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Alim H, Wahab AYA, Subramaniam A, Nor NM. The concept of cognitive readiness: potential solution and opportunity for the Malaysian army. Cogn Process 2024:10.1007/s10339-024-01203-2. [PMID: 38970742 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-024-01203-2] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
This paper focuses on exploring the potential solution and opportunity in the development of the Malaysian Army Transformation Plan by using the concept of Cognitive Readiness (CR). Here, the concept of CR equipped the military personnel to be cognitively ready to perform their role in military operations. The main aim of the paper is to highlight the fundamental discourse of 'what is cognitive readiness' in discovering the potential solution and opportunity in the development of the Malaysian Army Transformation Plan. The paper suggests that the strategy for transformation may start at the tactical level by focusing on enhancing the military personnel's CR. The study proposed that the Malaysian Army Organization prepare the military personnel with Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). KSA are important to boost the military personnel to have a distinctive character such as thinking critically, problem-solving and decision-making to perform effectively during military operations. In this preliminary study, the paper proposed a Framework for Tactical Cognitive Readiness (TCR) as a potential solution and opportunity for the Malaysian Army.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasmady Alim
- Faculty of Defences Studies and Management, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sungai Besi Camp, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Amelia Yuliana Abd Wahab
- AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ananthan Subramaniam
- Faculty of Defences Studies and Management, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sungai Besi Camp, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Norazman Mohamad Nor
- Faculty of Engineering, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sungai Besi Camp, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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2
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Ganesan K, Thompson A, Smid CR, Cañigueral R, Li Y, Revill G, Puetz V, Bernhardt BC, Dosenbach NUF, Kievit R, Steinbeis N. Cognitive control training with domain-general response inhibition does not change children's brains or behavior. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:1364-1375. [PMID: 38834704 PMCID: PMC11239524 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01672-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive control is required to organize thoughts and actions and is critical for the pursuit of long-term goals. Childhood cognitive control relates to other domains of cognitive functioning and predicts later-life success and well-being. In this study, we used a randomized controlled trial to test whether cognitive control can be improved through a pre-registered 8-week intervention in 235 children aged 6-13 years targeting response inhibition and whether this leads to changes in multiple behavioral and neural outcomes compared to a response speed training. We show long-lasting improvements of closely related measures of cognitive control at the 1-year follow-up; however, training had no impact on any behavioral outcomes (decision-making, academic achievement, mental health, fluid reasoning and creativity) or neural outcomes (task-dependent and intrinsic brain function and gray and white matter structure). Bayesian analyses provide strong evidence of absent training effects. We conclude that targeted training of response inhibition does little to change children's brains or their behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keertana Ganesan
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Abigail Thompson
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Evidence Based Practice Unit, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Claire R Smid
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Roser Cañigueral
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yongjing Li
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Grace Revill
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vanessa Puetz
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Boris C Bernhardt
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nico U F Dosenbach
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rogier Kievit
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nikolaus Steinbeis
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
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3
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Fransen J. There is No Supporting Evidence for a Far Transfer of General Perceptual or Cognitive Training to Sports Performance. Sports Med 2024:10.1007/s40279-024-02060-x. [PMID: 38907178 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02060-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
In this opinion piece I reiterate the concepts of near and far transfer as previously described in the psychological literature. I show that despite very limited evidence, many technologies, tools and methods make questionable claims of eliciting far transfer from generic perceptual and/or cognitive training to sports performance. Specifically, this commentary illustrates with studies on stroboscopic vision, neurofeedback training and executive functions that the claims made for the beneficial effects of these training methods are currently unsubstantiated. I conclude that greater scrutiny by researchers is needed in order to assist practitioners to make better-informed decisions about tools, methods and technologies that may aid sports performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Job Fransen
- School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Building 801, Lake Innes Road, Port Macquarie, NSW, 2444, Australia.
