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Belger J, Blume M, Akbal M, Chojecki P, de Mooij J, Gaebler M, Klotzsche F, Krohn S, Lafci MT, Quinque E, Tromp J, Villringer A, Finke C, Thöne-Otto A. The immersive virtual memory task: Assessing object-location memory in neurological patients using immersive virtual reality. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2024; 34:870-898. [PMID: 37728961 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2023.2256957] [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: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00024005.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Belger
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marie Blume
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mert Akbal
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paul Chojecki
- Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jeroen de Mooij
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Gaebler
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Klotzsche
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Krohn
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mustafa Tevfik Lafci
- Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Quinque
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johanne Tromp
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Finke
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Thöne-Otto
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Kirkham R, Kooijman L, Albertella L, Myles D, Yücel M, Rotaru K. Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Methods for Assessing Executive Functioning: Systematic Review. JMIR Serious Games 2024; 12:e50282. [PMID: 38407958 DOI: 10.2196/50282] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropsychological assessments traditionally include tests of executive functioning (EF) because of its critical role in daily activities and link to mental disorders. Established traditional EF assessments, although robust, lack ecological validity and are limited to single cognitive processes. These methods, which are suitable for clinical populations, are less informative regarding EF in healthy individuals. With these limitations in mind, immersive virtual reality (VR)-based assessments of EF have garnered interest because of their potential to increase test sensitivity, ecological validity, and neuropsychological assessment accessibility. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to explore the literature on immersive VR assessments of EF focusing on (1) EF components being assessed, (2) how these assessments are validated, and (3) strategies for monitoring potential adverse (cybersickness) and beneficial (immersion) effects. METHODS EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched in July 2022 using keywords that reflected the main themes of VR, neuropsychological tests, and EF. Articles had to be peer-reviewed manuscripts written in English and published after 2013 that detailed empirical, clinical, or proof-of-concept studies in which a virtual environment using a head-mounted display was used to assess EF in an adult population. A tabular synthesis method was used in which validation details from each study, including comparative assessments and scores, were systematically organized in a table. The results were summed and qualitatively analyzed to provide a comprehensive overview of the findings. RESULTS The search retrieved 555 unique articles, of which 19 (3.4%) met the inclusion criteria. The reviewed studies encompassed EF and associated higher-order cognitive functions such as inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, planning, and attention. VR assessments commonly underwent validation against gold-standard traditional tasks. However, discrepancies were observed, with some studies lacking reported a priori planned correlations, omitting detailed descriptions of the EF constructs evaluated using the VR paradigms, and frequently reporting incomplete results. Notably, only 4 of the 19 (21%) studies evaluated cybersickness, and 5 of the 19 (26%) studies included user experience assessments. CONCLUSIONS Although it acknowledges the potential of VR paradigms for assessing EF, the evidence has limitations. The methodological and psychometric properties of the included studies were inconsistently addressed, raising concerns about their validity and reliability. Infrequent monitoring of adverse effects such as cybersickness and considerable variability in sample sizes may limit interpretation and hinder psychometric evaluation. Several recommendations are proposed to improve the theory and practice of immersive VR assessments of EF. Future studies should explore the integration of biosensors with VR systems and the capabilities of VR in the context of spatial navigation assessments. Despite considerable promise, the systematic and validated implementation of VR assessments is essential for ensuring their practical utility in real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kirkham
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Lars Kooijman
- Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Lucy Albertella
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Dan Myles
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Murat Yücel
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kristian Rotaru
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Monash Business School, Monash University, Caufield, Australia
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Vasquez BP, Cretu A, Max A, Moscovitch M. Early mobile app training proficiency predicts how well memory-impaired individuals learn to use digital memory aids in the real world. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2023; 33:1411-1429. [PMID: 35930245 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2022.2107020] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Functional memory impairment following acquired brain injury can lead to decreased independence. External memory aids such as smartphones can be highly effective compensation tools, but cognitive deficits may create barriers to implementation in daily life. The present study examined predictors of real-world use of mobile calendar applications for memory compensation in an acquired brain injury sample. A retrospective chart review was completed from an outpatient rehabilitation program, extending 15 years into the past, yielding data from 34 eligible participants. All participants demonstrated skill learning of the calendar function in their digital device and subsequently completed the generalization phase of training, which is focused on real-world implementation (measured through prospective memory tasks). The results showed that the length of time required for skill learning of mobile calendars (event entry or responding to alerts) was not predictive of the duration of generalization training. Initial training performance for responding to alerts, but not event entry, was a significant predictor of the duration of generalization training needed to complete the program. A secondary analysis with a subset of the data revealed that individuals with additional executive deficits took significantly longer to complete generalization training compared to those with a more focal memory impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon P Vasquez
