Background
Cognitive treatment response varies highly in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Identification of mechanisms is essential for predicting response.
Objectives
This study aimed to ...investigate whether brain network function predicts response to cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).
Methods
PwMS with cognitive complaints completed CRT, MBCT, or enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) and performed three measurements (baseline, post-treatment, 6-month follow-up). Baseline magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures were used to predict treatment effects on cognitive complaints, personalized cognitive goals, and information processing speed (IPS) using mixed models (secondary analysis REMIND-MS study).
Results
We included 105 PwMS (96 included in prediction analyses; 32 CRT, 31 MBCT, 33 ETAU), and 56 healthy controls with baseline MEG. MEG did not predict reductions in complaints. Higher connectivity predicted better goal achievement after MBCT (
p
= 0.010) and CRT (
p
= 0.018). Lower gamma power (
p
= 0.006) and higher connectivity (
p
= 0.020) predicted larger IPS benefits after MBCT. These MEG predictors indicated worse brain function compared to healthy controls (
p
< 0.05).
Conclusions
Brain network function predicted better cognitive goal achievement after MBCT and CRT, and IPS improvements after MBCT. PwMS with neuronal slowing and hyperconnectivity were most prone to show treatment response, making network function a promising tool for personalized treatment recommendations.
Trial registration
The REMIND-MS study was prospectively registered in the Dutch Trial registry (NL6285;
https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR6459
).
The amount of information that can be stored in working memory is limited but may be improved with practice. The basis of improved efficiency at the level of neural activity is unknown. To ...investigate this question, we trained monkeys to perform a working memory task that required memory for multiple stimuli. Performance decreased as a function of number of stimuli to be remembered, but improved as the animals practiced the task. Neuronal recordings acquired during this training revealed two hitherto unknown mechanisms of working memory capacity improvement. First, more prefrontal neurons became active as working memory improved, but their baseline activity decreased. Second, improved working memory capacity was characterized by less variable temporal dynamics, resulting in a more consistent firing rate at each time point during the course of a trial. Our results reveal that improved performance of working memory tasks is achieved through more distributed activation and invariant neuronal dynamics.
Purpose
Music perception is one of the greatest challenges for cochlear implant (CI) users. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate the music perception of CI users using the online Meludia ...music training program as music testing platform, (ii) to compare performance among three age groups, and (iii) to compare CI users with their normal hearing (NH) peers.
Methods
138 individuals participated, divided between children (6–10 y), adolescents (11–16 y), and adults (≥ 17 y). Five music perception tasks were evaluated: Rhythm, Spatialization, Stable/unstable, Melody, and Density. We also administered the music related quality of life (MuRQoL) questionnaire for adults, and a music questionnaire for pediatric population (6–16 y) (MuQPP).
Results
A significantly higher percentage of the adolescent CI users completed the five tasks compared to the other age groups. Both pediatric and adolescent CI users had similar performance to their NH peers in most categories. On the MuRQoL, adult NH listeners reported more music exposure than CI users (3.8 ± 0.6 vs 3.0 ± 0.6,
p
< 0.01), but both groups reported similar levels of perceived music importance (3.4 ± 0.7 vs 3.2 ± 1.1,
p
= 0.340). On the MuQPP, pediatric CI users who scored highly on music perception also had higher reported questionnaire scores (54.2 ± 12.9 vs 40.9 ± 12.1,
p
= 0.009).
Conclusions
Meludia can be used to evaluate music perception and to use for music training in CI users of all ages. Adolescents had the highest performance in most musical tasks. Pediatric CI users were more similar to their NH peers. The importance of music in adult CI users was comparable to their NH peers.
Process-based working memory (WM) training in typically developing children usually leads to short- and long-term improvements on untrained WM tasks. However, results are mixed regarding far transfer ...to academic and cognitive abilities. Moreover, there is a lack of studies jointly evaluating the different types of transfer, using an adequate design and considering motivational factors. In addition, evidence is needed about how pre-training performance is related to individual differences in training-induced transfer. Therefore, this study aimed to implement and evaluate the efficacy of a computerized process-based WM training in typically developing school-age children. Near and far transfer effects were evaluated both immediately after training and after 6 months, as well as individual differences in training-induced transfer. The sample was composed of 89 typically developing children aged 9–10 years (
M
= 9.52,
SD
= 0.30), who were randomized to a WM training group or an active control group. They were evaluated at pre-training, post-training, and follow-up phases with measures of visuospatial and verbal WM, reading comprehension, math computation, and fluid intelligence. Results showed that the training group significantly improved performance in verbal WM and fluid intelligence compared to the active control group, immediately after training and after 6 months. Trained children with lower initial performance in verbal WM or fluid intelligence showed greater transfer gains. No group differences were found in motivational factors. Findings of this study suggest that process-based WM training may promote transfer to cognitive abilities and lead to compensation effects of individual differences in typically developing school-age children.