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4
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Stringfield SJ, Kirschmann EK, Torregrossa MM. Working memory performance predicts, but does not reduce, cocaine- and cannabinoid-seeking in adult male rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.28.596305. [PMID: 38853853 PMCID: PMC11160613 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.28.596305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Background Cognitive deficits reflecting impaired executive function are commonly associated with psychiatric disorders, including substance use. Cognitive training is proposed to improve treatment outcomes for these disorders by promoting neuroplasticity within the prefrontal cortex, enhancing executive control, and mitigating cognitive decline due to drug use. Additionally, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can facilitate plasticity in the prefrontal cortex and reduce drug-seeking behaviors. We investigated whether working memory training could elevate BDNF levels in the prefrontal cortex and if this training would predict or protect against cocaine or cannabinoid seeking. Methods Adult male rats were trained to perform a 'simple' or 'complex' version of a delayed- match-to-sample working memory task. Rats then self-administered cocaine or the synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 and were tested for cued drug-seeking during abstinence. Tissue from the prefrontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus was analyzed for BDNF protein expression. Results Training on the working memory task enhanced endogenous BDNF protein levels in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex but not the dorsal hippocampus. Working memory training did not impact self-administration of either drug but predicted the extent of WIN self-administration and cocaine seeking during abstinence. Conclusions These results suggest that working memory training promotes endogenous BDNF but does not alter drug-seeking or drug-taking behavior. However, individual differences in cognitive performance prior to drug exposure may predict vulnerability to future drug use.
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Sandoval-Lentisco A, López-Nicolás R, Tortajada M, López-López JA, Sánchez-Meca J. Transparency in Cognitive Training Meta-analyses: A Meta-review. Neuropsychol Rev 2024:10.1007/s11065-024-09638-2. [PMID: 38639881 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-024-09638-2] [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: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Meta-analyses often present flexibility regarding their inclusion criteria, outcomes of interest, statistical analyses, and assessments of the primary studies. For this reason, it is necessary to transparently report all the information that could impact the results. In this meta-review, we aimed to assess the transparency of meta-analyses that examined the benefits of cognitive training, given the ongoing controversy that exists in this field. Ninety-seven meta-analytic reviews were included, which examined a wide range of populations with different clinical conditions and ages. Regarding the reporting, information about the search of the studies, screening procedure, or data collection was detailed by most reviews. However, authors usually failed to report other aspects such as the specific meta-analytic parameters, the formula used to compute the effect sizes, or the data from primary studies that were used to compute the effect sizes. Although some of these practices have improved over the years, others remained the same. Moreover, examining the eligibility criteria of the reviews revealed a great heterogeneity in aspects such as the training duration, age cut-offs, or study designs that were considered. Preregistered meta-analyses often specified poorly how they would deal with the multiplicity of data or assess publication bias in their protocols, and some contained non-disclosed deviations in their eligibility criteria or outcomes of interests. The findings shown here, although they do not question the benefits of cognitive training, illustrate important aspects that future reviews must consider.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rubén López-Nicolás
- Department Basic Psychology and Methodology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Miriam Tortajada
- Department Basic Psychology and Methodology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Julio Sánchez-Meca
- Department Basic Psychology and Methodology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Rodas JA, Asimakopoulou AA, Greene CM. Can we enhance working memory? Bias and effectiveness in cognitive training studies. Psychon Bull Rev 2024:10.3758/s13423-024-02466-8. [PMID: 38366265 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-024-02466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Meta-analyses have found that working memory (WM) can be improved with cognitive training; however, some authors have suggested that these improvements are mostly driven by biases in the measurement of WM, especially the use of similar tasks for assessment and training. In the present meta-analysis, we investigated whether WM, fluid intelligence, executive functions, and short-term memory can be improved by cognitive training and evaluated the impact of possible sources of bias. We performed a risk of bias assessment of the included studies and took special care in controlling for practice effects. Data from 52 independent comparisons were analyzed, including cognitive training aimed at different cognitive functions. Our results show small improvements in WM after training (SMD = 0.18). Much larger effects were observed when the analysis was restricted to assessment tasks similar to those used for training (SMD = 1.15). Fluid intelligence was not found to improve as a result of training, and improvements in WM were not related to changes in fluid intelligence. Our analyses did however indicate that cognitive training can improve specific executive functions. Contrary to expectations, a set of meta-regressions indicated that characteristics of the training programme, such as dosage and type of training, do not have an impact on the effectiveness of training. The risk of bias assessment revealed some concerns in the randomization process and possible selective reporting among studies. Overall, our results identified various potential sources of bias, with the most significant being the choice of assessment tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Rodas
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador.
