastian
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Alexandra Walker
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Erin L. Meier
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
| | - Argye E. Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Cognitive Science, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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13
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Nissim NR, Harvey DY, Haslam C, Friedman L, Bharne P, Litz G, Phillips JS, Cousins KAQ, Xie SX, Grossman M, Hamilton RH. Through Thick and Thin: Baseline Cortical Volume and Thickness Predict Performance and Response to Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:907425. [PMID: 35874157 PMCID: PMC9302040 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.907425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We hypothesized that measures of cortical thickness and volume in language areas would correlate with response to treatment with high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) in persons with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Materials and Methods In a blinded, within-group crossover study, PPA patients (N = 12) underwent a 2-week intervention HD-tDCS paired with constraint-induced language therapy (CILT). Multi-level linear regression (backward-fitted models) were performed to assess cortical measures as predictors of tDCS-induced naming improvements, measured by the Western Aphasia Battery-naming subtest, from baseline to immediately after and 6 weeks post-intervention. Results Greater baseline thickness of the pars opercularis significantly predicted naming gains (p = 0.03) immediately following intervention, while greater thickness of the middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and lower thickness of the superior temporal gyrus (STG) significantly predicted 6-week naming gains (p's < 0.02). Thickness did not predict naming gains in sham. Volume did not predict immediate gains for active stimulation. Greater volume of the pars triangularis and MTG, but lower STG volume significantly predicted 6-week naming gains in active stimulation. Greater pars orbitalis and MTG volume, and lower STG volume predicted immediate naming gains in sham (p's < 0.05). Volume did not predict 6-week naming gains in sham. Conclusion Cortical thickness and volume were predictive of tDCS-induced naming improvement in PPA patients. The finding that frontal thickness predicted immediate active tDCS-induced naming gains while temporal areas predicted naming changes at 6-week suggests that a broader network of regions may be important for long-term maintenance of treatment gains. The finding that volume predicted immediate naming performance in the sham condition may reflect the benefits of behavioral speech language therapy and neural correlates of its short-lived treatment gains. Collectively, thickness and volume were predictive of treatment gains in the active condition but not sham, suggesting that pairing HD-tDCS with CILT may be important for maintaining treatment effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Nissim
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Elkins Park, PA, United States
| | - Denise Y. Harvey
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Christopher Haslam
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Leah Friedman
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Pandurang Bharne
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Geneva Litz
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey S. Phillips
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Katheryn A. Q. Cousins
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sharon X. Xie
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Roy H. Hamilton
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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14
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Herrmann O, Ficek B, Webster KT, Frangakis C, Spira AP, Tsapkini K. Sleep as a predictor of tDCS and language therapy outcomes. Sleep 2022; 45:zsab275. [PMID: 34875098 PMCID: PMC8919198 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsab275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine whether sleep at baseline (before therapy) predicted improvements in language following either language therapy alone or coupled with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). METHODS Twenty-three participants with PPA (mean age 68.13 ± 6.21) received written naming/spelling therapy coupled with either anodal tDCS over the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) or sham condition in a crossover, sham-controlled, double-blind design (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02606422). The outcome measure was percent of letters spelled correctly for trained and untrained words retrieved in a naming/spelling task. Given its particular importance as a sleep parameter in older adults, we calculated sleep efficiency (total sleep time/time in bed x100) based on subjective responses on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We grouped individuals based on a median split: high versus low sleep efficiency. RESULTS Participants with high sleep efficiency benefited more from written naming/spelling therapy than participants with low sleep efficiency in learning therapy materials (trained words). There was no effect of sleep efficiency in generalization of therapy materials to untrained words. Among participants with high sleep efficiency, those who received tDCS benefitted more from therapy than those who received sham condition. There was no additional benefit from tDCS in participants with low sleep efficiency. CONCLUSION Sleep efficiency modified the effects of language therapy and tDCS on language in participants with PPA. These results suggest sleep is a determinant of neuromodulation effects.Clinical Trial: tDCS Intervention in Primary Progressive Aphasia https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02606422.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Herrmann
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bronte Ficek
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kimberly T Webster
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Constantine Frangakis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam P Spira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Cognitive Science, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Hamilton RH, Harvey DY. Neuromodulation of the language system: A critical advance in understanding language processing and treating disorders of communication. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2022; 226:105080. [PMID: 35051789 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2022.105080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roy H Hamilton
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA.
