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Kazinka R, Roediger D, Xuan L, Yu L, Mueller BA, Camchong J, Opitz A, MacDonald A, Lim KO. tDCS-enhanced cognitive training improves attention and alters connectivity in control and somatomotor networks: A triple blind study. Neuroimage 2024; 298:120792. [PMID: 39147294 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120792] [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: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Executive dysfunction such as inattention or forgetfulness can lead to disruptions in a person's daily functioning and quality of life. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS This triple-blinded randomized clinical trial assessed the efficacy of bifrontal (over the forehead) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) concurrent with cognitive training to improve cognitive performance in a healthy sample. METHODS Fifty-eight participants were randomly assigned to one of three stimulation conditions (2 mA left anode-right cathode, 2 mA right anode-left cathode, or sham), which was administered with cognitive training tasks 3x/week over 12 weeks with assessments at baseline, midpoint (6 weeks), and post-training (12 weeks). We assessed cognitive performance, functional connectivity, and the influence of individual differences in training advancement. RESULTS Forty participants completed training. We found that at midpoint and post, all groups improved significantly on overall cognitive performance. The left anode group's attention & vigilance score improved significantly at post, but the other two groups did not. Greater attention training advancement predicted attention improvement by post, most notably in the left anode group. Finally, within-network connectivity decreased in the control network and increased in the somatomotor network across all groups. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that, given cognitive training, the left anode montage is more effective at improving attention than the right anode montage and sham. Future research may focus on the application of the left anode montage during cognitive training to assess its effectiveness in improving cognition in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kazinka
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States; University of Minnesota, Department of Biomedical Engineering, United States
| | - Donovan Roediger
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States
| | - Lei Xuan
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States
| | - Lingyan Yu
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychology, United States
| | - Bryon A Mueller
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States
| | - Jazmin Camchong
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States
| | - Alexander Opitz
- University of Minnesota, Department of Biomedical Engineering, United States
| | - Angus MacDonald
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychology, United States
| | - Kelvin O Lim
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States
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Calderone A, Cardile D, Gangemi A, De Luca R, Quartarone A, Corallo F, Calabrò RS. Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuromodulation Techniques in Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review. Biomedicines 2024; 12:438. [PMID: 38398040 PMCID: PMC10886871 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020438] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a condition in which an external force, usually a violent blow to the head, causes functional impairment in the brain. Neuromodulation techniques are thought to restore altered function in the brain, resulting in improved function and reduced symptoms. Brain stimulation can alter the firing of neurons, boost synaptic strength, alter neurotransmitters and excitotoxicity, and modify the connections in their neural networks. All these are potential effects on brain activity. Accordingly, this is a promising therapy for TBI. These techniques are flexible because they can target different brain areas and vary in frequency and amplitude. This review aims to investigate the recent literature about neuromodulation techniques used in the rehabilitation of TBI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The identification of studies was made possible by conducting online searches on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases. Studies published between 2013 and 2023 were selected. This review has been registered on OSF (JEP3S). RESULTS We have found that neuromodulation techniques can improve the rehabilitation process for TBI patients in several ways. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can improve cognitive functions such as recall ability, neural substrates, and overall improved performance on neuropsychological tests. Repetitive TMS has the potential to increase neural connections in many TBI patients but not in all patients, such as those with chronic diffuse axonal damage. CONCLUSIONS This review has demonstrated that neuromodulation techniques are promising instruments in the rehabilitation field, including those affected by TBI. The efficacy of neuromodulation can have a significant impact on their lives and improve functional outcomes for TBI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Davide Cardile
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C. da Casazza; 98124 Messina, Italy; (A.C.); (A.G.); (R.D.L.); (A.Q.); (F.C.); (R.S.C.)
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Ke Y, Liu S, Chen L, Wang X, Ming D. Lasting enhancements in neural efficiency by multi-session transcranial direct current stimulation during working memory training. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2023; 8:48. [PMID: 37919371 PMCID: PMC10622507 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-023-00200-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The neural basis for long-term behavioral improvements resulting from multi-session transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with working memory training (WMT) remains unclear. In this study, we used task-related electroencephalography (EEG) measures to investigate the lasting neurophysiological effects of anodal high-definition (HD)-tDCS applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) during a challenging WMT. Thirty-four healthy young adults were randomized to sham or active tDCS groups and underwent ten 30-minute training sessions over ten consecutive days, preceded by a pre-test and followed by post-tests performed one day and three weeks after the last session, respectively, by performing high-load WM tasks along with EEG recording. Multi-session HD-tDCS significantly enhanced the behavioral benefits of WMT. Compared to the sham group, the active group showed facilitated increases in theta, alpha, beta, and gamma task-related oscillations at the end of training and significantly increased P300 response 3 weeks post-training. Our findings suggest that applying anodal tDCS over the left dlPFC during multi-session WMT can enhance the behavioral benefits of WMT and facilitate sustained improvements in WM-related neural efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Ke
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin International Joint Research Centre for Neural Engineering, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Brain-computer Interaction and Human-machine Integration, Tianjin, PR China.
| | - Shuang Liu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin International Joint Research Centre for Neural Engineering, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Brain-computer Interaction and Human-machine Integration, Tianjin, PR China.
| | - Long Chen
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin International Joint Research Centre for Neural Engineering, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China
- Haihe Laboratory of Brain-computer Interaction and Human-machine Integration, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Xiashuang Wang
- The Second Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, Beijing, PR China
| | - Dong Ming
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin International Joint Research Centre for Neural Engineering, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Brain-computer Interaction and Human-machine Integration, Tianjin, PR China.
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4
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McNerney MW, Gurkoff GG, Beard C, Berryhill ME. The Rehabilitation Potential of Neurostimulation for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Animal and Human Studies. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1402. [PMID: 37891771 PMCID: PMC10605899 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101402] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurostimulation carries high therapeutic potential, accompanied by an excellent safety profile. In this review, we argue that an arena in which these tools could provide breakthrough benefits is traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a major health problem worldwide, with the majority of cases identified as mild TBI (mTBI). MTBI is of concern because it is a modifiable risk factor for dementia. A major challenge in studying mTBI is its inherent heterogeneity across a large feature space (e.g., etiology, age of injury, sex, treatment, initial health status, etc.). Parallel lines of research in human and rodent mTBI can be collated to take advantage of the full suite of neuroscience tools, from neuroimaging (electroencephalography: EEG; functional magnetic resonance imaging: fMRI; diffusion tensor imaging: DTI) to biochemical assays. Despite these attractive components and the need for effective treatments, there are at least two major challenges to implementation. First, there is insufficient understanding of how neurostimulation alters neural mechanisms. Second, there is insufficient understanding of how mTBI alters neural function. The goal of this review is to assemble interrelated but disparate areas of research to identify important gaps in knowledge impeding the implementation of neurostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Windy McNerney
- Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; (M.W.M.); (C.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Gene G. Gurkoff
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, CA 94553, USA
| | - Charlotte Beard
- Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; (M.W.M.); (C.B.)
