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Pupíková M, Maceira-Elvira P, Harquel S, Šimko P, Popa T, Gajdoš M, Lamoš M, Nencha U, Mitterová K, Šimo A, Hummel FC, Rektorová I. Physiology-inspired bifocal fronto-parietal tACS for working memory enhancement. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37427. [PMID: 39315230 PMCID: PMC11417162 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging populations face significant cognitive challenges, particularly in working memory (WM). Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) offer promising avenues for cognitive enhancement, especially when inspired by brain physiology. This study (NCT04986787) explores the effect of multifocal tACS on WM performance in healthy older adults, focusing on fronto-parietal network modulation. Individualized physiology-inspired tACS applied to the fronto-parietal network was investigated in two blinded cross-over experiments. The first experiment involved monofocal/bifocal theta-tACS to the fronto-parietal network, while in the second experiment cross-frequency theta-gamma interactions between these regions were explored. Participants have done online WM tasks under the stimulation conditions. Network connectivity was assessed via rs-fMRI and multichannel electroencephalography. Prefrontal monofocal theta tACS modestly improved WM accuracy over sham (d = 0.30). Fronto-parietal stimulation enhanced WM task processing speed, with the strongest effects for bifocal in-phase theta tACS (d = 0.41). Cross-frequency stimulations modestly boosted processing speed with or without impairing task accuracy depending on the stimulation protocol. This research adds to the understanding of physiology-inspired brain stimulation for cognitive enhancement in older subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Pupíková
- Applied Neuroscience Research Group, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pablo Maceira-Elvira
- Neuro-X Institute (INX), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, CH, Geneva, Switzerland
- Neuro-X Institute (INX), EPFL Valais, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation Sion, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Harquel
- Neuro-X Institute (INX), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, CH, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Šimko
- Applied Neuroscience Research Group, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Traian Popa
- Neuro-X Institute (INX), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, CH, Geneva, Switzerland
- Neuro-X Institute (INX), EPFL Valais, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation Sion, Switzerland
| | - Martin Gajdoš
- International Clinical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Lamoš
- International Clinical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Umberto Nencha
- Neuro-X Institute (INX), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, CH, Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kristína Mitterová
- Applied Neuroscience Research Group, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Šimo
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Friedhelm C. Hummel
- Neuro-X Institute (INX), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, CH, Geneva, Switzerland
- Neuro-X Institute (INX), EPFL Valais, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation Sion, Switzerland
- Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Irena Rektorová
- Applied Neuroscience Research Group, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Tian S, Cheng YA, Luo H. Rhythm Facilitates Auditory Working Memory via Beta-Band Encoding and Theta-Band Maintenance. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01289-w. [PMID: 39215886 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01289-w] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Rhythm, as a prominent characteristic of auditory experiences such as speech and music, is known to facilitate attention, yet its contribution to working memory (WM) remains unclear. Here, human participants temporarily retained a 12-tone sequence presented rhythmically or arrhythmically in WM and performed a pitch change-detection task. Behaviorally, while having comparable accuracy, rhythmic tone sequences showed a faster response time and lower response boundaries in decision-making. Electroencephalographic recordings revealed that rhythmic sequences elicited enhanced non-phase-locked beta-band (16 Hz-33 Hz) and theta-band (3 Hz-5 Hz) neural oscillations during sensory encoding and WM retention periods, respectively. Importantly, the two-stage neural signatures were correlated with each other and contributed to behavior. As beta-band and theta-band oscillations denote the engagement of motor systems and WM maintenance, respectively, our findings imply that rhythm facilitates auditory WM through intricate oscillation-based interactions between the motor and auditory systems that facilitate predictive attention to auditory sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suizi Tian
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yu-Ang Cheng
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Huan Luo
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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3
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Liu Z, Zhou Y, Hao C, Ma N. Alteration in neural oscillatory activity and phase-amplitude coupling after sleep deprivation: Evidence for impairment and compensation effects. J Sleep Res 2024:e14264. [PMID: 38853286 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14264] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Insufficient sleep can significantly affect vigilance and increase slow-wave electroencephalographic power as homeostatic sleep pressure accumulates. Phase-amplitude coupling is involved in regulating the spatiotemporal integration of physiological processes. This study aimed to examine the functional associations of resting-state electroencephalographic power and delta/theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to posterior regions with vigilance performance after sleep deprivation. Forty-six healthy adults underwent 24-hr sleep deprivation with resting-state electroencephalographic recordings, and vigilant attention was measured using the Psychomotor Vigilance Task. Power spectral and phase-amplitude coupling analyses were conducted, and correlation analysis was utilized to reveal the relationship between electroencephalographic patterns and changes in vigilance resulting from sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation significantly declined vigilance performance, accompanied by increased resting-state electroencephalographic power in all bands and delta/theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling. The increased theta activity in centro-parieto-occipital areas significantly correlated with decreased mean and slowest response speed. Conversely, the increased delta-low gamma and theta-high gamma phase-amplitude couplings negatively correlated with the deceleration of the fastest Psychomotor Vigilance Task reaction times. These findings suggest that sleep deprivation affects vigilance by altering electroencephalographic spectral power and information communication across frequency bands in different brain regions. The distinct effects of increased theta power and delta/theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling might reflect the impairment and compensation of sleep deprivation on vigilance performance, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehui Liu
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Zhou
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Hao
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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Foster M, Scheinost D. Brain states as wave-like motifs. Trends Cogn Sci 2024; 28:492-503. [PMID: 38582654 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
There is ample evidence of wave-like activity in the brain at multiple scales and levels. This emerging literature supports the broader adoption of a wave perspective of brain activity. Specifically, a brain state can be described as a set of recurring, sequential patterns of propagating brain activity, namely a wave. We examine a collective body of experimental work investigating wave-like properties. Based on these works, we consider brain states as waves using a scale-agnostic framework across time and space. Emphasis is placed on the sequentiality and periodicity associated with brain activity. We conclude by discussing the implications, prospects, and experimental opportunities of this framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Foster
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Dustin Scheinost
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Wolman A, Çatal Y, Klar P, Steffener J, Northoff G. Repertoire of timescales in uni - and transmodal regions mediate working memory capacity. Neuroimage 2024; 291:120602. [PMID: 38579900 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120602] [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: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) describes the dynamic process of maintenance and manipulation of information over a certain time delay. Neuronally, WM recruits a distributed network of cortical regions like the visual and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as well as the subcortical hippocampus. How the input dynamics and subsequent neural dynamics impact WM remains unclear though. To answer this question, we combined the analysis of behavioral WM capacity with measuring neural dynamics through task-related power spectrum changes, e.g., median frequency (MF) in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We show that the processing of the input dynamics, e.g., the task structure's specific timescale, leads to changes in the unimodal visual cortex's corresponding timescale which also relates to working memory capacity. While the more transmodal hippocampus relates to working memory capacity through its balance across multiple timescales or frequencies. In conclusion, we here show the relevance of both input dynamics and different neural timescales for WM capacity in uni - and transmodal regions like visual cortex and hippocampus for the subject's WM performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Wolman
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada.