| | - Denise Y Harvey
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
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Afthinos A, Themistocleous C, Herrmann O, Fan H, Lu H, Tsapkini K. The Contribution of Working Memory Areas to Verbal Learning and Recall in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Front Neurol 2022; 13:698200. [PMID: 35250797 PMCID: PMC8892377 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.698200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence of domain-specific working memory (WM) systems has identified the areas and networks which are involved in phonological, orthographic, and semantic WM, as well as in higher level domain-general WM functions. The contribution of these areas throughout the process of verbal learning and recall is still unclear. In the present study, we asked, what is the contribution of domain-specific specialized WM systems in the course of verbal learning and recall? To answer this question, we regressed the perfusion data from pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI with all the immediate, consecutive, and delayed recall stages of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) from a group of patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative syndrome in which language is the primary deficit. We found that the early stages of verbal learning involve the areas with subserving phonological processing (left superior temporal gyrus), as well as semantic WM memory (left angular gyrus, AG_L). As learning unfolds, areas with subserving semantic WM (AG_L), as well as lexical/semantic (inferior temporal and fusiform gyri, temporal pole), and episodic memory (hippocampal complex) become more involved. Finally, a delayed recall depends entirely on semantic and episodic memory areas (hippocampal complex, temporal pole, and gyri). Our results suggest that AG_L subserving domain-specific (semantic) WM is involved only during verbal learning, but a delayed recall depends only on medial and cortical temporal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Afthinos
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Olivia Herrmann
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Hongli Fan
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Hanzhang Lu
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Kyrana Tsapkini
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Sheppard SM. Noninvasive brain stimulation to augment language therapy for primary progressive aphasia. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 185:251-260. [PMID: 35078603 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823384-9.00018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a debilitating disorder characterized by the gradual loss of language functioning resulting from neurodegenerative diseases including frontotemporal lobar degeneration or Alzheimer's disease pathology. There is a dearth of research investigating language therapy in PPA. Unlike individuals with poststroke aphasia, language skills are expected to decline over time, so the goal of treatment is often to preserve existing language functioning. There has been an increasing interest in using non-invasive brain stimulation including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to augment traditional behavioral therapy in PPA. Research is promising and suggests neuromodulation can lead to generalization and maintenance of treatment effects for a longer period compared to behavioral therapy alone. Emerging research is also beginning to identify predictors of treatment response. Yet there is still much to learn regarding how neuromodulation factors (e.g., type of stimulation, stimulation intensity), participant factors (e.g., demographics, extent and location of atrophy), and treatment factors (e.g., type of language therapy, and dosage) will interact to predict treatment response. We are moving toward a promising future where individuals with PPA will benefit from individualized therapy protocols pairing traditional language therapy with neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Sheppard
- Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, United States.
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18
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Robinaugh G, Henry ML. Behavioral interventions for primary progressive aphasia. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 185:221-240. [PMID: 35078600 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823384-9.00011-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by a gradual loss of communication ability. Due to the centrality of communication deficits, speech-language pathologists play a prominent role in the provision of care for individuals with PPA. In this chapter, we outline a person-centered approach to the management of PPA that aims to preserve independence for as long as possible while anticipating future decline in communication and other domains. A growing evidence base supports the utility of speech-language treatment approaches in PPA, including restitutive, compensatory, and communication partner-focused techniques. Restitutive interventions aim to rebuild lost communication skills, such as naming or fluent speech production. Compensatory approaches include training with high- and low-tech augmentative and alternative communication systems that provide complementary means of communication beyond speech. Communication partner interventions focus on education and strategy training in order to equip conversation partners as skilled communication facilitators. Throughout intervention, clinicians should aim to provide treatment that impacts functional communication and promotes social engagement. Given the documented benefits of speech-language intervention in PPA, we are optimistic that such treatment will become the standard of care and that additional research will continue to improve the quality and accessibility of behavioral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Robinaugh
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Maya L Henry
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States.