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Marian E. Berryhill
- Programs in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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Zacharopoulos G, Maio G, Linden DEJ. Dissecting the neurocomputational bases of patch-switching. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:7930-7940. [PMID: 36928911 PMCID: PMC10267616 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad088] [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: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The survival and well-being of humans require solving the patch-switching problem: we must decide when to stop collecting rewards in a current patch and travel somewhere else where gains may be higher. Previous studies suggested that frontal regions are underpinned by several processes in the context of foraging decisions such as tracking task difficulty, and/or the value of exploring the environment. To dissociate between these processes, participants completed an fMRI patch-switching learning task inspired by behavioral ecology. By analyzing >11,000 trials collected across 21 participants, we found that the activation in the cingulate cortex was closely related to several patch-switching-related variables including the decision to leave the current patch, the encounter of a new patch, the harvest value, and the relative forage value. Learning-induced changes in the patch-switching threshold were tracked by activity within frontoparietal regions including the superior frontal gyrus and angular gyrus. Our findings suggest that frontoparietal regions shape patch-switching learning apart from encoding classical non-learning foraging processes. These findings provide a novel neurobiological understanding of how learning emerges neurocomputationally shaping patch-switching behavior with implications in real-life choices such as job selection and pave the way for future studies to probe the causal role of these neurobiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Zacharopoulos
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA28PP, United Kingdom
| | - Greg Maio
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - David E J Linden
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
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6
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Jones KT, Johnson EL, Gazzaley A, Zanto TP. Structural and functional network mechanisms of rescuing cognitive control in aging. Neuroimage 2022; 262:119547. [PMID: 35940423 PMCID: PMC9464721 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119547] [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: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related declines in cognitive control, an ability critical in most daily tasks, threaten individual independence. We previously showed in both older and younger adults that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can improve cognitive control, with effects observed across neural regions distant from the stimulated site and frequencies outside the stimulated range. Here, we assess network-level changes in neural activity that extend beyond the stimulated site and evaluate anatomical pathways that subserve these effects. We investigated the potential to rescue cognitive control in aging using prefrontal (F3-F4) theta (6 Hz) or control (1 Hz) tACS while older adults engaged in a cognitive control video game intervention on three consecutive days. Functional connectivity was assessed with EEG by measuring daily changes in frontal-posterior phase-locking values (PLV) from the tACS-free baseline. Structural connectivity was measured using MRI diffusion tractography data collected at baseline. Theta tACS improved multitasking performance, and individual gains reflected a dissociation in daily PLV changes, where theta tACS strengthened PLV and control tACS reduced PLV. Strengthened alpha-beta PLV in the theta tACS group correlated positively with inferior longitudinal fasciculus and corpus callosum body integrity, and further explained multitasking gains. These results demonstrate that theta tACS can improve cognitive control in aging by strengthening functional connectivity, particularly in higher frequency bands. However, the extent of functional connectivity gains is limited by the integrity of structural white matter tracts. Given that advanced age is associated with decreased white matter integrity, results suggest that the deployment of tACS as a therapeutic is best prior to advanced age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Jones
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Elizabeth L Johnson
- Departments of Medical Social Sciences and Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Adam Gazzaley
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Departments of Physiology and Psychiatry, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Theodore P Zanto
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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7
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Voegtle A, Reichert C, Hinrichs H, Sweeney-Reed CM. Repetitive Anodal TDCS to the Frontal Cortex Increases the P300 during Working Memory Processing. Brain Sci 2022; 12:1545. [PMID: 36421869 PMCID: PMC9688092 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12111545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) is a technique with which neuronal activity, and therefore potentially behavior, is modulated by applying weak electrical currents to the scalp. Application of TDCS to enhance working memory (WM) has shown promising but also contradictory results, and little emphasis has been placed on repeated stimulation protocols, in which effects are expected to be increased. We aimed to characterize potential behavioral and electrophysiological changes induced by TDCS during WM training and evaluate whether repetitive anodal TDCS has a greater modulatory impact on the processes underpinning WM than single-session stimulation. We examined the effects of single-session and repetitive anodal TDCS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), targeting the frontal-parietal network, during a WM task in 20 healthy participants. TDCS had no significant impact on behavioral measures, including reaction time and accuracy. Analyzing the electrophysiological response, the P300 amplitude significantly increased following repetitive anodal TDCS, however, positively correlating with task performance. P300 changes were identified over the parietal cortex, which is known to engage with the frontal cortex during WM processing. These findings support the hypothesis that repetitive anodal TDCS modulates electrophysiological processes underlying WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Voegtle
- Neurocybernetics and Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Reichert
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences—CBBS, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Hinrichs
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences—CBBS, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Catherine M. Sweeney-Reed
- Neurocybernetics and Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences—CBBS, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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Martin DM, Berryhill ME, Dielenberg V. Can brain stimulation enhance cognition in clinical populations? A critical review. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2022:RNN211230. [PMID: 36404559 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-211230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many psychiatric and neurological conditions are associated with cognitive impairment for which there are very limited treatment options. Brain stimulation methodologies show promise as novel therapeutics and have cognitive effects. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), known more for its related transient adverse cognitive effects, can produce significant cognitive improvement in the weeks following acute treatment. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used as a treatment for major depression and has acute cognitive effects. Emerging research from controlled studies suggests that repeated TMS treatments may additionally have cognitive benefit. ECT and TMS treatment cause neurotrophic changes, although whether these are associated with cognitive effects remains unclear. Transcranial electrical stimulation methods including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) are in development as novel treatments for multiple psychiatric conditions. These treatments may also produce cognitive enhancement particularly when stimulation occurs concurrently with a cognitive task. This review summarizes the current clinical evidence for these brain stimulation treatments as therapeutics for enhancing cognition. Acute, or short-lasting, effects as well as longer-term effects from repeated treatments are reviewed, together with potential putative neural mechanisms. Areas of future research are highlighted to assist with optimization of these approaches for enhancing cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donel M. Martin
- Sydney Neurostimulation Centre, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health UNSW, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marian E. Berryhill
- Memory and Brain Lab, Programs in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Victoria Dielenberg
- Sydney Neurostimulation Centre, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health UNSW, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Chiang HS, Motes M, Kraut M, Vanneste S, Hart J. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation modulates theta response during a Go-NoGo task in traumatic brain injury. Clin Neurophysiol 2022; 143:36-47. [PMID: 36108520 PMCID: PMC10545365 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) has been shown to improve cognitive performance in individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI), although electrophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS Veterans with TBI underwent active anodal (N = 15) vs sham (N = 10) HD-tDCS targeting the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA). A Go-NoGo task was conducted simultaneously with electroencephalography (EEG) at baseline and after intervention completion. RESULTS We found increased theta event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) during Go in the frontal midline electrodes overlying the pre-SMA after active HD-tDCS intervention, but not after sham. We also found increased theta phase coherence during Go between the frontal midline and left posterior regions after active HD-tDCS. A late increase in alpha-theta ERSP was found in the left central region after active HD-tDCS. Notably, lower baseline theta ERSP/ITPC in the frontal midline region predicted more post-intervention improvement in Go performance only in the active group. CONCLUSIONS There are local and interregional oscillatory changes in response to HD-tDCS modulation in chronic TBI. SIGNIFICANCE These findings may guide future research in utilizing EEG time-frequency metrics not only to measure interventional effects, but also in selecting candidates who may optimally respond to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsueh-Sheng Chiang