| | - Yasir Çatal
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Philipp Klar
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Jason Steffener
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Science, University of Ottawa, 200 Lees Ave, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
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Riddle J, McPherson T, Sheikh A, Shin H, Hadar E, Frohlich F. Internal Representations Are Prioritized by Frontoparietal Theta Connectivity and Suppressed by alpha Oscillation Dynamics: Evidence from Concurrent Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation EEG and Invasive EEG. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1381232024. [PMID: 38395616 PMCID: PMC11007311 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1381-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Control over internal representations requires the prioritization of relevant information and suppression of irrelevant information. The frontoparietal network exhibits prominent neural oscillations during these distinct cognitive processes. Yet, the causal role of this network-scale activity is unclear. Here, we targeted theta-frequency frontoparietal coherence and dynamic alpha oscillations in the posterior parietal cortex using online rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in women and men while they prioritized or suppressed internally maintained working memory (WM) representations. Using concurrent high-density EEG, we provided evidence that we acutely drove the targeted neural oscillation and TMS improved WM capacity only when the evoked activity corresponded with the desired cognitive process. To suppress an internal representation, we increased the amplitude of lateralized alpha oscillations in the posterior parietal cortex contralateral to the irrelevant visual field. For prioritization, we found that TMS to the prefrontal cortex increased theta-frequency connectivity in the prefrontoparietal network contralateral to the relevant visual field. To understand the spatial specificity of these effects, we administered the WM task to participants with implanted electrodes. We found that theta connectivity during prioritization was directed from the lateral prefrontal to the superior posterior parietal cortex. Together, these findings provide causal evidence in support of a model where a frontoparietal theta network prioritizes internally maintained representations and alpha oscillations in the posterior parietal cortex suppress irrelevant representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32304
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Trevor McPherson
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92161
| | - Atif Sheikh
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Haewon Shin
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Eldad Hadar
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Flavio Frohlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
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Ociepka M, Chinta SR, Basoń P, Chuderski A. No effects of the theta-frequency transcranial electrical stimulation for recall, attention control, and relation integration in working memory. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1354671. [PMID: 38439936 PMCID: PMC10910036 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1354671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recent studies have suggested that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), and especially the theta-frequency tACS, can improve human performance on working memory tasks. However, evidence to date is mixed. Moreover, the two WM tasks applied most frequently, namely the n-back and change-detection tasks, might not constitute canonical measures of WM capacity. Method In a relatively large sample of young healthy participants (N = 62), we administered a more canonical WM task that required stimuli recall, as well as we applied two WM tasks tapping into other key WM functions: attention control (the antisaccade task) and relational integration (the graph mapping task). The participants performed these three tasks three times: during the left frontal 5.5-Hz and the left parietal 5.5-Hz tACS session as well as during the sham session, with a random order of sessions. Attentional vigilance and subjective experience were monitored. Results For each task administered, we observed significant gains in accuracy neither for the frontal tACS session nor for the parietal tACS session, as compared to the sham session. By contrast, the scores on each task positively inter-correlated across the three sessions. Discussion The results suggest that canonical measures of WM capacity are strongly stable in time and hardly affected by theta-frequency tACS. Either the tACS effects observed in the n-back and change detection tasks do not generalize onto other WM tasks, or the tACS method has limited effectiveness with regard to WM, and might require further methodological advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Ociepka
- Department of Cognitive Science, Institute of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Paweł Basoń
- Department of Cognitive Science, Institute of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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Ericson J, Palva S, Palva M, Klingberg T. Strengthening of alpha synchronization is a neural correlate of cognitive transfer. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad527. [PMID: 38220577 PMCID: PMC10839847 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad527] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cognitive training can lead to improvements in both task-specific strategies and general capacities, such as visuo-spatial working memory (VSWM). The latter emerge slowly and linearly throughout training, in contrast to strategy where changes typically occur within the first days of training. Changes in strategy and capacity have not been separated in prior neuroimaging studies. Here, we used a within-participants design with dense temporal sampling to capture the time dynamics of neural mechanisms associated with change in capacity. In four participants, neural activity was recorded with magnetoencephalography on seven occasions over two months of visuo-spatial working memory training. During scanning, the participants performed a trained visuo-spatial working memory task, a transfer task, and a control task. First, we extracted an individual visuo-spatial working memory-load-dependent synchronization network for each participant. Next, we identified linear changes over time in the network, congruent with the temporal dynamics of capacity change. Three out of four participants showed a gradual strengthening of alpha synchronization. Strengthening of the same connections was also found in the transfer task but not in the control task. This suggests that cognitive transfer occurs through slow, gradual strengthening of alpha synchronization between cortical regions that are vital for both the trained task and the transfer task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ericson
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Satu Palva
- Neuroscience Center, HilIFE-Helsinki Institute of Lifescience, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (CCNi), School Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
| | - Matias Palva
- Neuroscience Center, HilIFE-Helsinki Institute of Lifescience, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (CCNi), School Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
- Department of Neuroscience and Bioengineering (NBE), Aalto University, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Torkel Klingberg
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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Eskikurt G, Duru AD, Ermutlu N, İşoğlu-Alkaç Ü. Evaluation of Brain Electrical Activity of Visual Working Memory with Time-Frequency Analysis. Clin EEG Neurosci 2024:15500594231224014. [PMID: 38225169 DOI: 10.1177/15500594231224014] [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] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The term visual working memory (VWM) refers to the temporary storage of visual information. In electrophysiological recordings during the change detection task which relates to VWM, contralateral negative slow activity was detected. It was found to occur during the information is kept in memory and it was called contralateral delay activity. In this study, the characteristics of electroencephalogram frequencies of the contralateral and ipsilateral responses in the retention phase of VWM were evaluated by using time-frequency analysis (discrete wavelet transform [DWT]) in the change detection task. Twenty-six volunteers participated in the study. Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were examined, and then a time-frequency analysis was performed. A statistically significant difference between contralateral and ipsilateral responses was found in the ERP. DWT showed a statistically significant difference between contralateral and ipsilateral responses in the delta and theta frequency bands range. When volunteers were grouped as either high or low VWM capacity the time-frequency analysis between these groups revealed that high memory capacity groups have a significantly higher negative coefficient in alpha and beta frequency bands. This study showed that during the retention phase delta and theta bands may relate to visual memory retention and alpha and beta bands may reflect individual memory capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gökçer Eskikurt
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Adil Deniz Duru
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Marmara University, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Numan Ermutlu
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Istanbul Sağlık ve Teknoloji University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ümmühan İşoğlu-Alkaç
- Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Chen C, Liang Y, Xu S, Yi C, Li Y, Chen B, Yang L, Liu Q, Yao D, Li F, Xu P. The dynamic causality brain network reflects whether the working memory is solidified. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad467. [PMID: 38061696 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad467] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Working memory, which is foundational to higher cognitive function, is the "sketchpad of volitional control." Successful working memory is the inevitable outcome of the individual's active control and manipulation of thoughts and turning them into internal goals during which the causal brain processes information in real time. However, little is known about the dynamic causality among distributed brain regions behind thought control that underpins successful working memory. In our present study, given that correct responses and incorrect ones did not differ in either contralateral delay activity or alpha suppression, further rooting on the high-temporal-resolution EEG time-varying directed network analysis, we revealed that successful working memory depended on both much stronger top-down connections from the frontal to the temporal lobe and bottom-up linkages from the occipital to the temporal lobe, during the early maintenance period, as well as top-down flows from the frontal lobe to the central areas as the delay behavior approached. Additionally, the correlation between behavioral performance and casual interactions increased over time, especially as memory-guided delayed behavior approached. Notably, when using the network metrics as features, time-resolved multiple linear regression of overall behavioral accuracy was exactly achieved as delayed behavior approached. These results indicate that accurate memory depends on dynamic switching of causal network connections and shifting to more task-related patterns during which the appropriate intervention may help enhance memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Chen
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Shiyun Xu
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Chanlin Yi
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Yuqin Li
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Baodan Chen
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Lei Yang
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Dezhong Yao
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Fali Li
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Peng Xu
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
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11
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Vinao-Carl M, Gal-Shohet Y, Rhodes E, Li J, Hampshire A, Sharp D, Grossman N. Just a phase? Causal probing reveals spurious phasic dependence of sustained attention. Neuroimage 2024; 285:120477. [PMID: 38072338 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120477] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
For over a decade, electrophysiological studies have reported correlations between attention / perception and the phase of spontaneous brain oscillations. To date, these findings have been interpreted as evidence that the brain uses neural oscillations to sample and predict upcoming stimuli. Yet, evidence from simulations have shown that analysis artefacts could also lead to spurious pre-stimulus oscillations that appear to predict future brain responses. To address this discrepancy, we conducted an experiment in which visual stimuli were presented in time to specific phases of spontaneous alpha and theta oscillations. This allowed us to causally probe the role of ongoing neural activity in visual processing independent of the stimulus-evoked dynamics. Our findings did not support a causal link between spontaneous alpha / theta rhythms and behaviour. However, spurious correlations between theta phase and behaviour emerged offline using gold-standard time-frequency analyses. These findings are a reminder that care should be taken when inferring causal relationships between neural activity and behaviour using acausal analysis methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vinao-Carl
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, (UK DRI), Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Y Gal-Shohet
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - E Rhodes
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, (UK DRI), Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - J Li
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, (UK DRI), Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A Hampshire
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - D Sharp
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, (UK DRI), Imperial College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI-CRT), Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - N Grossman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, (UK DRI), Imperial College London, London, UK.
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12
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Zhang P, Sun C, Liu Z, Zhou Q. Phase-amplitude coupling of Go/Nogo task-related neuronal oscillation decreases for humans with insufficient sleep. Sleep 2023; 46:zsad243. [PMID: 37707941 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad243] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) across frequency might be associated with the long-range synchronization of brain networks, facilitating the spatiotemporal integration of multiple cell assemblies for information transmission during inhibitory control. However, sleep problems may affect these cortical information transmissions based on cross-frequency PAC, especially when humans work in environments of social isolation. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the theta-beta/gamma PAC of task-related electroencephalography (EEG) for humans with insufficient sleep. Here, we monitored the EEG signals of 60 healthy volunteers and 18 soldiers in the normal environment, performing a Go/Nogo task. Soldiers also participated in the same test in isolated cabins. These measures demonstrated theta-beta PACs between the frontal and central-parietal, and robust theta-gamma PACs between the frontal and occipital cortex. Unfortunately, these PACs significantly decreased when humans experienced insufficient sleep, which was positively correlated with the behavioral performance of inhibitory control. The evaluation of theta-beta/gamma PAC of Go/Nogo task-related EEG is necessary to help understand the different influences of sleep problems in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- School of Psychology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuancai Sun
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Nephrology, Jinan, China
| | - Zhongqi Liu
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Nephrology, Jinan, China
| | - Qianxiang Zhou
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Nephrology, Jinan, China
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13
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Xu J, Hu L, Qiao R, Hu Y, Tian Y. Music-emotion EEG coupling effects based on representational similarity. J Neurosci Methods 2023; 398:109959. [PMID: 37661055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109959] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Music can evoke intense emotions and music emotion is a complex cognitive process. However, we know little about the cognitive mechanisms underlying these processes, and there are significant individual differences in the emotional responses to the same musical stimuli. NEW METHOD We used the inter-subject representational similarity analysis (IS-RSA) method to investigate the shared music emotion responses across multiple participants. In addition, we extended IS-RSA to estimate the group cross-frequency coupling effects of music emotion. Based on the cross-frequency coupling IS-RSA, we analyzed the differences in cross-frequency coupling patterns under different music emotions using MI. Comparison of existing methods: most current IS-RSA analyses focus on within-frequency band analysis. However, the cognitive processing of music emotion involves not only activation and brain network connections differences within frequency bands but also information communication between frequency bands. RESULTS The results of the within-frequency band IS-RSA analysis showed that the theta and gamma frequency bands play important roles in the inter-participant consistency of music emotion. The inter-frequency band IS-RSA analysis showed that the theta-beta coupling pattern exhibited stronger inter-participant consistency compared to the theta-gamma coupling pattern, and the theta-beta coupling had significant consistent representation across various music conditions. Through the significant regions of cross-frequency coupling representation similarity analysis, we performed phase-amplitude coupling analysis on FC4-C6 and FC4-Pz connections. For the theta-beta coupling pattern, we found that the MI of these two connections exhibited different coupling patterns under different music conditions, and they showed a significant decrease compared to the baseline period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Xu
- School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Liangliang Hu
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China; West China institute of children's brain and cognition, Chongqing university of education, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Rui Qiao
- School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Yilin Hu
- School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Yin Tian
- School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China; School of Computer Science and Technology, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China; Institute for Advanced Sciences,Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China; Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing 400064, China.
