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Koyun AH, Talebi N, Werner A, Wendiggensen P, Kuntke P, Roessner V, Beste C, Stock AK. Interactions of catecholamines and GABA+ in cognitive control: Insights from EEG and 1H-MRS. Neuroimage 2024; 293:120619. [PMID: 38679186 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Catecholamines and amino acid transmitter systems are known to interact, the exact links and their impact on cognitive control functions have however remained unclear. Using a multi-modal imaging approach combining EEG and proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), we investigated the effect of different degrees of pharmacological catecholaminergic enhancement onto theta band activity (TBA) as a measure of interference control during response inhibition and execution. It was central to our study to evaluate the predictive impact of in-vivo baseline GABA+ concentrations in the striatum, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the supplemental motor area (SMA) of healthy adults under varying degrees of methylphenidate (MPH) stimulation. We provide evidence for a predictive interrelation of baseline GABA+ concentrations in cognitive control relevant brain areas onto task-induced TBA during response control stimulated with MPH. Baseline GABA+ concentrations in the ACC, the striatum, and the SMA had a differential impact on predicting interference control-related TBA in response execution trials. GABA+ concentrations in the ACC appeared to be specifically important for TBA modulations when the cognitive effort needed for interference control was high - that is when no prior task experience exists, or in the absence of catecholaminergic enhancement with MPH. The study highlights the predictive role of baseline GABA+ concentrations in key brain areas influencing cognitive control and responsiveness to catecholaminergic enhancement, particularly in high-effort scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Helin Koyun
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, Dresden D-01307, Germany
| | - Nasibeh Talebi
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, Dresden D-01307, Germany
| | - Annett Werner
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Paul Wendiggensen
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, Dresden D-01307, Germany
| | - Paul Kuntke
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, Dresden D-01307, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, Dresden D-01307, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Stock
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Schubertstrasse 42, Dresden D-01307, Germany.
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2
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Elmers J, Colzato LS, Ziemssen F, Ziemssen T, Beste C. Optical coherence tomography as a potential surrogate marker of dopaminergic modulation across the life span. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 96:102280. [PMID: 38518921 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The retina has been considered a "window to the brain" and shares similar innervation by the dopaminergic system with the cortex in terms of an unequal distribution of D1 and D2 receptors. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview that Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging technique, which provides an "in vivo" representation of the retina, shows promise to be used as a surrogate marker of dopaminergic neuromodulation in cognition. Overall, most evidence supports reduced retinal thickness in individuals with dopaminergic dysregulation (e.g., patients with Parkinson's Disease, non-demented older adults) and with poor cognitive functioning. By using the theoretical framework of metacontrol, we derive hypotheses that retinal thinning associated to decreased dopamine (DA) levels affecting D1 families, might lead to a decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) affecting cognitive persistence (depending on D1-modulated DA activity) but not cognitive flexibility (depending on D2-modulated DA activity). We argue that the use of OCT parameters might not only be an insightful for cognitive neuroscience research, but also a potentially effective tool for individualized medicine with a focus on cognition. As our society progressively ages in the forthcoming years and decades, the preservation of cognitive abilities and promoting healthy aging will hold of crucial significance. OCT has the potential to function as a swift, non-invasive, and economical method for promptly recognizing individuals with a heightened vulnerability to cognitive deterioration throughout all stages of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Elmers
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany; Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Lorenza S Colzato
- Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Focke Ziemssen
- Ophthalmological Clinic, University Clinic Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany; Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.