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - Michael Motes
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - Michael Kraut
- Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 N Caroline St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Sven Vanneste
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080, USA; Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - John Hart
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
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Smits FM, Geuze E, de Kort GJ, Kouwer K, Geerlings L, van Honk J, Schutter DJ. Effects of Multisession Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Stress Regulation and Emotional Working Memory: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Military Personnel. Neuromodulation 2022:S1094-7159(22)00721-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Caulfield KA, Indahlastari A, Nissim NR, Lopez JW, Fleischmann HH, Woods AJ, George MS. Electric Field Strength From Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Determines Degree of Working Memory Response: A Potential Application of Reverse-Calculation Modeling? Neuromodulation 2022; 25:578-587. [PMID: 35670064 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for working memory is an enticing treatment, but there is mixed evidence to date. OBJECTIVES We tested the effects of electric field strength from uniform 2 mA dosing on working memory change from prestimulation to poststimulation. Second, we statistically evaluated a reverse-calculation method of individualizing tDCS dose and its effect on normalizing electric field at the cortex. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed electric field modeling on a data set of 28 healthy older adults (15 women, mean age = 73.7, SD = 7.3) who received ten sessions of active 2 mA tDCS (N = 14) or sham tDCS (N = 14) applied over bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) in a triple-blind design. We evaluated the relationship between electric field strength and working memory change on an N-back task in conditions of above-median, high electric field from active 2 mA (N = 7), below-median, low electric field from active 2 mA (N = 7), and sham (N = 14) at regions of interest (ROI) at the left and right DLPFC. We then determined the individualized reverse-calculation dose to produce the group average electric field and measured the electric field variance between uniform 2 mA doses vs individualized reverse-calculation doses at the same ROIs. RESULTS Working memory improvements from pre- to post-tDCS were significant for the above-median electric field from active 2 mA condition at the left DLPFC (mixed ANOVA, p = 0.013). Furthermore, reverse-calculation modeling significantly reduced electric field variance at both ROIs (Levene's test; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Higher electric fields at the left DLPFC from uniform 2 mA doses appear to drive working memory improvements from tDCS. Individualized doses from reverse-calculation modeling significantly reduce electric field variance at the cortex. Taken together, using reverse-calculation modeling to produce the same, high electric fields at the cortex across participants may produce more effective future tDCS treatments for working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Caulfield
- Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Aprinda Indahlastari
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nicole R Nissim
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James W Lopez
- Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Holly H Fleischmann
- Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Adam J Woods
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mark S George
- Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
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12
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Johnson EL, Arciniega H, Jones KT, Kilgore-Gomez A, Berryhill ME. Individual predictors and electrophysiological signatures of working memory enhancement in aging. Neuroimage 2022; 250:118939. [PMID: 35104647 PMCID: PMC8923157 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A primary goal of translational neuroscience is to identify the neural mechanisms of age-related cognitive decline and develop protocols to maximally improve cognition. Here, we demonstrate how interventions that apply noninvasive neurostimulation to older adults improve working memory (WM). We found that one session of sham-controlled transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) selectively improved WM in older adults with more education, extending earlier work and underscoring the importance of identifying individual predictors of tDCS responsivity. Improvements in WM were associated with two distinct electrophysiological signatures. First, a broad enhancement of theta network synchrony tracked improvements in behavioral accuracy, with tDCS effects moderated by education level. Further analysis revealed that accuracy dynamics reflected an anterior-posterior network distribution regardless of cathode placement. Second, specific enhancements of theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) reflecting tDCS current flow tracked improvements in reaction time (RT). RT dynamics further explained inter-individual variability in WM improvement independent of education. These findings illuminate theta network synchrony and theta-gamma PAC as distinct but complementary mechanisms supporting WM in aging. Both mechanisms are amenable to intervention, the effectiveness of which can be predicted by individual demographic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Johnson
- Departments of Medical Social Sciences and Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States.
| | - Hector Arciniega
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, United States
| | - Kevin T Jones
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States
| | - Alexandrea Kilgore-Gomez
- Department of Psychology, Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Program in Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, United States
| | - Marian E Berryhill
- Department of Psychology, Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Program in Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, United States.
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13
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Soleimani G, Kupliki R, Bodurka J, Paulus M, Ekhtiari H. How structural and functional MRI can inform dual-site tACS parameters: A case study in a clinical population and its pragmatic implications. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:337-351. [PMID: 35042056 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormalities in frontoparietal network (FPN) were observed in many neuropsychiatric diseases including substance use disorders. A growing number of studies are using dual-site-tACS with frontoparietal synchronization to engage this network. However, a computational pathway to inform and optimize parameter space for frontoparietal synchronization is still lacking. In this case study, in a group of participants with methamphetamine use disorders, we proposed a computational pathway to extract optimal electrode montage while accounting for stimulation intensity using structural and functional MRI. METHODS Sixty methamphetamine users completed an fMRI drug cue-reactivity task. Four main steps were taken to define electrode montage and adjust stimulation intensity using 4x1 high-definition (HD) electrodes for a dual-site-tACS; (1) Frontal seed was defined based on the maximum electric fields (EF) predicted by simulation of HD montage over DLPFC (F3/F4 in EEG 10-20), (2) frontal seed-to-whole brain context-dependent correlation was calculated to determine connected regions to frontal seeds, (3) center of connected cluster in parietal cortex was selected as a location for placing the second set of HD electrodes to shape the informed montage, (4) individualized head models were used to determine optimal stimulation intensity considering underlying brain structure. The informed montage was compared to montages with large electrodes and classic frontoparietal HD montages (F3-P3/F4-P4) in terms of tACS-induced EF and ROI-to-ROI task-based/resting-state connectivity. RESULTS Compared to the large electrodes, HD frontoparietal montages allow for a finer control of the spatial peak fields in the main nodes of the FPN at the cost of lower maximum EF (large-pad/HD: max EF[V/m] = 0.37/0.11, number of cortical sub-regions that EF exceeds 50% of the max = 77/13). For defining stimulation targets based on EF patterns, using group-level head models compared to a single standard head model results in comparable but significantly different seed locations (6.43mm Euclidean distance between the locations of the frontal maximum EF in standard-space). As expected, significant task-based/resting-state connections were only found between frontal-parietal locations in the informed montage. Cue-induced craving score was correlated with frontoparietal connectivity only in the informed montage (r = -0.24). Stimulation intensity in the informed montage, and not in the classic HD montage, needs 40% reduction in the parietal site to reduce the disparity in EF between sites. CONCLUSION This study provides some empirical insights to montage and dose selection in dual-site-tACS using individual brain structures and functions and proposes a computational pathway to use head models and functional MRI to define (1) optimum electrode montage for targeting FPN in a context of interest (drug-cue-reactivity) and (2) proper transcranial stimulation intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazaleh Soleimani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran; Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rayus Kupliki
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Jerzy Bodurka
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Martin Paulus
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Hamed Ekhtiari
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States.