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14
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Chang WS, Liang WK, Li DH, Muggleton NG, Balachandran P, Huang NE, Juan CH. The association between working memory precision and the nonlinear dynamics of frontal and parieto-occipital EEG activity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14252. [PMID: 37653059 PMCID: PMC10471634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41358-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrophysiological working memory (WM) research shows brain areas communicate via macroscopic oscillations across frequency bands, generating nonlinear amplitude modulation (AM) in the signal. Traditionally, AM is expressed as the coupling strength between the signal and a prespecified modulator at a lower frequency. Therefore, the idea of AM and coupling cannot be studied separately. In this study, 33 participants completed a color recall task while their brain activity was recorded through EEG. The AM of the EEG data was extracted using the Holo-Hilbert spectral analysis (HHSA), an adaptive method based on the Hilbert-Huang transforms. The results showed that WM load modulated parieto-occipital alpha/beta power suppression. Furthermore, individuals with higher frontal theta power and lower parieto-occipital alpha/beta power exhibited superior WM precision. In addition, the AM of parieto-occipital alpha/beta power predicted WM precision after presenting a target-defining probe array. The phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between the frontal theta phase and parieto-occipital alpha/beta AM increased with WM load while processing incoming stimuli, but the PAC itself did not predict the subsequent recall performance. These results suggest frontal and parieto-occipital regions communicate through theta-alpha/beta PAC. However, the overall recall precision depends on the alpha/beta AM following the onset of the retro cue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Sheng Chang
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Kuang Liang
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Center, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Dong-Han Li
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Center, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Neil G Muggleton
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Center, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, UK
| | - Prasad Balachandran
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Cheng Kung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Norden E Huang
- Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Center, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Data Analysis and Application Laboratory, The First Institute of Oceanography, Qingdao, China
| | - Chi-Hung Juan
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
- Cognitive Intelligence and Precision Healthcare Center, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
- Department of Psychology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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15
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Nakamura-Palacios EM, Falçoni Júnior AT, Anders QS, de Paula LDSP, Zottele MZ, Ronchete CF, Lirio PHC. Would frontal midline theta indicate cognitive changes induced by non-invasive brain stimulation? A mini review. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1116890. [PMID: 37520930 PMCID: PMC10375045 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1116890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To the best of our knowledge, neurophysiological markers indicating changes induced by non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on cognitive performance, especially one of the most investigated under these procedures, working memory (WM), are little known. Here, we will briefly introduce frontal midline theta (FM-theta) oscillation (4-8 Hz) as a possible indicator for NIBS effects on WM processing. Electrophysiological recordings of FM-theta oscillation seem to originate in the medial frontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, but they may be driven more subcortically. FM-theta has been acknowledged to occur during memory and emotion processing, and it has been related to WM and sustained attention. It mainly occurs in the frontal region during a delay period, in which specific information previously shown is no longer perceived and must be manipulated to allow a later (delayed) response and observed in posterior regions during information maintenance. Most NIBS studies investigating effects on cognitive performance have used n-back tasks that mix manipulation and maintenance processes. Thus, if considering FM-theta as a potential neurophysiological indicator for NIBS effects on different WM components, adequate cognitive tasks should be considered to better address the complexity of WM processing. Future research should also evaluate the potential use of FM-theta as an index of the therapeutic effects of NIBS intervention on neuropsychiatric disorders, especially those involving the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and cognitive dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Quézia Silva Anders
- Superior School of Sciences of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória (EMESCAM), Vitória, Brazil
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16
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Lui TKY, Obleser J, Wöstmann M. Slow neural oscillations explain temporal fluctuations in distractibility. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 226:102458. [PMID: 37088261 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102458] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Human environments comprise various sources of distraction, which often occur unexpectedly in time. The proneness to distraction (i.e., distractibility) is posited to be independent of attentional sampling of targets, but its temporal dynamics and neurobiological basis are largely unknown. Brain oscillations in the theta band (3 - 8Hz) have been associated with fluctuating neural excitability, which is hypothesised here to explain rhythmic modulation of distractibility. In a pitch discrimination task (N = 30) with unexpected auditory distractors, we show that distractor-evoked neural responses in the electroencephalogram and perceptual susceptibility to distraction were co-modulated and cycled approximately 3 - 5 times per second. Pre-distractor neural phase in left inferior frontal and insular cortex regions explained fluctuating distractibility. Thus, human distractibility is not constant but fluctuates on a subsecond timescale. Furthermore, slow neural oscillations subserve the behavioural consequences of a hitherto largely unexplained but ever-increasing phenomenon in modern environments - distraction by unexpected sound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troby Ka-Yan Lui
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Jonas Obleser
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Malte Wöstmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany.
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17
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Hanganu-Opatz IL, Klausberger T, Sigurdsson T, Nieder A, Jacob SN, Bartos M, Sauer JF, Durstewitz D, Leibold C, Diester I. Resolving the prefrontal mechanisms of adaptive cognitive behaviors: A cross-species perspective. Neuron 2023; 111:1020-1036. [PMID: 37023708 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) enables a staggering variety of complex behaviors, such as planning actions, solving problems, and adapting to new situations according to external information and internal states. These higher-order abilities, collectively defined as adaptive cognitive behavior, require cellular ensembles that coordinate the tradeoff between the stability and flexibility of neural representations. While the mechanisms underlying the function of cellular ensembles are still unclear, recent experimental and theoretical studies suggest that temporal coordination dynamically binds prefrontal neurons into functional ensembles. A so far largely separate stream of research has investigated the prefrontal efferent and afferent connectivity. These two research streams have recently converged on the hypothesis that prefrontal connectivity patterns influence ensemble formation and the function of neurons within ensembles. Here, we propose a unitary concept that, leveraging a cross-species definition of prefrontal regions, explains how prefrontal ensembles adaptively regulate and efficiently coordinate multiple processes in distinct cognitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana L Hanganu-Opatz
- Institute of Developmental Neurophysiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, Hamburg Center of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Klausberger
- Center for Brain Research, Division of Cognitive Neurobiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Torfi Sigurdsson
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Nieder
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon N Jacob
- Translational Neurotechnology Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marlene Bartos
- Institute for Physiology I, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Jonas-Frederic Sauer
- Institute for Physiology I, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Daniel Durstewitz
- Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health & Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Leibold
- Faculty of Biology, Bernstein Center Freiburg, BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Ilka Diester
- Optophysiology - Optogenetics and Neurophysiology, IMBIT // BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
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18
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Li D, Hu Y, Qi M, Zhao C, Jensen O, Huang J, Song Y. Prioritizing flexible working memory representations through retrospective attentional strengthening. Neuroimage 2023; 269:119902. [PMID: 36708973 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.119902] [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: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous work has proposed two potential benefits of retrospective attention on working memory (WM): target strengthening and non-target inhibition. It remains unknown which hypothesis contributes to the improved WM performance, yet the neural mechanisms responsible for this attentional benefit are unclear. Here, we recorded electroencephalography (EEG) signals while 33 participants performed a retrospective-cue WM task. Multivariate pattern classification analysis revealed that only representations of target features were enhanced by valid retrospective attention during retention, supporting the target strengthening hypothesis. Further univariate analysis found that mid-frontal theta inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) and ERP components were modulated by valid retrospective attention and correlated with individual differences and moment-to-moment fluctuations on behavioral outcomes, suggesting that both trait- and state-level variability in attentional preparatory processes influence goal-directed behavior. Furthermore, task-irrelevant target spatial location could be decoded from EEG signals, indicating that enhanced spatial binding of target representation is vital to high WM precision. Importantly, frontoparietal theta-alpha phase-amplitude coupling was increased by valid retrospective attention and predicted the reduced random guessing rates. This long-range connection supported top-down information flow in the engagement of frontoparietal networks, which might organize attentional states to integrate target features. Altogether, these results provide neurophysiological bases that retrospective attention improves WM precision by enhancing flexible target representation and emphasize the critical role of the frontoparietal attentional network in the control of WM representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yiqing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengdi Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Chenguang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Cognition and Neuroergonomics, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ole Jensen
- Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jing Huang
- Center for Cognition and Neuroergonomics, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China.
