scholarly journals The Effect of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation on Cognitive Training Outcome in Healthy Aging

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Brambilla ◽  
Lars Dinkelbach ◽  
Annelien Bigler ◽  
Joseph Williams ◽  
Nahid Zokaei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Logical Reasoning ◽  
Performance Change ◽  
Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation

Background and Objective: Aging is associated with a decline in attentional and executive abilities, which are linked to physiological, structural, and functional brain changes. A variety of novel non-invasive brain stimulation methods have been probed in terms of their neuroenhancement efficacy in the last decade; one that holds significant promise is transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) that delivers an alternate current at random amplitude and frequency. The aim of this study was to investigate whether repeated sessions of tRNS applied as an add-on to cognitive training (CT) may induce long-term near and far transfer cognitive improvements.Methods: In this sham-controlled, randomized, double-blinded study forty-two older adults (age range 60–86 years) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups that received 20 min of 0.705 mA tRNS (N = 14), 1 mA tRNS (N = 14), or sham tRNS (N = 19) combined with 30 min of CT of executive functions (cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, working memory). tRNS was applied bilaterally over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices for five sessions. The primary outcome (non-verbal logical reasoning) and other cognitive functions (attention, memory, executive functions) were assessed before and after the intervention and at a 1-month follow-up.Results: Non-verbal logical reasoning, inhibitory control and reaction time improved significantly over time, but stimulation did not differentially affect this improvement. These changes occurred during CT, while no further improvement was observed during follow-up. Performance change in logical reasoning was significantly correlated with age in the group receiving 1 mA tRNS, indicating that older participants profited more from tRNS than younger participants. Performance change in non-verbal working memory was significantly correlated with age in the group receiving sham tRNS, indicating that in contrast to active tRNS, older participants in the sham group declined more than younger participants.Interpretation: CT induced cognitive improvements in all treatment groups, but tRNS did not modulate most of these cognitive improvements. However, the effect of tRNS depended on age in some cognitive functions. We discuss possible explanations leading to this result that can help to improve the design of future neuroenhancement studies in older populations.

scholarly journals Decision-making, cognitive functions, impulsivity, and media multitasking expectancies in high versus low media multitaskers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke M. Müller ◽  
Johannes Schiebener ◽  
Matthias Brand ◽  
Magnus Liebherr
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Logical Reasoning ◽  
Problematic Internet Use ◽  
Media Multitasking ◽  
Objective Risk

AbstractIn several studies, individuals who reported to frequently multitask with different media displayed reduced cognitive performance, for example in fluid intelligence and executive functioning. These cognitive functions are relevant for making advantageous decisions under both objective risk (requiring reflection and strategical planning) and ambiguous risk (requiring learning from feedback). Thus, compared to low media multitaskers (LMMs), high media multitaskers (HMMs) may perform worse in both types of decision situations. The current study investigated HMMs and LMMs in a laboratory setting with the Game of Dice Task (GDT; objective risk), the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT; ambiguous risk), various tests quantifying cognitive functions (logical reasoning, working memory, information processing, general executive functions), and self-report measures of impulsivity, media multitasking expectancies, and problematic Internet use. From 182 participants, 25 HMMs and 19 LMMs were identified using the Media Multitasking Index. Results show that HMMs compared to LMMs performed weaker on the IGT but not on the GDT. Furthermore, HMMs had slightly decreased performance in tests of logical reasoning and working memory capacity. HMMs tended to increased information processing speed but this difference was not significant. Furthermore, HMMs have more positive expectancies regarding media multitasking and reported higher tendencies toward problematic Internet use. HMMs and LMMs did not differ significantly with respect to impulsivity and executive functions. The results give a first hint that HMMs may have difficulties in decision-making under ambiguous but not under objective risk. HMMs may be more prone to errors in tasks that require feedback processing. However, HMMs appear not to be impaired in aspects of long-term strategic decision-making.

Development of a Program based on Goal Management Training for Adolescents with Executive Dysfunctions Complaints

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana Garcia Nunes ◽  
Alessandra Gotuzo Seabra
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Execution Time ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Intellectual Ability ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Goal Management ◽  
Executive Dysfunctions ◽  
Goal Management Training