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14
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Au J, Katz B, Moon A, Talati S, Abagis TR, Jonides J, Jaeggi SM. Post-training stimulation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex impairs working memory training performance. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:2351-2363. [PMID: 33438297 PMCID: PMC8273206 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Research investigating transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance cognitive training augments both our understanding of its long-term effects on cognitive plasticity as well as potential applications to strengthen cognitive interventions. Previous work has demonstrated enhancement of working memory training while applying concurrent tDCS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, the optimal stimulation parameters are still unknown. For example, the timing of tDCS delivery has been shown to be an influential variable that can interact with task learning. In the present study, we used tDCS to target the right DLPFC while participants trained on a visuospatial working memory task. We sought to compare the relative efficacy of online stimulation delivered during training to offline stimulation delivered either immediately before or afterwards. We were unable to replicate previously demonstrated benefits of online stimulation; however, we did find evidence that offline stimulation delivered after training can actually be detrimental to training performance relative to sham. We interpret our results in light of evidence suggesting a role of the right DLPFC in promoting memory interference, and conclude that while tDCS may be a promising tool to influence the results of cognitive training, more research and an abundance of caution are needed before fully endorsing its use for cognitive enhancement. This work suggests that effects can vary substantially in magnitude and direction between studies, and may be heavily dependent on a variety of intervention protocol parameters such as the timing and location of stimulation delivery, about which our understanding is still nascent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacky Au
- School of Education, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Benjamin Katz
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Austin Moon
- School of Education, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Sheebani Talati
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tessa R. Abagis
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - John Jonides
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Susanne M. Jaeggi
- School of Education, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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15
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Anodal tDCS augments and preserves working memory beyond time-on-task deficits. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19134. [PMID: 34580390 PMCID: PMC8476579 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98636-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been shown to promote working memory (WM), however, its efficacy against time-on-task-related performance decline and associated cognitive fatigue remains uncertain. This study examined the impact of anodal tDCS of the left DLPFC on performance during a fatiguing visuospatial WM test. We adopted a repeated measures design, where 32 healthy adults (16 female), underwent anodal, control and sham tDCS on separate days. They completed an hour long two-back test, with stimulation intensity, onset, and duration set at 1 mA, at the 20th minute for 10 minutes respectively. Task performance, subjective responses, and heart rate variability (HRV) were captured during the experiment. Anodal tDCS substantially improved WM relative to sham tDCS and control in both sexes. These benefits lasted beyond the stimulation interval, and were unique across performance measures. However, no perceptual changes in subjective effort or fatigue levels were noted between conditions, although participants reported greater discomfort during stimulation. While mood and sleepiness changed with time-on-task, reflecting fatigue, these were largely similar across conditions. HRV increased under anodal tDCS and control, and plateaued under sham tDCS. We found that short duration anodal tDCS at 1 mA was an effective countermeasure to time-on-task deficits during a visuospatial two-back task, with enhancement and preservation of WM capacity. However, these improvements were not available at a perceptual level. Therefore, wider investigations are necessary to determine “how” such solutions will be operationalized in the field, especially within human-centered systems.
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16
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Johnson EL, Jones KT. Longitudinal indices of human cognition and brain structure. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:2323-2326. [PMID: 34328671 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Johnson
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Institute of Gerontology, Life-Span Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 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
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17
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Schmicker M, Menze I, Schneider C, Taubert M, Zaehle T, Mueller NG. Making the rich richer: Frontoparietal tDCS enhances transfer effects of a single-session distractor inhibition training on working memory in high capacity individuals but reduces them in low capacity individuals. Neuroimage 2021; 242:118438. [PMID: 34332042 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) performance depends on the ability to extract relevant while inhibiting irrelevant information from entering the WM storage. This distractor inhibition ability can be trained and is known to induce transfer effects on WM performance. Here we asked whether transfer on WM can be boosted by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during a single-session distractor inhibition training. As WM performance is ascribed to the frontoparietal network, in which prefrontal areas are associated with inhibiting distractors and posterior parietal areas with storing information, we placed the anode over the prefrontal and the cathode over the posterior parietal cortex during a single-session distractor inhibition training. This network-oriented stimulation protocol should enhance inhibition processes by shifting the neural activity from posterior to prefrontal regions. WM improved after a single-session distractor inhibition training under verum stimulation but only in subjects with a high WM capacity. In subjects with a low WM capacity, verum tDCS reduced the transfer effects on WM. We assume tDCS to strengthen the frontostriatal pathway in individuals with a high WM capacity leading to efficient inhibition of distractors. In contrast, the cathodal stimulation of the posterior parietal cortex might have hindered usual compensational mechanism in low capacity subjects, i.e. maintaining also irrelevant information in memory. Our results thus stress the need to adjust tDCS protocols to well-founded knowledge about neural networks and individual cognitive differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlen Schmicker
- Neuroprotection Lab, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Inga Menze
- Neuroprotection Lab, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christine Schneider
- Neuroprotection Lab, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marco Taubert
- Chair for Training Science, Faculty for Humanities, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Notger G Mueller
- Neuroprotection Lab, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
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18
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Boissonnault È, Higgins J, LaGarde G, Barthélemy D, Lamarre C, H Dagher J. Brain stimulation in attention deficits after traumatic brain injury: a literature review and feasibility study. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2021; 7:115. [PMID: 34059152 PMCID: PMC8165970 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-021-00859-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After a traumatic brain injury, disturbances in the attentional processes have a direct negative effect on functional recovery and on return to complex activities. To date, there is no good attention remediation treatment available. The primary objective of this review and pilot study is to provide an overview of the research evidence and to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a tDCS protocol to improve attention disorders in patients with mild complicated to severe subacute TBI, hospitalized in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Our secondary objective is to extract preliminary data and observational information on participants' response to treatment. METHODS Participants were recruited from a consecutive series of patients admitted to the TBI unit of a subspecialized regional rehabilitation center. They received a 20-min tDCS stimulation 3 times a week for 3 weeks. A neuropsychological evaluation was performed before and after the intervention. We collected participants' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as information about satisfaction, tolerability, and adverse effects. RESULTS One hundred sixty-four patients were admitted between September 2018 and January 2020. One hundred fifty-eight were excluded, and 6 patients with presumed attentional deficits were enrolled. None completed the protocol as intended. No major side effects occurred. CONCLUSION Non-invasive brain neurostimulation is promising to enhance attention deficits in patients with TBI. Implementation of a tDCS protocol to fulfill this purpose in an intensive inpatient rehabilitation center has its limitations. We made recommendations to facilitate the implementation of similar projects in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN, ISRCTN55243064 . Registered 14 October 2020-retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ève Boissonnault
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), 6300, avenue de Darlington (Pavillon Gingras), Montréal, QC, H3S 2J4, Canada. .,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Johanne Higgins
- Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), 6300, avenue de Darlington (Pavillon Gingras), Montréal, QC, H3S 2J4, Canada.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, QC, Canada.,School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Geneviève LaGarde
- Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), 6300, avenue de Darlington (Pavillon Gingras), Montréal, QC, H3S 2J4, Canada.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dorothy Barthélemy
- Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), 6300, avenue de Darlington (Pavillon Gingras), Montréal, QC, H3S 2J4, Canada.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, QC, Canada.,School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Céline Lamarre
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), 6300, avenue de Darlington (Pavillon Gingras), Montréal, QC, H3S 2J4, Canada.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jehane H Dagher
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), 6300, avenue de Darlington (Pavillon Gingras), Montréal, QC, H3S 2J4, Canada.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, QC, Canada
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19