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Neuronavigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as novel mapping technique provides insights into language function in primary progressive aphasia. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:1208-1216. [PMID: 34964088 PMCID: PMC9107445 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00605-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (nrTMS) is an innovative technique that provides insight into language function with high accuracy in time and space. So far, nrTMS has mainly been applied in presurgical language mapping of patients with intracranial neoplasms. For the present study, nrTMS was used for language mapping in primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Seven patients (median age: 70 years, 4 males) with the non-fluent variant of PPA (nfvPPA) were included in this pilot study. Trains of nrTMS (5 Hz, 100% resting motor threshold) caused virtual lesions at 46 standardized cortical stimulation targets per hemisphere. Patients’ errors in a naming task during stimulation were counted. The majority of errors induced occurred during frontal lobe stimulation (34.3%). Timing errors and non-responses were most frequent. More errors were induced in the right hemisphere (58%) than in the left hemisphere (42%). Mapping was tolerated by all patients, however, discomfort or pain was reported for stimulation of frontal areas. The elevated right-hemispheric error rate in our study could be due to a partial shift of language function to the right hemisphere in neurodegenerative aphasia during the course of disease and therefore points to the existence of neuronal plasticity in nfvPPA. While this is an interesting finding for neurodegenerative disorders per se, its promotion might also harbor future therapeutic targets.
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Alvarez-Alvarado S, Boutzoukas EM, Kraft JN, O’Shea A, Indahlastari A, Albizu A, Nissim NR, Evangelista ND, Cohen R, Porges EC, Woods AJ. Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognitive Training on Frontal Lobe Neurotransmitter Concentrations. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:761348. [PMID: 34744698 PMCID: PMC8568306 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.761348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study examines the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with cognitive training on neurotransmitter concentrations in the prefrontal cortex. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three older adults were randomized to either active-tDCS or sham-tDCS in combination with cognitive training for 2 weeks. Active-tDCS was delivered over F3 (cathode) and F4 (anode) electrode placements for 20 min at 2 mA intensity. For each training session, 40-min of computerized cognitive training were applied with active or sham stimulation delivered during the first 20-min. Glutamine/glutamate (Glx) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations via proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 2-week intervention. Results: Glx concentrations increased from pre- to post-intervention (p = 0.010) in the active versus sham group after controlling for age, number of intervention days, MoCA scores, and baseline Glx concentration. No difference in GABA concentration was detected between active and sham groups (p = 0.650) after 2-week intervention. Conclusion: Results provide preliminary evidence suggesting that combining cognitive training and tDCS over the prefrontal cortex elicits sustained increase in excitatory neurotransmitter concentrations. Findings support the combination of tDCS and cognitive training as a potential method for altering neurotransmitter concentrations in the frontal cortices, which may have implications for neuroplasticity in the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey Alvarez-Alvarado
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Emanuel M. Boutzoukas
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jessica N. Kraft
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Andrew O’Shea
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Aprinda Indahlastari
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Alejandro Albizu
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Nicole R. Nissim
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Nicole D. Evangelista
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ronald Cohen
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Eric C. Porges
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Adam J. Woods
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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21
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Coemans S, Struys E, Vandenborre D, Wilssens I, Engelborghs S, Paquier P, Tsapkini K, Keulen S. A Systematic Review of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia: Methodological Considerations. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:710818. [PMID: 34690737 PMCID: PMC8530184 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.710818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of tDCS approaches has been used to investigate the potential of tDCS to improve language outcomes, or slow down the decay of language competences caused by Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). The employed stimulation protocols and study designs in PPA are generally speaking similar to those deployed in post-stroke aphasic populations. These two etiologies of aphasia however differ substantially in their pathophysiology, and for both conditions the optimal stimulation paradigm still needs to be established. A systematic review was done and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles were analyzed focusing on differences and similarities across studies especially focusing on PPA patient characteristics (age, PPA variant, language background), tDCS stimulation protocols (intensity, frequency, combined therapy, electrode configuration) and study design as recent reviews and group outcomes for individual studies suggest tDCS is an effective tool to improve language outcomes, while methodological approach and patient characteristics are mentioned as moderators that may influence treatment effects. We found that studies of tDCS in PPA have clinical and methodological and heterogeneity regarding patient populations, stimulation protocols and study design. While positive group results are usually found irrespective of these differences, the magnitude, duration and generalization of these outcomes differ when comparing stimulation locations, and when results are stratified according to the clinical variant of PPA. We interpret the results of included studies in light of patient characteristics and methodological decisions. Further, we highlight the role neuroimaging can play in study protocols and interpreting results and make recommendations for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Coemans