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | | | - Ciara M Greene
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Sala G, Nishita Y, Tange C, Zhang S, Ando F, Shimokata H, Otsuka R, Arai H. Differential Longitudinal Associations Between Domains of Cognitive Function and Physical Function: A 20-Year Follow-Up Study. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2024; 79:gbad156. [PMID: 37850300 PMCID: PMC10745265 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cognitive and physical functions are both associated with disability and death. Recent studies have addressed the relationship between cognitive declines and physical declines; however, whether various facets of cognition are diversely associated with specific physical functions is yet to be ascertained. The present work examines the longitudinal associations between fluid and crystallized cognitive functions (Gf and Gc) and physical functions. METHODS The sample consisted of 863 community-dwelling older adults (baseline age 60-79 years) from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging. The participants were tested on a set of Gf and Gc tests and physical tests (grip strength and gait speed). We ran a series of Multivariate Latent Growth Curve models. Specifically, we tested the relationship between cognitive and physical functions in terms of baseline performance (intercept) and rate of change (slope). RESULTS The slope-slope correlations between Gf and physical function were large (grip strength r = 0.64 and gait speed r = 0.68, ps < .001). By contrast, the slope correlations between Gc and physical functions were weak (rs ≤ 0.31) and barely or marginally significant (ps ≤ .06). DISCUSSION The results show that distinct domains of cognitive functions have different associations with physical functions. Namely, the aging-associated declines in the tested physical functions are robustly correlated with the declines in Gf, but are only weakly correlated with the declines in Gc. Therefore, Gc measures may be poor proxies for the patient's frailty and should be considered with caution in clinical assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sala
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yukiko Nishita
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Chikako Tange
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Fujiko Ando
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aichi Shukutoku University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shimokata
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
- Graduate School of Nutritional Sciences, Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences, Nisshin, Aichi, Japan
| | - Rei Otsuka
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hidenori Arai
- National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
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Lau RC, Anderson PJ, Wiley JF, Huang D, Surjatin F, McIntosh P, Gathercole S, Spencer-Smith M. Working Memory Training for Children Using the Adaptive, Self-Select, and Stepwise Approaches to Setting the Difficulty Level of Training Activities: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e47496. [PMID: 37725418 PMCID: PMC10548317 DOI: 10.2196/47496] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A common yet untested assumption of cognitive training in children is that activities should be adaptive, with difficulty adjusted to the individual's performance in order to maximize improvements on untrained tasks (known as transfer). Working memory training provides the ideal testbed to systematically examine this assumption as it is one of the most widely studied domains in the cognitive training literature, and is critical for children's learning, including following instructions and reasoning. OBJECTIVE This trial aimed to examine children's outcomes of working memory training using adaptive, self-select (child selects difficulty level), and stepwise (difficulty level increases incrementally) approaches to setting the difficulty of training activities compared to an active control condition immediately and 6-month postintervention. While the aim is exploratory, we hypothesized that children allocated to a working memory training condition would show greater improvements: (1) on near transfer measures compared to intermediate and far transfer measures and (2) immediately postintervention compared to 6-month postintervention. METHODS This double-blinded, active-controlled, parallel-group randomized trial aimed to recruit 128 children aged 7 to 11 years from 1 metropolitan primary school in Melbourne, Australia. Following baseline testing, children were randomized into 1 of 4 conditions: adaptive, self-select, or stepwise working memory training, or active control. An experimental intervention embedded in Minecraft was developed for teachers to deliver in class over 2 consecutive weeks (10 × 20-minute sessions). The working memory training comprised 2 training activities with processing demands similar to daily activities: backward span and following instructions. The control comprised creative activities. Pre- and postintervention, children completed a set of working memory tests (near and intermediate transfer) and the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (far transfer) to determine training outcomes, as well as motivation questionnaires to determine if motivations toward learning and the intervention were similar across conditions. Caregivers completed the ADHD-Rating Scale-5 to measure their child's attention (far transfer). Statistical analysis will include traditional null hypothesis significance testing and Bayesian methods to quantify evidence for both the null and alternative hypotheses. RESULTS Data collection concluded in December 2022. Data are currently being processed and analyzed. CONCLUSIONS This trial will determine whether the adaptive approach to setting the difficulty of training activities maximizes cognitive training outcomes for children. This trial has several strengths: it adopts best practices for cognitive training studies (design, methods, and analysis plan); uses a range of measures to detect discrete levels of transfer; has a 6-month postintervention assessment; is appropriately powered; and uses an experimental working memory training intervention based on our current understanding of the cognitive mechanisms of training. Findings will inform future research and design of cognitive training interventions and highlight the value of the evidence-based principles of cognitive training. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12621000990820; https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621000990820.aspx. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/47496.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regine Cassandra Lau