| | - Yan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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19
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Zhang P, Yan J, Liu Z, Zhou Q. Impeded frontal-occipital communications during Go/Nogo tasks in humans owing to mental workload. Behav Brain Res 2023; 438:114182. [PMID: 36309243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114182] [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: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Human brains rely on oscillatory coupling mechanisms for regulating access to prefrontal cognitive resources, dynamically communicating between the frontal and remote cortex. We worry that communications across cortical regions will be impeded when humans in extreme space environments travel with mental load work, affecting the successful completion of missions. Here, we monitored crews of workers performing a Go/Nogo task in space travel, accompanied by acquisitions of electroencephalography (EEG) signals. These data demonstrated that when the target stimulus suddenly changed to the non-target stimulus, an instantaneous communication mechanism between the frontal and occipital cortex was established by theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling (PAC). However, this frontal-occipital communication was impeded because of the mental workload of space travel. 86 healthy volunteers who participated in the ground imitation further indicated that mental workload caused decoupled theta-gamma PAC during the Go/Nogo task, impeding frontal-occipital communications and behavioral performance. We also found that the degree of theta-gamma PAC coupling in space was significantly lower than on the ground, indicating that mental workload and other hazards worsen the impeded frontal-occipital communications of humans. These results could guide countermeasures for the inadaptability of humans working in spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Juan Yan
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Zhongqi Liu
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qianxiang Zhou
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
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20
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Zhang P, Yan J, Liu Z, Zhou Q. Brain signatures of error awareness during cognitive tasks for humans in the flight environment. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1007258. [DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1007258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, many scientific experiments are carried out in extreme conditions. Pilots need to perform high-intensity tasks for a long time. Human error is an essential factor affecting mission execution. To deeply study the physiological characteristics of different erroneous states of consciousness, we used an improved double-choice Oddball paradigm to collect brain electrophysiological signals of volunteers and pilots in missions and analyze event-related potential (ERP), time-frequency, and brain function spectrum, extracting EEG indicators sensitive to error awareness. The results showed that, in the 300∼500 ms time window, the error awareness type was correlated with Pe amplitude. Meanwhile, the time-frequency and brain functional spectrum analysis showed that the amplitude of the aware errors α-ERS oscillation, the functional spectral density of the α-band, and the uncertain errors were more prominent than unaware errors. The error awareness of the pilots showed the same EEG sensitivity characteristics in flight as in the ground volunteer experiment, and the characteristic sensitivity value was higher than that of the ground participants. We analyzed the EEG indicators sensitive to error awareness and determined the differences in EEG characteristics when pilots have error awareness on the ground and in flight. This study provides theoretical guidance for the follow-up research on the intervention measures against error awareness and determines the target point positioning.
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21
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Försterling M, Hainke L, Redkina A, Sauseng P. Influence of Bilingualism on Behavioral and Electrophysiological Parameters of Cognitive Control. J PSYCHOPHYSIOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Bilingualism has been associated with better cognitive control as compared to monolingualism. However, the robustness of the respective findings is subject to a recent debate, and moderators should be taken into consideration. We reasoned that groups immersed in their second language should show a greater bilingual advantage in cognitive control as compared to non-immersed participants. Further, stimulus language (first or second language), word similarity in the two languages (similar or dissimilar), as well as congruency between ink and word were varied. Forty-five participants from three different language groups (Romance, Slavic, and German) conducted a Stroop task while EEG was recorded. Higher cognitive control demand was operationalized as (1) longer reaction times, (2) higher error rates, (3) stronger N400, (4) increased Late Positive Complex (LPC), and (5) stronger Frontal Midline Theta activity. The classical Stroop interference effect was replicated for all dependent variables. Contrary to expectation, participants immersed in their second language did not exhibit any inhibition advantage in the Stroop task. Moreover, higher script similarity between first and second languages led to faster response times in general. Results are discussed in light of the current debate on the existence of a bilingual advantage in cognitive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Försterling
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Laura Hainke
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Redkina
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Sauseng
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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22
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Zhang P, Yan J, Liu Z, Yu H, Zhao R, Zhou Q. Extreme conditions affect neuronal oscillations of cerebral cortices in humans in the China Space Station and on Earth. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1041. [PMID: 36180522 PMCID: PMC9525319 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04018-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhythmical oscillations of neural populations can reflect working memory performance. However, whether neuronal oscillations of the cerebral cortex change in extreme environments, especially in a space station, remains unclear. Here, we recorded electroencephalography (EEG) signals when volunteers and astronauts were executing a memory task in extreme working conditions. Our experiments showed that two extreme conditions affect neuronal oscillations of the cerebral cortex and manifest in different ways. Lengthy periods of mental work impairs the gating mechanism formed by theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling of two cortical areas, and sleep deprivation disrupts synaptic homeostasis, as reflected by the substantial increase in theta wave activity in the cortical frontal-central area. In addition, we excluded the possibility that nutritional supply or psychological situations caused decoupled theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling or an imbalance in theta wave activity increase. Therefore, we speculate that the decoupled theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling detected in astronauts results from their lengthy periods of mental work in the China Space Station. Furthermore, comparing preflight and inflight experiments, we find that long-term spaceflight and other hazards in the space station could worsen this decoupling evolution. This particular neuronal oscillation mechanism in the cerebral cortex could guide countermeasures for the inadaptability of humans working in spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- grid.64939.310000 0000 9999 1211School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China ,grid.64939.310000 0000 9999 1211Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Juan Yan
- grid.198530.60000 0000 8803 2373China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100088 China
| | - Zhongqi Liu
- grid.64939.310000 0000 9999 1211School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China ,grid.64939.310000 0000 9999 1211Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Hongqiang Yu
- grid.418516.f0000 0004 1791 7464China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Rui Zhao
- grid.418516.f0000 0004 1791 7464China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Qianxiang Zhou
- grid.64939.310000 0000 9999 1211School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China ,grid.64939.310000 0000 9999 1211Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
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23
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Shing N, Walker MC, Chang P. The Role of Aberrant Neural Oscillations in the Hippocampal-Medial Prefrontal Cortex Circuit in Neurodevelopmental and Neurological Disorders. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2022; 195:107683. [PMID: 36174886 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2022.107683] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus (HPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) have well-established roles in cognition, emotion, and sensory processing. In recent years, interests have shifted towards developing a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying interactions between the HPC and mPFC in achieving these functions. Considerable research supports the idea that synchronized activity between the HPC and the mPFC is a general mechanism by which brain functions are regulated. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the hippocampal-medial prefrontal cortex (HPC-mPFC) circuit in normal brain function with a focus on oscillations and highlight several neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders associated with aberrant HPC-mPFC circuitry. We further discuss oscillatory dynamics across the HPC-mPFC circuit as potentially useful biomarkers to assess interventions for neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. Finally, advancements in brain stimulation, gene therapy and pharmacotherapy are explored as promising therapies for disorders with aberrant HPC-mPFC circuit dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanael Shing
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK; Department of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR17BH, UK
| | - Matthew C Walker
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Pishan Chang
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT.