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistics, CLIEN, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Esli Struys
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistics, CLIEN, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dorien Vandenborre
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ineke Wilssens
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sebastiaan Engelborghs
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia, BIODEM, Institute Born-Bunge, Universiteit Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Philippe Paquier
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistics, CLIEN, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences (CRCN), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Translational Neurosciences (TNW), Universiteit Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stefanie Keulen
- Clinical and Experimental Neurolinguistics, CLIEN, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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22
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Pytel V, Cabrera-Martín MN, Delgado-Álvarez A, Ayala JL, Balugo P, Delgado-Alonso C, Yus M, Carreras MT, Carreras JL, Matías-Guiu J, Matías-Guiu JA. Personalized Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Primary Progressive Aphasia. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 84:151-167. [PMID: 34487043 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome for which no effective treatment is available. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), using personalized targeting. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, pilot study of patients with PPA receiving rTMS, with a subgroup of patients receiving active- versus control-site rTMS in a cross-over design. Target for active TMS varied among the cases and was determined during a pre-treatment phase from a list of potential regions. The primary outcome was changes in spontaneous speech (word count). Secondary outcomes included changes in other language tasks, global cognition, global impression of change, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and brain metabolism using FDG-PET. RESULTS Twenty patients with PPA were enrolled (14 with nonfluent and 6 with semantic variant PPA). For statistical analyses, data for the two variants were combined. Compared to the control group (n = 7), the group receiving active-site rTMS (n = 20) showed improvements in spontaneous speech, other language tasks, patient and caregiver global impression of change, apathy, and depression. This group also showed improvement or stabilization of results obtained in the baseline examination. Increased metabolism was observed in several brain regions after the therapy, particularly in the left frontal and parieto-temporal lobes and in the precuneus and posterior cingulate bilaterally. CONCLUSION We found an improvement in language, patient and caregiver perception of change, apathy, and depression using high frequency rTMS. The increase of regional brain metabolism suggests enhancement of synaptic activity with the treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03580954 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03580954).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Pytel
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Nieves Cabrera-Martín
- Departmentof Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San CarlosHealth Research Institute (IdISSC), Universidad Complutense deMadrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Delgado-Álvarez
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Ayala
- Department of ComputerArchitecture and Automation, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Balugo
- Department of ClinicalNeurophysiology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos HealthResearch Institute (IdISSC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Delgado-Alonso
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Yus
- Department of Radiology, HospitalClínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute(IdISSC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Carreras
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario LaPrincesa, La Princesa Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Carreras
- Departmentof Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San CarlosHealth Research Institute (IdISSC), Universidad Complutense deMadrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Matías-Guiu
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi A Matías-Guiu