Computerized targeted cognitive training (TCT) of auditory processing has been shown to improve verbal learning in several clinical trials of schizophrenia outpatients. Less is known, however, about ...the effectiveness of this promising intervention in more chronic, treatment-refractory patients who are treated in non-academic settings. This study aimed to determine whether TCT improves auditory processing, verbal learning, and clinical symptoms in SZ patients mandated to receive care at a locked residential rehabilitation center. Secondarily, potential factors that moderate TCT's effectiveness including age, symptom severity, antipsychotic medication load, and duration of illness were examined. Schizophrenia patients were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU; n = 22) or TAU augmented with TCT (TAU + TCT; n = 24). Outcomes included a measure of auditory perception (Word-In-Noise test, WIN), verbal learning domain scores from the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), and clinical symptoms (Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, SAPS; Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, SANS). TCT produced significant improvements in auditory perception (d = 0.67) and verbal learning (d = 0.65); exploratory analyses revealed a statistically significant reduction in auditory hallucinations (d = −0.64). TCT's effects were only weakly, and mostly non-significantly, moderated by age, clinical symptoms, medication, and illness duration. These findings indicate that even highly symptomatic, functionally disabled patients with chronic illness benefit from this emerging treatment. Ongoing studies will examine the predictive utility of neurophysiological biomarkers and other characteristics assessed at baseline.
Here we analyze changes in gray matter volumes following a challenging adaptive cognitive training program based on the n-back task. Twenty-six young healthy women completed twenty-four cognitive ...training sessions across twelve weeks showing substantial average improvements in cognitive performance. High-resolution MRI scans were obtained before and after training. Brain images of the training group were compared to those of a control group by applying optimized longitudinal voxel-based morphometry. We observed a significant interaction between groups (training versus control) and times (before versus after training), driven by a gray matter volume increase for the training group in clusters of voxels located in left posterior cingulate, right cerebellum, and right temporal lobe. The regions identified are known to support executive control and working memory processes (such as monitoring and updating) required by the completed training regime. Changes in the gray matter volume of these clusters were correlated with a) behavioral changes across the training program and b) changes in four psychological factors assessed before and after training (fluid and crystallized intelligence, working memory capacity, and attention control). None of these correlations were statistically significant, and therefore, psychological and biological changes were seen as independent. The sensitivity of voxel-based approaches for this kind of research is discussed.
•Group (training-control)×time (before-after training) interactions are analyzed.•Gray matter volume increase is observed in the training group at 3 brain regions.•These regions support working memory processes required by the training regime.•Volumetric changes were unrelated with psychological changes.•The sensitivity of voxel-based approaches is discussed.
Soccer players are required to have well-developed physical, technical and cognitive abilities. The present systematic review, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and ...Meta-Analysis guidelines, examined the effects of cognitive training strategies on motor and positive psychological skills development in soccer performance and identified the potential moderators of the "cognitive training-soccer performance" relationship. Thirteen databases were systematically searched using keywords related to psychological or cognitive training in soccer players. The review is based on 18 studies, employing 584 soccer players aged 7-39 years. Cognitive strategies, particularly imagery, appear to improve sports performance in soccer players. Regarding imagery, the combination of two different types of cognitive imagery training (i.e., cognitive general and cognitive specific) has a positive influence on soccer performance during training, whereas motivational imagery (i.e., motivational general-arousal, motivational general-mastery and motivational specific) enhance competition performance. Younger soccer players employ cognitive general and cognitive specific imagery techniques to a greater extent than older soccer players. Combined cognitive training strategies were more beneficial than a single cognitive strategy relative to motor skills enhancement in elite (particularly midfielders) and amateur (i.e., when practising complex and specific soccer skills in precompetitive period) soccer players. In conclusion, it appears that there are differences in cognitive/psychological training interventions, and their efficacy, according to whether they are directed towards training or competition, and the age, standard and playing position of the players.
Cognitive theories on deception posit that lying requires more cognitive resources than telling the truth. In line with this idea, it has been demonstrated that deceptive responses are typically ...associated with increased response times and higher error rates compared to truthful responses. Although the cognitive cost of lying has been assumed to be resistant to practice, it has recently been shown that people who are trained to lie can reduce this cost. In the present study (n = 42), we further explored the effects of practice on one's ability to lie by manipulating the proportions of lie and truth-trials in a Sheffield lie test across three phases: Baseline (50% lie, 50% truth), Training (frequent-lie group: 75% lie, 25% truth; control group: 50% lie, 50% truth; and frequent-truth group: 25% lie, 75% truth), and Test (50% lie, 50% truth). The results showed that lying became easier while participants were trained to lie more often and that lying became more difficult while participants were trained to tell the truth more often. Furthermore, these effects did carry over to the test phase, but only for the specific items that were used for the training manipulation. Hence, our study confirms that relatively little practice is enough to alter the cognitive cost of lying, although this effect does not persist over time for non-practiced items.
Examining the relationship between the responses of a number of different cognitive trainings on cognitive functioning in middle-aged and elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Randomized ...controlled experimental studies published publicly from the time of inception to October 30, 2023 were searched through Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases. Traditional and network meta-analyses were performed using Stata 17.0 software.
Fifty papers on 4 types of cognitive training were included. Traditional meta-analysis showed that virtual reality training (SMD = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.36,0.70, P = 0.00), neuropsychological training (SMD = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.18,0.70, P = 0.00), cognitive strategy training (SMD = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.16,0.36, P = 0.00), and cognitive behavioral therapy (SMD = 0.25, 95%CI: 0.08,0.41, P = 0.00) all had significant improvement effects on the cognitive function of middle-aged and elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. Network meta-analysis revealed neuropsychological training as the best cognitive training, and subgroup analysis of cognitive function subdimensions showed that neuropsychological training had the best effects on working memory, lobal cognitive function, memory, and cognitive flexibility improvement. Meanwhile, virtual reality training had the best effects on processing speed, verbal ability, overall executive function, spatial cognitive ability, and attention improvement.
Cognitive training can significantly improve the cognitive function of middle-aged and elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, and neuropsychological training is the best intervention, most effective in interventions lasting more than 8 weeks.
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