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24
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Riddle J, Alexander ML, Schiller CE, Rubinow DR, Frohlich F. Reward-Based Decision-Making Engages Distinct Modes of Cross-Frequency Coupling. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:2079-2094. [PMID: 34622271 PMCID: PMC9113280 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prefrontal cortex exerts control over sensory and motor systems via cross-frequency coupling. However, it is unknown whether these signals play a role in reward-based decision-making and whether such dynamic network configuration is altered in a major depressive episode. We recruited men and women with and without depression to perform a streamlined version of the Expenditure of Effort for Reward Task during recording of electroencephalography. Goal-directed behavior was quantified as willingness to exert physical effort to obtain reward, and reward-evaluation was the degree to which the decision to exert effort was modulated by incentive level. We found that the amplitude of frontal-midline theta oscillations was greatest in participants with the greatest reward-evaluation. Furthermore, coupling between frontal theta phase and parieto-occipital gamma amplitude was positively correlated with reward-evaluation. In addition, goal-directed behavior was positively correlated with coupling between frontal delta phase to motor beta amplitude. Finally, we performed a factor analysis to derive 2 symptom dimensions and found that mood symptoms positively tracked with reward-evaluation and motivation symptoms negatively tracked with goal-directed behavior. Altogether, these results provide evidence that 2 aspects of reward-based decision-making are instantiated by different modes of prefrontal top-down control and are modulated in different symptom dimensions of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Morgan L Alexander
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Crystal Edler Schiller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - David R Rubinow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Flavio Frohlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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25
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Senkowski D, Sobirey R, Haslacher D, Soekadar SR. Boosting working memory: Uncovering the differential effects of tDCS and tACS. Cereb Cortex Commun 2022; 3:tgac018. [PMID: 35592391 PMCID: PMC9113288 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgac018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is essential for reasoning, decision making and problem solving. Recently, there has been an increasing effort in improving WM through non-invasive brain stimulation, especially transcranial direct and alternating current stimulation (tDCS/tACS). Studies suggest that tDCS and tACS can modulate WM performance, but large variability in research approaches hinders identification of optimal stimulation protocols and interpretation of study results. Moreover, it is unclear whether tDCS and tACS differentially affect WM. Here, we summarize and compare studies examining the effects of tDCS and tACS on WM performance in healthy adults. Following PRISMA-selection criteria, our systematic review resulted in 43 studies (29 tDCS, 11 tACS, 3 both) with a total of 1826 adult participants. For tDCS, only 4 out of 23 single-session studies reported effects on WM, while 7 out of 9 multi-session experiments showed positive effects on WM training. For tACS, 10 out of 14 studies demonstrated effects on WM, which were frequency dependent and robust for frontoparietal stimulation. Our review revealed no reliable effect of single-session tDCS on WM, but moderate effects of multi-session tDCS and single-session tACS. We discuss implications of these findings and future directions in the emerging research field of non-invasive brain stimulation and WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Senkowski
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin
| | - Rabea Sobirey
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin
| | - David Haslacher
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin
| | - Surjo R Soekadar
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin
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26
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Brain rhythms: How control gets into working memory. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R479-R481. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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27
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Ratcliffe O, Shapiro K, Staresina BP. Fronto-medial theta coordinates posterior maintenance of working memory content. Curr Biol 2022; 32:2121-2129.e3. [PMID: 35385693 PMCID: PMC9616802 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
How does the human brain manage multiple bits of information to guide goal-directed behavior? Successful working memory (WM) functioning has consistently been linked to oscillatory power in the theta frequency band (4–8 Hz) over fronto-medial cortex (fronto-medial theta [FMT]). Specifically, FMT is thought to reflect the mechanism of an executive sub-system that coordinates maintenance of memory contents in posterior regions. However, direct evidence for the role of FMT in controlling specific WM content is lacking. Here, we collected high-density electroencephalography (EEG) data while participants engaged in WM-dependent tasks and then used multivariate decoding methods to examine WM content during the maintenance period. Engagement of WM was accompanied by a focal increase in FMT. Importantly, decoding of WM content was driven by posterior sites, which, in turn, showed increased functional theta coupling with fronto-medial channels. Finally, we observed a significant slowing of FMT frequency with increasing WM load, consistent with the hypothesized broadening of a theta “duty cycle” to accommodate additional WM items. Together, these findings demonstrate that frontal theta orchestrates posterior maintenance of WM content. Moreover, the observed frequency slowing elucidates the function of FMT oscillations by specifically supporting phase-coding accounts of WM. FMT power supports WM functions During WM performance, posterior/parietal regions are coupled with FMT Multivariate decoding of WM content is mediated by these same posterior channels Frontal theta frequency slows with WM load supporting phase-coding models
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Ratcliffe
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kimron Shapiro
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Bernhard P Staresina
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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28
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Zarei AA, Jensen W, Faghani Jadidi A, Lontis R, Atashzar SF. Gamma-band Enhancement of Functional Brain Connectivity Following Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35234662 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac59a1] [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: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been suggested as a possible non-invasive pain treatment. However, the underlying mechanism of the analgesic effect of TENS and how brain network functional connectivity is affected following the use of TENS is not yet fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high-frequency TENS on the alternation of functional brain network connectivity and the corresponding topographical changes, besides perceived sensations. APPROACH Forty healthy subjects participated in this study. EEG data and sensory profiles were recorded before and up to an hour following high-frequency TENS (100 Hz) in sham and intervention groups. Brain source activity from EEG data was estimated using the LORETA algorithm. In order to generate the brain connectivity network, the Phase lag index was calculated for all pair-wise connections of eight selected brain areas over six different frequency bands (i.e., δ, θ, α, β, γ, and 0.5-90 Hz). MAIN RESULTS The results suggested that the functional connectivity between the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), in addition to functional connectivity between S1 and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), were significantly increased in the gamma-band, following the TENS intervention. Additionally, using graph theory, several significant changes were observed in global and local characteristics of functional brain connectivity in gamma-band. SIGNIFICANCE Our observations in this paper open a neuropsychological window of understanding the underlying mechanism of TENS and the corresponding changes in functional brain connectivity, simultaneously with alternation in sensory perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Asghar Zarei
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg Universitet, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 D3, Aalborg, 9220, DENMARK
| | - Winnie Jensen
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7, 9220 Aalborg, Aalborg, 9220, DENMARK
| | - Armita Faghani Jadidi
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg Universitet, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 D3, Aalborg, 9220, DENMARK
| | - Romulus Lontis
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg Universitet, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 D3, Aalborg, 9220, DENMARK
| | - S Farokh Atashzar
- Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, 5 MetroTech Center #266D Brooklyn, NY 11201, New York, New York, NY 11201, UNITED STATES
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29
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Gordon PC, Belardinelli P, Stenroos M, Ziemann U, Zrenner C. Prefrontal theta phase-dependent rTMS-induced plasticity of cortical and behavioral responses in human cortex. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:391-402. [PMID: 35182810 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prefrontal theta oscillations are involved in neuronal information transfer and retention. Phases along the theta cycle represent varied excitability states, whereby high-excitability states correspond to high-frequency neuronal activity and heightened capacity for plasticity induction, as demonstrated in animal studies. Human studies corroborate this model and suggest a core role of prefrontal theta activity in working memory (WM). OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS We aimed at modulating prefrontal neuronal excitability and WM performance in healthy humans, using real-time EEG analysis for triggering repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) theta-phase synchronized to the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. METHODS 16 subjects underwent 3 different rTMS interventions on separate days, with pulses triggered according to the individual's real-time EEG activity: 400 rTMS gamma-frequency (100 Hz) triplet bursts applied during either the negative peak of the prefrontal theta oscillation, the positive peak, or at random phase. Changes in cortical excitability were assessed with EEG responses following single-pulse TMS, and behavioral effects by using a WM task. RESULTS Negative-peak rTMS increased single-pulse TMS-induced prefrontal theta power and theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling, and decreased WM response time. In contrast, positive-peak rTMS decreased prefrontal theta power, while no changes were observed after random-phase rTMS. CONCLUSION Findings point to the feasibility of EEG-TMS technology in a theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling mode for effectively modifying WM networks in human prefrontal cortex, with potential for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Caldana Gordon
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Paolo Belardinelli
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany; CIMeC, Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Italy
| | - Matti Stenroos
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Christoph Zrenner
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany; Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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30
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Al Qasem W, Abubaker M, Kvašňák E. Working Memory and Transcranial-Alternating Current Stimulation-State of the Art: Findings, Missing, and Challenges. Front Psychol 2022; 13:822545. [PMID: 35237214 PMCID: PMC8882605 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.822545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is a cognitive process that involves maintaining and manipulating information for a short period of time. WM is central to many cognitive processes and declines rapidly with age. Deficits in WM are seen in older adults and in patients with dementia, schizophrenia, major depression, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, etc. The frontal, parietal, and occipital cortices are significantly involved in WM processing and all brain oscillations are implicated in tackling WM tasks, particularly theta and gamma bands. The theta/gamma neural code hypothesis assumes that retained memory items are recorded via theta-nested gamma cycles. Neuronal oscillations can be manipulated by sensory, invasive- and non-invasive brain stimulations. Transcranial alternating-current stimulation (tACS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are frequency-tuned non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques that have been used to entrain endogenous oscillations in a frequency-specific manner. Compared to rTMS, tACS demonstrates superior cost, tolerability, portability, and safety profile, making it an attractive potential tool for improving cognitive performance. Although cognitive research with tACS is still in its infancy compared to rTMS, a number of studies have shown a promising WM enhancement effect, especially in the elderly and patients with cognitive deficits. This review focuses on the various methods and outcomes of tACS on WM in healthy and unhealthy human adults and highlights the established findings, unknowns, challenges, and perspectives important for translating laboratory tACS into realistic clinical settings. This will allow researchers to identify gaps in the literature and develop frequency-tuned tACS protocols with promising safety and efficacy outcomes. Therefore, research efforts in this direction should help to consider frequency-tuned tACS as a non-pharmacological tool of cognitive rehabilitation in physiological aging and patients with cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiam Al Qasem
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Medical Informatics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Praha, Czechia
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31
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Improving Functional Connectivity in Developmental Dyslexia through Combined Neurofeedback and Visual Training. Symmetry (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sym14020369] [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] Open
Abstract
This study examined the effects of combined neurofeedback (NF) and visual training (VT) on children with developmental dyslexia (DD). Although NF is the first noninvasive approach to support neurological disorders, the mechanisms of its effects on the brain functional connectivity are still unclear. A key question is whether the functional connectivities of the EEG frequency networks change after the combined NF–VT training of DD children (postD). NF sessions of voluntary α/θ rhythm control were applied in a low-spatial-frequency (LSF) illusion contrast discrimination, which provides feedback with visual cues to improve the brain signals and cognitive abilities in DD children. The measures of connectivity, which are defined by small-world propensity, were sensitive to the properties of the brain electrical oscillations in the quantitative EEG-NF training. In the high-contrast LSF illusion, the z-NF reduced the α/θ scores in the frontal areas, and in the right ventral temporal, occipital–temporal, and middle occipital areas in the postD (vs. the preD) because of their suppression in the local hub θ-network and the altered global characteristics of the functional θ-frequency network. In the low-contrast condition, the z-NF stimulated increases in the α/θ scores, which induced hubs in the left-side α-frequency network of the postD, and changes in the global characteristics of the functional α-frequency network. Because of the anterior, superior, and middle temporal deficits affecting the ventral and occipital–temporal pathways, the z-NF–VT compensated for the more ventral brain regions, mainly in the left hemispheres of the postD group in the low-contrast LSF illusion. Compared to pretraining, the NF–VT increased the segregation of the α, β (low-contrast), and θ networks (high-contrast), as well as the γ2-network integration (both contrasts) after the termination of the training of the children with developmental dyslexia. The remediation compensated more for the dorsal (prefrontal, premotor, occipital–parietal connectivities) dysfunction of the θ network in the developmental dyslexia in the high-contrast LSF illusion. Our findings provide neurobehavioral evidence for the exquisite brain functional plasticity and direct effect of NF–VT on cognitive disabilities in DD children.