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico SanCarlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), UniversidadComplutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Zanto TP, Jones KT, Ostrand AE, Hsu WY, Campusano R, Gazzaley A. Individual differences in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology predict effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:1317-1329. [PMID: 34481095 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noninvasive transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) research has been plagued with inconsistent effects. Recent work has suggested neuroanatomical and neurophysiological variability may alter tES efficacy. However, direct evidence is limited. OBJECTIVE We have previously replicated effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on improving multitasking ability in young adults. Here, we attempt to assess whether these stimulation parameters have comparable effects in older adults (aged 60-80 years), which is a population known to have greater variability in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. It is hypothesized that this variability in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology will be predictive of tACS efficacy. METHODS We conducted a pre-registered study where tACS was applied above the prefrontal cortex (between electrodes F3-F4) while participants were engaged in multitasking. Participants were randomized to receive either 6-Hz (theta) tACS for 26.67 min daily for three days (80 min total; Long Exposure Theta group), 6-Hz tACS for 5.33 min daily (16-min total; Short Exposure Theta group), or 1-Hz tACS for 26.67 min (80 min total; Control group). To account for neuroanatomy, magnetic resonance imaging data was used to form individualized models of the tACS-induced electric field (EF) within the brain. To account for neurophysiology, electroencephalography data was used to identify individual peak theta frequency. RESULTS Results indicated that only in the Long Theta group, performance change was correlated with modeled EF and peak theta frequency. Together, modeled EF and peak theta frequency accounted for 54%-65% of the variance in tACS-related performance improvements, which sustained for a month. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate the importance of individual differences in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology in tACS research and help account for inconsistent effects across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore P Zanto
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Kevin T Jones
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Avery E Ostrand
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wan-Yu Hsu
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Richard Campusano
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adam Gazzaley
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Departments of Physiology and Psychiatry, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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24
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Tao Y, Ficek B, Wang Z, Rapp B, Tsapkini K. Selective Functional Network Changes Following tDCS-Augmented Language Treatment in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:681043. [PMID: 34322010 PMCID: PMC8311858 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.681043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown promising results when used as an adjunct to behavioral training in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying neural mechanisms are not understood and neuroimaging evidence from pre/post treatment has been sparse. In this study, we examined tDCS-induced neural changes in a language intervention study for primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative syndrome with language impairment as the primary clinical presentation. Anodal tDCS was applied to the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG). To evaluate the hypothesis that tDCS promotes system segregation, analysis focused on understanding tDCS-induced changes in the brain-wide functional network connectivity of the targeted LIFG. Methods Resting-state fMRI data were obtained from 32 participants with PPA before and after receiving a written naming therapy, accompanied either by tDCS or sham stimulation. We focused on evaluating changes in the global connectivity of the stimulated LIFG-triangularis (LIFG-tri) region given its important role in lexical processing. Global connectivity was indexed by the graph-theoretic measure participation coefficient (PC) which quantifies a region’s level of system segregation. The values before and after treatment were compared for each condition (tDCS or Sham) as well as with age-matched healthy controls (n = 19). Results Higher global connectivity of the LIFG-tri before treatment was associated with greater dementia severity. After treatment, the tDCS group showed a significant decrease in global connectivity whereas the Sham group’s did not change, suggesting specific neural effects induced by tDCS. Further examination revealed that the decrease was driven by reduced connectivity between the LIFG-tri and regions outside the perisylvian language area, consistent with the hypothesis that tDCS enhances the segregation of the language system and improves processing efficiency. Additionally, we found that these effects were specific to the LIFG-tri and not observed in other control regions. Conclusion TDCS-augmented language therapy in PPA increased the functional segregation of the language system, a normalization of the hyper-connectivity observed before treatment. These findings add to our understanding of the nature of tDCS-induced neural changes in disease treatment and have applications for validating treatment efficacy and designing future tDCS and other non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tao
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Bronte Ficek
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Zeyi Wang
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Brenda Rapp
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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25
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Giunta M, Solje E, Gardoni F, Borroni B, Benussi A. Experimental Disease-Modifying Agents for Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration. J Exp Pharmacol 2021; 13:359-376. [PMID: 33790662 PMCID: PMC8005747 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s262352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia is a clinically, genetically and pathologically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder, enclosing a wide range of different pathological entities, associated with the accumulation of proteins such as tau and TPD-43. Characterized by a high hereditability, mutations in three main genes, MAPT, GRN and C9orf72, can drive the neurodegenerative process. The connection between different genes and proteinopathies through specific mechanisms has shed light on the pathophysiology of the disease, leading to the identification of potential pharmacological targets. New experimental strategies are emerging, in both preclinical and clinical settings, which focus on small molecules rather than gene therapy. In this review, we provide an insight into the aberrant mechanisms leading to FTLD-related proteinopathies and discuss recent therapies with the potential to ameliorate neurodegeneration and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Giunta