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Chan MMY, Yau SSY, Han YMY. The neurobiology of prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in promoting brain plasticity: A systematic review and meta-analyses of human and rodent studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:392-416. [PMID: 33662444 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms underlying prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) remain elusive. Randomized, sham-controlled trials in humans and rodents applying in vivo prefrontal tDCS were included to explore whether prefrontal tDCS modulates resting-state and event-related functional connectivity, neural oscillation and synaptic plasticity. Fifty studies were included in the systematic review and 32 in the meta-analyses. Neuroimaging meta-analysis indicated anodal prefrontal tDCS significantly enhanced bilateral median cingulate activity [familywise error (FWE)-corrected p < .005]; meta-regression revealed a positive relationship between changes in median cingulate activity after tDCS and current density (FWE-corrected p < .005) as well as electric current strength (FWE-corrected p < .05). Meta-analyses of electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography data revealed nonsignificant changes (ps > .1) in both resting-state and event-related oscillatory power across all frequency bands. Applying anodal tDCS over the rodent hippocampus/prefrontal cortex enhanced long-term potentiation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the stimulated brain regions (ps <.005). Evidence supporting prefrontal tDCS administration is preliminary; more methodologically consistent studies evaluating its effects on cognitive function that include brain activity measurements are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sonata S Y Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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20
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Zhao C, Woodman GF. Converging Evidence That Neural Plasticity Underlies Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation. J Cogn Neurosci 2020; 33:146-157. [PMID: 33054552 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
It is not definitely known how direct-current stimulation causes its long-lasting effects. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the long time course of transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is because of the electrical field increasing the plasticity of the brain tissue. If this is the case, then we should see tDCS effects when humans need to encode information into long-term memory, but not at other times. We tested this hypothesis by delivering tDCS to the ventral visual stream of human participants during different tasks (i.e., recognition memory vs. visual search) and at different times during a memory task. We found that tDCS improved memory encoding, and the neural correlates thereof, but not retrieval. We also found that tDCS did not change the efficiency of information processing during visual search for a certain target object, a task that does not require the formation of new connections in the brain but instead relies on attention and object recognition mechanisms. Thus, our findings support the hypothesis that direct-current stimulation modulates brain activity by changing the underlying plasticity of the tissue.
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21
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Cerreta AGB, Mruczek REB, Berryhill ME. Predicting Working Memory Training Benefits From Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Using Resting-State fMRI. Front Psychol 2020; 11:570030. [PMID: 33154728 PMCID: PMC7591503 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.570030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on working memory (WM) performance are promising but variable and contested. In particular, designs involving one session of tDCS are prone to variable outcomes with notable effects of individual differences. Some participants benefit, whereas others are impaired by the same tDCS protocol. In contrast, protocols including multiple sessions of tDCS more consistently report WM improvement across participants. The objective of the current project was to test whether differences in resting-state connectivity between stimulation site and two WM-relevant networks [default mode network (DMN) and central executive network (CEN)] could account for initial and longitudinal responses to tDCS. Healthy young adults completed 5 days of visual WM training during sham or anodal right frontal tDCS. The behavioral data showed that only the active tDCS group significantly improved over the visual WM training period. There were no significant correlations between initial response to tDCS and resting-state activity. DMN activity in the anterior cingulate cortex significantly correlated with WM training slope. These data underscore the importance of sampling in studies applying tDCS; homogeneity (e.g., of gender, special population, and WM capacity) may produce more consistent data in a single experiment with limited power, whereas heterogeneity is important in determining the mechanism(s) and potential for tDCS-linked protocols. This issue is a limitation in tDCS findings that continues to hamper its optimization and translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelle G B Cerreta
- Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Program in Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Ryan E B Mruczek
- Department of Psychology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Marian E Berryhill
- Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Program in Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
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22
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Splittgerber M, Salvador R, Brauer H, Breitling-Ziegler C, Prehn-Kristensen A, Krauel K, Nowak R, Ruffini G, Moliadze V, Siniatchkin M. Individual Baseline Performance and Electrode Montage Impact on the Effects of Anodal tDCS Over the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:349. [PMID: 33100989 PMCID: PMC7506510 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC), can produce significant effects on working memory (WM) performance and associated neurophysiological activity. However, results from previous studies are inconsistent and occasionally contradictory. This inconsistency may be attributed to methodological and individual differences during experiments. This study therefore investigated two hypotheses: (1) A multichannel-optimized montage was expected to be more effective than a classical bipolar montage, because of increased focality. (2) The subjects were expected to benefit differently from the stimulation depending on their initial task performance. In a sham-controlled crossover study, 24 healthy participants received bipolar, multichannel, and sham stimulation for 20 min in randomized order, targeting the lDLPFC while performing a 2-back WM task. After stimulation, electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded at rest and during 2-back and nontarget continuous performance task (CPT) performance. Bipolar and multichannel stimulations were both well tolerated and effectively blinded. We found no effect of stimulation on behavioral performance or neuronal oscillations comparing the classical bipolar or multichannel montage with sham stimulation. We did, however, find an interaction between stimulation and initial task performance. For multichannel stimulation, initially low-performing participants tended to improve their WM performance while initially high-performing participants tended to worsen their performance compared to sham stimulation. Both tDCS montages induced changes in neural oscillatory power, which correlated with baseline performance. The worse the participants’ initial WM performance was, the more task-related theta power was induced by multichannel and bipolar stimulation. The same effect was observed for alpha power in the nontarget task following multichannel stimulation. Notably, we were not able to show a superiority of multichannel stimulation compared to bipolar stimulation. Still, comparing both montages with sham stimulation, multichannel stimulation led to stronger effects than bipolar stimulation. The current study highlights the importance of investigating different parameters with potential influence on tDCS effects in combination. Our results demonstrate how individual differences in cognitive performance and electrode montages influence effects of tDCS on neuropsychological performance. These findings support the idea of an individualized and optimized stimulation setting, potentially leading to increased tDCS effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Splittgerber
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center-Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Hannah Brauer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Integrative Psychiatry Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Carolin Breitling-Ziegler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Prehn-Kristensen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Integrative Psychiatry Kiel, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kerstin Krauel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Vera Moliadze
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center-Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael Siniatchkin
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center-Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany.,Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany
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23
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Shires J, Carrasco C, Berryhill ME. No tDCS augmented working memory training benefit in undergraduates rewarded with course credit. Brain Stimul 2020; 13:1524-1526. [PMID: 32891871 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of working memory (WM) training is to expand capacity of this executive function. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with WM training is more consistent than either alone. We have reported that tDCS targeting frontal and/or parietal regions enhanced theta phase locking, reduced alpha power, and strengthened theta-gamma phase amplitude coupling. OBJECTIVE To determine whether tDCS to frontal or parietal sites optimized WM training gains we pre-registered a tDCS-WM training study. METHODS 80 undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of four anodal tDCS montages: frontal (F4), parietal (P4), alternating (P4-F4), and sham (P4 or F4). Participants completed 5-training sessions over one week and returned for follow-up testing after 30 days of no-contact. RESULTS No group showed significant improvement in trained or transfer task performance at the end of training nor at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This null finding marks a failure to replicate in undergraduates training benefits observed in graduate students. We argue that motivation is essential to elicit improved performance in training protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorja Shires
- University of Nevada, Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Psychology, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Carlos Carrasco
- University of Nevada, Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Psychology, Reno, NV, 89557, USA; University of California, Davis, Program in Neuroscience, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Marian E Berryhill
- University of Nevada, Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Psychology, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
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24
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Non-verbal IQ Gains from Relational Operant Training Explain Variance in Educational Attainment: An Active-Controlled Feasibility Study. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s41465-020-00187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractResearch suggests that training relational operant patterns of behavior can lead to increases in general cognitive ability and educational outcomes. Most studies to date have been under-powered and included proxy measures of educational attainment. We attempted to extend previous findings with increased experimental control in younger children (aged 6.9–10.1 years). Participants (N = 49) were assigned to either a relational training or chess control group. Over 5 months, teachers assigned class time to complete either relational training or play chess. Those who were assigned relational training gained 8.9 non-verbal IQ (NVIQ) points, while those in the control condition recorded no gains (dppc2 = .99). Regression analyses revealed that post-training NVIQ predicted reading test scores (conducted approximately 1 month later) over and above baseline NVIQ in the experimental condition only, consistent with what we might expect in a full test of far transfer towards educational outcomes.