Abstract This study aimed to develop a program based on Goal Management Training (GMT) and to investigate its effectiveness on executive functions, through formal instruments and an ecological task. Participants were 25 adolescents with complaints of executive dysfunctions. They underwent neuropsychological assessment of working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, planning, and intellectual ability. Participants also took part in a cooking activity and were evaluated for errors per action, of omission, activity performance time, recipe consultation. After, they were randomly allocated to an active control group (CG), which underwent psychoeducation sessions, and an experimental group (EG), stimulated through GMT in eight sessions. Then participants underwent another assessment and follow-up after 4 weeks. In post-intervention analyses, results showed an improvement in executive functions in EG, in the working memory measurement and time of the ecological activity (g = 1.78 and .93, respectively), IQ (g = −1.01), reasoning (g = −.89), flexibility (g = −1.21), and inhibition (g = −3.11). In follow-up evaluation, large-size effects were observed on flexibility (g = −2.95), inhibition (g = −5.78) and execution time of the ecological activity (g = .98). Significant interactions between assessment Time x Group revealed EG gains in IQ, scores in reasoning and flexibility. EG also had longer execution time in flexibility and inhibition tests. That is, EG had greater scores and probably was less impulsive in these tests. Furthermore, EG decreased the number of verifications and the time in the ecological task, that is, had a more efficient performance. Results suggest the intervention can be as instrument to promote executive function.

scholarly journals Effects of multi-domain cognitive training on working memory retrieval in older adults: behavioral and ERP evidence from a Chinese community study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangfei Hong ◽  
You Chen ◽  
Jijun Wang ◽  
Yuan Shen ◽  
Qingwei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Baseline Session

AbstractWorking memory (WM) is a fundamental cognitive function that typically declines with age. Previous studies have shown that targeted WM training has the potential to improve WM performance in older adults. In the present study, we investigated whether a multi-domain cognitive training program that was not designed to specifically target WM could improve the behavioral performance and affect the neural activity during WM retrieval in healthy older adults. We assigned healthy older participants (70–78 years old) from a local community into a training group who completed a 3-month multi-domain cognitive training and a control group who only attended health education lectures during the same period. Behavioral and electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded from participants while performing an untrained delayed match or non-match to category task and a control task at a pre-training baseline session and a post-training follow-up session. Behaviorally, we found that participants in the training group showed a trend toward greater WM performance gains than participants in the control group. Event-related potential (ERP) results suggest that the task-related modulation of P3 during WM retrieval was significantly enhanced at the follow-up session compared with the baseline session, and importantly, this enhancement of P3 modulation was only significant in the training group. Furthermore, no training-related effects were observed for the P2 or N2 component during WM retrieval. These results suggest that the multi-domain cognitive training program that was not designed to specifically target WM is a promising approach to improve WM performance in older adults, and that training-related gains in performance are likely mediated by an enhanced modulation of P3 which might reflect the process of WM updating.

scholarly journals Neuropsychology and malnutrition: a study with 7 to 10 years-old children in a poor community

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mônica C. Miranda ◽  
Fernando J. Nóbrega ◽  
Kazue Sato ◽  
Sabine Pompéia ◽  
Elaine G. Sinnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Average Birth Weight ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Malnourished Children ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Prenatal Malnutrition

OBJECTIVES: to compare the neuropsychological profile of eutrophic, stunted and chronically malnourished children, and to analyse the role of socio-economic factors on the cognitive development. METHODS: seven to 10 year-old girls and boys from a poor community in São Paulo were evaluated: 27 eutrophyc, 31 stunted and 15 chronically malnourished. Neuropsychological evaluation involved cognitive functions not fully assessed in this population, such as working, declarative and non-declarative memories, attention and executive functions. Socio-economic indicators, maternal mental health and the children's behaviour at school were also evaluated. RESULTS: malnourished children had a lower score on the vocabulary test than the eutrophic and stunted groups (p s<0.05), performed worse in the visuospatial working memory task (p = 0.01), were more anxious than the stunted (p = 0.006), and despite having lower average birth weight than eutrophic children (p = 0.01), only two children as had prenatal malnutrition. Stunted children exhibited no impairment. No differences in socio-economic variables were found among groups. CONCLUSIONS: chronic malnutrition was associated to impairment of expressive speech, visual-spatial short-term memory and increased anxiety. No effects were observed in intellectual abilities, executive functions, verbal working memory, long-term memory, nor in visuoconstructive function. Preservation of the latter cognitive functions can be attributed to adequate environmental conditions and the lack of overall prenatal malnutrition.

Transfer of Training between Working Memory Task and Attentional Task

2016 ◽  
pp. 147-165
Author(s):  
Ting Guo ◽  
Yanna Ren ◽  
Xiaotong Zhu ◽  
Hong Chen ◽  
Satoshi Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Training Effects ◽  
Attention Memory

The present studies indicate that training effects in a certain domain may result in the acquired skills being transferred to other domains that require similar abilities. Cognitive training involves structured exercises that are prescribed and undertaken with the purpose of enhancing cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, and problem solving. In contrast to symptomatic pharmacotherapy, non-pharmacological approaches may further improve patients' situations. Our aim was to summarize the empirical evidence for the rehabilitation of individuals with cognitive disorders by using training tasks to enhance specific cognitive functions to combat against cognitive degradation and transfer the benefits to other widely used domains.