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eino Solje
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Fabrizio Gardoni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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26
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Themistocleous C, Webster K, Tsapkini K. Effects of tDCS on Sound Duration in Patients with Apraxia of Speech in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030335. [PMID: 33800933 PMCID: PMC8000042 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) was found to improve oral and written naming in post-stroke and primary progressive aphasia (PPA), speech fluency in stuttering, a developmental speech-motor disorder, and apraxia of speech (AOS) symptoms in post-stroke aphasia. This paper addressed the question of whether tDCS over the left IFG coupled with speech therapy may improve sound duration in patients with apraxia of speech (AOS) symptoms in non-fluent PPA (nfvPPA/AOS) more than sham. Eight patients with non-fluent PPA/AOS received either active or sham tDCS, along with speech therapy for 15 sessions. Speech therapy involved repeating words of increasing syllable-length. Evaluations took place before, immediately after, and two months post-intervention. Words were segmented into vowels and consonants and the duration of each vowel and consonant was measured. Segmental duration was significantly shorter after tDCS compared to sham and tDCS gains generalized to untrained words. The effects of tDCS sustained over two months post-treatment in trained and untrained sounds. Taken together, these results demonstrate that tDCS over the left IFG may facilitate speech production by reducing segmental duration. The results provide preliminary evidence that tDCS may maximize efficacy of speech therapy in patients with nfvPPA/AOS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly Webster
- Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA;
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-7362940
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27
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Rajji TK. Noninvasive brain stimulation for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders: right for prime time? Curr Opin Psychiatry 2021; 34:129-135. [PMID: 33395102 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Neurocognitive disorders are associated with tremendous burden at the level of the individual, the care giver, and society at large. No effective treatments have been discovered to date. RECENT FINDINGS Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) comprises several promising interventions that have been studied in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Most recent studies have tested transcranial direct current stimulation or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on their own or in combination with other interventions, particularly cognitive training. While most studies were proof-of-principle studies with small sample sizes, combination and long-duration protocols seem to be promising approaches to pursue. Some studies also investigated novel neurophysiological markers as predictors of response to NIBS. SUMMARY NIBS presents several interventional options that are ready to be evaluated using well powered, long-duration trials. These future studies should build on the promising leads from the current literature, including the potential advantage of combining NIBS with other interventions; the delivery of interventions for long durations to assess long-term impact; and the use of neurophysiological markers that could optimize the personalization and efficacy of NIBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek K Rajji
- Adult Neurodevelopment and Geriatric Psychiatry Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.,Department of Psychiatry & Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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28
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Sanches C, Stengel C, Godard J, Mertz J, Teichmann M, Migliaccio R, Valero-Cabré A. Past, Present, and Future of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Approaches to Treat Cognitive Impairment in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Time for a Comprehensive Critical Review. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:578339. [PMID: 33551785 PMCID: PMC7854576 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.578339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Low birth rates and increasing life expectancy experienced by developed societies have placed an unprecedented pressure on governments and the health system to deal effectively with the human, social and financial burden associated to aging-related diseases. At present, ∼24 million people worldwide suffer from cognitive neurodegenerative diseases, a prevalence that doubles every five years. Pharmacological therapies and cognitive training/rehabilitation have generated temporary hope and, occasionally, proof of mild relief. Nonetheless, these approaches are yet to demonstrate a meaningful therapeutic impact and changes in prognosis. We here review evidence gathered for nearly a decade on non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), a less known therapeutic strategy aiming to limit cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative conditions. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, two of the most popular NIBS technologies, use electrical fields generated non-invasively in the brain to long-lastingly enhance the excitability/activity of key brain regions contributing to relevant cognitive processes. The current comprehensive critical review presents proof-of-concept evidence and meaningful cognitive outcomes of NIBS in eight of the most prevalent neurodegenerative pathologies affecting cognition: Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Primary Progressive Aphasias (PPA), behavioral variant of Frontotemporal Dementia, Corticobasal Syndrome, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Posterior Cortical Atrophy. We analyzed a total of 70 internationally published studies: 33 focusing on Alzheimer's disease, 19 on PPA and 18 on the remaining neurodegenerative pathologies. The therapeutic benefit and clinical significance of NIBS remains inconclusive, in particular given the lack of a sufficient number of double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials using multiday stimulation regimes, the heterogeneity of the protocols, and adequate behavioral and neuroimaging response biomarkers, able to show lasting effects and an impact on prognosis. The field remains promising but, to make further progress, research efforts need to take in account the latest evidence of the anatomical and neurophysiological features underlying cognitive deficits in these patient populations. Moreover, as the development of in vivo biomarkers are ongoing, allowing for an early diagnosis of these neuro-cognitive conditions, one could consider a scenario in which NIBS treatment will be personalized and made part of a cognitive rehabilitation program, or useful as a potential adjunct to drug therapies since the earliest stages of suh diseases. Research should also integrate novel knowledge on the mechanisms and constraints guiding the impact of electrical and magnetic fields on cerebral tissues and brain activity, and incorporate the principles of information-based neurostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Sanches
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Chloé Stengel
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Godard
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Justine Mertz
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Marc Teichmann
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for Rare or Early Onset Dementias, Department of Neurology, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique -Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Raffaella Migliaccio
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for Rare or Early Onset Dementias, Department of Neurology, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique -Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Antoni Valero-Cabré
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB Team, CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U 1127, Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
- Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity & Rehabilitation, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program, Open University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
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Zhao Y, Ficek B, Webster K, Frangakis C, Caffo B, Hillis AE, Faria A, Tsapkini K. White Matter Integrity Predicts Electrical Stimulation (tDCS) and Language Therapy Effects in Primary Progressive Aphasia. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2021; 35:44-57. [PMID: 33317422 PMCID: PMC7748290 DOI: 10.1177/1545968320971741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), in conjunction with language therapy, improves language therapy outcomes in primary progressive aphasia (PPA). However, no studies show whether white matter integrity predicts language therapy or tDCS effects in PPA. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine whether white matter integrity, measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), predicts written naming/spelling language therapy effects (letter accuracy on trained and untrained words) with and without tDCS over the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in PPA. METHODS Thirty-nine participants with PPA were randomly assigned to tDCS or sham condition, coupled with language therapy for 15 daily sessions. White matter integrity was measured by mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in DTI scans before therapy. Written naming outcomes were evaluated before, immediately after, 2 weeks, and 2 months posttherapy. To assess tDCS treatment effect, we used a mixed-effects model with treatment evaluation and time interaction. We considered a forward model selection approach to identify brain regions/fasciculi of which white matter integrity can predict improvement in performance of word naming. RESULTS Both sham and tDCS groups significantly improved in trained items immediately after and at 2 months posttherapy. Improvement in the tDCS group was greater and generalized to untrained words. White matter integrity of ventral language pathways predicted tDCS effects in trained items whereas white matter integrity of dorsal language pathways predicted tDCS effects in untrained items. CONCLUSIONS White matter integrity influences both language therapy and tDCS effects. Thus, it holds promise as a biomarker for deciding which patients will benefit from language therapy and tDCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Bronte Ficek
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
| | - Kimberly Webster
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
| | - Constantine Frangakis
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
| | - Brian Caffo
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Argye E. Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
| | - Andreia Faria
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
| | - Kyrana Tsapkini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University
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30