- Neuropsychology & Cognitive Health, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Andrada Cretu
- Neuropsychology & Cognitive Health, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adina Max
- Neuropsychology & Cognitive Health, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada
| | - Morris Moscovitch
- Neuropsychology & Cognitive Health, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Faria AL, Latorre J, Silva Cameirão M, Bermúdez i Badia S, Llorens R. Ecologically valid virtual reality-based technologies for assessment and rehabilitation of acquired brain injury: a systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1233346. [PMID: 37711328 PMCID: PMC10497882 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose A systematic review was conducted to examine the state of the literature regarding using ecologically valid virtual environments and related technologies to assess and rehabilitate people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Materials and methods A literature search was performed following the PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, Web of Science, ACM and IEEE databases. The focus was on assessment and intervention studies using ecologically valid virtual environments (VE). All studies were included if they involved individuals with ABI and simulated environments of the real world or Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Results Seventy out of 363 studies were included in this review and grouped and analyzed according to the nature of its simulation, prefacing a total of 12 kitchens, 11 supermarkets, 10 shopping malls, 16 streets, 11 cities, and 10 other everyday life scenarios. These VE were mostly presented on computer screens, HMD's and laptops and patients interacted with them primarily via mouse, keyboard, and joystick. Twenty-five out of 70 studies had a non-experimental design. Conclusion Evidence about the clinical impact of ecologically valid VE is still modest, and further research with more extensive samples is needed. It is important to standardize neuropsychological and motor outcome measures to strengthen conclusions between studies. Systematic review registration identifier CRD42022301560, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=301560.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lúcia Faria
- Faculdade de Artes e Humanidades, Universidade da Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
- NOVA Laboratory for Computer Science and Informatics, Lisbon, Portugal
- Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Jorge Latorre
- Neurorehabilitation and Brain Research Group, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
- NEURORHB, Servicio de Neurorrehabilitación de Hospitales Vithas, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mónica Silva Cameirão
- NOVA Laboratory for Computer Science and Informatics, Lisbon, Portugal
- Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação, Funchal, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Universidade da Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Sergi Bermúdez i Badia
- NOVA Laboratory for Computer Science and Informatics, Lisbon, Portugal
- Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação, Funchal, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Universidade da Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Roberto Llorens
- Neurorehabilitation and Brain Research Group, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
- NEURORHB, Servicio de Neurorrehabilitación de Hospitales Vithas, Valencia, Spain
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Sokołowska B. Impact of Virtual Reality Cognitive and Motor Exercises on Brain Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4150. [PMID: 36901160 PMCID: PMC10002333 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Innovative technologies of the 21st century have an extremely significant impact on all activities of modern humans. Among them, virtual reality (VR) offers great opportunities for scientific research and public health. The results of research to date both demonstrate the beneficial effects of using virtual worlds, and indicate undesirable effects on bodily functions. This review presents interesting recent findings related to training/exercise in virtual environments and its impact on cognitive and motor functions. It also highlights the importance of VR as an effective tool for assessing and diagnosing these functions both in research and modern medical practice. The findings point to the enormous future potential of these rapidly developing innovative technologies. Of particular importance are applications of virtual reality in basic and clinical neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Sokołowska
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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Martínez-Pernía D, Olavarría L, Fernández-Manjón B, Cabello V, Henríquez F, Robert P, Alvarado L, Barría S, Antivilo A, Velasquez J, Cerda M, Farías G, Torralva T, Ibáñez A, Parra MA, Gilbert S, Slachevsky A. The limitations and challenges in the assessment of executive dysfunction associated with real-world functioning: The opportunity of serious games. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023:1-17. [PMID: 36827177 PMCID: PMC11177293 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2023.2174438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, there is a broad range of methods for detecting and evaluating executive dysfunction ranging from clinical interview to neuropsychological evaluation. Nevertheless, a critical issue of these assessments is the lack of correspondence of the neuropsychological test's results with real-world functioning. This paper proposes serious games as a new framework to improve the neuropsychological assessment of real-world functioning. We briefly discuss the contribution and limitations of current methods of evaluation of executive dysfunction (paper-and-pencil tests, naturalistic observation methods, and Information and Communications Technologies) to inform on daily life functioning. Then, we analyze what are the limitations of these methods to predict real-world performance: (1) A lack of appropriate instruments to investigate the complexity of real-world functioning, (2) the vast majority of neuropsychological tests assess well-structured tasks, and (3) measurement of behaviors are based on simplistic data collection and statistical analysis. This work shows how serious games offer an opportunity to develop more efficient tools to detect executive dysfunction in everyday life contexts. Serious games provide meaningful narrative stories and virtual or real environments that immerse the user in natural and social environments with social interactions. In those highly interactive game environments, the player needs to adapt his/her behavioral performance to novel and ill-structured tasks which are suited for collecting user interaction evidence. Serious games offer a novel opportunity to develop better tools to improve diagnosis of the executive dysfunction in everyday life contexts. However, more research is still needed to implement serious games in everyday clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martínez-Pernía
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- Memory and Neuropsychiatric Center (CMYN), Memory Unit - Neurology Department, Hospital del Salvador and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Loreto Olavarría
- Memory and Neuropsychiatric Center (CMYN), Memory Unit - Neurology Department, Hospital del Salvador and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Victoria Cabello
- Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (LANNEC), Physiopathology Department - Biomedical Science Institute, Neuroscience and East Neuroscience Departments, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Henríquez
- Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- Memory and Neuropsychiatric Center (CMYN), Memory Unit - Neurology Department, Hospital del Salvador and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (LANNEC), Physiopathology Department - Biomedical Science Institute, Neuroscience and East Neuroscience Departments, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory for Cognitive and Evolutionary Neuroscience (LaNCE), Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Philippe Robert
- Cognition Behavior Technology (CoBTeK) Lab, FRIS-Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Luís Alvarado
- Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental Norte, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Silvia Barría
- Departamento de Ciencias Neurologicas Oriente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, and Servicio de Neurología, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrés Antivilo
- Departamento de Ciencias Neurologicas Oriente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, and Servicio de Neurología, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Velasquez
- Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Web Intelligence Center, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Instituto Sistemas Complejos de Ingeniería (ISCI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Cerda
- Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, and Center for Medical Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, and Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Farías
- Department of Neurology North, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for advanced clinical research (CICA), Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Chile
| | - Teresa Torralva
- Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCYT), Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva Foundation, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustín Ibáñez
- Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San Andrés, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mario A Parra
- School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sam Gilbert
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Slachevsky
- Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- Memory and Neuropsychiatric Center (CMYN), Memory Unit - Neurology Department, Hospital del Salvador and Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (LANNEC), Physiopathology Department - Biomedical Science Institute, Neuroscience and East Neuroscience Departments, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
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Seesjärvi E, Puhakka J, Aronen ET, Hering A, Zuber S, Merzon L, Kliegel M, Laine M, Salmi J. EPELI: a novel virtual reality task for the assessment of goal-directed behavior in real-life contexts. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2022:10.1007/s00426-022-01770-z. [PMID: 36418557 PMCID: PMC10366028 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-022-01770-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA recently developed virtual reality task, EPELI (Executive Performance in Everyday LIving), quantifies goal-directed behavior in naturalistic conditions. Participants navigate a virtual apartment, performing household chores given by a virtual character. EPELI aims to tap attention, executive function, and prospective memory. To ensure its applicability to further research and clinical work and to study its relationship to relevant background factors, we examined several key properties of EPELI in 77 typically developing 9–13-year-old children. These included EPELI’s internal consistency, age and gender differences, sensitivity to gaming experience, head-mounted display (HMD) type, and verbal recall ability, as well as its relationships with parent-rated everyday executive problems. Of the eight EPELI measures, the following six showed acceptable internal consistency: task and navigation efficacy, number of correctly performed tasks and overall actions, time monitoring, and controller movement. Some measures were associated with age, gender, or verbal encoding ability. Moreover, EPELI performance was associated with parent-rated everyday executive problems. There were no significant associations of gaming background, task familiarity, or HMD type with the EPELI measures. These results attest to the reliability and ecological validity of this new virtual reality tool for the assessment of attention, executive functions, and prospective memory in children.
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How immersive virtual reality methods may meet the criteria of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology: A software review of the Virtual Reality Everyday Assessment Lab (VR-EAL). COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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