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3
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Colzato L, Elmers J, Xu X, Zhou Q, Hommel B, Beste C. Regaining control over opioid use? The potential application of auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation to improve opioid treatment in China. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13343. [PMID: 37855071 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13343] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a critical problem in China and is accompanied by depression and deficits in cognitive control. In China, the most successful intervention for OUD is the community drug rehabilitation where methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) plays a key role. Even though methadone for the treatment of OUD can be helpful, it can cause severe somatic side-effects, which limit its effectivity. Even worse, it can have detrimental effects on cognitive control, which is crucial to regain control over drug intake. Here, we consider the potential use of auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (atVNS) as an addition to MMT for opioid withdrawal treatment. Compared to other non-invasive brain stimulation methods, atVNS also targets the locus coeruleus (LC) important for noradrenaline (NA) synthesis. NA is an essential neurotransmitter impacted in opioid withdrawal and also critically involved in cognitive control processes. Its ADD-ON to MMT might be a useful mean to improve mood and enhance cognitive control processes impacted in OUD. We discuss the translational advantages of atVNS in China such as the cultural acceptance of the modality of treatment similar to electroacupuncture. Additionally, the wearability of the ear electrode and at-home self-administration without intense medical supervision makes of atVNS a useful tool to enhance clinical and cognitive outcomes especially in everyday life situation. We discuss how atVNS can be integrated in tele-medical health approaches allowing that innovative treatments can widely be disseminated and continued even in situations of restricted medical access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Colzato
- Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Julia Elmers
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Xiaolei Xu
- Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of Psychology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Bernhard Hommel
- Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
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4
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Warren CV, Kroll CF, Kopp B. Dopaminergic and norepinephrinergic modulation of endogenous event-related potentials: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 151:105221. [PMID: 37150485 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Event-related potentials (ERPs) represent the cortical processing of sensory, motor or cognitive functions invoked by particular events or stimuli. A current theory posits that the catecholaminergic neurotransmitters dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) modulate a number of endogenous ERPs during various cognitive processes. This manuscript aims to evaluate a leading neurotransmitter hypothesis with a systematic overview and meta-analysis of pharmacologic DA and NE manipulation of specific ERPs in healthy subjects during executive function. Specifically, the frontally-distributed P3a, N2, and Ne/ERN (or error-related negativity) are supposedly modulated primarily by DA, whereas the parietally-distributed P3b is thought to be modulated by NE. Based on preceding research, we refer to this distinction between frontally-distributed DA-sensitive and parietally-distributed NE-sensitive ERP components as the Extended Neurobiological Polich (ENP) hypothesis. Our systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that this distinction is too simplistic and many factors interact with DA and NE to influence these specific ERPs. These may include genetic factors, the specific cognitive processes engaged, or elements of study design, i.e. session or sequence effects or data-analysis strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire V Warren
- Charlotte Fresenius Hochschule, Alte Rabenstraße 32, 20148 Hamburg, Germany; Professorship for Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt University/ Bundeswehr University Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Charlotte F Kroll
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6. P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, MD, 6200, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Kopp
- Clinic für Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Trempler I, Heimsath A, Nieborg J, Bradke B, Schubotz RI, Ohrmann P. Ignore the glitch but mind the switch: Positive effects of methylphenidate on cognition in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are related to prediction gain. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 156:177-185. [PMID: 36252347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychological symptoms such as inattention and distractibility constitute a core characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we tested the hypothesis that attentional dysfunctions result from a deficit in neural gain modulation, which translates into difficulty in predictively weighting relevant sensory input while ignoring distraction. We compared thirty-seven hitherto untreated adults diagnosed with ADHD and thirty-eight healthy participants with a serial switch-drift task that requires internal models of predictable digit sequences to be either updated or stabilized. Switches between sequences that had to be indicated by key presses and digit omissions within a sequence (drifts) that should be ignored varied by stimulus-bound surprise quantified as Shannon information. To investigate whether catecholaminergic modulation by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine levels leads to an amelioration in prediction gain, participants were tested twice, with patients receiving a single dose of methylphenidate, a norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitor, in the second session. Patients and controls differed in both updating and stabilizing, depending on the respective event surprise. Specifically, patients showed difficulty in detecting expectable switches, while having greater difficulty to ignore surprising distractions. Thus, underconfident prior beliefs in ADHD may fail to appropriately weight expected relevant input, whereas the gain of neural responses to unexpected irrelevant distractors is increased. Methylphenidate improved both flexibility and stability of prediction and had a positive effect on selective responding over time. Our results suggest that ADHD is associated with an impairment in the use of prior expectations to optimally weight sensory inputs, which is improved by increasing catecholaminergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ima Trempler
- Department of Psychology, University of Muenster, Germany; Otto-Creutzfeldt-Center for Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Germany; LWL-Hospital Muenster, Germany.