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Liu M, Ke Y, Liu S, Song X, Ming D. Effect of HD-tDCS combined with working memory training on brain network. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020; 2020:3594-3597. [PMID: 33018780 DOI: 10.1109/embc44109.2020.9176717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
High-Definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a non-invasive electrical stimulation used for modulation of brain function. At present, relevant researches mainly focused on the modulation effects of stimulation, while ignored the neurophysiological mechanism of stimulation process. The main targets of this study were to investigate the effect of stimulation combined with working memory training on brain networks connectivity and information transmission efficiency when the stimulus was applied on left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC). Partial Directed Coherence (PDC) task-mode brain network analysis results of 34 participants showed that brain networks connectivity in α and β band significantly enhanced, but sham group was less than active group. In addition, active group found that the brain network attribute parameters, such as the clustering coefficient and global efficiency, showed varying degrees of improvement, while there was no significant change in sham group. The above results showed that HD-tDCS acting on working memory training could enhance the brain network connectivity and improve the efficiency of brain clustering and information transmission to a greater extent.
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Jones KT, Johnson EL, Tauxe ZS, Rojas DC. Modulation of auditory gamma-band responses using transcranial electrical stimulation. J Neurophysiol 2020; 123:2504-2514. [PMID: 32459551 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00003.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Auditory gamma-band (>30 Hz) activity is a biomarker of cortical excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance in autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. We provide a comprehensive account of the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on gamma responses. Forty-five healthy young adults listened to 40-Hz auditory click trains while electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected to measure stimulus-related gamma activity immediately before and after 10 min of 1 mA tACS (40 Hz), tDCS, or sham stimulation to left auditory cortex. tACS, but not tDCS, increased gamma power and phase locking to the auditory stimulus. However, both tACS and tDCS strengthened the gamma phase connectome, and effects persisted beyond the stimulus. Finally, tDCS strengthened the coupling of gamma activity to alpha oscillations after termination of the stimulus. No effects were observed in prestimulus gamma power, the gamma amplitude connectome, or any band-limited alpha measure. Whereas both stimulation techniques synchronize gamma responses between regions, tACS also tunes the magnitude and timing of gamma responses to the stimulus. Results reveal dissociable neurophysiological changes following tACS and tDCS and demonstrate that clinical biomarkers can be altered with noninvasive neurostimulation, especially frequency-tuned tACS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Gamma frequency-tuned transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) adjusts the magnitude and timing of auditory gamma responses, as compared with both sham stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). However, both tACS and tDCS strengthen the gamma phase connectome, which is disrupted in numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders. These findings reveal dissociable neurophysiological changes following two noninvasive neurostimulation techniques commonly applied in clinical and research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Jones
- Colorado State University, Department of Psychology, Fort Collins, Colorado.,University of California-San Francisco, Department of Neurology, Neuroscape, San Francisco, California
| | - Elizabeth L Johnson
- University of California-Berkeley, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, California.,Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, Life-Span Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Zoe S Tauxe
- Colorado State University, Department of Psychology, Fort Collins, Colorado.,University of California-San Diego, Department of Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Donald C Rojas
- Colorado State University, Department of Psychology, Fort Collins, Colorado
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Boroda E, Krueger AM, Bansal P, Schumacher MJ, Roy AV, Boys CJ, Lim KO, Wozniak JR. A randomized controlled trial of transcranial direct-current stimulation and cognitive training in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Brain Stimul 2020; 13:1059-1068. [PMID: 32360392 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was a randomized double-blind sham-controlled trial examining the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) augmented cognitive training (CT) in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Prenatal alcohol exposure has profound detrimental effects on brain development and individuals with FASD commonly present with deficits in executive functions including attention and working memory. The most commonly studied treatment for executive deficits is CT, which involves repeated drilling of exercises targeting the impaired functions. As currently implemented, CT requires many hours and the observed effect sizes are moderate. Neuromodulation via tDCS can enhance brain plasticity and prior studies demonstrate that combining tDCS with CT improves efficacy and functional outcomes. TDCS-augmented CT has not yet been tested in FASD, a condition in which there are known abnormalities in neuroplasticity and few interventions. METHODS This study examined the feasibility and efficacy of this approach in 44 children with FASD. Participants were randomized to receive five sessions of CT with either active or sham tDCS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain that is heavily involved in executive functioning. RESULTS The intervention was feasible and well-tolerated in children with FASD. The tDCS group showed nominally significant improvement in attention on a continuous performance test compared to sham (p = .043). Group differences were observed at the third, fourth and fifth treatment sessions. There was no effect of tDCS on working memory (p = .911). Further, we found no group differences on a trail making task (p = .659) or on the verbal fluency test (p = .826). In the active tDCS group, a significant correlation was observed between improvement in attention scores and decrease in parent-reported attention deficits (p = .010). CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that tDCS-augmented CT is well tolerated in children with FASD and potentially offers benefits over and above CT alone.