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32
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Dynamic coupling of oscillatory neural activity and its roles in visual attention. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:323-335. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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33
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Rezayat E, Clark K, Dehaqani MRA, Noudoost B. Dependence of Working Memory on Coordinated Activity Across Brain Areas. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 15:787316. [PMID: 35095433 PMCID: PMC8792503 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.787316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural signatures of working memory (WM) have been reported in numerous brain areas, suggesting a distributed neural substrate for memory maintenance. In the current manuscript we provide an updated review of the literature focusing on intracranial neurophysiological recordings during WM in primates. Such signatures of WM include changes in firing rate or local oscillatory power within an area, along with measures of coordinated activity between areas based on synchronization between oscillations. In comparing the ability of various neural signatures in any brain area to predict behavioral performance, we observe that synchrony between areas is more frequently and robustly correlated with WM performance than any of the within-area neural signatures. We further review the evidence for alteration of inter-areal synchrony in brain disorders, consistent with an important role for such synchrony during behavior. Additionally, results of causal studies indicate that manipulating synchrony across areas is especially effective at influencing WM task performance. Each of these lines of research supports the critical role of inter-areal synchrony in WM. Finally, we propose a framework for interactions between prefrontal and sensory areas during WM, incorporating a range of experimental findings and offering an explanation for the observed link between intra-areal measures and WM performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Rezayat
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran
| | - Kelsey Clark
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Mohammad-Reza A. Dehaqani
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran
- Cognitive Systems Laboratory, Control and Intelligent Processing Center of Excellence (CIPCE), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrad Noudoost
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- *Correspondence: Behrad Noudoost,
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Pan L, Wu Y, Bao J, Guo D, Zhang X, Wang J, Deng M, Yu P, Wei G, Zhang L, Qin X, Song Y. Alterations in Neural Networks During Working Memory Encoding Related to Cognitive Impairment in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 15:770678. [PMID: 35069151 PMCID: PMC8766724 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.770678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate the alterations in the neural networks of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) during working memory (WM) encoding. Methods: Patients with TLE (n = 52) and healthy volunteers (n = 35) completed a WM task, during which 34-channel electroencephalogram signals were recorded. The neural networks during WM encoding were calculated in TLE patients with (TLE-WM) and without (TLE-N) WM deficits. Results: Functional connectivity strength decreased, and the theta network was altered in the TLE-WM group, although no significant differences in clinical features were observed between the TLE-N and TLE-WM groups. Conclusions: Not all patients with TLE present with cognitive impairments and alterations in the theta network were identified in TLE patients with functional cognitive deficits. Significance: The theta network may represent a sensitive measure of cognitive impairment and could predict cognitive outcomes among patients with TLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Pan
- General Medicine Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yakun Wu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Neurology, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Jie Bao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dandan Guo
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiajing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Meili Deng
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Peiran Yu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Gaoxu Wei
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lulin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiao Qin
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yijun Song
- General Medicine Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Central Nerve Injury Repair and Regeneration, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Yijun Song
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35
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Biel AL, Sterner E, Röll L, Sauseng P. Modulating verbal working memory with fronto-parietal transcranial electric stimulation at theta frequency: Does it work? Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:405-425. [PMID: 34902182 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Oscillatory theta activity in a fronto-parietal network has been associated with working memory (WM) processes and may be directly related to WM performance. In their seminal study, Polanía et al. (2012) (de-)coupled a fronto-parietal theta-network by applying transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), and showed that anti-phase tACS led to slower and in-phase tACS to faster response times in a verbal WM task compared to placebo stimulation. In the literature, this 'synchronization-desynchronization' effect has only been partly replicated, and electric field modelling suggests that it might not be the fronto-parietal network that is primarily stimulated during in-phase tACS with a shared return electrode. This provides one possible reason for inconsistency in the literature. In this study, we aimed to reproduce the findings reported by Polanía et al. (2012). We also aimed to investigate whether in-phase theta tACS with multiple close-by return electrodes for focal stimulation of the frontal and the parietal cortex will have at least as much of a facilitatory effect as the in-phase stimulation as indicated by Polania et al. (2012). In a single-trial distributional analysis, we explored whether mean, variation and right-skewness of the response time distribution are affected. Against our hypothesis, we found no 'synchronization-desynchronization' effect by fronto-parietal theta tACS on response times using the same delayed letter discrimination task and stimulation parameters in two experiments, both between-subjects and within-subjects. However, we could show that in a more demanding 3-back task, fronto-parietal in-phase and in-phase focal theta tACS substantially improved task performance compared to placebo stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lena Biel
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Sterner
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lukas Röll
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Sauseng
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg, Martinsried, Germany
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36
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Mendes AJ, Pacheco-Barrios K, Lema A, Gonçalves ÓF, Fregni F, Leite J, Carvalho S. Modulation of the cognitive event-related potential P3 by transcranial direct current stimulation: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:894-907. [PMID: 34742723 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been widely used to modulate cognition and behavior. However, only a few studies have been probing the brain mechanism underlying the effects of tDCS on cognitive processing, especially throughout electrophysiological markers, such as the P3. This meta-analysis assessed the effects of tDCS in P3 amplitude and latency during an oddball, n-back, and Go/No-Go tasks, as well as during emotional processing. A total of 36 studies were identified, but only 23 were included in the quantitative analysis. The results show that the parietal P3 amplitude increased during oddball and n-back tasks, mostly after anodal stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (p = 0.018, SMD = 0.4) and right inferior frontal gyrus (p < 0.001, SMD = 0.669) respectively. These findings suggest the potential usefulness of the parietal P3 ERP as a marker of tDCS-induced effects during task performance. Nonetheless, this study had a low number of studies and the presence of considerable risk of bias, highlighting issues to be addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto J Mendes
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Kevin Pacheco-Barrios
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Lima, Peru
| | - Alberto Lema
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Óscar F Gonçalves
- Proaction Laboratory - CINEICC, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Felipe Fregni
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Jorge Leite
- INPP, Portucalense University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Carvalho
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Beynel L, Dannhauer M, Palmer H, Hilbig SA, Crowell CA, Wang JE, Michael AM, Wood EA, Luber B, Lisanby SH, Peterchev AV, Cabeza R, Davis SW, Appelbaum LG. Network-based rTMS to modulate working memory: The difficult choice of effective parameters for online interventions. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e2361. [PMID: 34651464 PMCID: PMC8613413 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online repetitive transcranialmagnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to modulate working memory (WM) performance in a site-specific manner, with behavioral improvements due to stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and impairment from stimulation to the lateral parietal cortex (LPC). Neurobehavioral studies have demonstrated that subprocesses of WM allowing for the maintenance and manipulation of information in the mind involve unique cortical networks. Despite promising evidence of modulatory effects of rTMS on WM, no studies have yet demonstrated distinct modulatory control of these two subprocesses. The current study therefore sought to explore this possibility through site-specific stimulation during an online task invoking both skills. METHODS Twenty-nine subjects completed a 4-day protocol, in which active or sham 5Hz rTMS was applied over the DLPFC and LPC in separate blocks of trials while participants performed tasks that required either maintenance alone, or both maintenance and manipulation (alphabetization) of information. Stimulation targets were defined individually based on fMRI activation and structural network properties. Stimulation amplitude was adjusted using electric field modeling to equate induced current in the target region across participants. RESULTS Despite the use of advanced techniques, no significant differences or interactions between active and sham stimulation were found. Exploratory analyses testing stimulation amplitude, fMRI activation, and modal controllability showed nonsignificant but interesting trends with rTMS effects. CONCLUSION While this study did not reveal any significant behavioral changes in WM, the results may point to parameters that contribute to positive effects, such as stimulation amplitude and functional activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lysianne Beynel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Moritz Dannhauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Hannah Palmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Susan A. Hilbig
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Courtney A. Crowell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Joyce E‐H. Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Andrew M. Michael
- Duke Institute for Brain SciencesDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Eleanor A. Wood
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Bruce Luber
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation UnitExperimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology BranchNational Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Sarah H. Lisanby
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation UnitExperimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology BranchNational Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Angel V. Peterchev
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Roberto Cabeza
- Center for Cognitive NeuroscienceDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Psychology & NeuroscienceDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Simon W. Davis
- Center for Cognitive NeuroscienceDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of NeurologyDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Lawrence G. Appelbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
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38
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Pavlov YG, Kotchoubey B. Temporally distinct oscillatory codes of retention and manipulation of verbal working memory. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:6497-6511. [PMID: 34514642 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Most psychophysiological studies of working memory (WM) target only the short-term memory construct, whereas short-term memory is only a part of the WM responsible for the storage of sensory information. Here, we aimed to further investigate oscillatory brain mechanisms supporting the executive components of WM-the part responsible for the manipulation of information. We conducted an exploratory reanalysis of a previously published EEG dataset where 156 participants (82 females) performed tasks requiring either simple retention or retention and manipulation of verbal information in WM. A relatively long delay period (>6 s) was employed to investigate the temporal trajectory of the oscillatory brain activity. Compared with baseline, theta activity was significantly enhanced during encoding and the delay period. Alpha-band power decreased during encoding and switched to an increase in the first part of the delay before returning to the baseline in the second part; beta-band power remained below baseline during encoding and the delay. The difference between the manipulation and retention tasks in spectral power had diverse temporal trajectories in different frequency bands. The difference maintained over encoding and the first part of the delay in theta, during the first part of the delay in beta, and during the whole delay period in alpha. Our results suggest that task-related modulations in theta power co-vary with the demands on the executive control network; beta suppression during mental manipulation can be related to the activation of motor networks; and alpha is likely to reflect the activation of language areas simultaneously with sensory input blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri G Pavlov
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Boris Kotchoubey
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Mikhailova ES, Kurgansky AV, Nushtaeva RA, Gerasimenko NY, Kushnir AB. Intracortical Directed Connectivity for Information Retention in Visual-Spatial Working Memory. DOKLADY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE USSR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTIONS 2021; 500:133-137. [PMID: 34731377 DOI: 10.1134/s0012496621050070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A group of 27 healthy young adults solved a task involving the working memory (WM) activation, consisting of the comparison between the spatial orientations of two sequentially presented square-wave luminance gratings. We investigated the effective (directed) connectivity patterns between the frontal and postcentral cortical regions related to the visual system. The connectivity was assessed using vector autoregression modeling of EEG. It was shown that the strength of the top-down right-hemispheric connectivity patterns directed from the frontal cortex to the visual areas in θ frequency was significantly lower at the stage of stimulus retention in the WM than at the stage of stimulus anticipation. On the contrary, in the α band the descending influences were slightly more intense. The results of the study showed the frequency-dependent dynamics of the descending influences of the frontal cortex on visual areas and confirm that the frontal cortex plays the role of a controlling and modulating center in the brain system underlying WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Mikhailova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485, Moscow, Russia.
