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Hol HR, Flak MM, Chang L, Løhaugen GCC, Bjuland KJ, Rimol LM, Engvig A, Skranes J, Ernst T, Madsen BO, Hernes SS. Cortical Thickness Changes After Computerized Working Memory Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:796110. [PMID: 35444526 PMCID: PMC9014119 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.796110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adaptive computerized working memory (WM) training has shown favorable effects on cerebral cortical thickness as compared to non-adaptive training in healthy individuals. However, knowledge of WM training-related morphological changes in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is limited. Objective The primary objective of this double-blind randomized study was to investigate differences in longitudinal cortical thickness trajectories after adaptive and non-adaptive WM training in patients with MCI. We also investigated the genotype effects on cortical thickness trajectories after WM training combining these two training groups using longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis in Freesurfer. Method Magnetic resonance imaging acquisition at 1.5 T were performed at baseline, and after four- and 16-weeks post training. A total of 81 individuals with MCI accepted invitations to undergo 25 training sessions over 5 weeks. Longitudinal Linear Mixed effect models investigated the effect of adaptive vs. non-adaptive WM training. The LME model was fitted for each location (vertex). On all statistical analyzes, a threshold was applied to yield an expected false discovery rate (FDR) of 5%. A secondary LME model investigated the effects of LMX1A and APOE-ε4 on cortical thickness trajectories after WM training. Results A total of 62 participants/patients completed the 25 training sessions. Structural MRI showed no group difference between the two training regimes in our MCI patients, contrary to previous reports in cognitively healthy adults. No significant structural cortical changes were found after training, regardless of training type, across all participants. However, LMX1A-AA carriers displayed increased cortical thickness trajectories or lack of decrease in two regions post-training compared to those with LMX1A-GG/GA. No training or training type effects were found in relation to the APOE-ε4 gene variants. Conclusion The MCI patients in our study, did not have improved cortical thickness after WM training with either adaptive or non-adaptive training. These results were derived from a heterogeneous population of MCI participants. The lack of changes in the cortical thickness trajectory after WM training may also suggest the lack of atrophy during this follow-up period. Our promising results of increased cortical thickness trajectory, suggesting greater neuroplasticity, in those with LMX1A-AA genotype need to be validated in future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haakon R. Hol
- Department of Radiology, Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway
- Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- *Correspondence: Haakon R. Hol,
| | | | - Linda Chang
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Knut Jørgen Bjuland
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lars M. Rimol
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Andreas Engvig
- Department of Medicine, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Skranes
- Department of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thomas Ernst
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Bengt-Ove Madsen
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway
| | - Susanne S. Hernes
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway
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Lawlor-Savage L, Kusi M, Clark CM, Goghari VM. No evidence for an effect of a working memory training program on white matter microstructure. INTELLIGENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2021.101541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Gimbel SI, Ettenhofer ML, Cordero E, Roy M, Chan L. Brain bases of recovery following cognitive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury: a preliminary study. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:410-420. [PMID: 32328915 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00269-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Many patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have persistent cognitive deficits, including decreased attention and working memory. This preliminary study examined fMRI data from a clinical trial implementing a 4-week virtual reality driving intervention to assess how sustained training can improve deficits related to traumatic brain injury. Previously-reported behavioral findings showed improvements in working memory and processing speed in those who received the intervention; this report explores the brain bases of these effects by comparing neural activity related to working memory (n-back task) and resting state connectivity before and after the intervention. In the baseline visit (n = 24), working memory activity was prominent in bilateral DLPFC and prefrontal cortex, anterior insula, medial superior frontal gyrus, left thalamus, bilateral supramarginal / angular gyrus, precuneus, and left posterior middle temporal gyrus. Following intervention, participants showed less global activation on the n-back task, with regions of activity only in the bilateral middle frontal cortex, posterior middle frontal gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus. Activity related to working memory load was reduced for the group that went through the intervention (n = 7) compared to the waitlist control group (n = 4). These results suggest that successful cognitive rehabilitation of working memory in TBI may be associated with increased efficiency of brain networks, evidenced by reduced activation of brain activity during cognitive processing. These results highlight the importance of examining brain activity related to cognitive rehabilitation of attention and working memory after brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah I Gimbel
- Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34730 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA, 92134, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 7700 Arlington Blvd Suite 5101, Falls Church, VA, 22041, USA
| | - Mark L Ettenhofer
- Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34730 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA, 92134, USA.
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 7700 Arlington Blvd Suite 5101, Falls Church, VA, 22041, USA.