Fatigue, quality of life, and cognitive functions in metastatic kidney cancer patients with antiangiogenic treatment.

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 328-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Noal ◽  
M. Lange ◽  
B. J. Escudier ◽  
E. Sevin ◽  
S. Dauchy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Over Time

328 Background: Fatigue is commonly reported by patients under anti-angiogenic therapies, with sometimes cognitive complains. However, few studies have explored these problems. A longitudinal multicentric prospective study is ongoing in France on fatigue, cognitive functions, quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression among metastatic kidney cancer patients receiving anti-angiogenic therapies. Objectives: The main objective is to assess fatigue. Secondary objectives are to assess cognitive functions, QoL, anxiety, and depression. Methods: Assessments are made at baseline, at 3 and 6 months. Evaluations were made by: autoquestionnaire MFI-20 to assess fatigue, FACT-G and FKSI to assess QoL, Spielberger's and Beck's questionnaires to assess respectively anxiety and depression. Cognitive functions were assessed by a neuropsychologist with the Working Memory Index (WAIS-III), Grober and Buschke test, Rey Complexe Figure test, verbal fluency and Trail Making test, exploring respectively working memory, episodic memory and executive functions. Preliminary results are presented. Results: 35 patients were enrolled, and 20 of them had the second assessment at 3 months. Most of patients received sunitinib (51%), others received bevacizumab and interferon, or sorafenib. At baseline, 45% of patients expressed general fatigue and 50% at 3 months (p=0.04). Other domains of fatigue (physical, mental, reduced activity and motivation) did not change over time. At baseline, few patients had cognitive disorders (working memory 6%; executive functions 0%; episodic memory 11%), with no decline at 3 months. However, there was an impairment of QoL in FKSI score (p=0.01) and of FACT-G physical well-being (p=0.01). No differences were found in social, emotional or functional well-being. There was no difference on depression nor on anxiety over time. Conclusions: Fatigue significantly increased during the first 3 months of anti-angiogenic treatment, with no impact on cognitive functions but a decline of QoL. These preliminary findings need to be confirmed by further follow-up and more patients. Final results will be provided with 120 patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Individual Differences and Long-term Consequences of tDCS-augmented Cognitive Training

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1498-1508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Katz ◽  
Jacky Au ◽  
Martin Buschkuehl ◽  
Tessa Abagis ◽  
Chelsea Zabel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Sham Condition

A great deal of interest surrounds the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to augment cognitive training. However, effects are inconsistent across studies, and meta-analytic evidence is mixed, especially for healthy, young adults. One major source of this inconsistency is individual differences among the participants, but these differences are rarely examined in the context of combined training/stimulation studies. In addition, it is unclear how long the effects of stimulation last, even in successful interventions. Some studies make use of follow-up assessments, but very few have measured performance more than a few months after an intervention. Here, we utilized data from a previous study of tDCS and cognitive training [Au, J., Katz, B., Buschkuehl, M., Bunarjo, K., Senger, T., Zabel, C., et al. Enhancing working memory training with transcranial direct current stimulation. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 28, 1419–1432, 2016] in which participants trained on a working memory task over 7 days while receiving active or sham tDCS. A new, longer-term follow-up to assess later performance was conducted, and additional participants were added so that the sham condition was better powered. We assessed baseline cognitive ability, gender, training site, and motivation level and found significant interactions between both baseline ability and motivation with condition (active or sham) in models predicting training gain. In addition, the improvements in the active condition versus sham condition appear to be stable even as long as a year after the original intervention.

scholarly journals Executive Functions and Cannabis Use in Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Frolli ◽  
Maria Carla Ricci ◽  
Antonella Cavallaro ◽  
Agnese Lombardi ◽  
Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 1

The developmental phase of adolescence is characterized by a multitude of neurocognitive and psychosocial changes and is therefore considered one of the most critical developmental periods of life. Experimentation on the use of substances often begins in adolescence and so does the addiction process. Most research in human subjects shows that chronic cannabis abuse is the cause of the impairment of some cognitive functions, affecting the performance on divided attention, verbal memory and working memory. In this study, we wanted to investigate how the abuse of cannabis (chronic, occasional and absence use) can influence global cognitive functioning, also through executive functions. From the statistical analyzes of our study, it emerges that the group of subjects who use chronic cannabis (group 1) has a significant drop in working memory tasks compared to the group that does not use it (group 3). In addition, the goal of future studies by our group is to verify the permanent alteration of cognitive processes affected through revaluations with calendar follow-up (controlled).