| | - A V Kurgansky
- Institute of Developmental Physiology, Russian Academy of Education, 125009, Moscow, Russia
- Russian Presidential Academy оf National Economy аnd Public Administration, 119571, Moscow, Russia
| | - R A Nushtaeva
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485, Moscow, Russia
| | - N Yu Gerasimenko
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485, Moscow, Russia
| | - A B Kushnir
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485, Moscow, Russia
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40
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Riddle J, Frohlich F. Targeting neural oscillations with transcranial alternating current stimulation. Brain Res 2021; 1765:147491. [PMID: 33887251 PMCID: PMC8206031 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neural oscillations at the network level synchronize activity between regions and temporal scales. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), the delivery of low-amplitude electric current to the scalp, provides a tool for investigating the causal role of neural oscillations in cognition. The parameter space for tACS is vast and optimization is required in terms of temporal and spatial targeting. We review emerging techniques and suggest novel approaches that capitalize on the non-sinusoidal and transient nature of neural oscillations and leverage the flexibility provided by a customizable electrode montage and electrical waveform. The customizability and safety profile of tACS make it a promising tool for precision intervention in psychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Flavio Frohlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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41
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Pan L, Guo D, Wang J, Hao Y, Zhang L, Qin X, Song Y. Alterations in neural oscillations related to working memory deficit in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 121:108063. [PMID: 34052633 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Working memory (WM) is critical for higher level cognition, but the underlying neural mechanisms are not fully understood. Impaired WM affects routine daily activities and is observed in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This study investigated neural oscillations associated with different WM phases, to determine the specific neural activity linked with the phases of WM impairment. METHODS Patients with TLE (n = 52) and healthy volunteers (n = 35) completed a WM task, during which 34-channel electroencephalogram signals were recorded. Characteristic neural oscillation patterns during each WM phase were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS Patients with TLE showed decreased theta power during the encoding phase of WM, which was associated with reduced accuracy in the WM task. Altered theta power in the frontal region of the brain during the encoding phase was associated with a longer reaction time. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in theta oscillation are related to WM impairment in patients with TLE and may serve as an early marker for evaluating WM deficits. SIGNIFICANCE This study provides an early marker for evaluating WM deficits in TLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Pan
- General Medicine Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Dandan Guo
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jiajing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Second Clinical Medical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Yuhan Hao
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Lulin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Xiao Qin
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yijun Song
- General Medicine Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin 300052, China.
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42
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Riddle J, McFerren A, Frohlich F. Causal role of cross-frequency coupling in distinct components of cognitive control. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 202:102033. [PMID: 33741402 PMCID: PMC8184612 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive control is the capacity to guide motor and perceptual systems towards abstract goals. High-frequency neural oscillations related to motor activity in the beta band (13-30 Hz) and to visual processing in the gamma band (>30 Hz) are known to be modulated by cognitive control signals. One proposed mechanism for cognitive control is via cross-frequency coupling whereby low frequency network oscillations in prefrontal cortex (delta from 2-3 Hz and theta from 4-8 Hz) guide the expression of motor-related activity in action planning and guide perception-related activity in memory access. However, there is no causal evidence for cross-frequency coupling in these dissociable components of cognitive control. To address this important gap in knowledge, we delivered cross-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (CF-tACS) during performance of a task that manipulated cognitive control demands along two dimensions: the abstraction of the rules of the task (nested levels of action selection) that increased delta-beta coupling and the number of rules (set-size held in memory) that increased theta-gamma coupling. As hypothesized, we found that CF-tACS increased the targeted phase-amplitude coupling and modulated task performance of the associated cognitive control component. These findings provide causal evidence that prefrontal cortex orchestrates different components of cognitive control via two different cross-frequency coupling modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Amber McFerren
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Flavio Frohlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Gordon PC, Dörre S, Belardinelli P, Stenroos M, Zrenner B, Ziemann U, Zrenner C. Prefrontal Theta-Phase Synchronized Brain Stimulation With Real-Time EEG-Triggered TMS. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:691821. [PMID: 34234662 PMCID: PMC8255809 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.691821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Theta-band neuronal oscillations in the prefrontal cortex are associated with several cognitive functions. Oscillatory phase is an important correlate of excitability and phase synchrony mediates information transfer between neuronal populations oscillating at that frequency. The ability to extract and exploit the prefrontal theta rhythm in real time in humans would facilitate insight into neurophysiological mechanisms of cognitive processes involving the prefrontal cortex, and development of brain-state-dependent stimulation for therapeutic applications. Objectives We investigate individual source-space beamforming-based estimation of the prefrontal theta oscillation as a method to target specific phases of the ongoing theta oscillations in the human dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) with real-time EEG-triggered transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Different spatial filters for extracting the prefrontal theta oscillation from EEG signals are compared and additional signal quality criteria are assessed to take into account the dynamics of this cortical oscillation. Methods Twenty two healthy participants were recruited for anatomical MRI scans and EEG recordings with 18 composing the final analysis. We calculated individual spatial filters based on EEG beamforming in source space. The extracted EEG signal was then used to simulate real-time phase-detection and quantify the accuracy as compared to post-hoc phase estimates. Different spatial filters and triggering parameters were compared. Finally, we validated the feasibility of this approach by actual real-time triggering of TMS pulses at different phases of the prefrontal theta oscillation. Results Higher phase-detection accuracy was achieved using individualized source-based spatial filters, as compared to an average or standard Laplacian filter, and also by detecting and avoiding periods of low theta amplitude and periods containing a phase reset. Using optimized parameters, prefrontal theta-phase synchronized TMS of DMPFC was achieved with an accuracy of ±55°. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of triggering TMS pulses during different phases of the ongoing prefrontal theta oscillation in real time. This method is relevant for brain state-dependent stimulation in human studies of cognition. It will also enable new personalized therapeutic repetitive TMS protocols for more effective treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Caldana Gordon
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Dörre
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Paolo Belardinelli
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,CIMeC, Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Matti Stenroos
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Brigitte Zrenner
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Zrenner
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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44
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EEG cross-frequency phase synchronization as an index of memory matching in visual search. Neuroimage 2021; 235:117971. [PMID: 33839263 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual perception is influenced by our expectancies about incoming sensory information. It is assumed that mental templates of expected sensory input are created and compared to actual input, which can be matching or not. When such mental templates are held in working memory, cross-frequency phase synchronization (CFS) between theta and gamma band activity has been proposed to serve matching processes between prediction and sensation. We investigated how this is affected by the number of activated templates that could be matched by comparing conditions where participants had to keep either one or multiple templates in mind for successful visual search. We found a transient CFS between EEG theta and gamma activity in an early time window around 150 ms after search display presentation, in right hemispheric parietal cortex. Our results suggest that for single template conditions, stronger transient theta-gamma CFS at posterior sites contralateral to target presentation can be observed than for multiple templates. This can be interpreted as evidence to the idea of sequential attentional templates. But mainly, it is understood in line with previous theoretical accounts strongly arguing for transient synchronization between posterior theta and gamma phase as a neural correlate of matching incoming sensory information with contents from working memory and as evidence for limitations in memory matching during multiple template search.