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Rushby JA, De Blasio FM, Logan JA, Wearne T, Kornfeld E, Wilson EJ, Loo C, Martin D, McDonald S. tDCS effects on task-related activation and working memory performance in traumatic brain injury: A within group randomized controlled trial. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2020; 31:814-836. [PMID: 32114899 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2020.1733620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been reported to facilitate working memory in normal adults. There is some evidence in people with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) but overall evidence is mixed. This study aimed to address shortcomings of prior study designs in TBI to examine whether a single dose of tDCS would lead to benefits in working memory. Thirty people with severe, chronic TBI were administered a single session of either anodal tDCS (2 mA for 20 min) or sham tDCS (2 mA for 30 s), in a counterbalanced order, over the left parietal cortex while performing 1-back and 2-back working memory tasks. Skin conductance levels were examined as a measure of task activated arousal, a possible functional analogue of cortical excitability. We found that tDCS led to no improvements in accuracy on the working memory tasks. A slight increase in variability and reaction time with tDCS was related to decreased task activated arousal. Overall, this study yielded no evidence that a single session of tDCS can facilitate working memory for people with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jodie A Logan
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Travis Wearne
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emma Kornfeld
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emily Jane Wilson
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Colleen Loo
- School of Psychiatry & Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Donel Martin
- School of Psychiatry & Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Skye McDonald
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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29
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Jones KT, Johnson EL, Berryhill ME. Frontoparietal theta-gamma interactions track working memory enhancement with training and tDCS. Neuroimage 2020; 211:116615. [PMID: 32044440 PMCID: PMC7733399 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable interest in enhancing, preserving, and rehabilitating working memory (WM), efforts to elicit sustained behavioral improvements have been met with limited success. Here, we paired WM training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the frontoparietal network over four days. Active tDCS enhanced WM performance by modulating interactions between frontoparietal theta oscillations and gamma activity, as measured by pre- and post-training high-density electroencephalography (EEG). Increased phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between the prefrontal stimulation site and temporo-parietal gamma activity explained behavioral improvements, and was most effective when gamma occurred near the prefrontal theta peak. These results demonstrate for the first time that tDCS-linked WM training elicits lasting changes in behavior by optimizing the oscillatory substrates of prefrontal control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Jones
- University of Nevada-Reno, Department of Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Reno, NV, 89557, USA; University of California-San Francisco, Department of Neurology, Neuroscape, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Johnson
- University of California-Berkeley, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, Life-Span Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Marian E Berryhill
- University of Nevada-Reno, Department of Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
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30
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Blacker KJ, Peltier C, McKinley RA, Biggs AT. What Versus How in Visual Search: Effects of Object Recognition Training, Strategy Training, and Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Satellite Image Search. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s41465-020-00165-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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31
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Brooks SJ, Mackenzie-Phelan R, Tully J, Schiöth HB. Review of the Neural Processes of Working Memory Training: Controlling the Impulse to Throw the Baby Out With the Bathwater. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:512761. [PMID: 33132926 PMCID: PMC7511702 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.512761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smartphone technology has enabled the creation of many working memory training (WMT) Apps, with those peer-reviewed described in a recent review. WMT claims to improve working memory, attention deficits, hyperactivity and fluid intelligence, in line with plasticity brain changes. Critics argue that WMT is unable to achieve "far-transfer"-the attainment of benefits to cognition from one taught context to another dissimilar context-associated with improved quality of life. However, brain changes after a course of WMT in frontoparietal and striatal circuits-that often occur prior to behavioral changes-may be a better indicator of far-transfer efficacy, especially to improve impulse control commonly dysregulated in those with addictive disorders, yet not commonly examined in WMT studies. METHOD In contrast to previous reviews, the aim here is to focus on the findings of brain imaging WMT training studies across various imaging modalities that use various paradigms, published via PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar. RESULTS 35 brain imaging studies utilized fMRI, structural imaging (MRI, DTI), functional connectivity, EEG, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), cerebral perfusion, and neurogenetic analyses with tasks based on visuospatial and auditory working memory, dual and standard n-back. DISCUSSION Evidence suggests that repeated WMT reduces brain activation in frontoparietal and striatal networks reflective of increased neural circuitry efficiency via myelination and functional connectivity changes. Neural effects of WMT may persist months after training has ended, lead to non-trained task transfer, be strengthened by auxiliary methods such as tDCS and be related to COMT polymorphisms. WMT could be utilized as an effective, non-invasive intervention for working memory deficits to treat impulse and affective control problems in people with addictive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Brooks
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Section of Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Neuroscience Research Laboratory (NeuRL), Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rhiannon Mackenzie-Phelan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Tully
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Section of Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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Di Rosa E, Brigadoi S, Cutini S, Tarantino V, Dell'Acqua R, Mapelli D, Braver TS, Vallesi A. Reward motivation and neurostimulation interact to improve working memory performance in healthy older adults: A simultaneous tDCS-fNIRS study. Neuroimage 2019; 202:116062. [PMID: 31369810 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have evaluated the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the prefrontal cortex (PFC) for the enhancement of working memory (WM) performance in healthy older adults. However, the mixed results obtained so far suggest the need for concurrent brain imaging, in order to more directly examine tDCS effects. The present study adopted a continuous multimodal approach utilizing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine the interactive effects of tDCS combined with manipulations of reward motivation. Twenty-one older adults (mean age = 69.7 years; SD = 5.05) performed an experimental visuo-spatial WM task before, during and after the delivery of 1.5 mA anodal tDCS/sham over the left prefrontal cortex (PFC). During stimulation, participants received performance-contingent reward for every fast and correct response during the WM task. In both sessions, hemodynamic activity of the bilateral frontal, motor and parietal areas was recorded across the entire duration of the WM task. Cognitive functions and reward sensitivity were also assessed with standard measures. Results demonstrated a significant impact of tDCS on both WM performance and hemodynamic activity. Specifically, faster responses in the WM task were observed both during and after anodal tDCS, while no differences were found under sham control conditions. However, these effects emerged only when taking into account individual visuo-spatial WM capacity. Additionally, during and after the anodal tDCS, increased hemodynamic activity relative to sham was observed in the bilateral PFC, while no effects of tDCS were detected in the motor and parietal areas. These results provide the first evidence of tDCS-dependent functional changes in PFC activity in healthy older adults during the execution of a WM task. Moreover, they highlight the utility of combining reward motivation with prefrontal anodal tDCS, as a potential strategy to improve WM efficiency in low performing healthy older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Di Rosa
- Department of Neuroscience & Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA.
| | - Sabrina Brigadoi
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Simone Cutini
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Vincenza Tarantino
- Department of Neuroscience & Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Dell'Acqua
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Mapelli
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Todd S Braver
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
| | - Antonino Vallesi
- Department of Neuroscience & Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Brain Imaging and Neural Dynamics Research Group, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy
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Jones KT, Arciniega H, Berryhill ME. Replacing tDCS with theta tACS provides selective, but not general WM benefits. Brain Res 2019; 1720:146324. [PMID: 31279843 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) can be improved after repeated training sessions paired with noninvasive neurostimulation techniques. Previously, we reported that WM training paired with tDCS succeeded behaviorally by enhancing anterior-posterior theta phase coherence and reducing alpha power. Here, in two experiments we tested several theta and alpha frequencies and two transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) montages in an effort to shortcut WM training while preserving behavioral gains. In Experiment 1, in separate sessions participants received online tACS at two frequencies derived from the previous study with the respective goal of improving and impairing WM performance. We selected the mean group peak value theta (7 Hz) to benefit WM and alpha (11 Hz) to impair WM. Stimulation (tACS) over right frontoparietal sites (F4-P4) during 3-back WM tasks (object, spatial) produced no behavioral consequences. In Experiment 2 we stimulated at a slower theta frequency (4.5 Hz), which was also significant in our prior study, and tested whether frontoparietal or bifrontal montages would be more effective at improving WM. This experiment revealed selectively improved object WM after right frontoparietal tACS alone. In summary, one session of tACS failed to produce the magnitude or breadth of WM gains observed after 4-10 tDCS-WM training sessions. In short, despite looking for loopholes we found little tACS savings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Jones
- Department of Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 North Virginia Street, Mail Stop 296, Reno, NV 89557, United States; Department of Neurology, Neuroscape, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States.