| | - Alexander Heimsath
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Julia Nieborg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Benedikt Bradke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Ricarda I Schubotz
- Department of Psychology, University of Muenster, Germany; Otto-Creutzfeldt-Center for Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Germany
| | - Patricia Ohrmann
- Otto-Creutzfeldt-Center for Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Germany; LWL-Hospital Muenster, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
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6
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Eggert E, Prochnow A, Roessner V, Frings C, Münchau A, Mückschel M, Beste C. Cognitive science theory-driven pharmacology elucidates the neurobiological basis of perception-motor integration. Commun Biol 2022; 5:919. [PMID: 36068298 PMCID: PMC9448745 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03864-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An efficient integration of sensory and motor processes is crucial to goal-directed behavior. Despite this high relevance, and although cognitive theories provide clear conceptual frameworks, the neurobiological basis of these processes remains insufficiently understood. In a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled pharmacological study, we examine the relevance of catecholamines for perception-motor integration processes. Using EEG data, we perform an in-depth analysis of the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms, focusing on sensorimotor integration processes during response inhibition. We show that the catecholaminergic system affects sensorimotor integration during response inhibition by modulating the stability of the representational content. Importantly, catecholamine levels do not affect the stability of all aspects of information processing during sensorimotor integration, but rather-as suggested by cognitive theory-of specific codes in the neurophysiological signal. Particularly fronto-parietal cortical regions are associated with the identified mechanisms. The study shows how cognitive science theory-driven pharmacology can shed light on the neurobiological basis of perception-motor integration and how catecholamines affect specific information codes relevant to cognitive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Eggert
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- University Neuropsychology Center, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Astrid Prochnow
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- University Neuropsychology Center, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Frings
- Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Trier, Trier, Germany
| | - Alexander Münchau
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Moritz Mückschel
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- University Neuropsychology Center, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- University Neuropsychology Center, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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7
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Konjusha A, Colzato L, Mückschel M, Beste C. Auricular Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Diminishes Alpha-Band-Related Inhibitory Gating Processes During Conflict Monitoring in Frontal Cortices. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:457-467. [PMID: 35137108 PMCID: PMC9211011 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pursuing goals is compromised when being confronted with interfering information. In such situations, conflict monitoring is important. Theoretical considerations on the neurobiology of response selection and control suggest that auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (atVNS) should modulate conflict monitoring. However, the neurophysiological-functional neuroanatomical underpinnings are still not understood. METHODS AtVNS was applied in a randomized crossover study design (n = 45). During atVNS or sham stimulation, conflict monitoring was assessed using a Flanker task. EEG data were recorded and analyzed with focus on theta and alpha band activity. Beamforming was applied to examine functional neuroanatomical correlates of atVNS-induced EEG modulations. Moreover, temporal EEG signal decomposition was applied to examine different coding levels in alpha and theta band activity. RESULTS AtVNS compromised conflict monitoring processes when it was applied at the second appointment in the crossover study design. On a neurophysiological level, atVNS exerted specific effects because only alpha-band activity was modulated. Alpha-band activity was lower in middle and superior prefrontal regions during atVNS stimulation and thus lower when there was also a decline in task performance. The same direction of alpha-band modulations was evident in fractions of the alpha-band activity coding stimulus-related processes, stimulus-response translation processes, and motor response-related processes. CONCLUSIONS The combination of prior task experience and atVNS compromises conflict monitoring processes. This is likely due to reduction of the alpha-band-associated inhibitory gating process on interfering information in frontal cortices. Future research should pay considerable attention to boundary conditions affecting the direction of atVNS effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anyla Konjusha
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
- University Neuropsychology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Lorenza Colzato
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
- University Neuropsychology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Moritz Mückschel
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
- University Neuropsychology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
- University Neuropsychology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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8
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Eggert E, Bluschke A, Takacs A, Kleimaker M, Münchau A, Roessner V, Mückschel M, Beste C. Perception-Action Integration Is Modulated by the Catecholaminergic System Depending on Learning Experience. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:592-600. [PMID: 33730752 PMCID: PMC8299823 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The process underlying the integration of perception and action is a focal topic in neuroscientific research and cognitive frameworks such as the theory of event coding have been developed to explain the mechanisms of perception-action integration. The neurobiological underpinnings are poorly understood. While it has been suggested that the catecholaminergic system may play a role, there are opposing predictions regarding the effects of catecholamines on perception-action integration. METHODS Methylphenidate (MPH) is a compound commonly used to modulate the catecholaminergic system. In a double-blind, randomized crossover study design, we examined the effect of MPH (0.25 mg/kg) on perception-action integration using an established "event file coding" paradigm in a group of n = 45 healthy young adults. RESULTS The data reveal that, compared with the placebo, MPH attenuates binding effects based on the established associations between stimuli and responses, provided participants are already familiar with the task. However, without prior task experience, MPH did not modulate performance compared with the placebo. CONCLUSIONS Catecholamines and learning experience interactively modulate perception-action integration, especially when perception-action associations have to be reconfigured. The data suggest there is a gain control-based mechanism underlying the interactive effects of learning/task experience and catecholaminergic activity during perception-action integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Eggert