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The neural substrate of noun morphological inflection: A rapid event-related fMRI study in Italian. Neuropsychologia 2020; 151:107699. [PMID: 33271155 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The present research investigated the neural correlates of nominal inflection and aimed at disclosing their possible link with the frequency distribution of noun inflectional features: grammatical gender, inflectional suffixes and inflectional classes. The properties of the Italian nominal system were exploited since it allows to explore exhaustively fine-grained phenomena in the inflectional processing. An event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment was carried out where Italian masculine and feminine nouns were visually presented to 50 healthy participants in an overt inflectional task: the generation of the plural from the singular and vice versa. The grammatical gender and the citation form suffix of nouns were manipulated in a factorial design. Functional data showed that inflectional operations for nouns activate an extensive cortical network involving the left inferior and right superior frontal gyri, the left and right middle temporal gyri, the posterior cingulate cortex and the cerebellum. Activations were variably modulated by the distributional features of gender-dependent properties of nouns. Particularly, cortical activity increased during inflectional operations for small and/or scarcely consistent inflectional classes. These findings demonstrate the relevance of specific morphological (inflectional suffixes) and distributional features (size and consistency) shared by groups of words (inflectional classes) in a language, particularly when implementing cognitive operations required for language processing.
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31
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Sebastian R, Kim JH, Brenowitz R, Tippett DC, Desmond JE, Celnik PA, Hillis AE. Cerebellar neuromodulation improves naming in post-stroke aphasia. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa179. [PMID: 33241212 PMCID: PMC7677607 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation has been shown to increase the efficiency of language therapy in chronic aphasia; however, to date, an optimal stimulation site has not been identified. We investigated whether neuromodulation of the right cerebellum can improve naming skills in chronic aphasia. Using a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, within-subject crossover study design, participants received anodal cerebellar stimulation (n = 12) or cathodal cerebellar stimulation (n = 12) + computerized aphasia therapy then sham + computerized aphasia therapy, or the opposite order. There was no significant effect of treatment (cerebellar stimulation versus sham) for trained naming. However, there was a significant order x treatment interaction, indicating that cerebellar stimulation was more effective than sham immediately post-treatment for participants who received cerebellar stimulation in the first phase. There was a significant effect of treatment (cerebellar stimulation versus sham) for untrained naming immediately post-treatment and the significant improvement in untrained naming was maintained at two months post-treatment. Greater gains in naming (relative to sham) were noted for participants receiving cathodal stimulation for both trained and untrained items. Thus, our study provides evidence that repetitive cerebellar transcranial direct stimulation combined with computerized aphasia treatment can improve picture naming in chronic post-stroke aphasia. These findings suggest that the right cerebellum might be an optimal stimulation site for aphasia rehabilitation and this could be an answer to handle heterogeneous participants who vary in their size and site of left hemisphere lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani Sebastian
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ji Hyun Kim
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rachel Brenowitz
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Donna C Tippett
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John E Desmond
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pablo A Celnik
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Argye E Hillis
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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32
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Ganguly J, Murgai A, Sharma S, Aur D, Jog M. Non-invasive Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in Movement Disorders. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:522. [PMID: 32581682 PMCID: PMC7290124 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction within large-scale brain networks as the basis for movement disorders is an accepted hypothesis. The treatment options for restoring network function are limited. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation are now being studied to modify the network. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is also a portable, cost-effective, and non-invasive way of network modulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial alternating current stimulation have been studied in Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, tremor, and ataxia. Transcranial pulsed current stimulation and transcranial random noise stimulation are not yet studied enough. The literature in the use of these techniques is intriguing, yet many unanswered questions remain. In this review, we highlight the studies using these four potential tES techniques and their electrophysiological basis and consider the therapeutic implication in the field of movement disorders. The objectives are to consolidate the current literature, demonstrate that these methods are feasible, and encourage the application of such techniques in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacky Ganguly
- Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Aditya Murgai
- Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Soumya Sharma
- Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Dorian Aur
- Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mandar Jog
- Movement Disorder Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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