scholarly journals Linking inhibitory control to math achievement via comparison of conflicting decimal numbers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linsah Coulanges ◽  
Roberto A. Abreu-Mendoza ◽  
Sashank Varma ◽  
Melina Uncapher ◽  
Adam Gazzaley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Math Achievement ◽  
Academic Learning ◽  
Whole Number ◽  
Calculation Skills ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Number Knowledge

The relationship between executive functions (EF) and academic achievement is well-established, but leveraging this insight to improve educational outcomes remains elusive. Here, we propose a framework for relating the role of specific EF on specific precursor skills that support later academic learning. Specifically, we hypothesize that executive functions contribute to general math skills both directly – supporting the online execution of problem solving strategies – and indirectly – supporting the acquisition of precursor mathematical content. We test this hypothesis by examining the contribution of inhibitory control on processing rational numbers pairs which conflict with individual’s prior whole number knowledge and on general math knowledge. In 97 college students (79 female, age = 20.63 years), we collected three measures of EF: working memory (backwards spatial span), inhibition (color-word Stroop) and cognitive flexibility (task switching), and timed and untimed standardized measures of math achievement. Our target precursor skill was a decimals comparison task where correct responses were inconsistent with prior whole number knowledge (e.g. 0.27 vs. 0.9). Participants performed worse on these trials relative to the consistent decimals pairs (e.g. 0.2 vs. 0.87). Individual differences on incongruent Stroop trials predicted performance on inconsistent decimal comparisons, which in turn predicted performance on both timed and untimed measures of math achievement. With respect to relating inhibitory control to math achievement, incongruent Stroop performance was an independent predictor of untimed calculation skills after accounting for age, working memory and cognitive flexibility. Finally, we found that inconsistent decimals performance partially mediated the relationship between inhibition and untimed math achievement, consistent with the hypothesis that mathematical precursor skills can explain the relationships between executive functions and academic outcomes, making them promising targets for intervention.

scholarly journals Executive Function Training in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: Study Protocol

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Krawczyk ◽  
Kihwan Han ◽  
David Martinez ◽  
Jelena Rakic ◽  
Matthew Kmiecik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Post Injury

Abstract Background: Some individuals who sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) continue to experience significant cognitive impairments chronically (months-to-years post-injury). Many tests of executive function are insensitive to these executive function impairments, as such impairments may only appear during complex daily life conditions. Daily life often requires us to divide our attention and focus on abstract goals. In the current study, we compare the effects of two one-month electronic cognitive rehabilitation programs for individuals with chronic TBI. The active program (Expedition: Strategic Advantage) focuses on improving goal-directed executive functions including working memory, planning, long-term memory, and inhibitory control by challenging participants to accomplish life-like cognitive simulations. The challenge level of the simulations increase in accordance with participant achievement. The control intervention (Expedition: Informational Advantage) is identical to the active; however, the cognitive demand level is capped preventing participants from advancing beyond a set level. We will evaluate these interventions with a military veteran TBI population. Methods: One hundred individuals will be enrolled in this double-blinded clinical trial (all participants and testers are blinded to condition). Each individual will be randomly assigned to one of two interventions. The primary anticipated outcomes are improvement of daily life cognitive function skills and daily life functions. These are measured by a daily life performance task, which tests cognitive skills, and a survey that evaluates daily life functions. Secondary outcomes are also predicted to include improvements in working memory, attention, planning, and inhibitory control as measured by a neuropsychological test battery. Lastly, neuroimaging measures will be used to evaluate changes in brain networks supporting cognition pre-intervention and post-intervention. Discussion: We will test whether electronically delivered cognitive rehabilitation aimed at improving daily life functional skills will provide cognitive and daily life functional improvements for individuals in the chronic phase of TBI recovery (greater than three months post-injury). We aim to better understand the cognitive processes involved in recovery and the characteristics of individuals most likely to benefit. This study will also address the potential to observe generalizability, or transfer, from a software-based cognitive training tool toward daily life improvement. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03704116 (retrospectively registered) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03704116?term=tbi+krawczyk&rank=1 Keywords: Cognitive rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury, executive functions, daily life functions, memory, attention, planning. Support: Joint Warfighter Program; U. S. Dept. of Defense W81XWH-16-1-0053

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document