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Annet Bluschke
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Adam Takacs
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Veit Roessner
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Moritz Mückschel
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
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9
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Costanzi M, Cianfanelli B, Santirocchi A, Lasaponara S, Spataro P, Rossi-Arnaud C, Cestari V. Forgetting Unwanted Memories: Active Forgetting and Implications for the Development of Psychological Disorders. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11040241. [PMID: 33810436 PMCID: PMC8066077 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11040241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrusive memories are a common feature of many psychopathologies, and suppression-induced forgetting of unwanted memories appears as a critical ability to preserve mental health. In recent years, biological and cognitive studies converged in revealing that forgetting is due to active processes. Recent neurobiological studies provide evidence on the active role of main neurotransmitter systems in forgetting, suggesting that the brain actively works to suppress retrieval of unwanted memories. On the cognitive side, there is evidence that voluntary and involuntary processes (here termed "intentional" and "incidental" forgetting, respectively) contribute to active forgetting. In intentional forgetting, an inhibitory control mechanism suppresses awareness of unwanted memories at encoding or retrieval. In incidental forgetting, retrieval practice of some memories involuntarily suppresses the retrieval of other related memories. In this review we describe recent findings on deficits in active forgetting observed in psychopathologies, like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Moreover, we report studies in which the role of neurotransmitter systems, known to be involved in the pathogenesis of mental disorders, has been investigated in active forgetting paradigms. The possibility that biological and cognitive mechanisms of active forgetting could be considered as hallmarks of the early onset of psychopathologies is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Costanzi
- Department of Human Sciences, Lumsa University, 00193 Rome, Italy; (B.C.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Beatrice Cianfanelli
- Department of Human Sciences, Lumsa University, 00193 Rome, Italy; (B.C.); (S.L.)
| | - Alessandro Santirocchi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (C.R.-A.); (V.C.)
| | - Stefano Lasaponara
- Department of Human Sciences, Lumsa University, 00193 Rome, Italy; (B.C.); (S.L.)
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (C.R.-A.); (V.C.)
| | - Pietro Spataro
- Department of Economy, Universitas Mercatorum, 00100 Rome, Italy;
| | - Clelia Rossi-Arnaud
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (C.R.-A.); (V.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Cestari
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (C.R.-A.); (V.C.)
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10
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Ouyang G, Zhou C. Characterizing the brain's dynamical response from scalp-level neural electrical signals: a review of methodology development. Cogn Neurodyn 2020; 14:731-742. [PMID: 33101527 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-020-09631-4] [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: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain displays dynamical system behaviors at various levels that are functionally and cognitively relevant. Ample researches have examined how the dynamical properties of brain activity reflect the neural cognitive working mechanisms. A prevalent approach in this field is to extract the trial-averaged brain electrophysiological signals as a representation of the dynamical response of the complex neural system to external stimuli. However, the responses are intrinsically variable in latency from trial to trial. The variability compromises the accuracy of the detected dynamical response pattern based on trial-averaged approach, which may mislead subsequent modelling works. More accurate characterization of the brain's dynamical response incorporating single trial variability information is of profound significance in deepening our understanding of neural cognitive dynamics and brain's working principles. Various methods have been attempted to address the trial-to-trial asynchrony issue in order to achieve an improved representation of the dynamical response. We review the latest development of methodology in this area and the contribution of latency variability-based decomposition and reconstruction of dynamical response to neural cognitive researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Ouyang
- Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Island Hong Kong
| | - Changsong Zhou
- Department of Physics, Centre for Nonlinear Studies, Institute of Computational and Theoretical Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
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11
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Abstract
Cognitive enhancement is becoming progressively popular as a subject of scientific investigation and by the public, although possible adverse effects are not sufficiently understood. We call for cognitive enhancement to build on more specific, mechanistic theories given that a-theoretical approaches to cognitive enhancement are both a cause and a consequence of a strong, if not exclusive focus on the benefits of procedures suited to enhance human cognition. We focus on downsides of cognitive enhancement and suggest that every attempt to enhance human cognition needs to deal with two basic principles: the neuro-competition principle and the nonlinearity principle. We discuss the possibility of both principles in light of recent attempts to improve human cognition by means of transcranial direct current stimulation, a well-established brain stimulation method, and clinically relevant nootropic drugs. We propose that much stronger emphasis on mechanistic theorizing is necessary in guiding future research on both the upsides and the downsides of cognitive enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza S Colzato
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Bernhard Hommel
- Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.,Cognitive Psychology Unit & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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