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 12725 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | - Evelyn Cordero
- Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34730 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA, 92134, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Michael Roy
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 12725 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Leighton Chan
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 12725 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
- National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Wu Q, Ripp I, Emch M, Koch K. Cortical and subcortical responsiveness to intensive adaptive working memory training: An MRI surface-based analysis. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:2907-2920. [PMID: 33724600 PMCID: PMC8127158 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Working memory training (WMT) has been shown to have effects on cognitive performance, the precise effects and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are, however, still a matter of debate. In particular, the impact of WMT on gray matter morphology is still rather unclear. In the present study, 59 healthy middle‐aged participants (age range 50–65 years) were pseudo‐randomly single‐blinded allocated to an 8‐week adaptive WMT or an 8‐week nonadaptive intervention. Before and after the intervention, high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed and cognitive test performance was assessed in all participants. Vertex‐wise cortical volume, thickness, surface area, and cortical folding was calculated. Seven subcortical volumes of interest and global mean cortical thickness were also measured. Comparisons of symmetrized percent change (SPC) between groups were conducted to identify group by time interactions. Greater increases in cortical gyrification in bilateral parietal regions, including superior parietal cortex and inferior parietal lobule as well as precuneus, greater increases in cortical volume and thickness in bilateral primary motor cortex, and changes in surface area in bilateral occipital cortex (medial and lateral occipital cortex) were detected in WMT group after training compared to active controls. Structural training‐induced changes in WM‐related regions, especially parietal regions, might provide a better brain processing environment for higher WM load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of MedicineTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
- TUM‐Neuroimaging Center (TUM‐NIC)Technical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Institute of Medical PsychologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätMunichGermany
| | - Isabelle Ripp
- TUM‐Neuroimaging Center (TUM‐NIC)Technical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Graduate School of Systemic NeurosciencesLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätMartinsriedGermany
| | - Mónica Emch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of MedicineTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
- TUM‐Neuroimaging Center (TUM‐NIC)Technical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Graduate School of Systemic NeurosciencesLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätMartinsriedGermany
| | - Kathrin Koch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of MedicineTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
- TUM‐Neuroimaging Center (TUM‐NIC)Technical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Graduate School of Systemic NeurosciencesLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätMartinsriedGermany
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Miró-Padilla A, Bueichekú E, Adrián-Ventura J, Costumero V, Palomar-García MÁ, Villar-Rodríguez E, Marin-Marin L, Aguirre N, Ávila C. Sustained and transient gray matter volume changes after n-back training: A VBM study. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 178:107368. [PMID: 33348048 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Working memory training causes functional adaptations in the brain, which include changes in activation and functional connectivity that remain stable over time. Few studies have investigated gray matter (GM) changes after working memory training, and they have produced heterogeneous results without clarifying the stable effects of training. The present study was designed to test for sustained and transient anatomic changes after only 200 min of working memory training. The voxel-based morphometry technique was used in order to investigate the GM changes produced by a brief single n-back training, immediately and 5 weeks after finishing it. The sample was composed by 59 human participants who underwent MRI scanning and were assigned to either a training group or a passive control group. Results showed sustained GM volume enlargement in the right superior parietal cortex and a transient GM decrease in the right putamen. The brain adaptation in the right superior parietal cortex was stronger in individuals who showed greater improvements in performance. The results provide further evidence that a brief working memory training is able to produce brain plasticity in structures related to the trained task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Miró-Padilla
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
| | - Elisenda Bueichekú
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
| | - Jesús Adrián-Ventura
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
| | - Víctor Costumero
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - María-Ángeles Palomar-García
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
| | - Esteban Villar-Rodríguez
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
| | - Lidón Marin-Marin
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
| | - Naiara Aguirre
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
| | - César Ávila
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
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Stavroulaki V, Giakoumaki SG, Sidiropoulou K. Working memory training effects across the lifespan: Evidence from human and experimental animal studies. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 194:111415. [PMID: 33338498 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111415] [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: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Working memory refers to a cognitive function that provides temporary storage and manipulation of the information necessary for complex cognitive tasks. Due to its central role in general cognition, several studies have investigated the possibility that training on working memory tasks could improve not only working memory function but also increase other cognitive abilities or modulate other behaviors. This possibility is still highly controversial, with prior studies providing contradictory findings. The lack of systematic approaches and methodological shortcomings complicates this debate even more. This review highlights the impact of working memory training at different ages on humans. Finally, it demonstrates several findings about the neural substrate of training in both humans and experimental animals, including non-human primates and rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stella G Giakoumaki
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, Gallos University Campus, University of Crete, Rethymno, 74100, Crete, Greece; University of Crete Research Center for the Humanities, The Social and Educational Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno, 74100, Crete, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Sidiropoulou
- Dept of Biology, University of Crete, Greece; Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology - Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Greece.
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Working memory updating training promotes plasticity & behavioural gains: A systematic review & meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:209-235. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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