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Peter John Anderson
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS), Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joshua F Wiley
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Derek Huang
- Virtual and Augmented Reality Services (VARS), eSolutions, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Faisha Surjatin
- Virtual and Augmented Reality Services (VARS), eSolutions, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Paul McIntosh
- Virtual and Augmented Reality Services (VARS), eSolutions, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Susan Gathercole
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Megan Spencer-Smith
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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9
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Tullo D, Feng Y, Pahor A, Cote JM, Seitz AR, Jaeggi SM. Investigating the Role of Individual Differences in Adherence to Cognitive Training. J Cogn 2023; 6:48. [PMID: 37636013 PMCID: PMC10453960 DOI: 10.5334/joc.315] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Consistent with research across several domains, intervention adherence is associated with desired outcomes. Our study investigates adherence, defined by participants' commitment to, persistence with, and compliance with an intervention's regimen, as a key mechanism underlying cognitive training effectiveness. We examine this relationship in a large and diverse sample comprising 4,775 adults between the ages of 18 and 93. We test the predictive validity of individual difference factors, such as age, gender, cognitive capability (i.e., fluid reasoning and working memory), grit, ambition, personality, self-perceived cognitive failures, socioeconomic status, exercise, and education on commitment to and persistence with a 20-session cognitive training regimen, as measured by the number of sessions completed. Additionally, we test the relationship between compliance measures: (i) spacing between training sessions, as measured by the average time between training sessions, and (ii) consistency in the training schedule, as measured by the variance in time between training sessions, with performance trajectories on the training task. Our data suggest that none of these factors reliably predict commitment to, persistence with, or compliance with cognitive training. Nevertheless, the lack of evidence from the large and representative sample extends the knowledge from previous research exploring limited, heterogenous samples, characterized by older adult populations. The absence of reliable predictors for commitment, persistence, and compliance in cognitive training suggests that nomothetic factors may affect program adherence. Future research will be well served to examine diverse approaches to increasing motivation in cognitive training to improve program evaluation and reconcile the inconsistency in findings across the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yi Feng
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Anja Pahor
- Univerza v Mariboru, Maribor, Slovenia
- Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- University of California Riverside, Riverside, USA
| | | | - Aaron R. Seitz
- Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- University of California Riverside, Riverside, USA
| | - Susanne M. Jaeggi
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
- Northeastern University, Boston, USA
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10
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Laifer LM, Tomaso CC, Chang OD, Phillips EM, James TD, Nelson JM, Espy KA, Alex Mason W, Nelson TD. Early executive control buffers risk for adolescent psychopathology during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Adolesc 2023; 95:1205-1219. [PMID: 37211897 PMCID: PMC10526894 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a global impact on youth mental health, and there is a critical need for research examining individual factors that contribute to increased psychopathology during the pandemic. The current study explored whether executive control (EC) abilities in early childhood interact with COVID-related stress to attenuate risk for adolescent psychopathology during the first 6 months of the pandemic. METHODS Participants were 337 youth (49% female) living in a small midwestern city in the United States. Participants completed EC tasks when they were approximately 4.5 years old as part of a longitudinal study investigating cognitive development. At annual laboratory visits during adolescence and before the pandemic, participants (Mage = 14.57) reported on mental health symptoms. In July and August of 2020, participants (Mage = 16.57) reported on COVID-related stress and depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms. RESULTS COVID-related stress was associated with increased internalizing problems after controlling for prepandemic symptom levels. Further, the impact of COVID-related stress on adolescent internalizing problems was moderated by preschool EC, with higher levels of EC buffering the effects of COVID-related stress on adolescent internalizing problems. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the importance of promoting EC early in development, as well as screening for EC deficits and implementing targeted intervention strategies across the lifespan to help reduce the impact of stress on adolescent internalizing problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Laifer
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Cara C Tomaso
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Olivia D Chang
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Eric M Phillips
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Tiffany D James