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45
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Formica S, González-García C, Senoussi M, Brass M. Neural oscillations track the maintenance and proceduralization of novel instructions. Neuroimage 2021; 232:117870. [PMID: 33607280 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117870] [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: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are capable of flexibly converting symbolic instructions into novel behaviors. Previous evidence and theoretical models suggest that the implementation of a novel instruction requires the reformatting of its declarative content into an action-oriented code optimized for the execution of the instructed behavior. While neuroimaging research focused on identifying the brain areas involved in such a process, the temporal and electrophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. These mechanisms, however, can provide information about the specific cognitive processes that characterize the proceduralization of information. In the present study, we recorded EEG activity while we asked participants to either simply maintain declaratively the content of novel S-R mappings or to proactively prepare for their implementation. By means of time-frequency analyses, we isolated the oscillatory features specific to the proceduralization of instructions. Implementation of the instructed mappings elicited stronger theta activity over frontal electrodes and suppression in mu and beta activity over central electrodes. On the contrary, activity in the alpha band, which has been shown to track the attentional deployment to task-relevant items, showed no differences between tasks. Together, these results support the idea that proceduralization of information is characterized by specific component processes such as orchestrating complex task settings and configuring the motor system that are not observed when instructions are held in a declarative format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Formica
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | | | - Mehdi Senoussi
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Marcel Brass
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium; School of Mind and Brain/Department of Psychology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany
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46
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Maksimenko V, Kuc A, Frolov N, Kurkin S, Hramov A. Effect of repetition on the behavioral and neuronal responses to ambiguous Necker cube images. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3454. [PMID: 33568692 PMCID: PMC7876129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82688-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A repeated presentation of an item facilitates its subsequent detection or identification, a phenomenon of priming. Priming may involve different types of memory and attention and affects neural activity in various brain regions. Here we instructed participants to report on the orientation of repeatedly presented Necker cubes with high (HA) and low (LA) ambiguity. Manipulating the contrast of internal edges, we varied the ambiguity and orientation of the cube. We tested how both the repeated orientation (referred to as a stimulus factor) and the repeated ambiguity (referred to as a top-down factor) modulated neuronal and behavioral response. On the behavioral level, we observed higher speed and correctness of the response to the HA stimulus following the HA stimulus and a faster response to the right-oriented LA stimulus following the right-oriented stimulus. On the neuronal level, the prestimulus theta-band power grew for the repeated HA stimulus, indicating activation of the neural networks related to attention and uncertainty processing. The repeated HA stimulus enhanced hippocampal activation after stimulus onset. The right-oriented LA stimulus following the right-oriented stimulus enhanced activity in the precuneus and the left frontal gyri before the behavioral response. During the repeated HA stimulus processing, enhanced hippocampal activation may evidence retrieving information to disambiguate the stimulus and define its orientation. Increased activation of the precuneus and the left prefrontal cortex before responding to the right-oriented LA stimulus following the right-oriented stimulus may indicate a match between their orientations. Finally, we observed increased hippocampal activation after responding to the stimuli, reflecting the encoding stimulus features in memory. In line with the large body of works relating the hippocampal activity with episodic memory, we suppose that this type of memory may subserve the priming effect during the repeated presentation of ambiguous images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Maksimenko
- grid.465471.50000 0004 4910 8311Neuroscience and Cognitive Technology Laboratory, Center for Technologies in Robotics and Mechatronics Component, Innopolis University, 1 Universitetskaya str., Innopolis, Republic of Tatarstan Russia 420500 ,grid.412420.10000 0000 8546 8761Saratov State Medical University, 112 Bolshaya Kazachia str., Saratov, Russia 410012
| | - Alexander Kuc
- grid.465471.50000 0004 4910 8311Neuroscience and Cognitive Technology Laboratory, Center for Technologies in Robotics and Mechatronics Component, Innopolis University, 1 Universitetskaya str., Innopolis, Republic of Tatarstan Russia 420500
| | - Nikita Frolov
- grid.465471.50000 0004 4910 8311Neuroscience and Cognitive Technology Laboratory, Center for Technologies in Robotics and Mechatronics Component, Innopolis University, 1 Universitetskaya str., Innopolis, Republic of Tatarstan Russia 420500
| | - Semen Kurkin
- grid.465471.50000 0004 4910 8311Neuroscience and Cognitive Technology Laboratory, Center for Technologies in Robotics and Mechatronics Component, Innopolis University, 1 Universitetskaya str., Innopolis, Republic of Tatarstan Russia 420500
| | - Alexander Hramov
- grid.465471.50000 0004 4910 8311Neuroscience and Cognitive Technology Laboratory, Center for Technologies in Robotics and Mechatronics Component, Innopolis University, 1 Universitetskaya str., Innopolis, Republic of Tatarstan Russia 420500 ,grid.412420.10000 0000 8546 8761Saratov State Medical University, 112 Bolshaya Kazachia str., Saratov, Russia 410012
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Thomschewski A, Trinka E, Jacobs J. Temporo-Frontal Coherences and High-Frequency iEEG Responses during Spatial Navigation in Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020162. [PMID: 33530531 PMCID: PMC7911024 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus function in tight coordination during multiple cognitive processes. During spatial navigation, prefrontal neurons are linked to hippocampal theta oscillations, presumably in order to enhance communication. Hippocampal ripples have been suggested to reflect spatial memory processes. Whether prefrontal-hippocampal-interaction also takes place within the ripple band is unknown. This intracranial EEG study aimed to investigate whether ripple band coherences can also be used to show this communication. Twelve patients with epilepsy and intracranial EEG evaluation completed a virtual spatial navigation task. We calculated ordinary coherence between prefrontal and temporal electrodes during retrieval, re-encoding, and pre-task rest. Coherences were compared between the conditions via permutation testing. Additionally, ripples events were automatically detected and changes in occurrence rates were investigated excluding ripples on epileptic spikes. Ripple-band coherences yielded no general effect of the task on coherences across all patients. Furthermore, we did not find significant effects of task conditions on ripple rates. Subsequent analyses pointed to rather short periods of synchrony as opposed to general task-related changes in ripple-band coherence. Specifically designed tasks and adopted measures might be necessary in order to map these interactions in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljoscha Thomschewski
- Affiliated Centre of the European Reference Network EpiCARE, Department of Neurology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Christian-Doppler Medical Centre, Paracelsus Medical University, Ignaz-Harrer-Str. 79, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Correspondence:
| | - Eugen Trinka
- Affiliated Centre of the European Reference Network EpiCARE, Department of Neurology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Christian-Doppler Medical Centre, Paracelsus Medical University, Ignaz-Harrer-Str. 79, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Julia Jacobs
- Member of the European Reference Network EpiCARE, Epilepsy Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, 79106 Freiburg, Germany;
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, University Hospital Freiburg, Mathildenstraße 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Room 293, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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Pavlov YG, Kotchoubey B. Oscillatory brain activity and maintenance of verbal and visual working memory: A systematic review. Psychophysiology 2020; 59:e13735. [PMID: 33278030 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Brain oscillations likely play a significant role in the storage of information in working memory (WM). Despite the wide popularity of the topic, current attempts to summarize the research in the field are narrative reviews. We address this gap by providing a descriptive systematic review, in which we investigated oscillatory correlates of maintenance of verbal and visual information in WM. The systematic approach enabled us to challenge some common views popularized by previous research. The identified literature (100 EEG/MEG studies) highlighted the importance of theta oscillations in verbal WM: frontal midline theta enhanced with load in most verbal studies, while more equivocal results have been obtained in visual studies. Increasing WM load affected alpha activity in most studies, but the direction of the effect was inconsistent: the ratio of studies that found alpha increase versus decrease with increasing load was 80/20% in the verbal WM domain and close to 60/40% in the visual domain. Alpha asymmetry (left < right) was a common finding in both verbal and visual WM studies. Beta and gamma activity studies yielded the least convincing data: a diversity in the spatial and frequency distribution of beta activity prevented us from making a coherent conclusion; gamma rhythm was virtually neglected in verbal WM studies with no systematic support for sustained gamma changes during the delay in EEG studies in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri G Pavlov
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Boris Kotchoubey
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Abstract
Neural oscillations play an important role in the integration and segregation of brain regions that are important for brain functions, including pain. Disturbances in oscillatory activity are associated with several disease states, including chronic pain. Studies of neural oscillations related to pain have identified several functional bands, especially alpha, beta, and gamma bands, implicated in nociceptive processing. In this review, we introduce several properties of neural oscillations that are important to understand the role of brain oscillations in nociceptive processing. We also discuss the role of neural oscillations in the maintenance of efficient communication in the brain. Finally, we discuss the role of neural oscillations in healthy and chronic pain nociceptive processing. These data and concepts illustrate the key role of regional and interregional neural oscillations in nociceptive processing underlying acute and chronic pains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junseok A. Kim
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen D. Davis
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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50
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Liesefeld HR, Liesefeld AM, Sauseng P, Jacob SN, Müller HJ. How visual working memory handles distraction: cognitive mechanisms and electrophysiological correlates. VISUAL COGNITION 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/13506285.2020.1773594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich R. Liesefeld
- Department Psychologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
- Munich Center for Neurosciences – Brain & Mind, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Anna M. Liesefeld
- Department Psychologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Paul Sauseng
- Department Psychologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Simon N. Jacob
- Department of Neurosurgery, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Hermann J. Müller
- Department Psychologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
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