| | - Hector Arciniega
- Department of Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 North Virginia Street, Mail Stop 296, Reno, NV 89557, United States
| | - Marian E Berryhill
- Department of Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 North Virginia Street, Mail Stop 296, Reno, NV 89557, United States
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Mudar RA, Nguyen LT, Eroh J, Chiang HS, Rackley A, Chapman SB. Event-related neural oscillation changes following reasoning training in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Brain Res 2019; 1704:229-240. [PMID: 30342001 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests cognitive training programs targeting higher-order reasoning may strengthen not only cognitive, but also neural functions in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). However, research on direct measures of training-induced neural changes, derivable from electroencephalography (EEG), is limited. The current pilot study examined effects of Gist Reasoning training (n = 16) compared to New Learning training (n = 16) in older adults with amnestic MCI on measures of event-related neural oscillations (theta and alpha band power) corresponding to Go/NoGo tasks during basic and superordinate semantic categorization. EEG data were recorded while participants performed the Go/NoGo task pre- and post-training, and power in theta and alpha frequency bands was examined. Both groups were comparable at pre-training on all measures and both groups showed greater event-related theta synchronization post-training. Furthermore, the Gist Reasoning group had enhanced event-related desynchronization in low-frequency alpha band (8-10 Hz) on response inhibition (NoGo) trials and high-frequency alpha band (11-13 Hz) on response execution (Go) trials during superordinate categorization, relative to the New Learning group. These findings suggest that Gist Reasoning training in MCI impacted neural processing linked to strategic processing of Go and NoGo trials during the more complex superordinate categorization task. Targeting higher-order top-down cognitive processing seems to better harness residual neuroplastic potential in MCI. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02588209.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raksha A Mudar
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States.
| | - Lydia T Nguyen
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Justin Eroh
- Center for BrainHealth, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Hsueh-Sheng Chiang
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Audette Rackley
- Center for BrainHealth, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Sandra B Chapman
- Center for BrainHealth, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
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Ke Y, Wang N, Du J, Kong L, Liu S, Xu M, An X, Ming D. The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Working Memory Training in Healthy Young Adults. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:19. [PMID: 30774590 PMCID: PMC6367257 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is a fundamental cognitive ability to support complex thought, but it is limited in capacity. WM training has shown the potential benefit for those in need of a higher WM ability. Many studies have shown the potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to transiently enhance WM performance by delivering a low current to the brain cortex of interest, via electrodes on the scalp. tDCS has also been revealed as a promising intervention to augment WM training in a few studies. However, those few tDCS-paired WM training studies, focused more on the effect of tDCS on WM enhancement and its transferability after training and paid less attention to the variation of cognitive performance during the training procedure. The current study attempted to explore the effect of tDCS on the variation of performance, during WM training, in healthy young adults. All the participants received WM training with the load-adaptive verbal N-back task, for 5 days. During the training procedure, active/sham anodal high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) was used to stimulate the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). To examine the training effect, pre- and post-tests were performed, respectively, 1 day before and after the training sessions. At the beginning of each training session, stable-load WM tasks were performed, to examine the performance variation during training. Compared to the sham stimulation, higher learning rates of performance metrics during the training procedure were found when WM training was combined with active anodal HD-tDCS. The performance improvements (post–pre) of the active group, were also found to be higher than those of the sham group and were transferred to a similar untrained WM task. Further analysis revealed a negative relationship between the training improvements and the baseline performance. These findings show the potential that tDCS may be leveraged as an intervention to facilitate WM training, for those in need of a higher WM ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Ke
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ningci Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiale Du
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Linghan Kong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Minpeng Xu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xingwei An
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Ming
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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36
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Scheller E, Schumacher LV, Peter J, Lahr J, Wehrle J, Kaller CP, Gaser C, Klöppel S. Brain Aging and APOE ε4 Interact to Reveal Potential Neuronal Compensation in Healthy Older Adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:74. [PMID: 29615896 PMCID: PMC5869204 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Compensation implies the recruitment of additional neuronal resources to prevent the detrimental effect of age-related neuronal decline on cognition. Recently suggested statistical models comprise behavioral performance, brain activation, and measures related to aging- or disease-specific pathological burden to characterize compensation. Higher chronological age as well as the APOE ε4 allele are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. A more biological approach to characterize aging compared with chronological age is the brain age gap estimation (BrainAGE), taking into account structural brain characteristics. We utilized this estimate in an fMRI experiment together with APOE variant as measures related to pathological burden and aimed at identifying compensatory regions during working memory (WM) processing in a group of 34 healthy older adults. According to published compensation criteria, better performance along with increased brain activation would indicate successful compensation. We examined the moderating effects of BrainAGE on the relationship between task performance and brain activation in prefrontal cortex, as previous studies suggest predominantly frontal compensatory activation. Then we statistically compared them to the effects of chronological age (CA) tested in a previous study. Moreover, we examined the effects of adding APOE variant as a further moderator. Herewith, we strived to uncover neuronal compensation in healthy older adults at risk for neurodegenerative disease. Higher BrainAGE alone was not associated with an increased recruitment in prefrontal cortex. When adding APOE variant as a second moderator, we found an interaction of BrainAGE and APOE variant, such that ε4 carriers recruited right inferior frontal gyrus with higher BrainAGE to maintain WM performance, thus showing a pattern compatible with successful neuronal compensation. Exploratory analyses yielded similar patterns in left inferior and bilateral middle frontal gyrus. These results contrast those from a previous study, where we found no indication of compensation in prefrontal cortex in ε4 carriers with increasing CA. We conclude that BrainAGE together with APOE variant can help to reveal potential neuronal compensation in healthy older adults. Previous results on neuronal compensation in frontal areas corroborate our findings. Compensatory brain regions could be targeted in affected individuals by training or stimulation protocols to maintain cognitive functioning as long as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Scheller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lena V Schumacher
- Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Peter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jacob Lahr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julius Wehrle
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Berta-Ottenstein-Programme, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph P Kaller
- Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,BrainLinks-BrainTools Cluster of Excellence, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gaser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Klöppel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Bluschke A, von der Hagen M, Novotna B, Roessner V, Beste C. Executive Function Deficits in Seriously Ill Children-Emerging Challenges and Possibilities for Clinical Care. Front Pediatr 2018; 6:92. [PMID: 29721487 PMCID: PMC5915456 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2018.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The past years have seen an incredible increase in the quality and success rates of treatments in pediatric medicine. One of the resulting major challenges refers to the management of primary or secondary residual executive function deficits in affected children. These deficits lead to problems in the ability to acquire, understand, and apply abstract and complex knowledge and to plan, direct, and control actions. Executive functions deficits are important to consider because they are highly predictive of functioning in social and academic aspects of daily life. We argue that current clinical practice does not sufficiently account for the complex cognitive processes in this population. This is because widely applied pharmacological interventions only rarely account for the complexity of the underlying neuronal mechanisms and do not fit well into possibly powerful "individualized medicine" approaches. Novel treatment approaches targeting deficits in executive functions in seriously ill children could focus on neuronal oscillations, as these have some specific relations to different aspects of executive function. Importantly, such treatment approaches can be individually tailored to the individuals' deficits and can be transferred into home-treatment or e-health solutions. These approaches are easy-to-use, can be easily integrated into daily life, and are becoming increasingly cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annet Bluschke
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maja von der Hagen
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Novotna
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia.,Institute of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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