- Office of Research and Economic Development, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jennifer Mize Nelson
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
- Office of Research and Economic Development, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Kimberly Andrews Espy
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - W Alex Mason
- Department of Child, Youth, & Family Studies, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Timothy D Nelson
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Soldevila-Domenech N, De Toma I, Forcano L, Diaz-Pellicer P, Cuenca-Royo A, Fagundo B, Lorenzo T, Gomis-Gonzalez M, Sánchez-Benavides G, Fauria K, Sastre C, Fernandez De Piérola Í, Molinuevo JL, Verdejo-Garcia A, de la Torre R. Intensive assessment of executive functions derived from performance in cognitive training games. iScience 2023; 26:106886. [PMID: 37260752 PMCID: PMC10227423 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106886] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional neuropsychological tests accurately describe the current cognitive state but fall short to characterize cognitive change over multiple short time periods. We present an innovative approach to remote monitoring of executive functions on a monthly basis, which leverages the performance indicators from self-administered computerized cognitive training games (NUP-EXE). We evaluated the measurement properties of NUP-EXE in N = 56 individuals (59% women, 60-80 years) at increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (APOE-ϵ4 carriers with subjective cognitive decline) who completed a 12-month multimodal intervention for preventing cognitive decline. NUP-EXE presented good psychometric properties and greater sensitivity to change than traditional tests. Improvements in NUP-EXE correlated with improvements in functionality and were affected by participants' age and gender. This novel data collection methodology is expected to allow a more accurate characterization of an individual's response to a cognitive decline preventive intervention and to inform development of outcome measures for a new generation of intervention trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Soldevila-Domenech
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ilario De Toma
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Forcano
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrícia Diaz-Pellicer
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aida Cuenca-Royo
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Fagundo
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thais Lorenzo
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Gomis-Gonzalez
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Sánchez-Benavides
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Karine Fauria
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - José Luis Molinuevo
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Verdejo-Garcia
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rafael de la Torre
- Neurosciences Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Froger G, Blättler C, Bonnardel N. L’acquisition de l’expertise ou l’abandon progressif du renforcement des processus génériques. PSYCHOLOGIE FRANCAISE 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.psfr.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
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13
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Ibbotson P. The Development of Executive Function: Mechanisms of Change and Functional Pressures. JOURNAL OF COGNITION AND DEVELOPMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/15248372.2022.2160719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ibbotson
- School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
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14
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Nishita Y, Sala G, Shinohara M, Tange C, Ando F, Shimokata H, Sato N, Otsuka R. Effects of APOEɛ4 genotype on age-associated change in cognitive functions among Japanese middle-aged and older adults: A 20-year follow-up study. Exp Gerontol 2023; 171:112036. [PMID: 36435340 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.112036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Carriers of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOEɛ4) have an increased risk of developing dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). However, it is less clear whether the APOEɛ4 might also be involved in cognitive aging among the non-clinical population of older adults. While some studies have suggested that the APOEɛ4 is related to accelerated cognitive decline in the normal aging process, others have failed to provide compelling evidence of such an impact. Notably, these discrepancies may depend on methodological shortcomings, including short time spans, few assessments, and small sample sizes. The present study overcomes the above limitations and aims to clarify the impact of the APOEɛ4 genotype on long-term longitudinal changes in cognitive functions in middle-aged and older adults in Japan. METHODS AND RESULTS The data were retrieved from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) survey (N = 1832; 40 to 79 years of age at baseline). The participants were tested over nine waves covering a period of approximately 20 years. Latent Growth Curve (LGC) modeling was employed to test the impact of the interaction between APOEɛ4 status and age on several cognitive functions. Four tests of the WAIS-R were administered: Information, Similarities, Picture completion, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The results showed that the APOEɛ4 carriers experienced a more pronounced decline in the DSST (p = 0.001) and Similarities (p = 0.022) tests. A similar tendency was found in the Information test (p = 0.034). By contrast, no effect was found in the Picture completion test (p = 0.563). CONCLUSIONS APOEɛ4 carriers seem to exhibit a steeper cognitive decline, which becomes apparent in old age. This effect is more robust in fluid cognitive skills (DSST) than crystallized cognitive skills (Information and Similarities). Overall, the APOEɛ4 genotype may be a significant risk factor in normal (i.e., non-clinical) cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Nishita
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan.
| | - Giovanni Sala
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Shinohara
- Department of Aging Neurobiology, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Chikako Tange
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Fujiko Ando
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aichi Shukutoku University, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1197, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shimokata
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan; Graduate School of Nutritional Sciences, Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences, Nisshin, Aichi 470-0196, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Sato
- Department of Aging Neurobiology, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Rei Otsuka
- Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
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15
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Booth SJ, Brown LJE, Taylor JR, Pobric G. Experimental investigation of training schedule on home-based working memory training in healthy older adults. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1165275. [PMID: 37187566 PMCID: PMC10175577 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1165275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The efficacy of working memory training (WMT) for cognitive enhancement in healthy older adults has been extensively investigated. Typically, WMT results in improved performance on the training task, but limited or no transfer of improvement to other cognitive tasks. Accordingly, there is a need to identify optimal intervention parameters to maximize training and transfer task effects of WMT. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of training schedule on training and transfer task performance of WMT in healthy older adults. A secondary aim was to examine the feasibility of participants performing the intervention online at home, unsupervised, and using their personal devices. Methods Participants (N = 71; mean age: 66 years) completed sixteen WMT or active-control sessions over eight (distributed) or four (intensive) weeks. Adaptive verbal and spatial n-back tasks were used as the WMT tasks. We tested near transfer effects to a digit-span task and far transfer effects to an abstract relational reasoning task. Results Participants successfully performed the cognitively demanding intervention using their own devices, online at home, and with minimal contact with the researcher. We observed a significant improvement in WMT task performance in the WMT group relative to active-controls, but no evidence of near or far transfer. Similar training effects were observed irrespective of the intensity of the training schedule. Discussion Our results suggest that comparable benefits could be observed when using less intensive schedules that may be more easily accommodated into everyday life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J. Booth
- Division of Psychology, Communication, and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Laura J. E. Brown
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jason R. Taylor
- Division of Psychology, Communication, and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gorana Pobric
- Division of Psychology, Communication, and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Gorana Pobric,
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Hwang M, Kim SP, Chung D. Exploring the impacts of implicit context association and arithmetic booster in impulsivity reduction. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:961484. [PMID: 36177221 PMCID: PMC9513136 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.961484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
People have a higher preference for immediate over delayed rewards, and it is suggested that such an impulsive tendency is governed by one's ability to simulate future rewards. Consistent with this view, recent studies have shown that enforcing individuals to focus on episodic future thoughts reduces their impulsivity. Inspired by these reports, we hypothesized that administration of a simple cognitive task linked to future thinking might effectively modulate individuals' delay discounting. Specifically, we used one associative memory task targeting intervention of context information, and one working memory task targeting enhancement of individual's ability to construct a coherent future event. To measure whether each type of cognitive task reduces individuals' impulsivity, a classic intertemporal choice task was used to quantify individuals' baseline and post-intervention impulsivity. Across two experiments and data from 216 healthy young adult participants, we observed that the impacts of intervention tasks were inconsistent. Still, we observed a significant task repetition effect such that the participants showed more patient choices in the second impulsivity assessment. In conclusion, there was no clear evidence supporting that our suggested intervention tasks reduce individuals' impulsivity, and that the current results call attention to the importance of taking into account task repetition effects in studying the impacts of cognitive training and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minho Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, South Korea
| | - Sung-Phil Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, South Korea
| | - Dongil Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, South Korea
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